Sunshine and walking!

It's been a while. Again. I know. I think about writing this blog a lot, then get side-tracked and another day goes by! 

We had yet another Saturday evening drive out to another chippy last month. This time to Sedbergh. And what a fabulous chippy! We have decided that they jumped to our number one chippy so far - delicious fish and chips. And we parked up close to the river so once we'd finished eating we went for a lovely stroll with Oscar as the weather was so nice. 

 

The path was full of wild garlic and bluebells.... 

 

 

And then we came across these ......

 

.....so we didn't walk any further! 

 

We managed to get away for a couple of nights st Bank holiday weekend at the beginning of May. Despite Freddie trying to get in the suitcase we set off Saturday morning, leaving DD in charge of the cats, and Oscar in the kennels. 

 

We'd booked in to a small hotel at Kippford, a lovely little place with a good view from our room ...

 

As we got there early afternoon, and as the weather was ok, we went out for a walk, heading for Mark Hill and on to Rockliffe. 

 

 

 

The views were lovely, and we even managed to find a little shop to get an ice cream! We saw loads of bluebells...,

 

And lovely views along the coast ...

 

 

Sunday was a bit breezy but sunny, so we headed to Gatehouse of Fleet and Cally Woods. I don't know why we haven't been there before. It was lovely. And again, thousands of bluebells! I've never seen so many!!

 

 

They were everywhere! Until we got to beach of course. Which was equally lovely (and breezy). 

 

 

And then the long walk back to the van, past many more bluebells. 

 

 

What a fabulous day! With a gorgeous evening walk and sunset too ....

 

 

 

Monday was time to head home, but we had time to travel along the coast road on the way to Dumfries, and a stop at Mabie forest first. 

 

 

And then home. And for me a week off work while DD went back to work. So, while I've been off work I've been shopping with my mum for vegetable plants - tomatoes, cucumber, courgette and herbs - bought paint to do our kitchen, caught up on housework, and finally got round to painting the kitchen walls. Eventually. I've taken Oscar out on some lovely walks, and tried to keep up with my running, with the first out my 10K races with DD being this Sunday. 

 

DD has started a new job which she seems very happy with. After starting an accounting course at college last year she was starting to despair of ever finding a job in accounting. But she has. And loves it. 

And yes, I do intend to update a bit more often (did I say that last time too? )! 

Hello

Hello! 

Yes, I'm still here. Still trying to fill each day with as much as I can!  

After a busy week with work, and the lovely afternoon tea with DD, DH and I decided to go out for tea on the Saturday night. We hadn't really been out in the van since our holiday, so we thought we'd have a run out and find some food somewhere. An hour later and we were in Shap Chippy! What a fabulous place - really busy (always a good sign), and really good fish and chips. We parked up in the van while we ate them and had a lovely view over the hills as the light was fading. It might have been a bit of a last minute random decision, but we both enjoyed the drive out - something different to do.   

 

The weeks are just flying by. I had a woodturning club night on 3 April which was good - time to get hands on again after missing the last practice night. Time to practise making a mushroom! There were three of us taking it in turns, and this is what we made ....

 

I'm really pleased with it and enjoyed it so much again. One day I might have to invest in my own lathe and make loads of mushrooms! 

Walking Oscar is getting more enjoyable now that the lighter nights are here. A drive out to the canal in an afternoon is far more preferable to a walk on the side of the main road....

......with signs of spring everywhere now ....

 

 

We saw more signs of spring last weekend when we opted to take the van for another run out to try another chippy. This time in Kirkby Stephen. We parked up at Stenkrith Bridge and then went for a lovely walk by the river ....

 

 

It was beautiful, and such a lovely sunny evening.....

   

And back at home there are lots more signs of spring, with plants finally growing and flowers appearing....

  

And we've had our first night away in the van this year (if you don't count the night at Durness when we had electric!). No electric this time. Just us, a quiet spot, and another chippy tea (this time from Hawes!). It got a bit chilly overnight, but we'd gone prepared with extra layers to keep us warm. And although yesterday started off a bit grey and drizzly, we ended up having a lovely walk across the moors.....

 

   

 

 

And we didn't meet a soul in all the time we were walking!! 

The drive home took a long time, but we took the scenic route via Buckden and Kettlewell, taking in some wonderful scenery...  

   

Worth going home the long way round! 

So, I'm still here. Trying to keep on top of things. Line dancing Tuesday and Wednesday (party night at both this week!), crafting when I can, running when I can (two 10K races next month), and generally keeping busy!