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Diary for May 2015
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Friday 1 May Meter-reading and bank-balance-checking day. I seem to be Micawber-positive. My plan is to leave £1,000 in my current account and transfer the rest into savings Spent a couple of hours in the Club for happy hour from half-past six. Home by ten to nine and put a fish pie into the oven straight away
Saturday 2 May
RYSC Open Day, very well organised. So my job is to circulate and introduce potential new members to its delights. Met Ginny and Paul, friends of Jane and John Gray (met during the winter at bridge classes). Initiated a discussion over possible fixed link, over lunch on their table. Also Mike and Sue: Mike is a septuagenerian non-sailor interested in buying a second-hand folkboat, Sue keener on watching from the shore. And another couple: he tall and large, like a Dutchman, she petite; names Mervyn and Mary (?). Also a spare tanned bald-by-choice catamaran sailor living near Hampstead and sailing from Gurnard. Lunch good: I had lasagne cooked by Alberto. Well I had to take that choice — pasta cooked by an Italian. Mixed berries or chocolate mousse for pudding. I chose the mousse John and Jane interested in Seapie from my description, so we went home, five of us, after lunch. Cups of tea amid appreciative noises about the house Then on their way a diversion via Number Twenty; John has a painting he wants restored, and who better to advise but Anthea?
Sunday 3 May
Got up late. Well, I woke at eight. Had bacon and eggs, OJ and coffee, bread butter and marmalade. By that time Andrew Marr was on screen, so watched him in dressing gown. Haig, Clegg and Cooper this morning. Haig straightforward, Clegg relaxed, but Cooper: oh dear, where do they get these people? Next up: Nicky Campbell with The Big Questions and Andrew Neill's Sunday Politics, which I took in till we got to Politics South, by which time I was sated. Just as well. Knocking on the door, which I had not by then unlocked. By the time I was downstairs Jay (of course) was letting himself in with his key, me still in nightshirt. He, Chris and John G had come round to hoist my garden table up into the garden ...
No lunch as such. Got dressed and popped round to thank the heavy brigade: just John and his son Alex there, relaying Chris's crazy paving. Home to prepare for race officer duty tomorrow. Around four, feeling peckish, cooked pork stir fry supper. Set off for bottle bank, to be intercepted by Jay (of course) so ended up in the Club. Celebrations for the return of James and Alan (Nursie) from their travels: Brize Norton to Ascension by RAF; Ascension to St Helena and onward from there by RMS St Helen to Capetown; back to Southampton on Queen Mary II, already carrying James's mother Dorothysssss Marylou and Jeff were there, with their friends Brian and Lynn Ranscombe. Brian is a retired orthopod and knows Peter Rutter (the vasular surgeon owner of Quokka VIII and Wombat) well. On the Island Lynn and Brian have a house at Fort Victoria; on the mainland a small place at Odiham. Graham and his Lynn joined us for a jolly chat till we dispersed around eight
Bank Holiday Monday 4 May
Up early, ready for race officer duty by 09:15. There were three of us, led by Race Officer George Alford. George is clearly highly experienced both as a sailor who knows the Solent tides and winds well, and as a race officer. He set a course to Black Rock, then across to the other side, back to Bouldnor, through the line to Harbour East and then to and fro near our shore. This was for the Folkboat fleet starting at 10:20 and the 'keelboats' (one class combining XODs and YODs) ten minutes later. Jennie was timekeeper. I was flag signaller Before the start three kayaks paddled past Grants: father and two children. Here are the children's boats ...
The wind was light from the SW backing southerly, never more than force 2-3, so the trick for the competitors was to balance advantages from favourable wind and tide. The winner, James, chose the far shore and then tack onto starboard, lee-bowing the tide to get an advantage as the ebb got going, but had a tussle earlier. We had to shorten course at the line as the wind was so light. Everyone seemed happy with the race though Back to the Club for beer, and then home for lunch Around four o'clock: need for exercise and fresh air. Armed with a Yorkie bar (raisin and biscuit) from Harveys, I set off, aiming for Mill Copse and the footpath to Wilmingham Lane. Muddy path in places, but spiced with wild flowers: the copse is quite small, with remains of tall confers including redwood, bluebells amid re-instated hazel properly coppiced: this really is a copse. Out into the open, there's an abundance of wild flowers. How many can you identify? To crown it, a field of teasels ...
Back via Wilmingham Lane, Thorley Manor Farm, the old railway track and Victoria Road. A good walk, perhaps 4km, then back home for supper
Tuesday 5 May
The 08:50 ferry was cancelled 'for technical reasons', which turned out to be failure of one of thes engines on Wight Sky. In the high winds this morning manoeuvrability would have been sufficiently degraded to make navigation in the Lymington River too hazardous. So unless and until repairs can be effected and/or the wind drops, we are reduced to one boat on the western route from the Island to the mainland — and Wightlink will have to operate a two-hourly service. I was late for the exercises Afterwards I met the Princess for lunch, and just managed to catch the five o'clock boat back On board was Chris Trainor, telling me all about his bid to be Race Director, Cowes Week. His interview is on Tuesday. He was bound for the Bugle so I joined him for a pint. Once there I realised I had left my cap on the boat. Chris hurried back to retrieve it. Then in walked Ollie Dewar, new to me. I was asked to reveal my disreputable background Chris and Ollie left, Chris for a key meeting in Cowes, so I went on to the Club intending to collect some Old Gaffer festival booklets. Brian Workman (from Ivy Cottage B&B) was here; He pointed out that the booklets cost three pounds each, so I forked out fifteen for the four I wanted today and the one I had purloined last week. these are intended for Princess and my three children; the remaining one is for me Jay (of course) and John Gallimore were at the bar with another John, who initiated a spoof session for a round of drinks, and lost Home to retrieve phone messages from Chris and Brena. Dealt with both of those and then sat down with bread and jam to relax before bedtime
Wednesday 6 May
Just managed to finish off the FHL accounts before rushing to catch the bus to Newport. Lunched at God's Providence House near St Thomas's Church. Then to Cineworld for Far from the Madding Crowd. Bus home. Chris came round for a chat before we both left for a drink at the Club. Signed up Chris Temple, Jay (of course), John Gallimore and Dick Dawson for a role-play to help Chris Trainor prepare for his pitch on Tuesday to run Cowes Week.. More of that later perhaps Talked to Michelle at the Club about regularly cutting my hair at home
Thursday 7 May
Finished off the washing, shopping etc. Caroline sent a photo of the New Forest family camping weekend, complete with arithmetic snake ....
Fetched Rosie off the two o'clock ferry. Round for tea at number eight. Started to discuss the election. Chris offered old bags (!) for unwanted soil, for Rosie to use when sorting out my balcony garden, which she then began to do Went to fetch wine and whisky for the evening election party. Then cooked Thai chicken curry with asparagus, peppers and rice. Rosie and I ate around eight Chris and Jay (of course) came round to watch television as the pundits discussed and (eventually) results came in. It turned out we had a variety of voting activity: Tory, Green, Labour and Independent. Chris left first, then Rosie went to bed, then Jay Left me snoozing till I awoke at two in the morning
Friday 8 May
Up at seven to find Rosie already showered and breakfasted. Pleasant chat over my breakfast and her second slice of toast Off to watch Chris and others launch their boats with the harbour crane Caught the eleven o'clock Breezer for the hour-long circuit via Thorley and Freshwater Bay to the Needles Battery and back. Jumped off at Rest Hill Lane to scramble across the road for the number seven to Freshwater Co-op. In the garden centre Rosie chose flowerpot saucers and a watering can she had decided I needed. Walked up to Brian Gilbert's studio where Rosie bought a photo of The Needles, iridescent in the snow, from the west ....
Back by number seven to Sixpenny Corner, meeting Stephen, wired for sound, on the lower deck In the Club for lunch by just after one. Emily and Mary served Rosie's crab salad and my sausages & mash. Watched gaffers sailing in for the St George's Day Trophy, and a small square-rigger at the pier end. Also caught sight of Anthea being rib-towed out from the harbour to her mooring Saw Rosie onto the three o'clock boat. Rosie found a tourist interested in her hat, and took an order! Chris called in to collect me for happy hour. I was introduced to Richard and Hebe, living with their rabbit in the corner cottage near Peelers. Hebe recognised me from Off the Rails where she is now assistant manager In the Club met two people new to me: Rod and Shirley, now retired and settled in Afton Road after a life in the Middle East and Hong Kong Discussion about the election result and resignations of Cleggster, Farago and Milibean. Another discussion about whether or not I would be able, alone, to warp round the small brigantine tied up at the end of the pier. Apparently the vessel sans moteur is employed to import cocoa and rum from the Caribeean Left for home by eight. I needed to catch up on sleep missed last night
Saturday 9 May
No signals from Chris Trainor, so the role play group has been stood down A short sharp rain shower this morning, followed by bright sunshine Carried earth and trimmings from Rosie's gardening work down to ground level in sacks Chris provided. Took the voice recorder to the post office for sending to Audrey at Pleshey. Had in mind to have coffee with Anthea in PO41 but as I emerged from Holdings she emerged from next door with her coffee in a carry-away mug. We talked about Tres Hombres, which reminded me to take a photo. Here she lies at the head of the pier ....
.... and here is a six-minute video (after a twenty second advertisement) evoking memories of sailing on the high seas
Sunday 10 May
King's Head quiz in the evening. I got eighteen answers, none of them uniquely amongst the team. Best attempt at the picture quiz: I suggested 'Puff the magic' as the answer to the identity of 'What dragon?' but sadly and inevitably that was wide of the mark
Monday 11 May
Washday. Managed to get my sheets and the spare set for Caroline's room done and ironed. All looked good. I was pretty pleased with myself
Tuesday 12 May
Mainland day. Pam Skinner turned up half way through the PD exercise class looking significantly better. Husband John revived his invitation to me for lunch on the Island, now projected for Wednesday next week I took Brena Williamson out to lunch at Monty's. She is now remarkably frail. Sylvia Lovell kindly offerd to help her there and back. We both had fish pie, up to the usual standard, and pudding served by Jerome. Afterwards got chatting to people on the next table, who turned out to be kitchen staff. They told us Monty's head chef had won BBC's Professional Masterchef competition last year Bought some Beaulieu chocolates for Chris's birthday. He is 69 tomorrow Back to Walhampon for the ferry home. Here's a picture of spring flowers alongside my car parking spot ...
Wednesday 13 May
Pauline Gillman from FHL came to see me, bringing her husband Richard, who is a BT telecomms boffin, now retired from Martlesham. Thy live in Hollesley,a place well known to Chris as he told me when he came round later Then in the evening the birthday party, after sailing, in the Club. The wind being very light it was Chris's day. He won with Anthea amongst the Ys. Met again Marylou and Jeff Greenaway.Their daughter-in-law Caroline, who ran the London Marathon in 3 hours 40, was at Bristol contemporaneously with our Caroline, it seems, also doing microbiology. She is now a specialist physiotherapist
Thursday 14 May
I had a phone message this morning: Hi John. It's Mike, Mike Storey, friend of Caroline's. How are you? I hope you are well. John, I wondered if you were around today? I'd love to pop over and maybe take you out for a bite to eat; maybe we could do lunch together? Hope to speak to you soon ... Aha, sounds interesting. Almost immediately afterwards I took a call from UR, who insisted I tell him asap what this was all about ... I phoned Mike. We arranged to meet. Mike turned up just before noon, in the rain. so we went out straight away to the Club for a light lunch with a couple of beers. We chatted about this and that, but no mention from Mike about the real reason for his visit. I wondered if I should say something like: Well, Mike, was there something you had in mind to say to me? but didn't. After a while, I mentioned to Mike my hopes for Explore on the Island: long-term relationships, marriage, family, bedrock of society etc. etc. Still nothing. Eventually having exhausted the contemplation of rough water on the Solent, Mike proposed we go out into the wind and the rain for some fresh air. Mike had spotted the pier. So we walked along the pier in the wet, stopped halfway along for a conversation with Dave — the Harbour Commissioners' head of maintenance engaged in power-washing the deck planks — about the pier's history and the wood it was made of: greenheart piles, heavier than water and resistant to gribble worm attack, and another hardwood for the planking. We we reached the end of the pier,waited till two other wet visitors had dispersed, and then at last Mike came out with it: would I give him my permission and my blessing to marry Caroline. Of course I would ....
— Shall I get an invitation to the wedding?
So that's it then. What a happy development! Here are the happy couple, with another island, Brownsea, peeping out above the sand behind them
Friday 15 May
Lots of phone calls to and fro: UR, Rosie, my cousin June, Rex Chester, Tony Carter, John Skinner, all to do with marriage, one way or another. I suggested to Caroline that we meet in Winchester or Poole on one of her free days the next week for wedding discussion and marriage celebration with Champagne and food A chap called Brendan came round demanding money for window cleaning. Shome mistake, shurely!? [Ed.] Discussions with Graham, Chris, Jay and others about property boundaries. I had prepared a diagram based on title plans to show who owned what in Alma Place Hairdressing session in number eight for me and Jay, orchestrated by Jay (of course). This with Michelle, who is a certified senior hairdresser! Chris collected me for happy hour: met Nicholas & Maureen Halton at a table with Jeff & Marylou; also John & Linda Pottinger. Linda is recovering from a knee operation four weeks ago. I had met John a few weeks ago but I think Linda was new to me. Other people there: Chris (window cleaner) who didn't seem to know of Brendan, but thought he must come from Freshwater; Michelle; Alan (Nursie) and James. Alan had been to a nursing conference in London and looked very smart Jay, regular cook to Chris, was on leave in Newport, so Chris came round for supper with me: chicken tarragon and tomato salad, cheeses later with a glass or two of Italian plonk. We chewed the fat together until almost midnight
Saturday 16 May
I was supposed to get up in time for a joint assault with Marylou and Jeff on the charity sale in the Institute, but when they rang the bell I was still in nightshirt and dressing down. Anyway, went round an hour later with Jay (of course) and found some plants: asters, something else whose name escapes me, and a couple of tomato plants. The tomatoes will grow on the terrace, the asters etc. in the pots on the columns at the entrance to our little world. Jay collected a bucket of Chris's compost to encourage me to get on with the job. First task: de-slug. The preferred method is to flip these obese slimy people into a pothole in the South Street road surface... Then on to Victoria Cottages for coffee and inspection of the Greenaways' newly resurfaced path of resin-bonded aggregates. Discussion over whether all of us might club together to have Alma Place done. At £85 per square metre I calculate that would cost us between £15,000 and £20,000. If six of us shared the cost we'd each need to come up with around £3,000. Who knows? We shall see. An invitation to join a group for supper at The Bugle: Chris, Jay (organiser of course), Nick (Chris's brother), Elizabeth (Nick's wife), Graham and Lynn, John Gallimore and me. Interesting chance to converse with Elizabeth: she trained in medicine at St Mary's, found pure medicine not her bag so began to specialise in psychiatry. She has worked in several spheres, avoided the Maudsley despite its role in the Institute of Psychoanalysis, went to the USA where she found the teaching better than here, gained experience in Brooklyn, returned to London and became a psychoanalyst at the Tavistock where she met Nick. Nick is President of the British Psychoanalytical Society Nick and Elizabeth live in Hampstead, have a weekend home at Bures on the Stour in south Suffolk, and come to Yarmouth from time to time. Nick and crew sailed his gaff schooner round to Yarmouth from Essex whilst Elizabeth followed in the car. We saw them off in the water-taxi to their boat, berthed at the River Yar Boatyard up-river from the Yar Bridge
Sunday 17 May
Finished converting FHL address list to Microsoft Word for Grace, and sent it off. Grace has volunteered to maintain it from now on. I am gradually divesting myself of tedious admin, like a snake leaving its skin behind Took a walk in the sun along the coastal path to the last public steps, up Thorley Road and along the old railway path to the station and back home by seven Fish pie into the oven whilst constructing letter to Edwina Grosvenor about prison reform, following her article about The Clink in the Beaulieu, Exbury & East Boldre News for April King's Head quiz. Chris told me Nick had judged me well-adjusted to my condition so I must be doing alright! In the quiz I got two questions right, but we were only three: Chris, Jay (of course) and me, so we came next to bottom over all. Jim (who usually helps us out) plans to form the Yarmouth Labour Party. So far, three members; we are putting Sophie up as our parliamentary candidate. Chris reminds me Yarmouth was a rotten borough fielding two MPs till the 1832 Reform Act
Monday 18 May Washday, as usual
Tuesday 19 May PD exercises at Boldre. Returned tp Walhampton, left my car there, and drove with Caroline to Poole. Called in at Treekit, met Max (Mike's yougest brother, to be best man) and Ric, their talented Portuguese photographer who will make videos of the wedding. At Maz's house later, met the assembled Storeys — too many to enumerate. Stayed the night at Sandbanks Hotel by courtesy of the Storeys: stunning view of beach and se.
Wednesday 20 May Breakfasted in the Hotel with Caroline & Storeys discussing wedding ideas. Returned home by train around midday
Thursday 21 May Met here on Explore with Rex Chester, Chris Ford (CEO) and the Luthers. Rex took us all to lunch at Off the Rails
Friday 22 May Met Meryl and Tim in their Myrtle Cottage for drinks. Their daughter Harriet turned up to surprise them, so I left. Found out later she was there to announce her engagement! Apart from that, I had a lazy day, ending with RSYC happy hour
Saturday 23 May Early departure for ferry and train to Oxenholme, arriving around half past five. Anna, Caleb, andNomi were on the platform. We started to walk down the hill. When my luggage seemed too heavy, Anna called Stu in for taxi duty. I booked in at Kendal Parish Church and lunch at a. Supper with Anna alone in Romneys near Dales Cottage. Very noisy, but we did manage to discuss the wedding. Caroline now wants 13 June, just less then three weeks later! That meant Anna & Co. would have to break up their holiday planned for sixth till twentieth, in France. Angry tears. I promised to speak to Caroline suggesting a change — or to fly the Carters home just for that weekend
Monday 25 May Anna rang. Now Nalmi is ill. So no Carters for me again today. Bank holiday today so no municipal amusements are open: museums, libraries. I am stuck up here with nothing to do except read the book I bought from home to read on the train. Lunch at Brew Brothers again, and supper with Anna at the Brewery Arts centre. I had phoned Caroline, but she was immobile on the date. It fits both with the Storey family assembling for Martin's 70th birthday party, and with the beginning of their lease of a house Felix found in Parkstone. Anna is wild about that, pointing out that they (especially Stu) were exhausted with work and needed the full fortnight's break. Besides, the first week was to be educational. However, a way will be found, i'm sure. Anna, Stu and Caleb are to be key players: giving us the music for the wedding service. And all the young plan to camp together near the intended reception venue
Tuesday 26 May Anna phoned yet again. Now Stu is queasy. It is decided I should go home, so I checkmout of the B&B straight away and take aa taxi to the station. I'm home by seven
Wednesday 27 May Time to sort out who does what and where. several bizarre ideas are in the frame for the reception, all is in doubt, so I am asked to provide backup ideas. I set up contingency plans with the Club, with Pete Lemonius to ferry people from Lymington in Yarmouth Rose, and with Ian and Frances Brook for their garden, Oh, and I take Jay with me to Osborne's in Cowes to get my outfit. We go on by RedJet to Southampton's West Quay Apple Store as I'll need an iPad if I'm to be any use away from my office computer and return via the Lyminton ferry
Thursday 28 May I book a room for the night at The Laurels B&B so I can go back to Parkstone to spend time with the young lovers at Mike's flat. This time I drive. We discuss location. There's a tree-filled site (very important, trees) at Upton Lee, a farmer's field near Lytchett Minster Church &Mdash; nice one, and might host the service, and a few oters. M backup plans are killed off pretty quickly, so my idea of getting them to drive over nearer to my home is discarded. Off to bed, ready for a full day tomorrow
Friday 29 May I call up Lucy at the Club, Pete Lemonius and Ian Brook, telling them all to stand down. Then off we go together for a whistle-stop tour of East Dorset. The tree-filled site can't do the date, s that's out. Nxt, the farmer. He'd have to ask his wife, so that's doubtful. Then Mike has another idea: Upton House. it's a lovely place, and they are willing, but the date's a problem. We have a problem starting the van. It turn out the starter motor is burnt out which will mean an expensive repair. But we do get it started by pushing. The amusement is that once started and pushing hard, I can't stop running: really weird. According to Caroline, this is caused by the brain malfunction typical of Parkinson's Disease. It's name is Perseveration so now (apart from co-ordinating wedding at fifteen days' notice, I am an interesting medical curiosity. I think I need a hug.
Saturday 30 May iI's the Old Gaffers Festival in Yarmouth, but not much time for that: 14 days to go and nothing is nailed down. Time to get actions on, for example, invitations, service detail, all venues, etc. etc. Fortunately the Storeys have both resources and ideas, and, perhaps even more importantly, Caroline already regards herself as a member of their family. So I am a team member, but not responsible for the outcome.
Sunday 31 May Quiz night at the King's Head. But I think I must have cried off: too much to do. Must write my speech! |
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![Kendal Parish Church](http://www.sundialguesthousekendal.co.uk/">Sundial Guesthouse</a>.Then we all drove home for supper
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Sunday 24 May
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