Eau de Chlorine

I am overdue with a post again, most lax of me. 

Friday/Saturday last week

I was feeling quite down last weekend, lots of people were out having fun and I was at home. On Saturday I had taken Josephine over to my parents on a test drive but turns out they were out. 

Thankfully she performed mostly flawlessly on the drive, but there was a bit of niggle with the pressure switch for the brake lights, I noticed they were coming on when I didn't have my foot on the brake.  I think there must be some air still in the system which is expanding when everything gets warm. More fun in the garage this weekend then.

Sunday

Sunday I was due to go swimming at a LGBTQ+ session at 5:30pm. It was at Bramley baths in west Leeds, about 45 minutes drive from here.  I was feeling quite nervous about it actually, I had got ready by about 2pm, very minimal makeup as I wasn't sure how well it would cope with being wet.

https://www.bramleybaths.co.uk

I had put on primer all over, with some orange colour corrector on the beard shadow area - probably not required now but old habits die hard.  I only put foundation over this area, and blended it into the rest of my face. I had eyeliner on, and I drew my eyebrows on.  I had purchased, or been gifted some setting spray at Chameleons a while ago, and figured I would put some of this on top too - never used it before. I didn't bother with lipstick so had to clean off the foundation that had gone on the lips.  

I was pleased with the result, it was the least makeup I had ever dared present En femme outside the house in, but I still think I looked OK.

I arrived at 5pm , I always seem to turn up 30 minutes early everywhere - better than a frien
d of mine who is always 30 minutes late :) . Thankfully there were plenty of parking spaces, as I was worried I might have to find room on the road outside.

I waiting until about 5:15 to go in, as I didn't want to be hanging around by myself, I had seem a group of LGBTQ+ looking people go in a bit earlier though. After entering I spied Alex who I had been questioning about this session at LFF previously, and went and talked to her until we were told we could go into the pool.

Nipped to the loo first, then went towards the pool, we had to take our shoes off to enter, then once through the door you are in the main pool room. The changing booths are either side of the main axis, individual cubicles with a tiny seat and a hook, with lockers on the outside. 

I got changed, took a few selfies for posterity then ventured out.  There were already keen people in the pool, I went down the deep end ladder and got acclimatised. The skirt of the swimsuit floated up as I entered the water but soon when down when the air escaped.  

I must have done 20+ lengths of the pool, it is only a 22 meter one, so not full size. Alex told me that 47 is a mile, and she tries to do this when she goes.  I was knackered by the end, and was taking longer and longer breaks between each length.  Some of the other people did float over to introduce themselves, but it will be a good while of being reminded of them before I will remember them.

A good deal of the group were using it mainly as a social session, one was floating around in a ring, generally getting in the way of anyone trying to do lengths. There were only a few of us really attempting to get exercise done.  

My swimming technique has never been the best, and I was probably only going half the speed of some others, but it had been more than a decade since I last tried. I was doing breast stroke as that's the only one I mastered at school - I was the worst in the class.

When the session ended I returned to the cubicle and the first thing I did was get my phone to check I had some makeup left on - it looked the same as when I entered the pool, which was good !

Numerous muscles , tendons and other random bits have been taking great pleasure in reminding me that I really should have taken it a bit more steady on my first visit. But I hopefully have another week to recover before I do another session.

This group only does one Sunday a month, but there is another Leeds based group that does another two, so I should be able to do 3 sessions a month - and hopefully lose some weight ! 

I was on a bit of a high when I left, I didn't get to speak with Alex, it's a bit of an odd system , the exit takes you into a tiny room where you can put your shoes on, and then you have another door which takes you out of the building, you don't end up back in the entrance.

It was a really lovely beautiful old building though.

I have marked myself as 'Interested' on the FB group for the sessions early next month. 

Thursday - Chameleons

I was going dressed this time, so didn't set off massively early and arrived to find a few others already there. 

Had some a nice chat with Sally who hadn't been for a while - although I was convinced I had seen her at xmas, likely me being senile. Also fab to catch up with Ann and Debbie. 

There was also a new lady Abby who I knew from Instagram, she was quite nervous to start with, but towards the end of the evening seemed to have settled down and we had a nice chat. Hoping she comes back again.

The elderly lady who had transport difficulties last time seemed to be heading the same way again, and looked to spend the first hour of the meeting trying to organise her transport home on her phone ! Hopefully Lynn didn't have to offer her trans-uber service again.

The drive back was a lot better than last time, much less lane closures, still a fair bit of 50mph around Sheffield, but I was back by midnight. I was a bit hungry so ended up having cheese on toast, then was talking to an Insta friend until 1 am.

Today - Good Friday  

I braved putting a pic of Josephine on the Morris Minor owners group FB page 'Front end Friday' is a
thing that some people do, where they post a front on pic. I had been a bit hesitant as I wasn't sure what reception the trans-flag grille would get.

But I shouldn't have worried, I only got one negative comment, and they haven't clarified why they don't like the grille, it's possible it's because it's a non-original colour scheme, they haven't replied to my question about it yet.

I've just been to the Co-op in minimal makeup, not even colour corrector, but with a bit of foundation on the beard area, eyeliner and brows.  Felt quite liberating, didn't feel out of place. I had my leggings and top from Chams on, my blue swede boots and an old work fleece, no forms or bra and my hair tied in a pony tail.

Not sure what I will do this afternoon, perhaps look at the brakes. 

Repeat after me

 

General Updates

I have booked a doctors appointment with my GP for early April.  I had to repeat 'Gender Affirming Care' to the receptionist 3 times over the phone, she seemed quite confused. 

The aim is to try and get blood tests, so I can safely increase my dose, and go on blockers, but also get a referral to the GIC.  

I will be going En femme for maximum impact, in a smart work dress probably.  My friend Dannielle was sharing her knowledge on waiting times at Chams last week, and it looks like Nottingham is the best choice in terms of waiting times. So I will be downloading the referral paperwork to hand to him mostly completed.

I had laser last Wednesday, the lady noticed my boobs :) , it went well - machine was turned up to 11 on my face, really hurt, but that is good in that something is happening. I had gone into the office so I could nip over the road to go there at lunch.  

Other activities 

Chameleons - Thursday night

I had a really nice time, I got there quite early as I couldn't wear makeup and so was ready a lot quicker.  It was a really busy night, quite a few new faces, we were running out of chairs.

Lynn had fun times collecting the payments, and dealing with a less mobile member. 

Joanne had made the trek on the bus, was nice to see her in person - must have been quite a while since I last did. I also spent a lot of the night talking with Ann and Dannielle who I had also not seen for quite a while too. 

Traffic was pretty bad going home, lots of lane closures and speed restrictions, was a bit after midnight before I was back. 

Saturday - Leeds Alternative Market

I had mentioned to my wife on Friday that I was going into Leeds to have a look around the alternative
market, and was quite surprised that she wanted to come along. It usually seems like I am forcing any opportunity to dress in public with her and the kids, so was really nice for it to be her suggestion.

We arrived around lunchtime, parking in the trinity car park. We headed to Decathlon first, as the kids needed new trainers for school. I had a look around the swimming bit for a swim dress as I wanted to go to a trans session in Leeds later in the month, but they only had normal costumes. 

After this we went to McDonalds for some food, I had a McPlant. Got a funny look from a serious looking guy while we were sat down to eat, but he soon ignored me. 

Then we walked to the markets. The alternative market is on three times a year, March, July and October, but I don't think I had ever been before.  They are two zones with almost 90 vendors, so it's pretty big. 

I had a bit of a look around, and bought some fab vampire cat earrings, and also a candle. My wife and boys were not that interested, so they went to look at the sweet stalls in the normal part while I mooched.  Didn't spend a great deal of time there to be honest, but it was nice to have a look.

There were also some trans history talks in the city museum on the same day, so I decided I would pop
up there and see if anyone I knew was around to talk to.  My wife took the kids to Primark as she didn't fancy the walk there.  

I happened to arrive just as one talk had finished, and the lunch session was starting, and noticed two familiar looking people wandering over the road to the Wetherspoons, I swiftly followed :) 

One I knew fairly well - Alex, she had come along to our Pints and Straws events a number of times, and the other I had been wanting to introduce myself to for a while but had not had the chance. I sat with them and consumed a coke while they had their lunch, and we had a nice chat.  

It was really nice to just be in a pub chatting with other trans people I had just bumped into. Alex also goes to the swim session I had been looking to go to, and she told me a bit about how to book the session too.  Suzy was the other lady, she is very local to me, and apparently had attended Trans-Wakefield for one session, although I don't recall seeing her, so perhaps I was elsewhere. 

After their lunch break was over, I had to go find the family, as they had got bored of shopping and wanted a lift home, so I didn't get to listen to any of the talks.  

In the evening I ordered a swim dress from Amazon, and booked my swimming session for this Sunday. 

Sunday - Josephine

Decided to put some minimal makeup on, and make an effort to get Josephine back on the road. I was mostly successful, and by the end of the day she was back on her wheels and mostly ready to hit the road - but it was a bit dark to go out.

I did a live stream on Instagram of her first start since before Xmas - went very well, had not done one before. 

My pink overalls got some nice comments, and it seems a few of my followers had not seen the trans flag grille before.

In the evening I tried on the swim dress that had been delivered in the afternoon, I was very pleased indeed.  It has some thin foam pads in pockets in the breasts - I wasn't aware of this when I ordered, but it works really well - my own are small but becoming quite noticeable, but with the padding looked very natural. 

I got a sort of trans colour swim cap too, of course :)

I was feeling very happy and relaxed after a really quite nice weekend - good to be doing normal things while dressed, rather than just out on the beer with my friends. 

Friends, booze and fried breakfasts

 

I have been bad at updating things on here again ! I had a really good weekend at the start of the month, but work has been pretty stressful the since then. 

There are no major updates to report on general trans issues, I haven't acted upon the information gained on my Gender GP call as yet.

I got my new glasses this Thursday, and am pleased with them, they looks good En femme and OK in boy mode. I will be at the office in them tommorow, I doubt anything will be said.

Previous Weekend 

Thursday

It began with a Thursday night in Wakefield with my friend Bennie who currently has a house nearby.
We did my usual haunts, having some fab beers.  We ate at Rustico's which is the Italian place Trans-Wakefield held their xmas do at this year.  Had some deep fried brie to start, then a meaty pizza.

The pubs stop serving at 11pm on the Thursday, so we were not out that late.  I stayed over at hers, mainly to save on taxi rides back to mine which are rather expensive. 

Friday

In the morning we ate at a local greasy spoon in Normanton, where I had lived for about 10 years after
getting married. It was a friendly little place, and not a bad breakfast. It was raining quite hard on our exit, and didn't have a brolly on me so we got a bit damp walking to the car.

We went from there straight to Leeds, we were staying in the Leonardo, which I have never stopped at before, parked at the armouries car park. We chanced taking our bags there as soon as we arrived at lunch time, in the hope we could pay extra to check in early - but they let us have the room anyway which was a bonus.  It was a really cold day, and my hands were blue by the time we got there. 

It was Pints and Straws in the afternoon, which was fairly successful. We were one shy of our
attendance record, 12 people there I think.  There was a bit of an incident where someone was suspected of filming us when we left 'Friends of Ham'.  It was reported to the bar, but all they could do really was apologise. Don't think the guy was approached by them about it.

There was also a bit of a personality clash between two of my friends who had not interacted before, the older of the two does have form for rubbing people up the wrong way sometimes, so I suppose it was inevitable.

We ate at Pieminster this time, only 5 of us as others had gone off to do their own thing. It was lovely
food, and I made use of their unlimited gravy to get the most out of my money :)

LFF itself was pretty good, the new start venue was excellent again, although no cherry beer. We did the Viaduct, the Shed, then End and then Smokestack.  A number of us were going to a beer festival in Bradford the next day, so we were not trying to go too mad. 

The group decided to go find food at 2am , McDonalds was the first place we tried, but it was full of teenagers and the prospect of a long wait put them off. So I headed to big bites, and the rest followed me in. Got some cheesy chips to share with Bennie and we walked back to the Leonardo.

Saturday

Breakfast was pretty good, it was all self service same as Premier, virtually the same in all respects, and not a bad price £12.50 if you booked the night before, which is a little more than premier. 

Decided to try out the gym on the way back to the room after breakfast 🤣

We headed out to the shops after breakfast, I had neglected to pack a jumper and I figured I might be
cold at the beer festival without one. I got a black one in Next, which completed my all black outfit 🤣

The train to Shipley was around lunch time, so we had a quick coffee at the station Pret before heading to the platform.  After getting on the train we soon found the rest of the gang. It didn't take too long to get there, and it was only a short walk to the beer festival venue.

Had a few beers, then I got some pie and peas to ensure I didn't get too tipsy too quickly. We enjoyed/endured some music from the brass band. 

I had forgotten how much standing there would be, and my platform DM's were really starting to hurt
after only 30 mins or so.  No seats were to be found anywhere. 

By the end of the afternoon I had resorted to sitting on the floor in the hall, but it had thinned out sufficiently there wasn't much risk of being stood on. 

We had got tickets for the afternoon session, and normally if you do this, you can just stay as long as you want - but they closed the venue at 4pm and turfed us out. Some of my friends were less than impressed as there was not much warning of this, and they had just bought another batch of non-refundable tokens !

There was a bit of a panic that the train was due soon, and I was running to keep up with the longer
legged members of our merry band, but we ended up waiting a few minutes when we got to the station.

After getting back into Leeds, we headed to 'The Brew Society' to recover for a bit, I had some water and a coke. Was feeling really tired, and could have had a nap really.  I managed to book a table at Miller and Carter for 4 of us who wanted steak, but couldn't get the table until 8:15pm
.

Bennie was going for a curry with two others who joined us there, but neglected to take her coat, so we took great joy in getting pics of us wearing it to taunt her, 

I had just about recovered enough to be hungry by the time we got there.  My friend Gemma who was in drab - but had an LED hat, and sign on, had decided to set her sign to 'Just Married'  - Alice was in a white dress that could easily have been a wedding one.  This led to them being mistaken as a happy couple by a number of people, and congratulated a number of times.  The poor waitress at Miller and Carter also believed this to be the case too. 

We were quite a sight really, one goth, one bridesmaid, a LED groom, and a resplendent bride. Not really sure I met the establishment's dress code !

After stuffing ourselves, we headed back to Friends of Ham, I was wearing Bennie's coat on top of mine so was nice and warm :) 

Bennie met us there and got her coat back. She stayed out for one more drink after I decided to go to bed. I put the telly on and started to watch one of the new Star Trek films that was on as I knew there was no point in trying to sleep as she would be back in a bit. 

Sunday 

We had breakfast, then headed to the car. I gave Bennie a lift back home, then we decided to for a short walk to go find the café barge on the nearby canal. 

It wasn't there unfortunately, so we took advantage of some sun to get some photo's then headed back to hers for a cup of tea,

I got back home after lunch. I was pretty tired, didn't do much for the rest of the day.