Manic times…..

Despite the fact that DH had only just come home from work on Friday last week, Saturday afternoon saw us heading back the same way to go to a Wedding reception that we'd been invited to. It involved an overnight stay in a hotel. We'd previously discussed whether we would have to take Oscar with us, as leaving him at home with DD and the cats (who still don't get on with the kittens) wasn't a good idea. In the end we decided we would try Oscar in kennels for the first time. We'd gone to look at the kennels a few weeks ago and decided that the lady who runs it was lovely and that we'd try just one night to start with. So, we took Oscar on Saturday morning. He wasn't happy, as you can imagine -  a strange place, with strange people, and lots of dogs barking. However, we left him, complete with his own bed and a couple of towels that he sleeps with in the van. 

No dog, and DD was staying at home with her boyfriend. Our first night away on our own for a long time. The wedding reception was lovely - the bride was the person who bought my first ever handmade Wedding countdown plaque last year, and I think they've been my best selling item since then! I also got to meet a few of DH's work colleagues who were all really nice. But after being up since 5am with DD when she got up for work I wasn't really up for a late night party. And facing a 12 mile interval running session with DD on Sunday it was probably not a good idea to stay up too late. 

We headed home fairly early on Sunday morning, arriving back in time for me to have a quick change, a bit of a snack, and then off with DD running. We started off well and we were enjoying the sunshine up to about mile 10, at which point DD started with pain in her right ankle and right up her leg. We don't know what she's done, but she's been told to rest this week and see how she is at the weekend. We still finished the 12 miles, but got through the final 2 miles a lot slower than the rest had been. But we did it - 12 miles! What an achievement! Back in July when I first suggested I join DD in a 3 mile run I had no idea that 2 months later I would be competing a 12 mile run with her. Just shows what you can achieve if you put your mind to it.

Then off the to kennels to collect Oscar. When we got there we were told that although he'd been quiet, he'd eaten all his food and had been outside for a bit a play on his own. The lady brought him out and he had his head down until he saw us, and then he got all excited and started jumping up. It was lovely to see him so pleased to see us, and he didn't seem to have been too upset at being there. So, we've booked him in for a couple more nights at the end of the month while we all go and attend another wedding reception. 

Since Sunday I've been busy crafting. I had an order via Etsy and a request for additional items which I've been busy finishing so that everything was ready to post today. I just about finished everything last night, so when I got home today all I had to do was package everything up and take it to the Post Office. All done and posted off to Dublin. And then a quick trip to the vets with Titch who appears to be full of a cold and is constantly wheezing and sounding very snuffly. And then a run for me on my C25K programme which involved a 28 minute run - my longest continuous run yet I think. But I did it! Yay! Roll on our next ParkRun this weekend. I think DH is going to come along too for his first ParkRun so we'll have a complete family outing!

Back to work briefly…..

I went back to work on Monday after that fabulous 10K race on Sunday, and surprisingly my legs were fine! No aches at all thankfully!

Work was short lived though as I was off again on Tuesday. After finishing work Monday afternoon DH helped pack the van and we were off again. This time to a lovely pub near Penrith for one night for our Wedding Anniversary. 20 years on Tuesday! Already! Doesn't seem that long at all. 

We had a fabulous meal there at night and the room was nice too. The only downside for me was the lack of phone signal and not knowing if DD could get hold of me. She was at home on her own which I know she doesn't really like. So I admit to being more than a bit frustrated with the pubs internet signal at night (meanwhile DD was coping perfectly well at home and was totally oblivious to the fact that I was worrying all night!).

After breakfast on Tuesday morning we set off towards Keswick intending to go for a nice walk. Unfortunately the weather wasn't very nice to start with so we ended up parking in Keswick and doing a bit of shopping first, and of course having a drink in a cafe, before finally setting off walking. The weather had improved and the sun came out …….

very soon we had some lovely views of Bassenthwaite Lake…

the path was good and we kept climbing …….

However, the more we climbed, the windier it became which was starting to unnerve me slightly. Then we realised there were some kind of forestry works going on and we couldn't get where we wanted. So, we turned round and headed back a different way.

After stopping for lunch we started descending through the forest….

This path wasn't as wide as before and, for me at least, became a mental challenge to keep going. I don't do heights very well if it looks like there's a steep drop next to me, so I had to keep steadying myself with my walking pole and tried not to look anywhere but the path. And then we came to a sign saying 'no unauthorised persons beyond this point'! No path left! It looked like the path had collapsed, possibly with all the rain and floods they had earlier in the year and at the end of last year. So we had to turn round and ended up going back to the van on the same path we'd originally set out on. Phew! What a walk!! I was very glad to get back to the van after that adventure.

And then time for home, and back to work on Wednesday and Thursday for me before my normal day off yesterday and a Ladies Lunch (with DD too as she was off work), which was lovely. Followed by a 45 minute run with DD, first run since the 10K. And then we have to face a 12 mile run tomorrow…… Eek!