Still being 'Normal' in the Midlands

Cheers John! A GnT and a beer was necessary after the relief of the good news following John's op. A collective sigh of relief  and glasses clinking from many in the village

Monday was a ‘normal’ Monday Club, all eight of us met in the Old Moseley Arms for a pint before going to Diwans for our first Brum curry. A thoroughly enjoyable evening and a great curry. Now we know we are back.

Ducks standing on the ice on the Grand Union canal in Alvechurch on our cold but bright walk through to Barnt Green and back

Tuesday, surprisingly, we were told we could go and collect our, new to us, car. Well we’ve got it, it drives nicely and amazingly we got just over £500 for our old one from Webuyanycar.com. Sadly, the thing we knew it would fail its MOT on, the flashing airbag light, was still flashing when I got in it. Hopefully that will get sorted on Tuesday! We then came back and moved to John’s. Helen and Richard had been up and taken him to the hospital in Basingstoke where he was going to have the big operation to remove the tumour, appendix and other apparently unnecessary organs. He’s been waiting since March, so everything was crossed for it going ahead.

On the return leg back on the canal just outside Alvechurch. That house used to be a lock keepers house and was derelict for years. It has recently been refurbished to what looks like a high standard, complete with solar panels and is now a holiday let. Nice location with a great view, but a long way from any shops and pubs. 

Wednesday, the start of the cold snap we stayed in and fiddled with the central heating which kept tripping out. We finally got hold of the boiler man who promised to come round on Thursday afternoon. We went out on Thursday morning, firstly because it was jolly cold, so a walk sort of made sense, and secondly because the cleaner was coming so staying out of the way also made sense. We had a nice little lunch with mum in ‘The Lounge’ in the village before getting back for the boilerman. He sucked his teeth, it’s very old (30 years plus), and horrible microbore pipe. He chopped out a bit of pipe he couldn’t unblock, bled the air out after unblocking the valve, and said what we knew that a whole new system is required. This is not surprising, but not good news for John to come home to. Running up and down stairs to reset the boiler regularly will not be good for a convalescent! We are getting a quote, and hope he will give the go ahead for us to get the work done before he gets back!

Another crisp, sunny walk in Arrow Valley with Denise and Paul. Have a look at our short Relive video with photos: click here

Thursday was John’s operation day. He was taken down at 07.30, for surgery to begin about 09.30 for 10-12 hours! Helen was to receive updates and pass them on to the specially set up WhatsApp group. Just before 18.30 we got the message we had all been waiting for that they had removed everything nasty and all was looking good. Large G&T’s all round then.

As usual, chatter is non-stop. Its the reason we made two mistakes on the walk having to backtrack, as no-one was paying enough attention to the map!

Friday we met up with Denise and Paul for a lovely crisp walk around Arrow Valley in Redditch, a hot chocolate and chat with Debbie at Forge Mill, and a good meal at The Boot in Mappleborough Green rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable day.

The ruins of Bordesley Abbey by Forge Mill in Redditch. We'd hoped to walk round it but the gates were locked. The abbey was another victim of the Dissolution of the Monasteries carried out by King Henry VIII. His trail of destruction across the country is everywhere to see

Saturday we thought we were seeing Fiona and James, but they asked if we could swap to Sunday, so I slow roasted our pork shoulder on Saturday instead, and jolly yummy it was too. It is strange doing something like that, and having mum round, in this house where I have spent so much time, and where I am in so many pictures. There is even one of the day Sarah and John first met Brian, round at mums as we demolished her shed!

Forge Mill Needle Museum. It is a real old mill and they did used to forge needles (for knitting and sewing) here. It's now a museum with lots of old working machinery as well as having a cafe and staging special events (including a 1940's day) during the year. Jackie's mum used to volunteer here so we've visited a number of times in the past. A good place to enjoy a hot chocolate in warm surroundings halfway through our walk

Today then, B has just gone for a run (barking I know). He did go to the park run yesterday, but got there to find it was cancelled as it was too cold for the marshals! I’ve written the blog and we are off to Fi and James after lunch.

The Forge Mill original needle factory viewed from the other side of the River Arrow.

Views over the local countryside. It really is a green and pleasant land!

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! 

Christmas at home

Christmas at Jackies brothers. LtoR: Brian, Pauline, Ron, Veronica, Charles, Jonathan, Lucy. Caroline and Jackie

And with that Christmas and the New Year are over. Christmas was a flurry of family, we went down to my brother, Lucy and Charles and Caroline on Christmas Day. Jonathan had collected mum, and Lucy’s parents on the 22nd when we went down to Bishampton, so there was a good crowd. After a lovely day we took mum home and returned to Cookie and Cracker who were very pleased to see us, but they would have been if we’d only been gone half an hour!

Very muddy Cracker and Cookie doglets on one of their walks

Boxing Day was at Steph and Sam’s so another family event with their kids, Rory and Ivy. Along with Denise and Paul and Nick and Jessica. Another delicious, huge, meal, followed by carol singing which I’m sure the neighbours loved. We made our escape before the buffet was served, to go and see our dogs, though we didn’t get away empty handed, we didn’t eat it that night!

Carol singing outside the Ounce public house in Bishampton on Christmas Eve

Our lovely home owners had been very generous and left us vouchers for both the Blue Lagoon, an Indian restaurant in Evesham, and the Regal Cinema which is one of those with sofas, and chairs and tables for food and drink, so that was another two meals I didn’t have to think about. Two thoroughly enjoyable trips out. The day in between Brian had a checkup at the QE with his skin specialist. I wasn’t going to go, until a chat with Abi took us to see her on the way back. Sooty, our bestest black cat had been at the vets since Boxing Day, but was going to come home until it was ‘time’! We had to take the opportunity to say our farewell to her and give Abi the biggest of hugs. So glad we did as ‘time’ was sooner than expected and she was put to sleep the following afternoon. RIP Soots xx

Keith and Donna, Cookie and Crackers 'mum and dad' all dolled up on their holiday, while we look after C&C

Dr. Shah had decided she wanted a biopsy of a ‘thing’ on Brian’s arm, we couldn’t see this happening until the New Year so he was most surprised when he got a call on Thursday morning, as we were having coffee and scones with Angela, Donna and Keith’s friend who had very kindly invited us round. They would have liked him in that afternoon, but we were booked at the cinema, “tomorrow morning?” He didn’t feel he could turn them down again so while I was walking the dogs and starting on our final preparations for leaving, he was dashing back up to Birmingham. We carefully timed it so he would be back about the same time as I was back with the dogs, as bathing had been required every day as every dog walk had involved mud. There was no way to avoid it, if we wanted to let them off the lead, which we did as watching them dash about is a joy, they were going to be muddy. Bathing now involves the kitchen sink as the outside tap fell off in the cold weather, so although they are very good it’s still easier with two!

My mince pies baked and ready for the mince pie competition on Boxing Day

We waited till D&K’s plane had taken off before leaving, back to mums. And here we are. It’s been quite restrained, the ‘last curry of the year’ and the planned NYE party having both been cancelled because Helen had Covid. Yesterday we mostly booked a cruise from Southampton and back, into the Med, with mum in January. I say mostly as just before paying, the line went dead and I couldn’t get through as they were then shut till the 3rd of January, so fingers crossed we will be able to complete the booking! Today we ambled up to the Crown to watch the Morris Dancing and the Mummers play, a long-standing Alvechurch tradition. Tonight we’ll be back there as we are meeting John for a pint or two. It’s Sunday club, so usually boys only, but I’ve asked, and am allowed to go. I might regret it, we shall see!

Carol singing on Boxing Day at Steph and Sams. LtoR: Jackie, Nick, Jessica, Denise, Paul, Rory and Ivy

Sams in charge of the music, Steph alongside

The mince pie competition is on. On the left, samples of each (entries by Brian, Rory and Ivy, Denise and Nick and Jessica) are cut up ready for blind tasting, a sample of each entry displayed for marks for appearance. It's very serious, this!

Ivy and Rory marking the appearance section. Mine's 'C' top left in this photo

Final marks displayed on an Excel spreadsheet and displayed on the TV by Sam (can't beat a good spreadsheet!). Rory and Ivy won the appearance, I came second. For taste, I came joint first with Nick and Jessica. Adding the scores, Rory and Ivy came first, I came second with Nick and Jessica one point behind. Regrettably Denise, my sister came last which will give her a complex. It has to be said that the taste section was incredibly tight, they all tasted delicious so, don't have a complex sis, they were all fabulous. Didn't we all do well!

Ivy and Rory (the Aston Villa FC kit was a present from Nick and Jessica and Rory was soooo excited) get their first prize - a chocolate santa

Brian and Nick receive runner up prizes

I took this photo of Pauline, Jackies mum on Christmas Day, isn't it fabulous! What do you think of it so far, Pauline? 'Rubbish'

And what do you think Cookie? 'I'm going casual'

Who's a pretty boy then Cracker?

Morris dancing on New Years Day in Alvechurch. A peculiarly British tradition, they are a very active group in Alvechurch and surroundings, both in terms of energy and numbers. Light hearted, friendly, energetic, fun to watch - and eccentric! How great it is to be British!   

It was followed by a short play which included a review of the year with no holds barred

HAPPY NEW YEAR