This week I'll be obsessively checking my NHS app for the results of last week's X-rays. I won't lie, with my limited mobility, life has been a bit of a challenge lately. Up until four months ago, I could walk fifteen miles in a day without a second thought but now a fifteen minute walk to the pool and back pretty much wipes me out. When I'm swimming I'm invincible, people comment on my speed and my technique, impressed that I can swim a mile in 41 minutes but, on dry land, using a stick to support my useless hip, I'm regarded with pity, I walk so badly that people step aside to let me pass, cars stop and wave me across the road and even the town centre smackheads have started to ask me if I'm okay.
Still, onwards and upwards, I never fail to find joy from exploring my extensive wardrobe and getting dressed each day.
Last Tuesday I wore a Seventies Soul co-ord (as the kids call 'em) I bought from Vinted last year topped with the amazing vintage blush pink suede waistcoat I bought from Rachael, who sells on Vinted and turned out to be a regular reader/commenter along with my American -made Frye Campus boots and a necklace I bought in Jaisalmer.
By way of a change Nikki came over to Walsall. Jon drove down to the station where we picked her up and drove back to ours as she'd never been before.
Then we headed to Spoons in Walsall for a couple of pints of IPA and their legendary sweet potato, chickpea and spinach curry.
If you've ever visited the Black Country you'll know how friendly the natives are, it's impossible to go anywhere and not strike-up a conversation with a stranger, most of the time it's lovely although we could have done without the elderly chap in Spoons who announced...Look at the state of you, your hip's gone, ay it? before regailing us with his, his late mother's and all his neighbours' ailments for the entire time we were in there.
Thanks for a fab day, Nikki - see you soon!
My appointment for x-rays at Walsall Manor hospital was at 8.45am on Wednesday morning (five weeks since I'd visited my GP, beating the NHS target for a 6 week wait). Considering it was rush hour, the roads weren't busy, we got there 15 minutes early. I was seen straightaway so we were back at home by 9am. We went for a lunchtime swim but forfeited a look around the charity shops as we were starving. I wore this vintage Mayur Indian cotton dress and wished I'd worn a jacket, it wasn't the warmest of days.
I had a parcel to drop off at Ajay's on Thursday morning and Jon joined me for a stroll down the road.
I wore my 1970s Oasis Trading block printed wraparound skirt with this All About Audrey recycled sari tunic, a combination I'd not tried before and rather liked them together.
I was delighted to discover that the first of our Oriental Poppies had flowered. We'd had a disapointing show last year as the border was so overgrown but after a mad weeding session earlier in the month they've got a bit more space to do their thing.
Our friends Lynn and Brendan popped round later and we spent most of the afternoon chatting. Later it was the final of Race Across The World, the best series yet and we were delighted with the result!!
After two weeks of unseasonable cold, torrential rain, thunderstorms, high winds and hail, I was a bit sceptical when the BBC forecast glorious sunshine and sizzling temperatures for the weekend but true to their word, Friday was sensational! Inspired by our poppies I dressed in my orange sari silk All About Audrey maxi dress.
After our early morning swim, breakfast in Spoons and a wander around the chazzas we spent the rest of the day sunbathing.
And the sun encouraged another poppy throw off her fuzzy jacket and reveal her beauty.
On Saturday morning, after walking to the post box to post a letter, I stripped off my Daughters of India maxi dress (via Vinted, obviously!), changed into a bikini and spent the day in the garden. clearing another overgrown border and finishing Honour by Elif Sharaf, the book I'd started the previous day.
The temperatures are similar to those in Greece so it's the perfect opportunity to give my holiday wardrobe a trial run. I brought my Tevas out of hibernation on Friday (they were last worn in Tenerife back in December) and my feet couldn't be happier.
It was another day of sunbathing on the lawn ...after Jon had mowed it. I started reading Susanna Gregory's Restoration thriller, Intrigue in Covent Garden.
As the pool was closed for the Bank Holiday, we swapped our usual Monday swim with a Sunday one. It was another scorcher of a day so I tried a other potential holiday dress, my Naked Generation Aurora kaftan, bought from Vinted for a song. I bought my headscarf in India so long ago that the Paise coins printed on it are no longer legal currency.
I hand-washed some of my white cotton clothing and hung it on the line in the sunshine. I finished yesterday's book and started on An Island in Greece: On the Shores of Skopelos, a reprint of the Michael Carroll travel memoir originally published in 1965 (decades before Mama Mia made the island a tourist hotspot) . Jon brought out some ice cold Mojitos, which were very welcome.
The cats are loving the sunshine and are eating like horses!
After tea, the sun had disappeared behind the London Planes, so I spent an hour in the garden, tackling the overgrown area beside the Kinky shed before joining Jon in the lounge to watch the rest of Broadchurch. What should we watch next? I'm thinking the latest Yellowstone spin-offs, I'm missing Beth & Rip.
On Monday I was up at 5am and it was already 18°C. After seeing to the cats and topping up the birdbath I spent half an hour on my Wii Fit before Jon joined me for breakfast. After a stroll down to the Lidl lockers Jon tackled the Laurel bush (no nesting, we checked!) whilst I took me usual position on the lawn.
I didn't wear this Dilli Grey dress last year so it felt new and exciting when I put it on for my walk this morning. Hmmm...another potential holiday dress, I wonder! We've got a huge luggage allowance but, you know us, it'll be carry-on only, baby!
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
