Take a Minute blog - Week nineteen, 27 February

This half term we had a budget short break in London with free workshops in the London Docklands Museum and a trip down the Thames on a clipper.  We entertained visitors, saw ’Tangled’ at the cinema and my friend Wendy visited. I cooked mussels for the first time after seeing Raymond Blanc do it on TV. They tasted great and I felt like a real grown-up serving them with a flourish of the lid with clouds of aromatic steam. It was a bit disconcerting that they squeaked, opened and closed and hissed slightly during prep. Wendy brought me lots of edible goodies including some gorgeous ‘stinking Bishop’ cheese. As well as eating rather a lot we did manage a country walk/skid.  I am a ‘giver’ on World Book Day so we are going up to Trafalgar Square on Friday night along with 10,000 others. Should be interesting!

Juicer

I made Wendy and the boys afresh orange and pineapple juice. It’s a classic combination. My Nan used to serve my sister and me a glass of Co-op Orange and Pineapple squash that coated your teeth when we stayed with her as kids and I’ll always associate the taste of it with her.

Swimming

No swimming classes but James and George’s dad took them to the Prince Regent pool where George started swimming underwater! He was also very proud to tell me that he can now float.   Not bad going for a boy who wouldn’t go in the water without armbands six months ago and who wouldn’t put his face underwater. Just need to get him to swim on the surface now.

Badminton

I am very pleased to say that we have been given funding by Age UK to run an eight-week badminton club for older people. This is great news as it means we are able to offer Jamie payment for proper lessons and can book three courts accommodating 12 older people.   We are still finalising the days with the King Alfred leisure centre but please contact Liz (liz.smith@bhcpct.nhs.uk) if you would like to take part either as a participant or a younger volunteer.  The Take A Minute badminton group met to discuss what we are going to do with our Argus/AMEX money. Ideas so far include: pilates, swimming, cycle training, archery, ten-pin bowling, a theatre trip, petanque, something in the May festival, a country ramble, short tennis and dinner. We had to veto paint-balling! Can’t wait to get started.