H.w.g.a #12

Ah, today Alistair was off early on his bike in VERY icy conditions to see to the tree-surgeons at the old Samaritans property...and came back with a leaf, to be certain we wanted  the wood...

He went back twice in the car later to fill the boot...

I wasn't allowed to be of any use, as my back is not deemed to be in any fit state, so I have walked the beach with Kitty, twice (small boy, new friend: Why is she called Kitty? It's like having a cat called Puppy!).

And made a fruity, spicy sourdough loaf...

And a batch of candles...

I am now more or less out of all the candle-stubs I was given in March, plus every other bit I had. All donations of stubs gratefully received...I will happily make new candles for you!

Will we see the new year in? Will we take the fizz and glasses down to the prom? 

Honestly, I don't know...I'll tell you tomorrow...

H.w.g.a #11

Oh, these lazy, pointless days! 

Kitty and I walked the beach again this morning, easier on my sore back - which is getting better I'm glad to say!

I played with clay, fettling the tiles/coasters I made yesterday -

And read nonsense poems aloud into my phone...

And later we colluded on a butternut squash and chickpea curry -

H.w.g.a #10

I decided not to get up this morning, and lay in bed, with my eyes tight shut while Alistsir got up and dressed, went down and made tea. 

And brought me up a cup. So kind, but no - I was NOT getting up. There was nothing to get up for, nothing I had to do and my back was still hurting.

I drank my tea and got up. Because of course there is everything in the world to get up for really - sun and sea and wind and rain, kind hearts and coronets. And a second cup of tea.

I managed a walk along the prom today, with Alistair, who was biking down to do something useful for someone. And then home along the beach, giving Kitty a good run while I picked up some kindling sticks. And listened to a meditation about compassionate engagement with the people around me.

We cleared up a bit in the garden when we got back to and chatted at the gate with a couple of friendly neighbours and dogs.

A quiet afternoon, with my back slowly easing and, as I said, nothing I HAD to do.

Success of the day! Alistair managed to buy a copy of 2021's tide-tables, sun-rises and sets, and moon-phases.

So that's us set up for the new year!

H.w.g.a #9

Today was a bit of a wash-out, with a rubbish back-ache. I managed the food-shopping though, helped with a bit of cooking and played with clay.

And then, home-alone this evening, I self-medicated with wine, mulled with cloves and spiked with some vicious spirit from the back of the cupboard.

Lit a fire and watched back to back episodes of 'My Brilliant Friend'

H.w.g.a #8

That was a wild night!

We woke up late this morning and surveyed the damage from the bedroom window...we have had a three-chair storm before, but never a three-chair-AND-the-table!

A brisk walk on the beach provided some wood for the store:

...and a rather fine cross,

 which I shall dry, and won't burn for a while - in case there are any of you out there into religious iconography?

This afternoon we returned to working-out in our little home gym.

Oh and I made a lovely sourdough loaf...

H.w.g.a #7

Is it Saturday today?

Who knows anymore?

Kitty and I walked on the beach this morning, and met a lovely little wire-haired fox terrier puppy called Peggy.

I would love a second dog - and will wait for the right one to come along...

Late this afternoon I caught Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake on Sky Arts (don't ask me what Sky Arts is doing on Freeview - I have no idea). It was FABULOUS!

And here is a little book I have been dipping into:

H.w.g.a #6

So... Christmas Day, and the usual quiet, somewhat quirky one for us.

We walked over to Wallog this morning, meeting, on the way, a particularly interesting young woman, who has just recently come to Aber to study - I hope we'll meet her again, but circumstances don't make it easy!

A quick picnic on the beach, because it was chilly and trying to rain

And then the march home to put the kettle on and eat the 'christmas pudding' we had forgotten to take

After lots of tea-drinking and a little opening of presents, he went for a swim, 'because the sun was out'. I know...

And I read 'The Owl and the Pussycat'. Aloud. As you do...

And then later we made curries...it was lovely not to be in charge; I shall make a habit of abdicating responsibility 'on the domestic front'

And now it is nearly tomorrow, he has gone to do the late-night Samaritans shift, and I have been sitting by the fire, sipping blackberry vodka and watching an episode of 'My Brilliant Friend'. Time for bed...