Another Week

Hello Friends!

As a result of the overwhelming generosity of everyone, I have increased my targets both of donations and miles walked. I've received my QR code but have decided not to put it on here because of the numbers of scammers we get.  

The weather is on the fickle side; it was supposed to be dry with rain coming in mid-morning.  I wanted needed had to go to the National Trust shop for some of their rather yummy fudge {I know, I know} and the shop happens to be rather conveniently located on one of my loops. I had to wait until it was open, 10:00 a.m. so fervently hoped the rain would cooperate.  As it happens, it is still sunny, but bitingly cold, and no sign of rain as yet.  

Dogs are most welcome at the NT and Cathy, the lovely manager, always has treats on hand and, with the owner's permission, every dog who brings their owner in gets a treat or two.  They even cater for dietary intolerances such as gluten free, sugar free and fat free!  I wanted to take photos, but there are strict rules of data protection.  

I feel there are only so many photos of the same hedgerows that I can take, so today I took a few photos of clouds, but I did begin with this one.  It's an update of a nearby public space that was mowed by the council. They cut half and left half to wild.  It isn't quite three weeks but already the patch that was cut is full of flowers!

a peek inside my rollator basket.  I took a lightweight jacket with me today, there's my water bottle, my purse, oh! and some fudge.  For energy, you understand.

Just a couple more photos, of the sky before the rain comes.  We have beautiful, big skies here, if you only take the time to look up!

After nearly going head over heels on at least four occasions today, I feel a strongly worded letter will be on its way to the local council.  The one and the same that wasted £5 million on an "Instagramable Bridge" in Haverfordwest.

Until next time  

💙🌷💙

A Week of Confusion

Hello Friends!

It has been a week of upsets and confusion, stressful situations and all could have been avoided.

The first of these issues was with Welsh Water.  I did say I wouldn't bore you with details, but oh! what a load of time and money wasters they are!  We all agree on one thing: they don't know what they are doing, there's a criminal amount of water wasting while they take years to do repairs, and we are the ones footing the bill. okay, that's three things!

On Tuesday I received a vague message from Welsh Water telling me they would be here the following day.  I phoned to find out what it was about.  

Apparently, there is a leak which needs fixing but they couldn't provide anything specific as to where it is, or exactly what access would be needed. I told them it was too short notice and that I needed more information.  Their answer was not helpful.  I called again and the help was much better.  It was explained to me that a leak had been detected in August of last year and that I had been notified in September of said leak and told to get it repaired.  I have received no such notification.  So, now they are coming to fix it and I will be billed.  I asked where the leak was.  They don't know, so they will be all over my garden and house trying to find it and then digging up the spot where it is located. This has the potential to be under my drive, or in my kitchen.  It could even be in a neighbouring property as my supply goes under the garden in front and they have since built a big extension over it. They have no legal obligation to put right what they dig up.

I said I needed more information; they can't just barge in and dig up my floor! Tuesday was not a good day as I had several appointments and that blocking my drive would not be acceptable.  The lady was very helpful, told me she had passed on my concerns, cancelled the appointment and requested a rebooking to be discussed with me so as not to clash with appointments and to give me 48 hours notice. Fine. Or so I thought!

Tuesday morning, my a.m. care call helper left around 8:40 and within three minutes was phoning me to ask did I know Welsh Water was blocking my access and digging up my drive!!!  So much for the helpful lady the day before.

More stressful calls followed, but apparently the leak was detected just on my side of the stop tap, no further disruption, so I just let it go, it was done. 

Until Wednesday.

I got a phone call from the lady I spoke to on Monday about rescheduling the appointment she'd cancelled and to set up the replacement.  I explained they'd been, it was done, and that was it.  Oh, no, she said, this is the next one as they now suspect more leaks!!! 

I shared this on Facebook, and all I am hearing is that nearly everyone in the area seems to be having the same problems with Welsh Water as I am.  Some have been waiting for their repairs to be done for over two years!  Some say as soon as one leak is fixed another is found.  It goes on.

It certainly sounds as if there is a massive issue with the infrastructure, and our water rates just keep going up but the leaks that are causing all the issues are not being fixed in a timely fashion.

On Thursday I heard back from one of the OT's who came to see me in December last year {remember when I hurt my back?} who has finally heard back with the information required for some special equipment to help me.  They will be bringing it out for me to test in June and then it will be ordered.  I wonder how long that will take?  Good job it wasn't urgent, or was it?

Every month I get a treat by way of a subscription for several frozen ready to cook meals from COOK, for the days I don't feel much like cooking. A few days before hand I receive an email to remind me to make any changes to my order which will arrive the following weekend. Except this month, they had a blip in their system, and the nudge emails didn't make it to everyone.  My order was incomplete and on it's way and I could do nothing to add in what I wanted {particularly the Sticky Toffee Pudding and Lemon Tart}  They were very good about it, offering to refund me in full, but regardless I am now sitting with empty space in my freezer until next month. These things happen, but I was looking forward to my puds!

So between the drama and the bad weather, walking has been reduced to a minimum.  It has been annoying that it's been good while my hands were tied and I could not leave as the Cook parcel has to be signed for and put in the freezer immediately, and then the rain came!  So, I have been doing exercises and such to make up for missing the walking, and I've made a note of what I need to catch up on, which I will do by way of doing two consecutive walks joined in the middle.  The good news is I am well on target and might well be looking at extending my original goal.

I do so very much enjoy observing the changes in the hedgerows, sometimes almost overnight, the new things popping up, and how quickly other things are growing, what is doing well, what isn't doing as well, so on and so forth.

The Elderflowers seem to be having a very good year

Goosegrass living up to an alternate name, Cleavers, climbing the wall

Possibly Common Ragwort starting to flourish in the lane

Plantain a plenty Ribwort Plantain

Cats Ear or False Dandelion

{uncertain} possibly Wood Avens, aka Herb Bennett

Keeping an eye on the changing landscape, the large Sycamore is starting to fill out with leaf, and the 

Hawthorn now looks like a puffy white snowball 

Looking at tomorrow's weather, it seems I will be out early for my walk, as there is possibly heavy rain on the way.

Until next time 

💙🌷💙

A Brace Is Needed

Hello Friends

Today, with winds in excess of 40mph, and an injured wrist, and Welsh Water to deal with, I just could not manage my walk.  With the weather taking a downward turn, contingency plans are being made.

The wind blew hard all last evening and through the night.  Much banging and clattering was heard, and it was confirmed this morning with the way pots and other garden bits and bobs were strewn across the patio. This is what I've been worried about. When it is blowing like that, it is simply dangerous for me to step outside the door as my balance is awful and I cannot risk falling.

Last year, I injured my left wrist which took months and months to heal.  When I began walking, I anticipated sore legs and painful feet, but no, these haven't happened, but what I did not see coming was this:

I noticed a few days ago that pushing the rollator was aggravating it. Funny how I anticipated sore legs and feet but did not anticipate the effect it's having on my neck and shoulders! I should have realised, the rollator weighs about 20lbs, so it's added weight to push along, or hold back with brakes firmly held when going down a slope.  Strain was inevitable. Hopefully the brace will strengthen my wrist and keep it in order!

Then there was the whole issue with Welsh Water.  It's a very long story, I won't bore you with finer details, suffice to say it was not a good, stress-free start to the day to discover them parked on the road right across the bottom of my drive {and only access} digging up the pavement!  Two other houses have access over my drive, so three of us had access blocked, and I discovered my water turned off and not a word of warning to be prepared!  Fortunately, I'd had my shower and filled the kettle before they started, but other things had to wait.  

The size of the repair does not give a fair representation of the size of the blocked area of pavement when covered with tools and workmen, not to mention the van parked on the road.

Then I looked at the forecast for the coming days and it does not bode well. 

Tomorrow {Thursday} we might have thunderstorms.

Friday doesn't look too bad, but thereafter the days are an odd assortment of varying types of rain from drizzle to heavy.  I will have to plan carefully and try to dodge in and out between showers.  I no longer sport the range of useful waterproof trousers, gaiters, boots and jackets I once almost lived in.

I am making contingency plans, just in cases, so that I won't drop my fitness levels I've regained.  Hopefully I won't need them, but as I say, just in cases!

The fundraising coordinator for Wales has been in touch.  Some people are having difficulty getting my link to work so she is sending me a personalised QR code which should resolve the problems.  I will send it on to those who have told me they had problems donating.  Thank you all so very much!

Diolch o Galon!

Until next time 

💙🌷💙

Swallows and Pheasants

Hello Friends!

Today turned out much better than the forecast said it would be.  You really can't rely on it, and it's better to look out the window and make an educated guess, bring a brolly along if you think it might be needed.

What a wonderful walk I had today!  I went out around five~ish, and had the presence of mind to take my medication with me.  I have to make sure the Madopar is taken to a very strict routine or else it won't do it's job and then what's the point of taking it? 

As I shared with you yesterday, my route is varied and I try to make it a little bit longer each day.  Today, I sort of got lost in all the beauty of a delicious spring afternoon and found I had walked a few hundred yards further than I had planned!  All was well, I took my time coming back, and it's easy to disguise multiple rest stops under the guise of needing to take a photo!

I have yet to master the fine art of taking a selfie, so here's a lovely photo of my gardening hat.

I bumped into my neighbour who was on her way home from the same walk I was on, we had a lovely chat and more sponsorship was promised!

A short while and a few more images to identify later

I found myself in old, familiar territory

I tried to do a Facebook Live, but it was an epic fail!

FB Live

Maybe that link will work, maybe it won't.

By this time, I realised how much further than planned I had actually walked, and if I maintain this pace I will be down on the cliffs by the end of the week.  However, the weather might have different ideas. Have you seen the forecast?

My heart sang, my spirits soared along with the sightings {for me} of the first swallows of summer!  The swooped gracefully as they fed upon the thousands of gnats swarming on this grand afternoon. Then I heard the old, familiar crake crake of the pheasant!  What joy that brought to me! My heart was full!  I looked across the field and there he was, his head popping up above the grass, then back down and up again!  You can't see him, but I could!

Time to turn and wend my weary way homeward 

As I wandered along, I took some more photos of plants and flowers for my records

The Hawthorn is quite beautiful

Silverleaf, soon there will be the tiny, yellow flower

Plantain

Cow Parsley, such a pretty, frothy picture 

Buttercups in profusion

and finally, the cheeky little Cleavers or Goosegrass will sow its seed anywhere!  Not quite as bad as the drain I saw with several well-established Sycamore saplings growing well therein!

I hope the weather isn't as bad as the forecast implies, with thunder and lightning, for that will put a serious dent in all my plans.

Until next time

💙🌷💙

A Target Is Set.

Hello Friends!

I am so happy to tell you that, so far, the weather has been kind, if a tad still on the windy and chilly side, it has remained dry, although the forecast for the coming week does not look promising one jot.  Not knowing if the rain might arrive at any moment, I left the cottage for my daily walk around mid morning and was back shortly after midday.

Today, I walked further than I have been in long time. Instead of looping back, when I got to what I call the Pony Field {sometimes there are ponies and horses here} where there is this stunning view over the fields and farms of the Shire . . . 

I kept on a few short yards to the "main" road {not a main road, but most likely unclassified} which leads to St Non's overlooking St Brides Bay.  The walk down to the coast path was my "go to" early morning or evening walk which I often did in the company of my dear friend, Mary, who sadly passed away just over a year ago.

It was like visiting an old friend, the road not seen for years, but familiar as if I had been there just yesterday.  Little has changed, although there used to be a gate in the corner of this field, you can see the concrete posts, the only hint, and the memory that remains.

I carried on.  Evidence of the winter winds with a tree rent in half.

The fields, all so familiar now, trees shaped by the endless winds that blow across the land, and verges line the road with delicate Cow Parsley blooms that whip and dance so sprightly in the breeze . . .

The creamy Hawthorn blooms are breaking bud

I longed to carry on, towards the bay, but I must learn my limits and not overdo things too soon! It was here that I decided to set my target that I will make it to the coast by the end of the month of May.  Little by little, I can build up the distance I walk each day.

So, I turned and walked back with this most pleasant view to guide my way . . .

Walking in countryside like this, I feel truly blessed indeed!

Along the way, I am noticing more and more changes in the hedgerows!  Something new has sprung up, or changes to the plants as they grow and start to flower.  Turning back and retracing the path I have come I see things I missed on the way out!

There is Bracken

and ferns 

Evening Primrose

Plantain

Vetch {one of several types I've spotted}

Herb Robert and Cleavers

and many, many more.

As I turned into the homeward stretch, the bells peel out with the midday Angelus call to the faithful.

The weather forecast is looking grim, I may well be having a few days off mid week!

Until next time 💙🌷💙

And The North Wind Doth Blow

Hello Friends!

and we shall have snow rain 

or so it is forecast.  I shall have to plan my walks carefully, but it is not easy to just go out between showers when you have carers etc calling as you have to be in for them.

This evening's walk was somewhat rushed and hurried too.  I don't do "rushed and hurried" very well these days.  Not wanting to sound like a broken record, I overdid it yesterday.  I think if I'd only gone up to get my prescription and come home, I would have been okay, but no, I had to do everything and then some. So, I slept all day today until 5:00 p.m. Mind, the brisk, northerly wind didn't make it a welcoming prospect to go out, so I held off in the hopes it would ease up.  Well, it didn't, and I went with the wind behind me going out but blowing hard and cold in my face on the way back.

On top of that, my phone battery was nearly flat so my photos are thin in the ground tonight too.  I had to save it for photos for my WWHM course.

It's a busy day tomorrow, so I don't know what time I will be able to get out, but if it is raining, I doubt I will go as I don't have suitable gear for heavy rain.  I do have a very good raincoat but nothing suitable for my feet.

Yesterday I made a quiche, it's the first baking of any kind I have done in a long time, having not been eating properly and relying on popty ping and ready meals.  It's Chickpea, Leek and Fresh Garden Herbs.

Here are the few photos I took this evening.

the Hawthorn is starting to open up

and shortly this stone hedge will be full of the pink spires of Foxgloves

Evening Primrose escaped from a garden?

A Vetch {need to identify it correctly}

Well, short and sweet tonight, I've got to do the blog housekeeping with yesterday's comments, run the dishwasher, put in a load of overnight laundry and then I can get some rest!

Until next time 💙🌷💙