Although many places in Scotland, along with quite a few in England & Wales, have had a shed load of snow this week, we haven’t had more than a smattering but, blumming ‘eck, it’s been f-reezing!

I was pretty glad that we had no snow which meant that the drive up to Melrose for Pete’s final chemo session was OK – in fact, as it was still a bank holiday here in Scotland, there was very little traffic on the roads which meant we got there in record time which was handy, as we were meeting a stranger who had bought Pete’s bike carrier on e-bay! The stranger turned out to be a lovely lady about my age who is also now going to buy Pete’s electric bike off him too – so that was a good way to start the New Year!

Pete’s treatment went without hitch and he was all done by 5ish which meant a drive home in the dark (I think I’ve mentioned how dark it is when you get onto the smaller roads!) and, although I was a bit worried about the roads being icy, by the time we got to Hawick (about 18-miles into the 40 mile journey), I felt brave enough to tackle the B-road back to the village which was OK. We saw a Barn Owl that flew across the road in front of us, which was a lovely treat – perhaps a positive sign for the future? Of course, whereas I clutch at any old straw, Pete definitely doesn’t believe in “all that crap!” 🤣

It might have been cold but it’s been a fine start to the New Year weather-wise in our part of the Borders…

On the 3rd January, Pete wasn’t feeling too good. I know when he’s feeling bad because he didn’t want to even go for a walk. We have found that the chemo has not only left him feeling exhausted but he also really feels the cold too (hence why I got him a heated gillet for Christmas – to keep him warm when he wants to venture out to the shed!) which is strange because he’s always been the warm one in this relationship! 🤣 Pete said this is the worst he’s felt following chemo since it started – thank God this is the last one!

It’s meant that, starting the New Year on a positive note and thinking I would walk at least 30 mins every day, I had a couple of lone walks at the start of the year… although, after a few days, my determination lapsed as my cold came back with a vengeance. I came down with my last cold before Christmas, just after we went to the hospital for Pete’s treatment. This latest seems to have followed a similar pattern – I reckon I have some sort of reaction to shopping in Galashiels! 🤣 Either that or the good folk of that town are infectious (and not in a good way) – no offence meant! 😆

On the 3rd January, I spent much of my little walk around the village exchanging WhatsApp messages with our Louise and thinking of our old pal, Sheena P whose birthday it would have been but who sadly passed away in 2025 😢

It was a beautiful, frosty, late-afternoon walk which soon became moonlit by the full “Wolf Moon”.

Although it has been very cold here (down to minus 6 one night and hovering between 0 and minus 5 most days!), I heard from brother Andy who is in Finland at the moment (in Lapland I think) with a group of vision-impaired / sighted holiday makers – as part of his work with Traveleyes – where it was minus 25 – now that’s cold! I don’t care if it’s the home of Santa Claus and his elves, you can stick that as a holiday destination! Definitely not for me! 🙂‍↔️

Pete finally felt up to a short walk later in the week and we managed a few strolls here and there…

We have got a quote for having the 70s-styled fireplace in the front room demolished and replaced. The work will start at the end of January which will be good! It meant we took a trip up to Hawick yesterday to order new carpet for when the work is completed… it will be nice to make a start on proper decorating once this bigger bit of work is completed!

So, that’s more or less our start to the year… whilst Pete’s treatment has now come to an end, which is a nice way to start the new year, I feel a bit pathetic with how rough my cold has made me feel over the past few days… (thankfully, I had a great nights sleep last night and feel much better today)… especially when I know Pete and other family & friends out there are going through much tougher times than me. I want them people to know that I love them very much, think about them often and send each of them as many positive thoughts as I can! ❤️

The temperature this morning is the first this year above freezing and it’s absolutely hammering it down with rain, so I’m off to make chocolate brownies (comfort food!)… until next time friends – take care! XxX