Slow Progress

 

I would love to be able to sleep as contentedly as these two. Enjoying a comfortable, warm bed, no bills to pay, and not concerned with what to eat for dinner every night. 

I am still having several issues with the house, but I am, at least, making some progress. The plumber should be arriving early next week to fix the taps and fit the new radiator, and the new window is booked in to be fitted on the Thursday. I have been assured a roofer will be around at some time in the next few days to find out what the problem is, and to give me a quote for any necessary repairs. As if all that wasn't enough, the gas engineer turned up last Wednesday morning, only to advise me that the part I needed for the boiler was now obsolete, meaning having to get a whole brand new one! This is now sitting in my hallway waiting to be fitted on Friday, until which time we have heating, but no hot water. It has been challenging to say the least. 

In happier news, it would seem spring is gradually beginning to show itself  here in the north. There are lambs in the fields, wild garlic is carpeting the woodland floor (I really need to go and pick some), and I have enjoyed seeing my washing blowing on the line on more than one occasion this past week. I'm still not entirely convinced that Wordsworth was in this part of the world when he wrote his Daffodils poem, as the only ones I've seen lately have been entirely flattened by the winds and rain, as opposed to 'fluttering and dancing in the breeze'. Thankfully, the weather does appear to be improving day by day; and now that the clocks have changed, we can look forward to some lighter evenings once again, which are always much welcome after the dark winter months. 

Mother's Day was lovely. I spent the morning relaxing at a nearby leisure club. I swam, went in the sauna and jacuzzi. It was quite a treat. After lunch I had my nails done, then I took my 'nail technician' for a bike ride down to the river. 😁

Yesterday, we spent another happy morning orienteering in the woods. Our times could be faster but our map reading skills are definitely improving, and we found all the markers. It was rather muddy underfoot, so after having had a good clean, my boots are still drying out. There are many more events planned, so we will have to try and see if we can pick up our pace.

For the Warm Space last week, I baked a Plum Cake. The recipe is here if you would like it. This week will be our last one, which will feel a little strange, although I am looking forward to having that time back, so that I can focus on completing the rest of my course work. It has taken a back seat recently, while I've been trying to get on top of everything else, and I really don't want to be late submitting it. I think I will bake chocolate brownies for the occasion.

Back soon.  

J. X