Hello everyone
I’ve had a busy few weeks that included a trip to London. Yay and three cheers, as I have begun to visit art galleries again. I still need my lovely Bill to hold on to (a touch not a lean) but managing it and enjoying the life that really is, for me, all about looking at things.
First of all, I admit to having Lewes clothes and London clothes. Here I am in the railway station coffee shop wearing something very similar to the last time I went up to London: my velvet hat, the reversible (American label, not sure what) raincoat and underneath my Paige jeans and animal print top.
Btw, I don’t need to wear the glasses, but they just go with the outfit so I wear them, especially when wearing a big hat.
We were at the Tate Modern to i) meet up with a very dear old friend who, amazingly, I have known for just over 60 years! Can anyone beat that? Would be interested to know. It is great to continue to meet up. And ii) two good exhibitions. One was Picasso Theatre where we saw some really iconic Picasso paintings. It was good but not one I truly warmed to. I preferred a past exhibition at the Tate, on Dora Marr, in 2019, where we saw both Dora Marr and Picasso’s paintings and I felt an immediate rapport.
The second exhibition was different, well to me it was, as I immediately felt an affinity to it. The exhibition was of an Australian artist, Emily Kam Kngwarray, an Aborigine. The blurb suggests that her art is monumental. And I would agree with that as I felt her spirit and got the idea of her way of seeing.
Of course there are lot of dots.
But if you look closer there are shapes to be found, and apparently many of the shapes are of yams and emus, which have great meaning to Aborigines. This was helped by watching a lovely little film of older Aborigine ‘aunties’, explaining the meaning of her art and the importance of yams in their beliefs.
I loved her batiks.
We had lunch there and then, after two exhibitions, a much needed cup of tea and cake. Then back home by train. I do think Blackfriars station a modern miracle, what with trains coming in every two to three minutes.
I always love this view, taken through glass from the station.
Perhaps that is the gloomiest I’ve seen it for some time!
Oh and another outfit, a bit like the one in the last blog. It was just to an NHS clinic, but no need to not dress up a bit!
That’s my last year’s buy of a grey ballon skirt bought new from Zara, worn this time with a white linen M&S blouse and a very very old charity shop grey cashmere jumper. Outside, I also wore my black boots with my yellow jacket. I shall have to do a post on my winter jackets and coats, which I am beginning to wear.
I wore it when I saw a Skin consultant, on a Sunday, no less. This is the NHS seeing patients within 2 weeks if a cancer is suspected. Well done the NHS.
I was very pleased on 2 counts. First, the little red mark found by the Mole Clinic is not a melanoma, it is a BCC. That’s a Basal Cell Carcinoma, which is very slow growing. The consultant said, ‘how long have you had it’, and I replied, ‘I haven’t a clue as it’s on the back of my leg and has just been found by the Mole Clinic.’
That’s well done the Mole Clinic, and as it’s been found so early, it can wait a few weeks and be taken out with a punch incision as it’s so small. And that is exactly why I go there – they find things I don’t and can’t see.
And the second thing was, I have a mark on my nose which I thought needed the kind of cream that burns that kind of thing off. No, said the consultant, it’s very early days, put vaseline on instead! And then she said, what a great complexion I had. Oh wow, that was said with me wearing no makeup on my face at all. I left the clinic feeling both relieved and happy.
So, if I have any message to you at all, it is that fair-skinned people should watch their skin and get it checked – all over!
That’s all for now, but just to say that I didn’t post a blog last week as instead I wrote something for My Other Blog. I felt compelled to do so and you will see why when you read it. Click on the icon for My Other Blog, which is at the side if reading on a laptop and at the very end if reading on a phone.
All the very best and love from Penny
So gald you had such a good day in London. The aboriginal work is very interesting, although some of it makes me feel giddy! Yes, I can beat sixty years of friendship – my oldest and dear friend and I met when we were 13 years old (taking our entrance exam for a new school) and that was 64 years ago!
So nice to hear about your very long friendship. And the day in London was great.It is so good to get back to going to art galleries.
Thanks Penny 😊
Glad you enjoy your day in London! A 60 year friendship is quite wonderful! My longest is going into about 35 to 40 years I think!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
It was a really good to get up to London again. And you will definitely be able to say that you’ve had a very long friendship when you reach my age!
Thanks Mireille 😊
Yes Penny I see friends who I went to primary school with over 65 years ago. I can’t believe I’m the age I am!! Thx for the details of your trip to London, I feel the desire to visit!!
Always love your outfits xx
It is so good to hear of all the long friendships there are – over 65 years, wow! And getting back to the habit of going to London is such a good thing, we need to just keep on keeping on! Yes, do go, I was absolutely amazed at the number of towering blocks of flats that had gone up. London is a just such a constant building site – with such a buzz.
Thanks Vivien 😊
Super stylish Penny, you’re looking wonderful. Excellent news about the BCC being spotted and then dealt with quickly.
Thanks re: the kind words about the outfits – I want to be known as never unknowingly undressed 😁
And indeed, re: the BCC which has been found at a very early stage. That’s exactly why I go to the Mole Clinic.
Thanks Gail 😊
My oldest friendship is 62 years this very month. We met in primary school!! Next May we’ll holiday together, Croatian Island Hopping. Sue was widowed last year and my other half doesn’t fancy the being at sea aspect.
Luckily we only live 15 miles apart, and try to see each other regularly.
Regarding moles etc, I saw my GP only last week about a suspect patch on my nose. But was reassured all is well. I’m plagued by many seborrhoeic keratosis, which I have to keep an eye on too.
Glad you’re getting out and about more now. Husband and I’ve taken a free bus ride to Henley today and have just finished Brunch, in the sunshine. X
Oh wow, another person with a very long friendship – it is good to hear about these. And nice to hear that you are going on the Croatian Island trip – should be very good.
Oh well done you for checking your skin – we can’t do it often enough. And oh yes, those seborrheic keratoses, I too have many of those on my body. They are so annoying.
I am getting out and about now – despite the niggling things that are still around. We have to keep on keeping on.
Thanks so much Nancy 😊
Another interesting read Penny – love to see the places you go and things you see and, of course, your fantastic outfits. As a fair and freckled person you’ve alerted me to the fact I should get my skin checked out. Which of the London clinics would you recommend?
And on old friends – we met age 11 when we started grammar school and have recently reconnected 65 years on!
Thanks Sue re: those kind words about the trip and the outfits – I do love to dress up!
RE: the Mole Clinic. It is worth going to at least once. Here is a link https://themoleclinic.co.uk
When you click on to the ‘find a clinic’ you will see that there are several Mole Clinics in London. I always go to the one just off Oxford Street as it’s near Liberty’s and John Lewis, two places always worth visiting!
I’ve been going for years, and they’ve found 2 BCCs, 1 melanoma, and several Bowen’s. I find that the ones on the back, back of legs and back of arms are the ones that are difficult to spot. Take it from me, that the Mole Clinic has saved both mine and my husband’s life. Three years ago I decided to save money and go for the ‘book two sessions for a reduced price’. I dragged a reluctant and protesting husband to the Clinic and what did they find on him? A melanoma, which neither of us had noticed. A year later a melanoma was found on me. And neither of us knew and would never have bothered the GP until, goodness knows….. There you are. Worth every penny.
Thanks Sue 😊
Hello, Penny
Such good news about your moles! So glad. I always have a wry smile on my face when you mention your annual visit to the Mole Clinic. You’re so good to go, while I have done nothing about my moles (everywhere) for almost, oh, years. I did have a full body check-up way back when Adam was a boy when Superdrug, I think it was, set up clinics with specialist nurses who scanned and checked everything. The results were then sent off to Switzerland for analysis. Fortunately, nothing nasty was found but I was told to keep watch on one particular spot on my face. My GP agreed, but also subscribed to the Don’t Mess with Stuff if it’s not Bothering You school of thought. Rightly or wrongly, that’s my philosophy too, a school of thought otherwise known as Head in the Sand School of Thought!
I know, I know, but so far… At my late-age stage I’m trusting that it won’t be my ‘things’ that bring me down, but hey, Que Sera, Que Sera…and I’m not being flippant here as I’m still hosting the originals plus newcomers. I’m told that no one sees them particularly, they see just me, but I don’t think I’ll be doing any more tv! Let’s just say that I’ve the right sort of face for radio – which was my main forte anyway! So, hats off to you for being a good girl and doing the right thing.
As a mostly country mouse, I can’t remember the last time I/we visited London but I wouldn’t mind seeing that beautiful exhibition by Amy Kam Kngwarray. And your skirt and tops definitely gave you the edgy look you like so much. It so suits you! As for that view in your photo, yes, I can see why you love it. Great picture.
Now, you asked about long friendships. My Bestie and I have been buddies for 81 years! She says we’re soul sisters as we were both only children and we’ve had each other’s backs all these years. We’re in touch every few days and while our extended families aren’t quite that close, they all keep up to date with events. We also have friends dating back 60 years like you, and count ourselves very fortunate also like you!
Am now going to read your Other Blog and see if you and I agree. I love that we’re more often than not on opposite sides of the fence but can sometimes meet in the middle, or agree to disagree, but still remain friends. Hope you feel the same!
Switching now!
Zepherine x
PS Forgot to say that I’m going to take your consultant’s tip and put Vaseline on a newcomer. See if that works.
His Zepherine – it’s lovely to hear from you.
And yes, in contrast to you (!) I do visit the Mole Clinic often. But I was a redhead with pale Scottish skin and many freckles and should never have sunbathed, but I did – a lot! So the consequences now are that I have much skin damage. The thing is the Mole Clinic has saved mine and my husband’s life what with melanomas at Stage 0 (the earliest stage possible) being found. Both btw, on the back of something, me, my arm and Bill, on the back of his neck. so we would never have noticed until too late. And gosh, they don’t half dig out a lot of the surrounding area. I still have quite a hollow area on the back of my arm, so they really mean business when they deal with a melanoma. Anyway, you know your own body and all I can say is that it is such a shame the Mole Clinic shut its one day clinic in Brighton. And yes, I too remember when the Mole Clinic franchise was in Superdrug! But if ever…., and only saying that because you know I am obsessed with ‘skin things’ because of my skin issues and also, remembering that lovely person Linda who had one found too late, I still think of her. The Montefiore Hospital in Hove has a skin check. What one needs is an all over check of all the places one can’t see. I shall shut up now!!!
That Australian exhibition was lovely – really got the spirit of it all. And how lovely to hear of the length of your friendship – just wow!
And hope that My Other Blog post was of interest. I just felt compelled to write it.
Thanks so much Zepherine – I love hearing from you 😊
Glad you enjoyed your trip up to the exhibitions. Thank you for sharing that view of the Thames from Blackfriars Station. It is spectacular (even on a dull day!) and one of my favourites. It takes my breath away every time I have seen it. Good news about your mole! On old friends – I have a friend where our Mums first met when we were babies and formed a lifelong friendship. We grew up together, went our separate ways for some years but now meet up regularly 66 years later.
Hi and yes, that view. I’ve seen it in so many weathers and this time rather liked the dramatic greyness of it all.
Yes, a slow growing early stage BCC was the best news. And long term friendships are so very special.
Thanks Sylvia 😊
Yes to wonderful long friendships. Before Christmas I shall be meeting up with a primary school friend from 1959, a grammar school friend from 1961 and a university friend from 1968. Aren’t we lucky to have been able to maintain these friendships all these years.
Also you have prompted me to make an appointment at a Mole Clinic near where I live as I have a couple which I think need looking at. Thank you Penny.
Hi Lindy, and so good to hear about your long friendship.
And very glad to hear you’ve got a Mole Clinic near you. I think it is so worth going to as they look at you all over and it is always the places and moles you can’t see are the ones that are the ones developing something. Like on the back, and back of legs and arms. Also back of neck. That’s where both my melanoma and my husband’s were found – on places we couldn’t see. It is always worth it to be checked all over, if only once.
Thanks Lindy 😊
Excellent news on the moles, Penny and, of course, lovely to get that nice compliment about your complexion.
I rather like the jacket you wore when you went to London. I’ve not seen the new Blackfriars station – looks impressive. I must make a point of having a look. And, yes, the view is fabulous. Public transport in London has changed beyond recognition in the last 25 years (in fact, it started when Ken became Leader of the GLC and then continued when he was Mayor – investing in public transport.) A couple of weeks ago, I went from Baywater to Upminster in 45 minutes – incredible.
Both the exhibitions look very interesting (although I’m not a big Picasso fan.) When we were in Australia, we saw a lot of Aboriginal art, and in Melbourne, we happened upon an Elder giving a guided tour, interpreting the art/stories, and felt very fortunate/privileged.
Regards your ‘old friend’ I have two friends I met when we were 5, on our first day at primary school, and a third I met when we all went to secondary school, aagrd 11. The fourth friend I met when I was 15 and was my bridesmaid (first wedding). I am still in contact with all of them – mostly Christmas/birthday cards and a meet-up once a year. All four of them still live in Essex and two live a stone’s throw from where they lived when we were at school. Truthfully, we don’t have much in common these days, but it’s still lovely to grow old together.
Thanks for steering readers to your Other Blog… I forget to look without a prompt.
Go well, Mary
PS: in the process of writing fuller email …
Hi Mary and yes, good news about the BCC which was found very early and is also slow growing so no worries here at all.
And shame I didn’t take a full length pic of the reversible raincoat as it is amazing. As for the station that is truly fab as 12 carriage trains come in every 2-3 minutes and stop exactly where the platform states it will so you know exactly where the door is. Getting on in the rush hour at Blackfriars is no problem, it never seems crowded as you could see from the photo, but it must be utter hell if you try to get on at the next stop at London Bridge – it’s so crowded there. The trains though, while they are completely walkthrough, aren’t particularly comfortable with no tables whatsoever even on the backs of the 2-together seats.
That exhibition was lovely and so good to hear about the long-term friendships. As for My Other Blog – I used to write there every 2 weeks. I am slightly slower now, and really do have several bubbling away on back burners, I’ve even got a short draft of one but it’s still unfinished! However, this current one I wrote quite quickly – 2 mornings. I felt compelled to do so as we are on a dangerous path. I will always tell people when I post but subscribers of course get it quicker.
Thanks so much Mary I do love reading your comments 😊
Hurrah for good news from the Mole Clinic. How soon will they do the puncture? I don’t think I’ve ever said that Mike is a ginger, too. He spent so much time out in the sun for most of his life. Now, his hair is so much thinner on top than ever. He goes to the dermatologist twice a year for checking. She always freezes off several spots. He did have a biopsy taken on a place but luckily it was benign. He gets very thick plaques on his head…like cradle cap only much thicker. The dermatologist finally told us to use oil (as in cooking oil) on it to break them up. That has helped so much more than the steroids she was given him.
Your outfit to London is definitely you! You are so stylish, and I’m sure many people were remarking on that. We currently have an Australian immersive event going on at the museum, but I haven’t attended yet. Those batiks are gorgeous! And, I love a train ride of any kind. I haven’t given up on coming to the UK, but it will definitely be after the New Year.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Trains are often annoying but it is a very British thing to use them all the time and Blackfriars station is just such a modern miracle as 12-carriage long trains come in every 2-3 minutes and arrive exactly at the spot where the platform says it will so you know exactly where the doors are. It is never crowded at Blackfriars but at the next stop – phew!!
We once went on an Amtrak (1999) from Florida to Philly and it was utterly wonderful. We stopped overnight at Charleston for 2 days – very beautiful and then Washington for 2 days – wonderful especially the Smithsonians – before arriving at Philly. Once there, stayed 10 days with British friends who now have their citizenship but are actively worried about….. (won’t say anymore). While there we took the train to New York. We took a bus to Staten Island and went on the ferry there and back and then walked from Staten island to the centre – amazing. Walked past the Twin Towers and said, next time, so sad. Also went to the Holocaust Museum. Really fabulous trip.
Oil has to be the answer for Mike. And greetings to Mike from a former ginger, although actually I was more strawberry blonde, my son though, is a proper ginger!
Just let me know when …. as I am improving, more about that improvement on the blog soon.
Thanks Marsha, especially as you made me remember a truly wonderful travel experience. 😊
A 60 year old friendship, that is very special! Isn’t it so good to visit exhibitions! We done last week and next week, love it. Last week was about fake art, very interesting. We have a very good art forger in the Netherlands. Good news about your skin!
Yes, my friend and I have known each other for a very very long time! Art galleries are so good. I even like going round exhibitions that are rather challenging or difficult to understand. Makes you think!
And yay, re: the skin!
Thanks Nancy 😊
Hi Penny,
The next time I am travelling to the UK, I will make a list of the wonderful art galleries I want to visit. The last time I was in London was in 2018, as part of a group tour. I wanted to go to the Tate, not part of the agenda.
The 2 Tates are always good to get to and free to enter, and also they always have free galleries to get into if you don’t want to pay for the major exhibitions. The V&A is amazing too and free to enter, also with galleries that are free as well as the usually iconic exhibitions that you have to pay for and are often sold out.
Yes, there’s always plenty to see in London – and elsewhere of course.
Thanks Cindy 😊
That’s such good news with those two skin issues, and I just love that balloon skirt. In fact, I think I’ll try to recreate that look.
Xoxo
Jodie
Apols for the delay in replying – life and events! I absolutely love balloon skirts – I have two and will look for some more!! And yes it is good news about the skin, of which we must always be vigilant if fair skinned!
Thanks Jodie😊
Glad to hear that the BCC will be sorted quickly and wasn’t more serious.
Our longtime friendships are so precious , I have a dear friend that I have been friends with since high school , nearly sixty years ago now.
So pleased you are back to enjoying your art galleries again ,. The work by the indigenous artist looks wonderful , so full of colour and meaning.
Both of your outfits looked so good , I agree your glasses work so well with the hat.
Hi Jill, and yes, a slow growing BCC is fine as it will be taken out as and when, but not in a huge rush.
Long term friendships are really something, although of course, one of the things about blogging I love is the new friendships one makes.
The indigenous exhibitor is an amazing woman and the whole exhibition was great made more explicitly so by the explanations from the ‘aunties’ talking about their lives.
Thanks Jill 😊
I miss going to museums! The Aborigine art is just beautiful.
I’m also a bit jealous about London outings, it’s a city I fell in love with years ago.
Visiting from Weekend Traffic Jam
Hi Cat and thanks so much for coming over. The Aborigine art was truly lovely and I really warmed to it. And I get what you are saying about missing going to museums. I have decided I need to go more art galleries, I had a break from visiting them due to health reasons and I just feel I want to make up for lost time!!!
Thanks so much Cat – really appreciate your comment 😊
Love your outfit and the paints by Emily they really truly mesmerising. I’m in the midlands me never really think of going to London for the day, don’t know why because the journey isn’t too long.
I want to thank you again for your persistence in getting health problems seen to. I was googling mole clinics after reading this post,, a trip to the doctors about a stubborn infected “insect bite” treated with 2 lots of antibiotics has today resulted in an urgent NHS referral as it might be cancerous. It’s been seen by pharmacists and 3 doctors recently. Today’s doctor also said this is a busy time of year with the addition of a doctors strike.
Am I right in thinking that some private consultations can go on to NHS treatment?
Thank you for you enlightening blog.
Answering you immediately as I can tell you that, you have the Skin Check with the nurse. If she spots something she will say, I want to take photo of that – cost £40. My husband went pale when he had to pay for 3 of those (was £30 then) but hey one was a melanoma. Anyway, the photos go to a consultant and the Mole Clinic will either email you with the results and report if nothing is wrong, or if there is a reason to worry, they ring you up and say you need to get this investigated further, you need to see a consultant.
So what I do is, I say, ‘thanks so much I will take it from here’. Then I send the report to the GP. As the report will actually state bluntly they think it is a cancer, you should get an appointment with your local NHS Skin department (not your GP) within 2 weeks and then operated on within another 2 weeks. That actually happens in the Brighton/Lewes/surrounding area.
BUT watch out, a lovely person who commented here regularly had a melanoma found and they delayed her op for weeks – she died a year later and I still think of her. So if there is any dilly dallying from your GP – hassle them. And then if the Skin department doesn’t react within 2 weeks, go back to the Mole Clinic. This speed btw is needed for a melanoma. Not for a BCC which is slow growing, although that depends what stage it is at.
And strike or not – the 2 week rule should be kept to.
The Australian exhibition was lovely – really felt it was beautiful. Not so much the Picasso which was Ok – faint praise!
Thanks Lindsey – all the very best 😊
Thank you Penny that was so kind to come back. I’m a persistent person which sad to say you have to be.
So sorry to hear about your regular reader who died. Xx