The Late, Great Joan Rivers!

So sad the passing of Joan Rivers. She was so talented, funny and irreverent  - so  rare these days. What is also remarkable about her, which has become clear over the past few days, is what a trooper the woman was. She experienced the highs and lows of her personal life and career and met all with great resilience.

In her private life her husband committed suicide but she had the support of her daughter and grandson. She lost her money twice as her style and humour was either in vogue ....or not. She wasn't one to wallow in misfortune and fought back. At the grand age of 81 she was still working and enjoying it. When asked whether she was going to retire  she retorted by asking why she would do that as what else would she do! She had a vitality and quick witted ness  which set her part from many of her generation. 

She was quite self deprecating and openly admitted to have "procedures" which became an avenue of material for show. She was the epitomy of old school charm and glamour which was reflected in her style and in her home.

I will miss Fashion Police and her comments on the red carpet events.  She had the confidence and chutzpah to actually articulate what many of us were thinking.

Age was no barrier to her ........when asked when she found time to sleep she reportedly said that she would have plenty of time for that when she was dead. So at least she achieved a great deal in life and left her  distinctive mark. Lessons for us all!

Breast Aware - Macmillan Fund Raising

There is so much tragedy in the world and increasingly so. Everyday we are made aware of atrocities in the news which seem to have increased in brutality. We should all be thankful for what we have - our daily moans pale into insignificance when compared with the hardships of others.

Closer to home you are never sure when something will come out of the blue and dramatically affect your way of life and your priorities. Our nearest and dearest sometimes have to fight battles they would never have imagined.

My friend Nilum discovered she had breast cancer about 18 months ago.  She is thankful that she has come through her round of chemotherapy and is optimistic about the future.  Part of her treatment involved a kind of therapy where she attended a centre which provided activities designed to promote well being - these included art classes, reflexology, counselling and so on.

As  way of thank you she organised a fund raising lunch last Saturday and from this was able to give a donation of over £400! It was a really fun occasion where people shared their experiences and compared notes.  What became clear is that we all have a responsibility whatever our ages to take care of ourselves and to be vigilant in maintaining our health as much as we can.

Lots of good works are conducted everyday by dedicated people - if you want to get involved in fund raising for something which may already be personal to you - you will find more information on this website

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx

Cure for Ageing?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/11073662/How-standing-might-be-the-best-anti-ageing-technique.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/11073662/How-standing-might-be-the-best-anti-ageing-technique.html

Found this interesting article which outlines some research on anti ageing measures. It ties in quite nicely with one of my earlier posts about the need for us all to MOVE!!

Sedentary existence as I have witnessed with friends and relatives does seem to have a degenerative effect. They complain of stiffness, difficulty getting up out of a chair, lethargy and weight gain.

Even a daily brisk walk can help considerably in keeping the machinery in good working order!

Awesome August!

I am conscious of the fact that I have been neglecting entries on my blog.  I don't know where the time has gone! This year unusually we have not taken a "proper" holiday and have spent time in and around our home and not venturing too far.  It has been a time of catching up on jobs, gardening, tidying and cleaning.  It has also been an opportunity to sort out those stubborn areas in the house which resist attention!!

One highlight to share however was a trip with my 5 year old granddaughter to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.  I must admit I was a little unsure how a child of this age could endure 2 and a half hours of sitting.....still!  I needn't have worried she was mesmerised by the musical and effects. The story in itself can be a little dark in places as those of you who are familiar with Roald Dahl will appreciate - however all the children there seemed unfazed!

Mair loved getting dressed up and was so excited about the occasion -something I hope she will keep in her memory box!

Well worth a trip to see this and is very suitable for adults and children.

Canterbury Tales.......

Last log entry said I would come back to you with more....

Canterbury and surrounding area has huge significance to us as one of my major clients was situated on the south coast in Sandwich.

I had a period of approximately 15 years when  we visited this area on a frequent basis. Our accommodation varied according to the volume of work which was generated over time.  In the earlier years I spent a great deal of time in The Bell "at Sandwich.  This little place has stood still in time despite its association with the influx of corporate bodies.  It is quite unspoilt and quaint. As part of out trip we passed the site of Pfizer where I spent so much time. The organisation during my time flourished from approx 500 people and grew over time to nearly 3000.  They occupied buildings on both sides of the main road - it was so vibrant.  On return last week it was incredible to see how the site had changed.  It was incredibly quiet and although new scientific organisations/start ups were in evidence the atmosphere had changed.  The main entrance site and restaurant areas had been demolished and only the hardcore remained.  For me this represented sadness but also closure. The people  in this organisation were great, exciting, curious and ambitious.  I know they have gone on to other ventures and I wish them well.  They should be incredibly proud of the pharmaceutical developments they have achieved and the benefits we have all had the derived from their research.

During my heavy workload period we bought a new small flat in Ramsgate as hotel life was taking its toll.  Although I was working we still enjoyed the environment and going back last week we commented on how pretty and increasingly productive the whole area has become. So much improvement and feeling of optimism.

One must do!! You must experience in seaside places - the fish!!  I am here being reluctantly (as you can se by my expression) photographed in "Peter"s Fish Factory"on the quayside.  We had a superb lunch of rock and chips and pots of tea!  Nothing quite like it!

The other very significant accommodation in the latter part of my working life was at the Abode in Canterbury which I posted last time.  I have always felt an incredible affinity with the Cathedral - so steeped in history and brings back memories of lessons at school.  Visiting this place makes it all so real - I have never lost the excitement of being there and sharing the thoughts of the past. If you have never been here pay a visit you will not be disappointed. The whole area is practically unspoilt and fascinating. The street performers also add to the feeling of a bygone age. There is so much to do.  During our time ether we took so much for granted.

When My children were very young their grandfather was a GP in Cliftonville and I have fond memories of this time  and again visiting Canterbury some 30 years ago - never thinking that one day I would return to the area in my working life.

We are so lucky in this country to have so much history and places of interest on our doorstep. We neglect it thinking that the grass is greener elsewhere. Reconsider!!!

Staycation!

Just got home from a couple of days in Canterbury part business part pleasure.  In our working life we spent a great deal of time in this area and so this has been a trip down memory lane -we stayed in our favourite hotel  - "The Abode" which used to be called "The County Hotel"

http://www.abodecanterbury.co.uk

Thoroughly enjoyed the break and will report more tomorrow after unpacking and relaxing back into the routine!

A New Set of Wheels!!

Well it must be 50 years since I have had a bike and this week I rectified this by buying a  Kingston Classic Hampton from Amazon.

I have been thinking about this for quite a while.  We have a cycle track where we live so ideal as I can ride off rode as I don't think I have the confidence to try the roads and traffic yet.  I am sure my husband thought I was joking about getting a bike until it arrived! It came partly assembled and I am afraid the instructions left a lot to be desired.  My husband put it together but he was still concerned about the brakes ....so we took it to a local bike repairer.

The young man who looked at it was a little disapproving as it its a "sit up and beg" style not the one the serious cyclists want!  He also said it was a funny colour!  I told him that I liked it and that is all that matters! Grrr!

Anyway its fixed and I had my first ride yesterday.......I only fell off once!  I quickly got up and made sure no-one had seen me!!  I have been out on it again today and I am getting used to it.  The expression "its like riding a bike"  is not as true as I thought.  The inference is that you never forget and just pick up where you left off!  Not the case!  Maybe as I am much older balance is a challenge and I do feel that at times the bike is running away with me!  Anyway I have put up with the good natured teasing and mockery from family and friends and I will show them quite soon how competent I am.

So what was the thinking behind my purchase? Well over the past few weeks we have seen so much in the press about keeping active and how important this is.  Now I am very active already always busy, go to the gym and so on but I thought the bike would add another dimension.  It certainly has - it is hard work - maybe because I am inexperienced but my legs and core felt as if I had done a workout.

I am a firm believer in preventative medicine - use it or lose it! Certainly when I look at some of my contemporaries I can't believe that they are resigned to "old age".  Mobility for many has become a problem and has affected their quality of life.  If you follow a sedentary life style and are overweight then you are stacking up problems for yourself.

Sermon over :)  You know what I mean though don't you?  One day I may have no option but to be dependent on others.....but  I hope I am  putting off that day!

One simple word was used this week in the campaign for health and fitness............

MOVE!!!


(ps I do have a safety helmet satisfying H & S)