I was feeling a bit down in the dumps again yesterday, so I decided I would live dangerously and rent MGM for 99p a month for three months, so I could watch the new Series of Blood of my Blood (Outlander followers will know exactly what this is about). For non-Outlander followers, it is a prequel of the parents of the main characters in Outlander. Set in Scotland and I was back in my happy zone last night as I set the final stitches in the Heatwave quilt binding. I'm about to go in and watch some tv and sew in all the ends from the long arm quilting.
This morning was sunny but a bit breezy, and I decided that I would drive up to the Elan Valley and have a walk there. As always I really enjoyed it.
You can tell it was windy though, just from the white horses on the reservoir, which is still pretty low.
The Rowan trees had a good crop of berries, but some had been blown off or scoffed by wild birds already.
Amazingly, there were still ripening blackberries. Perhaps I should go back and pick in a week as lots like this along the side of the pathway.
I rounded the bend, and could see the church on the far side, but boy, the wind hit me and nearly knocked me sideways, snatching the breath from my mouth, and so I turned around at this point, back onto the more sheltered pathway at the side of the reservoir.
I do appreciate it being a FLAT walk, as all the ones locally are hilly.
I have got some mince out thawing, and think I will make a Cottage Pie for my tea tonight and tomorrow.
I've started on the first of the Library Books I got yesterday, Anthony Horowitz's A Line To Kill, set on Alderney. In my just-before-Keith days I sailed there on a friend's yacht. I had a stinking cold, and can remember us mooring in the Braye Harbour, and then being taken ashore on a water taxi, and walking up the road to the nearest pub, for sustenance. The few cars that there were sounded like they were on their way to the breaker's yard, as no MoT's were required on the island.
Well, this won't do. Time to sew those ends in.
That is low but its the last in line so I wonder what the others are like. I have been meaning to go there again but not had a chance this year
ReplyDeleteTop one is much fuller usually. I will have to drive up that far next time and do a walk up there.
DeleteIts very important in life to have a treat now and again, happy viewing. Here I must confess to never having watched Outlander. I no longer have a television as there were never enough programs I wanted to watch to continue with it. However I have a portable dvd player and have amassed quite a collection from charity shops including the entire box set of Outlander which I am saving for when the winter arrives. I also watch a few favourite youtube channels on my phone. Amazing to find blackberries still ripening, a perfect reason for another walk in such a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I couldn't live without my tv now I am on my own. It keeps loneliness at bay. Gabby bought me my Netflix subscription, and they all clubbed together for my History Hit one. I have Amazon Prime too. I am sure you will really enjoy watching Outlander and your other dvd's. The Outlander books well worth reading too, for extra detail and the comfort of the characters and storyline.
DeleteOur local reservoir, near the animal rescue place that we took Ginger's thing too was very low. We don't go that way very often so we were shocked. Sometimes it's good to pick up an offer for a streaming service and binge watch a lot of favourites before it runs out.
ReplyDeleteAfter the drought we have had this year, it will take a while to top up again I'm sure. I will see what else is on MGM whilst I have it.
DeleteHope you feel brighter after your blowy expedition. Definitely go back for the blackberries. We've got sausage and mash with onion gravy tonight, I bought some Lincolnshire ones. Will cook them all and use the leftover ones to make a sausage chilli pasta. Almost finished the D du M book, I've had to read it in between other things. Take care. Xx
ReplyDeleteI would have to make jam with the blackberries straight away as my freezer is full. Sausage Chilli Pasta sounds tasty. Was the D du M worth buying?
DeleteEven windy down here in Suffolk today and very grey.
ReplyDelete7th Horowitz/Hawthorn out next year - good news indeed.
Oooh, lots more to look forward to then. Thanks for that. Just brushed my hair (I forgot my woolley hat today) and that wind did my locks no favours!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fall walk! I always love seeing the various red berries. My dad deliberately planted berry producing shrubs and trees for his birds and wildlife, really says autumn to me. Yachting! Sounds fun, pre-Keith tho, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteThe threads, usually you can just nip them off closely rather than tie off. Tho I suppose if the quilt will get washed often knotting and burying the tails is a good idea. Ae there lots? You are so paitient.
Sorry you're feeling low, I find many of us aare. Not that that helps you, I know.
How are Tam/ Jon/ Rosie re: flu last weekend? All better? Your eye?
The wild berries locally are Hawthorn (lots), Rose Hips, Rowan (Mountain Ash), Blackberries & Sloes. The latter rather dessicated and Blackberries mostly over.
DeleteAlex (patchwork teacher) firmly said to sew them in . . . so I have. I sit and sew with tv on, so not too arduous.
Jon ok now, Tam still shattered and Rosie better but has to have the steroid injections again. Which is a worry as it's under general anaethstetic.
My eye - finished the drops on Monday, have been bathing/heated mask since, but today red and sore looking again.
A treat is always appropriate every so often. I love your photos.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
The Kim Diehl book I ordered recently should arrive today, and also the three 2nd hand quilting books I chose for my (cheap) Christmas present from Tam. Looking forward to those though I am not meant to even open the ones from Tam!!
DeleteYour scenery photos are just stunning - yes I can tell it was windy there. Very picturesque though. I made a cottage pie last night for our tea & tonight we are having the leftovers, its a favorite.
ReplyDeleteIt is very picturesque there so hard not to get a good photo.
DeleteYou know, I saw a clump of daffodils the other day. Plants are confused. We are supposed to get our first snow showers Saturday!
ReplyDeleteGOod grief, they ARE confused! I hope the snow doesn't come to much.
DeleteWhat stunning views from that walk! A love a blustery walk...'blow the stink off you' as my lovely Nanna used to say :) ~ melanie
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have minded if I'd remembered my woolly hat. Love that expression of your Nanna's!
ReplyDelete