Normal things in The Midlands

A brisk walk on the Clent Hills

Monday I got a haircut, hurrah, about time too. We went in to Selly Oak by train in the evening to a partial Monday Club. Tim and Ellie, his daughter, were in town where she used to study, so were visiting her favourite Korean restaurant, before going to her ‘local’ for a pub quiz. Ellie was competing with a group of friends which left, Tim, B&I and Bill and Martina as a team. We were at least double the age of any other team, so although we may have forgotten more than any of them knew, none of it was any use. We probably weren’t last, but not far off. We don’t know as we missed the last question, dashed up the road , into the station and onto the train. Sadly it was the wrong train, terminating in Bromsgrove and not Redditch, but fortunately we could get off at the next stop and wait for the correct train!

There is a Robin in this photo, can you spot it. It was definitely a Robin although it looks a bit Sparrow like

Tuesday we both had dental appointments, not very exciting, but important none the less. Fortunately one in the morning and one in the afternoon as they were in completely opposite directions. Wednesday I went into town with John, to meet Arif, one of my, and Sarah’s, ex colleagues. We spent a very enjoyable few hours chatting and reminiscing. Brian had called to see if we wanted collecting as it was pouring with rain. We turned him down as it was ok where we were, only to call him from Barnt Green where our train unexpectedly terminated! The day finished with ‘Wednesday Club’ so another pub, and a couple more beers for John and I! It’s all getting a bit much on the beer front!

Passing St Leonards church, SW Clent

Thursday mum had a haircut, after which we went into Redditch, where we had a much more successful shopping trip. There will be many sequins on this cruise! Friday was a lovely day, after much rain so a walk was on the cards. He found a route in Paul and Denise’s book over the Clent Hills, which was very good, and fortunately easy to follow, as the book remained on the bedside table. We knew there was a cafe en route, so I was all set for tablecloths, a hot chocolate and a cheese scone. On arrival we found outdoor tables, and a menu of sausage, bacon and egg in any combination. The smell was amazing, so a yummy bacon and egg sandwich went down very well, with a hot chocolate, so not all was lost!

The Four Stones, Clent Hills summit. They look like a Neolithic site, but in fact they were erected in 1763 by workers of Lord Lyttleton of Hagley Hall. Its worth the walk up here for the panoramic views

A late breakfast on Saturday, after much clothes trying on, suggests many more clothes will be taken on a six day cruise than on a three month US trip. I have yet to work out what suitcase will carry all these clothes! We went to see Helen and Ian in the evening, along with Monty Dog sporting a very fetching cone. He has had a couple of little lumps removed from his lower right eyelid, so he has to be stopped from scratching. This was two days into his recovery and he seemed quite his usual self, so a walk to the Attic brewery before home for fish and chips so as not to leave him home alone. A good, restrained, evening H&I on dry January and B driving, but lots of chat and catching up.

Vista from the top. The hill in the centre on the horizon is The Wrekin, a hill 407m (1335 feet) high and one I have never been up (must put that right sometime soon). I have used the expression as a child 'all around the Wrekin', which is a local expression meaning a long, indirect route, as in 'it took us a long time to get here as our driver took us all around the Wrekin'. As a child I'd never heard of the hill, but it was commonly used as an expression around here. Little did I realise then that no-one outside The Midlands would have a clue what I was talking about. I bet Jackie hadn't heard of it before I corrupted her! Also in this picture a bit to the left, is the folly castle of Hagley Hall, put up at about the same time as the four stones. I've never been there either! I can feel another outing is in order

The little church of St Kenelms in Romsley, passed on our way back from the Clent Hills

New Year, busy, busy

5 go out for a 10 mile walk (and stop at a pub, drink beer and eat a cheese and onion cob!) LtoR: Brian, Jackie, Brian, Giles & John

I didn’t regret Sunday club, (despite being warned by Helen S) it was fairly restrained, our group of 5 were the only people in the pub on New Years Day. I can’t say the same about Wednesday club, when that extra pint made all the difference to me the following day!

It was quite muddy, such is the English climate in winter

We have also booked a cruise with mum, though not the one we were half way through at the end of the last blog as all the reviews I then looked at implied that the new big P&O ship couldn’t actually cope with the number of people on board. So we are going to Norway to look at some fjords, and if we are very lucky see the northern lights.

However the sun did come out a bit, as you can see in this photo

Monday, the 5 of us from the pub the night before went out for a lovely sunny, and not too muddy walk. Only having 3 pints and a huge cheese cob at the Coach and Horses even kept it fairly civilised! See our short video of our route with extra photos: click here

And got quite nice towards the end in this photo taken by Giles. Brian chatting with Brian, John with Jackie

Tuesday life started again, full speed. Brian had an appointment at the QE hospital with Professor Beggs who has taken over the care of the Lynch syndrome patients. Both Denise and Steph have already seen him and were very impressed, and so were we. He is incredibly enthusiastic and as far as he is concerned no one is going to die of cancer arising from Lynch syndrome on his watch! Mum and I then shopped while B collected his new glasses, which is pretty impressive considering the holidays, so he can now read clearly again after breaking his glasses in San Luis Obispo.

John had his posh camera with big zoom lens and snapped this Buzzard from quite a distance away. Great photo

Wednesday we went out car hunting. We knew our current car would need replacing before its next MOT, and yes it did start after standing for three months, but after some long Christmas drives it sounds like the exhaust is about to fall off! Its depressing how many cars we looked at that had mould growing inside and the “it’s the cold snap” was not reassuring. After all, ours had sat through the cold snap, and had a swimming pool in the spare wheel well, but didn’t have mould.

Yeah! We settled on a new-to-us car on the basis our existing car isn't going to last much longer

Thursday was more car hunting, in the opposite direction and hurrah, we have put down a deposit on a car. Probably won’t get it for a week and a half, but hopefully the exhaust can hang on that long! We then had an appointment with Jason, the Financial advisor. I’d had a letter from the BBC telling me I can take my pension from 55, and we are still intending on selling the house on Birmingham Road. Two big changes, how will this affect us? It appears taking my pension is a no brainer, and assuming we manage to sell the house in the current climate, that can be made to work too. So that was a good day.

Brick laying at Rob and Alex's. You can see the bit I did above the lintel. It won't win any awards but it'll do the job. Typical British working, one doing the job, two watching offering advice and criticism (only for a short while, Jackie and Rob did lots of work too - honest!)

Friday we went round to Alex and Rob to catch up, do a little DIY and have dinner. While Brian was laying some bricks in the front room, Rob and I were pottering in the loft, moving bricks and offering Brian ‘advice’ on cementing. Went down very well as you can imagine! It was a lovely day, though possibly more catching up was done than work, but every little helps.

Dinner time! LtoR: Brian, Rob, Jackie & Alex. Two crackers each, to use up their Christmas stock

I was expecting a quiet weekend, but with a park run (B), sorting out clothes and drawers so they actually shut (J), shopping and cooking (J), sorting out spreadsheets (B), gardening (B), trying on and washing clothes for the cruise (B,J&P) and attempting clothes shopping (J&P) it’s been busy after all.

Rob ends up with two ends

Alex gets the prizes!

ParkRun at Arrow Valley in Redditch. I nearly missed it as I dilly dallied around due to rain, arriving just as it started. My last three Park Runs have been Tucson, Arizona, San Francisco, California and Redditch! Not quite the same kudos!