A rather gloomy picture of some of my roses in the hall. I thought I would enjoy a few inside for a change.
Tam and I went down to N's for some more Goose Eggs, and took this photo of her beautiful climbing rose (think it may be Albertine) over the cottage door.
We had our usual 6 ft apart chat to put the world to rights and I invited her up to see my garden as the roses are coming into their best.
Some of the fringe of purple Foxgloves lining the lane.
Then Tam and I set off exploring. There was a long walk we wanted to check the route of - we would have to be dropped off part way round or it would be about an 11 mile circuit from home. Here is our usual view of the Mountains from the top of the hill towards Horeb. The flat tops of the Beacons visible in the distance.
Once over the x-roads, I stopped for another picture of the view.
We found the lane we wanted and weren't disappointed - we could see it would be a lovely walk (but one needing a picnic stop half way round!)
The views were just stunning - a little hazy because of the cloud - this photo really doesn't do it justice.
The next few are panning across the same view then towards the Towy Valley.
Finally, below, the lane ahead. Oh my goodness, but it was steep and SO NARROW - rock cut, and the car barely fitted in! Our hearts were in our mouths as we descended and it got narrower still. We prayed we wouldn't meet anyone coming the other way (fortunately we didnt!)
This evening we had a phone call from a friend we know as a customer at the Fairs. He and his wife are lovely down-to-earth people and we get on well with them. He said to me, "You know Jen, what I miss most is just mooching about." How right he is. We can't wander round the car boot sales any more, or pop into charity shops or book shops, or antiques centres, or go to Malvern (the biggest mooch of all!) and that is what we all miss - the chance of a bargain, seeing what daft prices some folk have on their stock, seeing friends and chatting and seeing what they have bought, and the wonderful relaxed atmosphere. Having something to look forward to. We don't have that in our calendar any more. So this checking out of a potential walk was an attempt to give us something to aim at, to look forward to. What do you miss?
Being in control!
ReplyDeleteYes, that definitely has novelty-value these days!
DeleteI miss my family. I also miss using my bus pass to go for a day out or to go for a walk and get a bus back. I also miss visiting family and friends and staying with them. Or popping in for a cuppa. I do miss the charity shops but my daughter said car boot sales are starting up.
ReplyDeleteYes, family top of the list here too. We are 3 miles from the nearest bus stop so I never use my bus pass!
DeleteMuch as we love car boot sales, we won't be going to any until next year - once there is a vaccine available.
Having a life and not just an existence.
ReplyDeleteIt does feel like that doesn't it? I am trying to keep making/doing things which keep me occupied and make this Lockdown have meaning.
DeleteI miss seeing our oldest son, seeing other members of the extended family and being able to go out for a meal.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Family are tops with everyone I reckon Jackie. We hardly ever go out for a meal, so don't miss that. Missing FREEDOM though.
DeleteAll my favourite things (except seeing grandchildren) are the least likely to start again soon.
ReplyDeleteI do envy the views you get from height!
Family the most of course and then little things like choosing my food (we are having Tesco delivery) and are very thankful but it is not the same as browsing the chiller and choosing your own meat/fish. Church, again we are listening to the service on the internet but it is not the same as the interaction you get with other people. e are living in strange times.
ReplyDeleteTime with friends is top of my list. My family all live hundreds of miles away so we only see them once or twice a year in a normal year but my friends are people I see every week sometimes more than once a week. They are my community all like minded, we are making do with regular phone calls but it is not quite the same.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing pictures of your wonderful countryside. That lane looks like one I drive to on the way to a friends house they are nerve wracking aren't they!
I think missing friends and family come top of most people's list - phone calls aren't quite the same are they?
DeleteWe are used to narrow one-track lanes here but this one was the narrowest we've encountered down the years!
I've surprised myself in how much I don't miss, but I suppose I am the same as you - I miss the outdoor antique markets.
ReplyDeleteThat's a positive Tom, but it is hard to realize what huge changes we have had to make - and probably will continue to do so in the future.
DeleteI miss most walking in the countryside, visiting book shops, villages, churches and EH and NT properties. Now we are having shopping delivered I have started to miss the twice weekly food shop but just wouldn't feel safe at the moment going to a supermarket so thankful we can get a delivery. I also miss being able to easily buy cake making ingredients as so many are still unavailable even vanilla essence and light muscovado sugar!
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I don't feel I could ever safely enter a supermarket again! I miss choosing fresh fruit and vegetables (sometimes finding out you are being palmed off with the going over stuff NOT good when your delivery arrives). Strange what stuff is becoming unavailable - supply chain or folk buying I wonder?
DeleteI think some NT properties were allowing ticketed entrance into their grounds but normality is a long way away . . .
It is such an idyllic spot!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed. We are so fortunate to live where we do.
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