October 2016
Clambering about in Clumber and Mooching around in Mapperley
Not wishing to conform to monthly meetings and keen to
try out new things, the babes, via various means, met up on three occasions in
October. The bar is now set very high for future dates.
The babes have often talked about our memories and this
month has seen some rather interesting ways to keep them intact. Some babes went for a long walk with
thousands of others and a multitude of dogs in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society
in the hope that at some point we can live in a world without dementia. Jo, both Helens and Betty did just that in
Clumber Park on 1st October and thanks to lots of friends and family
have currently raised at least £1000
for the cause. This, inpart helped by
Pam’s fantastic organisation of Phil’s ‘When I’m 64’ party, later in the evening, where a bucketful
of money also helped towards the cause.
But Lynn babe, has chosen a different way and with recent surgery, (with some fine neck-line embroidery) has managed to restore her memory and calcium levels at the same time. Marvellous! Which leaves Maggie and Alison left to try out an alternative way.
If only it were that simple!
Our third meeting was a bit later in the month, but we all eagerly awaited Helen M’s housewarming. Although
one wonders what draws one to this little man?
With coffee and nibbles ready and with Betty who could barely contain her excitement, the babes settled in for a grand tour of the house.
Upstairs is up there…
It came as a bit of a disappointment that whilst there was evidence of underfloor heating, standards had not been kept up throughout the house. Despite various visits, the babes …
Could not locate the right button
However, it was soon time for our first walk and Betty knew just where to lead us.
We know our place
Betty ‘nose’ the best route..
But it was soon back to Helen M's …. where discussions inevitably centred around Pam. Will she or won’t she?
Proof…Pam and Lynn are not one and the same!
And so it came that all seven of us tucked into a super lunch and all agreed
that this was the best soup kitchen we had all ever visited together. Chez Mitchell’s gets a 5* rating… and special
thanks to Mike for putting up with us.
No,
Maggie, these are all for me!
super seven have soup for lunch
Eventually, we had to say cheerio to both Lynn and Pam but not before wishing Pam a heartfelt birthday for tomorrow.
Dutifully wrapped...
And so, the remaining babes set out for a spot of autumn
watch at Mapperley Resevoir where the colours triggered memories of learned
famous lines from some well established authors….
Red and
Orange and
Gold and
Silver………
Obviously, Shakespeare’s first attempt at writing a sonnet about a
rainbow….If only he'd had Alison for his helper, things may have turned out so differently.
Whilst squirrels were high on Betty’s chase list, Maggie, with hardly any encouragement at all, decided to try and call a few birds on her new app…
Meanwhile, after much waiting and swopping of binoculars and turning the volume up to full, the kingfisher was finally noticed…
It’s on that branch behind the leaves…..
And the swan ?
'Mutely' agreed that apps aren't always necessary.
But sometimes a bit of imagination is need to boost our bird list.
OK, so while we didn’t really see a crane or a red kite, , we did manage:
Blackbird
Black headed gull
Buzzard (three together)
Chaffinch
Coot
Cormorant
Crow
Dunnock
Fieldfare (1st this year)
Great crested grebe
Jay (1st this year)
Kestrel
Kingfisher(GB first)
Magpie
Mallard
Mute Swan
Tufted duck
Wood pigeon
Wren
19 for the trip.
Now 55 for the year and our running total of 85 means that we have
reached our target for the year. Marvellous!
