Magnolia

My policy at the moment is to say ‘Yes’ to social engagements, but they get crammed in, usually over Friday to Sunday, which can be tiring on an energy level. Next Saturday I plan to go on a long train journey ON MY OWN!

Today’s trips were to Westonbirt Arboretum with Annie and Tessa, and a walk along the canal with GG. Westonbirt was great, it always is. Though honestly, if one is a blipper, one may notice trees and plants everywhere, though not in such profusion! The snap above is of one of the many magnolias we saw. We lunched there, completed the treetop walkway , and rushed back to Stroud, because I had to meet GG at 3pm.

GG texted me to say ‘3.15’ and then breezed in to ask me how my holiday had been.

‘Holiday? Er, I’ve been to a funeral …’
‘No, you’ve been on a holiday too’
‘Have I? Where did I go?’
‘India’
‘Oh yes…’

All of this shows that :
a) I haven’t seen her for a long time, despite frequent phone conversations, and
b) the death of a parent can obliterate recent good memories, such as those of holidays

Anyway, we visited a newish charity shop that she wanted to check out, and then we walked along the canal to the Stroud Brewery taphouse. This took ages, because GG is out of practice. I do t think she’s been walking anywhere much since we stopped our walks and she got fed up of her other walking companion’s lack of imagination in the planning department! We got to the pub and there was a private party upstairs, with a DJ playing some music we didn’t appreciate, so we sat on a bench on the towpath drinking our lemon and yuzu drink, and in my case wondering what yuzu is. Very pleasant in the sunshine!

Since getting home I’ve been looking for another holiday (!) for myself and D, one where he can get a hotel with a decent walk-in shower. Scotland is calling again, but much depends on the level of accessibility.

Best things about today?
Being outside most of the time
seeing Tessa and Annie again
Walking over 18,000 steps
The owl doorstop I bought at the charity shop