WHAT A LOVELY SUNNY DAY!

It was haircut day today and when you are retired, even that is exciting!  

I always love going to see my hairdresser, Fran, and today was no exception.  She is always upbeat and ready to listen to “good things or gripes” - not that there are many gripes in my life, I must admit.  I have been pleased with my new shorter haircut and the first shot in my collage shows her “titivating” the sides of the new hairstyle with an electric trimmer.  When she had finished, I was amazed to learn that in 6 weeks time, it will be Christmas Eve, so decided that I didn’t need to add to her stress on that day, so we have agreed that my next appointment will be on 7th January 2025 - actually, my hair hadn’t grown that much in 6 weeks, so another week won’t make that much difference!

Then I met Mr. HCB - who had also been for a haircut - in Jack’s and you can see us both in the polished copper light shade enjoying our coffee.  I did ask him to wave, which he did, rather half-heartedly, I thought, but at least he did it!  We then popped down to DEBRA, our favourite charity shop and bought a couple of Christmas gifts.

We then went to do some shopping at a local Aldi and happened to see M, the lovely lady who had agreed to pose for me, back in July, for a Mono Monday shot.  She greeted us like long-lost friends - so we stopped and had a little chat.  I remember saying in my Blip at the time that we should never judge a person by what they wear or what tattoos or piercings they have - and once again, M proved that point to us - she was so lovely and friendly.  Then we met another lovely lady who goes to the same Slimming World class as me - so had another chat.  It's so good to see friends and chat - and that's what being retired is all about - not being in any hurry!

We came home and I cooked myself some lunch and then told Mr. HCB that I needed to go out for my walk - but decided to go further this afternoon especially as the sun was shining and sky was blue.  It was great and the bottom four shots show a beautiful tree, just near to where we live, a makeshift gate into a woodland area, the sculpture at the entrance to Badbury Park, a newish housing development where I walked and last, but not least, a tree which has been felled and is now looking derelict.  I was out for almost an hour and have walked almost 7,000 steps today so far.  

On the way back, I stopped and spoke to three workmen - of course I did - at a nearby local hotel - and gave them each one of my little hearts.  The youngest of the three, who had one with “Hope” written on it,  told me that he would put it on his keyring and when he felt a bit “down” he would look at it and know that there was hope - how lovely is that?  

I am now about to compose a letter of objection to the Planning Department of our Local Council for a new property that is proposed to be built on a swathe of green land between two other houses, on which a beautiful tree stands, that will have to be felled.  I have found the Planning Application online and see that there are about 30 objections already, so it’s no good sitting back and doing nothing, but hopefully when all the objections are read, the Council will reject this planning application.  I feel for the people who live in the houses either side of this proposed development, the green area having provided a safe and inviting environment for children to play on freely in the 42 years that we have lived here.  Time will tell.