Icy.

This current bout of snow is on its way out but the air has been so cold that a lot of the hail that fell yesterday was still here in the afternoon.

I had an appointment with the doctor at 9.00 this morning so I was careful to stay away from the ice as I walked down to the surgery and will take care this evening as I go down for disco aerobics.

I have been indoors for most of the day though I did go out to clear the ice from the car before putting a towel and old sheet over the windscreen in preparation for tomorrow morning.

 

The Zoom class wasn't so confusing today. Maybe because we have come to the end of the unit and were going back over the work we'd already done. Plus our Monday sessions in the library help a lot. I must be making some progress because when our tutor spoke to us (in Welsh) about the option to take the exam when we reach the end of the entry level course by January, I didn't have to think twice before blurting out 'dim diolch' (No thanks.) It's only the few who need the qualification for work that are considering the exam. The rest of us don't want the stress.

After the class I had a bit of fun arranging glass blobs for the next of my small 'projects'.

Some of the aubretia had just begun to flower again before it got covered with ice.

Cold.

A cold or It's cold? Either title would do for this post. The snow was still shining in the sun this morning but despite, or maybe because of some wintry showers by the afternoon the snow was beginning to disappear.

I woke this morning feeling a bit rough having coughed a lot in the night. I decided to be sensible, sent in my apologies for choir tonight and set myself a short list of things to be done today. That included baking a Bara Brith and finishing off my recycled umbrella shopping bag. A while back I'd bought some webbing from Lidl with the purpose of making some standard sized shopping bags from a couple of plain nylon shower curtains that I had for classroom displays and I'm sure I'll get round to those eventually. This bag was done quickly with minimal use of a tape measure but I did make it 3-d with folded corners at the base. It will do for bulky items.

 

The builder came round this morning and put down gravel between the house and the street wall. He'd bagged up the pebbles that had been there originally but they weren't enough to make it look tidy. The windows need a good clean but not right now.

Snow.

Although there was much talk of snow on the radio in the morning when I looked out all I could see was rain blocking out most of the view. It was as we were eating breakfast that I noticed there was snow mixed in with the rain and eventually large snowflakes fell but did not settle. 

In the distance there was snow on the mountains, in Snowdonia, the Cambrians and across the water on the Llyn. While here it continued to rain. Not a day for going to the zoo.

 

It must have carried on snowing over the high grounds as by the end of the day they were considerably whiter.

I've had quite a constructive day at home, mainly cleaning. My initial intention was to clean the windowsills in our bedroom. That was a job which led to another and another and another. I began with the windowsills, the stuff on them and the venetian blinds before going to wipe down everything else in the bedroom. From there I carried on to the bathroom. Peter does the day to day cleaning in the bathroom while I do the 'blue loo' but he misses things like woodwork and mirrors so I do those once in a while. I finished off by doing the preparation for our Welsh lesson.

I had to have a longer rest afterwards as I've been trying some new exercises which set off my bad knee. I won't be doing those again. One good thing today was at last getting through to the orthopaedic consultant's secretary to talk about putting me back on his list for the removal of the cyst on my toe. I found out that they don't take you off their list until you actually have the surgery done privately (if that's what you're doing) so I haven't lost a year of waiting time. I still need to talk to the admissions secretary to find out what happens when the two years is up if they are not doing minor orthopaedic surgeries at all. Will they refer me to another hospital such as Lampeter and could they not do that now? I find it exhausting making these enquires so I'll start that process on another day.

The skip was collected this afternoon and this is the much improved front of the house.

Where Did The Photos Go ?

We woke this morning to find a fog bank blocking out the view. This then thinned out until it was just a slim layer running above the river. I took more photos of the fog layer as we drove up to Mach using my phone but failed completely to find the photos once I'd sent them to my PC. And of course I'd ticked the delete box so they are no longer on my phone. I've tried taking test photos and watching carefully to see where they went but only one has appeared and just on a menu marked 'imported photos' which I can't seem to get back to. This is going to take a bit more sorting out.

The builders turned up early this morning to do the little finishing off bits and by the time we got home from Mach everything was done including putting back the plant troughs filled with montbretia. (It was raining too heavily for me to take a photo.)

At the library we did our usual group checking of the homework we were set last week and went through the end of unit homework which we will probably be getting in a week or two. It was all practice of his/her/our/their/my which does get confusing. We finished off reading the story book we've been working on and that was a lot easier. While we were in the library my eye was drawn to a display of crafting books and especially one on calligraphy. (I misspelt that so dramatically spellcheck offered me a long Welsh word instead. -I found out how to have bot English and Welsh spellcheck at the same time.) This book even had lined pages to practice on so I got Peter to photograph the covers just in case he would like to buy it for me for Christmas.

It was just starting to rain, horrible icy stuff, when we finished at the library but I still had my usual look around the charity shops. I couldn't resist buying a sheet of craft crystals most of which I've already glued on to my dance trainers. I'm not so sure about the red but that's what there was. I think any pretence of aesthetic style has gone right out of the window. Well, it's only for fun.

Talking of charity shops FB Reels has decided to give me lots of videos of people going around massive warehouse sized thrift shops in the States. So far it all looks very similar to the stuff in UK charity shops and I haven't seen a single thing that I would take home or want to give as a present, not amongst the chosen items or even on the shelves behind. Am I too picky? 

Despite the cold rain Peter and his fellow rowers went off for a row in the afternoon followed by more maintenance on the boats. Rather them than me.

A Wet Walk.

A wet day today with wild seas that were too rough for rowing so reluctantly Peter cancelled the planned row.

With the rain being on and off I still went off to Tal Y Bont to meet up with my fellow walkers. We all have waterproofs and are not afraid of a little rain. However once there the rain got even heavier so we decided to stop at Linda's (one of our group) house to eat our lunch early instead of calling in for tea after the walk. But by the time we'd walked up to her house the rain had eased off and we changed our plans again. We abandoned the original plan to walk up the river valley and instead made our way around the small hills that separate the village from the flat lands leading to the estuary and the sea.

 

Before walking through the woods that cover the hills.

There were a number of smaller paths off the main track that would have brought us quickly back to the village had the rain got worse but fortunately although slightly wet the conditions were not torrential.

We were only walking for about an hour but it was good to be out in the fresh air enjoying the autumn colours. No sooner had we reached Linda's house, a converted mill house, that the rain came down in earnest. We spread ourselves around Linda's living room, drank tea, ate our lunches and shared out the usual biscuits, nuts etc while enjoying a good chat. Then we were joined by a couple of Linda's friends seeking shelter from the rain after walking to the village for milk and eggs. I know both of them through the rowing club and one is a member of the choir too. It's funny how we keep meeting up with the same people even though we live in different villages up to 10 miles away.

Eventually there was a lull in the rain (not for long though) and I walked back with a couple of the others to where I'd parked. I've already had a hot shower and am looking forward to an evening of Strictly.

Knowing When To Stop.

We had a brighter start to the morning which degenerated to a cold, grey, windy day.

As usual Saturday has been a day of more aching due to the previous days' exertions but with all the research showing that "engaging in regular physical activity is one of the most effective and accessible ways to reduced physical and cognitive decline and lower the risk of premature death" I shall soldier on.  And I enjoy all my activities too.  

My jobs for today, because I can't bear not to have 'achieved' something each day, were first to write up all my Christmas cards some of which will include the usual yearly missive. I don't know about other people but I really enjoy getting these letters from friends and family especially those whom I'm don't get to meet in person. And yes I keep all those letters to re-read.

The other job, which was the one I had to stop was making a shopping bag from an old umbrella. That idea came from a FB reel and as I had an old golf umbrella waiting to go to the dump and my current batch of reusable shopping bags are getting tatty I thought it would be a good idea. Repurposing to save the planet. Of course I took no measurements but having taken off the nylon fabric from the spokes and washed it I had a go. Optimistically I thought this would be something I could finish off in one session but having cut the fabric and sewn along the bottom, with a French seam too, stitching on webbing to make the handles proved more of a challenge. It isn't especially thick webbing but something messed up the thread tension on the sewing machine. At that point I realised it might take a lot more sorting out, called a halt and put the heavy sewing machine away for the day.  I'm sure there will be plenty more wet days when I need to find indoor jobs to do.

Hazel.

Walking down to the Hall last night for aerobics it was bitterly cold but this morning it was much warmer. There was hardly any wind at ground level and higher up the wind was blowing from the south-west hence the warmer temperatures.

The builders turned up first thing and have finished all the spraying of the render. All they've got left to do is put everything back. While all that was going on I was at the stables. Looking at the list I saw that I was going to be riding Hazel, a new horse who has only been at the stables for a few weeks. And that another of our group would be riding Meg another new horse. (My lovely horse in the 80s was called Meg too.) 

The first difference with Hazel was her size, a good hand at least higher than Cadno. It is standard practice now to use a mounting block unlike the days when I first had lessons when somebody hung onto the stirrup on the other side while you heaved yourself up and on. Getting on was no problem but it was noticeably further to jump down when dismounting. 

Hazel is ten years old but had been ridden no more than once a week by her last owner so she has a lot to learn. I was the first one into the school and she was getting quite excited by all the different sounds even calling out when she heard a horse whinnying in the field. I just stood quietly with her not even sorting out the stirrups until everyone else came in. Incidentally the stirrup leather had been wound around the iron as a 12 year old had been jumping her the day before. Every horse is different to ride and Hazel needed very clear aids including the occasional tap with a crop. Her biggest issue was that she frequently tossed her head around. No wonder she was wearing a martingale. I tried to keep my hands as still as possible and used my voice constantly to praise or say 'no'. I guess she will eventually settle.

We had a couple of minor spooks when a young Jack Russell that is also new to the yard decided that she wanted to come into the school. Suddenly seeing a small doggy head appear through the gap at the bottom of the doors gave Hazel a bit of a fright and again a bit later on when the dog managed to wriggle her way through. We have to remember that horses are prey animals and programmed to run away from potential predators even if they are only 10 inches high. But to give her her due when one of the yard cats ran across the corner of the school almost under her feet she took no notice at all. This might sound like our lessons are quite chaotic with animals running here and there but it generally it isn't the case. Iola has an older Jack Russell who sometimes comes into the school but Bella is much quieter in her movements and just curls up in a corner. 

After riding I did the shopping and called in at the dentist to book my check up. I had wanted to book having an amalgam filling replaced with a stronger white one something the dentist has suggested at the last few check ups. But no, I have to have a check up, pay for that and then arrange for the treatment at a separate appointment. More money to pay. And now the last NHS dentist in Aberystwyth has become private only and I've heard they weren't very good, pulling teeth out instead of doing remedial work because it was quicker and easier for the dentist. So anyone who can't afford to go private will have to travel far out of the area even for emergency work. 

Above was yesterday's evening view with the golden light of the sunset being reflected in the windows of the houses along the beach. Tonight there wasn't really a sunset, it simply got greyer and darker. But we have just returned from a walking group party at one of the houses on the beach. Or rather on the beach in front of the house. Our hostess provided baked potatoes and mulled wine and we all brought additional food. There was also a bonfire in an old oil drum to add to the atmosphere.

Foggy.

It was very damp and foggy this morning. Sitting outside with the glass all wet and fog over the sea my only clear views were the narrow gaps between the glass of the balustrade and the handrail. Instead I focussed my attention on the sounds of the gulls, who were quite noisy and the shushing of the waves on the beach.

Eventually the fog formed itself into a narrow layer above the river and the bay. 

I had hoped the builders would be coming to finish off but once again it was a quick stop outside in the van before driving off again.

While Peter went off to the dump and town I cleaned everything on the deep windowsill behind the kitchen sink. Then I made a start on writing my Christmas letter as it will soon be time to send off Christmas cards. In last year's letter I said we were almost finished with the building works but although a few large jobs have been done almost nothing happened over the summer which was quite disappointing.

And then it was time for our Welsh class. We're still ploughing through possessive pronouns with all their different mutations and then combined them with adjectives which also needed soft mutation not related to the pronouns but because they came after yn meaning is.  

Later the fog cleared and anywhere in the sun was quite warm. Our north facing sitting room and terrace were not. But then again all the houses along the beach basking in that lovely sun are also liable to flooding at high tide. There are good and bad points to most things.

Sunny.

Lots of sun and blue skies today with almost no wind.

I looked through the window and thought that the bird walking around on the rocks was the heron that I see once in a while. Then I realised that it was a snowy egret. By the time I picked up the camera and went outside it was off but I quite like the photo I ended up with. I've seen snowy egrets on the bog and the wetlands next to the estuary but this is the first time I've seen one right here.

 

It was very cold when the builders first arrived but it warmed up later on. And the front of the house is done. I think they have a bit more to do on the back after which it's just the tidying up and putting things back. Once that's done it will be another job ticked off the building works list.

However I had to have a word, hopefully a tactful one, about what they have done to the hedge. Yes it was right up to the wall but instead of chopping bits off they could have used the board that is right under the hedge, to hold back the offending branches. Instead we have now got a big gap where everyone walking along the street, there's no pavement on the other side, can see through to the terrace where I like to sit quietly. I'm going to have to prop the board up on the other side to maintain my privacy until the branches grow back.

In the morning Peter went out a cox for a row while I went down to the zoo and spent four hours weeding. I'm struggling to weed out all the grass growing in the large play area. A result of me focussing on other parts of the zoo in the summer and missing quite a few weeks either due to the weather or being busy/unfit. Also it needed to have more woodchip put on it this year. It's almost at the point of being too grassy to rescue but two more sessions should clear the worst of it and then another couple of sessions to go back and pull up the new weeds. It's a case of the gardener's equivalent of 'A stitch in time .......  '.

Chilly.

This morning began grey-ish then got lighter through the day until late in the afternoon when we had blue sky above white clouds. Pretty much cold all day so once again I had to go round and wipe off the condensation from the windows.

The builders had been thoughtful enough to let us know that they wouldn't be here until tomorrow so there was no need to set the alarm. I had a wonderfully long sleep and since the car is off being serviced, have spent the day doing admin and the next few small projects on my list. 

I wasn't up early enough for my usual morning chill-out time but even standing on the terrace I had the pleasure of watching some of the small birds in the garden.I had some difficulty identifying the bird above but I think it's a wren. I couldn't see its tail which would have made it clear but wheatears have black legs, and a dunnock which is what I initially thought is much greyer over the eye. I checked out warblers but they should have left weeks ago. I also spotted a blue tit in the hedge which is little bird I don't see that often in our garden.

Having knitted a couple of cup cosies for presents I thought I'd make one for the mug I use when we go to the library. We take a flask of good coffee to keep us alert as we practise our Welsh.

The next small project on the go is to make driftwood stars. I'm going to make a garland of stars to go with the large driftwood Christmas tree I set up by the garden gate. At first I tried tying them with wool but the hot glue gun worked better. I had wondered what people thought of my eco friendly efforts, 'crazy old hippy lady' probably but was much encouraged when last year a passer-by told me how much she looks forward to seeing it.

I'll be off soon for an hour of Pilates. If anyone fancies trying 'standing' Pilates here is the link to a half hour class (on FB) that Rachel, our teacher has just posted. I may even try doing this on the days when we don't have class, which involves floorwork as well, to keep up the good work with my aging body.

Sunshine.

At last we had some blue skies today.

After a not very good night I was up early this morning for two reasons. Firstly in case the builders turned up but they didn't and secondly for a doctor's appointment at 9.00. That appointment didn't go too well. I don't know why so often it seems I have to fight the medical profession, they should be people you can trust to have your best interests at heart. Firstly being taken off naproxen (a while back) which was helping to control my pain levels because I was put on a blood thinner I could understand. But then the blood thinner was stopped because I don't have atrial fibrillation (though the doctor this morning seemed to think I did) so I resumed taking the naproxen as I couldn't sleep even with extra co-codamols. But when I asked to have the naproxen back on my prescription that was refused as there has been some effect on my kidney function. The only solution offered was to take more co-codamol or 'how about paracetamol?' Really? I shall have to keep records, hope for the best and if I'm not able to sleep because of the pain then back to the surgery I'll go. What really annoys me is when they say 'You may be becoming dependent on painkillers.' My answer was that I would like to be able to get to sleep and not to be in so much pain. Is that such a terrible thing? 

I've never had any high or other effect from painkillers apart from pain relief and I wish they would make me sleepy. Would they tell a diabetic person that they were becoming dependent on insulin and should consider doing without. Or tell a person with poor sight that they were becoming dependent on their glasses and should try doing without them? Or more sinisterly is a continuation of the thinking that women make far too much fuss about pain and should manage without pain relief? 

The next niggle came when I asked to be referred back to the NHS for the surgery to remove the cyst from my toe as for a number of reasons I've decided not to go ahead with the private surgery. But no, I have to get in touch with the consultant's secretary at the local hospital to sort it out myself and guess what? No answer each time I've rung the consultant's secretary. 

And finally after discussing physiotherapy I have had to make a self-referral despite both the health authority website and the physiotherapist I saw last time saying that the GP can make the referral. At least I have filled out the form for that on line.

I know that none of these woes are life threatening but they're not helping my quality of life at all.

After all that I was glad I could get out to do some gardening in the back garden. I pulled up the courgette plant which had had a small crop of courgettes and one that turned into a marrow, did some weeding and cutting back of the honeysuckle. Of course I also managed to chop off at least one strand of the clematis that grows through the honeysuckle. 

If I left them the garden would be full of Welsh poppies but I don't mind the odd one or two.