I’m back!

Up early this morning to help Jane, Gus and Ross set tables and chairs in the garden ready for Jane's seventieth birthday party. Close friends and close family were invited, and though there was an occasional stiff breeze and the odd sharp shower, it was lovely to be in her beautiful garden with everyone. I'm not sure when our family was last all together. Joe home after his first year at uni, and Holly having finished her A levels and everyone making the effort to be there. The children had a wonderful time with their cousins! Only Jane's eldest, Jo, didn't make it because she was still testing faintly positive for Covid. Still it intrudes into life events.

I left by taxi at 3.40 prompt to get a National Express coach from Coventry to London Victoria. It was surprisingly easy and comfortable and cheap. I couldn't take the train thanks to the rail strike. In fact it took a while to find the entrance to Victoria Underground, as all the rail entrances were locked up, but I coped with the underground ok and found my way to the Kings Cross travel lodge. Got here about 8.30pm. 

When was I last in London I wonder? It's been years! I rather enjoyed driving past the garish Brent Cross Shopping Centre, on through more trendy Camden and then into the posher areas with their white Georgian houses, black doors, and black iron railings. 

Tomorrow I wlll meet up with my travelling companions at St Pancras. Hopefully having breakfast with them! And then we are off on the Euro Star heading for Oberammergau and the postponed Passion Play. I shall be glad to get on the Euro Star and leave my brain behind and allow our tour operator to do all the thinking!!  Not long now!

Some of you may be surprised to see me back after many months of silence.And probably some of you will not spot my being back at all.I suppose the longer I failed to write, the longer it didn't seem urgent to get back to it. I have been busy. My brain has been busy! But when the chance not to renew my sub came in April I didn't stop paying it. Partly because I wanted to take off what I had written and keep it as you might a diary! Partly because I wasn't sure I wouldn't want to start up again. One day soon I might do a bit of a catch up for you.But tonight I need to get to sleep ready for the off in the morning! I think there is a hen party next door! 

Yesterday was a wonderful walk with my friend Mary. A lot of up, and I am on top of the hills that I see every day from my house! When we set off there was cloud over them, but we took our chances. Just as well, as the cloud rolled away and the sun was warm when it was out. The views were wonderful and as always I exult in being up high with just the kestrels for company. We climb Ashtead Fell and then on to Whinfell beacon. From there it is downhill and a walk back along the bottom of the Borrowdale valley. About 8 miles I reckon! We are home by 5. I soak in a hot bath to ease the sore feet and avoid getting stiff.  Catch up with Jane and Ellie. I can only manage a salad for tea! 

Today I am catching up with Gill.It is warm but dank outside, and we decide that a river walk would be sensible. We drive to Bowston and walk along the river. The oaks are changing colour beautifully, and the water is gushing along. We are amazed at the force of the water coming over the weir. We get back to the car just as the rain begins, so we were pleased with ourselves for having picked a good time slot. 

Home to write prayers, advertise Donna's prayer event, and then to cook another of the Mindful Chef meals that Beth has sent. The veggie one. It is delicious. Butternut squash, chick peas, broccoli coated in zatar, pomegranate, mint and pistachios and a tahini and maple syrup dressing. Yum! On Thursday I had cooked the spiced pork dish and Caroline came round to eat it with me. That was equally delicious. What a treat! I can recommend them. 

Strictly was great, and quite emotional. And I have come to bed for an early night, having slept really badly last night! 

We have a leisurely start. It is overcast on the island. After breakfast (and a perfect boiled egg) Cathy and I pop into the little post office for sandwiches, and both buy a David Adams book. We buy pieces of Cuthbert Cake  'for the road', and the taxi arrives shortly afterwards. 
It's a goodbye to this wonderful place. As we leave visitors come walking in, having left their cars in th,e car park. We buy some wonderful strawberries from the farm stall on the road, and drive along the causeway and away.

Our taxi driver quizzes us about our walk, as he is just getting back into walking himself. He seems a nice man. By the time we arrive at Berwick station, the sun is shining. We have time to take the lift up and then down to the correct platform, and wait in the warmth for our train. It's a lovely journey. Wonderful scenery. We change trains in Edinburgh, and before long we are trundling our cases back to the Dyers house in Falkirk.

Ben is there. He's doing some work in Falkirk at the moment. It's nice to see him. And we eat our sandwiches and strawberries on their balcony. And then it is time to pack the car and say fond farewells. 

It's a sunny journey home. I stop for petrol but otherwise it's quite quick. I listen to Bach partitas played on the piano. They keep me cheerful!

Home in the sun. Pick bunches of sweet peas, and dead head some flowers in my pots. There's a lot to do in the garden! Then I unpack and have a simple omelette and fresh lettuce from the garden. 

There are family messages. Ida is isolating, and then it is Will. Don is too, though they still expect him to go into work on the 19th whatever. It all seems crazy. And the idea of lifting restrictions doesn't really seem right. 

Ida and Rufus have had wonderful school reports.....love what their teachers say about their behaviour and their helpfulness and kindness!

So strange to be home alone......but I have put all my birthday cards up and feel surrounded again.