Joan’s latest adventures are on the Joan Whittle page – click here.
Joan Whittle is now living in Penrhyn, a small development in the centre of Llandrindod Wells, in the heart of Powys. She is resident on the ground floor in a beautiful two bedroomed flat. Everything to hand, including daughter Sandie who lives with husband Harry about five miles away. These are the adventures of the three, two or one – HRH herself as she gallivants around – READ ON! Latest news first, so scroll down to read more.
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Wet Monday before Black Friday, and off to the Three Cocks again as a girl can’t have too many decorations and other Christmas bits. But first, something to eat
No, not that bit to eat, rather a coffee Andrew a scone. Raises the question thought as to who is the fat controller?
We think this is a customer who was locked in for the weekend either that or she is the ice maiden for the top of the tree
Thence to Merryhall for lunch and a warming log fire
After a long natter, it’s then home to Penrhyn
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Friday the 10th, and a trip to Brecon for a bit of Christmas shopping, but first, as usual, a cappuccino and an almond croissant at Coffee #1. Brilliant taste and we woofed it. Then on to Cariad gift shop
A couple of other halts, and then to Three Cocks for just a bit more festive furtiveness
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Big long safari today, Wednesday, to go to the family store – John Lewis in Cardiff. Absolutely super run right over the Brecon Beacons with the early morning mists rising over Pen-y-fan, and up into the clouds on the pass over the range. Exhausting work so after a ninety minute or so drive, some brekkie is needed. As JL isn’t open we head straight for Carluccios.
Some careful consideration of the menu is called for and after much deliberation it is eggs and mushrooms for Sandie, and fried eggs and pancetta for me. Joan went for the Slimmers World special of a small almond croissant. Look at the size of it
And, all gone and more coffees ordered
Suitably fortified, we hit JL!
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Saturday the 28th, and Carol, Nick and Johnnie drive over from Hereford to see Joan and her place and then come over to us.
The natterfest in progress and, boy, did we jaw jaw.
The repast was followed by a postprandial around the estate, and an amateur selfie
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On the journey to Penrhyn this morning. Llandod might be on a hill, but Joan is somewhere in that mist. Autumn rolls on!
To the doctors this morning, and all clear apparently, she’s not pregnant. Good news as we can now all concentrate on the Royal Visit. Candelabra are being polished, the cutlery is being washed and buffed, the spitoons are being drained, the fatted calf has been told not to look forward to Christmas, the carpets are being beaten as are the slaves, and time as ever is running out. Early Saturday sees the arrival of Carol, nick and Johnnie (not Walker).
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More good news! Joan’s niece Carol and husband Nick are due to visit on Saturday. They are breaking the journey at Hereford and teaming up with brother Johnnie for a mini break in that lovely City. The following day they will motor to Llandod to see Joan’s place, and then bring their wellies to Merryhall. Serious aching jaw syndrome on the horizon!!
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Thursday the 20th October, and a trip to Hereford, mainly to visit Lakeland. First, however, we need to park so Waitrose newish store in the Old Market shopping development.
The down side is that although it’s the nearest we can get to the shops, it is still a decent walk away, but is is level and Hereford has got a newish pedestrian zone which makes walking easier. “Wheelie”, the Walker comes into its own and off Joan goes mowing down those clumsy enough to be in her way. Tricky at the lights as we cross four lanes in one go, but a couple of patient motorists help. The reward for all of us is a cappuccino at Coffee #1, a small chain of vibrant bars which is the nearest we get to Metropolitan chic…
… spoilt only by the crying child in the background (isn’t there always one?). House brew is a strongly flavoured, but highly satisfying kick up the bum, which judging by the amount of spooning going on (it’s not that sort of bar!) and the resultant empty cup, was much enjoyed.
Lakeland was followed by Steamer Trading (“what a lovely shop, do I want/need that?”), followed by Marks, and a general walk around the pedestrian area we returned to the car to get lunch at nearby Wyevale – the original one apparently..
The featured paninis satisfied at least one of the Musketeers, and that was followed by a look around the Christmas offer, poor as we were to early, and a mooch around the rest of it. Home via Tesco and an exhalation of tiredness, self – satisfaction at a mega achievement, and some good shopping shopped!
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Good news! The dentist visit was easier and better than Joan anticipated, and she’s nearly back to normal.
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D for Dentist day, but Joan isn’t thinking about it! But yesterday we went to Welshpool to Coed – y – Dynas garden centre, and Charlies country store
Couldn’t quite see what the attraction was about this place, and why the girls were giggling like schoolgirls (or Boys in the interests of gender balance). Anyway, it’s a comprehensive department store all on one level with food to shoes, and furniture to kitchen are all under one roof, and a cafe which sells super-enormous scones. And, a Christmas department of course…
There is also a good greetings card selection as well
After a good romp around, we then looked at Charlies next door, which is a farmers store to die for with everything from things to go up cows bums to baler twine which basically holds the countryside together.
All in all a good day with the usual spectacular views and speedy roads sans traffic.
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12th. Week overshadowed by toothache. Tuesday’s dentist appointment resulted in anti-biotics and a Friday lunch time “doing it” appointment. Wet day yesterday, so we might go to a large garden centre near Welshpool, which might just have a Christmas display. Who knows?!
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7th October. One of the jobs we have been meaning to do was to register at a dentist. But, you know how it is, we somehow never quite got round to it ; it was on our weekly to do list, and then it would appear on our next week’s list!
Joan put a stop to that, however, when she complained that a tooth that had previously been repaired was moving and was causing her gip. We rang around the known suspects, and a few unknown ones, and scoured the inter web thingy and the earliest emergency appointment was for the 18th. Not good enough, so we finally found a private dentist that would see her next Tuesday. Result! Except at that point we couldn’t really avoid getting booked in ourselves, could we? Couldn’t really say “in you go, it’ll be alright, the nice man’s not going to hurt you “, without experiencing some of the pain could we? Hey Ho!!
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Again, the last day of the ninth month, and we are off to the Three Cocks garden centre again, this time because Christmas was launched last night (to the accompanying “Three Tenors” (is that all they were paid?)).
Somehow we missed the full impact of this last year, so it’s as much of a surprise to us as well as Joan. The locals eulogised about it and we can see why ; a mix of Haskins and Wolvercroft and Selfriges.
As the centre is on the old railway line (Mid Wales Railway, Johnny, change at Three Cocks for Hay on Wye), trains are the theme. The line closed in 1962′ and the last person in the waiting room is still here
All offers on a postcard please. This didn’t deter our intrepid and courageous retail therapists, however, who seemed determined to clear the shelves before day two dawns.
Fatigue did eventually set in, thank goodness, but after a restorative coffee and cheese scone, they are off again “another go round just in case we missed anything “!
A good mornings work, and it’s not over, I have a feeling we’ll be back!
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Last day of September, and the flat is looking very good. The latest additions are in place in the second bedroom/Joan’s work room/music room.
The new sofa bed enables her to have visitors overnight, but also the desk allows her to do many of her projects that are always on the go. Not visible is the new CD cabinet which, once a suitable player has been identified and purchased, will form a music listening and Mag reading room
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22nd. Just like the first day at school. Brushed her hair, shoes polished, pump bag filled, packed lunch (egg and tomato sandwiches, and a thermos of tea that is too fragile for words), “now off you go and you’ll soon make some new friends”. Not really like that, but even the first visit to the doctors can be daunting with a new routine and new settings.
Mission accomplished. Repeat prescription obtained from this very busy surgery. Note to self, don’t make a Friday appointment as the surgery doesn’t open on Saturdays. On that point; why is it that every time you go to the Doctors, when you look around, everyone else doesn’t look well?
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Another bit of settling in accomplished with the visiting chiropodist calling. Job done and complements sprayed around, “well you’re the youngest 91 year old I’ve ever met “!
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14th. The Royal Visit went well. Brother David and Liz arrived at about 11.00′ and spent some considerable time with his Mother over a refreshing cup of coffee. They then all moseyed on over to Merryhall for lunch which was a relaxed long one with a glass of wine or two!
Old shoes are then donned for a postprandial tour of the estate, then leaving about 17.00 to take Joan home for a cup of tea prior to their journey back to Solihull. They professed liking both Joan’s new pad (with new sink and tap)’ and Merryhall (with the wonky Donks); and so to bed after a fun and laughter filled day, bet Joan sleeps well tonight!
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Exciting week – a Royal Visit is in the offing. Brother David and wife Liz are coming on Thursday, outlook is gloomy.
We are off to Tesco this morning to get victuals in preparation, and will pop in to see Joan, and top her up. On wednesday, Joan’s waterworks get the full treatment, with a new tap to replace the leaking one, and a new sink unit, should look good for the great day!
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Friday 8th
Joan’s got problems with her waterworks, so we popped round to meet with the plumber. Noticed that the dresser was getting full.
Joan said “Thank you to you all”!
The plumber said that the replacement tap was OK to fit, but that the replacement sink unit was inappropriate. So, of to Builth wells and to Howdens, follow me says Nick, the water works man.
New sink chosen and on board, and off to The Old Railway Line garden centre at Three Cocks for a well earned coffee.
Best? There isn’t another one for miles around!
Incidentally, on the hair front, not chopped off, but Helen did a very good job. £10.
BREAKING NEWS
Visit from the visiting hairdresser today, she wants to look like Judy Dench (Joan, not the hairdresser!).
Monday. Jolly nearly two weeks, and we pop in for a cuppa whilst doing the odd jobby or two.
Week 2! Whodathoughtit?! A week ago, muscles was box handling, sorting, prioritising, re-prioritising, getting in a right muddle, and passing likely boxes to the prissy girls who put things on shelves, and generally having a chatty time (waste). Really! Anyway, we got there and now that Joan has properly prettied and re-prettied, Penrhyn looks gorgeous. Not gorgeous enough apparently, so it’s off to Hereford and what passes for sheds to get some furniture.
Sandie dealt with the pushy salespeople in over – worn trousers, this one is trying to persuade them to take out an extended service warrantee over 5 years, if you can see Sandie’s face, it’s not going to happen, but he’s started so he’s got to finish.
Hard work spending, so lunch at Oak church Farm Shop and Garden Centre is called for.
Lovely place, and lots of things to look at and plan for Christmas. Then back to reality and everyday shopping at Mr T’s in Llandod.
First night over and slept through. We popped in for coffee, and set up the phone, researched the cooker manual on the inter whatsit, Tried to work out the remote lock door entry system and had to regain access by tapping on the kitchen window (note to self, take a key with you next time).
A good move is only successful if you have a good sorting – do I need it, when did I last use /admire / remember that I had it? So the youngsters have the job of going to the tip at Llandegly which is near the International Airport. Didn’t know we had one? Check out “go fly a kite” under miscellaneous above.
A no unpacking day. We gave ourselves a day off. Well sort of. A leaking kitchen skunk tap lead us into a trip to Brecon to visit the nearest domestic DIY shed, Homebase.
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The trip is over the Eppint which is a range of hills between Builth and Brecon. We bought a tap, but Homebase is undergoing difficulties as we know, so no stock of sinks. Situation resolved by the inter web thingy.
And so to bed. The same bed in a new location, for the first time. Oooooerrr, how did she manage, what happened next? To be continued……..
27-08-17 J day plus 3
That fooled you! Plus 2 was much the same as plus 1, more boxes, more unpacking, more everything. Phone installed 01597 829332. Ring, ring!
But first, a trip to Tesco to stock up prior to M day -moving in day, wake up at the back there!
The finished result is looking good everyone.
And finally back to merryhall for tea and lunch and then down to the river
The removers finally arrived at 17.30. The quote was for a three day move with two overnights, the reality was pack in the morning, drive for five hours, unload and drive back another five, go to bed and do another move today. Madness. Time for the pragmatic approach ; all boxes and peripheral furniture in the garage, main furniture in their allocated positions (thank goodness we scoped it earlier in the day)’ and clear of we’ll sort it tomorrow, today in fact. Sixth unmarked boxes to open and prioritise and transport to the house. It worked, the flat looks lovely!
By two o clock, Joan is flaked,
More unpacking on Jday +2, stay funded folks!
24-08-17 Joan day.
She has just heard she has completed on the sale, so Joan is getting her first look at Penrhyn.
She’s off!!
Off out of the trap like a greyhound and on her way to her new life in Llandod.
Into the car at 10.30 and on the way
A stop at the Crown on the A36 near the M4 interchange for salmon and BLT sandwiches (not all together if you get my drift) and an extra helping of chips (she does love her chips!), and “on the road again”.
Thar she blows! Over the bridge to the new life.
And finally, as they say on the news,
