#WBOYC in May

 

Well, using my normal format of taking the initial letter from the spelling of the month means this could be a short post as we only have three letters!

M

Many a May Bank Holiday this year. We started the month with the normal May Day Bank Holiday, then just a few days later it was King Charles' Coronation

Medical appointments that ended up with hospital admissions and an operation.  Well, I didn't see that one coming - or did I?  I knew that the polyps in my nose were getting worse and I had hoped not to have to resort to surgery but ... I am going to be scheduling the posting of this in advance because on the day that it is supposed to go live is the day that my surgery is happening.

A

A weekend away - perfectly timed for keeping my mind occupied in the lead up to my op.  Southwold in Suffolk was our destination and a place that we love and know well.  Of course Coco came with us, every dog deserves a holiday too.

Y

Yummy! Some lovely dinners and lunches out this month. Even a simple Greek salad and glass of wine at a local deli was delicious. 

My friend and I could easily have met for coffee at home, but there is something very nice about going out and relaxing over food and drink that someone else has prepared.

We had some lovely meals while away in Southwold - even simple fish and chips taste so much better when you are by the seaside!  Full marks though to the sticky toffee pudding at The Anchor in Walberswick which was the perfect end to a lovely Sunday lunch.

Yearning for June to be here, hopefully with a fully working nose! 

And now time for my 1 Second Everyday video roundup of the month so far.

Normally I would now pack you on your way across the world to Australia to visit the other Deb's World, but you don't have so far to go this month - she's visiting family here in the UK!   

Me on a Wednesday

 A quick post today after a lovely weekend away in Southwold.  It's a place we love to visit and have stayed there a few times now.  It's a town which has retained its old fashioned personality and you immediately feel relaxed once you wander down to the promenade which borders the beach.  I do like a nice beach hut scene to photograph!

Early in the morning before the clouds lifted 

Mid morning, sun is out and skies are blue!

Plenty of places to eat and most places are dog friendly which makes for a nice relaxing holiday for us and Coco. We were so lucky with the weather, bright and dry although rather blustery along the beach - the wind on the East Coast is notoriously brisk. 

It was perfect timing for us to be away and relaxed as tomorrow I shall be admitted into a local hospital for surgery on my nose.  I've had it done before so unfortunately I know what's in store - but it needs to be done!  

I would like to draw your attention to this post over at Patio Postcards.  The annual Summer Scavenger Hunt will be starting on June 1st so dust off your camera/phone and get your thinking caps on for photos that fit the 14 categories.

I have my What's Been On Your Calendar post ready to go tomorrow (just need to remember to type the right date and time on the schedule!) and I now need to re-read my pre-admission instructions to check when my 'nil by mouth' time starts!

Me on Monday

 Out of office reply ...

We'll be back soon!  Currently enjoying the last bit of our long weekend away 👫🐶

Me on Monday

 This Monday finds me counting down the days to a weekend trip away.  Of course there are lists to be made and it appears that Coco may be taking more luggage than we are.  

It was quite a busy weekend which made the days go very quickly.  Starting with lunch out with a friend on Friday.  A delicious Greek salad at a local deli where everything is authentically from Greece - if only the weather had been nice enough to eat outside and pretend we were in Corfu, but torrential rain and a cold wind put paid to that!

On Saturday I had impetuously signed up for a Zumba masterclass that our instructor was hosting.  An hour and a half of dancing with 4 instructors.  Adri from Venezuala, Ramiro (the special guest instructor who is touring Europe) from Argentina, Laura from Spain and, not quite so exotic, Dave from Wales. I must admit that the last half hour did not see me being able to put as much energy into the routines as the first hour but I managed to stay the course - it was such good fun!  I'm so pleased I went.

In the evening we had a meal out with my sister and cousin and their husbands at an Indian restaurant that we have not tried before.  It was delicious, and lovely to catch up on all the family news.

Sunday we had our daughter and family here for lunch (no, their kitchen is still not operational!) so it really has been all about the food and drink around here.

I picked this photo up from my daughter’s IG feed. As you can see, Coco is gradually (begrudgingly?) accepting the fact that it seems like Daisy is really part of the extended family now!

So we start the week here awaiting a plumber as our shower mixer unit is leaking - not a good start eh?  We also really intend to get to a garden centre to buy a few plants for the pots - every time we plan to go the weather turns atrocious.  So let's hope this week becomes drier indoors and out!

Me on Tuesday

 It was definitely a historic weekend here in the UK and I enjoyed seeing the historic occasion of a coronation.  Not to mention the comical antics of Prince Louis who always seems to steal the show in a balcony line up!

It feels as though it was a very busy long weekend (although every day is a weekend day when you are retired I suppose!) It started with a meal out with ex work friends on Friday, a garden party meal with friends on Saturday that was moved indoors when the clouds started to form, all the family here for lunch on Sunday and then a day of putting the house and garden back to normal yesterday.  It is lovely to see the grandchildren all playing together now they are that little bit older but it does mean that every toy we own seems to be brought out!

So yesterday felt like a good day to continue making a few more squares for my 'Tea with Granny' blanket.  I like that this is something that I can just pick up and put down, I'm half way through the squares now.  Why, oh why does Coco always assume that anything laid out on the floor is an invitation to lay down on it?

It's not long now until our weekend away in Southwold and so today we will be advance booking a couple of meals in dog friendly pubs.  As we've been there a few times before we have a few places in mind that we would like to go back to.  I've started looking at long range weather forecasts and it seems like we will be packing for all eventualities!

What does your week have in store?

Let's sit and have a cup of coffee

Hello!

Thank you for popping round and making time to have a cup of coffee with me.  Please do have a rock cake to go with it - it's an old family recipe that's all our family enjoy, tell me what you think!

So, we have a big weekend of celebration here in the UK, today is the calm before the storm.  Tomorrow will be the coronation of King Charles and there will be lots going on all over the country.  I shall be watching it at home in the morning and then we have been invited to friends in the afternoon for a celebration meal.  It will be nice to have someone else cooking as on Sunday we have our whole family coming for lunch.  Keep your fingers firmly crossed for me that the weather is nice enough to go out in the garden as four children aged 6, 4, 3 and 18 months need to get outside to run off some energy - not to mention the elderly Coco and puppy Daisy.  Daisy wanting to be Coco's best friend and Coco not having the patience to entertain a young pupster. 

We have no plans for Bank Holiday Monday although I think there is entertainment in the park in town which we may go and visit.

Do you have any family favourite dishes that I could include on Sunday?  Last time we had everyone here I did a big roast dinner and I think I'll take the easy way out this time and do a buffet 'pick and choose' lunch.  Cold meats, cheeses, breads, quiche and salads.  Something for all ages.  For a dessert I think I'm going to do a tried and tested pavlova.  Two layers of meringue sandwiched with Nutella and whipped cream, with cream on top and strawberries and blueberries.  Red, White and Blue.  Very patriotic eh?

By the time we next meet for coffee I may be looking a bit bruised and battered.  I am booked in for surgery on my nose at the end of May - no I'm not having a 'nose job' - I've suffered from nasal polyps for many years now and it's a pretty miserable condition.  I had them removed 20 years ago but they continue to grow back and they are at the point of being very uncomfortable not to mention affecting my breathing and quality of sleep.  I've put off the surgery as long as possible but my consultant said it really is essential to have it done.  Wish me luck!  And no laughing if I look like I've been in a fight!

Me on Tuesday

 The countdown to the Coronation is on - the shops in town have all upped their game and there is a sea of red, white and blue wherever you go at the moment

There's been a teachers strike today which has meant additional childcare duties here. L & R have just gone home and before I sit and relax with a cup of tea I thought I would quickly come on here and say hello.

There is a lot going on this weekend, lots of free events in and around the town park, street parties and gatherings.  We are going to a friend's house with another couple on Saturday afternoon, then we have all the family coming here on Sunday, then there is a street party around the corner from us on Monday.  Another Bank Holiday weekend! 

But before all that I do hope you will pop back on Friday for a chat over a cup of coffee.  Hopefully I will have replenished my energy by then!