Posted on

Streets and seeds

Pic of the week 30/4/23

So its been back to school this week, the summer term, but not summer weather. Its been grey, damp (very wet at times) and chilly. The winter and spring of 2023 have not been good. The garden, though, is looking lovely – the pic above is tulips and bluebells along the “washing line path”  I’m pleased with the way the lawn is looking, still have tulips flowering in it alongside daisies, and the alliums (both in the lawn and in points) are close to flowering.  As I put out some washing this morning under a grey sky, I was struck by how peaceful the space was, it certainly was a calm oasis although I’ll be happy for it to turn into a scorching fiesta of flowers!

And to help create this, today I planted my first sunflower seeds of the season – two trays (20 seeds worth) of “Titan”, the same of “Giant Single” and 18 seeds of “Autumn Beauty”

This morning I ran 7K – my foot has been feeling fine so I thought I’d risk running again and I’m glad I did.  I was “aware” of my foot as I ran, and since returning, but I wouldn’t say its hurting, so that is a huge step (pun intended!) forward.  There were times when I thought I might never run again.  I was, inevitably, slow, but I was pleased that I was able to complete the 7K. Onwards and upwards from here!

I also think it worth recording that yoga isn’t taking place this term, so perhaps my days on the mat are done for good (did still do some stretching when I got back from my run) Perhaps I’ll do it again if it re-starts in September, but you never know, once something stops it can be quite hard to start again.

Posted on

Rhodes

Pic of the week 23/4/23

On Wednesday we returned from a week in Rhodes. It was a wonderful week, the first three days spent in Lindos  – small, picturesque, historic and with some great swimming spots (St. Paul’s Bay, and also the hidden cave swimming, off the main town beach) The water wasn’t warm, but it was swimmable, but it was crystal clear, and the most beautiful colour.   Swimming in St Pauls bay it was deep, but you could see all the way to the bottom and the colour was a deep bluey green. Beautiful and serene.

On day 4, the Saturday, we went by bus to Rhodes town, which initially seemed quite big, but by the end of our stay seemed much smaller (although we did walk miles!) It was (Greek Orthodox) Easter and we discovered that midnight on the Saturday into Sunday was a key part of the celebrations, so we went to the local church and stood outside as the crowds began to gather and the service was relayed via PA to the growing throng outside (of course, we didn’t understand a word of it) Whilst I’m sure that inside the church it was highly respectful and reverential, this was certainly not the case outside: it appeared to be an excuse for all the local hooligans to gather and throw around very loud fireworks! It certainly was a spectacle to behold!

The next day, we left the madness of Rhodes town and set sail (well via ferry) for rthe island of Symi, about an hour away. What a beautiful island! It being Easter Sunday, it seemed the whole population had gathered on the harbour front to eat roasted meat from the many, many spit roasts turning away. We wandered around the harbour and had lunch in a perfect taverna on the water front – on a holiday in which every meal was wonderful, this was the best. I had grilled lamb, it was delicious.

Back to Rhodes that evening, we spent the next couple of days exploring the old town and new, and finding the beaches on north-western tip of the island. Again, I swam in beautiful waters and we chilled in the sunshine.

A good time to go? Yes – I am sure that in the height of the summer some areas (Linods – I’m looking at you) would have been rammed full, and in the heat we wouldn’t have done all the exploring we did.  The water was still a bit chilly and this was a disadvantage of visiting in April, and there was a real sense that not everything was yet fully ready – things were still a little tired and tatty in places, I’m sure in a few weeks all will be spruced up and looking wonderful.

A good island to visit? I’m glad I’ve been, but I don’t think it was as pretty as some other Greek islands. Basically it is a long island with strips of beach down each side. The geology seemed quite angular – lots of right angle cliffs, and quite barren, although the flowers – the yellow daisy’s in particular – were beautiful and it was great to watch some swifts swooping and Lesser Kestrels soaring magnificently around the Acropolis. It didn’t, perhaps, feel as “Greek” as, say, Corfu, particularly around Rhodes town – the old town was again to disneyfied, like, but not as bad as, Dubrovnik, and the new town could have been anywhere-hot-on-sea. But, to be sure, I had a great time and a wonderful holiday.

Beckys’ blog (1)   and Becky’s blog (2)  give much more detailed accounts, along with loads of excellent pictures

Posted on

Cars, bikes and pavements

Pic of the week

Well, what a full week this has been!

Monday saw the 205 complete (not pass, but not abandoned!) its MOT. It didn’t pass – I didn’t expect it too, but was surprised that it failed on a couple of brake lines being corroded and headlight alignment. After some initial disappointment, I have decided that these are not major jobs and I will do them myself, as a summer poject.

Tuesday saw me back in the saddle – spinning at Strode leisure centre for the first time since the pandemic. It was tough, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, I may be tempted to return …

On Wednesday we went to Cornwall in the rain (and returned in the rain – it pretty much rained all day) for a gathering of the Woodhouse clan.  A long way to go, but a nice afternoon.

Thursday – a big day: I ran again for the first time since my plantar fasciitis. It was not easy, partly because I was conscious of my foot, and partly because I haven’t run for 4 months. I ended up running 4Km, my foot was OK afterwards, but my left calf felt like a knotted ball. I ran again on Saturday, this time running nearly 6 Km (the 3km “Grange-High Street” loop twice) It felt good to be running again. I think I do need to manage my miles – my foot doesn’t hurt, but I’m “aware” of it – not sure its still 100% recovered. Have also swum a couple of times as well.

Friday was lovely day, weather wise, and spent much of it in the garden, doing some pruning, but also a lot of reading and soaking up the sun.  After much promise, though, sadly neither Saturday nor today lived up to the promise of more good weather, and now it seems the rain will be back tomorrow (good job we are off to Greece (Rhodes) on Wednesday).  Over Friday and today, I chopped back the “brown” tree and the buddleia, reducing both significantly in height, a job that needed doing.

In addition, on Tuesday, the cooker stopped working. It was the heating element – quick bit of fault diagnosis, part identified and ordered, arrived on Thursday and within 20 minutes I’d fixed it. On Monday, the Corsa threw a EML light – Sam thought it was like when the timing belt slipped 18 months ago, diagnostics showed a misfire on cylinder 4, and after initially finding no fault, I was able to replicate it – a low speed lack of power.  Whipped of the coil pack and found some moisture ingress around the no. 4 spark plug: cleaned it up, dried it off and the problem seems to have gone away. Pretty sure that this was the cause and correct solution.

So a busy week, a full week, but an enjoyable week.

 

 

Posted on

Its coming up …

Pic of the week 2/4/23

… tulips!

At last everything seems to be flowering. The front trug is looking really good, awash with daffodils (big and small), offset with blue grape hyacinths (the yellow and blue together make me think of Ukraine) and along the back the tulips are opening up.  It does seem later this year, but worth the wait.

It has been the wettest March since 1981, and also one of the dullest on record. It does seem as though it has been a long, cold, wet and grey winter – those lovely spring like days have been very few and far between. But at least the bulbs are now flowering and the holidays have begun (finished on Friday). With the clocks going forward last week the evenings are now longer but summer (or even a half decent spring) still seems some time away.

My foot is a lot better – may risk a run this week. It was my birthday on Tuesday – I had a nice day (albeit at work for most of it!)

Now time to rest and recuperate and enjoy some leisure time.