Henley Royal Regatta and The Season

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What a super spiffing time I’ve been having this past few days.  I’ve been blessed to have been invited to attend Henley Royal Regatta not once, but twice this year.  In Stewards with friends and a Phyllis Court with family.  What a total treat.

Of course!

      The river… and the racing

      Phyllis Court… Stewards 

The Gloriana – A boat fit for a Queen!

I love Henley.  In fact I love ‘the Season‘.  When I returned from living in Australia some years ago I vowed that I should do more of things that made me happy.  I also vowed to introduce others to the things that made me happy in the hope that they may also come to love these things too.

Panic not.  Things that in fact are mostly both affordable and accessible but in reality life is often too hectic to find time to organise these, book tickets, rally people and plot some more…. but all possible with the inciest little bit of effort and soooo worth it.

The first years I was back from Australia I was able to chivvy along several friends and friends of friends to make up parties at each of the events through the Season.  Oh and although always glammed up and looking the part we did it on a shoestring too!  We managed to do quite a few ‘events’ over the season for several years… hmmm must reinstate them next year.  Anyone for Pimms?

So below, I’ve put some of my tips and tricks (if you can’t blag a personal invitation!) as to how to do it in an affordable way:

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition – For those arty types amongst us.  The exhibition is packed full of contemporary art work which is chosen from thousands submitted by known and unknown artists in the hope of being included.  You can purchase most of the work on display (or prints thereof) and often find that you’re the first to see an up and coming artist, so perhaps an investment.  There are over 10,000 entries each year.  I love the way that the pieces are still chosen by way of a human chain of art-handlers displaying the pieces on the same beaten up stool whilst the academicians vote – 3 votes and they’re through to the next selection round.

Royal Ascot – A spot of horse racing… or celebrity spotting!  Silver Ring tickets are the way forward and if you can get 10+ friends together, they’re even cheaper.  Worth a punt on a horse to see if you can get the next round in (the drinks aren’t cheap).  Either nominate a driver(s) amongst you or go by train.  However we found that if someone drove with a boot full of food and booze (a quick trip to the supermarket enroute, beautifully packed into a wicker hamper with some of the packaging removed!), together with a picnic rug or two, then we could have a pre-races party too.

Henley Royal Regatta – If you’re on a budget, you can pitch up by train or car, hamper and picnic rug in hand and walk down the towpath to find a spot from which to enjoy the spectacle of racing and people watch.  If you don’t mind a walk, then park for free at Mill End (off the Marlow – Henley road) and walk along the towpath.  The Regatta Enclosure is next to the prestigious Stewards but is much less formal and tickets are on general sale.

Polo at Guards Club – One of my personal favourites on a sunny weekend.  On a weekend when there’s not a major tournament being played you can park up with your picnic and watch some fast polo from the side lines.  In the good old days we’d assess the sunshine level on a Sunday morning, pick up some friends, dash to Tesco where we’d decant a picnic into a wicker basket, purchase newspapers and drive out to Guards for a day in the sunshine.  A brilliant want to see a fabulous sport.  A cheaper way to go to the Cartier Polo is to pre-book a car parking space, find 4 other friends to share the cost, nip to supermarket for picnic and booze, get there really early, put down the rug and read your papers/snooze until the match begins!

Wimbledon Tennis – Head out to Wimbledon in the first few weeks of play with Ground Admission tickets.  These are fairly reasonably priced and allows you to wander round the outside courts ie Courts 3-19.  In the early weeks of the tournament you may be lucky enough to see the higher seeded players on these outer courts.  A little cheaper are the evening tickets ie after 5pm or even cheaper still are the ones that you buy on the day but need to queue for… the queue’s quite fun too!

Proms – You really do have to love the Proms season at the Royal Albert Hall.  It’s varied.  It covers a fabulous array of musical genres.  And it’s also affordable!

 

Proms in the Park – If you can’t get to the ‘last night of the Proms’ in the Albert Hall then why not get together with a party of people, picnic, drinks and flags and see it in Hyde Park.  As well as the live feed from the Albert Hall there are other acts performing, Kylie, Alfie Boe, Il Divo and more.  The tickets are £35 each, this year however you’ve got your entertainment from 5pm until late!   Ooh and when I say take a flag, do… you’ll need it for the rousing end to the concert!  A few years ago we managed to have 30 different national flags amongst our group waving like crazy things!  The questions we had from other spectators about how we were all friends but…  🙂

Oh and a whole heap more fun and frovility to be had at other events during ‘the Season’.  Enjoy and remember to let me know what you did, where you were etc…. or to send me an invite!

When colleagues become friends

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We’ve all got them.  The people in our lives that we once worked with but now are in our lives by choice.  They became friends and actually it’s now hard to think of them ever having been or still being a “colleague”.

Several years ago I found myself working at a London law firm as a contract legal PA.  We were sat in bays of 4 PAs to get on with the challenges of the day.  During our working day there was a camaraderie and we often founds ourselves cursing something or helping out when one of us was busier than the other.  But mostly we had a bit of a giggle.  We became friends.

Today I met up with three such friends for a day out in London.  One of them made the observation that it was like I was their daughter… something I never really give a thought to, the difference in age.  These ladies make me laugh out loud (usually very loudly and with much consternation from others looking on!).  It always makes me laugh when I’m the one telling them off for being naughty or irreverent.  This usually then has us all in stitches that I’ve suddenly become the adult!  We don’t get to meet often but when we do get together, it really is a hoot!

What a blissful day.  We headed to Brasserie Blanc in Covent Garden for a fabulous lunch.  As the sun was shining (for once) we secured an outside table (pretty much by the LL of the Duracell sign in the piccy above).

Even the odd spot of rain didn’t deter us from enjoying our meal and I think we were the only diners that carried on eating, drinking and chatting whilst others requested indoor tables.  But it really was only a spot or two!

Jan then suggested that we find my new bestest shop in town, Champagne + Fromage.  Joan and I had already worked out that instead of a dessert in the Brasserie Blanc we were heading here for our cheese course!  And what a delight.  Two Three of my favourite things, champagne, cheese & friends.

Truly there really is nothing better than great friends.  Ones that even though we don’t see each other often, laugh from the first moment we meet until the last and final dash for a train.

I’m blessed to have met them all those years ago and to still have them in my life.

 

 

An extra pair of hands

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I moved back into my flat two years ago.  The garden has never quite recovered from my not being here and taking care of it.  Those of you reading this who have ever had your own garden may understand what I mean when I say that you really can’t leave it for too long before it gets out of hand.  Well imagine 3 years!

In 2005 I paid some friends (who were also gardeners) to dig out areas, turf, plant, landscape and generally make it fabulous.  It was.  But it matured and looked amazing when I was living in the country near Mum and not here.  By the time I came back the shrubs were dead (or dug up), the roses dying, the lavender hedge out of control, jasmine clambering everywhere and pulling down a fence and the lawn full of weeds and moss.  I can’t explain in words how disappointed I was and saddened that shrubs that I’d taken from Mum’s garden and also from my childhood home had now perished.

Since returning to London, I’ve done heaps in the garden but somehow the weather or busy-ness seems to take over and the garden lapses once more.  It’s hard.  If it was just maintaining it and weeding it, it’s somehow easier.  But because I’m left with a garden that is barren from decent shrubs and flowers but still full of weeds and a lawn that is patchy and unattractive, I know it’s a chore to bring back to beauty.  Each morning as I look out to the garden I see weeds and rubble and unlovedness.  Although I have got so much better at looking at eyeline to see only the brightly coloured fence and sheds that bring sunshine into my garden.  But sometimes I remember to look down.  I also want, on the rare days with sunshine, to enjoy the garden and long to be able to pull the sun-lounger out of the shed and lounge!

Today however a friend of mine, Maria, gave up her day to come and help me.  What a joy it was to spend the day digging and weeding whilst chatting about life, universe, everything.  We managed to get two of the bigger flowerbeds weed free.  Only things that remain in one is the small conifers with really big roots.  I think I can manage to dig around the roots and perhaps to yank them out.  Then I can turf that section.  The other section I am going to build up with soil from else where (weed free soil) and then to set different levels and plant pots.  Granny’s pots.  I can’t wait to see them used again and to grow some vibrant coloured plants (easy to maintain ones).

I’m so tremendously grateful for an extra pair of hands today, good company, great work and importantly a little bit of headway toward regaining my garden.  But boy does my back ache.

(Oh and of course, we finished the day with a bubble or two!)

I Want 2 Sing

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What would you say if I told you that one thing I’ve always wanted to do was sing?  I don’t just mean at home with a hairbrush.  And I mean sing in tune and in a way that someone else might want to listen.

In addition, I made a promise to someone that I’d sing something bluesy for his 40th birthday.  OK so he’s a few years past 40 now but perhaps I can surprise him for his 50th?

It’s on my bucket list.  My ‘living bucket list’.  I’d better make it happen.

OMG I just put that in ink, didn’t I?

Anyway I contacted a singing coach and tonight’s entertainment was a showcase opportunity for some of her students to perform.  I watched in awe of the people who got on stage.  I also felt sick that I’ve set myself this challenge.

There’s a video from tonight’s show which demonstrates the different ages, different singing styles and different levels of confidence – do take a minute to see the show (particularly the young girl at 0:56 and the 13 year old at 2:00 who were both awesome).

As for me, watch this space.  Eeeek

Wah! Wah! Girls

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As you know from previous posts Sadlers Wells’ have produced a fabulous array of different dance shows this year as part of a World season.  Tonight we were back again to the Peacock Theatre to see the Wah! Wah! Girls, billed as ‘A British Bollywood Musical’.

When I chose this addition to ‘our season’ I was hoping for a colourful performance of bollywood dancing and indian music and a contrast between the traditional and modern  in London.  Sadly the performance we received was short of everything.  Short of bollywood dancing, short of story and short of indian music!

My feeling was that they had produced something that appeared more like an amateur dramatic version of Bollywood Glee!

That said, the stage set was creatively put together with each house, street front or bedroom wall pictured on curtains that were then pulled on and off with a trainer.  A wonderful set change in seconds and it meant that we, as the audience, was taken from the inside of a house, to the street, to a club etc in seconds and could easily move with the storyline.  I loved the London bus that was created from a metal frame and material.  Many of the costumes were colourful and flowing however perhaps too many others were bedecked in ‘British’ outfits that had been rescued from a charity shop in the East End of London.

Tonight was the final performance of the show in London but I don’t think you missed anything that your hard earned £££ wouldn’t have been better spent elsewhere.  I’d been looking forward to this show and really feel that they missed a great opportunity to showcase the Bollywood dance style.

Guardian review – 1 June 2012
Telegraph review – 1 June 2012

Sarcoma Awareness Week

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This week is Sarcoma Awareness Week.  I wonder if you knew that?  The problem with being a rare cancer type is that even if you have an Awareness Week, you’re only a small voice in the big noise of life.  Even if you are able to get others to share the awareness and retweet or repost about it in their own social networking, how many people actually read it or look at links?  However I, for one, have tried to share the word.  I’ve taken Sarcoma UK leaflets into hospitals and GP surgeries.  I’ve even taken to leaving a few on seats of trains or tubes or buses – and loved it when people pick it up and read it to fill a few minutes of their journey.  You never know but what they read may well help someone else or themselves understand a sarcoma diagnosis.

So, I’m going to give you just a few facts about Sarcoma (extracted from Sarcoma UK’s website www.sarcoma.org.uk) and I’d really really appreciate it if you could tell someone something about Sarcoma.

  • Sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in the supporting or connective tissues of the body such as muscle, bone, nerves, cartilage, blood vessels and fat.
  • There are around 3,200 new cases of sarcoma diagnosed each year in the UK.
  • Sarcomas account for about 11% of childhood cancers.
  • Sarcomas account for about 14% of cancers in teenagers.
  • Most sarcomas (approx 55%) affect the limbs, most frequently the leg.  About 15% affect the head and neck area or are found externally on the trunk, while the remainder will be found internally in the retroperitoneum (abdominal area).
  • There are around 70 different sub-types of sarcoma within these broad categories.  These sub-types are determined by the tissue of origin (the tissue in the body where the tumour originally formed), genetic characteristics or by other molecular analysis undertaken by expert pathologists.

Types of Sarcoma

  • Sarcomas fall into three broad categories:
  • Soft tissue cancers
  • Primary bone cancers
  • Gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (a type of soft tissue found in the stomach and intestines commonly known as GIST)

Causes of Sarcoma

The causes of most sarcomas are unknown.

Treatment

Despite the many different sub-types of sarcoma, the general pattern of treatment is similar.

Surgery is commonly viewed as the best option for a ‘cure’.  Chemotherapy will usually be used with bone sarcomas before and after surgery, although it is less often used with soft tissue sarcoma. The case for chemotherapy following surgery is uncertain with soft tissue sarcoma but may be suggested with sub-types known to respond well to chemotherapy.

There are circumstances when radiotherapy offers benefits, usually after surgery but occasionally at other times too.

The treatment plan developed by your doctors will be specific for you. You may meet other patients with a similar diagnosis but who are having different treatment but this is usual and nothing to be worried about.

Surgery should be undertaken under the supervision of a sarcoma specialist multi-disciplinary team, even when the surgeon is not a regular member of that team.

There’s a really informative video created by Papercut Pictures called “All in it Together – Living with Sarcoma” from which you will a small selection of different ages, diagnoses and stories.  Do take a minute to watch http://vimeo.com/papercutpictures/sarcomauk

 

Phyllodes is a soft tissue sarcoma…

 

Tonight found me at our London Sarcoma Support Group’s party to celebrate Sarcoma Awareness Week held at Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Fulham, London.  An amazing vital group of patients, carers and friends.  The volume was high and the laughter loud.  There was also tears and supportive hugs.  It was lovely to meet some of the group members’ husbands, wives, children, partners who were also there supporting them.

Sadly one of the group had lost his wife only a few weeks ago and I hope found comfort in our company.  Another has just found out his cancer has returned and he is to start yet another course of chemotherapy to keep it in check.  BUT whatever was happening with each of us in attendance you knew that there was a strong bond of support there and a lot of giggling and laughter.  Despite my not having been to several of the recent monthly meetings due to a number of reasons, I was touched that so many of the group were pleased to see me and remembered what I had been diagnosed with, what I was off doing shortly after we last met.

You see I’m not a ‘support group’ sort of a person.  For those of you that know me well, you’ll know that despite my putting this blog up in the public domain, I’m actually fairly private about a lot.  For some reason, for me, I find it useful to be able to use this blog to be open!  I also know that my family can read it and know what’s going on but don’t need to speak about it or mention it – we’re not good at talking!

All that said, I enjoy attending the sarcoma support group… but I perhaps sometimes appear to the group as the one ‘who’s sorted’ and is ‘supporting’ rather than ‘needing support’!

Precious people

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You know from previous posts that I’ve a dear friend going through chemo at the moment.  Some days are tougher than others and some days are just plain exhausting for her.  However true to her enormous courage and strength she tries to do so much and mostly for others.

 Yesterday she was at the House of Commons with Target Ovarian charity for a reception with guest MPs, Lords and Trustees together with doctors and researchers who are working to improve the lives of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  It is also an opportunity to speak with politicians and other guests about this rare cancer and raise awareness.  Particularly poignant as last year Letitia attended this event with Kerry, who sadly is no longer with us.

Today however was a treat day.  She was attending the new cancer centre at UCLH for a session with the team about meditation.  There has been over the years quite a bit written about meditation helping people cope with long term illnesses and, of course, the reduction of stress.  Recently there has been a few articles written about the definate benefit for cancer patients and indeed Penn University in the US have a course of mindful meditation specifically for their patients (see my notes from the workshop at the YSC Atlanta Conference in 2010).

We had arranged to meet for lunch, headed into Covent Garden and found ourselves at Brasserie Blanc.  OK so it was a little deliciously naughty but hey, we deserve it!

We were tucked neatly into an alcove which looked into the middle of Covent Garden but from where we could dine and chat without being overheard or interrupted.  It really was a super spot and it was only at 3.45pm that we realised the time!

And doesn’t Tish look fantastic.

PPI Clinical Trial Group

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This evening saw a number of the PPI group meeting at Imperial College’s new research site in Hammersmith for the first public IMANOVA tour.  We were taken round the Imaging Centre and see and understand what equipment and research is undertaken there.  The site used to be a GSK Research facility but is now a joint collaboration between a number of research organisations.  This means that the equipment is essentially being shared and where expensive equipment may previously have only been available to the one pharmaceutical organisation for use, is now being used by many.  Just one of the machines we looked at tonight was over £1m to purchase alone!

We looked at the how the images were viewed, the accuracy of each of the images (particularly with the technology available whereby they were able to lay images over eachother from different image machines).  How each can detect tumours, markers and glucose (amongst others) with extraordinary accuracy.  There were still false positives but it seemed that the technicians and technology were proving that managing these false positives was getting easier.

Following the tour we were taken through to the ICTEM building where some clinicians and researchers presented to us on “Imaging Research”, “Breast Research”, “Lung and Trophoblastic Research” and “Prostate Research”.

Always fascinating to hear what clinicians and researchers are carrying out and also to hear of any advancements or breakthroughs that are occurring.  Certainly a few items for thought.

I am hoping that the group will be given the opportunity to become further involved with the research.  Perhaps to assist with the review of paperwork, input into the research and, if available, to be part of a recruitment drive for volunteers in latter phase clinical trials.

I shall keep you posted…

Noises Off – Must see!

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After a very lovely lunch in the country with my Aunt and Uncle, I raced back to town to join a friend at the Theatre.

For once the trains worked to timetable and I made it to The Aldwych with an hour in hand.  What’s a girl to do, eh?  Yes you guessed it… well almost!  No I didn’t go for a glass of bubbles somewhere, I rather stumbled across The Counter at The Delaunay.

A fabulously old-fashioned parlour decked out with dark wood and a countertop laden with cakes, pastries and sweet treats. I couldn’t resist a mouthwatering strawberry tart (with the most exquisitely light pate sucre case I’ve tasted outside France) and, of course, a pot of Earl Grey tea.  I took a window seat and could watch the world hurry past on their way home or out for the evening.

At 7pm we met at the theatre collected our tickets, headed to the Stalls bar (which if you’ve not been to the Novello is right inside the theatre at the back of the Stalls.   A really beautifully restored theatre and in itself worth a look.  It wasn’t long after we got our Pimms (hey it is summer, right?) and found our seats when the curtain went up.

I won’t tell you the storyline except to say that it is a play about a play!  The script is fast moving and hilariously funny as you see into the behind the scenes goings on of an already farcical story.  We found ourselves howling with laughter and as the play went on, we laughed louder and more often.  A definate must see!  How could you not when it stars the incredible Celia Imrie AND the Telegraph gave it 5.5 stars out of 5!  Telegraph Review

Routemaster Buses and Route 38

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Did you know that in addition to all the other lovely things we’re celebrating in the UK in 2012 eg the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics, we are also celebrating 100 years of the bus route 38 in little old London town.

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To celebrate the centenary of Route 38, Arriva London have partnered with Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres in a project “Walk the 38”.  More information at www.maggiescentres.org/walkthe38 or www.arrivalondon.com/maggies.

Today however I had the absolute privilege and delight to be volunteering for Maggies on an old-fashioned Routemaster bus.  Arriva kindly waived the usual bus fare in lieu of us collection donations for Maggie’s and at the same time enabling us to speak to the passengers about the Walk the 38 initiative and also about the amazing work that Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres provide to anyone affected by cancer.

The fundraising bucket was mighty heavy when I handed over my shift to the next volunteer and I know that every penny will be put to tremendous use for people like me who have and continue to use Maggies’ Cancer Centres throughout the world.

As well as being able to give back to Maggies a tincy little bit by volunteering for them today, it really didn’t feel like a chore at all.  It was blinking a-mazing!   I love love loved being on a Routemaster bus again, able to swing around the pole at the back of the bus, hear the sound of the engine and the dingdong of the bell as the conductor lets the driver know when to move off or stop at a bus stop.  I heard many many stories from bus enthusiasts about why they were there going back and forth between Clapton and Victoria on these special buses laid on for today.  But also to listen to the sharp intakes of breath that was accompanied by the broadest of smiles from people standing on the pavements or stopped at buses as they realise a real Routemaster bus was back on the roads.  We were asked many times if they were coming back into service but sadly they’re not.  They were iconic in London town and certainly a part of my childhood memories of coming into London and starting work in London.

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The drivers and conductors were also volunteers today from Arriva.  They had once worked on the Routemaster buses and loved them.  I heard their fond memories of incidents and laughs they’d had.  Apparently as Routemasters were faded out in London the conductors one by one left the job but not before they applied to work on Route 38.  Route 38 was the final one to have Routemasters and the day after the final Routemaster was put into retirement there was a tearful party for all the conductors and drivers.  Today however we had many of these men and women giving up their time just so that they could drive or conduct one more time.  As we’d pass another Routemaster on the road there would be a welcome wave and a shout across to an ex-colleague with a grin that could barely fit the face and eyes that were lit with pure excitement.

I think my abiding memory of today will be a simple one though.  One chap stood at a T-junction.  As we turned the corner he looked up, he looked again, his jaw dropped and only slightly giving way to a smile he craned his neck out to watch us as far as he could and we, those of us who were captivated by him watching us, could see a million memories flood across his face.

New – Walk38 video