Author: gosforthcentralwi

Dia de Muertos / All Souls Day / All Saints Day / Guy Fawkes Night / Remembrance Sunday / Children in Need / the FIFA World Cup / Thanksgiving Day / Black Friday / Cyber Monday…..

Phew….. we’re likely to be exhausted before Christmas even arrives!

Maybe you don’t celebrate any of these things? No matter.

It can be a long and grey month so, for the sake of our own wellbeing, we should all find something to celebrate this November. Apparently it’s World Kindness Day on the 13th so, start with yourself and make it special. Celebrate drawing the curtains at the end of the day, cosying up under your fleece, writing your Christmas cards early 🙂

And, if none of that works for you, surely you can’t resist World Hello Day on the 21st? It is an opportunity for you to say “hello” to at least 10 people you don’t know in order to demonstrate the importance of communication in preserving peace.

Who knew? And who thinks of these things??

But the heating may not be going on! How many of us are putting on extra layers instead of turning up the thermostat? Or putting the heating on for an hour or so “just to take the chill off”? I know my habits have changed and I’m much more conscious of it now. And, that’s a good thing! Of course I’m not advocating that anyone sits at home in a cold house and, like you, I’m worried about people who may have to do that. But if we can all do a little bit to consume less energy, that’s got to be good in the long run, right?..

And now, for something completely different ….our October meeting didn’t disappoint – we had a demo from Cowells on how to plant stunning “Winter Hanging Baskets & Tubs” and a just as impressive array of members’ home grown/home made flowers, vegetables, & food stuffs for the Sale Produce Table. The Church Hall has never looked so stunning! Thanks to everyone who contributed, brought and bought 🙂

Obviously meant in gardening terms (and this blog comes from a still–novice–and- constantly-surprised–with–what–comes-out–of-the ground– allotment– holder). But the phrase got me thinking….here we are in another, in quick succession heat wave, with drought and wild fires in the UK. Surely this is a climate example of us reaping what we have sown. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love this weather but I find it freakish and a bit scary. And the fact that it’s getting more frequent….Food for thought, right?

August is also the anniversary of the “I have a dream” speech (August 23^rd 1963). Surely one of the best speeches ever – poignant, inspirational, beautifully delivered – and no comfort at all to the still grieving relatives of the Buffalo hate crime shootings in May. How far we have come and how much farther we have to go..

On a lighter note, those who went on the Summerhill Square walk last night had a fabulous time. Such history in our city. A small area yet packed with listed buildings, one listed church and 5 commemorative plaques – to Mo Mowlam, Robert Stevenson, Dr William Rea, Frederick Douglass, Joshua Alder, all of whom made their mark on this city but in different ways. And the Bowling Pavilion and Gardens – a haven of peace and beauty slap bang in the middle. Now, who knew that…?

In true WI spirit – well, some form of spirit 🙂 – we then made our way to the Vermont Above Bar and were treated to spectacular evening views of Newcastle and a full, orange moon. And, of course, the views weren’t the only reason we were there…..hic!

“If I had my way, I’d remove January from the calendar altogether and have an extra July instead.” – Roald Dahl

How many of us can relate to that!

Yes, I know this July is seeing war and the world in turmoil, prices rising quicker than the temperature, and new Covid variants doing what variants do. And, of course, we need to focus on those and do all we can for those suffering.

But ……for the sake of my mental health & wellbeing, I’m also choosing to focus on (still) long & light days, summer sun & warm rain, dahlias & sweet peas, country walks & beach jaunts.

After all, it’s nearly the end of the school year (…..more grandparenting duties!), it’s nearly peak holiday season (…..airport antics!) and the Tour de France has already started (…..all that lycra!)

So, dig deep, stay upbeat… and ignore the fact that it’s St. Swithin’s day on the 15th….:)

…Maybe the sun will shine, the wind will wail, the rain will….well, rain..

We’ve had it all and in all its glory.

We’ve had a gorgeous day for the trip to Howick Hall (and a lesson in how to pronounce “Howick”) and a not so gorgeous and yet so so interesting trip to Jesmond Old Cemetery (and a Mars Bar cake which took our minds off the damp). Ladies – watch this space – because of the weather, we only got half of the cemetery done so we will definitely organise a trip back there.

It’s all left me wondering, when did I get to an age where a stately home / gardens & a cemetery counted as good days out?? Answers on the back of a postcard….:)

But that’s what they were – good days out….., enjoyable, educational, eclectic. Much like the WI 🙂