Category: friends

The Botanist,Sheffield

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Picture the scene if you will from the film ‘The Secret  Garden’ the one where the little girl makes her way through the bramble,  through the rusty old gate and finally steps into the secret garden for the first time…

You got it yes…

Last night as Liz and I made our way up the stairs to the third floor of The Botanist (situated in Leopold Square) and entered into the restaurant our faces where more or less the same.

One’s of pure awe and admiration (or as we say around these parts ‘gob-smacked’) as we beheld the sight in front of us.

“If you look the right way, you can see the whole world is a garden” Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

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Masquerade Ball …#Sheffield

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On Saturday I got to have my hair ‘done’ ,dress up to the nines and party with some of my favourite ladies. (Miss O Malley over in Spain you were missed!)

The occasion a Charity 1950’s Masquerade Ball, raising money for Sheffield’s Children Hospital.

Myself and Sue decided to treat ourselves and had booked  into Purdys Hair salon on Abbeydale Road Saturday morning. As I didn’t have a mask I thought I’d better do something special with my hair. Just who goes to a masquerade ball without a mask??

It’s a fab little salon with a lot of character. I felt like I was sat on the set of Grease! (always longed to be a Pink Lady)

For £25.00 you get a set and up-do.

I took a selection of  images featuring  1950’s beauties hoping that something would be achievable on my scraggy mid-length hair. I half expected to walk out looking like Kevin Keegan, but I needn’t have worried!

Sue opted for victory rolls ; I just told Victoria to go for it, do what ever. Continue reading →

The end … Marbella Diaries 

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So as with most good things they come and go far too quickly for my liking.

I had been looking forward to my weekend in Marbella with the ladies for what seemed like forever and it was over in a flash … just like that !

So how did we spend our last day?

Having not really left the villa during the day to explore , we decided today was the day we would venture out to Orange Square in Marbella’s Old Town.

I had heard reports it was amazing and very beautiful.

Having only had a few hours sleep, hung over but feeling surprisingly chirpy , 6 of the 10 booked taxis for 11.00am.

We had strict instructions from Leigh ( who decided to have a lazy day around the pool) that we had to be back at 5.00pm.

We had no idea why but promised we would be.

Old Town Marbella was approximately a 20 minute taxi drive from the villa and cost €24 (about £20.00) which between a few of you doesn’t break the bank.

By golly was it worth it  … when we eventually found her.

Head upwards towards the mountains , not towards the sea like we did initially !

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Marbella Diaries – Day 2

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One by one we  started re-surfacing from our beds. We made our way down to the terrace in various states of ‘bed-head’ to enjoy our breakfast alfresco.

Isn’t that one of the best things you can do …eat and drink in the sunshine, without fear of sudden rain?

I love England but the weather … crikey it’s enough to make you want to pack your bags and never come back. Could do better!

Oh and I officially make THE best coffee ( if I say so myself)

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coffee and THAT view

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Marbella Diary Day 1 – the villa and first night out.

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Hola,

Somebody once said that “the best therapy is time spent laughing with great friends” I’ve just had 4 days ‘therapy’ and it’s done me the world of good.

By golly have we laughed…

and then some.

We’ve partied (a lot) and for want of a better word I’m back home and I’m bloody knackered. Rolling in at 6 in the morning was bad enough in my twenties,  at 45 it’s a killer but worth the tired, fuzzy head.

As my mum often says …”your a long time dead. Why sleep when you can dance?”

Why not indeed mum….

So what was the occasion?

We flew out to Spain  to join Leigh in celebrating her 50th . This was actually back in May (little details – long story)

We booked a plush villa in the hills above Marbella for the weekend so we could all be together.

Let me introduce you to our home for 4 luxurious days … Continue reading →

Tracey gets fit …an introduction to why?

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Today I thought I’d update you on a few things… mainly my health and fitness.

Do you remember a few months ago ( Nov -flipping-ember to be precise!) I had some sleep tests undertaken for my cataplexy?

cataplexy // ˈkatəˌplɛksi/

a medical condition in which strong emotion or laughter causes a person to suffer sudden physical collapse though remaining conscious.

It’s been 10 years since I was initially diagnosed with the condition.

I currently manage it quite ok but I was wondering whether there had been any progress in medical science so to speak. Continue reading →