A Meeting of Dear Friends

A change of location this week for my support group. Instead of our normal, formal setting in Spalding, we all met at the home of one of our group leaders. We had all been determined the week before for the meeting to go ahead despite the extended Bank Holiday here in the UK.
Our discussions were far more relaxed than normal, seated on the most comfortable of leather sofas and though we would have disbanded after a couple of hours at 12pm, many of us stayed long after, myself until well after 2pm.
This was a special meeting. I think there was an understanding amongst all of us that there is now a strong bond of friendship that holds us together. There is also a bond of trust which has given the newer members of the group the confidence and strength to open-up and I feel I know them and can support them all the better for it.
I'm hoping that over the coming months, we can arrange some walks together and perhaps a visit to Hunstanton. I get the impression sometimes that the gap between our meets is too great so by arranging some social events, this should help.

The Jubilee celebrations are now over. Some would perhaps say 'thank goodness'. Others would be content for the celebrations to be without end. For me, I am somewhat relieved that a sense of reality has been restored. Yes, the events were in their way spectacular and I agree the anniversary had to be marked. But I would be quite happy never to see another boat ever again, and as for locally held celebrations, well they really were quite pitiful.

As I type this, the storm clouds are gathering overhead and the next few days are predicted to be very stormy and very wet. A thunderstorm has darkened the sky and the wind is now gusting.
The weather is a mirror of my health. My throat feels as if it has a razor in it and my joints ache constantly. It is only my determination to complete this post that has kept me from curling up on the sofa. If it doesn't clear by Friday I will visit my GP. A flash of lightning... 'sniff'. I'm heading for my sofa.

Local Festivities... If You Can Get There!

As with all major towns and villages around the UK, celebrations are taking place for the Queen's Jubilee. Long Sutton, my nearest small town has a programme of events spread over the weekend which promises something for all, young and old. Sunday sees a tea party, children's games and music well into the evening and Monday hosts a display of vintage tractors, proms party and beacon lighting.

Of course it is good to see events such as these being held and I have an appreciation of the work and effort that goes into arranging them. But, I cannot help but be incensed by the lack of available public transport enabling people of this area to attend the events. I think it is ridiculous to host an event such as this with scant disregard for transportation. Many people fortunate enough to own and run a car will of course drive to the event and park in one of the three main car parks or park within walking distance of the events. But for many others, the local Call Connect bus service is their only means of transportation and they rely on this service to get them into town to visit shops, banks and the post office. The value of this service should not be underestimated though I do think that greater consideration should be given to those who need the service as much at weekends as they do during the normal week.
The weather will of course play a large part in determining the amount of people who attend and I know that the forecast for the coming two days is far from favourable. Despite this, I am convinced that by providing a bus service between the event and surrounding villages, any such numbers would be significantly increased.

Local Jubilee Fever

I'm not hugely excited by the Jubilee and I've never really been one for parties, so I suspect my celebrations will be limited to a bottle of port I've been saving in front of the TV. I know for others, the coming weekend will be a huge celebration. If the weather is fine then I may locate to the garden. There are local events so I expect we'll pay a visit to one.
Here in South Lincolnshire, bunting is beginning to appear across shop fronts and flags are being hoisted in gardens. It really does look rather good and there is a palpable feeling that something important is happening soon. Of course it is important and a major milestone in the history of our country. I've been trying to explain to my five year old son just how significant the coming week will be, but he still doesn't quite appreciate it yet.
A visit yesterday to the ATM in our local town provided a glimpse of what we can expect to see as Long Sutton celebrate the Jubilee. The decorations were really very tasteful and I don't think I've ever seen it looking so smart.

An event in Sutton Bridge on Saturday included a fly past by a vintage Lancaster plane and I was fortunate enough to catch the moment on my camera phone. The noise was incredible and I regret not being able to capture the sound from the engines as the plane passed gracefully overhead. A wonderful sight indeed.

I will endeavour to capture some of our local Jubilee spirit this coming weekend...