Christmas Shopping

 

Christmas Shopping

Wendy then reminded us that John Lewis is open until 8.00 p.m., so we decided it would be a good idea to find another parking space in Liverpool 1, and take the opportunity to have a look round the shop. Their Christmas Store is also open, and we were on the hunt for a new Christmas tree! We had seen lots of trees that looked suitable on-line, but we like to see things on display, and make sure they are exactly what we are looking for. 

We had a magical couple of hours in John Lewis, spoiled for choice by all the Christmas trees on display. However, we knew pretty much what we wanted, and soon whittled it down to a six-footer, with a little pre-lighting already place. We didn't want a tree completely decorated with lights, as we want to add our own, but we reckoned it would be a good idea to get one with a basic set already fitted.

They also had the most luxurious tinsel garlands, and a set of lights that looked like a string of beads - very pretty indeed; they also went in to our basket, and then I saw a red squirrel, with such a sweet expression, I couldn't resist taking him home as well. 

Wendy and Bob went off to collect the tree from the collection area, whilst I went back to the mirrors and pictures department, and had a restful sit down! 

What a successful day it had been; seeing a good friend, enjoying Christmas shopping, and all achieved with the minimum of fuss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Then, On to Panormic 34!

 

And Then, On To Panoramic 34!

Having given the venue such a good rating, including praising the wonderful panoramic views, Wendy suggested I describe what can be seen on a good day: To the south, you can see across the Mersey to the Wirral with Birkenhead and shipbuilders Cammell Laird, and the Welsh hills. To the west, it's the Irish Sea, and to the east, the City of Liverpool is laid out before you, with the Liver Building, the Anglican Cathedral, the City FM Radio Station Tower and, of course, the river, in view. Looking out to the north, you can see the docks and Bootle but, as I've just said, a lot depends on the weather. If we are ever in Blackpool, and the weather is fine, from the top of the Blackpool Tower you can see Liverpool, which is 50 miles to the south, as the crow flies. 

On this visit, it all started off a bit overcast and rainy, but happily, as the day progressed, the weather improved. 

Panoramic views from Panoramic 34!

We were made very welcome by the staff, and enjoyed the tea and champagne; I had my usual sip of it for the toast, and then our friend "helped me out!" as he put it, and finished it off for me. 

I had also ordered my usual very simple "Plain white bread and butter and cucumber" sandwiches, that came on a large plate, which meant everyone else could enjoy them too. There were the other, "fancier" offerings that didn't appeal to me, and I was well satisfied with my very simple fare. 

It was reasonably quiet at the venue, so we were seated early, and could really take our take to enjoy the tea and the view. The weather continued to get better, and there were some beautiful moments when the sunshine broke through clouds, lying like a gleaming carpet across the river. and visibility improved, too.

 

 

 A silver ray of sun stretches like a bridge across the Mersey, 

whilst the skies are brightening

It was so lovely to be able to spend time with a dear friend, and we were all very happy to have had the opportunity to meet up again! I know a lot has happened over the past couple of years, and the days, weeks and months - and then years - go by, without actually seeing people we are fond of; it's very important to make an effort and arrange get-togethers whenever possible. 

We drove our friend back to his hotel, promising we won't leave it so long again, before we arrange another meeting!

We Visit Liverpool And Kirkdale

We Visit Liverpool And Kirkdale

We have been on our travels this month! It had been such a long while since I'd been up to Liverpool, and we had a special reason to visit this time: we had booked a table for a champagne tea at Panoramic 34, and invited a dear friend to come and share the afternoon with us.

Panoramic 34 is, of course, where I booked for everyone to join us after Mum's funeral in September 2020; we have good memories of that afternoon, and I am sure Mum was looking down on us and smiling whilst we talked about her, and celebrated her life. 

Before finding parking at the venue, we first drove to Kirkdale, and visited Mum's grave. We always find it easily, because it is next to the headstone with Aunt Marion's name on it. 

All the hardy erica and rockery plants we put in last year had not survived the drought and very hot summer, so it was looking very bare. We visited the florist across the road and decided to get a couple of pots of artificial flowers, which looked lovely - and hopefully will last a little longer. We filled out the cards the florist gave us, and inserted them in the little holder provided, and then did our best to make sure the pots were placed as firmly as we could get them, into the ground. 

 

The little pots mark the place where Mum, Grandma, my Grandfather and Uncle Austen are all resting, and they certainly make a bright splash of colour and show we have been there to care and and pray and think of them.

Wendy said when she is next in Liverpool, she will come to Kirkdale and add a card for Mum, and Grandma; and in due course, when things have settled down a bit more, I must look into arranging a headstone for them. 

Mum always said she would like an open book design, so that the four names can be easily inscribed:

Austin Woods; John Woods; Alice Woods (nee Thompson) and Phyllis Audrey Whitwell (nee Woods).

We shall fulfill that promise for her.

A Great Day Out In London (Part 2)

A Great Day Out In London (Part 2)

After a great afternoon at the RAF Club, and fortified by a delicious lunch (and champagne), our trip into town still had some way to run. 

Wendy had organised parking in the RCP car park in Arlington Street, and because of the way we had had to estimate how long we would need, it ended up as a 24 slot. It was expensive, but at least we could take our time and not have to rush, worrying about overstaying our time.

We walked back to the car park; Wendy retrieved our shopping trolley from the boot, and then we carried on along Piccadilly to Fortnum and Mason.

Of course we also passed The Ritz entrance in Arlington Street, and it gave me a moment's pause, remembering how often we used to go there with Mum; back in the day, we would go for tea 5 times a year, to celebrate all our birthdays! but since then, there have been so many changes, people retiring or leaving and new ideas being introduced by the new owners that, for us, it doesn't bear much resemblance to The Ritz - and the atmosphere - we knew and loved. 

Still, no regrets; happy memories of what once was, and we have found a new romantic home at Fortnum and Mason.

I had pre-ordered some goodies as presents for our dear friends and loved ones at Christmas, and the plan was to collect them after the RAF luncheon, as well as seeing what else took our fancy in the shop.

The "Christmas Store" was already open, and we spent a happy hour admiring the delights of Christmas trees and baubles, Advent candles and decorations; there is now definitely something in the air, that the festive season will soon be upon us. 

I do love Christmas; I never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, and it is also the time when we can make a real effort to keep in touch with everyone, write all those letters we should have sent off weeks (or even months!) ago, before our busy lives intruded and persuaded us it was o.k. to postpone everything for a while. Yes, sometimes we can get away with putting things off, but then there are the times when it proves to be too late to speak to someone, or write to them; from personal experience, I know how sad that can be. I try to make sure I keep up with what I love to do, anyway - and that is to write and keep in contact with everyone.

Wendy by one of the Fortnum and Mason Christmas trees

We enjoyed a visit to the Christmas Store and indeed found other delicious offerings of gifts and goodies; then it was down to the lower ground floor to collect the items already ordered. 

Everything was ready for us - beautifully packed in three (!) very large boxes! and it was a shame we couldn't take them all back to the car just as they were.  We carefully undid all the boxes, assisted by a very helpful lady, who checked everything was exactly what we wanted, and then Wendy, being the expert packer that she is, placed all the biscuits and teas and chocolates into Fortnum and Mason bags, which then went in to our trolley. It was all very heavy! but with wheels underneath the trolley bag, it simply rolled along effortlessly. There were still a few bags left to carry, filled with the "overflow" items, but it meant we got back to the car with little effort, loaded everything in the back, and set off for home.

Altogether a successful, and enjoyable, day out in London! 

 

 

 

We Have A Great Day Out In London

We Have A Great Day Out In London

It was well worth waiting for: The Battle of Britain Luncheon at the RAF Club in Piccadilly had originally been set to take place on Friday, 16 September, but in respect for her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, it had been agreed to postpone it, until the official time of mourning was over. 

We were so happy when we heard from the Royal Society of St George that Friday, 7 October, was the new day chosen for the luncheon; we were all free, and able to attend as planned.  

In spite of weather warnings for showers (according to the weather report, "maybe heavy later"!) we drove into town; the journey took rather longer than usual, because the traffic was extremely heavy, due to disruption by demonstrations by Extinction Rebellion. This was alright for us, because we had left in such good time to allow for any such problems, but I always feel sorry for other people who have been caught up and severely inconvenienced by this disruption: I'm thinking of ambulances trying to get very ill people to hospital, firefighters on call to a fire, or folks desperately wanting to visit loved ones who are ill. 

Heigh ho, that's my little "rant" for the day! and we arrived at the car park in Arlington Street in good time. It was a lovely stroll down Piccadilly; we walked past the gates of Green Park, where there are still a few bouquets of flowers left by the public on 19 September, entwined in the railings. They are all nearly faded now, but the sentiment so many people felt is still evident, and a poignant reminder of the Queen.

The RAF Club is housed in a beautiful building, with the ground floor dedicated to information about modern aircraft, and upstairs showcasing older history. After a champagne reception, we climbed a magnificent staircase up to the dining room; we were seated with 6 other people, all very interesting and with their own tales to tell.

The food was right up my street - leek and potato soup, fish and a trifle for pudding - and a lovely pot of tea to round off the meal. 

However, the best part was still to come. The Speaker, Dr Emily Mayhew, gave one of the most brilliantly interesting speeches we have ever had the pleasure to hear. 

Her theme was the treatment and recovery of Air Force personnel who have been badly burned during their service; at recent times particularly with reference to Afghanistan and Iran, but earlier with the pilots and air crew who who fought in WW2.

During that time, it was soon realised that it was not enough to just save a young man's life; injuries were mainly focussed on the face and hands, and Archibald McKindoe, a New Zealand plastic surgeon, began introducing new ways of helping the injured personnel. Treatment usually involved multiple operations, but it was not enough just to restore some sort of physically acceptable result for these men; they also needed to know they were still valued members of society, still needed in the RAF and therefore given a great psychological impetus to aid their recovery.  During this time, a group of servicemen also became the first members of "The Guinea Pig Club." 

We were told how one day they got hold of a bottle of sherry, "off ration," and met up for a drink in a park, and it was there the foundations for the club were laid. Requirements of membership were heavy, as every man had had to have had at least 10 operations, and be receiving on-going treatment at East Grinstead. 

The young nurses who tended the patients also played their part in convincing the men they were still attractive and that their personalities could flourish and overcome any physical deformities. When they were fit enough to go into the town of East Grinstead, they wore their uniforms which reinforced their pride in that, in spite of what they had been through, and their once-handsome faces ravaged by burns, they were still valuable members of society. Another remarkable aspect was that the townsfolk accepted them wholeheartedly into the community, and never looked at anyone with severe disfigurements as being ugly or frightening; East Grinstead became known as "The town that never stared," surely one of the best compliments that could have been bestowed on it.

I could have listened to Dr Mayhew for a great deal longer, and she left her audience wanting more; if I discover she is speaking at another function, I shall be first in line to put my name down for a ticket!

 

Ugandan Memories

Ugandan Memories

In 1953, we had moved from Dar-es-Salaam to Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and my Mum worked for Sir Charles Westlake; he was an English engineer and Chairman of the Uganda Electricity Board, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Owen Falls Dam hydro-electric scheme at Jinja. Following her Coronation in 1953, in April 1954 the Queen and Prince Philip came out to Uganda, and one of her engagements was officially to open the Dam, and set the turbines in operation. We were invited to be present, and took our seats a couple of hours before the Queen arrived in her car from Entebbe; she was going to be driven across the top of the dam to the dais, where she would press the button to open the sluice gates; after that, she went to the power station, to start the first turbine, setting the hydro-electric scheme in action. 

The engineers had closed the gates some hours before, and of course the River Nile began building up behind the dam, as the water was slowly draining away below it - and I remember sitting and watching this with dread: What would happen if the Queen was delayed, and ALL the water drained away downstream in the meantime?! You could see the level dropping very steadily - and to my eyes, very quickly! I was so relieved when her motorcade hove into view, and this petite figure was welcomed with all the joy and excitement the new Queen generated. She made a short speech and then pressed the button - and to my great relief, the sluice gates opened as planned, and the water poured through in magnificent cascades, droplets flying everywhere, with miniature rainbows forming in the spray. That’s one sight I’ll never forget. 

At that time, I don't think anyone realised how keen I was to create photograph albums and scrap books with which to remember special occasions, and how I wish I had been given some pictures, or mementos, such as invitations, perhaps, of that special day to hold as a keepsake; instead, the "Mark One" brain and memory will have to do the job! 

As our longest serving Monarch, her remarkable service and devotion to duty for over 70 years, not only to our country, but also to the Commonwealth nations and others across the world, ensured the Queen huge affection and respect for her unique wisdom and leadership. The Queen will be sorely missed by all her subjects; she will never be forgotten, but live on in our hearts and minds for ever. We pray for God’s blessing upon her, and that she may rest in eternal peace.

We also pray for our new King, Charles III; I am certain he will also be strengthened and supported by this same love and respect from all his people.

We are so proud and happy to be British!

 

 

 

 

 

What Momentous Days These Have Been

 

What Momentous Days These Have Been...

 

What a momentous time these past 10 days have brought us, with the death of Queen Elizabeth; especially poignant for people in Scotland, as she died at Balmoral. 

 

The reverence and care the people of Scotland showed Her Majesty as she lay at rest in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, is surely a good indication for the continuation of England and Scotland remaining firmly in union together for some long time into the future.  

 

Then the journey to London: The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, taking up her solemn duty to accompany her mother's body on the flight from Edinburgh. 

The Royal Family had one evening with Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace, before the four-day Lying in State in Westminster Hall. 

Apart from her subjects travelling to the capital from all over the United Kingdom, people flew in to London from all parts of the world, to have the opportunity of filing past the coffin. The queue was long, the weather was not particularly kind, but still nearly a quarter of a million people stayed the course, and paid their last respects. 

Particularly moving were the two Royal vigils - the first, by King Charles III, the Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward; the second, held by all eight of Queen Elizabeth's grandchildren - the eldest aged 42, the youngest, only 14. They all stayed stock still, taking their places by the guardsmen, until the tap of a staff on the stone floor signified a changing of the guard.

What a stirring, emotional and memorable day the 19 September has been - a loving and respectful send off to our wonderful Queen Elizabeth II, as well as showing the world what Britain can do in terms of pageantry and amazing organisation. 

 

We loved all the touching words spoken in tributes and messages of condolence from leaders from all over the world, especially from President Macron of France, President Trudeau of Canada and American President Biden; it was amazing to see all these powerful men - and women - in Westminster Abbey.

You could see the grief and the strain etched on the faces of the Royal Family, but they all carry on, no matter what. There will be an official week of mourning now, so I think the next few days will give them a short respite, time together and just to take deep breaths before their busy lives take over again. 

 

After watching all these scenes unfolding, and witnessing the perfect culmination of a truly memorable day, I was inspired to write this poem:

A SUCCESSION SONNET

 

It’s after the funeral is over

And all the crowds have gone home;

And the streets of London are quiet

That people may feel all alone.

Our beloved Monarch is resting

At Windsor, with those gone before;

With Prince Philip, her mother and father,

She’s surrounded by love evermore.

 

And now, after national mourning

Life goes on, as surely it must;

We never forget, but keep close in our hearts

Our Royal Family, with respect and in trust.

And now, for our King, Charles the Third, we rejoice

And lift up our hearts and our minds, with one voice:

 

GOD SAVE THE KING

 

Alexandra Wilde

19 September 2022

 

St George's Chapel, Windsor