Sunday 14 July 2013

No Wars of the Roses in this house


I feel dreadful that I have lapsed with my blog following. I have missed a few posts from some of the people I love to follow, and am trying hard to catch up. I have read others and sometimes not commented, and that leads me to feel that I am not joining in the continuing dialogue that I love so much, and is so much a part of this blogging experience.

So apologies all round, and I will catch up, but it may take some time.

I am about to go back to France after a quick 2 week visit back to Yorkshire. I had 3 hospital appointments....a scan, the results and a session with a counsellor.

All went well, I am still “ all clear”, which was good to hear.

So, here is a very quick record of the last couple of weeks.


Daughter Jess ran in a 5K Race for Life event in Sefton Park in Liverpool. Jess is not an athlete at all, and had never run 5K before. I was so proud of her, for making the commitment to do it, for completing it with such style, and for raising about £250 for cancer research.

some of the 4000 women running in Sefton Park

It was an emotional event......my wig was removed for the first time in public, and the event itself was brilliantly organised. It helped that the weather was so lovely. Watching 4000 women run, raising money for a cause that has become incredibly close to our hearts was very powerful.
Jess and her wigless mother.


Jess, warming up....you can tell she has done drama can't you ?


Jess, 5k runner

The next bit of excitement was being able to stay at Jess's new flat in Liverpool itself. It is a first floor flat in a renovated factory building, with fabulous high ceilings and large windows. I was thrilled to find out it had been originally built as a workshop and place of education for blind workers in 1908....hence the huge windows, to let in as much light as possible.








This is the building where Jess now has her flat.
It was turned into apartments 10 years ago, and is close to China Town and to the new Liverpool One developments, and only about a 5 minute walk from the docks. It has an underground car park, and we have discovered that actually having a car parking space in the city centre is pretty amazing....even if it is a very tight spot, and has already led to a little damage on her car !








Inside the flat....not very tidy ! Clothes horse on the right.....she'll realise she's not in student accommodation soon I hope.
 
We watched Andy Murray win the Wimbledon men's singles final in the flat, with Jess, her friend Emily, both their boyfriends and Jess's boyfriend's parents. Actually, Jess's boyfriend's dad didn't watch much of it as he was busy constructing an IKEA wardrobe for Jess, while we cheered Murray to victory.
 
 
We stayed overnight in Liverpool, in order to be able to be up bright and early the next day, for Jess's graduation.
proud father with Jess

proud mother with Jess

Jess with Matty, outside the drama building, with the Anglican cathedral in the background...which is where the graduation ceremony took place

Excitement as Jess opens her graduation gift from Matty
more excitement from our very own drama queen
shattered, feet hurting from the ridiculous high heels, Jess and friend Caitlin, walking back to the flat


aaahhhh.....Jess and Matty........she had a great day !

 
So, what with all this excitement in Liverpool, and a few hospital trips in Yorkshire, some great sunny weather and visits with the grandchildren it has been a busy 2 weeks.
 
We used to live in Todmorden, which at one time was the border town between Yorkshire and Lancashire....the county border line actually went through the middle of the town hall. We always knew that the conflict between these 2 counties may have been important in the past, but for us.......well, we love Yorkshire, and we  have a pretty good relationship with Lancashire. ( Liverpool isn't technically in Lancashire....it's in Merseyside.....but it used to be ! )






 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

37 comments:

  1. What a lovely catch-up and super photos! Great news from the hospital and so nice that you were able to attend the Race for Life. Graduation Day must have been filled with pride - congratulations to Jess! I have been finding it very hard to do the whole blogging thing as I would wish, not made better by the fact that my 'Reading List' doesn't always seem to contain all the posts it should. Some blogs have a button - 'Blogging without Obligation' - and I think about subscribing to that!
    x

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    1. I wonder if it's just that when the weather is good, sitting at a computer screen doesn't seem so attractive....or just that we are all busier during the summer months. I suddenly realise I haven't watched any TV for weeks...(apart from the Tour de France highlights at the moment....and the tennis ). The Blogging without obligation sounds sensible. Jx

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  2. I've not been a good blogger recently either but wouldn't miss this one for the world! Really lovely to read all the excellent news in your life now, Janice. Delighted that Jess did so well in her degree and whilst you say she's not an athlete, she has a pair of legs to die for....and I love that photo of her warming up and your comment underneath! (I can hear you saying it even!)

    The flat looks wonderful and I'm sure she'll love living there. Hope to hear more of that another time.

    And you've clearly packed a lot into your two weeks, haven't you? And had beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies to boot! (And isn't 'clear' a lovely word..)
    Hugs,
    Axxx

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    1. The fabulous weather for the whole 2 weeks we have been back in England has been a real bonus. The flat is brilliant. In a way I wish we'd thought about buying somewhere 3 years ago when she started in Liverpool, but I suppose going through the delights of halls of residence and ghastly student flats is all part of the uni experience. Now, as a student teacher, she just wants comfort, and no distractions from other noisy students !
      We're back in Caunes tomorrow and looking forward to seeing how the garden has changed in our 2 week absence, while the temperatures have been in the low -mid 30s. And yes.....clear is a great word ! Jxxx

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  3. Loved the fact that MY name was on her bib too!

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    1. Of course Jane!! <3

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    2. There was no question that you would feature on her race bib Jane. I just wish we could have had Darlyn, my mum and dad, and my dear friend Mick on it as survivors. It was a great day, very very emotional. Jx

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  4. Jess is a lovely girl and what a great start to her new life. Lovely flat and boyfriend too.
    Wonderful news that all your tests have gone well - I think that your own hair has grown in really well - it looks good.
    Return to France and enjoy the rest of your stay.

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    1. Thanks Rosemary. My hair is growing back very quickly now. The race was only just over a week ago, and it already looks considerably more "normal". I have now stopped wearing wigs completely, partly because it felt ok on that race day when I took it off for the photo...and partly because of the heat ! Jx

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    2. Big step forward for you Janice - when I saw the picture I thought you did not need it, and I can just imagine how difficult a wig would be in this very hot weather.

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  5. You must be ready for a rest in Caunes after all that excitement...so glad that all was clear above all..even above your enjoyment of your daughter's success and commitment.

    I can't think how you would have found time to blog in all that!

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    1. We'll be back in Caunes for lunchtime tomorrow, and there will be a few days rest before all 4 of the grandchildren arrive ( with parents). The rota for cooking, clearing up and washing is being prepared as we speak...... I am apparently, not being allowed to do it all ! Jx

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  6. As a person with the Blogging without obligation button on her blog, I firmly believe blogging should be a pleasure, not a chore, Janice. With so many exciting things happening in two short weeks, it had to be a case of first things first. Plenty of time to catch up when you're back in Caunes. :-)

    Many congratulations to Jess, both on the graduation and on the 5K run, especially in this heat. Her new flat looks wonderful and I love the last photo of her with Matty. So sweet.

    I think your new short hair is just the thing for summer and now it's started to grow it won't know when to stop.

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    1. You are right...my hair is growing very quickly....and it is so much cooler than those wigs. The grand children's comments were great....Liam said it looked "funny"....Dexter said it was "awesome"...both sound ok to me.
      The photo of Jess and Matty...on the steps of the Catholic Cathedral...now well understood by me as Paddy's Wigwam, was taken with a long lens. It wasn't posed, and they had no idea I was taking it. I love it ! Jx

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  7. Looks like you had a fantastic time in Liverpool. Great that Jess ran the Race for Life and I loved the idea that she ran the race for 'family friends and strangers'. The strangers bit moves me as there are so many people suffering from this disease who do not have a close support network so need the extra support of the medics and the voluntary sector. In the last couple of weeks I was a volunteer marshall at both th Stafford and Wolverhampton events - blog post to follow whe I get some time!

    One of my students, Orla, is suffering from Leukaemia. Both she and her family have been absolutely amazing.

    Congratulations to Jess and her proud parents. We shall be in the same position on Thursday when Tom graduates from Lancaster University. I'm sure a blog post, with photographs of Mum with her gorgeous son, will follow... and for Annie I'll be sure to include one of the proud father!!

    Enjoy your coming visit to Caunes and I'll look forward to reading all about it. I'm also happy that the hospital tests were clear.

    Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging, which is precisely how it should work. It would be really very sad if we were to allow blogging get in the way of life - another blog post to follow...

    Take care xx

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    1. I'm looking forward to you next couple of blogs Gaynor, and I presume you'll be back in France pretty soon to. Enjoy your Lancaster trip, and have a safe journey back to France. Jx

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  8. What a wonderful blog Janice.How you tell your story really gets across to me how challenging life can be----your positive attitude inspires.Congratulations to Jess.

    The photos of Liverpool were of great interest as we both studied there.My digs were in Penny Lane.Ian had digs near Sefton Park.My most memorable teaching practice was in Liverpool 8 (The Dingle)---prepared me well for my teaching career!

    I loved my time in Liverpool.I would happily have stayed on to find a job there----instead i returned to Yorkshire with Ian----where we have remained ever since!

    The building where Jess has her flat looks amazing.It is several years since we had a trip to Liverpool.After reading your blog i feel a trip there coming on.

    Enjoy your summer Janice.

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    1. We have come to love Liverpool over the last 3 years, and some of the new developments have really made it a lovely place to visit. We are delighted with the flat...the building itself is wonderful, and clearly holds an important part of Liverpool's history. The Chagall exhibition is on at the Liverpool Tate at the moment.....maybe a good time to organise a trip ! Jx

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  9. It's lovely to read about all that has been happening in your life Janice! Your daughter Jess has been busy as well...a wonderful effort in the Race for Life and congratulations on her graduation. What an amazing light filled flat she has and it's so wonderful to see an old building being given new life so to speak. I would really love to revisit the UK and go to cities like Liverpool, Manchester etc and really explore them. ( I did an 8 day bus tour of UK in 2008, so you can imagine what I didn't get to see!lol)

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    1. Liverpool is a great city Maria. Its history is fascinating, although some of its wealth was built around the slave trade. The recent attempts to revitalise the city have been very successful, and Jessie's flat renovation was part of some of the early work done in a very run down part of the city. Hope all is well with you. Jx

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  10. Haven't been over here for ages but so glad I read this post today. Your daughter is so beautiful and happy: you must be so proud.
    Pleased to hear you're in good health and looking good too!
    Trish x

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comments Trish. I am proud of Jess....and she is gorgeous ! ( only a little bit biased here ) Hope all is ok with you. Jx

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  11. Congratulations all round Janice - first to you for clear test results; what a relief for you (know that feeling well!). And to lovely Jess, a star fund-raiser, and a beautiful Graduate too. You must have had a joyful fortnight, and now back to France to continue your summer break. Don't worry about the blog thing - we all get busy and otherwise occupied from time to time, and the blogging should be a pleasure not a chore. It is so nice to read your blog, whenever it appears. xx

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    1. Hearing that "all clear" verdict is great isn't it ! Mind you I've just found out how much it will cost me for travel insurance for my planned Aus/NZ trip early next year, despite the all clear ! Thanks for your lovely comments. Jx

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  12. I've lapsed too... it's harder to keep up in summer. But have just really enjoyed a good catch up with your posts.

    Many congrats indeed on your clear health report , what a relief and what better way could there be to celebrate than with Jess and her various doings and friends. Was the graduation actually in the Anglican Cathedral? That must have been amazing! Best wishes to her in this next phase of her life, she looks to have all her ducks nicely in a row, it's a good feeling isn't it?!

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  13. Thanks for your lovely comments Jill. yes, the graduation ceremony was in the Anglican Cathedral and it was very impressive. We decided to take photos at both cathedrals, as they have become such significant buildings for Jess during the last 3 years...she has spent this last year living just underneath the Anglican cathedral, so has woken up to its hugeness every day ! I am feeling very relieved that all her ducks seem to be in a row at the moment, so yes, it is a good feeling. Hope all is well with you. Jx

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  14. A lovely catch-up post Janice, and of course it would have been impossible to blog during such a hectic two weeks. And blogging is for pleasure after all, we should never feel under any obligation to blog or to comment when real life is so busy.

    Congratulations to Jess...and what a really super flat.

    And your hair looks lovely. I'm a great fan of short hair, but I suspect your's won't stay short for much longer xxx

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    1. Oops...pressed post too soon. I also meant to say that I am really pleased that you still have the all clear...brilliant!

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    2. Thanks Ayak..the all clear was a great relief as you can imagine. The flat in Liverpool is coming on really well. Each time Jess phones me it is to tell me of another trip to IKEA or another treasure she has found to place in it. I hope the heat isn't too unbearable for you. Jxxx

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  15. A lovely happy post! I'm keen to re-visit Liverpool - it really seems to be on the up - I remember its friendly people too. We have two lovely Todmorden friends called Gerald and Susan - not sure which side of the line they are on!

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    1. Liverpool is certainly worth a re visit, it is a very exciting city, and has been "regenerated"
      ....or at least some bits have been. All it needs now is more work and jobs for people !
      Todmorden is firmly in Yorkshire now, since boundary changes...but still has an Oldham ( Lancs) post code. I don't think Todmordians bother too much about the Yorkshire/Lancashire rivalry though. Jx

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  16. What a lovely catch up. I've been MIA for a while too, but I'll be back. I've been thinking of you and good news on your health results. Stay that way and stay happy ... it makes us all happy too. Congratulations to Jess. Hugs Sue

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    1. Thanks Sue. Things feel good at the moment..and as we all know, that's all we can ask for. Take care, love Jx

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  17. Perpetua says it all in her comment about blogging - I couldn't agree more, Janice.
    It is good to hear your "all clear" news, and great to see you with that newly grown hair. You remain in my prayers.
    What a fabulous two days for Jess, and all of you as well, with the 5K race AND graduation. What milestones these are, each in their own way, on their own course. It is beautiful to see it played out on your page here. I think Jess' flat looks cozy, and not at all messy. You would be horrified to see what my girls' early abodes looked like.
    Finally, you look fabulous! Safe travel as you head back to Caunes.

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    1. Thanks Penny. I really enjoyed my brief spell back in England, and for the first time ever, the weather was as glorious as in France. Two whole weeks in Yorkshire ( and Lancashire) with no rain at all.......not heard of since 1976 ! ( in my memory anyway). I'm back in Caunes now, and have discarded the wigs completely. My head feels so much cooler. ( Jess has sent me some photos of the flat, and it is starting to look tidier )Jx

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  18. I find it hard keeping up with other people's blogs, even though I love reading them. I'd like to add a couple of hours to the day!

    It's great that your test results were clear - that must have been a relief - and getting the wig off in that hot weather must have been great, too. Congrats to Jess on great achievements.

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    1. Hello Janice,
      Maybe will be made we again the great pleasure attend, you and your husband, the concerts of "Ensemble Opalescences" in the " Nights from Villerambert to Causnes-Minervois. Here is the program :

      On Thursday 22 august at 7 pm: the Renaissance a cappella ( Josquin Desprez)
      On Friday, August 23rd at 7 pm: Italian Music (Jephté de Haendel)
      On Saturday, August 24th at 7 pm: oriental Furies (virtuoso airs of Haendel)

      In the pleasure to read you and to see your beautiful photos on this blog!
      Very cordially

      Jean-Paul
      Secrétariat Opalescences
      www.opalescences.com
      http://www.facebook.com/ensemble.opalescences

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