I note that it is virtually 5 years to the day where I mentioned heading ‘up country’ and going to Lisa’s Big Party.

I’ve just been up country again for another Big Party for Lisa – fair play looks like she’ll be having a ‘big party’ at least every 5 years. Good girl.

I was chuffed to be invited and had a lovely afternoon at her Halloween themed bash. Dressing up, drinks, party games with prizes, cheese & fizz, cake, party bags all with good company. Can’t wait for the next one

Naturally I stayed with Mum, who now inconveniently lives further away from my friends in the Leamington area! Mum did drop me off and pick me up so I could have a glass or two of fizz. I felt very much the little girl again when Mum dropped me off with my pumpkin handbag and present wrapped for the birthday girl.

The day before Mum and I had joined Lime Tree Village (LTV) residents on a trip to Thenford Arboretum not far from Banbury. It was a grey murky day but luckily the rain held off until we were having coffee and cake. It was a great place. One of the biggest walled gardens I’ve seen and largest run of greenhouses/hot houses along one side.

Had a good few days with Mum who has pretty much got her new place as she wants it. Still some conservatory furniture to choose, carpet for the stairs and possibly a shower refurb in the 2nd, let’s call it my, bedroom. Lime Tree Village is a private retirement village near Rugby. The village has a great community which revolves around the main building in the old Manor House. There is a lovely bar conservatory area where coffee morning is held each weekday morning and they open the bar a few times a week. It has a library, snooker room, large community room for regular events such as keep fit, art classes, craft groups, card groups…. As well as events such as help with your computer/smart phone, talks from the Fire Service etc. Additionally, as our day trip to the Arboretum, regular trips out. There had been a recent visit over to France to visit the sites of the Normandy Landings, there’s a trip in December to a Christmas Fayre, shopping trips to Milton Keynes, Ruston Lakes. So much going on which is all arranged by the active residents association. Having an active committee and a communal space to hold events makes such a difference to communities like these. There is a restaurant which unfortunately closed the week before Mum moved in, much to Gavs dismay who could see himself having his Sunday lunch there for the foreseeable. If anyone knows someone who may want to take it on get them to contact the LTV management team – it would be great if it opened again and soon.

Lime Tree Village is also very close to both Gary & Gavin. Instead of slightly more than an hour round trip to get loo roll out of her loft, they are now only a 10 minute round trip – not that the loo rolls are kept in the loft anymore, but I’m sure you see where I’m heading with this – they are a lot closer if Mum needs help.

I’ll be back up country in December for my Christmas trips and hopefully will catch up with my niece and nephew who I haven’t seen for a while. Looking forward to it already.