Just about bordering on odd, I see things through different eyes.The heading says it all - I live, I love, I craft, I am me...

26/04/2021

Breathing

 So, I dropped off the radar.

When not working, we've been going on micro-road trips almost every weekend. For us, at the moment, road trips don't mean we are doing overnighters, we still come home at the end of the day once we have squeezed every last drop out of our adventure.

We love to walk the quieter paths and the less trodden routes and we have learnt over years of walking that the casual dog walker tends to turn back soon after their dog has relieved themselves - the evidence is the give away πŸ™„ and the day-tripper-walkers (especially now) tend to keep to the 'honey-pot' places where there are easy to pootle along pathways, with outdoor cafes and obvious beauty spots to visit. Good for them and hopefully good for struggling tourism post the pandemic drought.

We've not travelled far either, we don't have to drive miles and miles to find quiet trails in cool woodlands or to find panoramic views, there are so many places to visit locally that very quickly become 'off the beaten track' with a little effort.

Having Zeb (van) has elevated our walks to micro-adventures. The delight of pulling up into a parking space and while we are getting ready for our day's walking, listening to the kettle whistling a merry tune. The pleasure of sipping freshly made piping hot tea while we fill the flasks and lace up our boots.  And the relief (and I do mean relief) of being able to nip to the loo before we go and knowing that when we return from our walk we can use the bathroom, wash our hands, pull off our hot boots and slip into a change of shoes. Bliss.


And we've agreed food tastes better when cooked and eaten outside.
Yesterday we walked over a fairly high and isolated moorland ridge littered with limestone pavements, it made for tricky walking as we picked our way through the slabs and, today, despite feeling like I have been through the wringer - it was a good adventure.
Even the most heart-breakingly beautiful view is made better by tea and a dilly dog. Talking of tea and dilly dog in the same sentence, when we stop for our brew and a biscuit or two, so does she. We get out flasks for us and water for her. 
On Sunday we munched our way through Anzac biscuits and she tucked into gravy bones - we need the energy boost and it only goes to reason that she does too 😊

There is something restorative in the simple pleasures of hugging a mug, sitting next to your man while watching the sun go down.  

These photos are just a small selection from our walks and micro-adventures over the last couple of weeks since lockdown has been easing.  



So, a tentative toe has been dipped back into blogging, it is not that I have nothing to say - I always have some story or other.

It is not as if I've not done anything, not been anywhere...it is just when I start to write a post - nothing happens ... ... ... except me staring at the draft page then shutting down the laptop or deleting what I have written.

I will return to blogging, blog hopping and commenting, but at the moment - life is busy, I am still grieving for a small and furry and my personal time is precious - stay safe, enjoy life, have adventures big and small and don't wait for 'things to get better' you have to grab the moment and make it yours, make it different, make it better - and do it RIGHT NOW.




24 comments:

  1. Day trips, breaks of any kind, are rejuvenating. I hope when you feel like it, you'll share your wanders, but mostly, just enjoy.

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    1. They are - mini holidays in their own rights and like you say - rejuvenating πŸ’š

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  2. It was good to hear from you and ‘Zeb’ sounds like the perfect way to spend a day ... take care πŸ˜ƒ

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    1. thank you Carol, 😊 having the van is wonderfl - it was a lockdown project which kept my other half sane and busy while furloughed and now gives us adventures every weekend πŸ’šπŸšΆπŸ½‍♂️🚢🏼‍♀️🐾

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  3. So glad you are getting out and about with Zeb. I'm sure Moss likes going out in Zeb too! x

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    1. Oh she does, as soon as she suspects that we may be going out, she goes and sits by the passenger door ready for the off!

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  4. We used to have a camper van and we loved having our home from home with us everywhere we went.

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    1. Doesn't a van make a simple jolly out into an adventure !? :)

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  5. Nice to see you back. Is that an early purple orchid I see? Moss looks very happy. Enjoy your micro adventures. X

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    1. Thank you Sharon and yes - very early - first one Ive seen this year, there was a second smaller on slightly further along the path. This one was as strapping and vibrant as it is in the photo - a complete contrast to the tea coloured winter grasses

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  6. Having a Zeb is a marvellous idea.
    You are busy just Being. That's fine. And we will anticipate your return to blogland writing when you feel so inclined xx

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    1. Thank you x having a Zeb is to be recommended - especially with bikes

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  7. Thanks for sharing & popping into blogland & we do miss your beautiful wafflings & photos, but it's your time & family that are way more precious. We too basically have micro adventures in out of the way places and enjoy them best, other than that we stick to our own town for all else, though we may venture further afield in Victoria all being well. Love the photo of the stone hut & Moss having her water. Take care, stay safe & huggles.

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  8. Thank you Susan, I loved that little stone shed too - especially with all the sempervivums growing in the stones :)

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  9. Stunning photos with gorgeous colours, I like the first one of Moss and the little stone shed, and the last shot is just lovely. I'm sorry you're still grieving for a small furry four-paws, they are never with us for long enough are they. Take care

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    1. I agree, they are not with us long enough and that must have rated as the fastest six years from her 'gotcha-day' to us burying her.

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  10. So glad you have Zeb. Having your home from home at the end of a walk must be so welcoming. Then a brew and supper in such glorious surroundings...bliss. I understand so well the furry hole in your life and know how you must feel. Sending lots of love and hugs. Enjoy your jollies - we love sharing the pictures you always send. 🧑🦴🦴 xx

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    1. It is bliss, it lets us stay out longer as we are not tied to needing to use a loo or wanting to eat/cook/drive home until we are ready :) I knew you would understand about that enormous hole she has left in us 🀍🀍

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  11. Every adventure is a holi"day" and it's good for the soul. Losing our beloved pets is the hardest bit especially as they've been so much part of our lives and even more valued in the past year's ups and downs. Arilx

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  12. You are so right on both accounts, the holi'days' are a wonderful distraction from missing that little furry monster who completely ruled the entire pack (us included) 😊

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  13. It looks like you have also been enjoying this wonderful weather while it lasts. Little adventures such as this are the best kind. Moss looks blissfully content. X

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  14. Fabulous! I was beginning to miss your adventures...just beginning to...you know! I feel ok now I can revel in all these lovely images,the presence of Moss and practically smelling the cooking. Totally agree with you there is nothing better for an appetite than eating outdoors after a trek. Keep well Amanda x

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  15. Looks like a perfect outing - wondrous scenery, a cuppa, a good beast and your man. I've always fancied a little camper van, though I worry I'd be one of those drivers attempting an impossible 50 point turn :0 In an old job I have to drive a truck and these single track Cornish lanes were a nightmare. I just know my girls would love it though (not so much monsieur) and we could extend our little adventures. Lulu x

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  16. Getting serious camper van envy! x

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