Yeah had hair in my mouth and eyeballs all night 
x
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Hi everyone
Had the second part of my culture week.
Bucket list visit to the Hayward Gallery , part of the Southbank Centre, to see a rather unusual art installation exhibition by Mike Nelson called Extinction Beckons. Reminded me of the apocalyptic theme of Mad Max!
Then back to one of my favourites, the National Theatre to see Janet McTeer leading a great cast in Phaedra, the Greek tragedy set in modern times where a politician has a fling with the Moroccan son of her ex- with tragic consequences. Very adult but with quite a few laughs.
Sending love to you all
Neil x
And West Ham just lost on TV but were a bit unlucky!
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I have to agree with King Charles, the national theatre does look like a car park! But, the seats look very comfy.
@NEILB72 you should write a review guide to all the seats of the London theatres!
Beki x
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@christine51 missing your posts. Hope you are able to still check in and read our updates and how much we miss you even if you donāt feel up to posting at the moment.
Beki x
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Hi Beki
Must admit I never considered going to the National as just concentrated on the West End. So glad I changed my mind as its now my go-to place for live theatre. My tastes have changed so much in recent years. Seats are very comfy in all three auditoriums.
Hope you have a good afternoon and evening
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
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Hi Neil,
I think if I lived in London I would like to visit the many venues that you go to. The Hayward Gallery looks very interesting, not sure thatās my type of thing.
The photos are very nice as always, you definitely are the cultured one among us.
I have never seen To Kill a Mocking Bird as a play, but I enjoyed the book and film with Gregory Peck.
In a couple of weeks Iām going to see Blood Brothers at Castle Theatre, also my granddaughter is in a local production of Shrek, and in a dance Showcase at school. Sheās going to be auditioning for three local panto soon, Cinderella, Babes in the Wood and Beauty and the Beast. She certainly loves being on the stage.
Iām sorry about the football result, there is always next season for silverware.
Sending love
Debbie x
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Hi @christine51 , I hope you are okay and still reading posts even if you donāt feel able to respond.
Sending love and hugs 
Debbie x
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Hi Nick,
I love looking through the photos you post. You and your brother certainly have a talent for photography.
I liked to visit Belvoir Castle, when our children were younger, with Doug being a coach driver we often went with him on trips. Warwick Castle is another favourite, but it has got very commercialised in recent years.
Debbie x
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Hi @christine51, so sorry your struggling, grief is so painful. I dont mix with friends, its so draining putting on a happy front when mh heart is so sad.
I go aqua swimming class 3 times a week and have the initial quick chat at the beginning, that suits me as i can put on a brave face for just 10 minutes, then once in the pool we have to listen to the instructor.
I agree with others on here in maybe seeing a bereavement counsellor, unless the one you see now qualifies in bereavement.
Its so hard not having the energy to do your work, go swimming when your body and mind is so exhausted through grieving, but your body is telling you to rest. Its hard resting because you just want to jump up and do things, but frustrating as it is the rest is necessary. I get impatient with myself when Iām exhausted but I literally cannot get up off the settee when Iām like this.
Iāve been ill since xmas, only last couple of weeks Iāve got back to work, swimming and walking my dog. Everything is so hard without my soulmate.
Iām glad Porsche is better.
Take care
Amy xx
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Hello Christine
Been thinking of you and Porsche as usual and hope you are bearing up. I canāt seem to get past how awful Iām feeling right now so if you still arenāt feeling any better I can understand. Was it Debbie that said if you didnāt want to post just check in and have a read instead. That sounds good advice. I havenāt replied to the Samaritans email yet because they suggested I tell them about Mum but Iām just not up to it.
Zoe is keeping me on my toes. She got out of the back garden gate and chased a cat last week. Now she knows the back gate leads to freedom she is trying to jump over and when that doesnāt work sheās using her nose and mouth to turn the latch. I swear itās like battling with another human.
Heās ordered a wood-burner to be installed in April. Iām not adding cleaning that out to my list of chambermaid duties. Like Mum always used to say, looking after a fire and cleaning after it is like going back in time.
Iāll sign off for a bit and wish you a peaceful day. Iāve just spent the last half hour thinking itās Saturday and it isnāt.
xx
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Hi Nick
Those are great photos. I used to love photography as a younger person so itās nice looking at other peopleās. I often think of how involved and detailed taking a captivating photo used to be. I swore Iād never get a digital camera when they came out but soon found I had little choice in that, now most people donāt even own any type of camera. Sad in one way as many photos donāt even get printed.
Thatās just me being nostalgic I think.
Itās always a pleasure to see the pictures you post.
xx
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Hi Neil
Hope youāve had an easy week. Is it a sign of getting older when it seems like there is actually only two or three days in a week now. It forever seems to be Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Love the photos and Iām in awe of how you can search out all the discounts that you do.
I saw on TV the trailer for that new film Allejulah (not spelled right donāt think.) About old age in a care home I think and it looked intriguing. In another place or time I may have watched it but itās a bit too close to home given the circumstances.
Wishing you a gentle day
xx
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Hi Amylost
I agree grieving takes everything out of your mind and body doesnāt it. I lost my Husband and more recently my Mum. Well done on doing the swimming. Itās easy to just not bother sometimes so good on you.
Hope Friday is kind to you.
xx
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Hi Tina
Had to do some cultural stuff this week as its Mum and Dads anniversary tomorrow and it helps to soothe the sorrow somewhat when I have things in place. Planned a call to Samaritans later which I always do around special dates. Just like to talk about my parents and it really helps.
That film Allelujah started off in London on stage a few years ago but didnt catch it.
Sorry to read on one of your posts you are not feeling great but reaching out to Samaritans is a positive thing. Either by phone or email it still takes a lot to make that call or get in touch with someone. Just do what you think is comfortable for you.
Sending you love and best wishes
Neil x
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Hi Debbie, we used to set off from Essex and drove mostly north, visiting anything we could find. But once we got to Belvoir Castle it was just too late to visit. Warwick Castle was never on our radar, we just missed it. - We had so much fun taking photos. My brother printed out so many photos of the participants at Kentwell Hall and gave them away. - We once calculated the cost and found out that it was about Ā£1200. - My brother knew almost all their names and it felt a bit like having a second family. - I just wish I could go back to that time.
- One of my brotherās photos. - It is one of my faorite ones.
Nick
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Hi Tina, I think I know what you mean. Photography has changed, it lost itās magic. It is much easier to take photos now, we just point and press the button, the camera does the rest. Also, we do not have worry about the cost. If a photos is no good, we just delete it. No extra cost.
You are right, many photos donāt even get printed. But If we did not have any digital cameras, how would we put photos here on the website? (I never found a good scanner.) I would not like to go back again. - Nick
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Thinking of you Neil over your parents anniversary date and hope you plan to honour it in a way you feel up to x
Your photos as usual are amazing but like Debbie said not sure if the displays are my thing lol x but I can appreciate them for what they are x
Sorry to hear the football didnāt go your way but always next match 
x
Take care of yourself, much love 
x
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Saw all these deer when I driving home from the Loch tonightā¦really hope itās not a sign of the bad weather they keep forecasting for next week lol x
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Hi Neil
Hope you have been ok over these last few days. I do admire you for being able to voice your thoughts to the Samaritans. Iām not a comfortable talker sadly.
Hope today is kind on you.
xx
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