Wednesday Northern Angels Meal – June 17th

Once again, my wife was unable to make it due to work and so with her blessing, I departed for my usual hotel – The Travelodge at Lymm Services on the M6.

This evening was slightly different due to Tina and Mandy not being able to join us, however, Claire – aka Tiggr did as did June our long distance dance instructor from Ireland and Emma who we weren’t expecting.

Having taken my time getting to the hotel, I decided that as I was going shopping in the morning, I could take my time in getting ready rather than rushing the experience. I also managed to change my outfit several times before leaving for the meal.

Arriving at Trebica, I thought I was the first there followed closely by Kate and Shirley only to find that Lisa, Claire and Emma were already sat down on the far side of the bar.

Joined by the remaining girls, we made our way to Velvet for the meal. The meal was as usual very good and the service until the shift turnover, excellent. We then spent the customary ages waiting for the bill and as such were then too late to meet up with the rest of the Manchester Concord girls. Lisa, Emma and June then went on for a quiet drink whilst I joined Kate and Mrs Kate at Napoleon’s.

Arriving much earlier than normal, the dance floor was not open and we had a “quiet” drink until it did. We all three then had a dance – and guess what – I recognised several of the songs for a change! With a grim determination neither of us would give up first and sit down!! Finally we needed another drink and shortly afterwards, Kate and Shirley left and I was all on my own in Naps!!! Not wanting the evening to come to an end quite yet, I sat downstairs for a while people watching and then had a trawl upstairs once more. Luckily I spied Jane and we spent a pleasant hour catching up, with our lives, had a few piccies taken before making our way to my car and me driving back to my room.

Once back at my room, having bade the receptionist good night, I changed into a nightdress and applied adhesive to my forms, was able for the very first time to enjoy the sensation of the nightdress without being encumbered with a bra.

The following day, I got up early and after a quick shave, applied my face and dressed as if for an office. I then drove over to Gemini Park and had a wander around Marks and Spencers, stopping off for a pot of tea in the café.

All too soon I had to leave having splashed out on a new pair of shades and a pair of natural toeless tights.

Heading back South, I got home in time to sign on for my fortnightly generous handout!!

Its Monday, it must be Teela's

Due to me having cocked up my dates I was left with no hotel for the monthly tea with Teela and so decided to take advantage of the changing facilities at Teela’s

I was late (am I ever early I hear you say!!!) leaving and the traffic especially through Stoke was pretty horrific, resulting in me arriving at 6-30pm.

Tina was already there getting ready and I joined her. Tina usually does her face first whilst I always get dressed first. Having struggled into my corset, I chose a long heavy pencil skirt from Roman originals with leopard skin patterned belt which matched my jacket. I am afraid I struggled fastening the hook and eye and had to resort to Tina to help. As a result I managed to pop the fastener early in the evening and will now have to have it repaired. – must lose some more weight!

As I was finishing my face, Catherine Anne turned up and we left her getting ready.

Downstairs we joined the other girls for tea and refreshments. Once again due to the tight corset I declined the kind offer of a seat on the settee (I would have needed a winch to get up!) and sat on the arm of the settee.

Once more Dave turned up wearing shorts and again was threatened to a waxing if he persists.

We spent a pleasant evening as usual with our friends both old and new including an impromptu fashion show by Kate as she tried on a number of wigs. We were joined towards the end by Lisa in Bob mode to help clear the remnants of the food.
As the clock chimed 11, it was time for Cinderella to leave the ball and I joined Tina upstairs once more to revert back to Bob mode. On the road by 11-40 I arrived home absolutely knackered by 1-25.

It's Saturday - It must be Manchester!

Saturday the 13th June saw my wife and making what seems to be a more and more frequent pilgrimage North to Manchester and a weekend of Emma.

I had with some degree of difficulty managed to put together a few options of outfits for the weekend despite the presence of two of our daughters although I failed miserably in trying to choose what shoes, taking 10 pairs away with me – definitely over the top!

Arriving at The Atrium, we parked at Charles Street this time and in so doing saved over £10. This time, instead of being banished to the bathroom whilst getting ready, Jackie was more comfortable this time to see me in various stages of undress!

We were meeting up with Justine and his wife and intended walking over to the meal venue together later in the day.

I am getting much quicker now getting ready and have a routine for my face in particular daytime eye make up which seems to work for me. I was also giving my new blonde wig purchased from Teela’s the previous Thursday it’s first airing. We cracked open a bottle of red wine whilst getting ready

Dressed in a red top and wearing a lightweight flared denim skirt with my new black wedge sandals from Next on my feet, we left the apartment and made our way up Canal Street to our usual haunt of The Taurus bar. As we made our way into the darkened bar, we were beckoned over to a table by a couple sitting near the bar. These turned out to be Donna and her wife, from Leeds and were in Manchester on spec having spent the day shopping together.

We spent a pleasant hour chatting and exchanged contact details before leaving to get changed for the meal and the rest of the night.

For the evening meal, I wore a new silver cowl dress from Roman Originals teamed with my black lace over silver peep toed heels which currently are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes in my wardrobe – and they look good!

Once ready, Justine and his wife joined us and we opened another bottle of wine this time a nice chilled white. Whilst I was aware through contact with Justine that this was his wife’s first time out with Justine, what I didn’t know was that it was the first time that she had met Justine in the flesh since being told about her 6 months ago. Justine seemed far more nervous than his wife. Every credit to her.

Suitably refreshed, we made our way down to the foyer and out into the street strolling up to Eden in the cooling remnants of the day, threading our way through the early evening revellers where we met up with the other girls, 22 in all including many partners.

Due to the numbers, we had pre booked our meals with my wife and I plumping for duck and pancakes as a starter and a salmon pizza for Jackie and a hot and spicy Calzone for myself.

The food was excellent and the company superb. Sitting next to Justine and his wife, the time flew by. After the meal, the tables were cleared away and a dance floor uncovered accompanied by a great selection of music mainly from the 80’s.

By now, most of the clientele were “normal” including a gang of girls from Middlesborough who insisted on having their photos taken with our group. – Not too sure why!

As the evening wound on, some of the girls left for Napoleon’s whilst Jackie and I stayed on for another hour with Justine and Denise. Bidding our friends farewell, we made our way to Napoleon’s where we met up with the rest of the gang downstairs and joined them for a few more drinks before we called it a night leaving Dianne to boogie on into the night.

Back at the apartment sometime after 3am, I managed to pass out on the settee, waking up at 6am, a cold cup of tea on the coffee table, I crawled into bed to join my wife still fully made up and down to my underwear.

I managed to wake up a short while later before my wife and removed the last vestiges of Emma before she woke up (apart from my bright red nails!)

We spent the Sunday morning leisurely getting ready and at noon, descended in the lift to the foyer. On the way down we were joined by two old ladies who we exchanged pleasantries with. We walked up to Velvet where we joined Mary and Dianne for lunch. Once more, it was a nice feeling sitting outside in the sunshine grazing and chatting as the world went by. We were joined by Justine in “Bob” mode and Denise.

We then took advantage of a lift from Mary to visit the open day at Transfixed. Sipping a complimentary strawberry cocktail we were shown around the premises and what services were offered. All to soon, we had to depart as we had a late check out at 4pm. We made it with minutes to spare and as we left the lift who did we meet but the two old ladies we had shared the lift with earlier. I was however in Bob mode wearing a Lion’s shirt and jeans this time and not the denim flared skirt and a red top and black wedge sandals. Tongue firmly in cheek I bade the ladies farewell as we left the lift and made our way to the foyer. It was obvious as my wife was wearing the same distinctive top that we were the same couple who had shared the lift with them earlier as I could hear the cogs whirring and the look on their faces as the penny dropped. Oh to have been a fly on the wall of the lift as they ascended to their floor.

We were still chuckling to ourselves as we arrived back at the car.

My Brother

As I am preparing for a weekend as Emma with my wife, I cast my mind back to this very day 28 years ago, Saturday the 13th June 1981 when I had the unpleasant task of signing the authorisation papers to switch my brother’s life support machine off.

You see it all the time on hospital drama’s like Holby City etc but I have never really seen the recreation of the sort of emotions you feel in reality when presented with such a task.

My brother was 19 years old and I was 23, my father was with me but couldn’t sign the papers, my mum deliberately had stayed away from Bangor hospital preferring to remember my brother how he was.

For those of you old enough, it was the Saturday that a nutter fired a starting gun at the Queen as she was trooping the colours.

He was at the end of his first year at Bangor studying Plant Genetics and was only still there because he was to attend one final field trip the following week. In the meantime I was studying for my degree finals which were to start two weeks later.

It seems that Friday lunchtime, he was cycling with his mate to the pub for a drink and a game of darts (he had been practising so that he could beat me when he came home for the summer – my brother was very competitive and could never accept losing!) when they were free wheeling down a steep hill in Tregarth (where my brother had his digs), it seems they touched handlebars near the bottom of the hill and my brother hit a wall and then went head first into a disused railway bridge stone abutment. His friend ended up with a broken wrist and collar bone whilst my brother crushed the top of his head in (it was before the days that cycle helmets were worn)

Within 20 minutes he was at Bangor and operated on however the damage had been done. I remember speaking to the surgeon who operated to try and save his life and he explained that in 30 years, he had never seen such a serious head injury. We were informed that he was clinically dead within seconds of hitting the stone wall.

Anyway, time moves on and I refuse to dwell on what has happened, although not a week goes by without me thinking “There but for the grace of God go I” there are a lot of people out there far worse off than I and so tonight I will quietly remember a younger brother who I never got to know properly, for an uncle my daughters never had, for never having nephews and nieces to buy Christmas presents for, for a life extinguished before it had time to flourish.

You have to live life today because who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Good Night God Bless Stuart.

Mum's birthday

Whilst pounding the rubber at the gym earlier this evening, I had time to reflect on today which would have been my mum's 76th birthday had she been still with us.

All through my life, my mum was there for me even more so after my younger brother's untimely death. She always said that it should have been me and not my brother.

That comment might seem a little harsh but what she meant was that it was me who took all the risks - swimming in disused quarries, climbing trees, swinging on home made rope swings across rivers, disappearing to the coast (Southport) for the day on my bike at the age of 11 etc. My brother in the meanwhile would sit in and read or watch television.

I was the one who played sport, rugby, squash, fencing (epee, foil and sabre) my brother played snooker, tennis (I never did get a chance to beat him) although I was better at squash and always beat him at darts.

Unfortunately on his last day of his first year at Bangor University, two weeks before my finals, he was involved in a bicycle accident which resulted in his death.

My mum never had any worries about my brother, it was always me!

Losing my dad 10 years ago, was the beginning of the end for my mum and I think that when she died almost 4 years ago now, it was really due to her deciding to die. She was worn out and despite my best endeavours and her grandchildren, felt that enough was enough.

I still miss her. She was always there to tell me what I should do - usually after I had done the opposite! She was a very strong willed woman and there were not many people I remember who ever crossed her!

I often wonder whether she suspected anything of my dressing which I started at the tender age of 13. After all, I was wearing her clothes and shoes until my feet outgrew the size 5s my mum wore. I think mum's always know.

I can remember a few close calls when my parents returned unexpectedly and I had to pretend that I was taking a shower (with all the doors locked!) and I didn't hear them!

Anyway, I for one will drink a toast tonight to both my parents for teaching me what is right and to be the person I am today and to wish my mum a happy birthday wherever she is.

Thank you mum and dad.

Bits and Pieces

Ever run a B&B? Well, with all three daughters boyfriends staying over and my father in law, we ended up providing shelter and catering for 9 of us last week!

Difficult to sort out anything to do with Emma, with the house fully populated. Television fully used by 4 person Xbox games of Halo, and some racing game.

Over the weekend I moved my storage from Northampton to local in the process increasing the size of storage unit by 30% for an increase in cost of less than £10. We took our youngest with us to do some of the lifting although I had to invent some reason as to why I went into my unit alone before loading the van. – a dozen pairs of heels and a rack of Emma’s clothes was the problem!
After loading the van we stopped at the Red Hot Chilli Shack and during the meal my daughter made us laugh.

She asked me what were the orange slices on my sweet plate. I said cantelope to which she replied that she thought that was a type of deer! This was after stacking her plate with what she though were onion rings only to find out that it was battered squid!

Never the less, we successfully transferred the contents of my storage unit to one only 3 miles from home. My wife has suggested that I keep Emma’s clothes etc in the garage rather than in the storage container which allows me a lot more flexibility especially when trying to put outfits together.

Well, tomorrow is D day – I finally am having the 2nd interview for a job I was first interviewed for way back on the 1st April. Crossed fingers I get this. It’s me against one other. May the best man win so long as it’s me!

My wife and I are looking forward to the weekend meal with Manchester Concord and a bunch of our friends together with some girls and partners my wife has not yet met. Not decided on what I will be wearing yet, I suppose a lot depends on what the weather is going to be over the weekend. We have just put another order in with Roman Originals which may be with us before the weekend.

Not sure whether it’s good form to wear the same dress in the same company more than once! But I guess, when you are only part time then some compromise is necessary and allowed.

Just got rid of my painted toenails after several weeks of wearing various shades. It certainly makes you think twice before taking shoes and socks off! Will re do them before the weekend in Revlon Red. We had some friends over to watch the Lion’s game followed by the England Argentina game on Saturday, and it was pretty surreal sitting watching noting that my friend’s wives were all sporting painted toenails like me!

Finally got back to the gym for the 1st time in two months to start working off the weight I have gained since losing my job. I started with a gentle 30 minutes on the jogging machine at 7km/hr and 15% gradient, burning 620 calories and walking 3.5km. Will be going again later tonight and then early to bed ready for my interview in Birmingham tomorrow.

I booked the Saturday night meal at Sparkle for our group at Shang Hi; 14 on Saturday to join with 12 of us on the Friday at Villagio’s. Not sure where we will be eating or with whom on the Sunday of Sparkle, but the Indian has been suggested by the Sparkle organisers.

I have spent the last few days jet washing my patio (three days of fun!) and have had installed floodlights over the BBQ and the patio together with a double gang external socket which should now allow us, weather permitting!, to extend any BBQs into the evening. Can’t wait to try it out. Shame we can’t have a girls night here where I live but unfortunately this will only ever be wishful thinking.

Yesterday, I took one of my daughters and her boyfriend back to London to clear out her digs and bring it all back to the house, leaving her at her boyfriends for the moment. My eldest, has just returned after her first afternoon shift at the local pub, so it looks like she will be staying with us for the summer now she has got a job locally!!

Speaking of girls, who is it that said that girls are tidier than boys! In my opinion (based only on 3 daughters) they are by far worse. My daughter’s room in London was a tip! We had to fight our way in to pack up the rest of her things! Today the youngest has spent all day cleaning her bedroom up and the eldest, who’s bed we have just replaced, managed to bring down over a dozen glasses and cups when she cleaned her room prior to installing the new bed! And she’s only been back home 2 weeks!

Anyhow, I’ll get off my soapbox now and get changed for the gym. Till the weekend everybody.

Sunny weekend in Manchester

Some 7 weeks after my wife was told about Emma, she met the rest of my friends and partners in Manchester.

Packing for the weekend proved to be somewhat more fraught than usual due to the fact that not only was our eldest daughter at home, accompanied by her boyfriend, our youngest was home with her boyfriend and to top it off my father in law was also staying whilst he painted the front of the house.

Painting my toe nails a bright red on the Saturday morning proved interesting as was packing a case as I still had not decided what dress to wear that evening and whether to wear jeans or a skirt out in the early afternoon. Obviously I therefore had to take 6 pairs of shoes with me – just in case! My wife, on the other hand was more organised and was able to squeeze her clothes into the remaining space in our suitcase and in the shoulder bag.

Driving up to Manchester on the Saturday lunchtime, my wife expressed her concern in meeting everyone for the first time (although she had met up with Kate and Tina in Bob mode already together with their wives)

This time we were staying at the Days Inn Hotel just outside the village on Sackville Street and were pleased to find our room was ready this time when we arrived.

Thankfully, the double room we had booked was considerably bigger than the single that I had stayed in before Christmas for the Northern Angels Xmas meal, though a lot less spacious than the Atrium apartments which would have been our first choice had there been any vacancies.

Getting ready I chose to wear my jeans and an orange top with my new wedge sandals whilst my wife plumped for a similar outfit. My make up seemed to take less time than ever and we were soon ready to leave and meet up with Kate, Karen, Mandy and Dianne at Taurus.

Taking the lift down to the foyer accompanied by my wife was a really great feeling and strolling out through a busy reception without any fuss, set up the day.

Outside, the streets were very busy in the warm sunshine and as we made our way up Sackville Street to the canal, we were just two women in the throngs.- (No I said throngs!!!) Outside all the bars, there were large numbers of people drinking and taking in the sunshine, certainly no place to have any doubts about yourself. My wife was a lot more comfortable this time as we wove our way through the crowds on Canal Street than the previous first time out.

At Taurus, we met up with my friends, Kate, Dianne and Karen having been shopping and Mandy like ourselves, just joined. Happy hour encouraged us to have another bottle of the excellent house wine – a Pinot Grigio whilst catching up on gossip.

As the girls drifted away, we all arranged to meet up at View for pre dinner drinks and so we returned to the hotel to get changed.

The moment of truth, what dress? Well unfortunately the purple dress proved to be too difficult to get on due to the side zip and so I resorted to my new LBD combined with fishnet tights with a rose pattern superimposed on them and peepholed silver shoes with a black lace overlay. The dress finished 4” above the knee and was very stretchy and fitted really good over my corset. I changed my make up for more of an evening look and accompanied by my wife looking resplendid in her red and white spotted dress we rode the lift down to reception and made our way out onto the streets.

I felt a million dollars as I strolled alongside my wife up to Canal Street. On the way, a young Asian bloke hung out of the back of a car and just as it was pulling away shouted out “asking if I was a bloke or a woman!” – I shouted back “asking him if he was black or white!” Making our way through the crowds of people milling around, I felt really relaxed apart from having to continually pull down my dress as it headed North with little encouragement! There were a couple of hen parties out and about and some large groups both blokes and mixed together with a few other “girls” as we made our way to View.

At View we met up with the rest of the gang including Lisa and after a quick drink, trooped out and down the street to Villagio’s where we enjoyed a lovely meal. Initially the place was quite empty but by the time we were paying the bill, it was full.

After the meal we went to Via for a drink or two but for me it was too loud to be sociable and initially very busy, until towards midnight it thinned out a touch. We then moved onto Napoleon’s where we re joined the rest of our group for a drink and some dancing. By 2am, we were showing signs of wear and tear and so Kate, Mrs. Kate, Mandy, my wife and I bade the others good night and walked back in the cool night air to our hotel.

The next morning, we had decided to meet up for breakfast at Velvet and so got ready for a Sunday morning. This time I chose to wear a long flowing skirt from M&S with a favourite crochet style cream top over a chocolate brown camisole, and white peep toe shoes. My wife stayed with leggings an a red top and her wedge sandals.

Having got to reception, we waited for Kate and Mrs Kate to join us and then strolled together back up to Canal Street in the morning sunshine. The feeling being out in the sunshine dressed and in wonderful company is difficult to explain but it is something that will remain with me for as long as I live and an experience I will be able to draw down on when times may be somewhat more sombre or in deepest winter.

Sitting outside enjoying smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, outside in the sunshine adjacent to the canal locks was again an experience not to be forgotten and one I hope to enjoy many more times to come. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and after finishing our breakfast, we sadly had to leave Kate and Mrs Kate and walk back to the hotel to get changed and check out.