Homeward bound

This morning Hazel was picking me up around 7.45 am so that we could have breakfast and a bit of time together before I set off on my journey home. A couple of pictures I took yesterday morning, three in fact, one of the rookery, one of the very nice Travel Lodge and one of a sign on a building which I thought was original.

One from this morning as well, the sun was brilliant as I was waiting for Hazel to arrive.

I was lulled into a false sense of security on the first train, it was almost empty and that got my hopes up for the journey. It was Southern trains and they had signs on a group of seats that I hadn't seen before.

The next train was busier but I had time to change platforms without any problem, the same at Tamworth to get the Cross Country one coming from Penzance but heading for Sheffield. I really like Tamworth station with it's four platforms, two over the other two in a different direction. Easy to change platforms too. I met a slight problem at Sheffield, I had made my way to Platform 8 a couple of the lifts were out of order so had to go down the steps, then I realised that I had somehow got the time for a train that wasn't going to \Hull! I checked the board and I had about four minutes to get to platform 1b, and of course an out of order lift. I was running (well almost) as the guard was about to get on shouting 'am I in time'. He was lovely and I got it at the back door so to speak! That train got in at Hull at precisely the time the bus was pulling out, but I got the next one and didn't have to rush. Took a photo of the other statue on the station that I mentioned a few weeks ago.

I was home at 5 pm so it had been a long day but had gone pretty smoothly. Tina is very busy this week as it is Holy week, but we had a drink together and she told me Darren had got me presents at the market/boot sale. The canvas is lovely but more exciting is the man who sells a fabulous selection of nuts had been there this week and Darren bought me the three varieties I had last time, so that's tonight sorted!

 Feeling shattered now!

Trip round the Hemel area

Hazel and Brian came and collected me at 8.30 am and we went out for breakfast. That was a good start to the day and then we drove to the Ashridge Estate, very beautiful grounds and a monument that is open in the summer season.

We had a look round the National Trust shop and then drove through the estate on our way to Birkhamstead Castle. A challenging drive for Hazel as there was a park run going on, coming towards us, they were all over the place and traffic was coming the other way on the narrow road.  There must have been hundreds taking part as we seemed to be passing them forever! But we got to the castle, which is a ruin, but it is free and lots of ground for families with children to have a great day out.

Then we had a short walk to the Grand Union Canal, Brian particularly wanted me to see the totem pole.

When we got home Brian had a rest and Hazel got dinner ready. Adrian, their son, called in to say hello, it was good to see him. We have had a quiet afternoon just chatting and watching a bit of tv. Back in the hotel now, off home tomorrow after having breakfast with Hazel and Brian.

Train journeys to Hemel

Made a trip down to see Brian and Hazel today as Brian has been poorly. Quite a mega journey on public transport. Darren drove me into Hull which was good so that I didn't have to start the day with a bus journey.
There was a goods train on the platform I was leaving from, luckily not my mode of transport for the first leg!

 Leaving Hull we went by the bridge which was a good start to the day.

The first change was at Sheffield, may have to visit there one day now I know how to get there.Looking at the listings to see what platform I needed next got me confused, I knew I was headed for Tamworth but the only train at that time was going to Penzance! There were no staff, just buttons on the wall to get information, spoke to a lady who said it did call at Tamworth so all was well and I made my way to the necessary platform.

The next change was Tamworth. That station was both interesting and confusing as there are four platforms and two of them are up on a bridge going across the lower ones. Luckily all stations seem to have lifts now.

Next stop for a change was Milton Keynes Central, only six minutes there to check the platform number and get to the other side, but made it and was on the last leg. Then there was no mobile signal so I was late letting Hazel know I was on the way. But she arrived at Hemel just after me and a short drive to their place. She had cooked me a lovely meal and had a few hours chatting with them both. At the Travel Lodge now but having the day with them tomorrow. Bed soon we lose an hour tonight!

Charity shop and packing.

Charity shop day today, was just on with the manager and I manned the shop and till while she did lots of sorting out the back. She even asked if I could stay a bit longer today so that she could finish what she was doing. I had a quick lunch when I got home and then took a walk down to the post office. The 'rain pond' has now signs of draining away yet in the park.

After the post office I walked up to the doctors so that I could go and take my blood pressure. Passed this wall on the way, oops!

The blood pressure wasn't good, I will put it down to being on my feet all morning and then walking to the post office and surgery. This fir outside had pine cones about to shed their protective covering.

I cut back through the park, still muddy and boggy areas.

In that last one the sitting room window of the Vicarage is on the left hand side. Took one more of the church from the park.

When I got home the gravel for the draining ditch had been delivered!

Yesterday when Tina and I were at Freeport we got this cute little planter for the garden.

Tina and I took a quick trip to the tip this afternoon with a car load of packaging. Since then I have made sure the plants are watered and have been getting ready for the trip to Hemel at the weekend,
Sport Relief tonight which I always enjoy, no doubt the debit card will see some action!

Craft and garden

Tina and I had arranged to go up to Freeport together and have breakfast before I went along to the craft session. It was Tina's day off and there was space at the craft session so she stayed which was lovely, just us and two other ladies. We made journals and the inside was made with one large piece of card, cut in a certain way so no sticking was required for the pages. Then we decorated covers for the front and back. Mags, who runs the class thought they would be good for keeping examples from different workshops with a brief description. That is what I intend to do but one of the ladies was going to make it into a photo keepsake book and the others are undecided I think.

We also bought three nice little sentiment booklets which will be good if we start making more cards with the new techniques.

When we came home we went straight out to have lunch at a great little cafe just down the road, we didn't have the delicious cakes there but we did bring some home! I went out to hang the washing in the walled garden when we got back, which is only the second time I have managed to get stuff out on the line, it didn't dry completely but was almost to ironing level. The willow tree, which had a horrid disease in Scarborough is recovering, some areas are still dead but I am hopeful it will become fuller in time.

We then went out to work on the drive for a bit as the weather was okay.

It is heavy going and Tina is better at it that me. She came and helped me finish off the area I had started as my knees, ankle and wrists weren't happy!

One of those jobs which I particularly are reluctant to get stuck into but it does mean progress is being made.
We had our cake with a cup of tea when we had cleared away in the garden and then I walked over to a hairdresser over the road to see if I could get a haircut before going away this weekend. They didn't have anybody in so cut my hair straight away, an unusual experience as the man and lady were cutting and thinning my hair together. That was a bit strange but it is a good cut.
Have been writing a couple of letters and will have a nice bath this evening to ease my aches and pains, and get rid of all the hair!!

Trip to Scarborough

The morning started with a major cat fight in the garden, Charlie was well embroiled with the horrible looking grey pedigree cat that picks on our cats. Charlie had a mouthful of grey hair when it ran off after I screeched at them, so it looks like he well and truly held his own, but he was pretty agitated for quite a while afterwards.
I was going to take the tiles for the fireplace back to the studio to be fired today so as I had two spare tiles thought I would see if the technique I learned with the two acrylic block would work with the under glaze paint. I did work and the results should look good when they are fired.

A picture of the plants I got last night, the contorted willow will go into a nice tub.

The sky was the most amazing blue this morning as I waited for the bus to go into Hull.

I had a bit of time in Hull before I got the train to Scarborough, I bought my tickets for today but could get the ones for the weekend trip as the machines weren't working. The train journey is about an hour and a half but the scenery is pretty when I am not dozing! I managed to get my tickets for the weekend printed at Scarborough station and then walked to the studio. I spent an hour with Donna and Sandy, then I went and had some lunch and did a bit of shopping.I did take a look at south bay before going into the town.

 I managed to catch up with Georgia in Debenhams, she used to be my Clinique lady and we have stayed in touch.
When I was waiting for the train back to Hull this gull looked like it was waiting too!

A lad came and sat next to me and had a snack, so this gull and its friend were calling at him continually, it was funny to watch, they weren't aggressive, just persistent, he did give them a few crumbs. My bus in Hull was due at 6.20 pm but another bus advertising 'Hornsea' came in, different number and different time but the driver said it was going to Hornsea so I set off at five past six, Quite an adventure because after we left Hull I had no idea where we were, this one takes the coast road route but still took about an hour.
When I got home the Himalayan salt lamps I ordered a while ago had arrived, so they are unpacked and on!

Supposed to be very good for your general health, so only time will tell!
Going to catch up with Shetland tonight.

Cats and tiles

It has been quite a busy day really. Did some household chores to start with and then went down the road to get some cash and a bit of shopping. The cats were outside in the front garden enjoying a bit of better weather.

The problem was that Blue kept attempting to follow me down the road so I got some odd looks from the people at the bus stop as a carried a screeching cat down to the house! She doesn't like being picked up at the best of times and becomes vocal.
When I got home I carried on with painting the tiles for a while then I got ready to be picked up to go to the U3A Scrabble group. We had two games, I won one and drew the other one. There were seven of us today so there were two boards in play.
I carried on with the tiles when I got back and am thinking I may stop now before I do something disastrous!

I like it in the very pastel shades so will hopefully be pleased with it when it is fired.
Had a cuddle with a baby today, quite a rare thing lately, as one of Tina's friends was over for a visit. He is quite a big baby and wasn't too happy at being held by me until he was asleep!
This evening I was collected again this time to go to Leven gardening group. A very good and entertaining speaker who showed us slides for gardens she has visited from all around the United Kingdom. She was selling some of her own plants so I came home with three, one being a very nice contorted willow. Quite tired now and will be off to bed soon.