No pictures with this blog, unless I manage to get round to transferring all my photos to an external hard drive, as I am having problems downloading the current ones from my camera to my laptop at the moment, due to lack of space. Otherwise, when this is sorted I will have some reasonably decent shots to include with my next post.
I've managed to get out with the walking club over the past few weeks, although I have missed the last two walks, as I went off on my first solo adventure since Mike's death. Yesterday I returned from a week with my sister and husband, in County Durham, travelling there and back by train (using my newly acquired Senior Railcard). It was lovely to spend some quality time with them both, and we were fortunate to have some good weather, apart from the last couple of days. K & A are looking forward to seeing their son and wife, who will be returning to the UK at the weekend, after successfully completing the Pacific Crest Trail. A wonderful achievement. Well Done to A & S!
We all enjoyed a walk in Hamsterley Forest - misty at first, but then the sun broke through the trees, lighting up the reds, yellows and golds of autumn. One highlight was an evening visit to the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle to attend the opening of an art exhibition. My sister attends art classes run by Linda Birch who has illustrated, amongst other things, Bagpuss and The Clangers. Before the official opening we assembled in a large gallery filled with some wonderful paintings (in fact we sipped our wine, standing in front of a large Canaletto), then filed into a smaller gallery filled with Linda's artwork - such a wide variety of techniques and subjects. Thoroughly enjoyable evening. My sister, herself, is a talented artist. I am quite in awe of her work, some of which graces the walls of their home. I felt quite inspired after all this. I have done a bit of sketching over the years, but not much recently, due to circumstances. Perhaps I can take up my pencils and pens again.
Sis and I had a great day out, walking on the moors above Teesdale, then down to the river. Good walking day, and plenty of jaw exercising too! It was the first time we had spent such a long time entirely on our own - just walking, talking and taking in the scenery.The weather was kind too, and we were able to sit on a bank, high above a valley, eating our lunch. Then down, past the old lead workings, to the River Tees, where we climbed about on the rocks, looking at the fossils.
Another trip took us to Paddy's Hole, a fascinating little harbour near Redcar, surrounded by fishermen's huts, on a rather bleak estuary, with steel works pumping out various colours of smoke, and steam, in the background. Then over some low dunes, and what appeared to be mounds of slag, lay a vast, sandy beach, stretching away into the distance, with occasional family groups, dog walkers, and horse riders. To the left we could just see Hartlepool, home of my paternal ancestors. The day was warm and very calm, and even the North Sea looked quite benign for a change.
On our last evening together we drove high over Stang forest and moors in a very thick mist, down to Reeth for a meal at The Bridge at Grinton. Great food, good atmosphere, and friendly people. Altogether a good week, and the train journeys went perfectly. So I will be using my railcard again asap.
Back at home I have a long list of 'to do's'. On approaching my house, the first thing I noticed was the dreadful state of the caravan - the front is covered in mossy green and bird droppings (the overhanging rowan tree has now been stripped of all its berries by the birds) so I must do something about that soon. The greenhouse needs clearing out of grow-bags etc, thoroughly cleaning, and re-filling with the tender plants, with fleece to the ready for the frosty nights. Outside the greenhouse I have already started assembling pots to be emptied, and already emptied, so that looks a mess. There is so much in the garden needs cutting down, and generally clearing. The grape vines (I think the grape harvest is a write-off) which have put on a huge amount of growth, despite a number of pruning sessions during the year) need attention. The window box needs emptying, and refilling with pots of small daffs (yet to be planted), and.....................Oh, I could go on and on. Then there's my plot. Most of it has been cleared, but there is still plenty to keep me busy. I want to get my garlic in, and to start of some broad beans in the greenhouse. And, honestly, I have already scraped quite a lot of moss from the roadway fronting my plot, as requested, but it just keeps coming back.
There are loads of home jobs to catch up with too, but the lousy weather has put a stop to my plans. I had hoped to give the garage, front and back doors a coat of paint before the winter. It will have to wait until the spring now. Just as well. I've already got enough to catch up with! I'll publish this and fill my next post with photos (hopefully - if I get all that sorted).
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