Catch Up

I would just like to say thank you for your all kind words and messages, they are very much appreciated. It's been a little over a month since I was last in this space. At first, October seemed to drag on and on, and yet, as the days became darker, all of  sudden we were into November, and it felt as if it was over in the blink of an eye. It's been a challenging month for me, as I have been grappling with my health. It's nothing serious. At least I don't think it is. Just some sort of a virus that I can't seem to shake. I'm also not ignoring the fact that had I not been so run down in the first place, I would have been back to my old self long before now. As it is, I'm still far from feeling in good health, but this week I feel like I may have turned the corner. Here's hoping.

It was for that reason that I took a step back from posting here. Looking after Lily and keeping things ticking over have been about all I could manage. 

Anyway, a brief catch up. These autumnal pictures seem at odds with the weather we're currently experiencing - almost wintry- but I'm going to post them anyway :)

In the middle of October, before my health took a downward spiral, we took a trip to our nearest pumpkin patch. It was a glorious blue sky morning for our visit, and there was even a ground frost, which for a short while at least made the whole field sparkle. We chose five pumpkins in all. One of which was so very small, it was far too cute to leave behind. 

We combined our trip out with a visit to Acorn Bank. The trees were just beginning to shed their leaves and as it hadn't been that long since we visited the flour mill, instead we took the woodland walk towards the wildlife hide. It was lovely and quiet there with just the two of us, but we still didn't manage to spot any wildlife. 

The following week we went to The Peak District, staying in the lovely village of Winster. Now, if someone had said to me the evening before that I could have cancelled with a full refund, I would have snapped their hand off. Unusually for me, I really wasn't feeling in the mood for going anywhere, and looking back, that should have been an indicator that something wasn't quite right.

I am glad we went though. We went to Bakewell, Matlock Bath and the village of Eyam. One morning it rained, and so we stayed dry by enjoying a visit to the nearby National Trust property of Keddleston Hall. Then in the afternoon, by the time we went for a walk up on the moor, it had all but cleared.

We stopped in an old miner's cottage, so evenings were spent cosying up in front of the wood burner. You can just about see our pumpkin which we decided to take along with us. I told you it was small!

Our last day was spent in Matlock Bath at The Heights of Abraham. Admission to the Heights is by cable car, which was an experience in itself, given the glorious weather. We could see for miles. Here we took guided tours of two underground caverns and also enjoyed panoramic views. Thankfully, I was able to keep going fuelled by a combination of sunshine and coffee.

Although it was genuinely lovely to get away, and I don't wish to appear ungrateful, but I was quite relieved to come home again. When you're under the weather, the comforting familiarity of home cannot be underestimated, and I was also missing my cats. 🐈

Hallowe'en was the busiest I remember in while. I'm sure we received at least eight groups of callers, all of whom were wearing the most amazing costumes, and were all very sweet and polite. I almost gave up on my dinner that evening, as every time I sat down to eat, would hear the door knocker again.  

Last weekend we enjoyed a gentle walk around Grasmere. I don't think I could manage to get up on the fells right now but I was desperate to get out, even if it was just for a short while. The Lake District is displaying it's autumn colour and there is nowhere I would rather be to try and recharge my batteries.

Bonfire night was spent toasting marshmallows and lighting sparklers in our garden.

So far, the remainder of this month is looking fairly quiet, so I'm hoping I can use this time to recuperate and regain my strength before December begins. I'm also going to attempt to slow down and pace myself more, which is never more important for me than during the cold winter months. 

J. X

Pause

 

Back soon. 

J. X

Early Autumn

 

As the wind begins to pick up, we are braced and ready ahead of tomorrow's incoming storm. I hope any damage will be minimal, I've already secured everything that I can in the garden. 

Last weekend, coinciding with the equinox, we experienced our first proper taste of autumn. Saturday began all dewy and fresh, becoming warm and sunny by mid-morning. I decided that I would get outside while I had the chance. The challenging week at work had taken it's toll, and getting caught in the crossfire of some strained relationships had left me feeling rather discouraged. Fresh air was called for, so the weekly shop and household chores could wait until the following day. 

Not too far from home we have one of my favourite National Trust properties, Sizergh Castle, where even when I don't much feel like walking very far, I can easily be persuaded to visit, as the gardens there are so beautiful.  Even better, at this time of year the orchards are full of apples and pears.

We took our time walking around the garden, following the paths in the same direction we always do, with Lily being extra careful to avoid getting too close to the beehives :) Familiarity means we get to appreciate the changing seasons there, and the Rock Garden, especially, is displaying some beautiful rich shades of autumn colour.

The Kitchen Garden is always worth a visit, and where we often catch a glimpse of Charlie the cat.

And it was there that they had all their different varieties of apples for sale. I paid for a small bag, which would provide me with more than enough cookers to make two batches of apple sauce and some crumbles, as well as five Ribston Pippins to go in the fruit bowl.

And the following day, while the expected wind and rain kept us indoors, I spent a lovely afternoon in the kitchen, filling the house with the delicious aromas of warm apples and cinnamon.

Last week, we enjoyed visits to two prospective secondary schools. Between us, we must have clocked up miles walking along corridors :)  Lily has now made her final decision and yesterday we submitted her application. It won't be until March that we find out whether or not she has secured a place, but I gather it is highly likely that she will be successful. It was quite a difficult decision in the end, but I am very happy with her choice. We are very fortunate to have some excellent schools in this area.

Following a couple of chillier nights, yesterday I made the switch to our winter weight duvets. The summer ones will now be aired, before being stored away until spring. The central heating came on very briefly the other morning, and I now am watching carefully as to when the grass will need it's last cut of the year. Autumn is here.

J. X

Tired

 

Mog is demonstrating, beautifully, exactly how I would like to have spent my weekend. Instead, I've been catching up with housework, getting the weekly shopping done and tackled a huge pile of ironing, which had been threatening to completely engulf the dining table. I'm feeling tired.

Being back at work has been a lot harder than I'd envisaged. My days are long and there never seems to be enough time to complete everything I need to do each day. My working hours are the same as before, but, without going into too much detail, my actual workload has increased. I realise it's very early days, so I'm hopeful that the situation will ease going forwards, but if it doesn't, then I may need to re-evaluate my position. All that aside I'm enjoying being back with my colleagues again, it's almost like I've never been away :)

Lily's start to the new school year has been a positive one, although I never expected she would be making the return while wearing a summer dress. It just didn't feel quite right, the weather being so warm. Thankfully, the unexpected heatwave has since been replaced with 'proper' back to school weather, by which I mean we can see our breath in the early morning air. The other day, I even made an apple crumble. Autumn definitely has one foot in the door now. This week, we will be visiting several secondary schools to make our final decision, before completing the application for her place next year. This is something which felt so far off when she first began primary school all those years ago now, and I'm not sure I'm ready for this next big step.

With the autumn equinox falling at the weekend, I'm hoping things will feel a little more settled for me as the days get even shorter. I should know to expect a certain level of unease as we transition from one season to the next, as for some reason these in-between times usually leave me feeling somewhat out-of-sorts. Soon it will be time for hunkering down, cosy night's in and warm sweaters. I think I'm ready for it. 

J. X