Isn't it always the way, the longer you leave between posting, the more difficult it can be to get back into it? I can't deny the last few weeks have been difficult for me. Work concerns, financial worries and other issues have all taken their toll, which hopefully explains my lack of posts. Day to day life seems transient and I'm left feeling not quite myself at the moment. That said, everything remains the same, for now at least, and it is nothing that is insurmountable, I just need to convince myself of that fact. 😊
Last weekend we enjoyed a lovely afternoon in Skipton. We arrived just in time for lunch so we treated ourselves to fish and chips by the canal. It was unusually quiet, I think we arrived just before it began to get busy. It was lovely and relaxing to sit by the water and watch the canal boats go by and we were joined by a friendly duck who was desperate to get a taste of our chips. We took a stroll around the town and watched the gala day parade (Lily thought it great fun to get sprayed by a water pistol!) then indulged ourselves with a large slice of Bakewell tart and a mug of tea before returning home again.
On Friday I surprised myself. I got up with the intention of going out for a run but once I'd taken Lily to school I really wasn't feeling it. I could have easily returned home and got changed back out of my running gear, but knowing how much better it would make me feel, I thought I would at least try to go a short way, then if I was still feeling rubbish I could just head for home. It was a beautiful morning and once I was on my way I began to feel much brighter. The hedgerows were lined with foxgloves and honeysuckle, and the scent was quite intoxicating. It wasn't long before I found myself settled into a steady pace, my dark cloud began to lift and I just kept going. Once I got back home I calculated I'd run 9 miles, the most I've done in a very long time.
Yesterday I took myself off for a walk in the hope I would be able to find some fresh elderflowers for cordial making. I knew I had left it a bit late this year but it tastes so delicious I hoped I hadn't missed my opportunity. It was another beautiful morning and fortunately I managed to gather just the amount I needed for my favourite recipe, which is on the sidebar if anyone would like it. The flowers are steeping in the syrup right now and it smells amazing. I'm hoping to get it bottled up this evening. A sure sign that Summer is on it's way.
J. X
