My Life Might Have Been So Different!

Back in the early 1970s when I was a student, I came home for the long summer vac and found a temporary job with a 'secretarial services' firm.  During that time, they sent me out to work for a local construction company. No not on the building site- but in their tiny Dereham Office where there were two avuncular chaps in their forties, and the boss's eldest son [a year or two older than me]  I was covering for the receptionist/typist who had gone for a three week holiday "somewhere abroad"
I answered the phone, greeted visitors, typed letters, did basic book-keeping - and mid-morning and mid-afternoon, made the refreshments [there were strict rules about which biscuits should be served to whom]
The company was RGCarter - they'd just had their 50th anniversary, having been founded in 1921 by Robert George Carter. When I went there, his son Robert was running the business, and his son "Young Mr Robert" and been sent to our little outpost to 'learn the rope"s [we were by to the fish and chip shop in Norwich Street] He was a very pleasant young man, and always extremely appreciative of my typing and teamaking skills. "Play your cards right, and you might end up being the next Mrs Carter" said one of the chaps. I seriously doubted it ...he was the boss and I was the temp. There was no question of anything else, and I couldn't play cards anyway [and still can't] I have to say that unlike some other temp jobs I had in those years, all the men in the office were perfect gentlemen. No #MeToo problems there, for which I am very grateful.

Fast forward 45 years or so, and now Young Mr Robert has grown up and is the managing director himself, and on East Anglias "Top Twenty Rich List". The company now operates from a new 'hub' in central Norfolk and is building stuff all over the place - but committed to keeping the HQ in Norfolk.
And why do I mention this now? well, there's a new "Young Mr Robert" - and he and his wife Hannah have been in the news recently. They're great friends with those another couple also Norfolk landowners, called William and Kate. Hannah was a close friend of the Duchess at school, and was chosen to be one of the Godparents for baby Price Louis at his recent Christening.

YMR's sister, Sophie Carter is also a great friend of Kate, another good friend from school days - they regularly go to Wimbledon together. She is a Godparent to Princess Charlotte.
Two questions;
1. Would my life have been as happy if I had flirted with him, and somehow ended up as wife of a millionaire Norfolk landowner [one of the 'Turnip Toffs' as the Daily Mail calls them] ??  NO, I WOULDN'T CHANGE ANY OF IT !!
2. If Hannah's new baby is a boy, will he be the next Young Mr Robert?  YES, I SUSPECT HE WILL!!

Art Works

I have just come across the work of artist Pete McGee. Born and bred in Sheffield [born in 1966 - our World Cup Year] he paints pictures depicting the life of the ordinary working class people around him. Using pots of ordinary Trade Paint! 

But he didn't study at St Martins or anywhere like that, and isn't really on the radar of the formal artworld. 
Growing up in a family of steel workers, Pete was actually working in Tesco, aged 40, when he became very ill and needed a liver transplant [he had an undiagnosed liver complaint since birth]. After that, he quite Tesco, quit drinking and took up art full time. That was 12 years ago.
Now his work is popular across the board, designing posters, tee shirts and more for Oasis, Arctic Monkey, Disney...But he still lives close to his roots. He's really concerned about the way the media has portrayed northern working class people who voted for Brexit  [he voted Remain- but understands their despair, and their reasons for what they did] He is really angry about the increase in the number of Foodbanks in this country [declaring that ONE would be too many!] So last month he came up with an idea...

He gave away artworks. Specifically an empty can - with more than a nod to Andy Warhols's soup - decorated with one of his trademark style pieces, an old lady balancing a tray on her lap, eating supper whilst her dog looks on.
To qualify for the 'free', limited edition, artwork, people had to donate something to the foodbank.
The queue snaked around the block. People did not just bring odd tins- they brought carrier bags full of goods- 3 weeks later, the Foodbank Team are still sorting these donations out! 
Last Saturday, he opened an exhibition "This Class Works" displaying many of his populist pieces.
I quite like his quirky style, and his clever titles. Look at these

Threepenny Bit Opera, 
Muriel, 
It's Coming H..., 
Who Needs a Fancy Holiday Abroad, When You Can Have All This For Nowt On Your Doorstep?
National Hug Service
Let Them Eat Crisps

National Hug Service appeared all round Sheffield recently as part of the NHS70 celebrations - Pete owes his life to the NHS.

I shall be looking out for more of this man's pictures. As well as Sheffield, he has a fondness for Manchester too - I wonder if Gary and Steph have come across his "Great Moments in Manchester Music" collection?
I doubt he will become as world famous as Da Vinci, or even L S Lowry - but I wholeheartedly approve of someone who uses his talents to do good and bless others.

Manchester Menus

We certainly dined well last weekend. 

An excellent lunch with Frank and Barbara en route, Tuna Niçoise, and then fresh strawberries with home-made vanilla ice cream.

Then we arrived at Steph and Gary's place, and once Adrian and Marion turned up from Norfolk, we went out for dinner at Artisans. This is where S&G had a wedding party the week before.

It was so good to get together and relax, enjoying great food and good company. 

I had an amazing Hibiscus Martini to drink - an alco-free cocktail, comprising apple, cranberry, lemon and red berry hibiscus syrup with egg white. Delicious

My main course was Moules Mariniere baked in a pizza crust. Bob had one of these too- they were remarkable- and very tasty

For dessert I had Chocolate meringue, which came with banana, chantilly cream and salted caramel sauce.

After that we walked round to Sam's Chop House- which was L S Lowry's favourite pub [my SIL's clever suggestion - he knows I like LSL] I had a sparkling mineral water alongside the man himself, who was perched at the bar.

On Saturday it was the Family Wedding BBQ at Steph and Gary's - usual BBQ fare, with football on the TV [outside in the garden] and a small wedding cake, sliced with a huge sword!

Sunday breakfast was bagels in town at Bagel Nash - a new experience for Marion. The freshly cooked ones taste so much better than the ones in a plastic bag from the supermarket!

In the evening we ate at Mackie Mayor, in the trendy Northern Quarter, formerly a meat market, now an interesting eaterie serving World Cuisines from counters all round the outside walls

We both opted for Sicilian. I had a rich, unctuous Caponata, Bob had Fennel-stuffed-sausage ragu with pasta.

Our last great meal of the weekend was in Worcester - we went into the St Richard's Hospice Shop and ate in their Snowdrops Cafe. I had a beetroot and pepper puff pastry tart, Bob enjoyed meatballs with a rice timbale. The staff were so friendly and helpful too.

All washed down with San Pellegrino over ice [his blood orange, mine pomegranate and orange] If you want lunch in Worcester, I would strongly recommend this place!

And for the remainder of the month, I think I had better go on a diet!!

Liz Sent Me A Poem

Friday's march was a joyous carnival event - full of happy people, families,friends and strangers, who were united in their anger and sadness over the activities of one narcissistic man. Liz and I were marching with Jenna, originally from Michigan - 

• We commented on the diversity of issues represented [racism, misogyny, nuclear weapons, global warming, mistreatment of refugees, Islamophobia, imprisonment of asylum seekers, homophobia, separation of children from parents...and more] 
• We marvelled at the erudition of many of the placards  - words like 'venality' and 'dotard', quotes from John Quincy Adams,Santayana, and Martin Luther King. 
• We admired the tenacity of the elderly, the disabled, and the children, who kept marching in the blistering heat. 
• We sang, we cheered, we clapped, we blew whistles [well, I didn't -I'd left mine in my teacher's bag!]

Trump subsequently arrived late to meet the Queen, divulged the content of her private conversation and was rude enough to walk in front of her. She is a 92 year old lady - that is rude behaviour even if she was not the Queen.

I was proud of these two young women beside me who shared my feelings about the arrival of this man on our shores.

Steph couldn't be with us, but supported us on her Facebook page. I thank God for two daughters who care about what happens to other people. Liz sent me Brian Bilston's poem. I shall endeavour to live up to it as I grow older!

AS I GROW OLD I WILL MARCH NOT SHUFFLE

As I grow old
I will not shuffle to the beat
of self-interest
and make that slow retreat
​​​to the right.

I will be a septuagenarian insurrectionist
marching with the kids.

I shall sing ‘La Marseillaise’, whilst brandishing
homemade placards that proclaim
‘DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING’.

I will be an octogenarian obstructionist,
and build unscalable barricades
from bottles of flat lemonade,
tartan blankets and chicken wire.

I will hurl prejudice upon the brazier’s fire.

I will be a nonagenarian nonconformist,

armed with a ballpoint pen
and a hand that shakes with rage not age
at politicians’ latest crimes,
in strongly-worded letters to The Times.

I will be a centenarian centurion
and allow injustice no admittance.

I will stage longstanding sit-ins.

My mobility scooter and I
will move for no-one.

And when I die
I will be the scattered ashes
that attach themselves to the lashes
and blind the eyes
of racists and fascists.

Coming Home

Belonging to a loving family is such a precious blessing. I think I will treasure forever the memory of last Sunday morning when Rosie ran into the room and saw her grandfather sitting on the sofa. Her face lit up, and she shouted "Grandad Bob! I missed you today!"

In the last couple of weeks, I've been moved to tears of joy by the news from Thailand of the cave rescue - pictures of parents waiting anxiously, and news reports about the difficulty of the rescue. All 12 boys, and their coach are now out of the cave. The oxygen supplies ran out as the operation ended. What a great story!



I have also wept to see videos of children taken from their parents at the US border, being reunited with their families.
Spare half a minute to watch this clip

But I also shed tears of anger and frustration that there are hundreds of families separated by this cruel US policy and inefficient administration. For many reasons - but especially this one, I went to the protest on Friday.

I find this sculpture by Charlie Mackesy depicting the return of the lost son to his loving father deeply moving.
This is what I believe - that God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son - to restore that relationship, to bring us home...
...and I believe that I should work to bring children home - by speaking out against the unjust separation of children and families,  by praying for those who are lost - to help reunite families by whatever means I can.
The Thai cave rescue was not easy - and one brave man lost his life. If every person who reads this post sent just £2 to the British Cave Rescue Council, it would make such a difference. 

Going MAD In West Moors

West Moors is just up the road. Our Church is part of the local Churches Together group there [and since January I have been Chair of the local CT committee] The WM Parish Council asked us if we would like to have a stand at the MAD event [that's Multi Activity Day] Of course, we said we would - but that means a bit of organising.

Ruth the Curate suggested a 'Living Room' - just a simple space under the gazebo, where people could sit, and rest and enjoy a drink of water. So I made the bunting. We are also going to give a way decorate cards, and Hope Stones. I have used the stones at similar events in the past and they have always proved popular.

I suspect I shall be very tired tonight!

Update on yesterday's Protest - it was utterly brilliant, if rather hot. Thanks so much for all the supportive comments both on the blog and on Facebook.Liz wisely left Rosie in the UCL Nursery. I am SO glad I went- and will post pictures next week. This morning I am up early [yet again] and will be busy all day! 

I Protest

Psalm 82:3 says 
"Stand up for the poor and the fatherless, advocate for the rights of the afflicted, and for those in need"
Today I shall be standing in London with Liz and Rosie, to express my concern for all those who have been afflicted by the policies and practices of Donald Trump and his Administration, especially innocent children.
And also for all those in this country who will be affected by the inevitable budget cuts after our Government has spent £5million of taxpayers' money on providing police protection for him, so he can go to Scotland simply to play golf.

Worcester Wildlife!

On our way back from Manchester in Monday morning, we stopped at the motorway services. I picked up a free Waitrose Weekend paper, and read that the Norwich Sculpture Trail had opened over the weekend. This year their theme is GoGo Hares. It will still be there in August so I'll enjoy looking at the animals - the dragons, gorillas and other creatures have been brilliant in previous years.
Bob and I had decided we'd divert a little and stop in Worcester for lunch. As we emerged from the multi-storey carpark by the Cathedral, we encountered a giraffe! It was the first day of the Worcester Summer Sculpture Trail. I confess that I squealed with excitement!

The theme is Worcester Stands Tall and the trail, and associated maps and merchandise are all part of a fund-raiser for the local St Richard's Hospice. We saw lots of the animals as we strolled round the city.
I liked the one celebrating the lovely orchard fruits grown locally, and another 'tactile' one covered in raised items, including strips of braille, designed to be appreciated by the visually impaired. 

The sun was bright and hot - but an enthusiastic lady from the G-Tech company [a local firm] encouraged us to take selfies with her giraffe. "Follow us and tweet it, to win a cache of GTech goodies" she said [do I need another vacuum cleaner?]


I love these trails- the local people really get involved, the children like them - and they do so much to raise money for good causes. People are so creative in the ways they decorate and personalise their animal.
I'm fascinated too that the old name for the giraffe was the camelopard - because people thought it was shaped vaguely like a camel, but had spotty skin like a leopard.
Another old name is the zurnapa- from the Persian words for flute - zurna, and leg - pa. No I don't understand it either. Giraffe is a French word, believed to come from the Arabic zarafa - but nobody seems really sure about all this!

Do you have one of the trails in your city? 
or have you seen one on holiday? 
What animals were depicted?

And if you click on THIS LINK you can see Bob and me being famous for five seconds!

Struggling To Spend A Penny

I'm being super careful about grocery spending as usual, but realise that my shopping patterns have changed significantly since moving to Ferndown. When we left Kirby Muxloe I was usually shopping in Aldi every week or so, topping up with stuff from the larger Sainsbury's [particularly teabags and coffee]

Here I find myself mostly at Lidl, with fresh produce at least once a month from Wimborne Market, usually followed by a quick foray into nearby Waitrose. My Fairtrade teabags are now bought in the Co-op and milk from the M&S FoodHall round the corner. And just occasionally I'll wander round Ferndown Tesco. 

I was recently given a Love To Shop £20 giftcard as a reward for doing some market research. This has been used exclusively in M&S, for bread and milk [and the occasional treat, like croissants, or cashew butter] But the rules are a bit complicated - you can only spend up to the value of the card. That means I now have a card worth just 1p and I don't think I can find anything that cheap in M&S. Tesco just sent me a £4 off a £30 spend voucher 

Unexpectedly,  Always sent me 3 vouchers for FREE sanpro worth £13. I didn't need the sanpro but purchased it anyway, along with £17 worth of carefully chosen Tesco groceries. I ended up paying £13 at the checkout [and put the sanpro in the Foodbank's Blessings Bin at church] 

My last trip to Waitrose resulted in a basket of yellow stickered items costing around £6. I wanted a coffee**, and treated myself to a pretty 'Grandma' mug for £2. A newspaper tipped the total just over the £10 mark. At which point I paid up - my coffee was free, and I got the newspaper and the carpark called costs refunded. This all adds up to £60 of purchases, which have cost me around £20. I feel very satisfied with this. 

Then - because my tablet died and John Lewis did the best deal on replacements - I got extra JL loyalty points, so a £5 JL/Waitrose voucher has just arrived. That can be used on my next Wimborne trip, and the Savvy Shopper Saga will continue [When are Channel 4 going to ask me to make a programme about money saving? I'm just as smart as some of the women they have on there!] 

**Waitrose are moving over to a policy of only giving free coffee if you have your own mug, I usually take my thermal cup on a Friday, but I'd forgotten - and I didn't want a single use non recyclable one.

I'm keeping the giftcard in my purse, just in case I find a 1p bargain!