February 1

 February 1

One of the tings I have missed for some years is walking.

I used to love it, especially exploring cities. In regular visits to London for meetings I used to walk from Paddington to County Hall.

In two months in Tokyo 50 years ago I explored the whole city, as I did regularly in Berlin.

But it stopped about ten years ago when my leg problem returned after sixty years. I managed to keep driving until three years ago.

Now I can only get out and about on my scooter, but it is convenient and enjoyable.

I am becoming expert at navigating shops, weaving in and out the aisles, so far avoiding any embarrassing mishap. 

And I have found most people helpful, although strollers on Penarth Esplanade can be a nuisance.

Since being been back in Penarth I have been getting out more than I have for years, but I still try, with my walking aid,to do as much walking as I can.

Last week in Heath hospital I managed to walk to the ear clinic and next day go to lunch and do some shopping with Robert.

I am now resting for a few days, relieved that I have Melissa,  a brilliant home help/carer, looking after me.

 

January

January 30

Safely ensconced in my new home I aim to keep going. To stay on the road, like an old car. A very old car.

At 95 I would be classed as vintage. Possibly a model T Ford, in the 1920s the biggest selling model in the world.

The thought reminded me of a brilliant competition for the restoration of those vintage models.

Over twenty years ago my son-in-law Julio took part. He converted a section of the huge shed at Braydon Manor, a former farm where he had a growing collection of cars, into a workshop, bought Model T plans, and, with some help from his young son Ben, set to work. 

He collected parts for the most famous car, painstakingly put them together until ,after weeks, it took shape.

Finished, it was magnificent. Polished, gleaming and ready for the road,

He and Ben were in with a real chance to win the compe5otuin.

But they failed. The rules called for mostl reused parts and their car had too many new ones.

The family’s disappointment was eased by the magnificence of their creation and the thrill of driving it on the country roads.

Then their model T went intok4  the huge building where cattle had been wintered, to join their growing collection of cars they had preserved. Their own mini museum.

I don’t need spare parts but I am doing my best to keep going as a vintage human model.

A break, prime minister?

‘You need a break, prime minister’, said the adviser.

‘Yes, I do’, said Boris. I don’t feel too good lately. Where shall I go?’ 

‘Russia. I know it’s cold there but it would be just right for you. Bracing. 

‘And you could call it work. Tackling the Ukraine business. Like a real statesman. Think of the photo opportunities’.

‘A good idea. I am glad I thought of that. Get my plane ready’.

January 28

January 28

I took a trip down memory lane today. Back In Penarth after more than two years.

In brilliant winter sunshine I repeated an experience I have cherished over so many years.

It evoked mixed emotions, with surprise and pleasure at Penarth reawakening after many months of pandemic.

There was inevitable nostalgia, touched by sadness at being alone.

First I drove onto the 125year old pier, the domed building, and its multi coloured railings and seats newly painted.

On a dazzlingly bright midwinter afternoon scores of people were enjoying the rare sunshine. On the sheltered western side all the seats were filled with seemingly somnambulant visitors, eyes closed, soaking up the rare warmth.

The tiny sweet shop, once the favourite of my granddaughters Siân and Ria and now Rosa and Claudia, my great granddaughters, masked children were choosing their treats again. There was a mini queue at the one mini shop open on the pier, selling more coffee and even Whitby and chips than today’s too chilly ice cream

Hardy anglers were back, testing their skill and luck.

Turning westward on leaving the pier, within yards I passed Windsor Court, our home for almost twenty years. It was there I felt sadness and loneliness, compensated by realisation of my good fortune in surviving, to start my new life.

Along the Esplanade, avoiding the strollers, many trailing dogs. It was a pleasant surprise to find the local council had kept their promise to me, made three years earlier, to improve the surface. My scooter glided along up the hill to Cliff Walk, past some new startling original luxury homes and past the cafe whereI used to meet Alan, my friend, every Saturday morning.

I drove along the crumbling cliff top, moved yards inland for safety, and on to the ‘end of the line’ for my scooter.

Not so long ago I would spend the afternoon walking along to Lavernock point, the rocky beach, strewn with attractive pink and white alabaster, before climbing up onto the narrow pebbled path and back to tea at Windsor Court.

Today, much less tired thanks to my scooter, I turned towards home. The sky was cloudless, the afternoon sun dazzling. To the east I could  clearly see the Severn bridge and, across the channel Weston-super-mare fourteen miles away.

Then, past my old home, up the sloping Bridgeman Road to my new home, driving my scooter into its shed where I put it on charge for my next venture out.

It had been a familiar journey but a new experience for me.

It marked the change in my phone life after leaving the comfort and security of Sunrise  confirming my view that my life can again be wider and more fulfilling.

I am 

4#Bridgeman 

 the comfort of Sunrise

I 

path

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January 25

January 25

With the pandemic worries easing, the world has another crisis; the possibility of war. Will Russia invade the Ukraine?

It looks ominous but there has always been tension between the west and the posturing, belligerent Putin.

Now come the warnings and threats, and among the hawks we have our besieged prime minister, peeping over the top of his bunker, warning Mr Putin of serious consequences if dares to invade.

He must be quaking in his boots. 

For Mr Johnson, the dispute offers some relief and briefly reminds us he is theoretically a powerful world leader, long since disregarded.

Day by day the headlines continue to report new revelations about Mr Johnson’s inexcusable behaviour during lockdowns. 

The soon expected enquiry report might lead to General Johnson losing his prolonged fight to save his reputation, and that world leader status,

January 20

 January 20

Six weeks after my move, number 10 Bridgeman Road is a proper home. 

The pictures are up, the kitchen fully equipped, everything in place in the myriad of cupboards and drawers. All I need to do is remember where I put things.

The heating system is working and, most important, after more or less fending for myself I now have home help, Melissa, who comes in twice a week is brilliant has already made a huge difference. 

I realise now that the whole operation, going back three months when I first decided I was leaving Sunrise was more complicated than I thought.

Buying and setting up a new home at 95, I now realise, is THE move of a lifetime. I have had six homes and should have learned from experience that nothing goes exactly according to plan. Our worst family experience was when, moving back to Cardiff in 1971, the sale of our house fell through the day it was due for completion. And it had been an ordeal when six years earlier we had moved to Ashley Drive Whitton in a heavy snowstorm.

Now, my move back to Penarth was only made possible by the time, hard work and organisation of Robert and Karen and Brenda and Ivor.

Another key person has been Dennis, from Sunrise,who moved my furniture to my comfortable Turret suite at Sunrise and who has set me up in my new home, putting up my pictures.and now making improvements in the kitchen. The result, I can now cook whatever I want - and am capable of. 

I have a whole new range of equipment, most bought for me by Karen in a mammoth shopping spree. 

I celebrated last night by cooking a meal on my new air fryer - proper chips! - and tonight I am using my new table top oven for a ‘real’ meal, followed by a celebratory glass of wine

One of the great pleasures of being in number 10 is to be able to welcome visitors, family and friends for a chat, and a coffee made on my new coffee maker,

So, all the effort has been worthwhile.

I am delighted with my new home which I where I hope I will long enjoy.

Life could not be better,

Thank you all.

Now I can enjoy the result. 

 

January 15

 January 15

The fog that’s lingered for a few days matches that of the pandemic which has caused doubt and concern for so long.

But at last there are signs that it may be lifting. The decision by cautious first minister Drakeford to relax restrictions is the most encouraging sign. 

Rugby enthusiasts are relieved that the Six Nations championship should now go ahead with full crowds at the Principlality stadium. Even more relieved are the city centre hotels and pubs who can at last look forward to a bonanza week-end,

Another less commented on result of the potential loosening of the pandemic’s grip is the possibility that the under siege prime minister may have gambled correctly by going for a more relaxed approach than the other UK countries, speak  with the hospitality industry. 

That has been lost by his pathetic, cowardly response to the barrage of allegations and public outrage over lockdown partying in the early days of national lockdown.

It looks as though he is surviving, just, but for how long? 

If he can hang in for a few weeks will the public, relieved that the pandemic fog may be lifting, give him a reprieve?

There is an interesting time ahead.

 

 By 

January 12

At 95 I may be old but I don’t feel that old and I like to get on with my life as comfortably and competently as I can.

But I, like and millions of old people, p often struggle because of the lack of thought by many organisations.

Most people in their nineties did not have the benefits of the vast technical and digital advances of the past few decades.

Even my reporting work was a basic pen and paper, later manual typewriter, job.

All that is history. Communication and its varied methods mean that most of us very old folks are struggling.

Setting up and settling in a new home, an adventure for me, has been made more difficult and frustrating. 

Many organisations,with their up-to-the-minute communication technique just d not realise our problems or assist us.

They blindly assume we are au fait, up date, with skills like emails and even telephone calls. They make us respond to complicated on lines questionnaires, and lists of phone alternative numbers, assuming we can even hear them clearly, or read send complicated letters in small type.

With so much to do, including sending many notices of change of address and accounts, even with the help of my patient family I am often bewildered and annoyed by the handicaps.

I am excited and pleased with my new life but the transition could have been so much easier if more thought were given to the needs of the elderly. We are not geniuses but certainly not stupid

We deserve better.

January 9

 January 9

I have just had a most memorable journey. Exhilarating, but sad. Looking back at wonderful days. and forward to a constant reminder of them.

It was my first venture  out onto Penarth seafront and pier for almost three years, the most turbulent time in my life. 

When I went to live in Sunrise residential home I thought that was the end of my normal life. It was a unique period, one that for those first few pre pandemic months looked positive and welcome but which was to marr the life of everyone.

Sunrise was right for me at the time and it served me well, with care and comfort, but I realised I could not stay on for years, accepting a routine I would come to hate. Hence my decision to change course, to see if I could capture at least a semblance of a life style I loved.

And this morning I proved it. 

After five weeks in my new home and a few tentative trips out on my scooter in bitterly cold, wet weather, the sun was shining. 

And I decided it was the day for my journey to the past.

After a brief visit to the town centre and some shopping I returned to the already bustling sea front.

Penarth, I soon realised, was alive, booming in fact. I drove along the Esplanade. It was a revelation. The widened pavement was crowded with visitors enjoying coffee in the bright sunlight, Shore, the upmarket gift shop where we had bought pictures for our Windsor Court flat was crowded. 

Along the Esplanade restaurants where we had enjoyed celebrations are flourishing after the pain of lockdowns, with attractive new ones. There were members on the Yacht Club balcony -  my next after renewing my membership.

Then back along the front, and onto the pier. So many memories of  old family photographs going back many decades, of Mum in her wheelchair of buying ice cream for the children.

There was a queue at the snack shop, and at the end of the pier a score or more anglers sitting happily and patiently in the sunshine, reviving  the saddest of my memories, where three years ago Rosemary’s ashes disappeared into the sea.

Looking towards the shore I picked out the flat where we spent fifteen happy and eventful years

It was time to go. The sadness was softened by the realisation that there is still so  much to look forward to, so much to be grateful for. And, a reassuring thought, manybmore more happy memories. 

January 8

 January 8

With the new year under way I am settling down well in my new home.

I am finding my new life interesting and enjoyable if, at times a little frustrating. There are many plus points. Comfort, feeling safe, enjoying privacy and sociability and, the biggest advantage, regular visitors and the chance to get out.

It is certainly not a soft life and while I think I am a reasonable organiser I am naturally impatient, especially with run-of-the- mill business tasks, including filing documents letters and bills.

The result is I am still quite a burden on my family, especially Robert and Karen. I assured them that, once I was in and settled, the flow of email SOSs would at dwindle but I am still asking for help regularly. They are incredibly patient.

Almost all my problems in setting up home have been solved, except one - finding some home help. I do not need carers but certainly need help in keeping the flat up to scratch. I started looking for help weeks before I left Sunrise but despite approaches and promises I am still without help.

I am sure I will find the answer but for now have to get on as best I can.

Oddly, minor problems are the most bothersome - trying to open bottles - apart from beer-!tins and jars. That does try my patience.

Overall, though, I am thoroughly enjoying life and appreciate once again how fortunate  I am.

It is going to be an interesting year.

January 3

January 3

So it’s back to normal after Christmas and the New Year?Far from it. Uncertainty still stalks the world.  Cases are reaching record levels in many countries and governments are struggling to keep services running. Hospitals are again under great pressure with. many staff off. Even the weather is abnormally warm.

 In UK the different approach to restrictions is causing confusion, adding to the uncertainty.

Everyone is hoping that January will see us over the peak of infection but it could be a cruel month.

I am battening down the hatches and enjoying the quiet and comfort of my new home, but yesterday was an exception.

Following my cataract operation I had an eye test at the local Specsavers - unusual for a Sunday- but they were very busy.

It turned out to be quite an adventure. I set out on my scooter in sunshine, pleased to get there on time, but an hour later, turning for home, came the deluge.

I was drenched, soaked to the skin with my Waterproof’ coat a joke. And I am feeling the effect today. Quite hard work getting around the flat early on but now steadily improving.

Before I venture out again I am investing in a’wild weather’ coat.