At Home with Annie

Two Shakespeares and a Funeral

2010-06-24T10:00:00.012Z

Is it really 3 months since my last blog post? Yes (she says sheepishly) I'm afraid it is!

I will start with the funeral (on 31st March) and the shock and sadness felt at the death of one of my fellow cast members from Rugby Theatre's "Gaslight". Barbara Finch who played the housekeeper, passed away just a month after our last performance in February. Aged 69 but looking much younger, Barbara appeared so full of life and zest. It feels such an honour that she spent her last few weeks of life within the happy family of the Gaslight cast and crew. RIP Barbara x

Barbara Finch as Elizabeth (left) in Gaslight

Following my guest appearance on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire on 'National No Smoking Day' on 10th March I was invited back to the station's "Coffee Club" on 5th April, presented by the lovely Annie Othen. It is a bit like a radio version of ITV's "Loose Women", a very relaxed hour of chit-chat with three other women. On the agenda were finance, camping, football, cycling, holidays and skinny people. I returned to the station a couple of weeks later for "My Song", a 5-minute slot to tell listeners the story behind a significant song in my life, which was "Hello" by Lionel Richie".

In May, I attended an audition in Birmingham for an acting company. Following 3 hours of improvisation, fun and frolics (not cockney rhyming slang, I hasten to add) I made it into their books! Just waiting for the phone to ring.....

Also in May, I went, for the first time, to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London to see "Macbeth". It was a brilliant afternoon's entertainment and I can't remember having ever applauded so enthusiastically at the end of a performance. The whole cast was talented, but I particularly liked the 'Weird Sisters' and the 'Porter' (keeper of Macbeth's castle) skilfully and humorously played by Frank Scantori. He took great pleasure in throwing buckets of wee into the 'groundlings' who were the standing audience, many who stood under a large canopy with their heads peeping through.They represented the lost souls in Hell - utterly fantastic! Coincidentally, Frank Scantori was also one of the leading actors in the film 'Room 36' reviewed in my last blog post.

Outside Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London

Frank Scantori as the Porter

The following day I did something I vowed a few years ago I would never do again... I worked as a TV 'Extra'. I'm a really easy-going person but past experiences of being herded about like cattle truly put me off! However, the opportunity arose to work in 'Midsomer Murders' in Henley-on-Thames, and offered a lift by a fellow Equity member, I agreed. As it happened, I was grouped (as a garden party guest) with a couple of very funny guys who looked after me all day. If Tony and Pete ever read this, thank you! During lunch we got lumbered with another chap who I nicknamed 'Duracell' because he went on and on, talking incessantly about when he appeared in Robin Hood with Russell Crowe (yawn). He carried on talking about Russell whilst eating greasy tomato pasta and never once paused to chew properly. Looking into the depths of his orange glistening mouth, I struggled to eat my own lunch! We managed to escape Duracell thankfully but we were full of sympathy for his other victims, who no doubt were tempted to gnaw off their own fingers in boredom. There is a limit to how much time one is prepared to hear about Russell Crowe and Robin bl***y Hood! I bet Duracell's teeth are happy when he's asleep.

A couple of weeks later in June, one of the nice funny chaps, Tony and his very pretty wife, Helen performed in an outdoor production of Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'. Trevor and I did a 180-mile round trip to see it and it was worth every mile to see this charming performance with a glorious backdrop in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

Malvolio and Sir Toby Belch (Tony)

What else? Well, we've just returned from a pleasant 3 days in Devon, visiting family and friends in Torquay, Dartmoor, Plymouth and Teignmouth. Back to work... bye for now x

Taken on Teignmouth Pier

Room 36

2010-03-26T20:38:00.025Z

I watched this rather unusual film the other night. I'm not a film buff and don't know if Room 36 is widely known. If not, then it certainly is deserving of recognition.

Room 36 has been described as a film noir, a horror, a comedy and a farce and it is indeed all of these things. Imagine a black and white Brian Rix farce with lots of blood and a few 'f'words.

Amongst the blood and gore it has some great comic moments. I particularly liked Paul Herzberg as the tidy-obsessive hitman and Frank Scantori as the large, naughty underwear salesman.

Cursed from the beginning, it took 11 years to make Room 36, causing problems with continuation, ie. aging actors! There is a heartwarming documentary which accompanies the film - telling a tale of sheer determination of director/writer Jim Groom to complete the project.

Visit www.room36movie.com for more information and a synopsis.

Other news:

It's my 50th birthday this summer and a few years ago, Trevor and I planned to celebrate it in the USA. We hadn't known then, of course, that we'd be flat broke in 2010. This year I resigned myself to inviting family members over for a glass of pop and a sandwich.

Well there's no need for me to butter any bread because my fantastic parents have bought us a week's holiday to Jersey in the Channel Islands! I lived there for a couple of years in the 1980's and have always longed to return. We'll be staying in a hotel - I hope we're not in Room 36.

National No Smoking Day - 10th March 2010

2010-03-11T21:00:00.000Z

I wrote a blog article last June about how I gave up smoking in 2004. This article was picked up recently by a producer at the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire radio station. She invited me to go into the studios on 'National No Smoking Day' (yesterday,10th March) for a live interview with the morning presenter, Annie Othen.

The programme is available to listen to on BBC iPlayer, only for about a week I think, if anyone is interested,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006qwgt/Annie_Othen_10_03_2010/

I'm on air 8 minutes 45 seconds into the programme until 26 minutes 51 seconds. Annie Othen is such a lovely, interesting person you may want to listen to all of her programme!

Making a Drama out of a Crisis

2010-03-11T19:54:00.019Z

Gaslight

Playing Bella Manningham at the Rugby Theatre 6-13 February was a tremendous experience. After a 7-year break from stage acting, it was good to tread the boards again. Here is a small selection of photos from the 90 or so that were taken during 2 dress rehearsals.

I don't know about my performance but that wig deserved a standing ovation. it managed to stay on, in spite of me throwing myself around the stage! I called it 'Fido' and fed it twice a day.

Moving wallpaper - or furniture anyway

Referring to my last blog post on 21st February - the crisis is over. It sounds over-dramatic I know, but a few weeks ago I thought I'd never feel happy again. Business was slow in 2009, resulting in mounting debts and the need to drastically reduce our monthly outgoings. We made enquiries to let our house and before we knew it, it was advertised and snapped up with tenants wanting to move in within 2 weeks! We weren't in a financial position to turn it down and it meant we had to find somewhere else much cheaper to live, and find it quickly. As luck would have it, a flat was available to rent in the same road, just 65 yards away at an affordable price. Extremely lucky, you might be thinking, and you'd be right, the flat is fabulous BUT... no dogs allowed! If we'd had time to consider it all properly we would NEVER have parted with our 2 gorgeous little dogs, but we had to make an urgent decision, so the dogs went. Trevor, my daughter Lucy and I never expected it to be as painful as it was and we all cried buckets for days after we gave them to another family.

However, just over a week ago, we contacted the family and they agreed to us taking the dogs out for a few hours. It was lovely but when we returned them, the pooches seemed so pleased to be back with their new family, we accepted they aren't ours any more and it was time to let go. Crisis over and happy times have returned :)

Moving On...

2010-02-21T08:47:00.003Z

It's been a manic few weeks.

We find ourselves in reduced financial circumstances. We have let our house and are renting a flat over the road....moving today.

Our 2 dogs were given to another family on Tuesday, which has been traumatic for all of us......

"Gaslight" went well... more about that and photos in a future post.

We will have no internet access until 1st March.

XX

Gaslight

2009-12-20T17:00:00.007Z

Well, here we are, 5 days until Christmas and I'm 2 weeks into rehearsal of "Gaslight". Click here for a synopsis.

Despite initial nerves, I found the first week enjoyable. The other actors are talented and easy to get along with. There is Keith, who plays my deranged manipulative husband, Mr Manningham; Howard is the kindly, efficient and delightfully eccentric retired Inspector Rough; Barbara plays a kind and helpful servant and Rebecca is a flirty and impudent teenage servant. In charge of us all is Steve, impressively making his debut as a director.

Friday 8th January 2010:
Postscript: I have deleted the second half of this post and all comments, but will endeavour to post news and photos, as soon as I get some time!

New Look

2009-12-01T20:24:00.001Z

Welcome to my new-look blog, previously called 'Running for Carers' and now simply 'Annie'. Trevor and I have finished fund-raising for Carers UK so I'm not quite sure what to do with this blog.... I probably will just share snippets of news from time to time.

Graham Kendrick
In the last month Trevor and I have been busy organising a Graham Kendrick concert, which will take place at the Coventry Methodist Central Hall on 8th December. It has been a massive financial risk for the church as we needed to sell 550 tickets just to break-even. We've had to pay for Graham and his musicians, sound engineers, their hotel accommodation and meals, posters, fliers, newspaper adverts.. oh the list goes on!
Thank God, at the time of typing this, 600 tickets have been sold and there's still a week to go.......

Gaslight
I used to work as an actress but due to a change of direction, I have not performed professionally on stage since March 2003. It is something I would very much like to return to in 2010, as I approach my 50th birthday. I recently auditioned for a small part in an amateur production of Patrick Hamilton's Victorian thriller,"Gaslight" at a local theatre (6-13 February 2010). Amazingly I've ended up with the main part as Mrs Manningham, a woman brought to the brink of madness by her manipulative husband. Ingrid Bergman played this part in the 1944 film. First rehearsal tomorrow - SCARY!!!!!!

Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer in the 1944 American MGM film version of "Gaslight"

Ingrid Bergman

Diana Wynyard and Anton Walbrook in the British 1940 version, called "Murder in Thornton Square". This is my favourite of the two films.

Fast Forward

2009-10-26T16:33:00.019Z

Has someone pressed the fast-forward button? Only a short while ago it was July and we were preparing the garden for the barbecues we didn't get around to having. We were waiting for the glorious summer that must have been over in a flash. Did I miss something? All of a sudden it is almost November... Christmas is coming and the goose is starting to gain a little weight.

Well, our series of races for Carers UK has finally come to an end. Sorry we didn't quite make the £3000 target but our fund-raising page is open until the 30th November so I still live in hope of raising another £300.

Trevor and I ran in the Great North Run in September which was an amazing experience. After this event, Trevor decided to hang up his running shoes. The impact from all the running has aggravated an old knee injury. However my knees were well enough to participate in the Northampton 10K run in September and the Coventry Half-marathon yesterday.

There are no more races planned for this year so I shall be putting my energy into a more dramatic project (a stage play). In the meantime, will someone please stop fiddling with that perishing fast-forward button?

The Great North Run finished in South Shields
20th September

Trevor, tired but glad it's all over

'The Run 09' at Sixfields Stadium, Northampton (10K)
4th October

Coventry Half-Marathon
25th October
Nearly there!

Just a few more yards!

All over!

Owl's About That Then?

2009-07-17T23:03:00.031Z

It's nearly 3 months since the London Marathon and we're back in training, this time for the Great North Run on 20th September.

Will it seem a doddle running a mere 13 miles instead of 26? Well, it'll certainly be less strain on the joints but I don't think anything over about 10 miles is easy. During the marathon training I had a couple of falls, landing on my knees. The joints are still painful but oh well, such is life. We'd never do anything if we let a little thing like intense pain get in the way. Thank Heaven for knee support bandages, freeze gel and Ibuprofen.

We ran the 'Stratford Summer Six' on 4th July which was a 6-mile run starting and finishing at Mary Arden's House (home of Shakespeare's mother) in Stratford-upon-Avon. It was organised by the Stratford Athletics Club and whilst the other runners were all supportive and friendly, we felt out of our depth because they were so much fitter than us! When we saw them, we chose to run from the very back so that no-one could overtake us. As it happened, we overtook 4 runners which surprised (and pleased) us!

Six days earlier on 28th June, we took part in the Coventry Fun Run which was, in truth, 'nearly' fun because it was too hot to be fun. Mercifully, it was only 4 miles and I don't suppose it would sound right calling it the 'Coventry Nearly Fun Run'.

Stratford Summer Six - 4th July

Before the run. Oh look, an owl is nibbling at Trevor's ear....
(Also will you please note the Eric Cantona t-shirt)

That blessed owl has nested in my hair. Harry Potter.......?

...he's moved, what a hoot...

Trev looks nonchalent but he was actually thinking, "cripes, this lot look like serious runners - help"

The other runners, from different athletic clubs, do look fit, especially him in the floral shirt...

This was taken approximately halfway round the course.... smiling but trying to catch up with those ahead of us - all 207 of them...

Coventry Fun Run - 28 June

We bumped into our postman, before the race and he took this pic

I took this pic at arm's length and didn't expect this to turn out, especially as I wasn't even looking at the camera!

After the race, all hot and sweaty!

At the time of writing, we are still just over £300 short of our fund-raising target for Carers UK so we'll keep on running until we have raised £3000.

Quit 'n' Run

2009-06-19T14:24:00.039Z

Yesterday, I was interviewed by the Solihull Care Trust 'Stop Smoking' service, for a local newspaper. I quit smoking nearly 5 years ago after using this wonderful service. I would like to share with you my story of how quitting led to running....

I smoked my first cigarette at the age of 12. By 14, I was smoking 10 a day and by 16, around 15-20.

I've lost count of the number of times I tried to quit during 3 decades of cigarette addiction. Willpower was non-existent. I chewed nicotine gum so vigorously I pulled out 2 fillings. The patches didn't work .... I'd take a patch off to have a cigarette, then replace the patch! I even tried acupuncture, and was cured for precisely 15 minutes.

In 2004, after visiting the local GP surgery for various health problems: regular bouts of bronchitis, breathlessness, high blood pressure and a racing heartbeat, my doctor scribbled down a telephone number and said, "I really think you ought to give up smoking... you can get help from the Solihull smoking cessation service" Sighing, I thought, "no chance" though I did keep the number.

Three months later something amazing happened. I fell in love! I'd been divorced for 9 years and after a subsequent disastrous relationship, it was like a bolt from the blue! From the day I met Trevor, I wanted to spend a long and healthy life with him. (He had given up smoking 6 months prior to meeting me.)

I retrieved that telephone number of what is now called the 'Solihull Care Trust Stop Smoking Service' and made an appointment. My advisor, Dawn, tested my carbon monoxide levels which indicated that I was a heavy smoker. She went through the list of chemicals that I had been inhaling for last 30 years. There are around 4000, with at least 43 that can cause cancer. Embalming fluid, petrol additives, toilet cleaner and rat poison are amongst some of the chemicals. I felt sick with disgust and shame.

We set a 'quit' date for around the end of July, though I actually smoked my last cigarette on 15th July 2004, my son's 16th birthday.

Dawn was brilliant and so encouraging! I went to see her fortnightly, and did not dare smoke, because I knew it would show up on the carbon monoxide test. I had hoped that my breathlessness would ease off after a few weeks. This is no word of a lie - it eased off after just one day!

In early 2005, Trevor and I started some gentle jogging to keep fit and reduce a little middle-aged spread. Little did we know then that we would end up running the London Marathon in 2009. I can hardly believe it now... we actually ran 26 miles, which would have been completely unachievable if we were still smokers!

Now approaching my 5th anniversary as a non-smoker, I give my heartfelt thanks to Dawn and the Solihull Care Trust Stop Smoking Service.

It goes to prove that some actions that feel beyond our capabilities ARE possible. It just takes a little focus and determination to quit and run.

By the way, Trevor and I got married on 14th October 2006.

A few more photos from the London Marathon...

2009-05-28T21:54:00.015Z

It is now 4 weeks, 4 days since the London Marathon ....more photos below.

It's been a busy month really, with decorating the house, gardening, looking after guests from abroad, and baby-sitting Trevor's gorgeous grandsons, aged 18 months and 4 years. Poor old Trev has had a stinking cold since the marathon and he is only just starting to shake it off. I had one too but women's colds are always much shorter, milder and they suffer far less ;-)

The amount we have raised for Carers UK is now just over £2600! We're hoping to persuade people to part with a bit more cash in an effort to reach our £3000 target. We're as pleased as punch with the amount though, and very grateful to our sponsors.

On the 14th May, Trevor and I attended a Reception at the House of Commons, hosted by Carers UK. It gave us the opportunity to meet with Carers UK staff, Dr. Hywel Francis MP, carers themselves and other marathon runners. As we were early, we popped into a House of Lords debate first. Embarrassingly, I fell asleep!

Here we are, just before reaching the finish line

This photo was taken with a disposable camera, carried in Trevor's 'bum bag'. This picture was damaged as Trevor threw water over himself (and the camera) to cool down during the marathon!

Trevor's still smiling after a 26-mile run....

....so am I, but some of the people around us looked exhausted!

Marathon runners for Carers UK
The House of Commons - 14 May 2009

The most-asked question since we finished the marathon is, "will you run in another one?" Trevor's answer is, "probably not" and mine is, "maybe". We've got a few shorter races lined up, including the Bupa Great North Run (Newcastle to South Shields - Half-marathon) in September.

We'll make a decision in October but in the meantime, there is a life besides running, and we intend to live it.

The Flora London Marathon 2009: We did it!

2009-05-01T19:00:00.014Z

Hello from 2 marathon runners!!

24 weeks of training paid off on Sunday, as Trevor and I took part in the London Marathon... and succeeded! It was a privilege to be amongst 36,000 runners on a beautiful warm, sunny day in the heart of London. Approximately 1,000,000 spectators lined up along the 26 mile course, cheering the runners and encouraging the weary ones to keep going.
We had hoped to complete it in well under 5 hours and kept a steady pace for the first 20 miles. However, we slowed down considerably and had to walk for a while until picking up speed again towards the end. It took 5 hours 31 minutes to step over that wonderful finish line. It was a magnificent and memorable day - and NO INJURIES!!

Thanks so much to all who donated to Carers UK. By the time we have collected in pledged sponsorship, we should have raised around £2,500. If there is anyone who has not sponsored us, and would like to help us get closer to our £3,000 target, please click here to go our online fund-raising page. The page is open for donations until 26th July 2009.

Here are 5 photos of us taken just before the start. I've ordered one taken as we approached the finish line - available next week.

Here I am, about half an hour before the start. My sleeves look a bit odd in this pic!! I took precautions to protect a sensitive calf muscle but fortunately it behaved itself

Trevor, always smiling!

More and more runners arrive to hand over their numbered kit bags, before making their way over the start 'pens'

Mr Rubik's Cube

This photo, and many more showing the creative costumes of some of the runners are available at the Runners World site.

The Big Day Approaches

2009-04-21T07:00:00.003Z

5 days to go!

Well, here we are, just 5 days before the Big Day and what an amazing rollercoaster ride this has been. There have been days of euphoria at various stages in our training, particularly after completing the first 10-mile run, the Silverstone Half-marathon, 15 miles, 18 and finally 20.

There have been days when the reluctance to run has been overwhelming due to fatigue, injury and a lack of motivation. And what a lot of days there have been since our training started in early November!

The most wonderful part of our journey has been the support of friends and relatives, both moral and financial, to raise funds for Carers UK. For this, Trevor and I thank you, wholeheartedly.

Incidentally, I have logged each training session and to date we have run 443 miles. That's like running from London to Glasgow!

"Let us run with perseverence the race that is set before us" [Hebrews 12:1]

Photos taken at the Silverstone Half-Marathon - 15th March 2009

Pooch Power

2009-04-10T14:38:00.009Z

2 weeks to go!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Sorry it's been over 2 weeks since my last post. I was waiting until the Silverstone Half-marathon photos had arrived from Marathonfoto.com, the official photographers for the race. Despite a promise of shipment within 2 weeks, more than 3 weeks later, the photos haven't arrived, nor have I received a response to my 'chase-up' email! Hmph.....

Right, on to more important and positive matters. We ran 20 miles on Monday! I had been battling with a cold and bronchitis all week, but after a few extra rest days I felt fit enough to attempt our longest training run. (Trevor's knee joint had flared up again so he was glad of a rest too!). I started to experience mild pain in my joints and muscles after about 10 miles, but to be honest, it didn't get any worse. We had 2 x 5-minute breaks at miles 7 and 14 to replenish our supply of drinks/jelly babies/glucose tablets, but apart from those stops, we ran all the way. For the next 2 weeks the training is 'tapered' to give the old muscles and joints chance to recover for the Big Day. We're planning to run around 11 miles tomorrow and 7 miles next week with a few shorter runs in between. I thank God every day for the stamina to keep going and am praying we can remain fit for the next couple of weeks....

Having said that our 2 dogs nearly killed me the other day! We have 18-month-old Cairn Terrior/Bichon Frisé crossbreeds called Rusty and Bertie. I took them for their regular walk and was just crossing the road when they spotted another dog on the other side of the road. They got very excitable and somehow managed to wrap their leads around my legs and ankles, unbalancing me. I ended up on my backside in the middle of the road, bound up like a chicken. I sat there for 5 minutes, untangling the leads, whilst cars swerved to avoid me and the mad dogs. Any chickens passing by were probably wondering why on earth the human was trying to cross the road....

Until next week, bye for now, God bless :)

Here are the little terr(i)ors, Rusty and Bertie; they don't look very powerful in this photo.

Bertie loves shopping bags

Run RIBBIT Run!

2009-03-25T16:06:00.016Z

4 weeks 4 days to go!

If someone had asked me to choose between another day's training or diving head-first into a pond full of frogspawn, there have been occasions when the frogspawn seemed a more attractive option.

However, as Trevor and I participated in the Silverstone Half-Marathon on 15th March, I was hugely relieved that we chose the training. We were certainly prepared for the 13.1 mile run round this famous motor racing circuit, and it was invigorating!

Out of 6801 runners, we reached the finish line in positions 5479/5480 in 2 hours, 22 minutes. To some, it may not sound impressive, but there were 1321 runners slower than us, according the 'timing chip' results after the race. We didn't spot many middle-agedies like us either, as we were surrounded by youngsters. I have ordered some photos taken by the official photographers and expect to receive them next week.

A brilliant day and not a frog in sight.

Last Saturday we completed a 15-mile run, our furthest so far, and we're planning 18 miles this weekend. Getting close to the Big One now.........

I didn't Slip, I Wasn't Pushed, I Fell

2009-03-09T22:06:00.004Z

6 Weeks 6 Days to Go!!

Already we have reached Week 18 of our 24-week marathon plan and in less than 7 weeks it'll all be over!

At the time of writing we have raised over £800, thanks to the generosity of our friends, family and colleagues - we will be eternally grateful. We still have a way to go to reach the £3000 target, but we'll do our best!

We continue to have 'mishaps' and I'm praying that we will make it in one piece to the marathon on 26th April. A couple of weeks ago, whilst out running, Trevor got his foot caught in some wire and he ended up flat on his face. He didn't sustain too much damage, other than a slight shoulder-strain...oh, and his pride, because it happened on a very busy road!

I badly bruised my knee on 6th February after slipping on ice and was just starting to feel a little less pain today when I had another fall! I tripped on an uneven pavement, and now have two grazed and bruised knees and a black swollen hand. Sigh, such is life. Doris Day's 1950 song, "I Didn't Slip, I Wasn't Pushed, I Fell" came to my mind and I'd like to take you through some of the lyrics (in blue italics, with my thoughts in black)

I didn't slip, I wasn't pushed, I fell, oh yes
Right into the middle of a warm caress
(No such luck, Trevor was next to me but the caress didn't come until after an undignified crash onto the hard ground)

I didn't slip, I wasn't tripped, I fell, and how
I'll be glad to speak of that adventure now
(Glad? Yeah very glad, it was SUCH an adventure, right)

We'd like to speak of that adventure now
(Oh wouldn't we just? This is more thrilling than the big rides at Alton Towers)

There I was, mindin' my own business and thinkin' that love
Was only a juvenile pastime
Then I fell head over heels onto love
(Well I DID fall head over heels in love with Trevor but not at that precise moment)

And now I know that I'm going down for the last time
(Hang on a minute, I've got a marathon to run yet!)

I didn't slip, I wasn't pushed, I fell, you bet
And if you hadn't caught me in your arms
Why I'd be fallin' yet
(If Trevor HAD caught me in his arms I wouldn't have grazed knees and a black swollen hand! Never mind, he does everything else for me. Er...Trev... Trevor! I wouldn't mind another one of those warm caresses now if you don't mind.....)

We're participating in the Silverstone Half-Marathon on Sunday 15th March and I will report on that next week. In meantime, here's the Doris Day song for your enjoyment....

God bless xx

Week 16/24: Keep Smiling :)

2009-02-23T21:59:00.009Z

On Saturday I had a headache, backache, in fact everything-ache and that was BEFORE our 14-mile run, haha!

Well, you'd have smiled if you'd seen us before we set off, with back-packs full of Lucozade and jelly babies. Freezing weather gone and with more pleasant temperatures, around 12-14 degrees C, Trevor decided to wear his shorts and even I exposed a bit of leg in three-quarter length joggers. We managed to complete 2 x 7-mile circuits round our village. The first 13 miles were surprisingly OK and we were very pleased with our stamina (for a couple of oldies!) My aches and pains disappeared and we rather enjoyed ourselves, frequently dipping into the jelly babies. I'm not sure whether or not they helped top up the energy levels but we enjoyed eating them anyway. The Last Mile? Urggghhhh, the headache returned with a vengeance and we both hurt everywhere! Oh well, 'no pain, no gain' as some people say. We've cracked the half-marathon though - wahay!

It's hard to believe this but we do have lives outside of our running. I thought I'd show you our more theatrical side. If you ever thought we might be a little eccentric, these pictures will confirm your suspicions ....

This photo was taken on the landing of our old house in December 2006. Please don't think this is Trevor's usual bedroom attire! He was getting ready to play the Angel Gabrielle in a nativity play (honest guv).

Here we are are as Aggie & Lil, a couple of 1950s characters I have created for other church sketches. Strictly between me and you I think Trevor likes wearing a dress....

Us dressed as caterpillars - you can't tell that we're wearing sleeping bags can you?

We played Sybil and Basil from Fawlty Towers in this sketch, but I can't help thinking that with that moustache, Trevor looks more like a certain German leader .....

Week 14/24: BACKchat

2009-02-11T22:37:00.018Z

Here we are, already into Week 14 of our 24-week marathon training plan - in just over 10 weeks it will be the Big Day!
After last week's tiredness, Trevor and I are now full of zest and enthusiasm, despite the weather and a couple of minor accidents....
In our area, the first flurry of snow appeared on the 2nd February, with a heavier snowfall 3 days later. By Friday the 6th, the snow had frozen solid and that's when I slipped and fell, my poor left knee taking the full force. It's still quite painful to the touch, but there doesn't appear to be any joint damage. A couple of days later I rather stupidly dropped a heavy tin on my left foot. My poor old bruised toes and knee now resemble bags of fruit pastilles.

This week I'd like to talk to you about my chiropractor. I had been troubled with hip joint/lower back pain for some years and my friend recommended that I go and see him. It was last summer that I first encountered the wonderful Dr. Stefaan Vossen, who describes himself as a ginger giant, on account of him being tall and um... ginger.

After a thorough examination, Stefaan started a series of corrections to my spine; he also identified problems with my feet and sent me to a podiatrist, who I will feature in a future blog post. Stefaan's treatment has helped considerably and he's been very encouraging with regard to my marathon training.

This is a link to Stefaan's website, The Chiropractic Network, which takes you to his office in Warwick, though I see him at his practice in Rugby.

This week's training includes 3 runs during the week for 20, 40 and 65 minutes, with a 2-hour run on Saturday, weather permitting.

Fund-raising for Carers UK is going well with just over £500 raised so far. Trevor and I are touched by the generosity of many people, especially at this time of financial recession. Donations have been received, not just from our friends in the UK, but also from the US, Canada, India and Hong Kong! Heartfelt thanks to those who have sent money and for those who haven't - we've yet to raise another £2,500 and any amount would be gratefully received! Please visit our fund-raising page, Running for Carers.

Not ideal running conditions. That's when the treadmill comes in handy!

Due to school/work closures, a group of people gathered in the village lane.

The snow didn't stop the Virgin trains from running though - good old Richard Branson

Trevor so enjoyed throwing snowballs - I only just managed to avoid this one!

I captured this scene yesterday; it was gloriously sunny but the snow stayed.

Week 13/24: Let It Snow

2009-02-02T15:21:00.007Z

This was the view from our bedroom window this morning and I didn’t need persuading not to run outside… I did 50 minutes on the treadmill instead.

On Saturday, Trevor and I completed our first 10-mile run. My hip joint and feet weren’t too happy towards the end but I was very pleased with our stamina.

We feel really tired today though!! Perhaps we’re too old for this. I walked the dogs for an hour this afternoon and Trev has just arrived home from a long meeting and gone straight to bed! Apologies for the boring post, I’ll try and be a bit more interesting next week……

This pic of Trevor was taken around 4.00 pm today

Week 11/24: Yes We Can

2009-01-20T22:45:00.008Z

As our dogs slept, dreaming of juicy bones, chasing rabbits and terrorising the local cat, Trevor and I watched Barack Obama's inauguration on TV today.

On such an important day in history, our marathon training may seem a little insignificant. Oh well...to us and to Carers UK it isn't!

At Week 11 of our 24-week training schedule, all is going well and Trevor's knee is pain-free. (I think men from Mars heal a bit quicker than earthlings) This week involves 4 running sessions: 20, 40, 50 and 90 minutes. We joined a local gym a couple of weeks ago, the main attraction being the swimming pool. Once you get over the shock of jumping into very cold water (the heating system has packed up) it's rather a pleasant way to unwind. Last week, Trevor forgot to take his glasses off when he dived in. He lost them and spent the next half an hour blindly feeling his way around the pool trying to find them. Did I help? No, I was too busy laughing at him.

Sometimes I get a bit panicky about running 26 miles. It's like being pregnant: you know there will be a lot of pain when the time comes but there's nothing you can do about it! All we can do is stick to the training regime and try to keep ourselves as fit as possible. Can we do it?
.....um YES WE CAN........

(she says, keeping her fingers crossed)

Week 8/24: Men Are From Mars......etc

2008-12-29T21:13:00.012Z

Trevor and I share some interests, but since we started our marathon training, never have our differences been more obvious. The man I am sharing my life with is, I am convinced, an alien from Mars or more likely, Uranus. It's ironic really, that one of our similarities, a desire to run a marathon, should expose his cover as an Earthman. Please don't misunderstand me, I am passionate about my husband. Whatever species he is, there's no denying that he's got fantastic legs and his kisses are out of this world.

Our 24-week marathon training plan was obtained from the Flora London Marathon website. I'm running a bit less now than I was before the training started 8 weeks ago! I figured out that the person who wrote the plan (Tim Rogers) must know what he's talking about. Not wanting to wear out my joints I decided to take the cautious and sensible option of following an official training plan. At Week 8, the running schedule includes 2 x 30-minute, 1 x 10-minute and 1 x 10K (6.2 miles) jogging sessions - spread over 7 days with 3 rest days in between - easy peasy (apart from the cold weather!)

Trevor on the other hand, has taken matters into his own hands and decided that training should be far more gruelling. He likes to run twice a day EVERY day and now an old sports injury (damaged and stretched knee ligaments which meant 6 weeks in plaster) has come back to haunt him. I don't know how many cans of 'freeze' spray and tubes of anti-inflammatory gel he has used but as soon as the pain subsides slightly, he runs. A very attractive knee support has become a permanent part of his attire.... in fact I think he may need to get it surgically removed some time in the future. I do admire his drive and determination but who is right? Well, it doesn't really matter but the point is, we are so DIFFERENT in our approach to things.

Enough of us... I hope you had a great Christmas. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

From Annie &
hgudyd.dhsishd,dfkdjdhd,dkdshs.vkfhsdksd.
(Martian for 'Trevor' )

Week 6/24

2008-12-16T00:19:00.009Z

At the start of Week 5 of our training last week, I suffered a bit of a crisis. Too icy and dangerous to run outside in the morning, I stepped onto the treadmill and discovered to my dismay that the running board had collapsed! Trevor was working out of town and this is an imaginary conversation between my inner selves, Annie 1 and Annie 2:

A1: What a catastrophe!!! I can't possibly train without the treadmill! I'm not running outside on my own... It's too icy and dangerous! Trevor was the last person to use the treadmill... I should never have let him near it.... he's too heavy......

A2: Calm down... you have to blame someone don't you? The treadmill has taken YOUR weight for 18 months. Trevor has only used it a few times. It's a basic and inexpensive treadmill and was probably not designed for excessive use. It's 'run' it's natural course and is ready to join that great white gymnasium in the sky.

A1: You're not making me feel any better, I'm having a crisis here! We can't afford a new treadmill - we're desperately short of furniture. We'll have to do our training outside in the horrible weather but I shan't enjoy it :(

A2: Oh come on Annie - in the big scheme of things, it's hardly a crisis - you do catastrophise!! There have been many reports this week of child abuse, cholera in Zimbabwe, suicide bombings, terrorist shootings, financial chaos and people losing homes. A broken treadmill hardly qualifies as a crisis....

A1: Well now you put it like that....

A2: And no-one desperately needs furniture....Come on, you're lucky that you are healthy enough to run. This marathon was never meant to be a bed of roses anyway. You're running for Carers who would LOVE the freedom to run, instead of working long hours for no reward.

A1: Yes (sigh) I get the message, there's no need to go on...I'll run outside later when the ice has melted.

A2: That's the spirit...

We decided in the end to buy a new treadmill then discovered that the first one was repairable! (We've ordered a new part for £15). The new machine is faulty though! Sigh, such is life but we are ahead of schedule with the training plan... so far so good... or in the more positive words from our friend JK from India, "All far, all good". (Thanks JK and bless you for your prayers and support).

Twenty-Eight Days Later....

2008-11-24T16:24:00.016Z

My husband has arisen between 5.30 and 6.30 am for 28 consecutive days to go running for an hour. I've taken a gentler approach for the last few days, preferring a shorter (and less early) 30-45 minute jog on our little treadmill. In the comfort of the spare room, window wide open, music blasting out to all who happens to walk past, I'm as happy as Larry. Who IS Larry, does anybody know?

Test results from ECG and blood tests: I'm happy to report being normal.. I know, I know, it's a matter of opinion. Well the old ticker is normal, so are cholesterol, glucose levels, liver, kidneys, um.. maybe something else I've forgotten but anyway, whatever it is, it's normal- yeehaa! Blood pressure was even normal on Friday but it's a bit high again today. The nurse advised me to buy a BP machine to keep a frequent check on it.

Right, enough of me and my hypertension and on to the more important business of carers. What do carers do? Well, this silent army of people give much to society and are valued at around £87 billion a year. Without them the NHS would collapse! Many carers face financial hardships and isolation as a result of giving their lives to care for ill, frail or disabled loved ones. Carers UK is an organisation working to improve the lives of carers. They provide a voice for the 6 million people who provide unpaid care and they campaign for changes that will make a difference to carers' lives.

In his 35 years of working for the NHS, Trevor had some involvement with Carers UK. In fact, we were invited by the Chief Executive, Imelda Redmond, to attend a ceremony at the House of Commons, to celebrate the launch of the 'Carers Equal Opportunites' Act in October 2005. Back then we pledged our help to Imelda and are grateful for the opportunity to run for Carers UK in the London Marathon.

Hywel Francis, MP, and Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK
October 2005

I met Guy Fawkes at Parliament. Unfortunately I got too close and set off the security alarms!

This was taken in the Strangers Bar at the House of Commons
October 2005

Trevor leaving Parliament

Specs Reunited

2008-11-15T21:50:00.006Z

Trevor and I were up at 6.30 this morning to go for a 3-mile run and those petunias sprang to mind again - see post below. We ran uphill to the local "One Stop" store and I did wonder why we were putting ourselves through this discomfort when we could have been snuggled up in our warm bed. However, as we raced home, downhill, with the smell of grass surging through our nostrils, I remembered why.... because it was exhilarating! Even the local horses nodded their heads in agreement.

We have just completed the first week's training from the marathon plan - so far, so good.

During an eye-test a couple of weeks ago, the optician advised me to get my blood pressure checked because my eyeballs indicated that it may be too high. After a visit to the local GP surgery and confirmation that it IS too high, I borrowed a BP machine and have checked it twice a day for the past week and a half, and it's repeatedly above normal. Yesterday I went for blood tests and on Tuesday I'm booked in for an ECG (electrocardiogram) test to measure the electrical activity of the heart.

Golly, I only went for the eye-test because I'd lost my glasses.... I wasn't expecting all this!

On a happy note, the diet is going well. I have lost 12 lbs (in 10 weeks) and Trevor has lost the same amount, in just 2 weeks!

I was reunited with my lost glasses last week. I don't really need them because I've bought 2 new pairs but it was a joyous occasion to see my familiar frames again - I've missed them.

The Start

2008-11-03T09:00:00.002Z

Fans of The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy will be familiar with the immortal words, "Oh no, not again". They were the words that went through the mind of a bowl of petunias as it fell to the ground. I could empathise with those petunias because "oh no, not again" were exactly my thoughts when the alarm went off at 6.30am yesterday, SUNDAY, for the 5th consecutive morning, to go running.

Week One of our 24-week marathon training officially starts next Monday, 10th November, but Trevor thinks it would be really good to do some pre-training running. Yes O Wise One, it's a great idea but at 6.30 on a Sunday? What would Jesus do? Mmm, he'd probably just get on with it with quiet determination.

I have a feeling "oh no, not again" will come to my mind often in the next 6 months though :-)

The Busy-ness of Life

2008-10-27T16:10:00.014Z

I'm afraid I haven't got any good excuses to explain why I haven't published any new posts since August. Fellow bloggers will understand that sometimes other things have to take priority in the busy-ness of life.
The last few months have been quite good on the whole. Trevor and I have just finished a contract facilitating training workshops for the NHS in various locations between Oxford and the Isle of Wight. Other work is taking its place so our working lives are ticking along.

The last contract helped us to afford a new conservatory. It has a dog-flap into the garden and is an ideal room in which to leave the dogs when we're out. As we can't afford furniture yet, it means no chewed chair legs, and the canines have outside access to pee.

As keen runners, Trevor and I applied to run in the Coventry Half-Marathon in October. Unfortunately, due to a calf-muscle injury in July, I missed several weeks training and didn't feel fit enough to attempt 13 miles. However, we recently took part in Cancer Research's 10K (6.2 mile) run in the beautiful grounds of Coventry's medieval Coombe Abbey.
The following weekend saw us looking after Trevor's grandsons. 3-year-old Sebastian and 1-year-old Reece were placed in our care from 8.30am Saturday until 5.00pm Sunday. On Saturday, we took them to Hatton Farm Village in Warwick where Sebastian enjoyed feeding goats, pigs, sheep and donkeys. There were a few attractions for kiddies and the highlight of Trevor's day was a ride on a teacup, though it wasn't designed for big grandads and it was a bit of a squeeze :-)
Referring again to our running, Trevor and I are delighted to have secured places in the Flora London Marathon, 26th April 2009. We will be running for the national charity, Carers UK and we hope to raise a minimum of £3000.
Within the next couple of weeks I will be renaming this blog, RUNNING FOR CARERS and will concentrate on our training: the triumphs and the pain for the next 6 months. I will also set up a 'Justgiving' fund-raising page and keep you informed of our progress.

See you soon.

Best wishes
x

More Photos from "Cloudstreet" (Summer Theatre School)

2008-08-20T19:41:00.006Z

Here are some pictures, taken by Andrew Dyer of the Riding Lights Theatre Company

Me as Dolly Pickles in the floral dress on the left

A drunken Dolly tells her daughter that she shouldn't hate her

Dolly Pickles get chatted up in the local bar

Dolly is not impressed by the big old rambling house where she and her family have to live

The girls next door chase after Dolly's son with a pair of scissors. He has just shown one of them his "thingy".

Trevor, as Sam Pickles, pleads with his daughter to visit her estranged mother, Dolly.

Riding Lights Summer Theatre School

2008-08-11T22:21:00.009Z

Cast and Crew

We're back from a one-week residential summer school with the Riding Lights Christian theatre company. What a week it has been! There were 7 courses on offer at Harrogate Ladies College in North Yorkshire: 3 for 14-18 year-olds and 4 for the 19-90s. These included scriptwriting, musical theatre, storytelling (traditional and digital) and the largest course with 24 participants, a staged play. Trevor and I were involved with the latter, where we went through the production process from the initial read-through to a public performance at the end of the week.

The play was Cloudstreet, adapted from Tim Winton's award-winning novel. It follows the lives of two dysfunctional families sharing a large old rambling house in Perth, Western Australia, between 1945 and 1965.

During the first part of the week, both Trevor and I struggled with it all as we felt so utterly out of our comfort blanket. It was more than 5 years since I had performed on a stage and it was Trevor's first attempt. However, as the week went on and we made friends, we did get caught up with the "buzz" of summer school with its theme of 'living in hope'. Performances by the other groups were awesome and we were particularly impressed with the 3 youth groups. With these kids being our future, then our future looks promising.

Cloudstreet, brilliantly directed by Bridget Foreman and Peter Hutchinson, was a huge success and we received some very favourable comments from members of the audience. It was a joy to work with a team of lovely talented and enthusiastic people!

Praise God for a wonderful week, Amen.

Trevor and his "daughter" rehearsing. Peter, the director is on the left.

Trevor checks his lines

More info and pictures can be seen on the Riding Lights blog... click here

Rain For Life

2008-07-10T14:19:00.006Z

Two and a half thousand women braved the wet weather last night, to squelch round the 5K Race For Life course at Coombe Abbey Country Park in Coventry. This was my 4th consecutive year of running at this event, and it was definitely the wettest! Having poured down all day, the rain held off during the 'warm-up' before the race and for the first 5 minutes or so from the start line. After that the skies opened up again and it bucketed it down, making the muddy terrain quite hazardous at times.

It was brilliant though!!

The woman were split into 3 groups:

1. Runners

2. Part runners/part walkers

3. Walkers

As a runner, I belonged to the first group to start the race, and I completed the course in 31 minutes, 40 seconds.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored me in this worthwhile fund-raising event for Cancer Research UK. My fund-raising target was £150.00 and I've so far raised £252.00!

The warm-up before the race

I'm clasping my hands here because a woman next me rapped me on the knuckles with a litre bottle of water!

Drenched, at the end of the race!

Coventry to Slough

2008-07-02T11:00:00.003Z

On Sunday, Trevor and I ran in the 4.5 mile Coventry Fun Run, starting and finishing at the War Memorial Park. It was exhilarating! I was especially pleased that after I reached the finish line, there was an announcement to clear the exit as there were several HUNDRED runners yet to finish!! Ahem, I'm a (nearly) 48-year-old ex-smoker with a few pounds to lose, so hey, I could have done a lot worse! Trevor struggled at one point so being the selfless, supportive wife that I am, I left him gasping for breath and carried on without him! I do feel mean now. Oh well, ho hum, it might encourage him to do a bit of training. He came in 5 minutes after me so he still did really well, for a man aged 55 years, 364 days.

On Monday Trevor was 56 and we celebrated his birthday by working in sunny Slough, in Berkshire. My fellow blogger (Steve) might cringe at this because it is not is favourite place. Sir John Betjeman was not enamoured by Slough either. The opening line of his 1937 poem is "Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!" Click here for the full poem.
It was my first visit and I was expecting something much worse. The word 'slough' is most unappealing. Slough (pronunced 'sluff') is also a white creamy discharge found on infected tonsils. It's like calling a town 'Snot'. Anyway, I thought Slough was rather pleasant but then the sun was shining and our workshop was a success :-)

What a Difference a Day Makes...

2008-06-02T21:42:00.004Z

Following a 'difficult' workshop in Oxfordshire on 16th May (see post dated 18th May), the following week couldn't have been more different. We delivered 4 'Trust Me I'm a Patient' training workshops in 3 counties: Hampshire, Buckinghamshire and the dreaded Oxfordshire. Living in Warwickshire, we found ourselves up and down the A34 like a yoyo.

Monday 19th May was spent in Basingstoke, Hampshire with a delightful and appreciative group of participants. I'd like to have adopted a couple of them and taken them with me to other workshops as they threw themselves so enthusiastically and passionately into their roles.

Trevor chats with 3 of the 17 participants

Tuesday 20th May was spent at the Culham Science Centre in Abingdon in, dare I say it? I'll whisper it, Oxfordshire. Getting in was like trying to get in, or perhaps out of prison. Met by security guards, we noted that they lacked any charm or personality.
The workshop was great apart from a bit of negativity from one frontline NHS staff member. She said that she hadn't learnt anything and wished she hadn't left her important work with patients to come to our workshop. I asked her why she had attended, to which she replied, "It was a tick box exercise for the PCT (Primary Care Trust) to say that I've been on a course." Mm... any comments about that?

Ready to go home at the end of a long day. It took several hours finding our way out....

.... and even longer to get in

Wednesday 21st May was spent preparing workshops for the next 2 days ...

Thursday 22nd May saw us in Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. The workshop took place in the local Anglican church and the people were responsive and utterly delightful.

Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Friday 23rd May was spent in Eastleigh, Hampshire. It was a small workshop and it all went smoothly. We ended the week by presenting DAFTA awards to participants.

Eastleigh, Hampshire

Imagine this.....

2008-05-18T19:16:00.004Z

Imagine that you go to the theatre one evening to see a play in two acts.

Imagine that the play opens with a narrator to set the scene, during which some people come into the auditorium, late and noisily.

Imagine that the first narration is over and the first scene appears to go quite well, creating laughter and a round of applause at the end of the scene.

Imagine that the second scene is interrupted by two people from the audience. The first one says that the first scene was completely false and unrealistic. The second person stands up to say that he is offended by something in the script.

Imagine that the scene continues, somewhat slugglishly because the success of the second scene is dependent on a response from the audience.

Imagine that one of the actors remains composed and professional, though inside he feels embarrassed. The other actor becomes hyper-active in an attempt to win back the audience, but does manage a degree of control.

Imagine that a couple more people in the audience interrupt by stating that the play was different from what they were expecting and had they known what the play was about, they wouldn't have come. They leave the auditorium.

Imagine that the curtains close before the first act is finished.

Imagine that the second act proceeds but it is difficult to follow, without having seen the first act in its entirety.

OK that's enough imagination for one day! This highlights one of our role-playing training workshops for the NHS, last Friday. Trevor and I have facilitated many of these events and apart from a little bit of negative feedback a few months ago from one, the response has been warm and positive! We wouldn't have been contracted to do a series of 25 workshops with one health authority if they'd been that awful!

I was the one who went all hyper and humiliated myself. I feel so sorry that we failed, and that the majority of the audience were short-changed.

Sigh, we have 4 more similar workshops this week. Lamb and slaughter spring to mind. I'd better pop a jar of mint sauce in my handbag.

Here's me, after the workshop... attempting a smile!

Knowle Fun Run

2008-05-12T09:00:00.005Z

What a busy couple of weeks we've had!! Trevor and I have been bombing up and down the motorway, facilitating role-playing training workshops for the NHS. We've spent much of our time in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire. The beauty of where we live in Warwickshire means that nowhere is a million miles away.

Speaking of high numbers, Trevor was on Cloud Nine Million yesterday. His beloved Manchester United became the Premiership champions for the 10th time in 16 seasons, under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson. I'm still trying to bring Trevor back down to earth!

Trevor and I had our own small achievement to celebrate as we participated, for the 3rd year, erm.. running, in the 5-mile Knowle Fun Run in Solihull. With a steep hill (run twice in the 2-lap course) and temperatures higher than in Spain, it wasn't the easiest of races. Still, we did it!

Me before the race. Oh look, a balloon is sticking out of my head!

Trevor looks longingly at the sausages...

...and I'm tempted by the ice cream van but manage to resist

after the run...

...sweaty but smiling with relief!

The Fabulous Lampshade Boys

2008-04-29T22:12:00.006Z

Our dogs, Bertie and Rusty, were castrated on Friday. I feel so TERRIBLE, making them endure the discomfort but Trevor and I took the advice of experts that dogs live longer and happier lives when they are without...... According to my dog training manual, only expert breeders should leave their dogs intact.

I feel humbled by how incredibly loving they are to us still. I am reminded of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice & Men" when one of the migrant workers, George, explains that his friend Lennie, who has learning difficulties, thanks George profusely for rescuing him from drowning in a river when it was in fact, George who made him jump in the first place!

The 'lampshades' prevent the boys from interfering with their stitches

Aw.. this photo was taken on the first day after their 'op'. A recommended dinner of lightly scrambled egg is served.

Race For Life

2008-04-21T22:50:00.008Z

It's almost that time of year folks, when thousands of pairs of breasts will be bouncing their way along the women's Race For Life in aid of Cancer Research UK.

This will be my 4th consecutive year of running in the RACE FOR LIFE. Unlike my previous years in Birmingham, I shall be racing around around the medieval Coombe Abbey in Coventry, Warwickshire on 9th July 2008. My running number this year, 1348, is not a particularly lucky number, at least it wasn't for the Black Death victims in 1348.

However, let us not brood over plagues and pestilence. Let us ponder on our pockets and purses and on how many pennies pounds and ppp.. I mean dollars, euros, and ruPees we can donate to this worthwhile cause.

Please pop along to my fund-raising page (click here).

I'm dedicating this years' race to my friend Margaret Griffiths, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Following surgery, radio therapy and chemo therapy, she is here to tell the tale. She recently released a CD, 'The Essential Spirit of Edith Piaf' and the CD is available from Margaret's website, http://www.troikaproductions.co.uk/

It started with a click........

2008-04-11T15:31:00.003Z

It is 4 years today since Trevor and I met ‘virtually’. Our first 'actual' encounter was on 11th July 2004 …in Tesco Supermarket just off the M42 in Solihull!

4 years… crikey. 4 years and one day ago, neither of us had any idea of each other’s existence. At the time we were both unhappy with our lives and by the love and grace of God, we were brought together by one fleeting moment in cyberspace that could so easily have been missed. Amazing!

How our lives have changed in the past 4 years! Trevor gave up his 35-year career with the National Health Service and moved from Devon to the Midlands. He became a grandad to 2 boys, now aged 3 and 6 months. We set up a business, married, moved house twice and last but not least, we adopted 2 puppies.

We haven’t had a crossed word in 4 years, not one. I can honestly say that there is nothing about Trevor that annoys me, other than the fact that he’s a Manchester United supporter but that’s nothing a frontal lobotomy won’t cure :-)

I love my husband deeply and will be eternally grateful for the happiness he has brought into my life.

2004

2005
2006

2007

2008

What a load of balls.........

2008-04-03T11:30:00.006Z

......and this picture just proves that 55-year-old grandads aren't too old to be big kids again (even though Trevor was reprimanded by an attendant and sent to the naughty corner).

Soft play area at Torquay Zoo

Phew, it's been a busy week. We've travelled all over the place, on our Workshop World Tour ..... Milton Keynes (twice) and Nottingham (twice).... where else? Er.. that's it actually. Today I'm at home manning the office while Trevor is at a meeting in Huddersfield (what's that poem? "There was a cow from Huddersfield, whose udders simply would not yield. The reason that they would not yield? She didn't like her udders feeled" - or something like that!)

The highlight of our week was spending 2 days in Torquay, where we visited Trevor's family. Trev's daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandsons took us to the zoo. 'Twas lovely.

This is Trevor and young Seb wearing a very large space helmet. Actually I'm not sure what you call it but it's a perspex semi-sphere for observing small animals.

Birds and Bugs

2008-03-25T22:24:00.005Z

Easter Sunday was fabulous.

Trevor and I drove down to London's O2 Arena to see the Eagles perform 30 brilliant songs. Around 20,000 people were in the audience... not bad for a bunch of nearly 60-year-olds eh? (the band that is, not the audience, though we did spot quite a lot of silver hair!)

It was not our first Eagles concert as we saw them in June 2006 at the NIA (National Indoor Arena) in Birmingham.

Pure magic.

Trevor at the O2 Arena

The O2 Arena - formerly the Millennium Dome

Before the London trip, in the morning, Trevor and I performed an Easter drama sketch at church. We played 2 Cockney (appropriately, seeing as we went to London later that day) caterpillars and you probably think that we are extremely eccentric! The message was that we were green, fat and ugly but that we were going to shed our skins and transform into something beautiful, ie. be 'born again', which is exactly why Jesus died for us on the cross. It is the essence of Easter and the foundation of the Christian faith.

So, from caterpillars to Eagles, Easter Sunday was a very good day for us.

How was YOUR Easter?

Trevor and Annie as caterpillars

(This pic was taken from a previous performance in 2006)

Tony Benn: Birmingham Town Hall

2008-03-22T15:36:00.007Z

Trevor and I attended 'An Evening with Tony Benn' at the Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday.

The retired Labour politician talked about his life in politics and his thoughts on changes in the Labour party.

He held the captivated audience of approximately 900 people for 90 minutes. At the age of almost 83, Tony Benn is a remarkable man.

The evening was spent giving frank responses to questions from the audience and also entertaining us with political anecdotes.

I didn't take a photo on Thursday but below is a picture taken when we saw him at the Birmingham Conservatoire in October 2007.

Trevor meets Tony Benn - October 2007

Going to the Town Hall was also a big wow! for me. It is my first visit since before it's closure more than a decade ago. It has been beautifully and tastefully revamped (at a cost of £35m!) and it re-opened last October.

The Birmingham Town Hall as it is today

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6487867.stm

Blog Off!

2008-03-20T16:11:00.002Z

I'm afraid I haven't got my blogging head on at the moment - I'm spending far too long playing Scrabulous (Scrabble) on Facebook! I will try and post something very soon.

Annie x

Ps. If Steve reads this, I will catch up on your posts in the next couple of days.

To key or not to key: that is the question:

2008-03-12T21:00:00.008Z

This week started out quite well. On Monday Trevor and I facilitated a "Trust Me I'm A Patient" workshop for 30 NHS managers in Southampton. Despite the wet and windy weather and warnings that we were possibly in the worst part of the UK, we didn't experience anything adverse.

Tuesday was spent delivering a similar workshop in Milton Keynes for 7 frontline staff, including 2 occupational therapists, 2 nurses, a mental health worker, a sexual health worker and a lady who provides an an 'End of Life' service. The latter provides Gold Standard assistance to people who are approaching the end of their lives, due to terminal illness. If the 7 ladies learned anything from us, we learned a dozen times more from them and found them all inspirational. I did my usual riveting performances of various NHS staff and patients during a drama sketch. So far so good; even Shakespeare would have been proud of me! We arrived home to 2 puppies who had not had any 'accidents' or caused any damage, other than a chewed cable, which fortunately was not plugged in. Otherwise, all was going well.

We were due to attend an (Actors) Equity meeting at 8.00 in Coventry but we collected my daughter from college at about 7.20pm and dropped her home first.

I then did something really stupid.

We drive a Renault Megane and the engine is started using a Renault key card. It is also used for locking/unlocking the doors/boot and setting the alarm.

Once the engine is running the key can be removed from the ignition.

Arriving at the house, with the engine still running, I removed the key card, as the house keys were on the same key ring, dashed out and unlocked the front door to let my daughter into the house. At this point Trevor was on the front lawn trying to get dog muck off his shoes. A few minutes later we were back in the car and we journeyed to our meeting arriving just before 8.00pm and Trevor turned off the engine.

No key card in the ignition! I'd only gone and left the keys in the front door of the house. Here we were at the meeting, we couldn't lock the car or start it!

I went in to the meeting while Trevor spent £20 on a taxi to take him home to pick up the keys and attend the meeting. By the time he returned the meeting was over but he bought some raffle tickets. Oh what wondrous joy, we won.... a video (yes VHS video) of a selection of 'Great Performances' from the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Ah well...

"To be, or not to be: that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks......"

(HAMLET)

Coventry Carers Conference

2008-03-05T07:00:00.002Z

Trevor & I perform at a Coventry Carers Conference on 3rd March

Trevor facilitated a workshop for the Coventry City Council on Monday and I assisted with a couple of drama sketches.

The attendees:

Carers of people with mental health problems

Managers (Social Services)

I played a mother-of-4. Her husband was suicidally depressed, her one child was autistic and another child was ill and needed to see a doctor but she couldn't get through on the telephone. Stress. She phoned her social worker (played by Trevor) who had problems of his own: he was under a lot of stress at work and his wife was diagnosed that morning with terminal cancer.

We performed the sketch twice: the first time the situation was handled rather badly, causing the mother to break down as she was being torn in all directions and just needed a little help. After much discussion and based on the comments of the participants, we acted the sketch again in the afternoon, portraying a better and more positive way for the social worker to help his client.

The conference was certainly an eye-opener, meeting carers and hearing their stories. I just hope that the workshop made some kind of difference.

Trevor and I feel so blessed that the only ties we have in our lives are 2 hairy canines.

Love's Philosophy

2008-02-28T17:10:00.007Z

"And the sunlight clasps the earth,

And the moonbeams kiss the sea -

What are all these kissings worth,

If thou kiss not me?"

(Shelley)

These lines from Shelley's poem, 'Love's Philosophy',were frequently quoted in Sunday's fabulous opening episode of the 3-part detective drama, 'Lewis'. DI Lewis and his sidekick investigated the murders of 2 people who were involved in the forgery of some 19th Century letters from Shelley's wife, Mary Shelley.

I will type the full poem and put it at the end of this post. When Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote this verse, I don't for one minute think that he was referring to love and kisses between man (or woman) and his canine friends! I just love to be kissed by Trevor. Kisses (or licks) from the mad pooches stink and knowing where their tongues have been, I try to avoid any contact with my mouth but will allow them a small nose-lick! However, love? Well, I'm growing mighty fond of the little terriers.....

Who could not love this little fella......

....who has a penchant for bog rolls?

...or this little chap, who looks at us with sorrowful eyes?

Here they are again, tugging away. They've temporarily 'gone off' us and want to get at the sheep behind them.

And still speaking of love, who could not love living in a village with all this land, just round the corner? Ah, this is the life.........

LOVE'S PHILOSOPHY

The fountains mingle with the river

And the rivers with the ocean,

The winds of heaven mix for ever

With a sweet emotion;

Nothing in the world is single,

All things by a law divine

In one another's being mingle -

Why not I with thine?

See the mountain's kiss high heaven

And the waves clasp one another;

No sister-flower would be forgiven

If it disdain'd its brother:

And the sunlight clasps the earth,

And the moonbeams kiss the sea -

What are all these kissings worth,

If thou kiss not me?

Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792-1922

The Goose Has Landed

2008-02-20T16:47:00.003Z

Travelling out of our village in the direction of Leamington Spa, there is Ryton Pool, home to the Leamington Angling Club.
I took this photo on Sunday - the poor goose landed with a loud thud rather than a splash because the pool was frozen.

Work is still very quiet for me but from March onwards, life will be chaotic for a few months as we're all over the county delivering our training workshops. We are branching out; in addition to the NHS we have taken bookings from the Coventry City Council and also some charitable organisations.

This quiet period has given me time to concentrate on house-training the pups, which is going extremely well. No poos in the house this week, just the odd little wee or two!

I've also had the opportunity to catch up on my TV viewing. I am currently watching Lark Rise to Candleford (charming), Ashes to Ashes (funny and nostalgic), Torchwood (very creative), Moving Wallpaper (hilarious) Primeval (my favourite - I love it!!) and Kingdom (utterly delightful, but it finished on Sunday)

What are YOUR current favourites?

Puppy Love

2008-02-13T07:00:00.000Z

On 31st January 2008, we heard the patter of EIGHT tiny feet in our house. No, I haven’t had quadruplets or given a home to a tarantula (though that would have been easier). Trevor and I have adopted two 5-month-old Cairn Terrier/Bichon Frisé crossbreeds. They are very lovable but the little terriers didn’t come ready house-trained so we’re up to our eyes in… well, I don’t need to elaborate. In short I have become a proper little Mrs. Mop, or even Scrubber of Warwickshire. Bertie is the cutest I think, but he’s the canine village idiot. Rusty is quieter but definitely brighter – I think he’ll be doing the Times crossword before long.

Meet Bertie and Rusty

The Little Terr(i)ors

A bit of RUFF and tumble

Trevor tries teaching Bertie to type but the keys are too tasty... so is Trevor's arm!

The weaning stage

Shrove Tuesday

2008-02-06T08:00:00.000Z

I've brought forward this post from Shrove Tuesday 2007 and have left in the comments from last year. I hope it will make you smile.......

20 February 2007
Trevor offered to make some pancakes this evening...

Ho hum, this is simple....

Here goes the first toss!

Oops, anyone fancy toast instead?

Flowers R US

2008-01-30T12:52:00.000Z

Friday 25th Jan

Trevor was interviewed on the Fox Business Network TV channel this morning, broadcast live from London to the USA. The topic was ‘Effective Management’ and the simple steps that managers can take to be effective in the workplace. It was Trevor’s first TV interview and he had no idea of the questions. He did really well!

Wednesday 30th Jan

Other than the above, it’s been a really quiet week for both us. February is quite busy for Trevor but it will be mayhem from March onwards for both of us as bookings for our ‘Trust Me I’m A Patient’ workshops are flying in.

The weight-loss regime feels like an uphill struggle as I’ve only managed to lose 3 pounds in a month. Oh well, in the words of the US country rock band Lonestar, “Walking's easy when the road is flat.......the Good Lord gave us mountains so we can learn how to climb”.

On Friday, we’re going to see a woman about a dog. Watch this space!

To make up for a short blog post, here’s something trivial. If I was a flower, I’d be a dandelion: not much to look at but sturdy and can take root anywhere. (I’m also a tasty treat for guinea pigs). My husband would be a carnation: attractive, fragrant, great value, long-lasting and available all year round.

If you were a flower, what type would YOU be?

Soft Soap

2008-01-23T11:00:00.000Z

Thursday 17th Jan

Whoa, what a day!! I ran around like a headless chicken, a blue-arsed fly and a dog chasing its tail. However, the evening was rather pleasant, as Trevor and I arrived at the Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry to the filming of BBC Question Time. Neither of us was selected to ask our questions to the panel. See Trevor’s blog for more info. I thought my question about Britain’s responsibility to the children in the Czech Republic who are still living in caged beds, worthy of a response. However, it wasn’t deemed a popular enough topic and the BBC decided that Cabinet Minister Peter Hain’s undeclared donations scandal far more important. Tut.

Sunday 20th Jan

Trevor and I attended a service at the Holy Trinity Brompton church on the Brompton Road in London (near Harrods). Nicky Gumbel, one of the founders of the Alpha courses (exploring the meaning of life), is the vicar of the HTB and we find him so inspirational. Even if you’re not a Christian it’s worth downloading his heart-warming, intelligent, thought-provoking and witty sermons, available from the HTB website.

My son lives in West London and we called to see him after the service. He’s a university student and he lives with 6 other male university students and an assortment of ‘guests’. Judging by the state of the house, the guests include the tiny, itchy variety, found in beds, sofas and carpets. The bacterial type was also present in the toilets and I didn’t dare look in the fridge. I realised that probably the best place for the lads to hide any valuables was under the soap.

We had planned to attend a poetry performance in Leamington Spa this evening but we were reeled in by the TV which called out, “Watch ME instead!” We caught up on the past week’s programmes such as Torchwood (a tad disappointing) Moving Wallpaper & Echo Beach (Ben Miller is brilliant), Jam & Jerusalem (Dawn French is a hoot), Kingdom (love it) and Lark Rise to Candleford (just fab). I also worked out how to copy programmes from Sky+ on to DVD and whooped with joy. It doesn’t take much to please me.

Monday 21st Jan

Today has been billed as the ‘most depressing day of the year’ but going back to bed with the person you love brightens the darkest of days :-)

Cross Country Runs

2008-01-16T11:44:00.000Z

Thursday 10th Jan

Trevor and I delivered a ‘Trust Me I’m A Patient’ Workshop at the Widnes Viking Rugby League Football Club in Widnes, Cheshire. This was for a group of 46 participants from a Primary Care Trust in Merseyside. Click here for more information about our workshops.

Having been constipated for nearly 3 days, today was the day my sluggish system chose to start working. Typical. Mind, you, nerves played a big part. This particular workshop involves me acting out 3 (scripted) characters. I play a disgruntled receptionist, an 85-year-old patient and an arrogant doctor. Trevor and I had decided at the last minute that I should also play the Chief Executive of a Primary Care Trust. This was unrehearsed, unscripted, un-everything and subconsciously my bowels reacted in …..well, I wouldn’t say nerves exactly ……. just abject terror. After about the 5th visit to the loo our workshop commenced, my bowels switched themselves off and my usual three characters sprang into action (but not at the same time – I’m not that good). As it happened, one of the participants bravely took on the Chief Executive role and I was tempted, just for a second, to hug her. Trevor and I hug each other, our friends and most people we know in fact but we don’t hug NHS management people – they belong to a different species. The homo-slanganus variety has a peculiar language; it speaks in jargon and oh, so many acronyms. So, the CE of the PCT at the NHS was denied a hug.

Workshop successfully delivered, we made our way home and on the M6 back towards Coventry, my bowels switched themselves back on…….oh brilliant.

Friday 11th Jan

Trevor travelled up to Leeds by train today and left me alone in the house. I dislike my own company and felt 'lost' for most of the morning. I couldn’t concentrate on work and ran 6K on the treadmill. Afterwards I was mortified to discover that I had gained 2 lbs, despite the exercise and yesterday’s frequent offloads.

Trevor is a prolific writer on management, business and leadership. It came to our attention that he was featured in the New York Times on the 8th Jan. He’s really excited, bless him.

Saturday 12th Jan

I woke up feeling as though I was in Heaven, as I do every morning. Trevor and I go to sleep and wake up with our arms and legs wrapped round each other with my face buried into his hairy chest. It’s a wonder that I haven’t died of suffocation, but if I do ‘slip away’ during the night, what a beautiful way to go.

Today, we spent a few hours with a friend whose life has been turned upside down recently and he was in an emotional state. We pray for him every day that some normality will return to his life and he will be happy again. Later, Trevor and I went to a local Chinese takeaway and ordered a meal to share with my parents. The flamboyant Chinese lady behind the counter was unusual to say the least! After every sentence, she laughed loudly for no apparent reason and I found myself willing her to speak in longer sentences. After my little problem on Thursday, we decided to nickname her.

My mom is in much discomfort with backache, so it cheered her up when Trevor and I arrived with a selection of food from Won Long Poo.

Monday 14th Jan

This time 17 years ago I was feeling a little tender in the ‘lower regions’ having given birth to Lucy, my second child. The happy memories have come flooding back. As births go, it was comparatively short (but not painless, oh no!) and I managed a natural delivery without any form of pain relief. There wasn’t time. My little bundle of joy is now grown up, tall and skinny with legs up to her armpits and utterly lovely.

Tuesday 15th Jan

Trevor and I shall be attending BBC’s Question Time this Thursday 17th January, when it will be televised from Coventry. Everyone in the audience has to be armed with 2 questions to ask the panel, one each that we have already emailed to the BBC and one that will be based on this Thursday’s news. There will be 150 people in the audience so the odds are that the cameras won't turn on me. I’d better take an extra toilet roll just to be on the safe side.

Blog Wednesdays

2008-01-09T07:00:00.000Z

2nd January

“I stared, hypnotically, at the rectangular contraption at my feet with loathing and nausea. Wiping away beads of sticky perspiration from my forehead, I forced myself to stand on the machine. With a Formula One heartbeat and loud, laboured breathing, I knew that this moment couldn’t be avoided. Oh God, no, help me pleeaaaase…. I can’t do it…..oh. Silence.”

Actually, it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. In my imagination I’d gained 28 lbs since quitting smoking 3½ years ago, but my electronic scales revealed an increase of 21. Things aren’t always quite as terrible as they seem, when we lift our heads from the sand and face reality. I became the victor in the war against nicotine and whilst I haven’t reached the obesity stage (yet) it is time to fend off the increasing bulge.

Weight is not the only well-covered bone of contention in my life. Five years ago, I started writing a children’s adventure novel. There are only 30,000 words of my child-like imagination typed on crisp white sheets, but there are treble that number in scribbled notes.

It is SO easy to make excuses and put things off until tomorrow, next week, next month, after Christmas, in the New Year, when work is less busy…. the list goes on. Also, I’ve been so content with the love of my life, my other chance of happiness, my husband. Five years ago I was miserable and it’s often said that creativity comes from adversity. Today, I’ve learned how to love and life is wonderful, apart from a couple of inky blots on the landscape: my weight issue and the increasing desire to blow the dust of my manuscript and conjure up the inspiration to continue with the book.

To help plan a routine of when to work, write, exercise, etc., I’ve decided to only blog one day per week. Next post: 16th January.

We Three Chaps: Nativity Pantomime

2007-12-28T18:36:00.000Z

At church on Christmas Eve, Trevor and I performed in a nativity pantomime, written by little old me, though I'm not sure I should own up to it!

"We Three Chaps" had a cross-dressing cast of five: three wise men, King Herod and the Angel Gabrielle. The wise men, played by women, were terribly posh business people with brief cases (one of them was awfully nice, but dim). Trevor played the Angel Gabrielle in pretty pink pyjamas. His job was to whip up the congregation into a frenzy of enthusiasm and participation, shouting "hurrah" every time Jesus' name was mentioned. I played the evil King Herod and was booed at every possible opportunity. Included in the panto was a "he's behind you!" scene including the compulsory "oh no he isn't!" etc. followed by a chase scene involving Herod and the wise chaps. The Christmas story was told through these 5 characters but there were, naturally, frequent references to Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

The congregation seemed to enjoy it.... Oh yes they did!

I hope YOU had a very happy and enjoyable Christmas.

Me as King Herod

Trevor as the Angel Gabrielle

Blue Moon

2007-12-18T21:12:00.000Z

I don’t expect that anyone is even remotely interested to hear about my buttocks.

However, my buttocks are very much on my mind today because they are hurting me. I stepped into the shower this morning, slipped and my buttocks splat hard down on to the door runner of the shower unit. I now have a horizontal striped bruise that stretches across both cheeks.

Oh well, a glass of good red wine should soothe the pain.

Cheers!

To Beard or Not To Beard

2007-12-15T00:23:00.000Z

This photo of Trevor was taken when he was 40.

Here he is at 55. The beard looks very nice but Trevor's expression worries me.....

Ah that's better. Yes, Trevor, if you want hair, wear it on your head - it looks so natural!

To Lower Oneself.......

2007-11-29T22:23:00.000Z

Trevor and I delivered another “Trust Me I’m A Patient” role-playing workshop to 120 people on Monday at the East Midlands Hilton Hotel for the NHS ‘Improvement Foundation’. Attendees were a mixture of NHS managers, frontline staff and patients.

The objective of this workshop is to help people look at change from a different perspective; seeing change through others’ eyes. In brief, the scenario is that there are proposals for 3 GP surgeries to close and be replaced by one large, modern health centre on the edge of town. The press have published the story before patients or surgery staff have been advised of the changes. The handling of the project has been a shambles, caused through a lack of communication. It is a realistic scenario.

To date we have facilitated 18 of these workshops to more than 1000 delegates. At the end of the workshop we ask participants to complete a short evaluation form; ticking boxes to give their opinion of the workshop - very poor, poor, average, good or very good. We ask them the best part of the workshop and also what could be improved. In our previous 17 workshops, I think there has only been one ‘poor’ a handful of ‘average’ and an abundance of ‘good’ or ‘very good’ ticks.

Monday told a different story. Out of the 48 evaluation forms returned we received 5 ‘very poor’, 6 ‘poor’, 11 ‘average’, 12 ‘good’ and 14 ‘very good’. 72 participants did not fill in their forms.

Trevor and I invite criticism but we are disappointed by Monday’s response. From the ‘very poor’ forms, participants wrote that our workshop was set at too low a level, ie. for staff low down in the NHS tree, not for staff of senior level. The workshop was ‘juvenile’ and we weren’t telling them anything they didn’t already know. One person wrote that if she wanted to become an actor, she would have enrolled at RADA instead of finding employment at the NHS!

As a little girl, I never ever dreamed of being an NHS role-player and facilitator, just as probably most managers in the NHS never dreamed of being chief executives or patient and public involvement managers. Sometimes our jobs occur by accident rather than by choice but we either muddle on blindly or we develop a conscience and strive to be the best we can possibly be.

Trevor and I are committed Christians and have speculated the idea of advancing our bible study at a theological college. When we moved to a new village in July, we decided to join an Alpha course at our local church. Alpha is designed as an introduction to the Christian faith and I was uncertain that this was the right course for us. After all, there is no hesitation about our commitment and we attended an Alpha course a couple of years ago. I couldn’t see the point in taking a step backwards. Trevor was keen to do it again so we joined and I am so pleased for his better judgement. We are ‘back to basics’ and learning things we missed last time in addition to sharing our faith with others. This is merely an analogy and I am not writing this as a bible basher or trying to convert anyone [honestly]. The point I’m making is that these NHS managers might like to think about going ‘back to basics’. The workshop is an opportunity to engage with other staff of ‘lower levels’ (to use this person’s language). Sometimes, workshops and conferences are not just about what we can learn but about what we can give. Perhaps these NHS high-level people who feel that our workshop is set at too low a level for them, would consider following Sir Richard Branson’s example. He frequently returns to the shop floor – and I suspect that he learns and gives every time.

Our workshop was never designed to find solutions to NHS improvement. The answers are already within the minds of the staff and patients.

Swimmers throw abuse at injured servicemen in pool

2007-11-23T23:00:00.000Z

My blood was boiling earlier today, despite the icy temperatures.

I was deeply saddened to hear about the abuse hurled at injured servicemen, during their hydro-physiotherapy treatment at Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Many of the soldiers had lost limbs or suffered burns and the weekly swim was to boost their rehabilitation.

"One woman, believed to be in her 30s, was so incensed that the soldiers - many of them amputees having returned from conflicts in the Middle East and Asia - were using the pool that she told them that they did not deserve to be there. It is alleged that she told the men that she pays to swim there and they do not. According to witnesses she was so abusive that the soldiers' instructor pulled the groups out of the water to avoid further embarrassment," it was reported on Surrey Online

There has got to be a compromise here. I understand that some people might recoil at the horrors of physical disabilities. On the radio today I heard it reported that one mother said that it was upsetting for her children to witness amputees and victims of burns.

I should like to respond to her....

"What about these brave men who have suffered to give freedom to others? It may be upsetting for your children, but this is the reality of war!"

I don't mean to sound harsh or judgmental, but I feel so disappointed at this abuse. I wonder how this woman would feel, God forbid, if she or her children became disabled or lost limbs? How would she feel if people treated them like lepers?

Where is the compromise? To segregate injured soldiers from the general public? To build a purpose-built pool for the disabled? To allow the disfigured to swim with adults only? I don't know the answer, and call me an old fool if you want, but I just want these wonderful people to be loved and treated with respect, equality and gratitude.

See here for Daily Mirror report.

Acorn Antiques

2007-11-21T12:28:00.001Z

Having recently acquired a DVD of the Acorn Antiques series, I felt highly cheered after watching it last night.

I'd forgotten how funny this plotless series is with it's wobbly scenery, lack of continuity and hilarious acting! Here's a sample of the dialogue between Babs (owner of Acorns Antiques) and Mrs Overall (the tea lady)

Babs: Here I am blabbing away about my own troubles and I never asked you about your husband's car crash.

Mrs O: Oh he's dead Miss Babs. In fact I was going to ask you if I could have a couple of hours off on Thursday for the funeral.

Babs: Of Course. Just pop back at five for the hoovering. What happened?

Mrs O: His heart stopped beating.

Babs: Oh no.

Mrs O: Yes, well, sometimes that's God's way of telling you you're dead. Not to worry, Bingo tonight.

Hehe - a few titters certainly help ease the winter blues! I've yet to see the musical version, though I do have a copy on DVD. Can't wait!

What has made YOU laugh lately?

'Constant Changes'

2007-11-15T11:00:00.000Z

This photo was taken in February 2006 and bloggers may wonder about this class of pensioners (apart from me at the back, 2nd left!)

In truth, I joined this wonderful 'Poetry & Prose in Performance' class in September 1988 when my son was just 3 months old (he's 19 now and lives in London!) and I was the baby in a class of 'mature' students. Sadly, many of the original 'team' from those early days have died and indeed, 2 of the students from this photo passed away this year. One has left due to severe depression, one has had a leg amputated and the lady in the middle, front, is 91 and has had to give up due to progressive deafness.

Bernard, the only man in the group still attends (and gives me my weekly hug) and so does Vera, the teacher, front left. The 2 ladies at the rear, right are still in the class.

In the last 19 years, I have married, had a 2nd child, divorced, had a 9-year soul-destroying relationship with someone else (and escaped, thank God) and met and married my knight in shining armour, my wonderful Trevor who I love so very deeply.

Still, the poetry & prose in performance class continues, and I owe so much to this group, who have known me with 3 different surnames. They have seen me young, expectant, desolate, near-suicidal and now, middle-aged and contented, no, gloriously happy and filled with faith and the love of God. They have supported my professional acting work and been a willing audience when practising for my numerous exam medals, with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art ('Acting' and 'The Speaking of Verse & Prose'). Those surviving members who have put up with me for nearly 2 decades deserve medals themselves!

Is there a constant in YOUR ever-changing world?

Wear Your Poppy With Pride (Inside)

2007-11-09T21:57:00.000Z

Trevor and I spent this afternoon in prison - as visitors, I hasten to add.

We went through vigorous security checks, lasting for more than an hour. We each took 2 forms of ID, we went through an infra-red machine, were searched thoroughly and Trevor had his thumb-print photographed (required for male visitors only as it was a prison for men). We had our mouths inspected on 3 separate occasions and were checked by sniffer dogs for drugs. Our hands were brushed with some kind of invisible liquid, which showed up on an ultraviolet machine, which served as a permit to exit the prison after our visit. Trevor also had his thumb-print verified on 4 occasions. We had a book, a mouth spray and some tissue temporarily confiscated as NOTHING was allowed in.

All this security and no-one happened to notice the large safety pin I was wearing to attach a poppy to my jacket. It makes you think doesn't it? It's a stringent procedure to prevent drugs entering the prison, which I'm totally in favour of, but sharp dangerous objects? I must admit, I didn't even give it a thought until we were leaving the prison and obviously neither did anyone else.

Safety pins aside, this was our first prison visit and the staff were commendable. They were helpful and efficient and we were impressed.

Halloween Mischief

2007-10-31T11:38:00.000Z

This is probably the worst rendition of The Witches Chant from Macbeth you will have ever seen. You can tell there was no rehearsal! Trevor does well as my assistant witch, but then he didn't have to do much, other than stir up a few body parts. TURN THE VOLUME DOWN (or even OFF) - I was too close to the mic.

Shakespeare is probably turning in his grave.

Have a hideous Halloween.

TGIF (well nearly)

2007-10-25T20:59:00.000Z

I realise, with dismay, that I seem to have lost my passion for blogging. I hope that it is only a temporary condition. A year ago, I used to post mindless stuff frequently, but now I only feel the urge to post mindless stuff once in a blue moon. Possibly it is because Facebook has taken over my entire social life. Help, is there such a thing as Sweet FA (Facebook Anonymous) ? I want to sign up immediately!

Right, what's been happening this week? Well, today was rather good if truth be told. Trevor and I provided a 'TRUST ME I'M A PATIENT' workshop at the Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust (East London). No doubt you are dying to know all about our workshops. Probably not, but I'll tell you anyway. The workshop is designed to help people within the NHS to deal with change and to look at it from another perspective. It involves roleplay and delegates of our workshop are presented with a scenario and given characters to play, ie. patients, doctors, receptionists, nurses, finance directors, chief executives, councillors, dentists, pharmacists... oh the list goes on.

Providing the 'acting' element to the workshop, I get the ball rolling by playing a disgrunted GP Practice Receptionist, followed by an 85-year-old patient and then an arrogant GP. I am always on stand-by to play any one of the 120 characters that we have created, in case our delegates are a little shy to role-play.

Today's workshop was as smooth as a Swish curtain rail; every delegate gave a good performance and hopefully learnt something. Trevor was brilliant, as always, as the facilitator of the event.

........and now something completely different. Have you seen the film, "Arsenic and Old Lace" filmed in 1941 and starring Cary Grant? I watched it on Sky the other day and howled at Cary Grant's comic part. Loved it!

Our 1st Wedding Anniversary

2007-10-14T20:27:00.000Z

Trevor and I are delighted to be celebrating our 1st Wedding Anniversary today. I can't believe that it has been a year already!!! It's been the happiest year of my entire life.

Our wedding photos can be viewed by clicking here

Earlier today Trevor and I participated in a 10K (6.2 miles) run at Althorp, Northamptonshire. We surprised ourselves by running with ease and completed the course in 1 hour 9 minutes. OK it wasn't a world record but for a couple of middle-aged, overweight, ex-smokers, we could have done a lot worse!

What have YOU been up to recently? I'd love to hear your news.

Our Visitors

2007-09-14T16:49:00.000Z

This baby grass snake paid us a visit yesterday......

He came in the house but I shoved him outside - sssssorry Sid.

I found this little beauty (house spider) on the toilet floor.

The Left-Handy Man

2007-08-05T18:38:00.000Z

Trevor continues to keep himself busy in our new home...... fitting important things like toilet roll holders - [note that this one is on the left; Trev is the only left-handed member of our family]

Trevor and Lucy assemble the barbecue...... for use by left-handed people I expect. Ah, well. I'm not complaining... Trev's welcome to the position of Head Chef.

Web Crash 2007

2007-07-25T11:11:00.000Z

This is a spoof news report on the day the internet died. It made me laugh :-)

Something Beginning with 'H'

2007-07-22T22:54:00.000Z

We moved house on Tuesday to a picturesque village in Warwickshire.

Trevor found it all a bit too much and decided to hang himself......

Eric, my dad, tells Trevor not to to do it......

"I've changed my mind," says Trevor, coming down the ladder, feeling a little less stressed "Let's play 'I Spy' instead, Eric. I spy with my little eye, something beginning with H..."

"Heil Hitler!" yells Eric. "Well, would you believe it?" asks Trevor, "He isn't dead after all, he's been hiding in the loft all these years!"
"Don't be daft," says the logical university student behind Eric, "the house was only built 18 months ago"

Race For Life - The 8-Team

2007-06-21T22:13:00.000Z

We did it last night - raced for life, that is, at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham, in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Eight women from our church (The Lyndon Ladies) participated along with 2000 other women. From our group, three of us ran the course, four walked and one combined both.

Here are the Lyndon Ladies before the race

Here's me with the two other two runners from our group, Liz and Hazel.

So far, I have raised £135.00 ($270 approx) but would be very happy to add to that total. My fundraising page will be open for donations for another 13 days!

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/anniegay

Race For Life Countdown... 1 day to go!

2007-06-19T11:44:00.000Z

This photo was taken after last year's Race For Life, as I ran to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Well I'll be running for the 3rd year... um... running on 20th June -TOMORROW!

If you happen to have a bit of spare cash, please sponsor me - just a few pounds/dollars would be fantastic! Click here to go to my fundraising page.

Thank yoooooooooo - I love you xxxxx

Headway

2007-06-15T20:38:00.000Z

Sorry to repeat this picture, taken in 1963, of me and my cousin David. He was cremated today and I thought it would be appropriate to publish the photo again with captions. David would have really laughed at this! Just click on the arrow to activate the Bubblesnap.

He was a member of the Herefordshire Headway, an organisation for brain injured adults. See 3rd June post below.

Bog Roll

2007-06-14T21:00:00.000Z

INconvenience at Snow Hill Train Station, Birmingham

Tell me pray, how are ladies (or men having a no. 2) supposed to reach the toilet roll?

Obviously we have to be contortionists.

My Cousin David

2007-06-03T20:32:00.000Z

This photo of me and my cousin David was taken in 1963, when we were both just 3.

David died of pneumonia on Friday, aged nearly 47. He has suffered from physical disabilities since his first brain tumour was removed at the age of 10.

Initially saddened by David's departure from this life, I now thank God for releasing him and pray that my delightful cousin is in perfect physical condition in Heaven.

Knowle Fun Run

2007-05-13T23:12:00.000Z

Trevor and I ran in the 5-mile (8 Km) Knowle Fun Run today.

There were approximately 1800 participants and we completed the course looking liked drowned rats - it absolutely BUCKETED with rain!

Bank Holiday in Birmingham

2007-05-08T19:39:00.000Z

In England, we come to expect grey skies and rain on Bank Holiday Monday and yesterday was no exception. Happily though, in Birmingham, our rainfall wasn't much more than a spit.

We're the adventurous type, travelling as far afield as the city of Birmingham. Gosh, it's at least 7 miles from our home in Solihull!

Here's me in Victoria Square, with the immortialised Queen Victoria watching the hustle and bustle of this great city. The building behind is the newly restored Town Hall. A few years ago, it was a crumbling danger-zone.

This photo of the Town Hall was taken from Birmingham's Central Library in Chamberlain Square. It's magnificent don't you think? I can't help thinking that the huge TV screen doesn't quite match the architecture!

Just a short walk away is Brindley Place - this is the heart of Birmingham. Did you know that there are more canals here than in Venice? Here is Trevor, eager to get to the Handmade Burger Co. on the other side of the canal. DON'T STEP BACK TREVOR!

Here he is again, in the burger restaurant. Oh look, he wants to tell you his age....

Back in Victoria Square on our way home, quite a crowd has gathered. Birmingham City football fans are celebrating their team's promotion to the Premier Division next season. WELL DONE BLUES!

A Day Trip to London

2007-04-30T20:56:00.000Z

My 16-year-old daughter, with her dance school, performed at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End last night. Trevor and I were part of a coach load of supporters and we spent the day in London before seeing the evening show.

Here's me hanging around outside Buckingham Palace. We had hoped that the Queen would invite us in for tea and cucumber sandwiches, but she was out with her corgis. The weather was glorious - phew! - that guard must have sweated buckets.

Later we sat and watched a Sikh festival in Trafalgar Square. Note the statue of Alison Lapper in the distance.

Alisan Lapper was born without arms and shortened legs. Click here to enter her website. She is my ex-husband's girlfriend's sister, though I've never met Alison.

Hey, what perfect timing!!! This London bus drove past just as Trevor and I were having our pic taken.

We met up with an old friend of mine, Dee, who is a professional, very talented actress and wonderful singer. We worked together once in a production of 'Aladdin' a hundred years ago. She was the Slave of the Ring and I was So Shy, handmaiden to the Princess Jasmine. Those were the days ......

Note the poster of Dame Maggie Smith in the background - it is an advert for 'The Lady From Dubuque'

My daughter's show was fantastic and I left London a very proud mum.....

Hungry Trees

2007-04-27T23:49:00.000Z

I took this photo in Dublin about 18 months ago. Fascinating don't you think, how the tree has lifted the metal bench? Such strength.

This was taken about 6 months ago, a little closer to home in Shirley Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham. It's just amazing how the gate has become embedded into the tree!

More Fun in Lincolnshire

2007-04-24T10:58:00.000Z

I couldn't resist publishing these photos of Trevor, taken during our weekend in Lincolnshire....

Ready to roll......

Wahay... this is fun ......

Oh heck.... that hasn't done my hernia any good.

Wedding in Lincolnshire

2007-04-18T18:47:00.000Z

Trevor and I attended his nephew's wedding on Sunday at the Petwood Hotel a beautiful period house in Lincolnshire. The weather was glorious and whilst the other guests were roasting outside, we decided to take a good look inside. As much as we tried, we couldn't behave sensibly. Ah well........

"Ooooh, is this the nutcracker suite?"

"I feel quite faint, but I'll smile for the photo - cheese"

"When I'm calling you-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo...."

Butterfly

2007-04-17T23:07:00.000Z

I took this photo on Sunday in Lincolnshire.

Can someone please confirm that this is a Red Admiral? The colour indicates that it is but I'm not sure about the markings.

Friday 20th April: It is a PEACOCK butterfly... see comments. Thanks Andrew!

Photo Fun

2007-04-09T22:41:00.000Z

Here are a couple of photos of Trevor. This imaging software has given Trev a lovely head of hair!

Punch and Judo

The magic touch

A Bug's (After) Life

2007-04-08T22:52:00.000Z

Trevor and I performed this caterpillar sketch at church this morning. We did it last year and I've cheated by using one of last year's photos. If you go into Trevor's blog, and click on his podcast, you will be able to hear the 3-minute sketch (recorded at home) Hope you can understand our cockney accents!

Barefoot in the Park

2007-03-24T22:57:00.000Z

Trevor and I saw this charming comedy at the Knowle (Solihull) Village Hall last night. You may have seen the 1960's film, starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda? Delightful.

Have YOU been to the theatre lately Or the cinema? Or a concert? I'm keen to hear about it.

Photo Imaging

2007-03-20T22:42:00.000Z

Love my picture imaging software, but Trevor's not too keen for some reason!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2007-03-17T12:33:00.000Z

Wishing you the luck of the Irish!

Red Nose Day

2007-03-16T17:00:00.000Z

Here are Trevor and me doing our small bit for Comic Relief

Quiz Night 10th March

2007-03-12T00:16:00.000Z

As Trevor and his 79-year-old father-in-law battled with the questions, Trevor panicked. The hardest question of all was whether or not to have tomato ketchup on his fish and chips.

Long Lost Bird From Hawkshead

2007-03-09T14:22:00.000Z

The picture of my friend David was taken more than two decades ago. A couple of years ago he met a bird in Hawkshead (Cumbria... Beatrix Potter land) but sadly she disappeared. She being the swan, not Beatrix Potter as Miss Potter died in 1943. I digress..... It appears that the swan was found alive and well at Lough Neagh, near Belfast - see Northern Ireland (2) post below. I hate to tell Dave this but she was not alone......

Our Wedding

2007-03-05T22:34:00.000Z

This is a short clip of our wedding in October 2006. Unfortunately the camcorder was dropped and we only managed to retrieve 47 seconds! Ah well, better than nothing I suppose!

Northern Ireland Trip

2007-03-02T17:28:00.000Z

Trevor and I were in Northern Ireland yesterday, where he gave an inspiring talk about patient involvement at a conference. It was held at the Lough Neagh (pronounced Loch Nee) Discovery Centre in Armagh, 20 miles or so from Belfast. It was brilliant, hopping on a plane at Birmingham and then arriving at Belfast International Airport an hour later!

Lough Neagh Discovery Centre.

Lough Neagh is situated in the centre of Northern Ireland and is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles.

This photo of Trevor was taken during our lunch hour.

Northern Ireland Trip (2)

2007-03-02T17:25:00.000Z

At Lough Neagh the scenery was breathtaking......

...with a variety of birds

This is me with my new boyfriend, um, Donald but SSHH, don't tell Trevor!

Chewing Gum

2007-02-27T00:11:00.000Z

I bought a pack of chewing gum yesterday. Just inside the packet, the instruction said, "for best results: insert in mouth"

Don't you just love companies with a sense of humour?

Three Stages of Trevor

2007-02-26T23:21:00.000Z

This photo of Trevor, aged 54, was taken in October 2006. The two below I published last year on my old blog and felt that they were worth showing again.....

...here he was at 40

....and here he was at 20. Some people compared him to Tom Cruise. What do you think?

Pancake Day tomorrow!

2007-02-19T15:48:00.000Z

If you have listened to Trevor's latest Podcast on Customer Care you will have heard him speak of the 'couldn't give a toss' brigade in some customer care departments.

Tomorrow Trevor will make some pancakes.

WATCH THIS SPACE TO SEE TREVOR TOSSING

(Flipping marvellous!)

Medieval Banquet

2007-02-18T22:38:00.000Z

Trevor and I were transported back to 1539 last night, as we attended a Medieval Banquet at Coombe Abbey in Coventry. It was a hoot, especially as we chosen to be the Baron and Baroness of Coombe.

Sub-standard

2007-02-16T15:07:00.000Z

Trevor and I spent a few days in Devon and Cornwall earlier this week. This is Trev at Plymouth Harbour.... I think he's trying to cadge a lift from a passing submarine. We've only been married 4 months and already he's trying to escape.

Another bit of useless information: On this day in history, 16th February 1960, the US nuclear submarine USS Triton began an underwater circumnavigation of the world.

1960 is also the year of my birth.

Trevor in Glasgow

2007-02-15T22:52:00.000Z

Hello, welcome back. I rather impulsively deleted my last blog, 'Simplicity Gallery' because I didn't think that many people read it and have since found out otherwise!

Hopefully you will glance at this blog occasionally and make the odd comment or two.

If you've never heard of 'Bubblesnaps' sign up now - it's an absolute hoot!

http://www.bubblesnaps.com/

The Lone Postie

2007-02-08T15:09:00.000Z

Our lone postman during England's freak snowstorm on 8th February