Soggy Saturday

Well not completely soggy, but that damp misty grey type weather today combined with wind has meant that it has been pretty much an inside type of day, although I did manage a short walk late this afternoon.

I opened my curtains this morning to discover the front lawn looked a little bit like little grenades had been dropped all over it.

To say I was not very happy is an understatement.  

The neighbours have been clearing the front of their property on the bank - it looks good, but unfortunately it also means that it has given badgers easier access to our property.

So a digging they have been doing all over my front lawn.  Yet I still haven't seen them, despite the fact that I leave the blinds in the lounge open until I go to bed, and any time I wake during the night I have a look out the window!  If they are going to destroy my garden they could at least let me see them!

A few weeks ago I had a Sainsbury's order.  I was rather surprised to see the eggs arrive in a plastic carton, and not very impressed I have to say.

I have since had orders from Tesco that have been in the usual cardboard egg cartons until Friday, when the eggs arrived in similar flimsy plastic cartons.

Not impressed at all!  

I picked some more carnations yesterday and in amongst them were some lovely apricot coloured flowers.  

On my needles:

Making another hat, on slightly bigger needles this time.

Another hat, a slightly looser fit than my blue one.  I tried it out on my walk this afternoon as it was pretty cold and windy.  It was perfect.

Very grey down on the beach, but hey I had it to myself.

In fact I didn't see anyone else out walking while I was out.

Boot wearing weather though - best foot forward?

The old church.

A lovely white Hebe.

Miles walked today: 2.8

Broken Monday

A bit like my spade that broke in half today when I was digging, I feel broken.   This was the final straw for me today and after a few choice words that can't possibly be repeated, I collapsed on the ground and had a cry.  Perhaps a bit of an over-reaction, but just another side effect from steroid withdrawal.  I've since done some research and it looks like that is definitely what is going on, I can pretty much tick all the boxes, pain all over body/joints, aching, stiffness, lethargy, fogginess, depression of sorts, increased headaches.  Still undecided whether to see if I can ride it out a bit longer, or see if I can go back on them and withdraw even slower...  Needless to say I didn't go on my walk today.

Badgers had dug up some of my potatoes, and more of the lawn.

I still haven't seen them!

Prior to my minor breakdown, I had decided to cut out bread from my diet again to see if that will help (although I am doubting it now after reading up about steroid withdrawal).  It might a bit...

Normally some of what is on my plate would have gone in a home made bread sandwich.  

I did produce two more bears.

I've decided if I am going to end up not being so active physically then I will make a few of these to eventually go in my Etsy shop.  Just trying to think of a good name for them "......................  bears"

In the evening when I cooked dinner I decided to make some blueberry muffins as I had the AGA on I wanted to put it to good use!  It feels a bit crazy having to put this huge oven on for just the little amount I cook myself each dinner time.

Sorry for the whinge!  Hopefully normally positive service will resume soon.

The Curse of Badgers!

If they are going to dig up my lawn and destroy various parts of my garden, they could at least jolly well let me see them!

Today this greeted me when I went up to the compost bins...  

Now I have heavy brick slabs leaning up against the front, hopefully that will stop them.

They also dug up the raised vegetable bed where I planted my beans so I have had to plant some more.

The only bits of wood I could find are now hopefully going to deter them.  I think I need to put an electric fence round my vegetable garden!

I didn't go for a walk today...I was a bit slow this morning, having not slept very well last night due to a noise outside of wood rubbing.  I got up in the morning to find that branches were rubbing on the top of the empty bicycle shed.  We still don't have our bikes back NOR the quote, which is a little frustrating.  I know it is difficult times, but I wish I hadn't sent my Pashley off now, as at the very least I could have taken that for the odd bike ride.  Sigh...  

Anyway, so by the time that job was done I just didn't feel like going out.  Plus it has been blowing a gale all day.  One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that I saw my first red squirrel since moving down here.  It ran across the road in front of me, but I didn't get a chance to take a photo unfortunately, but it was fun to see.

I decided to make a lemon drizzle cake.  I used the 'baking' oven this time in the Aga.  Hmmm...the cake overcooked on the top, but not properly inside so when I checked on it and moved it to the bottom of the oven, it collapsed in on itself.   

When it was finally cooked it looked a bit sorry for itself, but after 'quality control' taste testing it, the result was, it might not look good, but it tastes delicious!

The rest of the day I did some sewing...first I set up 'Muriel' my vintage Singer Sewing machine.

I worked on a little kit set doll I had been given by a friend of a friend of mine who died a few years ago.  I have been slowly working on this doll for the last couple of weeks.  The head, arms and legs needed to be painted and then a body made. Next I need to make her clothes.

I also sewed the little cloth kit Sasha baby outfit that I got given for my birthday.  Really pleased with how that made up.  Fits my bargain Sasha baby that I got last year before Christmas from a charity shop really well.