2026 Another New Year Already!

 Well at the beginning of 2025 I said I would post a lot more on here, unfortunately I have failed in that quest.... "Must try harder" would be the note on my report... In fairness a lot has been going on here in the UK thanks to the Supreme Court ruling in April on the meaning of a woman.

That ruling was taken out of context in many cases and used by the Transphobic brigade to attack us for no other reason than that we are Trans.... The Equalities and Human Rights Commission then did their bit to inflame the situation by issuing an 'Interim Guidance' which apparently was produced in less than 24 hours without any input or consultation with those it affected most, the Trans Community. By the end of the year the EHRC found itself in court with a challenge to the legality of the Guidance brought by the Good Law Project. The EHRC promptly withdrew the guidance later claiming that it was not intended as 'guidance' in an attempt to avoid legal action. At the time of writing  we are still awaiting the Judge's written decision. 

With all this going on I felt I need to contribute in some way, it's no good sitting on the sidelines and hoping someone else will fight for your rights, at some point you have do something. I sent a number of letters to my Member of Parliament, Pippa Heylings, something I have never done before, which received a favourable response, both in terms of the replies she sent me and the questions and assurances she requested from various Ministers and MP's. 

Away from all the anti trans issues life continued as normal with several outings visiting one of my favourite parts of the country, The Cotswolds, and various places of interest. The last of which was at the beginning of December when we visited Banbury, Chipping Norton and Stowe on the Wold. An evening meal in Millar & Carter in Banbury kicked off the days away in fine style wearing a suitable sparkly dress. The following evening was a meal in the Blue Boar in Chipping Norton, a traditional pub with a really nice restaurant and lovely food. Tuesday saw  us visit a new Italian restaurant for a fabulous meal before watching a film in Chipping Norton's very small theatre. It was a lovely night out.

The following day we went to Stowe on the Wold for breakfast in one of the many little cafe's to be found there and a spot of shopping before having coffee in the White Heart Hotel. Whilst shopping I found a fabulous faux fur coat at a bargain price which I was so pleased with I wore it for the rest of the day. 

White Heart Hotel Stowe on the Wold

Back in Chipping Norton we wondered around the shops and visited 'Oats' a health food shop, I'm not really a health food person, but my friend was looking for something and we wanted to visit the shop because it once belonged to actor and comedian Ronnie Barker who ran it as an antiques shop. The current owner explained it's current name (Oats) because Ronnie stared in the long running sit-com Porridge (Porridge Oats!) in which he played prison inmate Fletcher. All this shopping was thirsty work so we stopped for a drink in the Crown & Cushion Hotel, a former 15th century coaching inn, we were welcomed into the bar by a very nice and efficient barman and had a lovely drink and a chat to the Manager. That evening we had a 'Christmas' meal in Bitter & Twisted, another pub (in Chipping Norton), a fabulous night once again and a fitting finish to our four four days away. I have to say in all the places we visited we were treated very well, I felt very safe and will certainly be going back there again this year.

Outside Oats in Chipping Norton

So even with all the negativity from the Anti Trans brigade, in real life, at least for me, I have been treated with respect and warm welcoming  by everyone I came into contact with. I hope your outings into the real world this year are as successful as mine were in 2025 and you have a safe enjoyable and fabulous 2026.