29/03/2026
23.03.26
Hello Monday. Going to be slightly different today. Expecting guests for lunch - but not until after a light breakfast and the puzzle of course.
Wordle 1,738 3/6
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A fortifying caffeine brew and all set to attack lunch preparation. Won’t take long to actually cook but there’s lots of peeling and slicing and chopping to do. Always seem to take me ages, knife skills not living up to expectations unfortunately. Still, slow and steady wins the race - with
all fingers intact. Always a bonus. Mind you, as we’re expecting five vegans, they probably wouldn’t appreciate any added protein of the human variety???
Jerk veggie bowls with mango rice, salad and garlic bread (as a filler) with a vegan ice and fresh soft fruit to follow. That’s the plan.
Chopped the peppers, carrots and courgettes to start with, then the spring onions and mango for the rice.
Herbs washed and left to drain along with the green salad ingredients, cucumber and tomatoes. Garlic crushed and parsley chopped for the garlic bread and all is on track. Too early to start cooking. Not sure what time the others will arrive so will organise the table and get the extra chairs out of the cupboard under the stairs.
Garlic bread buttered and wrapped ready for the oven. Air fryer heated up then the carrots tossed in, along with some oil. NO way the carrots will cook sufficiently in the twelve minutes the recipe calls for so will give them a few more minutes before throwing in the rest of the veg and the jerk seasoning.
In another pan, fried off the spring onions to soften then added the cooked rice and the other secret ingredients, some lime juice and a couple of tablespoons of marmalade would you believe. Honestly, it works!
Everything cooked, the mango, mint and coriander stirred through the rice, the salad, chopped cucumber and tomatoes on the table oh and a bowl of soya yoghurt too. It was a case of take your seats and help yourselves.
Poor old O did find the vegetables quite spicy. The recipe calls for two tablespoons of jerk seasoning so two I used, in spite of increasing the amount of vegetables to serve twice the number quoted in the book! Thank goodness for the yoghurt. I think we all appreciated drizzling some over our meals… 😅
There seemed like such a lot of food on the table, all that remained - a few lettuce leaves and some rocket in a bowl and my ciabatta roll which I just couldn’t face. No garlic butter on it so will eat it later no doubt.
All the fruit was polished off too and most of the ice cream. Chalk that meal up to a success then.
It was lovely to see everyone and catch up with all the news, O’s looking forward to her theatre group, P will be running in time trials up north in a few weeks, regionals I think - and B shared his thoughts on recently completed mocks, the real things coming soon. Don’t envy him, nor any young person, facing impending exams… far too much pressure put on students to perform these days.
All too soon it was time for S, G and the kids to wend their way back home. They’d been to a wedding, stayed overnight so back today. Yes I know, a day of school missed but they’ll catch up. Not that I advocate missing school you understand, that would never do.
Didn’t take long to clear away, surprisingly, so we were back to normal in no time. Almost like they’d never been. 😄
Feeling absolutely whacked though - wasn’t SUCH hard work this morning??? Had thought we might go out for a walk - as my father would say “you know what thought did…”
Actually, I never did find out.
So, there followed a fairly relaxed rest of the afternoon. Didn’t even have to think about preparing dinner. Maybe there’s something to be said for eating a main meal at lunch time? The feeling of lethargy afterwards notwithstanding of course. I wouldn’t mind but I didn’t actually eat that much! Don’t you often find though, once you’ve prepared and cooked a meal, you don’t want to eat it?
A cup of tea and another Poirot. It really HAS been a lazy afternoon.
As expected, ate the other half of the roll I left earlier and a cream cracker, both with peanut butter on. Quite partial to the crunchy variety.
Watched the first two episodes of The Lady on catch-up. Wasn’t quite sure what to expect, didn’t think it was my sort of thing but I was wrong. It is based on the true story of Jane Andrews, a girl from the North who took a chance on applying for a job in London. Her application was successful, she was engaged to become dresser to the Duchess of York. All went well, until she her marriage failed and she left the palace. Whatever happened next is to be discovered. We’ll see.
Finished the latest jigsaw - I say finished, there’s a piece missing. 😞
It says 1000 pieces on the box and, be fair, there are a 1000 pieces in it. 999 fit together nicely, the thousandth is a jigsaw piece I grant you, just not for this particular puzzle. How annoying.
Bed was the right decision, it’s getting late so off up. Sleep well 😴😴😴😴😴😴
24.03.26
What a change in the weather! Dull, grey, windy and only 8 degrees. That’s almost half what it was yesterday. Still, you know what ‘they’ say… “Ne’er cast a clout until May’s out.” Whatever a ‘clout’ is? On reflection I think I’ve found about three possible meanings during previous researches.
Finished off the cornflakes for breakfast, having sieved out the inevitable dust you find at the bottom of the packet.
Puzzle sorted too…
Wordle 1,739 5/6
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Then off to the gym for the usual. Nice to get back to a degree of normality.
Quite busy today. No treadmill free so I got on a bike for half an hour. Got off, still no treadmill available. Got on a different bike - nonchalantly, as you do - like it was the plan all along, to get off one then got on another. Someone finished their jog - hooray. Got off the second bike. Made for the free treadmill. Someone else got to it first. Oh well, again, as nonchalantly as ever, went back to the same bike I’d just alighted from. Nobody noticed - me playing yo-yo with cycles, never mind if they did…
Home for coffee and a shower and whatever before lunch, beans on toast today, that old staple. Had picked up a different loaf the other day - soft sourdough, sliced. Ok yes, it had a yellow sticker so was half price. Stuck it in the freezer - it’ll always come in…. Today was the day. Defrosted some and tossed it in the toaster. Not bad. The crusts were certainly softer than the crusts of the sourdough the lovely V toasted for us during our recent trip to Shrewsbury! 😂
Pent the afternoon washing newly finished angels and sorting orders to go off to Somerset. Confess I hadn’t properly checked stocks before making new - turns out I’d had enough already made to fulfil both, just needed one February and a few maps.
All boxed, packed and the necessary paperwork sorted. Another job jobbed - rather satisfying really. Will book dispatch in the morning. Which courier? Will certainly not be using Evri again. The last parcel I sent with them was delivered to the customer about a month after I posted it. Still at least it got to its destination - but not until after compensation was paid to the buyer and me - from the online market place I’d used. Fortunately it was not glass, a private transaction.
Afternoon tea, followed by not a lot. A couple of sudoku puzzles and a Poirot before nipping out to the corner shop for a lottery ticket for tomorrow. The lovely M asked I’d been away as he hadn’t seen me for over a week! Bless him, he’d missed me. True though, hadn’t been in for a while.
Dinner next, which wasn’t down to me this evening. Cheat’s pizza with salad. Just the ticket.
Finished The Lady, enjoyed it more than I thought I would to be honest. If indeed ‘enjoy’ is the correct word? Is it really entertainment to watch a young woman, struggling with mental health issues fall into depths of despair after a failed marriage to “a bore” the loss of her job at Buck House, a murder and subsequent rial. Sounds somewhat depressing when I put it like that. Don’t let me put you off though…😄
Started a new jigsaw, another Ravensburger, in the same series as the one I finished yesterday - both borrowed from the library. You never know, maybe the odd piece will fit in this new jigsaw and I’ll find the missing piece from the first in the second box. What are the chances? Not good I grant you…
Off to bed. Another fairly successful day - a certain sense of achievement anyway.
Goodnight. 😴🧩😴🧩😴🧩
25.03.26
Hello to anoy you and another dull day - and it’s been raining. Never mind, could be worse…
The morning routine routinely followed as per.
Wordle 1,740 4/6
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The rest of the day would be slightly different though. Expecting a visitor about 9.00am with her border collie, Badger in tow. T had asked us to look after Badger for the day while she attended a funeral. Of course. He’s such a gorgeous boy and he knows us and he’s been to the house before.
Badger arrived with all his accoutrements and was soon sniffing around the place, acclimatising himself. T relayed a list of instructions, wished us well and left. I don’t think she’s looking forward to the rest of the day…
Sorted out Badger’s water bowl, he settled himself into his ‘cage’, his “safe space.” Stayed for about 15 seconds and was out again, ready to explore the back garden. Gosh it’s cold out there. Needless to say, he wasn’t out for long. Back in the living room, lying in a patch of sun that had been warming the carpet.
I printed off the labels for the parcels to be posted, took them down to the post office in the car, along with a letter for the former owners, to be returned to sender. Don’t have a forwarding address.
The parcels were booked in as normal. The letter was refused. “We can’t put that in one of our bags…”. It was originally sent by ‘Whistle’ I think, so Royal Mail are under no obligation to deliver it - apparently. Odd I thought, it was delivered to us by a Royal Mail postie. Who am I to argue? I could just put it in a post box I suppose.
Met AM and Badger at a nearby supermarket, needed to pop in for a couple of bits. AM did a recce, leaving the dog outside with me. She left her instructions, took Badger and began the walk home. I went in and did the shopping. The sky looks ominous, hope the others get back before a cloudburst. They could be drenched.
All back in the warm - safe and sound and dry thank goodness. We’ve already had a heavy shower, hail, sleet and snow would you believe - and all before 10 o’clock. More to come by the looks.
Soup for lunch, most warming and much appreciated.
After clearing away I went into the workshop for a while. Badger will go out for another walk soon and by then, no doubt it will be time for a cup of tea.
Not long after that T arrived to collect her beloved Badger. He knew she’d pulled up in the car before we did. He was SO excited to see T and her partner, L, greeting them both enthusiastically, running around in circles, jumping up and down and running between them both - just to check they’re all ok of course. We’d sent T a couple of snaps of Badger during the day - chilling in the living room - she’d see he was happy.
The house seemed strangely quiet after they left. Reminded me of the title of that children’s book, Peace At Last. Not that the day had not been relaxed and it certainly hadn’t featured a family of elephants and a bath! If you know the story… you know. That’s one thing I miss now I’m not teaching, reading stories to children, be they in Year 1 or Year 6 or anywhere in between. To one class or three or even to a whole school during an assembly. Pitch your voice at the right level, read something that captures their imagination and you’ve got them, eating out of your hand.
A simple dinner this evening. Sausages with new potatoes and some more baked beans. Just finishing off some bits before going off on our travels tomorrow.
Didn’t want to start a new series on catch-up so a couple more episodes of Poirot before more jigsaw - decided to concentrate on the white picket fence, the bed of leeks and another of a brown, leafy vegetable - I know not what. All will become clear when it is finished, though I doubt if I will ever know exactly what the brown stuff is??? Not having a horticultural bone in my body you understand.
Up the wooden hill, looking forward to tomorrow. Goodnight 😴🧩😴🧩😴🧩
26.03.26
Good morning - and it is a good one. Sunglasses at the ready!
After breakfast and the puzzle of course,
Wordle 1,741 6/6
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Phew - only just…
Threw the last few things in my case, extracted my rucksack from under the bed, loaded that with wallet, tissues, the paraphernalia of going out for the day - or two and that was that. Put some glass off-cuts in a box and everything, including us, into the car - along with some wine and a particularly striking orchid for friends S and W.
We first met them at Shrewsbury Folk Festival some years ago, have been friends ever since. Eventually we found windows in diaries that coincided so a visit is organised.
Originally they were going to stay with us, on the way down to Devon - or on the way back??? S had arranged a mosaic workshop for a craft group. S is a whizz with tiles and beads and buttons and grout and all sorts. (Hence the box of glass, pieces I’ll probably never use that she can cut to shape for her artworks. I hope.). Unfortunately, and rather painfully, S came a cropper on the back doorstep on Boxing Day and broke her ankle, hence the cancellation of the workshop and our plans being rearranged. Along with, no doubt, lots of other things S and W had hoped to do over the last three months or so. Poor S is still hobbling, receiving physio and finding moving about less easy. In fact, the medical opinion is “you’re doing too much too soon!” She must still take things easy, much to her frustration.
So, it was up the M6, beyond Stoke, beyond Manchester, beyond Liverpool to J32, the turn off to Blackpool. Haven’t been to Blackpool since that school trip, one Saturday, from school in Small Heath. THAT was a day to remember. Whole families travelling in a convoy of coaches to the Golden Mile. We arrived, gave everyone the allotted time to be back at the coach park and disappeared to do our own thing. No unaccompanied children, they were all with their parents/guardians so all we had to do was make sure everyone was in their respective seat on the coach we were travelling on. Piece of cake! We arrived, coaches offloaded, the families went one way - towards the sea, sand and fun fair. We went the other and caught a tram to Fleetwood. What fun. Went into the market there and bought a pair of blue and white, stripey chef’s trousers. Elasticated waist - perfect. I loved ‘em and wore them for years. Not every day of course, until they eventually wore out.
Enough of this reminiscing lark, back to the matter in hand. Arrived at the house, grateful thanks to the onboard satnav. These gadgets are marvels aren’t they? At least, they are if they don’t direct a driver into a field in the middle of nowhere, or worse into the sea! I’ve seen evidence of both, though it could be mid-information and false news of course???
Warm hugs from S and W, a tour of the house - bungalow really though there are a couple of rooms and a shower room in the attic. They have such a lovely home dating back to the 1920s. By their own admission it’s taken an awful lot of work to get to the finish they now enjoy. Lots of re-plastering, decorating, period features and stripped wooden doors reinstated. Full of books, musical instruments and crafting materials not to mention fused and stained glass pieces, including some of mine.
Lots of catching up and sharing of news before W took the dog out far a walk and S got on with dinner. Smells delicious. We were well and truly spoiled - homemade mushroom pâté with toast to start, a Joe Wickes cottage pie with curried lentils under a cheesy mashed potato lid, a dish of vegetables and a sauce boat, full to the brim with gravy. All this followed by a homemade apple and blackcurrant crumble with ‘lashings’ of custard. To say we ate very well would be an understatement! W cracked open the wine too, a cheeky little Pinot, followed by another bottle!
The evening was full of chatter, laughter and even some singing - not that I joined in with that - if you’ve ever heard me you’ll understand why! 😂 Bruce the dog accompanied the others, he does like a warble from time to time.
Before we knew it the clock showed nearly half past eleven. No wonder I was dropping off! Don’t know why I feel so tired??? Never mind, time for bed. Don’t mind if I do. Night night all. 😴😴😴😴😴😴
27.03.26
Good morning - and it is another good one too. Sun’s out but it’s windy so, like as not it’ll be a cool one.
A very relaxed start to the day. It was home from home - tea first thing then fruit and yoghurt, followed by a hot cross bun for breakfast - and the puzzle.
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So, that’s that.
S down to see to Bruce and have her breakfast then W appeared too. Got ourselves sorted and we were off out, taking advantage of the sunshine, having first googled several eateries to confirm their ‘dog friendliness’ as Bruce will be coming too - of course.
Plumped for Fleetwood’s Affinity Centre. An outlet village of sorts including a garden centre with the obligatory café/restaurant. Jacket potatoes for AM and S, lasagne with a side salad for W, I went for a sandwich as wasn’t feeling especially hungry. Not feeling quite the ticket all round to be honest. Hope there’s nothing untoward brewing???
After lunch, back into the car and a short drive to a car park on the coast. The plan to go for a bit of a blow by the sea. Excellent. Have missed our seaside walks since moving away from Somerset. AM, W and Bruce walked along the beach with Bruce, I kept S company on the prom. S finds it easier to walk on the flat while she’s recuperating after that accident on Boxing Day. It’s taking a while but she’ll get there in the end - just so long as she’s sensible and follows doctor’s orders.
Got as far as S could comfortably walk, AM and I swapped - she walked back to the car with S, I accompanied W and Bruce. It was so good to walk on pebbles and sand - could’ve spent ages picking up shells too - ok, I’m not 5 years old any more - left the shells on the beach. No regrets - not many anyway.
Got to the car park, settled Bruce into the back of the car again - he seemed very happy securely fastened in the boot and the next part of the plan - to drive into Blackpool. No plan to stop, just to drive through. Past the piers - all three of them - on the right, the Tower Ballroom, The Tower and The Imperial Hotel (there’s posh) on the left. I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the country that’s quite like Blackpool!
Back to the bungalow for a much appreciated cup of tea before W was being picked up by a friend to go to the theatre - Hamlet at the Grand. A touring production by the RSC, directed by Rupert Goold. She did ask if we’d like tickets but confess, Hamlet is not a favourite - RSC or no RSC. We politely declined. Spent a lovely evening, sharing supper with and chatting to S.
Afraid I gave up and turned in early - off to bed at ten-ish. Can’t keep my eyes open. Makes sense to go to bed.
Good night, sleep tight. 😴😴😴😴😴😴
28.03.26
A fairly early night last night so I hoped for waking at a reasonable time this morning. Result - if you consider 5.00am to be reasonable? Got up about half past and had a cup of tea. Just the job.
Back to bed for a while - will doze - did doze until Bruce came in to suggest he might like to pop into the garden. I got up again to let him out. He did what he had to do and went back to bed. Seemed like a good idea, so did I.
Such a relaxed morning - so not like what we’re used to. It made a pleasant change - could we get used to it? Watch this space! 😄
Got the puzzle out of the way
Wordle 1,743 6/6
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Then did whatever - oh yes, fruit and yoghurt followed by toast and marmalade - or homemade blackcurrant jam for breakfast. Perfect.
S insisted we should re-home a strimmer she wanted to dispose of. We checked it over, it was still in working order but S refused to accept any money for it. SO kind of her to give such a power tool away. S does have another, newer strimmer available to use as required.
We have had the best of times with S & W, a shorter time than we had hoped but we’ll see them again soon, if not before then it’ll be at Shrewsbury. Grand.
A very smooth journey home, marvellous. Did stop for a comfort break and a biscuit at a service station, arrived back just after 1.00pm. Car unloaded, everything unpacked and sorted in no time. That’ll do.
Hadn’t been home that long when the door bell sounded. It was P, our next door neighbour. They’ve had some horse manure delivered, more than they can use so would we like some? So kind of them to offer, yes, we can take a couple of bags or so. Not that I know what to do with it of course… 😄
It’s very kind of them though, can’t say no.
No plan in place for the rest of the afternoon so will finish Hickory Dickory Dock, the episode of Poirot we started the other day. Seems like a sensible thing to do…
Fish and chips for supper this evening - yes I know it’s a cop-out but we’re all allowed one of those every now and again.
It’s been a very relaxed evening, marvellous, will say goodnight then….
