Blog - Ivor’s Daily Gallivant

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Tuesday May 2, 2023 Got up before my alarm went off at seven and had my usual breakfast of a small portion of Fruit and Fibre, four squares of dark chocolate and an apple. Last night I peeled and sliced the carrots I’d been given on my last visit to October Books and added onion, mushrooms, cauliflower, a fresh tomato, garlic, tomato purée, a vegetable stock cube, soy sauce, Worcester sauce, lemon juice and pasta. I left this concoction overnight and added water, grated cheese and breadcrumbs this morning. I spooned the mixture into foil trays and left it out to cool. There’s enough for three days and it’s going to be an inexpensive, nutritious, and full of flavour meal. Next I set the kitchen timer for half an hour and did some hoovering and tidying up . I will have to wait in to get quotes from the electricians to fix the strip light in the kitchen most of the day. The electrician for the morning came and his price is between £50 to £100 cheaper than the first quote I got. As is normal for me I ran to the Coop and bought myself a canister of milk and made a cup of tea. Feeling tired because I’d woken up before six I thought a nap was in order. And was soon having an agreeable sleep. The phone rang it was someone who said they were from BT checking broadband speeds in my area. I said, ‘can you excuse me’. And went for a pee. When I got back to the phone the conversation continued for a while. He said something that I imagine was intended to sound technical and serious…. I replied: ‘Hum’ He said: ‘What do you mean Hum?’ ‘I replied: ‘Ponderous’ He said: ‘If you’re not going to take us seriously- don’t waste our time’. I replied: ‘Hum’ He said: ‘Stupid!’ And hung up. It was mid-afternoon so I happily made myself a cup of tea, having successfully antagonised a bogus telephone caller with marginal effort. Dave the electrician arrived. We agreed a price and he fetched an LED light from his wholesaler and fitted it immediately. I ate the last two of my venison sausages with mustard and a couple of slices of buttered seeded whole meal bread. Did most of the hoovering and had a nap.

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Monday May 1, 2023: May Day The day started with a small portion of fruit and fibre which I ate so I would be able to have a cod liver oil capsule, followed by my daily apple and four squares of dark chocolate. In readiness for my evening meal, I took a foil tray with chilli con carne which I’d cooked earlier out of the freezer and put it out to thaw. Ever keen for an endorphin rush I ran to the bus stop and when I arrived felt great. The weather was sunshine with showers today: with the first shower starting while I was on the bus into Southampton. The plan was to meet up with Julie and Helen and join the May Day Parade which started at the Bargate and finished in Palmerston Park. It was midday when I got to the Bargate, lunch time. At first, I thought it would be nice to get myself a burger in MacDonalds, but it was crowded so I left and bought a pulled beef Sandwich in the nearby Tesco Express. Which I hadn’t tried before and wasn’t impressed with. There was The Red Star Choir who sang a few songs, a couple of speeches and then the drum band started up accompanied by whistles which were handed to anyone in the crowd who wanted to join in by Helen. The procession made off through the park and ended near the bandstand where there were more speeches. My new folding chair was a godsend although at present I haven’t got the hang of opening it up. It enabled me to take the weight off my right foot which I injured running to get out of the rain when I was on holiday in Scotland when I was nineteen. Julie gave Helen and I a lift home and they discussed their plans for growing vegetables in their gardens. It had been my intention to do some hoovering when I got in, but I ended up having a nap instead. I cooked the chilli con carne in the microwave with a couple of small potatoes. Sadly, it was a disappointment, too much fat and not enough chilli flavour. Anyway, another day gone which I won’t have again.

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Sunday April 30, 2023 In the belief that I would be one of a group of people handing out leaflets supporting the nurses I went to Southampton General Hospital and found nobody else was there. Mystified I phoned Helen and who told me leafleting was scheduled for two o’clock in the afternoon. (I had misread the email about the event something which for me isn’t that unusual) Helen asked if I’d got the birthday card, she sent. And said there’s loads of birthday wishes on my timeline. I had a coffee and ham and coleslaw sandwich in Costa and as I was leaving heard someone call my name. It was Kathy and Andy who were visiting Megan. We had a chat and they asked about how my birthday had gone. It was something which I later reflected wouldn’t happen to a more efficient man. (Perhaps there are advantages and disadvantages with everything that happens in life or whatever happens can be seen that way) My initial plan was to go to Marcella, but I had a shower that morning and left my boiler on, so it was important to get back home as quickly as possible and turn it off. When I looked at Facebook there was a birthday message from Julie, and she offered of a lift for the May Day Celebration. My evening meal was a chickpea curry which I took out of the freezer earlier. It was nutritious, cheap and flavoursome.

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Saturday April 29, 2023: My Birthday featuring Tim the Unmentioned and The Scallywag At about 8.30 I woke from what must have been a sound sleep and realised it was my birthday. I unpacked the folding stool I’d bought myself and after reading the instructions sat on it to right way round. Now I’m officially 68 I thought. I opened the card I received from Jim, and treated myself to some fruit and fibre, an apple and my customary four squares of dark chocolate. Along with my cod liver oil capsule. With all the vitamin D supplements and dark chocolate I feed myself, and hurtling off to bus stops, at the drop of a hat my brain should stay in good shape for years yet. Who knows perhaps one day I’ll find some use for it. I made myself a venison sandwich and then it was off to Marcella. When I got there, I explained how well behaved I was by resisting the impulse to buy an ‘Abolish the Monarchy’ tee shirt. We went for a walk: Margret, Aquid ,Josh, David, the new lad and lass, and I to the Marina. Then it was time to go home. On the way home Julie and Tim got on the bus at Knighton Fields and Tim said he’d looked at my previous blog posts and there was no mention of him. (Which seemed odd as I was sure I’d included him) after discussing Terry Pratchett it we decided to call him Tim the Unmentioned in this blog post in an attempt to have a Terry Pratchett like reference. I got home and started cooking my birthday steak dinner. And The Scallywag (aka Andy) arrived with a birthday card. We had a cup of tea and a chatted about ‘The 2023 Diary Adventures’ and my exhibition at October Books which he’s agreed to help with by transporting my paintings in his car. My meal was delicious and afterwards I settled down to an evening nap. It’s tough at the top.

Birthday and travelling back home on the bus with Tim the Unmentioned

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Friday April 28, 2023 I woke up early and stayed in bed until it was time to get up at seven, reflecting that whatever you do in life there’s always frustration in one form or another. Feeling a bit depressed after getting up for a while I went back to bed. It was a day that I spent just treading water. Like many of my days. Yesterday there I missed a call from my GP surgery which i returned today. I have been accepted for a weight management program, following my recent meeting with the Diabetes specialist. Tomorrow will be my 68th birthday and I will be going to Marcella to celebrate. And having a ginormous piece of steak as my evening meal. This afternoon I ran to Boots to check if they had my electric toothbrush head’s and found out they hadn’t yet. I continued to the Coop where I bought a banana, some gravy granules and a canister of milk.

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Thursday April 27, 2023 Today I went and bought a steak for myself for my birthday on Saturday in Sargents the Butchers in Dibden Purlieu. They also had some venison sausages in which I’m also partial to so I bought some of them too. After buying my meat it was about lunchtime and I decided to see what was on offer in The Nova Forest Restaurant which is near Sargents. I bought a homemade pasty and a cup of coffee. It was all very nice but pricey. When I’d finished I caught the bus to Hythe and bought some potatoes, onions, chestnut mushrooms, apples and tins of soup in Lidl. I wanted to do some sketching and had my sketch pad and a pen with me but didn’t actually do any, although I bought myself some vanilla ice cream in Harvey’s and sat outside with it. When I finished, I caught the bus home and it was cold, so I got under my throw blanket and had a nap. I got up and decided it was time for tea and my customary four squares of dark chocolate. Recently I read an article about Micro Biotic Diets which recommended thoroughly chewing food before swallowing it. Advice that I followed today. I cooked myself an evening meal of a lamb steak, tomato, jacket potato, mixed vegetables with mint sauce and gravy which was followed by an apple and washed down with a cup of tea. It was a cold rainy day for the most part.

Ivory’s Daily Gallivant Wednesday April 26, 2023 Woke up early and had a piping hot shower. After which I felt exhausted so went back to bed for a while. Unfortunately, it turned out to be longer than I bargained for and it was two in the afternoon, when I finally got up and too late to go and play Scrabble with The Scallywag at 2.45, so I messaged him explaining what happened. The Scallywag said: ‘Wow you’re human after all’. I replied: We’re all of us human, Scallywag (Roar) Ate a portion of the chilli con carne I’d prepared, the previous evening. There was an email from Clare from October Books replying to my last email and saying she’ll be away for a week with an appointment form. I sent the afternoon sorting out the application form for my exhibition. And as is my usual custom made my way to the Coop and back with frivolous haste, buying a Cornish pasty and a packet of Fruit and Fibre. After eating the pasty I sent the evening planning ‘The 2023 Diary Adventures’ trips

Afternoon spent organising my exhibition of paintings and planning my 2023 Diary Adventures

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Tuesday April 25, 2023. Woke at about six and stayed in bed until seven. Had some breakfast, and my customary cod liver oil capsule. It was a bright spring morning with the air outside cool and fresh. I wanted some new brush heads for my electric toothbrush, so ran along to the local Boots and ordered some. Having a run saves time and is good exercise it’s a great way to come up with ideas and reflect on life and generates a sense of wellbeing through the production of endorphins. After ordering the brush heads I waited for the bus into Hythe which was a few minutes late. I got off at Hythe Ferry and made my way to the market where I bought some olives at the Greek delicatessen. And went on to the library where I looked at the audio books section but didn’t take anything out. I thought it would be nice to treat myself to a salad in Be Be’s but when I got there it was crowded so I gave the idea up. The bus back to Holbury was at the Hythe Pier stop when I was at the door of Be Be’s so I made a dash for it and reached the bus in the nick of time. The bus was crowded: at the Knighton Fields stop; Tim got on. I called him and, he came and sat with me. We had a conversation, and I gave him some cards promoting this blog and told him I would mention him in today's post. An email arrived from Clare at October Books about my request to hold an exhibition of my paintings in their community space. I chose to have my exhibition in October this year. This evening I set out for Waterside Art Group. When I got to the bus stop, I realised I’d forgotten my white spirit which made continuing to work on my painting impossible. It was too late to go back and get it. The bus was late, and I gave up waiting and made my way home. As I walked back the bus passed me. When I got home, I ran to the Coop (more exercise and time saving) and bought some milk, dark chocolate and a tin of tomatoes. And made some chilli con carne with them, for freezing and eating later.

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Monday April 24, 2023 Woke up early but remained in bed until about ten, where it was warm and cosy. One of the advantages of retirement and living alone is you can get up whenever you want. Eventually I got up and ran to the bus stop. As it’s Monday there was a lunch appointment at October Books. The weather was atrocious today. It started raining as the bus made its way into town. I got off at Sea City Museum and ran to the next bus stop. When I got to October Books lunch was nice, but I didn’t get into conversation with anyone. The WiFi connection was available, and I realised I couldn’t use, The Coop Bank application. So, I went into town and sorted it out. When, I got home I had today’s chocolate ration with a ham sandwich and waited for Bootleg Art Club to begin. During the club I did more to my latest painting adding colour to the trees in the background. I wondered if rather than just taking one picture to October Books as I had initially planned if I could get Andy or Will to take them there. In preparation for my 2023 Diary Adventures, I joined the YHA. .

An enjoyable day getting out and having lunch, sorting out my new bank account and joining the YHA

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Sunday April 23 2023 Woke up early and had nut clusters with pecans for breakfast. Took my medication and looked up each of the British Coastlines resorts to plan our journeys. Made a cheese and tomato sandwich with mayonnaise and put it with some olives and a piece of chocolate in my lunch box. Caught the bus into Hythe and when I got there (at about 11.00) Marcella was closed with the curtains drawn. I decided to have my lunch with a takeaway coffee from Costa and do a sketch of Superdrug. When I finished I took £10 out of the hole in the wall and checked if Marcella was open. At Marcella I was greeted my Josh and Aquid. I did some more drawing and Margret came so I went with her and did some work in the garden (deadheading the daffodils and pulling up some weeds.) David collected the rubbish which had been thrown into Marcella’s garden and Margret did an expert job of pruning the bushes. When I was back home I had an early evening meal of beef stew with a small jacket potato which I followed with a sleep. I made a ‘To Do List’ : sort out garden, housework, go to October Books, Artwork, plan 2023 Diary Adventures…… Liv phoned she tried to phone me several times and thought I’d had second thoughts about having her do the garden. We had arranged I phone her on 13/5/23 when she will have had her tonsils removed. All being well work on the garden can begin soon after that.

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Saturday April 22 2023 This morning I had a piping hot shower a breakfast of an apple followed by the last of a packet of Fruit and Fibre. As usual I ran to the bus stop and when I got to Hythe ran to Marcella. Lucy was there along with Margret. I haven’t seen Lucy in ages it must be over 20 years since we first met she’s an amazing young lady who now has a partner and three children. She’s also run a marathon and got a Psychology degree from The Open University. It was midday when I got to Marcella lunch time. So I had the ham sandwich which I made myself earlier. I was the first Service User to arrive which gave me a sense of importance. A little while later Ben arrived. Ben suggested going for a walk which was a good idea. Lucy collected the glass for the bottle bank and we all made for the car park and they eventually found it. Then we went to the hardware store in the precinct where I bought a pair of rubber gloves. We continued to Waitrose where I bought a tin of chopped tomatoes and a packet of pumpkin seeds. After Marcella I went to the bus stop where I was greeted by Alf who was his usual jovial self. The notice above the stop said ‘Currently no service’ And not feeling very patient I decided it would be nice to walk. I got within running distance of the stop and heard Alf call me saying the bus had arrived. So I got on board and everything was good. When I got home I made a vegetable crumble frying the onion and mushrooms in coconut oil which smelt superb and it turned out a really nice meal with me having second’s and then some more. I had a sleep in the evening, woke up and had a messenger conversation with Kathy about the next part of my charity fundraiser. I mentioned my next resorts to visit were Dartmouth and Exmouth. She said she doesn’t know Exmouth but liked Dartmouth which has a lot of artists. At one point she said you’re only got one life and you don’t know what’s around the next corner. If I’d heard that years ago and taken it to heart: my life would have been much better. Later I realised I was short of milk and fancied some dark chocolate: so ran to One Stop finding it was closed. So I ran to The Coop and got there with a few minutes to spare: so it worked out okay after all. When I got home I had a few squares of the chocolate and made myself some tea. Another day well spent and I felt perky after the running.

Ivor’s Daily Gallivant Friday April 21 2023 Slept soundly and was up late, feeling a bit groggy but my foot is on the mend. Weighed myself and my weight is down for the third week in a row. The Scallywag messaged me and is going to be late again. When he arrived I gave him the humus, cream cheese and Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Book explaining I wanted to keep him healthy so he can keep coming here and thrashing me at Scrabble. Got an email from Trainline offering £10 off my next trip. When Andy came we had a good chinwag and as is almost inevitable he won both games of Scrabble. Sent a message to October Books asking if it’s okay to display my paintings there. Still haven’t totally thrown off this cold. Encouraged by this weeks weight loss I managed with less food again today.