Today I shall be Mainly...

[Marilyn]

I did one too many sandy hills today. I am feeling it.
I can walk all day on the flat, but “uphill” is a different matter. Paracetamol required afterwards! ( unfortunately the last steep climb was necessary to get back to the car).
It was so easy getting downhill to the beach!

[Stanley]

That was a busy day Wendy! Glad to hear you are getting into snow driving, it can be enjoyable once you get used to it and get confident.
I've had almost two hours in the shed and will post on that when I have heated my breakfast up.
I'm not going for a walk, I reckon two hours on my feet qualifies as exercise and there is no dog to take out.... One slip on the ice which is still about could put me in dock. I'm not taking the chance.
The good news is that I think we are having a slow thaw......

[Sue]

Morning

Those beaches reminded me of Northumberland Maz. Long stretches of Sandy beaches and few people on them. There are similar ones on Anglesey and there you see people riding their horses through the gentle waves. Oh to be able to visit

Its a little warmer this morning than it had been but the sky is black. There was no snow overnight but some is forecast this morning. There is not much at the moment, a light covering that has clung to soil and grass but not paths. Its definitely not a walking day. Neither is there yoga today as normal classes don’t resume till next week .

Yesterday was a definite clean and tidy day. Bob vacuumed whilst I steam cleaned the hard floors. I thoroughly cleaned the conservatory and cut back the geraniums. Not right back as it is too cold in there at the moment. The cold has been causing the flowers to drop petals as fast as they form, such a mess. I usually cut right back just after Christmas water and feed and leave them for a few weeks more or less untouched. As the weather warms slightly they start to grow back vigorously and are usually in flower again by the end of February .

After cleaning I photographed the last of my knitting machine bits and pieces and in the evening wrote the summary of what is there to send to the dealers who said they would buy it all . I tidied my drawers of sewing fabric and sorted out the the kit for the applique table mats that I bought in Alaska. Todays task, after the ironing will be start making those. We shall also take down all the inside Christmas decorations, no doubt we will have to vacuum again afterwards! The outside lights will have to wait till the snow retreats.

So thats our day, have a good one everyone

[Marilyn]

Our local beaches are white deep sand, like you see on holiday destination brochures. They are lovely, but quite crowded by tourists at present ( Japanese, Indian, Arab visitors) ...we keep quite clear of crowds in holiday season. We don’t trust “incomers”. Best that we leave them to crowd our beaches and we stay away. We have developed an inner radar, that stops us wanting to share air space with visitors to our region.
But sometimes we like to drive to the more firmer, and relatively empty, southern beaches for a really long, socially distanced walk. They never disappoint.
It is good we can still get out. Not ready yet to have a coffee at a cafe though.

[Marilyn]

Hubby has his 6 month catch up with his doctor tomorrow. He has made a list, written in small writing so I have suggested he take his specs or he won’t be able to read it. He turned to me tonight and asked if there was anything else he should add.
What about your memory problems, I asked.
NO...apparently the doctor does not need to know about those!

This is my beautiful hubby on the beach today...

[Sue]

Our local beaches are white deep sand, like you see on holiday destination brochures. They are lovely, but quite crowded by tourists at present ( Japanese, Indian, Arab visitors) ...we keep quite clear of crowds in holiday season. We don’t trust “incomers”. Best that we leave them to crowd our beaches and we stay away. We have developed an inner radar, that stops us wanting to share air space with visitors to our region.
But sometimes we like to drive to the more firmer, and relatively empty, southern beaches for a really long, socially distanced walk. They never disappoint.
It is good we can still get out. Not ready yet to have a coffee at a cafe though.

Nice photo
Crowds are not a common feature on Northumberland beaches. Its too darn cold

[PanBiker]

Seahouses to Bamburgh is a nice 5.5 miles on the beach, a favourite of ours when we are up that way.

[Marilyn]

But you have to admit...how good would it be....to walk on a beach in 20C degree warmth right now?

[Big Kev]

Seahouses to Bamburgh is a nice 5.5 miles on the beach, a favourite of ours when we are up that way.

We stayed in Seahouses a couple of years ago, it's a lovely place but must confess to driving to Bamburgh for a day at the castle. The beaches are lovely.

[Sue]

Seahouses to Bamburgh is a nice 5.5 miles on the beach, a favourite of ours when we are up that way.

Absolutely, the most beautiful place, wild, deserted and it wouldn’t be right if it was warm. The beaches of my childhood, blustery, exhilarating

If it was 20 degrees you would get a sea fret( mist) rolling in and it certainly wouldn't be 20 then

[Stanley]

The thought that goes through my head when I see those NE beaches is my old friend Jack and his mates mining coal out under the sea and hearing the boulders rolling round on the sea bed when there was a storm.
I shall do a couple of hours in the shed and take a view on how far I walk. Depends on what it's like underfoot.....

[Wendyf]

Col was coming round enough yesterday to have a short walk up the track and I managed to sneak a shot of him with the view. Thought you might like to see evidence that he is still standing.

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[Marilyn]

Thin...but he has never been a heavyweight has he? He looks pretty good to me, considering the current assault on his body. Eyes are still bright! Just love him, every day. ( and I am sure you do).

[Stanley]

That's more than I would do in conditions like that Wendy. I shall go out now but probably no further than the top of the street, more to get a lungful of cold fresh air. No guilt, I've been on my feet for two hours in the shed. I'll post that when I have made my breakfast!

[Sue]

Morning

Yes Col looks good, all things being considered and an excellent photo too against the white of the snow. Its a lot worse over there compared to Rochdale where we have hardly any snow. Even photos I have seen of Townley look like a Christmas card.

Today seems to be a day full of birthdays. Its Julias birthday today, it snowed when she was born, and it is the birthday of our friend Audrey who used to live near us in France but came back to the UK when her husband died. I think she is 86 today, going on 60, a lovely lady in all senses. It is also the birthday of the daughter of a sewing friend and the birthday of an ex student of mine who is now a ‘friend’ on facebook. A lovely hard working sister on a children's neuro ward at Manchester Childrens’ hospital and also a volunteer on the air ambulance transporting critically ill children. A wonderful student and an adult whom I am very proud to have taught.

Yesterday we took the decorations down and as usual the house now looks empty. I started to make my quilted table mats from my Kit from Alaska and discovered the kits were incomplete. I have had to send for some double sided bonding fabric for the applique of the orca . I was annoyed twice over. Once because it wasn’t in the kit and secondly because I will have to wait for it for ten days from Amazon!. Instead I resorted to doing the first assessment of the course INTRODUCTION TO THE CELTS. Much better assessments and course booklet than the archaeology course. I enjoyed what I covered yesterday.

Yesterday I also ordered a new phone as mine has started playing up and has limited memory. It was complicated as I thought my one year renewed contract was up, but on making enquiries it was a two year contract I had taken out. Can’t think why. Anyway after negotiation they waived the termination fee as I was upgrading to a more expensive phone. We will use my old one with a french sim card when we are in France. French mobile numbers are longer than UK ones so our mobile number is always rejected if we have to give a number anytime. In the afternoon I emailed my photographs to the dealer who is buying my knitting machine and bits and pieces and asked him what he did not want . I had a reply later to say that he would take everything including the books which were in fact quite old but difficult to get these days. He will have a bargain, I will have space and £400 towards my new sewing machine. I just need the covid restrictions to ease so we can go down to Solihull. We have agreed it will be when we have the first opportunity to visit Julia in Coventry. No rush apparently.

This morning is pilates at 10.00 and no other plans. We may go for a walk if it remains ok underfoot. I have registered for free on a virtual walking site. You log your walks against a predefined route, which you select from a long list. As you click up the miles you receive photos etc of viewpoints along the way. Bob and I are walking from London to Paris. Its just a bit of fun to add to what are becoming rather routine walks

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

I walked to the top of the street Sue. That was far enough, It's shot ice underfoot and we have a light freezing drizzle at the moment. Ideal conditions for slipping and giving the NHS unwanted work!





Here you have the morning's production. Once more, moving quietly towards making the parts I need for the final fitting. Fiddly work but necessary and all satisfying.

[Marilyn]

I got Dave to drop me off at the shopping centre whilst he went for his 6 month checkup at the GP ( nowt wrong with him and all blood tests perfect as it turns out). I bought a birthday card for a friend, intent on sitting somewhere to write it out and post it before he came to collect me after his appointment. Nowhere to sit! Nowhere to stand and write! All furniture still absent due to Covid. ( I took my own pen and stamp). I had to crouch against a wall and write my card before posting. It didn’t help that I crouched outside a bank, and a man came and asked me if I was in line, as he wanted to go to the bank.
So my friend will get a hastily scratched birthday card. But I managed to post it before I was picked up.

[Sue]

Hope you were referring to being ‘picked up ‘ by hubby, Maz

[Marilyn]

Of course... picked up by hubby. But it was such an awful experience all the same. I thought it a perfect gap of time to choose a card, sit and write it, post it.
I forgot all seats etc had been removed.
I never imagined having to crouch against a wall and write a birthday card on the side of my handbag!
My sciatica isn’t too good today after climbing Sandhills either...but the card got posted

[Wendyf]

Just love him, every day. ( and I am sure you do).

Maz if you mean staying cheerful and positive whilst doing all the jobs in challenging conditions then I'm doing my best!

[Sue]

It looks treacherous out here too Stanley, the dog walkers are struggling

[Sue]

Of course... picked up by hubby. But it was such an awful experience all the same. I thought it a perfect gap of time to choose a card, sit and write it, post it.
I forgot all seats etc had been removed.
I never imagined having to crouch against a wall and write a birthday card on the side of my handbag!
My sciatica isn’t too good today after climbing Sandhills either...but the card got posted

Ouch not the best position to be in for sciatica.

[Marilyn]

Yes, it is the very best you can do. Find joy in every day, take care of yourself, laugh when you can, and believe you can get through this, together.
I can remember one of my husband’s low days, when I drove 2 hours to see him at the hospital and he said “Can you go away? I can’t cope with you today”. ( of course I can love...shall I come tomorrow?)
“No...just come back in an hour..after lunch”
So I hung around the car park for an hour or three...

[Stanley]

After two days of slow thaw Sue it might be a good day for walking to the Town Centre and doing some veggie shopping.... I shall have a look later.
Otherwise in the shed with Margaret's small parts!

[Stanley]

Plans have changed. The weather forecast is looking as though it could worsen for tomorrow and we've had a light sleet shower this morning. In addition I found I had a couple of other household tasks to do and some cooking. The result is that I have only just sat down and the Co-op opens at 07:00 so I am going to do the weekly shop this morning and could get a lot of my veggies at the same time which will save another trip out this week.
I'm so glad I have my shopper!!