Tuesday, 19-05-26

Morning, everyone.  As seems to the the way with the weather, yesterday started sunny but clouded over by midday and come the evening it was raining.  At least today is different - it's already raining!!

I got my first lot of tomato plants (I never have any luck growing from seed and anyway I like a variety) yesterday.  I headed straight for Abercorn's as they were the only place that did sungolds last year and, yes, they had some so that was good.
I left them sitting out overnight intending to plant them today as soon as I have worked out how I will arrange them.  They're going in the blankety bed this year although I am sure some will go in pots too.

I want to move some of the containers around - that's the joy of containers, they can give a new look just by being in different places.

The herb/foliage  bed has gone a bit rampant!  I need to cut things back somewhat.  That sage was nearly dead a year ago and it only stayed in because I couldn't be bothered - and now look at it.  As for the oregano behind, it's quietly taking over the whole bed!

And, finally, the foxgloves Val gave me are doing really nicely.  I pulled up a whole load of babies earlier in the season and can see I will have to be ruthless.  There's one I want to move to the centre.  It's come up at the edge in totally the wrong place.  You'd think it would know better!

Oh, well.

(photos taken in the rain, apologies for the dull colour!)

I really do want to get those tomatoes planted out so, rain or no rain, that's on the list today.  I'd also like to look for a few more tomato plants and I also want some bedding stuff as there's quite a lot of gaps.

It's Groove first though but not the walk.  We are fine weather walkers!

Better get ready and start the day.  Have a great time, whatever you have planned.  How's your gardens coming along?  I know some of you are very experienced gardeners with wonderful gardens.

See you tomorrow.  xx

Monday, 18-05-26

Hi, everyone!  Hoping you are all doing well.  The sun is shining again after overnight rain and I suspect Lindsey will have circuits outside today.  I hope so anyway.

Yesterday was a bit of a lazy day.  I did some clearing out, some tidying up and got up to date with my finances.  April and May have been spendy months because of holidays but I did anticipate that and saved so that's good.  I would like the rest of May and all of June to be more frugal as long as nothing goes wrong, needs replacing, etc.

I didn't get that online training done and I didn't get my tomato plants so that's on the list for today/tomorrow.

Today starts with circuits, as already mentioned, and then it is a Kay-day so by lunch time I should have a shiny home.  While Kay is here, I'd like to take advantage of the sunshine and do some gardening.  It shouldn't take long, it just needs doing.

So that is me!  How about you?  Do you have a good day planned for today?

Stay safe and well.  xx

Sunday, 17-05-26

Good morning to you all.  Hoping you are all well and enjoying the weekend.  Yesterday started really sunny and that lasted while three loads of washing dried on the line.  Sadly, it then clouded over and started raining later on but good for the garden, I guess.  Today has started the same but maybe it will last.  It would be nice if things warmed up a bit too - I had the heating on again.  

I got a fair bit done yesterday.  All the washing, drying and ironing, started the sourdough, tried a new recipe for wraps (lovely, will use from now on, more below) and did some clearing up, etc.  The holiday is now just a memory! 

My fortnightly Oddbox arrived overnight - now I have lots of lovely produce to work my way through over the next few weeks.  I doubt I will need to do much shopping, if any, for a while although you never know with fresh stuff and, thinking about it, I'm a bit low on carrots.

Because it was rather chilly, I left the sourdough out overnight for its bulk ferment.  I won't be able to do that for much longer; it almost over-fermented although it's OK as I use loaf tins rather then free form as Lindsey prefers it.

They're now shaped and in the tins for the last bit.

I found the wrap recipe on a vlog I follow closely.  I am sure some of you know Ali from Ali Lives Well on Less.  She used to have a blog - still does, I think - but has mostly moved over to vlogging on YouTube and I really enjoy her posts.
For her Foodie Friday post she demo-ed making simple wraps and I had a go, cutting the amounts right down.  The process was so easy and the results were so tasty that I'm making more today, using other kinds of flour and trying oil instead of butter.  I wonder if I will ever buy another pack of wraps.

Well, it is almost nine and I ought to get myself bathed and dressed ready for the day.  Have a great Sunday, everyone.  xx

Saturday, 16-05-26

Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to the second half of May!  The sun is shining and, while it's none too warm right now, it should be lovely later on, I hope.  The washing line is out and the first load is just finishing!

I did rather disappear for the last few days - I think the thing about Center Parcs is that we have been so often now, you've heard it all.  However, here's some photos from the week, some mine and some from Beth.

The pathway to our lodge - you can just see a bit of Beth's blue car at the bottom of the path to the right.  Because it is an adapted lodge, we didn't need to take the car back to the big car park, the adapted lodges have their own designated slot .
It makes a bit difference at the beginning and end of the holiday.

The kitchen area.  (I think I've already posted this, but not to worry).

A fairly typical photo of our evenings.  We ate out twice and ate in twice and always finished with a log on the fire and a glass of wine.
THAT has to stop!!  :-)

Spot the muntjacs!

This made us laugh.

There were loads of water birds and the ducks and geese passed the back regularly, wandering onto our patio and looking expectantly through the window.  We didn't feed them - you're not supposed to - but it was evident that they are accustomed to getting tasty bits and bobs.
I never had my camera to hand when they appeared!

Spring at Center Parcs is so lovely and green.

We went on the electric boats . . .

. . . and bowling is always fun.
I came a very poor third!

The swims were lovely!  Paddling about, the wave machine, the lazy river and the spa pool - bliss!!

And the journey home was very trouble free.  It was so nice to be driven rather than doing the driving - most relaxing.  
Here's to next year now.

When I got home, I had a wander around my estate - er - little garden!

The clematis is looking its best right now.

One of three (I think) surviving pears.  Fingers crossed!

And the hanging baskets are looking very promising, thanks to Tracy next door watering them.
At a penny under a fiver each, they were great Home Bargains value.

So pretty.

I do need to get the rest of the garden sorted.  I will probably be off to the garden centres tomorrow to get my tomatoes and then I can bore you with photos all summer.  

So, the annual Center Parcs holiday is over and normal life resumes.

In the coming week, I have

three fitness classes

a Kay-day (yay)

a meeting in school

the usual social things

Slimming World (oh, dear!)

a get together with Beth and Jen (SO looking forward to this

and . . .

the next coach trip with is a visit to the factory that makes the poppies and then a river cruise.  That should be nice and restful.

As for today - I have washing, drying and ironing, a morning online thing, a governors' training thing (which is a recording so I could do it tomorrow), finishing the unpacking, sorting out the garden and working out some meal plans.   I need to get right back on it again because I have gained far too much weight recently - that's the flip side of lovely holidays!
I almost forgot; one of the first things I did yesterday was get Bubbles out of the fridge.  I need to feed her and start Lindsey's sourdough.  Beth doesn't need bread this weekend so that's crossed off the list.

Have a lovely Saturday, everyone.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Friday, 15-05-26

Morning, everyone.  Apologies for the last few days - it's been a very pleasant holiday and I have taken some time off, not intentionally, it just happened!

We've not had much luck with the weather but we have manage to dodge the showers quite nicely really.  We've had it all - almost anyway.  Rain, sun, warm, chilly, an occasional clap of thunder and even several hail showers.  No snow though, thankfully!

We've swum a lot, we've walked, we've eaten out, we went bowling and we had a very peaceful time on the lake in an electric boat.  It's been a very pleasant holiday indeed but it's all over now apart from the packing and even that's almost done.

I shall miss the peace and quiet here (apart from the planes from RAF Lakenheath that rage their way over from time to time) but I think we are all looking forward to getting home as well.  Holiday's are wonderful and we are so very fortunate but home's best!.

See you again tomorrow as I get back into routine again, and have a lovely day.  xx

Tuesday, 12-05-26

 Morning.  So here we are, safe and sound at Center Parcs, Elveden, after a surprisingly easy drive up.  Well, it would be easy for me anyway as Beth was behind the wheel but it was good.  No holdups of delays and we arrived in perfect time to be at our lodge bang on one o'clock.

After a quick unpack, we had a toast and cheese lunch and then off we went for a food shop and then a swim.  The food shop was delivered while we were in the pool and all the fridge stuff was put away - such a helpful service.

The first swim of the holiday is always really lovely.  Alex and I got back to the lodge about five thirty and Beth trundled back at six - she wanted a bit longer in the pool.

The kitchen area.  Compact but very well put together.  

Part of our walk to the village centre.

In the swimming dome - that bridge is the exit of the lazy river.

Beth provided a lovely dinner.  No, we didn't eat it all, there's plenty left for lunch today and, most likely, tomorrow as well.

We started a log off in the fireplace (another CP tradition) and had a cosy evening, not that it lasted long because I was tucked up and fast asleep before nine!

Everywhere is quiet now - both Beth and Alex are fast asleep and the ducks and a muntjac have both wandered past.  The ducks all but knocked at the window; they are obviously used to being fed although we're not supposed to.  I tried to take photos but I wasn't in the right place and they aren't good.  Not to worry, there will be more opportunities.

When we get going, after breakfast we will pootle down to the pool again.  It is Alex's day today as it was his birthday last Friday and I think he wants to do the electric boats this afternoon, weather permitting.  In the evening, he has chosen Hucks Diner so that's where we are eating.  
It will be a lovely day!  xx

Monday, 11-05-06

Morning, all.
A short one today as I'll bee off later on and want to get the last jobs done and dusted.  It's time for our annual jolly to Center Parcs - me, Beth and Alex - and I'm so looking forward to it.  It's a home from home and has been ever since we first went when Beth and Dave were still at primary school and we went to Sherwood in the Autumn of their first year open in the UK.
As soon as Elveden opened, we changed from Sherwood as Elveden is so much closer and have been going ever since except for a gap when we spent several happy years holidaying at Streele Farm.

Streele Farm is no longer available which is a shame, but Center Parcs goes on and on and on.

This time we are just taking one vehicle (petrol prices, etc) and as Beth's is adapted to hold her wheelchair, she is driving and I'm sitting in the back relaxing.  Nice!!

That's about it really.  We should be able to access our lodge from one o'clock and then we plan lunch, a swim, a shop and a chilled evening, maybe with a log on the fire.   Nice.

Have a lovely day, all.  xx