The Wanderer Returns

Hi everyone

Sorry have been missing for a while - life sort of got in the way  and then there were all the preparations to put in hand before we went away up to Geoff's sister and her partner's holiday home near Dumfries where I have thoroughly chilled out.  We have been in good company, where when there were no words to speak the silence was still companiable and not at all uncomfortable.

I have found myself in beautiful  quiet countryside, no computer, television or mobile phone in sight.  We have all been wrapped up in our own little bubbles and I have found retreat in the stillness and the beauty of the countryside although as we all know the countryside has a quietness all of its own. Walking up hills, (getting out of puff after all we live in Fenland where there are no hills as such just little bumps) through gladed dense forests where light somehow penetrates and life subsists.  Walking amiably with three dogs in tow and just following where our feet took us through woods up hills, by hidden woodland pools, deer tracks foxgloves and a myriad of other wildflowers nestling in the hedgerows and being surrounded on occasions by the dreaded midges.  I feel calm and restored and rejuvenated - that holiday was so sorely needed by me and my inner self, ready to face what may come in the next few weeks, and months and years and the unwritten blank page, still to be written.  The wheel is moving on ever forwards taking us all with it - even if we fight things.

The weather has been mixed for the first part it wasn't too bad but in the latter days it rained and rained, but even the rain has a soothing repetitive sound when drumming overnight on the holiday home roof.  The skies have been very light hardly getting dark at all  - all this gone midnight - and there are mainly clear skies where you can see the stars and feel that if you reach up with your hand you would be able to pick the stars out of the sky and cradle them in your hand - metaphorically speaking of course.  All sorts of wildlife including owls could be heard by night.  The site where we were had hardly anyone on it

OH and his sister and her partner have been fishing - my back was uncomfortable so I just watched, and read and was just there.  My face has been belted by the sun and I am now sporting a peeling nose as it got so hot on one of the days the others fished - I hadn't really realised just how hot it was and being fair I burn too easily.  Fortunately I had some Aloe Vera with me which took the sting out of my face.  In one of the places at The Drum lake there is a shed complete with three swallow nests inside - one complete with four babies - mum and dad came and went as we sat in the shed out of the wind feeding their brood  irrespective of the fact that there were humans where they shouldn't be but parenting came first and the chicks were fed and nurtured despite us - nature is a wonderful thing.

I took my camera with me but unfortunately it is a tad poorly at the moment - something wrong with the screen.  Will have to see if we can get it sorted in due course.  I love having the use of the camera at my fingertips and so hate it when I do not have the use of it.

Another day we went to the sea - we let the dogs run on the near empty beach and they had fun.  To make life even more interesting we believe that there had been a rough night at sea the night before as there were loads of extremely large jelly fish on the tideline - large blobs of jelly  - have never seen them that large before.

It has been a wonderful break, and as we trundled home we came across all sorts of travellers embarking on their summer holidays heading south, caravans in tow and I felt a little sad that my holiday was over but wished them joy that theirs was just beginning.

Missy has had a whale of a time as she gets on well with Alfie and Lottie - Chris' two Cavalier King Charles spaniels.  She has been very quiet today - missing her partners in crime and she has been sticking close to me most of the day as a result until the next time. 

Whilst I have been away I have managed to do about 10 inches further to my rainbow blanket  which I am pleased about even when some of the time a little Jack Russel has firmly snuggled herself up into it despite me wanting to be on the bit she had just sat on.  I can see I am going to have to make her another snuggle blanket  - she is not having my rainbow blanket.  I am well over half way with this now so I am going to bring this to the forefront and concentrate on this in the evenings when I get home from work.  I would love to get this finished this year if at all possible.

Its been a good holiday - thank you Chrissy and Nick - its been great.  Hopefully will see you soon.

Catch up again shortly.  Till then

Pattypan

xx