Retirement

A hugely energetic and creative colleague and friend took early retirement last month. Having recently re-married and with two adult children, she felt that life was too short to remain shackled to the selecting an appropriate gift for someone who has all they need for their sustainable lifestyle. And then inspiration struck by way of a voucher for a local craft workshop where Karen could create her own“gift”. Maintaining the crafty theme, I sewed an appliqué cockerel for a leaving card.  Karen was both touched and delighted. Job done!

Judging at the flower and produce show

It's regrettable but the “rug, handmade,” entries were definitely of an inferior quality to those in the “knitted garment, 2 ply” category. For it’s true. I have sat in judgement on the crafts people of Allendale at the annual Flower and Produce Show. My Mother–in- Law was originally invited to judge the Craft Section but feeling the need for moral support (Few have forgotten 2004, the year Mrs G awarded first prize to her daughter’s entry in the Queen Cakes category), she invited me to share the burden.  Such a responsibility left me emotionally drained by the end of it

Carlisle Cathedral

Until recently, my experience of Carlisle Cathedral, a beautiful, red sandstone building dating from the 12^th Century had always been joyful; school speech days, musical recitals and occasional attendance at Evensong, celebrated with the music of centuries.   So it was with some trepidation that I attended a funeral in that ancient, holy place.  That the funeral was for someone my own age who died leaving his wife and 3 teenage children made it all the more poignant. The service was dignified but my heart ached for his family as they walked behind his coffin, bravely shouldered by his teenage son.

A great sadness

Our local community experienced a tragic loss last month when the father of one of Nerea’s school-friends took his own life after a battle with depression. When I visited his wife during that dreadful period of limbo between his death and funeral, of the many things we talked about, one observation really caught my attention.  She said “he was in such a dark place we couldn’t reach him”. I know little of mental health issues but hearing that such a “larger than life” character with a brilliant intellect had experienced such utter desolation, it strengthened my resolve to learn more. 

Outer Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides; dramatic landscapes of big skies, white sands, rocky shores and restless seas.  A magical, wild and beautiful place.

5 hours by ferry from the Scottish mainland, the archipelago remains peaceful and unspoilt, proving to be the perfect choice for our summer holiday.  As we’d not visited Harris since Andy and I had cycled camped our way through the islands when Nerea was still small enough to sit on the back of Andy’s bike, we were delighted to return.  Our holiday croft on the Quidinish peninsula over looking Flodabay was idyllically remote, and perfect for recharging our batteries

Broomhaugh Island

Robin

Caroline

Geocaching has brought us some real challenges over the years and none more so than when we tackled Broomhaugh Island in the middle of the River Tyne.   Caroline and I finally tackled the cache with Robin and Cathryn on a warm, dry evening when water levels were low.  But the river crossing was a mere nothing compared to the battle through 10ft high Himalayan Balsam necessary to reach the crossing point. After hacking our way through the jungle for half an hour, we felt like Dr Livingstone, as bruised and battered, we eventually reached the bank and the island ahead!

Cathedral Camping

Nerea had a busy summer including spending a week volunteering at Truro Cathedral.   For her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award, she had to share in a residential experience, learning to interact socially with new friends. She and her friend Laura opted to join a Cathedral Camp where the volunteering aspect went well, with a variety of tasks undertaken, including painting, cleaning and handicrafts with younger visitors.  The social aspect of communal living also delivered benefits as the team cooked for each other, ate communally and socialised together after chores were done.  It proved to be a great experience for her.

Have you missed me?

Oh how I’ve missed Blogging.  I haven’t been idle these past weeks, though, despite not publishing any musings for a while.  I’ve been busy enjoying experiences to share and storing up topics to write about.  It’s a consequence of “PCs behaving badly” and although my android phone is magical, it just isn’t easy to write on with my clumsy fingers (And then there’s my eyesight……) but enough!  Now, typically, the loo is leaking and, regrettably, it’s more essential than technology so we may not be splashing out on a new laptop just yet.  Normal Blogging service will be resumed shortly.