I am trying very hard to remain positive, but it is a bit of a battle at the moment because my right knee is extremely painful and feels in danger of locking up completely every now and again. I have an appointment with the doctor on Friday, I was rather hoping it would not be needed, but glad I booked it now.
Darren and I went to the boot sale, we enjoyed our sandwich and cuppa. I didn't walk much so read to the end of the book in the car. I took a picture of the sky as I liked the clouds.

I did buy a couple of cds for 50 p each, have played them both now, and Darren came back from his wanderings with a great little bookmark.

I did some batch baking when we got back, I try to keep a supply of cottage pies and lasagnes in the freezer.

The jigsaw is proving quite tricky, I did some last night, but today have started to use the storage trays to separate the colours.

I was just looking at my photos earlier when Tina came up to see if I would like to go and see the sea and it was expected to be a very high tide and it is windy When we drove down there was traffic chaos. There was some sort of suped up car event and the traffic was gridlocked. At first we thouthg they had closed the road. Tina took a detour and parked a little way from the front and we walked down.

The sea behind these bikes was wild.

A fuller picture of the bay. Then the hotel.

We then went along to the Spa end, the road was closed but we parked near and walked down.

Will finish with a The Grand, and go and make a cup of tea. It was quite chilly but worth it!

I have had another reasonably quiet day. Darren and I went and got the groceries for the weekend this morning. I made a very clear list, pretty much in place order, so we got round quickly and didn't forget anything. 
I didn't feel too energetic but got the Sketchers on and made up mu little flask and took my book to the park. Passed this beautiful peony on the way.

And we may not have a bluebell wood close by, but this garden does it's best to let us enjoy the pretty blue flowers.

I walked right round the lake, I had hoped the island might be open, but sadly not. Lots of dragon boats out on the lake and this family were feeding the birds from the boat!

I sat in one of the shelters and had my drink and read some of the really hard going book I am reading. It is called Gypsy Boy and I am amazed that anyone could survive  such a horrific childhood, let alone learn to read and write and produce a book! It is good to see the park turning it's different shades of green now.

I watched  a couple sitting on a bench nearby, they were feeding a cheeky squirrel and it was cute to see it going back for more.

A couple of shots of blossom as I walked home.

The three of us had dinner together and watched Jedward on Pointless Celebrities which was hilarious. I will be watching Casualty soon which will be anything but hilarious!

Today I haven't actually gone out and about, except for going down to the post box and shop first thing. Having received presents of gardening gloves and secateurs I thought it was time I tried them out and did a bit in the front garden. I went to the cupboard in the back garden and got some tools out and the hand lawn mower. Charlie wasn't too impressed that I had to move the kennel to get into the cupboard as he was comfortably resting in there. The garden isn't really awful, but the dandelion lawn definitely needed cutting and it was just looking generally unloved!

I spent a bit over an hour, I naturally dig using my left foot, so when I was tidying the beds I had to resist that urge! The postman and a delivery arrived while I was out there which saved me going up and down the stairs, always an upside.

I have some more to do out there, but it looks a little more loved now. The delivery was flowers for me. They are lovely and are from my friend Rachel and her family, a very nice late birthday surprise.

Another present I hadn't put on the blog before was a great drawing of 'Sherlock'. That will be getting framed and up on the wall once we are moved and settled.

The race was going by the end of the road but I haven't felt like going out today so have stayed in. Did a couple of chores and rested my legs. Did make a start on the new jigsaw.

This morning I wrote five letter cards before getting ready to catch the bus at ten past ten. There is a post box where I get off on the way to the studio. Donna was on her own today and I spent getting on for three hours cleaning and filling the paint pots. From there I walked into the town centre. I had a friend send me five pound for my birthday, and rather that it just fritter away in my purse I decided to get another jigsaw.

I was looking in the Pavers shop and decided to go in and see if they do wide fitting shoes. They sell Sketchers and say that some of them are quite generous. I tried on some slip ons but getting my foot in is a problem with them. Then I tried some lace ups, and loosened up they seem okay and they have memory foam insoles as well.They are supposed to be good for ankle and knee problems.

I came back home on the bus, had a cup of tea and a piece of cake with Tina and them upstairs for a while. I knew my bowl and hedgehog would be ready late afternoon and took a chance and wore the Sketchers to walk up to the studio. They were fairly comfortable and my knee hasn't been quite so painful today. I love my little hedgehog.

And of course the very funky bowl!

I was meeting Tina at the church to be a second person there while she had a wedding practice. I had about half an hour to spare so cut through to the cliff top to see the sea. Took this picture of the castle on the way.

They are getting ready for the Tour of Yorkshire stage tomorrow, the huge crane was on the cliff top ready for filming.

The support motorbikes were gathering as well.

Then went up to the church and waited for Tina. This was from sitting on a bench in the garden of remembrance.

A couple of pictures of the lovely church windows.

We drove down to the sea on the way home after the rehearsal. A lively sea again tonight.

Tina noticed this van, beats a parking ticket I guess!

Just finish with a sky picture for a change.

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me!! It has been a very nice day today but will start with just one sky picture, after a dull day the sun was trying to come through and was glowing about the clouds!

This morning we had arranged for me to open cards and presents at 9 am with Darren and Tina, before Tina went off to work. They had got a great cake for me and shamefully we had chocolate cake for breakfast, not going to be a calorie counting day for sure!

I got some lovely gifts and cards, too many to mention really but a couple were going to help be get a bit more active. A pair of lovely gardening gloves and some great little pocket secateurs that fold down into a small carrying case.

Tina gave Darren and I a lift to the end of North Marine Road and we walked the last bit into town. We got caught in a hail shower, they have been happening on and off most of the day. We had a look in a couple of shops and I bought some blister plasters as the shoes were making my heel a little sensitive. Not blistered, just still a bit tender on the wound. We had a look in a jewellery shop that is closing down ad I found a watch I quite like, have been thinking about getting a new one for some time. Darren insisted on buying it which was very good of him.

I watch an episode of Sherlock, I do enjoy them and these early ones are coming fresh to me as I never really remember the things I have watched! Tina and Darren got me a great drawing of 'Sherlock' which I will get framed but will probably wait until we move. 
When Tina came home we set off for my surprise afternoon tea. We went to Daisy's Tea Rooms, a pretty place on the outskirts of town.

The afternoon teas were lovely, not little finger sandwiches but a great selection of sandwiches or toasted sandwiches to choose from. Then a full sized scone with jam and cream and a lovely cup cake. The sandwich came with a small side salad and coleslaw. Here we are before we got stuck in!

Then me about to tackle the final cake!

I did cut it into smaller pieces really....They dropped me off at the studio on the way back as the girls had got a present for me. I stayed with them for an hour and Sandy gave me a lift home. A quiet evening now which is just fine, it has been a lovely day and I have been very lucky, and of course I had the great treat of the stay in York last week.

The sky is the start of the blog again, I just can't resist a good sunset!

It has been a pretty strange day, it is hailing and sleeting as I type, I did get caught in a hailstorm earlier! Sandy from the studio contacted me last night to say that the coil bowl I make has now been biscuit fired, so this morning she picked me up on her way to work and I got started with the painting. I usually clean and fill the paint pots but today I spent a couple of hours painting, have promised to go in later in the week to do the pots! The bowl should be nice and bright when it is glazed and fired, I should have it back by the end of the week. This was just after I had started.

Then once they were painted.

I made my way from the studio to the bus stop as I had an appointment with the consultant this afternoon. I didn't wear the boot as I haven't had it on since Friday. I got seen promptly, Mr Faraj was pleased with my progress and sent me off to have an x-ray. Then he showed me the before and after x-rays, a lot of difference and it was easy to see why it had been so painful! He then said I was discharged and wished me a 'lovely day'. He has said that I should take it easy for a couple of months as it could lock up.
I got the bus back into town and as I got out it began to hail really hard! When I got home I made a drink and sat and finished the pretty jigsaw in daylight.

It has been hailing and sleeting this evening and it is pretty cold. The sun tried to make an appearance and I took this photo through the wet window!!

A quiet evening now I think, so nothing new there!