A Walk by the River

 

The other evening after a computer filled day for us both, we decided to take the dogs for a walk along the river.  They both miss having grass, so going to the river or the park is a good way for them to enjoy a multitude of new smells and a different surface to walk on.

Mavis loves the freedom of being off the lead and is good at recall now, it only took us most of her little life to perfect the distance commands.  She was never a quick learner.

Unfortunately Suky mostly has to stay on her lead now, being completely deaf means that if something catches her attention and she dashes off to have a look, we have no means of shouting her back and her short-sightedness means she loses track of us very quickly.  In fact I've noticed that she now gets a sense of security from feeling one of us on the other end of her lead.

This is the time of year when Suky's arthritis starts to affect her and her medication has to be given daily.  On walks such as this when I notice her flagging I find a bench, and the two of us sit and watch the world go by while Alan takes Mavis on for a few more minutes to use up some of her extra energy, she doing well for an old terrier.

On this day we sat and watched as dog walkers passed by us and the young lads behind the fencing gathered on the cricket pitch for a town team training session.

All the while Suky was glancing into the distance for that first sighting of Dad and Mavis coming back.

Then it was back into the car for the five minute drive home and to settle down in their beds for an evening of snoozing and watching Dad closely for any signs of snacks being forthcoming.

Sue xx

Living by Water

 

Mavis posing prettily yesterday, she knows how to look dainty and delicate.

And Suky has sleeping and dozing to a fine art form.

But they do occasionally drag them selves off the sofa and out of the doggy beds.

The riverside walks this past week have been different every day, from cold and icy to windy and wet with the odd warmer day thrown in for good measure.  This photo was taken on Saturdays walk and already after a day of sunshine yesterday and this morning starting gloriously well the large Willow tree is much greener and everything already feels more Spring-like and fresh.  

The birds along the riverbank are nesting and as we walk Mavis is tempted over and over to dash to peer in the hedges and borders when she hears them chunnering and pushing through the branches.

Right at the start of the path though, we are warned that some birds must be much more dangerous!!

The house with a lot of land at the side of the river have just added this sign to the other instructions at the start of the riverside path, much to our amusement.  It's nice to look over their gate at the new additions.  They are a mix of rescued hybrids, like our 'brown girls' and a couple of Skylines, the sort we had that laid the blue eggs.  The most recent addition to their mixed flock of chickens and ducks are some Indian Runner ducks, which Mavis finds fascinating to watch as they run across the field in their comically upright position.

There's always something to see as we walk along the riverbank each day, I wonder if the canal-side living will be as entertaining ... gosh I do hope so, I love living by water.

Sue xx

Taking My Time

 

I'm in no rush to move into my new place, yes I have the key from next week and that is exciting but it's from then on that I will be making more solid plans.  For now I am just dreaming and pondering over what I could have.

As I said on the previous posts, I swing one way and then the next and while I am in that frame of mind I won't make any drastic changes.  But hey, even if I did when you only have 341 square feet to worry about there's not much that can go too drastically wrong.

The boilers in both properties have been serviced so we know they are safe, the repairs that needed doing to the house have been done and the cost shared between us and the vendors, so we both know we have safe, secure and fully working homes to go to.

All I am planning for sure is a complete redecoration right the way through my little home by professional painters and decorators.  I have spent far too long working on my homes in the past, tiring myself out in the process and making me fall out of love with them right from the get-go, that I think it's time now that I am in the position to be able to do it and make my own mind up about it, to have someone else do it for me and in the process support a small, local business.

That reminds me I must take down the swing this weekend!!

Sue xx

Still in Two Minds

 Carl Vilhelm Holsoe - Interior Light of Spring

I love this image.  

The lacy drapes at the windows, the pot plants on the windowsill, books and blousy roses in a vase on the old table.  I can imagine myself at the window drinking in the view of the gorgeous Spring flower filled garden.  Wafting around in my lightweight 'posh frock' and sipping my coffee out of a delicate bone china  cup.

Sadly at the moment this is more me, slumped in my chair ... just change the little black cat to a Pug  😀

Sue xx

Will the Real Sue Please Stand Up

 

I am starting to realise I have a split personality!!

 I had always suspected it but now in trying to set up my new home it has been revealed all the more ... and there's just no escaping it.

The kitchen has been just one of the major eye openers in this realisation.  I swing, on an almost daily basis between wanting clean lines and modern but with a country, retro twist, to wanting completely rustic with mis-matched everything and clutter all around me.   I mean to start with I don't know if I even want to change the kitchen or just put my own slant on what is already there.  That would definitely be the cheaper option, but what if what is there is not in brilliant condition, then I will have to make a decision as there will be no space to have a new kitchen fitted once I am living there, I mean it's only six foot wide and is directly off the front door.

To try and work out a way forward and plant some more inspiration in my head I Googled  'Modern, Minimalist Kitchens' and picked my favourites,  the top photo was one of those that came up and was chosen ...

... and this one.  

Now a plate rack, although with less slots would be a very good idea above the sink.

Then I Googled 'Cluttered Country Kitchens'.  At first this one came up, which is not cluttered at all in my opinion, just open shelving and glorious stone walls.

Scrolling further down the page this one came up ...

Haha ... nope, I'm moving away from this particular one 😄

Then I Googled simply 'Cluttered Kitchens' and just got a page of something that looked like it came off a hoarding show ... most definitely not the way forward.

So what do I like:

I like clean lines ... and battered edges.

I like white ... and a riotous patchwork of colour.

I like easy cleaning ... and wood and stone with nooks and crannies.

I like airy and bright ... and cosy and subdued.

I like clear space ... and I like my things all around me.

I hope in one way that the kitchen is in such good condition, that to rip it out and start again would be a crime, but I remember doors slightly askew, a missing oven and wasted space in a tiny area.  I only need to hold my patience for just under two weeks and I will have my keys.  Then my mind will have to be made up and choices will have to be made.

The 'soon to be mine' kitchen as it was on viewing day.

But for now I am most definintely in two minds about most things 😄😬

Sue xx

My Little Gummy Bear

 So my poor little fur baby went into the vets yesterday for a teeth clean up.  

It was due to be done just as the first lockdown hit us all with a vengeance last March, and then of course it was cancelled.  Not classed as an emergency.  Then when she had emergency treatment on an eye ulcer last year we were advised to book her straight in after that lockdown ended for the teeth cleaning ... and then of course the third lockdown happened almost immediately so it was put off again.  She'd been drooling and smacking her lips a lot recently so I knew something was up and last week I phoned the vets here and made an emergency appointment for her to be looked at.

She was and they booked her straight in for a good cleaning.  Well it all came too late, any teeth that might have been saved were now damaged beyond hope and yesterday Suky had all but 3 of her teeth taken out.  I don't blame anyone, it's all down to circumstance and we have all suffered in some way during these strange times, even our animals.

As she wasn't allowed anything to eat before her anaesthetic I didn't have any breakfast either, far too cruel to make her watch Mum eat when she couldn't have anything.  Big mistake ... I went onto the shops after dropping Suky off at 9.30am yesterday for a few bits and pieces that were missing from the cupboards.  I needed to keep myself occupied, after all last time I took a dog to the vets she didn't come home again and that stays with you ... always. 😑

I ended up with a right hotch potch of shopping including a pizza which screamed out at me from the freezer in Aldi 'YOU NEED  PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST' ... alright, alright I said I will then.

And I did.

It was going to be just half, but of course another cup of coffee half an hour later and the rest was gone too.

I bought a bottle of lemon juice while I was at Aldi.  

 I usually have a lemon sliced up in the freezer, I have a slice each morning in hot water first thing and then put it into a glass for topping up with water during the day.  It doesn't work here, I can't fit a glass in the fridge, so I thought to myself why not have a little dash of juice in my hot water instead.  And at just 33p for a bottle it will be interesting to see how long it lasts.  One lemon usually does me a week for a similar price, I dare say this is going to last a lot longer.

The best thing of all, and to set my Mum's mind at rest, Suky is so much better this morning.  

After an afternoon and evening of snuggling on the sofa with Mum yesterday, scrambled egg for tea, a good nights sleep and half of her usual amount of breakfast (dried food but moistened with water until it was soft) she is much brighter eyed now.

We had a short doggy walk before bed last night and another this morning, and although she is very tired, she is happier in herself.  Now her washing is sloshing around in the washer, she drooled a lot of blood yesterday ... and she is farting for England.

A Pug's revenge is absolutely deadly!! 

Sue xx

Time for Some Calm

 

I feel it's time for some calm, so I am taking a weekend off from my computer and most of social media.  There will be dog walks ... no matter what the weather ... and much watching of calming films and series on Netflix, and reading, there will be lots of reading.

In my absence I leave you with some of my favourite YouTubers and their latest videos.  SO pull up a chair, grab yourself a nice hot drink and relax into the films.

The Cottage Fairy

So much glorious snow.  This is just the video to watch with a steaming mug of coffee in your hands.

 Apronful of Stones

Including the village of Eyam and it's story.

Fairyland Cottage

Because watching someone else clean always inspires me to do my own 😀

My Vintage Lifestyle

To keep me on track with my ration recipe cooking.

I hope you enjoyed watching these videos from just four of my favourite YouTubers.  Do you have some that you watch that are along these lines, I would love to find a few more.

Sue xx

Mystery Solved

 

Remember this from last week and my puzzlement at the suddenly appearing hazard tape.  Well over the last couple of days all has been revealed.

Somebody obviously had a very good future weather forecast for this week and put precautions in motion nice and early.  Just look at it now from almost the same angle ... but with the addition of a moving Pug.

It's been raining non-stop since I got back and I'm sure Suky blames me.  Her face when I suggest a walk is a picture!!

It felt so wet and gloomy at 8am this morning, yes I went out early while the rain had eased a little bit, now it's back with a vengeance.

I wonder how much water trees can actually drink before they simply give up all hope?

It's not as bad as last time when the river burst it's banks, but if it carries on raining it will be getting there.

It got too wet to take any more photos after this one, so it was a case of heads down and hurry home.  A short and gloomy walk, that can only be followed by hot toast and coffee ... lots of lovely coffee.

Sue xx

Busy Weekend

 

Wow, what a weekend.

Alan had to come through to the flat for a business meeting, some things we just cannot do over the phone or via the computers.  Although the weather was dire, first icy cold, then damp and just dreary, we were tucked up inside working away.

Then his secure computer went down which will mean that I will possibly have to go to Wales for at least a couple of days so that he can go down South to have it seen to back at base.  Oh the messing about, made all the more awkward by trying to stay within rules and not actually wanting to go anywhere.  Usually whizzing around the country is quite fun and makes a change ... now it just seems fraught with danger!!

This was highlighted all the more this weekend with the news that my younger son Jason and his girlfriend have both tested positive for Covid-19 and are now tucked up at home in Blackpool in poorly isolation.  As both are keyworkers their chances of this were so much higher and it's been worrying for a long time, especially with Tash working at Boots the Chemist facing the unwell public on the pharmacy counter every day.

All I can do is check up on him as often as possible via text and Messenger, anything else and he will just get annoyed ... he hates fuss, just like me!!  But I have offered to go and drop shopping off on his doorstep if he needs it 😀

It wasn't all work, we had icy dog walks in the fresh air and some cosy television watching sharing the last bottle of wine left over from Christmas.

And after a late on the rations Sunday lunch Alan had a snooze and then set off back for home in Wales with Mavis.

Now it's another week, the ice has gone and the rain is once again pouring down, Suky is snoring in her littlest dog bed and I am having a read around blogland before doing a spot of rations menu planning for this week.  

Oh, and we have just had an offer on the house, a very cheeky offer and we have said NO!!

Sue xx

Suky ... in Her Jacket

 

'Come on Mum ... it's time to walk!!'

I don't know how dogs do it, their poor little paws on the icy paths and grass, but one thing I do know is that Suky has now learned to love her little cosy jacket.

She trots happily along in it and does what she needs to do while we are out without any problems.  A far cry from the first few times she wore it and walked coffee table leg style, with all four legs rigid as could be.  She refused point blank to go up and down any edgings or steps and would not have a wee at all.  

Now suddenly she seems to realise the warmth difference between coat and no-coat, and on a cold or wet day is happy to wait while I put it on before venturing down the steps and into the big wide world.

And need it she did today, it's an icy white wonderland out there, we just did half the riverbank walk and cut through towards the High Street half way along.  I just couldn't bear the thought of those poor little doggy paws getting any colder.

She had a good mooch around, a little trot, met a few other dogs to say 'hello' to, sniffed all the important corners and posts and then we headed for home.  She's now fast asleep in her bed, feet thawing out ... and from the sound effects coming from her direction she's feeling very good after our little dose of fresh air.

Me?  Oh I'm just thankful for a nice steaming mug of coffee and a bowl of hot porridge, and at least my feet were warm with thick tights and thermal socks to keep them warm in my wellies.

Sue xx

  

Back by the River

 

I set off back for my flat in Garstang yesterday.  I'm no longer registered with the Welsh NHS and would not have been able to have the vaccination there when it rolls out for the over 60s.  It could be a long way off it seems but it makes sense to at the very least be in the right place in case things speed up or change.   Although I had stayed firmly put while the two areas were in different Tiers, once the Tiers were equalised and the holiday season was over I thought it best to head for home.

And I do feel that the flat is home now and I have been itching to get back for ages.  It seems Suky does too as soon as we arrived we went for a walk along the riverbank and through town and she trotted happily by my side with her tail held high and stopping and sniffing at every upright object to see who had been there in her absence.

I took a few photos early this morning, they look quite gloomy after the glorious sunshine I arrived to yesterday, but now it's nearly lunchtime and the sun is back out.

 

I wanted to capture a photo of the tree, while it was still decorated.

Day by day in the run up to Christmas more and more baubles appeared on this little wild growing tree.  They only go so high because it is the prickliest and needle sharp tree you can imagine.  Last night I noticed for the first time that it also now has fairy lights on it.  In the dark of the riverbank it looked magical as I stood waiting for Suky to finish her mooching around ... and other things!!

In a minute it's time to start my job for the day.  Sorting through the fridge, freezer ...

... and the food cupboards.

I had forgotten how much food I had left behind here and I need to have a proper sort through and store like with like so that I can 'shop from home' for my ration Challenge and use things up in chronological order instead of going to the shops.  And of course I also need to take temptation away 😄

Already completed this morning was the taking down of the Christmas decorations ... it didn't take long and now they are all neatly packed away.

Sue xx

A Quick Look Back at the Year

 

Happy New Year to everyone that reads my almost daily ramblings.  

I hope that this coming year is kinder and more gentle with you all than the last one was.  Before we step forward into the great unknown here is a look back at my life during 2020 ... the year that lots happened but that somehow still seems to feel like a total non-event!!

January

Rather fortuitously I started the year buying a pair of new walking boots in the Hotter sale.  They sure came in handy when walking became the new going out!!

February

While the Caravan Park was still closed I was stuck in wet, wet Wales.  Flooded fields and dreary days.

March

Then it all changed, the sun came out and the Park re-opened after the closed season.  Washing was dried in the sunshine and doggy walks along the river made me and Suky happy.  Then after a couple of glorious weeks the park closed again as Lockdown hit the UK with a vengeance.

April

A lovely surprise was waiting for me when I got home to Wales, Ethel was back and with her a brand new son ... Joey.

May

The month my new best friend arrived.  

Who else will tell me what day it is without laughing at me!!

June

Then suddenly it was quite nice being stuck in Wales with the sunshine and the flowers.

July

But then Van Life resumed and my true life beckoned 😃

August

Long days, long doggy walks and lots of blogging from the kitchen table.

September

The month I managed to get to two car boots sales, before they were closed down yet again.

October

October brought a massive change, with me renting a flat and putting the Van on the market.  It was the end of an era but one I think that was a very necessary transitioning zone.  It was fun turning a blank canvas into a comfortable temporary home.

November

November was spent falling in love with my new hometown.  

The shopkeepers, townsfolk and the town council do so much to keep things warm and welcoming and participate in all calendar events.  The Remembrance poppies are just one of the ways the town shows it cares. 

December

It seems somehow fitting for December to show the leftovers of my Christmas dinner.

In my view 2020 is a year best left behind, and as we move forward into the chilly New Year I wish all my blog readers, family and friends all that they would wish for for themselves if they weren't such a beautiful bunch of  be more generous to others glorious folk.

Happy New Year ...let's make the most of it it's all we have until the next one!!

Sue xx