Flowers

Ray and i had a lovely long weekend in Castleton last weekend. We mooched about, went down a mine, and did some birdwatching. This little Wheater was rather fun.

At one point he had 2 friends with him, but they weren’t playing ball with my camera.

This weekend i’ve been playing with my new Nikon D40x. I kind gift from a friend who has upgraded and no longer had need of the camera. It is poppy season over the fields and really very beautiful – and irresitable to snap away with the camera.

Some other flowers get a look in too

It has been useful getting out with the camera as i’ve been feeling low since hearing that a friend has died. I met Anne on GoldToken 5 years ago, and we became good online friends. She used to live in Sheffield until she was diagnosed with progressive MS, and frequented may of the places Ray and i love. Her online name was Tigerlily, a very apt name for Anne. I met up with Anne in real life too, when she had a trip to sheffield and the Peak District in 2007, sadly it was her last trip here.

Weekends

Ray and i enjoyed a long weekend in Castleton last weekend. The weather on the Saturday was very Spring -like and warm. Sadly Sunday wasn’t as warm, or sunny, but it was dry. It was nice to get out into the Peaks and get some fresh Spring air.

There were also plenty of lambs to watch. These two were happy chasing each other and leaping in the air.

There is something magical about Castleton for me. There is something about the place that replenishes my soul, and makes my heart lift. I spent the rest of the week at work with part of me still in the gorgeous Dark Peak.

This weekend i’ve tided up the pots in the front garden and met up with our friend Sally. We had a lazy lunch at my favourite noodle bar, East One, just off of Devonshire Green. After spending a few hours catching up, we had a little bit of retail therapy. We’ve not met up in ages, and i hope we don’t leave it so long until we next meet.

Next weekend Ray has hos first 10k run for a number of years. He’s been training hard and i’m sure he’ll do well. I can’t go running with him, but i’m looking forward to seeing the race and being his kit monitor for the duration.

With no OU course on the go, and the Union Learner Rep course over i’ve enrolled on an on-line course with the RSPB. It’s a well built course to help you learn more about birds and how to identify them. I’m good at garden birds and some ducks, but i would like more comprehensive knowledge. It will be great to know the names of all of the birds we spotted in Berwick last year.

I’ve also joined LifeLines. An organisation that provides friendship and support to prisoners on death row. I’ve been meaning to do it for awhile, but you know how it is, time just speeds by. I’ve finally done it, and i’m waiting to hear who i have been linked up with. I’m sure the process will be hard at times, but i think also very rewarding.

Shad and Stu 14th of February 2009

Our friends, Shad and Stu were married yesterday. It was a beautiful service at the Quaker Meeting House, Sheffield. Followed by a lovely wedding breakfast at the Archer Centre. I wish them many years of helath and happiness together.

Darn it, i missed the snow

We’ve had a wonderful wintery time in Sheffield. Snow started falling in the early hours of Monday the 2nd of February and for once it settled and stayed.  It was topped up that night, wich caused mayhem at rushour (my own journey took 3 hours, but i had a seat and a good book, so it wasn’t too bad) Further snow fell on the Thursday and we had a little dusting over the weekend. Sadly i was busy working so I missed getting out with my camera until today…and most of the snow has gone. I used to be a keen skier before my accident, and i am a snow fiend. I could live with snow for at least 3 months of the year and not get bored or fed up with it. Ray was lucky to be off for the week and got to take some amazing photos. Our little cat Maisy was not so impressed. She’d only just got over a bout of cystitis and was adamant that the litter tray stayed in place. I think she went 10 days without getting her paws cold, bless her.

The snow did interupt the college course i’ve been doing though. Yes, i’m back at college – my friends will not be surprised to hear…I lasted all of 3 months without studying something. I’m training to be a Union Learner Rep so that i can help colleagues who want to gain new skills or knowledge find courses to suit them, and support their learning. It’s a voluntary post but i think it will be rewarding in many ways. As an Open Univeristy addict i’m passionate about aldut education so this Union Learner Rep post will be right up my street.

Happy Winter Solstice

Today is my favourite day of the year, the shortest day. From today onwards the days get longer, there is the promise of spring and warmer days. This year it has been the coldest start winter for 30 years, so celebrating the coming of warmer days feels particularly good.

Happy Solstice everyone!

Smiling sky

I saw an amazing moon on the way home from work while sat on the tram. The moon looked so odd i thought it was a projection, but it was actually venus, jupiter and the moon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7759146.stm

White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes

Berwick Upon Tweed 2008

The last 2 weeks in September were our “summer holiday”. The weather during the first 2 weeks of September had been grim, with flooding affecting parts of the UK, so we packed our warm clothes and waterproofs and headed off to Berwick Upon Tweed.

 

As ever we got lucky with the weather! More tales of the holiday to come, but i have to concentrate on revision until the 14th of October…more photos can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildgeese71/

This week

…I’ve been reading Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup (thank you Ray for this gift). It’s a beautiful book, but it will make you cry…so not such a good one for the tram to work! I’ve also been reading through VEGANOMICON – the latest cookbook by the very talented vegan chefs Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. I’m looking forward to sampling these new recipes.

I’ve been listening to the new Seth Lakeman Cd, Poor Man’s Heaven and The Fray’s How to Save a Life.

And i’ve been out with my camera…

Squirrel in Norfolk Park

 

Ray and i had a stroll through Norfol Park on Wednesday before going to see The Orphanage at the Showroom. We saw this little chap on our way out of the Park.