A Diamond Duo with Jubilee Jo

I'm still astounded by it and so I feel compelled to share. Myself and 'Jubilee Jo' came first in a Royal Quiz today. By a half point. Answering questions such as 'In which month was the Queen born?' and 'When was the Queen's wedding day?' Ho hum. Those history lessons came in handy.


God save the Queen and all that. And all who sail in her. And the extra holidays we get rah rah rah. I'll leave my republican rant for another time. I already gave away my prize of a souvenir Diamond Jubilee mug (apparently this would be more appreciated in Sri Lanka) but obviously kept my Jubilee shortbread. It is shortbread. And that's tasty.


Now that the sun has decided to come and play and with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations imminent, the nation seems to have gone a bit mental. It's like the sun has addled people's thinking. There is union flag bunting everywhere. 


We got treated to a Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea earlier which although in a nice venue had to be the most disappointing 'afternoon tea' I have eaten. It was all a bit trendy and open sandwiches for my liking. There was even no cucumber sandwiches! No cake stand either. And the scones the size of a 50 pence piece. All show and no substance. Hence my concentration on the Royal Quiz! I didn't want to go through all that for nothing!


I've still got the Derby to go through. Trust me to be living in Surrey when all this is going on. Roll on next week when I can escape from all this.

Two years on - glad I'm still here

Still eating cake. This time, it's a lime & coconut one

Someone told me this week that they were really glad I was still here. I really wanted to respond with that's nice, but what do you mean? Glad that I'm still in the room? Glad that I haven't left yet? Glad for my sparkling company? Or glad that I'm not dead yet?! I'm pretty sure they would have thought I was being a bit awkward and weird had I said any of this but you know, it would have been a laugh wouldn't it?!

Well, I am really glad that I'm still here. As in 2 years to the day of my cancer diagnosis (19th May) I'm still in remission, I'm still alive and I'm still here reciting the mantra living, laughing, loving.  A life limiting disease does this to you, sadly. Dates become significant because you're really not sure if you'll see it again next year or the year after that. So I celebrate them. My whole life changed two years ago today and although sometimes I do feel sad about it, I choose to celebrate instead. Life really is too short.

This year's celebration started off with a lime and coconut cake. Poor Mat. I had been bitching about not receiving cake and lo and behold there it was winking at me in all its icing glory when I descended downstairs. He had organised it all knowing I would want some form of cake to celebrate. He knows me too well! Then it was off to pretty Chiddingfold, specifically the Swann Inn where a tasty lunch was had. Then to walk it all off, a meander around Winkworth Arboretum where the azalea walk was looking particularly colourful. I love Winkworth, it's just so Surrey.

Spot the weed

Nice bit of wood. Fnar.

I really didn't fancy being anywhere near London today what with the place overrun with triple C's - Chelsea, Champions League and ..... those cheering too loudly (ahem, cough). I just wanted a quiet, chilled day and it was nice to have. The last week or so have been pretty full on what with various things  happening with work, me being ill with some form of norovirus last weekend and various social functions to attend (the Brain Exhibition, Babel at Caledonian Park and Amber and Gareth's wedding). It's a hard life...

Anyway, I have no idea who Grace Hansen is but apparently she said; "Don't be afraid your life will end, Be afraid that it will never begin".  Clearly a wise woman.

I'm over and out. For now.

Still trying to be fragrant

all photos belong to shewithacapitalV