How January Is Shaping Up So Far.

A little look at what January has been like so far but first a little look at what I’m hoping for in 2015.

I found this wordart on Instagram and it just about sums up what a good life looks like to me.  2015 are you listening?

The long walks have been taking place already.  After suffering with a dodgy ankle from July to December last year and being unable to walk any distance I’m really appreciating getting outdoors and putting my best foot forward.  I’m aiming to take a good walk at least every other day and being right on our doorstep Ealees and the lake are our most oft trodden paths. This picture (above) was taken Monday morning when I enjoyed a walk with Caroline and Harley through a snow covered Ealees.

And here we are on a different walk a couple of weeks ago.

On one foggy, late afternoon, solo walk I spotted this lone oarsman as I reached the lake bank.  I quickly whipped out my iPhone and snapped this pic before he disappeared into the mist.

Ducks, Canada geese, seagulls and swans can all be found at the lake.  None of which are likely to starve to death, there’s always somebody feeding them.  Not me though.  Have you ever seen the mess swans and geese leave behind?  Not a pretty sight I can tell you.

Spied on another day’s walk the sun’s rays showering their light from behind the clouds.  A beautiful sight and always one of life’s simple pleasures for me.

This pretty scene is at the far side of the lake and I always like to feast my eyes on it.

And a view of the lake from a different angle.  Dry stone walls and cobbles.  I bet this little corner of the lake hasn’t changed for aeons.

I was charged with taking seven year old Nicholas to the dentist toward the end of last week.  He had chipped the corner off his right front tooth and it needed fixing. I was a bit nervous about taking him but Nicholas himself was not one bit bothered by it all.  This was the second time he’d had this procedure done so he knew what to expect.  He hopped right up into that chair and didn’t bat an eyelid.  Which was just as well because I don’t think this particular dentist would have stood for any messing. She was fast and efficient and did a good job but not once did she tell Nicholas what a good boy he was being and we had to ask for a smiley sticker at the end of the procedure!

After a walk or maybe halfway through we usually stop for a coffee in the visitor centre.  It’s a good cup of coffee too.

There have been other activities beside walking.  We had a day out shopping at Boundary Mill in Colne.  I wanted William to buy this tweed flat cap but he wasn’t interested.  I like flat caps and I thought this one really suited him.  I’m going to have to work on this.  I think he needs one!

There have been a couple of trips to Costco and a couple of pairs of very good quality, good value jeans for William.

One of my favourite things to do.  Trips to the library.  I have a Kindle these days but I still love to browse real books in the library.  William has taken to reading a lot more these days, what with retirement and time on his hands, so library trips are a regular feature again in my life.  Yippee!

A bit of sewing going on.  I’m working on a table runner which I hope will brighten up the dining room on these dark days of winter.

And finally… My shoelaces have a tendency to work loose when I’m walking.  Here William kindly fastens them for me. I don’t really know why but this is one of the things he’s always done for me. However in the last year or so he has suffered with back problems and I’ve taken pity on him and done it for myself.  I know.  I’m good that way!  It felt like old times. :-)

And then just one more for good measure.   A colourful scene looking across the lake.  The white building is a popular public house and that’s the West Pennine Moors in the distance.

All photos, except the shoelaces one, taken with my iPhone.  I love that little gadget!

Blackberrying With Charlie

Saturday before last was a lovely sunny September day.  I’m loving this mild and sunny September weather we’re having and now there’s a crispness in the air heralding autumn is on its way (tomorrow to be exact).  Which is good.  What’s not to love about autumn?

So what better way to pass the time than get out in that sunny weather and fresh air and collect some blackberries.  I must confess blackberrying is not something that I’ve ever done more than a handful of times but I knew that Charlie would want to do it.  He and his mummy went out collecting some last year and he loved it.

I had asked Victoria and her crew to come with us but they were all engaged in other activities.  Caroline and Trev were working.

So grandad, Charlie and I headed for the lake where we knew the blackberries were ripe for the taking and we all three got stuck in.

Charlie took it very seriously and worked hard filling his tub.

After a little while he took a breather…

  … and took in the view.

He also took great delight in pinching my tub of berries when I put them down to snap a picture and poured them into his tub!  He thought that was hilarious – the little  monkey!

It’s a lot of fun but it’s hard work too.

All that bending and stretching.

So after quite some time we called  it a day and decided we’d got enough and had had enough!  It’s difficult to know when to stop though.  Every time you think that’s the last one you stand up straight, stretch your back, then spy another big fat juicy blackberry that you can’t possibly ignore and that one finds its way into your tub.  Stand up straight and again same thing - another big fat juicy one is calling out ”don’t leave me"!” 

Eventually we made the break and set off for home at a leisurely pace.

Via the park.

Down the path.

Alongside the stream, through Ealees.

I couldn’t wait to weigh our haul of nature’s bounty.  4lbs! – and every ounce packed with carefree fun and happy memories!

Apple and blackberry crumble never tasted so good!

A Look Back Over June and July

Weather wise June and July were very good months.  I know I spent lots of time outside enjoying glorious sunshine.

In June World Cup fever took hold for a while.  William raised the England flag in the garden in support of our national football team.  Until they were knocked out that is.  Then sadly the flag came down.  Charlie was there to help and gave it a twirl or two.

A walk through Ealees with Caroline is always a pleasure but sunshine can double the pleasure for sure.  

Summer sunshine equals water fun and paddling pools in the garden.

A break from the water and Gary cuts George’s fingernails for  him. 

A drink of hot chocolate always goes down well.  It puts life back into chilled hands and feet.  Yep, even on a sunny day!

Looks like Charlie’s was a little too hot!

At the very end of June we had a fun weekend in the caravan with Caroline and Charlie.  Here we’re enjoying a drink outside the bar on the caravan site.

A leisurely stroll down by the salt marshes brings us to Bay View Garden Centre which is now under new management and much improved.   It almost has the feel of a cottage garden now.  Very nice!

An early evening walk down that same path ..

.. and the light was stunning.  Very pretty!

 

NOW INTO JULY

Of course, the sun didn’t shine everyday and the one day when it would’ve been really welcome was George and Nicholas’s school Sports Day.

Instead it was an umbrella day.  Last year I needed my umbrella to shelter from the sun’s rays.  Not this year. It was a very cold, wet and dreary day.   The kids didn’t seem to notice.  They all just got on with the races and had fun regardless.  Eventually though rain stopped play and the remaining races were abandoned.

On the 5th my lovely cousin and one of my favourite people, Sylvia, had one of those big birthdays with a zero on the end and celebrated with a ceilidh for family and friends.  It was so much fun!  It seemed like everybody there got up and danced their hearts out.  Not one of us was expert at this kind of dance but it didn’t matter one little bit.  It was plain and simple, honest to goodness fun all night!

Le Tour de France fever took over our neck of the woods in a big way!  The race hurtled its way over Blackstone Edge, just up the road from us.  Yellow bikes and bunting were everywhere.

The owners of this cottage on Blackstone Edge even painted the outside of their home in Le Tour colours!  Billy and I loved Le Tour de France and must’ve watched the TV highlights every evening.   As much as I enjoy the racing I also like to watch the Tour for the scenery the riders passes through.  The brilliant weather in England for the first three stages really showed our beautiful countryside at its best!  And the crowds that turned out all along the route were phenomenal!

On the day the tour came through our area our local park held a party complete with large screen TV for everyone to enjoy the race while enjoying the party atmosphere. My girls and their crews went along to the park but William and I stayed at home and watched it happen on the television. 

After the fun in the park the kids all came to our house where we had a barbecue in the brilliant sunshine.

Followed by a game of boules.

Gary and the boys played…

.. while Grandad watched and gave advice.

William and I have been taking advantage of the sunny summer and more than a few times have enjoyed an early morning trip to Hebden Bridge for breakfast at our favourite cafe.

A tree festooned with dinosaurs in the town centre.  Strange I know, but pretty all the same!

Another lovely weather day Caroline invited me to go walking with her and Harley.  This time to Dove Stone Reservoir.  (Shame Harley’s head is cut off in this pic)

Caroline’s dog is never happier than when he is chasing the stones she throws into the water for him.

Here’s cheeky chops Charlie.  As soon as I pointed the camera at him this particular afternoon he pulled these cheeky faces.  He thought he was hilarious.  Little monkey!

Nicholas had a sleepover with us recently.  This little boy loves to sleep with his cuddly toys.  Note, James Bond, his birthday present Build a Bear, is still a firm favourite and is properly attired in his pyjamas!  Go Fish! is Nicholas’s favourite card game just now.  We played it a lot!

During these last two  months I have spent time in the garden shaded by our sun umbrella and crocheted away while listening to the BBC iPlayer.  Not a bad way to while away an hour or two.

Phew!  This post has taken me ages to put together.  I must stop being a lazy blogger and post more regularly, it’s much easier that way.  I’m sure there are more photos to post but if there are they’ll have to wait for next time.  I’m off to put the kettle on now.

TTFN,