Surprise trips!

I am writing the blog early as we will probably watch a film or play a game after dinner. We spent the morning indoors chatting and watching some Annika. After lunch we drove to Longthorpe village and went along to the tower. Anya had booked tickets as it was a special day with people in costume giving a guided tour. There was a steep staircase to the higher floor but I did manage and it was very interesting. The paintings are medieval and the oldest ones in a private dwelling in the country. Various people giving talks about life in medieval times, the surgeon particularly had some pretty gruesome tales!

The first picture was a coat of arms on a gate not related to the tower.

The tour was ninety minutes and very interesting. After that we had a leisurely walk to Holywell Ponds in Longthorpe which has apparently been taken over by volunteers since the pandemic.

A really lovely, restful place to visit.

I didn’t go down to that area but Anya did and took a couple of photos and another one on a notice board to show what it was like.

You can hardly make out this tiny duckling but they were racing along the water like they were battery operated!

When we were on the way there a very unusual tandem passed us with the smaller part at the front. They had parked at the ponds.

One final picture and now looking forward to a quiet family evening,

Trip to Stamford

We had a nice relaxed start to the day then Anya took me across to Stamford as the was a pottery event at the arts centre there. We were stuck in traffic for a while going into the town and were worried we wouldn’t be able to get parked, but all was well with quite a few spaces in the car park fairly near to the arts centre. Lots of fantastic pottery on show and for sale and the potters we spoke to were very friendly and happy to talk about their creations. 

Those mushrooms had been prepared so that they could go outside.

The items on that stall were truly amazing.

And those hares were fabulous, but very expensive.

One lady was letting people have a go at throwing a pot using air dry clay that you could take home and decorate when it was dried out. Anya talks me into having a go, I was the first person who did!

Anya took lots of pics but I couldn’t talk her into having a go! I will leave the bowl for Isobel to decorate so it will be a joint effort!

We had a walk up into the town and had refreshments at Pennies From Heaven which I used to go to years ago.

A few more pics before heading home.

We came home for a while and then the four of us went over to the retail park near where I used to live. The garden centre there used to be called Can Hague but had just been taken over and is now Blue Diamond and it was a bit opening bash today. We went a bit late and enjoyed a look round, and the family bought a few bits.

We have had dinner and now just relaxing but it has been a lovely day.

Day of rest and off to Anya’s

I was in all day today so a very short entry tonight. Chatted with Rose this morning and watched some tv and got my case packed and everything ready for later. Rose went off to meet a friend in the city at lunch time and a while after that Rachel came across to see me. We didn’t go out as Skip dropped her off as he needed the car, but we had a couple of hours just catching up so that was lovely. She got me a very cute gift.

It is about four inches high and an unusual memento. Rose came home before Anya came to collect me so we could have another goodbye for this visit. Took a picture of a tree while I waited for Anya.

A quiet evening, nice meal and watching some tv. Now ready to try the new bed bought for my visit.

Different furry friends!

During the night Mimi jumped onto the bed and on to me for a while, wanting to be fussed, but unlike Pandora she soon got off again while I was getting dressed she went up on the windowsill in the bedroom.

Rose and I chatted for a while this morning and headed off to town quite early. She had a meeting to attend in the afternoon but we allowed plenty of time as with the knee at present I cannot do rushing about. We met Mike for a coffee and then went into Queensgate as I had a couple of things I wanted to get. Rose bought me a nice metal gecko in the coffee shop.

We walked to Rivergate where we had lunch. I was using the walking stick today and was ready for a sit down by then!

Rose and I went into Asda to get some snacks for this evening and then went and had coffee and cake before going in a couple more shops before going to the appointment. It was raining by the time we came out, but not too heavily and it wasn’t too far to the bus stop.

Rose got a new scratch post tower and Buddy was enjoying the view when we got home.

Have done more walking today and the leg was pretty painful, but it doesn’t feel too bad now that I have been resting it.

Will finish of a photo of me and my brother that Margherita let me have. Can’t believe he has been gone for four years now. I had never seen this phot before and it is a lovely one,

Happy birthday to me!

I was up at 5.30am, had set the alarm for six but tween the knee and Pandora I gave up before then! We set off for Hull before seven as Darren was dropping me off on his way to work. Had time for a drink and a look for a magazine before catching the first train. Both trains weee fine and there was room for my case on the second one, so no problem getting to my seat. Rachel had been going to collect me at the station but Sk had gone into work and had the car. So I had to wait a little while but he came and took me across to Central Park. The only pics today are taking in the park, so sorry they are on your home ground Mike!

Anya joined me at the cafe for lunch which was nice and we both walked up to the care home afterwards. Anya wanted to sort a few things out with Margherita as she is helping sort out the bills so they are in Rose’s name. Margherita has been staying in bed for a while but she was in her chair today and one of the care assistants had painted her nails, so she was in fairly good spirits.

Came back with Rose after the visit and have looked at my cards and gifts, I brought them with me as we were leaving so early. We have just had a relaxing evening as I am feeling pretty tired now. But the good thing is that using the knee support I managed the travelling quite well.

Will finish with a pic from three years ago when I had a go at felting. I still have the otter but the other tow have been given to friends,