I wonder if you spotted the deliberate mistake in my last blog! There I was, boldly declaring another family wedding while neglecting to add any details! I’m going to rectify that in just a moment, but clearly my head was elsewhere as I also said that my stepson Dan’s 40th birthday was on the 7th February when he was actually born on the 10th! Luckily, this year it fell on a Saturday so most of us the family were able to celebrate together, but more on that in a moment.
Firstly, thanks again for keeping in touch here and for letting me know how you’ve spent January. It’s great to compare notes and it makes me smile to see what you’re up to in your precious free time, especially when sometimes I feel a little out of kilter with no job or work commitments. I know it’s to be expected after 47 years of employment but occasionally it catches me out and I miss the challenge. Not that day-to-day life doesn’t have its own challenges as I know you’re very well aware! Talking of challenges, have you seen any of the new series of The Apprentice? I haven’t watched it for a few years now, but I was invited by Deb Flint along with Patrick Hoy and producer Andrew to be in the audience for The Apprentice You’re Fired – four days before they broadcast the first episode of the new series. Comedian Tom Allen hosted, and we were the first to see the candidates and to watch them attempt their first task. Well… the word ‘shambles’ was used by more than one of the experts after we’d watched the candidates attempt to plan a corporate away day which at best looked as though they were herding cats! Tom Allen was a superb host though, and it reminded me of my time on the panel representing QVC after the teams had made a particularly poor attempt to sell a small trampoline on a shopping channel… you may remember it? Dara O’Briain hosted then and asked me to show the audience how it should be done – luckily with a beauty product rather than a trampoline – but it was a real experience, and another story to tell the grandchildren. ☺️
They record the show at the Riverside studios which is where we had seen ‘Flowers for Mrs Harris’ and it’s a great venue, and not too far for me to drive. Unlike the journey to Bromsgrove that Colin and I made to see my son Jack on Friday, the 2nd of February for his birthday, although the M40 was pretty good that day. I made him chocolate cupcakes as requested and we had a delicious meal out at the Miller and Carter steakhouse and were then entertained by a brilliant live band – Lucas D and the Groove Ghetto – at a local pub. Jack’s flat only has one bedroom so Colin and I stayed the local Travel Lodge and the following morning we got together for brunch before driving to a beautiful little Hamlet in Shropshire called Kemberton.
It’s where my late father lived for just 10 months before dying of a heart attack very suddenly at 54 years old. His ashes are buried in the local churchyard that at this time of year is filled with snowdrops. It always makes me sad to go there, but the 37 years since he passed melt away and when I stand under the giant oak tree and look east, I can see the house he used to live in. Bittersweet memories, but I was rewarded this time with a white feather just by the church gates as I turned to leave which made me smile.
There’s been plenty more to smile about over the last few weeks as we celebrated Colin’s son Dan’s 40th birthday with most of the family. I remember my mum saying she couldn’t believe she had children that were in their fifties, and I have to admit it does seem strange to think that Dan is now 40! Rather than having a party at home, we met up in London and after a lovely meal we headed literally over the road to a karaoke bar where we were all ushered into a soundproofed room and armed with two microphones and a screen and we sang our hearts out for two hours. Good job it was soundproofed as not all of us were that tuneful, but it was great fun. 🤩 My son Sam’s birthday is next – on the 10th March, but he and Elise will still be away, so mine is after that and we’re hoping to get everyone together for a lunch at ours that day too. Not sure what we’ll dish up on the day, but maybe a buffet might be easiest. Luckily our brood eat most things, and I’m very impressed with the grandchildren who actually ask for vegetables!!
But it will be French cuisine that we will be enjoying in June this year when Colin, and I, my sister and Linda head to the South of France – Draguignan – which is I believe in Provence but not far from St Tropez. It’s where my brother’s son James is marrying Emilia and I am so excited to be meeting up with my brother, his wife, my niece Clare, her husband Cale, and for the first time, their two daughters Aggy and Beatrice! We’ve booked our accommodation and thee flights to Nice and will drive to Draguignan where the wedding is taking place in a small but beautiful Chateau . We plan to stay for a week and make the best of the time with the family before heading off to explore further this beautiful part of France. Neither Colin or I have ever holidayed in France, which seems crazy as it’s so close to the UK, but we are very much looking forward to it.
The building work continues at home and Colin is putting the finishing touches to the wardrobes he’s built, so once the flooring is down in that room, he can start on the bathroom! We found the wallpaper for the bedroom though – what do you think? As it’s such a sunny room, I think it’s going to really work well.
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll know that I have an appointment with a breast surgeon next week as my one and only implant has literally passed its ‘use by’ date and needs to be taken out, so I need to decide what I want to do next… I would love it to be the final time I ever need to have surgery on that part of my body, but I do need to find out what my options are… It feels a little like taking a step backwards, but once I’m better informed I’m sure it will all be very straightforward – fingers crossed!
Well, I think I’ve probably rattled on for long enough, but thanks for all the TV and book recommendations – I finished Trigger Point, which was exemplary, and thoroughly enjoyed the last in the series of Silent Witness too. Any other dramas you think I might like? I’m right in the middle of Jojo Moyes book The Horse Dancer and although incredibly long it is very well written. I so love the written word, and have decided to renew my own search for a literary agent in the hope I can find a home for my own novel. It can be more than a little soul destroying as many of them don’t even respond to your enquiry, but it’s worth a shot. Wish me luck!
I hope you enjoy the remainder of February and stay well! Sending you my love, and I look forward to hearing from you ☺️
Ali xxx
Loraine Plumb says
Hi Alison oh your day with your son sounded lovely and the wedding in France will be so nice. You said in your lastt answer to me a bout booking out me next holiday we already have going back to Sardinia in May the the Venetian riviera in September , of course Les will have finished work by then he’s feeling a bit strange about not working anymore but I said it’s a new chapter. Glad the house is coming along the paper is lovely. Sorry to hear you have to go in hospital again but I suppose it’s for the best whatever you decide to do but not good memories for you hope all goes well. Thankyou fr your blogs I look forward to them Love Loraine. Xxxx
Alison Keenan says
Dear Loraine, I’m so sorry for not replying sooner! What with one thing and another I seem to have been chasing my tail this last week or so, but I’m very glad that you’re heading back to Sardinia in May and then the Venetian Riviera in September. I think having that to look forward to will be good for Les because he will feel strange once he stops working. I’m certain that you will be busy and it shouldn’t take too long for him to enjoy his well earned freedom. I don’t think I will be having any procedure done until the autumn as it’s not an urgent thing at all. I’m so glad you enjoy the blogs and I promise to have a new one for you in the next two days. Take care, love Ali xx
Roz says
Hi Alison. Just read your blog and busy again this last month. France sounds great and what a lovely place to have celebrations! Cannot wait until March as our caravan opens for the season. We are in Dorset and have lots of lovely walks on our doorstep with beautiful fresh air, so looking forward to walking our puppy and being there. I can fully understand your anxieties regarding your implant. I can only say that you must do what is comfortable for you- you will know the right decision to take at the time. Like you, we are just deciding on kitchens etc! Hopefully, our final choice will be made shortly and work to start very soon. Yes, being retired can be strange some days and without structure you can seem a little lost. But, we have worked hard so long so we feel we should enjoy it and think we are lucky. Thinking of you next week. Bye for now.
Alison Keenan says
Hi Roz, good to hear from you and it always makes me smile when I see your name and then read about your life in Dorset. Roz and Chris my friends live in Dorset as you know and I completely agree with the landscape and the walks and the beautiful fresh air. It would be nice to have a puppy to walk as well! Thank you for your kind words about my implant… The consultant was absolutely delightful and gave me until the beginning of June to make my mind up about what I would like to have done. He was very kind. And your observations about retirement are spot on – yes, 47 years is a long time and I’m lucky to be able to retire. It just the mind set really, and the changes that one has to get used to, but I’m definitely getting there! Take care and I hope you’re enjoying the month of March! New blog incoming 🙂 Love Ali xx
Karen Brooker says
Hi Ali yes i remembered reading from Debbie Flint that you were going on Youre Fired. I love The Apprentice and always tune it. I can imagine that Tom was great fun hosting. The chocolate cupcakes looked delicious. Miller and Carter is always lovely. We have one we go to in Ruislip and the food is always divine. You will really love it when you go to France. I must say i really do like the wallpaper you have chosen for the bedroom. Will look lovely and very classy. Lots of love Karen xx
Alison Keenan says
Dear Karen, Debbie Flint is so good with all her social media and blogs and I really enjoy spending time with her. We’ve just booked tickets to see Back to The Future which I hear is really good. Jack does love a cupcake and we all enjoyed the Miller and Carter steakhouse – we don’t have one near us, so it’s lovely visit when I’m in Bromsgrove. So glad you like the wallpaper – I think we are definitely getting much places that point now. Colin has just finished the plumbing in the ensuite bathroom and hopefully it will be plastered and tiled in the next week. I hope all is well with you and yours, Love Ali xx
Mary Morphy says
Hi Ali, what a great blog and again you have been busy and have enjoyed much merriment and family time, and so you should!
When you mentioned Millie and Carter steakhouse it made me smile as when my sister and I arrive at our Travelodge in Milton Keynes when we go Christmas shopping we always eat there when we arrive on Thursday evening..I don’t like gravy..but their marrowbone gravy is great for dipping chips in!
Oh, before i forget, I love the wallpaper! My daughter and her boyfriend will hopefully have the keys to the their maisonette soon and we will be painting it before they move in…I think that will be my job in the Easter holidays which are only 5 weeks away.
I am still coughing from covid and a bit wheezy but well enough to go back to work this week after half term…mind you yesterday we had 8, 16 and 17 year olds at a local nature reserve and were knee deep in mud and drenched with rain..not the best trip I have been on.
So TV wise I watched Breathtaking this week..a three part drama with Joanne Frogett about NHS staff during covid..a difficult watch but all the scenarios were real and they were faced with impossible situations and decisions..well worth a go. I have also watch on demand, The Shuttle that fell out of the sky..about the space shuttle Columbia that broke up returning to earth..it was gripping…I’m not a space techy but it was brilliant and sad, as all the astronauts lost their lives.
How’s your garden looking? Mine is full of hellebores, primroses and the greenery of the spring bulbs..a few of the daffodils have buds on. My miniature daffodils and crocus that are in a pot either side of my front door are in full bloom.
Enjoy your son’s birthday celebrations and I hope yours is a good one to..is it around 16th..mine is on 26th March and very near Easter this year.
Much love Mary x
Alison Keenan says
Dear Mary, so glad you enjoyed the blog and how funny that you and your sister eat at the steakhouse in Milton Keynes when that was the closest one to Jack before he moved up to the Midlands. Totally agree with the Marrowbone gravy and chips! I take that as a compliment do you like the wallpaper – your interior decoration sounds incredible and I’m certain you will transform your daughter is amazing it when you decorate it in the spring. So sorry you’re still struggling after Covid – it seems to be in a particularly difficult strain this time around and we have several friends who are still feeling unwell. With that in mind, I am not certain I will be able to get through Breathtaking – I did watch the trailer, but it was quite distressing… maybe in the summer. I do they think Colin and I would watch The Shuttle – I’m loving Ex Pats! All my pots are looking really good thank you – lots of miniature daffodils, Narcissus and tulips. My hellebore was fabulous this year has now gone over. I will be posting up the new blog in the next few days and wish you a very happy birthday for the 26th of March! Well remembered – yes mine is on the 16th and we will have all the family over on the 17th. Take care, much love, Ali xxx
Sue Radford says
Hi Ali,
I love all the colours and designs you’ve chosen to decorate your home – looks so classy and stylish.
It’s great Sam and his new wife are enjoying their travels, and so nice to see Jack looking so happy. It’s also really nice yo hear you’re still in touch with lots of your work colleagues and enjoying times with them too.
You ought to try a cruise holiday. We’ve enjoyed many throughout the years. This year we’re staying in a hotel in Corfu for a week, and then from there boarding a cruise ship where we’re visiting Croatia, Dubrovnik and Italy to name but a few, so looking forward to that.
Hope all goes well with your appointment with the Breast Surgeon – I’m sending positive vibes your way for that. Hope, also, that the little fairy I made for you will continue bringing you good health and lots of luck your way.
Much love,
Sue Radford
Alison Keenan says
Dear Sue, I’m really chuffed that you like the decorations – it certainly is an improvement on what we had before and luckily Colin and I agree on most common schemes. Sam and Elise are now in the Philippines and enjoying some sunshine after Vietnam was very cold. I really think Colin and I will be trying to cruise this year. So many people have recommended it to us and I think Europe would be the answer. The appointment went well with the surgeon and I no I have until beginning of June to make my mind up. The little fairy you made for me constantly looks after me so thank you for her. Much love, Ali xx
Merche Gardiner says
Hi Ali, lovely to read your blog, the wallpaper looks great and I’m sure it will go perfectly with a sunny room. I have got the same Jojo Moyes book to read, John bought it for me when we were in Norwich last September, previously I read Some One Else’s Shoes by her, thoroughly enjoyed it. Hope all goes well for you at the hospital. Take care. Merchexx
Alison Keenan says
Dear Merche, lovely to hear from you, and so glad you too are enjoying the Jojo Moyes book. I read Someone Elses’s Shoes when she first published it as a SHORT story – very clever how she expanded the plot and the characters. I really enjoyed it. My hospital visit was fine thank you, and the surgeon was very kind. I will be making my mind up when I see him again on the 3rd of June. How are you? I do hope both you and John are well, Love Ali xx
Loraine Plumb says
Hi Alison again hope you have a great time in Morocco we went there years ago stayed in Agadir and had a couple of days in Marrakesh. Enjoy love Loraine. Xx
Alison Keenan says
Hi Lorraine, we are very excited to be going to Morocco in six days time – I checked out the weather this morning and it’s in the late 30s which is astonishing and very exciting. I do think we will travel to Marrakesh too – it would be rude not to, love Ali 🙂 xx