Catching up

I had arranged to meet a friend for coffee on Monday. We have both lived in this area for nearly 40 years but have been friendly for only a relatively short time, first meeting when we attended the same evening class, learning together how to make sugar flowers. We are a similar age and have retirement, children, grandchildren and hobbies in common. Her health isn't too good but she is always cheerful and funny and great company.

We met at a local Cafe which is small and friendly and usually busy, that day being no exception. Run by a couple of 'girls' of similar age (40-ish), with the help of several part time staff, it offers freshly prepared food, cooked to order and there are lovely crisp salads and home made cakes. They do buy their bread, from a little bakery just around the corner, occasionally having to pop out to replenish supplies. They also do 'outside' catering and on Monday had obviously been preparing for such an event and were starting to load platters into a vehicle ready for the off. For a funeral party, we were told. I used the cafe occasionally when I was working and still meet ex-work colleagues there for lunch now and then.

It was very relaxing to sit and chat and catch up for an hour, and we are hoping to do it again before I begin my travels in September. I was very pleased to see her.

After we had gone our separate ways I popped into my former work place to pick up a coffee mug I had forgotten when I left last December and remembered again last week. I'm not being mean - its just that it is a customised mug with a photo of two of my grandchildren on it - therefore has sentimental value for me but would mean nothing to anyone else. Now I can use it at home.





I also took the opportunity to make arrangements with a friend for a curry evening next week, with our respective spouses.

Later in the day Bob and I called in to see his aunt and uncle who had promised us some plums and we came away from them laden with said plums and some tomatoes, leaving a promise from me that they shall have some home made chutney, when ready. I have no qualms about making chutney, really quite enjoy it and have found a recipe for 'hot hedgerow' chutney which sounds worth a go but will mean picking blackberries. I will also be making some piccalilli.

So my list of 'things to do' is growing, but I am also able to cross things out. I'm getting there. Slowly.

A