Lovely and sunny here today.
It’s a break week at the university so I have taken annual leave. This morning I have taken a nice long walk but I am currently psyching myself up for an afternoon of dissertation writing, probably a section on the role of the Mad-doctors in treating George III’s madness (my current chapter is about perceptions of the doctors in society).
I might have a hot cross bun and cheese for lunch.
Some nice bike rides over the weekend. Up the Erewash Canal to Bennerley Viaduct then back home down the remains of the Nottingham Canal on Friday and following the Nutbrook Trail yesterday although that one was spoiled by a massive fence blocking it and no diversion route signed which meant going up (and down) a lot more hills than I was expecting.
A lovely blue Tuesday in Arkland the Sunny - there's a fresh east-south-east breeze, but we seem to have avoided the worst of Storm Dave.
Pilates was a bit gruelling, but no doubt the benefit will be felt tomorrow.
Or on Thursday.
Either way, I've no need to go ashore again until Friday, so will spend some time in the wheelhouse absorbing Vitamin D, and whatever other Vitamins are present in BEER (probably not many, but the feel-good factor has to be taken into account, no?).
Warm and sunny here today. We went out to the local plant nursery where we had coffee and cake and returned with a bag of compost and some pansies for a small planter the previous owners left behind in the garden.
This afternoon I had a video catchup with some friends. Mr Nen has gone out on a hunt for diesel; also a swede - the one item not supplied this morning by Mr Sainz Breeze and needed for a new recipe I'm trying out tomorrow.
Somewhat overcast and wet here in southern Portugal, slightly annoying when it’s warmer and sunnier at home. The hotel we’re in tonight is really nice and we have an amazing sea view. The journey here was a bit fraught. We were running late, went in the wrong car park at the airport and had to drive back round again to find the right one. Then my husband lost his passport, fortunately some football fans spotted it where he’d put it down and he was reunited with it while in the queue for the plane. To cap it all I can’t find my house keys. I think they probably fell out of my bag and we’ll find them when we get back on Monday. We’ve had a neighbour check I didn’t drop them on the drive. About to go to meet a rep to get the lowdown on the rest of the week.
I’m away- near the east coast yesterday. Lovely warm sunshine, but then you turn a corner into a chilly wind. Wed visited some lovely gardens and enjoyed cake sitting outside, slightly spoiling dinner out later. I slept in my daughter’s chalet and woke up to a very cold morning, but the day soon warmed up. I am now in Norwich until Friday and have wi-fi in my hotel so am back online. Today I visited the cathedral and walked far more than I am accustomed, so should sleep well tonight. Another warm day forecast.
It's been a mild day in West Lothian too: it got up to 16°, which is Quite Warm.
As we had Night Church this evening, I wanted something speedy for supper, so BEANS ON TOAST it was. After I came home, I had the last of the HCBs* with a cup of tea.
* I suspect Tessie's might still have HCBs, and if they do, I'll probably get some more.
Beautiful day here with an endless blue sky. It looks like it might reach the dizzy heights of 23 degrees today.
Today’s objective is to write another chunk of this chapter, probably on eighteenth century Mad-doctors giving evidence in court. I might do a little bit of gardening first this morning. It is so nice not to have any commitments for a change.
That was a difficult start to your holiday @Sarasa ; I hope things (including the weather) improve for you and Mr S.
Bright and sunny here too and after some work in the garden planting the planter, mowing the lawn and taking quite a bit of time over the lawn's edging it is all Looking Rather Good out there. I plan to do a bit more today as Mr Nen, Weather Watcher and Doom Merchant Par Excellence, informs me that this is The Last Really Nice Day.
I'm also going to embark on some baking, something I haven't done for a long while; I don't really feel comfortable with the new kitchen yet and keep wondering whether the way it's organised and the places I've set up as work stations are the best way to go. I also want to get some more of my books unpacked and onto shelves.
That was a difficult start to your holiday @Sarasa ; I hope things (including the weather) improve for you and Mr S.
Bright and sunny here too and after some work in the garden planting the planter, mowing the lawn and taking quite a bit of time over the lawn's edging it is all Looking Rather Good out there. I plan to do a bit more today as Mr Nen, Weather Watcher and Doom Merchant Par Excellence, informs me that this is The Last Really Nice Day.
I'm also going to embark on some baking, something I haven't done for a long while; I don't really feel comfortable with the new kitchen yet and keep wondering whether the way it's organised and the places I've set up as work stations are the best way to go. I also want to get some more of my books unpacked and onto shelves.
That sounds like you have a busy day ahead but hopefully a fulfilling one too!
Day two of our holiday has been very nice though we accidentally managed to cut about 6k out of the walk by going the wrong way at the start. We also had to do a detour to avoid a flooded stream which involved climbing up and down quite a big hill. The view at the top was good though and we found a good place to eat our lunch. We are now staying in a village that has been turned into a hotel. We have our own small cottage which is rather nice. The weather has also been much better than expected.
Glad your garden is taking shape @nenya. It took a while to find the right places for our stuff when we moved. I did several shifts round to find the best fit for everything.
That sounds like a nice day @Sarasa and glad the weather has been better than expected.
I've done all that I planned to today but most of the house still looks and feels a mess so I find myself frequently gazing out onto the garden - the one place that isn't a mess.
I have a chicken casserole in the slow cooker - a new recipe for me. It required swede, of which there seems to be a world shortage, so I put a parsnip in instead and I have to say it smells pretty great. Seems a long time until teatime so I think a cup of tea on our sunny decking area with some freshly-made flapjack is the next To Do item.
I'm glad you have a garden sanctuary @Nenya. As you grow more yourself, I think you'll come to love it. It's so satisfying nurturing plants. I've started growing many from seed. Now, they're all over our window ledges!
So much for retirement:
Thursday: looking after Grandson #8, after his MMR jabs as he can’t go to nursery
Friday: Nursery not open, looking after Grandson #8
Saturday: Take Grandson #1 and friend to Easter Egg hunt
Sunday: Usual Church meeting, with Grandson #1(fairly regular) Monday: looking after #8 (this is a regular appointment)
Tuesday: looking after #8 for half a day. Should have been Nursery but he wasn’t well.
Wednesday: afternoon looking after grandsons 2, 4 and 6, while their dad (our middle son) went to Family Court. Thank you Lord, all went well.
Tomorrow we hope for a day to ourselves, possibly a bit of light weeding? We shall see.
I shall have to do a spot of Tidy Ing, as the Sewing Lady is coming on Friday to measure up for the alteration to my new dress, and I don't want her to think I'm the messy creature I actually am.
Quite busy at work for a Wednesday, but a lovely evening as I ambled home.
Supper was the other lamb steak (they come in packs of two) with veggies.
Today I visited Strangers’ Hall which was very interesting. I relaxed in the lovely Knot Garden. Just next door was a church which is now an antiques centre. I went to the huge market then popped into St Peter Mancroft, had a spot of lunch, then visited the Castle. It cost a fortune and I’m not sure it was worth it, but it seemed like a ‘ must see’. One section on life in medieval times presented the role of the church very clearly, explaining all sorts of details, but as if Christianity is now defunct.
All this walking has exhausted me, especially as it’s been 20 degrees, so I was back at the hotel by 4pm. I can see at least seven churches from my bedroom window. I’m hoping it will be a bit cooler tomorrow.
I went to see Norwich Castle in February, and yes, the admission charge is pretty high - but I also remember what it looked like before the renovation, so I didn't begrudge paying it. It was great to be able to get up on the roof, for example, and look out over the city. I was also pleased that there was at least a brief mention of the Castle Mall dig around 1990, as I was one of the archaeologists.
I thought the admission was cheaper than some places we visit! We even did the dungeon tour. I enjoyed the castle but we are suckers for old architecture, and I liked seeing the old graffiti. Even if I had to endure Mr Heavenly’s long diatribes as to why he thought the curators interpretations of some of the architecture was wrong…
On hols in Norfolk, and we were woken by the din of farm machinery, clanking across the fields. They are making a fine tilth, probably for spuds. I can smell the old leeks, the previous crop. So nice to get out of London.
We. went to Plantasia in Swansea on Monday, but wouldn’t go again.
Because ...? (It looked good on the telly!)
We've had a few days in London, visiting family. Son, grandson and I went to the RAF Museum on Monday, son took my wife to the Royal Ballet on Tuesday (a superb performance by all counts).
Outward train journey heavily and sadly delayed by a trespasser fatality, this meant a devious but very pretty route to London. GWR staff coped admirably and passengers didn't moan despite train being full and standing.
Overcast but still very warm - 72F! in April! - in Arkland the Sultry, though forecast to be much cooler tomorrow, with a breeze from the East.
I'm keeping the Dragon ticking over, but have turned off the Pump which sends the hot water around the central heating pipes and radiators...I can still use him for cooking, hot water, and ambient warmth (the nights are chilly).
Overcast here today, with a cold wind. We went to the village coffee morning this morning - the men sit at one table and the women sit at another, it's quite bizarre - and this afternoon my neighbour drove me out to a nearby town she knows well (having lived there for many years) and we had a wander round seeing the sights. By the time we were talking about a cup of tea most places were closing so we didn't do that. She had Things To Do on our return so the cup of tea will have to be another day.
Pasta and pesto for tea this evening, always a favourite with me as it's (1) Quick and Easy (2) Tasty.
Sunny and warm this morning, overcast this afternoon with sudden bursts of light rain. Now looking decidedly more grey.
I have finished chapter 3, just need to edit and add a concluding paragraph tomorrow. This is good news as I can start my concluding chapter next week before my next weight of marking arrives.
Possibly haddock tonight, no idea what with.
Not very warm in Portugal and our cottage is rather cold. We did go for a walk in the hills looking at wild flowers this morning which we enjoyed. We’re now in the bar drinking red wine and considering our dinner options. Off to another hotel tomorrow, and the weather
may be a bit brighter.
Pasta and pesto is one of my all time favourite meals @Nenya . I associate it with Friday nights when I was working when it was the end of the week and time to unwind.
Three days with the CH off . Chilly now, but bedtime soon so will make do with cuddling a hot wheat bag.
Suspect the heating will be back on tomorrow as the forecast is for a cloudy morning, so no sun shining into the sitting room to warm it up.
Wi-Fi was useless last night so I am catching up on the train home. Yesterday I went out without a coat. Visited more churches including the Julian shrine and the cathedral again, then the Museum of the Bridewell. Even taking every opportunity to sit down, I was worn out.
At 9 pm there was repeated knocking on my door in the hotel. I couldn't see anyone through the spy hole. I asked who it was and they asked if I had ordered…? I said No so they went away. Weird.
You see all sorts on British trains. Two people filled an area for four, with luggage on one seat and their dog on another. At the next station a lady got on and picked up the dog with great fondness. Sat down and chatted. It seems it was prearranged as she knew them. Later the couple poured drinks - gin and tonic in actual glasses with slices of lime. Then puddings in glass pots. Now the guy is building a Lego sports car. All very entertaining.
By a strange quirk it is cheaper to buy a ticket from Norwich to my home town rather than to Nottingham, even though I am going to get off at Nottingham and get the bus home because it stops just over the road, rather than getting another train from Nottingham then having to walk with luggage for the 15+ minutes from my local station. The train has just gone through my town. I hope to be home within an hour.
By a strange quirk it is cheaper to buy a ticket from Norwich to my home town rather than to Nottingham.
Some years ago I had to travel from Ipswich to Manchester, leaving at about 8.30am and going via Liverpool Street and Euston. The advance fare was an extremely reasonable £20.
I then checked, on the same website and using the same train, the fare just as far to London. It was £26. Bonkers.
Does any English dialect have a word for the weather when it's roasting in the sun with a coat on and freezing in the shade with coat off?
"I-don't-know-how-to-dress."
We drove out this morning to a garden centre in the nearby town and it was a lovely place - loads of garden things and plants and other gift and food stuff as well. They didn't actually have any of the plants I was after ("We will be getting them in, but it's a bit early") but we had a very nice coffee and cake there and a mooch around. We then proceeded to the nearby B&Q and purchased a new mop and bucket and a compost bin.
After all that excitement I'm feeling the need to lie down in a darkened room.
Does any English dialect have a word for the weather when it's roasting in the sun with a coat on and freezing in the shade with coat off?
Apricity is a noun referring to the warmth of the sun on a cold winter's day. Derived from the Latin apricitas ("warmed by the sun") and emerging in the 17th century, it describes a rare, fleeting, and comforting sensation of solar heat during cold weather. It is now a rare word.
Does any English dialect have a word for the weather when it's roasting in the sun with a coat on and freezing in the shade with coat off?
Apricity is a noun referring to the warmth of the sun on a cold winter's day. Derived from the Latin apricitas ("warmed by the sun") and emerging in the 17th century, it describes a rare, fleeting, and comforting sensation of solar heat during cold weather. It is now a rare word.
(Thank you Google)
What a lovely word! Thanks for sharing @Boogie ...
A long walk today, by the end I was pretty exhausted. Our new hotel seems nice and we found a good vegetarian Restaurant for dinner. Not quite sure what we’ll do tomorrow, it’ll probably depend on how my legs are.
I visited St Julian’s church last weekend but it was in the evening so no opportunity to look around. I heard Claire Gilbert talk about Julian a couple of years ago at Greenbelt and recently read her ‘I, Julian’.
The third chapter is now finished and it’s a great relief as although my dissertation isn’t due for nearly 2 months, I have 5 weeks of marking about to arrive in my inbox. I might even have time to start the conclusion next week.
Tea was roasted chicken thighs with an accompaniment of leeks, shiitake mushrooms, spinach and cannellini beans in a pesto and cream sauce. This was followed by a green smoothie; apple, spinach and ginger with almond milk. I am ruining this healthy living by having a glass of Pinot Grigio.
That's good news. Husband en rouge went off round the market this morning and returned with a sizeable entrecôte steak which he had taken a shine to. It was served grilled with pepper sauce and CHIPS and a bottle of excellent Bordeaux from the same château which was served to the top table at our wedding. Glad to hear it was good for me.
Much the same principle applies to CHOCOLATE, which is made from Beans, which are Vegetables, and is therefore required as part of your 5-a-day intake.
Excellent - we sometimes buy treats to have with our afternoon coffee, and today I was given a piece of millionaire's shortbread (or Sticky Willie, as my dad's old boss called it). Glad to know it did me good!
Quite a nice day here; pretty much as in Dafyd's and Boogie's descriptions - warm in the sun, but not yet coat-shedding weather.
F&C for supper (for which I had to wait quite a while - I hit the wrong minute at the chippy).
The Quinie is 30 today, although I have to wait a week until I actually see her and hug her.
I'm reminiscing happily about her birth. The midwife said that a study had shown that it's really good for a woman to have some aspect of normal life happening while she's labouring. So the NE Man was told to sit in an armchair in the corner of the room, read a newspaper, do the cryptic crossword etc. Give the room more of a "homely" vibe, less hospitally. It would boost some of my calm hormones or something. So seriously did he take this task that when the midwife said "Baby's crowning!" he replied "Hang on a second, I've just got 6 down to go."
Anyway, it worked - lovely calm birth and the Quinie was born en caul ( i.e. my waters hadn't broken, so she was born in the bag.) Born at 4.20 am and we were back home in time for lunch.
I'm off on a life drawing course today. All day class with a break for lunch. I was glad to hear that the model is female, I don't fancy drawing men's fiddly bits!
Definitely overdid the gardening yesterday. Quite a lot of me aches, and all night I was conscious of being heavily in contact with the mattress, whether awake or asleep - hard to tell the difference.
If I can totter out for the paper, it'll be as much as I can do.
I hope you can get a rest and the pains go away, Firenze.
Enjoy the drawing class, Boogie.
Happy birthday, Quinie. I wish my first birth had been that stress-free, it consisted of 24 hours of labour with a baby refusing to come out followed by an emergency caesarean under spinal.
I had a lie in today and really should get dressed and go for a walk.
Comments
It’s a break week at the university so I have taken annual leave. This morning I have taken a nice long walk but I am currently psyching myself up for an afternoon of dissertation writing, probably a section on the role of the Mad-doctors in treating George III’s madness (my current chapter is about perceptions of the doctors in society).
I might have a hot cross bun and cheese for lunch.
Pilates was a bit gruelling, but no doubt the benefit will be felt tomorrow.
Or on Thursday.
Either way, I've no need to go ashore again until Friday, so will spend some time in the wheelhouse absorbing Vitamin D, and whatever other Vitamins are present in BEER (probably not many, but the feel-good factor has to be taken into account, no?).
This afternoon I had a video catchup with some friends. Mr Nen has gone out on a hunt for diesel; also a swede - the one item not supplied this morning by Mr Sainz Breeze and needed for a new recipe I'm trying out tomorrow.
Salmon and roast vegetables for tea this evening.
As we had Night Church this evening, I wanted something speedy for supper, so BEANS ON TOAST it was. After I came home, I had the last of the HCBs* with a cup of tea.
* I suspect Tessie's might still have HCBs, and if they do, I'll probably get some more.
Today’s objective is to write another chunk of this chapter, probably on eighteenth century Mad-doctors giving evidence in court. I might do a little bit of gardening first this morning. It is so nice not to have any commitments for a change.
Bright and sunny here too and after some work in the garden planting the planter, mowing the lawn and taking quite a bit of time over the lawn's edging it is all Looking Rather Good out there. I plan to do a bit more today as Mr Nen, Weather Watcher and Doom Merchant Par Excellence, informs me that this is The Last Really Nice Day.
I'm also going to embark on some baking, something I haven't done for a long while; I don't really feel comfortable with the new kitchen yet and keep wondering whether the way it's organised and the places I've set up as work stations are the best way to go. I also want to get some more of my books unpacked and onto shelves.
That sounds like you have a busy day ahead but hopefully a fulfilling one too!
Glad your garden is taking shape @nenya. It took a while to find the right places for our stuff when we moved. I did several shifts round to find the best fit for everything.
I've done all that I planned to today but most of the house still looks and feels a mess so I find myself frequently gazing out onto the garden - the one place that isn't a mess.
I have a chicken casserole in the slow cooker - a new recipe for me. It required swede, of which there seems to be a world shortage, so I put a parsnip in instead and I have to say it smells pretty great. Seems a long time until teatime so I think a cup of tea on our sunny decking area with some freshly-made flapjack is the next To Do item.
Mr Boogs has made an extension to the best one - https://photos.app.goo.gl/jHAUs1WX7iDueJhH6
Thursday: looking after Grandson #8, after his MMR jabs as he can’t go to nursery
Friday: Nursery not open, looking after Grandson #8
Saturday: Take Grandson #1 and friend to Easter Egg hunt
Sunday: Usual Church meeting, with Grandson #1(fairly regular) Monday: looking after #8 (this is a regular appointment)
Tuesday: looking after #8 for half a day. Should have been Nursery but he wasn’t well.
Wednesday: afternoon looking after grandsons 2, 4 and 6, while their dad (our middle son) went to Family Court. Thank you Lord, all went well.
Tomorrow we hope for a day to ourselves, possibly a bit of light weeding? We shall see.
https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_hump.htm
Tomorrow's light weeding will hopefully be more restful than it sounds!
Quite busy at work for a Wednesday, but a lovely evening as I ambled home.
Supper was the other lamb steak (they come in packs of two) with veggies.
All this walking has exhausted me, especially as it’s been 20 degrees, so I was back at the hotel by 4pm. I can see at least seven churches from my bedroom window. I’m hoping it will be a bit cooler tomorrow.
We've had a few days in London, visiting family. Son, grandson and I went to the RAF Museum on Monday, son took my wife to the Royal Ballet on Tuesday (a superb performance by all counts).
Outward train journey heavily and sadly delayed by a trespasser fatality, this meant a devious but very pretty route to London. GWR staff coped admirably and passengers didn't moan despite train being full and standing.
I'm keeping the Dragon ticking over, but have turned off the Pump which sends the hot water around the central heating pipes and radiators...I can still use him for cooking, hot water, and ambient warmth (the nights are chilly).
Pasta and pesto for tea this evening, always a favourite with me as it's (1) Quick and Easy (2) Tasty.
I have finished chapter 3, just need to edit and add a concluding paragraph tomorrow. This is good news as I can start my concluding chapter next week before my next weight of marking arrives.
Possibly haddock tonight, no idea what with.
may be a bit brighter.
Pasta and pesto is one of my all time favourite meals @Nenya . I associate it with Friday nights when I was working when it was the end of the week and time to unwind.
Fishcakes and veggies for supper.
Suspect the heating will be back on tomorrow as the forecast is for a cloudy morning, so no sun shining into the sitting room to warm it up.
At 9 pm there was repeated knocking on my door in the hotel. I couldn't see anyone through the spy hole. I asked who it was and they asked if I had ordered…? I said No so they went away. Weird.
You see all sorts on British trains. Two people filled an area for four, with luggage on one seat and their dog on another. At the next station a lady got on and picked up the dog with great fondness. Sat down and chatted. It seems it was prearranged as she knew them. Later the couple poured drinks - gin and tonic in actual glasses with slices of lime. Then puddings in glass pots. Now the guy is building a Lego sports car. All very entertaining.
I then checked, on the same website and using the same train, the fare just as far to London. It was £26. Bonkers.
"I-don't-know-how-to-dress."
We drove out this morning to a garden centre in the nearby town and it was a lovely place - loads of garden things and plants and other gift and food stuff as well. They didn't actually have any of the plants I was after ("We will be getting them in, but it's a bit early") but we had a very nice coffee and cake there and a mooch around. We then proceeded to the nearby B&Q and purchased a new mop and bucket and a compost bin.
After all that excitement I'm feeling the need to lie down in a darkened room.
Apricity is a noun referring to the warmth of the sun on a cold winter's day. Derived from the Latin apricitas ("warmed by the sun") and emerging in the 17th century, it describes a rare, fleeting, and comforting sensation of solar heat during cold weather. It is now a rare word.
(Thank you Google)
What a lovely word! Thanks for sharing @Boogie ...
The third chapter is now finished and it’s a great relief as although my dissertation isn’t due for nearly 2 months, I have 5 weeks of marking about to arrive in my inbox. I might even have time to start the conclusion next week.
Tea was roasted chicken thighs with an accompaniment of leeks, shiitake mushrooms, spinach and cannellini beans in a pesto and cream sauce. This was followed by a green smoothie; apple, spinach and ginger with almond milk. I am ruining this healthy living by having a glass of Pinot Grigio.
In moderation, of course.
Much the same principle applies to CHOCOLATE, which is made from Beans, which are Vegetables, and is therefore required as part of your 5-a-day intake.
Quite a nice day here; pretty much as in Dafyd's and Boogie's descriptions - warm in the sun, but not yet coat-shedding weather.
F&C for supper (for which I had to wait quite a while - I hit the wrong minute at the chippy).
How is it Friday again? 🤔
Was Monday a Bank Holiday for you?
I'm reminiscing happily about her birth. The midwife said that a study had shown that it's really good for a woman to have some aspect of normal life happening while she's labouring. So the NE Man was told to sit in an armchair in the corner of the room, read a newspaper, do the cryptic crossword etc. Give the room more of a "homely" vibe, less hospitally. It would boost some of my calm hormones or something. So seriously did he take this task that when the midwife said "Baby's crowning!" he replied "Hang on a second, I've just got 6 down to go."
Anyway, it worked - lovely calm birth and the Quinie was born en caul ( i.e. my waters hadn't broken, so she was born in the bag.) Born at 4.20 am and we were back home in time for lunch.
If I can totter out for the paper, it'll be as much as I can do.
Enjoy the drawing class, Boogie.
Happy birthday, Quinie. I wish my first birth had been that stress-free, it consisted of 24 hours of labour with a baby refusing to come out followed by an emergency caesarean under spinal.
I had a lie in today and really should get dressed and go for a walk.