Sense & Sensibility.......picnics..........a sunny evening

The weather was kind on Friday evening......... a sunny warm evening for a picnic in Savill Garden before seeing an out door production of Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austin presented by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the novel's publication.

I thought all week that I was going to see Pride & Prejudice! So for my benefit I looked up a brief overview of what this Austin escapade was about. Elinor and Marianne Dashwood make their first forays into the excitingly decadent world of eighteenth-century society. & this lively tale follows the sisters as they fall in love, make mistakes and experience heartbreak for the first time in their quest to find a balance between sense and sensibility

We were indeed lucky with the weather as the week up until Friday had been wet and cold and Saturday was wet as well.Some photos of the evening......

Neil, Daughter Briony Samuel & Rosemary

Me Rosemary & Neil

Delicious picnic - yum!

It got a bit chilly as the evening progressed though - not quite the balmy summer's evening but there haven't been too many of these!

Daughter wrapped up warm or is she a refugee?

Mrs Jennings and John from the cast

Refreshments in the interval - all wrapped up warm!

                                                         A very pleasant evening!

Two weeks without chemo

 Two weeks since I took the last tablet. I no longer have to worry about remembering to take my pills with my breakfast and dinner - or shortly after. So  what has been happening?

Healthwise I continue to get stronger. Last weekend I did a walk for 2 miles along the Dorset Coast which was mainly up hill. I was very pleased with myself!It was the most amazing walk I have had for a long time- along the cliffs from Kimberidge to Tyneham village. Beautiful views - and it showed me that my stamina is getting stronger.

Coastal Path

Danger!!

Beautiful coastline

 
I ( with Neil & Colin of course) spent time away staying with friends in Dorset This was my first trip away from home for a long time and it was great to be away. I was so happy to be by the sea - it lifts my energy levels and breathing all that wonderful fresh air has to be good for you.

I still have the tingling feeling in my hands and feet and a dull ache in my left hand has now appeared. The spots on my face still erupt for no reason but apart from that all ok.

I have caught up with people that I have been meaning to see for a while over the last two weeks so it has been a busy social time.............

Dinner with Stephen & Steve which was delicious and I got to see the beautiful new extension to their house.

Visiting Sharan & DJ to see their lovely new home and to hear all their plans for the house.

Daily walks with Ruth & her dog Jazz.

A Fish & Chip supper with Ruth.

A lunch party for Sue. Mike, Liza & Jim - which I enjoyed cooking for,  and we all had a good time catching up.

Stella & Angela came for lunch the day after and again it was a lovely time.

The enjoyable stay in Dorset with Alison, Sarah TeaTaster & Billy.

My first taste of wine since November!

Alison, TeaTaster (aka Ben), me, Sarah & Neil

I do enjoy spending time with people, it makes me happy. Yes sometimes I am tired afterwards but I count myself  lucky that I have had so many people who have been so supportive and considerate since I was diagnosed. I knew that I had beautiful friends and family in my life but the last 12 months new friends as well as old friends have really meant a lot to me. But most of all having Neil & Colin with me all the time - 2 perfect companions!

The three of us resting on our walk.

First Day without chemo pills

The 3rd August  came and went. Took the last pills last night and did a happy dance as I swallowed the last one.

I hope that this will be the last one I have to take - let's hope that they have done the business.

Feeling much better than last week and last night was another milestone in getting better. I went to London yesterday evening to meet David & Jeremy our friends from Yorkshire who were passing through on the way  to their holidays. No need for champagne to celebrate -just happy spending the evening it with friends and Neil.

We had a delicious supper at Carluccios in Covent Garden.

We went to see Pygmalion at the Garrick Theatre.

I felt like a grown up again  -venturing into the West End for an evening out. The play was very good - it is the play by George Bernard Shaw on which My Fair Lady was based. Luckily the theatre was air conditioned as it was a very warm evening. We drove into London so that I did not have to brave public transport and we walked from Albermarle Street. I was very pleased that I was able to stand up energy wise to the evening which was a real treat.