Weekend in Venice - social distance style

Last week & weekend Westy and I should have been spending a few days in Venice. Like most people our holiday plans have been halted and put on hold until the world recovers and stabilises from the Co-vid19 pandemic.
When M and I first met we compiled a bucket list of places we would like to visit and things we would like to see, Venice was one of M's so for Christmas last year I booked a trip for him for the spring.
From the outset it has been a stressful booking and I should have known that we weren't going to get there from the start:

Here's my catalogue of issues!

• Booked a 5 day break - on receipt of the confirmation I realised that I had booked departure and arrival from different airports
• 2 weeks after booking, Venice is deluged with the worst flooding in 100 years
• 3 weeks before Christmas - Westy's work rota for 2020 is changed and the dates booked are now no longer days off!
•  1 week before Christmas -  British Airways cancels my departure flight and rebooks for the next day (1/2 day trying to rebook a more suitable flight)

All issues sorted in January and then Co-vid19 hits and a daily check of status across the world with Italy being one of the worse affected until confirmation 2 weeks ago that all travel is embargoed.

Thankfully we are one of the lucky that have received refunds for all and will now look to re-book when the world feels a little safer.

As we are now in home isolation, I decided to have a 'Venice' night indoors when we should have been sitting by a canal drinking Aperol Spritz and Moretti's.
So for Venice Date Night we had Spaghetti Bolognese with Garlic Bread. Cappuccino Cheesecakes and drinks whilst admiring all the beauty of Venice whilst watching The Tourist.
I picked this movie as although the reviews were mixed, one of the common compliments was that it showcased Venice beautifully.

I'm not a huge fan of Jolie or Depp but enjoyed this movie, which I would describe as a romantic action comedy. Some of the scenes are stunning, and have added the Danieli hotel to my bucket list. Jolie's wardrobe is stunning and is an homage to Sophia Loren throughout. Depp is a mix of Wonka / Jack Sparrow which was enjoyable to watch.
We had a really enjoyable evening and have decided to do this weekly on the eve of M's day off so that we can just chill as we are both working and travelling.
This weeks is New York .... so watch this space!

Weekend in isolation..

Hi everyone.... how was your weekend? this was my first 'proper' weekend social distancing and I tried where possible to maintain some routine.
Shopping, Cooking, Chores and some downtime.
Saturday saw me in the queue at Tesco at 5.50am for the 6am open. I never knew that I would get so excited about being able to buy toilet rolls, pasta and fresh fruit. With M coming home from work with hand sanitizer it was a win, win all round.
It has allowed me to meal plan for the week, this is helping my anxiety and trying to maintain a healthier eating plan.
M is a key worker and with the alarm going off for the last 5 days at 3am its vital we try to eat healthy and keep well.

Sunday gave me time to check-in with friends and family and just catch-up a little which was nice. It was also the 11th anniversary of the loss of Gramps and the first time that I hadn't been able to get to the cemetery which was a little difficult.
My learns from the week were to manage the volume of negative news as this was not great for my mental health so I have switched off all news notifications to my phone and we

 *  Only watch the Daily 'Boris' briefing
  * Follow the @WHO (world health organisation ) for Corona updates
 * Only read the news once a day, minimise facebook & twitter

My downtime involved a movie, a book and some blogging. My Saturday morning movie choice was Brittany runs a Marathon Synopsis- A hard-partying woman receives a startling wake-up call when a visit to the doctor reveals how unhealthy she is. Motivated to lose weight, she soon takes up running to help her prepare for her ultimate goal of competing in the New York City Marathon.

I really enjoyed this movie, it was an easy watch and one that I could relate to having been on a bit of a health and lifestyle change over the last few years. 

My kindle read was The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary - Tiffy & Leon share a flat but have never met. Tiffy needs somewhere to live fast and Leon needs cash quickly, with Leon working nights and Tiffy working days they find themselves sharing a flat and bed without ever having met. I was intrigued by the synopsis from the start and it did not disappoint - with friends, girlfriends all calling this a disaster from the start, Tiffy & Leon embark on this very funny and sweet flat share. I really enjoyed this book, the character of Tilly, a clutz with a kind heart will have you turning the pages to end.
This week I have an indoor photography course to complete and I plan to start some scrapbooking!

What have you been Doing, Watching?, Reading? - would love to hear .
Take care and stay safe & well
Tx

Social Distance Blogging....

 Hello ...
I hope that you are all safe and well and all social distancing.  With the country in 'lockdown' and with some time on our hands I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to pop on the blog and say Hello.
I've really missed blogging and needed to take some time away from it to realise that with all the social media channels that are now available this is my favourite. Also I have a number of friends and family that don't do Facebook or Instagram where this is great for them to read.
So I am back, at a distance and hoping to update as and when I can life with T.
Today I am sharing a couple of images from the talented artist @heather_rosehill  who I have followed for some time who's words & images are just beautiful.
I am loving the Quarantine List and actively working my way through some of them.

So how is the Social Distancing and Self Isolation working for you?.. I would love to hear.
Some of the things that I have done in between work are:

• Do something that you would do with more time - BLOGGING
• Sit outside and enjoy morning coffee
• Bike Ride
• Read

I will be sharing some images from my Social Distance Daily Exercise and also what I have been reading and watching.
Stay Safe & Keep well.
x

Hello 2020 ...

Farewell May...

May arrived in a bluster of blossom and signs that Spring had sprung and that Summer was around the corner.
London became awash with floral installations as the Summer season launched and the city started to get ready for Chelsea.
Favourites across Mayfair included Claridges, The Connaught, Annabel's in Berkeley Square, Wild Things Flowers and of course the Corner shop on Bond street which is festooned with balloons and flowers. These certainly cheered up my lunch time walks and commute to the station.
Aside from enjoying the floral installations across London, May was busy with walking, cycling and enjoying time with M, family & friends.

Mays highlights include:

*Purchase of a lovely blue bicycle, complete with basket!
*Breakfast at The Ivy Chelsea Garden with M
*Some 'me time' to read, relax & pamper.
*Night out at the Albert Hall with Bruv & Sis & M to listen to Harry Redknapp
*Date Night with M and Michael Buble at The O2
*Bumping into Peggy Porschen in her new parlour on our way to Chelsea Flower Show.
*Ticked another 125 miles off my walk 1,000 miles in 2019

Blog posts to follow of my May adventures. June is a mixed bag of work & fun & fitness. Work will see me spend several days in Newcastle on project work.
Looking forward to getting out with the Makelight Ladies this month to explore the Rose garden at Regents Park and playing with my Olympus Pen.
I am also pulling on my trainers to march 10k for men and raise some funds for prostrate cancer.
Where as May saw us boogie with Buble, June will see us bounce to Bon Jovi before we head off for a few days to Amsterdam.

Hopefully the sun will shine on us all and we can start to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets of summer...