Moments on Monday.

I was up bright and early this morning to a gorgeous red sky that I just managed to get a quick snap of with my phone.  By the time I'd walked back inside to get my camera, fed the dogs and gone back outside again it had gone. 

The dogs enjoyed a good walk this morning.  Percy seems to be coping with slightly longer walks now which is a good sign.  

By 10.20 I was down at the station ready for the morning group walk.  I enjoyed chatting to a couple of people on the walk today, some of which was in countryside which is always nicer than sticking to pavements, and then another person when we stopped off at the end for our cuppa,  I was treated a cup of tea today by my son's first Scout Master which was really lovely of him, especially as in the end I didn't get a chance to chat with him.  Hopefully we will catch up next time.  He was an amazing Scout Leader and I am so very grateful to him and his team for our son's time there.  It was a shame that by the time our younger son had moved up to that troupe they had retired as he could have done with such brilliant Scout leaders.  The new one was a bit too relaxed and the children used to run riot which didn't suit a young lad with Autism.  He could have done with more structure and discipline.  We walked just over 7 km today, so by mid-day I had already chalked up just over 10 km.

My afternoon was filled with chores... to damp to put the washing that I put on early this morning on the line, so that had to go in the drier.  The kitchen needed attention, and other Monday general housework things.

I had to pop down the road in the later after afternoon to get a few groceries.  I saw this gardening folder/journal for £2 and know I was needing one for an upcoming project, so as it was brand new and used I decided to get it.

It has a section for each of the four seasons with a handy pocket at the front of each, with lined and grid paper which is really useful, especially if you want to draw out plans.

Plus it has a plastic wallet type pocket at the back.

Lastly I never treat myself to beauty type products, because well it just isn't me, but the lady who cuts my hair suggested I try some Argan oil on my hair as it is quite dry (and grey!  another symptom of low Folate!!)

So I got these two.  I didn't even know where to start looking or what to get.  Will be interesting to see if they help.

Sunday the Sixth!

My youngest boy's birthday today!  How did he get to be twenty three already?  I wrapped up his gifts, all practical -  jogger bottoms, hoodie top, jacket and a tee-shirt I bought him while in NZ.  His Nan gave him some money and a hoodie top, and his brother and sister in law, a pair of trainers and a jogging bottom and top set.  We also pay for his gym membership  which is his lifeline and his phone contract.  We took him out for a meal.  I thought it would be nice to take him out for the meal on his actual birthday but wish now we had left it until tomorrow as it was horrendously busy and noisy.  Thank goodness we had booked.  I am amazed he coped with it as well as he did as he has ASD.  I think I coped with it less well and couldn't wait to leave.  He unwrapped his presents in the car and we took him back home to his little room in a house he shares with others.  It is silly really as my husband sees him every Monday so it would have made far more sense to have had the meal tomorrow.  Obviously I hadn't really engaged my brain properly when I was asked what day would be best to take him out.

It rained heavily during the night, but this morning was dry.  We have had mostly a mixed day of it being overcast with a bit of sun, but that all changed just over an hour ago.  Not long after we got home.  It is looking pretty gloomy out there.  I better go and top up the guinea pigs hay, food etc...and then I can settle in for the evening and not have to go outside again. 

I haven't got any photos for today!  So just words I'm afraid, and pretty uninspiring ones at that. So will finish this now and wish everyone a good week.

Six on Saturday.

Six what?  Six photos!

We did a lovely long walk through countryside this morning and I really enjoyed it.  

We walked over 10 km, which is pretty amazing for me.  I'm a bit tired now, but don't feel too bad at all. Quite a difference to how I felt just over a month ago and all of the summer.  In fact I feel better energy wise than I have in years. What a difference the Folic Acid is making!

We saw sheep in the fields.  I have noticed that sheep tend to have longer docked tails here in the UK than they do in NZ. Or at least any sheep I have seen here seem to.

A couple of horses eating in close companionship.

We crossed a couple of little streams/rivers.

A rose from my garden when I returned home.  I didn't realise there was a fly on it!  Shame about the bag of sand on the storage bins in the background.  HA ha.

Friday the Fourth!

I knit in the evenings... stupidly last night as I was knitting, I pulled my right arm up to loosen up the ball of wool, and felt (and heard!) a crack, crunch, grinding in my shoulder and boy is it sore now.  The pain is still running down the inside of my arm.  This isn't the usual neuropathic pain, so I am hoping I haven't done something to the tendon.  Just as my arm was doing relatively well too.  I have been icing it on and off today and resting it, so really have not achieved much at all, which is a little frustrating after such a good day yesterday.

It has been warmer today which is good, as it was too cold last night!  I took the dogs for a good walk this morning.  Percy's stamina seems to be improving a bit as well, so we were able to do a bit extra today which was good.

I had a wander around the front garden.  It is in desperate need of attention and I hope to prune the roses in the weekend, and maybe even do a spot of weeding.  I am reluctant to do too much until we actually have the bark to put on the garden once I have weeded it.

In front of the Cavy Shed is a spider catching flies as he ought to. The only problem is I have to make sure he hasn't decided to build the web across the front footpath - I've already walked into one once in the morning!

This rose is one of my favourites and always blooms well.

So nice to still have flowers in the garden.

Well it seems another weekend is almost upon us.  I wonder where we will be walking tomorrow.  Hopefully the weather will stay dry for the walk.

Turning Cold Thursday.

Gosh it was cold when I took the dogs out for their walk this morning.  Only 2 degrees Celsius!  Definitely needed to wear a hat this morning.  Time to do a good sort out of the winter clothing that is for certain.  

I've had a busy day working on the main bedroom, catching up with things I couldn't do while ill.  It is looking much better now.  We had started to pack up boxes of things, but it had come to a big standstill, so I sorted what I had done and made a list of things that still need to be done and sorted.  

I also started to fill a charity bag, and today I have managed to sort two shirts, five pair of denim leggings I'll no longer wear, a pair of pink plimsolls/converse virtually unworn, a pair of trainers, a hat and a skirt.  This is without even going through my drawers or wardrobe, which I hope to start tomorrow.  Oh and a picture I have decided I don't want to keep any longer.  There is only so much wall space!

While sitting having a cup of tea early this morning, after returning from walking the dogs, I caught a glimpse at the corner of my eye through the patio doors and was delighted to see some Long Tailed Tits.  We haven't had these visit for ages.  What a treat.  Just wish my patio door had been cleaner!  Looks like that is another job.  

There was also a lovely little Chaffinch in the shrubbery. 

We always have Blue Tit visitors which is nice. 

Also on the ground was a little Dunnock, who is also a resident of our garden.

Walking on Wednesday

What a beautiful morning it was, crisp blue sky, perfect for walking.  I managed to get a load of washing on the line before I set off.  We walked 9 km today, so feel pretty proud of myself (this is without the extra dog walk I do).  

It was a really pleasant walk today, avoiding most roads, and mainly over fields, but with proper footpaths, so not too muddy which was nice, especially after the heavy downpours we had yesterday.

On the first Wednesday of each month the walking group finish up at one of the local churches that holds a coffee morning.  I had a really lovely cup of green and lemon tea, a brand I hadn't tried before.  Wish I'd taken note of what it was called as it really was tasty.  I allowed myself one small home cooked square of cake as a treat.  It was just over an inch square, so basically two small bite sizes, but just enough as a treat. 

These were just outside the church and looked gorgeous.

My husband and I then went out to the local garden centre for lunch, as they do a roast dinner on Wednesdays.  We will have a light salad for tea.  I prefer having a larger meal in the middle of the day as my digestion seems to cope better with it.

A spot of shopping then needed to be done as it is our younger son's 23rd birthday on Sunday and our older son who is currently away at sea asked us if we could get something from him for his brother.  He has bought him a pair of trainers (fortunately our younger son wears the same size and style of shoe all the time in part due to his Autism so it was easy to get them) and a pair of jogging bottoms and zippered hoodie top, whatever you call them.  

I have been wanting a new pair of trainers for general walking as the trainers I have just make my feet hurt.  I did get my feet measured up in a specialist shop in our little town, and I tried on a pair of trainers that felt pretty good....until they told me the price; £225!  I nearly fell over backwards.  Needless to say our budget doesn't run to this kind of expense.  I thought while we were in the shop getting our son's footwear I would see if they had anything that might suit me.  I do have a proper pair of walking boots that I got just before I went to NZ, but don't want to have to wear those every time I go out walking especially if just walking on footpaths.  I was pleased to find a pair of Karrimor multisport footwear reduced to a mere £32.99 which is a much more sensible price and being waterproof they will suit my needs much more.  

I wore them out when walking the dogs this afternoon and can report that so far they seem really good.  They are also very lightweight which for me is always a thumbs up.

In the factory shopping complex where we got the footwear there is also a Hospice shop and a Free Book Shop.  We always like to pop in both of those to see if there is anything on our wish list or otherwise.

I was immediately attracted to this wool checked jacket which was in the men's section, but was clearly a woman's jacket.  I tried it on and it fitted nicely.  It will make a nice warm jacket to wear when out walking when I don't need a waterproof jacket.  

I spotted this lovely Denby mug at a really good price, and with it having a little wren on it, I just had to have it.  I can now get rid of at least one of the chipped mugs in our cupboard.  

Oh and I forgot to show this pretty little picture frame that I picked up in the charity shop yesterday.  I will probably use this as gift - putting a photo or picture inside.

I picked up three books from the Free Book place, and plan to go back with a bag of books to give to them.  These three all have a nature theme to them.  

A small paperback of this popular book.  Such lovely inspirational illustrations.  I do have a hardback copy somewhere but I think it must be packed up as a lot of our books are.

I love reading Derek Tangye, and don't have this one, especially in hardback so pleased with this.

This looked interesting so just added it to the pile.

All in all a good day.

Tomorrow I will go through my shoes and bag up any that are good enough to go to the charity shop.  I have tried various different trainers and footwear over the last few years so have quite a few that just aren't suitable.  I have been going through the them the last few weeks wearing them out walking to see how they are, and so far almost all had failed the test, hence needing a new pair.  I also will package up some books ready to take to the free book place and go through my jackets/coats to see if I have any that can go to the charity shop.  I did this earlier in the year, so I may not, but I will re-visit this task now that the colder weather is upon us.  It was only 6 degrees Celsius when I woke up this morning and the low of today is predicted to be 2!  

Happy 1st October

I had to get some groceries today, not my favourite task, so I always have a little wander round our little town first to look in the charity shops.  I found a few bargains I was quite pleased with today.

Some jeans in colours I have been wanting for a long time.  Both look brand new!

This fun wooden puzzle that I just spoke to me.

I don't need it, but it has all the animals I love, including some guinea pigs!

This New Zealand Rimu Pate board and knife - for a mere £1!  These are really expensive in NZ now.  I may keep it as a gift, or it may we may use it, I haven't decided yet.

This fun duck.  I know exactly where he will go one day!

Having a sailor in the family, it just seemed that he was meant to come home with me as well.

I bought this magazine at is opening offer price of 99p not for the magazine but for the blue gingham fabric that will work very well with the Tiny Rag Dolls I make.  I should be able to get a few items of clothing and aprons out of this.

I had planned to take the dogs out after lunch, but the rain has come down and we have currently got some thunder and lightening as well.  It really feels like Autumn has truly settled in now.   I haven't felt the best the last couple of days.  A bit of discomfort inside me again.  Not sure if it is because I am now on the first reduction of the steroid, or it was going to happen anyway.   I am keeping my daily food log and how I feel, so it is all recorded.