Don't know about "Sleepless in Seattle" but definitely sleepless in Bromham - well at least for me! It doesn't help that the midwife toads have started up again with their bleeping. They keep stopping and starting which makes it worse.
I've probably spent too much time on social media today, so no one to blame for my insomnia, but me.
Maybe a small glass of milk will help...
There is much coverage on the BBC at the moment regarding the menopause. Twenty-five years ago I was going through mine. It was an awful time as I recall. My symptoms were really awful, especially at night. I would get awful hot sweats, but the worst thing was the frightening heart palpitations. Even at 77, I still get them occasionally, though not anywhere near as scary. I can usually control them with breathing exercises.
In the 1990s though, I really thought I had a heart problem and frequently complained to my GP. I had tests eg, wearing a 24 hr heart trace, but nothing abnormal showed up. The annoying thing is, I was never given any explanation for my symptoms, as to whether it was actually the menopause causing it. I got the impression that I should just go away and put up with it. I felt I was wasting their time. Many of my friends didn't seem to have the same symptoms as me and I felt very alone, with mine. I was never offered HRT as the doctor I saw at the time said it wasn't "the be all and end all" cure!
Aa a result I spent many nights lying in bed, thinking I was going out of my mind.
It's great to know that times have changed for the women of today and that the menopause is discussed openly and more sympathetically.
Plastic on the beaches,
Filthy, fetid seas
Pollution ridden air
Have brought us to our knees.
Forests disappearing, trees become diseased.
Rubbish dumped below us,
for our greed to be appeased.
Is it too late to make changes?
Can we restore and be renewed?
I don't think that it will happen.
In fact, I think we're screwed.
I had a lovely holiday with my friends on the beautiful Isle of Wight. We stayed at the Holliers hotel in Shanklin. A very quaint old hotel with a decidedly wonky, sloping floor, in the room I shared with a friend - by the end of our stay we had just about got used to it. Good job I stayed relatively sober then, as the drinks were a bit pricey!
Shanklin is very pretty with numerous tea shops, quaint pubs and craft shops.
The hotel food was great, a carvery every evening, though there were alternatives for those who fancied a change. Self serve breakfasts too - lovely grub.
We had a tour of the island on the second day which took in Alum Bay with the famous Needles. There was a slight change in the tour, as we went to the Pearl shop next instead of Ventnor, which is lovely but very steep for those with mobility problems.
I remember when I first went to the island, Paul bought me a beautiful pair of earrings from Isle of Wight Pearl. It must have been around 2006. They seemed a reasonable price then, but I couldn't afford anything this time, as it was all way out of my price range, which was disappointing. Still the cafe made up for it, with a delicious homemade scone and butter! Paul would have enjoyed that, bless him ❤
Then on to Godshill, a very pretty village with its nice, upmarket craft/souvenir shops and of course the famous model village. We didn't visit though, as I have been before, it was too much of a hike. The gardens around the old smithy are very beautiful and well kept. I managed to hit the bell over the well with a coin and make a wish!
Next day was to Osborne House, where Queen Victoria spent happy times with Prince Albert and their children. She died there. We had a good look round the beautiful rooms. The grounds are beautiful too. The Isle of Wight has only our native red squirrels, no greys, thank goodness. Unfortunately they were being very elusive and none of us spied any all week. I did see a couple on my Scottish holiday in March though.
The tea room was very busy and no seats inside, so we managed to get a seat outside - bit breezy but bearable. We bought a few souvenirs and got a seat inside later for another cuppa.
Last trip of the week was to the steam railway and museum which was interesting and brought back childhood memories of travelling on these mighty beasts. I recall loving the sulphurous aroma plus sitting in the old carriages, with leather straps to fasten the door windows. The train did not disappoint as it had all these features. We had chips and coffee in the cafe. We then went on to Ryde for a couple of hours.
Very hilly again,
so we spent most of the time in a nice pub as it would have been too much of a struggle coping with the incline. On the whole a good day out though.
The evening entertainment was pretty good, but very loud on our delicate pensioner lugholes! The best one was a Frank Sinatra style singer, Chris Beard, who kindly posed for a snap with the three of us! For some strange reason he reminded me of my future son-in-law Tom!
I couldn't help feeling sad at times though, that my lovely Paul wasn't there with me, as he loved the Isle of Wight ever since our first visit together in 2006. He would be pleased that I returned once more. I hope to go back, again and again. To me, it will always be our island ❤
Another beautiful day despite a dull start.
All the deciduous trees are greening up as the blossoms start to fade.
Paul loved this time of the year as I do. Our favourite season of renewal and optimism. I just wish he was here to share it with me. Maybe he is nearer than I think ❤
I had my £1 lasagne from Tesco lunchtime, with salad. Very nice too. I'd better cook something from scratch tomorrow though, as too easy to get into the habit of convenience food, when you are on your own.
