MrFF’s days out

 MrFF was out twice last week on group walks.  The first with a new local group that described their pace as exhilarating.  We were both rather apprehensive about how this would go, he returned to tell me he’d fallen and hurt his leg and had a gash on his head where he’d been savaged by a tree branch, I wasn’t surprised by any of that. Once washed the wound wasn’t so bad, he may have left the blood on his head for dramatic effect.

He was sufficiently recovered next day to be out again for a calmer walk with another group. He said that some of the ladies had failed to apply or take with them any sunscreen or maybe they’d forgotten what sunshine is.   MrFF was able to offer his, I keep him supplied with SPF 50. One lady remarked how easy and pleasant to apply the product was and asked him where it was from.  He replied that I’d given it to him and knowing me it was probably from some artisan organic bee keeper up in the dales.  Seems he does listen to me after all.

His photos were taken on the second gentler walk when there was time to do so.

Knitting now

I have just finished knitting MrFF a new outdoor/walking jumper.  I first made him one of these maybe 40 years ago with Herdwick Wool I bought on the cone in The Lake District.  The original Sheepy as they have all been called, this is the third, lasted at least 25 years, was worn to destruction and became legendary amongst the long distance walking fraternity.  The yarn from sheep native to the Cumbria fells is hardwearing with great thermal and weather resistant properties, while perhaps being a little harsh and rustic with some brittle guard hairs, it’s definitely not for wearing direct to the skin.

The yarn knitted up quickly, I used 800 g of Aran weight from World of Wool who had it on offer in February, it cost me less than £50.  I showed MrFF this, we are both happy especially me as I am now back to knitting socks and loving the soft silky Yorkshire yarn

End of an era

Feeling that my cough was finally leaving I took my usual Bertie walk today, however the darling alpaca wasn’t in sight.   I was peering into his field when a lady walking her dog kindly stopped to tell me the news.   He has gone to live near Otley with a family that has horses. At least he will have some company as lately he has had neither the sheep nor goats that used to share his field.  I knew the field was the subject of a planning application for 5 detached houses, despite it being green belt agricultural land it will likely be approved making Bertie homeless.

So after many years my climb to the other side of the valley has lost its purpose.  Dear Bertie I will miss him and our chats but MrFF knows from his walks exactly where the boy has gone.  I wont be increasing my mileage from 6 to a 20 mile round trip to visit but hopefully I might see him again sometime, bless.

Coughing and confusion

Life lately has been irritating.  My cough continues though after several nights of disturbed sleep I think I may have turned the corner.

I had notification last week that a book I ordered before Christmas, Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden has arrived at the library. Saturday morning I finished the last 30 pages of my current book, Joyce Carol Oates’ Babysitter so I could return that and collect the new one which I have been looking forward to reading.  Thwarted.  The library is closed for staff training until Tuesday so I had to resort to a gifted paperback destined for Italy finishing which is going to delay me starting the library book.

This morning I went to the dentist, a check up and hygienist session. It came as a surprise to me when on Saturday MrFF told me he’d had a text confirming the appointment, I thought he said on Monday.  Obviously I hadn’t turned the page of the calendar or my desk diary but a brief flick through the latter showed a midday appointment.  I was rather worried about my cough but my dental surgery always say if patients are well enough to get there they be seen.  It’s a good 35 minute walk to the surgery, I allowed extra time given my weakened state.  There was some confusion at reception until they discovered my appointment is tomorrow, back home the text, my diary and the calendar all confirm this though we were both under the impression it was today. Never mind I have to go out to the library tomorrow anyway. 

To end on a positive note my amaryllis continue to display multiple wonderful blooms, they have been amazing this year, I did get something right.

Another grey month

I seem to have caught a bug.  I had two days feeling weak and feeble followed by a mild but irritating cough that is worse at night but doesn’t keep me awake.  I took a  covid test, negative,  and have more or less continued with normal life in a somewhat subdued way.   I’ve been getting out but my walks have been much gentler, yesterday I strolled down to the riverside and walked through the park. It was delightful and made me feel positive that when I reach old age I can happily spend my days down there with a book, my knitting and a picnic unless I pop into the pub for fish and chips.  MrFF did point out that I shall still have a good climb back home, we will cross that bridge when we need to.  

Photo from Friends of Ilkley Riverside Park

The days can still be grey like today, but finally we are seeing some blue skies and spring bulbs in flower.  I wished away January thinking February would be better, now I am putting all my hopes on March.

We need light

I believe we had two days when we experienced some sunshine over the last week, otherwise it’s still grey and wet.  There are signs of spring, snowdrops, crocus and the first daffodils are flowering but in the gloom they are not so noticeable and hardly lift the spirts. 

Let me try to do that with a little colour. 

A couple of photos from MrFF’s walk in the Dales on an unusually good day and my lovely amaryllis which got quite leggy as they sought the light.  The red one sadly keeled over and snapped but it then brighten up our dining table as a cut flower.

Yummy Yorkshire Yarn

Lately my knitting has not been going well. I tried to use up a ball of alpaca to make a little triangular necker.   I find these useful for wearing about the house when the heating isn’t on. I have a mustard coloured one that has been much admired and those I’ve gifted have been well received.  However my latest effort is just too small, I may give it to Elodie’s doll Baby Jonas.  I also knit some fingerless gloves for a friend using up stock, they seem enormous so I am hoping he has extra large hands. 

However my knitting experience is looking up since I discovered and ordered sock wool from Northern Yarns a wonderful ethical supplier of goodness.  

The ball band tells you everything you need to know about the British wool and recycled nylon.  I can vouch for the soft silky texture and beautiful shades,  my lovely parcel even included a quality tea bag to get me started.

Amazingly I paid only £7.20 for each 100 g ball, what are you waiting for get ordering get knitting, it would be rude not to.