Dear everybody
Hello again! It’s definitely onwards and upwards as the weather has been lovely and warm until, that is, Saturday (21st) when it reached the heights of 28C (82.4F) where we live, and much hotter than that in London. And that temperature, dear readers, who live within reach of air con at the touch of a button, is not pleasant for us who live in a humid little island without air conditioning in our houses. The majority of housing in the UK is old and often uninsulated, and for years the emphasis has been on insulation and keeping the warmth in. If we want to keep cool Brits open a window – to shut it when the sun is out feels a very odd thing to do, but we have to learn to do just that. To not let the hot air in.
It’s interesting that housing is still advertised as ‘letting in the sun’ and ‘giving lots of light’. I wonder when we will begin to think that keeping houses cool and dark is the best way to live? And when new houses might be built with European shutters that are outside the window, keeping the sun away from the window and the interior of a house?
Hmm?
Anyway, enough of that, up to Saturday the weather was very enjoyable especially when there was a cool breeze. And here we are having a trip to the almost seaside! This was to Newhaven to a delightful cafe based on the riverside.
Just up from that view, to the left, is the sea and there was quite a cool wind coming from that direction, enough to make me button up my yellow jacket right to the very top button!
I love black and white items in summer but chose to be colourful that day.
Everything I am wearing is several years old.
We both had a cake.
Sadly, when the cup of tea was served to us there was no teapot! Just a teabag in the hot water. But at least the cup was a china cup!
There was quite a breeze that day with me holding on to my hat on occasions. Btw, having a brisk breeze when it is sunny is usually considered the very best of British weather as it keeps the temperature cooler. Us Brits, we call this breeziness on a warm day, ‘a lovely fresh day!
Continuing with my theme (which I hint at) of climate change and the things we do to harm our planet, I recently read an article (see link below) that said amongst other things – and I quote an entire paragraph:
“UK consumers discard about 1.5m tonnes of used textiles every year. Many do not get recycled. About 730,000 tonnes a year are incinerated or go into landfills. Of the 650,00 tonnes sent to be reused and recycled, 420,00 – more than two-thirds – are are exported. Ghana receives more than any other country.”
Earlier in the article we hear from the head of Accra’s waste management department that the city is only able to process just 30 tons per day. Consequently 100 tonnes leave the market daily as waste – ending up in protected wetlands.
Sobering isn’t it. And this is why I am aiming to not send clothes to my local charity shop unless I am absolutely sure the item is high quality and will obviously be sold. But over time I hope to not be sending clothes to these shops at all. Btw, clothes from Next, George and M&S , Zara, H&M and Primark were identified so it is not just waste from charity shops, as most brands acknowledge that their industry faces huge challenges in processing their textile waste.
Anyways, enough of that.
That outing was exactly one week after my cataract op. Everything is progressing well and there are small improvements in my balance. I’ve re-started my 1-2-1 sessions which are very gentle (I promise I am not overdoing it) but oh my word, I do need to stretch and move my stiffened limbs.
That’s all for now, until next time
Love PennyX
Lucy Jordan, Discarded clothes from UK brands dumped in protected Ghana wetlands, The Guardian, 18 June 2025
Sobering thoughts indeed, both about textile waste and climate change.
So glad you are feeling better little by little.
Also… I absolutely love your hat!
Amazingly the hat was bought in Norway on a lovely stall with loads of hats. That was one buy that I have never regretted as I wear that hat again and again.
I really want change my buying habits – our poor planet!
Thanks Helen 😊
Morning Penny
I’m glad you’re able to get again and can see/feel progress.
Your colourful hat pairs beautifully with the flowers in the hanging basket beside you. I really don’t cope with extreme heat or extreme cold. A warm, breezy day suits me fine. Good drying weather too! That’s one of my simple/free pleasures – the smell of laundry dried in the air. (I won’t go over the top and say ‘fresh air’!)
Yes, I know that feeling of not doing much/any exercise and the quickness with which we stiffen. Apart from walking, I’ve done little exercise for almost a month. (Back with my PT tomorrow.) ‘Use it or lose it’ takes on another dimension at our age.
I also read that article too; very sobering. I love clothes: wearing and buying them. I like a bargain and enjoy the thrill of a find, and do not have a one-in-one-out rule. Consequently, I have some clothes that I’ve had for 20+ years and still wear them. The last couple of years I’ve bought less because of the problems you highlight. As a consequence, I am being more creative about putting things together. It’s fun and creative – if I remember to plan in advance.
But shoes are my real weakness – in terms of buying. I love shoes and boots and have many pairs. Some I haven’t worn for several years – usually because they don’t go with what I’m wearing – or been to an event that … Actually, confession here: I have a bit of a shoe fetish: I can get pleasure just trying some of them on, looking at my feet in them, but they’re not suitable for any length of walking – strictly car-to-bar! (Or should I say ‘strictly bonkers’?)
I’ve recently taken myself in hand (Matron) and have got rid of (to charity shop, alas) a lot of stuff that I like, but know in my heart I will never wear. I have made one purchase in the last week: a notebook to record future purchases …. I got the idea from a friend 😉
All the best Penny … onwards and upwards.
Mary,
Hi Mary
And I too have a fetish – it is coats and jackets. After retirement I got rid of my work jackets but funny how I seem to still have quite a large number of jackets! Also coats, I have many, all of which I adore. I am good though at reducing my wardrobe and am doing that right now. And I am carefully considering whether they will sell in charity shops.
Ah yes, the exercises that must be done. I cannot now do without doing some exercises every single day, so that hot weather over the weekend was so challenging. I have to move but really all one wanted to do was stay sitting under a fan!
Btw, a notebook of putting down all the buys is really quite a revelation. You think, I spent that much! Consequently I now see I can buy fewer but more expensive items and stay within a budget.
Thanks as ever for the comment. Best wishes to you and Derek 😊
We have gotten to the hot part of.summer here where we will spend a lot more time indoors with the AC then outside! I’ll be looking forward to fall! Lovely colors! I am enjoying all my brights too, lately!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Oh wow, can’t imagine how one can’t get out so much as before. Although I got an inkling of this over the weekend. Furthermore, experts here are saying we might have to expect 45C in the future – in the UK!!! That’s 113F and in a humid climate 😱
Meanwhile to wear bright and cheerful clothing is really good for the spirits.
Thanks Mireille 😊
I have to say that I am very much in love with yellow this season! That hat looks so good on you!
Isn’t yellow such a fabulous colour! That hat was such good buy – bought in Norway!
Thanks Nancy 😊
Loving the yellow/mustard clothing very much
I have some summer clothes such as white shirts or cotton tops that I have had for years. I am wearing a shirt today that I bought about 14 years ago. Summer clothes get so little wear it’s easy to just bag them up at the end of summer and get out the winter clothes again. I don’t like winter clothes so much, not a fan of winter at all
Good to hear you are on the mend Penny.
Carole remind me – are you living in Canada? Shame about the short summer, but you are really on the right track if you are wearing a shirt bought 14 years ago.
Mustardy yellow is my favourite colour!
Thanks Carole 😊
I watched a documentary but can’t recall the name right now. It is appalling how we think we’re doing the right thing sending clothing to resell shops only to discover much of what we send ends up in landfills or across the ocean. I have pared back quite a bit though it doesn’t seem so. I cannot imagine not having air con. I would be just a puddle of sweat.
I’m glad your balance is improving and that your second eye surgery is behind you. I always love it when I see an email waiting from you!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
In the past we hardly ever had heatwaves here and when we did they weren’t too bad. Mainly our weather used to very mild with it never too hot (or cold for that matter) so air con wasn’t ever considered as necessary. We still wonder if it is, as last week’s heat has gone and we are back to cooler weather. But this is still June, so that is unusual. And gosh and help, we’ve recently heard from our foremost weather bods that we should expect temperatures of 45C – eek that’s 113F in a humid climate 😱
Improvement in my balance has plateaued a bit – I shall see how this pans out. Mind you, the thing I can’t wait for is to wear some makeup! I don’t feel myself at the moment, particularly when I look in the mirror 😂
Thanks Marsha 😊
I’m currently sheltering from the sun in my house in the South of France. We don’t normally come here at this time, because of the heat, but this year has been exceptional, as I had a hip replacement in March.’unfortunately I had a fall a month later which resulted in a dislocated prosthesis. Fortunately that was rectified by an NHS orthopaedic surgeon who manipulated it back into the hip socket. So we had to delay our trip to France from April to June. As someone brought up in South Wales and now living there, I am not good with heat! So the holiday has had its uncomfortable moments, particularly at night. We have invested in an air con unit but need to read the instructions! Anyway on that note will close, but have to add my compliments regarding your fashion style Penny. I tend to buy quite a few clothes from French markets, they are usually quite cheap and can be very stylish. Back in Blighty this weekend.
I think the worst heat I ever encountered was when we delayed a trip to St Lucia (to visit Olly, years ago) and gawd the heat in June was appalling! As it was when we travelled on from St Lucia to the States. I too don’t do heat. I have friends who have a house in Spain and they stay out there until mid-July. It would be far too hot for me!
I am now on the hip ‘pathway’! Must have been quite frightening to dislocated the new hip. Ouch! Hope it’s completely healed now.
Thanks Rowena 😊
Hi Penny,
Thank you for sharing your recent photos of Newhaven. This reminds me of Petty Harbor in Newfoundland, Canada (I recently travelled to Newfoundland – spent most of the time in St. John’s, and came home last Wednesday, best 8 days).
I am buying fewer clothing items and shoes – if I buy clothing, it needs to be made locally – I like to support local businesses.
I look forward to reading your next post.
Yes, the town of Newhaven has a harbour with ferries that go to France and a few fishing trawlers. We used to live there and despite it being slightly run-down it has a lot going for it – especially the community spirit.
Great to hear that you are buying fewer items – we all need to do that.
Thanks Cindy – really appreciate your comments 😊
Always love seeing you in yellow. Glad that things are gradually improving. Maybe a swim would be good for the stiff limbs? Here in Greece I’ve been swimming, and very stiff I was at first! The info re Ghana and the clothes waste is sobering. I’m seeing a lot of charity shops with mostly Primark and Shein stock. Women are selling their best stuff on Vinted. Thanks for linking!
Charity shops just don’t have the quality stock anymore. It’s not worth trawling through the items on display and I’m glad I’ve broken my habit of constantly looking.
I do so love wearing yellow items. And yes, swimming might help. Can’t do it at the moment but will think about it as Lewes does have a great outdoor pool.
Thanks for commenting! 😊
Lovely bright colours you are wearing Penny. Thanks for your news and observations xx
Yes, aren’t bright colours great, especially yellows and mustards which are so cheerful. And thank you Vivien for commenting 😊
Good to see you out and enjoying yourself. Those pants remind me of ones I purchased for my first real job after grad school. The same kind of print only these had flare legs as that was the fashion back in the 70’s. I bought another pair of pants in a hunter green, two tops which I could wear with either pair. That was the essence of my working wardrobe. After weeks of cool and rainy weather we are having a heat wave. Today the temperature was over 100. Also the last meeting of my retirement group until the Fall. A very interesting lecture on Napoleon comparing him with modern leadership. very timely. then after a lunch break a presentation by a storyteller which featured the making of quilts by women in the 1800’s. Some mental stimulation and venue was cool. Also a reason to wear a pretty Summer dress. Love, Darby
Hi Darby and sorry for the delay in replying. Just been doing lots, which has been nice. I have resumed going to my local independent cinema now and have gone to see a great film yesterday which I might blog about soon. Also I try not to sit down too long writing as the bending over is not good for the spine.
We are just about to go through another heatwave here in the south of England, which is unusual for the month of June. Throughout my childhood my birthday (early in June) was always on a day that was wet and cold! It is such a shame what with everything going on in this world that climate change is now very much off the agenda. I believe that instead of climate change there are experts who want to call it a climate ’emergency’. 100F! Wow, over here we can barely cope with the mid 80s!
Your retirement groups sounds fascinating – love the subjects you heard about. Always good to hear from you Darby. Very best to you X
😊
Hello Penny , I did think of you recently when the hot weather in the UK made the news here. Glad to see you both enjoying a day out. Looking good in the yellow hues.
I have read about the dumping of used textiles in poorer countries around the world and it surely to our shame .
We are going to have another heatwave here in the south of England, which is very unusual for June – to have 2 one after the other. Climate change seems to be very much off the agenda these days. Which is a shame, especially for our grandchildren.
I really don’t want to have this excess of clothes that I built up buying from charity shops – that stage is over. But Jill, I do look at the website Idaretobe ever day now!!!! Nine time out of ten they are beyond my price range but I will pounce if anything good comes up in my size and price.
Thanks Jill 😊
Hello, Penny
I do believe you’re looking brighter than of late. Not being rude: just saying…and it’s nice to see. I’m sure getting some sense of balance back has a lot to with it, plus your successful cataracts ops. Now it can only be onwards and upwards!
Clothes wise, I’m not a big shopper. I could be, given free rein but with little interest in actual current fashion, I just buy what I like, now and then. That said, I had to laugh at myself the other day. Everything I was wearing, apart from my bra and knickers, was either from Walmart (in small-town America) at least five years ago, or from charity shops over here and almost as old! Talk about Second-hand Rose! I do agree with you and others, that charity shops aren’t what they used to be. Thankfully, their bookshelves are still treasure troves so I still pop in whenever I can and browse. Buying charity shop stuff online isn’t the same, and neither are their prices, online or in store. A shame really.
(I dare say there will have been a collective sharp intake of breath from your American readers, like dear Darby, on seeing mention of Walmart. Despite its chequered reputation across the Pond, I’ve often bought good quality clothes – and I’m still wearing them!)
Take care, Penny.
Zepherine x
Oh I totally get what you are saying. It wasn’t that I was down in the dumps, it was just that I was in some …. pain (fill in whatever swear word you can think of). It was so debilitating. And then having a second eye op which is nothing really as it’s over so quickly, but even so, you’ve got to be on top form to go through it and heal well, and I still am not 100%. But I am SO much better. It definitely is onwards and upwards!
I still occasionally look in a charity shop and especially our Oxfam one as it has brilliant books and yesterday I bought a great necklace for next to nothing. I loved the description of your buying habits. You’ve reminded me I need a new bra!!
Thank you so much Zepherine and you take care too 😊
Grand to see you out again in your sunny yellow. Glad for the breeze that kept you ‘fresh.’ That is a popular term here in El Paso for coolish mornings or days when we have had rain. Everyone here says ‘fresh.’ The photo of you securing your darling hat beside the hanging basket is very pretty. I am thinking your husband was the photographer!!
I worked a very odd job for about 6 months where I listed clothing on a website to be sold online. The clothes were a very eclectic collection of odds and ends that we had to describe as attractively as possible in order to increase sales. There were clothes everywhere. But the prices my employer was asking was really ridiculous. And often times, I think clothes wound up bundled up and taken across the border to Mexico. Not sure what happened from there.
I applaud your efforts to limit what you resell. I am just keeping everything I own and wearing it all!! If I keep my skinny jeans long enough, they will be popular again. I may be 90 years old when it happens but I will have them!!