What a week that was. The weather turned grim in an absolute about turn. One minute I’m wearing pretty dresses and mules the next I’m in trackie bottoms, socks and fluffy cardigans.
My feet have been cold for a week now. That’s it, summer’s done, cold feet till spring it is then. ;)
Did the sudden change in weather deter me from my bike riding? You’ll be pleased to hear I’m made of tougher stuff than even I expected. So no, I’m still ploughing away. Just with a few additions. Mud being the main one.
I don’t love the mud but I do love eating excessive amounts of food, so it’s ride and eat or eat and become obese very quickly.
Would I describe riding as ‘fun’? No, I don’t think I would. But I do love the time it gives me to process things. I think I’ve become a lot more chilled out since I’ve been cycling.
It gave me thinking time when I needed to do what was right for Pepper. It gave me clarity of thought. It actually turned around what I was thinking and made me act for her benefit, rather than my own. That’s powerful stuff. Who knew it was within me to use it.
I certainly didn’t know I needed some sort of exercise, after all I had managed 47 years without it.
So yes it is a bit mucky on the rainy days, but it washed off no harm done.
I still find it difficult to believe I’m so dedicated and happy with exercise. I really recommend finding something that suits.
Just in the nick of time Chris found this sports coat in the under the stairs cupboard. It’s come in very handy I can tell you. I sent the above photo to my mum the other day, or rather I had hoped to, but my fingers are so fat that I sent the photo next to it too, which was intended only for Chris and wholly unsuitable to send to one’s mother and I haven’t stopped laughing about it all week!
Luckily my mum is very chilled. Still keeps making me chuckle. :)
I appreciated my new coat (well, Chris’s old coat). Much needed, much warmer and slightly drier, not much but enough to make cycling in the rain do-able. The reason I go in bare legs is because wet fabric makes me feel a bit queasy. So I’d rather go out and get wet legs instead. Legs are after all, waterproof.
Wet cycling aside we’ve had such a fantastic weekend. Sam, Milly and Zak came to stay. This was very very exciting as they haven’t been since December or early January. When they came last Zak wasn’t even walking.
He’s 18 months now and as steady on his feet as anyone.
They surprised me by arriving hours and hours earlier than expected. Which was such a joy.
I adore that little boy. He is an angel, he looks like an angel too (if you go by renaissance paintings).
Top from Tory Burch, Jeans from Topshop, Boots from Tommy Hilfiger
Summer has well and truly packed up and gone home for the year. I am now dressing to please my cold toes.
I was so excited with Zak coming to play with the toys I’ve been buying since he arrived into the world.
He’s actually old enough to play with them now.
Inside what used to be Pepper’s bedroom is a variety of toys. Seeing as this is the first time Zak’s been here in months I think it’s pretty clear who the toys are really for. Hahahaha
He was able to play with the mud kitchen I bought him too. Very exciting stuff (again, more for my benefit really).
He absolutely loved it, and actually he really understood the idea of it too. He loved scooping mud from the bucket to the pans, and mixing it all together. Plus he’s such a darling that he loves cleaning, so he swept up after himself too. Biased though I maybe I do think he’s utterly delicious.
Jumper from TK Maxx, Jeggings from a boutique in Colchester, Socks from Costco.
We had such a great time, they arrived Friday afternoon. It was a whirlwind of activity playing with everything, baking (a must with a grandma), playing in the garden with the pram and dolly I bought him, and choosing a pumpkin I grew for him.
Basically it was 6 months worth of activities in one singular weekend. A, because we’ve missed out on so many visits and B, who knows for how long visits will be allowed.
Saturday we all went to the seaside. We’ve not been to a beach with him before, so that was lovely even if it was a touch bracing and a little rainy.
He had a wonderful time, until I took him too far out playing in the waves and filled up his boots with water. And then Chris didn’t quite get to him in time as he ran out into a wave and fell head first into the sea. We are I believe, in the running for Grandparents of the year award! Hahahahaha
Apart from that we had a wonderful time, with the beach pretty much to ourselves.
It’s definitely boots weather, but for me it’s leggings weather. Jeans are great for short bursts. But with jeans comes restricted flow of output. I tend to wear jeans for outside the house and then put PJ or trackie bottoms on when I get home. I don’t want to restrict flow as it can lead to constipation.
We had a lovely lunch in a cafe called G&T’s, I would totally recommend it if you’re in Frinton ever. The food was fantastic, but also they were very kind and chilled out about the ‘slight’ mess Zak made. Hahahahaha.
We came home cold (and for me personally - exhausted), all that sea air is good for you I guess.
Zak and I had wonderful, heavenly snuggles whilst watching Paw Patrol. I’m not sure Saturdays get better than that?
I went to bed so early, I thought I was coming down with something but it was actually just tiredness. It hasn’t helped that I had a 10 day delay on getting my B12 jab. I think I need to get it done before he arrives next time. ;)
Sunday we all went for breakfast at The Castle pub in Great Leighs, it does a fantastic cooked brekkie. Worth a visit if you’re local, you will often find Chris and I in there on a weekend. See why the cycling is so needed? Hahahahaha
Dress from French Connection, Tights from Sainsbury’s, Boots from Tod’s.
I cut a hole in my tights and poke my bag through it to prevent output backing up and leaking (pancaking).
After a delicious breakfast, Sam, Milly and Zak headed off to meet a friend and then home and Chris and I headed back to our bereft and empty house.
I know I’m very lucky that I live a very charmed existence, but an empty house isn’t ideal.
I loved it when it was full of chaos, with my boys, their friends, my dogs and occasionally a chicken or two.
It’s very difficult to get used to just two people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ungrateful, I share it with the best person I know. But it’s very very quiet just the two of us.
And just like that the toys are packed away till who knows when.
As you can imagine this week has been somewhat anticlimactic.
But some good things have been happening.
The charity I volunteer for in London merged with another bowel charity so they launched their brand new super charity!
Bowel Research UK. I’m really exited for the future. They do amazing work funding research into all things bowels, a topic close to my heart (not anatomically of course! I’m plumbed the same way as every one else until it gets to the exit). ;)
Do you know how hard it is to look good in a charity T Shirt? Very - is the answer we’re all looking for!! Hahahahaha but luckily due to my vast wastage of money in the past I had the perfect Jimmy Choo’s to match with the intestines logo on my lovely top. :)
I was happy to help promote the launch of Bowel Research UK. I can’t wait till we get back to the old normal and I can go back into London for meetings and biscuits. :)
I’ve been changing up my home styling for the new season. I went to Neptune in Colchester for a bit of inspo.
I’m really ready for snuggly and cosy now. We had a great summer (weather wise). But now I want to be cosy and safe, tucked up indoors.
Putting a blanket on the bed over the duvet cover instantly warmed my bedroom up. Usually it’s placed folded at the end of the bed but I loved the idea of adding layers of comfort.
I’ve added some green touches to the shelf, green being this season’s colour at work. It’s really warmed the kitchen up and given a bit of interest to a forgotten area.
Big news on my Turmeric & Date cakes. They were served in the Bath Neptune store last week. The manager there came round mine a little while ago and I made them for her. She said they were delicious, but you never quite know if someone is being just a generally nice person. But indeed she did love them, I sent her the recipe as requested and they were made for others to share in the joy.
I must remember to send her my seasonal favourite “Pumpkin guts cake” soon. It’s an absolute must!!
For anyone that missed it but fancies it.
Bake on 180 for 20 minutes. You might prefer an 8th of a teaspoon of pepper, but it is a vital ingredient to activate the goodness of turmeric.
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Just want to wish my eldest a very happy 24th birthday (I know what you’re thinking, I just look far too young to have a 24 year old…but I’m from Romford so that explains it!) Hahah hahahahaha.
Happy birthday Sam, you make us so proud. xx
I’m now full of B12, so who knows what I’ll achieve in the weeks to come. :)
Have a great week. Stay safe. xx