Friday 13 September 2024

The portent of doom, the omen of misfortune; what would Friday 13th bring this September? Who knew that it  would turn out to be such a good day …

Did I mention that I no longer work on Fridays? Believe me, this alone would be enough to ward off the dark clouds of gloom, but as an added bonus, as my alarm rings, sunlight streams into my bedroom; it is a glorious day,

‘But wait’, I hear you cry, ‘why an alarm on your day off?‘

Well, that would be a slightly earlier walk than usual, plus it is my turn to bring the cake. Battling through the ‘school run’ traffic I dash into ‘Miles Bakery’ and bag some carrot muffins before racing to the start of our ramble.

Such a beautiful route this morning. Late summer sunshine, stunning views across the reservoir and acre upon acre of unspoiled woodland and hillsides. To top it off, the carrot muffins are also delicious. Rich moist cake, with such a kick of ginger and spices that even I am glad of the icing, to balance those flavours out!

Back home, I do have tickets a few items off the ‘to do’ list. With all the offspring back at University, I take a deep breath, swig copious amounts of caffeine and embark on the quest of cleaning up the three abandoned bedrooms. I know, fellow parents, this if not a task for the fainthearted! The most disgusting moments, those encounters with long-discarded take-out packages lurking below beds and in the darkest corners of the chaos. The most satisfying, solving the mystery of where my parcel tape, spare phone charger and favourite cardigan have been hiding for the last few months!

Several hour later, weary but triumphant, I stagger into the shower to clean myself up! Because I am off out for the night.

First stop is the Cathedral for a ‘Candlelight Concert’. The inside of the glorious Gothic building is swathed in gentle candlelight; romantic and dreamy. The talented string quintet bring us ‘Funk on Strings’, the soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder and James Brown, the perfect match to a glass of red wine and a relaxed post-work Friday concert. As the music ends, we stroll out for food and more wine, spoiled for eatery-choice in the busy Manchester streets, as far as I am concerned, with the best-est of company.

A harbinger of doom this day may well be in folk lore and culture, but happily on this occasion, no dreaded  disasters for me. The only ‘Superstition’ being Stevie Wonder’s funkiest tune played by a string quintet. Far from unlucky, , I’d call that an almost perfect day…

Friday 6 September 2024

My work patterns are a-changing this Autumn and, for September at least, I have Fridays off – what a treat! How to celebrate? Well what better than a walk on a glorious sunny morning, followed by a chocolate muffin!

It is 21 years since I last had a ‘free Friday’. Back then, Prom-dress daughter was a new-born and whilst I still wanted to balance some work with two under 2s, four days a week was quite enough. I loved it then and I am loving it today.

There are no ‘Toddler Groups’ or ‘Ballet Classes’ today but I do have company, the sun is shining and my mood is ecstatic. We hike around a beautiful reservoir, catching up on lots of news and enjoying some stunning views and countryside. It is peaceful, calm and beautiful. Away from the hustle and bustle of work, the overwhelming stress of a punishing workload, and the chaos of gridlocked commuter traffic, this feels like living!

And, of course, we have cake. Not a specialist bakery today but a ‘Tesco finest Belgian Triple Chocolate Muffin’. Do we recommend? We certainly do. Mini chocolate cakes with white, dark and milk chocolate chunks, filled with a rich gooey chocolatey sauce. The buttercream topping finishes off the indulgent, velvety experience of these post-walk delights. Truly delicious and a fitting reward for our morning exertions.

It also sets me up for a more frantic afternoon of shopping for my mum, who is really immobile these days, helping Small-boy to get packed for University and gathering up Prom-dress daughter from the train station. We all have a busy weekend ahead. Thank the Lord it will last three days instead of two!

Saturday 17 August 2024

Can there be a better way to finish a bracing walk than with a 10 out of 10 slice of cake?

Running is definitely out for me for the next few weeks. Despite daily yoga and a renewed commitment to my arthritis exercises, my knee joint is incredibly sore and not able to take the impact of even my modest jogging.

But, as the wise old adage goes, ‘every cloud has a silver lining‘ and for me it is walking. To quote the Arthritis Foundation

What’s not to like about walking? It’s free. It’s easy to do, and it’s not just easy on joints but it also keeps them lubricated and flexible. 

And on this sunny August Saturday, we enjoy a marvellous 4 mile stroll through the lovely Lancashire countryside, exploring new tracks, discovering little churches and pretty lanes and rounding it off with a trip to Pearson’s cafe: and that Victoria Sponge.

Oh it is glorious. A firm, delicious cake, thick rich cream and a fruity shot of jam. It is a taste sensation and I savour every mouthful, trying to put off the moment when the plate is finished. Perfection on a plate and our first score of 10 out of 10. Now that is what I call a great morning …

Thursday 25 July 2024

Week 1 of the Summer holidays takes me to The Lake District,  to quote William Wordsworth

” the loveliest spot that man hath found”

I’m joining friends who have recently purchased a cosy wooden lodge, a few miles north of  Ambleside … and I am instantly in love. The setting is just so glorious.  I actually feel as if I’m in a tree house with lush, vibrant greenery in every direction.  It’s peaceful, it’s magical…its perfect.

And I am not the only person to find trees such a source of bliss. There is much research about the benefits to both physical and mental well-being in aboretal locations.

According to NHS Forest, 

Specifically, spending time in woodland areas has been found to stabilise blood pressure, reduce stress levels, and induce a sense of calm.

It feels oxygen rich and re-energising and instantly…if not permanently…the stresses and worries of: work, money, family, friends all melt away.

So I make the most of a wonderful few chill days. And, after the soggiest of Summers so far, the sun even shines on us.

We walk. We bus. We eat. We drink. We enjoy…

18 February 2024

As other Gen X-ers will know, when you first get a pair of reading glasses it is… well there is no other word for it; bloody fantastic!

You pop on those simple frames and a minor miracle occurs. The years roll away, the world brightens, sharpens and comes into focus; it is simply amazing. I just had to shout out,

“Woah… now I remember what the world is supposed to look like!”

And I would probably use the same phrase to sum up the wondrous ‘half term’ I’ve just enjoyed. A refreshing week away from work is the perfect way to recharge the batteries and recall what living is ‘supposed to look like!’ I catch up with many friends. I spend time with Small boy, sorting out the myriad of little things that build up when you regularly work an 11 hour day. And I do a show, playing in the band for a local production.

I absolutely love it and find myself pondering the following. If someone were to tell me that I’d played my last ever gig, would I be more or less devastated than being told I’d taught my last ever lesson at school? I’m not sure that I know, though in my defence not much of my life is devoted to such musings.

No, alas, as single mum, you are allowed precious few moments to think about yourself. Small boy was only 3 when his dad left and he has just turned 18. That makes 15 tough years,in which I doubt I have spent even 5 minutes thinking about what I’d actually like to be doing. But in this week of contentment I do find myself wondering whether or not the life I’ve lived in the last seven days is now the life I’d like to be living far more of the time.

Eek! If only seeing clearly through this conundrum were as easy as popping on my reading glasses … !

8 February 2024

My baby has just turned eighteen … eek!

Yes, Small boy is officially a child no more.

Golly gosh folks, one moment I’m in my thirties, in a Southwest hospital, high on gas and air and crooning Nat King Cole songs to any unfortunate soul passing by the birthing pool room, and the next;  nearly 2 decades have past and my son, the new little being who was born that memorable day, and I are trundling around Tesco stocking up on Vodka and Moretti beer for his coming of age party. Where does the time go?

Where indeed? And on this particular eighteenth, I am also facing the reality that all of my children are now viewed as adults, in the eyes of the law at least. They can vote, serve on a jury and, or course, go to the pub! It is a truly epic journey from the days of formula milk, car seats, ballet classes and Saturday morning football… for me as well as them. Looking back, I actually cannot understand how I ever found the energy to fit everything in!

Exhaustion aside, however, the trip down memory lane is a real joy for this single mum, as she ponders her role in the era of adult offspring. Years and years of good times, shared adventures, crazy capers and much laughter. Of course there have been tense and tricky times too, but one of the nice tricks of my mind, maybe everybody’s is that it tends to filter those out or at least push them into the background letting the brighter pictures and reminiscences dance and shine.

But back to the eve of Small boy’s party, where there is precious little time for looking backwards! We have a house to clear, disco lights to set up, a play list to perfect and costumes to finish off. Costumes? Why yes, my son has a theme; ‘come dressed as a musician‘ is his choice. He and two pals are going as the Bee Gees so, as I blog, he is strutting around the house, in white flares, face-timing his sisters for advice about wigs!

My costume? Now don’t be silly! If 40+ eighteen years olds are descending on my house then I am off out; at least for the first few hours. But if I was to dress up… did I mention that I do great Nat King Cole? Back in the birthing pool, I was singing ‘Let there be love’ . And what a perfect way to end this post, because, as lyrics go, there is no better advice I could give to my grown-up offspring as they launch into the world. Live with your heart, always respect the hearts of others and … the rest will sort itself out!