tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76712254807214471182024-03-19T03:55:23.169+00:00I live, I love, I craft, I am me...kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.comBlogger1396125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-36932876379488921142023-09-12T09:18:00.003+01:002024-01-04T12:30:06.639+00:00Where the hawthorn tree grows<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>You can find me here:...</p><p><a href="https://hawthornspellweaver.blogspot.com/">Where the hawthorn tree grows</a></p><p>or ....</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kj.sutcliffe/">@kj.sutcliffe</a></p></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">It would be good to see you xxx</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://hawthornspellweaver.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="376" data-original-width="752" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinLPALS89ylRd5AXER9dB1oQonhuJKLFIn6Mz2J3bl-JBbMQCUAjJ78kzGqyCd-MUeoye3vSk2xzzw8F9A3chkTKTF2Lsn-4v_1maqmmuXTuaRJ38OGWS1GQyOHUSkhCJzdgElaFP4loYaUfDuvihkTTkpcSPY-vtY9JJQJfiLgO4Y3Q207WbhmlW9FUE=w640-h320" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-89263760808994057502023-04-27T15:30:00.003+01:002023-04-27T15:30:41.482+01:00A portal to another dimension<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCG-8UAOf-xwddiMVjj0xa8pgBVPOV3qYDaVPkamEI2DaULveBUVG41dwhIaCgkrYhS4PkAzIsim_4ng1Fdf86Wxs-5588qEFFwUCp3U1GPbBhF5kLknMlmlPyMOHQO7h8_dEpDwfxLludUQBl5Ikdhb2jOO7iEHzGjawDX6DI5xJEaOroBT_3m3p/s4608/25.04%20(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCG-8UAOf-xwddiMVjj0xa8pgBVPOV3qYDaVPkamEI2DaULveBUVG41dwhIaCgkrYhS4PkAzIsim_4ng1Fdf86Wxs-5588qEFFwUCp3U1GPbBhF5kLknMlmlPyMOHQO7h8_dEpDwfxLludUQBl5Ikdhb2jOO7iEHzGjawDX6DI5xJEaOroBT_3m3p/w640-h480/25.04%20(19).JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Behind us on the moors is a rather enigmatic stone arch - well, its a door way and the only remaining piece of a large farm house built in 1672 by a wealthy Yeoman farmer. We've visited it before, years ago when the boys were quite small and Youngest can only remember how foul the weather was....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFmDkhev1OBab5dJUv_-62Dsg-j0vToRAg5UiZ4Et4dDtCwmxIq2M-6k05-p5zBN65W9Kcaoda1jT94E_S6s4_E4BHArPqnmDz_jMvJGLjmLZzDNbc4rK4AeLOiKpgLdMbVVwXpA8ocjdHSP0-g_wMTbGN_A0jrCAoqW-b2S47MMf9JjZ8e-v3eKW/s4608/25.04%20(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFmDkhev1OBab5dJUv_-62Dsg-j0vToRAg5UiZ4Et4dDtCwmxIq2M-6k05-p5zBN65W9Kcaoda1jT94E_S6s4_E4BHArPqnmDz_jMvJGLjmLZzDNbc4rK4AeLOiKpgLdMbVVwXpA8ocjdHSP0-g_wMTbGN_A0jrCAoqW-b2S47MMf9JjZ8e-v3eKW/w640-h480/25.04%20(12).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div>For years, we've driven past it - it always seemed brooding and distant on the skyline as we drove along the winding road to Hebden Bridge and I had no inclination to revisit such a gloomy landmark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JjS2eFfJ5vctlR8wIAkdHyAeLiU1eP6jiEyeDfpEAsj5jY52cmbJ-BJINtil7Y9ICEaCferMGz_D4-jRIS7DiD7QpElhyeCMWRDaMIlqP4P0XNjI3y76WuEu_chOm_1KTbUIr6dgZN4k6zW1UNcnEfZtPyIQ2raAa7xSK3lFscdgJfp37J-rZkex/s4608/25.04%20(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JjS2eFfJ5vctlR8wIAkdHyAeLiU1eP6jiEyeDfpEAsj5jY52cmbJ-BJINtil7Y9ICEaCferMGz_D4-jRIS7DiD7QpElhyeCMWRDaMIlqP4P0XNjI3y76WuEu_chOm_1KTbUIr6dgZN4k6zW1UNcnEfZtPyIQ2raAa7xSK3lFscdgJfp37J-rZkex/w640-h480/25.04%20(13).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then a few weeks ago, I looked at it as we drove past. A small but dominant feature on an open moorland field and I suddenly had the urge to see it with new eyes. So, on Tuesday, Youngest took me for our first dogless walk to revisit a moment in our history that neither of us really recall clearly or kindly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kRvJGY1SGXrJQaznuGBPcsRIoKQeQ67gnO9TMd-G2twi-4t3NwzUXG3-DC7Z-TEmU65ttGRTBD-U22fOr34KkzkIajutpc-9N2GI2E_abqdyxDpSTAeUS98V2j0ryXbVC4qrQAXdLcOpGgEyDR6KAtL4GYKdKFohBe8a5s9SLz_5UOeO0W6ZA1TT/s4608/25.04%20(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kRvJGY1SGXrJQaznuGBPcsRIoKQeQ67gnO9TMd-G2twi-4t3NwzUXG3-DC7Z-TEmU65ttGRTBD-U22fOr34KkzkIajutpc-9N2GI2E_abqdyxDpSTAeUS98V2j0ryXbVC4qrQAXdLcOpGgEyDR6KAtL4GYKdKFohBe8a5s9SLz_5UOeO0W6ZA1TT/w640-h480/25.04%20(14).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Standing at 11ish feet tall and with a now very weathered stone carved sign over the lintel - the door way stands proud in the landscape and I realised how little I know about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnLQzoViiYnxnFq80MMVyKNxNKRXwSMdq6VkaDZuzNpKb-Lm2pvZr8NRZ1qjQ2jrxzayRRL_ZohQax-8BmPZyaG4P2sqge3XO8-qCbcA0WIIRkzwX2JBiyqHIr66gFDumwjEodhD5q6vVFe5nsFyNEYfhSAleZgdXUM1eQARu51O6mE2QSUGQSIK8/s4608/25.04%20(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnLQzoViiYnxnFq80MMVyKNxNKRXwSMdq6VkaDZuzNpKb-Lm2pvZr8NRZ1qjQ2jrxzayRRL_ZohQax-8BmPZyaG4P2sqge3XO8-qCbcA0WIIRkzwX2JBiyqHIr66gFDumwjEodhD5q6vVFe5nsFyNEYfhSAleZgdXUM1eQARu51O6mE2QSUGQSIK8/w640-h480/25.04%20(15).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Typical for around where we live, a lot of narrow valleys were earmarked for reservoirs and just below the doorway are two such examples and apparently in 1886, the building was demolished for their construction. However they are too far away to have interfered with the building so I wondered if it had been relocated up above on the moors.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCiUZ9GkitqgANJ3GjRJcmF2vZ0NPhAhs8t0Lt8NAVr0Y2ydDVZnd1W3qjhUfZn7sWQc3fmK5x8818zyrvxoEiF578gYPzPW6XVl-Xf9VAgGPzutk_5Udf_DZUPV17lluI8DxAIhSfpMGHI7K1veSETzuEs4oBqIJ4VWHTJ7M_q2PQOtI9T5C8rFX/s4608/25.04%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCiUZ9GkitqgANJ3GjRJcmF2vZ0NPhAhs8t0Lt8NAVr0Y2ydDVZnd1W3qjhUfZn7sWQc3fmK5x8818zyrvxoEiF578gYPzPW6XVl-Xf9VAgGPzutk_5Udf_DZUPV17lluI8DxAIhSfpMGHI7K1veSETzuEs4oBqIJ4VWHTJ7M_q2PQOtI9T5C8rFX/w640-h480/25.04%20(4).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The weather that day was far kinder than our collective memories and in the spring sunshine, it felt rather refreshing to be out on the moors breathing in clear air and appreciating the far distant views.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfmb4--80WE9n8bXUmL-6nS8zh3NDcWujLBAjn_nwjlydm6Q2RW1walOVOPved8u3CXPLZqaLxeAFL24AaORqBIB63E47vLbyo3MHDqqPedA1kE4eeHI2hZxfUrMP1l0-5QNyRW9krxtpG4SrdKsFVh9wzScHj1jKtQfzkDpcO8D-TyN7nT4I3Man/s4608/25.04%20(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfmb4--80WE9n8bXUmL-6nS8zh3NDcWujLBAjn_nwjlydm6Q2RW1walOVOPved8u3CXPLZqaLxeAFL24AaORqBIB63E47vLbyo3MHDqqPedA1kE4eeHI2hZxfUrMP1l0-5QNyRW9krxtpG4SrdKsFVh9wzScHj1jKtQfzkDpcO8D-TyN7nT4I3Man/w480-h640/25.04%20(18).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78OLHTAzone3rep24h_AShb-dm_2efagu0TJySqwcMCUy1yU2YwxBcvX_8ZKThsVMlROm50gECdKX5fG2LrNPKIkK52cvK-h3mGWu7HkKTJMcdQpOT3Ari2D6AjSZ_ZTPoV-anBKDw-UF8JQaRZ9VK16I6HAr7V7doKzG8l3JQaYsMyUo705XjTGQ/s957/245.04%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="957" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78OLHTAzone3rep24h_AShb-dm_2efagu0TJySqwcMCUy1yU2YwxBcvX_8ZKThsVMlROm50gECdKX5fG2LrNPKIkK52cvK-h3mGWu7HkKTJMcdQpOT3Ari2D6AjSZ_ZTPoV-anBKDw-UF8JQaRZ9VK16I6HAr7V7doKzG8l3JQaYsMyUo705XjTGQ/w640-h360/245.04%20(8).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>We'll go back, but we'll walk further, towards the trees on the horizon then to their right where a more modern monument to the memory of a loved one is situated - a solid granite bench with an sublime view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwyojR_v5YA5a2a6tJs07VchtanemwNR_E6rgtOdfslrI9XYhYVHQhzSPBJVmOdizhI5Sjsl4_K7q9cmKv3pOgxSztihL00KK4VOXqbktbCXFe48N6hZL06li8WcPD6hitKk_zajcz9KifX9hFd4dwLweVOmgr6JmWHMjiyM9bDX2AvQGinmG5otn/s839/245.04%20(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="471" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwyojR_v5YA5a2a6tJs07VchtanemwNR_E6rgtOdfslrI9XYhYVHQhzSPBJVmOdizhI5Sjsl4_K7q9cmKv3pOgxSztihL00KK4VOXqbktbCXFe48N6hZL06li8WcPD6hitKk_zajcz9KifX9hFd4dwLweVOmgr6JmWHMjiyM9bDX2AvQGinmG5otn/w360-h640/245.04%20(10).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div>Youngest has a vintage Kodak Polaroid camera with all the quirks and glitches befitting something of that age and he took an image of the door way - doesn't it look like a portal to another dimension? </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, we thought so too. Our memories of this archway are better ones now than the ones we'd harboured from before.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i2HfvdogHALscfTFom9K6lOwG-kXI4yxtra2PkPlSfhts1EDPVvHsswMMyH7rKfWdDzjkco886kpSMa9LLhrMWjoOlBs_TpNRKiUmqoqdvVnMkgA8pPgrhbxuXu4EhTEHGncW9GGNt85TGagiC4LYdMx3pLrDNDIZgDVwDll6QET2pYkUpNBSFgR/s2048/343117042_945231946720864_8490319418269784087_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i2HfvdogHALscfTFom9K6lOwG-kXI4yxtra2PkPlSfhts1EDPVvHsswMMyH7rKfWdDzjkco886kpSMa9LLhrMWjoOlBs_TpNRKiUmqoqdvVnMkgA8pPgrhbxuXu4EhTEHGncW9GGNt85TGagiC4LYdMx3pLrDNDIZgDVwDll6QET2pYkUpNBSFgR/w520-h640/343117042_945231946720864_8490319418269784087_n.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /> <p></p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-39743173516998224212023-04-25T07:40:00.004+01:002023-04-25T07:40:30.801+01:00thank you<p>Thank you - your kind words, here and by email, both strengthened me and dissolved me to tears - I have had so many hugs from dog walkers who I don't know by name - only by the fellow-dog-walker nod - when they ask '<i>where's your dog</i>?'. </p><p>Being at work was hard - staff and volunteers seemed as stunned as I, visitors to the park and walled garden were too. I still catch myself about to call her when I go out into the garden or get ready for work. </p><p>She was a funny, silly, hair shedding, eye-rolling, waggy tailed, muddy footed gallumph who enriched my life and she will be forever missed. So, thank you - so so much for your thoughts xxβ€οΈβπ©Ή</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOukPP8XQckyhMV74aKAnDgZ0i9QhCMxDsMaCFyaWxg_F48UbagWFKb1ZocwEmEWiQEvoUvjsICKnp5E0FHuO6TOIHhcuwctk-zQxy0HG5HAsWk0SfQyb8cMM4I0n-YRxnibEjeT2H6f-xV1ckPAPXjsqrBapSL4u4SyjTfX3ymv8iIJYq7MFqeot/s4032/PXL_20221007_172219373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOukPP8XQckyhMV74aKAnDgZ0i9QhCMxDsMaCFyaWxg_F48UbagWFKb1ZocwEmEWiQEvoUvjsICKnp5E0FHuO6TOIHhcuwctk-zQxy0HG5HAsWk0SfQyb8cMM4I0n-YRxnibEjeT2H6f-xV1ckPAPXjsqrBapSL4u4SyjTfX3ymv8iIJYq7MFqeot/w640-h360/PXL_20221007_172219373.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>who you calling a muddy footed gallumph?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><br /></i><p></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-71284394519988722482023-04-20T08:38:00.000+01:002023-04-20T08:38:00.997+01:00no words<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi84JTAXuFMrfGToj0QB03a786JWkuGrUZDsO1qMlNAF0H0_5QwzQvMiSehvRG4SNRH2cGsniwC9ZhoMGEohMleNBNU892wK8hdR9GpOHfYZ_VqeKNabHgMVwnPYtCQUSlBcYfrSNcdSpq7YyoIfDrX1SC1InSM5o6RriG0wpr1vOW_-FruYv6swMQ/s376/04.01.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi84JTAXuFMrfGToj0QB03a786JWkuGrUZDsO1qMlNAF0H0_5QwzQvMiSehvRG4SNRH2cGsniwC9ZhoMGEohMleNBNU892wK8hdR9GpOHfYZ_VqeKNabHgMVwnPYtCQUSlBcYfrSNcdSpq7YyoIfDrX1SC1InSM5o6RriG0wpr1vOW_-FruYv6swMQ/w374-h640/04.01.23.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Not an easy post today.</p><p>Moss - who we rescued, who rescued us, who made us laugh, made us walk, made our house and home into a furry pack - now makes me cry.</p><p><br /></p><p>RIP my dear sweet buddy. </p><p><br /></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-83041403748715757412023-04-13T11:04:00.000+01:002023-04-13T11:04:40.622+01:00Van-ventures of the long weekend kind<p> A combination of weather, work and every day commitments have firmly kept us off the hills for anything more than day trips or walking from home. Last week we suddenly realised that we had a couple of days free (during the bank holiday weekend) and a promise of half decent weather by those meteorological folk who can enthusiastically wax lyrically about atrocious weather fronts - they seem to love their jobs...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6ktlEtOqe36qGQeLSrCSNKrjfroSUK45OJub9Mk_l-exru-BLBfpgSMndRuybYu2OiwROtafL9CKPtWvovXKeOQ0BbAiCtLKz7wJJqjOefMJWY_3d424n2NkLP82wd06L5Fwke8UM3qW_iJTjdea6OOA2ft0N_bsUlri5jRH_7ixmc4wfuVKzzeN/s4608/08.04%20(36).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6ktlEtOqe36qGQeLSrCSNKrjfroSUK45OJub9Mk_l-exru-BLBfpgSMndRuybYu2OiwROtafL9CKPtWvovXKeOQ0BbAiCtLKz7wJJqjOefMJWY_3d424n2NkLP82wd06L5Fwke8UM3qW_iJTjdea6OOA2ft0N_bsUlri5jRH_7ixmc4wfuVKzzeN/w640-h480/08.04%20(36).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Any hoo - early Saturday morning we hastily packed the van with the bare essentials, food - tick, bedding - tick, warm stuff - tick, camera - tick, Moss' paraphernalia - tick tick tick. Then we headed to a new to us place - <a href="http://www.edgeguide.co.uk/cumbria/alston.html" target="_blank">Alston in Cumbria</a> and promptly fell in love with it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfzCyFhTSzN2u6lnb4lLBoEIRdnj_XIzaeh8WsXzjGG5qbfxi8dmFwUzijO32VqetS3ULV1jdiLeg6SPo97sNM9oIjDuoZn5-K7MKZodWrlyLN26GePFeD4XFwb2WmcyNI0sZdJxRQ_CpajP39bHF1hrGEHRngeKHxhBCh9dFhuu9GVFeC12swIu1/s4608/08.04%20(33).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfzCyFhTSzN2u6lnb4lLBoEIRdnj_XIzaeh8WsXzjGG5qbfxi8dmFwUzijO32VqetS3ULV1jdiLeg6SPo97sNM9oIjDuoZn5-K7MKZodWrlyLN26GePFeD4XFwb2WmcyNI0sZdJxRQ_CpajP39bHF1hrGEHRngeKHxhBCh9dFhuu9GVFeC12swIu1/w640-h480/08.04%20(33).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Our first night was at the highest point of the area at a place frequented by motorcycles, bikers and vanlifers. At 1903ft it has the most gloriously airy and light feel to it, however when the weather is wild - it would not be a place I'd want to stay. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNl1J7RRaiBNCnnpHIszXYfEmdvTkv_QKl_C7GMvFNVmH-figW2rs5VAgScAdfFg0pWlI4lW1CTdOuvqGbI2UtEXWAG-AGubwYCxdVjgdoylS9rp0yw2c4Em8OdBDGZWt1VRplpvkz-FVTI346mFtIBkm9NifaUiKat-ZO5SXPuHeCoBmo9sKJzqF/s2048/received_1381251096051115.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNl1J7RRaiBNCnnpHIszXYfEmdvTkv_QKl_C7GMvFNVmH-figW2rs5VAgScAdfFg0pWlI4lW1CTdOuvqGbI2UtEXWAG-AGubwYCxdVjgdoylS9rp0yw2c4Em8OdBDGZWt1VRplpvkz-FVTI346mFtIBkm9NifaUiKat-ZO5SXPuHeCoBmo9sKJzqF/w640-h360/received_1381251096051115.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Originally a large carpark for a popular cafΓ© (<i>now long gone with several failed attempts at replacing it</i>) the views are sublime. And, if a constant and steady stream of visiting bikes is not your thing, by early evening, they'd all gone. And it was quiet - just us and three other vans and miles and miles and miles of hills, views and sky.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwVl6-ry-7LKh_V8OjofwGPjCDr6zhm5KjcQwzgFP2kMmEg553XvmQjqTY6aG5fBHmgYvSLdlUqHidMsjTyz1aZizIjr92YcDGD-HQwQ3jDifl--Kcwg_RX64Cc2_SiyRN8ZRtH0W3Qzy6svumRPFauPuffSpidUor4KxZ2somBb_9d57l5BeIMyB/s833/08.04%20(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwVl6-ry-7LKh_V8OjofwGPjCDr6zhm5KjcQwzgFP2kMmEg553XvmQjqTY6aG5fBHmgYvSLdlUqHidMsjTyz1aZizIjr92YcDGD-HQwQ3jDifl--Kcwg_RX64Cc2_SiyRN8ZRtH0W3Qzy6svumRPFauPuffSpidUor4KxZ2somBb_9d57l5BeIMyB/w360-h640/08.04%20(17).jpg" width="360" /></a></div>When we first arrived, we took Moss for a pootle over the fells, although grouse shooting moors as long as you kept your dog on a lead and stayed on the paths and tracks you can walk. We first checked out the rather stately cairn then trekked up to the trig point where once again the views took our breath away.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQpbi8SR5wVLgFZR73LfXCv44_IiZizM1UzOuasTodmTyZpxXOfL67b7YBJLTeQctkXy9U4jfrRYVUdIMLAcKJrnx5XuY3DvSAjV-iH788T9fqn6Buyxw5rViQ6sqszVUQIo46Hv7YUaskb5tMAKqT9zeQyth51osyILnW0DFRu2NKpkIqdhVI2YS/s4608/08.04%20(39).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQpbi8SR5wVLgFZR73LfXCv44_IiZizM1UzOuasTodmTyZpxXOfL67b7YBJLTeQctkXy9U4jfrRYVUdIMLAcKJrnx5XuY3DvSAjV-iH788T9fqn6Buyxw5rViQ6sqszVUQIo46Hv7YUaskb5tMAKqT9zeQyth51osyILnW0DFRu2NKpkIqdhVI2YS/w480-h640/08.04%20(39).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF3FeEJ45vatpvm1SMs0Bybhd9XimcjljNCLgh06zbTx62f6DR7yHyb9MbTnUChcHQleCijpLOW5up1an48edqWQDWIo0YHaukEuWvpAZwDF0ZM3iiqafcQOcCkOCMR3yq2nOHKYhGAXGxjb91W8rTtzywip_ZjNQZgXriYstmaLiLUge5V3hubL-/s1461/08.04%20(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1461" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF3FeEJ45vatpvm1SMs0Bybhd9XimcjljNCLgh06zbTx62f6DR7yHyb9MbTnUChcHQleCijpLOW5up1an48edqWQDWIo0YHaukEuWvpAZwDF0ZM3iiqafcQOcCkOCMR3yq2nOHKYhGAXGxjb91W8rTtzywip_ZjNQZgXriYstmaLiLUge5V3hubL-/w640-h360/08.04%20(10).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYeshPb-RfdJKxFhB3ethCgyKQB_mhv0DE4V2epV7_xPuUnbCY-5D1-4Ik6QkbhPfLIpEVbWsWIZG5GiByNcBdNVcg6OtrKjZie3MMN0pYqr-7pP7bSm5xr42XD1pmNLugzn_Jpw8EsrAsOGxfvlYQegibN2n37OMyTrBNjSam8Jl85dIOgS9lvje/s833/08.04%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYeshPb-RfdJKxFhB3ethCgyKQB_mhv0DE4V2epV7_xPuUnbCY-5D1-4Ik6QkbhPfLIpEVbWsWIZG5GiByNcBdNVcg6OtrKjZie3MMN0pYqr-7pP7bSm5xr42XD1pmNLugzn_Jpw8EsrAsOGxfvlYQegibN2n37OMyTrBNjSam8Jl85dIOgS9lvje/w360-h640/08.04%20(7).jpg" width="360" /></a></div>The next morning we went down into the village of Alston for a wander around and discovered to our delight that their steam train was up and running and put on a puffing good show for us. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZs1Xjf56iQ7FEbaiBtR-7IhtlYiLE9wnLgihiLutrxss9JvDeyMJzFnzkg-pkdRIkCLgmIJLxckBHDMp1WEgBWt_-I7pDEsTMf9xhePKLSdH8xn8r4qQ_zxTHOsNH1oorz_O52aRC9ji6oDQsVy2BCce8SueqCrseCEYXAy5zz8v3wE9A8z9oCa2/s4608/09.04%20(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZs1Xjf56iQ7FEbaiBtR-7IhtlYiLE9wnLgihiLutrxss9JvDeyMJzFnzkg-pkdRIkCLgmIJLxckBHDMp1WEgBWt_-I7pDEsTMf9xhePKLSdH8xn8r4qQ_zxTHOsNH1oorz_O52aRC9ji6oDQsVy2BCce8SueqCrseCEYXAy5zz8v3wE9A8z9oCa2/w640-h480/09.04%20(20).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Alston is full of old quirky buildings, cobbled streets and charm, sadly we suspect that a sizable chunk of the housing were either second homes or holiday lets like so many of these 'desirable' holiday locations tend to have.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiGlN5wE1iFC-QB0_rinJHv75tKHQIC4DBdx4AyiGlQQqePO72jT3oyYuB99P9qFEXNas2xW6seKuEFqCOAVLEtaqxUXKhEJb_EXM89nh4BXT5mnaZAXG6CRM__p-j61bGRV_x1cK5LS1aQMvo9Qxn0mO9vu3d3LuhJ6f2eWsQpCQdDafnQdsygQH/s4608/09.04%20(39).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiGlN5wE1iFC-QB0_rinJHv75tKHQIC4DBdx4AyiGlQQqePO72jT3oyYuB99P9qFEXNas2xW6seKuEFqCOAVLEtaqxUXKhEJb_EXM89nh4BXT5mnaZAXG6CRM__p-j61bGRV_x1cK5LS1aQMvo9Qxn0mO9vu3d3LuhJ6f2eWsQpCQdDafnQdsygQH/w480-h640/09.04%20(39).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Even the gloriously pompous old bank (a Martins Bank) appeared to be apartments - hopefully for residents rather than holidaying folk - locals need affordable housing too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeorLHzAbf5emwwNhlL5rEfsST4oWqQBqmZ8_IY6b5vqtstVOrismSa_U_ROCNymVEaZD3oAk_ps_QuR2cdm67OCg_a-pb6FFPyk92igk2W3XlQRFRJj3X_vdA3us3m_NoUiXekBYr6A2V4I9MnceouKXdcDti5qFR0qGLS7VXW2Zou9osm5MlClM/s4608/09.04%20(42).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeorLHzAbf5emwwNhlL5rEfsST4oWqQBqmZ8_IY6b5vqtstVOrismSa_U_ROCNymVEaZD3oAk_ps_QuR2cdm67OCg_a-pb6FFPyk92igk2W3XlQRFRJj3X_vdA3us3m_NoUiXekBYr6A2V4I9MnceouKXdcDti5qFR0qGLS7VXW2Zou9osm5MlClM/w480-h640/09.04%20(42).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSBjL5p4qbIBGRcNVyV9OEkmhTSHKCdPn6yQW6MwWFmGyB7GXUHRHFlm8haN0VzpMYgruZ_ihKlok2RGO9tPhNyzDRD1tKLLNyYx9TMx5LosrfVAhQxqkUcOUVYzuH4Tg1sD0hMb8akvrqf1oEq4yu55dp5dKLQ1HVK7p_LejyqDnPsoL--UoIn1i/s4608/09.04%20(44).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSBjL5p4qbIBGRcNVyV9OEkmhTSHKCdPn6yQW6MwWFmGyB7GXUHRHFlm8haN0VzpMYgruZ_ihKlok2RGO9tPhNyzDRD1tKLLNyYx9TMx5LosrfVAhQxqkUcOUVYzuH4Tg1sD0hMb8akvrqf1oEq4yu55dp5dKLQ1HVK7p_LejyqDnPsoL--UoIn1i/w640-h480/09.04%20(44).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclk-6Whgih2CaRfeqVPpd9gZlKYam3NaLkgf0iVAfocdosqXJMbnhKm2h1POc6KnOeRGy7DsV1hDDU-3iBwjjHR7CTslSKB5Ik5uGYEXwcPh5hA8d88pKfsoHl_4lPmH__45h08us_VIh96X5biF1O8HRukKuEV92eqnSRrVPAPIOyZxrTFWJiBfN/s4608/09.04%20(45).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclk-6Whgih2CaRfeqVPpd9gZlKYam3NaLkgf0iVAfocdosqXJMbnhKm2h1POc6KnOeRGy7DsV1hDDU-3iBwjjHR7CTslSKB5Ik5uGYEXwcPh5hA8d88pKfsoHl_4lPmH__45h08us_VIh96X5biF1O8HRukKuEV92eqnSRrVPAPIOyZxrTFWJiBfN/w640-h480/09.04%20(45).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46VzdxCqs5S9zpqbwKDeI-yLeutJSl1KslEYksgaL721Ss77xd2ddhTnRISNYAapD48qheYEVv2oCSVaK2oWKWgUJc7GQcjoKs7kmeyALsNUZMF_WnrXCGf_e6qGdkuaXc2MJHIPMR-27gXxrod56lnWWzBE1R7vvo_eW0M5OYfezE3I-lzyxB2Yy/s833/09.04%20(76).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46VzdxCqs5S9zpqbwKDeI-yLeutJSl1KslEYksgaL721Ss77xd2ddhTnRISNYAapD48qheYEVv2oCSVaK2oWKWgUJc7GQcjoKs7kmeyALsNUZMF_WnrXCGf_e6qGdkuaXc2MJHIPMR-27gXxrod56lnWWzBE1R7vvo_eW0M5OYfezE3I-lzyxB2Yy/w360-h640/09.04%20(76).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7CTuuepmLicsvlndOvIwuTc1xkRt-Lqr26ku7xa72tHMSaQQW0OMQs0epsg9YFfSRXngzYNry4oUKahWAOcvvuDBhoZOZIcyhCl7rSle33bR5ZVrbNVcGxx750EY8Gp-EtXuzT3Rgw1wrLoNV4WGguaKLgsbtHORrkxm7YHYlsr5fOPcOEfpNad_/s833/09.04%20(78).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7CTuuepmLicsvlndOvIwuTc1xkRt-Lqr26ku7xa72tHMSaQQW0OMQs0epsg9YFfSRXngzYNry4oUKahWAOcvvuDBhoZOZIcyhCl7rSle33bR5ZVrbNVcGxx750EY8Gp-EtXuzT3Rgw1wrLoNV4WGguaKLgsbtHORrkxm7YHYlsr5fOPcOEfpNad_/w360-h640/09.04%20(78).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenM_0AfIdXxzUoLA2v_vlFPGcmQv9b5svpBK7I7hOgl4h7ZKA6THJ1A8LDCXSK1pjl8mIhUB7f7wPBQcrlbBP_X2eLmyKkV8sYI6_AyN_58eNhjvo8P2BMqtVHife0_Gbon1Ml6QIBD4hz5Gz6bmU-x1axyDyyx2rCjcmudOOnaDWuYft7YC4vs_O/s4608/09.04%20(47).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenM_0AfIdXxzUoLA2v_vlFPGcmQv9b5svpBK7I7hOgl4h7ZKA6THJ1A8LDCXSK1pjl8mIhUB7f7wPBQcrlbBP_X2eLmyKkV8sYI6_AyN_58eNhjvo8P2BMqtVHife0_Gbon1Ml6QIBD4hz5Gz6bmU-x1axyDyyx2rCjcmudOOnaDWuYft7YC4vs_O/w640-h480/09.04%20(47).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E395vXabnUXmyYELq0nauqqC8iHONqwOBLOlM0mfhYsUKFuoqadmYGI10yYoJO4Ylno-TPeMtwmfgwNQ_tKBVlU6tHXcx4LK5ZI5etDPH7g9JWv1pWDJT8I1BtH37TTzgMHkGMkmnZse_--osjKBlac6tYiFub67joxfZOwqhRrxX25a5RZwjgaE/s4608/09.04%20(51).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E395vXabnUXmyYELq0nauqqC8iHONqwOBLOlM0mfhYsUKFuoqadmYGI10yYoJO4Ylno-TPeMtwmfgwNQ_tKBVlU6tHXcx4LK5ZI5etDPH7g9JWv1pWDJT8I1BtH37TTzgMHkGMkmnZse_--osjKBlac6tYiFub67joxfZOwqhRrxX25a5RZwjgaE/w640-h480/09.04%20(51).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I won't overwhelm you with any more photos, as I did take .. one or two .. LOADS ..! </div><div><br /></div><div>Right, I better stop waffling, I have work to get on with, have been waiting for a break in the weather before I can start and by the looks of things - it is now or never!<div><br /></div><div>Speak soon x<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-26837959944828473842023-04-11T21:28:00.000+01:002023-04-11T21:28:21.814+01:00Why do I garden?<p>I've just stumbled back in from the garden - it is a bit cold out there now and I am pretty sure I heard the kettle call my name several times. Being on hands and knees and not moving very much whilst weeding (<i>I love weeding, it clears the head and gives me permission to think or not to think, but to just be</i>) however, I found I was clenching my teeth to stop them chattering.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5vq_Is-wgKwbaks_9AFMcAXqFG79AdyTqlGl8D_YQLjWpjlpOuXKsAxPsfS7kxeVm3Gi0CVXZch0Z363PRuXDHs3caKyj5o5fHU251GnInvk4g8SXtZavs4SXMd_VBt6Kg6b-PRXsX6SOHq5KP9cl-M6aApK5kYiaPRLWkwmz6-amVA_RK6GFy_G/s1200/collage%20(37).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5vq_Is-wgKwbaks_9AFMcAXqFG79AdyTqlGl8D_YQLjWpjlpOuXKsAxPsfS7kxeVm3Gi0CVXZch0Z363PRuXDHs3caKyj5o5fHU251GnInvk4g8SXtZavs4SXMd_VBt6Kg6b-PRXsX6SOHq5KP9cl-M6aApK5kYiaPRLWkwmz6-amVA_RK6GFy_G/w640-h480/collage%20(37).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>First thing this morning - just after 7am, I pottered out in to the garden to take Moss for her first morning leg stretch and piddle and in the early sunlight I was taken how much my garden has gently moved on. We've been away for a couple of nights (<i>wild camping up in the North Pennines</i>) and in that short space of time - so much and yet so little has happened.</p><p>It said on the radio this morning that March had been the wettest on record for 40 years and although I did think it was a 'tad damp' (<i>good northern understated term</i>), I didn't think it had been that wet. I suppose, living in the lea of the Pennines we were bound to get our generous share of rain.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEKYHn6CfZelc7VstpzOABDAMQr719WCndvzaSNeUn259jt44yv-jSXMm_VERA9_ojGt4JcI-iC6ZUkR62vLFUF27urUvy1KGpr_Y0PtEnRzmtge4gAjhHOdOc5z2kyVmjl4zgvV17MlSu5SphwBwL5_-4skBG-VkeK2hJMyNlZQ1d8bwb-nOBJwh/s1200/collage%20(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEKYHn6CfZelc7VstpzOABDAMQr719WCndvzaSNeUn259jt44yv-jSXMm_VERA9_ojGt4JcI-iC6ZUkR62vLFUF27urUvy1KGpr_Y0PtEnRzmtge4gAjhHOdOc5z2kyVmjl4zgvV17MlSu5SphwBwL5_-4skBG-VkeK2hJMyNlZQ1d8bwb-nOBJwh/w640-h480/collage%20(36).jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>After a morning session in a private garden where I disembowelled a 14 year old compost heap on to very hungry and grateful flowerbeds. When I started here, the compost was an enormous unruly pile which dominated the corner it was residing in. It's taken three years to beat it back into submission and now after today's marathon digging and mulching, I just may have tamed the beast - I still have one more bay to empty but I can see that it is far less of a mountain in comparison - more of a molehill!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_Ap7oXmBlcz7c8o5YCb-nFWIN0u2-qyPhEaHkfRSqZdrjvT1IlGU3UrFlpc9k6ML8DcgnxteZZDQl0iBKO8cM7-5jkofllkPNwmewyF7-_GUCkIgoYfDLJu04QxafhItGaY1ZZpBVFXMOSr-h_c3qjV_97571UiCvd6xvbMdU7RY_XieB5f3QsQu/s1200/collage%20(35).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_Ap7oXmBlcz7c8o5YCb-nFWIN0u2-qyPhEaHkfRSqZdrjvT1IlGU3UrFlpc9k6ML8DcgnxteZZDQl0iBKO8cM7-5jkofllkPNwmewyF7-_GUCkIgoYfDLJu04QxafhItGaY1ZZpBVFXMOSr-h_c3qjV_97571UiCvd6xvbMdU7RY_XieB5f3QsQu/w640-h480/collage%20(35).jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Just getting my hands back into the soil and feeling the weak sunlight on my face is such a boost. That combined with the scent of the awakening earth and newly emerging shoots is wonderful. However by mid afternoon the sun has slipped behind thin grey cloud and the temperature has plummeted - brrrrr. Definitely time for a brew. Happy - most definitely.</p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-15195622617814714632023-03-26T20:03:00.001+01:002023-03-26T21:14:23.536+01:00Weekending<p> The verb 'weekending', to weekend, to do - so we did.</p><p>visiting... </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.knitters-paradise.co.uk/" target="_blank">Knitter's Paradise</a> with Youngest and his lovely girl. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The shop was in an old converted soap mill near Cullingworth - a treasure trove - will certainly return.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuH9lvML2k2d4v6G57SoHqDpPVRYUkZdJgUYgUKs8sKIwbsr8L82N4EdVKyodXJZRBYpyQJyWgnf-GVYBZt6a-IIo-BUGi_hFOoygMjJirQ1j86oNhAtz0HRzJKncBLxG5u5ByLAmuRpa8g-tgUrW_HZ6GlAg3D7FlA_ILeymgFdQmEIsBJZIk0mr/s4032/PXL_20230325_125322637.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuH9lvML2k2d4v6G57SoHqDpPVRYUkZdJgUYgUKs8sKIwbsr8L82N4EdVKyodXJZRBYpyQJyWgnf-GVYBZt6a-IIo-BUGi_hFOoygMjJirQ1j86oNhAtz0HRzJKncBLxG5u5ByLAmuRpa8g-tgUrW_HZ6GlAg3D7FlA_ILeymgFdQmEIsBJZIk0mr/w360-h640/PXL_20230325_125322637.MP.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">tempted...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there was a lot of squishing and holding of hanks of yarn and bundles of wool - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the temptation was impossible to fight off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J9f0UgGVHbNjoHdSuOlEecHDQUiU576wzZXpTuVZS756FxVGWJxAiSNciYEzJS98g3xAMWbhjmTJp0bxXGV4larHlrhs59nWEdRufmJK2WHifgdS9YwAkZ7W_lBQHTrQUHGwj6-wiADcdkJHGpTTAX_V18QEJZ_t2nMLVZ36xvvtw-wd7jeib6eU/s4032/PXL_20230325_123818297.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J9f0UgGVHbNjoHdSuOlEecHDQUiU576wzZXpTuVZS756FxVGWJxAiSNciYEzJS98g3xAMWbhjmTJp0bxXGV4larHlrhs59nWEdRufmJK2WHifgdS9YwAkZ7W_lBQHTrQUHGwj6-wiADcdkJHGpTTAX_V18QEJZ_t2nMLVZ36xvvtw-wd7jeib6eU/w640-h360/PXL_20230325_123818297.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>purchasing ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">coming away with delicious rich russets, burgundys and chocolate browns to add to the growing Woodland Ripple blanket and a couple of pieces of woven fabric from the mill - I have plans!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXn0oRaZKnDm0Dp0Y_eg4xV82O8MCxcnxKT6Fr2KaSTN8jYtk18YGfiDPQZ1yTmcd5uKRCHe_TS2-F6FLz-8VbPuzO4g1lctACyATsK2O1l6OJxjI_cdJrk2h2D5el7X48-EJOXeEbHfJR1UYgM_ipflOU26_WXXTeak5XH03wS31OV5SB5F-XKbg/s4032/PXL_20230325_144324454.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXn0oRaZKnDm0Dp0Y_eg4xV82O8MCxcnxKT6Fr2KaSTN8jYtk18YGfiDPQZ1yTmcd5uKRCHe_TS2-F6FLz-8VbPuzO4g1lctACyATsK2O1l6OJxjI_cdJrk2h2D5el7X48-EJOXeEbHfJR1UYgM_ipflOU26_WXXTeak5XH03wS31OV5SB5F-XKbg/w640-h360/PXL_20230325_144324454.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Walking ...<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Somewhere new, Manor Heath Garden Park, Halifax. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Met up with Eldest and his lovely girl, had a picnic lunch and a dog walk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko2t0olt1QT6LYSjIkfvby-1bQIFgzGyPF3kYgLx5G8etHXlFEZI9iWAgal3OGksZwAgsgIdxw78CfAJVsIKfms0Ym10y3B5Ra1jIvxkLVcunjPaPyQRGLBTzK0XTgCe0iHbakY3I-_DpunhaUiK_-70akevdMJZYs4FwCG7WJAWBuegX053OfMPy/s4032/PXL_20230326_115606220.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko2t0olt1QT6LYSjIkfvby-1bQIFgzGyPF3kYgLx5G8etHXlFEZI9iWAgal3OGksZwAgsgIdxw78CfAJVsIKfms0Ym10y3B5Ra1jIvxkLVcunjPaPyQRGLBTzK0XTgCe0iHbakY3I-_DpunhaUiK_-70akevdMJZYs4FwCG7WJAWBuegX053OfMPy/w360-h640/PXL_20230326_115606220.MP.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>Baking...<div><div style="text-align: center;">Scones for Himself - with plant based milk and butter and topped with jam and coconut yoghurt - absolutely delicious. Becoming dairy intolerant post covid has been a bit of a trial but we are getting there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlgn7whJdtLfZMBfVtx05MJKSpTJHltkrOZE18yWifdvB8DAzN46g0EMpVrRu_rmncxNglSX47uKNc0YH_kLTc5KUYka9lanZfyVupT8GRr00P8Wf-2rGXCza0464HjzhJDzVM1GuFJmd-RcDPBl76Km-fJEAM1a7gbtlDPIel8C-AMD4hekxMCSm/s4032/PXL_20230326_153150126.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlgn7whJdtLfZMBfVtx05MJKSpTJHltkrOZE18yWifdvB8DAzN46g0EMpVrRu_rmncxNglSX47uKNc0YH_kLTc5KUYka9lanZfyVupT8GRr00P8Wf-2rGXCza0464HjzhJDzVM1GuFJmd-RcDPBl76Km-fJEAM1a7gbtlDPIel8C-AMD4hekxMCSm/w360-h640/PXL_20230326_153150126.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>Remembering...</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Being sent a rediscovered photograph of a much loved and much missed little feline monkey.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I still 'see' her in the garden when I am working out there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte9GkH6nEfpkJsgxw6ByiGJC52ECaA70O62hPegCRneaAuhA15gqLLwD44ih-2G16HwsZf9r5cYbmheqXTIy7fjcGOOrtYK0T4t7-CW2016a7HLZL1C-6P35evRl0uscjDg5Kw8J8MnOsiYJekqcLIXN-tiuoSby1gyEtjUO33czrJPd6Wd-DyZxn/s1509/received_2615532291930713.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1509" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte9GkH6nEfpkJsgxw6ByiGJC52ECaA70O62hPegCRneaAuhA15gqLLwD44ih-2G16HwsZf9r5cYbmheqXTIy7fjcGOOrtYK0T4t7-CW2016a7HLZL1C-6P35evRl0uscjDg5Kw8J8MnOsiYJekqcLIXN-tiuoSby1gyEtjUO33czrJPd6Wd-DyZxn/w640-h420/received_2615532291930713.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Crocheting ...</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Adding the new yarns into the mix - the Woodland Ripple is growing - slowly but surely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1DJxT2aqVG3lBsZrVkrU22t-254-hR1oGeFbPuKz42I3zU46yJXhim7thSl0NsFWDMx8VCFLqXY1eywkUWS3C6476ukX21OFiJNcIxZY5giIylcUGEDUSPO_Jvm9U8EbpPp7oVUxW1RXtSbHJhd2sl9-hntnCvlpngBZFEJcExVQtbve-V9Yp5Vp/s4032/PXL_20230326_184404534.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1DJxT2aqVG3lBsZrVkrU22t-254-hR1oGeFbPuKz42I3zU46yJXhim7thSl0NsFWDMx8VCFLqXY1eywkUWS3C6476ukX21OFiJNcIxZY5giIylcUGEDUSPO_Jvm9U8EbpPp7oVUxW1RXtSbHJhd2sl9-hntnCvlpngBZFEJcExVQtbve-V9Yp5Vp/w640-h360/PXL_20230326_184404534.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>So - that was my weekend. Hope you had a good weekend too xxx<p></p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-35913758369473742812023-03-05T06:17:00.000+00:002023-03-05T06:17:02.228+00:00Out and about<p>After an odd week at work where two of the three days in the walled garden flew by at an indecent pace and I was left reeling almost as if I'd stepped off a roller coaster by the end of the day, followed by the slowest Friday I have experienced in a very long time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEK0GJPkFFaph5PiDjtIrqMBpe8tZpq6l_Sau0omM55iUhx3l7LAMxJB_-3ttaQXoQO8legBo-xhJ9z7NTI37zuiIvfTChPmO8RtpIdHTlCV6cCX3PPN_x8THVlS6uMLuMnt9p1BAGVTSxbrCcIi9KVoy7ffmHJGMIFmGYJKsx8m74QApC18nfMKss/s4608/04.03%20(54).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEK0GJPkFFaph5PiDjtIrqMBpe8tZpq6l_Sau0omM55iUhx3l7LAMxJB_-3ttaQXoQO8legBo-xhJ9z7NTI37zuiIvfTChPmO8RtpIdHTlCV6cCX3PPN_x8THVlS6uMLuMnt9p1BAGVTSxbrCcIi9KVoy7ffmHJGMIFmGYJKsx8m74QApC18nfMKss/w640-h480/04.03%20(54).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It took an age to get to 10.30am, forever to get to 12pm. It then appeared to be 1.45pm for several hours. So to get home was an incredible relief. Sitting on the settee nursing a couple mugs of tea before I could move was the best way to recover.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIePeFA9y1so9WQUn21UwHObKKQpkN7m8FvdUNOWDgnI6qGFYOm29fXIBAT8wmZYXFVfDwMeamy4UIL9bWgimOXQ1A6fWH0ZC4RRge9tFv4DYzAqaTwIY3CtCRQYWOcj_oU7uo_gKv1f95-GJAIcM3_RDZwIwhRzkQTN8THPJadvZCxcd0UeQKTAZw/s4608/04.03%20(56).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIePeFA9y1so9WQUn21UwHObKKQpkN7m8FvdUNOWDgnI6qGFYOm29fXIBAT8wmZYXFVfDwMeamy4UIL9bWgimOXQ1A6fWH0ZC4RRge9tFv4DYzAqaTwIY3CtCRQYWOcj_oU7uo_gKv1f95-GJAIcM3_RDZwIwhRzkQTN8THPJadvZCxcd0UeQKTAZw/w480-h640/04.03%20(56).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>This weekend was set aside to celebrate Eldest's birthday (which had been earlier in the week). When the boys were little and a birthday was during the school week - they were allowed to choose a weekend to celebrate their birthday and the entire two days would be for them. We still do the whole weekend thing but on a more sedate and grown up way these days .... like visiting historic houses and doing afternoon tea.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGhqYo8XaB5kkpxY-PQC-BJyCEA5RIGltDA8dRVYh_8mt_6bHrpja8qZaJRwmq9Mpf_WISJbgYR9IFpRI_UMyhOxAnSVjW4jdOv09TBKIdNUtTJQkQFRdjJzyUuCK5pyv4pwCzS1rGjwRgWpwiiNbln4P55ctt_campSQArohp6VMS42b6EOeGWTF/s4608/04.03%20(60).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGhqYo8XaB5kkpxY-PQC-BJyCEA5RIGltDA8dRVYh_8mt_6bHrpja8qZaJRwmq9Mpf_WISJbgYR9IFpRI_UMyhOxAnSVjW4jdOv09TBKIdNUtTJQkQFRdjJzyUuCK5pyv4pwCzS1rGjwRgWpwiiNbln4P55ctt_campSQArohp6VMS42b6EOeGWTF/w640-h480/04.03%20(60).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The weather at the moment is a bit 'nothing', it is almost as if spring thought she could start to appear is now holding her breath while we all collectively wait apprehensively for the return of a vengeful winter.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKGmOiCC2wZslFGHGyTQRzgnZI3gD0JwHDOL2jtd0t0WG26dcYXjq_CbEuRela9N8ZL8fsvy3Ouc_TqE_E-pEq65wPrzApY5U_VD88KFJQaU9PU81iKoQLfCq-GMEBYMka74FrHWn9AhRPE0WvpWT0Ku-n0Z9d9v5oPXxeRwL50biEEPCWWWhVy8S/s4608/04.03%20(63).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKGmOiCC2wZslFGHGyTQRzgnZI3gD0JwHDOL2jtd0t0WG26dcYXjq_CbEuRela9N8ZL8fsvy3Ouc_TqE_E-pEq65wPrzApY5U_VD88KFJQaU9PU81iKoQLfCq-GMEBYMka74FrHWn9AhRPE0WvpWT0Ku-n0Z9d9v5oPXxeRwL50biEEPCWWWhVy8S/w480-h640/04.03%20(63).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>I wondered if buds and bulbs are not aware of the dire weather reports we have been subjected to recently and are cheerfully making an appearance. Even my garden which is a bit dull and bland this time of year has been cheerfully singing a song of snowdrops and crocus accompanied by choirs of clematis leaves and song birds.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxiD5zt304HeL3KKTnpgmWyJPsxKSG-9oivBYY6mYx2dUQqOImDgwVueGg_Fx1XRhZ18mEwBXQY9mzCCd7ea3dADwBU6W3qr9e38Md05MDgF_VwWexe6T_WWKWWYsIhU4qYFFvVU4e-CR2P4ycSE3F9qMhmLPf8CIIPaGpdabiGavBCpoQMD_TnAw/s4608/04.03%20(71).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxiD5zt304HeL3KKTnpgmWyJPsxKSG-9oivBYY6mYx2dUQqOImDgwVueGg_Fx1XRhZ18mEwBXQY9mzCCd7ea3dADwBU6W3qr9e38Md05MDgF_VwWexe6T_WWKWWYsIhU4qYFFvVU4e-CR2P4ycSE3F9qMhmLPf8CIIPaGpdabiGavBCpoQMD_TnAw/w640-h480/04.03%20(71).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It was interesting wandering around an historic home and grounds during winter - without out the exuberant garden and its abundant roses and lilies obscuring the architecture. I noticed so much more. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiBsoMAANRPvh13-qzKppDvzxa_ZVdrhNsE09e-_a-1u04Yf27ST2g-hB2anGtjY34U3CwPUewHsXOIyOTE1Jvc0tl7309mzIyoxYBlkMXiHrj8JFH06hQjmeEWl7No0E_5FYI9jvOe930TStnmSc18J3lBQ8dPqsTLzln2vTivAeiNfqwUQGuV5t/s4608/04.03%20(78).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiBsoMAANRPvh13-qzKppDvzxa_ZVdrhNsE09e-_a-1u04Yf27ST2g-hB2anGtjY34U3CwPUewHsXOIyOTE1Jvc0tl7309mzIyoxYBlkMXiHrj8JFH06hQjmeEWl7No0E_5FYI9jvOe930TStnmSc18J3lBQ8dPqsTLzln2vTivAeiNfqwUQGuV5t/w640-h480/04.03%20(78).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Despite a fair number of other visitors, there was an air of quiet on the cusp calm. The garden was definitely showing signs of bursting into song but the chill air and grey skies were reminders that winter has not gone yet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5Kfecu-p4NoIW6Kk_gVKfD1DHsjZyF98f9Obct78NPRkmf6PTQIow-lbTBwEQYV7EhY9ShSHZ0jUCRokroRVH77vatk8Ryh_W-JMf0dcD7GUugouX4bEODGtuq1iRGoAv4w6AGX7Seg3evRtFD3mu2N57MfrpqTpb1U6kP6gsI15MfKHj5e4T-_S/s4608/04.03%20(75).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5Kfecu-p4NoIW6Kk_gVKfD1DHsjZyF98f9Obct78NPRkmf6PTQIow-lbTBwEQYV7EhY9ShSHZ0jUCRokroRVH77vatk8Ryh_W-JMf0dcD7GUugouX4bEODGtuq1iRGoAv4w6AGX7Seg3evRtFD3mu2N57MfrpqTpb1U6kP6gsI15MfKHj5e4T-_S/w640-h480/04.03%20(75).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I am typing this early (and I do mean early) Sunday morning having woken up from a restless night and decided that rather than lie and listen to the house creak and the cat snore, I'd come downstairs and quietly enjoy a mug of tea and a quiet moment. It is (and I say this in a whisper) pretending to become light. I might slip back into bed once I've finished meandering around the keyboard.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW-cufGkZMIYfyT5tfhM6SERnEM6gwegZ0JNAHcCX4k36FXGeRqkvzKrTdx3DLTsxZ5cWeV_H4PYZIvkRKp0ML6JV1zLsv52v1sSFAy4bBmNXGWCxVPKDPfRGVyR4MAT2j_BNnzzT2An1XPWTY4Q7RWAPWj3YFePxo17351lXS3OFkt9akJ9hGj6S/s4608/04.03%20(51).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW-cufGkZMIYfyT5tfhM6SERnEM6gwegZ0JNAHcCX4k36FXGeRqkvzKrTdx3DLTsxZ5cWeV_H4PYZIvkRKp0ML6JV1zLsv52v1sSFAy4bBmNXGWCxVPKDPfRGVyR4MAT2j_BNnzzT2An1XPWTY4Q7RWAPWj3YFePxo17351lXS3OFkt9akJ9hGj6S/w640-h480/04.03%20(51).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The old house has had a checkered past, but then - most of them do. <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/east-riddlesden-hall" target="_blank">East Riddlesden Hall</a> is an oasis of historic charm surrounded by industrial and modern life. I was surprised how much it is looked over by neighbouring suburbia. We've not visited in winter before and the bare trees showed starkly how exposed the house and gardens are when not sheltered by thick green foliage. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIohi0lmBoLsvNFqSI9WSTy7fgMjkef6VJjC-ScjfpvQBzgMJRHuk4Cf91YMqCIEa2WBbAa0n5ZFGpbPxeVZp6EzBZ_FJjl8UaCqDxt42ZL1-8lIxk6C7OiOXC3fM83ClLGiOHU7yLN8bGNucu5aTnFEEiU8vTtZXZRcFyjPz7VZXiMdDI1SVpcg_/s4608/04.03%20(50).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIohi0lmBoLsvNFqSI9WSTy7fgMjkef6VJjC-ScjfpvQBzgMJRHuk4Cf91YMqCIEa2WBbAa0n5ZFGpbPxeVZp6EzBZ_FJjl8UaCqDxt42ZL1-8lIxk6C7OiOXC3fM83ClLGiOHU7yLN8bGNucu5aTnFEEiU8vTtZXZRcFyjPz7VZXiMdDI1SVpcg_/w640-h480/04.03%20(50).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Today - Sunday - Moss is hoping she'll get a dog walk and I suspect she will have her wish come true. I think flasks and boots (and a camera) may be involved. She'd like that.... the walk part, she's not bothered that much about boots and cameras!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ27TUNbqPF3cbv_Vog0dcBz5ga2NSZ06LPesYNon9Yq6NcUOYwkvQEhWPLUiBY-__5ViqbeqjIcmG1cNuoJ8l3xsEw1zP-E61X9hk8k44zpIxfKIPb4-I59HgCm_NXRlsyre9LMCTOvR5yk-Ac6h0LXPbkHl_9Vg6BiO_DlXY0G9OmVRC8_PLdMEo/s4608/04.03%20(48).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ27TUNbqPF3cbv_Vog0dcBz5ga2NSZ06LPesYNon9Yq6NcUOYwkvQEhWPLUiBY-__5ViqbeqjIcmG1cNuoJ8l3xsEw1zP-E61X9hk8k44zpIxfKIPb4-I59HgCm_NXRlsyre9LMCTOvR5yk-Ac6h0LXPbkHl_9Vg6BiO_DlXY0G9OmVRC8_PLdMEo/w640-h480/04.03%20(48).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AMZnt9u8Xx8agZqG9sF-hZeRxAe_uJXLME_7P6iRrbK8XcRyjG4IzwxVS_3cEhNUNNpNsxvYU2ydnzC5HgvB4174Y8pg17BbaqihP8WVOrpPKEK1EawaodvuKuJrHbjJZkR4wgda7FMXMfvV8I8zYFv5lnbW1B7Vbipp9fdJGMW78wOtDltgwJiq/s4608/04.03%20(43).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AMZnt9u8Xx8agZqG9sF-hZeRxAe_uJXLME_7P6iRrbK8XcRyjG4IzwxVS_3cEhNUNNpNsxvYU2ydnzC5HgvB4174Y8pg17BbaqihP8WVOrpPKEK1EawaodvuKuJrHbjJZkR4wgda7FMXMfvV8I8zYFv5lnbW1B7Vbipp9fdJGMW78wOtDltgwJiq/w640-h480/04.03%20(43).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The crochet blanket is growing slowly and the gentle rhythm of the hook and chains is rather soothing in the evenings. I find with blanket making that it seems to start quickly, rows appear and like magic the yarn starts to look like a scarf for a giraffe, but then as it becomes shawl-sized, it slows down and it is only when it is almost big enough for a bed that it seems to have a growth spurt. This one appears to be doing the same....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtnVDePuk_9eRrIGNnSUMV2hiRfQV_185kXiwrX4RXYXrOI49zBnyK1iFo1dj208sujLQYAHV5YcFPseeuVQJaMRcL_fl7waqdruA7hoO-dW6qFXe4R8ZkQWLUawU7hQhqUFPrlU3I5W4w3Y7AsCFvqk4wpu-dr4euWcy1pgKxlOseujV_oZgfUD7/s4032/PXL_20230227_153501693.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtnVDePuk_9eRrIGNnSUMV2hiRfQV_185kXiwrX4RXYXrOI49zBnyK1iFo1dj208sujLQYAHV5YcFPseeuVQJaMRcL_fl7waqdruA7hoO-dW6qFXe4R8ZkQWLUawU7hQhqUFPrlU3I5W4w3Y7AsCFvqk4wpu-dr4euWcy1pgKxlOseujV_oZgfUD7/w640-h360/PXL_20230227_153501693.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Hope, whatever you are doing for the rest of your weekend makes you smile - xxxxxx</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-81861963902760563582023-03-02T17:08:00.000+00:002023-03-02T17:08:04.044+00:00Happy<p> March 1st is (meteorologically speaking) the first day of spring and, I must admit, as I shuffled about early doors this morning to let the dog out, despite the chill in the air, I think I could smell spring. Please let the next dose of winter be a brief one....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk52_p3fOe-fyk5XhdJIXd8ceiwPWyJ-ASswAMWYLht0WsdDlsI9r-Pv8SNJPjMatWV00POxqRUtNLyduWCMuWUelFOT9qSl7qgfICBE44SRrdIGNuYrCD7IvyemiU-3_hqtbFHuRjorbSA5PRHb7nn1ucC1j5HlB4goUd1PqZ06Tsd8vDNnivU4B/s4424/02.03%20(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4424" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk52_p3fOe-fyk5XhdJIXd8ceiwPWyJ-ASswAMWYLht0WsdDlsI9r-Pv8SNJPjMatWV00POxqRUtNLyduWCMuWUelFOT9qSl7qgfICBE44SRrdIGNuYrCD7IvyemiU-3_hqtbFHuRjorbSA5PRHb7nn1ucC1j5HlB4goUd1PqZ06Tsd8vDNnivU4B/w640-h444/02.03%20(29).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Walking this afternoon was gentle and a repeat of one we have done over the years - 'the dog loop'. In my last post I'd mentioned that although we'd enjoyed some cracking walks, I felt that it would just be a 'rinse and repeat' story and would be boring. But then I read somewhere that not every walk has to be an adventure or have jeopardy or lashings of humour to make it worth sharing. Sometimes the benign repetition of the act of walking in itself brings a gentle satisfaction and makes me notice the 'less noticed'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKe2VhPNKn-H_8phUGBPHmJa-Tiu9h9H8AxFemxpWbxhZlj9A3z4fGksRxFqiKsDfjRBIcXqvjl1d9YQzwAV3oH-RjtsGILsLXywdaU-ZrSpCeLlfyu65ydjk3cysVjaFVnD2LzzzaDZwz6d99YeURX-7Qbjlxu5_w8YsLbvkFDajzaRgMUZOFDtl/s4608/02.03%20(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKe2VhPNKn-H_8phUGBPHmJa-Tiu9h9H8AxFemxpWbxhZlj9A3z4fGksRxFqiKsDfjRBIcXqvjl1d9YQzwAV3oH-RjtsGILsLXywdaU-ZrSpCeLlfyu65ydjk3cysVjaFVnD2LzzzaDZwz6d99YeURX-7Qbjlxu5_w8YsLbvkFDajzaRgMUZOFDtl/w640-h480/02.03%20(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This 'dog loop' has three versions, the concise gallop that fills the brief and fits in with the weather, then the slightly longer one, which involves stiles and gates and fields with space to run and chase (<i>if you are a dog</i>) and views to drink in. Finally the longer version which mean an afternoon has to be set aside and a tea filled flask taken along (with the obligatory accompanying biscuits of course).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvnekmfipYtG4xR4BeCvXxHPmpVkJajDuBNTGOnxdsLZBOdlIDjSRcBuYaLyARFV_fG8K9l4ZxBpiy0qL2pcsk6UUn0bYZMsT7IpKmad3Bq86l7-ynwuesXKJKF3T-gIIvn3jArJLpjqY3GbpE8MbrrCm2TVHOWHpxSwbqz1WbyswUZNtKFMtcF_g/s4608/02.03%20(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvnekmfipYtG4xR4BeCvXxHPmpVkJajDuBNTGOnxdsLZBOdlIDjSRcBuYaLyARFV_fG8K9l4ZxBpiy0qL2pcsk6UUn0bYZMsT7IpKmad3Bq86l7-ynwuesXKJKF3T-gIIvn3jArJLpjqY3GbpE8MbrrCm2TVHOWHpxSwbqz1WbyswUZNtKFMtcF_g/w640-h480/02.03%20(10).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Years of walking these 'loops' had made them 'invisible' and the sometimes felt almost like a chore. We dragged small boys, then slightly taller boys then all grown up with girlfriends boys along these paths. With repetition came boredom. So our walks took on new distant routes - further away and 'more exciting'.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWst9R_8UaKwkmK9FIGby_gQIW5S5Zmp9ukusonBTqb9Uu8ysPqalJRCMa4DJQmA1D7ZHq6bF0ihWKbk--muswjhYlvUE9diHxjV77cEXq7wVMeCZlHZNi2jn6uDwPaW2Xqm_1a_5jzAG_y0P156dHuvsLkbeu_ruHcIDxbvUc5kjTInbXCPWsSox/s4608/02.03%20(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWst9R_8UaKwkmK9FIGby_gQIW5S5Zmp9ukusonBTqb9Uu8ysPqalJRCMa4DJQmA1D7ZHq6bF0ihWKbk--muswjhYlvUE9diHxjV77cEXq7wVMeCZlHZNi2jn6uDwPaW2Xqm_1a_5jzAG_y0P156dHuvsLkbeu_ruHcIDxbvUc5kjTInbXCPWsSox/w640-h480/02.03%20(13).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Then covid happened and the '<i>exercise from home for no more than one hour and keep away from everyone</i>' rule. These once little local routes became oh so precious and we walked them as often as we could. We re-learnt their quirks and fell in love with them again...and again...and again. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93AMYRR5ImZbwagJ4lO0_mYNt7uc0eeiYq08fG4CSeF-Ou_7gjRdJtX4YneVr3RTnlPTiyw4KRWyENOGHQvRUddvHEr4fVz-qcPNqORFVRXPM27TxZvgiIoP1Ubm-sQOejOICLKUogjTbk78vosIY5gbr5ax5YZUK-tEM7j4uwBFe9m32xihiqD8Q/s4608/02.03%20(21).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93AMYRR5ImZbwagJ4lO0_mYNt7uc0eeiYq08fG4CSeF-Ou_7gjRdJtX4YneVr3RTnlPTiyw4KRWyENOGHQvRUddvHEr4fVz-qcPNqORFVRXPM27TxZvgiIoP1Ubm-sQOejOICLKUogjTbk78vosIY5gbr5ax5YZUK-tEM7j4uwBFe9m32xihiqD8Q/w640-h480/02.03%20(21).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Moss - along with probably half the village dogs and others who'd travelled (although not supposed to) re-found new places to sniff and scent and pass on 'peemails' to each other. Suddenly the stone walls had shapes and colours we'd previously just walked passed and just not noticed. Trees were appreciated, hedges and hedgerow flowers discussed, the sky and clouds admired. Our relief at being outside felt priceless.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy3UZ3ZZ8_BzgtW9M7E06ZnUiXu-s-AAfv29w9bLg0-om9ZOOj4SXrGh8ZuFt94kRp0x244btdeVGMBzG5uWn0xM5OHklxRMQv0MTIAg62lr6iTdT2iS1YoioENnoRdwTuTZC506M59jskhOl8OUMT2QB41nzF9KPxEBr87Tn7cPlX4R_o8zMJdXk/s4608/02.03%20(27).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy3UZ3ZZ8_BzgtW9M7E06ZnUiXu-s-AAfv29w9bLg0-om9ZOOj4SXrGh8ZuFt94kRp0x244btdeVGMBzG5uWn0xM5OHklxRMQv0MTIAg62lr6iTdT2iS1YoioENnoRdwTuTZC506M59jskhOl8OUMT2QB41nzF9KPxEBr87Tn7cPlX4R_o8zMJdXk/w640-h480/02.03%20(27).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Any hoo, walking the route this afternoon reminded me of how lucky we were/are that we can '<i>fall out of our backdoor</i>' and be on a footpath in less that five minutes and in the landscape with a few steps more. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR5bhFdIFziKKlAxf6Zjs1YJjBqK3GjekfYQmq5YYAth8AKTOc5svgyBI5aX2aPGpzE_bXOK9SOhZR6Hp5ltWtry4M7eGz8mIPuQU028B55W3OmmLbhxlOB-tyl7lkEJyznHyLgw97ni5iBPB2buOX29MnESWA9wsJmWggg0ScKn3g1wH9PQbxRXf/s836/02.03%20(31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR5bhFdIFziKKlAxf6Zjs1YJjBqK3GjekfYQmq5YYAth8AKTOc5svgyBI5aX2aPGpzE_bXOK9SOhZR6Hp5ltWtry4M7eGz8mIPuQU028B55W3OmmLbhxlOB-tyl7lkEJyznHyLgw97ni5iBPB2buOX29MnESWA9wsJmWggg0ScKn3g1wH9PQbxRXf/w360-h640/02.03%20(31).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div>And it made me happy. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, no - nothing dramatic happened, no funny stories, no being chased by cows or menaced by horses. No tea break, no biscuits and no rain.... just simple one foot in front of the other, chilly air and warm hats, a dilly dog and good company - what more could I ask for?<br /><p><br /></p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-7772620133415946452023-02-28T12:31:00.001+00:002023-02-28T12:31:49.419+00:00a bit of this, a bit of that and a whole lot of nothing...<p>That moment when you inhale the fresh air and you can feel it rush down into your lungs with a sharp tang. Enough to make your eyes water and your tail wag.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That sentence I wrote nearly ten days ago, I got that far, added a pile of images and then stopped. The story didn't flow and the fingers didn't know what to say, so I shelved it. Life has carried on, both mundane and mad.... so nothing out of the ordinary, I just lacked the 'omph' to write. So, today, on a rather chilly grey Tuesday with a half drunk mug of tepid tea, I shall endeavour to type a little more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HF2dA0ciD5hon2g1KiO1RKtPAAQfS0bG6RBCzuYyplpTIM5SGSGPU6wIHXxqwM0a11m-7DS9fPETWCE_uCZmvkSgaXSIx5UKJu5Jfq6GjF7vbq2GARNle9uptnv4iXn3ELlfO1hEl5Oar6DLMKA-4qzIqw3DRugRbSfEO_fEtBaoWnQs1PrZR-49/s836/27.02%20(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HF2dA0ciD5hon2g1KiO1RKtPAAQfS0bG6RBCzuYyplpTIM5SGSGPU6wIHXxqwM0a11m-7DS9fPETWCE_uCZmvkSgaXSIx5UKJu5Jfq6GjF7vbq2GARNle9uptnv4iXn3ELlfO1hEl5Oar6DLMKA-4qzIqw3DRugRbSfEO_fEtBaoWnQs1PrZR-49/w360-h640/27.02%20(15).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are, I am relieved to see, signs of spring both at work and in my garden at home. Winter - apart from a couple of particularly Baltic weeks, was more blah that artic although there is talk of a <a href="https://www.netweather.tv/weather-forecasts/news/11840-latest-on-the-sudden-stratospheric-warming-and-whether-it-will-bring-a-cold-and-wintry-start-to-march" target="_blank">sudden stratospheric warming </a>event making it almost inevitable that winter will return with a vengeance!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KV-99hppJe6U7pLVXKp0GbECpCWyUimR-RpdLuJ5y5502FgSxKYgAnb26KPW80e1yI2KLf0Nj4_fJiS__5eEHBOwLURqaaf6qVOHlX-Uaj9lhO4iXxhH29xQ6jl5mPpzJ9P6jki6g2jCaw0Dnm-U91MBH5x8c4hYUM0GZkLmo_IanBV1oUiH8OdV/s542/27.02%20(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KV-99hppJe6U7pLVXKp0GbECpCWyUimR-RpdLuJ5y5502FgSxKYgAnb26KPW80e1yI2KLf0Nj4_fJiS__5eEHBOwLURqaaf6qVOHlX-Uaj9lhO4iXxhH29xQ6jl5mPpzJ9P6jki6g2jCaw0Dnm-U91MBH5x8c4hYUM0GZkLmo_IanBV1oUiH8OdV/w554-h640/27.02%20(18).jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not generally know for my status as a 'Domestic Goddess' ποΈποΈ.... I have been both crocheting and baking with reasonable success.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://createbakemake.com/honey-biscuits-recipe-just-5-ingredients/" target="_blank">Honey Biscuits</a> - these have gone down an absolute storm with the family, if you like honey, these are definitely worth a try. I haven't managed to take a photo of the ones I have baked, but Youngest's lovely girl has made them and sent this image of a successful trayful of yummy goodness!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxZfaZrnIH4W6S3QAvxp8SEhTzspnaksphSWEqbZv6utC4QeiuBxE8Lzy82PzeS4QY5fW1fBk782-FJZfUNyHvUtw_ryCN0Q_rCof2Y7W9Us2CT7DWUB-T2z5piGyaPa1Gi45A4yjUqa_M-Hqrfl7n7RYMMSxrUQLplmZUp0MyPiZLcWs810If4vr/s1920/331540270_6053631158028274_5896718765800028389_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1920" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxZfaZrnIH4W6S3QAvxp8SEhTzspnaksphSWEqbZv6utC4QeiuBxE8Lzy82PzeS4QY5fW1fBk782-FJZfUNyHvUtw_ryCN0Q_rCof2Y7W9Us2CT7DWUB-T2z5piGyaPa1Gi45A4yjUqa_M-Hqrfl7n7RYMMSxrUQLplmZUp0MyPiZLcWs810If4vr/w640-h324/331540270_6053631158028274_5896718765800028389_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The crochet blanket - using the <a href="https://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/woodland-ripple.html" target="_blank">Woodland Ripple pattern by Attic24</a> in autumnal (woodlandy) shades is gently growing. It is my <i>go-to-keep-my-hands-busy</i> thing in the evenings but after some days at work, all I do is slump with glazed over eyes on the settee!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EevSHRvNohwHFlvOoBLwQnfMWpIq2Hct5G4n2abZiDA081ymKrYCNw4qDNOU42SbmLYH9TeWJL7WANP5i_-kAq3RzjEpqk8eANmg9sL7Icxu5b2w8PmoNywjJvGSgdp99Dz7LdlW2n8n8jkpVibW81mEUOcht4-bxqgIcezY5e5398HBCcsY3w5T/s1448/26.02%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1448" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EevSHRvNohwHFlvOoBLwQnfMWpIq2Hct5G4n2abZiDA081ymKrYCNw4qDNOU42SbmLYH9TeWJL7WANP5i_-kAq3RzjEpqk8eANmg9sL7Icxu5b2w8PmoNywjJvGSgdp99Dz7LdlW2n8n8jkpVibW81mEUOcht4-bxqgIcezY5e5398HBCcsY3w5T/w640-h360/26.02%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Funnily enough, I actually do like sewing in the ends. To me that signals a successful completion to the creation of the blanket.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTFvf1vA7zSeI4upFrow5YUMzADDrDnhvW-z6YLwdomcdLPxDz7ocFM3BMpRUO00X5JZxVejgDv724RduyOpqzixbubJHZfu7O_9y4bll2hAwJTdCx6AT8l3KOqoaDoRLSz6dFm61yowQPUgf-N6berA0KF2GUOhfQ5Xok74KynGNyu2aUjLUtDbw/s957/24.02%20(56).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="957" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTFvf1vA7zSeI4upFrow5YUMzADDrDnhvW-z6YLwdomcdLPxDz7ocFM3BMpRUO00X5JZxVejgDv724RduyOpqzixbubJHZfu7O_9y4bll2hAwJTdCx6AT8l3KOqoaDoRLSz6dFm61yowQPUgf-N6berA0KF2GUOhfQ5Xok74KynGNyu2aUjLUtDbw/w640-h360/24.02%20(56).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>We've done some cracking good walks recently but I don't want to overwhelm you with one walk story after another. You'll just have to take my word for it and see that Moss's face says it allπ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk-eJgoaCnlkmrtbPcmhWkWztko5anS1hobQHlkvm-Kzf_iHbdBiLmV9YG4nh1bcUZpXcsQrvtXS5e_bl7zjj39P25U9YRsAgJ30IaaRjwKQkrlJ0acyUoUoYfz9gBmIXANWw3upfEyDI3yhm0V4YIZwrY5WGUcfdWAsCZ6fsvxnkx4SEIhQPq3vX/s4608/19.02%20(38).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk-eJgoaCnlkmrtbPcmhWkWztko5anS1hobQHlkvm-Kzf_iHbdBiLmV9YG4nh1bcUZpXcsQrvtXS5e_bl7zjj39P25U9YRsAgJ30IaaRjwKQkrlJ0acyUoUoYfz9gBmIXANWw3upfEyDI3yhm0V4YIZwrY5WGUcfdWAsCZ6fsvxnkx4SEIhQPq3vX/w640-h480/19.02%20(38).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPq3_ODXitq3K-qgoYPI_RD0nY8lFT88UulyNe5vSv_jxNhwo4i-jzCiJORiJFN3XgsswkQOiGUDcv9UnFDE3EnIl9HRmw2z6OVBdt940oYe9RjG6H-dqKwy9Xe8-JsHvTaXEZA78KtFI5WXAdA40xFFr7Dorc1yYHVx7dy8A0irCtjHQiKMnPvIe/s4608/24.02%20(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPq3_ODXitq3K-qgoYPI_RD0nY8lFT88UulyNe5vSv_jxNhwo4i-jzCiJORiJFN3XgsswkQOiGUDcv9UnFDE3EnIl9HRmw2z6OVBdt940oYe9RjG6H-dqKwy9Xe8-JsHvTaXEZA78KtFI5WXAdA40xFFr7Dorc1yYHVx7dy8A0irCtjHQiKMnPvIe/w640-h480/24.02%20(17).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div>Hope the rest of your week is gentle and kind and brings a smile to your face and a wag to your tail xxxxxxx<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-21570266586868276492023-02-15T21:24:00.001+00:002023-02-16T03:56:35.916+00:00Midweek walking<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a lot to be said for midweek walking. While the year is too early in the growing season to start up my round of private gardens, I have the delicious (if poorly paid!) delight of two days a week spending time with these two....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflNynI_R_imiimoZrq6-DJw-JHQMLAKY_5WXn81ZIvVnYwa9NO_W4dnxdf8iVuz-B7xglsuVGpjrBeFm1PhIgSN3ZxpSq10ps6LjrncaUdshgskpajDwR5sAQjEzZOUWRicnok3w9KGpEFdSMKe3CBLtE0PhXeJpLZWBaLSgRijq1R84k-9tEiUJ8/s4608/14.02%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflNynI_R_imiimoZrq6-DJw-JHQMLAKY_5WXn81ZIvVnYwa9NO_W4dnxdf8iVuz-B7xglsuVGpjrBeFm1PhIgSN3ZxpSq10ps6LjrncaUdshgskpajDwR5sAQjEzZOUWRicnok3w9KGpEFdSMKe3CBLtE0PhXeJpLZWBaLSgRijq1R84k-9tEiUJ8/w640-h480/14.02%20(4).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The bog trotter who delights in finding <i>every.single.muddy.path.or.pool.or.trench</i> and then sampling the contents by jumping in..... Happy little dog......π<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDPQBQS27zDxfX4GOEEFzjdp15l26Lcn-PplBfnLdkcFmJgGlHs_FH7WRGIKot4fBmPsKOj29bEtC0DQKyCAryDZR_CkhHN2icGTvMFjtZXA6z8yJSR-HnBd1-ZKj-8dotmX8I2XLNpVopkgUs9EE90EaVTzOxyIqnwq7yScidkFHYPvh-_jYGPTe/s4608/14.02%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDPQBQS27zDxfX4GOEEFzjdp15l26Lcn-PplBfnLdkcFmJgGlHs_FH7WRGIKot4fBmPsKOj29bEtC0DQKyCAryDZR_CkhHN2icGTvMFjtZXA6z8yJSR-HnBd1-ZKj-8dotmX8I2XLNpVopkgUs9EE90EaVTzOxyIqnwq7yScidkFHYPvh-_jYGPTe/w640-h480/14.02%20(8).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>And the husband. <div>He and the dog outwalk me every time, but years ago I learnt to slow down and walk at a pace which was good for me. Himself calls it 'cat-walking' when I stop and stare, take photos, breathe the air and just be - me.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ2XN-c_ulBYb1LfVq8dA9UvNK6eiHEDDK-nzF7sYQje22bPz_9t9sCQ1xdsjByspP2UTDg78IBAjPPdo2IuOV3vMCU8NrxNJOnwtczKijOLUyujrxeh9D3f4BqklO_Z0U_AfeEM10moFYZ13Fqf9SyjNi1ujQeXAAobIbJom1IZZRjVQaEaltt3I/s4608/14.02%20(10).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ2XN-c_ulBYb1LfVq8dA9UvNK6eiHEDDK-nzF7sYQje22bPz_9t9sCQ1xdsjByspP2UTDg78IBAjPPdo2IuOV3vMCU8NrxNJOnwtczKijOLUyujrxeh9D3f4BqklO_Z0U_AfeEM10moFYZ13Fqf9SyjNi1ujQeXAAobIbJom1IZZRjVQaEaltt3I/w640-h480/14.02%20(10).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This particular walk took us up and over Hare Lane (although not a single hare was spotted - the air was a bit too raw and I suspect all the hares were hunkering down out of the breeze) then down into the neighbouring village where we sat and nibbled on super rich and super sweet valentine's day fudge. Both of us wishing we'd brought a flask of tea to dilute the fudge but still savouring the wicked sweetness of the chunks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYO96uOccTRKmlCVDkqRH5bQT-Sl35Ziur4OJuK7VIu2NZ6m_aYsDbT0dCazEYUosj0kjj1CmRO0cDgvZEDYyB26nJgOpRfFFoQ63V92MnQM11IlVYj0O4_ECJXkGVOxzDC7PueMyZx4scsUA7oB4OyHw9u2v7w4xgHZpUvoaGLNbGYBA9Wqv-Hi1/s1443/14.02.23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1443" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYO96uOccTRKmlCVDkqRH5bQT-Sl35Ziur4OJuK7VIu2NZ6m_aYsDbT0dCazEYUosj0kjj1CmRO0cDgvZEDYyB26nJgOpRfFFoQ63V92MnQM11IlVYj0O4_ECJXkGVOxzDC7PueMyZx4scsUA7oB4OyHw9u2v7w4xgHZpUvoaGLNbGYBA9Wqv-Hi1/w640-h360/14.02.23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then after nearly three hours of walking while being blustered about by the wind, we returned home. The kettle went on (we were still in need for that mug of tea) and we sat, feeling battered by the weather, quietly recovering.<div><br /></div><div>Thank you for your lovely comments on my last post - they do mean a lot! And, my parting shot for this post is a photo of the info board I put out at work when the gate is open to invite folk in to visit the garden .... we are definitely in a <i>Fool's Spring</i> - I'm just waiting for the<i> Second Winter</i> to land with a mighty bang!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_9lsaTi2BL5COQqSXzRXA4Ka-VecidqvlFOEK9LBFwBasfueaMRNJXk7ZZbQGEgBZEfu7LN71ie5mgQRkK4vHiDSEdruIegt-IRAUc8QzPxaAehe7pEmPMTvjujQAZ5fl6LKs4DTuHueLK0VNR20k-kkiO77WpSosT7XzJjfwaY6v1_P1PofknPL/s839/13.02%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_9lsaTi2BL5COQqSXzRXA4Ka-VecidqvlFOEK9LBFwBasfueaMRNJXk7ZZbQGEgBZEfu7LN71ie5mgQRkK4vHiDSEdruIegt-IRAUc8QzPxaAehe7pEmPMTvjujQAZ5fl6LKs4DTuHueLK0VNR20k-kkiO77WpSosT7XzJjfwaY6v1_P1PofknPL/w360-h640/13.02%20(1).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-9425324715534242362023-02-12T22:09:00.000+00:002023-02-12T22:09:31.101+00:00Recipe for Saturday<p style="text-align: center;"> Ingredients:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Take a day with a welcome addition of gentle of sunlight</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpbQTWaAA56Ac2ibKUwGWmHGKJ5TGKz0laNBY7xwQLAALXmFWUJ5v5JxbcUIvcNZosHUwnhX5KkD6xJCtaoh_a92xyhm9XlBqkjJ3FbJuzzeg3cSwraQhVq6Zw3XNq8EGgJcowhb464Aqd7CpX4ykkMBNj2WfLjQWuDTnvsHFpVe6IizbAaV_Lesw/s4608/11.02%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpbQTWaAA56Ac2ibKUwGWmHGKJ5TGKz0laNBY7xwQLAALXmFWUJ5v5JxbcUIvcNZosHUwnhX5KkD6xJCtaoh_a92xyhm9XlBqkjJ3FbJuzzeg3cSwraQhVq6Zw3XNq8EGgJcowhb464Aqd7CpX4ykkMBNj2WfLjQWuDTnvsHFpVe6IizbAaV_Lesw/w640-h480/11.02%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One over enthusiastic mud attracting dog</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUBsAB7ZmG2YACJrGbhVBPW4-LbMVz2-VyMLG6lJ7rcHUEnsu3QdGc3w0uCOsUgFkmd75fSzaHvbxSFewYrVzLVw4Ex_C1jFaZ9wz5KJ5GaXoj1P3IyggTX102ps8mbzIv0w4xMXd6RGU1-tXLvWC1WAQGIFCL_rMVye9wLY5Ibxu44yjfHEuLff2/s4608/11.02%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUBsAB7ZmG2YACJrGbhVBPW4-LbMVz2-VyMLG6lJ7rcHUEnsu3QdGc3w0uCOsUgFkmd75fSzaHvbxSFewYrVzLVw4Ex_C1jFaZ9wz5KJ5GaXoj1P3IyggTX102ps8mbzIv0w4xMXd6RGU1-tXLvWC1WAQGIFCL_rMVye9wLY5Ibxu44yjfHEuLff2/w640-h480/11.02%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One patient husband who will carry said tired dog up an almost vertical stile, </div><div style="text-align: center;">then back down the other side </div><div style="text-align: center;">so she does not have to jump down to the very much lower field </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjuItmq70I8rs3Qg4eNqoL5pybRBdqkSJGv-UmTMjI4ySh3PEIQULWfsCH10Z7RE5w3xJAYiZdqEYI0Fcj2pE83vR-Nvn8UYGakCPrP4NbBsYWHaK_dfKDPwaxK5JJKR0VQp2mtwfSpbRXv353NVPhftd4Yv0eQ-1W5RKjwKctHM2VoiGLWh1awFg/s4608/11.02%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjuItmq70I8rs3Qg4eNqoL5pybRBdqkSJGv-UmTMjI4ySh3PEIQULWfsCH10Z7RE5w3xJAYiZdqEYI0Fcj2pE83vR-Nvn8UYGakCPrP4NbBsYWHaK_dfKDPwaxK5JJKR0VQp2mtwfSpbRXv353NVPhftd4Yv0eQ-1W5RKjwKctHM2VoiGLWh1awFg/w480-h640/11.02%20(4).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Add generous piles of crunchy leaves strewn through the woodlands</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv_DSE9Jj6444Lb_hNcZdfuRcLuCOiEWgZWOeN_2GOCHqEWEWHAIupafA8ChsrFhXN6OrrD8zhcL-DGpTti0bUDLkRTdRhAxK8MOZHMGCcj5SJGd4I5gtxVM8O4MdCxoPiaEYQM58BaEZvu8gLiaE3qQtN0ljGYkjeL21a1Qlxothm00pk3cx52GD/s4608/11.02%20(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv_DSE9Jj6444Lb_hNcZdfuRcLuCOiEWgZWOeN_2GOCHqEWEWHAIupafA8ChsrFhXN6OrrD8zhcL-DGpTti0bUDLkRTdRhAxK8MOZHMGCcj5SJGd4I5gtxVM8O4MdCxoPiaEYQM58BaEZvu8gLiaE3qQtN0ljGYkjeL21a1Qlxothm00pk3cx52GD/w640-h480/11.02%20(11).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Top up with generous amounts of water - almost any variety will do</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDpzRZOTcqnjtCnukQzJvUEjiw-QbwIrbcQc1tHEIa8zeDdxKIImq1JUYENzgQX8WPpZiB7OnOcrDiq8GYXnUknaoiw_QDAy4UVtVes0nbdbk3wB0WU87WJPr2eEDQgVcw3bxz-wVu9wfTFOD0cd0kMpZY27ugf_kHy_v79NLZOMy4rGX4OlDSKQb/s4608/11.02%20(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDpzRZOTcqnjtCnukQzJvUEjiw-QbwIrbcQc1tHEIa8zeDdxKIImq1JUYENzgQX8WPpZiB7OnOcrDiq8GYXnUknaoiw_QDAy4UVtVes0nbdbk3wB0WU87WJPr2eEDQgVcw3bxz-wVu9wfTFOD0cd0kMpZY27ugf_kHy_v79NLZOMy4rGX4OlDSKQb/w640-h480/11.02%20(17).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Randomly insert drovers tracks, farm lanes, bridle paths and byways</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVgOrOVIEnoDomX-vLqf8RKmHcE0wR6YGahrRfGGYjwNi-_QBC0F2ZjoQTrpRqUFGKoAjtZCn4rzwq_Hok7BCp82K92dqQB1xVoLlN5j41unrmyRJ5iyQszSywp3tSHE9_zTtOVesnkO2PRk8TOkPJ54CoOPemyGhqLRfrCkvl0Uu4ePKIx9rFHj8/s4608/11.02%20(23).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVgOrOVIEnoDomX-vLqf8RKmHcE0wR6YGahrRfGGYjwNi-_QBC0F2ZjoQTrpRqUFGKoAjtZCn4rzwq_Hok7BCp82K92dqQB1xVoLlN5j41unrmyRJ5iyQszSywp3tSHE9_zTtOVesnkO2PRk8TOkPJ54CoOPemyGhqLRfrCkvl0Uu4ePKIx9rFHj8/w640-h480/11.02%20(23).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spice up with a flask of steaming hot curried lentil soup and hunks of bread</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DvrXSSvkoDBMrLn21ztv_CcO0o5nHCxo04MKPQ-Lj4_M_HOf0drGDWgo78172dGkyhD7zyffTE3ga_tZVJcsKG-57Hm-8QAiDOYFtJ69hahMpCjPGnhCpQyYMZcsSWzCEPabqlp8xWrQ6HA1BX3e10mpNTO0sok9nn6YoEjPEo2GdKhesNiRiyGu/s4608/11.02%20(24).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DvrXSSvkoDBMrLn21ztv_CcO0o5nHCxo04MKPQ-Lj4_M_HOf0drGDWgo78172dGkyhD7zyffTE3ga_tZVJcsKG-57Hm-8QAiDOYFtJ69hahMpCjPGnhCpQyYMZcsSWzCEPabqlp8xWrQ6HA1BX3e10mpNTO0sok9nn6YoEjPEo2GdKhesNiRiyGu/w480-h640/11.02%20(24).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweeten with a surprise clump of delicate snowdrops in the middle of the moors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqofkJyZolk2PjwGKxjhhtmDAQyqBPzNhEaFoWF4XWWZHP6RNbebNx_h_yRYe3Hu2D0D0JW4aI6mGq8HkW2F01ZscQGkIXwG64UlZ2rkXPI3wn6CjOs0mTNQrDpFawrCNHAMXotNvw9E94GO43seWANGhnirSRXFWdtnwEqtecZghE-KG-j4J9aCvV/s4608/11.02%20(25).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqofkJyZolk2PjwGKxjhhtmDAQyqBPzNhEaFoWF4XWWZHP6RNbebNx_h_yRYe3Hu2D0D0JW4aI6mGq8HkW2F01ZscQGkIXwG64UlZ2rkXPI3wn6CjOs0mTNQrDpFawrCNHAMXotNvw9E94GO43seWANGhnirSRXFWdtnwEqtecZghE-KG-j4J9aCvV/w640-h480/11.02%20(25).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix well and serve with copious amounts of chilly air, </div><div style="text-align: center;">long distanced views and empty horizons - simmer for nearly 7 miles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZIVAiO1fT7ELo08gDQbTvDihw5LBhfaKSg7KMRJ7zHBtFW0AVK4KINL6niRnwyWyNHiHXcTehUU6q4hhM_dsps12ZYHUJecHobQYmyo9kVhfL10VGvRExPBQshAbqVIzTP9iBM9hbZY5sMxoJoP5K0sV9R13MZAn0gWvMEz_BHgIFA_9bbI0grc-/s4608/11.02%20(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZIVAiO1fT7ELo08gDQbTvDihw5LBhfaKSg7KMRJ7zHBtFW0AVK4KINL6niRnwyWyNHiHXcTehUU6q4hhM_dsps12ZYHUJecHobQYmyo9kVhfL10VGvRExPBQshAbqVIzTP9iBM9hbZY5sMxoJoP5K0sV9R13MZAn0gWvMEz_BHgIFA_9bbI0grc-/w640-h480/11.02%20(29).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Optional extras:</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">bring along crochet for a little 'in car entertainment'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjaLCtqgf7QPy3YrQHnk-arH7I6TXpvxUxsSX36sh-G0Vl3bvgPY5lmQDWWf7NM3J4azmOGCoZMpYdwSxcX5-JPto9X3-UEe7HsXtbSbmTw5oRkphEL5-1OEyYoUyQOlD8oiNvV04iJGCV-eGP1q7g6EKYByh0rhy3dUuOxmNsKto-Qyfr5oR7D30/s1443/PXL_20230211_122543945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1443" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjaLCtqgf7QPy3YrQHnk-arH7I6TXpvxUxsSX36sh-G0Vl3bvgPY5lmQDWWf7NM3J4azmOGCoZMpYdwSxcX5-JPto9X3-UEe7HsXtbSbmTw5oRkphEL5-1OEyYoUyQOlD8oiNvV04iJGCV-eGP1q7g6EKYByh0rhy3dUuOxmNsKto-Qyfr5oR7D30/w640-h360/PXL_20230211_122543945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">Have in generous helpings and repeat as often as you can. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It does wonders for your soul π</p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-27485398402099577292023-01-31T19:28:00.001+00:002023-02-01T06:47:37.712+00:00True story<p> Sitting in the front of the van after a really satisfying walk up in the Dales with Himself and Youngest.</p><p><br /></p><p>Have your glasses with you? (me asking Himself)</p><p><i>Yeah</i></p><p>Can I quickly borrow them (mine are in the back)</p><p><i>Hang on.</i>...(rustling around in his pockets until he locates them and hands them over) ...<i> here</i></p><p>I'll just clean them first (using my scarf to wipe the lenses)</p><p><i>Why?</i></p><p>As a treat for them</p><p><i>What?</i></p><p>And so that I can see through them</p><p><i>I just lick them</i> .... (cue a silly grin)</p>*<span style="font-size: x-large;">πΆ</span><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>*</div><div>You can really go off someone....</div><div><br /></div><div><i>You only realised that after 30 years?</i> (followed by a satisfied blokey chuckle)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtWNHyVuKffW9vLgPJOybdwrc4s0Xs1z_3SjvYJudLWkjELpZ-LXwHQrnfwJqW867gQE3owUQWR-ntZkRTfhyPh9Sckz8VnkbRg8kJzOdiJbyW8nRCHD7dwlxv_Xi7_bFI1tO9r8DTPAu3rtsXwgQX-k3zV6eGHTUiygzFQAbwJMfioUCYfqYGBCV/s839/31.01%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtWNHyVuKffW9vLgPJOybdwrc4s0Xs1z_3SjvYJudLWkjELpZ-LXwHQrnfwJqW867gQE3owUQWR-ntZkRTfhyPh9Sckz8VnkbRg8kJzOdiJbyW8nRCHD7dwlxv_Xi7_bFI1tO9r8DTPAu3rtsXwgQX-k3zV6eGHTUiygzFQAbwJMfioUCYfqYGBCV/w360-h640/31.01%20(3).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfbp_n1CXzm2lNJ-CTbE-IUh__tho1VU8VtpJ5_y5ZwXD02CjigO2DU7JkkXnJ7VKu59G7_ghuTMlGzuYNkLCquemx_aeFUA75MgwBWV0BghTgZaX5vGbL7lBl_87ipa2eyrMGKI7dIX__SfLNhBZAAybtauQ0ulgMs1jSB4PWjLpMXlD7w9y7gKM/s4608/31.01%20(6).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfbp_n1CXzm2lNJ-CTbE-IUh__tho1VU8VtpJ5_y5ZwXD02CjigO2DU7JkkXnJ7VKu59G7_ghuTMlGzuYNkLCquemx_aeFUA75MgwBWV0BghTgZaX5vGbL7lBl_87ipa2eyrMGKI7dIX__SfLNhBZAAybtauQ0ulgMs1jSB4PWjLpMXlD7w9y7gKM/w640-h480/31.01%20(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVsn3C72XgLKNWh-1IjYrWE2wmmqAWQz2yDHQcLv75aUzBXKuyUIKUTZ0oGzwgaIVXjK6TdriEqNqx1ze0CyfwuZW1vZtl5oaV5e3upzM8BGjsIfjErCv0XpSocbKn1dP0QRcE84m-SctgBEmlnb_iYWVgmERtROwrUFKH6xhYtd7QXsuivT_rhUV/s2048/31.01%20(10).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVsn3C72XgLKNWh-1IjYrWE2wmmqAWQz2yDHQcLv75aUzBXKuyUIKUTZ0oGzwgaIVXjK6TdriEqNqx1ze0CyfwuZW1vZtl5oaV5e3upzM8BGjsIfjErCv0XpSocbKn1dP0QRcE84m-SctgBEmlnb_iYWVgmERtROwrUFKH6xhYtd7QXsuivT_rhUV/w360-h640/31.01%20(10).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Thank you Youngest for this excellent photo</i></span></div><br /><div>Remind me never to leave my glasses out of reach.....</div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-17979327665550273722023-01-28T22:57:00.009+00:002023-01-28T23:04:43.391+00:00Knitting 'knitwit'<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a little while since I have successfully wielded knitting pins. I was on a roll with <a href="https://livelovecraftme.blogspot.com/2023/01/well.html" target="_blank">Himself's green moss pullover </a>and as I cast off and wove in all ends it was with a flourish! I had a plan and could<i> not wait</i> to cast on my next wip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_FplRSyrXa9QJU5dDDpd54jud9bQYMcpufhGABFyNDSSl5wBsk8gq7zRwOfIREzaKSPdOcfItDm5EYe_G4l33W_82oyvJ_O_BujWtuDEXNZHBT9aWTfhwpE6qkHAJd-msg8IBJWmS7DFNSIYUovA-zcDpaagstdQ1oFCsjc581mPyDwKIjd409A4/s4032/PXL_20230128_215905940.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_FplRSyrXa9QJU5dDDpd54jud9bQYMcpufhGABFyNDSSl5wBsk8gq7zRwOfIREzaKSPdOcfItDm5EYe_G4l33W_82oyvJ_O_BujWtuDEXNZHBT9aWTfhwpE6qkHAJd-msg8IBJWmS7DFNSIYUovA-zcDpaagstdQ1oFCsjc581mPyDwKIjd409A4/w640-h360/PXL_20230128_215905940.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For Christmas I'd asked for wool so I would have a lovely pile of woolly goodness to knit myself a cardigan. I had spent some time trawling the 'net researching 'the one' and felt a little giddy when I selected a pattern which seemed just right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiDP4_Z2-v-_p_vWd2l4lpMihm3LVE-BXnWk5z1K7lx4wTnkp7kBT_D1Ty1QYZEQqvblJX0-NfEjTTA-IcBcFwzg52etfbx-M6mdsxy2_IEWiJFT6Ts_xwltQ2ug-19wxoRt1-wFSX-q-eaSLwsxgqBojA4wFpUzU7icPN42nbNQDYp1bG7-5UC84/s4032/PXL_20230128_215813919.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiDP4_Z2-v-_p_vWd2l4lpMihm3LVE-BXnWk5z1K7lx4wTnkp7kBT_D1Ty1QYZEQqvblJX0-NfEjTTA-IcBcFwzg52etfbx-M6mdsxy2_IEWiJFT6Ts_xwltQ2ug-19wxoRt1-wFSX-q-eaSLwsxgqBojA4wFpUzU7icPN42nbNQDYp1bG7-5UC84/w640-h360/PXL_20230128_215813919.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>So almost before the knitting pins had cooled - I was up and casting on my new project...... Which was ripped back after a couple of days knitting .... this pattern didn't feel quite right after all.... so I started researching again, looking for several evenings until I found '<i>the one'</i> - yes this time -<i> this time</i> it was the one for me....<br />Until, a couple of evenings later I ripped back again. Once I'd started I realised that it was beyond my simple level of knitting so I wound the ball back up and replaced it in the basket with it's companions and went back for another look for a pattern. I now knew that 'top down' cardigans were not for me, I had to look more carefully. And then - I found it ... Yes, this was definitely '<i>the one'</i> cue a happy dance!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9DW7Qdhh4FSI08f4wAh-L2Yf3VSOUOAyysIAclOzZLCO2NmzkLr8zCERf71LLtNnfUT8GmTJQEtzNxJ8Xfbll7Q-k-ThDRB2cHzW9B996eB9j9n1FWKrAkr3w0ebF2vZN5_DPGS6OUQYtp40G7UhDuGcrA9I8RgQVqPOTiBkgpZDeyQ0POlwC_el/s4032/PXL_20230128_215801261.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9DW7Qdhh4FSI08f4wAh-L2Yf3VSOUOAyysIAclOzZLCO2NmzkLr8zCERf71LLtNnfUT8GmTJQEtzNxJ8Xfbll7Q-k-ThDRB2cHzW9B996eB9j9n1FWKrAkr3w0ebF2vZN5_DPGS6OUQYtp40G7UhDuGcrA9I8RgQVqPOTiBkgpZDeyQ0POlwC_el/w640-h360/PXL_20230128_215801261.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Except it wasn't, once again I ripped back and this time, I walked away. I thought I was going to be cool with starting again, but no - I was rather annoyed. And just to show my knitting THAT I DID NOT CARE! I started something else ..... and cast on and finished in record time a<a href="https://heathlandknits.com/the-simple-thing-shawl" target="_blank"> simple scarf</a> which I started wearing almost immediately as the temperatures dropped for a few days.</p><p>After a couple of weeks I tentatively picked up the wool, cast on a pattern and .... yes you guessed it, I frogged after a day or two. This was getting ridiculous. So. another break, more researching and checking out patterns when I found ..... no - I am not going to yell '<i>this is the one</i>', coz there is still time for it to be frogged, however.... this piece of knitting has survived so far and has grown in size past all the others and is making for gentle knitting and a happy heart.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUA9EFcp4pXUALrwj20bQd01fG8V1tKaWAdDEWF9FJRrlTXOtXRg6hfRchsWDeAYrLkANxq3lRfHWvHblr5FRYuE0vf_rmnjdUxR1PCPuSGPSaGP7EXzsbbhRuaGFftUiE5wRwYdbkQZf3BRM5dWz5bAr8sicqw_pjyVGHhMnD9JbNRZ_oYi1OyPb/s4032/PXL_20230128_215744904.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUA9EFcp4pXUALrwj20bQd01fG8V1tKaWAdDEWF9FJRrlTXOtXRg6hfRchsWDeAYrLkANxq3lRfHWvHblr5FRYuE0vf_rmnjdUxR1PCPuSGPSaGP7EXzsbbhRuaGFftUiE5wRwYdbkQZf3BRM5dWz5bAr8sicqw_pjyVGHhMnD9JbNRZ_oYi1OyPb/w640-h360/PXL_20230128_215744904.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The knitting good vibes just may have returned and I am taking odds on finishing this particular wip - watch this spaceπππ€ππ</p><p>*My only comment is - the colours in the images are not true - the shades are more muted and thunder sky than the bright blue it appears here.</p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-14428224864493835232023-01-22T21:30:00.002+00:002023-01-22T21:30:53.639+00:00This must be how birds feel<p>Saturday was crisp and frosty with with a heart achingly blue sky. We packed a lunch, wrapped ourselves and the dog up and we headed for the hills.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8bld29RomIRHM0nHnrokdTrDNG2wV04jGRc_YzuplPexsXphXn5mHTheiY8gFpAfkdhcEcwhfW7Qmh6yfeYdJLbzlVOxANFUgcL5uW1f2Tfse3KNOudls0duLwvThpfHjgOG6DD7uJ6uIi0ubLH3KjIuiJCFaaKayc_wgwQV2KX6-3eSWxabmL2Y/s1200/collage%20(27).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8bld29RomIRHM0nHnrokdTrDNG2wV04jGRc_YzuplPexsXphXn5mHTheiY8gFpAfkdhcEcwhfW7Qmh6yfeYdJLbzlVOxANFUgcL5uW1f2Tfse3KNOudls0duLwvThpfHjgOG6DD7uJ6uIi0ubLH3KjIuiJCFaaKayc_wgwQV2KX6-3eSWxabmL2Y/w640-h480/collage%20(27).jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">I </span>am always interested in what and why folk feel the need to leave some sort of 'mark' of their passing.<br />Sometimes it is a pre-painted rock - the type that seemed to flourish during the pandemic and now is almost endemic around the country. Stickers are increasingly common on road signs or gates. I was am<span style="text-align: left;">used by the upside down sugar skull until I took a closer look and saw it was actually the right way up! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7K1zCRf3V-vWPus7KXaKNWu2i-nppyGT-kYS4n_cxJt8HYhMbOB2HSlvEv2s3R-GVo-OTQ6fmKMFsa6ixnGWVJSRzJDrAj3SPFsno9-RlI8qNQkFcRdcYSRyRhgJhhprh3b2Xx9nRtsZdnwYS-bqWyN3vQfKrfkOTSAyW0aCZX7ajz0YE6vtN5VS/s830/PXL_20230121_161646466.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7K1zCRf3V-vWPus7KXaKNWu2i-nppyGT-kYS4n_cxJt8HYhMbOB2HSlvEv2s3R-GVo-OTQ6fmKMFsa6ixnGWVJSRzJDrAj3SPFsno9-RlI8qNQkFcRdcYSRyRhgJhhprh3b2Xx9nRtsZdnwYS-bqWyN3vQfKrfkOTSAyW0aCZX7ajz0YE6vtN5VS/w360-h640/PXL_20230121_161646466.MP.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>My favourite I have to admit is this one .... <span style="color: red;">SHEEEP</span>! I wondered if the farmer who painted this was either distracted half way through and when he returned just continued without realising - or, if he wrote it as if he was yelling at the drivers who bomb through this open bit of moorland road with out even heeding the grazing ewes and their lambs. Who knows....<br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mSTJHlzy2d_sJjFwD520F-5JYOM4W4a7aBoTUDCyXJ_T0_BgqMC3d6RXhzu_DYcBayU85y5ip52ca18TYQwfd0stRpRn00A2BoOi9yYcBRf2yTrLHyJCxymqSIgV8fgHUmB0rnCtbM86byqyyMFvp4vJC8kZPShKrSwUKxXIPTdvcCbC9r_duEnC/s1437/PXL_20230121_122018595.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1437" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mSTJHlzy2d_sJjFwD520F-5JYOM4W4a7aBoTUDCyXJ_T0_BgqMC3d6RXhzu_DYcBayU85y5ip52ca18TYQwfd0stRpRn00A2BoOi9yYcBRf2yTrLHyJCxymqSIgV8fgHUmB0rnCtbM86byqyyMFvp4vJC8kZPShKrSwUKxXIPTdvcCbC9r_duEnC/w640-h360/PXL_20230121_122018595.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moss of course threw herself into her walk - collecting sticks along the way regularly 'upgrading' until the stick was too large to 'dog-handle' along the narrow woodland path. She 'dog-fully' and doggedly dragged it some distance before discarding it for a very much smaller piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlC6IdSosu7DQ3-TAyKs1zRTIoy1hyGWnyyBVKdNKiSuJvLsg25XmLCCbRcLcp-bob0UPwHTpko5dGVqac1yQOppIEjt-IWjhl5araVs7IiUhx7fgyLQJMTSqeUWg5tNf6kC6GWC_b45bf9su5oHc4qV9DCFCQpX9tPadVwPN0iYJWWgIVbd3OsnK/s1437/PXL_20230121_131648951.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1437" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlC6IdSosu7DQ3-TAyKs1zRTIoy1hyGWnyyBVKdNKiSuJvLsg25XmLCCbRcLcp-bob0UPwHTpko5dGVqac1yQOppIEjt-IWjhl5araVs7IiUhx7fgyLQJMTSqeUWg5tNf6kC6GWC_b45bf9su5oHc4qV9DCFCQpX9tPadVwPN0iYJWWgIVbd3OsnK/w640-h360/PXL_20230121_131648951.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Alongside the path, I spotted at eye height, the sweetest and most exquisite nest made entirely of moss with a snowy centre. It seemed so exposed and vulnerable, but I suspect when the hawthorn is in full leaf, the nest would be magically invisible and it's contents safe.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAP9A3alcnY2OF5OZYtQCoOuKwNqXyJBYVy86YYWKkfnJMxdQ1dEDgZkmD3qhWjIjt8I6mtoQGmLH07bKTPxOAHC28sxWUg4MYZ-7H1r8fnqvBnkHTIchx3w9kuLpvMgAdErBOOL6L2o8T0MFj7aqdnc1IBeHS47KntuTTlqc_RCYHoJtNcpS9ZsqF/s830/PXL_20230121_132842454.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAP9A3alcnY2OF5OZYtQCoOuKwNqXyJBYVy86YYWKkfnJMxdQ1dEDgZkmD3qhWjIjt8I6mtoQGmLH07bKTPxOAHC28sxWUg4MYZ-7H1r8fnqvBnkHTIchx3w9kuLpvMgAdErBOOL6L2o8T0MFj7aqdnc1IBeHS47KntuTTlqc_RCYHoJtNcpS9ZsqF/w360-h640/PXL_20230121_132842454.MP.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>There was frost encrusted winter debris all through the woodland which crunched and crackled beneath our feet.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4qeXvjZEzQP8TdH_zvQeMkA3CU4B556A92hFXPL_6yzAIIi1VPO-pSJaQdSrjHMqbtWLdZZWBfXUQ3Ju4dhbc8CQAvAK9c2vbCP-vLtHp17kFuT0TADi2BdjiIKIo7QT_d_3qxOM_G-mrgxoHGiJywHqv8wdJ58XG1IZHo2HFjwxdnl52UkD47Te/s1437/PXL_20230121_132907322.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1437" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4qeXvjZEzQP8TdH_zvQeMkA3CU4B556A92hFXPL_6yzAIIi1VPO-pSJaQdSrjHMqbtWLdZZWBfXUQ3Ju4dhbc8CQAvAK9c2vbCP-vLtHp17kFuT0TADi2BdjiIKIo7QT_d_3qxOM_G-mrgxoHGiJywHqv8wdJ58XG1IZHo2HFjwxdnl52UkD47Te/w640-h360/PXL_20230121_132907322.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the far edge of the woods, where the trees thinned and the landscape felt ancient, we stopped for a mug of tea and watched brick red beef heifers graze and browse amongst the birch and hawthorn. They gradually surrounded us, occasionally lifting their huge shaggy heads to balefully glare however they never encroached or threatened us and we in return sat quietly and respectfully.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIqNZfZtN3z29TiXKxCpRFBwx3rls49j4cqckW08UDUpVQvA-wSwPJqKjS4szUQUQBFXeehjfJyuDKtbSoXTz1Y5QIDDSKSnp2iZHifMp5FEcEYH7QsKkGkl2H1uLdNr5uaayZuAWLydTwpo-3kXrUXwcADuyTrXtS_-g2BbC6vcmnR4KLgwAv1ep/s2048/327061115_1297509434314916_7116794828225292284_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIqNZfZtN3z29TiXKxCpRFBwx3rls49j4cqckW08UDUpVQvA-wSwPJqKjS4szUQUQBFXeehjfJyuDKtbSoXTz1Y5QIDDSKSnp2iZHifMp5FEcEYH7QsKkGkl2H1uLdNr5uaayZuAWLydTwpo-3kXrUXwcADuyTrXtS_-g2BbC6vcmnR4KLgwAv1ep/w640-h360/327061115_1297509434314916_7116794828225292284_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>On the other side of the thin trees we arrived on the rolling ridges of the Dales. The thin blue icy sky felt high and brittle and oh so beautiful. It surrounded us, covered us and elated us.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvKNKqazK40JtgjvgpDOv2xlDTSKQgF7PkdX93ti0otJhwujbnx4pW9b6PLe8tKbmRmYG6F-c1rlFk5waOg4ZjsjMijXvOZQ33YnZ778Yeh5kfEAh2LErhNmV_XLbfVLhkmDr6zfj5sUWtzGe5AxEpe5ASGQyEXlT6uCwnEcWk2bUakLUrt-7xeVD/s1437/PXL_20230121_150105635.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1437" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvKNKqazK40JtgjvgpDOv2xlDTSKQgF7PkdX93ti0otJhwujbnx4pW9b6PLe8tKbmRmYG6F-c1rlFk5waOg4ZjsjMijXvOZQ33YnZ778Yeh5kfEAh2LErhNmV_XLbfVLhkmDr6zfj5sUWtzGe5AxEpe5ASGQyEXlT6uCwnEcWk2bUakLUrt-7xeVD/w640-h360/PXL_20230121_150105635.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This must be how birds feel when they fly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG3rjPBFYGffP1MtvXOTHB_9xJiS-bfXjL1OfyQk_-7apX8PouTO-kYHAtjI8MlRO-r7V-OT_yPVvoAR6m9HcSDM_1ToYGYDnr4_C5PSz6TxFrGwl1xN6lBxaow-sSC-JLeEKjsihj2QjU8gRrf5tcmtSmIh0cCfcPeb8FjbPSz3g5v9yMHUUJLFC/s2048/326161131_2390886714401993_1907615316991754028_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG3rjPBFYGffP1MtvXOTHB_9xJiS-bfXjL1OfyQk_-7apX8PouTO-kYHAtjI8MlRO-r7V-OT_yPVvoAR6m9HcSDM_1ToYGYDnr4_C5PSz6TxFrGwl1xN6lBxaow-sSC-JLeEKjsihj2QjU8gRrf5tcmtSmIh0cCfcPeb8FjbPSz3g5v9yMHUUJLFC/w640-h360/326161131_2390886714401993_1907615316991754028_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We followed the higher path to the edge of the sunlight then dropped back into the valley, we had to return to the van before the sun slipped behind the hills taking with it the thin warmth we were holding on to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RfV1q0KjEdWeOICtOoD4b7ejfxjZr9HO5_6uUUQbmAJlnYY-LBjAViDvzFoeQov6yzs9Y-w_ll8PMJsJg-EnnT1ShSVmRRId6EkPb27M1zivO3W4I7eKGL-Z-2ZqvbgQuMnr4OfZGc440XxVbfhheuRkX1WF49-bpYQ0tgPqioM_Q0q47T_UHONd/s2048/326807705_1465048930690043_3471481881644707485_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RfV1q0KjEdWeOICtOoD4b7ejfxjZr9HO5_6uUUQbmAJlnYY-LBjAViDvzFoeQov6yzs9Y-w_ll8PMJsJg-EnnT1ShSVmRRId6EkPb27M1zivO3W4I7eKGL-Z-2ZqvbgQuMnr4OfZGc440XxVbfhheuRkX1WF49-bpYQ0tgPqioM_Q0q47T_UHONd/w640-h360/326807705_1465048930690043_3471481881644707485_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once back, we cracked on the kettle and curled cold hands around steaming mugs, ate digestive biscuits and watched the last of the light fade. These days fill my soul and clear my head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">#ichigoichie</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-73652195554497684782023-01-17T17:32:00.001+00:002023-01-17T17:32:47.788+00:00Tuesday spotlightsπ€π€<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdmpf6vTURvf6dogh1rnJc_Uc1sOeLjLAn3EGB6e1qNYZI4OmAIdIbPOl7pMWUjigqfL1FEg-D0hr4Ifj_j8E2ze6WH68laQyEL2bVCcCoYtupjE9p_8hwN1ACimxDXSocJVML0GzswnSUctxAyTi9nxe90UVSo3Uhnv03Jnv_plQkUeznB25oSy8/s4608/17.01%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdmpf6vTURvf6dogh1rnJc_Uc1sOeLjLAn3EGB6e1qNYZI4OmAIdIbPOl7pMWUjigqfL1FEg-D0hr4Ifj_j8E2ze6WH68laQyEL2bVCcCoYtupjE9p_8hwN1ACimxDXSocJVML0GzswnSUctxAyTi9nxe90UVSo3Uhnv03Jnv_plQkUeznB25oSy8/w480-h640/17.01%20(4).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />The tips of my fingers are still cool as is the end of my nose. The two digestive biscuits and mug of tea tasted amazing once we'd returned from our afternoon walk but are now long gone. The snow and ice that covered the ground first thing this morning (when my car thermometer registered -4.5β) had begun to melt creating a green and white marble patterning on the grass.π€π<p></p><p>Our village has several prominent hills surrounding it and they were all still flecked white and draped in misty layers beneath the dark and heavy skies. Despite that, the sun managed to find chinks in the clouds and fill our walk with warmth and light.ππ€</p><p>Himself, Youngest, Moss and I did our local 'dog-loop' which is our go to short walk when weather permits. π§‘β€οΈ</p><p>I am sure - almost 99% sure - that I have spotted our first Highland Coo calf but the mum was a large and hairy barrier and all I could see were little legs beneath her tum. No lambs yet - <i>far too cold</i> to give birth outside and the ewes that are out in the fields are still 'mums-with-tums'!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGu7PaSC83lG4KLLmbcbHmgWq4ElZEj4YrK6F82xL5P3GBXXITgLEERwNspK5dvUOzDaazAqqWSocaNMbeZY3bb6tMiaYJJBwCq1LYdXjGRKHHYTzwzCQb39cA8JD8hKVbPe1iuv-Seu4cZK762srRd4HR6vweE_twl2XtQRK1NT5NT3ap_ne7LEB/s4608/17.01%20(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGu7PaSC83lG4KLLmbcbHmgWq4ElZEj4YrK6F82xL5P3GBXXITgLEERwNspK5dvUOzDaazAqqWSocaNMbeZY3bb6tMiaYJJBwCq1LYdXjGRKHHYTzwzCQb39cA8JD8hKVbPe1iuv-Seu4cZK762srRd4HR6vweE_twl2XtQRK1NT5NT3ap_ne7LEB/w640-h480/17.01%20(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>It is dark now, Moss has been fed and is gently snoring while she dreams dog dreams, Himself is in the kitchen baking an apple crumble as I type here. After a rather long morning of completing on-line mandatory training - it is little precious moments like these that make my day.ππ</p><p>Hope you have had some of those today too (and I don't mean the mandatory training!!)</p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-46842255644766125952023-01-15T20:06:00.002+00:002023-01-15T20:06:36.134+00:00Sunday Sunday - so good to me<p>After days and days (and days) of rain or chilly winds, today is clear and still and although still cold, in the sun it feels warm!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscdUsFSH_WRPtifhd9RO9kqlALhJXGTUWFIB3L0j96JCyypV6n9FR-sEH2L0-mPRFTmm32mg7MKlD5j_ONgX1MyanU1BV1ExbZ9l_dz7F_axNNwloplJ1cVQTKsIw_500c8Qgi0bTVYvibwcen4c4x7B_3W536ug7I5Jaq7BcziZFQlYkI7ZZZ1Tr/s755/03.01%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="425" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscdUsFSH_WRPtifhd9RO9kqlALhJXGTUWFIB3L0j96JCyypV6n9FR-sEH2L0-mPRFTmm32mg7MKlD5j_ONgX1MyanU1BV1ExbZ9l_dz7F_axNNwloplJ1cVQTKsIw_500c8Qgi0bTVYvibwcen4c4x7B_3W536ug7I5Jaq7BcziZFQlYkI7ZZZ1Tr/w360-h640/03.01%20(8).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>We leave the cosiness of the house and woodburner and set off for a Moss-led dog loop. It seems that other dogs and their owners had felt the same pull - to be out and getting some air! We walk up 'Dead Duck Lane' - not in our usual yomping style as we try to forge our way through the weather, no it is far more meandering. We stop to see if any of the local sheep had lambed and although they must almost be at bursting point, the ewes determinedly chew winter weary grass in the soft sunshine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1vwHOZdU7Ty6O8XjxuJNRA3xW9GKYXS5qBPGe2vI5biy7wAbVFLdqf27RQyOV4FQxhn3_9vrF5ODq505reBNKslcPDzSVmKiUHZpXoKMtQzFXdoXfQ3cawQegzvbCHMTzaW4nqIcrtwn75qoQ4wkhaboghlv7gr_COjYl7zSsw24-bCxCt7rmtpF/s4608/15.01%20(13)%20vintage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1vwHOZdU7Ty6O8XjxuJNRA3xW9GKYXS5qBPGe2vI5biy7wAbVFLdqf27RQyOV4FQxhn3_9vrF5ODq505reBNKslcPDzSVmKiUHZpXoKMtQzFXdoXfQ3cawQegzvbCHMTzaW4nqIcrtwn75qoQ4wkhaboghlv7gr_COjYl7zSsw24-bCxCt7rmtpF/w640-h480/15.01%20(13)%20vintage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We carry on up on to another lane, around another sheep field, past a large house with a small and rotund elderly jack russell. A raspy yip yip was all it can manage then it sighs at our lack of respect and toddles back to the house. In it's 'hey-day' it was a nasty piece of work with reputation of '<i>quick to bark-quick to bite</i>' which unfortunately landed it's owner is 'the dwang' when they requested a home visit by a doctor who on arrival discovered that not only was the owner <i>not at home</i>, but was then both barked at and bitten by the jack russell. Suffice to say - the doctor wisely got back in the car, drove back to the surgery and rang the owner and had a word or two.....<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpQIOmHuQLUQ_yyENRKSgTwusmVYvb55MO8FOJcA3dUWzP9i1FFoz96XJpI7sVUdh7FRfp8rfjgnEU1ltu_6m7-wSZGSPkBDuUJZeIR0LfSKdQ4WrL3ITHKV7jqY6glWFm8miISpwMS6dbl1O5najU2tvribzcGaoEAdWSLnPEH-HPZAKBeeutBX0/s4608/15.01%20(12)%20vintage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpQIOmHuQLUQ_yyENRKSgTwusmVYvb55MO8FOJcA3dUWzP9i1FFoz96XJpI7sVUdh7FRfp8rfjgnEU1ltu_6m7-wSZGSPkBDuUJZeIR0LfSKdQ4WrL3ITHKV7jqY6glWFm8miISpwMS6dbl1O5najU2tvribzcGaoEAdWSLnPEH-HPZAKBeeutBX0/w640-h480/15.01%20(12)%20vintage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div>We continue to follow Moss up a narrow farm track with large and mature trees full of holes and splits and hollow trunks. They are fragile and venerable and beautiful. Sadly I can see that once they start to fall, they will not be replaced. I stroke their grizzled old bark as I pass. I am sure I can hear them whisper their stories to the wind.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6b7fGbJ2opli1mSDWyGL_g0Xbff4LSlnxSRFnHMD_WAVts-VaMxl30oz13CCmlQ8Ch_AxZNwq_hNAKnWmTMQrAYbyqiM8vnkU_8kO17FYAfCmRHTsHjGvoU_KrgNHYxAM0Y4oKv-y20jt3I5gHZjaLK8yYRY3qrn2FKLsplQsfVmY_rH-3mRffHE/s4608/15.01%20(2)%20vintage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6b7fGbJ2opli1mSDWyGL_g0Xbff4LSlnxSRFnHMD_WAVts-VaMxl30oz13CCmlQ8Ch_AxZNwq_hNAKnWmTMQrAYbyqiM8vnkU_8kO17FYAfCmRHTsHjGvoU_KrgNHYxAM0Y4oKv-y20jt3I5gHZjaLK8yYRY3qrn2FKLsplQsfVmY_rH-3mRffHE/w640-h480/15.01%20(2)%20vintage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Despite the quantity of rain we have had, the fields although wet are surprisingly mud free. Moss makes the most of the seasonal ponds and drags Himself through the centre. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfdRPTaOBQPenV7CUqEPQWJs7SGM_paL5GW0ce24st47Vcppk1YlvkRHPwPQDBvIy4BPbJuBQKCAKQ9o44MDpYe8yGh80xf6qca-zQ9Qh3_0Ugq6GJEpu_hAmtvwau9I8kNwW-WM_aNiQiGoZMBTJG94anjseiP0R-JUQbmb2ry0Ldab2af8POUtw/s4608/15.01%20(9)%20vintage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfdRPTaOBQPenV7CUqEPQWJs7SGM_paL5GW0ce24st47Vcppk1YlvkRHPwPQDBvIy4BPbJuBQKCAKQ9o44MDpYe8yGh80xf6qca-zQ9Qh3_0Ugq6GJEpu_hAmtvwau9I8kNwW-WM_aNiQiGoZMBTJG94anjseiP0R-JUQbmb2ry0Ldab2af8POUtw/w640-h480/15.01%20(9)%20vintage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LiJz1PeUC0avkNHJCHJSURixLOVucEfMcn9eMAMLCxsLCyXFant6NMYc1CXJm0hZKL2KPc2G1qlcgqXgvgrtyNXvRtnbVi9YiKWQ6IbqFTgEaSgt7hLBIln84BmoNw3tUAcLRx5pR0H_har7pWUf446QlUJNr3l6psn1iCKeuFevqxXfvc7NvEhK/s4608/15.01%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LiJz1PeUC0avkNHJCHJSURixLOVucEfMcn9eMAMLCxsLCyXFant6NMYc1CXJm0hZKL2KPc2G1qlcgqXgvgrtyNXvRtnbVi9YiKWQ6IbqFTgEaSgt7hLBIln84BmoNw3tUAcLRx5pR0H_har7pWUf446QlUJNr3l6psn1iCKeuFevqxXfvc7NvEhK/w640-h480/15.01%20(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This field is also full of expectant ewes, so Moss remains on her lead and because she can not gallop up to the next puddle we can watch a small and garrulous flock of gulls bathing in the fresh water or 'puddling' for worms as they trot on the spot until they can catch a witless worm.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-YFGs7RygiWU_3yyvK-OeBzlu6sLfIJw80KOgeg87MOf6ZBcxS-UThSj3ET7ApQhuUF2j5Tcad0K-xhYD0bx76JV7uJVTM00Ir2DUqxs8vF2vCmerDO6pmTOZ0SOkYBYpUqsn4wOZOa3_p85r9m7yxk6Ui0PKJfNH8tNX2HmYVVO2Y5-dHgjeScf/s4608/15.01%20(10)%20vintage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-YFGs7RygiWU_3yyvK-OeBzlu6sLfIJw80KOgeg87MOf6ZBcxS-UThSj3ET7ApQhuUF2j5Tcad0K-xhYD0bx76JV7uJVTM00Ir2DUqxs8vF2vCmerDO6pmTOZ0SOkYBYpUqsn4wOZOa3_p85r9m7yxk6Ui0PKJfNH8tNX2HmYVVO2Y5-dHgjeScf/w640-h480/15.01%20(10)%20vintage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The fresh air, which when we first set off felt icy and sharp, now feels invigorating and restorative and the soft sunlight gently bathes a wintery landscape in an almost translucent peachy glow. Popping up here and there are bright green blades of various bulbs - a bit too soon, their enthusiasm will wane next week when the temperatures are forecast to plummet. Here is to the ewes who will hopefully be indoors soon when they are due to lamb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJW2iG00x8bq7poYXT0lD_S1fTTNHsIeWEG2x7LXp7vVupxEiak9rNlzzle0Sr9kMJDicvepx0WyUX3k4v4TFREcniVMqnlfi0kT8lqzxdLMGil0B9S-m9UNJ0E0QFHmE_IjpUlpdjKTbEBHsRNkVivceU-sO9MrZXGPU8lQiEAyJtXahWP2Z9XY0/s755/01.01%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="425" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJW2iG00x8bq7poYXT0lD_S1fTTNHsIeWEG2x7LXp7vVupxEiak9rNlzzle0Sr9kMJDicvepx0WyUX3k4v4TFREcniVMqnlfi0kT8lqzxdLMGil0B9S-m9UNJ0E0QFHmE_IjpUlpdjKTbEBHsRNkVivceU-sO9MrZXGPU8lQiEAyJtXahWP2Z9XY0/w360-h640/01.01%20(5).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div>So, another weekend has slipped by. We have had Youngest and his lovely girl staying with us for a couple of days - now, Sunday evening, the house once again cosy and warm with the fire keeping Moss in a state of molten fluff as she basks in it's glow. Monday tomorrow, and at this very moment I am not ready for it - but I know by the time I get up, into my work kit and in the car - I will be ready for a day of mulching well rotted manure.... bring it on! <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-87784489605851483412023-01-12T11:11:00.005+00:002023-01-12T13:31:11.242+00:00Well?<p>So... What have I been doing? Well.....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Knitting</i></b> ....</p><p style="text-align: center;">Himself - a moss green moss stitch pullover</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxR90woSnzunU5miUpfZ327K2GIREJXYtQbt8h-c3p-VIQ6yOATaf3NuxL3MmDbLjUx10bu9HzjIEsBRTJjZtzrHIO5KLPlyakiWeV2BpvoFhv9ou8z8DJX6S0ET_jl0bW3CD6tRLchHuc5aeFbZCva3RMJe1Y2Y2NuyMCzDYrY8jCoRgt78pSi07/s4133/12.01%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4133" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxR90woSnzunU5miUpfZ327K2GIREJXYtQbt8h-c3p-VIQ6yOATaf3NuxL3MmDbLjUx10bu9HzjIEsBRTJjZtzrHIO5KLPlyakiWeV2BpvoFhv9ou8z8DJX6S0ET_jl0bW3CD6tRLchHuc5aeFbZCva3RMJe1Y2Y2NuyMCzDYrY8jCoRgt78pSi07/w536-h640/12.01%20(2).JPG" width="536" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Me - a simple scarf in garter stitch with left over wool. It was to be for me to wear at work but Himself has eyed it up, so I may be making another one soon....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtU3x14Tz5m1MLJPmDM5-YOvxTX1yiRcWqRaVRGiNNUfn5aX3vbBiSsajkaTZW90j1ivXsRSs8-xyVqiQmQg5iXhSKx1Cd6r7SKJRHGlwv11zEqJGvR-eeOp-vaeAuR0Nw1CEfUIoYfBIgatKHXKRSN9UUV32eX9NB1YNYKOTMfn2_2IUDAsiFUL-/s4608/07.01%20(5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtU3x14Tz5m1MLJPmDM5-YOvxTX1yiRcWqRaVRGiNNUfn5aX3vbBiSsajkaTZW90j1ivXsRSs8-xyVqiQmQg5iXhSKx1Cd6r7SKJRHGlwv11zEqJGvR-eeOp-vaeAuR0Nw1CEfUIoYfBIgatKHXKRSN9UUV32eX9NB1YNYKOTMfn2_2IUDAsiFUL-/w640-h480/07.01%20(5).JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">And about to start a cardigan for me with chrimbly gifted wool in sea washed denim shades.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Cooking</i></b> ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8ashN2KizXdsL6UM0Uw7MzF-YYtHSWBxooaQnALnd6rn6Avc-cXtucM1sSpKAgEagSqdFcdDAd2CXIwQ_XP1-n_plmVajUieiUUMZKkq5uxKWByxR75P5Za7d3tG55_z8tFWWoqLd45vg3YJ6wmju0S5vNjl67VWU8TGihREJLg0oh4ltqiaQgZtA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8ashN2KizXdsL6UM0Uw7MzF-YYtHSWBxooaQnALnd6rn6Avc-cXtucM1sSpKAgEagSqdFcdDAd2CXIwQ_XP1-n_plmVajUieiUUMZKkq5uxKWByxR75P5Za7d3tG55_z8tFWWoqLd45vg3YJ6wmju0S5vNjl67VWU8TGihREJLg0oh4ltqiaQgZtA=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture from website</span></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mushroom and lentil Hotpot - <i>ye gods </i>- absolutely delicious! (Recipe <a href="https://www.lazycatkitchen.com/vegan-hotpot-lentils-mushrooms/" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</p><p style="text-align: center;">Cranberry Muffins (Recipe <a href="https://www.diannesvegankitchen.com/vegan-cranberry-muffins/" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8PH27jkWTvkZtbJZAv6IDua2-5sGTb90gL9KzFYttv82BC_lchAOz09gTp3AnmZMB9Ot7iD58JAZVGlq740VOwUdlfiXZtsytP8Dl0rjT1zYcUZMchP0aDTkXVN8X14jFzT-S_ViZKBm97IWkxUGTv3lZvOQmwbxghrn8Z1n0gSTzz_FQDaB524u/s800/Muffins-on-platter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8PH27jkWTvkZtbJZAv6IDua2-5sGTb90gL9KzFYttv82BC_lchAOz09gTp3AnmZMB9Ot7iD58JAZVGlq740VOwUdlfiXZtsytP8Dl0rjT1zYcUZMchP0aDTkXVN8X14jFzT-S_ViZKBm97IWkxUGTv3lZvOQmwbxghrn8Z1n0gSTzz_FQDaB524u/w300-h400/Muffins-on-platter.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">picture from website</span></i></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Making</i></b> ...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jAMaw7gJerxf0AvUzQe0J1VsczbXNJsEGKPK8NeKmhKyMXenDCLX_Cb0Mzwfvp9B7KYSzjLxe8X0MRsx21RDIt39C1osPDALLjeLY8ckUxl4K97g5_OYEbsQysVRgSnWJ4_LYkBl7FawGj6-B6PuWDBApXo0BEaWhI4eX-4580rKaGDh30Bvof23/s1200/collage%20(26).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jAMaw7gJerxf0AvUzQe0J1VsczbXNJsEGKPK8NeKmhKyMXenDCLX_Cb0Mzwfvp9B7KYSzjLxe8X0MRsx21RDIt39C1osPDALLjeLY8ckUxl4K97g5_OYEbsQysVRgSnWJ4_LYkBl7FawGj6-B6PuWDBApXo0BEaWhI4eX-4580rKaGDh30Bvof23/w640-h480/collage%20(26).jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">dozens (and dozens) of paper birds - for work, for friends and for home</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wire flowers and tiny houses to decorate the 'tree' for spring</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wreaths bases for work</div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow plant supports</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Walking</i></b> ...</p><p style="text-align: center;">Miles and miles in the Dales - Himself and I both losing ourselves in blue skies and gentle sunshine </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARg4NdjgfMc8af8wMrwD7V0rGqcIH6LT33A2SN8mDIterB70yMXeEbuCV8qEyF4wVxwx3iA9GIKIf9vR_yxqcblwe-12Jk_DxYgcUR_imcXWs5sbP9WqgD3kSOyqzINAmTYaor2LKrKgnFzZvvUCYpuvjwNRCZhYIJgNJM-tHGXjsjDbeNgIBcFCO/s4608/07.01%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARg4NdjgfMc8af8wMrwD7V0rGqcIH6LT33A2SN8mDIterB70yMXeEbuCV8qEyF4wVxwx3iA9GIKIf9vR_yxqcblwe-12Jk_DxYgcUR_imcXWs5sbP9WqgD3kSOyqzINAmTYaor2LKrKgnFzZvvUCYpuvjwNRCZhYIJgNJM-tHGXjsjDbeNgIBcFCO/w640-h480/07.01%20(4).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">or in woodlands, breathing in deep earthy scents full of flavour and aromas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27pa32UcdOsuWA6QyY8kAfm1GNqFaxfI49RbdsSN4ngfBjAif3_UXgLq_EpJU3cLJRuaCV6TMw7n29xhu8Cm2UZ7lBr6WbQXSTgEtmT0BRxYzUg7dpwAAlLu7ZX1rI1Px0AqV3ffgjPocieEQirCqqlfCdE04iOkZcVGB4KDm23cqz-xOlJ3KZPRP/s4608/07.01%20(11).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27pa32UcdOsuWA6QyY8kAfm1GNqFaxfI49RbdsSN4ngfBjAif3_UXgLq_EpJU3cLJRuaCV6TMw7n29xhu8Cm2UZ7lBr6WbQXSTgEtmT0BRxYzUg7dpwAAlLu7ZX1rI1Px0AqV3ffgjPocieEQirCqqlfCdE04iOkZcVGB4KDm23cqz-xOlJ3KZPRP/w480-h640/07.01%20(11).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Repairing</i></b> ....</div></b><div style="text-align: center;">Jeans, harem pants, Wool overcoat</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Loving.</b></i>...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvTDQ8ZpMVNcGTclKMyXrNIllOlqBSHv69xgzUpMqtVkh8JIoNoo0ibX2v04rfAtTiCTclVvffV6e4fVdSpJf7n9efX0i-llkhWgaoMGL8zX38_EhlrhWO1Ty0tHNnFc_uhbr7jTod-Mags-to2PXMHClXljECZE2ab03JieHmc1bcURHfDOPVCAJ/s4431/12.01%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3394" data-original-width="4431" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvTDQ8ZpMVNcGTclKMyXrNIllOlqBSHv69xgzUpMqtVkh8JIoNoo0ibX2v04rfAtTiCTclVvffV6e4fVdSpJf7n9efX0i-llkhWgaoMGL8zX38_EhlrhWO1Ty0tHNnFc_uhbr7jTod-Mags-to2PXMHClXljECZE2ab03JieHmc1bcURHfDOPVCAJ/w640-h490/12.01%20(4).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That crystal clear scent of the first hyacinth bloom as it swirls around the room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfkoOMnVHINUxQCUaLQ5i8jJBP2kTtl4mZrtLTbcWNnxsAIkhX-_tZxz1tbrLLyaucgAKAnRE0vktY9aP_mOyuTYdPs0G4sCk_Od9kIDsrsUnj74GLJ6XzoAQm268E0SSbUxyKVJDOwghM--iSo4OTrGf4zpyU0BAZ0BTQj68QUvkkAK72LPyqpkf/s4608/12.01%20(6).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfkoOMnVHINUxQCUaLQ5i8jJBP2kTtl4mZrtLTbcWNnxsAIkhX-_tZxz1tbrLLyaucgAKAnRE0vktY9aP_mOyuTYdPs0G4sCk_Od9kIDsrsUnj74GLJ6XzoAQm268E0SSbUxyKVJDOwghM--iSo4OTrGf4zpyU0BAZ0BTQj68QUvkkAK72LPyqpkf/w640-h480/12.01%20(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Reading</i></b> ....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49100630-the-book-of-ichigo-ichie" target="_blank">Ichigo Ichie</a> (Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles) - still loving and learning and absorbing and trying to live by these words - and when I can put them in practise - it seems to make the day so much sweeter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-4iUM14c7pUltikmUay8pgHmP5yAdxgcF1P6UzntHU7oy6ymvn3uRnHJGndxW6G5LODpGt0xsPVzeq_DJ8kv6nosNBXOzqvibhcR5HRZjmiBp5x4ocUdGJJ5xpR0_Ezp-3nxK5Jqaa1Nfw-NAn4aIZdzIePyYWGth88K9AGNTtaEWDD9VyphAeUU/s4608/12.01%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-4iUM14c7pUltikmUay8pgHmP5yAdxgcF1P6UzntHU7oy6ymvn3uRnHJGndxW6G5LODpGt0xsPVzeq_DJ8kv6nosNBXOzqvibhcR5HRZjmiBp5x4ocUdGJJ5xpR0_Ezp-3nxK5Jqaa1Nfw-NAn4aIZdzIePyYWGth88K9AGNTtaEWDD9VyphAeUU/w640-h480/12.01%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48637750-vesper-flights" target="_blank">Vesper Flights</a> (Helen Macdonald) - just dipped in and already enjoying it, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and have <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40725252-wakenhyrst?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=CuDAWIJIeH&rank=1" target="_blank">Wakenhyrst (Michelle Paver)</a> waiting to be picked up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gardening</i></b> ....</div><div style="text-align: center;">At work mostly - hard wood cuttings, compost turning, woodchip mulching, glasshouse tidying,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> willow plant-support making, seed selecting(buying) </div><div style="text-align: center;">and happy dancing when I spot a snowdrop in the woodland garden we are creating. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Last autumn the volunteers and I planted thousands (and I do mean thousands) of bulbs - </div><div style="text-align: center;">to see them beginning to appear is like a shot in the arm of pure delight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU16aOdRkTKYlrS7z6h8EIEB638t7bNdXh3cg7Z-qrXM6af3Hglw5p3Vq2n8x1SqB9D1WJEGS4Wa8EdxcbWDcWw9POeqFg0Ed0I-YWX721S-5x0gkswpiAXq0CjJF_1QdOTKkIL3DC5gqxAr9OCj9_LmFKr6PaAnnGo-gBHFtpgmPTaEp0llnUlX9/s1272/06.01%20(11).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1272" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU16aOdRkTKYlrS7z6h8EIEB638t7bNdXh3cg7Z-qrXM6af3Hglw5p3Vq2n8x1SqB9D1WJEGS4Wa8EdxcbWDcWw9POeqFg0Ed0I-YWX721S-5x0gkswpiAXq0CjJF_1QdOTKkIL3DC5gqxAr9OCj9_LmFKr6PaAnnGo-gBHFtpgmPTaEp0llnUlX9/w640-h360/06.01%20(11).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Learning</i></b>....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mandatory training for work - firefighting, H&S, emergency first aid (to include gunshot wounds, pierced eyes, first to the scene responder at a multiple car pile up and removing a splinter from a finger ....) - boy do I feel prepared (NOT!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxMSbab0F89_iLQs_nef0ZlUhmw0P018gYMz6JafndIVCbmv8Xt2bSwAi8kYX6MqXB-CxQWlwLTCnOG3-gRvT2NRTkWH2dKAslDhcgnKqP6uH5eHkSA9AugbgW8BbeAg07NiOrNneXESCXk4LDHSXSGSbC9UV_zS4WrAhBEix7TalqccHJcrvQMkc/s800/e_learning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxMSbab0F89_iLQs_nef0ZlUhmw0P018gYMz6JafndIVCbmv8Xt2bSwAi8kYX6MqXB-CxQWlwLTCnOG3-gRvT2NRTkWH2dKAslDhcgnKqP6uH5eHkSA9AugbgW8BbeAg07NiOrNneXESCXk4LDHSXSGSbC9UV_zS4WrAhBEix7TalqccHJcrvQMkc/w400-h266/e_learning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.freeimages.co.uk</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Appreciating...</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">as much as I can, noticing the good, finding that moment of joy</div><div style="text-align: center;">(even when I want to grind my back teeth...!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">So - that is just a little of what I am up to - what you knitting? Reading? Eating? Making? Enjoying?</p><p>Go on spill the beans - I love to hear what you have been up to :)</p><p><br /></p></div></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-56471804696524800832023-01-03T13:39:00.000+00:002023-01-03T13:39:13.704+00:00A moment in time<p> After, what seems like weeks of dreary wet or bitterly cold days, yesterday was a gem with glorious gently warm sunshine and just a hint of a sharp breeze.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq2AGyeC2N0bQkLcoDbEXFang8qSlGs9YKMj-8wnZOf32dG3YahhIXujm7GCZ_YFIjq1s0fMCfH3GR85_5h3UheK4zUQKtDZ1CtGxSSFsEZ-eQEEGePfax0IjKpFjYcMZp6GPVw1vjr8meWgCBFoZEikEaLOxFnhPRuOonOSAbmc-Eu5220HAkGpA/s839/01.01%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq2AGyeC2N0bQkLcoDbEXFang8qSlGs9YKMj-8wnZOf32dG3YahhIXujm7GCZ_YFIjq1s0fMCfH3GR85_5h3UheK4zUQKtDZ1CtGxSSFsEZ-eQEEGePfax0IjKpFjYcMZp6GPVw1vjr8meWgCBFoZEikEaLOxFnhPRuOonOSAbmc-Eu5220HAkGpA/w360-h640/01.01%20(8).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>Himself and I (and Moss of course) took the chance and threw together a hasty picnic, donned boots and coats and headed off to a <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/hardcastle-crags" target="_blank">wooded valley</a> surrounded by wild moorland hills between us and Hebden Bridge.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgcy-fiwjD4jTBgyoYnToVmR9PuOQ8UNUwBdrEuAYEwvsGVBeYu-OlMD_DNcsxI7WJ8gimkdwoWffywXeJmFWUm6ANCR8NPdoompC1_UU47TyCoRPjD4SRKhKjz5MudV0seZkLd7d_Ki0xBVmeg8mOSkcyGU0aetUTz2e0tkAy-0W-l1oB30g84uB/s4608/02.01%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgcy-fiwjD4jTBgyoYnToVmR9PuOQ8UNUwBdrEuAYEwvsGVBeYu-OlMD_DNcsxI7WJ8gimkdwoWffywXeJmFWUm6ANCR8NPdoompC1_UU47TyCoRPjD4SRKhKjz5MudV0seZkLd7d_Ki0xBVmeg8mOSkcyGU0aetUTz2e0tkAy-0W-l1oB30g84uB/w480-h640/02.01%20(1).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>The air was bitingly fresh and the views sharp and clear. We followed a narrow bracken lined path around the edge of a boggy hill down to the valley bottom. There we crossed a chuckling stream which Moss desperately wanted to throw herself into.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjiWrAyD5VxLcGn7frHqV7jbw86OxaspqQFgP5FcnQRshvsaDVHFMw4meDdAGEjIANtpZgoI4bsMpOePIH369OcW-YPMEXvyKfjazun20_GzKr4fMZtLW67KJAd_Ikg944V1HZSCGMjaKyo7rrsaXXbjh210Sq-R_o3hO_bIZf3ydURlUhcLfKtva/s4608/02.01%20(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjiWrAyD5VxLcGn7frHqV7jbw86OxaspqQFgP5FcnQRshvsaDVHFMw4meDdAGEjIANtpZgoI4bsMpOePIH369OcW-YPMEXvyKfjazun20_GzKr4fMZtLW67KJAd_Ikg944V1HZSCGMjaKyo7rrsaXXbjh210Sq-R_o3hO_bIZf3ydURlUhcLfKtva/w640-h480/02.01%20(10).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We were staggered by the colours - after so many days of driech grey and sepia shades, the bracken in the sun beneath a clear blue sky was almost overwhelming. There was a brief respite from the breeze at the river's edge then as we climbed back out of the valley, we found it again. It was sneaky and could slip between scarves and up sleeves. However we soon warmed up as we plodded upwards to the ridge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3RUT5w0tRyOxXFH6jozzSogS-miNAixXOGgzfsJQJahHbi6Uoyw0-FS9p1UTSkd2WYbzUxmVtZKSpUAgidYu26NegLj32FznOe267WI-uFTnSo2ZFUVo02FkNrNyjOPmZYySTDFeoWRBxaUAeSQEposm7-g4Q1w9R7EY3wJmpv6FcToXvBhX1OW8/s4608/02.01%20(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3RUT5w0tRyOxXFH6jozzSogS-miNAixXOGgzfsJQJahHbi6Uoyw0-FS9p1UTSkd2WYbzUxmVtZKSpUAgidYu26NegLj32FznOe267WI-uFTnSo2ZFUVo02FkNrNyjOPmZYySTDFeoWRBxaUAeSQEposm7-g4Q1w9R7EY3wJmpv6FcToXvBhX1OW8/w640-h480/02.01%20(13).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>At the highest point we stopped for lunch by sheltering in a grouse butt (shooting box) with our faces in the sun. Sharing sandwiches and mugs of tea, I offered Moss a dog snack which produced a series of goofy faces...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iujbtzWsI1pR0C649MB9uzhb7Gz-0MylSVhe7FZ_ywuVz5tPF0hrI7uhlo5dLTG2k7Eejl7fwWWe9dKNpQ5KSmJJmweaoRdeqMvmylFdbCAK1T_S-VFUMMnDMAj-R9ypz55eqm5g7jAB8604FZ3T27okCtaAOLRgDn411ZwEGLA6NN7TYY6G3fZz/s1200/collage%20(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iujbtzWsI1pR0C649MB9uzhb7Gz-0MylSVhe7FZ_ywuVz5tPF0hrI7uhlo5dLTG2k7Eejl7fwWWe9dKNpQ5KSmJJmweaoRdeqMvmylFdbCAK1T_S-VFUMMnDMAj-R9ypz55eqm5g7jAB8604FZ3T27okCtaAOLRgDn411ZwEGLA6NN7TYY6G3fZz/w640-h480/collage%20(16).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our path took us off the edge and down through old farmlands and into older woodlands. The beauty of walking, is not just the act of movement, the joy of discovery it is also gives me the opportunity to think. I've been dwelling on my 'Word of the Year'. Last year was 'Care' and I kept that as a guide line, a bench mark a goal and on the whole it worked and I am gently pleased at the guidance to gave me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KOjxR5_u2A1NWbYILl58S7QNjCdWAkGA6dfehOyPx3JN12suhnimukl6_RNx2XBy_GL6vHVJ2AzBnMmXFtgWgKwYLRMKLZl-giI0M7ofBVZXHhnOwnwwH5F4aYWQGbDQpOBSk4qf4HhfUmXi8zp_q4GdtckZb5Ju7Qel7Zjnijx06z_LxW5ioOLO/s4608/02.01%20(23).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KOjxR5_u2A1NWbYILl58S7QNjCdWAkGA6dfehOyPx3JN12suhnimukl6_RNx2XBy_GL6vHVJ2AzBnMmXFtgWgKwYLRMKLZl-giI0M7ofBVZXHhnOwnwwH5F4aYWQGbDQpOBSk4qf4HhfUmXi8zp_q4GdtckZb5Ju7Qel7Zjnijx06z_LxW5ioOLO/w640-h480/02.01%20(23).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><div>I had toyed with the word '<b>Confelicity</b>' (<i>taking pleasure in another's happiness</i>) which, when I thought about it - I already do, so that was a bit of a cop out. This walk found what I wanted ... my word for this year is actually a Japanese phrase -<a href="https://themindsjournal.com/ichigo-ichie/" target="_blank"> <b>Ichigo Ichie</b></a> which directly translates into - <i>one time one meeting</i>. The principle behind Ichigo ichie is to encourage you to appreciate the magic of every moment as it will never reoccur the exact same way ever again. Time is fleeting and each moment should be cherished as they may never be experienced again even with the same people at the same place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLGngKEG3XnB7endQUKnmTuKFiwOCk8Tu76Tjh6E78APDICEcGoVSQtKKmPet_-Hz4bN8RFBS1eIlm1lL0De1Arw79qIMH6UNDorzgAMGdw8IvWX9ncwhtS4MO9rWO2gxHfYvDV9hKPM-tigsNegmdg6_NSBUL5hOD5LBgsBTFkm84bJ52xAfRXWD/s4608/02.01%20(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLGngKEG3XnB7endQUKnmTuKFiwOCk8Tu76Tjh6E78APDICEcGoVSQtKKmPet_-Hz4bN8RFBS1eIlm1lL0De1Arw79qIMH6UNDorzgAMGdw8IvWX9ncwhtS4MO9rWO2gxHfYvDV9hKPM-tigsNegmdg6_NSBUL5hOD5LBgsBTFkm84bJ52xAfRXWD/w640-h480/02.01%20(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Our walk was the first serious one of 2023 and apart from the staggeringly beautiful day after all the dreary grey we've had recently, this walk was amazing and just filled my eyes and my heart. </div><div><br /></div><div>And gave me my word for this year - I certainly want to make the most of every moment and this was the perfect start!</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you have a word for the year to guide you, inspire you?</div><div>Do you do new year's resolutions?</div><div>Did you manage to get out on the bank holiday and breathe in some new air?<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">ππππ§‘β€οΈππ€π€π€</div><div><br /></div></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-62190175067006060002022-12-31T12:00:00.001+00:002022-12-31T12:00:00.257+00:00New Year wish<p> To all my lovely friends, family and blogging readers - 2022 again has been a turbulent year and I can only surmise that 2023 will probably continue in the same vein, we are not through the 'new normal' just yet and equally we need to adapt and survive. We need to amend what we have done and are still doing - our impact on our world is not a positive one. If we all made a tiny change, each and everyone of us, they would all add up to a wonderful step forward....</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">May your coming year be <b><span style="color: #800180;">filled</span></b> with <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">magic</span> and<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #ffa400;">dreams</span></span> and good <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">madness</span>.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I hope you read some <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">fine books</span> and<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #ff00fe;">kiss someone</span> </span>who thinks you're <b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">WONDERFUL</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">and don't forget to make some <span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">art</span> (<i>write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can</i>)</p><p style="text-align: center;">And somewhere in the next year</p><p style="text-align: center;">I hope </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">you surprise yourself </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Neil Gaiman)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">Ha</span><span style="color: #ffa400;">pp</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">y a</span><span style="color: #04ff00;">n</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">d k</span><span style="color: #800180;">in</span><span style="color: #ff00fe;">d a</span><span style="color: #660000;">nd </span>g<span style="color: #ffa400;">en</span>t<span style="color: #660000;">le</span><span style="color: #ff00fe;"> Ne</span><span style="color: #800180;">w Y</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">ea</span><span style="color: #04ff00;">r t</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">o u</span><span style="color: #ffa400;">s a</span><span style="color: red;">ll</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">β€οΈπ§‘πππππ€π€π€πβ€οΈπ§‘πππππ€π€π€π</span></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-21704437859901577722022-12-29T15:19:00.000+00:002022-12-29T15:19:10.859+00:00Winter winds blow<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsIYToM4CB3iox0OMhNllUKT-JRLhrHgHnox9C-PutuLFTobGaBYMQ7ow-gXBW6XMWcdcgk8MplmpKZ7OSF5TgUzRb4h2qFblqBY5g2n2XyGSK3kexLv2ElVlLLt5bj00A_UaFNIEpuICKUMHd_AozDOr_bTYkx8x6p5SqATE7czWzmXxLtem_2eh/s4608/29.12%20(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsIYToM4CB3iox0OMhNllUKT-JRLhrHgHnox9C-PutuLFTobGaBYMQ7ow-gXBW6XMWcdcgk8MplmpKZ7OSF5TgUzRb4h2qFblqBY5g2n2XyGSK3kexLv2ElVlLLt5bj00A_UaFNIEpuICKUMHd_AozDOr_bTYkx8x6p5SqATE7czWzmXxLtem_2eh/w640-h480/29.12%20(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>With heavy fast moving rain forecast and winds lashing the trees back and forth it seemed a '<b><i>good time</i></b>' to go for a walk .... <b><i>said Moss</i></b>...... and we (strangely) agreed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreqZBT6srDsrfG-M3KbI_UePKUfnfQKP774hfEZCrLP3qI4B5sGTgcL75sT7mTkuGuIL6HOWU9WTexujtcYXy3dqyWYhIskn68AS5OdFGTM_llaisnLoA0jOfqb8hBmvRH6SvMHk-6bl4oEjhtp_QaZCMoiDQrtb5Av9QtJOeXPL18I8xh07aAcbB/s4608/29.12%20(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreqZBT6srDsrfG-M3KbI_UePKUfnfQKP774hfEZCrLP3qI4B5sGTgcL75sT7mTkuGuIL6HOWU9WTexujtcYXy3dqyWYhIskn68AS5OdFGTM_llaisnLoA0jOfqb8hBmvRH6SvMHk-6bl4oEjhtp_QaZCMoiDQrtb5Av9QtJOeXPL18I8xh07aAcbB/w640-h480/29.12%20(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmFnQ8f_BSoua18pEKDF7k7LsquAadBZOfRCxAR7yF6ixnP6lccFjUGGH78-8YoZBuF-yPOhoHLltxQNTDEvfy_q2ig_eXi35fhJAoYsSKKaWsYQwg7KBDpwOQFcZlQFDghBKPk8SuR96HkABRxbbRGwYTlIxdq3f0zpM7NiSs8_4u0zgt9fV3PVj/s4608/29.12%20(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmFnQ8f_BSoua18pEKDF7k7LsquAadBZOfRCxAR7yF6ixnP6lccFjUGGH78-8YoZBuF-yPOhoHLltxQNTDEvfy_q2ig_eXi35fhJAoYsSKKaWsYQwg7KBDpwOQFcZlQFDghBKPk8SuR96HkABRxbbRGwYTlIxdq3f0zpM7NiSs8_4u0zgt9fV3PVj/w640-h480/29.12%20(10).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Wrapped up well - to the point on waddling not walking and finding it almost impossible to bend, we set off. Down the main road through the village, past the fairy light encrusted Christmas tree outside of the community centre, turning right up dead duck hill (double quick puff) then right again up a small track towards a cluster of houses. Although we know it is a bit early in the season - we are on the watch out for lambs. We know that they have started to appear.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEngLc3xmmUSV8yVziNt92L_XM_h2q_8tEnB0fL8-GGvzEQNLUChE7B5U-PXQeqUUvFheHXv0bY-AhWPG36kgjL1c1IxBTeSh2SkkeT4u2kVXcvXHszbUN2kMp_RFvGf7wNSV01N3EjmLi9zbQGk-RmZXkmpq5HQWnQpy1H1lpbJvcR256DoPqlhUd/s4608/29.12%20(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEngLc3xmmUSV8yVziNt92L_XM_h2q_8tEnB0fL8-GGvzEQNLUChE7B5U-PXQeqUUvFheHXv0bY-AhWPG36kgjL1c1IxBTeSh2SkkeT4u2kVXcvXHszbUN2kMp_RFvGf7wNSV01N3EjmLi9zbQGk-RmZXkmpq5HQWnQpy1H1lpbJvcR256DoPqlhUd/w640-h480/29.12%20(16).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Round the goose-field to the rec. Moss races the wind as she chases her frizbee, hurtling along the grass at breakneck speed. Following the far edge, we stepped back out of the grounds, across puddle lane and into the sheep filled souterills. Moss threw herself into the winter 'lake' and steamed herself cool again, willing us to let her off her lead, but with hugely pregnant ewes watching warily - her request was refused.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt-_DaSgkQONMriZSOjN7vgnJCVUkvClRGLYN9PoBhBiLOOepMYrNwqSB7tQWLgNZXhUy-PUnlCyIxVcvTrA6yCkQO8sk6inpiqwwJ2YiwCMsdezyEOnl3kFW2Lv_lE1awtQoC4Kd_n3DEMGQadR97D37vLXpaUL1UhAn9sHJKkU6-4IVMUcPADAi/s4608/29.12%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt-_DaSgkQONMriZSOjN7vgnJCVUkvClRGLYN9PoBhBiLOOepMYrNwqSB7tQWLgNZXhUy-PUnlCyIxVcvTrA6yCkQO8sk6inpiqwwJ2YiwCMsdezyEOnl3kFW2Lv_lE1awtQoC4Kd_n3DEMGQadR97D37vLXpaUL1UhAn9sHJKkU6-4IVMUcPADAi/w640-h480/29.12%20(4).JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>We walk through the upper souterill field making a slight detour past the Highland coo field - checking for calves, they appear soon after Christmas, large fluffy teddy bear beasties hunkering down in the moorland grasses while their mothers watch carefully through thick and wind tousled fringes.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu45bR6ch2SwqK7mD0mJ4HOnaBMBIj3LE5ebyvf3BIhaScr6_0gn2zwks0_o8r5WAwSCzpLYatRfOKmk6feL-vAmL0XKakr2JUnadHETP0GwoVUrcCA4ugOzoDQlJEh_QUA2C9NQbWRDW8h7lq2J3G10S5GY-hdtqLR1JrMi25rMvk0fJskC1p5Jw_/s4608/29.12%20(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu45bR6ch2SwqK7mD0mJ4HOnaBMBIj3LE5ebyvf3BIhaScr6_0gn2zwks0_o8r5WAwSCzpLYatRfOKmk6feL-vAmL0XKakr2JUnadHETP0GwoVUrcCA4ugOzoDQlJEh_QUA2C9NQbWRDW8h7lq2J3G10S5GY-hdtqLR1JrMi25rMvk0fJskC1p5Jw_/w640-h480/29.12%20(11).JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Then down the lane to the nature reserve, still one eye out for lambs and now hares. I can hear the tinkling of the windchimes as we pass chicken accident quarry. Then we leave the lane and turn left up the Ferndene, skipping puddles and dodging flooded paths, past Sagar's Lake, the meadow, the picnic grounds, play park and then back on to the road. A sneaky turn right onto David's walk then home following the main road into the village.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNb3hAx7uz8zSosB2N8LSbQU5lemvZQNXEpfX_8ueKKvEhlb3rtr_4IjPFinnSqY3Vkp6AbR14h-bjs7qsZXKjx4j7SdiIDjIKhuZYBkjVQ0ivfD2J_1e-NISwDHpX33wFUy90WlDUUTeRLMbiiU91oOHz2vXpJAya0XSxjXbRYIPy4wetQPkgptH/s1431/29.12%20(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1431" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNb3hAx7uz8zSosB2N8LSbQU5lemvZQNXEpfX_8ueKKvEhlb3rtr_4IjPFinnSqY3Vkp6AbR14h-bjs7qsZXKjx4j7SdiIDjIKhuZYBkjVQ0ivfD2J_1e-NISwDHpX33wFUy90WlDUUTeRLMbiiU91oOHz2vXpJAya0XSxjXbRYIPy4wetQPkgptH/w640-h360/29.12%20(17).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Our walks are are memory maps, with names from village history or from our own stories. Some from when the boys were little and found it difficult to describe where they were, some are anecdotal tales from friends and others associated with events that occurred. All very personal to us yet instantly recognisable to others.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjGLz7oVZT_WzBFyGrXIIn-__-gSYRDbpk6VH-urMgGQlJl8IMl1UJEccy5kCRLtSTDPuy9dQxO0WWsKK0wNC3lOP-9Dfk8gqPf1RpjxSWUUPO7jAyJRp05v-aXRR9b_pkl15trKV9tDyOvpC9YAkX9DYlfG3u71-EeoxJZkL4q6GIGsF58uICNcN/s830/29.12%20(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjGLz7oVZT_WzBFyGrXIIn-__-gSYRDbpk6VH-urMgGQlJl8IMl1UJEccy5kCRLtSTDPuy9dQxO0WWsKK0wNC3lOP-9Dfk8gqPf1RpjxSWUUPO7jAyJRp05v-aXRR9b_pkl15trKV9tDyOvpC9YAkX9DYlfG3u71-EeoxJZkL4q6GIGsF58uICNcN/w360-h640/29.12%20(18).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Home now, we managed to avoid the rain but we feel wind battered. So with lunch consumed and mugs of tea being cradled in fingers, we can hear the wind howling around the house and calling down the chimney - but we don't mind. It is all part of the season, the place we live and our lives.</div><p></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-56837928006983683542022-12-27T13:42:00.003+00:002022-12-27T13:42:47.951+00:00Twixmas - a bit of this, a bit of that<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSxOBkhTDkUwzD73h-Z1xuddCW01VBqmfOio6dHNu9sjz4s3tUQLtRryVOHoQ_CgCIg24Wo3Qm6HxauGISQPdZcEvmzdIE7zRvS-NElFkl5tvMu4BH1ot7WOEegnvyQDB2TNaTwsxXYPKuTKdK170IcNWjHrka3e33oNby9Y0HoZp6VJJRBKBfbjP/s830/24.12%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSxOBkhTDkUwzD73h-Z1xuddCW01VBqmfOio6dHNu9sjz4s3tUQLtRryVOHoQ_CgCIg24Wo3Qm6HxauGISQPdZcEvmzdIE7zRvS-NElFkl5tvMu4BH1ot7WOEegnvyQDB2TNaTwsxXYPKuTKdK170IcNWjHrka3e33oNby9Y0HoZp6VJJRBKBfbjP/w360-h640/24.12%20(5).jpg" width="360" /></a></p><p>After a few family filled days, at this moment, it is just myself and a mug of tea. The house is remarkably still and restful with just the hint sound trailing from the radio as it cheerfully plays hits from 2008. The overly youthful DJ announcing that she was only seven when these 'oldie-but goldie' tunes came out - what on earth is she talking about?? - it was only 'yesterday'! Gah - what does she know! </p><p>What I <i>do</i> know is that this year gifts were definitely more thoughtful, more considerate.Something else I know, we quaffed countless mugs of tea - teas of all flavours with many differing varieties of milk. Keeps me on my toes - making sure everyone has the correct combination.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKTA20QuWnx49gVic8uTGtzhIKcSGrhcQSG5A_uRyVCO59lGbDht-YlKNRh5fKH5qF_6jTn9ROnriNH_LuypNaVjk-HQmIgPBgMEtwkh0SbO9G1qhJAcCwQeUnKpjUJr2IGwWNC62XOj6oBtRq5Hi0AU62NJBBSWhu3xzqJ4suzFP8VvEXgYWgeHS/s1271/24.12%20(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1271" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKTA20QuWnx49gVic8uTGtzhIKcSGrhcQSG5A_uRyVCO59lGbDht-YlKNRh5fKH5qF_6jTn9ROnriNH_LuypNaVjk-HQmIgPBgMEtwkh0SbO9G1qhJAcCwQeUnKpjUJr2IGwWNC62XOj6oBtRq5Hi0AU62NJBBSWhu3xzqJ4suzFP8VvEXgYWgeHS/w640-h360/24.12%20(13).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I find at this time of year - the kitchen becomes the engine room of the house, churning out not only meals for hungry tums, but festive treats and bakes too. I've tried a couple of new to me recipes (inspired by the unreachable perfection of instagram) but will need to practice/improve/give up/admit defeat ππ. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4kG5CL58Lv-wL8jvBnxiA-zvS4PXzKusGFDs3-wdU6FOwX9xDEbE0P4cnhqwcefs60bfwUcZZ7k1-93h793rufUB-pNcq4NOe37WIiWufAUABiO1-HARGpu6EYWlQRsmiqNVAoP1BU5goP2aByMSQ7G8xTUY-BknEy2TGEqSA9NQ_43fLpUYfTDb/s1200/collage%20(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4kG5CL58Lv-wL8jvBnxiA-zvS4PXzKusGFDs3-wdU6FOwX9xDEbE0P4cnhqwcefs60bfwUcZZ7k1-93h793rufUB-pNcq4NOe37WIiWufAUABiO1-HARGpu6EYWlQRsmiqNVAoP1BU5goP2aByMSQ7G8xTUY-BknEy2TGEqSA9NQ_43fLpUYfTDb/w640-h480/collage%20(15).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The weather has been rather predictably rubbish - that pristine but brittle cold blue sky slid into a driech grey wet blanket with on off miserable rain. It does make hunkering down by the fire rather enticing while dog walks are more a feat of endurance that a pleasure. We have had a couple of gently splendid soft grey and peach sunsets sprinkled liberally with hail - they were bracingly joyful made all that much better by returning home and putting the kettle on with mincepies and ginger biscuits calling out to be eaten.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbq_sPaYaI9ny6tV_2mtYGHWvjKGgcRPlzf0pGBd177Sf472njmGyE-eftPPeCDJ8tsu3X8WmAz5RnkNU9UKoyGdfYhf7-gan1lJa3_RGJycldy8K812UhnnQhebL-nvCAkLZMYV26jZYqRcqMxce6-IsiDRJR0JRowJrSGCqcf-XdLjh4LZOeALD/s1271/25.12%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1271" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbq_sPaYaI9ny6tV_2mtYGHWvjKGgcRPlzf0pGBd177Sf472njmGyE-eftPPeCDJ8tsu3X8WmAz5RnkNU9UKoyGdfYhf7-gan1lJa3_RGJycldy8K812UhnnQhebL-nvCAkLZMYV26jZYqRcqMxce6-IsiDRJR0JRowJrSGCqcf-XdLjh4LZOeALD/w640-h360/25.12%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>We will have a couple of days to ourselves, Himself and I, while the boys spend time with their extended families and although a walk or two has been discussed - the weather, once again - will feature somewhat!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SiT7QaeCMPGIP3MJujPN2e24g7GEJfvq_LK7JZHbu3e0ImcpamouQtsGCOWeBemsFBktsOKdClb9zdG28g6uzShj2qxwjvSXtwBjJNzsgT-R6LOGmXwwLVFgiZrQPacICmVyTEytxmtBuvM5rq-h63FBXczhHdy2_LEwcoJjm3CrBUj5ZKvxXdgw/s1271/26.12%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1271" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SiT7QaeCMPGIP3MJujPN2e24g7GEJfvq_LK7JZHbu3e0ImcpamouQtsGCOWeBemsFBktsOKdClb9zdG28g6uzShj2qxwjvSXtwBjJNzsgT-R6LOGmXwwLVFgiZrQPacICmVyTEytxmtBuvM5rq-h63FBXczhHdy2_LEwcoJjm3CrBUj5ZKvxXdgw/w640-h360/26.12%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There is something about this time of year - it makes me restless - I feel the need for an adventure, not quite on the level that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbo_Baggins" target="_blank">Bilbo Baggins</a> undertook however - I can feel that need rising. </p><p>Do you get that stirring of restlessness or (if you are in the northern hemisphere) happy to hibernate?</p><p><br /></p><p> And one last image - a fuzzy-zoomy photo of Moss as we performed a double quick march to get home before the hail shower pinged our respective noses even more!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5_UhbCR9eMiw5WyRw5WmfwDnnKeYTvyBicIYnZl7W3YDGsf_sj2zqQTZMpzli7LlPw6jsuitqQhjBn1OWgXRVO8wifvneDVFzijJASHsc8BVJXLcCvR2XswaiyITTHAyE_qSIeIvHI3yHkl165RivUYv8DhFYGI1aKh3DAvtz5-YkfhE689Yim9v/s4032/PXL_20221226_152352044.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5_UhbCR9eMiw5WyRw5WmfwDnnKeYTvyBicIYnZl7W3YDGsf_sj2zqQTZMpzli7LlPw6jsuitqQhjBn1OWgXRVO8wifvneDVFzijJASHsc8BVJXLcCvR2XswaiyITTHAyE_qSIeIvHI3yHkl165RivUYv8DhFYGI1aKh3DAvtz5-YkfhE689Yim9v/w360-h640/PXL_20221226_152352044.MP.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-64941197939411300372022-12-24T16:33:00.003+00:002022-12-24T16:33:43.008+00:00Yuletide love and blessings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9GtPX6c_kg" width="320" youtube-src-id="e9GtPX6c_kg"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">May your next few days be filled with love</div><div style="text-align: center;">and your life be blessed with new opportunities to grow and flourish,</div><div style="text-align: center;">let next year be brimming with positivity and love β€οΈβοΈβοΈ</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yuletide blessings and love xx</div><p></p>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-23157750571999261682022-12-23T18:07:00.003+00:002022-12-23T18:07:38.804+00:00Something to get your teeth intoπͺβοΈπ<p>On Thursday - the only day we all had time spare - we baked our marathon-relay-tag-team gingerbread festive biscuits. Making sure we had enough to share and to scoff, there was a lot of rolling and cutting and cooking. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JEa3rcW-6S525-gzfUSlURXIgWQw5-vhrQWxhg6om3mjBNZ-j8BQcTDk5Q3K2Fc1VqAGz7tpoAwNxqkh1H47XGvHLwYmV0KfzCa_88M-MYM9NGPQ9TMghsqh2du4qWfgQWpHRW219XO4c6hRl8cFPBbbAkAmdFrsbCJbtTJbVcYT0kW2vZwu8UnE/s1200/collage%20(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JEa3rcW-6S525-gzfUSlURXIgWQw5-vhrQWxhg6om3mjBNZ-j8BQcTDk5Q3K2Fc1VqAGz7tpoAwNxqkh1H47XGvHLwYmV0KfzCa_88M-MYM9NGPQ9TMghsqh2du4qWfgQWpHRW219XO4c6hRl8cFPBbbAkAmdFrsbCJbtTJbVcYT0kW2vZwu8UnE/w640-h480/collage%20(13).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Whilst we were waiting for the biscuits to dry, Moss took us for a quick dog-loop before the weather closed in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj-_fvveGSYzHY00wlEc1Y5y0N_vbMZ3LGoH2Y0Vy3PpsOODvWZM2JKCOim8sJVCN6HDZ-VS_Xj-EkWAhRswrRyj-eluhHMNqWp0HO27NjeMXKAVDh8Q2Q_takGrU9QUTHjXUzuVpAiSBcglVBNv8Leh4c21ObzSFVQHCLGen3WDF9zPpBTpO2IeD/s4608/22.12%20(40).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj-_fvveGSYzHY00wlEc1Y5y0N_vbMZ3LGoH2Y0Vy3PpsOODvWZM2JKCOim8sJVCN6HDZ-VS_Xj-EkWAhRswrRyj-eluhHMNqWp0HO27NjeMXKAVDh8Q2Q_takGrU9QUTHjXUzuVpAiSBcglVBNv8Leh4c21ObzSFVQHCLGen3WDF9zPpBTpO2IeD/w640-h480/22.12%20(40).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIL7Uz0ntGaKgkEzsFmIMGsNjXVruZQvBbY2NlHWPlfUyopxhXn3OF-EyVEoRRRGQKfYCjVfekfZsfiaGiCPxmnAeWzG7PZUe0Obh1-9gjxKkxnPCbEUAswi9XzzlXaHkZUgeiszeq_mEpjlfUXinT7TedjUGwpmUMDN0s_FZRi5b9vnvpRTr8f6f/s4608/22.12%20(42).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIL7Uz0ntGaKgkEzsFmIMGsNjXVruZQvBbY2NlHWPlfUyopxhXn3OF-EyVEoRRRGQKfYCjVfekfZsfiaGiCPxmnAeWzG7PZUe0Obh1-9gjxKkxnPCbEUAswi9XzzlXaHkZUgeiszeq_mEpjlfUXinT7TedjUGwpmUMDN0s_FZRi5b9vnvpRTr8f6f/w640-h480/22.12%20(42).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div>Once we'd returned there was a bit of a mini panic when I could not find my icing kit, so Himself and I galloped off to purchase a replacement icing nozzle set (which in the end meant going to five (yes 5) different shops until we eventually found enough to get started.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOlwaXL9LIIuHxrvbjP46uDRgHulrNNjOt4eoe1emJfjplkZng2AMckv2LFM862ryYnozDebF6STrWf85OUuYhF_VTdAUSmLFGCU4tY7cMMXIAurmX_fS8zO5kAasTsSAWeS0n15qalZiXoOr3nk5EEE4PkuA0QIyYl_83u2wX75r5jhIbHe7IIX3/s1200/collage%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOlwaXL9LIIuHxrvbjP46uDRgHulrNNjOt4eoe1emJfjplkZng2AMckv2LFM862ryYnozDebF6STrWf85OUuYhF_VTdAUSmLFGCU4tY7cMMXIAurmX_fS8zO5kAasTsSAWeS0n15qalZiXoOr3nk5EEE4PkuA0QIyYl_83u2wX75r5jhIbHe7IIX3/w640-h480/collage%20(14).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p>It could be said we had fun! We now have aliens, snowmen, gold and silver stars, festive trees and pigs ... yes pigs!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE88s2TgxIeBoon7G-AaeBGE3xA_4RYI7sG7FbpauDjrTkfJJj1cTNkyZFUmZlO3jssHZ84zMg7PqXkP5DvLzCAkLovB6z-mvMUSB45ocnvaoj4kDanB7dtvneG2Xvi3Ks6Flz2PFfPXB0FhQuga4HGnuv80mFM5LYAkskq2CoDfql5glGG7l-bUsT/s957/22.12%20(22).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="957" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE88s2TgxIeBoon7G-AaeBGE3xA_4RYI7sG7FbpauDjrTkfJJj1cTNkyZFUmZlO3jssHZ84zMg7PqXkP5DvLzCAkLovB6z-mvMUSB45ocnvaoj4kDanB7dtvneG2Xvi3Ks6Flz2PFfPXB0FhQuga4HGnuv80mFM5LYAkskq2CoDfql5glGG7l-bUsT/w640-h360/22.12%20(22).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHol6ok5DKfqYZOFFlO18WX3OkJylDVNVwwpAZEQqIHtPt7EWmtAfaZval62JTj82mls51qUFi4ak6E2DTp5nLrRfqxPAA5wA4CrUAeiy8yjcFm1KUzeVTIFJFpAjsfmn4kvIgPlK9JmRpigzHxq1-FRhC1Vby32Csm8JGxoKeTnQC25cU0IOIvhdX/s839/22.12%20(26).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHol6ok5DKfqYZOFFlO18WX3OkJylDVNVwwpAZEQqIHtPt7EWmtAfaZval62JTj82mls51qUFi4ak6E2DTp5nLrRfqxPAA5wA4CrUAeiy8yjcFm1KUzeVTIFJFpAjsfmn4kvIgPlK9JmRpigzHxq1-FRhC1Vby32Csm8JGxoKeTnQC25cU0IOIvhdX/w360-h640/22.12%20(26).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUBedgktRMQwxm4532XICP8IfaB_fJSgUgMOiB-UoowG2KPOp1UeLmdzW8p2oyJYUHlhUramLrf0MfPxROS9kPMKHveEn8AQPCPiJjYfnN33To1JBcokp2FKgi_iMtZ2w52j97yaiIhjV1DvvMnWcXJ1nvmZAtRh_ZCdqWdRipDo5GO7BWg96458B/s839/22.12%20(24).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUBedgktRMQwxm4532XICP8IfaB_fJSgUgMOiB-UoowG2KPOp1UeLmdzW8p2oyJYUHlhUramLrf0MfPxROS9kPMKHveEn8AQPCPiJjYfnN33To1JBcokp2FKgi_iMtZ2w52j97yaiIhjV1DvvMnWcXJ1nvmZAtRh_ZCdqWdRipDo5GO7BWg96458B/w360-h640/22.12%20(24).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div>Despite all the 'taste testing' and 'pre-icing nibbling' we still managed to fill three jars - perfect for sharingππͺ</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoJOPqDem14HFh_z4doEgcX8LKCQ3tnrTc6jUmuMvbJuo4C6A8Q9FDdXxQwRIvosLQ5T44qejvl3ymn_PsKIrS6mSjqTVtiMr-h549hs6_z_w848BDb6eZ7qEEIDDjJOw80SfELXXAARugpT6rlu0RnH5V84yr-g6-s4uhQPoC1hpBj4dlFTqimfq/s957/22.12%20(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="957" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoJOPqDem14HFh_z4doEgcX8LKCQ3tnrTc6jUmuMvbJuo4C6A8Q9FDdXxQwRIvosLQ5T44qejvl3ymn_PsKIrS6mSjqTVtiMr-h549hs6_z_w848BDb6eZ7qEEIDDjJOw80SfELXXAARugpT6rlu0RnH5V84yr-g6-s4uhQPoC1hpBj4dlFTqimfq/w640-h360/22.12%20(36).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And if you fancy a mad marathon baking sesh of the gingerbread kind - here is the recipe....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">350g (12oz) self raising flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10ml (2 tsp) ground ginger *</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">100g (4oz) butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">175g (6oz) light brown sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">60ml (4 tblsp) golden syrup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 egg - beaten</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sift flour and ginger*, add sugar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soften butter in the microwave, stir in the syrup then add the egg - mix well</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">knead til smooth, roll out to about 5mm (ΒΌ inch) thick. Choose your favourite seasonal cutters and have fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lay on to baking trays (either greased or lined)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bake at 190Β°c (375Β°f) for about 10 - 15 mins until golden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cool slightly then finish on a wire track</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Decorate to your heart's content and scoff!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* I doubled the ginger, added mixed spice and then for good measure a pinch of ground cloves - I wanted a very festive hit in each biscuit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDKqvPFJYEORejP7LlenY4TWTX5X1cQWMrQHUBASmIxU8eaPj26xEY1wzkIkaK4C_q-KDbq7ovcIJgGjJF1PylOTGbYBah460LSlPLJzuveaLQcKXudosBL-HFjYJkUihWkgMoUTVO9P2Oc1b1TDYpIPKoUHCzDNy96EWyyMIOpeBn2emnAEiHXi8/s839/22.12%20(37).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDKqvPFJYEORejP7LlenY4TWTX5X1cQWMrQHUBASmIxU8eaPj26xEY1wzkIkaK4C_q-KDbq7ovcIJgGjJF1PylOTGbYBah460LSlPLJzuveaLQcKXudosBL-HFjYJkUihWkgMoUTVO9P2Oc1b1TDYpIPKoUHCzDNy96EWyyMIOpeBn2emnAEiHXi8/w360-h640/22.12%20(37).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They don't last long...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671225480721447118.post-45362752681871198442022-12-20T21:45:00.000+00:002022-12-20T21:45:00.104+00:00Wreath makingπ<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtR3kRw_XPtUaC5aJipdwyiHnqlLcZry8__g9vCAjsXrqlyEsi_yx-oaeSdS9fq_OqMEeWKmGZNIeEI-3cmSUmezToZX2g9PVQkZnYR7uNHYraZdOhMuN-D_gnC0kuzxBi40lyVfTAr-Bg44IPTloAu1bWS0VvHI9rhLNQ6wXV_d6rWewgDKPzXYC/s1269/05.12%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1269" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtR3kRw_XPtUaC5aJipdwyiHnqlLcZry8__g9vCAjsXrqlyEsi_yx-oaeSdS9fq_OqMEeWKmGZNIeEI-3cmSUmezToZX2g9PVQkZnYR7uNHYraZdOhMuN-D_gnC0kuzxBi40lyVfTAr-Bg44IPTloAu1bWS0VvHI9rhLNQ6wXV_d6rWewgDKPzXYC/w640-h360/05.12%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the first weekend of December we gathered around newspaper covered tables and we crafted many wreaths. For ourselves, for friends, for colleagues and for family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo5-V9NhB-RwMiq9eeQvQWWogI7Vf9pzKcaY3bTfYWTb4UOgfD3QIN_-k-J1DBq7r2x3oZtAvjj9XRBuopDNzjeon7KVSf0OAI5p12FbPxwMUh0h3qq0JRvzxeLMog4m6hfmXaRS0ZjVTFoVNauBRGN8rjM-q8e_H4skHoZ2Ejh7IabUco9tVnTXO/s830/03.12%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo5-V9NhB-RwMiq9eeQvQWWogI7Vf9pzKcaY3bTfYWTb4UOgfD3QIN_-k-J1DBq7r2x3oZtAvjj9XRBuopDNzjeon7KVSf0OAI5p12FbPxwMUh0h3qq0JRvzxeLMog4m6hfmXaRS0ZjVTFoVNauBRGN8rjM-q8e_H4skHoZ2Ejh7IabUco9tVnTXO/w360-h640/03.12%20(1).jpg" width="360" /></a></div>Food was shared and there was so much - the table groaned beneath plates and despite our best efforts, the left overs were shared out and sent home to be eaten later.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZYIt3SuHz6w7k8LbZM4-qmVmdPEqOEz-NyQ-lU8fCP6A2Rxf2QA4Mn6cZSd7QZ5aneEloHtC9CGN-WiC6ABHI9En_TqdYjxDfKhdDkXrkYPlqKYY4IxcXcuyj3sfx2uyLeBERIdAHz0Bp8mksc3TYj0QMnmVsJicDThHnT9XxZbRo32HYPpxPJmX/s1269/03.12%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1269" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZYIt3SuHz6w7k8LbZM4-qmVmdPEqOEz-NyQ-lU8fCP6A2Rxf2QA4Mn6cZSd7QZ5aneEloHtC9CGN-WiC6ABHI9En_TqdYjxDfKhdDkXrkYPlqKYY4IxcXcuyj3sfx2uyLeBERIdAHz0Bp8mksc3TYj0QMnmVsJicDThHnT9XxZbRo32HYPpxPJmX/w640-h360/03.12%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhKu9tX4DnMRS_eE1bFvkL8zcDIK-Pp206ea4LBpjuIeLzvvi74GEpHkhLx8sWJjODXkLyXxAsMK2EhUG5d2rr-kb4yOYdD0_3wYlT2RHmPfLN3ezvK2z9LrC9X1hJ4-8tdYNYAWSkkOS8SKHRHt1Af4cYZKgC3iHsCbMNsKkv7LcaAPz6ThnlaKG/s1269/03.12%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1269" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhKu9tX4DnMRS_eE1bFvkL8zcDIK-Pp206ea4LBpjuIeLzvvi74GEpHkhLx8sWJjODXkLyXxAsMK2EhUG5d2rr-kb4yOYdD0_3wYlT2RHmPfLN3ezvK2z9LrC9X1hJ4-8tdYNYAWSkkOS8SKHRHt1Af4cYZKgC3iHsCbMNsKkv7LcaAPz6ThnlaKG/w640-h360/03.12%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcORIbgHbNIHleinGY9cHHRJZ4U0Cds0JjPlJ6B5A_NfJnsnzD0KhFYxw_PHQnhtkWBzL7yf-R8jSOi0-m6Dt04ca6IJ3ks5-Yxxcx8l6d0DXm7H4UAXJRjm06z5p-sPa6Mr7DyD8NurT-KiHi-TSKBrTfqW728F8g4rNjutMuXcgU4RwVfjGhflpP/s1269/03.12%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1269" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcORIbgHbNIHleinGY9cHHRJZ4U0Cds0JjPlJ6B5A_NfJnsnzD0KhFYxw_PHQnhtkWBzL7yf-R8jSOi0-m6Dt04ca6IJ3ks5-Yxxcx8l6d0DXm7H4UAXJRjm06z5p-sPa6Mr7DyD8NurT-KiHi-TSKBrTfqW728F8g4rNjutMuXcgU4RwVfjGhflpP/w640-h360/03.12%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkSl4KUwihz__RsXMDSUXTls0jXbAlr1joqv_2VZYHiHJoeXdauN1S_1GFadnXmqqrhvc2fZ560jQY1BluAuTE13W5yRxTQR4ZmPVzgs3bmP_OeAK-1fLxcuNjaVbwg85YQ0MJv0x4acGujCSZbJJ4bidq5S9VIsb431l4ulISE07bfvFo0_H65vB/s830/05.12%20(16).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkSl4KUwihz__RsXMDSUXTls0jXbAlr1joqv_2VZYHiHJoeXdauN1S_1GFadnXmqqrhvc2fZ560jQY1BluAuTE13W5yRxTQR4ZmPVzgs3bmP_OeAK-1fLxcuNjaVbwg85YQ0MJv0x4acGujCSZbJJ4bidq5S9VIsb431l4ulISE07bfvFo0_H65vB/w360-h640/05.12%20(16).jpg" width="360" /></a></div>By the end of a wonderful day of cutting, snipping, chatting, eating, tying and tweaking, between the ten of us we had made 15 wreaths. Our home smelt gloriously of wood and pine - quite heady and spicy.<div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVA61cIEzRL9wasYz7-xDj9oHgZmO8qg_VBkekaLI2ypLy5laO5GxQtTL_6iIXNZSstT7v_RzLzJVKeHVnMNcaV8anG1L33qaFMuokfeSUN90Bhyamoaja13I0HkYprI44ikvhqZ179Nhr76W--hn589av-D2L0E8n5Hx0rkuwHSaPTmwyOYpdRlw/s1200/collage%20(12).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVA61cIEzRL9wasYz7-xDj9oHgZmO8qg_VBkekaLI2ypLy5laO5GxQtTL_6iIXNZSstT7v_RzLzJVKeHVnMNcaV8anG1L33qaFMuokfeSUN90Bhyamoaja13I0HkYprI44ikvhqZ179Nhr76W--hn589av-D2L0E8n5Hx0rkuwHSaPTmwyOYpdRlw/w640-h480/collage%20(12).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, later, once our guests had gone, the house quiet, left over foliage and fripperies put away we cradled mugs of tea and toasted our toes in front of the fire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0gWMGkEXx8mXnBdIs-wVSiDAALV8mkxCw9Mj8TiH-lx-vFw5coyWP4xQxjO_AZen39Egm8fIU7dIKDKeUXBvMcjNBwq1gLBM9FdUY_m6obbZAdLKGCf-GEXiDpmnaI8UlFytWDoIZ4nYxsC4HL6W922yQakjExEePjt0qomAKrY9CXQ5CtY68rW4/s469/18.12%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="469" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0gWMGkEXx8mXnBdIs-wVSiDAALV8mkxCw9Mj8TiH-lx-vFw5coyWP4xQxjO_AZen39Egm8fIU7dIKDKeUXBvMcjNBwq1gLBM9FdUY_m6obbZAdLKGCf-GEXiDpmnaI8UlFytWDoIZ4nYxsC4HL6W922yQakjExEePjt0qomAKrY9CXQ5CtY68rW4/w640-h546/18.12%20(14).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It had been a good day, a very good day, made the more special as we'd not been able to celebrate wreath making for the previous two years and it was wonderful being able share food and friendship once again β€οΈβοΈπ</div><br /><p></p></div>kjsutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064786032612487652noreply@blogger.com21