Belated birthday wishes to @Baptist Trainfan , and I hope both BT and Mrs BT are soon feeling better. There still seems to be a lot of Lurgy around...
A lovely early spring day in Arkland the Mild, with a fair bit of Sun-Shine, and They forecast much of the same for the next few days. We Shall Pay For It Later You Mark My Words...but let's enjoy it meanwhile!
I noticed that the riverbank plants are beginning to sprout. mostly various Grasses, but Great Water Dock, Wild Celery, and (I think) Hemlock as well. The Celery is edible, but the Hemlock isn't...
Belated birthday greetings from me as well @Baptist Trainfan. Glad you are on the mend
I made (vegan) spag bog for tea tonight. What with seeing our friends from 40 plus years ago last night it feels like a very early eighties weekend.
As I was ambling beside the loch today, I passed by a lovely flurry of snowdrops; and between the office and Tessie's, there's a bed of what looks like purple croci, both of which are very encouraging.
Sadly, the Nice Day didn't last: by the time I was going to pick up my laundry, it was pishing with rain, and even just in the few steps from the flat to the laundry I got Rather Damp.
Today is husband en rouge's birthday. Consequently we went on a jolly to the Opera. My brother gave us a gift voucher flipping ages ago, and it was coming up for expiry. I went onto the website and discovered that Carmen was on today, which is husband en rouge's favourite one, so that's what we did. We got there early and the security was quick, so we got to drink Champagne as well.
We have some daffodils that are nearly out as well as a few crocuses and primroses. The snowdrops are still hanging on in there. It's been so warm today that the central heating didn't come on. That gave my husband the excuse to light the log-burn while we were having a cosy TV watch after tea.
I have managed to bag a place for Pilates tomorrow morning. There were six places that had become available. I don't know if people know something about the weather I don't or they know it's going to be the instructor nobody likes instead of our usual one.
Today is husband en rouge's birthday. Consequently we went on a jolly to the Opera. My brother gave us a gift voucher flipping ages ago, and it was coming up for expiry. I went onto the website and discovered that Carmen was on today, which is husband en rouge's favourite one, so that's what we did. We got there early and the security was quick, so we got to drink Champagne as well.
Was that at the Paris Opera? A place I felt there very few tops that had not been overed .
I saw an outdoor production of Carmen in Jerusalem in the mid 1990s while holidaying with friends. There were food stands around the edges of the wooden seating and people constantly marched up and down buying food during the acts, clomping along whilst talking loudly. We were sitting next to some young French tourists (they had asked to borrow our programme as they saw it was in English) and they were as baffled as we were about the lack of respect for the performance. We couldn’t hear a thing.
We went to the in-laws for lunch today then church this evening. Little else has been achieved other than the remains of the white wine.
@Firenze this was the Opera Bastille, which is more laid back than the Opera Garnier (the fancy gilded one). Most actual opera these days is at Bastille, they mostly use the Opera Garnier for the ballet.
This was a fairly minimalist production, based in Franco's Spain. For one act, they had one of those cut-out metal bulls that used to stand alongside the Spanish motorway, which we both thought was quite cool.
I've never been to an opera, it isn't an art form I get. I do enjoy ballet, though I haven't been to very many of those.
The reason why there were lots of spaces for Pilates was explained when I got there. Our instructor was away and they'd swapped the session for a yoga one instead. I never really get on with yoga so I cancelled and came home. At least I got a good walk out of it. I assume if I'd booked earlier in the week they'd have emailed me about the change.
The rest of the day will be spent catching up with various things and trying to crack on with the novel I've been writing for years. We were all trying to encourage each other at our writer's group on Thursday so I feel I've really got to try and finish the flipping thing.
Publishing my novel is still a very long way off @Boogie, despite having been writing it for about twenty years I'm probably only half way through. I'll probably talk to the local small press that published my book of short stories last year and see what they think. Probably my writers group would give some advice too.
Here in the Balmy West, the snowdrops are going over and the daffodils and primroses are in flower. I never think daffodils should make an appearance before March and won't have them in the house until then.
We spent a happy, if quite busy, morning with Nenlet1 and the GrandNenling. The latter had a health visitor check which was awkward to get to so we provided the taxi service there and back (for which Nenlet1 was very grateful) and had some time with them before having lunch and then coming away as there were (and still are) Many Things To Do At Home. This is clearly why I am tiddling around on the Ship.
First day of the holidays today. We have been to that great French institution, the agricultural show. There were no cows this year, on account of the presence in France of a highly contagious cattle disease, but we saw sheep, goats and chickens along with the domestic animals (cats, dogs, bunny rabbits) and were quite content. Captain Pyjamas also learned to milk a (plastic) cow.
Here in the Balmy West, the snowdrops are going over and the daffodils and primroses are in flower. I never think daffodils should make an appearance before March and won't have them in the house until then.
Climate change. They always used to be up for my birthday at the end of March but these days they're often nearly over by then.
I'm not an opera buff (except Gilbert & Sullivan), but I do remember a very ... raunchy production of Carmen by Scottish Opera-Go-Round when we were in Orkney, and it does have some good hummable tunes!
Not a bad day here: getting milder, and the sun was above the line of the rooftops across the street as I was going to work.
Braved Tessie's with the Trusty Trolley at lunchtime and now seem to have a fairly well-stocked fridge and larder.
The sun is shining. It is dry and the wind is not too cold.
Where shall I go today? I had intended to visit my sister but she has another visit planned.
The roads are so pot-holed that I am reluctant to drive on certain ones. Our local MP, who recently joined Reform, is going to “ raise it with the County Council in two weeks’ time”. A pity that his previous party oversaw a drop in funding to deal with roads, amongst many other things.
Hope the holidays continue to be enjoyable @la vie en rouge, and that everyone is enjoying slightly drier and warmer weather.
I headed into town to do some errands and to get some steps in as I'm doing CAFOD's Great Lent Walk. The rest of the day I intend to be lazy, having cleaned the loos before heading out I feel no need to do very much else.
I enjoyed my trip out this morning, the first one this year other than keeping to my commitments and choirs.
Once I had crossed into the next county the roads improved considerably! Apart from getting held up by tractors and a slow learner driver, the journey was very pleasant. Where I live is mainly flat but this took me up a ridge with lovely views. I went to a country park I quite often go to but had to limit my walk as the route on good paths cannot be completed because of a bridge, damaged for over a year now. Lack of council funds, I suppose. Other routes were so boggy that I had to curtail the shorter walk to stay safe. On the way home I dropped in to a lovely cafe and enjoyed a pot of tea and a warm cheese scone.
Another lovely mild spring day in Arkland the Barmy Balmy, with a fair bit of Sun-Shine.
Pilates was challenging, but enjoyable and the Torturer was pleased to hear that I'm continuing with a certain set of daily homework exercises. She referred to today's session as 'brutal' but said that I had coped with a certain degree of belligerence ...O well - no pain, no gain, I guess.
The fine weather has allowed me to do some Wash Ing, and hang it out on deck - mostly Sox and Nether Garments - which, when just dampish, will be brought down into the galley to dry/air in the warmth of the Dragon.
Supper will be slices of cold Roast CHICKEN, with CHIPS n'BAKED BEANS. There is some nice CHEESE, with Grapes, for later - if I can stay awake for long enough!
We did a drop-off of Stuff at the local charity shops this morning and had a quick coffee together before I met friends for lunch and another friend for an afternoon catch up. Early tea as Mr Nen is out with a friend. There were some nice glimpses of spring sunshine today.
As is usual around this time in the evening I'm wondering how early I can decently go to bed.
Glad Pilates was good, I'm sure keeping up with the exercises really helps @Bishops Finger .I know what you mean about the roads in our county @puzzler. I've been firing off emails to various councillors since Christmas about it.
The main thing we've done this evening is book a holiday for April. Life is going to be a bit manic for both of us come May so we wanted to get away before then.
Fairly quiet day at work: J was still away (he'd been in Cardiff for the rugby ), so slightly less for me to do. He'll doubtless make up for it tomorrow.
It's been very mild here: it got up to 11° and was really nice when I went out at lunchtime.
I got a letter from the bank saying the cheque from Canada was being processed (and would take several weeks), but on looking at my account, lo and behold, there it was. It's not a huge amount, but it's better than a slap in the face with a wet fish. 🙂
Supper was the rest of the paella.
Quite a good morning so far. I went to the supermarket; no newspapers, but the van arrived just as I was leaving and the lady who deals with the papers helpfully gave me one (I paid of course). Off to the bus stop and I caught the one that was standing there which left straightaway.
I've since read the paper, done a load of washing, and done some work on Sunday's service. Then, as the sun is shining (rain predicted later - what a surprise!) I decided to cut our small lawn. It was very wet and I've hardly done a great job but it does look better. My wife, who is out at her regular Wednesday Welsh chat group, has commissioned commanded me to dust the banisters - but I'm having coffee and a bikkie first!
I have a meeting of our Playgroup Trustees this evening and I've booked an earwax removal appointment for this afternoon - very necessary!
I think I'm officially "the batty old lady down the road!".
This morning I was out in my fluffy purple dressing gown hanging out the washing (this is normal). I then started wiping the car down as it had rained during the night and doing that means far less car washing is needed. (This is not normal!) It was going to school time so plenty of people saw me. 😂
I've been known to put the bins out in my dressing gown, but haven't actually bumped into any neighbours while doing so. I'm pretty sure most people in this town have me down as a batty old lady too, without the aid of nightwear.
A really beautiful day today. We couldn't get a space on today's Rambler's walk so went off to recce one we might do later in the year instead. It was an excellent walk and not too muddy, which given the amount of rain we've had lately was a bonus. I'm now dithering as to whether to walk into town for a council meeting tonight, or join in on Teams. I have aching legs, and though I need to nab a fellow councillor to ask her something, I'm seeing her tomorrow for another meeting anyway. I think I'm talking myself into staying at home!
It's definitely mildening (is that a word? If not, it should be) here: although it's not reaching the levels of Arkland, it's been in double figures for several days. Must be because I bought a pair of boots last week, and they're so comfortable I've ordered another pair in a different colour.
Supper was a lamb cannon, with potatoes and veggies, washed down with a nice glass of Shiraz.
Did some pruning in Daughter Erin’s garden this afternoon. While I was out Mr Bee spotted a brimstone in our garden; the first butterfly of the year!
In the last two days I've seen several Brimstones, a Peacock and a Red Admiral. The return of the butterflies is always a cause of rejoicing in the Beaky house 😍
I haven't been further than the bins all day as sorting continues at Casa Nen. I've packed up all the ornaments in my study. I didn't think I had many but encased in bubble wrap they fill a medium-sized box. The pictures and photos will be next. Then the files. Then the books. I have not yet sorted my desk, but how hard will that be? Answer: very.
Tomorrow I'm out for my usual aerobics class and coffee with friends.
I haven't seen any butterflies yet this year but always think of Moomintroll waking up after the long winter and seeing a yellow one. Apparently if you see a yellow one as the first one it means a happy summer; a white one means a peaceful summer.
I've been wanting to crawl into bed for the past hour so now I'm going to do it.
I have a pair of baggy joggers and a 'sloppy-joe' sweater that I slip over my night-clothes instead of my dressing gown if I intend to pop outside pre-shower to hang out washing or put the bins out, or even to get something from the freezer in the garage as our garden is a bit public, being bordered by the car park for the shop next door.
In fact I have, occasionally, popped as far as the shop next door in that state of slovenly dress.
I was greasing the clapper bearings of our church bells yesterday, and slightly disturbed a butterfly which had chosen to roost inside one of the bells - a peacock or red admiral, I think. It was fairly dark and I didn’t give it close attention.
Comments
A lovely early spring day in Arkland the Mild, with a fair bit of Sun-Shine, and They forecast much of the same for the next few days. We Shall Pay For It Later You Mark My Words...but let's enjoy it meanwhile!
I noticed that the riverbank plants are beginning to sprout. mostly various Grasses, but Great Water Dock, Wild Celery, and (I think) Hemlock as well. The Celery is edible, but the Hemlock isn't...
I made (vegan) spag bog for tea tonight. What with seeing our friends from 40 plus years ago last night it feels like a very early eighties weekend.
Sadly, the Nice Day didn't last: by the time I was going to pick up my laundry, it was pishing with rain, and even just in the few steps from the flat to the laundry I got Rather Damp.
My first daffodils came out today in the sunshine.
I have managed to bag a place for Pilates tomorrow morning. There were six places that had become available. I don't know if people know something about the weather I don't or they know it's going to be the instructor nobody likes instead of our usual one.
Was that at the Paris Opera? A place I felt there very few tops that had not been overed .
I saw an outdoor production of Carmen in Jerusalem in the mid 1990s while holidaying with friends. There were food stands around the edges of the wooden seating and people constantly marched up and down buying food during the acts, clomping along whilst talking loudly. We were sitting next to some young French tourists (they had asked to borrow our programme as they saw it was in English) and they were as baffled as we were about the lack of respect for the performance. We couldn’t hear a thing.
We went to the in-laws for lunch today then church this evening. Little else has been achieved other than the remains of the white wine.
This was a fairly minimalist production, based in Franco's Spain. For one act, they had one of those cut-out metal bulls that used to stand alongside the Spanish motorway, which we both thought was quite cool.
At the cinema!
The reason why there were lots of spaces for Pilates was explained when I got there. Our instructor was away and they'd swapped the session for a yoga one instead. I never really get on with yoga so I cancelled and came home. At least I got a good walk out of it. I assume if I'd booked earlier in the week they'd have emailed me about the change.
The rest of the day will be spent catching up with various things and trying to crack on with the novel I've been writing for years. We were all trying to encourage each other at our writer's group on Thursday so I feel I've really got to try and finish the flipping thing.
I get a lot of free novels on kindle by first time writers.
You have to kiss a lot of frogs but there is treasure too.
I.e. there are few if any elements of the decor of which you would not think: That is waaay over the top.
My sister-in-law published her first novel in this manner a couple of years ago. Whether or not it's treasure is not for me to say...
Here in the Balmy West, the snowdrops are going over and the daffodils and primroses are in flower. I never think daffodils should make an appearance before March and won't have them in the house until then.
We spent a happy, if quite busy, morning with Nenlet1 and the GrandNenling. The latter had a health visitor check which was awkward to get to so we provided the taxi service there and back (for which Nenlet1 was very grateful) and had some time with them before having lunch and then coming away as there were (and still are) Many Things To Do At Home. This is clearly why I am tiddling around on the Ship.
Yes, I realised, later on, what you meant!
First session of an 8 week Traveller (Sci fi set in the sixth millennium in this case) game.
To cut to the chase, we'd shot our way out of a criminal business deal gone wrong (
Climate change. They always used to be up for my birthday at the end of March but these days they're often nearly over by then.
I'm not an opera buff (except Gilbert & Sullivan), but I do remember a very ... raunchy production of Carmen by Scottish Opera-Go-Round when we were in Orkney, and it does have some good hummable tunes!
Not a bad day here: getting milder, and the sun was above the line of the rooftops across the street as I was going to work.
Braved Tessie's with the Trusty Trolley at lunchtime and now seem to have a fairly well-stocked fridge and larder.
Paella for supper, of which more tomorrow.
Where shall I go today? I had intended to visit my sister but she has another visit planned.
The roads are so pot-holed that I am reluctant to drive on certain ones. Our local MP, who recently joined Reform, is going to “ raise it with the County Council in two weeks’ time”. A pity that his previous party oversaw a drop in funding to deal with roads, amongst many other things.
I headed into town to do some errands and to get some steps in as I'm doing CAFOD's Great Lent Walk. The rest of the day I intend to be lazy, having cleaned the loos before heading out I feel no need to do very much else.
Makes a change from spray painted red crosses.
Once I had crossed into the next county the roads improved considerably! Apart from getting held up by tractors and a slow learner driver, the journey was very pleasant. Where I live is mainly flat but this took me up a ridge with lovely views. I went to a country park I quite often go to but had to limit my walk as the route on good paths cannot be completed because of a bridge, damaged for over a year now. Lack of council funds, I suppose. Other routes were so boggy that I had to curtail the shorter walk to stay safe. On the way home I dropped in to a lovely cafe and enjoyed a pot of tea and a warm cheese scone.
Pilates was challenging, but enjoyable
The fine weather has allowed me to do some Wash Ing, and hang it out on deck - mostly Sox and Nether Garments - which, when just dampish, will be brought down into the galley to dry/air in the warmth of the Dragon.
Supper will be slices of cold Roast CHICKEN, with CHIPS n'BAKED BEANS. There is some nice CHEESE, with Grapes, for later - if I can stay awake for long enough!
As is usual around this time in the evening I'm wondering how early I can decently go to bed.
The main thing we've done this evening is book a holiday for April. Life is going to be a bit manic for both of us come May so we wanted to get away before then.
It's been very mild here: it got up to 11° and was really nice when I went out at lunchtime.
I got a letter from the bank saying the cheque from Canada was being processed (and would take several weeks), but on looking at my account, lo and behold, there it was. It's not a huge amount, but it's better than a slap in the face with a wet fish. 🙂
Supper was the rest of the paella.
I've since read the paper, done a load of washing, and done some work on Sunday's service. Then, as the sun is shining (rain predicted later - what a surprise!) I decided to cut our small lawn. It was very wet and I've hardly done a great job but it does look better. My wife, who is out at her regular Wednesday Welsh chat group, has commissioned commanded me to dust the banisters - but I'm having coffee and a bikkie first!
I have a meeting of our Playgroup Trustees this evening and I've booked an earwax removal appointment for this afternoon - very necessary!
This morning I was out in my fluffy purple dressing gown hanging out the washing (this is normal). I then started wiping the car down as it had rained during the night and doing that means far less car washing is needed. (This is not normal!) It was going to school time so plenty of people saw me. 😂
Another lovely day of warm, if slightly hazy, Sun-Shine in Arkland the Elysian - 61F! In February!!
I feel as though I ought to be doing some Paint Ing, but it really is a bit too early in the year for that. A fine, dry March will do...
No lunch yet, as I had a rather later-than-usual breakfast, but I think there's some quick-fry Steak which needs to be eaten today.
S&Q is next on the agenda - the weather really is too good to waste, though there is likely to be more cloud tomorrow.
A really beautiful day today. We couldn't get a space on today's Rambler's walk so went off to recce one we might do later in the year instead. It was an excellent walk and not too muddy, which given the amount of rain we've had lately was a bonus. I'm now dithering as to whether to walk into town for a council meeting tonight, or join in on Teams. I have aching legs, and though I need to nab a fellow councillor to ask her something, I'm seeing her tomorrow for another meeting anyway. I think I'm talking myself into staying at home!
Supper was a lamb cannon, with potatoes and veggies, washed down with a nice glass of Shiraz.
In the last two days I've seen several Brimstones, a Peacock and a Red Admiral. The return of the butterflies is always a cause of rejoicing in the Beaky house 😍
Tomorrow I'm out for my usual aerobics class and coffee with friends.
I haven't seen any butterflies yet this year but always think of Moomintroll waking up after the long winter and seeing a yellow one. Apparently if you see a yellow one as the first one it means a happy summer; a white one means a peaceful summer.
I've been wanting to crawl into bed for the past hour so now I'm going to do it.
In fact I have, occasionally, popped as far as the shop next door in that state of slovenly dress.