This past week seems to have flown by… it’s been a sort of relaxed frenzy of activity with lots of walks and a pre-Christmas visit from brother Andy…

The start of the week was pretty gloomy still, then it got sunny for a few days until yesterday evening when it actually rained and got a bit windy for the first time in ages. They are saying we might even get some snow next week but we will have to wait and see…

I don’t mind a bit if snow as long as I’m wrapped up warm enough and it’s not too slippy (get me – sound like a right old lady!) – except if you are sledging and then the slippier the better! Don’t think we have done that since Aedan was a nipper and we went hurtling down the hill behind our house at Whitley Head – that was a right laugh!

This week we have managed a few walks, got the visas for India sorted, arranged the car parking at the airport & sorted out the airport transfer for when we get to Goa (thank you Rock Chick Jane for the contact!)… I have even wrapped my first Christmas presents & written my first card(s)… but only because we had a flying visit (literally) from Brother Andy – I am not usually that organised! 🤣🧑‍🎄

We are very fortunate to have such lovely countryside around us & even if we do the same or similar walks regularly, there’s always something different to see… if the cloud, mist or fog isn’t too bad 🤣🤣

Andy arrived on Tuesday evening so we went to visit Mum on Wednesday – she recognised him straight away (always a relief!) although she did call him Grandad at one point 🤣🤣🤣 which I guess is only fair if she calls me Nan most of the time – bless her!

We had a little mini Christmas gift exchange at Mum’s before getting her in the car for a drive up the Dales & lunch at the Town End Farm Shop & Cafe in Airton, Malhamdale where you get a lovely view of Malham Cove on a good day, which thankfully Wednesday was!

Following the visit with Mum, we just had time to squeeze in a little walk before it got dark (had to walk off lunch!) and so headed for the canal in Silsden…

We enjoyed a lovely Indian meal at Zolsha in Crosshills on Wednesday night and then Andy was off on Thursday morning on his way to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco (working – a walking holiday), via Keighley, Birmingham & Gatwick. It was great to catch up with Andy face to face as we don’t reckon we have done that for about 12 months – see you again in 2025 bro! ❤️

After Andy’s visit, I decided I really do need to make an effort to shed a few pounds before we go to India… we have just over 2 weeks now so I am not expecting miracles but have decided to do a bit of calorie counting until we go… with only a Christmas weekend with Louise & the kids to navigate next weekend, I am hopeful that this will help and must say, after just a few days, I (psychologically at least) am starting to feel the benefits of eating a bit less!

We have spent a few hours on the allotment over the last few days, tidying things up ready for winter… it’s nice spending time down there – peaceful and rewarding when you get to pick homegrown veggies!

We watched Children in Need last night… I wasn’t too fussed with the programme itself (although the stories/films are always very moving) but have become obsessed with Paddy McGuiness’ Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge – especially after that chap in Scotland said his foundation would match the money it raised up to £3m… imagine being that rich that you could afford to give £3m away? How much money would you actually need to not notice your purse was £3m lighter than it was? 😆What a fantastic position to be in & what a great thing to do… well done that man & well done Paddy McGuiness! Think it was £8.8m he raised – amazing!

I am still finding it hard to adjust to a life of semi-retirement and get used to how much time I have on my hands although, with it getting dark so early the days do go quickly… I don’t struggle with the not going to work bit 🤣🤣, but more the lack of organisation / planning. With work, even though things could happen that would throw your plans for the day out of whack, I could organise myself so I knew what I was doing and when I was going to do it. I guess I have been trying to do this each day – setting up a routine, even if that only involves a lie-in, some form of exercise, lunch, allotment, walk etc… Pete says I gotta go with the flow a bit more, not plan too much and not be worried if we don’t always do the things we said or planned… I am going to give it a go and try to be more chilled about things… last time I had this much time off, during my year-long sabbatical, I didn’t struggle with this but then that time coincided with the COVID lockdown (#1) and there wasn’t much that could be planned! It feels like, waiting to go away again, we are in a state of limbo at the moment… when we get back at the end of January next year, I think I will start exploring new opportunities whether that be at home or doing some voluntary or paid work… we will, hopefully, be moving at some point so that will undoubtedly keep us busy too! I am sure I will get used to it & let’s face it, it’s not exactly a bad problem to have… take care friends!

Oh, 16th November and we just got our first Christmas card through the post! Rock Chick Jane – you are way too organised! 🤣🤣