I'm in the pink.

I'm in the pink.

free friends

Hello. I've had a nice day today. Did my walk straight after breakfast, a bit more painting on the garage door, made some plastic flowers on sticks, gave them to Janet to put in her pots, and she gave me a jacket that is too big for her. As you can see it fits me perfectly. 

Now I'm going outside to water the flower beds, then I have to get something ready to take to Crafty Club in the morning, need to start a new project that can be transported in a bag. Something small.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. Enjoy your Bank Holiday Monday.
Toodle pip

I should be so lucky, lucky lucky lucky.

I should be so lucky, lucky lucky lucky.

crafty stuff friends

Hello. Nice morning again. This is something I am going to play around with, decorating a horseshoe. I've had this one for 20 years, it was here when I arrived at this house. It was nailed to the front of the garage, then fell off, and lay around for another few years. 

I read that Bransby Horses, a rescue near L:incoln, sell lucky horseshoes to make much needed funds. They are decorated with embellishments and made to look pretty. So this got me thinking, what could I do to my horseshoe to tart it up a bit. 

It was rusty so needed some kind of abrasion to get rid of it. I don't have the equipment or the patience to do that, but I know a man that can. 

Stan the Library man has come up trumps. He is into restoring cars and motorcycles and has all the equipment needed to buff up a piece of metal. This one was in a sorry state, but look at it now, Stan has worked his magic. It looks beautiful, very tactile, I want to stroke it. It hasn't been painted, just buffed with an electric wire brush. The rust has gone, and revealed a textured shiny surface. 

My first thought was to cover it in fabric or wool, but it is too nice for that. Stan says if it is left outside it will go rusty again, so I think it would be a nice decoration for a horsey abode, or even in someone's kitchen.  Another project waiting on the sidelines to be completed.

Someone mentioned that their comment did not appear. Just to remind everyone, they don't automatically appear on the blog when you hit the publish button. They come into my 'moderation box', first. I get to read them before I hit the publish button. This may not happen immediately because now that the weather is getting better I am starting to spend less time on the computer. Although it's nice that readers are able to speak to each other through the comments, it is not like a forum when responses come more quickly because several people are online at the same time. Replies on the blog take a bit longer to appear.

There is still time to add your walking miles to the post on the 1st of May, in fact you can do that at any time. Thank you to those who have done so already.

Again a nice start to the day, so I don't want to waste it, I'm off outside. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

Girly catchup

Girly catchup

friends recycle

Hello. I've had a lovely afternoon with my friend Helen, and Henry choc lab. We had a girly catchup, took the dog a walk, and put the world to rights, as they say, over a mug of coffee. Basically we had a natter about what we have been up to since the last time we met, in January. 

She is having a de clutter, going from room to room and getting rid of things she doesn't want. None of it will be dumped in a skip or go to landfill, she is as passionate as I am about reusing, and recycling. 

I came home with four cushions which I will give to the church, some bed linen which I can use in projects, a small bread basket which can be sold on the cat stall, and a pile of magazines which I will read, then pass on to another friend to read, then they can go on the cat stall. So, nothing wasted. I included the clock in the picture, the one I rescued from someone at the tip, it keeps perfect time. 

I did a telephone interview this morning, a young lady is writing an article about the summer house for a  magazine called Modern Gardens. It is for the June edition which comes out sometime in May.

I hope you are all keeping up with your walking. I have had a few days off, but that's ok because I am ahead with the miles. Tomorrow is the last day of the month, so one last push to boost your three month total. On Saturday's post, the 1st of April, I expect to see some good numbers. Don't let me down.

Thanks for popping in, that's all for now. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

All ready, no stress.

All ready, no stress.

family friends holidays/days out

Hello. Only a few hours to the big day, in 24 hours it will be almost over. I didn't dash round the shops at the last minute frantically pulling my hair out wondering if I had remembered to get everything. I didn't buy in any extra food and booze. I didn't stress about sending cards, only one was posted and half a dozen put through doors in the village, and they have been in the cupboard for years. I didn't wander aimlessly around the shops with a glazed look on my face, wondering what presents people might like. I bought one, it was something I spotted in an instant which was just right. 

Much easier for me to go to the bank for my Christmas shopping. Six envelopes for six kids. They can go and buy their own presents after Christmas when everything has been reduced. I hope their parents will help them to choose something, and also encourage them to save some of it. Five of them are quite young and will need some guidance. 

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas Day, whatever you are doing. Thank you to those who have sent cards, thank you to everyone who visits my blog. I have been invited out so I will make the effort and go. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

A walk in North Yorkshire with my buddies

A walk in North Yorkshire with my buddies

friends walk

Hello. I've had a day out today, with my walking buddies, Paul and Paul. I was designated as the driver, because the plan was to call in a pub on the way home, the two boys like a drink, and I'm not bothered. A 7am start was planned, and although I was up early enough I tried to cram too much in the time I had allowed for getting myself ready. A misjudgment on my part, maybe it was the hair washing that made me a bit late. It's hard to get ready on time when I have three kids to think of, ha ha. 

We went over the bridge into North Yorkshire. Past Beverley and Malton, to Welburn, a small village just off the A64. A parking spot was found next to the church. Paul was leading the way so we set off across the fields. 

Here we are going into pretty Wood, it's not far from Castle Howard.

In the middle of the wood is this monument, The Four Faces.

Over there is the Mausoleum, we are now on the Castle Howard estate.

This is the closest we got to Castle Howard, the walk took us around the outer perimeter of the grounds.

This is the Temple of the Four Winds. We were lucky with the weather, it was gloriously sunny.

A good photo opportunity.

The Centenary Way footpath took us into the village of Coneysthorpe. 

Lovely little cottages, and a big wide village green.

The path took us through Coneysthorpe bank wood.

 Looks like this dead tree has been struck by lightening..

Time for a quick pose. 

We did a circular route of 11 miles, and got back to the car before it started to get dark. I have found this web site with more photo's of the area we were walking in, there are some smashing photo's on it.

Paul had a pub stop in mind at Goodmanham, just outside Market Weighton. The first photo I took without the flash, this shows how dark and cozy it was. Candles on the tables, log fires, it had a real homely feeling about it.

The rest of the photo's I put the flash on so you can see all the nicknacks lining shelves and hanging on the walls. It was very olde worlde, and had a good atmosphere.

We hit a massive traffic jam on the way back, queuing on the A63 going towards Hull, for the turn off for the Humber Bridge. Not sure what caused that.

I've been to the Village Hall tonight to help set up the tables for tomorrow. It's been a busy day, and I am pooped, so I'll love you and leave you and say Goodnight.
Toodle pip.

More free stuff

More free stuff

free friends

Hello. It's been foggy here all day, and a bit damp and miserable. I got a call from my friend asking do I want to break up the other two single beds they want to get rid of. I said I would do, after my walk. They came apart quite easily, and now the wood is stashed in my garage. I think I would be the ideal candidate to work in a bed factory now I know how they are assembled, ha ha. 

It's not long now until my friends will be moving, there isn't much left in the house. The furniture removals company are going to do the whole job of packing everything up and transporting it up to Scotland. They are driving one of the cars as well, as my friend is not used to doing long journeys in her own car. 

I was very kindly given a freebie. They bought a posh car four years ago and a cleaning kit came with it. As neither of them wash their cars, it hasn't been used. So now I have everything I need to keep my own car clean. The roads round here are filthy at the moment, what with tractors dragging the mud out of the fields on their massive wheels. It's not worth spending a lot of time on washing cars for them only to get dirty again half an hour down the road. 

This kit will come in useful , though some of it I won't use, so I will donate it to the cat stall at the Christmas Fair next week. 

The new brochure has arrived for the Baths Hall and the Plowright Theatre in town. I've had a flick through it and there's a couple of shows I am interested in. I will have to get them booked early because I like to sit on the front row.

All is well here at Tightwad Towers. Heidi has decided she rather likes snuggling into my dressing gown on the landing carpet, so I have left her there. I have got my old copies of Countryfile magazine out again from 2011. No need to buy new ones, I can't remember what I read five years ago, so these are just fine.

My first Christmas card has arrived, Carol is always the first one I get. Now she has moved I don't know her new address, I'll have to send her a text.

I hope we have a better day weatherwise tomorrow. Whatever you are doing, enjoy your Sunday. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Trying not to cry.

Trying not to cry.

dogs friends

Hello. Does anyone remember when Rocky and Henry used to come and stay? It was a while ago now. I shared my bed with two dogs, it was a bit cramped, especially when Henry laid across my legs. 

I haven't seen Helen and Henry for ages, we have both been busy with various things, family and holidays, and in Helen's case she has been working more hours. Today was catch up time, I went to visit. 

Henry looks really chilled in the sunshine, but in truth, he's had a short walk and is tired. Sadly his arthritis is getting worse, he is lively in his excitement to go out, loves to sniff about, but can't walk very far. 

We went in the car to a quiet lane and took a steady stroll while Henry amused himself on the grass verge. Oooh, all those lovely smells.

When he had had enough he told us he wasn't going any further and lay down. That's when I took these photo's. He knows exactly how to pose for the camera. Look at me, aren't I handsome. Yes, Henry, you are.

Helen walked back up the lane to fetch the car while we waited. And here is Henry's taxi arriving to take him home. Some adjustments are having to be made in their home life now to take into consideration Henry's limited mobility. Helen is like me where pets are concerned, Henry will get all the love and care he needs.

Crikey, that has choked me up, I thought I was all cried out. I'm going for a walk.
Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon
Toodle pip