Well, seems the lettuce man was right, the fine weather has broken and the promised rain he mentioned would arrive on the 20th, came last night (23rd into 24th May)!

I know it’s probably not as bad as it sounds out there, but as I lay in my bed this morning, listening to the wind whistling around my slightly ajar skylight window, it sounds like it’s blowing a hooley! It’s strange seeing the garden looking a bit sodden and rain drops on the skylight… I know we need the rain but I miss the sunshine as soon as it disappears! The week-long forecast suggests it might be a bit showery for the next week but should warm up again by next weekend… I can manage that I think! 😎

I’ve had a mixed week and have been feeling a bit off colour for most of it so this will be a short one today.

The Otley Show last Sunday (17th May) was great! As it was good weather (bit cloudy to start but turning fine and sunny by lunchtime) it was rammed – so many people milling around and great to see loads of families/kids enjoying the show.

This show, the first agricultural show of the season, is thought to be one of the oldest in the country. The website says (Otley show.org.uk), records “show that Otley Show was founded in 1796 but it is known that a type of Show was held before this date. Farmers from around Otley had competitions for various livestock classes at (the) Royal White Horse, in Manor Square (which is now Barclays Bank) and substantial sums of money were placed as wagers”.

My favourite part of the country show is always listening to the inevitable local brass band (reminds me of Dad! Nothing like hearing the band bang out their rendition of The Floral Dance or Dambusters whilst sitting on the grass in the sunshine!) and trying to work out which cow, sheep or horse is going to be the favourite with the judge… Pete and I always choose one each, the prize for being right? A short-lived degree of smugness until the next round! 🤣

There are always plenty of stalls at the shows but apart from a coffee each and the biggest chocolate muffin I have ever seen (which we shared), we only stocked up on some pickles and chutneys.

One thing I did pluck up the courage to take advantage of was the “free” 5 minute consultation with a local Chiropractor who confirmed that he should easily be able to sort out my back & neck problems… I have booked a half-price full consultation with them – it should have taken place yesterday but, due to not being well this week, I have had to postpone to next week…

On Monday (18th May), I went to see Mum. It was only as I arrived that I was told that she’d had a bit of an upset stomach and, just as a precaution, was sitting in the sun lounge, away from other residents… she appeared to be fine and had no recollection of being at all unwell, so I didn’t really think much of it…

Tuesday was dentist (clean bill of health – hoorah!), followed by a visit from Kevin (our YOPA agent) to discuss the sale of our house… which is still not going anywhere 🙁… and Wednesday (20th May), I parked up in Bradley & took a nice stroll along the canal to my planned hair appointment in Skipton… it was only on the 2.5 mile walk back along the canal that I started to feel a bit strange… to be honest, I thought perhaps I had just over exerted myself with the walk in the sunshine or that the sun was having some sort of reaction to the hair product that had been used to highlight my locks! I made it home OK but spent the rest of the afternoon feeling a bit off colour (a bit like my hair 🤣🤣), and not fancying much for dinner (think I had some toast?)… which is very unlike me!

Since then, I have not felt very good at all and believe I must have picked up a bug from Mum when I visited? Fortunately, Pete seems to be impervious and is not suffering… yet at least!

So my week started well but ended, literally, on a shittier note! It’s been about 2.5days since this bug started and I am starting to feel a little better… fingers crossed it doesn’t last too much longer… I am wasting away – good job there is plenty of me! 😂

That’s all from me for now! RIP Billy Stinson & love to all the family xxx