Keeping warm

 It was 14 deg downstairs in the kitchen this morning, which would explain why all 4 cats were on my bed - the girls, one at my back (Lulu) and one laid on top of my ribs (Pippi).  I am sat here wrapped in a summer quilt, with my small velvet-covered hotty botty stuffed down the front, waiting for the central heating to come up to speed.  I slept well under my winter duvet last night and actually finally feel a little bit better today - sinuses feeling clearer and cough pretty well gone. My brain is nearly back in residence too.  It would appear I had Adenovirus. In search of a change from Agatha Christie yesterday evening, I came across a drama set in Scotland called "Annika", who is a DI working in the Marine Homicide Unit.  It is different in that Annika talks directly to the viewers on occasion, and has a good line in Scandinavian myth and history.  I am really enjoying it and binge-watching it.  

The little Kiwi backpack was a great hit with Rosie . . .

Danette has led me astray and shown me a long-handled border fork she was given for Christmas, and so I am going to give myself a treat today and go to the garden centre (I couldn't find the energy to go before Christmas).  All their Christmas decorations will be much reduced too, but I shall try and resist them, especially as car tax is due this month, and the central heating boiler due a service.

So, we have arrived at the last day of 2025. I am much-travelled!  A bit more planned for 2026, but much nearer to home.  I can manage a flight from Bristol to Copenhagen (with Gabby as sidekick).  That is going to be my birthday treat - checking out the Bog Bodies in the Museums, oh and the Gundrestrop cauldron and Rune stones :)  

Home alone again

 Tam and Rosie left yesterday, with the latter having a hissy fit about being strapped into the car seat as she wanted to carry on "driving" the car as she had been whilst we were packing it.  She was past her sell-by date, tiredness wise.  Tam was nearly in tears as her wrists were so painful (a return of the Carpel Tunnel pain/weakness she had when pregnant) and I have to say I breathed a sigh of relief when they were on their way.  When you are unwell, it is hard to hold it together with a houseful of family and last night I was exhausted and in bed by 8p.m. and slept 11 1/2 hours . . .  

Rosie is SO gentle with the cats and here she is giving Alfie a little snuggle.

We intended to download the photos from my Panasonic DC-FZ82 yesterday, but I have changed my computer this year and it doesn't have a port for the original connector - which seems to have gone missing since NZ anyway.  So I will have to buy another.  Annoying.

I still have mucky eyes, so will have to use the gungey eye "glue" from Boots again.  Cough almost gone, sinuses still hanging in there.  I may go to Llandod later on, just to get out of the house and get some fresh air and stretch my legs.  I need some fresh veg, so that's my excuse.

Gabby made me laugh with her surprise present for me (non craft one) as she got me a splendid 1L Thermos flask because I had been really cold at the last Malvern fair, but too mean to pay £2 for a cup of tea (I ask you, hot water, teabag and a glimpse of milk).  It will be put to good use.

I need to have a burn up of boxes and wrapping paper today too and vacuum up needles from beneath the tree, which suffered mightily after visiting toddler grabbed a bauble and pulled the tree over . . . (Lovely friends of Tam & Jon's visited on Saturday).

I would like to make a start on the cat embroidery today.  I will see how I feel this afternoon.

Great hilarity!

 We have  had a lovely family Christmas, but I am still laid up fighting the remains of this cold and have absolutely no energy or appetite.  Weightwise I have lost 6 lbs and am heading towards 10 1/2 stone now.  Of course it hasn't disappeared where I would like it to disappear from yet but I've gone down a back size on my bra. Gabby was a hero and cooked all the food.  We had a leg of Salt Marsh Lamb on Christmas Day, lovely roasties and all the trimmings and Chocolate Roulade which we were too stuffed to eat until Boxing Day, then yesterday she did an amazing beef stew with so much flavour.  I have 3 portions stowed away in the freezer now too.  Plus Potato Dauphinoise.  Today is a good cheese board and cold meats.

I had some lovely gifts.  Plenty to keep me busy during the low-light days of January and February.  The little cat below looks SO like Pippi.

    

I asked for this lino printing kit as it's something I have long wanted to try my hand at.

A fabulous church book (thank you Danette).  Lovely scraperboard illustrations too.

More sewing and crafting ideas . . .

So, all in all a lovely family Christmas though all the good food and great wine was wasted on me as I couldn't do it justice.  A small meal, a mouthful of wine, a few nibbles, and the only thing I really enjoyed was a forgotten Tunnock's Teacake from the cupboard (recently bought).  That sugar hit helped me.

The "great hilarity" came yesterday evening when Rosie finally unwrapped The Dinky Donkey book I bought in NZ, and Gabby read it and we laughed until we cried.  It is the follow up to The Wonky Donkey.  Here - just to make you giggle too - is a link to Scottish Granny reading it to her unappreciative grandchild (too young!)  I hope that gives the video link - if not go to You Tube and type in Scottish Granny and Wonky Donkey . . .

Needing a plumber on Christmas Day . . .

 If you live in a city or in the middle of nowhere, you would think, not a snowball's chance in hell.  I came down to a wet utility carpet this morning, and thought, oh it's Gabby's cool packs have melted and there's a leak in the bag.  She then went out an hour or so ago and no, carpet definitely SOGGY and we found water dripping steadily from the connector to the UV system.  I put a bucket underneath it and sent a quick message to my plumber, asking him if he could pop out and fix it when he was working again.

Imagine my surprise (and delight) when he said he was waiting around and could come and sort it for me and he was there within 20 minutes and did just that.  Gabby has been saying, don't get him out he will charge £100 to come out on Christmas Day, but I have faith in him and am just SO grateful he was able to help straight away.  It was leaking quite a bit faster just in that short time.  A washer had perished.

Thank you all for your wonderful Christmas greetings.  I have had some fresh air, turned the heating off and had caffeine, so am slightly more with it today.  Gabby helped me make the roulade, although we did have a boughten Tart au Citron to fall back on if we both fell by the wayside.

Tam, Rosie and Jon on their way.  Hope you are having/have had a wonderful day, depending on which part of the world you are.  Shirley - too hot for me.  Hope you had ice cream to go with the 24/7 air conditioning . . .

A bit of a non-Christmas for me

 I just don't have the energy to do anything.  I have just vacuumed the kitchen (and believe me it HAD to be done as it was starting to look like a health hazard) and wrapped 3 gifts, and that is me, exhausted.  I need to go to the compost bin, so will have to rest up a bit before I meet that challenge.  I have been resting and resting for 3 weeks now, but this virus has just wiped me out.  I have to meet the challenge of making the roulade later.  I have just fossicked around in the freezer and found the bag of wild raspberries I picked last summer, when we had a bumper harvest of wild and tame ones.  They will be cooked up to make the ju for the roulade.  Not wasting the good tame ones to be smashed up!  

I had great pleasure watching the Puissance from - well it used to be called Olympia - but it's the London Horse Show now.  The best horse/rider won it - Rachel Proudly and Easy Boy De Laubrey Z - what sensible heads on both shoulders - but the crowd, me included, absolutely LOVED the thrill of the hot-headed chestnut Shanalough Luichew, ridden by Irish horseman Andrew Hodgkins, who had a very individual riding style - sat at the back of his saddle and with such long reins.  Clearly he knew his horse well, but could only present it at a fence at the last moment or else it would have gone absolutely flat out!  He finally got 4 faults at the wall at 7 foot, after the horse had launched itself on a wrong stride.

Another rider, Nathan Bull and Castaltonia, made the wall rock (but no bricks off it) and then the horse pecked badly on landing and he sailed off over its head, but landed beyond the finish line (a bit of luck).  The horse trod on him in passing and the Dr said he couldn't jump again, which was probably just as well.  So truly, thrills and spills, and I had a lovely evening watching that.

Gabby arrives today, so finally I will have some company.  Being laid up alone for weeks isn't much fun (though I did have Tam and Rosie here on the middle weekend, long enough to pass this on to Tam).  

The Christmas Tree

 

I've just had a lovely chat with my friend L. Lin, and she reminded me I hadn't put up a photo of the Christmas tree yet, so yer 'tis. A nice one, not too much skirt to it and dressed with so many happy memories.

It's one I bought locally, and is just the right size.  I suspect wee Rosie may redecorate it for me.  We will see!

I've been watching Olympia horse show on iPlayer, and had a lovely evening.  I gave up half way on a Netflix film The Great Flood.

What's on tv?

 I was convinced that Christmas Day was Wednesday.  That's what comes of being nailed to the sofa every day.  Very disappointing to realize I still have another day before Gabby arrives.

I have been watching You Tube videos, including Living Big in a Tiny House.  My favourite is from 5 years ago, when they visit Glen, who did an Amazing Lord of the Rings Inspired Van conversion.  That is his door, above, made using just plywood, which he planes to reveal the layers.  Below: 

Plywood carved into amazing cupboard doors, with coloured perspex backing.

Tiny house living wouldn't be for me, but it's interesting to see what other people create for themselves.

I thought I was mending, but suddenly yesterday evening, when I cosied in to watch a good film (Glass Onion with Daniel Craig), I fell asleep sitting up in the chair.  I had already had 3 naps that day, and then spent nearly all the evening asleep, missing most of the film.  Then I fell into bed and slept all night (bar the usual loo wakes).  It was 7.30 before I got up, and I am having a quiet morning.  Everyone I've spoken to says that they have had this bug and it lasts 3-4 weeks.  It has different add-ons (glad I didn't get the ear infection one).  It's been doing the rounds since October.

Right, time to hang up the washing and then have some soup for lunch.

A corner has been turned

 Yesterday I woke too early - 4.30 again.  Couldn't get back to sleep so just after 5 I got up and came downstairs.  I had planned to drive to Carmarthen area to get the Christmas meat and to see friends.  I now had time to play catch up a bit and having bought a bag of lemons with my Christmas shopping decided to make a Lemon Drizzle cake for P&D  and family, as I know they love it and P doesn't bake.  I opened the page of my special recipes book (all handwritten out, and it's hand-made heavyweight paper) to Tangy Lemon Cake and saw I had put double the quantities to one side.  Why not make two, one for friend N too?  So I did.  All before breakfast.  The hardest part was grating 4 lemons to go in the mix.  Then those lemons are ground on the glass lemon squeezer (that was my mum's) and the juice mixed with sugar to spoon over the cakes the moment they come out of the oven and you prod them all over with a skewer.

I was away by about 9.30.  Sitting down and driving is fine, I can do that.  Not up to much physical exercise just yet though.  I needed fuel, but wasn't paying the £148.9 a litre that Tesco wanted (will be the same down the town too).  In Llandovery I got diesel for £138.9.  A considerable improvement.  Then on to Llandeilo, to our old butchers at Ffairfach.  He sells Salt Marsh Lamb and I wanted a piece for Christmas and got a lovely leg.  Then a kilo of braising steak for the pie, and I got 500g of mince for meals for me.  

A whistle-stop drop off P&D's with Quality Street, cake, jam/marmalade and a book for P.  Finally back through the little lanes to N's, praying I wouldn't meet the mad neighbour who drives like it's Le Mans, when I got to the very very single track rock-cut steep bendy hill . . .  I survived, and had a cuppa and a very welcome chat and catch up on gossip with N.  

On the way home I stopped at the nursery for the last two gifts I needed to get for P and C and will drop those off this morning with a card.  

I just made a simple mince with onions and mixed veg for tea, and some of the lovely Organic Cauliflower which Tam had bought across for me.  I had decided to add a splash of Worcester Sauce to it but picked up the Tesco's own bottle by mistake.  Since having this bug, and despite emptying sinuses, I seem to have an area of super sniffing and a note of something will really be strong and pungent.  Yesterday it was a note of Anchovy in the sauce and I did wonder if I was going to be able to face eating it as my stomach had lurched at the smell.  By the time I'd added gravy browning, it had subsided, thank heavens.  I only had a tiny bowl - literally half a dozen dessertspoonfuls - and I felt really bloated afterwards (I have lost just under half a stone with this bug), but it will help to build me up.  More tonight.

The photo at the top is the River Cothi, which had clearly been up across the lane as ever, only a lot more frequently since we lived there.  It's much drier here.  

Oh, and to make you all giggle.  Tam left J in charge of Rosie on Friday, as ever, whilst she was in work.  They had bought a small sprig of Mistletoe and put it high, but J, being tall, must have knocked it and it fell within Rosie's reach.  They hadn't counted the berries on it but two didn't seem many and he was worried Rosie may have eaten some.  Off they all went to A&E, where Rosie was pronounced fit and apparently it's not the berries which carry the toxin, it is the stem and leaves.  At worst, she would have had an upset tummy.  Anyway, Rosie had been having a fine old time climbing all over the hospital bed and when it came to going home, actually wanted to stay and keep on playing.  They scooped her up and walked out through A&E with Rosie yelling "Help!!!" as if they were abducting her!!!  They didn't even know she KNEW the word "help" . . . where did that come from? 

Hoping I've turned a corner

 I took the decision to drive to the shops today (for grub) - if I felt rough by town, I would get bare essentials from Co-op.  If I felt OK, I would go on to Llandod.  I felt OK.

In Christchurch.

I managed to find a parking space I could drive straight into in the town (thank heavens as brain wasn't quite up to doing parallel parking yet).  I posted a card, and walked slowly back to the art shop.  I was looking for a gift for little "I" but the books there didn't quite hit the mark.  Art stuff - that was what I needed, as part of a Christmas gift.  I couldn't believe it - no art stuff at all - instead LOTS of birthday cards etc and a nice little gift corner.  So I am afraid Mr Amazon had to have my business this late in the day.

I got a trolley for my meander around Tesco's.  Oh my goodness, that challenged me.  I was ok with it empty but as it filled up (cat food is always heavy), so are bags of spuds, and I began to struggle.  I got the essentials (about half the Christmas list) and stopped whilst I still had legs under me!  I unpacked in bits and bobs (some still in car and I won't be able to haul the cat litter in I don't think).  Then I had a double Time Team nap.  

My tea was cooked by the chippy, but at least I've had something hot and it's not just a handful of Ritz or half an apple . . .

A Lorna Doone sort of day

 Of course, I have been on the sofa all day again.  I fancied watching Lorna Doone earlier, but couldn't find the remote for the dvd player.  I watched the - much shortened to extracts - clips on You Tube, but then Tam phoned and told me I didn't need the remote for the dvd player so I watched it again in its entirety again.  The Lorna refrain is so beautiful.  It is now vieing with The 13th Warrior for most viewed film in our house (Keith loved the latter film).

Incidentally, the shooting of Lorna at her wedding to Jan Ridd was based on an actual happening, whem poor Mary Whiddon was shot and killed by a jealous former suitor, on 11th October 1641 at Chagford Church.

I have been feeling very emotional and run down today and had lots of tears on and off.  I've had this bug for 10 days now.  I didn't have the strength to drive down to town for some bread and so I forced myself to start off a half and half dough in the breadmaker, and now have a nice round crusty loaf baking in the oven.

I don't know what tea will be - probably just freshly-baked bread, although I did get a tin of Heinz Ravioli the other day, in case I fancied something quick (and not very nutritious!)  It cost an arm and a leg too . . .

I had a cat-flap delivery this morning - my beautiful little piece of Dartmoor - the jug from Powdermills pottery and I am absolutely delighted with it. The natural colours are peaty and soothing.  My connection with the moor and my ancestral roots.

Rosie's quilt

 

I couldn't wait to give Rosie this quilt and she was over the moon with it and put it on her bed straight away!  Anyone visiting the house has been taken through for a show-and-tell!

100 per cent hand quilted throughout.  I still marvel at those little Bear's Paw blocks!   The quilted border pattern is a Durham quilting one and Rosie's mum came from that area, so that gives a lovely link too.

Right now, I never want to pick up a needle again - my poor brain is still in neutral, but I've just had a link on my feed for The Other Bennet Sister on BBC iPlayer, and that looks SUCH fun, I am going to treat myself this morning.

Everything I wanted to do in the run up to Christmas has been knocked on the head.  I will be lucky to get the shopping done at this rate.  

Reports of my recovery are greatly exaggerated . . .

 In fact, I got blardy WORSE yesterday.  I managed to force down some tea (half a ready meal), had my teatime pills, and then began a dry irritating cough and coughed and coughed until I was sick in the sink several times.  (I do NOT enjoy being sick).  Around 1 a.m. I trotted down to the loo and back and suddenly my teefs began chattering like castanets and I had to quickly put a thick extra quilt on the bed and turn the bed heater on high.  The bed was shaking from my shaking.  When I woke next, it  was like starting a whole new other cold, though the Laryngitis was on the retreat and my breathing better, but my brain had gone walkabouts again.  I really DON'T know what I have, or even what combination!  I saw the GP yesterday, who gave me antibiotics just in case but said don't take them today, and see how you feel tomorrow etc, so they are there for some time in the future.  He thought this was probably viral.

The lovely view from my room at the Faulty Towers motel in Queenstown . . .

So I am still in my usual place on the sofa, sleeping a lot of the time, and feeling yuk.  I just want to be better again.  I can't see me driving down to Carms to see my quilting buddies and friends Pam and Nikki tomorrow, but hope to be able to manage it by Friday, if I get better.  I have had a fortnight of being nailed to the wall now and am so fed up with it.

I had to go out for provisions as Pam's car off road.  I had the windows wide open on the car to keep me alert.

Hoping to stay awake long enough to watch a Broadchurch episode this afternoon.

Still feeling grim - and quick update

 

Are you poorly mum?

After perking up a bit yesterday, and telling Tam and Rosie to come over after all, I did manage to stay awake till 9 p.m. but was bad in the night as I forgot my strong antihistamine which seems to help my chest.  So around 3 a.m. I had to come downstairs and take it, but it was a couple of hours before it made a difference.  It has been lovely having Tam and Rosie here, and Tam has cared for me, and changed my bedding etc.

Today we went and got the Christmas tree, from just out of town.  We chose a slightly smaller one than usual and Tam has it in its stand and with the lights on it, so when I am feeling better I can dress it.

Unfortunately in going to get the tree, I got chilled and was soon back on the sofa, smothered in heated blanket, hotty botty etc, teefs chattering.   I had a sharp pain in my chest too, but think this is more like Laryngitis than anything as I can barely croak, let alone speak.  I have no appetite but had to force down half a nice Cornish Pasty Jon bought back from Hereford (he'd been to a gig there).  I shall take my antihistamine in an hour or so, a bit early, but it's not forgotten.  I have lost 2 lbs in two days.  Drinking plenty to keep me hydrated though.

I'm home alone again now and will just rest up and tomorrow get a taxi down to collect the car and I will make an appointment to see a Dr, as not sure what this is.  Not Covid, not Flu, not even a proper cold.  But a right PITA to have!   Rosie is a little germ factory, and has a cold again now, so I have been washing my hands lots.

Update:  been to the GP and have antibiotics "just in case", so those have gone in the cupboard.  He reckons this will gradually improve and is viral.  Lovely new chap, who had worked in NZ for a year.  I was amazed he came back but he said they were VERY choosy about who they let in!

I've got the car back now too, thank heavens.  Not too much of a hit in the pocket either (under £300).  Chilled again now, so am sat here with a cuppa and my little velvet hotty botty, and heading for the sofa any minute, as I was found to still have a temperature. My head keeps leaping, which is most unpleasant.

Totally fed up

 It would appear that I have a chest infection.  Yesterday I was asleep nearly all day and evening and then got right through the night with no 3.15 a.m. get up.  Today I am aching, my head is still feeling groggy, and I have zero energy.  Panadol has no effect on the groggy head. My chest doesn't feel so congested though. I will have to do the washing up today before it meets me at the door!

The lighthouse at Akaroa.

I have had to cancel Tam and Rosie coming over, which is a blow.  But I wouldn't be much company and can't manage walking around the Christmas Fair at Hay.  I can't get my Christmas tree yet, and indeed, have no car as it is still in the garage awaiting the MoT work.    I can't get down to town to post parcels and cards either, so Christmas is definitely on hold.  New neighbour has offered to take me down to town, so I may take him up on that.

One of the little churches I managed to get a photo of, but they are only open when services are being held.  There is no tradition of church bothering it would seem.  This is at Akaroa.

I spent yesterday sleeping through Broadchurch, Time Team, a Victorian Christmas (at Llywn Celyn again), and various similar offerings.  I would watch the first five minutes, fall asleep sitting up, and wake up at the credits . . .

Some tongue-in-cheek taxidermy . . .  The possum is enemy no. 1 as it does so much damage to nesting NZ birds.  One of our drivers was saying if he sees one on the road, that is shortly going to be a dead possum . . .  We did see a lot of squashed ones.  Strangely, their fur can be incorporated into socks, with merino wool, and these stop any blisters . . .  £50 or so a pair though!!

I forced myself to make Kedgeree in a short awake period, but only had about five dessert spoons of it for my meal. I just couldn't force it down.  My "main meal" was a can of 4 pineapple rings and gosh, I DID enjoy that. At least they tasted like pineapple rings!  I will get some more today.  I have at least lost another pound in weight.  I opened a tin of soup earlier, but could only manage half of it.  

I have a video of this amazing waterfall, but have to wait till Tam comes over so she can show me how to shrink their size.

I had to scamper outside late afternoon as Alfie suddenly involved in a fight with the nasty black and white farm tom who comes calling sometimes.  He is very stiff and sore this morning, poor old chap.

So as you can see, absolutely fed up here.  Can't stay awake long enough to do anything and have absolutely no will to do anything either.  10 days of jet-lag and now this bug for the last 4, and I just want to feel normal again.

Ghostly stories

 I shouldn't be reading them, living alone, let alone in the middle of the night but just read a spooky one on Legendary Dartmoor, which I follow on Facebook.  If you are interested in Dartmoor at all, then visit their website, as SO much information on there about the traditions, history, folklore, flora and fauna etc.  This particular story told of a young man riding 20 miles across the moor on a snowy night, and happening upon an old lady - who ignored him - and later seeing her being murdered, whereupon his horse bolted.  This was all an action replay of course but spooky all the same.

We used to tell the kids about the Hairy Hands, which had been experienced in the Gunpowder Mills/Postbridge area of Dartmoor (where Keith, friend Stu and I used to "wild camp" as it's now called, in the 1980s).  These hands used to grab the wheel of a car and steer it off the road, or else the handlebars of a motorbike on a certain stretch of road.  Logical explanations put it down to the camber of the road . . .  Interestingly this tale - from 1910 - 1920s - faded away with the coming of the radio to these parts, so perhaps folk were less gullible after that.  As we walked back across the moor, beside the East Dart, I still remember shining my torch at the old grey stone wall which separated the moor from the oh-I-want-it house surrounded by beech trees, seeing the little green Maidenhair Spleenwort trembling in the night breeze.  I was so VERY glad never to come across a pair of Hairy Hands!!  

I was glad to leave such things behind me when we left the old house.  Too much happening there for my comfort and peace of mind.

A hanging valley on Milford Sound.  I can remember being taught about these when I was 15 . . .

I don't think that much happens in Builth itself, though there is a haunted hotel in the vicinity.  Not so far away, my mind takes me back to a lovely old stone house (1600s or so with a Latin inscription over the door) which Keith really liked, though it had no outside storage or parking.  It was a few miles from Talgarth.  I went into the living room and eyed the blocked up door in the corner.  I could pick up the vibes from feet away (Keith couldn't) and I told him in uncertain terms there was no way we were going to buy THAT house.  Violent death had happened in that doorway and there was something still lingering.   I heard from a friend in Hay, who knew the lady who used to live there, that it did come with "add ons" . . .

I am very popular now I'm back . . .

My sleep pattern is still all over the place.  I could NOT stay awake past 8.15 last night and of course, woke at 3.15 (not that I slept right through before that, waking every hour or so).  I may have to get some knock-out drops from the Dr or pharmacy.  Surely this can't still be jet lag, over a week on?  I need to get out for a good walk, weather permitting.  Tam & Rosie are here for the weekend, and we will get the Christmas tree, and we're also going to Hay Christmas Market on Saturday, so that will get me out and about.  I have written all the cards now but need to do a couple of letters and wrap a couple of gifts to post.  I am still binge-watching Broadchurch, but spotted the film of Under The Greenwood Tree (Thomas Hardy) and enjoyed that too.  Lots of archaeology/history as well.

Right, 5.30 a.m.  Perhaps I should head back to bed?  (I did, but a waste of time as I didn't sleep and came down at 7.)

Put Christmas on Hold

 Right now, happy just to stay resting over the next month as the cold, whilst not a bad one at all, has added to the tiredness levels and I don't want to do anything.

Geology at Scenery Nook, on our catamaran trip from Akaroa.

I've just taken the car down for MoT and Pam gave me a lift back.  I have asked my neighbour if he can drop me down again this afternoon - or tomorrow if we have to wait for parts.

I am now signed up for an afternoon's course in water colour painting (Tam is doing it with me, in Aber).  Waiting to hear if there are places on a couple of other courses there too.

On Instagram I have followed lea_and_elfie for a good while.  They are spinners and weavers and make wonderful textiles.  I am considering one of their courses too, perhaps the Art Journal Book Making course.  They live about 40 miles from me.  

Anyway, I now have some things to look forward to, even in bleak January (the afternoon arty things in Aber).

My sofa awaits . . .

Suitably rested, I have just been choosing my own piece of Dartmoor.  It is a jug from Joss at Powdermills Pottery.  Keith and I would always visit when we were down at Postbridge, and we bought my huge Thomas Toft charger by Carole Glover.  I am now negotiating which one I will buy myself as my Christmas present from me, to me.  Cut me and I bleed Dartmoor, so as this is made from Dartmoor river clays, and in Dartmoor, it can't get any more "me".

Better and not better . . .

 Better on the sleep front, but  a bit of a cold which has of course gone straight to my chest, so need to keep an eye on that.

Woke at 3 a.m. and my hand wanted to sew.  I am full of ideas craft-wise and want to do a couple of courses next year.  I sat down and watched Broadchurch and did blanket stitch all the way round the holly leaves on the 50p Christmas santa sack I got this week.  Now my eyes want to shut, as I've just had chips from the chippy.  Back in the morning.

Baking at breakfast time

 

Here's two I made earlier!  Someone asked for the recipe, so yer tis as they say down in Devon.

As you can tell from the grubby page, this has been made dunnamany times over the 45+ years that I have owned this book!   I always make two at a time, as the first disappears magically :)

And here's what I am making in a moment:

Moist Date and Almond Cake – Ultimate Recipe You’ll Love   The link will take you to the page I have copied the recipe from, and shows nice photos etc.

Ingredients

Scale

• 1 ½ cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup almond flour
• ½ cup sliced almonds for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper.

2. Place chopped dates in a bowl, pour boiling water over them, stir in baking soda, and let sit for 10 minutes.

3. In another bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, almond flour, and salt.

4. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.

6. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently, avoiding overmixing.

7. Add the softened date mixture and fold until combined.

8. Spoon batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.

9. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top of the batter.

10. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

11. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra flavor, use brown sugar instead of white sugar.

This cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Anyway, it turned out pretty well, and I took it down, still warm, to Ed and Sam, whose eyes lit up!

Still not feeling 100% - groggy head, so wonder if it is a sort of bug I've got but not the streaming nose sort.  Back to the sofa methinks with a book I've just treated myself to.  UPDATE: Been asleep on sofa most of afternoon.  No appetite.  Legs like chewed string and throat feeling sore.  Tummy upset too and thought I was going to be sick earlier.  A week on from my flight back and I really thought I had escaped having caught something on the plane.  Perhaps I have picked something up since, despite scrubbing hands after touching trolley handles etc. last week and yesterday.

Would be happy not to relive yesterday again!

 Oh my goodness, yesterday was NOT good.  I thought I had sleeping sickness.  I just could NOT stay awake.  I slept for an hour in the morning (having woken up for good at 5 a.m.), another after lunch, then at 5 I fell asleep sitting upright, managed to have curry for a meal, and then fell asleep on the sofa again and didn't wake up until 8.50 p.m.  I took myself off to bed then.  I slept until 2 ish, came downstairs for a cuppa and to read, then after a couple of hours, went back to bed and slept on until just before 6 a.m.  My body was clearly wiped out. I feel just a tad more with it today.

Penguin display at the Antarctic Centre, where Rosie took me on the Monday before I flew back.  It was a guided tour, and very good.  I passed on going into the cold room, where they gave you an arctic jacket and turned the temperatures right down for 5 mins or so.  Rosie had 3/4 length trousers on so her calves and ankles felt that bitter cold!

A couple of the real penguins.  These are all rescues - one has a damaged tongue so could never hunt as they use their tongues to get the fish turned around and down their throats; and another had lost a leg. 

Two of the huskies on display. They were really relaxed!  We saw two different varieties of huskies outside. One, the Malamute, was very heavy boned and as the guide explained, pretty thick in the head!!

We went round the Haaglund course - these are the tracked vehicles used in the Antarctic which cope really well with snow hills, slopes, slabs of broken ice, crevices etc.  I was elected co-Pilot, which meant I had to tell the driver when the road was clear so he could do the circuit and I sat in the front.

The crevice we went over.

I took a video, but am being told it is too big so will have to wait until Tam is here at the weekend, and she can talk me through it.

I found this lovely little puffin in a charity shop this week and of course it came home with me.  When Rosie was over here last (in 2004), we all went to Skomer Island, off the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast.  There the Puffins are so unbothered by people, they would walk around your feet.  When I saw this, I was instantly taken back to our visit.

This morning I was determined to try and avoid a morning nap, so went off to Brecon, over the Epynts (as the other road in town is closed for roadworks at the moment.)  I got cat food and Christmas place mats from B&M Bargains, and then went to Morrisons for a couple of things, including a Steak and Kidney pie for my tea tonight.  I had a wander round the town and got stamps for the first lot of Christmas cards, and another two packs of C/Cards from the Red Cross charity shop (they were on a half price special).  Another stop at the Tenovus charity shop, where I found a good quality navy cotton mix jumper by the Crew Clothing Company.  £7.99.  Price new is £49.

This afternoon I have been relaxing watching Ruth Mott's Country Christmas (1995) and JUST up my street.  Then The British Christmas Desserts No-One Makes Any More.  Well, I have never even heard of anyone eating Sticky Toffee Pudding prior to the year 2000 although apparently it was a "thing" from the 1970s onwards.  NOT in 1950s Britain at Christmas though.  No more was something called Tunis Cake.  As for Blancmange (he pronounced the C, for heaven's sake!), that was a Sunday teatime thing, rather than a Christmas treat and Queen of Puddings was something we had at School.  Ah well, the screen didn't mind me shouting at it.

I am now hoping to stay awake till gone 9 p.m. before taking myself off to bed.  Let's hope I am over the worst of the jetlag now.