Retirement Life In The Week Ended 19 January 2024

I’ve spent another week five in my childhood home in Southend-on-Sea looking after my parents. Thankfully Mum emerged from her hospital stay on Thursday medically stable but far from well. But at the end of the week things were improving and a very welcome visitor arrived at the house. See below for more!

What I Noticed

This was the view from the room that I stay in at my Mum and Dad’s house as the light was coming up the other morning. I felt that this photo a bit of an Edward Hopper-esque feel about it

What I Discovered

We had to take a couple of buses when we visited Mum in hospital. One goes past the Civic Centre in Brutalist Victoria Avenue. I spotted this non-operational fountain the other day and thought that I’d go back on foot and take another look.

There’s a plaque which says that the artist was a guy called William George Mitchell. You’ll see a lovely picture of him if you follow the link. There’s a description too that describes what the sculputre is about. It says that it depicts the characters on Southend-on-Sea’s coat of arms if they put down their swords and fountains of water came out of their mouths. Well that wasn’t happening on a cold Jaanuary day. But I did find a picture of the coat of arms for comparison.

Where I’ve Been

Up until Wednesday we weren’t allowed to visit Mum in hospital as her had the lurgy. But finally we were given the go ahead. I fed and watered Dad in the Last Post, a Wetherspoon’s pub in town which has some lovely art. I’ve shared some in a previous post. This time around I found a plaque that revealed one of the artists. Laurence Dingley is Cornwall based and has painted some wonderful scenes from some of my favourite spots in the South West. It seemed like a good excuse to share another one of his works.

And on a random note, Dad had ham, eggs and chips. I thought my Korean Sticky Chicken Bowl was tasty but it might not hit the spot for those who like their food really spicy. Me, I’m a woose and it was fine.

A Blast From The Past

I thought that I’d treat myself to a dead fancy yoghurt the other day but instead was drawn to pick up this hazelnut one. I didn’t think that, this blast from the past from my seventies packed lunch box, was made anymore.

Truly it was a little disappointing. I liked the crunchy texture but it was a bit too sweet. I’m taking that as a positive in terms of my dietary preference for less sugar these days. And while the list of ingredients wasn’t overlong I wonder if this product falls into the category of an ultra-processed food. But it’s not all bad news. I wonder if I can rustle up a healthier more delicious version with raw ingredients when I get back home.

What I’m Doing

My diary tells me that I’m doing absolutely nothing but I beg to differ. Since I started to look after Mum and Dad more intensely about three months ago I’ve been unable to schedule anything, not even my own medical checks. So, aside from a provisional date to take my parents back to Devon my calendar is like a tabula rasa. That’s ‘blank slate’ in Latin and it’s what this lady’s got he. It’s like an old fashioned etch-a-sketch but the wipeable surface is made of beeswax rather than iron filings.

Rather than seeing this situation as evidence that I have become ‘Billy No Mates’ I am viewing it positively. From a spiritual perspective it means that I am able to co-plan my future with the beardie bloke in the white dress.

Update: Since writing this part of the post I’ve got a date in my diary. We’re going to Brixham’s first ever comedy club night in February.

What I Wish For

I was missing my partner. It’s been a while again now. Maybe it’s why this statue outside Southend Victoria railway station resonated. Maybe it’s how I’ll greet Paul when I next see him. Mind you if I did that I’d probably squash him.

Again it’s a statue I spotted from the bus. It’s amazing what you see with your eyes wide open. It’s a bronze by the Belgian artist Rene Julian. The shagging doves at the figures’ feet are a nice touch!

Look Who’s Here

All that lamp rubbing worked! The genie granted my wish pretty dammed quickly. On Sunday he arrived to take us back to Devon. Here he is on last year’s Spanish holiday in a Mercadona supermarket. Apparently if you’re in there and put an upside down pineapple in your trolley it means that you’re on the pull! Thankfully it was the morning. All the action where the security guards have to patrol the fruit and veg section doesn’t get going until the evening. Paul didn’t get lucky.

Mum and Dad are going to move in with us until the completion of their bungalow goes through in a few weeks time. My brother will be looking after their house until it’s sold. It’s not going to be easy as I’m going to have a houseful and there’s still all the furniture to move down to Devon. But it’s progress. Let’s hope that their will be a moving date in that near empty diary soon.

Disclaimer

This post contains links to companies and organisations just because I’m happy with the products or services that they supply or I’m spreading the word about what they do. There may also be affiliate links to Amazon for books and other items that I am personally recommending. If you decide to make a purchase from them, I might get a little bit of commission at no cost to you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *