Friends & Family Archives - Page 15 of 51 - Antony Simpson is an Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.

The Fantastic Peter Pan’s Musical Adventure at Blackpool Winter Gardens

Saturday 6 January 2018 / Antony Simpson / 8 Comments

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Some days are special. Some days are when memories are made. Today was one of those days.

peter-pan-blackpool-2018-0 — Blackpool Tower

My mum, my brother, his girlfriend and my nephew went to to see Peter Pan’s Musical Adventure at Winter Gardens in Blackpool. We got into town early and headed to the amusements.

My mum and nephew took to the 2p machines with eagerness. They took their tubes of 2ps to the machines, started to feed them and collect tickets (that would be later exchanged for toy prizes).

Mum quickly got hooked and was like a crack addict getting their fix (joke!). At one point mum and I were looking for the others, she saw a 2p machine and made a be-line for it. Mum’s face, full of concentration and determination (to get more tickets), made me smile and chuckle no end.

peter-pan-blackpool-2018-1 — The 2p Machines.

peter-pan-blackpool-2018-2 — Mum feeding the 2p machines and feeding her habit at the same time.

Peter Pan was fantastic! Modern music, enthusiastic cast, lots of adult humour and plenty of flying. Children and adults alike throughly enjoyed the show from start to finish.

Peter Pan Poster at Winter Gardens, Blackpool.	Peter Pan the set (1).
Peter Pan the set (2).

Next year’s performance will be The Wizard of Oz. Are you a friend of Dorothy’s?

Spending the quality time with family today made me feel really blessed. I am greatful to have such close relationships with my wonderful, awesome and fabulous family.

Blog soon,

Antony

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My November

Thursday 30 November 2017 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: 4 minutes

A lot happened in November. Some of it was good and some of it was bad. Here were the key events:

4th November 17 – I went Smoke-Free, Day 1. Smoke-Free Logo	5th November 17 – I was given the cold shoulder by Dylan. He just walked away from attention to sit with his back towards me. I called him by his name and was ignored. Blanked by Dylan.
6th November 17 – My week made with the arrival of my pre-orders from Amazon. My Pre-orders: Despicable Me 3 and Monster by Michael Grant.	11th November 17 – I tried on silly Christmas hats! Silly Christmas Hats!
12th November 17 – My lovely Grandma passed away. I am sure she is missed dearly by all who knew her. I am also very lucky to have some wonderful memories with her. My Lovely Grandma.	14th November 17 – I went to the GP about an abscess in my groin. I was given oral antibiotics and told if it gets any bigger I must go to A&E to see a Surgeon.
15th November 17 – The abscess had doubled in size. So went to A&E, was given a dose of IV antibiotics and eventually saw a Surgeon. They decided to operate first thing the following morning. I had been Nil By Mouth since arriving in A&E at around 1PM and had not eaten since breakfast. They let me go home well after 9pm to eat, rest and with instructions to fast from 3am and be back at the hospital for 8am. Oh pink…just my colour.	16th November 17 – The day of the surgery. All of the NHS staff were kind, compassionate and understanding. But communication could have been better. I arrived on the ward at 07:50am and was instructed by a Nurse on the night shift to wait in the waiting room, while the early staff had handover. The night shift Nurse didn’t tell the day staff that I had arrived and meant I ended up waiting over an hour. Apparently staff had been looking for me everywhere. After the surgery, I didn’t know whether my open wound had been packed or not, because it wasn’t documented in my notes. It has been uncomfortable, a bit tender and at times painful. I have thanked my family and Steve who have been amazing in supporting me pre and post surgery. The surgery and waiting for the open to heal has been very frustrating for me. Everything has had to be put on hold. I’ve had to rest and haven’t been able to do very much apart from watching Netflix, reading and napping. A huge positive is that I have remained Smoke-Free throughout.
17th November 17 – I became super excited after watching a video clip that revealed the title of the new Fantastic Beasts (Harry Potter) film: The Crimes of Grindelwald on Twitter @BeastsMovieUK. The film will be released on 16.11.18.	22nd November 17 – The day of Grandma’s funeral, which was really a celebration of her life. The service was touching and well attended. Grandma’s family and friends came together afterwards to share memories and the many things they will miss about her.
25th November 17 – Day 21 of being Smoke-Free. Smoke-Free Logo	29th November 17 – Last day working at my old job. I will miss the people and liked the work, but am excited to start my new job.

Write soon,

Antony

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Photos from Sheffield Botanical Gardens Yesterday

Sunday 27 August 2017 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Yesterday Simon and I went to the brilliantly beautiful and glorious Sheffield Botanical Gardens. The gardens have species of plants, flowers and trees from around the world. The weather was warm and dry and we even had considerable spells of sunshine.

Here are some photos from Sheffield Botanical Gardens:

Sheffield Botanical Gardens Sign	Sheffield Botanical Gardens – A place of Beauty.
Most plants had a black and white signs identifying the species, like this one.	A mulberry tree.
One of the many different species of plant.	There were many collections (like the above) that were filled with colour.
A wooden structure. Close by was also a mental ant. Both works of art added to the Gardens, but my favourite has to be this one.	A bright and beautiful yellow flowered plant, in the background are more of the same.
A tree with the most interesting red bark.	An inspiring and detailed statue at the centre of a rose garden.
More plants and flowers, with the indoor botanical gardens in the background.	Several of these flower beds (with plants of various colours) lined the entrance to the indoor botanical gardens.
An entrance to the indoor botanical gardens.	Indoors – Cacti (1).
Indoors – Cacti (2).	Photo of the glass roof, taken indoors.
Indoors – Many plants.	Indoors – One plant had leafs that were so ginormous, that they made my hand look tiny (see photo above).

Essential Info:

A beautiful botanical gardens, which include .
Highly recommended.
Admission Price: FREE.
Opening Times: Vary, see Opening Times here.
Parking: Limited. The gardens have no carpark and the streets close by are either Permit Holders Only or Pay and Display.
Toilets available.
Cafe and Toy Shop also on site.
Map:
Map of Sheffield Botanical Gardens.
Image from & Copyright © Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

Blog soon,

Antony

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A List of Things I’ve Done on a Week of Annual Leave

Saturday 19 August 2017 / Antony Simpson / 2 Comments

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I’ve just been off work for a week on much needed annual leave. I’ve had a great week off, the weather has been warm, but with intermittent sun and showers. Here’s a list of things I’ve done:

Had plenty of rest and relaxation – including some naps here and there.
Finished reading Carrie by Stephen King and reviewed it.
Attended Wigan Pride (gay pride event), organised by BYOU+. It was a great event which included: a parade led by the legendary Sir Ian Mckellen (better known to some as Gandalf or X-Men’s Magneto), a stage with local performers performing (also opened by Mckellen) and a marketplace of information stalls. BYOU+ and the residence of Wigan did Wigan proud and it is an event that I shall look forward to attending again in the future. Here are some photos from the day:

Wigan Pride Parade (1)	Wigan Pride Parade (2)
Wigan Pride Parade (3)	Wigan Pride Parade (4)
Wigan Pride Parade (5)	The closest I could get to Sir Ian Mckellen (under the rainbow brolly).
Wigan Pride Main Stage	Sir Ian Mckellen opening the main stage (1)
Sir Ian Mckellen opening the main stage (2)

Caught up with Sye, James and Sye’s family (who are kind of like my adoptive family!).
Watched Game of Thrones Season 5 and Season 6.
Published Did You Know? (Part 5 – Animals) blog post.
Did the big shop.
Had my eyes tested at Specsavers, got a new prescription and had the lenses put in my existing FCUK frames (as I still love them and they suit the shape my face).
Had coffee out (twice) and lunch out (once) on my own, to have some me time.
Went on my monthly man date, we had dinner out at a posh place.
Ordered an Inspire Now Journal.
Caught up on some of my housework.
Finished reading Spellcraft for Hedge Witches by Rae Beth and reviewed it.
Read Forever is the Worst Long Time by Camille Pagan and reviewed it.
Watched a couple of episodes of the new season of Zoo (season 3).
Started reading The Radleys by Matt Haig.
Got my hair cut and coloured.
Played some Sid Meier’s Civilization VI [Mac Code].
Took a photo of a rainbow from my bedroom window, here’s the photo:

rainbow-photo-from-bedroom-window-August-2017 — A photo of a rainbow from my bedroom window.

Blog soon,

Antony

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