Walk and photos

 Some photos I took on my walk yesterday morning......

Just round the corner from our home.....with all the rain we've had, the water is running quite fast.

Up the hill, a long but fairly gentle one which levels out at the top.  I walked up at a fairly brisk pace, having to stop for a breath only once.

Allotments at the top, with a view of the sea in the distance.  Only a mile or 2 away as the crow flies.

Turning to face the other way opposite the allotments - there are a herd of deer and some ponies that live on this land, but there was no sign of them yesterday.

The view from outside our home (the home in the pic is the one opposite us).  Not such extensive and clear views as from our old place, but I'm very grateful to still have a view, and nice walks right from our doorstep.

Betty making herself very comfortable on my bed!  Cheeky monkey.

I will have to take a new photo to have as my header pic, the one above is obviously the view from our old house.

Today I've got the new patient phone call from our new surgery, I assume husband will be having one as well.....his mobile is not working for some unknown reason at the moment, so he doesn't know if the surgery has texted him too.  I'll ask when I ring them this morning to tell them to use our landline, not our mobiles.

I'm hoping husband will get on with the little fence in the car port today, he literally did nothing but watch TV all day yesterday....well, doze in front of it.  How anyone can just sit in front of the TV all day long I don't know, it would bore me to tears and give me backache and stiff joints.  However, the weather forecast isn't good - showers and strong gusty winds, and the wind does seem to blow right into the car port, so he might not be out there for long, if at all.  Cold weather and strong winds do make him breathless.

The reason I nag...

 Happy New Year!

Resolutions....do you make any?  I don't, I just think it sets me up to fail, it's too much pressure to put on myself and live up to.  There are things I'd like to do - like getting more exercise by going for regular walks.  It won't be every day, it's very much weather dependent - I'm a fair weather walker and no amount of 'the right clothes' is going to change that.  I want to start losing weight again - I weighed myself yesterday morning to assess the damage.....I've put on 6.5 lbs of the 1 stone I'd lost, not nearly as bad as I'd thought.  I can and will lose that again, and more.  I want to get jobs done around the house and garden, some of which need to be saved up for, and some need doing in the short term by husband.

On the subject of which, I've had to be a bit firm with him over the past few days.  In the past week or so, since he got the TV working, husband has quickly gone back to his old ways of having the TV on all day and dozing in front of it, or sitting at his computer playing chess or looking at cars.  In the old house, I could get away from the TV by going in the kitchen or upstairs, and having the radio on.  I can't in this much smaller bungalow - the lounge adjoins the kitchen with an open doorway in between and of course there's no upstairs.  Over the past few days, even when I've been busy in the kitchen with the radio on, husband has several times just put the TV on anyway, completely disregarding the fact that I'm listening to the radio and we can't have both on at the same time when they're in such close proximity!  He's also still wittering on about the TV, he's not satisfied with it for some unknown reason, and he can't find the remote for the DVD so can't watch any of his favourites.  And yesterday he rang his daughter, who lives up in the Midlands, because he can't get access to Disney channel!! (she and her husband are far more techie minded than us).

There are a couple of jobs that husband needs to do, quite important and need doing now.  One of them is to construct a short length of fencing, with a gate (which we have already), in the car port, so that when we open the kitchen door (which leads directly into the car port), Betty can't run out into the road.  We'd discussed this before we moved in and agreed that it needs doing as a matter of urgency.  It's not beyond husband's capabilities (at the moment) and he has all the necessary materials....or so he tells me.  Over the past few days I've asked him several times to make a start on it.  He hadn't.  I asked again yesterday morning and he got quite shirty with me (he had the telly on already), but eventually got up and went outside to do it, with much scowling, sighing heavily and muttering under his breath.  He's not finished it, nowhere near it (the neighbour came out and they chatted for ages), but at least he's made a start.  I know he thinks I nag him (what is nagging but having to repeatedly ask for something to be done, which should have been done at the first time of asking!), but my worry is this:  There will come a time - and it's approaching quite rapidly - when he will be unable to do these jobs.  So he needs to do them now, while he still can.  Having depleted our savings quite a lot with the move, we can't afford to 'get a man in' to do all these jobs.  I do try to do (and have done) some of the smaller, easier jobs, to take the pressure off husband, like putting a few pictures up, putting boxes of stuff we don't need in the short term away on high shelves in the airing cupboard or the cupboard in my room.  But I can't do everything, although no doubt I'll need to learn in time.  Now he's made a start on the little fence, hopefully he'll get on and finish it soon....I will just have to make sure he does.

Yesterday I took all the baubles off the tree and packed them away, then the tree itself and all the Christmas figures I have under the tree.  I prepped a load of veggies for our dinner, and extra to be frozen.  Rearranged some stuff in the kitchen - I've done that several times now, think I've more or less got it how I want it now.  Unpacked a box of books and put them on the bookcase in my room.  Sorted out a washload for this morning.  And then relaxed with a book in the afternoon.  Yesterday evening we watched the Bond film, then went to bed.  I was just dozing off when fireworks started at midnight - not right outside (no loud New Year oldies parties here!), a little distance away but still quite loud.  Betty was off the bed straight away, running to both front and kitchen doors and the lounge window, whining like mad.  The fireworks didn't go on for long, just a few minutes, but it unsettled her for an hour, she was slinking round the house with her tail between her legs and whimpering.  I put my lamp on, read my book and just ignored her for the most part (which I don't like doing but didn't want to make her worse by making a big fuss of her), every so often encouraging her to come and get back on the bed, which she did for a minute or two at a time.  Eventually, she did settle down to sleep.  Husband says he did hear the fireworks but must have gone back to sleep immediately after, as he didn't hear Betty at all.

It's sunny and dry right now with not much wind, so I'll get out for my first walk of the year soon - it's forecast to be raining and with the winds picking up again later.

Well, that was a year

 Well, 2023 has certainly been an eventful and sometimes quite difficult year....the biggest surprise of which has been our new home, obviously.  Who knew that we'd end the year in a sheltered housing bungalow which, in many ways, is almost perfect?

The year started off with a return of husband's heart failure symptoms, meaning being referred back to his cardiologist for further investigations, and a lot of tweaking of his medications.  The meds tweaking did sort out most of his physical symptoms, but made no difference whatsoever to his memory and confusion problems, hence the GP referring him to the Memory Assessment team.  Having had two lots of tests and a brain scan there, he was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (although I'd disagree with the 'mild' part of it, as I live with him and face the reality of how he is on a daily basis).  We are thankful that it's not some form of dementia, which we were both afraid it might be, but the psychologist did say that MCI can be a precursor to dementia - it's not a given, not everyone with MCI goes on to develop it, but it's more prevalent in people with MCI.  Husband is largely oblivious to the symptoms of his MCI, which is a good thing for him, but it does make life quite difficult for me.  His short term memory is, quite simply, atrocious...he cannot remember anything that's said to him, or indeed that he says himself.  He gets very confused about things too and finds it difficult to follow instructions.  Any job he does takes twice the time nowadays.  He's also become quite argumentative, having been very laid back all his life previously.  He contradicts me a lot, mostly because he's forgotten things.  And he's got absolutely no sense of what is inappropriate - he says things to people that would be better left unsaid, I often have to smooth things over later with people he's inadvertently offended.  He does it with me too, almost every day, but I largely ignore it now, unless it's something really offensive and then I do tell him it's not on.  In many ways it's like living with a stranger now, and a not very nice one at that, which upsets me sometimes.  But that's life - he's still with me, many people have lost their partners.  My marriage vows said in sickness and in health, and that's what it will be.

My problem relative collapsed at home and fell down the stairs, hitting his head, some months ago.  Having had a couple of tests/xrays/scans in hospital, the A&E doctor said it appeared he may have a life-threatening condition which may cause sudden death, and needed further investigations.  However, the relative, because of his mental condition, flatly refused to have any more tests and discharged himself, against the doctor's advice.  As he's a mature adult and (fairly) compos mentis, there's nothing we can do, if he chooses to stick his head in the sand that's his prerogative.  It is very worrying though, obviously.

The trochanteric bursitis in both my hips, dodgy knees (the left one collapses frequently) and prolapsed disc in my lower spine - which regularly pops out, rendering me practically crippled for a day or two - continue to be a problem, but I've learnt to live with them.  I know how to manage them, or else I just ignore the pain and get on with things - well, things need to be done and I have to do them, simple as that.

I'm really loving living in our new place and continue to feel blessed that we were given it - having initially been told when we registered on the Council housing list a year ago, that we would most likely be waiting 4 or 5 years.  To then be offered this place after exactly a year was a miracle, and we are both so happy about it, it's taken a huge weight off my mind and I know now we have a very supportive landlord and lovely housing officer, who makes weekly visits to us, and there is help available via the lifeline alarm thing, should we need it.  I hope we don't, provided husband doesn't fall against it and accidentally set it off again!  I didn't do a lot of walking back at the old place.....walking in fields on uneven ground is difficult for me, and the little lanes were just too narrow - with tractors and horseboxes going along them regularly, it meant flattening yourself against a hedge to let them pass.  But here there are plenty of places to walk away from the main road....nice views of hills and the sea in one direction, back lanes (with pavements) and lots of very old interesting cottages to look at in the other direction.  I intend to do a lot of walking here.

I can't wait for Spring to arrive, to see exactly what there is in the garden, and to start implementing the plans I've got for it.  As I mentioned before, I shall be getting rid of a few plants - 2 very straggly large yuccas - plants which I've never liked - and at least one extremely overgrown and neglected shrub rose.  The bottom stems of it are as thick as my wrist and completely bare for the first 2 feet plus, I think it's beyond redemption.  The other, equally overgrown one, has much thinner stems with signs of leaf or bud growth near the bottom, so I think a good hard prune will rejuvenate it.  I want to put some trellis on the top of part of the fence, where it's a bit overlooked, to grow some climbing plants up.  We'll be getting a garden table and chairs to go in that corner, there's a patio there.  I'd like a couple of deep raised beds constructed on another patio area in the opposite corner, for vegetables.  It's all very exciting!

I'm so grateful for the support and lovely comments I've continued to get from all you lovely readers, it means a lot to me.  You've all been with me through thick and thin this past year, and that helps me to not feel so alone.  So I wish all of you a very happy and healthy new year, and thank you all so much.

Enough of the carby stodge

 I made a root veg stew in the slow cooker yesterday, with pearl barley to thicken it and make it hearty.  I also made cheesy herb dumplings.....well, too much cheese in them I think (if there is such a thing as too much cheese!) which made them almost dissolve into the stew, thickening it even further.  It tasted nice but was decidedly stodgy, and was the catalyst to me thinking I need and want to get back to healthy eating.  I am now craving fresh fruit, green veggies, salads, homemade tzatziki with veggie sticks, fresh fish, so will be going shopping to stock up on all this.  I do have plenty of fresh salmon and some smoked haddock in the freezer, so it's mainly the fruit & veg I need to get.

We've been having breakfasts most days, crumpets or something on toast, and I'm stopping that too.  Well, husband always has breakfast but I don't normally so will cut it out again, having just 2 meals a day suits me better, I'll go back to having 2 cups of coffee and no food.

I've also decided I'll be going out for a walk several times a week....I won't say every day because I really don't like walking in the rain, so it is weather dependent.  I'll be going on my own - it'll give me a little break by myself, and I'd like to walk fairly briskly (well, as briskly as my hips will allow), which husband can't really do, he gets too breathless.  Happy Hooker said I'll soon be sprinting up the hill - oh that did make me laugh!  Sprinting is definitely out, especially uphill 😂😂

Besides, I've got a wedding to go to in March - my niece - so would like to lose a bit of weight for that.  I have a really nice pair of smart black trousers I'd like to wear (I don't do dresses!) - I tried them on yesterday, knowing they wouldn't fit (I could barely get them past my hips) so that's another incentive.  I've seen a couple of really lovely blouses half price in the EWM sale online, so will probably order both of those.  My niece (my sister's girl) is very unconventional - she's going to be wearing Converse trainers under her long grey very non-wedding dress - and has said guests can wear whatever they like, and if we choose to also wear trainers that's fine by her!  I doubt I'll be wearing trainers though.

Busy this morning and now out for a walk

 This morning I've chopped up a load of the cheap root veggies we got last week and put a veggie stew in the slow cooker, I'll make cheesy herb dumplings to go in it later.  The veggies are lasting very well stored in layers, with clean tea towels and paper in between the layers, in a lidded plastic box in the car port.  I got husband to drill a few holes in the lid for air circulation as there was a bit of condensation forming on the lid, that seems to have done the trick. 

I've rearranged a few things in the kitchen, and unpacked a box of stuff on my craft desk in my bedroom.  I've been online investigating vertical blinds, as that's what I'd like at the kitchen window.  They're quite a reasonable price, which surprised me, having never bought any before, I thought they'd be more expensive than that.  Husband was dubious about fitting them but I said we'll get someone in to do it (the suppliers may well do that) - several of the other bungalows here have them, so I told him to ask some of them - they might have had a local handyman to fit theirs.

Now we're about to go out for a walk, as it's finally sunny again and the wind has dropped.  We're going to investigate a track that leads up to the hills beyond our little estate....apparently there are deer up there and very good views.  I don't know that we'll be climbing up the hill though!  I do need to get some regular exercise, to start getting off the Christmas weight I've put on.

*Added

It was only a shortish walk.....it's quite an uphill track - yes there are nice views from the top, it does level off and one can carry on walking but we didn't today.  Husband was getting very breathless and had to keep stopping, and my hips and left knee were protesting (I'd forgotten my walking stick).  We'll try and do it a few times a week, it should get easier with time and practise.

Getting more settled

 We arrived at our friends' house for lunch yesterday during a howling gale - strong winds and rain, it was pretty horrible, it had cleared up by the time we left though, thankfully.  They gave us a nice cooked lunch, with southern fried mock chicken wings for me - which were surprisingly tasty, spicy and well flavoured, and I'd definitely have them again.  I appreciate them going to the trouble of getting in something veggie specially for me, although I would never expect it....if I'm asked in advance of a meal invitation I do say I'm veggie (well, pescatarian), but otherwise I'll just mostly eat what is given to me, other than steak which I really can't stomach anymore.  It was lovely to see them again, it always is, work and time constraints mean we don't see enough of them really.  They're coming to visit us one day next week, that'll be nice.

We left Betty at home, we were out for about 4 hours which is the longest time we've left her since we moved in - she was absolutely fine whilst we were out but was extremely pleased to see us return.

There are more bulbs coming up in the garden, can't wait for them to flower.  There's quite a big clump of hyacinths in front of the kitchen window, which will be lovely, they have such a gorgeous smell.  Buds are appearing on some of the shrubs and trees too, it's going to be really interesting seeing exactly what is growing in the garden.  I can't wait for Spring.

We get tons of post for the previous tenant - she apparently died, I don't know whether it was here in the bungalow or in hospital, and don't particularly want to know.  Some we've given back to the postman, who said he wasn't even aware she'd died.....he said, however, that any post addressed to her at this address he must still deliver, but we can always give it back to him.  How odd!  We've taken out a mail redirection for a year, but obviously the previous tenant couldn't do that!

Husband's going to put up some more hooks and hang some of our pictures over the next few days.  We're also going to try and unpack a couple of boxes per day - it would be nice to have the airing cupboard in use for its proper purpose, rather than a storage cupboard for boxes!

Christmas is now over!

 We went to Dunster beach mid morning yesterday, the weather was very mild - not sunny, but fairly bright, dry and almost no wind.  We had quite a long walk, but sadly couldn't let Betty off the lead for a run on the beach - there were just too many people and dogs about, it was as busy as it is in summer.  When we're on the beach she hardly takes any notice of other dogs, but some do want to run up to her to play or just sniff her backside (as dogs do).  Unfortunately Betty absolutely hates that (can't say I blame her! 😂) and will snap at them.  She's not really keen on playing with other dogs either, it's the Shar Pei in her, she's very aloof and a bit of a loner.  So we couldn't walk on the beach, but walked through the chalet park instead.  Ah well, she had a good walk and a lovely time sniffing everything.

We had another roast dinner yesterday, practically identical to our Christmas day lunch - except we had it in the evening and I didn't have the nut roast, just the veggies.  Betty had some of the veggies with diced cooked chicken for her dinner.

Today we're off to our friends for lunch, not taking Betty - she gets too excitable there and is always very interested in their big Christmas tree covered with loads of baubles and chocolates, meaning I have to keep watching her and telling her to get away from it.  She'll be fine at home for 3 or 4 hours, I leave the radio on for her and she just sleeps.  The weather has changed dramatically from yesterday, it's now chucking it down with a howling wind.

I'm done with Christmas now, the tree will be packed away by the end of the week.  Once Boxing day has passed, I don't like to see the tree and cards etc hanging around.  And I really want to get more boxes unpacked and put away.  I can't believe we've been here 2 weeks today, it's raced past.  And just think, next week is a new year!