UK
Wed 27th May
35 K was a window seat and luckily the middle seat was not occupied. My chicken and rice dinner was particularly good. The good thing was that the gap between seat and bulkhead was small, so a cushion could be easily wedged in, allowing me extra comfort and ability to get some sleep.
Having had a few hours sleep, it was a good trip…13.5 hours. The gate was very close . Less than 45 minutes to baggage reclaim and out. Then more complicated. Lift to tube to Hrow terminals 2&3 (free ticket). Long walk to Central Bus station. Bus couldn’t process a ticket, so back to ticket counter to buy ticket to Gatwick South fot £15.99.
08:20 left Hrow on Flix bus and arrived at Gatwick around 09:30. I seemed to be going round in circles for a while, looking for the bus stand for southbound buses. Seemingly get different advice/instructions from different people; I was getting a bit frustrated but after crossing an underpass I recognised where I was.
The 09:55 no. 500. Just caught it in time ( I arrived there at 09:53). Half an hour to East Grinstead. All this time…from Hrow to LGW, and on to EG…I was realising how beautiful the English countryside is.
In EG I went to the London Road restaurant, and although they were technically closed for painting and window cleaning, I was served a cappuccino. That was nice of the lady…perhaps because she recognised me. Then I went across the road to Vision Express and explained my eye problem and got an appointment for Monday morning.
I got the bus to Forest Row, and on the way to Judith’s I bumped into George. Her new driveway looks great. Of course chat, chat in the garden for nearly 2 hours over a coffee.
Clear blue skies…although not as scorchingly hot as Malaysia. I’m in the box room, and I sorted a few clothes. I went walkabout; saw Sophie in Seasons. Darren was also there and I was able to ask about Luke. Basically he was drinking excessively and his death (Luke’s) was caused by liver failure; Luke was only about 36 years old.
Saw Kim and Chris , who I hadn’t seen for about 10 years, at the bus stop. I had a look around the Coop, and bought a bottle of red wine. Alastair Lee stopped suddenly in his car, hitting the kerb, in his attempt to greet me.
My phone is working; Lyca didn’t cut me off this year…unlike last year. If that happens, it can take a couple of weeks or so to reconnect. So, I phoned Mum to let her know I was back. I took the wine to the house.
I went over to the Village club. Maryanne is now the manager and everyone says the atmosphere is better since Rob left. Even at 4pm there were quite a few people there so it was nice to see lots of familiar faces. Getting on for 6pm I returned to Judith’s. I cooked 2 sausages, rice and added some of Julia’s babaganoush. That with some red wine and then the fatigue kicked in, and I went to bed after 16:00.
Thurs 28th May
Slept really well.
I ate 3 slices of toast to satisfy my craving for marmite.
I caught the 10am bus to EG, as prior to that I was chatting with Judith. I can’t use my bus pass until 09:30 anyway.
Checked out the new Banking hub on Station Approach. It’s used by the banks that were in the High street that have since closed down.
Walked around the one way system to the new Lidl store…where Homebase used to be. Lidl is huge…it dwarfs Aldi. I was definitely tempted, but didn’t buy anything.
I sat in the park for a bit. I went to Wetherspoons for their cheap coffee; actually it’s awful !!
I caught a bus back to Forest Row. I chatted with Judith. I went to the clinic to ask if I could make an appointment for a blood test. I theory..not..because it was less than a year since my last one on 17th June…but she took my details to pass on…
I headed towards the Club, reaching there just before 4pm. I had 2 drinks bought for me which was unexpected. Back to Judith’s where I cooked sausages and rice again. I watched a bit of TV news then went up to my room. A good 1st full day back in England.
Fri 29th May
A very comfortable sleep. I had one piece of toast then caught tne 10am bus to EG. I got off outside Lidl. I couldn’t find a small hand basket but managed my shopping of chicken breast, peanuts red wine, bread, milk….
I walked back into town. The London Road café doesn’t seem to open until 12:00 these days. I caught the bus to Frow and deposited my shopping at J’s. I relaxed before meeting Phil at the Swan at 16:30. We had a great catchup outside in the garden of the Swan.
We walked towards the Coop where we parted company. I went to the Club for 1 pint. Good company. Back via the Chequers where Fabio is trying hard to modernise… Another pint ( thanks to Ben) before returning to my cooked main meal of chicken and rice. Oh, and I chatted with Daniel in the Chequers.
It’s great that J has so many spices and sauces to choose from to add to my cooking. Then to my room for an Earlyish night.
Sat 30th May
I slept really well again. I watered the garden. I had toast and marmite; I don’t know if it was my imagination but the marmite was lacking in intensity…flavour wise.
I caught the bus into town. As I was walking through Old town I saw Wilkie and joined him in a coffee. I went on to Wetherspoons for a terrible coffee but with use of wifi. I then caught the bus back to Frow. I sat in the garden in the sunshine for 30 minutes and just chilled in the house.
I got a message from Bertie saying he was at the Swan in the garden , if I wanted to meet up. I had already done some food prep, so immediately walked up there. It was good to see him again. We talked alot about the Sienna problems/issues.
I returned to J’s briefly before going back to the Swan by 5pm to watch the PSG vs Arsenal Championship Final. Good atmosphere in the pub with lots of people who I knew. I was limiting myself to 2 pints until Vic bought me one !! Well, I was in there quite a while because the match went to extra time and penalties. Unfortunately Arsenal lost.
I went back for my chicken, rice and chard. I watched some TV and retired to my room.
Sun 31st May.
I had a really good sleep. Judith came downstairs around 10:00, but immediately went to Lewes to watch an 8 hour film version of War and Peace. The marmite recipe almost definitely has changed…but I won’t mention that again !!
I watered the garden; I’m making that my duty. I caught the 500 bus as far as Lidl. I bought courgettes, but really fancied a steak so I bought a tasty looking piece of rump. Back to town for a Wetherspoons coffee which made my stomach feel very uncomfortable.
Back at the house I lay on my bed for quite a while to give my stomach a chance to rest. I prepared the courgette/chard and made my way to the Village club. The 2 pints I had made me feel rather tired. I went back to cook the steak, which was delicious. During which I watched some News and then went to my room.
Mon 1st June
I got up around 08:00; showered and shaved. I watered the garden then had my toast and marmite. I caught the 09:00 bus to EG. I deliberately walked near the Sportsman pub, which apparently still operates on reduced hours.
I went to the Bluebells café and succeeded in my plan to see Pavol. We had a 15 minute chat before I went to VE for my 10:40 eye appointment.
That went very well. Initial check that confirmed there was no serious eye disease, including macular degeneration. Then Tina did the vision side of it; she confirmed that there were cataracts developing. So, I was to expect a call from the specialists, then hopefully go for the operation by the end of June to Optegra, which is on the outskirts of Brighton. And it’s on the NHS…so, a successful outcome.
I went to Aldi , where I bought a packet of sausages, some tomatoes, courgettes and a bottle of red wine. Then I went over to Wetherspoons for coffee. I had to wait nearly 45 minutes on the High street for a bus back to Forest Row.
Back to the house and then over to the Club. Judith joined me after a while, which was nice. I got a lift back to the house. I cooked my dinner and watched the news and went up to my room.
Tues 2nd June
I enjoyed my coffee and toast. The scaffolding went up to install some solar panels. I phoned the Eye hospital to answer preliminary health questions prior to making an appointment.
I caught the bus into town. I had a different cappuccino at London Rd café. A brief chat with the Greek waitress. I walked to Sainsbury and bought a courgette and a bottle of red wine. I don’t know how the weighing machine knew my one item was a courgette, as there wasn’t a screen with different fruit/veg to choose from.
I managed to get to the bus stop in town before the really heavy rain started. I got a bit damp. Bus back to Forest Row. I put my bag of 2 shopping items down and responded to Richard’s message saying he was in the Chequers. I went over, then Margaret joined us.
After a drink, we went over to the Swan. A lovely afternoon. All the time seeing people I knew. R & M left, and after I finished my drink I went back to the house. I cooked my sausages/courgette/carrot/chard/rice and watched the news.
I said goodnight to Judith and went up to my room.
Eastbourne
Wed 3rd June
I took my time getting up. I had my 2 slices of toast and packed. There was a little confusion…I thought Richard was going to be in the Bram car park but I found him behind Chequers. A good drive down to Eastbourne…leaving just after 10:00…and we reached Peppercombe just before 11:00.
A great couple of hours with Mum. She’s so ‘with it’ mentally, although she’s looking a bit frail these days. I had a coffee then went down the road to Green St to catch the bus into town.
I went to LoCo to meet up with Alan. After a few tasty Port Stouts, I went across the road for the Link bus to Hampden Park. I bumped into Alan in Aldi; I bought wine and milk.
Alan prepared a lovely rice dish for dinner; before that we watched Eastenders and News. After 9pm I went up to my room.
Thurs 4th June
The bed is comfortable and I had a good sleep. I had coffee and 1 slice of toast for breakfast. I left the house after 09:30 for the bus stop. My phone told me the bus had been and gone, and yet I had been standing there for 20 minutes. A couple in their car stopped to tell me the the stop was not in use whilst there were road works taking place.
Down the road I caught the bus which stopped at Eversfield road which was only a couple of minutes from Phil. I spent an hour and a half listening to his ICANN and Hospitality plans. Rather tedious at times, but I don’t really mind.
In town I called into HSBC and got them to print off my mortgage statements from May to Sept ’25 to include the payments in my Tax return. Up the road in LoCo I met up with Alan and Mike. Well, we had over 3 hours together having a good catchup. And the chicken wings and chips were absolutely delicious. The conversations were such fun.
I then caught the bus back to Hampden Park. I bought a wine and some buns. Alan had prepared some tuna fish which I mixed with some spicy lime pickle. I didn’t need much food after the wings/chips at lunchtime.
We watched Eastenders and a musical quiz and then I went up to my room.
Fri 5th June
I only went to the toilet once in the night and it was a surprise when I woke up at 09:20. I had 2 coffees. I offered to do some gardening, and I was given the task of digging up brambles. There were many more than in previous years. I stopped before my back got too sore.
I went for the bus into town. Alan & Karen were waiting outside the station at 12:00. We strolled slowly and ended up at Cornfield Terrace where we had a couple of beers.
We left and wandered up South St to a very new ‘duka’ (Global food centre). It was very expensive, reflecting the area it was in. And just around the corner was a newish bar and micro brewery called the The Wolf on the Corner.
There was a Camra couple in there who Alan and Karen knew, and we all had a good time. Very unusual beers…and very tasty. I popped into Sainsbury and caught the bus back.
Alan made potato salad and pork chops for dinner…very delicious. We watched a Master Chef final and then I went up to my room.
Sat 6th June
A good night’s sleep again. Weather not great..very overcast. I had my breakfast coffee and toast. I did half an hour of digging up brambles in the garden. I caught the bus into town and met up with Alan, Karen and Sarah at LoCo.
I only had the cheap coffees then went to Sainsburys for a bottle of red. Back to LoCo, gone 15:30, then it was okay to have a couple of pints of beer. The weather was awful…drizzly.
I caught the bus back to Hampden Park to the stop near Wilton Rd…so only a 10 minute walk to the house. We watched a quiz show on TV. Alan cooked an amazing meal….chopped gammon in coconut milk, rice, courgette, beans, carrot, rice. But the paste of garlic,ginger, chilli, coriander was amazing. A good day.
Sun 7th June
I got up after 09:00. Forty five minutes later, after a shower and a coffee, I was walking over to Mum’s. I caught a bus for a small part of the way…sheer laziness. I spent nearly 2 hours with her. She is good company and her memory is amazing.
I walked down to the Crown via Coop on Albert Parade. The lady on the till was talking about a shoplifter…in fact I saw someone leave the shop with 2 baskets, which I thought was unusual…that was him.
At 13:15 I reached the Crown. I spent 3 hours with Alan & Karen; nice to visit and see some familiar faces. After the food raffle I went into town to catch the bus to Hampden Park. Karen caught the train.
I pruned some of the front garden hedge that was overhanging the footpath
Alan came later and we had a cheese and crackers meal.
I wasn’t late to bed again.
Mon 8th June
I did some more bramble weeding after breakfast. Karen went to work after midday while Alan and I walked to Sainsbury for a little bit of shopping which we then took back to the house.
He caught the train into town and I waited a little before I caught the bus, getting off at Cornfield Garage. I went around to VE opticians to ask why their EG branch wouldn’t upload to my Hospital eye ….but it wasn’t a run of the mill question.
The weather wasn’t great…drizzly. I popped into Sainsbury for a bottle of red and a small packet of sliced ham to snack on. Then met up with Alan at LoCo. We chatted a little with a guy who turned out to be Ugandan; he understood some Swahili but didn’t really speak it.
I spent a couple of hours with Alan then caught the bus home. Alan returned to prepare a roast pork dinner. Plus roast potatoes, carrots, courgette and green beans…what a treat. Because Karen was on a ‘late’, dinner wasn’t until after 20:30, so, after eating I went up to my room.
Tues 9th June
I was in no hurry to get going. I looked at the eye hospital registration form, and this time it was picking up the VE address in EG. However, the booking was for 4pm in Guildford, and that complicated things a little bit.
I caught the bus to Eastbourne and first asked at the station about trains from Gatwick to Guildford …every half hour, so getting there was feasible. Then over to the bus stand for the no. 500 bus. 1 hour Eastbourne to Uckfield. 10 minutes change over. We left at 12:50 and arrived in Forest Row at 13:20. About an hour and 45 minutes in total.
I stayed on the bus all the way to EG and went to VE to ask about the registration process. Tina gave me a phone number to call to change the hospital from Guildford to Brighton. I called from J’s house and it took me 30 minutes to get through to someone who could change the consultation location. I had to go with 23rd at 14:40 as the other options were too early.
I went to the Club. Judith joined me at about 5pm at we had a good chat and drink. I walked back via the Coop and bought a red and 2 packets of sausages. Dinner was sausages, rice and vegs. That was it…I watched some News and went up to my room.
Wed 10th June
I had a slow morning before catching the 10:00 bus to EG to see my friend Linda. Health wise she’s much better than when I saw her last August. Just before I left I got first hand feedback from John who experienced a cataract operation last year.
I just missed a bus so decided to walk back via Ashurst Wood. I called in at at what I remembered as Tom’s house. No response. Walking up Maypole road my name was called out by Rex, an old friend. I had coffee and a good long chat…a lot about Sienna and her mental issues and how she was turning all her old friends against her.
I walked down to Frow and on to the Club. From there it was back to the house via Coop. I bought a wine, mushrooms and mixed salad. With the other half of the packet of sausages, I made a nice dinner and went up to my room.
Thurs 11th June
I woke up eventually. I had my toast. Elka arrived at 12:45 ; it was good to see her again. I left her in peace in to do her cleaning duties. I got in touch with Tom as I was about to go to EG. He suggested we meet at the 3 Crowns, which I agreed to.
The 500 bus dropped me on the A22, a few minutes walk from the pub. Tom was already there and we had a good couple of hours chat, including reminiscing about our time in NZ.
He then dropped me off in Frow, and I went on to the Club for one pint. I had more of a chat with Gary Jones this time, before going home. I cooked my usual sausages, rice, mushrooms and chard and watched the news.
Phil phoned and I decided to switch off the TV, and to my surprise ITV came on and I was able to watch some of the World Cup opening match between Mexico and RSA.
Fri 12th June.
Not nice weather to kick start the day. I caught the no. 500 bus to go to Lidl where I bought sausages, courgettes, brie and a wine. I walked back into town for Spoons coffee. Then the bus back to Frow.
On the bus was James Barnett. We got chatting and he said he missed the funeral but was going to Martin Groat’s wake at the 3 Crowns. Whaaat ? His death a month earlier was news to me. I was stunned/speechless.
I continued to Forest Row. I saw Richard & Margaret outside Chequers and discussed my course of action. As I was in my shorts and flip flops, I went to J’s and put on jeans and shoes. I went up to the Swan and had a pint with Richard/Margaret and then caught the bus to Ashurst Wood.
Of course the men were wearing dark suits and ties and I walked on with jeans and green shirt rolled up to my elbows. Nick gave me a hug, as did Barbara, and they were obviously pleased to see me and I was made to feel very welcome.
I talked a lot with the Barnetts as I didn’t know many of the other people. I talked with David from Maypole Rd and asked about old aquaintances, then caught a bus back to Frow. I was very sad about Martin, but really glad I made the effort to go to his wake.
I had to leave anyway, as I was meeting up with Phil Rogers at the Swan at 16:30. We had a great chat until 6pm; we both switched to a G & T after our pint of Harveys. On my way down the road I bumped into Jonny and Rick and I joined them in Chequers. I had a G & T…a rather expensive one at £9.50, but I was sad and happy and just out to enjoy myself.
From there I returned to J’s and cooked some sausages, vegs, and rice. That was it. A very sad day to learn that Martin had died. A combination of illness from Germany resulting in an induced coma from which he never recovered. Barbara was admitted to the same hosputal the same day as Martin, but Barbara recovered.
Martin was also under a lot of stress/pressure in disposing/selling his solicitors practice; that didn’t help. I was soon to call him to meet for a drink at the 3 Crowns like last year….but alas. A sad, sad day.
Sat 13th June
Nice weather…sunny and hot. A lazy day. Judith got back from Paris in the late morning. I climbed into the loft to get my black trousers and 2 smart shirts. After a bit of sunbathing in the garden, I caught the 11:20 bus to Horsted Keynes.
I met up with Paul Fairbairn for lunch at the Green Man. It was a lovely day to sit outside a pub. We had a good catchup, and he kindly bought me lunch. He lived for a few years in Malaysia with his family, so there was a lot to talk about.
I caught the 13:45 bus back to Frow. I went to the Club for a couple of pints then back to the house to cook a simple dinner of sausages and salad. So, no rice or vegs as I wasn’t hungry after my filling lunch of toasted brie/jam sandwiches with chips.
I actually caught up on some WC football, but got bored with it and retired to my room.
Sun 14th June.
Again, I took it easy getting going in the morning. I caught the bus to EG. I stopped in Aldi to get a wine for myself and a juice for Judith.
It was a sunny day and Iay in the Kings Fields for a short time before going for a Spoons coffee. I caught the 2pm bus back to Frow. I sat in Judith’s garden for a bit then went to the Club. I was happy with 2 pints but Andy bought me a third and that tipped me over the edge a bit.
Back at J’s I cooked 4 sausages with some garden veg and had that with salad. That was enough; I wasn’t particularly hungry. I watched the 1st half of Germany vs Curacao then got bored and went up to my room. I had a nice chat with Mark. I have to decide…is it to be Egypt or Madagascar ??!!
Mon 15th June.
In mid morning I caught the bus to Ashurst Wood to give Tor’s phone no. to Barbara to pass on to Nick. I heard in a bit more detail what happened to/with Martin in the last year. Weird how they both got sick at exactly the same time, in their house, and were taken to hospital together. She pulled through and he didn’t…he was 69. Very sad.
I walked down Maypole road as far as the Watkins’, but there was nobody home. I was generally looking around; I walked up Phoenix lane and a section of School lane, before going down Wall Hill to Forest Row.
That was all my galavanting for the day. I got my vegs together, ready for dinner later. I went to the Community Fridge, at the request of Judith, for some vegs and bananas. I lay on my bed for 30 mins as I was feeling tired, before getting to the Club by 4pm.
There was the usual banter, but I needed fresh air outside in order to wake up a bit. Back at the house I cooked the last of the sausages. Just having vegs and salad is enough for me; I haven’t needed any rice for quite a while.
Then some wine and the News before going up to my room. I did some planning for my trip to Ebourne.
Tues 16th June
I took my time in the morning. Alastair came at 09:00 to do the gardening. I packed my rucksack, chatted with Judith and went to the bus stop around 10:30. Janet and her friend were already there and we left on time at 10:35 on the no. 500. Top deck, nice views, nice weather …and just over an hour and a half to Eastbourne.
I went to the Halifax to try to figure out why I got post in relation to account changes. Apparently because the account was linked to a pension somewhere; anyway, I won’t get so many in future.
I met up with Alan at LoCo and had a couple of hours there before catching the no. 4 to Cherry Garden road; the route was the same as the old days. I did some sweeping around the back and to the side of the house. Mum was happy with that.
We watched the France vs Senegal match which France won 3:1. Mum made a tasty chicken breast with vegs and a cheese sauce. The football ended at 10pm and I went to bed.
Wed 17th June
I got up after 08:30 and had a big bowl of cereals…rice crispies and muesli. I helped Mum with a bit of weeding in the garden. We walked down the road and I escorted Mum to the Health Centre where she had booked for a blood pressure test
I walked along Victoria Drive and spent an hour with Denise and Clive; they were executors to Angela’s will. I caught the bus into town. Alan wasn’t going to make it in. I had a drink then caught the no. 1 to Green Street and walked up the hill to Mum’s.
We chatted. Oh, I did more weeding. I had a tasty chicken salad…including a little rice salad. I drank a couple of gin and tonics which woke me up sufficiently to watch the first England World Cup match at 9pm. England beat Croatia 4:2, so it was worth staying up for. Then to bed.
Thurs 18th June.
I had a better night’s sleep at Mum’s. I had a tea then a big bowl of cereals. I helped with more weeding…this time in the back garden. We had a long chat.
I set off after 11:30 down the road to catch a bus into town. I sat in the railway station for a short time then went across to LoCo.
I sat at the same table as Roland and had a nice chat around the subject of East Africa. His friends weren’t so interesting.
Eventually Alan and Karen appeared; we sat at a table together. I had 3 pints in the time I was there. Then I caught the bus to the Rodmill. I booked a table for 6 and had 1 pint before catching a bus to Hampden Park.
I somehow got the TV working. Then Karen arrived home. Then, after a while Alan got back and cooked a delicious jerk pork with rice and kidney beans. We watched football and then I went up to my room.
Fri 19th June
I felt refreshed on my Birthday after a good night’s sleep. I got up after 08:30 , made some coffee, and began looking at all my birthday messages. There was one birthday phone call…from Phil.
I had more coffee; Alan appeared. We chatted of course. I pulled out some more brambles in the back garden. He got on his motorbike to go to Newhaven to book tickets for a ferry crossing in September. I showered then went to catch the 2pm bus into town.
As the bus was late, and being later than planned, I went straight to LoCo.I went through my birthday messages. Alan arrived and we sat by the front door and window. Good weather…sunny and warm.
After 5pm we caught a bus to the Rodmill.
The table was showing as booked. Alan and I had a beer…there wasn’t much choice of ales. Mum and John arrived at about 17:30…and Mike showed up 10 minutes later. The weather was nice and everyone was in good form. We sat outside until going in for dinner. A main course was enough for everyone. There was the usual range…meat platter, steak pie…and I had chicken, basmati rice, spicy sauces, vegs.
I had a lovely Birthday…and I got a free bottle of red wine. Mike caught a bus; Mum and John got a taxi; and 3 of us got a taxi back to Hampden Park. We had a few drinks while watching one of the World Cup matches. I enjoyed my Birthday.
Sat 20th June
A slow/calm day. I did more weeding for Alan. He left to catch a train whilst I went for a bus. The buses were a bit all over the place so I didn’t get to LoCo until after 2pm.
Good to meet up with Alan, Karen and Sarah.
After a visit to Sainsbury for a wine and salami slices, I caught the bus back to Hampden Park. On his return, Alan mixed up some tuna fish to have on pitta bread. I added some marinaded chilli to mine, which made it almost too hot.
We watched football and I went to bed. A relaxing day…nice.
Sun 21st June
I said goodbye and went to catch the 09:25 bus into town. I had half an hour to wait for the 10:25 no. 500 to Forest Row. The driver seemed to go quite fast, but it meant the journey only took an hour and a half.
I picked up my post from the flat. I’m glad Su put it out because there was a form from Optegra that I needed to complete. Back at the house I unpacked, showered, got into my shorts and flip flops, and caught a bus after 13:00 into EG. I went Sainsbury for some shopping…primarily pork loin chops for a couple of dinners.
As the buses are few and far between on a Sunday, I caught a bus back an hour later. I had an interesting chat with a lady who was also on the bus from Eastbourne, who travelled a lot with her husband…including India, Kenya, Tanzania.
I dropped my shopping off at the house and went down to the Club. Good chats, especially with Andy & wife who’s daughter lives in Hampden Park. From 17:00 I watched the 1st half of a football match before going back to cook dinner and watch more football.
Mon 22nd June
Nice to wake up to a sunny day. I washed my blue shirt. I caught a mid morning bus to EG. I popped into Sainsburys , then called into Vision Express to clarify something on a form I had to fill in for Optegra.
I went to Spoons for coffee which tasted a bit better than usual. I returned to Frow at midday and lay in the sun for a while. I showered; bought a wine and salad from Coop and got to the Club at around 4pm.
I chatted with the guys; watched the first half of a football match; then back to the house to cook the last 2 pork loin chops with rice. I chatted with Judith who was back from a long weekend in Sweden. I watched more football then went up to my room.
Tues 23rd June
Two things to accomplish. After a quick shower and a coffee, I left for the health centre at 09:30. My appointment was on time at 09:55. Blood pressure checked ..138 over 83…all fine. Weight checked..75 pounds..I think..pounds or kilos ? In Kuching I was 172..I presume kilos. I gave blood and went to the bus stop.
The 10:19 never arrived, so I waited over an hour for the next one. At least it was only an hour and a half to the Old Steine in Brighton. There are huge roadworks in the area, so it looked quite different. I found the right bus stop for the 5B to Hollingbury Asda, then Optegra was only 5 minutes walk away.
I was over half an hour early. At about 14:45 I had my first check up…blood pressure, weight, general health questions (allergies, alcohol consumption). After a while check no. 2 ….checking the eyesight. That was followed by eye drops that stung like mad for about a minute.
I was waiting for part 3 of the consultation, when I was called to one side and told they hadn’t received my Referral. Without that they couldn’t complete stage 3 of the consultation. Nothing much I could do, except try to phone V Express , from whom there was no response, and went off to the bus stop.
I had to nip across the road from one bus stop to the other to catch the Churchill square bus; it went around the outskirts, but it was an interesting ride. Then, trouble finding the 270 stop; I went around in circles before finding out it was stop C1. I caught the 17:40 for the nearly 1 3/4 hrs to Frow.
I popped into the Coop, then to the Club for 19:30 for a quick 2 pints. Then to the house where I cooked some of the beef that I had just bought, to have with rice, and lettuce from the garden. Judith was working, before driving to Oxford.
I couldn’t get ITV to work for the football, so I watched an episode of Death in Paradise on bbc IPlayer on my phone in my room, before going to sleep.
Wed 24th June
I watched some of the Brazil vs Scotland match on bbc IPlayer after midnight. I wanted to get into EG early to talk to V Express Tina about the fact that Optegra had given me a new consultation date of 09 July. I explained that I’d lost 2 weeks of my timeable. She said she would phone them.
I had communicated with Martha Scanlan in the morning, and we met up at around 10:30 for a good, long chat over a coffee. She’s still working on a consultancy basis and Mathew still working in some capacity with the police, so they should be set up nicely for their retirement.
I went to the King’s Centre park for a little lay in the sun. Then to Aldi where I bought Beef, wine and crackers. Then the bus back to Frow, after having a quick chat with a Ugandan lady at the bus stop.
I received an email with an amended eyes consultation date of 2nd July…so that was good news. I got stuck into lots of washing up, and got to the Club at around 16:30.
After a Harveys, I had a gin and tonic…nice and refreshing due to the ice. Back at the house I cooked my beef with the last of the leeks, and some rice.I couldn’t be bothered with football, and instead watched another Death in Paradise episode on iPlayer in my room.
Thurs 25th June
It was going to be a hot day. I’m sleeping quite comfortably, considering. I caught the bus into EG. I popped into V Express to thank Tina for managing to get the Optegra date changed to the 2nd. I also wanted to know the implications with glasses prescription of only having my right eye operated on.
I went to the playing fields and lay in the sun for an hour. Then to Aldi for some shopping. After a visit to Spoons, I caught the bus back to Frow. I pottered around the house. My washing had dried.
I went to the Swan via Coop to meet Phil R at 16:30. My full loyalty card earned me a free beer. Fatima joined us after 17:00; I hadn’t seen her for a long time. We all had a good get-together.
I had fried potato this time with the last of the beef. I watched the 7pm news then went up to my room. I didn’t bother with any football, and again watched another episode of Death in Paradise. I enjoy that show. Then sleep.
Fri 26th June
Not much happened. I went into EG. I went to the playing fields and then to Aldi and to Spoons. It was early afternoon when I got back to Frow. The weather was still nice..still pretty hot. I went to the Club for a short while…stopping at Coop along the way to invest £1. in their members’ loyalty card.
I cooked the last of my sausages and watched another Death in Paradise episode in my room before going to sleep.
Sat 27th June.
I had been invited to dinner on this day (belated Birthday)..I said that Khan’s was my preferred option. I had offered to buy the alcohol for Judith, George and myself, so I popped into Coop to review the options.
From there I went up the road to visit Adriana, and ended up having a nice long chat. I had cheese and crackers back at the house. I sat outside in the back garden chatting with Judith. The sun went behind the clouds .
Then, almost my daily routine…I walked over to the Club. A lot of the conversation was about golf this time. Then over to Coop where I bought 8 large bottles of lager…including Cobra…for George and myself, and 4 smaller non alcoholic ones for Judith.
After 18:30 we walked up to Khan’s. There were a couple of large groups in there, and a good atmosphere. I had a brilliant birthday dinner with fun chat and very tasty food. We started with poppadoms and Judith bought the 3 person meal , which included a variety of dishes. I was stuffed.
Meanwhile, back at the house, we watched the England vs Panama match which was a bit boring, but we won 2:0. As it didn’t start until 22:00 , I didn’t go to bed until midnight. A good day.
Sun 28th June.
A cooler start to the day. Out of boredom really, I caught the bus to EG. I spent less than 2 hours there, mainly in Spoons. I had to catch the 12:30 bus back otherwise it was a 1.5 hour wait until the next bus.
Judith was under her parasol in the back garden; we chatted, I did a bit of paving slabs weeding, and I sat in the sun for a bit. I went on my laptop. I made my way to the Club after 15:30; Judith joined me at around 17:00. For a change of pace , after the Harveys I had a rum and ginger beer…very refreshing due to the ice.
I got a lift back to the house and my dinner consisted basically of Khan’s leftovers…delicious. I drank the last of the beers and watched the S Africa vs Canada football. It wasn’t that exciting, but Canada scored just before the end. After 10pm I went up to my room.
Mon 29th June
I had a good sleep. I went early to Coop in the hope of buying a loaf of sour dough bread. I only managed a small loaf that was reduced in price. I toasted 2 slices to have with some marmite.
I caught the 10:00 bus into town. I spent only 45 minutes in the playing fields in the sun before going to Spoons for coffees. I caught the 12:30 bus back to Frow. I joined Judith in a short chat with the guy who’s bought the Bram, and to hear what plans he had for it.
I washed a shirt. I did a bit of weeding. I sat in the sun. I went to the Club via the Coop. No Harveys for me this time…just 2 rums and ginger beers. Back to the house where my dinner consisted of sausages, a potato, broccoli , onion, garlic and chilli sauces.
I ate that as I was watching Brazil vs Japan; Japan were ahead in the 1st half but Brazil won 2:1 in the end. I went up to my room and again watched an episode of Death in Paradise. An easy day.
Tues 30th June
After 08:00 wake up. Alastair came to work on the garden. I had some toasted sour dough bread…not impressed. I caught the 11:00 bus to EG. I first went to Aldi and bought pork loin chops and courgettes. Then on to Spoons.
No shopping, straight onto the bus and back to Frow. I gave £15 to Sally-Anne towards a hamper for Darren as a thank you for his work on getting our Flats service charge right down; he’s probably saved us about £1,500..(I’m due to pay £547 only).
I went on to the cemetary to check on Martin Groat’s grave, and see some other familiar names. Then it was off to the Club; I had 2 rum and ginger beers before heading back to the house. I cooked up 2 pork loin chops with courgette and broccoli.
I went upstairs to watch a World Cup football match, followed by a Death in Paradise episode. Then sleep.