October 2010

01.10.10: I now have 10 adults whom I teach piano to - I've never had so many. Gemma, one of them got married today - hooray! Except that it was the wettest day we have had in months. Bad luck Gemma, I expect Shottle Hall was a wonderful place to hold your reception and I can't wait to hear about the honeymoon in magical Bali...

02.10.10: At last, a day out, although the weather wasn't brilliant. Went to Ilam Hall for some tasty lunch and a lovely walk round the grounds. We also watched some hand gliders circling over Dovedale, it looked relaxing, but must have been very cold.

03.10.10: We weren't invited, but today was the christening of the newest member of the Wynn family. A little girl who was born on 6th August to Rachael and Adrian Wynn and named Thea Bunny Creighton Wynn. Fingers crossed that the heart problem will right itself and the hips won't need to be put in plaster...

04.10.10: I'd cancelled all my piano lessons today (5) as I'd been asked to attend a meeting in London connected with the website. On Friday the decision was made to cancel it, as the whole of the London Underground is going to be on strike...

05.10.10: Early trip to dentist at 8.15am, but we have decided to administer a course of penicillin and see if tooth settles down. 'Art In Empty Shops' was asked to do a jewellery taster session in the Ark Shop in Sadler Gate. Three people came - two of whom I'd mentioned it to...

Tap class was a welcome escape.

07.10.10: Another crazy 24 hours of teaching ahead!

08.10.10: Jewellery class at Village went well.

09.10.10: Trip to Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace - can't believe another year has gone so quickly! Sad that Lucy couldn't come this year as she is now in Oxford. However as the Underground wasn't running and no one had bothered to tell me, it was lucky that she wasn't coming. It took me over 2 hours to get to Alexandra Palace from St Pancras and half an hour to get back!! Once there I had a good time and met some interesting people, but it sure takes the edge off things to have a bad experience...

11.10.10: Mother and father went to Cheltenham for my dad to have his eyes tested. Mother had nasty fall while on escalator and sustained some nasty bruising and a few cuts, ambulance was called out, but after being checked out they let them go home. Another session in the Ark shop, again someone I had mentioned it to, came along with a friend.

12.10.10: Last session in the Ark shop, this time no one turned up. Hung around and then went to Tap Class.

13.10.10: Graham went to Plymouth first thing. The piano tuner came at 9.00am. Now 74, he has been tuning my piano for the last 30 years - incredible! Went to my 'top up' acupuncture session at The Derby Royal.

14.10.10: Thursday/Friday teaching marathon...

15.10.10: Graham met me to help with food shopping, then met Lucy in Friargate and we went shopping the The Westfield Centre.

16.10.10: Graham went to Stafford bike show. Lucy and I went out first to Spondon to check out a fashion warehouse, then to The Beetroot Tree and then to Wirksworth. Hoped to take some autumn photos, but weather deteriorated until it started to rain. Stopped off at Croots at Duffield on way home.

17.10.10: Nice sunny day, left Graham 'bike fettling' and took Lucy to Cresswell Crags in the afternoon. Always seems very cold there, best thing was the tea and cake after our walk.

18.10.10: Graham took Lucy into Derby for her lift back to Oxford (6.45am) and then went on to meeting at Cirencester, stopping off to see my parents on the way. Back home around tea time.

19.10.10: Another trip to the dentist at 9.00am. Decided root filling would need to be removed, was overjoyed when he found the infection - hoping that another dose of antiseptic dressings will sort it out. As usual the effect of the injection is for me to dissolve in tears. Graham thought he was doing me a favour by 'dragging' me into the Sony shop to check out a new television. They did look very impressive, looks as though a 42" with internet connection is ideally what we'd like.

20.10.10: Graham came with me to the hospital for my second top up acupuncture session. Then we went and bought the television, which came to a round number(!) and had some lunch at Bennetts which was very pleasant. Next a quick diversion to Thorntons for Graham to buy some chocs for his American trip tomorrow. Was questioned by a market research chap in Thorntons - had mild hysterics when he asked Graham what were his main purchases from the internet...

21.10.10: Graham was up and on an airplane almost before I was awake. Even busier (for a Thursday) than usual today as it was Thornton's AGM. Packed car for lessons, then got changed into my posh frock and headed for The Assembly Rooms. Usually there is a notice by the car park stating that is closed for normal use due to the AGM. Today there was no notice, just two traffic wardens having to tell everyone they couldn't park there. Judging by the spaces in the car park there were even less people than usual attending. I had my cup of coffee and my statutory one Thornton's choc (which I saved), bought £27 of merchandise (which has 20% off) and went and found a seat in the auditorium. Each year the atmosphere seems unfriendlier, which would appear to be in direct correlation with the average age of the attendees (90% have walking sticks) So the first comment/grumble was that no one could see the figures on the screen and it just got worse... I had to leave at 12, but was then made even later as no one would admit to knowing if there were any free chocolates this year even though there were stacks of boxes next to the cloakroom where they are usually dolled out from... I didn't come away without them...!

I got to the Eco Centre late, had to change my clothes (in the car) and have something to eat - the learners were in the classroom before me. Anyway, we had a lovely session making fabric jewellery - can't wait to see the finished items next time. Was late leaving as I had to have my documents photocopied for a new CRB check (my previous one is about to expire) and the photocopier decided to jam... On the way home I just had to stop and take a photo of Black Rocks with the sun shining on the autumnal leaves just down the road. Home for a welcome cup of tea, an hour answering emails and then off to my next class. Eventually home by 9pm to a dark empty house...

22.10.10: Up quite early (for me) and off by 9.00am. Class went well and they enjoyed making earrings and pendants. Home to catch up with the website and then my contractual 2 hours of window shopping. Robert arrived at 8.45pm, we had tea and went to bed late after watching a film and having lots to talk about.

23.10.10: Set off for my parent's house at 10 past 10 and arrived in just under the 2 hours. Lucy had bee left with the dinner to make, which she made a sterling job of. WE three went to Bourton during siesta time and Robert and Lucy were very patient while I took some photos. About 5pm Robert decided we should go out for another walk - which was great until we got caught in a torrential downpour near- as Robert calls it 'Swiz' Cottage. Just when we thought we would be completely drenched, it stopped raining and the sun almost came out. We eventually arrived back to find my poor dad had been out in the car looking for us - pity mobile phones never work when you most need them...

24.10.10: Beautiful morning, so took Lucy down to Lower Slaughter to take some snaps. Unfortunately tourists get up earlier than me and we had trouble finding anywhere to park. Robert had a short walk with his grandmother and then walked all the way down to where we were - and hand a ride home. Robert and I left at 3.15, got 100 yards and found a gate open and some cattle about to escape. I reached for my phone to let my parents know and realised that Lucy stil had my phone from this morning - lucky I was only 100 yards away... Robert stopped for some tea and then loaded up his table and a few more belongings and set off for Cambridge.

25.10.10: First day of my half term. Still had 4 piano lesson (all adults) Hastily did some tidying up before Judith my ex-next door neighbour came with her new dog Millie (5 months) for a walk. As dogs go, Millie is lovely, and reasonably well behaved. We had a very long walk as we were just on the 'home straight' and came across a tractor spraying the field. I did a very quick turn around as any spray can be harmful, but it could have proved very serious if Millie had come into contact with it. We had all earned our cup of tea by the time we got back which we took out side with Millie...

26.10.10: Not much time to get straight before it was time to head off and meet Debbie from tap. Saw the inside of her house this time - they have an extension at the back with windows in the roof which makes for a light studio feel. The day was far from light - rainy cold and miserable. Our lunch and long walk didn't go according to plan, lunch was cold and with lumpy mashed potato and our walk was confined to the inside of the house. It's a beautiful house, but I've never known it quite so cold. We left about 3.00pm and I collected Calligraphy pens for my workshop tomorrow on the way home.

27.10.10: I have been trying hard to do some Calligraphy practice every day since Monday. It's something I love and wish I was asked to take more workshops. Set off for Belper Library at 1.15. Found the Library, but no parking spaces - did manage to squeeze in next to another car. Had a lovely time, but unfortunately only 3 of the 7 showed up. Afterwards went to see Philippa who also lives in Belper, got to meet her son Tom whom I've heard so much about. Hard to believe he is only 15.

28.10.10: Had hoped to have a day out in London, but didn't wake up early enough and then the weather wasn't that brilliant. Busy day with emails etc - at last found time for some hoovering. As it was Thursday went to the Designer Outlet (something Lucy and I would have done during half term) was surprised that I made two purchases, a pair of black ankle boots I have been on the look out for ages (£35) and a new Tula handbag (only £16!). Getting used to coming home to an empty house...

29.10.10: Again didn't quite get to London... More tidying up and more shopping in town - 2 pairs of trousers from Primark.

30.10.10: Weather looked more promising, so left for Hardwick Hall at 11.15am. Stopped off on the way to take some autumnal scenes and by the time I arrived at Hardwick the light was glorious and the sky a perfect blue colour. Took photos until my tummy rumbled and then waited ages for a place to have some lunch. Compared with the food at Kedleston Hall, the meal was divine, chicken and mushroom pie with pastry 'to die for'. Straight out after, but by then the sky had clouded over and there were few photos to be taken. I did however discover a walk around the back of Hardwick Hall which was quite delightful - through a wooded glade flanked by trees in autumn shades, I felt privileged to be there albeit on my own. When I arrived back, I still wasn't ready to go home on my one day out, so then visited the inside of the house. Now that you are allowed to take photos in the house of National Trust properties, it is like seeing them in a whole new light. Hardwick Hall is the darkest of all the houses I have ever visited, however there was just enough light in the Long Hall to get some very atmospheric photos of my favourite painting ever - that of Queen Elizabeth 1. I eventually left about 4pm and headed home, but not before making detour to Heage Windmill to get a quick glimpse of a golden sunset. It's odd having a lovely day on your own, but my day was not yet over - BBC1 played host to an evening of Elton John, a perfect ending to my day...

31.10.10: Last day on my own, made myself a proper Sunday lunch and then went for a long walk. The weather was windy, damp and cold - I didn't even bother taking my camera with me.