Forty Three, the final front door

Friday, 11 September 2026

September, ten on the tenth

Ten photos taken through the day yesterday, all fairly self-explanatory.

And a couple of bonus photos, because I love numbers - make sure you look at both of them

Wednesday, 9 September 2026

For some years now, I have made a point of travelling to Hastings to visit my friend Amanda as soon as the schools start back, with the thought that the weather is usually still OK at this time of year. I was lucky, in that it didn't rain, but also it wasn't too hot. On the way down I met up with PJ, my eldest son, for lunch at Waterloo.

Amanda and I have been friends since GO and her elder son started toddler group, 36 years ago. She is so much fun to be with, we have a real laugh.

We took a walk along the beach at Bexhill while I was there

We took some of her dogs out.

And on the morning of my return, we went down to the sea front at Hastings

Thanks Amanda, see you same time next year.

Back at home, and I finished my jigsaw puzzle of Skipton Market (some of you may remember that I went to Skipton in July, and this jigsaw puzzle was in a load of second-hand puzzles that I bought locally).

We have a fantastic crop of tomatoes this year, I'm picking loads each day

I've started a couple of new projects, one of which is another dream-catcher, progress so far:

My BIG thing for September, as I have got so far behind with my step count for the year, is to Challenge myself to walk 3 miles each day, making 90 miles for the month. After the first week I'm still well on target, having completed over 21 miles

Thanks for reading, how is your September going?

Monday, 31 August 2026

August round-up

With August, and thus summer, coming to an end, I can at least report that it's been raining, quite a lot over the past few days, and the yarden is looking good, all things considered.

I'm picking tomatoes daily, mostly the Tumbling Toms, which I planted in all of the hanging baskets and in some other pots as well. The beefsteak ones, my main crop, are ripenening at the rate of one per day, but sadly some of them have blossom end rot - due to the stress of the excessive heat, and are not edible, even with the end cut off the rot continues up inside the core.

I've also pulled some carrots, they haven't grown very deep, but now I've thinned them out and they are getting more water from the rain, the remaining crop may grow deeper, and therefore longer, watch this space.

I choose not to travel during the month of August, mainly so that I'm free in case I'm needed for child-minding, however for the last couple of weeks I haven't been needed. I'm now looking forward to my next trip, starting next week, train tickets have already been bought.

Amanda and I have been friends since her oldest son Nic and GO started toddler group together, 36 years ago!! She moved down to Hastings in 2000, and I've been down there to see her at least once a year for most of the intervening period, although we did miss a couple of years during the ghastly Lockdown of 2020 onwards. I'm so looking forward to it, we have such a laugh together.

"Work"/play on the book cover crochet blanket continues, the next 4 squares have been added

As it's been sooooo hot for most of the month, I didn't go out walking much, and my step count for the month isn't worth showing, but I have plans already in hand to put that right next month. I'm pleased that I managed to complete the Woodoku puzzle every day.

Thanks for reading. How was August for you?

Friday, 28 August 2026

August Photo Hunt - Starting with B

Once again Eileen has organised the monthly photo hunt, with this month's subject, Starting With the letter B. I'm posting mine few days early because I've got lots, and probably won't be looking out for any more.

So, here goes:

My Bowood Season Ticket