Gelly Babes

Sunday, 11 June 2023

The Art cafe of conversation in Ashbourne

Friday 9th June 2023

Seven out of ten babes do Ashbourne is a pretty good number especially as it included Charlotte! We each arrived in our own time at the revamped and 're-placed' Courtney cafe in the Art gallery. In fact it was a case of 'guess who's coming up the stairs next?' With Pam leading the way, waiting for the rest of us to join her; it's always good to have new experiences. The rest of us blaming our tardiness on the coin- only operating car park (with contactless signage hidden from view), new hairdos, tractors and a near trip to the golf club.

Once we had caught up with Charlotte's continuing horror story of post-Covid, post-fall and post-concussion, we did move on to other topics: the wonders of Ukrainian musicians, the difference between Ashbourne's day and night clientele and hairdressers' chat (best pretend to need a snooze). Spoilt for choice, we finally ordered our lunch.

Beautiful freshly-made vegetarian salads above. And below, fresh salads made vegetarian for Charlotte, shown in a slightly fuzzy photo

Obviously empathising with Charlotte's state the day after any activity.

And the other side of the table demolished apple and parsnip soup with an unknown, but lovely shake of tasty brown bits.

Hope it wasn't the left-over sprinkles from your coffee, Maggie!

I'm only sorry not to capture Helen M's avocado on toast, but I'd already been reprimanded for my plate of 🥑 avocado air miles ... and didn't wish to upset the applecart so to speak. And I'd tried sooooo hard to ensure the vegetarians had a good choice of menu too.

We chatted about chance meetings with friends and ex-colleagues. Perhaps Babe Jane might share views of her art work? (Let's see if she reads this!). And when she becomes famous, all personalised gifts from her might make us a bit if money too 🥰.

Horror Spring Watch viewing, and we're not just talking about some presenters, led us to our own horror stories. Fact: magpies' beaks can reach into penned chicken eggs, a Babe dog is a secret robin killer and beware the sparrowhawk on our fledglings.

And did you know that gannets' eyes change colour after avian flu?

Not sure it works for a puffin though....

There appears to be a bit of garden competitiveness too! How full are your water butts? How are the herbs growing? You had a crested newt?! How many frogs? 🐸 As it turns out, not many if the Babe robin-turned-frog-killer is let loose!

How well are your herbs? How many frogs? 🤣

Matters turned back to the ageing process, and 'no' we're not all hurtling towards being 80, Maggie! Although Charlotte admitted that her practise on the zimmer -frame was a comfort, but something for the distant future. Care needed in choosing which films to attend at the cinema with youngsters and yes, someone's house did 'rock' with sounds of the Download festival (Can you hear them now as I type? Slipknot are on later)

7/10 thinking about Alison, Lynn, Janice and wishing they were here with us.

As Pam didn't want to get yet another parking ticket, we had to say cheerio at speed, but not before our photograph and present exchanges. How many birthdays? And whilst we are getting better at re-using bags for presents, a homemade one is even better!

Hope you all got home in time for a cuppa before the heat built up. Here's to next time, whenever and wherever that might be. Cheers!

Thursday, 18 May 2023

Mini May

Mini May Gathering at the Stone Centre

May 17th 2023

Finally after the hiatus that befell us in April we finally managed a mini get together for lunch at the Stone Centre. So Lynn, Alison, Maggie, Julia and Helen M gathered on a marvellous May Day.

Pam was off to sunny Ilfracombe and Jo was in sunny Scotland and Charlotte and Janice were otherwise engaged.

Helen J sent greetings from windy Porto.

Alison arrived directly from her invigilation duties with stories of ear buds and toilet breaks and other such innovations which made us reflect on how lucky we are to have escaped when we did! We all agreed that she definitely deserved her hot chocolate with all the trimmings.

We were all very pleased to hear that Bubbles has escaped from quarantine in the cupboard and had been off skiing - perhaps she was the only one who was pleased that there was almost too much snow.

We met a pack of delightful whippets and a lovely Irish terrier and said hello to a colleague from the distant past.

The conversation covered many subjects, the joys of cauliflower, the dubious joys of Brussels sprouts, the benefits of having a dog along with the disadvantages and is there any way to guarantee you won’t end up with a poo eater. The horrors of Ofsted were briefly touched upon, something else to remind us how lucky we are! Maggie is working her way through 70 things to do at 70 and Lynn admitted that she has forgotten what is on her bucket list so couldn’t possibly manage 70 things to do. We shared a few good book recommendations and how annoying sobbing in the cinema can be, some of us admitted to still hanging on to dvds and Alison sang the praises of her fire stick which we think might be illegal or just very up to date. We all agreed that growing up in cold houses had made us a tough bunch not phased by broken boilers and misbehaving heating systems and we wondered if the failing postal system means the death of the hand written letter. We all agreed that May is the best month and that we are very lucky in very many ways.

Bird list

There were lots of them singing their hearts out but we were far too busy chatting to spot them.

Tali had been very good waiting patiently in the car and was very relieved that Lynn finally set her free!

Thursday, 9 March 2023

Discovering Derby

March 8th 2023

On a very chilly day with snow forecast a decision was taken to assemble in Derby and explore some of the industrial heritage of the city from the warmth and comfort of the Silk Mill.

Those of us of a certain age decided to try out our bus passes and brave the bus and it has to be said it worked very well, those not yet of an age to qualify for a bus pass took advantage of the two pound bus fares or a lift from Pam!

Alison, Janice and Lynn weren’t able to join us for various reasons but the rest of us made it

to the Quad for coffee and caught upon everyone’s recent activities including European Grand Tours, living it up in posh hotels in the Caribbean, discovering the home of the two Roberts in Scotland and even a school trip to Germany which provided delicious souvenir chocolates.

Fortified with coffee we headed off to the Silk Mill

Three very splendid specimens

Lots to see and we have only just made it through the door.

Lots of very impressive machinery, some old and some much newer.

And certain exhibits that required a pound of our hard earned coinage…

……..not sure they were all such good value for money!

And plenty of signs to ensure that everyone behaves in an appropriate manner

Jo and Helen found a friend but couldn’t get through the locked door to the best bit of the whole museum that only Pam and Maggie managed to see.

And on International Women’s Day it seemed very appropriate that we discovered these two.

Despite the best efforts of some members of the group we weren’t able to gatecrash the buffet laid out for the visiting school trip but we did enjoy some very good soup and delicious cheesy herby bread……

…… with this hanging over our heads!

Realising it was almost 2 o’clock and almost time for the trainee jumped in the lift and headed up stairs to catch it…….

…..typically it was running slightly late but once the lady in charge had worked out which buttons to press it set off on its journey.

With that as a grand finale we all headed off home clutching our bus passes and our two pounds and all intending to return to make some more fascinating discoveries.

Thursday, 9 February 2023

Carsington and Hopton

A-walking and a-snowdropping

8th February 2023

As we get older, we feel more rebellious. Agreeing to meet at the Sheepwash car park, doesn't mean that we actually need to park there. But we found each other and only one of us paid for the privilege. As it was a little bit chilly with the sun not yet pushing through enough, we decided on a brisk walk. So brisk in fact, that having stopped to take a photo, it was quite hard to catch up.

Wait for me!

On our way Pam saw a stranger wearing her exact same hat which she had lost on Monday. But, despite real encouragement from Maggie to 'go get her', Pam hoped it was just a bit of coincidence, and let things be. Why does she need another hat anyway?

We arrived at the bird hut with lots of information and Pam showed off her birding identification skills, carefully matching the beak to the bird.

M'lady sorting out ma'lard

But the real test was through the window, which was slightly steamed up, and the view not helped by steamed up glasses and likewise steamed up binoculars; even outside was still a bit misty across the water.

I don't know what I am until Pam finds me beak!

Pam finds a map and tries to plot a walking route back to Wirksworth avoiding the very busy road.

But private property blocks a logical right of way.

Are we ready for the right to ramble anywhere? (see book recommendation below). We look the part; have a good amount of dried mud on our boots.... or do we? Someone's boots look a bit squeaky clean but they were definitely worth buying in the half price sale.

How far up the ankle should the cuff be? Below or above the ankle?

We speed back along the path, chatting away and paused to check out the birds. Whilst waiting for anything to turn up, we listen to Alison's lovely stories: the buzzard which 'played dead' on the road, placed in a box for safety and then 'woke up'climbed out of the box and sat in the passenger seat of a car en route to the vets; and the one about the dead mole (which wasn't feigning anything) which demolished Alison's snowdrops in her one patch of loose soil in her garden.

Observed, but not photo'd, flock of tits and rampaging fat, grey squirrels.

We chatted about state pensions. Alison waiting for Helen, waiting for Alison, to see what to make of the new form and whether we can apply for both the New and the Old state pension (whichever pays out best, Alison). And, yes, we are ready to apply for our bus pass and can't wait to be called a 'bus w%#nker'!

We briefly say tata to Pam and head off down the winding lanes to our next destination admiring the rectory and its statue, other vast houses without statues, sheep, hedgerows and enjoy the laughter of children playing in the school playground (that's cos we're not in charge; hehe)

It is what it says on the sign.

Not much traffic; no pot holes!

Free to view and just as pretty as the Hopton ones.

We purchase our admission tickets to Hopton Hall, to discover that the KitKat bars on the table were not included. But they did tell us that Pam was round the bend; our lips are sealed. We found her basking in the sun in front of some posh cars.

Ready for soup, which was not on the menu, we all opted for a coffee and scone and settled down to our usual chat about holidays (plenty of snow for skiing, boozy cruisers rum punched-out on idyllic Caribbean beaches, adventure holidays vs relaxing ones). Breaking the rules of watching TV during the day being essential when binge-watching cracking good shows. . Holidays to be taken on TV locations. Happy Valley vs Line of Duty? (Alison looks bemused). Firesticks , not the BBQ ones (the rest of us are bemused). How we are quite content with our characterful wrinkly faces.