ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 44TH OF 2025

 Good Afternoon tis Friday time for

So last week we headed to Stratford for a couple of days and to enjoy some excellent Shakespeare plays. 

We travelled down on the Thursday, we hit a lot of roadworks all I can say is HS2 is definitely making that journey harder at the moment, I really feel for the people directly affected by the same. 

We had a matinee show to enjoy on Thursday a 'first encounters' (aka as abridge) version of King Lear in the Swan theatre. 

It was very good, but we believe we have only seen this play twice now and both have been abridged which is a shame I think I'd like to see it done in all its glory.  

Stage at the end of the play. 

The promo poster

We had a quick change and shower at the hotel and then hot footed it to Zizzis before heading to the RST for 'Measure for Measure' 

As a play this is complex and one where the ending leaves the female with no words, we did wonder with how it started how they were going to finish it and we were not disappointed.

Then Friday we had the day to ourselves, we enjoyed exploring Stratford as usual and given how epic Measure for Measure was were doubtful that it could be matched or surpassed.

This time we were at 'The Other Place' and an hour before we set off I realised we had 'pub type' seating, which basically meant that we were incredibly close to the actors, pretty much in the pub. 

This photo I took when we were in our seats, like I said close. 

The whole run of Macbeth set in the Glaswegian bar is sold out and I genuinely had no idea why, but the lead actor was apparently the lead in the series Outlander, which I think was the main reason. 

The play was bloody and grimy and all things Macbeth, but I don't think I've ever cried to Macbeth before if I'm honest, but then I've never seen Lady Macbeth's death scene played out on the stage (ever) which was startling enough but then for Macbeth to lay her down on the stage and do his 'tomorrow and tomorrow' speech with such emotion was enough to get the tears flowing. 

There was a standing ovation as it finished and I can honestly say it was the best Macbeth I've seen in quite some time, in fact for a non-traditional version this is definitely my favourite. 

On Saturday we were heading home and decided to pop to Kedleston on our way back, we were hoping to see Helios (a Luke Jerram installation of the 'sun') which was there but when we arrived it said it was sold out.  Disappointed as we were we need a comfort break and a cuppa so headed in to get our cards scanned and the amazing man behind the counter provided us with two tickets and said to hurry as the slot was 12.15pm as it was already 12.40pm.  

We hurried into the house which not only housed the sun installation but was also celebrating Diwali 

Helios was stunning and the surface had movement on it like the real sun

Seeing it from the other side of the marble room hanging was amazing

Kedleston hall is lovely anyway, the glass chandelier still designed for candles was amazing

The outside view gives you some perspective, it had a feel of both Wentworth Woodhouse and Nostell priory. 

Then we had a wander around the very old church, the stained glass windows were stunning. 

We were glad to finally land at home and after we'd unpacked enjoyed relaxing after our busy couple of days. 

We caught up with our son and daughter-in-law and soaked up all information to do with our grandson and then we were back at Monday (already). 

Although this week was short (only two days) because on Wednesday we had been invited to my cousins wedding which was amazing.  She looked stunning and as she is into her metal music and all things gothic we knew it would be different. 

Here is a photo of her on her way to get married, the most beautiful black wedding dress you ever did see. 

I hope you've had a wonderful week too.  

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 43RD OF 2025

 It's not Friday and it is definitely not Saturday but I'm still doing

So last Friday we went to Sheffield to see the touring show of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' with hubby and my sister. 

As a child this was my sister's favourite story book (although she did confess to having not read the whole series when we were there).  It was a great adaptation which we all enjoyed and made for a fun afternoon.

Then we had a sneaky visit to see our grandson taking my sister with us, I had a feeling there was a barrier to visiting because the last time she was there at the hospital was when my Mum was poorly and then obviously when she passed away, so to help get over that hurdle we took her and had a flying visit where she was finally introduced to her Great Nephew. 

On Saturday we had an early start and headed northwards to York for the Ghost in the Garden trail.  We had fun trying to find them around York, too many to locate all in the day, hampered by our occasional wander in to a shop to browse, but it was a fabulous day out that we all enjoyed. 

Many of the ghosts were the same as last year, this Knight remaining one of our favourites from both last year and this year's visit. 

This was a new one and made us all smile, the ghost of a ghost

The ghost with the plague mask was also amazing

We also found a beautiful church off Goodsramgate that we'd never seen before and had a wander.  They had a trail for children of these carved mice which were cute. 

We also wandered the Shambles and managed a photo of the butcher throwing his waste onto the street which we missed last year. 

It was as always an exhausting day but one that we all really enjoyed. 

Needless to say Sunday was definitely a day of rest, we chilled and read and watched TV and genuinely didn't do too much which was a nice change from the busy couple of days that we had had. 

Monday and work beckoned, I was working from home and finally got to the bottom of the inbox before working on some budget review documents which I'm making progress with. 

I was in the office on Tuesday which made a nice change, three back to back meetings much needed but that did leave me lacking on time again.  So Wednesday was spent back at home doing a mass catch up and making good progress.

I saw a post the other day of how close Christmas is and I'm mentally going into slight panic mode.  I am one of those that is usually really organised and often head into November with little to sort if I'm truthful.  However, this year I've decided to embrace autumn, which is great apart from the lack of Christmas preparations.  As we head into the last week of October I do wonder if I will be in full blown panic mode come November or if this year I can just go with the flow. How about you, still trying to embrace autumn or uber organisation and embracing all things Christmas already.

I hope you've had a fabulous week (and a bit) and promise to catch up with blogs as soon as I have the time. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 42ND OF 2025

 Good Morning Lovely People it is Friday morning which means time to find the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days. 

Well last Friday I had to go into work but the positive is that I wasn't there all day. 

We had a lunch come tea at Ikea before heading up to Sheffield on the tram. 

We had a wander around both the Millennium gallery and Graves gallery and then spent a blissful couple of hours drinking tea and perusing books in Waterstones before heading to Sheffield City Hall. 

We had tickets for the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra which was genuinely brilliant

Saturday morning and an early start to the Company Shop where we met up with my sister, son and daughter in law.  Once home we had breakfast soup (we had defrosted some soup and it needed using but I knew if we had an official breakfast the soup would be wasted, so we ate soup at 10am thus breakfast soup). 

Said 25 year old popped over with our lovely daughter in law and we talk about life the universe and everything.  Currently there are still daily trips to the hospital which is taking its toll and daughter in law was honest in that she is struggling at the moment.  So a quick diary check and rally around and company sorted for her visits this last week which is a win win in my book. 

Then we spent the rest of the day relaxing I did some crafting and hubby did some film watching. 

Sunday we decided to head up to YSP, it is an age since we've been and I fancied some fresh air and autumn colours and it did not disappoint.

We got to see a new art exhibition in the Weston which was fantastic. 

I loved the bright paint work

The carvings were beautiful

We spotted fungi in the grounds

Saw another new art installation at the Chapel which was thought provoking

and enjoyed the glory of a British autumn

Selfie in front of nature's rainbow of colours

Look at those colours and that blue sky

Autumn is definitely my favourite season

We also found where they had put this sculpture since it had been moved

The lake looked stunning

Genuinely good for the soul

I've worked from home this week, still catching up, work have been utterly amazing I feel very blessed to work which such a fantastic team.

Hubby went up to the hospital Monday and Tuesday with daughter in law and then volunteered yesterday.

We are about to head up to the hospital today. 

I hope you've had a wonderful week. 

Hugs

 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 41ST OF 2025

Morning all tis Friday time to clock the silver linings and positive moments from the week

Well I'm still acclimatising back to the UK including its temperatures and its autumnal season, how do you embrace autumn?  It is something I'm trying to do in a meaningful way but I'm struggling a bit. 

We have continued to watch our autumn films from the film jar this has included the likes of Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic as well as films such as The Frighteners and I reluctantly agreed to The Shining whilst I was minibook making, however, the music score is mighty stressful so I insisted on something more light hearted in the evening, so we opted for this, the second of the Harry Potter films and the second Harry Potter film I've dosed off to, honestly I give up. 

Saturday I was out with my niece and sister, we were wedding dress shopping which proved an interesting experience.  The first shop was awful but the second were lovely and she tried on many beautiful dresses.  It was however, a very long day. 

Sunday was officially my day of doing nothing (not that I'm great at that), but we did have a restful day if I'm honest.  Hubby had cooked a roast dinner on the Saturday so it was a warmed through tea on the Sunday which was brilliant (and easy). 

Monday and back into work mode, I'm still working from home and I'm still trying to catch up, but work have been fantastic with me given the stresses and strains that occurred when we were away and are giving me ample time to just get top side of things before I head back into the office which has been a huge help and blessing. 

Monday evening I had a fab on line catch up with my sister, genuinely missed her since we got home so it was nice to put the world to rights. 

Tuesday evening me and hubby felt the need to get out of the house, so we headed to the local shopping centre.  This is always dangerous as I ended up buying things that I sometimes reflect on genuinely not needing.  However, it was nice to get out of the house we stopped off to have a coffee 

and I bought some new shower gel from the Body Shop including an autumn inspired one and got a 'Simple Things' magazine which has an autumn theme. 

Thursday and we had a dental appointment, but the check up was good so just a polish and clean. 

Then we had breakfast out (which was naughty and we genuinely struggled with it after we'd eaten it, more fool us, but it was nice to be out and about).

Then we headed home to catch up on the routine house jobs and finish the stairs deep clean off and get a couple of things ticked off the list. 

Then we sat outside in the autumn sunshine with a hot milky coffee chatting and reading until we started to feel cool. 

We are off to visit our grandson in hospital tonight and catch up with our son and daughter in law which we have both looked forward to all week. 

I hope you've had a positive week. 

Hugs

 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 40TH OF 2025

 Good morning everyone, I appreciate that this is most definitely not Friday, but the world has been something of a tumultuous place for the last couple of weeks for us, time to clock the positives and grateful moments time for 

So a couple of weeks ago, we headed to warmer climates for our main holiday break this year.  We ventured for the first time to the island of Kos with hubby and my sister.  

We were staying at a hotel not far from Kos Town and spent two weeks soaking up the blue skies and sunshine, the good food, the sights and were hopeful of enjoying some serious downtime. 

As it happened whilst we had a good break, there were things going off at home that definitely took the edge off the holiday reset button. 

However, let's cover the lovely holiday 

This was at the beginning of the holiday a photo off our balcony. 

We went to Zia to enjoy the sunset and had a wander, finding this beautiful church up on the hillside. 

The sunset was lovely but an awful lot of selfie stick waving was had by the crowds that had gathered, social media has a lot to answer for, but we stood back from the crowds and soaked up the spectacle

Which did seem to get better

We had a wander around the shops before we found a roof top bar to enjoy a drink, my sister, despite the temperatures was still cold, so they provided a blanket, that she reluctantly gave back when we left. 

On the Tuesday we had a walk into Kos town, I loved this piece of artwork on the outskirts

and enjoyed spotting the boats around the harbour

Later in the week we went on an island tour, covering the castle in Kos town (which wasn't open when we had ventured in previously), the Askeplion which is home to modern medicine.  Then we headed to a honey factory on the volcanic side of the island, we enjoyed a talk about the honey, the different flavours that are produced and enjoyed purchasing several jars before heading off

for a fabulous bay view at the other side of Kos, simply breathtaking

We enjoyed many days by the pool sunbathing and reading and on our final day which was cloudy we headed back into Kos town to visit the Roman House which was well worth while. 

The Italians during their occupation during the 30's and 40's had taken the ruined footprint of a Roman house and then rebuilt the top of it in the style it was originally intended.  We have in the past visited Wroxter's Roman Villa in the UK, but this was something else a huge property that really gave you a feel for the original home, this inner courtyard still had the mosaic floor

there were some of the 'finds' from the site, although a great many had been moved to the main Kos museum which was a shame. 

Another stunning mosaic floor

the level of details was stunning

another courtyard within the house

and the outside of the building, the ruined walls against the house were originally further buildings against the original build

Back inside there were more beautiful floors

as well as some fantastic oil lamps which were immensely detailed

Once we had finished there we wandered further into Kos town and enjoyed visiting this church

before wandering the shops. 

We headed back as the clouds seemed to gather and we were back at the hotel when the heavens opened and Kos got some rain which the locals appreciated even if we weren't too keen as they have 300 days of sunshine per year. 

We travelled home and arrived back incredibly late/early morning and we were mentally running two hours ahead being in Greek time. 

Wednesday was a blur of washing and unpacking before I hit a work day on Thursday and Friday - not my finest idea if truth be told. 

So whilst we were on holiday, there was significant things occurring at home, my daughter in law who'd been suffering throughout her pregnancy was officially diagnosed at 30 weeks with pre-eclampsia, within a few days this turned into full eclampsia and there were general concerns for both Mum and baby, so on the 23 September 2025, whilst we were most definitely not in the country my daughter in law at 31 weeks pregnant had an emergency caesarean and our grandson was born weighing in at 2lb and 9oz.  

As you can see from this photo he is tiny, that is my son's finger versus his son's finger. 

We were incredibly stressed as we waited on news from the UK, I was immensely grateful to my daughter-in-laws Mum for keeping me up to speed with things and the photos that came after confirming that both Mum and baby were doing OK was a huge relief.  

So I hope you will forgive my tardiness for not having caught up with blogs or putting comments on etc as we all adjust to things. 

I hope you've had a beautiful and blessed week. 

Hugs