Two days at Olympia

As I have been telling you all, the Who do you think you are show? was at Olympia this weekend, I trotted along as an Exhibitor. Sounds very grand, benefits being the Exhibitors' entrance is nearer to the station than the main entrance and there is a roped off area for eating lunch. On Friday I found I had gone to the wrong hall - the entrances are side by side - would a wedding exhibition have provided more laughs? We are talking bridezilla and meringue dresses here, one day of froth for one hopes a life time of married bliss.

Looking at the above I have used a capital E for Exhibitors as looks right and makes it sound important. Given the number of people with Exhibitor badges many must have been handed out. Anyway, yesterday  remembered the camera, with its new battery so here's a peep at the stand. There were two of us volunteers,  with the Heritage Manager and yesterday we were joined by the Archivist. Quite pleased to have been asked to help, there are a large number of volunteers working in Local Studies, although I'm not sure who else besides us two were librarians in a previous life.

Quite a few visitors to our stand were local people, many of whom didn't know about this treasure trove on their doorstep, nor did they know about the Building our Borough exhibition that closed recently. It is my understanding that some of the plans will be exhibited in the local libraries but of course it will be just those relating to the vicinity rather than the whole borough.

The free booklet that accompanied the exhibition, we gave them away on the stand as the website address is there so researchers can find out more online.

After lunch took some pictures of the scene from the balcony, after downloading I was struck by the beauty of the building which I assume may have been built in the 1930s judging by the interior of the adjacent car park. Not sure about the shocking Schiaparelli pink carpet, perhaps it was meant for the wedding show.

As our stand, number 36, was under the balcony it was not possible to picture it from above, however this gives an idea of the venue and the crowds. There were plenty of workshops but I hadn't planned to use the occasion for my own family research but to be available on the stand. However, has made me realise that I need to record information and organise paperwork even if I didn't buy any fancy folders and inserts.

An enjoyable if very tiring couple of days, missed seeing England win but a great result.

Life in Suburbia

This Week: Saturday 9th February 2013

The weather ... wet, cold and grey. However bad it is I am pleased to say I made it out today to the High Street for the newspaper, prescriptions and a coffee morning. Even more delighted when I spotted a Filofax cover on the bring and buy stall. Ian uses these for his maths. notes, we have scoured the charity shops, this cover will hold lots of writings on mathematical modelling. Big thank you to Anon for donating it.

I am wearing ...  navy blue jeans style trousers, navy blue crew clothing cable jumper, warm cream blouse and the pink cowl.

I am reading ...  today's newspaper, have finished and enjoyed The vanishing act of Esme Lennox, so much that I may re-read it before the book group meet.

I am creating ...  another cowl in linen coloured Rowan big wool, will be deeper and squishier than pink Spud and Chloe version as it's already more than 29cm long.

I am watching .. plenty of TV programmes about trains, so enjoyable that I fancy train trips around the country when the warmer weather appears.

I am enjoying ... the benefits of Ian's membership of the Royal Academy. With a friend the two of us went to Town on Wednesday last to see the exhibition about landscape. Slightly disappointed, had expected more paintings rather than prints, felt the latter needed more explanation, especially the difference between etching and engraving. Even after consulting Wiki I am not too sure.  More important, can recommend the cakes consumed in the Members' Room before we went to look at electronic toys at JLP and Ian went off for an OU tutorial.

Much knitting was done on the train and tube.

From the learning rooms ...  the last couple of times I have helped at Richmond local studies the work has involved listing information from black and white photographs taken of productions at Richmond Theatre in the early 1950s. I suspect these were publicity shots. If I'd known, I'd forgotten the theatre had it's own repertory company so the same names occur throughout the years, including one Margot Boyd, who became well known when she played Marjorie Antrobus in The Archers. None of the online biographies mention her time in rep at Richmond so the work recording these names in the archive is so worth while for future researchers.

On the menu ...  chicken for supper this evening, not sure how it will be cooked yet.

On the calendar ... collection of our ancient fridge and freezer, we had advertised them on Freecycle and they are off to be spares for another family. The fridge was Ian's Mum's; the freezer was from my Mum so we have had the latter for twenty years. Now it's just the two of us, we can shop daily for fresh foods so the capacity is no longer required. All part of the decluttering ready for transforming the cloakroom into a shower room later this year.

A picture (or two) from last week ...

Started again with the multicoloured yarn, the 'yo' holes can be seen, also a picture of the blue shawl, this completes 31 non consecutive days of blogging about knitting. Readers may be pleased to know I may not attempt any more of these kinds of challenges!

The shawls have been neglected in favour of the quick knit cowl given the cold weather.

Off to have tea and Ian's home made bread pudding, comfort food.

Post Olympia

Although it is over a week ago just wish to tell every one that I did survive the Who do you think you are? show.  Was able to demonstrate this website http://www.calmview.eu/Richmond/calmview/  so if you, or any of your family are from London Borough of Richmond you may find details of the property in which they lived. The borough includes Twickenham, Hampton, Hampton Court, Hampton Hill and Hampton Wick, Teddington, Barnes, Mortlake, Sheen. Of course not every road is mentioned, some times just the name of the estate was used, many of the early plans were just concerned with drains.

Two volunteers with the Local studies librarian.

Have been worked two afternoon this week, indexing photographs and a few prints of the Riverside. One day it was Richmond, the next we began on Twickenham side. Many of the Richmond ones concentrated on the visit by HM The Queen on Friday, 28th October 1988 when the Richmond Riverside development was formally opened. The classical designs by Terry Quinlan enhance the townscape and have worn well.

Somewhere in the crowd, outside the then National & Provincial Building Society I was there with Martha and Adam who were just tinies then. Whilst recording the details of the photographs searched to see I could spot us, but to no avail. Somewhere in the vaults of the local independent TV station there may be a few seconds of PixieMum giving her favourable views of the new development.

Seems surprising that the team have reached letter R and this is the first time I can be sure that I was there, this was one of the moments when I am so proud and blessed to be doing this. Sort of a random act of kindness, trying to pass my knowledge on so when I find and correct an error it's feeling I am giving something back to the world. When I die, I hope that something I have achieved or done in some small way has made, or will make, the world a better place.

Am off to continue knitting the baby jacket, not a portable project like the hexipuffs.

Clarity

Hello folks,

Just a quick pop in here to say that the change of font is so the blog is easier to read, thought however pretty the previous type face was it didn't make giving links easy.

So what else has been happening. At doctor's yesterday, given an appointment for that morning with choice of doctor too. Fortunately chose to see doctor who specializes in lung problems, as usual at practice treated so well and have come away with steroids and antibiotics. After reading the possible side effects of the steroids I can be as loopy and spaced out as I like whilst blaming it on the drugs. Instructions didn't say no red wine so able to enjoy the same with a lovely Spanish style meal yesterday organised by daughter. Without going downstairs to check the feast included some lovely cheese, walnuts, a kind of quince jelly, lots of different meats too.

It was a productive day for knitting. As I'm not infectious (did check with doctor), went off to knitting group at Mrs Moon where ribbing for second sock completed and now working my way down to the heel. Much knitting was achieved at Home Group in the evening too.

Met a member of Home Group on way to collect paper this morning, we were comparing our life styles. This couple have very set routines, Thursday big weekly grocery shop, Tuesday meet friends for coffee and maybe a visit somewhere, then two days spent as volunteers at a charity.

We are so different, there is no pattern to our week really, apart from Sundays. Even that has changed as Ian has OU courses for three Sundays this month. We never shop regularly, it is a case of shopping when we need stuff, mainly at Waitrose but sometime very big Sainsbury's trying to avoid the crowds at weekends.
At  local studies I turn up on different days too, as this week I have given a couple of talks about Breathe Easy at Pulmonary rehab courses so haven't yet been to library. If the weather is good we may consider a trip out very much at the last minute, say a train trip to the coast, weather and Ian's studies have precluded this recently.

Now, will sign off, last of the washing to be pegged out. Yes, I know it it not Monday (a wet day this week) but there you go! All part of my philosophy of seizing the day, living in the present, going with the flow and trying to relax. Those who know me of old will appreciate how difficult that is for me.

Wedding of the year

Simple Woman's Daybook: 7th June

Outside My Window ... still dry, pleasantly warm with a slight breeze that has enabled us to have a pile of washing awaiting ironing.

I am thinking ... about how exciting the past few days have been for last Saturday, 5th June 2010 our son, Adam married Juliet Oakes.

Don't have pictures of them during the ceremony as we were asked not to take them, also as Mother of Groom I was concentrating on when I went to sign the Register as a witness. 

Picture of me and Ian before the ceremony though!

Felt bit tearful as first hymn was "How great thou art" and I feel emotional during that at the best of times but otherwise ok. Both bride and groom said their vows clearly during the traditional service, indeed Juliet promised to obey, just as I did nearly 31 years ago. Other hymn was Crimond, a favourite of my Mother's although Adam may not have known that. Our daughter, Martha, read from Song of Songs; Juliet's sisters read before her.

However a picture of them leaving, one can just see the naval reserve guard of honour.

The reception was at HMS President the shore based naval reserve base situated near Tower Bridge, coaches were laid on for those who did not wish to drive. Hit some traffic from the City Road but once at venue the sight of Tower Bridge and the views were jaw dropping.

 Brilliant setting for photo opportunities, plenty of space to perambulate and to chat to other guests in perfect weather. 

We had the meal in the ward room, plenty of serving staff and excellent food, duck pate with salad; roast beef and veg (liked the manner in which courgettes were served); and sweet was chocoate mousse with strawberries. The favours were lovely chocolates packed by Juliet's sisters, the tables had jars of sweets and puzzle books in case anyone was bored. No chance of that!

We had usual speeches, groom's sister and their cousins had a sweepstake on the timings won by daughter. the groom recounted how he and Juliet met eleven months ago.

Highlight of the evening for this proud parent was their first dance for unbeknown to us the couple had been taking dancing lessons and took to the floor to Diana Ross singing "Your love".

 

From the learning rooms ...Ian has spent much of the day doing sums i.e. OU maths

I am thankful ... for family, for Juliet and Adam, for a lovely wedding and for my lovely husband Ian.

From the kitchen ...Nothing happening except tea things to be washed up.

I am wearing ... full length cream coloured linen skirt, navy blue patterned blouse, bare feet.

.I am going ...nowhere, although I need to plant some sunflowers raised from seed in the front garden and climb Mount Ironmore.

I am reading ... The Human Stain by Philip Roth, plus I need to catch up on last Saturday's newpapers.


A picture thought I am sharing ......This is the wedding cake made by friend. The swan, acorns and the oaks are a play on the surnames of the bridge and groom!

I am hearing ... Sarah Kennedy's early morning radio programme on iPlayer, far too early to hear at 5am

Around the house ...pile of ironing, clothes worn at the wedding, including the bride's dress and groom's uniform

One of my favourite things ...ice cream vans still chiming around our suburban street. Last Sunday week Ian went out and  bought five 99s and we all stood in the front garden eating ice cream cornets in the sunshine. The chimes were playing "Teddy Bears picnic"

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... voluntary work at Local Studies, church fair on Saturday, organising social life as I have been neglecting my friends.

Wednesday 21st April 2010

Outside my window... bright, sunny and chilly but for the first time in days there are a few contrails in the sky.

I am thinking... of how much time I have wasted playing around on my laptop today when there is Mount Ironmore to climb, I need to shop, send some emails and do some dusting.

I am thankful for...living in a friendly community. Whilst struggling home with shopping last Saturday friend's husband took all of it and brought it in and put it on the kitchen table.

From the learning rooms... yesterday I was at our  Local studies library where, amongst others, I have become a volunteer. The library has been given planning applications dating from about 1880s to 1950s for the three former boroughs that came together to form one borough in 1963. The planning applications are beautiful drawings of buildings that in many cases were never built, but others are still in existance today. The collection is to be digitalised and scanned, thanks to a grant from the lottery heritage fund. We volunteers are recording information for the data base. So much my interests, as a librarian, as an indexer, as a local resident whose family has been in the area for over 100 years, as one interested in buildings. I commence work next week for a couple of hours one afternoon.

From the kitchen... not much. I'm eating ham salad for lunch so no cooking.

I am wearing... black trousers, pink and black spotted pleated blouse

I am creating... This latest blog.

I am going... To Whitton to buy carrots!

I am reading... nothing, but will start Joanna Trollope's 'The other family' collected it yesterday from library.

I am hoping... my friend and her family will be able to fly from Luton Airport to Lanzorotte tomorrow. She needs and deserves a holiday so much.

I am hearing... One of the first aircraft to fly over our home since Heathrow was opened again last night. Usually we would have so many planes and much noise as it is high pressure weather at present.

Around the house... It is very quiet as I am home alone. Ian has gone to build in wardrobes in our DIL 2B's house and add more storage for her. It is so good he is practical but needs to fit it in with his Open University maths. studies. He has a tutorial on Monday, but is well ahead and understands the work.

One of my favourite things...Time in the morning to read the daily newspaper and attempt the quick crossword. Difficult one today.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Attending a talk tomorrow evening about how Christians can live a green life and care for His world. on Saturday there are celebrations for the Silver wedding of Caroline and Nigel. There is a service of thanksgiving and a bit of a do afterwards. C & N went to Seychelles as a celebration and because of the Volcanic ash were in Zurich for a few days before travelling on a ferry and reaching home four days late. They were well treated by Air Seychelles so this airline is to be commended.

To anyone who reads this would you please comment? Even if just to tell me that some one has read this!

Many thanks, PixieMum