Eternal Refuge

I walked into work this morning only to find that the clinic had been cancelled a couple of weeks ago and no one had told me.  So, I put my coat back on and headed home ... lucky I am only about 10 mins walk away!  As I was leaving I was assured that I would get paid for the shift anyway ... WIN # 1

So, as it was dry I decided that I would have a walk ... not a fast "exercise walk, but I was out & about for about 1/2 hour ... complete with camera.  So I managed a photo-friday with the signs of Spring around.  Lucky that we didn't get any snow after all ... WIN # 2

So, here's the proof -


























And this is the view as I walk out my front door and start towards work




So, as you can see lots of colour, if you keep your eyes open.


Right, I need to get on and not waste the day completely.  So, before I post this -


10 – Middle Name Pride Day: not everyone has one, do you? Is there a story behind your middle name or why you don’t have one?
Jacqueline ... Dad was John James ... so that's where the name comes from.  Mum & Dad never wanted to name any child John ( even though that had been the tradition for centuries).  But, Dad, Dad's father, Dad's maternal uncle, and both of Dad's grandfather's were John ... so it got conplicated.
Mum & Dad did aim to give me 2 middle names - Jacqueline Victoria (as both my grandmother's had that as their middle name), but decided that 36 letters was just too long



Right, let's see what you are all up to x

Yesterday I decided I would walk into Exeter in the morning as I needed to take some photos, mainly to try to catch up on photo_scavenger, but also to get the PhotoFriday done.  So started a fun morning ... on my way I stopped for a slurp of water and decided to text Claire to see if she fancied meeting me for a cuppa (she doen't work Fridays), and yes, she said ... great.  However it would be in the afternoon.  So I decided to agree and spend some time in Exeter, just being "me".  It is something I realise I have to work on, as it is something I have never really done before.

my first stop was to walk to the cathedral as one of the prompts was "stone", and you can't get better that the ceiling built of stone, in the 1250 - 1260 era.  So, as ever I pottered round the cathedral for a bit and then heard there was going to be a free guided tour so decided to join it.  It was fun, and over the hour I learnt a lot of interesting and fun facts, most of which I hadn't already learnt!  Here are a few pictures of the cathedral -


They have cleaned the North Door

And, here is the longest unsupported medieval ceiling



Although this is a 14th century carving, it does look like someone using a phone ... and this is the dog of the same mason -



The newest part of the cathedral is where the bomb remains are ... 1941, the first Baedeker raid destroyed part of the cathedral ..... and part of the funding was done with a charity rugby match, and they are honoured by the new mason -



Ooooops - 2 left feet for this lady

One of the earliest graves from a 14th century bishop

.... and a 15th century one

The font .... however in the seventeenth century it was not used for one of the christening.  King Charles I daughter was born in Exeter while the family (not the King) were fleeing to France ... however a special gold bowl was crafted for the service instead!

I then headed for a late lunch, a panini, and some crisps!  So almost healthy!  Then I pottered round M&S and managed to get the boots I wanted, before heading to where I was meant to meet Claire for our cuppa, only to find it was ("Covid")closed, so text her and we met somewhere we had been before - and, as you can see, we didn't quite have a cup of tea and a piece of cake, as we had planned!


Well there were raspberries in the drink - so, very healthy!

We then met Tim from work and walked home ... about 1/2 way is where we split, so it was good to catch up with them both yesterday afternoon.

So, yes a fun day!

Now we have a weekend again.  I have just popped to the local supermarket as I only needed a couple of things, and met my neighbour (opposite)'s puppy ... he had always been a friend to Jiffy, so it was nice to see the baby.

Well it seems as if this is going to me a mega-post, so will close here, and do the questions before signing off until Monday



8. Have you ever boycotted anything?
Never officially
I have refused to go to some Church services for personal reasons.

9. Do you have any embarrassing usernames?
Debris4spike is my username everwhere ... and Debris was a nickname I had for years before that, so no

10. Have you ever did well on a test when you didn’t study?
Not that I can remember.  I was well "brung-up" ... tests & exams mean revision!


Well hope you are all OK - and that you have a great weekend ... see you Monday x

As I posted a load of photos yesterday I thought I would just take a few photos today, after all it is still a Friday.

So I walked into the city (and caught the bus home to save the blisters!) and took a few close-ups of the Cathedral .... it is amazing to see the stunning work, and history on view. After all the West Front Image Screen of Exeter Cathedral is one of the great architectural features of Medieval England -









Still a day off, after a lazy week, means housework to do! But, as ever before I go -


4. Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis?
Ummmm, no, don't think so, as I have never heard the phrase!

... And it wasn't raining this morning.  I did a 5 mile walk to and from Exeter to run some errands (including a haircut), and took my camera with me.  So I have photos to share ... yes, there is some more "colour" but also a few views of the city.

Enjoy -
On the way there -


Spring colour -




I went to my hairdresser (one where you don't need to book) which is opposite St Sidwell's Church -














A couple of views along the high street - St Stephens -




This is a fireplace in the jewellers I had to visit, that is an original Tudor one -


Exeter was a Roman city, and a busy Tudor & Elizabethan trading centre. Sadly much was destroyed in 1942 during one of the Baedeker Raids, but there is still a lot around wherever you look. (And, yes, the wall is still partly around, with part of the original Roman construction still present)

I need to get some baking done, so signing off in a moment ... but -


14. Does your house have air conditioning throughout, or do you have one that sits in your window?
LOL - I'm English ... we open a window!

Did a 4 mile circular walk this morning ... and yes, more signs of Spring are around.  Great to see the colours etc.




I went to the cemetery today - it is a lovely place, and again very Spring-like.  I also took a couple of photos of some of the more unusual stones -






A Titanic victim


I wonder what happened to the other brother as it doesn't say he was accidently killed, yet is listed as a Sapper, as well


A French stone


This stone is new, near M&D ... I just was stunned to see The Last Supper, but is it just me, or is that fence off centre?


And, of couse - Mum & Dad


A couple of years ago they had to cut down some trees (and hey have replaced them with native English trees), however many were made into benches etc ... and this seat is near Mum & Dad


On my way home I went via The Livery Dole which also has the Chapel of St Claire (She was a saint who was a friend of St Francis, and I saw her history when I went to Assissi) The Almshouses were built in 1839 ... to replace others there before it. On another note this was also the area where there was a Gibbit!

I have been MIA (still I had been doing well until then!)

I had a lovely walk with Christine on Monday, then a walk by myself on Tuesday, but instead of coming in and turning on the pc, I realised that the Chronic Fatigue had flared up again.  So I had a lazy day, then back to work for Wednesday morning.  However I then made the "mistake" of meeting a friend from work for a walk in the afternoon ... 3.5 miles.  So although it was lovely I really shouldn't have done it.


Then on Thursday it was a busy morning at clinic.  Yes, I did do a 1 mile walk in the afternoon as I am trying to keep my personal promise to walk every day.  I also had a doctors appt to actually check on how things were going.  He has changed my asthma treatment ... although I haven't got the new treatment yet, so I shall have to wait and see how that goes once I start it.  Hopefully if I can get my breathing a bit better it might also help the tiredness.

Anyway, today as day off is also PhotoFriday.  This morning I did a longer different walk as I walked into the city and back ... another 3.5 miles.  I am actually also meeting a friend this afternoon for a stroll.  So, all in all exercise on a day off, with the rest of the weekend with no work if I feel tired.

So, here are a few images I saw on my walk -


Spring colour (again)




This is the road my brother works in -




A couple of images on buildings in the centre -






This is in the centre to remember the "Year of the Pedestrian" in 1989

We had quite a lot of rain overnight - which will have done my newly sorted out garden tubs good. Thankfully the rain stopped earlier this morning, so after cleaning my kitchen floor I went out for a walk, and took the camera with me, so have more Spring colour to share with you all. Actually as I type this the sun is now shining, so I should have waited till now, but having said that I enjoyed my walk today, just local roads, but still nice (and I actually have 2 sets of FridayPhoto posts today, as the camera was quite busy!

This one is local colour ... as you can see -












Literally 2 doors up -

And a close-up



And, of course -

26. What is the most frivolous item you own? (No purpose or value)

I think I have posted a photo of Portious before, but I think he probably counts. My friend Toni bought him for me the Christmas after Jaykub (my horse) died.

... that is my morning, so far.  I had a birthday pressie to post, walked a slightly different route, but still some Spring colour, and a couple of pictures of scenes ... all within a mile of where I live.  This FridayPhoto has been good at watching Spring emerge, but it is also good to be able to enjoy my local area.  As you can see I am so lucky to have "countryside" literally "next door"

Enjoy -















Dandelions may be a weed, but they are stunning -



This afternoon I have a dentist appointment.  I had a check-up booked for just after lockdown started last year but that, of course, got cancelled.  I have had short bursts of pain off & on since in one tooth, but over the last week or so it has got more frequent, as has another tooth started feeling a bit off.  So, although I, like most people, don't like a trip to the dentist, it is certainly better than the alternative.

So, I have some spare time before I leave, which means I have no excuse not to do some housework ;(

But before I turn off the pc - LOL, I have just read the question ... how ironical!

19. Do you have a preferred toothpaste brand?

No, I just like peppermint/freshmint ones, and actually try to alternate the brands & types from purchase to purchase.

Well you had Welsh at the beginning of the week and now we have another British-Celtic language ... Happy St Piran's Day




Having lived in Cornwall for 25 years I really couldn't ignore this wish to you all.

However today being Friday I have just had a walk round locally, not a long way, but I have to be out soon to collect my brother Tim from hospital ... he is having surgery on some fatty tissue that has developed in his leg, and with Claire not driving, I was "volunteered". However I took my camera for PhotoFriday, and thought I would show you some more Spring colour ... and just a few photos of my corner of this city I live in -

Spring Colour











My Corner of Exeter -
This Church was built in 1385 -

You are actually looking at my house -












And quickly, before I head out here are the latest 2 questions (didn't turn on the pc yesterday)

4. What is something you want to learn how to do?

I would love to learn to play Bridge

5. How did you wear your hair as a child?

Points to icon ... the blond grew to ringlets until I was about 5 (think Shirley Temple), since then it turned brown and the style has not changed since.

.... Yes, Covid numbers are coming down, Claire & I have both had our injections #1, and Nick "was" booked for today for his, and ....

Yes, Brenda has Covid!

She didn't have classic symptoms, just a bit of a cough, and spoke to her GP about getting a blood test as she is still stuggling with menopause problems.  Her GP hearrd her cough and said she needed testing, and it's come back positive!  Hopefully she will continue with the mild "non" symptoms.  I spoke to her and she sounded as Brenda, as normal.  Her real worry is Nick, as he has quite a few health problems (and is sadly a smoker)

Oh, well, at least everyone will be on alert for him, or my nephews.

On further "bad" news is that I have decided to delay my May holiday to France till next year (as I had to last year).  I am not nervous of travelling, but as I am going to a specific small museum, so want it to be open when I go, as that is the main reason I have booked this trip - to see the Deborah tank So, decided that I want to be sure I get to see this I need to delay things.  All the cemeteries etc will be open, if we can travel, but didn't know about this museum and didn't want to risk it.


As it's raining and I have had a rough week, health-wise I decided not to go for a walk, however still doing the PhotoFriday thingy. I got the inspiration from a question I did yesterday from earlier in the week. ie
        15. When I have a look around my home, it’s very obvious that I…
            ... love giraffes, and never throw any ornament away. Also, that I owned a Westie
So I have taken a few photos in my lounge to prove the point!

My nest of tables (a friend bought me the frame for Jiffy's picture)

Part of my ornament display

My friend Toni bought me Portious the Christmas that Jaykub died.  He used to sit on my bed at Mum & Dad's, now sits in my lounge.

A friend drew this for me as a Christmas present ... and, yes, I burst into tears as I opened the gift.  That is my Little Man


So, not many pictures, but at least I didn't ignore the challenge this week.

So, that's me up to date, and I do hope to catch up with you all later.  But before I disappear I shall do my question -


19. What are the three most dominant emotions in your life right now?

Tiredness
Worry (about N&B)
Frustration (at not being able to get out & about)


Hope everyone is keeping well & safe