When we went on our annual holidays to the Bavarian Alps we always stayed in the same flat with a spectacularly panoramic mountain view from the balcony. Sitting and beholding that splendour in silence was my Grandad’s idea of heaven. But it didn’t even have to be such a spectacular view. Pure happiness for him was to sit on the balcony overlooking his back garden or sitting in the garden itself, just looking. Some of his other joys in life included playing cards and various board games with me, making me laugh by biting into a slice of lemon without flinching and sneaking me some of Grandma’s delicious ‘Gesundheitskuchen’ (a super moist loaf cake) for breakfast. I often thought Grandad encapsulated the famous Bible verse in which Jesus says we must enter the kingdom of heaven like a child. He never lost the child’s ability to marvel at the world and savour what seems unremarkable to adults. Of course children from Gen Z, (i.e. born from the later 90s onwards), the ‘digital kids’ glued to screens, super-fast broadband stimulation has arguably dimmed that fundamental ability to enjoy the ‘little things.’
I’m so sorry Puds that I missed your lovely comment! Thank you so much. Hope you’re well? Weather here in north Buckinghamshire is not so sunny anymore! xx
Bit mixed up here too now 😆 but that's summer in England for you....I'm very well thank you! I now have 2 bronze medals for karate after taking part in my first ever competition a couple of weeks ago. It was a fantastic experience and something I will be doing more of. There are 5 of us erm.....mid life starters, and we all push each other on (I'm the sole lady in our little gang 😆) and encourage each other to erm....New heights of madness 🤣😂 its not all about young kids....We are all parents and 3 of us have kids at the club as well but that competition was defo our day! It was great fun. Grading next, green belt, which puts me halfway on my journey to black belt.
Wow Puds! 😀 I’m in awe of people who do martial arts. It’s such an amazing discipline and way to keep fit. Actually i’m pretty much in awe of anyone who is super fit 😆 At the moment sadly i’m struggling a lot health-wise, physically and mentally so I have lost quite a bit of weight and am now very weak. My first priority is to gain weight but then I do want to start some type of fitness activity, (beyond my daily walk)! I might ease myself in with Pilates and then try Zumba because I love a cheesy dance 💃🏻
Mum has also had her health problems to deal with but is her usually amazing self. We are currently thinking of putting in an offer on a house, (Mum retires next year and we have to vacate the vicarage), which is rather scary! It’s in Eynsham, which is 5 miles from Oxford. Fingers crossed!
It is excellent for mental health as well. I highly recommend swimming btw, with my former PT head on - its as gentle or difficult as you make it, and easy on your joints as you are supported by the water. It's also good for mindfulness as you have to focus on your breathing. Good luck with the house move, retirement and moving at once! Truly hope it goes well for you both. Look on it as a new chapter to write....
Wonderful Romy. The sun has finally returned to Yorkshire, sitting outside reading a good book in the evening sun. Gorgeous.
I’m so sorry Puds that I missed your lovely comment! Thank you so much. Hope you’re well? Weather here in north Buckinghamshire is not so sunny anymore! xx
Bit mixed up here too now 😆 but that's summer in England for you....I'm very well thank you! I now have 2 bronze medals for karate after taking part in my first ever competition a couple of weeks ago. It was a fantastic experience and something I will be doing more of. There are 5 of us erm.....mid life starters, and we all push each other on (I'm the sole lady in our little gang 😆) and encourage each other to erm....New heights of madness 🤣😂 its not all about young kids....We are all parents and 3 of us have kids at the club as well but that competition was defo our day! It was great fun. Grading next, green belt, which puts me halfway on my journey to black belt.
Hoping you and your mum are doing OK? Xx
Wow Puds! 😀 I’m in awe of people who do martial arts. It’s such an amazing discipline and way to keep fit. Actually i’m pretty much in awe of anyone who is super fit 😆 At the moment sadly i’m struggling a lot health-wise, physically and mentally so I have lost quite a bit of weight and am now very weak. My first priority is to gain weight but then I do want to start some type of fitness activity, (beyond my daily walk)! I might ease myself in with Pilates and then try Zumba because I love a cheesy dance 💃🏻
Mum has also had her health problems to deal with but is her usually amazing self. We are currently thinking of putting in an offer on a house, (Mum retires next year and we have to vacate the vicarage), which is rather scary! It’s in Eynsham, which is 5 miles from Oxford. Fingers crossed!
Do stay in touch xx
It is excellent for mental health as well. I highly recommend swimming btw, with my former PT head on - its as gentle or difficult as you make it, and easy on your joints as you are supported by the water. It's also good for mindfulness as you have to focus on your breathing. Good luck with the house move, retirement and moving at once! Truly hope it goes well for you both. Look on it as a new chapter to write....
Thanks Romy, very well said, your courageous gratitude inspires me
Thank you Wendy, for your kind words! I really appreciate your support so much 🙏🏼