Spring-like

 

I'm still here! 

Life has become rather hectic, once again, as much of my time is being taken up driving to and from the not-so-local hospital. It's exhausting but necessary, as we wait upon test results, and consider all possible outcomes, none of which will be straightforward or easy to navigate. As you can imagine, I'm a little behind with my blog reading, but I'm catching up slowly whenever I get an opportunity. It's lovely to hear everyone's news, especially as I have very little of my own. 

My hospital journeys are, at least, comfortable, in that I'm making them in the new-to-me car. After finally deciding it was time to upgrade with a newer, more reliable model, this one is perfect for us. I would have preferred a slightly more spacious boot, but this one ticks all the boxes in every other way. Lily decided a cherry scented air freshener was in order, and so that is what we now have, and hopefully it won't be long until the footwells display evidence of our Lake District adventures. Although, I've promised myself I'll try to keep it much cleaner than I did my previous car.

As the post title says, the weather here is becoming a lot more spring-like, but it is still incredibly cold. This week, I've woken up to frost on several mornings, and my hats and scarves have become essential wear, once again. It's lovely to see how light the evenings are becoming though, especially when I leave work at half past five. The darkest days of winter are definitely behind us now. We just need things to warm up a bit.

At the start of the month, we went to the farm so we could help out in the lambing shed. Unfortunately, no lambs arrived while we were there, but two had been born just a short while earlier. So we made ourselves useful by changing the straw and putting down the fresh silage, before moving on to milk feeding some of the lambs which had been rejected by the ewes. There are worse ways to spend a morning :)  I could have happily brought several of them back home with me - if only I had enough room. And I'm still finding bits of straw stuck to my hat and inside the pockets of my jacket!

Last weekend, we also managed to fit in another gentle walk along the canal. Recently, there have been improvements to the towpath, so the walk is far less muddy and much more enjoyable. I'm thinking we'll take our bikes next time, so that we can explore a bit farther, although I have visions of going straight over my handlebars and landing right in the water. 

As I'd hoped, I've also completed a small amount of work in the garden. And it feels so good to see it looking that little bit tidier. The grass has had it's first cut of the year and most of the soil has been turned over. I've also dug the raised bed and covered it with the nets to keep any cats away. It's still too early yet to sow anything directly into the soil, but it's all ready for when the weather improves. Fingers crossed this will be sooner rather than later. Buds are appearing on the apple trees, and in a few short weeks I'm sure there will be lots of new growth in the flower beds. I hadn't realised just how much I'd missed spending time outside, in the garden, but it just hadn't been dry enough until this month. 

Back soon.

J. X

That Went Quickly

 

My week didn't exactly start off in the way I had hoped. Disappointingly, a problem with my household electrics meant I had to cancel our long awaited day out in Edinburgh. And it wasn't anything to do with the bad weather. On Sunday evening something tripped the fuse box and although initially I was able to switch everything back on, the same thing happened again just an hour later, leaving all downstairs sockets without power, meaning no heating, hot water, oven or fridge freezer. And so, instead of enjoying some time in my favourite city, I needed to stay home in order to get everything sorted. Never mind, it has all been dealt with now and I'm sure we will get back to Edinburgh at some time this year. 

And, as for the weather, I hope no one has been too badly affected by the storms. It has certainly been a rough week for many. Unusually, the first two storms passed by here with little cause for alarm. But on Sunday evening the strong winds caused me to have a restless night and yesterday I spent much of my walk to work navigating broken twigs and branches, and keeping a very close eye on the trees.

As well as the usual household chores, I have had the time to get on with some little jobs which I've been putting off for what seems like ages now, and it feels good to finally have them ticked off my list. I've started crocheting a blanket for my friend's baby due in the summer, and even though the wet weather has kept us indoors for much of the time, I have taken the opportunity to plan many walks for when it does eventually pick up again. 

Early in the week, we took our chances with a break in the weather, to get out for a short walk. It is lovely to see the snowdrops in flower, and I even glimpsed some tiny shoots of wild garlic under the trees - one of my favourite signs that spring is on it's way. 

The wet and muddy pathways mean that wellies are necessary footwear just now and they were even more essential for our visit later in the week.

We went to the farm to see the new lambs. Unfortunately, there weren't any being born while we were there but we did get to bottle feed these five, and I believe there have been many more new arrivals since then.

It was such a lovely morning and I could have happily stayed put in the lamb pen for the rest of the day.

In other slightly less exciting news, Now that it has been painted, we have hung the bird box, which Lily and I put together a few weeks ago. We just need to keep a close eye out for any new residents. 

And I baked cupcakes! (Instead of my usual tray-bakes). I needed something to use up the Baileys chocolate icing from the freezer.

I am beginning to feel much more rested, and this week served as reminder that I really do need to take things easier at times. It has been wonderful to feel much more mindful and a little less hurried, and I'm sure I have even been sleeping slightly better as a result. Now I just need to keep it up.

J. X