Different studio day

I went out early to post a letter and get a card and some chocolates for Rob at the studio as it was his birthday on Friday. Healwys make every welcome and supplies me with drinks and snacks while I paint. Then I set off to walk to Freeport, I went the main road way which is slightly longer but didn’t want to battle the mud on Polly’s Path again. The second pansy flower pot had been fired, I will leave it at the pottery and fetch it home after I have taken the workshop in May, that is providing someone signs up for it of course! I had outlined one of the pansies which did make it more eye catching. 

I painted a soup dish today which I hope will be fun when fired.

I had a few blobs of paint left so tried using a stencil on a coaster. Went a bit heavy handed on the paint! Then the writer tool was running quite thick! It will make me smile when I use it though.

Caroline arrived a bit before I needed to get home as I had made an appointment to see the prescribing pharmacist this afternoon to see what he thinks about my blood pressure. So Caroline had a drink with me and a bit of a natter then she drove me home before they had a party at the studio. Had a bit of lunch with Tina and then we went and had a coffee at the Floral Hall before she took me to the surgery. Just a bit of a rainbow over the sea.

My blood pressure was a bit up, quite a bit really, and he took it three times, but he was of the opinion that I didn’t need to have extra medication. He said I should take a list of my home reading in when I go the the hospital to show them that it spikes when I there!

Getting some bits ready for out couple of nights in Sheffield tomorrow, although we are not going until about 4 pm so no real rush.

Made it to the boot sale

No rain today, in fact quite a frost, almost Jack Frost patterns on the car window!

I meant to take my hot and the first stall had brand new ones for a pound, it was nice and snug!

I bought a ceramic dish, no pic of that, it is plain white and will get good use with pasta bakes, cottage pies and crumbles! I also got a couple of books, they were two for a pound and I had spotted a Tony Parsons one, I have enjoyed those before so hope it will get me back into reading mood. I also got a basket for a pound as it has a bit of damage but I think I can sort that out.

I worked quite a bit in the garden, took a few breaks as I was weary today. I thought I would see how many of the collection of plants I could get in, but did hoe and tidy beds as I went.

Just three pots that look dead and the bush to go now, so got a fair bit done!

Sat for a while with Pandora on my lap when I got in and will watch a couple of programs with Tina and Darren in a bit.

Visits and a little clearing

I went to visit Bel after the shopping had been delivered. She was quite cheerful, had finished. Tricky jigsaw she had been doing. I went to the shop on the way back and then make a start on clearing the overgrown plants and brambles near the front door.

Nice to have an early visitor enjoying the sunshine.

After lunch I went outside and finished clearing away fron that area before going to see Sarah and David for a while.

Took this pic of the really tall snowdrops as they have pretty markings.

All four flowers of the amaryllis are open on one stem now, I had to add more soil to keep the bulb stable!

I bought this top at Freeport a couple f weeks ago, it was on a reduced rail outside. Not a usual choice for me but I really like it.

I went down to put some food out for the birds quite late today, these little tete a tete daffodils had opened,

Will finish with a couple of Tina pics, one of goats and one of the view from her window.

One step closer!

This morning Angela arrived at 8.15 am as arranged. Tina had gone through the directions to the hospital with me so that I had a better idea myself. Needed have worried really, good weather today and when I explained the route to Angela she was quite confident about getting there. We arrived in good time and parked, but at the wrong building!  So we walked across the road to the other building, we had to return to the first building for me to have the X-ray so thought we would leave the car where it was. Didn’t wait too long to be called and had a very pleasant nurse. Had an ECG and then it was blood pressure. It was higher that in is at home by quite a distance but she wasn’t too worried about it. My BMI was down from last time which was a relief. Had to do swabs for infections, but will only be contacted if there is a problem. So, on track for now. We walked back over for me to have the X-ray and that was not quite so straightforward. We waited for almost an hour before I was called in. Lovely young guy though who was very intrigued with my barefoot shoes. He took the X-ray and said ‘that knee is really ready for surgery’, that made me smile. Going on for 11.30 when we left, so I was really dry for a drink and lunch, I had only had a glass of water and a few grapes first thing.we drove to Skidby Mill as there is a nice cafe there. Sadly the mill isn’t open in the winter.

We had a good lunch and plenty of tea and then made our way back to Hornsea. I was surprised to find Darren at home, he had finished a course early.

It was a nice afternoon and I did go and sort out bird feed, but really just didn’t feel like doing any gardening so have had a fairly quiet afternoon. Haven’t felt my brightest, but I do get quite stressed when gong to the hospital!

No more photos thatI have taken today but a couple from yesterday with me in that Tina took. Plus one she has sent me from the place she is staying for a retreat weekend.

How lovely to have a group of peacocks to look at.

Catching up with. Couple of visits tomorrow so probably be neglecting the garden again!

Off to the moors!

After Ringtons had been we set off out as it is Tina’s day off. I had thought we were going to a garden centre near York but we ended up at Rosedale Abbey, a village in the Yorkshire moors as Tina had changed her mind. It had been a wet and reasonably long journey and we were ready for a drink and some lunch. There were sandwiches on the menu but you could have them as a salad if you didn’t want the bread. Absolutely lovely Mel’s arrived, mine had so much cheese!

Brace yourselves for a lot of photos tonight! I was fascinated as we drove there and when we arrived at the mossy walls. After eating we had a wander round the village.

The church was built on the site of the abbey, there is just a pillar of the original abbey remaining.

We rally liked this unusual commemoration of the Queens jubilee.

Tina had found that there was a place called Bank Top Kilns not far away so owe set off, the car managed the 1 in 3 gradient really well. We drove to a higher car park first.

Then to the Bank Top.

I am sad this one is out of focus, but still like it!

We got really cold up there so Tina drove to another village where we had a cuppa and a scone before heading home.

Well, we actually headed home via a nursery where we bought some plants, but have only taken a pic of the willow which is in the greenhouse for now.

A nice sky this evening but ai couldn’t be bothered to go out to take pics. Took this one from the utility room window, feeling a bit weary so getting sorted for as early departure for an assessment appointment at the hospital.