Five years ago I started writing my regular weekly column, Trish Takes Five, in the Lincolnshire Free Press. I suppose I should get myself a gift for my 5th anniversary. If it was a wedding anniversary I could expect a present made of wood, or, in modern anniversary lists, silver. I think I’ll choose modern. Bring on the jewellery or a smart set of candlesticks. Oh never mind – I’ll celebrate with a cuppa and a KitKat.
My blog, in the last few years, has become the place where I write about travel. All the other random stuff I used to include here in the early days, has now moved over to the newspaper column. Many of you won’t be readers of Trish Takes Five so I thought I’d share a few of my favourites from the last year. Some are silly, some serious and some actually about travel but always about 500 words.
On the death of Professor Stephen Hawking
When Professor Hawking died in March 2018, I felt compelled to write about what that meant to me, having watched my own father die of Motor Neurone Disease in 2011.
Remember to look at the stars…
When the Aldeburgh Festival came to Ely
For the first time since 1964, the famous Aldeburgh Festival returned to the city of Ely for an Italian Baroque concert in the cathedral. This brought back memories of my dad’s childhood as I tried to work out where in the city my great uncle’s shop used to be.
A spiritual experience for me in Ely Cathedral
Our rogue vegetable patch
Every year I fight a battle with our raised bed and the vegetables planted there. Last summer, with all that heat, things went a little crazy.
A little plot-ting may have helped
A day trip to Bristol
I didn’t get round to blogging about the wonderful week we had in the Cotswolds in August last year. Rory and his girlfriend joined us for a few days and were keen to have a day in Bristol. This coincided with a sculpture trail, Gromit Unleashed 2, plus the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
Bring me my bow…
On that same holiday in the Cotswolds Dougie and I tried our hand at archery and air rifle shooting. We had a superb lesson at The Cotswold Range. I can highly recommend them as we had so much fun in very professional surroundings. A hit!
Archery lessons hit the target
Chefs cooking up a meal for the NHS on The Great British Menu
We loved watching this TV series last year, particularly the weird and wonderful creations which had more than just a nod to the NHS. Dougie had a lot to say about what real food tastes like in hospitals.
Joining an all-female choir
I’m sure I’ll return to AmDram at some stage, but in 2018 I joined an all-female choir, Mirinesse, and it’s brought back the love of ensemble singing, despite not being able to read music properly.
Postal deliveries going slightly awry at Christmas
Trying to keep track with postal deliveries – the emails, safe places and constant tracking.
Christmas is all about giving…
Remembering a time of landlines and mobile phones like bricks.
Research has shown that time spent on landline calls has decreased dramatically. This sparked some memories of old telephones and the introduction of mobiles.
Are you hanging on the telephone?
When you buy the perfect gift for someone
This year I chose a gorgeous mosaic angel for my mum for Christmas. She loves it so much, she’s ordered half a dozen more for friends and relatives. The angels are the work of Fiona Gurney, Box of Frogs Mosaics.
An angel playing with my heart
Happy Anniversary Trish. Sorry to hear about your father.
I hate phones, but I do miss the ring of the old telephone, and that wonderful sound it made when you dialled a number (literally). I still remember my old phone number when I was a child. No idea what my landline number is these days, though!
Thank you for your kind words, Scarlett.
You’re so right about the dialling sound – that clickety click noise as you turned each number round. I’m impressed you remember your own number – I don’t think I can. Will have to get the old brain cells working and see if it comes back to me.
Good foto. good to see you are still attractive to the opposite sex. Trust hubby was not too jealous.
Although may be worth visiting the optician, he looks a bit stiff, over -suntanned and probably a bit too good at arm wrestling for a good cuddle.
Well done on Trish takes five years
Hubby seems to be a bit of a voyeur as he took the phot. Didn’t seem too brassed-off about it.
Great to hear from you again, making me laugh as you always do 🙂
Happy anniversary! I’ve always thought that writing for a newspaper would be a really cool experience 🙂
Thank you. I do enjoy it – it’s quite good to have a deadline each week to spur me on!