Ride Out

 

Following the previous day's efforts, it was quite lovely to enjoy my morning at a slower pace. Not that the walk had been particularly strenuous, in fact I was pleasantly surprised my legs didn't feel weary at all, but occasionally it can feel nice not needing to set off out quite so early.

It was also a good reason to indulge myself by eating a proper breakfast. When I'm working, breakfast is either a slice of toast and jam or some fruit and yoghurt, so on the days I don't need to be anywhere in a hurry, it can feel good to take my time and cook up something extra tasty. And I couldn't think of anything better to cook than the eggs I had picked up on our walk the day before.

Free range duck and hen eggs of varying sizes are often found beside an honesty box along the lanes in this area. You can just help yourself to the quantity you need and put the money in the tin or jar. And fortunately, on this occasion, I had just the right amount of money in my purse.

A little melted butter, two duck eggs and a tiny splash of milk made the perfect scrambled eggs for my breakfast. Just look at that colour! They were so creamy and delicious, some of the best I've ever eaten. 

Although this week I've been enjoying a holiday at home, there is no avoiding the fact that some of the more mundane chores still need to be done, including the shopping. So, after a quick visit to the supermarket, I should now have enough food in the fridge for the rest of the week. Take note of the word 'should'. I can almost guarantee I will have missed something from my list :)

Usually, my mornings involve quite a lot of 'encouraging' Lily to finish her breakfast then get dressed. For once, however, on this particular day, my powers of persuasion were not required. While visiting a National Trust shop a couple of days earlier, Lily noticed a head torch for sale and decided that she would 'really, really like to have it please'. Now I'm not entirely sure how, but she got it into her head that we would return some time on Sunday so we could buy it. I didn't mind. It wasn't expensive, will no doubt come in useful, and anyway, she never does ask me for anything much. We had been trying to choose where to go for a bike ride on that morning, when Lily decided where better to go than to the shop, where we could buy this 'amazing' head torch.  

Don't let on, but perhaps I should allow Lily to make these decisions more regularly, as we had such such a lovely time. We set off along the lane, where there was a little traffic but for the most part it was nice and quiet, before turning onto a bridleway, down the hill (so much fun 😄) across the field and then onto the track by the river. Here, we stopped for a while to enjoy a picnic lunch before, very carefully, crossing the wobbly bridge and cycling up the steep lane to the shop. I did think I might have treated myself to a coffee there, but given the length of the queue for the café I soon changed my mind. Maybe another time.

We returned home the same way we went, and I am happy to report Lily is thrilled to bits with her new head torch. No doubt she will be wanting to test it out properly very soon. 

J. X

When Life Gave Me Lemons

 

Thank you so much for all the kind birthday wishes on my previous post. I passed them all on to Lily and she was thrilled to bits. 

Last weekend we enjoyed a ride along the newly re-opened Keswick to Threlkeld trail. This was the perfect opportunity for Lily to try out her new bike, and for us to see all the improvements to the path since the route was closed off following storm damage way back in 2015. It is designed for walkers and cyclists, and completely traffic free, following the old railway line from Penrith to Cockermouth.

The route passes alongside the River Greta and crosses so many bridges on the way that I lost count. There are historical information boards all along the track but we were too busy enjoying our ride and admiring the scenery to stop and read them all. 

It was a chilly day and we stopped at the park in Keswick for our picnic and a hot drink, but for some reason I struggled to warm up. Even though I was wearing gloves, my hands were freezing and I just didn't feel quite right. I put it down to feeling tired after a busy week, but the following morning I woke with a sore throat and swollen glands. Lily did too.  :( 

We've been feeling out of sorts all week now and, disappointingly, had to cancel our much anticipated camping trip that we should have been enjoying this weekend. Never mind, we'll still be getting out and about. It just means we will be able to sleep more comfortably in our own beds each night. I've been drinking lots of hot lemon and honey but I'm not entirely sure it is making a difference - it tastes good though :) 

Seeing as I had plenty of lemons to hand. I couldn't resist making some of my favourite lemon cake. 

This is the recipe I use if you would like to try it.

125g Butter

175g Caster Sugar

2 Large Eggs

175g Self Raising Flour

4 Tablespoons Milk

Zest and juice of 2 un-waxed lemons

An additional 50g of sugar for the syrup

Cream together butter, caster sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy. 

 

Add eggs, milk and flour a little at a time and mix well.

Bake in a loaf tin for around 40 minutes at 150°

Stir lemon juice and sugar together, then heat gently until the sugar is dissolved. 

When the cake is removed from the oven, skewer all over and pour on the syrup, allowing it all to soak in.

I must admit that following a busy day at work, Tuesday me was very grateful for Sunday me doing this baking. It was a delicious treat being able to enjoy a slice of the cake I'd forgotten all about. Also, this can be made into a delightful summer bake by leaving out the lemons and pouring over some elderflower syrup instead.

J. X

Another Week

Another week, or has it been two? I've reached that stage where I can't quite remember. Following a return to a steady routine, the days are passing me by quickly but gently. Home schooling is taking up much of my time. I'm learning to adapt the curriculum work to suit ourselves and chip away at it gradually each day in an attempt to avoid any unnecessary battle of wills. I'll possibly have just about got the hang of it by the time the schools open again.

The weather continues to be glorious in our little corner which is enabling us to make the most of our time outdoors. Walks are unhurried and several times now we've ventured a little further afield than usual.  Last week I couldn't resist another visit to the woods to see the bluebells. Many of them are beginning to fade away now and in the dappled sunlight, beneath the canopy of the trees they appear as a purple haze. 

The hedgerows are full of blossom and there is a soft sweet scent in the air as we walk along. With all this fresh new growth the world is turning a brilliant shade of green, and with an abundance of cow parsley the lanes and pathways are becoming more narrow as a result.

Along with a change to our walking routes we've also been out riding our bikes, the quieter lanes being an ideal opportunity to get Lily used to feeling more comfortable riding on the roads.

A couple of  short journeys to get the hang of it, then we travelled a little further, meaning I was able to call in at the farm shop for some sugar, which I hadn't managed to get from the supermarket last week. (I was eager to bake some cookies and I can confirm they were definitely worth carrying the extra weight home in my rucksack for 😋) On one of our rides we took along a light picnic lunch and enjoyed a stop off by the river for a rest and a quick bite to eat, and it was lovely to see the decorations and bunting hung around the village for VE day.  

Last weekend, while the weather was still lovely and warm, we camped out in the garden. We never got the opportunity to go camping last year, the good weather never seemed to coincide with time off work and school, and I have no idea what this summer will bring, so we pitched up in the garden for what turned out to be a pretty good night's sleep. The night was quiet and still and we stayed lovely and cosy in our sleeping bags. The following morning, however,  the wind had picked up, so at 6.30am we made a hasty retreat into the house to make breakfast.

J. X

Feeling Chilly

Thank you so much for all your good wishes on my last post. I'm relieved to say my sore throat is all but gone and I'm feeling much better.

Since the weekend, the temperature has plummeted here and the damp in the air only adds to the feeling of cold. I've been rummaging at the backs of drawers and cupboards for woolly hats, scarves and mittens and I'm pleased to report that the central heating is holding it's own - for now at least. I hope I haven't just jinxed it as I do not relish a repeat of last year.

The days are becoming darker now and the lack of sunshine is taking it's toll. I'm trying to remember to take care of myself  but it's the time of year when there is so much going on that time for myself is easily overlooked. As usual, it is something I need to prioritise.

This wasn't the situation at the weekend, however. The sun was shining and the weather was glorious - hardly a cloud in the sky. It is always a wonderful feeling when the good weather days and the weekend coincide with one another.

On Saturday we went for a gentle bike ride out towards the nature reserve. It had been a while since our last ride so we didn't cover many miles but we contented ourselves with the sea views and watching the gliders taking off and landing, one swooping so close, right above our heads.

I knew the forecast for Sunday was just as good, so had already planned for an early start to Gowbarrow Fell. The route begins by Aira Force and is a clearly marked, well trodden path, just the thing for a relaxed morning walk. We followed the path up through the waterfalls and around the side of the fell turning up sharply in order to reach the trig point on the summit. On the way back down we walked around the eastern side of the fell and were treated to the spectacular views of the lake opening up before us; the late autumn sunshine warming our faces and allowing for the removal of our jackets.

We found the perfect spot for our picnic - a row of rocks which appeared like a bench, overlooking the lake. However, my day was complete when, on return to the café at the car park, I enjoyed one of the best cups of tea ever! I know, I'm easily pleased. I'm not sure if it had been the fresh air and exercise that increased my satisfaction but it tasted soooo good. Although it had only been a gentle walk, this cup of tea was so welcome as tiredness suddenly overwhelmed me. Lily, on the other hand, managed it with ease and had even skipped most of the way!

While collecting Lily from school this evening, I noticed the roads through the village had been gritted,  most of the autumn colour has gone and the tree behind the house is now completely bare. This week I could really do to have a last tidy  up of the garden before winter and put away the outdoor table and chairs. I can't think that in a little over a week we will be entering the last month of the year but I'm getting ready to look forward to Christmas and all the excitement it will bring.

J.X

Edit. The gate in the second photograph holds cast iron British birds in military camouflage. It forms part of an art installation which is a war memorial on the site of former practice trenches used for training soldiers and cadets during the first and second world wars.

Changing Seasons

I am relieved to say that, despite my concerns, the first week of autumn term has gone really well. In fact, Lily's first day back was apparently 'amazing!' but with a bit more sitting still and listening expected this year, we'll see how long that lasts :) Even so, it was sweet to see all the children lined up again wearing their shiny new shoes, and I'm sure they're all at least a foot taller than when they finished for the summer. We are, at least, finding our feet now and within the next week or so I'm sure we'll have more of a daily routine established, which will mean I might, hopefully, find the time to get out for a run, as well as opportunity for us to go swimming once a week.

The weather has really changed recently, leaving us in no doubt autumn is fast approaching. At the beginning of the week we were drinking the last of our Elderflower cordial (I thought it had all been used up, but discovered some small bottles hiding at the back of the vegetable drawer) and by the end we were eating apple crumble and custard. The central heating has been on most mornings and my summer footwear has been replaced by my socks and boots again. It's turning windy, the air is damp and leaves are beginning to fall from the trees.

Now that the weather is turning cooler, I've started using my slow cooker again. It's so simple to throw everything in the pot and leave it to cook  gently while we're out for the day. If it's a stew I just need to thicken it, add some dumplings, then serve up with some vegetables in the evening for a hearty, delicious meal. It saves me so much time when I return home, so as well as the usual soups, stews and chilli's, I'm going to hunt out some more recipes I can use it for. Any suggestions are very welcome.

As I was walking through the village one morning last week, I noticed some 'help yourself' apples in a bucket on a wall, which I used to make the apple crumble. I always think it's so kind of people to share in this way, even if they would otherwise go to waste. We don't often eat puddings in this house, but apple crumble always goes down well at this time of year, especially served with custard. I always like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to mine to give it a real Autumnal flavour.

I'm still using up  the produce from our garden. The onions are mainly being used in sandwich fillings, the beans and beetroot alongside main meals, and the tomatoes are still ripening gradually, some of which were used in last night's tomato, pesto and mozzarella slice and I think the next batch will be made into soup.

At the weekend we went for a short bike ride. From Brockhole we took a trip across Windermere on the Bike Boat, then followed the shoreline around towards Wray castle, where we stopped for a short break at the café there before returning.  It was such a fun day out. We went as part of a Let's Ride event and met up with a really friendly group of around twenty people, most of whom were small family groups. I really hope we can join in with another event in the future.

J. X

Early Summer

Thank you so much  everyone for your kind words and responses on my previous post, they are very much appreciated and I feel so grateful for your support and encouragement. I hope I didn't come across as too maudlin, as that really wasn't my intention, and thankfully I am already starting to feel much brighter. A couple of issues have been resolved, much to my relief, and the others are a work in progress. My outlook, therefore, is becoming much more positive. Big sister has moved back home, much to Lily's delight, and life is becoming busy and happy.

The hot weather continues and we carry on making the most of this, especially in the evenings and  on weekends.

Last weekend, and just before the weather really heated up, we went out on the bikes again. Since our last outing Lily was given a much needed new bike for her birthday (it's scary how fast she is growing!) and this one cannot be attached to the back of mine. I was a little worried how she would manage, but she did brilliantly. She is definitely getting the hang of  'keep left!' or 'keep right!' in order to avoid the other track users, and insisted on going the whole distance of twelve miles in order to get an ice cream which (of course!) she didn't really eat but liked the idea of. I love so much that she enjoys going out for a ride.

Spot the sheep.

The following day we walked up to Easedale Tarn near Grasmere. And for anyone who is wondering, no, the girl does not tire easily! Although, it was a hot day and we didn't want to do any steep climbing. The track up to Easedale  is a beautiful walk and a perfect place to head to for a picnic. Quite a few other people thought so too, as thanks to the good weather it was busier than usual up there. Lily and I enjoyed a paddle to cool off but there were a few people who braved the cold in order to go wild swimming in the tarn.

We've been enjoying time in the garden in an evening.The little paddling pool is the perfect way to cool off, and the fabulously bright flamingo swimming costume is getting plenty of wear. Meals are whatever is quick and simple to prepare, much preferring to be outside than stuck in the kitchen. The latest batch of Elderflower cordial is so delicious and refreshing. The perfect summer drink.

The few vegetables we have growing appear to be doing well, even in the heat. We've already tasted the spring onions and lettuce. Sadly, the strawberries have failed again this year. I really don't know what I'm doing wrong. I dug the remains out of the large planter and have replaced them with the tomato plants, which have plenty of flowers on them now, and will hopefully produce some fruit.

This last weekend has been so lovely. We went camping  near Ullswater again and tested out the new tent. We walked around Aira Force where the cool shade of the trees was very welcome, and naturally we had a paddle in the stream. Following a picnic lunch we walked down by the lake. I've never known even the shallow water to feel warm before, that's how hot it's been recently. In the evening we managed another short walk and did some Geocaching. It's a while since we last did any and I sometimes think the adults enjoy it more, although Lily does like the excitement of discovering the little boxes of 'treasure'.

I haven't seen Mog for a few days now, although I'm not worrying as I know she's around somewhere. I think she has found herself somewhere nice and cool to hang out. There are some large trees and long grass to the back of the house and I have a feeling that's where she is. Her food is going down, albeit slowly, and I did hear the catflap at around 5.30 this morning. It would be nice to see her face occasionally, however.

I could easily get used to all of this. It's wonderful to actually feel like it's summer.

J. X