Freeport twice!

 I went and did the normal shop first thing and then helped Darren get the shopping delivery sorted. 

I made up a packing box and filled it with books before Darren took me up to Freeport. We had a snack in the potteries and a chat with Rob. He gave us some boxes nd Sid he will keep more for us. We shopped in Pound Stretcher before we came home. I had messaged Caroline before we left home to offer her some of the pottery I have painted previously but she didn’t reply until we got home. Her message sid she was at a different part of Freeport as a makers market and would love to see me. So after lunch I caught the bus up to Freeport, had a chat with her and a drink at the potteries before I walked home.

Not many units open yet but there were new children’s rides to get parents spending their money.

A wintery sky when I approached Polly’s Path.

A very unusual tree along Polly’s Path.

The sky was a little more colourful on the way back.

Sher did return the cake box today so I have marzipaned the last two.

I have watched tv with the cat on my lap and Darren has joined me for a bit which is nice.

A quiet day catching up

 I didn’t see Bel last week as she wasn’t feeling up to it. I told her I will be moving away in February but I will keep in contact. She has good neighbours but no other visitors, not that she is too unhappy about that, she still knits, does crosswords and jigsaws as well as enjoying some tv, so she keeps occupied. When Igot home we loaded up the car with my mountain of stuff for the charity shop, delivered that and then she took me to Tesco so that I could send my books off. We went and did an errand for Tina and then we had lunch at the parish hall cafe.

Jean came round to visit me for a change this week, they are hoping that there house sale goes through as they have found a bungalow they want. She has some health issues but was I quite good spirits today. I did take some bits to Sher and didn’t collect the cake box again!

The snow hasn’t gone away completely, and there are still some icy patches so a need to be careful.

That was my only photo outside so though I would add one of Darren’s Venus fly traps, he has tried many times to grow them from seed and has nursed these two along patiently 

Unexpected winter wonderland

 The main story of the day is the snow. First picture was in the dark and then a few more.

We had dry spells, sleet and occasional snow. There was a thaw of sorts but still a lot of snow around, could be treacherous out there if it freezes tonight. I went out and brushed the path by the back door early so we could get to the bins. Pandora didn’t know what to make of the snow so hasn’t been out much today.

I did a bit of sorting and found this tray, sent a message to Sher and she said she would like it. So I went carefully to the shop and had a natter with Sher and Haley.

We went across to the cafe over the road for lunch. The service there is slow but the food was great when it arrived. I wrapped a few presents when we got back and I marzipaned six cakes, have a couple more to do but have run out of boxes for now. Sher may remember to fetch hers by the time I get back from America!

Visit day tomorrow, but Jean is coming here this week as I need to be in for a delivery.

Eventful bus ride to Beverley

 This morning I went along to the chemist to collect my new prescription and then made my wAy to the bus stop. The windows bitterly cold and we saw the bus go down but it didn’t reappear., after twenty or minutes later we were informed that it had broken down and we were to get on the bus to Hull and get off at Leven to board a replacement bus. When we got to Leven the driver had a message to say we now had to change s Long Riston. By the time we changed buses the cold wind had been replaced by sleet. Sleet cum rain was bucketing down when we arrived in Beverley, my first stop wasn’t far, I called in at the hearing aid shop to make an appointment in January as they had said they could get me an emergency pack to take to Scotland. Then I went and got a hot drink before going to the travel agent to get my holiday currency, did. Bit more shopping and then made my way back to the bus station. During that journey it was actually snowing, but not settling as the ground was so wet.

Back home I did go to Sher’s shop as I needed to get a present and then did a bit more sorting and packing before getting dinner. No photos so will post some from a few years ago!

Pain, pain go away!

 I went to post a couple of letters yesterday evening and took a photo of the Methodist church as I passed.

The Christmas windows, although on the early side, were great in the new mobility shop window.

Especially this second one.

Today I have been quite productive, but have also been in considerable pain with the legs. I phoned the surgery to ask if the medication I have could be increased. Meanwhile I took some painkillers this afternoon, which have settled it down. I have had a message from the surgery to say a new prescription has been written for me, I will collect it tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Tina sent me this picture this morning, looks like a piece of artwork.

I have got bags and boxes ready to go to the charity shop. Scanned a few dvds and have a package ready to send off, and have got my case almost packed, so getting there.

Going into Beverley tomorrow to get my travel money.

Catching up

 I met a friend at the hub near the front, it was a very cold wind. Took these two pics in different directions before meeting her.

We had a good chat and have arranged to meet next month when I will give her the Christmas cake and again in January before I leave for Scotland.

This afternoon I went to see Sarah and David and Sarah was visibly upset about my news, I have been friends with since soon after we moved here and another of their friends have moved out of the district recently.

This evening I am doing lists of things to be done for trip, cakes and decluttering ready to move. The time will fly by.

Stop press and an afternoon walk

 Darren went to the boot sale on his own this morning as I was going to help Jean get the church ready for the morning service as the church warden is away. Darren bought back two bunches of flowers, one for each of us, but Tina said I could have them both up here. Very pretty,

The news is now official as it was announced in the churches today. We will be moving to Scotland in February as Tina has got a job there, so a big change for us all. The congregations were surprised by the news but I know they will wish her well.

After lunch I went for a walk as it was dry out today. I went the long was to Tesco, I needed some blue icing, and took some photos while I was out.

Dinner is done and dusted and I am sitting, surprisingly with a cat on my lap, ready to watch the Strictly results.

Catch the cat and cakes

 This morning Tina made and appointment to take Pandora to the vets. She has been a bit under the weather and last night soiled Tina’s bed which is very much out of character, so obviously not feeling well. The appointment was for midday so I decided to decorate the cakes that are going to Peterborough. I had made enough decorations for this batch but will need to make more for the rest.

The loaf shaped ones are not going to Peterborough but I had iced them and had enough decorations. Yours does have decoration too Mike!

Then it was time to get Pandora into the pet carrier and it was as stressful as usual. We were in the dining room with the door shut and it took over ten minutes to get hold of her, under curtains, inside thr recliner chair, you name it and she found it! I had the carrier on my lap on the way to the vets and mournful mewing accompanied us. The vet thought she seemed pretty well but gave her an injection that should hopefully settle her stomach and bring her appetite back. We also get some calming medication in case we have to go back!

We went down the road for lunch when we got back and then I went to see Sher to see if she had remembered the cake box, she hadn’t, but we had a natter and cuppa.

Went to sort out the dining room and found that the recliner wasn’t working. Darren sorted that when he got in from work.

We are forgiven as Pandora has been on my lap for two hours!

Busy doing nothing

 I have had a very quiet day. I wasn’t feeling too bright after my bad spell with the legs yesterday evening. Bel phoned to say she didn’t want me coming out in the bad weather. She said she had had a busy week and had been exhausted. I think the weather and her tiredness were equally responsible for not wanting me to visit. So I spent a couple of hours finishing the book I was reading, which I enjoyed.

I had a bit of lunch and made some more cake decorations before Terry picked me up to visit Jean.

I usually walk to Jeans, but the weather was so bad that I grateful for offer of a lift.

Jean was in fairly good form, their house is sold and it looks like the bungalow they wanted will be theirs. She is happy to stay where they are until the new year as they decorate the whole house like a winter wonderland.

So a quiet and lazy day, and sitting with the cat now.

Quiet morning and a walk

 This morning I stayed in as an electrician was due to service the boiler and fires and it was also Ringtons day. I did some chores nd read some of the book thatI bought at the market at the weekend. It is by a local writer and I am quite enjoying it.

The man didn’t arrive, apparently he wa unwell, and Ringtons didn’t arrive until 11.30 am. I nipped to see Sher who had forgotten to bring the cake box again! After lunch I did got for a walk to the front and back along the trail. 

I a bad spasm spell with the legs earlier and flossed a bit of tooth out  while ago. The day can only get better!

Bus to Hull

 I caught the bus into Hull at 9.45am. It takes over an hour but we drive down Dancing Lane which always makes me smile. We stopped by a building site, men at work and all that.

New displays at the bus station, always interesting.

Passed this shop in town, not open for business yet.

I had a drink in Waterstones the bought some bits in Lush. In Princes Quay I got a new pair of Slip ins, was so pleased they now make them in a single colour.

I walked over the lovely door bridge and to Humber Street. Haven’t been there for a while.

I took another photo in town, and a different one at the station.

I got home by 3.30pm and had a sit down with a drink before getting dinner. Now sitting with the cat and endeavouring not to get bitten!

A this and that day

 I did some chores and washing this morning. I went to the shop a couple of times as I forgot something, nothing unusual there! I called round to see Sher as I wanted some of the special compost to repot the ‘Mother in laws tongue’ and remove the babies. That proved rather more difficult than expected as the ‘babies’ had warped the pot so a major mess getting the plant out. There were more than the two visible new plants so I hope they will all survive after my manhandling!

Yesterday I had cut a large round cake board in half so that I could put the two large sections of cake on them but still had them in a large cake container which I really needed. Today I remembered I had emptied  some oblong storage boxes which I though would be ideal. The halves were too big so I cut them down and not they fit. Didn’t cut myself, but did squash my finger while closing a window!

Will probably go onto Hull tomorrow.

Cakes and imitating a drowned rat!

 I went along to the banking hub early and did a bit of shopping. Tried to find some cake carriers to no avail! Then it iced the cakes that are going to Peterborough, except Mike a he only has marzipan. Then started make some decorations for the cakes.

When the post arrived there was one addressed to the gardener! This letter really made my day so I m going to post it, if by any very remote chance the writer sees it, thank you so much for the seeds.

I went into the garden to do a bit of pruning and cutting back so that it was worthwhile putting the garden bin out tomorrow. Took some photos round the garden, the very bright red acer has been happier now that it is in the garden.

The new fatsia has flowered, the older less successful one has too. I didn’t realise that they did flower.

It was quite overcast but dry so I set off for a walk to the front. I just wore my sleeveless windbreaker, not a good plan. It began to spit while I was by the sea and then the heavens opened and continued all the way home!

I was ver through, shoes full of water and all clothing wet!

Tina was out so I stripped off as much as I could in the porch.

That was enough excitement for today!