22/09/2010 by Aileen.

Can’t stop. Going birding in Spurn this morning. It’s over an hour away, and I have to be there by 9.30. Actually it’s for quarter to ten, but we’re all scared of Michael and get there early.

Anyway, I just had to post this photo of John. We went out cycling yesterday. We met Anita and Colin who had been walking the dogs, and they mentioned they had been along this farm track. The brick lane, they called it, as you can see the remnants of bricks under the soil.

Anyway, we decided we would cycle along there too, and merrily set off. About 500 yards along it, John’s wheelchair hit a stone, and he tumbled out. No way could we get him back in. Years ago, maybe, but not now.

So I left him sitting in the lane, and cycled back for help. I didn’t really know what I was going to do, but then I saw Paul and Roz turning into their drive, so although I didn’t expect Paul to help physically, I thought he might know of a couple of strong men around. Anyway, he said it would be no problem, and got his neighbour to lend a hand. We drove back to the track, walked along it, and in no time the two men had got John up into his wheelchair. That was the end of our day’s exercise, but I sat out studying in the garden later, so got fresh air on a lovely autumn day.

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20/09/2010 by Aileen.

Eating my muesli this morning, I thought there was a really tough bit of nut in my mouth. It turned out to be an enormous filling. My teeth have been fine for ages. I’m sure it was cos I was at the dentist on Friday, and he dislodged it with his probing. Oh well. Dentist again this week, I suppose.

Saturday was great. I met my OU friends and we went on a 4 and a half mile walk which ended as a six mile walk as we took a couple of wrong turnings. We started in the carpark at Huggate, and did a ‘circular’ walk up in the Wolds. After one wrong turning we slid down the hillside on our bottoms rather than retrace our steps too far. Good fun. Felt like a kid.

Well, I didn’t really feel like a kid. My breathlessness is always worse on hills, and my heart was pounding loudly. I can’t talk when I’m walking fast. Then, on the last bit, my knee startede playing up. Alex had phoned the pub to order lunch, as we were later than we expected to be, and in the end, Alex and Jane went on ahead, to secure our food. Pat was already in the pub as she couldn’t do the walk this month, having overdone the walking in the last few days. Alex returned with her car to give me a lift for the last half a mile, and I really appreciated it. I was knackered.

Sunday, I spent recovering. I overslept for Mass, and was going to go to another church for10.30, but it was later than I thought and was too late for that. I decided to go in the evening at Hessle, but was watching TV and again missed the time.

Still stiff today. About to have a shower, (should have a soak I suppose) and tackle the housework.

Oh, and make that dental appointment.

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01/09/2010 by Aileen.

First of the month. I always think that September is the beginning of the year, too. I suppose it’s  years and years of teaching. A new start and all that.

Well, we cycled for one hour ten minutes this morning, in beautiful sunshine. Sarnie for lunch, and now John is pressure washing the patio, which is covered in duck poo. I can’t help yet - I need a snoozle after my lunch. Snoozle isn’t exactly a snooze, but it means I sit down and read, write or do something similarly effortless. Trying to eat a really hard pear at the moment, so there’s some effort in that.

My niece Charley has been in hospital with bad stomache symptoms. She’s out now, and will get the test results on the 7th, but she mentioned on the phone that she had ulcerative colitis. (I think that’s what she said) She and her brother might be taking my white car off my hands, as someone went in to the back of the one they share. My car is really shabby, but so reliable, and we don’t really need two cars as we are rarely out to different places at the same time.Any time we are I can get a taxi.

Anyway, back later. Bye.

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20/07/2010 by Aileen.

Here at last are some photos from CenterParcs. I might put up some wild life ones tomorrow, but here are the family ones.

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08/07/2010 by Aileen.

Little Sugar is back! She’s one of our very shy calico cats. ((I used to call it tortoiseshell, but apparently it’s calico)

We came home from CenterParcs on Monday with the two boys, and only Ellie and Spice were around. We didn’t worry too much, as they are so shy and always hide from ’stangers’, butas the days went on we were vey sad (and I got very grumpy) I got up at nights calling for her.

Last night I went out about 2am, and heard a meow. It was Sugar. I picked her up and hugged her, and brought her back into the house. She struggled a bit, but I got her inside and woke John. (Yes, he wanted me to!)

We were so happy. I think she’s lost a bit of weight, it’s Thursday now, but even if she disappears again until Saturday, when the kids go, we won’t worry. I opened up a can of tuna in spring water for her, and she gobbled up the bit I gave her.

She’s not the most attractive of cats, and she dribbles, but we love her.

Anyway, back to CenterParcs (no, not literally) while the kids are still abed. I was so impressed with the organisation of it all. There is so much to do, but it is spaced out and the place never seems crowded. There are these little money spinners going on all over the place, but it isn’t at all in your face.

Various activities spread across the lake, several interlinked swimming areas, various food outlets. So well done.

The lodge carpet could do with a good clean, but it didn’t worry me. It wasn’t minging, but the place was in need of a good deep clean.

The wild life was fantastic. Red squirrels, siskins, woodpeckers. Much more.

The kids got involved with mini Olympics, football tournaments etc. and John did archery. I really will have to post some photos, but I  shoot them in Raw format and they need to be changed to jpegs.

The star was Alexander who is such a happy little baby. I shouldn’t say little as he’s growing in leaps and bounds. I have lots of photos of all of us, and must put them up.

I did ask if I could be in some, but as usual I’m not. Kieran took one of me and Alexander, and that’s the lot. Oh well. I’m no oil painting.

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15/07/2009 by Aileen.

And didn’t we have a lovely time! Arrived late-ish on Saturday so just chilled until dinner. Rich food.

Sunday.  Full ‘Swinton’ breakfast. Saw the hotel’s birds being flown in the morning, and we explored the extensive grounds in the afternoon. John brought his cycle attachment, and it was just as well. What was described as a gentle slope was actually quite difficult as the front wheel doesn’t grip very well - all the weight is at the back in the wheelchair. Took photos! Another rich meal.

Monday. Went to Fountains Abbey. What was so annoying was that there was a service taking place in the ruins as we arrived at midday. I said to John I bet it’s to do with St. Benedict as it was his feast the day before, and it would have been transferred to the Monday. Anyway, after a café lunch and stroll round the grounds we eventually ended up at the abbey, and I found a service sheet. It had been a Mass in honour of St. Benedict. I’m so annoyed I didn’t inquire what the service was. I’m a Benedictine Oblate (sort of attached to Benedictines as I like their brand of spirituality - moderation in all things basically) so it would have been really nice to have taken part. Also, I didn’t make Mass on the Sunday as there didn’t seem anywhere to go locally. Anyway, back to a rich evening meal again. (Oops! Sorry St. Benedict)

Tuesday. In the morning John went clay pigeon shooting and I took photos of him. I got a shot of the target breaking in two. From there we went to Thorp Perrow Aboretum and saw the birds of prey display there. Unfortunately I felt sick all day. Too much to eat I think. I only had tea and toast for breakfast. Couldn’t enjoy the day too much. I didn’t even have the energy to get down low to take photos of the falcons etc.

I tried to eat the evening meal, but had to leave the table and go to bed. It was a shame, as it was a good day otherwise. John really enjoyed the shooting.

Today. Home again. I’m wondering what to cook for the evening meal that would be up to Swinton standards. I have prawns in the freezer and kale and spinach in the garden, so Mr Google might come to the rescue. (You can see I’m better. Thinking of food again!)

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11/07/2009 by Aileen.

We’re off to the Swinton for a few days, to celebrate John’s 70th, but he is paying I should be rushing round tidying the house up for the neighbour, but no, here I am prevaricating. I’ve just made a thank you card too, for Jim, who lent me £20 yesterday when I found myself 20 miles from home with no money and very little petrol. This double dactyl (Google it!)  tells the story!

Heckety peckety

Aileen B Urquharty

Travelled to Hedon

Without any purse.

Gentleman Jiminy

Characteristic’lly

Came to her rescue

Before it got worse.

Anyway, must sort out house. Will have to leave the garden.Ironing and packing to be done. Hey it’s only a couple of hours away. I could come back each night to change!

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21/03/2009 by Aileen.

We’ve been cycling since Sunday (No, not non-stop silly) and I’m really pleased. The most we’ve done is 3 miles, so it’s not exactly triathlon status, but it’s been good. Yesterday we only did 2 miles, but it was up on bridge over M62 and WAS IT STEEP! Yes it was! John said it’s the most out of breath he’s been since last being able to walk in 1961.

It’s a lovely spring day, but I was annoyed as I left my two fuschia pots outside last night and there was a frost. Hope they’re okay. So far I’ve sown sweet peas, runner beans, mange tout, courgettes and peppers. Hope they take. (Obviously)

Yesterday  I cut Front Lawn and Top Lawn as I like to call them. Today I might cut the Wild Flower Meadow and the Cherry Orchard. (The two bits of grass down the bottom of the garden. It’s actually one plum tree on the left bit, but cherry sounds more romantic to me.

Titiana has been writing in my SL blog, so she’s becoming quite an upstart. You might want to read it here -

http://titihaystack.wordpress.com/

Anyway, I mustn’t waste this beautiful day. Nearly 9.30 am. Been up since before 6am and done a lot, but so many lovely options ahead of me.Bye.

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19/07/2008 by Aileen.

Well I didn’t really take care of you this week did I little blog. Off on holiday today and probably no internet connection as we’re selfcatering in the wilds of Cumbria, ‘though on the map it looks like Scotland.

Had a dissatisfying week. I really miss my ‘term’ activities as with nothing to do I realise that I’m not contributing much to the world at large. Just reading and playing around on the computer. Really hooked on Second Life.

Looking forward to being with family over the hols and taking lots of best selling photos! Only I won’t sell them, I’ll just know that if I wanted to I could be a household name in photography.

Anyway, Cumbria, here we come.

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07/07/2008 by Aileen.

I’ve been vaguely dissatisfied with how I am just busy doing nothing recently. I’m not knocking it. I know lots of people who would envy the chance to have so much leisure, and I have been very very stressed in the past from too much to do. However…. the time has come to evaluate what I am doing with my time. And I have decided I really must start to do something constructive. In September I start a Creative Writing)) course with the OU, but there is the long hot (?) summer stetching out before me. So I have resurrected the kiddies’ book I started a while ago - nine chapters done - and done some organising. (Re-reading it, setting up OneNote for character references and ideas, printing it off.) ((Anythng rather than write lol))

The Cr. Wr. course forum looks very good with really friendly helpful people. So more procrastination there! However, if I promise myself to write for an hour a day I know I will end up doing more. So that is my New Year’s Week’s Resolution.

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