The best laid plans...

2014 is about to  come to an end. It’s been an amazing year for me. I've paraglided off a 1,700 metre high mountain, performed as part of the chorus for a performance of the Mikado, sang backing vocals on a CD and sung a solo on WOAPA's annual WOAPA day, to name but a few highlights. I also had the anticipation, as well as the stress, of learning the alto part of the Messiah, which I was due perform, along with some of my fellow WOAPA singers in the Royal Albert Hall at the end of November.

In September after 3 years of talking about it, my hubby and I decided to move house. We put our house on the market and it sold for the full asking price to the first person that viewed it. We put an offer on a house we had fallen in love with the next day and it was accepted. We couldn't believe it. It all seemed too good to be true. 2014 was continuing to be one of our best years yet.

But it’s one of life’s funny little peculiarities that things can change in the  blink of an eye.


Things were progressing along quite nicely and we were looking to move at the end of November. Then on the 16th October everything began to change. A phone call from the estate agent ended our hopes of moving into our lovely new home. Due to a change in their personal circumstances, the vendors had decided not to sell. The following Monday, our buyer pulled out because of an issue thrown up by a survey they'd had carried out. This was a bit of a blow. But worse was to come as around the same time we heard some distressing news about a member of the family who was battling cancer.

This was devastating and certainly put our problem with the house into perspective. The next few weeks proved to be very stressful. I fell behind in my studies and the ongoing situation with the house didn't help.Then, towards the end of November, I began to feel unwell and ended up in hospital with pneumonia. This came as quite a shock, especially when my doctor told me that stress may have been a contributing factor.

All of a sudden, what had been an amazing year, seemed to be going horribly wrong. 

I won't lie. I did go through a phase of feeling sorry for myself, especially when I was in hospital. But then I thought back to the good times I'd had and felt lucky to have had them. This is what life's like. We have good times and we have bad times. I've said in past blogs that the bad times have helped to make me a stronger, hopefully better person. I also reminded myself that I have a choice. I can either choose to let the bad times make me feel down and resentful, or I can choose to remember the good times and use the memories of them to help see me through the bad ones. (See my blog titled 'Golden seams' link below).

But what has this got to do with the list of New Year resolutions at the the beginning of the blog?

When I came across this list on Facebook, I realised that somewhere along the line I'd forgotten how to take care of myself. This might seem selfish. but if we don't look after ourselves, how are we going to be fit enough to look after others? So I'm going to print off this list and put it somewhere that I can see it on a daily basis.

I didn't get to sing the Messiah, but there's always next year. I've learnt that a long as we have our health and the support of family and friends, then life can be an adventure, even if at times things aren't going the way that we'd like them too.

Resolution number 8 says, 'Be kind to yourself,' so we've decided to take our house off the market for the time being. Why put ourselves under undue pressure?

Are there things in your life causing you undue stress? Is there anything that you can do to get rid of it? I challenge you to do so. After all life is short and, at the end of the day, good health is the most important thing any of us can have.

Make 2015 the year you determine to look after yourself. This is one NewYear resolution I intend to keep.








http://isabelj327.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/golden-seams_15.html

Resolutions picture courtesy of:- https://www.facebook.com/LyndaFieldLifeCoach/photos/a.258400014202527.62678.145359422173254/860587503983772/?type=1&theater

Happy New Year picture courtesy of:- https://www.facebook.com/sungazing1/photos/a.136345136520324.30543.136336876521150/469252649896236/?type=1&theater

The secret's out at last. Filming for Oxfam.

Another secret WOAPA project.

Regular readers of my blog will know that I'm a member of WOAPA Adult Singing Group, we hesitate to call ourselves a choir. Over the last three years we've had some great adventures, singing at local beer and music festivals, recording a video for a local farmer and generally just having fun singing. But recently we took part in a project that was so secret, we couldn't even tell those who are nearest and dearest to us.

WOAPA on the day of filming.

Brian and Lou, who run the choir, were approached by the charity Oxfam and asked if WOAPA would be interested in making a video on their behalf. They wanted us to do a special recording of , 'Diggy, diggy hole' a song that a company called Yogcast had made an animated video of for Minecraft . For those of you who, like me, have no idea who Yogcast are, they are a company that record songs and videos to go with video games made by Minecraft. They wanted to present it to Yogcast as way of thanking them for all their support and to let them know how their money had been used to help people.

So it was that on Saturday 25th October, 2014, we all arrived at Cokethorpe school, just outside Witney and made our way to The Shed, Cokethorpes' drama studio. Even before we entered The Shed, the filming started. As I parked my car, I was approached by the cameraman and asked if I would mind reversing out and parking again while he videoed it. Thankfully, that piece of film didn't make the final edit. Parking not being one of my strong points.

Here is a link to the original animated version:-

After an initial briefing by Brian on how the day was going to pan out, including a demonstration on his part of how not to smile inanely if the camera zoomed in for a close-up, which he failed miserably, the sound recording began. After several takes, the sound engineer and Brian, were very pleased with the result and so we broke for lunch, the filming of the video to be done in the afternoon.

Me and my friend Rosie, excited about the recording.

WOAPA is made up of Adults and children of all ages, including some with special needs and these children joined us for the afternoon of filming.To begin with, we were filmed standing in formation and simply singing. Then the fun began. A few of the ladies in the front row were each given a placard which, when read in succession contained a message thanking Yogcast on behalf of Oxfam. These placards were to be lifted up, Mexican wave style to reveal the message. as you can imagine, this was not easily achieved, but eventually the ladies nailed it. But this too didn't make the final edit.

New addition to the singing group

Next three of the older WOAPA boys dressed up, one as a cow, another one as a goat and the third as a bee. They were then placed randomly among the choir and we once again performed the song, desperately trying to keep a straight face. After all what could be more natural than having a cow, goat or bee standing beside you while you're singing? We also had to do a 'take' when we had to mime the actions of digging a hole while singing, which, being the consummate professionals that by this time we'd become, proved to be no problem.

Ladies of a certain age preparing for action.

As in all good videos, there were a couple of other comic bits that didn't make the final cut. For instance, some of the older boys sat around a couple of tables, wearing gold coloured, Viking hats with horns and pretended to look at computer screens. Then every so often on cue they would look at the camera, sing a line of the song, then immediately look away again. This was very funny to watch. but not as funny as when Brian delicately asked for some of the older ladies to come forward and repeat the exercise singing lines of another verse. Somehow I found myself being one of them. But we've since learnt that they are going to be releasing a video of the making of this one, so some of these might make it into that one.

When the cameraman was satisfied that he had enough material to work with, the young woman from Oxfam who'd approached Brian and Lou in the first place,stepped forward and thanked us all. She said that when she was sitting in the meeting and was tasked with finding a choir to record the song, she had no idea that she would find WOAPA. She said that we were phenomenal. We didn't just sing the song as it appears on youtube. Brian had arranged it to include harmonies and though I say it myself, it sounds amazing.

After an exciting day, we all went home, but not before we'd once more been sworn to secrecy. as Oxfam wanted it to be a surprise for Yogcast. With all the secrets I've had to keep this year, Diane's wedding surprise and the recent filming of Downton Abbey at Cogges being two of them, I should apply for a job with MI5. They have now presented the video to Yogcast who were delighted to receive it. They've put it on their vlog, and at the time of writing, it has already been seen by 140,000 people. Oxfam are also using the video to raise money for their current Ebola crisis appeal.

I just want to say a massive thank you to Oxfam for choosing WOAPA to do the video and another one to Brian and Lou for the opportunity to be part of the WOAPA family and being able to be a part of these fantastic experiences.

Videos courtesy of WOAPA

Photo's courtesy of Katja Partridge and WOAPA.

I love my job.

House lit up at night for filming.

One thing I've found working as a volunteer at Cogges is that, you never know what you'll be called upon to do next. I've done some strange things in the past, like chasing escaped turkeys, taking goats for a walk and trawling through undergrowth in pursuit of escaped chickens. But one thing's for sure, it's never dull. Far from it.

Lady Edith and Marigold with farmer Drewe and family

Then there's the filming. It's no secret that Cogges is the setting for Yew Tree Farm, of Downton Abbey fame, where Lady Edith's daughter, Marigold, is, being looked after by Farmer Drewe and his wife.

Art and me.

Cogges is currently being used as the location for another ITV drama. A three part adaptation of 'Arthur and George', a book by the author, Julian Barnes, based on a true story about Arthur Conan Doyle. They've been filming here for nine days and it's almost becoming normal to see Martin Clunes, who is playing the part of Arthur Conan Doyle, and Art Malik, who plays a vicar, the father of the George in question, walking across the farmyard on their way to and from the filming.

Charles, 'Charlie' Edwards

Another actor taking part is Charles Edwards, who played Michael Gregson, the father of Lady Edith's daughter in Downton. He's playing the character of 'Woody', an associate of Arthur Conan Doyle. But his presence at Cogges this week has caused quite a bit of confusion. Apparently, he took a photo of himself outside the house and sent it to the Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith, saying, "Guess where I am?"

New garden under dining room window

Most of the filming has taken place in the house, with the occasional shots taking place outside. A 'new' flowerbed has appeared under the dining room window and a 'new' wall with a gate, beside the dairy lawn.

One evening some filming was to take place outside and a request was made to Colin, the director of Cogges, to supply some of our chickens for the shooting. One of my jobs is to help put the chickens to bed and when I popped along to feed the farm cats, Colin asked me if I would come back later to help with the chickens during the filming. I of course said yes, although I wasn't convinced that the chickens would cooperate.

Martin and me

Using some of the net fencing that surrounds the chickens to stop them from wandering during the day, we cordoned off a section of the grassy area between the dairy and the side of the house, where the filming was to take place. Then a couple of the film crew were called upon to help move the chicken coop, containing the chickens who'd already settled down for the night, inside the fenced off area.

Waiting for the chicken scene to be filmed

I arrived on time at 6.30 to be told that they were running late. No surprise there then. When they eventually did start filming, I had to wait around while they shot another couple of scenes first. One of the things I've observed about filming is that there's a lot of hanging about done by the film crew. But unlike them, who are usually to be seen looking bored and on their mobiles, I was like a kid in a candy store watching everything that was happening, especially when Art Malik and Martin Clunes appeared.

'George' figure wearing hat, waiting for chickens.

Finally, the time came for the chicken' starring role. The Cream Leg Bars are normally the hardest of all the chickens we have at Cogges to put to bed. But this time they didn't want to come out. Colin and I opened up all the doors of the coop and had to coerce the reluctant chickens out. Colin had earlier scattered some food on the grass in an attempt to keep them in place for the filming. but the chickens were having none of it. Despite our best efforts, by the time George had made his way across the grass, the chickens had made their way back to the coop.

With the help of some of the film crew, and with much hilarity, we managed to get them back out again. The camera man quickly called action and finally the scene was shot with 3 out of a possible 6 chickens actually being captured on camera. All this for what will probably be only 30 seconds of film.

Cream Leg Bars, the morning after the night before.

By this time the chickens were clambering to get back inside the coop. Cold, but happy and excited, I made my way home, while the actors and crew moved on to shoot another scene. It was great fun. But I found out that the saying, 'never work with children or animals' is very true. Especially when it comes to chickens.


For anyone interested,Here's a link to an ITV website which gives a synopsis of the plot.

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/martin-clunes-plays-celebrated-author-sir-arthur-conan-doyle-arthur-george

Photos, Isabel's own.

Don't let the fear of failure stop you from trying.

Monday the 20th October 2014, I woke up to the news that the actress and author, Lynda Bellingham had sadly lost her battle with cancer. The media was full of well deserved tributes. Right up to the end Lynda never gave up. When being accused of giving up on life by stopping her chemotherapy treatment, she responded by saying that she was choosing life. By this she meant that she wanted the time she had left to be quality time. It seemed that the treatment had reached a point where the side effects where taking more of a toll on her body than the cancer. She expressed a desire to spend one last Christmas with her family, but sadly this wasn't to be.

But why am I writing this? what has this sad news got to do with me? 

Two years ago I was privileged to meet Lynda when she came to Cogges Manor Farm to film an episode of a series that she was doing called, 'My tasty travels'. For those of you who may not have seen my blog about it, Lynda was travelling the country recording programmes where she was challenged by someone to cook or bake something. Local people were then called upon to judge to see if they preferred Lynda's offerings or that of the challenger.

Lynda and Carole with their pies.

Here at Cogges, Lynda was challenged by Carole, one of the volunteers who cooks on the range in the Victorian kitchen at weekends, to bake a Victorian meat pie, using only authentic Victorian ingredients and cooking it in the oven of the range. I, along with several other volunteers, were filmed tasting the pies and voting on which one we thought tasted the nicest. Lynda's won and she was really pleased. She reckoned that it was the addition of onion chutney to the meat that did the trick.

Lynda with Tim and me.

In a break during the filming, I asked Lynda if I could take a photograph of her. She responded by asking if I'd like one taken with her. I of course said yes. Lynda then organised Tim, another volunteer at Cogges, to come out into the walled garden and take the photograph. After the photograph was taken, I was chatting to her and told her that I had started writing and had hopes of one day publishing a novel. She then confided in me that she was in fact in the middle of writing her first novel. She told me that she'd been approached by a publishing company, on the strength of her autobiography, to write one. She told me that she was aware that it was because she was famous that she'd been given this opportunity, but that she intended to do it to the best of her ability.  A year later, ' Tell me tomorrow' was published.

Lynda and me.

Sadly, unlike Lynda, I haven't written a novel. I've let the fear of failure stop me from even trying. Lynda's untimely passing has reminded me that life is short and we don't know what's around the corner, or indeed how much time we may have left. Lynda encouraged me that 'Ladies of a certain age' should make the most of any opportunities that life brings their way. After all, that's what my blog is all about.

I haven't been a complete wimp. I have taken other opportunities that have come along, like writing this blog, for example, which I'm pleased to say has been added to three recommended blogger's lists, But I've not been brave enough to start that novel- yet.

The world has lost a very special lady . I'll never forget the day I met her, or the encouragement she gave me. Rest in peace Lynda, you'll be sadly missed.

Photo's of Lynda; Isabel's own.

Cat photo; photo courtesy Drumully Irish Arts 

Top secret. Diane's surprise.

Since joining Woapa 3 years ago I have met many wonderful people and made some good friends. Everyone in the singing group is enthusiastic and if asked would probably say that Wednesday evening, when we rehearse, is the highlight of their week. I certainly would. But I think it's fair to say that there's one member of the choir who stands out as being the most enthusiastic.

Diane, (on the right), with her friend and wedding coordinator, Deryn.

This lady missed out on attending last years Woapa day in August because she was in Scotland, but she hurried home on the Sunday to be back in Witney to watch the evening's performance. Then, vexed at having missed out on the day, she requested that the date for the 2014 Woapa day be announced before Christmas in order that she could arrange her holidays to be there. Not only did she make it this year, but she was one of the attendees who entered fully into the spirit of the 80's theme by dressing up.

But there's one particular incident which happened on Saturday 27th September 2014, that definitely qualifies her for title of 'Woapa's most enthusiastic fan'. On this day Diane Iverson married Steve Mullinger and, at her request, the choir performed at the evening reception.

Earlier in the year during a break in singing, Brian announced that Diane had asked if the choir could perform at her wedding. she requested that we perform 2 of our mash ups that were her favourites. A thousand years/Just give me a reason and Venus/Locomotion. That was the plan, but on the night we had a surprise for Diane.

Earlier in the year Diane and Steve had gone on holiday for 2 weeks, which meant that Diane missed 2 choir practises. The first week she was away, we were all issued with a 'Top secret' copy of the words to Angels by Robbie Williams, which Diane's friend, Deryn, also an enthusiastic choir member, said was a particular favourite of Diane's. We had only 2 weeks to practice it, harmonies and all. But being the consummate professionals we are, that didn't faze us, much. Everyone in the choir, except Diane, was emailed a copy of the backing track to enable them to practice at home.

Unfortunately we had the summer holiday break between then and the wedding and a few of the choir members were beginning to panic about remembering their parts. But Diane unwittingly obliged by not being able to attend the last rehearsal before the big day, allowing us to have one last practice.

Those of us who were able to attend, were asked to arrive at 7.30pm, ready to perform at 8.15. but when we arrived the speeches had only just begun and we were told that our performance would be delayed by about an hour. Fortunately, this gave us time to go to the room upstairs, where the ceremony had taken place, and have one final practice.

Diane and Steve's reaction to choir singing angels.

At last the time arrived. We gathered in front of the table where the DJ had set up his decks ready for the disco to follow. The blushing bride took her place with her fellow 'lows' and the performance began. Both mash ups were greeted by rapturous applause, with some guests even dancing along to the Locomotion. Diane then stepped forward to thank us, but instead she and her new husband, Steve were asked to sit down on 2 chairs that had been placed directly in front of the choir. Brian stepped forward and explained to the guests that unknown to Diane we had been practising another song and then the music started. As we began singing, Brian once again stepped forward, only this time he was wearing a Robbie Williams mask. Diane's face was a picture. As we sang, she shook her head in disbelief. Before we'd started singing, Steve had handed her a tissue and this was put to good use.

Mr and Mrs Mullinger.

After we'd finished Diane stood up and told the audience that she was a self confessed control freak, who didn't like surprises, but she was more than delighted with this one. Both Diane and Steve showed their appreciation, by hugging each of the choir members. Steve told us that when we were singing Angels, Diane cried for the first time that day.

I'm sure that I'm speaking for all of the Woapa members who sang that night when I say what an honour and a privilege it was to be there and sing for Diane and Steve on their special day and we wish with all the best for their future together.

Unfortunately, I don't have a video of us singing  Angels, but I do have one of the first Mash up, A thousand years/Just give me a reason. I hope Diane enjoys this blog about a part of her memories of her special day.

Video Isabel's own.

Photo's of Diane from her Facebook timeline

Photo of Diane and Steve's surprise courtesy of Joy Aitman. 

If it's August, it must be Woapa day!

Those of you that follow my blog are aware that one of my passions is singing. I think that I was born singing. Certainly from the age of about eight years old I performed regularly on stage with a local children's drama group, The St Ninian's Junior Concert Party, which is still going strong and in fact, celebrated its 50th anniversary a few years ago. Then, as an adult, I joined a gospel choir called Chord of Love, which I left when I started my family.

For many years,because of family commitments, illness and a fight with the 'black dog' that is depression I didn't do any singing, not even around the house. Then three years ago I was introduced to the West Oxfordshire Academy of Performing Arts Adult singing Group, Woapa for short, and my life has never been the same since.

We meet every Wednesday evening during term time only. Which means that there's a long gap during the summer holidays when there's no Woapa. Apart from one Sunday in August when they run a singing workshop. We spend the day rehearsing several songs and then perform them in the evening, in front of long suffering family and friends. Every year they choose a different theme. The first year was an Abba day, the second was on West End musicals and this year was Songs from the 80's, ranging from the Bangles, through Whitney Houston, Bananarama, Jason and Kylie, and of course, not forgetting Madonna.

Normally, we don’t have any soloists in the singing group, but on this workshop any frustrated Adele's, Katy Perry's or Madonnas, get their chance to show off their talents. Guess what? I was one of them. After all, I am on a mission to prove that life can still be an adventure.

Me singing my solo.

The first year, I did my best Meryl Streep version of Money, money, money. This was the first time in a great many years that I’d performed a solo in public, apart from the odd karaoke when on holiday. Despite a squeaky start, and I mean that literally, I was rewarded with cheers and a round of applause.  An account of this can be found on my blog titled, Abba day. It may even contain video footage. Last year, I sang, You’re just to good to be true, from Jersey boys. The theme for this year being the 80’s, I chose to do Madonna’s, Crazy for you. 

There were more soloists this year than ever before, with one or two very nervous first timers. Lindsay, one of them, told me afterwards that by singing a solo in front of an audience, she had faced one of her biggest fears. She recently told me that she's hoping to do it again next year.

Diane and Deryn

Some of the ladies really threw themselves into the day and dressed up in 80's gear. Diane and Deryn, who performed Manic Monday together, certainly threw themselves into the part.

The lovely Brian and Lou.

Brian and Lou, the couple who run Woapa, had been up until at least midnight the night before, working out the backing singers' parts and harmonies. Yet, you would never have known how tired they must have been, from the enthusiastic way they threw themselves into the day.

Preparing for the performance

The rehearsal went well, the only hitch being a problem with the lighting, but Brian, with the help of one of the young Woapa tutors, soon had it sorted. Then tired, but excited, we finished rehearsing and prepared ourselves for the performance, some of the ladies retiring to the pub for a bit of 'Dutch courage.'

My certificate.

Then it was time for the performance. As family and friends gathered in the hall, we were backstage being presented with our certificates to mark our attendance on the day. Then, lights, camera, action, belting out Whitney Houston's 'Don't you wanna dance', we were off.

Pam doing her saxophone 'solo.'

After what seemed like only five minutes, it was all over. The final song, 'I've had the time of my life', from Dirty dancing, was greeted by rapturous applause by the captive audience. Especially the 'saxaphone solo' mimed by Pam, using a pink inflatable saxophone. I think it's fair to say that a good time was had by all. Practising and performing fourteen songs in one day is hard work, but so much fun. I can't wait to do it again next year. I wonder what the theme will be then?

For the finale, here is a video of me performing 'Crazy for you'. I don't think that Madonna has anything to worry about. :) Plus the added bonus of a video of my personal favourite, 'You're just too good to be true',  with apologies for the poor quality of the video.

Enjoy!

Photos of the day by kind permission of Diane Iverson.
Pam's saxophone photo, Brian from Woapa
Video courtesy of my long suffering hubby, Donald.

One for all cat lovers.

Patsy looking out the hole in the loft door.

I've been volunteering at Cogges Manor Farm, (also known as Yew Tree Farm in a certain ITV period drama), in Witney for about three years now. I've loved every minute of it. Being a people person, I love meeting and greeting the visitors that come through the doors, even the awkward ones who seem hard to please. My roll is very varied from, serving in the shop, to chasing chickens and ducks in an effort to try to tuck them up safely away from the foxes. Another of my jobs is to feed the three farm cats that live in a loft above one of the stables.

Patsy

There's Patsy, a ginger female of unknown age, who came to us when the farm she'd been living on was sold and she was left homeless. She's very wary of people and has a permanent scowl on her face, although she will occasionally let me stroke her when she's eating. She has a short, stubby tail, obviously the result of some incident, but we don't know what.

Bonnie

Then there's Bonnie and Clyde, brother and sister, who came to us as kittens about two years ago. I named them. Bonnie, with her long tabby fur and cute green eyes, is such a pretty little thing that I couldn't have called her anything else. She also has a 'bib' of long white fur under her chin that resembles a jabot. Bonnie is definitely 'my' cat. she follows me around the farm, which can be a bit of a problem when I'm trying to put the chickens to bed.

Clyde

Clyde, on the other hand, is more aloof. He is a short-haired tabby with a white underbelly and four white paws. He's the hunter of the family and disappears off for days at a time. But he too will now follow me when he's around. All three cats are meant to be feral and I've earned myself the reputation as being a bit of a 'cat whisperer.'

Over the past year I've also had another role, that of foster carer to four stray cats, two black and white and two tabbies, that have made Cogges their temporary home. Here are their stories, as we know them.

Alex.

Early in 2014, I began to notice a rather handsome tabby cat around the farm. I even observed him coming out the cat sized hole in the door of the loft where I place our cats' food. At first I tried to chase him away. Then, one day I decided to phone someone I knew at Sunshine Cat Rescue to see if they would be able to come and catch him and, either find his owner, or re home him. The next day, when I arrived to feed the cats, a lady was waiting for me. She told me that she was looking for a lost tabby and was hoping to see if the one I'd reported was him. His name was Alex. Unfortunately he didn't appear that day, but the next morning she went along to Cogges with a trap. The cat appeared and to her delight it was him. She was able to catch him and took him home to foster until a new home could be found for him. Thankfully one was and within a few weeks he was installed with his new family.

Toffee

Toffee our Downton tabby.

A couple of weeks after Alex was taken away to be fostered, I began to notice another tabby cat hanging around the farm. At first I thought perhaps that it was him. That somehow he'd escaped from his foster home and made his way back. But a phone call to his foster carer assured me that he was fast asleep upstairs on her bed.

This time I rang the cat rescue people right away. Unfortunately they were completely full, so it was agreed that I would look after him at Cogges until such times as, either they could take him in, or his owner could be found. To that end, I contacted a local animal finder charity and uploaded a photograph of him. A visit to the vet showed that he had been neutered, but wasn't micro chipped. He was a very friendly little chap and I soon became very fond of him. The feeling was mutual. Just like Bonnie he would follow me around and let me pick him up and stroke him.

After a few weeks as there was no sign of his owner, it was decided that I should try to find him a new home. One afternoon I arrived at Cogges armed with a 'wanted, new home' poster that I'd printed off on my computer. But when I arrived, I was met by the director of Cogges who told me that a new home had been found for him already. Filming of a certain ITV drama had been taking place and one of the film crew had fallen in love with him and had offered him a home. so now he is a 'Downton tabby'.

Morgan at the vets

This left the two black and white cats. With the help of my friend from 
the cat rescue I managed to get hold of one of them. He was in a terrible condition. when the vet examined him he was found to have severe liver problems and it was decided that the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep. I was extremely upset, but I know it was the kindest thing that we could do for him.

Morgan

But, I've saved the best to last. Morgan was first spotted well over a year ago by another volunteer. From time to time, he would disappear for weeks at a time, but then he'd be seen again. When I phoned the cat rescue about Alex, I also told them about this black and white cat, but they already knew about him. A lady who lived in the priory next to Cogges had already contacted them. She'd been feeding him, but she was moving and was worried about what might happen to him when she left. As they were full, all they could do was make him top of the list when a vacancy appeared.

About the same time that Toffee was re homed, a vacancy at the cat rescue centre arose. Armed with a cat trap, my friend made her way to the priory. However, she didn't need to use the trap. As soon as she placed some food down, Morgan appeared and allowed her to pick him up. Their policy is to take any cats they find to the vet to be checked out. The first thing the vet did was scan him for a micro chip and found that he had one, so she phoned the owner. To say the owner was surprised is one very big understatement. It turned out that Morgan had gone missing ten years ago. His owner couldn't believe it.

He's now reunited with his family. He's about fourteen years old and has some health problems. But the vet is sure that, with the help of the tender loving care of his family, he should live for a few more happy years. How wonderful is that?

Are far as I'm aware, we currently don't have any visiting cats. But at least I now know what to do if we get any. I love my job at Cogges and find it especially satisfying when I find myself with stories such as these to tell.

Update. A year on and we appear to have another cat visiting and eating our cats' food. But he/she seems in good health so we think it lives locally and is just supplementing its diet at Cogges.


Photos: Isabel's own apart from the one of Morgan which is courtesy of Cogges Veterinary practice.

Isabel Johnstone 2014 ©

What kind of butterfly are you?

As anyone who I'm friends with on Facebook can tell you, I have an addiction to doing silly quizzes, like 'What Disney Princess are you?' or 'What colour are you?' or 'What would your medieval profession be?' Recently I did a quiz to find out what kind of butterfly I was. Bizarre I know, but it was just for fun. The result I was given is that I'm a Papilio Onesimus, and the description of the type of person I'm supposed to be really pleased me. I'm not saying it's true, but it's certainly someone I'd love to aspire to become.

You Are a
Papilio Onesimus
You are a naturally helpful person, and you enjoy nurturing those around you. You sense what others need. You are quite gentle and sensitive. You may be easily wounded, but you can rise to the occasion when others need you.

You value beauty, and you try to have a personal environment that soothes your soul. You have an artist's eye. You may be an idealist, but you are more of a realist when it comes down to it. Your practicality has gotten you far.

This got me thinking.

Butterflies start off life as caterpillars and, in my opinion, caterpillars aren't exactly the prettiest of creatures. But if they could think I'm sure that they'd be very content with their lot, especially as all a caterpillar has to do is eat until it grows large enough to begin the next stage of its life. How scary must it be then when they start to find themselves being wrapped up into a chrysalis and undergoing the metamorphosis that transforms them into a butterfly.

But why am I writing this?

It occurred to me that in a way we all start off like 'caterpillars'. As children we hopefully haven't a care in the world. We take each day as it comes and are content to eat, sleep and do all the other things that children do. But then comes the time when we have to grow up and take our place in the world. Just like the caterpillar our bodies undergo a physical change and that in itself can be quite scary.

Then comes all the problems and responsibilities that come with being an adult. Very few people go through life without experiencing pain and heartache of some sort.  But if we can just bear with it we too can be transformed into something beautiful like the butterfly.

As someone living with Lupus, I can particularly relate to this. One of the symptoms of Lupus is a butterfly rash that can appear on your face. The butterfly is also one of the symbols used by Lupus related organisations. I've never really thought about this before, but living with Lupus and the challenges it brings does have an effect on the person you become. There's been many days when I would gladly have wrapped myself up and become a chrysalis. But hiding away from the world and all its problems, never solved anything.

The caterpillar when it emerges finally becomes what it was destined to be, a beautiful butterfly. I believe that, in a metaphorical sense, this can be our destiny too. So instead of fighting any changes or difficult circumstances in our lives, I think that we should embrace them. We can't avoid these things,so why not try to use them as an opportunity to become the 'beautiful butterfly' you were destined to be. Don't choose to remain a caterpillar, after all, not only are butterflies beautiful, they also have the ability to fly.




Take the quiz for yourself if you want. Just for fun.

http://www.survzilla.com/survey/2202140/What-Kind-Of-Butterfly-Are-You.html

Caterpillar pupa photo courtesy of http://www.thebutterflysite.com/life-cycle.shtml

Butterfly chart courtesy of BBC Springwatch.

Isabel Johnstone ©

How to follow paragliding.

With the girls outside the Venetian hotel, Las Vegas.

Goodness me. I can't believe that it's July already. This year is flying by. Since making a conscious decision about three years ago to 'get out there and start living,' time seems to be passing faster and faster. I don't have a 'bucket list' as such, but I've made up my mind to try as many new experiences as I can and so far this year is providing me with a fair amount of challenges and adventures.

View from the top of the Grand Canyon.

So far I've; gone on a girly holiday to Las Vegas, where I also visited the Grand canyon and Hoover Dam; performed with the choir before an adjudicator at the Chipping Norton music festival,we were awarded a distinction; been part of a group providing backing vocals on a CD by a local Witney singer called Phil McMinn and I've para glided off a 1,700m high mountain. All this while doing my first level 2 module for my Open University degree. They've all been very exciting and enjoyable in their own way, but so far the paragliding is definitely in the top spot.

Phil McMinn, centre wearing dark jumper and jeans, and backing singers.

Some of life's experiences and adventures can be hard to follow. Paragliding off a 1700m high mountain you would think would be one of them. In many respects it is. So what could a 'mature lady of a certain age' possibly do to follow a paragliding experience without feeling disappointed.


A. Sky diving? 
B. Pot holing?
C. Going into space?
D. None of the above.

The answer is D. None of the above.

In the two weeks following my paragliding experience I participated in something that I found not only equally as exhilarating, but actually more terrifying.What on earth could that be? Would you believe singing?

Me singing a solo at Woapa's west end musicals day.

Anyone who knows me or follows my blog will know that I'm no stranger to singing. In fact I do it all the time and have even been known to sing a solo or two. So what made this time different?

Earlier on this year, Brian, from Woapa, was approached by Opera Anywhere,  an opera company based in Oxfordshire and asked if the choir would be interested in forming the chorus for a couple of productions of the Mikado they were planning to perform. As it's not our usual style of music, Brian asked for a show of hands to see how many would be interested. Having never taken part in a Gilbert and Sullivan production before, I was one of the first to raise my hand. Another adventure to add to my list. This proved to be more of a challenge than I thought.

Mikado cast at St Leonard's church, Eynsham

Although familiar with some of the songs form the show, being an alto, I had to learn the alto part. Our rehearsal time consisted of 6 x 3/4 hour sessions, one of which I was unable to attend. I've never felt so unprepared for anything in my life. It was a bit like one of those nightmares where you're sitting an exam that you haven't studied for. But undeterred, I decided to go for it and just mime the bits that I was unsure of.

Waterperry amphitheatre.

We performed it twice. The first time in St Leonard's church, Eynsham, which was OK because it was dark and we couldn't see the audience. But the second time we performed it was at Waterperry open air amphitheatre. We started the performance at 6pm as there was to be an hour's interval to allow people to have a picnic. That was quite scary. Not only could we see the audience, but they were right beside us. This was a week after the first performance and I'd been practising all week and felt a bit more confident. That is, until I saw their faces and how close they were going to be. There was only a small gap between us and them.

Enjoying our picnic.

But I needn't have worried. The audience loved it. Some of them even joined in the singing.The sun shone and we had a lovely picnic during the interval.  All in all it was another wonderful experience.

Mikado finale at Waterperry.

So what's next? Well, I've applied and been accepted to perform as part of the chorus for a performance of Handel's Messiah in the Royal Albert Hall,  London. Fortunately it doesn't take place until the end of November so I have plenty time to practice.

It's hard work fulfilling my mission to prove that life can still be an adventure. But so much fun. that reminds me. I must find out when Phil's CD is going to be released.
Photos courtesy of:

Deryn Mungal
Brian Conroy
Isabel Johnstone