We are planning to go on holiday this spring - remember the scary birthday ending in a zero? - and I'm already starting to stress about it. I'm not one of nature's natural travellers and, being of an anxious disposish, can catastrophise for England about all the potential disasters. I enjoy it once I'm there, and I love having been to places and seen things, it's just the getting there that's the issue. The thing is ............I hate flying. I think I get it from my mother (aren't things always supposed to be the mother's fault?!). She was terrified, which come to think of it was odd given that she'd never actually been on a plane. The thought terrified her so much that holidays were always accomplished by coach. Neither of my parents were able to drive, so a car was out of the question. It might have been because I so rarely went in a car that coach journeys made me so horribly travel sick. We're not talking just nausea here ........... I look back and pity my poor fellow travellers! Anyway, I didn't go on a plane until my last year at uni. It was then that I realised that my fear of heights was made much worse at 30,000 ft!
Wanting to see some of the world, however, I force myself to fly. I sit there, refusing to look out of the window and pretending that I am on a train. I also try not to go to the loo - the noise that it makes when you flush it reminds me that it's not the 10.15 to London Paddington. So, I sit there, legs crossed, with my nose in a book. It's usually okay for short flights but this one is a bit longer. Alcohol may be needed and I'll no doubt have to pull my big girl pants up (or down!) and brave the facilities.
I also worry about: getting to the airport on time (I like to think that this isn't an irrational fear as we have in our time missed both a ferry to Ireland and a return flight from Barcelona!); having our bags stolen (again, wallet in Athens and bag - including passports - in Seville!); forgetting something vital (not so far, but there's always a first time!), and, being both vegan and gluten free, there being nothing for me to eat (this hasn't happened yet but it's been touch and go in a few places and it's a good job that, barring the obvious dietary restrictions, I'm not picky!). Actually, with regards to the last one, we were once asked to swap seats with another family on a flight to the USA (I can't recall the reason). We obliged but they forgot to swap our requested meat-free meals and, by the time we all realised, the passengers we had swapped with had scoffed the only bits of non-animal related food on the entire plane. It was a low point, not least because the flight attendants were unapologetic, rude and incredibly unhelpful - I'm looking at you United Airlines! I'm sure that the list is longer but that's enough to keep me occupied in the wee small hours. I'm sure it will all be fine, she says through gritted teeth whilst doing breathing exercises. Is anyone else like this or is it just me? All suggestions for an anxiety free life would be gratefully received. In the meantime, does anyone have a brown paper bag?!
Anyway, here are the happies from the last couple of months. There are a few crafting endeavours, lots of walking (there aren't photos of them all and, frankly, I'll be amazed if I'm able to recall which ones the pictures are actually of!), and the odd theatre trip.
I liked this charity shop jigsaw puzzle - I seem to be addicted to the ones depicting 1950's nostalgia. Sadly, there were 2 pieces missing.
January's 2025 RSPB Garden Bird Watch. Sorry, the robin is a little blurry; he wouldn't keep still enough!
I think that this was a walk along the Ridgeway:
My cropped Kerr Sweater. I am now on the colourwork of the first sleeve but have since been distracted by a pair of socks and a crochet blanket!
A friendly goat on the walk near Barbury Castle in Wiltshire:
Waving from the castle ramparts:
This was a very good production, with David Tennant playing Macbeth.
Not such a good production. It was an amateur opera company and the best that could be said was that it was a night out.
The 2000 year old yew in Farringdon church yard on the Chawton circular walk. At this point, it is more support than actual tree.
Mini-skein purchases at the Unravel yarn festival in Farnham:
We saw Lucy Porter's show a couple of years ago and recalled it being a bit lacklustre. We gave her the benefit of the doubt and tried again with her new show. I think we may give her a miss next time!
Ed Byrne, on the other hand, was absolutely brilliant. Despite the rather dark subject matter - his younger brother died of liver failure during the pandemic - it was hilarious as well as tragic. As the show name implies 'comedy = tragedy + time'. Go and see him if his show comes to your area.
There were 2 jays in the garden. Again, I failed to capture an in focus shot!
A trip to Snowshill Manor and Garden with my friend, C. The owner, Charles Paget Wade, was an eccentric who amassed an enormous collection of items that interested him - mostly handmade. The collection is held in the manor whilst Charles and his wife lived in the adjoining cottage.
Finally, a trip to the Corn Exchange to see a production of Bram Stoker's Dracula - complete with musical accompaniment. It was excellent
Well, that's all for the moment. The sun has come out, despite it being chilly, so I'm off to do a bit of gardening and check on my seeds. Then it will be back to the hyperventilating, after all, that worrying won't do itself!
Toodle pip for now. x
No comments:
Post a Comment