Two Firsts!...nostalgia!

Hello Everyone,

Lady M here and it is my last week for nostalgia. Next week we are in August and I have a special story for you in five instalments throughout the month.

I chose for my last dip into the archives, 'Two Firsts' posted on 30/08/2013. 2013 was an interesting year for me. Hope you enjoy it.

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Moi! In Famagusta. Guess, I chose this because I liked the pic!

Hello Everyone,

Lady M here!

I hope you have enjoyed the summer and the company of Sofia and Donald.

I have been working hard and I cannot believe that it is September in a couple of days and in about two weeks we will see Christmas decorations in the shops.

If you cast your mind back to January I was talking about 'Firsts' and suggesting that you might like to make this a year of 'firsts' for you. I had a 'first' when I visited Eastwood and D. H. Lawrence's Birthplace in the Spring. I would like to tell you about another 'first' of mine in July.

West Bromwich has recently undergone a tremendous regeneration programme and the NEW SQUARE opened in July. One of the places in it is the Odeon Cinema. I collected one of their leaflets on the day before it opened and discovered there was a 'Senior Screen' on a Thursday morning at 11.00 a.m. and you get tea/coffee and biscuits with the film for the Senior Citizen's rate of £3.50. My first was to have the FIRST ticket for the FIRST ever SENIOR SCREEN film at that cinema. It was for 'A Song for Marion'. I was really excited when (after the computer had first tried to sell me nine tickets) the cashier at the box office, or whatever they're called these days told me it was the first ticket.

I also remembered the long gone days of the 1960's when the Odeon Cinema was very different. The price was 1/9d. The seats were plush but fold up ones and it was difficult to pass people all ready seated. There  was only one screen instead of five and the reel was on a projector somewhere at the back and films could still be in black and white. Colour ones were luxury. Now, there's Premier seating and loads of room. I believe you can even buy your ticket from a machine. I don't know how! I'm not that brave. But since that first film in July, Thursday morning has gone on my calendar as film day and the highlight of the week. Since then I've seen 'The Quartet', 'Promised Land', 'Side Effects' and 'Love is all you need'. (Yes, I thought it was a Beatles' song, too.) Next week it's 'The Great Gatsby'. Also, I'm getting to know a new group of people who congregate at the Odeon on a Thursday morning!

So, that was a great 'first' for me. I almost forgot I've had another 'first' this summer. My first SKYPE conversation. I've bought a new computer, router, camera and printer/scanner. With a lot of effort I got everything set up and can communicate while seeing the other person through Skype or Facebook.

So, that's three firsts for me. How many have you achieved this year?

Have a great week!

Lady M

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New wheels... nostalgia!

Hello Everyone,

I hope my reposting of Positivity last week helped some of you if you were having difficulties find a solution to problems. I've had fun going through the archives and have decided during June and July to be nostalgic and repost some of the older ones. You may argue that I'm too lazy to do new ones! Moi!! Ha ha! The oldest one I have goes back to May 2010 when I was forced to buy a new vehicle after a thief helped himself to my beautiful 20 year old Micra. He was caught and had stolen other vehicles; he received a custodial sentence. So, he went to prison and I got a new car. Sounds fair to me. 'Baby' and I have had a lot of fun together and been to many places like Burley and Blackpool on holidays, numerous trips to New Writers UK events and that would not have happened without Sat Nav (acquired by accident!). I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason. I obviously needed to buy a new car although I still miss my 1990 Micra. I can't believe it's been 8 years but please join me in my little visit down memory lane.

Until next week, have fun and be careful driving.

Love Lady M xxxxx

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Hello Everyone,

On Thursday afternoon I brought my new and expensive baby home. Our first gentle drive together was a difficult one as I have only driven one vehicle in the last twenty years. In 1990 the salesperson took ten minutes to show me all the controls; this time it was forty-five minutes which included setting up my mobile with the installed Bluetooth so that should my phone ring while I'm driving I just press the button with the phone symbol on it on the steering wheel and I can hear and talk to the person at the other end. Alexander Graham Bell we've come along way since that first historic call.

Unfortunately, the wipers and indicators have changed sides which means that should I choose to turn left the windscreen wipers suddenly charge across the screen. Old habits die hard but I'm learning. Fortunately, the number plate is a clear indication that my baby is new or it could just be the way I'm driving that cause drivers behind to drop back and treat me with caution. This is most unusual as a Nissan Micra, a small and slow car, usually means driver speed up and overtake. You will see from the photographs that I am like a proud parent with another new offspring. She is named Baby May Ten or Bee Gee after her registration letters. When we arrived home with only sixteen miles on her digital odometer and a clear flashing warning me that I only have enough juice to do another thirty-six miles I park her, talk to her and of course take the photos and immediately post them on Facebook. Then we have to practice reverse and put her in her new apartment for the night.

I then go down Memory Lane. Have I really been driving for forty years? Those driving behind me would probably doubt it. Bee Gee is only my sixth car and had my fifth one not been stolen there would never have been a sixth. In the seventies I had two second-hand minis and recall the problems of the choke and flooding the engine. My uncle was in the trade and was one of the first to bring the Japanese Honda cars into Britain. In 1977 I bought my first new car, a beautiful silver Civic; she was the 'S Plate special' and a silver streak bombing around Birmingham with heads turning to admire her. In 1981 we parted company and I bought an automatic red Civic with a radio installed - what luxury! A radio in a car.

In 1990 I switched to Micras and was relieved to find that the choke was no longer necessary. One just turned on the ignition and pressed the accelerator pedal. This car had both a radio and a clock. It was a far cry from the days of the fifties when my father would allow a good ten minutes to start the car as he put the crank (starting handle) in the front of the engine and turned it while secretly praying that it would actually start.

So, what does your car say about you?

People tend to have their own favourite makes and models. Some people like small cars others large or sporty models. What car do you have? Why do you like it? Does your vehicle have a name? What colour is it? Is it diesel or petrol engine? What does a red flame Nissan Micra say about me?

It is a small, slow car and an automatic. It's easy to park as I confess to being a typical woman. I recall the conversations with my father who would say that there was enough room to park a double-decker bus as I looked for a larger parking space. I'd reply that I needed room for a double-decker bus and an aeroplane.

I've been given one piece of good advice which I share with you; always keep an atlas in the car even if you've got Sat Nav! I would suggest that you always keep a good novel in the car as well but not for reading while driving.

Thought for the week: Happiness and health are the greatest good fortunes, worth more than any amount of cash.

Remember that 'Time and Tide' wait for no man, so have 'No Regrets', 'Stay in Touch' and always 'Look After Each Other'.

Sofia's Selection 4

Howde Folks!

LIFE AT 6!


I've decided to embarrass her by going back to 'Life at 6'. You may remember that she was dreading reaching 60 and declared herself to be '6' for the next decade. Anyway, that was almost four years ago. She's perilously close to 64, now. We keep humming the famous song by The Beatles, "When I'm 64" just to annoy her.

Hello Everyone,

Yes, the 'Big Day' arrived and you can see from these photographs that I enjoyed it!

Now, I'm back in England at the start of my next decade.

As you have seen in the last blogs, Cyprus has been a whirl of excitement, visiting the sites, crossing the 'green' line in Nicosia, spending about ten minutes on Turkish soil as opposed to Greek and numerous other things. I've met new friends and been reacquainted with old ones. For those of you who remember my New Year's Resolution, which was to take every opportunity and challenge that came my way and enjoy them, after I had learned to use chop sticks at the Fortina; I can tell you that I've enjoyed a new opportunity - I've learned to play Rummikub! I'd never heard of it but now I love it. How many of you are still keeping up New Year Resolutions?

Anyway, I was getting concerned as the B day was drawing nearer...

On the 15th, I woke up and said to myself, (I can assure you that there was no one else in the room!) OMG It's the last day of the Brighton Line and for non-Bingo players, that's 59. It was a wet day which did nothing to help my forlorn mood. My new friend, Marion, was desperate to remind me of my impending doom at lunchtime. Feeling ancient I had a snooze in the afternoon and by dinner time I was almost counting the minutes until midnight.

Much to my surprise, it was a bright sunny day on the 16th and my first view was of the beautiful harbour and fort from my room. I remembered I was only 6 and declared that I would be more badly behaved this time round. Cards had been arriving for several days so I opened them with my morning cuppa and displayed them on the table. I had bought a special Tee Shirt for the occasion, I AM NOT 60, I AM 18 WITH 42 YEARS EXPERIENCE. I wore it with pride and went down to breakfast.

Marion was waiting for me. Then, I knew I was only 6 because presents of sweets and chocolates arrived. Marion had discovered Aphrodites Secret a shop selling honey almond sweets and purchased some which she deeply regretted and requested people assist her in devouring them. Well, one has to help a friend in need... Knowing how much I enjoyed eating them, as you can see, in the above photo, she kindly bought me some of my own! And another box of chocolates was handed to me by the SAGA rep, my dear friend Henry Phillips. I just kept my hand over the '0' on the Tee shirt and stated that I was only 6!

Later, I strolled to the harbour for a coffee at my favourite place. After lunch, I spent the afternoon on my sun lounger. I certainly did not do that the first time round! At some stage during the afternoon the birthday fairies aka Guest Relations at the hotel found their way to my room and left champagne and balloons.

And the perfect day continued into the early evening. At dinner, I was given another bottle of champagne; I had help enjoying it! Then, came the cake. If this is 'Life at '6'' bring it on!

One of the cards I received, had been left by a lady who had returned to England the previous week, I thought it was such a nice thing to do but her final comment was even more poignant and I would like to share it with you as my thought for the week.

Thought for the week: The best is yet to come!


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Love You Forever, Sofia (and Donald) xxxx