tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52134303893135689342024-03-14T07:24:19.076+00:00walter and mewalter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.comBlogger416125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-87162482434524115982013-05-31T23:53:00.001+01:002013-05-31T23:54:48.598+01:00last of the bluebellsI regularly walk through a tiny little woodland on my daily ramblings with Walter. This year, the bluebells, though late to arrive, have been especially beautiful, mingling here with the prolific three-cornered leek, and bathed in dappled sunlight.<br />
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We tread this path often, and I love seeing how the woodland changes through the seasons. It's also on the route we use to walk to one of our favourite <a href="http://www.trengwaintontearooms.com/" target="_blank">tea rooms</a>, set in a beautiful walled garden, bordering <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trengwainton-garden/" target="_blank">Trengwainton</a> (our regular visits there are a story for another day).walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-13971207717654608652013-01-01T18:25:00.000+00:002013-01-01T18:25:53.858+00:00in with the new!Hello. It's been a long time, too long really...... but there's nothing quite like a brand new year to feel motivated, optimistic and rejuvenated!<br />
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A small change here - the eagle-eyed amongst you will notice I've changed my blog name to Walter and Me, something I did a while back, even though I haven't been posting here for some time. It feels right, and what better day to step back into my blogging shoes than the first day of the new year? I'll just see how this unfolds.<br />
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I've barely picked up my camera for months, but I do have a favourite sequence to share, taken at last summer's <a href="http://www.peacecamp2012.com/" target="_blank">Peace Camp</a>, on the cliffs at <a href="http://www.peacecamp2012.com/locations/godrevy-head.aspx" target="_blank">Godrevy</a>. It was one of those magical sunsets that took my breath away (just like <a href="http://www.walterandme.co.uk/2009/12/on-fire.html" target="_blank">this one!</a>).<br />
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A Very Happy New Year from Walter and Me!walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-21426707863784524582012-04-30T22:39:00.000+01:002012-04-30T22:39:33.907+01:00and then the rains cameIt's been very wet here in Cornwall. Checking the weather forecast has become an obsession, in the hope that sunshine might be on the way. It's also prompted me to share this lovely letterpress postcard showing weather statistics for Spring. I love little snippets of information like this.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>postcard by <a href="http://karenwilks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Karen Wilks</a></i></span> </div>
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So aside from an obsession with the weather, what else has been happening?</div>
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:: It's so long since I've posted that blogger has changed, and it took me ten minutes to locate my dashboard!</div>
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:: Another birthday has been and gone - they seem to come around with ever-increasing speed these days.</div>
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:: My sister Gill came to stay for a few days. In theory a 'crafting weekend' - in fact but we spent a lot of time talking, laughing, eating, drinking, walking....and knitting. But no crafting of the kind we'd intended. The playing-with-paper kind.</div>
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:: I haven't mentioned it much lately, but knitting has become a daily ritual. I feel bereft if I don't get my daily fix with my needles. I'm spending more time on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> than I am reading blogs. And I finally got round to posting a finished project on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pebbledashdiana/color-affection" target="_blank">my Ravelry page</a>. I'm now knitting <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/secret-of-change" target="_blank">this</a> with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/pebbledashdiana/stash/exquisite-sock" target="_blank">this</a> yarn. So nearly finished, and it's beautiful. There are several other projects on the go, too. </div>
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:: Days like yesterday, where it poured all day, are perfect knitting days. Walter and I walked early (still got wet) and then stayed home. A day on the sofa. Bliss.</div>
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:: I wonder sometimes how I managed to blog as often as I used to. Where did I find the time? I guess my priorities have a changed a little, but I still intend to get back here more often. I'm just out of the habit!</div>
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<br /></div>walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-37761377291270767542012-03-11T19:13:00.000+00:002012-03-11T19:13:07.749+00:00beside the sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEJsmydzWgApYClBF_5of55WxCB8KeTI7sfgIyc5zMfDQqQMRkcRnrBtDjuA8kUJdeNR902OcSs3wzAMqqwdp2oKnafnDv-Ro3GEpuIRjAtDu5LjZ_MovWz_xwSi2Ap5bR_r1NM7Vwdc/s1600/P1110653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEJsmydzWgApYClBF_5of55WxCB8KeTI7sfgIyc5zMfDQqQMRkcRnrBtDjuA8kUJdeNR902OcSs3wzAMqqwdp2oKnafnDv-Ro3GEpuIRjAtDu5LjZ_MovWz_xwSi2Ap5bR_r1NM7Vwdc/s400/P1110653.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNFf5-xW8RFyIDf7K98qzckx1RqEJOkd2_Vol3onvgZFmM1gux5-mZu5UbTd9ItivrVYg8qIyqog4TDxPj35VjH5LZYHM4qFt2yiV69xOVdkFuH8Zf7LVSv0XZYne8mlVqKnUqyy1WLM/s1600/P1110654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNFf5-xW8RFyIDf7K98qzckx1RqEJOkd2_Vol3onvgZFmM1gux5-mZu5UbTd9ItivrVYg8qIyqog4TDxPj35VjH5LZYHM4qFt2yiV69xOVdkFuH8Zf7LVSv0XZYne8mlVqKnUqyy1WLM/s400/P1110654.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwG3xsaqLTayzjVbxD5HcmDSGE4ONgyQfsq3275FYkhnvGdzG0sAoHh7_NpTJZL7KmxZfXwQkm4ezyQPItTYP1l2Si1Z8nKrBR4Ncyv3o23OsISzAZMBhSi4pJdF08cBl5JL_hdz8C_I/s1600/P1110657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwG3xsaqLTayzjVbxD5HcmDSGE4ONgyQfsq3275FYkhnvGdzG0sAoHh7_NpTJZL7KmxZfXwQkm4ezyQPItTYP1l2Si1Z8nKrBR4Ncyv3o23OsISzAZMBhSi4pJdF08cBl5JL_hdz8C_I/s400/P1110657.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQiDInPZXyv8Cnm6ug7xBL1Flps-HlUh2z_cZbhX_0Zbxo6KFdwLMiZY_46uTpriHPot3UaSH3Erz-DWBseoRTTjoS2XcFF-gL8_BoUfiL6qcG0y745_gTZ4qw9nNWs_XBwJkm7IuaNY/s1600/P1110664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQiDInPZXyv8Cnm6ug7xBL1Flps-HlUh2z_cZbhX_0Zbxo6KFdwLMiZY_46uTpriHPot3UaSH3Erz-DWBseoRTTjoS2XcFF-gL8_BoUfiL6qcG0y745_gTZ4qw9nNWs_XBwJkm7IuaNY/s400/P1110664.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Living by the sea provides an ever-changing landscape - one that never fails to inspire and uplift me. These photographs were taken a couple of days ago, as the light was on the edge of fading to dusk. </div>walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-3893383549390998882012-02-29T23:47:00.001+00:002012-02-29T23:48:17.378+00:00an extra dayToday has felt like a bonus - along with the warm and sunny weather that beckoned me outside. I made time for two long walks, and that makes for a very happy dog. I found myself dreaming of sowing some seeds and pottering in my much-neglected garden. We're on the cusp of spring.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgPTvnUqkfSpSGxZXaq6U15D3aroeOZKPB1AvQmeM46nvMZUnOHWyDegxSfUH3JgKKWHX6gQWpPh1x_V3YVJ8cBs_BZJLfvjXyt6U1fawxPAvAXzPpPhl3MRzhey8cxu2paTPIZNPpXA/s1600/P1110580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgPTvnUqkfSpSGxZXaq6U15D3aroeOZKPB1AvQmeM46nvMZUnOHWyDegxSfUH3JgKKWHX6gQWpPh1x_V3YVJ8cBs_BZJLfvjXyt6U1fawxPAvAXzPpPhl3MRzhey8cxu2paTPIZNPpXA/s400/P1110580.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This evening I went and saw <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDY89LYxK0w" target="_blank">this</a> film. Go - it's life affirming and it'll make you laugh.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-26526030224134150582012-02-28T15:23:00.001+00:002012-02-28T15:24:22.155+00:00the cookie jarThere is a jar in my house which is usually full of cookies. Only they are of the 'doggie' variety, so strictly speaking they are all for Walter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cTAeh_JV2as9L_wTHxmbhe_AL-qSHRewp0TrpIQAIoswiP8VkiqBjNhyphenhyphenjIbWrCrpYl-9ZcWOWmbupJ_Sg4XK5FGYkH_QjFDrZQTnlwbtjogaf2MhtDsCogeeqQgIia8uNsLcDHIfQ3Q/s1600/P1110623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cTAeh_JV2as9L_wTHxmbhe_AL-qSHRewp0TrpIQAIoswiP8VkiqBjNhyphenhyphenjIbWrCrpYl-9ZcWOWmbupJ_Sg4XK5FGYkH_QjFDrZQTnlwbtjogaf2MhtDsCogeeqQgIia8uNsLcDHIfQ3Q/s400/P1110623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mostly, I make Walter's biscuits (as opposed to buying them ready-made), using a simple mix of wholemeal flour, porridge oats, a little yeast, a splash of oil, and either chicken stock or marmite and hot water. This makes a lovely soft dough - the best bit is rolling it out and using the <a href="http://pebble-dash.blogspot.com/2010/04/present-for-walter.html" target="_blank">bone cookie cutter</a> (we have a large one and a small one). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxft205lNUuCEYQBu0HLW2gMj22fYWPw8pepGbwzNyncqdz2YfmoBGji5f-9uAbtTfEItKRNy6ouoHq2iCPDtQ8AEp-jLVYWCsKyArNHsaBZ0ghYmQiWfs23E1_xbXrLrjkwPOTntOLsc/s1600/P1110627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxft205lNUuCEYQBu0HLW2gMj22fYWPw8pepGbwzNyncqdz2YfmoBGji5f-9uAbtTfEItKRNy6ouoHq2iCPDtQ8AEp-jLVYWCsKyArNHsaBZ0ghYmQiWfs23E1_xbXrLrjkwPOTntOLsc/s400/P1110627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">My dog is seriously spoilt, but he's worth it. It's a satisfying thing, baking for my boy. I have also been known to occasionally sample a biscuit or two.... I have to keep an eye on the quality control, after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCYgBg-Emqq-zAju6ZniKNco7aaByueEMjlNVqggp-Lu1f5xJVFVDQSepRhkt_CBB5JLFrCWRL4USUVE2vKAMAZ9IkXtSIwGZA70UbOn5xqdtY9YBPuM1R6PC4zvVSGh9G7ZgRaCJe1g/s1600/P1110628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCYgBg-Emqq-zAju6ZniKNco7aaByueEMjlNVqggp-Lu1f5xJVFVDQSepRhkt_CBB5JLFrCWRL4USUVE2vKAMAZ9IkXtSIwGZA70UbOn5xqdtY9YBPuM1R6PC4zvVSGh9G7ZgRaCJe1g/s400/P1110628.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">What's in your cookie jar?</div>walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-69590760896124583062012-01-20T20:00:00.001+00:002012-01-20T20:01:26.730+00:00stamp loveHave you seen the fabulous new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Dahl" target="_blank">Roald Dahl</a> <a href="http://www.royalmail.com/roald-dahl?RMGRMPPC_=_roald_dahl_facts" target="_blank">stamps</a>?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogO1zLIoTeKFTwT4f40E2vqG3PA3ASTU1I2tOJhHCXt1tMklNvmJuy3lwRnBqkaWDkQn9kXuooBbX3AmqbykJCH_kZq-j_jyWCgCJPCQ9a3FBEh00bAEQfk17DaIMqurcCLTPIFH6fCM/s1600/P1110607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogO1zLIoTeKFTwT4f40E2vqG3PA3ASTU1I2tOJhHCXt1tMklNvmJuy3lwRnBqkaWDkQn9kXuooBbX3AmqbykJCH_kZq-j_jyWCgCJPCQ9a3FBEh00bAEQfk17DaIMqurcCLTPIFH6fCM/s400/P1110607.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDO9kvpaR7Y1LW7SxdmeCS6m58eXiQcC85cOKI8FdHe_pWpHMljNy6APPwr-ofCpAmykdASOUp1BTF-A0Hzyg7JRaJlBCSTB19QDoxx-G15NPAnRwoYCXzmD0XYZ3Qr0Ltdvshczd2tlA/s1600/P1110603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDO9kvpaR7Y1LW7SxdmeCS6m58eXiQcC85cOKI8FdHe_pWpHMljNy6APPwr-ofCpAmykdASOUp1BTF-A0Hzyg7JRaJlBCSTB19QDoxx-G15NPAnRwoYCXzmD0XYZ3Qr0Ltdvshczd2tlA/s400/P1110603.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8WsaECFow-cEboeCBEYddrKhvx8X5HKQjo1g7LQuZFizM2ZpsuPB4FYDN7i8WuPMO5xuJNKMMQKy0vpvc8lZht1C1MDITpRfv3WLXMCtXx8jtwui0CgQ6ZlcFqzwjNhB462CNpRp0jU/s1600/P1110608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8WsaECFow-cEboeCBEYddrKhvx8X5HKQjo1g7LQuZFizM2ZpsuPB4FYDN7i8WuPMO5xuJNKMMQKy0vpvc8lZht1C1MDITpRfv3WLXMCtXx8jtwui0CgQ6ZlcFqzwjNhB462CNpRp0jU/s400/P1110608.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As Royal Mail says: "gloriumptiously collectable"<br />
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The <a href="http://www.roalddahl.com/" target="_blank">Roald Dahl website</a> is rather fun, too.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-79324704684105164272012-01-08T19:20:00.000+00:002012-01-08T19:20:27.335+00:00a study of pawsWhy is it that dogs are so effortlessly flexible compared to us humans? My boy contorts himself into all sorts of odd positions, and then snoozes for hours without a care in the world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nK2pTzopTgkKCSVvRWbRBwsmPHmza7AssCj89dX5oc-CyViU8MYIvjuDEwUrgJ8orxG5StjYUKqOJ3n9VoiNUeMHvk1pt9sNG8exMzQhtbAoWDDsIO71xSXgabcIY8O3Gr1uMnS2Veg/s1600/P1110576.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nK2pTzopTgkKCSVvRWbRBwsmPHmza7AssCj89dX5oc-CyViU8MYIvjuDEwUrgJ8orxG5StjYUKqOJ3n9VoiNUeMHvk1pt9sNG8exMzQhtbAoWDDsIO71xSXgabcIY8O3Gr1uMnS2Veg/s400/P1110576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2qtY2eIUAdLCkv09qwzslJjPYn192JZ366qJnjlV5sKfNh76Ehz_EG7XBLsnC1p3VuG587JofYgiL9EbPyzlbApmmaf3mpno4ElYSD6hn_WeAp_cgeJBwOdWH1pDuZJv-jRJTWrZWDQ/s1600/P1110574.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2qtY2eIUAdLCkv09qwzslJjPYn192JZ366qJnjlV5sKfNh76Ehz_EG7XBLsnC1p3VuG587JofYgiL9EbPyzlbApmmaf3mpno4ElYSD6hn_WeAp_cgeJBwOdWH1pDuZJv-jRJTWrZWDQ/s400/P1110574.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time his paws seemed so perfectly posed, a photo or two was necessary.</div>walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-7961948466641893332012-01-01T23:01:00.002+00:002012-01-01T23:12:36.892+00:00renewalThe first day of the New Year, and a favourite time for me. Time to begin!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWcw3fbVT2Q/TwDiHIBEThI/AAAAAAAACbE/uW-hhotax_I/s1600/P1110594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWcw3fbVT2Q/TwDiHIBEThI/AAAAAAAACbE/uW-hhotax_I/s400/P1110594.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I have struggled to find time to blog these last few months, and in fact have enjoyed the break. I have to be honest and admit to not even missing this space very much - a sure sign it was time to step away.<br />
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I've had a wonderfully restorative and restful Christmas, which was just what I needed. I visited my family up country earlier in December, which in turn gave me some extended time off here in Cornwall these last two weeks. Time for long walks each day with my boy, re-discovering stretches of the coast path I've not trodden in a while, and spending the dark hours of the day knitting or reading, catching up with films and friends, and of course plenty of eating! It's been pretty blissful.<br />
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Now a squeaky clean New Year is unfolding in front of me, and I'm feeling excited. I want to dive right in! <br />
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Happy, Happy New Year to you all!walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-28782279784205190742011-11-06T20:04:00.000+00:002011-11-06T20:04:55.513+00:00a bonfire by the light of the moonI love a good bonfire. I find the dancing glow of the leaping flames both mesmerizing and meditative, energizing and calming all in one go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK1S4h0ykz6Rmq2iSOwW74R8Q5njn5_Jm5lkQTgT_H6k7bJrwHSAfNf1WCtJfNaqyGURife4rVoOsUV614N7gjqiCaRBLanyDG6LURcIygmG5GMmNgz3tJohWacGQ3IucmEUe9OTovFc/s1600/P1110541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK1S4h0ykz6Rmq2iSOwW74R8Q5njn5_Jm5lkQTgT_H6k7bJrwHSAfNf1WCtJfNaqyGURife4rVoOsUV614N7gjqiCaRBLanyDG6LURcIygmG5GMmNgz3tJohWacGQ3IucmEUe9OTovFc/s400/P1110541.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovNnR2HYmETtrpAzT9G0KMfl9ChrSIOKpGFn_JNUsdHRGMfhJfwNlBJMFil2xK-VMIXR8tS7pclMfrW4CO_CNUOQoG-8xH8lyOLCITzgluOj5CEpjFRJu3-dKWcphy8s806689oUg1Kc/s1600/P1110558.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovNnR2HYmETtrpAzT9G0KMfl9ChrSIOKpGFn_JNUsdHRGMfhJfwNlBJMFil2xK-VMIXR8tS7pclMfrW4CO_CNUOQoG-8xH8lyOLCITzgluOj5CEpjFRJu3-dKWcphy8s806689oUg1Kc/s400/P1110558.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihae99p1B0R1BrXOV-127ksvhSjPkEI8rAtAkUb2ksRkkwpLPh1DW_-VLYb8z5F2_l2e7q-Ct0WwzUethJIyMZX9wMp01-G_gb1hTOaOoB4ZFhiRleicHKle5S2EWmRhBa7bl_Xc9g-RE/s1600/P1110544.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihae99p1B0R1BrXOV-127ksvhSjPkEI8rAtAkUb2ksRkkwpLPh1DW_-VLYb8z5F2_l2e7q-Ct0WwzUethJIyMZX9wMp01-G_gb1hTOaOoB4ZFhiRleicHKle5S2EWmRhBa7bl_Xc9g-RE/s400/P1110544.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ry5y9ftrKBX5Dmjk8UBuYy-fxlfD8MFkIML7ck3P88D8F5BnLpQRACrShc-aXvQSxe4LajF7ITS1GC8yooqS7J4gYFzAVK2hKb0hsBrd30NqIYNLxjVy7sJ-mp2nOn3Be6vAQ80xOWw/s1600/P1110550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ry5y9ftrKBX5Dmjk8UBuYy-fxlfD8MFkIML7ck3P88D8F5BnLpQRACrShc-aXvQSxe4LajF7ITS1GC8yooqS7J4gYFzAVK2hKb0hsBrd30NqIYNLxjVy7sJ-mp2nOn3Be6vAQ80xOWw/s400/P1110550.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even better when the evening is shared with a little moonlight, fireworks, friends and a feast fit for a king.</div>walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-36771431867960986962011-10-16T21:16:00.000+01:002011-10-16T21:16:24.855+01:00autumnalAutumn is without doubt my favourite season. There's so much to love: <br />
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:: hedgerows abundant with berries<br />
:: cooler, crisper air<br />
:: light fading at the end of the day<br />
:: snuggling up in warmer clothes<br />
:: thinking about the endless possibilities for winter knitting<br />
:: filling the store cupboard with jams and jellies<br />
:: the lingering smell of woodsmoke from autumn bonfires<br />
:: a generally slower pace as the days shorten<br />
:: going to bed early with a good book<br />
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It hasn't been very cold yet here in the far south west, and I'm confident I shall hold out until November before I put the heating on. Mostly I'm still getting by with no socks, though I'm looking forward to pulling my boots on!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The leaves are falling off the trees, crunching underfoot as Walter and I go about our daily walks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeUyfOzNTrrjlV1KBoWmTkOYs3G3jNlPk_3fYf_Lsg9U-iAFVYvPLXnLwVbRIFkibqtHO5kZ1qfUKpognXqT_LJu_4TDksX-ylVIDywwpRsGiXJLum0klGdSub2eoVLyyWlt6fvZTw90/s1600/P1110403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeUyfOzNTrrjlV1KBoWmTkOYs3G3jNlPk_3fYf_Lsg9U-iAFVYvPLXnLwVbRIFkibqtHO5kZ1qfUKpognXqT_LJu_4TDksX-ylVIDywwpRsGiXJLum0klGdSub2eoVLyyWlt6fvZTw90/s400/P1110403.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I've been raiding the hedgerows for several weeks, supplementing the rich pickings with crab apples from my local WI market and offerings from friends. I recently acquired a fruit steamer (actually, 'invested in' would be more appropriate) and have been making jellies and fruit butters. Nothing goes to waste - and with the fruit steamer you cut out the overnight drip drip through a jelly bag, so you save a little time. My first batch of crab apple jelly was a little sweet for my taste (a ratio of 1:1 so 600ml of juice to 600g of sugar), so my subsequent batches have followed the guidelines in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Preserves-River-Cottage-Handbook-No-2/dp/0747595321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318795975&sr=8-1">this wonderful preserving book</a> (a ratio of 600ml of juice to 450g of sugar).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUoehc5ICqvEZuggiiqceWfpmg5R-_rlmAKjikzsR0ztUSRIa4OoopvoM2Sh7hHMtWNhtD16y9M8J_0LEgWxxgVYxw2BK6B62b5qj34Ew0rfEgwUiMACnvV3nGopcOHaBPoXUVyhkwog/s1600/P1110528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUoehc5ICqvEZuggiiqceWfpmg5R-_rlmAKjikzsR0ztUSRIa4OoopvoM2Sh7hHMtWNhtD16y9M8J_0LEgWxxgVYxw2BK6B62b5qj34Ew0rfEgwUiMACnvV3nGopcOHaBPoXUVyhkwog/s400/P1110528.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I love the jewel-like colours of the jellies. Pink from the crab apples, and pale gold from the pears. In fact, the pear and cardamon jelly is my current favourite, along with its corresponding fruit butter, which is sublime. Rock-hard conference pears have been transformed into something quite delicious and fragrant. However, I still have more jams and jellies to make before I <a href="http://thequincetree65.blogspot.com/2011/10/vodka-jelly-swap-terror-and-some.html">catch up with Sue</a>. I picked the last of the blackberries today - a slow, meditative picking in the warm autumn sunshine. Plenty more sloes too, for another bottle of gin.<br />
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What have you been making?walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-35592569830879382802011-10-13T21:04:00.000+01:002011-10-13T21:04:15.680+01:00walter turns five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My sweet boy turned five today - a very good reason to sneak off for a long walk around <a href="http://westcountrywalks.com/wcornwall/southcoast/loepool/loepool-01.php">Loe Pool</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqINhls9JyEkMCcEBWpZIM1DSV8_WxvJd3NuIOJXkYyWjm8V4h5rzAQ33XXMGAP1exIW7CXR6OlsCqfcC_svB0uAHbjOgiUKNiI36iykFWobsWcsIslijDPSrRnxR9rA5QiLiyqezDhyphenhyphenk/s1600/P1110448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqINhls9JyEkMCcEBWpZIM1DSV8_WxvJd3NuIOJXkYyWjm8V4h5rzAQ33XXMGAP1exIW7CXR6OlsCqfcC_svB0uAHbjOgiUKNiI36iykFWobsWcsIslijDPSrRnxR9rA5QiLiyqezDhyphenhyphenk/s400/P1110448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The lake was shrouded in mist, so the landscape appeared and disappeared in layers. It was quite beautiful. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86P454ClyWCsiVC2SMOwT6iISnX5tdxE-CJWsawB-QkvQjsgRf6cGAbUo7_NOnk6bjEVP2XHcH_M4jGEZhsrNYtDwlyhnrSIBidLQrwyYZKpMvEyzbrZc45PPv82ieV1pukeBIoa0NII/s1600/P1110389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86P454ClyWCsiVC2SMOwT6iISnX5tdxE-CJWsawB-QkvQjsgRf6cGAbUo7_NOnk6bjEVP2XHcH_M4jGEZhsrNYtDwlyhnrSIBidLQrwyYZKpMvEyzbrZc45PPv82ieV1pukeBIoa0NII/s400/P1110389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynmjHJXR5mGm4LL87c44Chvh8MvkT2Nvo3a6XdQM5MZM8mzs2fxsJAdzdgniEBrJp2zIZlQlY2z15VWiMrjSPMW3htPvdSqCC7Lr9fIF3Tptwa1ROXIEwjxZAjhmQJ3sA0bhwZIHv6_o/s1600/P1110420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynmjHJXR5mGm4LL87c44Chvh8MvkT2Nvo3a6XdQM5MZM8mzs2fxsJAdzdgniEBrJp2zIZlQlY2z15VWiMrjSPMW3htPvdSqCC7Lr9fIF3Tptwa1ROXIEwjxZAjhmQJ3sA0bhwZIHv6_o/s400/P1110420.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw89EX0h9CE9QQbLePBldxQMMJdXziuAUCGnvelEbDm3ZIqZH3YTzN538BBUxeASPU4CmX7gR0atVrrO1dp9P5MYa7q2I6ISB-CXN0pSuVVbu34shyHPJqU5g7r-sdfUDg9Q4VPk1jK0/s1600/P1110423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw89EX0h9CE9QQbLePBldxQMMJdXziuAUCGnvelEbDm3ZIqZH3YTzN538BBUxeASPU4CmX7gR0atVrrO1dp9P5MYa7q2I6ISB-CXN0pSuVVbu34shyHPJqU5g7r-sdfUDg9Q4VPk1jK0/s400/P1110423.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjCKvOJ_Q1j1ZGMwPZCx2fmzPV8yCFC9_DZMFZPAzIAQdDxXAwDTUCPz-oiBiK3GtgvjhInspXxcQXQwWBvm2IFw68PeOG6I5vsTMtdLbjnA00PcmswfItWYJ2Ggh2k0yT1RY29gHzko/s1600/P1110468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjCKvOJ_Q1j1ZGMwPZCx2fmzPV8yCFC9_DZMFZPAzIAQdDxXAwDTUCPz-oiBiK3GtgvjhInspXxcQXQwWBvm2IFw68PeOG6I5vsTMtdLbjnA00PcmswfItWYJ2Ggh2k0yT1RY29gHzko/s400/P1110468.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Walter was quite happy to go in for a quick dip, chasing sticks, and pootling around in the water. I couldn't get him to keep still long enough for any decent photographs!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbtYvUv7n6iLyAB5OirfljnHDiLVopUxVwti-y5KnTq3vWY8599eKRP26jq5yiqESWqINKhIoicv197CGyi45gmdegJjXjJAnnP3RjpcIFDAHErRozfMgOqJHjNM2EaSSO5kpiBvgZwg/s1600/P1110454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbtYvUv7n6iLyAB5OirfljnHDiLVopUxVwti-y5KnTq3vWY8599eKRP26jq5yiqESWqINKhIoicv197CGyi45gmdegJjXjJAnnP3RjpcIFDAHErRozfMgOqJHjNM2EaSSO5kpiBvgZwg/s400/P1110454.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkcYiblJ2F-qLiyqnQ2J-u5_jB2LwXBCrMCbVcfVTVK7ooZtuiPCayG_Xa9IPeqM8p6OIL2vTS4obsw7h32sZxRUBxGsC6QdW75hKKkOKWRqQt5LBbYxPiv-QoAGyXEz_CEc1Q62nkDk/s1600/P1110414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkcYiblJ2F-qLiyqnQ2J-u5_jB2LwXBCrMCbVcfVTVK7ooZtuiPCayG_Xa9IPeqM8p6OIL2vTS4obsw7h32sZxRUBxGsC6QdW75hKKkOKWRqQt5LBbYxPiv-QoAGyXEz_CEc1Q62nkDk/s400/P1110414.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGFXSxmw9pXSC2pwe55XM2u3Fj-G9QyviU8AqYUcPJ6n7CIBRjaGxgz1l4Sp69q0nwYb_BbW9-Zvw-mzlGecS6HJO8PDACgyRxMiz5oHPQgLjZ-DMD5pURve6p6TTCOeWgU79XnpFIM0/s1600/P1110487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGFXSxmw9pXSC2pwe55XM2u3Fj-G9QyviU8AqYUcPJ6n7CIBRjaGxgz1l4Sp69q0nwYb_BbW9-Zvw-mzlGecS6HJO8PDACgyRxMiz5oHPQgLjZ-DMD5pURve6p6TTCOeWgU79XnpFIM0/s400/P1110487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>By the time we reached Loe Bar, the narrow strip of land between lake and sea, he was ready for a roll in the sand.<br />
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Happy Birthday, Walter, you make my heart sing each and every day.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-22724829590991248592011-10-05T14:50:00.003+01:002011-10-05T20:19:25.602+01:00chicken businessLong time readers here will know that my nephew <a href="http://pebble-dash.blogspot.com/2008/09/blowing-bens-trumpet.html">Ben</a> designs and makes <a href="http://www.oakdene-coops.co.uk/Oakdene_Coops/Home.html">beautiful chicken coops</a>. He recently launched a gorgeous new coop design, the <a href="http://www.oakdene-coops.co.uk/Oakdene_Coops/The_Small_Dorking.html">Small Dorking</a>, suitable for one to three large chickens (or bantams) - perfect for the smaller garden. You can find out more about it <a href="http://www.oakdene-coops.co.uk/Oakdene_Coops/The_Small_Dorking.html">here</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMBWp16lFmyIbIKLEPwlHMUzMxrSi7RKt6PLqtzNpMAFff_inMSxMuzrXqpPaTZhE4mA4ySj2j9BQz-e9MrofR4BKlK0VsbrSLZYPzrmcGasqH1U7yGVppvHeXyoHCOXqAuBPrM2GZfo/s1600/seagrass-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMBWp16lFmyIbIKLEPwlHMUzMxrSi7RKt6PLqtzNpMAFff_inMSxMuzrXqpPaTZhE4mA4ySj2j9BQz-e9MrofR4BKlK0VsbrSLZYPzrmcGasqH1U7yGVppvHeXyoHCOXqAuBPrM2GZfo/s320/seagrass-2.gif" width="309" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oakdene-coops.co.uk/Oakdene_Coops/Home.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photograph copyright Ben Grist/Oakdene Coops</span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Would you like the opportunity to win one? Then hop over to the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/competition/2011/sep/28/chicken-coop-competition">Guardian Gardening Blog</a> to enter. You just need to fill in your details and answer a very simple chicken-related question....it's that easy! </div></div><br />
The draw closes tomorrow night, 6 October, at 23.59pm, so get your skates on!walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-70547322838657026872011-10-01T19:21:00.000+01:002011-10-01T19:21:42.334+01:00seascape and skyscape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsarzLahryf6YmVnDYf-4I1mOfUINa6uIQSu9ptsfsA9ZX0LLmK0HiqALLZ8booIsDFhiPVdrfwTiizWRQxeFtvyIA0GUZQc07BvqQi3_0nRhyOfN_tfSYXuRiUFJIzhA5RjlCA4LD4Og/s1600/P1110319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsarzLahryf6YmVnDYf-4I1mOfUINa6uIQSu9ptsfsA9ZX0LLmK0HiqALLZ8booIsDFhiPVdrfwTiizWRQxeFtvyIA0GUZQc07BvqQi3_0nRhyOfN_tfSYXuRiUFJIzhA5RjlCA4LD4Og/s400/P1110319.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVowsluGNOeJcL0xEQViInPyF2b2L6StxWQt5vGpkFUzbJJAc7skWITL_0ZUrGvnfQswi3NIN8U_-ztxJQMiCbLZuUl0AxmaZ1tLtJl7xoWbWtVo3rC8V2ie_7lNxq2xKqEabdCxNfG0/s1600/P1110335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVowsluGNOeJcL0xEQViInPyF2b2L6StxWQt5vGpkFUzbJJAc7skWITL_0ZUrGvnfQswi3NIN8U_-ztxJQMiCbLZuUl0AxmaZ1tLtJl7xoWbWtVo3rC8V2ie_7lNxq2xKqEabdCxNfG0/s400/P1110335.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsmuhgRqpfUavMxfkr1-nkgzm82jEp26__k35f0_GO8sZE__ZNXOGCF63YKO5bHeCCYRnE131XoZ0zCAo-3hfDlCqdQMtBewQp27ja1lRSxDGFN1eHmmZZHDd30eiVmIhgc7XKPDeK9s/s1600/P1110349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsmuhgRqpfUavMxfkr1-nkgzm82jEp26__k35f0_GO8sZE__ZNXOGCF63YKO5bHeCCYRnE131XoZ0zCAo-3hfDlCqdQMtBewQp27ja1lRSxDGFN1eHmmZZHDd30eiVmIhgc7XKPDeK9s/s400/P1110349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvxHhsoYusndF_vxIjSPEW0gchoF-6ibr9BUKEUiO8GTDAEM_XBdhb6bNt7h5dWL5dTH-gR1tuIXEsHa4TkmE-mcJPHe9nouAFSB1O6E693SatEF3QdsoS7jYZq8LaiIsuj6XU3fQLJo/s1600/P1110359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvxHhsoYusndF_vxIjSPEW0gchoF-6ibr9BUKEUiO8GTDAEM_XBdhb6bNt7h5dWL5dTH-gR1tuIXEsHa4TkmE-mcJPHe9nouAFSB1O6E693SatEF3QdsoS7jYZq8LaiIsuj6XU3fQLJo/s400/P1110359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKsq0U74-FnMjQG98dXP9q8dpdIDbQH1g9wXtLUcvW5AQCWta4igIo5wl-LB_KbH9sFSWLBQgU6SIV3pNUXmdma7-XJVkHAVr8cF1qNBndjEKUsIEJFieYANyyVf03_vr0mNZKeMmZD0/s1600/P1110372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKsq0U74-FnMjQG98dXP9q8dpdIDbQH1g9wXtLUcvW5AQCWta4igIo5wl-LB_KbH9sFSWLBQgU6SIV3pNUXmdma7-XJVkHAVr8cF1qNBndjEKUsIEJFieYANyyVf03_vr0mNZKeMmZD0/s400/P1110372.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Sea and sky in the late afternoon light. Perfect autumn weather.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-91794348990027385092011-07-01T23:17:00.003+01:002011-07-01T23:47:45.664+01:00dipping my toe inHello.<br />
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The first of the month is always a good date to start anything...or perhaps pick up the pieces of something that has lain idle for a while, so here I am. The last few days have finally brought some sunshine to the far south west, and the view from my bedroom window has been rather beautiful just before sunset...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ozpqUZyjLpwNWzS74Acl_ONWXwZ8A1LyBry1JxIUHM5SXGBYdgXZVKxh9xz1X5XT13lLjU-gOlGym9uyZ4qDC8DgMAH2sd9z8hyphenhyphenDKCvngjUBzuZTyxMfTNm5eJThIGCuvZfuCdnaK0o/s1600/P1110083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ozpqUZyjLpwNWzS74Acl_ONWXwZ8A1LyBry1JxIUHM5SXGBYdgXZVKxh9xz1X5XT13lLjU-gOlGym9uyZ4qDC8DgMAH2sd9z8hyphenhyphenDKCvngjUBzuZTyxMfTNm5eJThIGCuvZfuCdnaK0o/s400/P1110083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and again just after sunrise.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoekytxpcH1ea12q5kgK6S6Jh2htdV1sInew8nsCm0P-EKBSWZgrltVhMp70GpoyGcIZfTFKUnRBdCrBVelPtZUXlr0EHn_V2XTzePPcByjEw6yRny0evZ5KbCyTs5kmpgbCzzz2OYN4/s1600/P1110105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoekytxpcH1ea12q5kgK6S6Jh2htdV1sInew8nsCm0P-EKBSWZgrltVhMp70GpoyGcIZfTFKUnRBdCrBVelPtZUXlr0EHn_V2XTzePPcByjEw6yRny0evZ5KbCyTs5kmpgbCzzz2OYN4/s400/P1110105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I never tire of looking out to sea to check the weather.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-43040043615903925592011-05-31T21:39:00.000+01:002011-05-31T21:39:48.196+01:00mizzleFor the uninitiated, <a href="http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wxfacts/Mizzle.htm">mizzle</a> is a word peculiar to the south west of England, and it describes perfectly the weather we had nearly all weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdsP_VcvtICx8v4_d7QGDR0YJx7pNwhL6vGEdtEM9n23y9_IBQhsau0adV0b8tGEyOngQyvsGX9UEH7WxepY34AJMUyWLJ5jGxtCQp1rIAl_HI85Z0CoUiK1xUE4VLjGzb9kLpOCtBOY/s1600/P1110010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdsP_VcvtICx8v4_d7QGDR0YJx7pNwhL6vGEdtEM9n23y9_IBQhsau0adV0b8tGEyOngQyvsGX9UEH7WxepY34AJMUyWLJ5jGxtCQp1rIAl_HI85Z0CoUiK1xUE4VLjGzb9kLpOCtBOY/s400/P1110010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In fact, it was wetter than it appears here, and the visibility was very poor. Despite the mizzle, a flask of hot chocolate was shared whilst sitting on the rocks having a catch up with a <a href="http://thecatalanway.blogspot.com/">dear friend</a>. Not the perfect weather for a bank holiday weekend, but you have to make the best of it. The sun finally appeared late monday afternoon. Better late than never!<br />
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One could also argue that <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1248620637">mizzle is an 'in</a><a href="http://www.farrow-ball.com/mizzle/2011-new-colours//fcp-product/100266">' colour</a> as <a href="http://www.farrow-ball.com/">Farrow and Ball</a> have added it to their <a href="http://www.farrow-ball.com/all/newcolours/fcp-category/list?resetFilters=true">latest collection</a>.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-48096460511498716222011-05-28T07:09:00.001+01:002011-05-28T07:15:02.446+01:00jammyLuscious local strawberries are always a treat, and an excuse to make a wee quantity of jam. These punnets yielded two jars of delicious soft-set, not-too-sweet strawberry jam which I've especially enjoyed swirled through some home-made yogurt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfriu5NmUKNGCBnh7fu1J6hkp46S2yA6xrO4kzkHZrT-N9MFx__hc_kMWZyf0lJj-FTaVPQ5muyQnoR-J4DpbnHhw05AaBSd3YYmbrkGhzUUnxmc-sn-gElX89lqJoskBLQt0x5a_xjc/s1600/P1100930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfriu5NmUKNGCBnh7fu1J6hkp46S2yA6xrO4kzkHZrT-N9MFx__hc_kMWZyf0lJj-FTaVPQ5muyQnoR-J4DpbnHhw05AaBSd3YYmbrkGhzUUnxmc-sn-gElX89lqJoskBLQt0x5a_xjc/s400/P1100930.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I use the recipe from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apples-Jam-Recipes-Tessa-Kiros/dp/174045748X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212006452&sr=8-3">this book</a>, and it never fails to delight. How do you like your strawberries?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">* * * * * </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can see a month has gone by with little thought for my blog. Looking back it seems it's been a time of both extreme busy-ness, and a time of doing nothing much at all. There was also one week where I was over-the-top grumpy, and irritated myself beyond measure. That's just how life goes.... sometimes it's pretty jammy, and sometimes it isn't. </div>walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-9730738415644042892011-05-01T17:17:00.000+01:002011-05-01T17:17:56.870+01:00sweet indulgenceWhen the first of May dawns wet and grey, and frankly seems more like February, it calls for deperate measures. I've been meaning to try <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/peanutbutterfudge_93630">this</a> recipe for longer than I can remember.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MeS6jif3x8LqvCiyXzYxouc0K7imE6QiJrDmAWwcG6hyphenhyphenetCNUTr-76_s_IrW_5yaOBM6sDS6I-GYPsO1x05nI6zRFE7hAPm-0yRgBKbw9izszHZMSsaY7UlX1ixr91t2dTmFASzyooY/s1600/P1100929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MeS6jif3x8LqvCiyXzYxouc0K7imE6QiJrDmAWwcG6hyphenhyphenetCNUTr-76_s_IrW_5yaOBM6sDS6I-GYPsO1x05nI6zRFE7hAPm-0yRgBKbw9izszHZMSsaY7UlX1ixr91t2dTmFASzyooY/s400/P1100929.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I can now highly recommend <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/chefs/sophie_dahl">Sophie Dahl's</a> Peanut Butter Fudge. It melts on the tongue and has a delicious crumbly texture. It's rich and indulgent, and goes perfectly with strong coffee.<br />
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<a href="http://pipany-poltiskofarm.blogspot.com/">Pipany</a>, I'll bring some over tomorrow. I can't eat all that by myself.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-20745243162288820332011-04-30T20:44:00.000+01:002011-04-30T20:44:15.488+01:00snippetsAll these bank holidays have lulled me in to holiday mode! Here's a few snippets from the last week:<br />
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:: Meandering through my local graveyard early sunday morning and seeing this perfectly-framed gravestone. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qEfX8q1NyxGMbk9SCoVTtTIGP6AsmrX4Bmdk-u5XZvuQjHSaJvSE0X9e6z4SVLzXvcaZx6p3hUtzlStDUHDWkCGE_SvGaCSWyuW822p2iQuGDsC3wnNQ3YpYwghIPjsI0z3T6V1Jpxw/s1600/P1100894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qEfX8q1NyxGMbk9SCoVTtTIGP6AsmrX4Bmdk-u5XZvuQjHSaJvSE0X9e6z4SVLzXvcaZx6p3hUtzlStDUHDWkCGE_SvGaCSWyuW822p2iQuGDsC3wnNQ3YpYwghIPjsI0z3T6V1Jpxw/s400/P1100894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>:: Walter plucking up the courage to swim for his ball.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UGJXYSeYR61xqNvFJItBL6Jh5fUXlUk4RTEs_wteDuxu0j5KOkD_dfdf98Ba786sW57enE75YgbaCcA46UTVCNvsE_BdT1AGTAqfXNUCyaTdJJt6cT0Sy4X-nUEIAVV3D5DHe2mzqzc/s1600/P1100911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UGJXYSeYR61xqNvFJItBL6Jh5fUXlUk4RTEs_wteDuxu0j5KOkD_dfdf98Ba786sW57enE75YgbaCcA46UTVCNvsE_BdT1AGTAqfXNUCyaTdJJt6cT0Sy4X-nUEIAVV3D5DHe2mzqzc/s400/P1100911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>My boy is not a brave dog - he rarely goes out of his comfort zone, and quite literally needs the security of the ground beneath his feet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P-XEB8wneZRSNEv__EZp6ppXhhLHDQjLBXZTBtXLcP6h664c5xNy_3ALVsxRVnCx-3Amv0c1WePBUdse4uGVGJwg7vN0yaRpxVI0quqXOBU0s0cZ5sWPNAJWNXA7gFV8M7YdtSnp3Lg/s1600/P1100907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P-XEB8wneZRSNEv__EZp6ppXhhLHDQjLBXZTBtXLcP6h664c5xNy_3ALVsxRVnCx-3Amv0c1WePBUdse4uGVGJwg7vN0yaRpxVI0quqXOBU0s0cZ5sWPNAJWNXA7gFV8M7YdtSnp3Lg/s400/P1100907.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It makes my heart sing to see him swim properly - it happens so rarely. Mostly, he paddles and runs through the water, then lies down to cool off.<br />
<br />
:: <a href="http://poshyarns.blogspot.com/2011/04/goodness-of-bacteria-i-have-wanted-to.html">Rebecca</a> reminded me how delicious homemade yogurt is. I'm back in the swing of making my own, using local unpasteurised milk. Yum!<br />
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:: Making pesto with wild garlic leaves - my version is made from sunflower seeds, wild garlic, a garlic clove, olive oil, grana padano (cheaper than parmesan), lemon juice and salt and pepper. It's divine - smeared on toast, tossed in some pasta, in a simple risotto, or in a sandwich. <br />
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:: Watching my sweet peas emerge into little seedlings. I planted them a little late, but I'm sure they'll catch up. At the moment they're on the window seat in my bedroom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtdRkdMKu4Lf0HnKwUT6jMvNWFIKTri_BwBk2wmFDq9Ps3wDGzdlxF6kxPS1_H1nHoYbVnsTf8sdG65zEad82exrlS5j0ALaxfe0JKlic-scyOsTsuIcRFkUVsxt5CAvGdUmLG5MuhaU/s1600/P1100914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtdRkdMKu4Lf0HnKwUT6jMvNWFIKTri_BwBk2wmFDq9Ps3wDGzdlxF6kxPS1_H1nHoYbVnsTf8sdG65zEad82exrlS5j0ALaxfe0JKlic-scyOsTsuIcRFkUVsxt5CAvGdUmLG5MuhaU/s400/P1100914.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>:: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/royal-wedding-pictures/">The wedding.</a> I was planning on ignoring it, but somehow I drifted to the computer on and off all day yesterday to catch up (no tv in my house!). It was so moving, and for all the grandeur I think it retained a sense of intimacy. Two young people setting out on their life together, and so clearly in love. Kate looked quite beautiful, and her dress was stunning. I admit to feeling a little teary with emotion.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-8705460571904173802011-04-22T17:21:00.000+01:002011-04-22T17:21:09.273+01:00walter goes green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Walter likes the simple things in life. Like rolling in freshly-mown grass. He often comes home from a walk covered in grass stains. Happiness comes with a green tinge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa6aSIMYyF4Xj3jhuqKHQesksTQ72yu3cZHj4wYvbDNRpUBqlgcnMTuw2QGOfxb7kHaJkYZodpJICeUayuiQr8FXKdB2oua99bkGeYUKPPVBWkRcUarRm5NViY0pViuiP4-BpXCPa-vM/s1600/P1100867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa6aSIMYyF4Xj3jhuqKHQesksTQ72yu3cZHj4wYvbDNRpUBqlgcnMTuw2QGOfxb7kHaJkYZodpJICeUayuiQr8FXKdB2oua99bkGeYUKPPVBWkRcUarRm5NViY0pViuiP4-BpXCPa-vM/s400/P1100867.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-x09ZpLj3v6aOTUexwDXUUkgN6mCIdqWzYXrKxhZJE2VkMS9Ws4Hqdn9e3oPf6iP6a9rJgToTwS6PUfCySBepYaa5tDV7mu5-PJieUL4P_vVDdLHql9as7RCXRj8V3umfTZ4RRp7KalM/s1600/P1100890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-x09ZpLj3v6aOTUexwDXUUkgN6mCIdqWzYXrKxhZJE2VkMS9Ws4Hqdn9e3oPf6iP6a9rJgToTwS6PUfCySBepYaa5tDV7mu5-PJieUL4P_vVDdLHql9as7RCXRj8V3umfTZ4RRp7KalM/s400/P1100890.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It's raining here today and I've had to retreat indoors. It wasn't part of the plan. Hey ho.<br />
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Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes, and a Happy Easter to you all!walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-80370843603740584982011-04-18T18:03:00.001+01:002011-04-20T07:35:09.344+01:00birthday bluebellsToday I've turned 47. It seems to me the older I get the faster time flies. It slips through my fingers like melted butter, and I find I want more hours in my day for the simple pleasures of life. I'm not fussed about getting older - it's just a number. I believe what's important is one's attitude and approach to life. And life is good. I looked in the mirror this morning, noted the all-over dusting of grey hairs and knew I would continue to go with the flow. After all, grey is one of my <a href="http://pebble-dash.blogspot.com/2011/01/shades-of-grey.html">favourite colours</a>!<br />
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So today has been blissful - a day off, a day for me to spend with Walter 'just pottering'. It's been a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. We went to the beach this morning, stopping at a favourite cafe for some cake to take with us. Walking home, I paused at a roadside stall to buy a bunch of bluebells. A gift to myself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSferC6GO7xCYI_HyNd7HEN0juZPb52ifOmWZWO3Bo4lRnTfRUnNONU67HdhSvIL947hcP00Avl1PDKOiubytdK4rSs_9g0GQoSkS8qLMVv2KDGiTzgKdwbc5_lAYOjgwRwHJhfk_QkE/s1600/P1100843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSferC6GO7xCYI_HyNd7HEN0juZPb52ifOmWZWO3Bo4lRnTfRUnNONU67HdhSvIL947hcP00Avl1PDKOiubytdK4rSs_9g0GQoSkS8qLMVv2KDGiTzgKdwbc5_lAYOjgwRwHJhfk_QkE/s400/P1100843.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>What's not to love about a bunch of bluebells?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGk7cYV-3r-esqlxSeVGP6c7WKpLb_Xv4_NWLN14tza20T8xG_oCXeKSfkflzYy-LjqsB6NBPVaO-KEXAAlmCsWbwMTHw0TiYjnbgnJKyMMZDw6O6Kmb-I-UBl6yI38gybdxGwch_CJc/s1600/P1100844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGk7cYV-3r-esqlxSeVGP6c7WKpLb_Xv4_NWLN14tza20T8xG_oCXeKSfkflzYy-LjqsB6NBPVaO-KEXAAlmCsWbwMTHw0TiYjnbgnJKyMMZDw6O6Kmb-I-UBl6yI38gybdxGwch_CJc/s400/P1100844.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I sat in the garden for a while soaking up the sun, while Walter dried off from his dip in the sea, then headed off to my knitting group for our monthly gathering (and more cake!).<br />
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Now I'm heading out for another walk in the early evening sun. I suspect a gin and tonic will be poured on my return, and consumed while I cook my supper. A pretty perfect birthday, really.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-19477589503285368102011-04-17T21:16:00.000+01:002011-04-17T21:16:08.135+01:00ingredientsI have here a rather beautiful box of ingredients.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB20mdEPB6mqeRjO2LYgO-qrzpQTowTYAlQRBFjdBUJ5X6gereSzPDyjgqhi-1xgHw4C4scViQvXvg4cfHnI9Ap6qPmm_e4gsSK21lObRCmsKamcaLpxuPUh5SNgTKRi2L-uR-ZrOCX4Q/s1600/P1100826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB20mdEPB6mqeRjO2LYgO-qrzpQTowTYAlQRBFjdBUJ5X6gereSzPDyjgqhi-1xgHw4C4scViQvXvg4cfHnI9Ap6qPmm_e4gsSK21lObRCmsKamcaLpxuPUh5SNgTKRi2L-uR-ZrOCX4Q/s400/P1100826.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIU8kw2q9IsLZPjk7dSs8hpxIZKrQFbmXmvhX1ZRv16wzNk82zwjjC9ernTc21gqfmRD1C3kkeHQ1BmuR-ObYoAjCgvO4FJYgXHMmL3pPiEBkS76znVgEC9lRl40i-UC_rxZg8VqnVKs/s1600/P1100827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIU8kw2q9IsLZPjk7dSs8hpxIZKrQFbmXmvhX1ZRv16wzNk82zwjjC9ernTc21gqfmRD1C3kkeHQ1BmuR-ObYoAjCgvO4FJYgXHMmL3pPiEBkS76znVgEC9lRl40i-UC_rxZg8VqnVKs/s400/P1100827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkiIQqzIRfSm2Gl2HXUbExbYxpqTgih46AQ3KKwXXmP4U1fOixvJZpF5g5cEKKB3LF2ZRj1OnrQKOEZqE3D6hYs0IH-9R0jSOHdsTutOM84gkV-b2Tuo2_N4et7n2hcHLZfkBfyAFKnY/s1600/P1100825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkiIQqzIRfSm2Gl2HXUbExbYxpqTgih46AQ3KKwXXmP4U1fOixvJZpF5g5cEKKB3LF2ZRj1OnrQKOEZqE3D6hYs0IH-9R0jSOHdsTutOM84gkV-b2Tuo2_N4et7n2hcHLZfkBfyAFKnY/s400/P1100825.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Can you guess what they're for?walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-12402893824100958922011-04-13T21:38:00.000+01:002011-04-13T21:38:41.105+01:00random goodnessA few good things from the last week:<br />
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:: sun, sun, sun! (until today, that is)<br />
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:: a little bunch of hellebores from my neighbour<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYQPYJeEd9-om9juiK9KZA-DeDQESxOvNi-RCuTzBy6kAVbksC4w09xHT3UiLotqmVJyeJjThmbbX3xfv7sBHwY-iOf64TSJ9I_MJ0hKsjQOscPW6n-4cnVCs8uC-cFDSOd6BII2V1Vo/s1600/P1100771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYQPYJeEd9-om9juiK9KZA-DeDQESxOvNi-RCuTzBy6kAVbksC4w09xHT3UiLotqmVJyeJjThmbbX3xfv7sBHwY-iOf64TSJ9I_MJ0hKsjQOscPW6n-4cnVCs8uC-cFDSOd6BII2V1Vo/s400/P1100771.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>:: roasted, salted soya nuts. Strangely addictive, and rather virtuous (or am I kidding myself?)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0oDHNFcopVq3bWGs-sq3KHQUrIZCbud_WY3O9zNxulweFJhhzE9Xx_Qj4KrmLyUtepOqwHrfJIaZiFeCDHxWtpd9FkifX7tjmRTJFSm7MmBXAc3cOxiw0pFKgQvWFqprh04GyIwtxJ0/s1600/P1100786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0oDHNFcopVq3bWGs-sq3KHQUrIZCbud_WY3O9zNxulweFJhhzE9Xx_Qj4KrmLyUtepOqwHrfJIaZiFeCDHxWtpd9FkifX7tjmRTJFSm7MmBXAc3cOxiw0pFKgQvWFqprh04GyIwtxJ0/s400/P1100786.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>:: progress on <a href="http://pebble-dash.blogspot.com/2011/03/beginning.html">the sock</a> - I've finally turned the heel. I've been knitting this in fits and starts. It's slow.<br />
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:: my boy. He loves to sunbathe<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKc9R2jbkeqhZm1hpMBI1tinHqRdEuYYzbUqfrCpgfkVp78VjcBmsedVeNmBtqZuj3t7ZW-Yszs98viIUTd0Gmhy9FvMic7eXU3DGmq_KuZ_4x7e-qpuOapNazl575WbBYETIq7bIBcg/s1600/P1100795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKc9R2jbkeqhZm1hpMBI1tinHqRdEuYYzbUqfrCpgfkVp78VjcBmsedVeNmBtqZuj3t7ZW-Yszs98viIUTd0Gmhy9FvMic7eXU3DGmq_KuZ_4x7e-qpuOapNazl575WbBYETIq7bIBcg/s400/P1100795.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>:: the woods, with the early morning sun streaming through moss-covered trees<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8bswO4zuN6gh6aFNR6-xKOz0LiKO2oO-uX1YwMhmLpPv87EmEGDylt4xalIQHR5g3NqLAiB-zL5z0_RUm7VAHpwcxXpSNV3jNnYZuEpoqW0NJjLkoODIEGMTXPbRkenLtv_W_P0MFFE/s1600/P1100803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8bswO4zuN6gh6aFNR6-xKOz0LiKO2oO-uX1YwMhmLpPv87EmEGDylt4xalIQHR5g3NqLAiB-zL5z0_RUm7VAHpwcxXpSNV3jNnYZuEpoqW0NJjLkoODIEGMTXPbRkenLtv_W_P0MFFE/s400/P1100803.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDOstEELX-YvA8J5qOsAk8Z-kTWZB1Ncdp6V4qDI0CmITwvJfq-XXK-pJKL79NMW67u8ENsGUt9E-uKaf5J_9qqMmy2mYLTTZ2nlTc_HJmLBcKIVv6y0QUnQgH6RySN1ih4_UgF_l3k8/s1600/P1100809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDOstEELX-YvA8J5qOsAk8Z-kTWZB1Ncdp6V4qDI0CmITwvJfq-XXK-pJKL79NMW67u8ENsGUt9E-uKaf5J_9qqMmy2mYLTTZ2nlTc_HJmLBcKIVv6y0QUnQgH6RySN1ih4_UgF_l3k8/s400/P1100809.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> :: primroses nestling at the bottom of a cornish hedge <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQtq33JXErAxLB4Q9b21tx8YEA5UrweAlnrAjkbPGBxa9A49ez1SmC45uIXnFHbV2Gx8EV7ABpKNEi_J1BZ66CK35XVCy5_lOHcWMwNIisBBIynIgCir65MSzP3XoSYnJgaJDGSCSpx8/s1600/P1100813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQtq33JXErAxLB4Q9b21tx8YEA5UrweAlnrAjkbPGBxa9A49ez1SmC45uIXnFHbV2Gx8EV7ABpKNEi_J1BZ66CK35XVCy5_lOHcWMwNIisBBIynIgCir65MSzP3XoSYnJgaJDGSCSpx8/s400/P1100813.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>:: new leaves unfurling from lichen covered branches<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9YZZW6PUGm8k3Ak6FkHkEGhU4n4zyXhYDMNbO68ifZpJCRlxKV-lsikceHYEZE37X_gphV3n6ATjKqNOabki4cMLIzwfd-P_LJyg0w3eyI2m8L8a55r2zLBxT1YUJPzq_vXVfXQ9U4U/s1600/P1100817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9YZZW6PUGm8k3Ak6FkHkEGhU4n4zyXhYDMNbO68ifZpJCRlxKV-lsikceHYEZE37X_gphV3n6ATjKqNOabki4cMLIzwfd-P_LJyg0w3eyI2m8L8a55r2zLBxT1YUJPzq_vXVfXQ9U4U/s400/P1100817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrUrJi_40rEOf8VVfYfWX75BVpemOhm9YRO8W7jy4tweuAG2AyqDhq1B16-IJWS0ldwksSa1sScvC58qL8zwPqr_pu4Gui1jIra4PWfL68avc773f60EYkIkuNK6mjUwpr7On0ZI1jOY/s1600/P1100819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrUrJi_40rEOf8VVfYfWX75BVpemOhm9YRO8W7jy4tweuAG2AyqDhq1B16-IJWS0ldwksSa1sScvC58qL8zwPqr_pu4Gui1jIra4PWfL68avc773f60EYkIkuNK6mjUwpr7On0ZI1jOY/s400/P1100819.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsSqfw8nlkQobl53NpT4NEpINjBFYUF478YK1TOfkEuC7rvnBmbcKBENoNKl17lHtthZnzBKpgBtBJ4VL3O4VuQi9pstDYUPTeL8GXE8UgpYb1RGsQ_Cb0bgG5RmDNuJcIMeIlDTM93U/s1600/P1100821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsSqfw8nlkQobl53NpT4NEpINjBFYUF478YK1TOfkEuC7rvnBmbcKBENoNKl17lHtthZnzBKpgBtBJ4VL3O4VuQi9pstDYUPTeL8GXE8UgpYb1RGsQ_Cb0bgG5RmDNuJcIMeIlDTM93U/s400/P1100821.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>:: a brief visit from friends. Stories were told, laughter was shared, and it was all over too quickly.<br />
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I'm loving this month, there's so much to enjoy and savour. Life feels full of hope.walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-59083464051692771612011-04-07T18:46:00.001+01:002011-04-07T18:47:20.588+01:00stamp loveI've fallen for the most recent <a href="http://www.royalmail.com/portal/stamps/content1?catId=135500799&mediaId=135700792">stamp issue</a>. These came out a couple of weeks ago, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/">WWF</a> - the World Wide Fund for Nature (originally known as the World Wildlife Fund).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld9I59DHFjCmYoh7L4hZu-_1R02G-KiSwtcVEs8t0s4a-E4MfzKWTo0Pqg20eu0Zv9XzlXxwdjTlN6Od_Rhdsu5JXxIHRU-Vpo_g8mZkcOe2xkR2jcJdLkpynUl13BQaiiHV9L9HYVt8/s1600/P1100779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld9I59DHFjCmYoh7L4hZu-_1R02G-KiSwtcVEs8t0s4a-E4MfzKWTo0Pqg20eu0Zv9XzlXxwdjTlN6Od_Rhdsu5JXxIHRU-Vpo_g8mZkcOe2xkR2jcJdLkpynUl13BQaiiHV9L9HYVt8/s400/P1100779.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I've always loved seeing animals on stamps. My favourite is the polar bear.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6qHpqN1VL5GAlA2R8_rAnbf5th7nxJmubTIZ_ZykhQ8-qNuoNFrMA5F5MWkWWSlh1G9ng33KVjConpufda8knxoOJYSJeI7iCPvdawXSa-OQLONuQGNxN0sjWiyoCx2lvOMLB-ry4G4/s1600/P1100782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6qHpqN1VL5GAlA2R8_rAnbf5th7nxJmubTIZ_ZykhQ8-qNuoNFrMA5F5MWkWWSlh1G9ng33KVjConpufda8knxoOJYSJeI7iCPvdawXSa-OQLONuQGNxN0sjWiyoCx2lvOMLB-ry4G4/s400/P1100782.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>What's yours?walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5213430389313568934.post-40022196034827979902011-04-01T20:19:00.001+01:002011-04-01T20:45:07.064+01:00welcoming the weekendWhat better way to start the weekend than a bag of <a href="http://www.montezumas.co.uk/?source=webgains&siteid=13897">Montezuma's</a> <a href="http://www.montezumas.co.uk/bars/createapack.asp?&r=9&g=104&i=1435&pg=1">Giant Chocolate Buttons</a>? A gift from one of my sisters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSBilW3CiAC5meAUNLTKANYrGw-kuinnhu3yk5-jLeXox4VAn3wEllkbXMYZQCXTSEs_01GRZIpUOw10Nk8-kZ9SeUnZgUBFvmkVVNQEseNWBgGKzX2NZS4oDPNdCwWciWxnOHk4CnE8/s1600/P1100770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSBilW3CiAC5meAUNLTKANYrGw-kuinnhu3yk5-jLeXox4VAn3wEllkbXMYZQCXTSEs_01GRZIpUOw10Nk8-kZ9SeUnZgUBFvmkVVNQEseNWBgGKzX2NZS4oDPNdCwWciWxnOHk4CnE8/s400/P1100770.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I was going to spell out 'weekend' in chocolate buttons, but I'd already started munching and there weren't enough....<br />
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Much as I like visiting my family, my favourite place is home. I appreciate it even more when I've been away, and can look at it with fresh eyes. Still, it's time for a spring clean I think, and some more de-cluttering. I have no weekend plans, I'll just see what unfolds. Pretty blissful, really. How about you?<br />
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Thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post. I'll be making my own 'cook box' soon, once I've decided on the colour of bookcloth I want to use. One thing that came up in the comments was chopping up my Mother's old books. I am a bit of a book junkie, and I could easily have brought this little pile home and stuck them on a shelf. The thing is, that's where they would have stayed. I didn't want to read the stories, so to upcycle the pages and personal inscriptions into something new that would be used and hopefully loved, was the perfect answer for me.<br />
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Happy weekend to you!walter and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com8