#Orbital Live Digbeth 31st May 2019

Never been to this venue so it’s a new exciting experience for me, and I’m hoping it’s going to be an awesome night out.

Been really enjoying concerts lately, as our usual nights out are getting too long and hard for me to deal with, these are a couple of hours of fun, and I’m soon back to resting. So concerts are easier on me bodywise and painwise.

Off to see the Electronic music legends Orbital, hoping for some audio and visual delights!!

DIGBETH ARENA

29 Lower Trinity Street, Birmingham, B94AG

Digbeth Arena is the outdoor sister-venue to The Mill – an old builders merchant yard, situated against the backdrop of Birmingham’s Victorian railway arches.

These look amazing as the sun is going down, totally transformed it, truly magickal.

Above is when we first arrived, but later on the sun caught the arches as it was setting at 9.15pm, and it’s so golden, see below.

It is a unique and versatile open-air space in the heart of Birmingham. A 3500 capacity configuration with over 12,000 sq ft extensive outdoor space.

Because it’s outdoor, it has a real festival vibe going on, watching the planes fly over it was like a UK version of Ibiza’s space. It was glorious in weather which was lucky!!

Digbeth Arena offers an array of flexible and impressive infrastructure to producers, agencies and brands & provides the most unique backdrop for conferences, exhibitions, experiential events, live music and more.

Look at these backdrops, just amazing art all around, making it unique and adds to the visual magic.

It was such a breathtaking visual and audio concert, that nothing has ever come close too. It was an experience of a lifetime, and one I will certainly treasure forever too.

Now I’m home my head says I want to do it all again it wasn’t enough, but of course body, mainly operated hip says you ain’t moving ever ever again!! Pain is off the charts

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Sting and Shaggy 44/876 Tour

The album’s title refers to the country calling code for the United Kingdom (+44) and the North American area code for Jamaica (876), Sting’s and Shaggy’s respective home countries.

Following their win at the 2019 Grammys for Best Reggae Album, Sting & Shaggy have announced their return to the UK with The 44/876 tour.

A series of intimate and exclusive shows will begin at London’s Camden Roundhouse on 19 May with additional dates in Newcastle, Birmingham and Manchester.

2018 saw Sting & Shaggy bring The 44/876 tour to North America, South America and Eastern Europe. Hailed as one of the most anticipated concerts of the year and a “reggae rock dance party that never lets up,” the show sees the pair collaborating on each other’s most celebrated hits such as Every Breath You Take, Englishman In New York, Message In A Bottle, It Wasn’t Me, Mr. Boombastic and Angel as well as new hits from 44/876

In spring 2018, Sting & Shaggy made UK headlines with a memorable performance of Don’t Make Me Wait at the Queen’s 92nd birthday celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. The pair also performed the track live on BBC’s The One Show, and in the latest series of Mrs. Browns Boys. 2018 also saw the release of Skank Up (Oh Lawd), a further collaboration from Sting & Shaggy that featured dancehall music sensation Ding Dong. 2019 will also soon see the release of the pair’s next single, Just One Lifetime.

Never been to the 02 academy before, and it was a very small intimate venue, easy to get to bar, and toilets, nice staff as well.

The music kicked off at 8.10pm while I was on the loo!! Weird as it said last entry at 8.30pm so I thought I had plenty of time.

Anyways straight into stings classics, with the crowd joining in. I needed a San Miguel, so headed to the bar, which was super efficient, well staffed and I was served pretty quickly.

Had a few tall tall people in front of us, but the odd one made an effort all night to duck and weave so us small ones could see. He was well into it!!

I think the crowd was predominantly for Sting, but behind me and including us (me and Mr moon) we were there for Shaggy, wooping and whistling when his songs came on.

Though admittedly we bopped and sang along to both sets of classic songs, as well as their collective new songs on the album. Some songs were slow at times and I personally would of loved the same reggae energy all he way through, but I had an absolute blast!! What a way to kick start the bank holiday weekend.

Day 129 post #hipreplacement Pedal Fest 2019

So here it is, never heard of it before, but hubby got tickets so why not. We planned on the Saturday at first, but weather was going to be better for Sunday, so that’s the day we planned.

Which honestly helped, as the hip needed some recovery days between this and that physio session. Man that ached my abducters and glutes so much!!

But if you lived closer you could easily do both days. As it’s Free!! Crazy right, especially when you see what’s on offer too….

It’s meant to be a family fun weekend and located in Sherwood Pines Forest. There they have live music, bike demo, bike stunt shows to name but a few things on offer.

They also offer things especially for little ones, games and activities with competitions and even freebies.

And of course if you fancy trying out some bikes, such as Raleigh, Haibike and Lapierre then all that’s needed is your photo id, get a wristband and demo bikes away.

I’d like to ride a bike again, but I’m not convinced I’m entirely ready yet. A simple level 3 resistance on a stationary bike is hard enough, for 5 mins, so I’m unsure. But I believe hubby is going to demo some bikes if we are early enough to do so. Maybe he could try out some electric bikes for me.

Hubby signed up to try some demo bikes.

We got some bunny holding in. Saw chickens, tarantula, snails, and tortoise too.

We watched #Fumbledore kids entertainer while Mr Moon rode the electric bike. I found Fumbledore was hilarious.

Ted Robbins comedian doing Man Vs Food which was good sports! Loved it .

Grove Street gave us songs to bop along too, and sing along with. Great atmosphere.

The famous Gold Burner Raleigh!!

Savage Skills entertainment, Alec and Tom riding bikes and jumping, ramps and flips.

Ted Robbins was a brilliant host, although he had no voice at all.

And lastly we heard Christina And Harry singing the last hour out. But I was sadly work out by this point, hip aching beyond belief, so I needed to get home, and a decent seat.

After today I feel that although the hip is improving, it’s still far from normal. I still get pains, and stiffness, and I feel unable to stand for long. I have a long way to go to be fixed.

Week 17 post #HipReplacement

This week I’ve been camping, we went for a few days in Cornwall. Had an event planned for the Saturday, so we decided to make the journey worth while, we set off Friday and would come home Monday.

Arrived at the most fantastic campsite just outside boscastle called Trebyla Farm it’s a simplistic working farm campsite, with electric hook up and caravans too. Idea for those wanting to escape the world for a few days. So no WiFi, no posh toilets with grand baths, or clubs and pools here. It’s back to basics camping, I love it!!

Just toilet blocks and showers available, with hot water and free so what could be better. Also available is a kitchen area with microwave (I couldn’t work it) freezer for your essentials, and dry area to wash up in.

Everything was super clean, well stocked with toilet roll and hand soap too. So I didn’t need my emergency packed ones. As some sites often run out, or don’t re stock often. These were done every morning. All bins checked each day too.

We have a large spacious tent, bought when we had 4 small children we used to camp with. But it’s size means I can stand up, so no bending to get in and out. Which honestly I’m relieved at, as I don’t think the hip would like that.

The hip coped very well with a lot of things I requested it to do. But mainly I do the kitchen stuff, I sit to make a coffee or sandwiches as I don’t like to stand too much.

And banging in pegs is not one of the things I can do, I still struggle to squat down and get up again. I’m not agile and I get stuck, so better for me not to try!

I definitely did need my pain meds, a lot more of them and my walking stick at all times. Also I needed rest stops all the time. But it coped, and I would do it again, I just need a few months to recover lol.

Weather and cold obviously made it feel stiffer to move, and I often felt seized into a position, that would take time to get out of again. But once the joint got moving, it was happier.

But look at the view we had, it’s hard to be grumbling and sad when this view greets you each morning!!

Not many on the site, so the area was super peaceful, and you are left alone to relax and plan days in leisure. Exactly what we needed. My only regret is coming home after 3 nights. I will be returning for sure.

Day 101 #hipreplacement

Well it’s the day the night before! I’m a little bit hanging as I was full of absinthe, prosecco and aperol, and Stella.

Club was ace! I felt steady on my hip all night so that was good, there was really good seating so that helped massively. I saw another walking stick there, and he had a light (like a bike light on) I think I need one!!

Small club, so not endless walking to places. It was the longest I’ve ever stood up for. I did use my walking stick most of the night. Hip held out well, just nagging thigh pain. In fact I was just tired more than anything.

So recovery mode on, out in the garden. Rest and recover time. I’m immensely stiff this morning.

Day 89 #hipreplacement

Yas!! The sunshine has returned, it’s a little nippy out, but dry, which means it’s a good day to get outside for a walk.

With a mission to go Geocaching to make it a little more fun.

#

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, I think of it like treasure hunting!!, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.

These can be filled with little gifts, like a pencil sharpener, or pretty pebble, or just paper to write that you found it and what the date is. Really good ones have disposable cameras to take photos of you finding it.

I love Geocaching, the aim is to take you off the beaten track a bit, and show you an area that is pretty, or stunning views.

Came across a Deer bone first. Not sure it’s treasure we want, but still privileged to see it.

Aiming for the funny tree, let’s see if we can find one?

Path isn’t always easy though.

I see one!

No good gifts, but logging that we found it. Back to hiding it again. Making sure #muggles don’t see us.

Sarnie break, and much needed leg break too. Though I can feel such improvement in this hip. Hope other one stays behaved. Hand is particularly sore on my walking stick though.

Another cache to find, but harder this time and definitely prickly too. But we had success. Again no gifts as it was an old camera film container.

Hidden once more, it was time to meander home. The routes have took us on uneven grassy tuffs, and heather filled areas (bit scared of adders)

Only beast we found was a millipede.

Nice to see new growth coming through, and the dead old brambles disappearing now.

Following husband’s footsteps so I don’t stumble, though I did kick a rock which hip did not like at all.

Once home we were all shattered, I ached everywhere, especially glutes and quads.

Day 79 I think I’m back

But tentatively back, as I daren’t rush back into over training, and doing too much. The way I’ve felt over the week has kicked my butt, and reminded me it’s still early days.

I class this stage of recovery from hip surgeries the worst stage, because you ‘look’ fine, you can do most things, but you don’t necessarily do them well, in good form, or for long. And most are off painkillers too, so once they tire, the pain can easily feel all consuming again. And because you ‘look and feel’ fine it gets frustrating when the hip decides to remind you, of your weaknesses, and limits.

Today it’s been exploring and strolling kind of day, a way to get moving but gentle, all flat walking, using my stick as I’m definitely not ready to lose it. And going slow, stopping often and just enjoying some fresh air.

Where we live, we have a house that author #JRRTolkien lived in 1916 and also a serene area where the books were inspired from the local countryside. Especially where two rivers meet, so that was our aim for the day to visit these places.

Looking at the house you let the mind wander of those years gone by, with his wife here while he was in camps over Cannock Chase and Rugeley too.

Wandering down the little village, in bloom with glorious blue skies and sunshine, we embark on an amble to the canal, and river waterways. To catch a glimpse of places visited by Tolkien and places that inspired him.

We find his spot where the rivers meet, the sounds of water is soothing, and mediative. We eat our packed lunch and gaze at the running water, imaging the stories he told. Listening to the wildlife and thoroughly enjoying every moment.

For once I wasn’t chased home quickly from pains and aches, like I’ve been for years. That isn’t to say it is painfree, because it isn’t there yet. But it’s certainly manageable. I felt the hip flexor area mostly, as lower back in this walk.

#Blogmas 2018 Yule tide Blessings

You know the year has gone fast when the Solstice is here, seems barely five minutes since the Summer Solstice 21st June.

Some believe that the Winter Solstice is a day celebration, but in reality they had no clocks or calenders, so Yule lasted over a period of days. Yule 2018 will begin on Friday

21

th December and ends on

Tuesday

1st January 2019.
And is a time of great symbolism and power. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. It’s also a time to celebrate with family and friends, and share the spirit of giving during the holidays.

You can as a pagan hold rituals, both with a circle or as a solitary. But as we are a family, we choose to do this in a far more understated way. Instead I rather have a good meal, where we save some as an offering to the spirits, light candles to honour the ancestors. And have a Yule log, we’ve had both a chocolate log very nice, but also one to light our candles on too.

Everything we do as a Christmas celebration is really a Yule celebration, from the feast to the tree, wreaths and gift giving. So they are already hand in hand. But on this day especially it is nice to take a reflection over the year that has passed, and of time yet to happen. Because the returning Sun is the promise of things to come.

Like at Samhain, you can burn wishes wrote down, if you choose to have a bonfire outside. But weather being awful this month, and myself not doing well health-wise, it’s not likely for us this year. But not all is lost, you can make those wishes as you blow out the candles after your feast?! Like a birthday wish. Or burn them in your real fire or log burner if you have one.

So eat up and drink and be merry, it’s time to give thanks for all that you have. Feel blessed, it’s been an eventful year.

Our plan is a full on Roast, and Christmas movies galore, probably Arthur Christmas, and Home Alone.

#Blogmas 2018 Birmingham Uni and Christmas Market part 1

Well it’s that nerve wrecking time again! Time to get up ready and show the world my daughter will make an incredible teacher.

This time it’s closer to home, it’s Birmingham. My eldest went to Aston in Birmingham, so it’s not too far, just far enough to move away from home.

This time there wasn’t a presentation, so the whole thing felt more relaxed. We got there early, so parked up and ate some ready made sarnies, I come prepared.

Noticing the nearest parking we couldn’t go over an hour, so we checked her in, and left as the students were called upstairs, where they were broken off into smaller groups, to start with interviews, then to watch a program and complete a written test on it, to then finally do their chosen specialist subject matter to discuss.

Olivia chose the topic of literacy in the modern times, how it’s failing in areas and how to bring the standard back up, both as a student and a teacher’s prospective.

While she was busy, we drove off to town, a simple 5-10min drive or for some 25min walk. I couldn’t walk it.

Lots of building going on, so forced walkways are about, but you won’t get lost as it’s well sign posted.

We get a chance to see the town and Xmas market while it’s pretty quiet. But it’s freezing cold, so not wet like Chester last week, but still uncomfortable.

After a disaster coffee and rest, we had to start heading back to collect Liv, and hear what happened. The suspense is nail biting.

Its around 3pm ish now and lights are more noticeable, which starts to transform the whole feeling. We will be back to hear the Santa singing and see the market in the dark.

Back for part 2 later

#Blogmas 2018 Chester uni interview, Xmas markets part one

To finish off the week, a completed week of blogmas, I’m going to share our Chester university visit and Christmas market.

The first of 5 interviews at different universities for our youngest, marking a pivotal point in our lives, soon she will be carving out her own life in a new city. We’ve done this twice before, but knowing she’s the last it’s emotional to say the least. But warming knowing that she feels confident enough to find her own way too.

First we all entered the university to sign in, and be there for the introduction speech. The tutors were welcoming, friendly and there were 3 first year students to wander around, so we could ask questions. Seen as they are relatively new, it was good to talk to ours (Laura) as they remember the nerves, and fear well.

After this speech, we left to reconvene downstairs, gather our thoughts and practise Olivia’s presentation, as that would be next. Followed by group work and then a written piece, and interview.

Once it was presentation time, we took our cue to leave. Scary leaving her there knowing she was nervous, we felt the butterflies for her too.

While she does the scary part, we get to visit some shops and feel the Christmas spirit. It’s exactly what we needed, and a good way to kick off hubbies birthday celebrations too.

Indoors was fabulous, the decorations and shop windows, and it was light relief from absolute downpour outside!!

Spotted a grotto too, though it had a mechanical Father Christmas? How does that work? That would of scared my children when they were little.

Catch you in part two….