You may, @Piglet but I should warn you the current urge has now worn off and who knows when it will return again... plus, the 300 miles or so between your address and mine is a bit of an inconvenience.
It's still warm enough in West Lothian that I have the windows open, but that may have been partly due to having cacio e pepe for supper, which was quite, well, peppery ... 😋
My online check-in is done, and all I need now is a few last minute bits of shopping; I've discovered that the suitcase that I thought was small enough to take in the cabin isn't, so I'll have to see if I can get a slightly smaller one tomorrow. I'm not hugely bothered; I didn't really like the one I have, but it's a bit of an embuggerance all the same.
Memo to self - get:
* Suitcase
* Sun cream
* Euros
* Mobile sorted re: roaming
* Adapters for chargers
Not too cold, but dull and grey in Arkland the Dull and Grey - so much so that a dull grey Mood has been engendered in my mind, and today has dragged by, dully and greyly, on dull leaden grey feet. Tomorrow is also likely to be dull and grey, but enlivened by Rain.
Bah.
CHEESE and a glass of WINE will cheer me up, I expect.
We spent the day at Hatfield House, which is fantastic with some beautiful, and famous, Tudor and Stuart paintings of the royals, lords etc.
Mr Heavenly is currently at his parents’ house for the evening while I read. I might have a glass of wine.
It's still warm enough in West Lothian that I have the windows open, but that may have been partly due to having cacio e pepe for supper, which was quite, well, peppery ... 😋
My online check-in is done, and all I need now is a few last minute bits of shopping; I've discovered that the suitcase that I thought was small enough to take in the cabin isn't, so I'll have to see if I can get a slightly smaller one tomorrow. I'm not hugely bothered; I didn't really like the one I have, but it's a bit of an embuggerance all the same.
Memo to self - get:
* Suitcase
* Sun cream
* Euros
* Mobile sorted re: roaming
* Adapters for chargers
Do you really need the euros? In two weeks just past in Scotland I never handled a single coin; same in Scotland and Ireland a year ago. Plastic worked everywhere.
I've just walked down to our local hospital to pick up some more hearing aid batteries and check I'm on the waiting list for an appointment to check my hearing. I have a feeling it might be a long wait.
I got home just as it started to rain. I have no need to be out again today, though if the weather cheers up a bit I'll pop out and do a bit of gardening.
I'm currently on the tram, pootling to the Gyle shopping centre, to meet my sister for lunch and some retail therapy. And I remembered my shopping list! 😃
Wet and Windy in Arkland the Drenched - gardens and fields need the rain, but why do They (TPTB) always save it up for bank holidays/half-term?
No Pilates today, because half-term, so I haven't had to go out in the rain. The tides are high this week, so The Yard Lads are busy moving various boats in or out of the water - not a job to be envied in today's weather.
It wasn’t forecast to rain here until this afternoon but it started whilst I was out this morning and is very wet rain.
Our town has no bank* so I had to get the bus to the next town. I meant to stay on the bus home, past my house, to go into my town centre to collect a prescription, but I forgot. I shall have to go tomorrow whatever the weather as my medication runs out, so that means going twice as the pharmacy shuts at 1pm and I have a meeting at 3. The forecast is good for tomorrow.
* I finally managed to count and bag up all the loose change, plus an old £20 note, to deposit in my account. Yet another of Mr P’s “ collections”. £34.95 in total. I miscounted, but they still accepted an incomplete bag of of 5p coins.
Wet today because half term. Went to the garden centre with youngest grandson and spent lots on plants to brighten our garden. Hoping to plant them at the weekend. Daughter Erin happily reports that a hedgehog is regularly visiting their garden.
I managed to get to where I was going and back without getting wet: it was mostly rather nice here today.
Unfortunately my trip to the Gyle, apart from a nice lunch with my sister, was a bit of a bollocks (see TICTH), and I came home almost empty-handed apart from some sunscreen and a sponge bag.
If I want Euros I'll have to go to the bank or get them at the airport where I've no doubt they'll cost twice as much.
We are on a little localish break with dear friends, swimming, hot tubs, pony riding for the smaller folk and rain today.
Take away yesterday, bolognese today, family friendly Fajitas tomorrow, pub meal out Thursday
I managed to get to where I was going and back without getting wet: it was mostly rather nice here today.
Unfortunately my trip to the Gyle, apart from a nice lunch with my sister, was a bit of a bollocks (see TICTH), and I came home almost empty-handed apart from some sunscreen and a sponge bag.
If I want Euros I'll have to go to the bank or get them at the airport where I've no doubt they'll cost twice as much.
Try your local Post Office. You may well be able to get them 'over the counter' - or you can order them online via "Click and Collect" and they will be ready within two hours. PO exchange rates are usually good.
I just discovered our front door open. I tried to push it shut but couldn't. Closer examination revealed I had locked it without shutting it first, and the locking thingie was preventing me from closing it.
The back story is that I was woken around midnight by a message from our next door neighbour telling me that the passenger window of our car was half open. So I staggered out of bed to close it and somehow managed to lock the front door on my way back in without shutting it.
Glad to hear all was well after your front door being open all night @North East Quine .
Here at Casa Nen it's been an action-packed morning, with the arrival of the lawn treatment people, Mr Sainz Breeze, and the bin and recycling people - all before 9am.
We're invited over to see Nenlet1, son-in-law (because half term) and the GrandNenling this afternoon so we're looking forward to that.
We have driven off and left the door open all day before when the boys were younger.
Little work here but lots of essay writing. I am hoping to finish it today, or at least get half way through the referencing. Tomorrow I need to start part 2, a faux article about one of my historical sources.
I walked to collect my prescription. I ordered one item and was given all three on my repeat list. The other two last me much longer, so I need them less frequently. Oh well, they’ll keep, but I still need to order this particular one every month as they will only issue a month’s supply.
Into town again this afternoon for Scrabble group, and again this evening for choir but I shall drive tonight.
I got black looks at church choir practice last night when I said I wasn’t going to the Ascension Day service, but I’ve got choirs Tues, Weds and Friday this week, unusually, and am out all day Saturday, so I am pacing myself.
It's another nice looking day here; I'm about to put the last lot of Strategic Laundry on, then pootle along to the post office to see if I can get some Euros, followed by a bit of pre-trip pampering.
We are in the train on our way to Normandy. Tomorrow is a public holiday and Friday the schools are closed so we're off for a long weekend in the countryside.
We are in the train on our way to Normandy. Tomorrow is a public holiday and Friday the schools are closed so we're off for a long weekend in the countryside.
Lucky you! Normandy is a lovely part of France - almost our next-door county pre-Brexit - and my Niece, her Paramour, and their Dog, passed through the area recently on their way back to England. They intend to go back and explore further, time permitting, later in the year. AFAIK, a very distant paternal ancestor of mine came to England with William the Conqueror (or King Norman, as he is referred to in one of the Poldark novels).
Warm, Cloudy (mostly) and Windy in Arkland the Still-Dusty, but some much-needed Wash Ing has been duly put out to dry. Despite not having had a Pilates session yesterday (or perhaps because of not having it), my Legs are playing up somewhat, and restage is called for.
COD MORNAY, MASH n'PEAS for Lunch, because use-by date...
Hope you had success on the Euro's front @Piglet.
We're just back from a Ramblers walk that we were leading. Due to road works in the area some walkers were late and as the group was large anyway my husband set off with one group and I headed off fifteen minutes later with the rest. It worked really well apart from the fact my husband had the coffee and I had the water bottle. Fortunately we got to the coffee stop just as his group were leaving so we swapped drinks. Also the sunglasses I lost while recceing the walk on Saturday were found by one of the other walkers after I asked them all to keep an eye open for them. I'd left them on a bench when we had lunch.
I'm now having a bit of a rest before heading out to a Planning committee meeting this evening.
I did indeed, and Fork Handles came up with the goods re: international plugs, hearing aids & mobile for the recharging of. I scored a blank with the charity shop when looking for a suitcase (they had one that looked promising, but it turned out to be just as big as the one I have), so I'll just have to cough up. It's maybe not such a bad thing, as anything smaller might prove not quite big enough to take what I want with me.
Final laundry is laundered, and luckily doesn't need Iron Ing, so now just Pack Ing (and Panic Ing that I've forgotten something). I do have a list, but you all know what I'm like!
The forecast for Madrid for the whole time we're there is a very scary 35°!!!!! If @Zappa were coming with us, I suppose he might have been able to leave his big coat at home ...
35 is way beyond what I can tolerate! Have a lovely holiday, @Piglet.
That all worked out well @Sarasa .
Tomorrow has to be washing, ironing, meal planning -and resting.
The forecast for Madrid for the whole time we're there is a very scary 35°!!!!! If @Zappa were coming with us, I suppose he might have been able to leave his big coat at home ...
I can cope with 35C (and have done, in France, in Croatia, and in Portugal) as long as it's dry heat. Even so, I find that it's best dealt with by sitting quietly in the shade, preferably at a cafe where BEER, fine WINES and local FOOD are available...
Another dry day in Arkland the Sultry, though not as cloudy as They forecast. A trip to Tess Coe had to be abandoned, because traffic (a major road is closed, owing to a gas leak), so off I went to the village Co-Op. They seem to have overcome their delivery problems, and everything I wanted was available, apart from Oranges...
Lunch may be FISH PIE or perhaps CHICKEN PIE. Not sure which, but there are now CHIPS to go with whatever one is chosen.
Are you on your way @piglet?
We're off to Verona next week where the temperature is predicted to be in the high twenties. A bit too hot for me, but I know my husband will be happy with it.
No lip-reading class today as its half-term, but I did do my charity bookshop shift.
Our kitchen is more or less finished and we think we've decided what colour we're going to paint the kitchen. That's a major feat as we usually take ages and endless pots of tester paint. I got some stick on patches from a paint company instead which seemed to make it so much easier to decide.
Mixed weather here, windy but warm. No yoga class because of half term so I checked up on my students (final assignments due in today) and then finished my own essay and started the second part of the assignment.
Tea was braised venison in a mushroom and garlic cream sauce. Then we went out to the weekly bible study group where we sang worship songs, prayed for one another and discussed Sunday’s sermon - we’re currently working through 1 John.
We have very pleasant sunshine in upper Normandy. This morning we went to the local market, where among other things we could have bought a live chicken. You don't see that on the market in Paris.
We have very pleasant sunshine in upper Normandy. This morning we went to the local market, where among other things we could have bought a live chicken. You don't see that on the market in Paris.
You don't see that on our market either, though you can buy pigs ears for your pet if you fancy.
I went to the Pilates class I don't often get to this morning and came back via the market, where there might have been pig's ears but there was no lettuce plants which was what I was after. I went and had some coffee and cake in one of my favourite cafes instead. Shortly I need to get dressed up and go to the birthday party of a 105 year old. I'm one of a delegation from the Town Council.
Another warm, Sun-Shiny day in Arkland the Elysian. I managed to get to Tess Coe (less traffic than yesterday), and now have enough Essentials to last until Sunday. More BEER will be needed by then, I expect, as Friend D is likely to visit later today.
It took me about an hour to get back to the Ark, after having unloaded the shopping on deck, and parking the car, on account of various conversations with Neighbours. There's a certain amount of Coming and Going around Arkland at the moment, so it was good to catch up with News, and to meet new Neighbour K.
A modicum of Paint Ing is now scheduled for tomorrow, as my Legs are still rather painful today. FISH PIE for Lunch.
We are entering the darkless time of year. Even with blackout curtains, there's enough light seepage that, wake at 4, and you can see sleep is a lost cause.
Into town in the morning to our solicitor to sign Powers of Attorney.
But then after lunch Morpheus strikes back -a pity as it seemed a bright if breezy afternoon.
I’ve just eaten a rather superior home made fish pie from my freezer. Early meal because I have to go into the city for a one-off rehearsal and the buses are not keeping to timetable because of roadworks. They are going to last 20 weeks!
This afternoon at my French group we reminisced about our childhoods, focussing on games and toys. It provoked lots of memories and laughter.
I’ve been to county fairs where you could buy a live chicken but we’ve usually bought ours from a barn beside the country stores in a nearby village. Or hatched them ourselves with fertilised eggs bought on EBay and a slipped under a willing broody hen.
The second assignment (the pretend journal article) is now written except the conclusion, images and referencing, which will probably be done tomorrow morning. Then I just need to do editing and checking before submission.
We are entering the darkless time of year. Even with blackout curtains, there's enough light seepage that, wake at 4, and you can see sleep is a lost cause.
Into town in the morning to our solicitor to sign Powers of Attorney.
But then after lunch Morpheus strikes back -a pity as it seemed a bright if breezy afternoon.
Pizza for dinner because Friday.
Blackout curtains sound terrifying to me. Our bedroom windows face north and east and we only have very light curtains to ease the glare on very sunny days or when dealing with the occasional plague visitation. Clear nights with a full moon are too good to shut out. Right now the sun is much better than the alarm at 7:00. If we had neighbours it might be different, but the deer and other wildlife don't bother us.
The Ark is not overlooked by anyone, so I don't need to draw curtains. The lack of darkness at this time of year is welcome - I prefer being awake and sleepless when it's light outside - but I appreciate that others may think differently.
Do the parents have to find a way to "divide and conquer"?
I also have twin grandsons, and they have an older sister - I'm wondering whether she'll take sides - either both or one of them, or the parents, or just be her own agent of chaos (as she has been for the last 3 years).
Comments
Even in that long dry period is was rarely warm, at least here.
Perhaps I'll have to try someone local ...
I have, however, done the Iron Ing.
It's the Wind Chill, something I got well used to in Canada. 🥶
My online check-in is done, and all I need now is a few last minute bits of shopping; I've discovered that the suitcase that I thought was small enough to take in the cabin isn't, so I'll have to see if I can get a slightly smaller one tomorrow. I'm not hugely bothered; I didn't really like the one I have, but it's a bit of an embuggerance all the same.
Memo to self - get:
* Suitcase
* Sun cream
* Euros
* Mobile sorted re: roaming
* Adapters for chargers
Bah.
CHEESE and a glass of WINE will cheer me up, I expect.
Mr Heavenly is currently at his parents’ house for the evening while I read. I might have a glass of wine.
Do you really need the euros? In two weeks just past in Scotland I never handled a single coin; same in Scotland and Ireland a year ago. Plastic worked everywhere.
I got home just as it started to rain. I have no need to be out again today, though if the weather cheers up a bit I'll pop out and do a bit of gardening.
Wise.
Inside jobs here today as gardening is prevented due to Much Drizzle. The blackbirds are loving it!
I took Ted on his walk very early and managed to dodge the start of the rain, but it's set in now.
No Pilates today, because half-term, so I haven't had to go out in the rain. The tides are high this week, so The Yard Lads are busy moving various boats in or out of the water - not a job to be envied in today's weather.
Our town has no bank* so I had to get the bus to the next town. I meant to stay on the bus home, past my house, to go into my town centre to collect a prescription, but I forgot. I shall have to go tomorrow whatever the weather as my medication runs out, so that means going twice as the pharmacy shuts at 1pm and I have a meeting at 3. The forecast is good for tomorrow.
* I finally managed to count and bag up all the loose change, plus an old £20 note, to deposit in my account. Yet another of Mr P’s “ collections”. £34.95 in total. I miscounted, but they still accepted an incomplete bag of of 5p coins.
Unfortunately my trip to the Gyle, apart from a nice lunch with my sister, was a bit of a bollocks (see TICTH), and I came home almost empty-handed apart from some sunscreen and a sponge bag.
If I want Euros I'll have to go to the bank or get them at the airport where I've no doubt they'll cost twice as much.
Take away yesterday, bolognese today, family friendly Fajitas tomorrow, pub meal out Thursday
Try your local Post Office. You may well be able to get them 'over the counter' - or you can order them online via "Click and Collect" and they will be ready within two hours. PO exchange rates are usually good.
The back story is that I was woken around midnight by a message from our next door neighbour telling me that the passenger window of our car was half open. So I staggered out of bed to close it and somehow managed to lock the front door on my way back in without shutting it.
Here at Casa Nen it's been an action-packed morning, with the arrival of the lawn treatment people, Mr Sainz Breeze, and the bin and recycling people - all before 9am.
We're invited over to see Nenlet1, son-in-law (because half term) and the GrandNenling this afternoon so we're looking forward to that.
Little work here but lots of essay writing. I am hoping to finish it today, or at least get half way through the referencing. Tomorrow I need to start part 2, a faux article about one of my historical sources.
Into town again this afternoon for Scrabble group, and again this evening for choir but I shall drive tonight.
I got black looks at church choir practice last night when I said I wasn’t going to the Ascension Day service, but I’ve got choirs Tues, Weds and Friday this week, unusually, and am out all day Saturday, so I am pacing myself.
It's another nice looking day here; I'm about to put the last lot of Strategic Laundry on, then pootle along to the post office to see if I can get some Euros, followed by a bit of pre-trip pampering.
Then I really must get stuck into Pack Ing ...
Lucky you! Normandy is a lovely part of France - almost our next-door county pre-Brexit - and my Niece, her Paramour, and their Dog, passed through the area recently on their way back to England. They intend to go back and explore further, time permitting, later in the year. AFAIK, a very distant paternal ancestor of mine came to England with William the Conqueror (or King Norman, as he is referred to in one of the Poldark novels).
Warm, Cloudy (mostly) and Windy in Arkland the Still-Dusty, but some much-needed Wash Ing has been duly put out to dry. Despite not having had a Pilates session yesterday (or perhaps because of not having it), my Legs are playing up somewhat, and restage is called for.
COD MORNAY, MASH n'PEAS for Lunch, because use-by date...
We're just back from a Ramblers walk that we were leading. Due to road works in the area some walkers were late and as the group was large anyway my husband set off with one group and I headed off fifteen minutes later with the rest. It worked really well apart from the fact my husband had the coffee and I had the water bottle. Fortunately we got to the coffee stop just as his group were leaving so we swapped drinks. Also the sunglasses I lost while recceing the walk on Saturday were found by one of the other walkers after I asked them all to keep an eye open for them. I'd left them on a bench when we had lunch.
I'm now having a bit of a rest before heading out to a Planning committee meeting this evening.
I did indeed, and Fork Handles came up with the goods re: international plugs, hearing aids & mobile for the recharging of. I scored a blank with the charity shop when looking for a suitcase (they had one that looked promising, but it turned out to be just as big as the one I have), so I'll just have to cough up. It's maybe not such a bad thing, as anything smaller might prove not quite big enough to take what I want with me.
Final laundry is laundered, and luckily doesn't need Iron Ing, so now just Pack Ing (and Panic Ing that I've forgotten something). I do have a list, but you all know what I'm like!
The forecast for Madrid for the whole time we're there is a very scary 35°!!!!! If @Zappa were coming with us, I suppose he might have been able to leave his big coat at home ...
That all worked out well @Sarasa .
Tomorrow has to be washing, ironing, meal planning -and resting.
Self-basting perhaps? 🤣
I'll get my coat (it's been pishing down here)
Another dry day in Arkland the Sultry, though not as cloudy as They forecast. A trip to Tess Coe had to be abandoned, because traffic (a major road is closed, owing to a gas leak), so off I went to the village Co-Op. They seem to have overcome their delivery problems, and everything I wanted was available, apart from Oranges...
Lunch may be FISH PIE or perhaps CHICKEN PIE. Not sure which, but there are now CHIPS to go with whatever one is chosen.
We're off to Verona next week where the temperature is predicted to be in the high twenties. A bit too hot for me, but I know my husband will be happy with it.
No lip-reading class today as its half-term, but I did do my charity bookshop shift.
Our kitchen is more or less finished and we think we've decided what colour we're going to paint the kitchen. That's a major feat as we usually take ages and endless pots of tester paint. I got some stick on patches from a paint company instead which seemed to make it so much easier to decide.
Tea was braised venison in a mushroom and garlic cream sauce. Then we went out to the weekly bible study group where we sang worship songs, prayed for one another and discussed Sunday’s sermon - we’re currently working through 1 John.
Cruising round furniture next! Our twins (my great niece and nephew) are twelve next month and delightful company.
Twins work on a higher level, they help each other to climb: safety gates, cot sides, etc, can all be overcome by two determined small boys.
You don't see that on our market either, though you can buy pigs ears for your pet if you fancy.
I went to the Pilates class I don't often get to this morning and came back via the market, where there might have been pig's ears but there was no lettuce plants which was what I was after. I went and had some coffee and cake in one of my favourite cafes instead. Shortly I need to get dressed up and go to the birthday party of a 105 year old. I'm one of a delegation from the Town Council.
It took me about an hour to get back to the Ark, after having unloaded the shopping on deck, and parking the car, on account of various conversations with Neighbours. There's a certain amount of Coming and Going around Arkland at the moment, so it was good to catch up with News, and to meet new Neighbour K.
A modicum of Paint Ing is now scheduled for tomorrow, as my Legs are still rather painful today. FISH PIE for Lunch.
Into town in the morning to our solicitor to sign Powers of Attorney.
But then after lunch Morpheus strikes back -a pity as it seemed a bright if breezy afternoon.
Pizza for dinner because Friday.
This afternoon at my French group we reminisced about our childhoods, focussing on games and toys. It provoked lots of memories and laughter.
The second assignment (the pretend journal article) is now written except the conclusion, images and referencing, which will probably be done tomorrow morning. Then I just need to do editing and checking before submission.
Blackout curtains sound terrifying to me. Our bedroom windows face north and east and we only have very light curtains to ease the glare on very sunny days or when dealing with the occasional plague visitation. Clear nights with a full moon are too good to shut out. Right now the sun is much better than the alarm at 7:00. If we had neighbours it might be different, but the deer and other wildlife don't bother us.
I also have twin grandsons, and they have an older sister - I'm wondering whether she'll take sides - either both or one of them, or the parents, or just be her own agent of chaos (as she has been for the last 3 years).