Eternal Refuge

It's not a phrase I usually use, but as  have yet again been poor at keeping up to date, then it's something I can wish you (seeing as I didn't wish you all a Happy Christmas ... sorry!)

I also know I didn't post any proof that I decorated my house.  I don't do a theme, but there again my hand is not decorated in that way.  My decorations are more about "Christmas", and about family memories ... after all 2 of the ornaments on the tree were from 1930, as they were given to Mum that Christmas, and have been on a tree every year since then.  The angel on the tree was given to ne Christmas 1962 by Mum's cousin ... and, again, has always been on a tree since then.





I worked Christmas Eve and Boxing Day ... but Christmas Day was off.  I was picked up by friends from work and we went to a short Church service.  I don't like missing Church , but until I am allowed to drive, that's how it has to be.  So Amma & Stephen took me to a Church, where we sang some carols ... and then it was time to get home and get dinner on.  In the end I didn't manage to eat until 2pm, but in the interim I was able to have a lovely walk ... and even read a bit of my book.  After dinner & cleaning up, I watched King Charles, and then opened my pressies ... yes, Father Christmas decided I had been a good girl!  Then, TV, snacks, chocolate, etc, etc

As I said, Boxing Day was work ... and then relax & rest.  Sadly Saturday I really wasn't feeling well - just tired etc, etc.  I think that some of the residual stresses of the last few months were still catching up with me.

Sunday I had Tim & Claire round for dinner ... we had a really lovely time.  Chatting, relaxing, and playing a poplar family game (that I lost!)

Now we are back to Monday.  I am here but soon going into work.  This week I am doing 2 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on.  So, we shall see how that goes.

Let me catch up to date -





24. What are your plans for today?
I worked on Christmas Eve for 6 hours … the in the morning I got housework done, and prepared veg etc for my Christmas Day dinner.

25. Are you having a fancy lunch/dinner today? What’s on the menu?
I cooked – turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, onion sauce, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, carrots & brussel sprouts … plus white wine.

26. It’s National Pear Month – do you have a favourite variety of pear?
I like Conference Pears best

27. Do you have a favourite way of using up leftovers?
Not really … as it’s just me, they get heated up in a microwave, or frying pan … sometimes with an odd selection to use everything up.

28. How much exercise have you had over the last few days?
I have had my walk every day. Not really far at present, but getting the leg repaired (so, yes, I am doing my basic muscle building exercise, as well)

29. In 1886, the dishwasher was patented. It was invented by Josephine Cochran, who lived in Shelbyville, Illinois. She constructed the first one and won a prize at the Chicago World Fair (and was used by the restaurant industry). Do you own a dishwasher or wash your dishes by hand?
I do use a dishwasher, but it get’s slowly filled over a number of das (luckily I have loads of plates, mugs etc, I wash up fancy stuff … posh glasses, serving dishes, as well as saucepans.






Right, lets get this posted, and then get sorted out for work (I have something to eat before I go in, but because it's early I always take a sandwich with me)

I will try and do better, I promise!!

Yes, 68 days ago I messaged my colleague to say that I may be 5 minutes late for work as I was having some problems in my leg. And, 68 days on I go back this afternoon (I had better not get there late!!). I am on phased return, so am doing a shorter shift, and only 3 days this week. 3 days again next week, but the 6 hours ... then 4 days the following week, but overall I have to see how things are going.

The service at the Cathedral was lovely ... and yes the Alpacas (that I called llamas last week) enjoyed their promotion to camels ... they walked up and through the cathedral while we were all singing the carol "We theree Kings" ... and then back around as we finished with "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" ... here they are arriving for their starring role, so this is before they had their Royal costumes on.

And, yes, that's me in front of one of the many trees as we were leaving.



Right, I had better get on ... and get ready for work ... so ...








15. Do you have any maple syrup? What’s your favourite way to use it?
I always have Golden Syrup in the house … and use it quite a lot, either for recipes, or over things like pancakes.





I will catch up tomorrow

Wednesday was a day for getting some parcels packed up ready to post ... I then walked up to the post office, only to find they were closed for the day!

Yesterday Christine and I went to Killerton, our local National Trust Property. It is not far from a bus route, so although I am really paying for it today I was able to get there - to see the Christmas Decorations. However their big display was Red Dress Project  It's not something I had heard about, but in hearing the DVD nearby, and looking at the assorted internet links, I have learned about it. Some of the individul pieces are truly spectacular ... and the overall effect is stunning.



So, this morning started with a walk back to the Post Office ... and this time they have gone (hoorah!!).

My leg is not sore, but certainly feeling very week today, after all the walking yesterday.

Sadly, later, I have to walk up to the hospital as I have to do my annual "police" check ... I have filled all the forms in & sent all the photos in, online, but they still all have to be verified. So I don't know why I bothered, I should have just taken everything in, and saved myself the bother of the internet forms.

So that's a task for after lunch ... I want to get photos sorted by then, so hopefully will post some more photos, if not, tomorrow.

Until then ....





10. Do you have a blanket you can snuggle under on your couch/sofa?
I have 2 on my settee at present - one a crochetted one, that someone gave me as a gift ... the other, also a gift, is a yellow fleece covered with images of giraffes.

11. How often do you chew gum (or bubble gum)?
Never do

12. Do you have a range of different glasses for different types of drinks or just one type?
I have loads of types of glasses, and use 3 or 4 assorted ones when it's just me ... but if I have guests then always use different ones.

My regular one is a pint glass that I use to drink water from ... but any alcohol is in assorted galsses!!




Right, let's get some photos sorted out!

Will try and catch up with you all, as well.

I had a lazy start to the day, but had done my Bible reading, and had breakfast in time for me to remember the 2 minutes silence. When I was a kid the 11th was not really remembered, just the Sunday nearest the date ... so it is good that both days get the focus now.

I enjoyed watching the service/ceremony at The Cenotaph on Sunday. Although I was missing being there ... missing the atmosphere. However when you are there you don't get to see the wreaths being laid, so it was good to be reminded what happens during the silent moments with the King, politicians etc. The advantage of being at home meant I also got to see the Festival of Remembrance on the Saturday evening. Yes, the atmosphere is special at these events, but there are advantages to being able to see everything on the TV. Also on the Sunday there were interviews with some of the WWII veterans ... one of whom landed at the Sheilt Estuary, that is a lesser known battlefield, but one that I have visited. So certainly a good weekend overall.

In facet Saturday had started out even better as the weather was perfect, and Brenda drove down to Exeter ... we caught a bus and walked through these gardens, before goinginto the museum. Being colourblind means I miss a lot of Autumn, but red is one colour I can see ... so amazing scenery






( Enjoy the stroll )
Right, I want to sort out the photos from the museum ... and I can then update you on my hospital appointment, but wanted to get this posted.

Will do the questions in that post, as well

See you soon x
#

Wow, today is November ... and I managed a slow staedy 100 yard "walk". However the advantage of walking slow enough that snails ere overtaking me, is that I was able to enjoy the things I could see around me. So ... this is literally just up the road from my house, this morning. So much colour.







( And, more colour here )

So life is progressing ... slow, but overall I can see that I had a better walking style ... I really concentrated on walking through the leg, allbeit, slowly.

I want to try and get a bit of housework done, but I do plan to have a lazy afternoon.  This evening I am looking forward to catching up on Strictly, having missed the last 3 Saturdays ... so although I know who is "out", I have missed the process, and the eving entertainment.

Then tomorrow being Sunday, a very lazy day ... especially as I am unable to drive, so can't get to Church.  So, other than another couple of short walks I plan to totally rest the leg.

I do plan on catching up on the missing questions, as I enjoy the challenge, and thinking what the answers are ... and, after all kazzy_cee went to the bother to sort them out, so don't want tp ignore her work.  So, here are the questions since yesterday, and this weekend -






31. Do you have a favourite aroma you love (a perfume, something baking, a flower etc)?
I have anancient rose bush, and that is one beautiful smell.
But, there again, so is fresh cooked bread!

1. In the UK, the 5th of November is Guy Fawkes night, which is celebrated with fireworks. The firework displays and parties usually start this weekend and may continue for several days of November. When was the last time you attended a firework display?
I haven't been to one for years, although I love fireworks.
When I was a teen our Sunday School group used to have a great firework party, complete with singing round the bonfire, while drinking tomato soup.  For all the years we did it, it always seemed to be a lovely evening - great memories.

2. Do you have anything you love so much on TV that you record all the episodes?
My TV doesn't record!!
However there's not been much that I really want to keep recently - although I have quite a few series on DVDs






Right, let's get this posted.

I will see you all on Monday x

For the second part of my Bank Holiday Christine and I went to Agatha Christie's holiday home -




( Enjoy the tour )

As I have posted earlier, my pictures from Tyntesfield were going to be in 2 sections, so here is the other half ... images from the house itself ...

And, I start with this lovely fireplace (I have a soft spot for a fancy fireplace in National Trust properties)



( A wander round the house )

As I said, last Saturday I went to Tintagel Post Office.  Tintagel is infamous as being where King Arthur had a castle, and where Merlin had his cave.

However this building was built in the 14th century - 3 rooms, with a thatch roof.

In 1538 the roof was replaced with slate.

in 1710 the house was modernised and remodelled with 3 upstairs rooms.

Throughout the 19th century the property was used by an assortment of businesses ... and in 1903 it was an early purchase by The National trust.

















Great way to add stairs to a flat wall.

1789

I knew I wouldn't be round on Thursday as Claire and I had planned a day out (photos to come) ... but I just totally overslept on Wednesday morning, so no real reason at all.

Thursday the plan had been for Claire to pick up a few large plants at the garden centre and then after lunch we were going to Killerton to see the Art Deco clothes. Yes, that's what we did, but we went to a different garden centre, and Claire couldn't get what she wanted. So I suggested that we went to the "normal" place the following morning ... which worked out OK.

So, yes we had a lovely Thursday, and extended it into Friday! After our trip to Killerton I drove back to their place then we walked into the city and met Tim for a meal. Then back to their place, and sat on their patio and had an ice-cream. I returned the following morning, and ended up with a car full of "greenery", before heading into work again in the evening.

This morning was nice and lazy, then I picked up some groceries before heading here.

I thought I would share a couple of photos of flowers from my garden, in apology ....







And, some icons. This set had a theme of "vibrant colour" and I decided that I would make them from M*A*S*H as the series colouring is basically khaki, so the opposite of vibrant!

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10

As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. The credits are available over at my icon journal - d4s_icons


So it's Saturday, and obviously I won't be around tomorrow ... so ...





16. Do you know any sign language? Have you heard of Makaton?
Only “Thank You” … I see a few people who need signing, but sadly I have to hope they can read, or at least lip-read.

17. If you enjoy tea, how do you make it – with a teabag, with loose-leaf tea, in a mug or in a teapot?
Love, love, love.
White English Breakfast Tea, with full-fat milk, no sugar … strong … made in a teapot.
Black English Breakfast tea … very week … made in a mug.

18. Are you good at arranging cut flowers? Have you ever tried Ikebana?
No

19. Do you like spicy foods such as chilli peppers?
No, not a fan at all.

20. Are there any artisan food markets or farmer’s markets held close to where you live? Do you visit often?
The Cathedral Green has assorted markets over the year, which do have artisan food stands. But, sad to say, I am “boring” … I really like simple food.






I will return on Monday, and hopefully by then will have the photos from Killerton to share. Until then, have a super weekend, everyone.

Last week I drove Christine and myself to Stourhead and we had a great time ... hard to capture the place, but here is a taster -

We stopped off at King Alfreds Tower, a folly built in 1762. Sadly it is only open on Saturdays, so we didn't get to see the view from the top.


We walked through the gardens & stables ...







( Wander round the house )