Turning 60.

Well I've no idea how this happened, but it's 2016 and I've just turned 60. I know it's a cliché, but I don't feel it. Although to be honest, I don't know how 60 is supposed to feel. But I was very relieved when I woke up on the day and discovered that nothing had changed. I still had all the teeth I'd had the day before, no bits had fallen off or dropped any further, nor did I spot any new grey hairs, although that may be due to the fact I'd had it coloured a few days earlier. They say 60 is the new 40, but I'm more active now than I was in my 40's.

How times have changed.

My maternal grandmother was about 52 when I was born. She passed away at the grand old age of 86, and to me she seemed not to change in appearance in the intervening years, although I do remember her as getting frailer. To me she was always a white haired old lady, with incredibly soft skin, who smelled of lavender. I certainly don't remember my grandmother jumping off a mountain or flying in a para glider or any of the other activities I've been doing over the past 4-5 years.

Like Sharon Stone, I've been through quite a lot in my life, all related to Lupus. When I turned 50, my sister-in-law remarked that she didn't think I would ever reach that age. Well here I am 10 years on and have just reached another milestone. I've suffered child bereavement, serious life threatening illness, battled depression and yet here I am. Not only am I still here, I'm still determined to enjoy life and have as many experiences as possible while I still can. I'm extremely lucky that I have a family that support me. The phrase, "What's Mum up to now?", must often go through their minds.

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I read an article recently in the Huffington Post, explaining why it's better to spend your money on experiences, rather than 'things', a sentiment I  wholeheartedly agree with. It explains that experiences give us memories that stay with us. To celebrate my birthday, I chose to go and see Wet Wet Wet in concert in their hometown of Glasgow. That was certainly an experience. The atmosphere in the large venue was amazing. Marti Pellow almost didn't need to be there, as the 11,000 strong audience sang along to almost every song. I was surprised to find out that we had 'hot tickets', and we were given a signed programme and photograph of the band. I'll certainly remember this experience.



Among the lovely gifts I received from my family are four experiences. Three of them I'm looking forward to, but the fourth one, I'm also slightly terrified of doing. I've received tickets to go and see Il Divo in concert, a spa day for two voucher, and a simulated skydiving experience, which, believe it or not, is not the one that's worrying me. The fourth voucher is for a popstar experience, where I get to go into a recording studio and record a song, I'm not sure, but I think there may be a video as well. eek. I'm over the moon about it, but also nervous at having to sing in front of the professional recording technicians. The song is also available as a down loadable mp3, which they place on their Songmaker chart.

Did I mention that I recently held a python.

According to my hubby, I've been complaining for a while that I need something to stretch myself, as if doing an Open University degree at my age isn't stretching enough. Well, this is definitely going to do that. But my hubby's right. I can't decide that I want my life to be an adventure, without stepping out of my comfort zone from time to time.

So watch this space. I will almost definitely be blogging about this and I might even share the link to the mp3.

For anyone who's interested, here's the link to the Huffington Post article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-travis-bradberry/why-you-should-spend-your_b_9490244.html

Photos Isabel's own apart from

Sharon Stone:- courtesy of https://www.growingbolder.com/

Behind closed doors at Cogges.

Neil and team with the new Cogges sign.

I'm a volunteer at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney. Every winter Cogges closes its doors for the season. Apart from the highly popular Christmas market and seasonal pantomime, the site is no longer filled with the happy sound of children playing or feeding the animals. But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing going on. Cogges is a seasonal site and the animals still need feeding and cleaning out, the house and garden need putting to bed for the winter and the fields and grounds need maintaining and improving. 

From November until March, when we open again, our lovely team of volunteers are busy, beavering away, working to make sure that Cogges continues to be the special place we all love.

The woodland volunteers have been busy coppicing, trimming overhanging trees in the car park and painting furniture in the barn, amongst other things. It’s an ongoing project and there’s always something to be done.

Every Friday, with a few exceptions, our enthusiastic garden volunteers have been busy, pruning, tidying, weeding, transplanting, digging and composting, and are ready to go, “as soon as the weather says it’s time to start”.

Rag rug

Meanwhile in the dining room, the craft team have been meeting on a regular basis making items to sell in the shop and at the craft fair in May. Last year they knitted squares which were sewn together to create a beautiful blanket and this year they are planning on making a patchwork quilt. A rag rug and cushion cover, which ,with the help of the public, young and old, has been made over the past two seasons, is now on display in the Victorian kitchen, along with a list of all those who have helped.

Louis enjoying his supper

Although the pigs left us at the end of the season, there were still plenty of animals to look after. Jonathan, Louis and Timmy, our pygmy goats, the guinea pigs and rabbits, not to mention our rare breed chickens and ducks, all had to be fed and watered and given the occasional cuddle; yes even the chickens. The goats miss the interaction with the public and jump up every time anyone walks past the paddock. Or maybe it’s just the pots of food they miss!

Barbary ducks enjoying the goats climbing frame.

We have had two sets of Barbary ducks join us, four black ones and some lighter lavender coloured ones. The black ones are in the same paddock as the goats and have been making good use of the goats’ climbing frame. Even the Pekin family of chickens have been testing their climbing skills on the wall behind their coop..

Patsy and Clyde

Patsy, Bonnie and Clyde, the three farm cats have become a bit tamer over the winter and hopefully our visitors will see a bit more of them out and about this year. We appear to have a visiting black and white cat and rumour has it that he and Bonnie are an item.

New look for cafe

The café has been transformed, all the hard work of the new proprietors, Rob and Sarah from Coffeesmith in Witney and they are eager to welcome you to taste their locally sourced food.

Our new piglets

Well that’s a taster of what happens behind closed doors down on the farm. The Shetland ponies, Toffee and her son Treacle, have returned from their winter home. Two little sandy and black piglets have arrived. It’s time to open the doors and welcome back visitors, old and new. We look forward to seeing you.

You can find us at:- http://www.cogges.org.uk/




Photographs:- Isabel's own apart from Neil and team which is courtesy of Cogges.