Another busy week

Seems like a long time ago since I was walking across the moors to get a pint in the Green Dragon at Hardraw, but in this week we had 2 more storm - yesterday's 'Eunice' was the worst for 40 years. Luckily not too bad in Leek, but Wales and the South got a hammering.

Busy at work, and seemed every night was another Zoom call

Sunday - We managed to stop at Val's for a few hours - Paul still isolating so we all went to local cafe for lunch and coffee. Lovely to see Val, Louise, Pepe, Autoro and Jack - so grown up.

Monday - Valentines so treated Deb to a night out - As you like it at the New Vic with a meal before hand. Never seen the play before but a young cast put a modern slant on it and we found it very entertaining. Shame it was only a quarter full - guess many still staying away or busy canoodling somewhere else.

Tuesday  evening was a Friends of the Earth special - Active Hope. 2 and half hours explaining how to make sense of the crazy world we live in - part buddist, part new age. Good if you don't have any responsibilities, but not sure who it works when leading a group too! Hazel and Maggie on it too

https://workthatreconnects.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Spiral-Dori-Midnight..png

Wednesday - Off to inspect an ancient greenhouse that is looking for a new home - said yes, but now wondering where to put it and how to fit it on a sloping bed! Had nightmares the following night. Charity Quiz at night for Mayor's Funds - did rubbish in quiz but won first prize in the raffle - spa afternoon! That was soon donated back to Debs and Alice - I have been good this week :)

Thursday - Interesting meeting with Alton Towers and Refill - lots of potential joint working and great PR if we can get involved - fingers crossed. Another FOE Zoom at night - this was the ongoing series of workshops on campaigning. This week was about getting your message  over / Elevator Pitches - will look to use this with the Road Verge campaign.

Friday - The Storm! Red alerts across south and East - luckily not too bad here. Debs out at night so made a start on the presentation for the Repair Cafe launch , a letter to Councillors about the lack of any investment in the Cliamte Action Plan and some research into a walk I'm leading around the Weaver Hills. Dane Wolves had planned to do some night navigation but it was wisely cancelled. 

And back to today. Another wet and soggy day with bits of snow. Alice off to London to see a show and sight-see  . Her booked train was cancelled so she had to catch another and stand all the way :(

So time to redraft the letter to councillors and work through the 'How to set up a Repair Cafe' guides - launch meeting in two weeks !

Birthday update

 

A lovely day yesterday with cards from family and presents including booze, socks, aftershave and a wonderful picture of the Roaches.

Off to Leyburn to explore the market and the Shawl overlooking the valley. Poppy got scent of rabbits and took some time to return! Heading back we stopped at West Burton for a 5 mile circuit to Asygarth Falls. Stopped for outdoor lunch at tearooms - dogs meant we had to freeze in the garden but soup warmed us up.

Lovely walk through fields and hardly a soul about.

Tried to get a photo of the hay barns but failed so here is one I pinched !

Back home for slap up meal at local pub - stuffed!

Unfortunately, the promised rain has materialised so looks like a trip to the museum beckons. Will I pass as 60 to get the 50p discount?

New (Birthday) Year

Hello again

• Been a while
• Stuff happening
• Covid
• Comings and Goings
• Planning for the future

Been meaning to start a diary this year - in a old fashioned paper diary, like in the old days. But this is easier :)

So today is my new year. 59 years old. Possibly as cold today as when I was born? -4C in Hawes overnight.

Debs has hired a cottage for 4 nights for us and the dogs. She is still in bed as I write this - she does not like the cold, and so I thought best to get out and walk the dogs. They enjoyed the crisp frost on the grass - Maggie chasing after sticks, and Molly chasing rabbit scents. Back now for their breakfast and me to grab a coffee before I dare stir Debs with a brew.

So another year gone - lots happened, maybe look back another day. But today, I'm looking forward.

One more year at work? That is the plan, but then what? Maybe become a trainer? Maybe become a councillor? Maybe travel?

Alice moving in with Darren at Easter - house to be sold. Rich doing his Marathon. Maybe that trip with Tim we've talked about. 

Various gigs planned / delayed. Bunnymen in a few weeks with Tim (again!). A summer holiday back in Northumberland with Deb's clan. Nieces weddings in Bolton and Scarborough.

And fitness - will I get to do the 1000 mile challenge? On the plans last year until the car accident and then Covid. I need to buck my ideas up if I am to do it. Richard is talking about a 26 mile walk in the summer - that will need some preparation. I feel like I can walk all day, but my dodgy Achilles complains the next day. We will see.

So today is a day for presents, markets, waterfalls and slap up meal tonight - Happy Birthday to me 🎂