Mid-way through the evening last night, it started snowing… the weather forecast did warn it was on its way but, as ever, I think the forecast was a bit over egged! Although we woke to a winter wonderland themed garden, it wasn’t that bad and it didn’t stop me getting out to Bradford to give blood!

On Sunday (17th November), after an early morning call with our friend Billy, who rarely brings good news (sorry Billy, I know it’s not your fault!! 😉😘), we decided to have a walk near Silsden but, instead of the canal, we decided to drive over the “Cringles” and start our walk just off Bolton Road, near Addingham. The back road from there takes you up across Addingham Low Moor… it’s really nice up there with good, almost 360-views into the Dales and across the tops towards Skipton, Silsden, & Ilkley… that is of course if you can see anything for the cloud and it’s not peeing it down with rain! I almost left the house with just a padded jacket on but noticed a rather black cloud on the horizon (Mum would be proud! She’s the only person we know that can spot a “black” cloud from a hundred miles away and on a cloudless day… family will understand! 🤣🤣🤣) so decided on a quick wardrobe change – thinner padded jacket and raincoat… I was very glad about that as it peed it down for most of our walk! Heavy, cold rain as well… we were drenched, including some very wet pants and boots! That said, putting my positive head on, I’d describe the walk as invigorating 🤣!

Yesterday, 18th November, we had arranged to get our house valued by Yopa – this is in preparation for us perhaps moving further North (who knows, Northumberland / Scottish Borders??? To be decided… 😆) in 2025 sometime. It turned out that the guy who came to see us (and the house!) was the guy who sold our house when we lived at Whitley Head when he was working for Purple Bricks – almost exactly 7 years ago! Small world huh?! He was able to give us an estimate on the value of the house so that we have an idea of what we will have to spend when we start looking at new places to live when we get back from India in the New Year – which is good. Having sold Mum & Dad’s house next door last year, we had an idea of what the house would be worth but it was good to get this confirmed 12 months on…

Following his visit, we went to get some fresh air…

So, this morning we woke to snow…

It’s very cold… but I needed to get off to Bradford to give blood – something I have been doing for maybe 7 or 8 years? Today, I donated my 20th pint – something I’m quite proud of! Why do I do it? As the website says, giving blood saves lives.

I am fortunate that I’ve never, to my knowledge, needed a blood transfusion. However, Pete has on several occasions (well, that’s what you get when you are blown up in adult life or fall down a lift-shaft as a kid! 🤣🤣🤣) – most recently when he had his heart tubes fixed a couple of years ago… I remember both Mum & Dad regularly giving blood when I was a kid so, after seeing an advert asking for donors a few years back, it was something I thought, why not? I suppose it’s my way of giving something back to others that need it!

Did you know, on average the NHS needs approximately 4,300 blood donations every day to meet the needs of the UK’s hospitals? I don’t know why, but they use my blood at various baby units… how do I know this? I get a text message when it’s been used – they tell me where it’s been sent and what it’s likely to be used for – cool huh?

Whilst not everyone is able to give blood, I think, if you are fit and healthy, it’s really worthwhile and, apart from a little discomfort at the start, I’ve never had any adverse affects and it’s nice to know that your donation counts and helps someone… As the website says, “blood donation is an amazing gift to people who need it in an emergency or for ongoing medical treatment…” If you think this might be something you’d be interested in, why don’t you visit the blood donation website: http://www.blood.co.uk – and yes, you get a cuppa, a choccy biscuit (I actually had a hot chocolate & double Biscoff biscuit (the big ones!) today – yum – but they always have all sorts including crisps!) and even a sticker – see mine below!

When I got back this afternoon, Pete was out and about somewhere so I thought I would have a catch up on “I’m a Celeb…” oh my… I know I shouldn’t waste my life on stuff like this but it really makes me laugh (and, today at least, shed a tear or two – big love to Barry McG! 🥹) and, having felt a bit down in the dumps for no known reason after I’d given blood (think it was the 30mins I spent walking around the shops in Bradford – I am definitely no cliche as I really dislike shopping in any form! 😟) it was just the tonic I needed – thank you ITV! 🤣

So, that’s my last couple of days… Happy Birthday to friends Victoria and “Mike” (🤣🤣🤣) for yesterday, & Clare for today… Ruth, we are both thinking of you and sending extra doses of love ❤️ L8rs!