Janet and John have settled into their new home, apart from arranging the furniture there has been little for John to do. He has done what is  expected of retired people, taken up golf, socialized with neighbours, gone out for meals and basically withdrawn from the stresses that are associated with employment, but is he happy? For most individuals the opportunity to do very little for any length of time would be on the top of their wish list, but John has realized that daytime TV has very little to offer, golf is a very over rated past time and there is only so much socialising he can take. He has been told by Janet on a number of occasions that he has glazed over in company, not exactly nodded off but generally disassociated himself with the trivia of discussing the weather, the economy and the latest neighbourhood gossip.

John has long decided that a life centered on doing nothing is not for him, he needs a project. Janet,  realized John had a passion for refurbishing property very soon after they were married, moving home every two years became the norm, she realizes that John is not yet ready to embrace retirement and fears another move is on the cards

Janet has been collecting, or hoarding ceramics as John says for many years, she was recently asked which item or design she most cherished. The inspiration for collecting fine china started when she came across a Shelley tall trees dish in a local Antique shop, from the moment she brought it home, unwrapped it and put it on display she knew she was smitten. That was many years ago, since then not only has her Shelley collection grown, she has managed to pick up other ceramics found either in Antique shops or Auctions. One of the most striking additions has to be the yellow and white Aynsley Tulip shape with butterfly handle Tea Set. This shape was introduced  by Aynsley in 1931, the cups display a large tulip embossed on each side while the handles are in the form of butterflies with wings extended backwards, it was produced in a variety of colours. This tea Set is definitely one of Janet’s most cherished items.

Janet has been to see her Doctor and as per her last couple of visits, he continued to tap away at his computer,  not looking at her and not showing any inclination to leave the security  provided by his desk. Janet did wonder if perhaps at some point he would take on a Little Britain persona and say ” the computer says no” Janet reflected that at one time when you went to see your Doctor, the first thing he did was look at your throat, your ears and eyes and take your temperature, even if it was fairly obvious that you were suffering from a broken arm,  an ingrowing toenail, piles or depression. Not anymore, GPs appear to be more interested in processing data than having any direct contact with their patients. All this changed today when Janet had a hospital appointment, she did expect to remove some of her clothing, what she didn’t expect was to have to strip to the waist for thirty minutes whilst at least three people came, went, poked and prodded. Twenty years ago it might not have been such an ordeal but as far as Janet is concerned being in a state of undress in front of an audience is not top of her wish list especially when her bangers as Gok Wan would say, are being tossed about rather unceremoniously. All in all Janet believes that women of a certain age should refrain from stripping to the waist, it can rarely be done graciously and in all honesty can never be considered a good look.