Autumnal.

We had typical autumn weather today, sunny spells between heavy showers. Driving down the last set of hills this morning, a little earlier than usual as I had more to organise, my view was even more spectacular than usual. Unlike yesterday when the low angle of the morning light was creating undulating contours on a hillside field where the straw lay in narrow rows, today was quite dramatic. Above me were dark grey clouds, over to my left, less than half a mile away was a small hill which was wreathed in very dark clouds that were melting down to ground level. Coming in at right angles on my right was a steep wooded valley with its own small white clouds below the tops of the hills and separate from the general cloud layer. And looking straight ahead into the distance, was a break in the clouds over the bay so that the sea was shinning silver and the sky above was bright blue. Unfortunately there is nowhere on that stretch where I can stop and take a picture.

I taught all day; Year 2 in the morning and because the new reception children do not start full days for a couple more weeks, in the afternoon I was working on displays and printing pictures from the Internet. Once home my energy was still on the up so I did lots of hoovering, cleaned bathrooms and went outside to check on the road dams. I actually went out last night just before bed as I would rather spend 10 mins in the rain and dark making sure the water does not pour down the drive than be faced with the back breaking task of raking up the drive. All that work made me feel mentally much better but got me reaching for the painkillers once more.

Keeping Busy.

A bright and breezy day with a hint of autumnal chill. I've been quite the busy bee today. Up early as I was asked to teach in the morning as well as the afternoon. Year 1 in the morning and Year 2 in the afternoon, and when I checked my PC this evening there was a message asking if I could come in tomorrow morning again. That's all good for the bank balance.

I must read the instructions for my camera as this slightly unnatural sky must be the result of a 'rich' colour setting whereas I would prefer a more natural setting even if it didn't look so pretty. (Or like a travel poster.) However the sky did look very pretty with such varied clouds. Although there was only the slightest spit of rain today it does feel as if we are due for some heavy rain soon. Coming home from work I had a good (or foolhardy), gardening session. I started by strimming some of the paths that had missed the last cut, then I mowed several of the lawns and finally I removed a lot of grass from the little pond. I've been looking at the low water level and thinking this would be a good time to clear the grass but the motivation has been lacking. It's strange how, when you know there is only you to do the job, it is quite easy to do the work. I find that when I think that maybe someone else could do the job for me I wait and then get stressed when they don't. Now I just get on with things and like today feel a sense of satisfaction.

Overcast.

An early morning phone call means only one thing - work. Peter woke me at 7.10 to take the call and half an hour later I was out of the door having showered, fed the hens and myself and looked through the day's plans for that class. It was the Year 2 class that I had on Friday so once again no teaching assistant but I know them well and we were following on from Friday's work. Being kept busy the day went quickly and it seemed no time at all before I was back home once more.

It has been overcast all day but with a warm wind blowing up from the south. No sign of any butterflies and even the bees had stayed home. Apart from the common bumble bees who were happy to battle with the wind in search of nectar.

Dry.

It seems the swallows have left us to spend their winter in warmer climes. Yesterday the usual number were flying overhead and today not one was to be seen. So the summer truly over. The holidays are over, my official convalescence is over, and the house is quiet once more. 

Now I need to get back into work mode and tackle the house and garden. Very little housework was done this summer. My men cooked for themselves and cleared up the kitchen, sort of, but cleaning was mostly passed over. Linas did clean up his rooms before Shasleigh came to visit and some hoovering when asked but there is so much I need to do. I'm not supposed to complain because that kind of cleaning isn't necessary anyway and my standards are too exacting! ( cheese sitting on raw bacon anyone?), but I don't think I will ever have the mentality to happily accept that I should clear up after everyone else.  

It has been an overcast but mild day today. Peter went off rowing in the morning and as well from tidying and ironing sheets I did a little digging up of grass roots. And that was my day.

A New Start.

Linas has left home once more to start a new life in Belfast. Even if he doesn't get on the graduate training scheme he has already been talking to someone from an IT agency who is very interested in his CV. It was a  bright autumnal morning as he started his journey which involved car, train, bus and plane. Although the sun was shining it was only 2C in the shade when we set off for town. Things warmed up later in the day and by the afternoon it got up to 27C before settling to a lovely mild evening.

First thing this morning everywhere was very wet and the small conifer was festooned with dew laden spiders' webs making it look like a Christmas tree.

After seeing Linas off at the station I walked over the old bridge into town to post one more parcel for Linas and do some shopping.

By this time the morning mist was beginning to burn off which was a good thing as I had optimistically come out in just a t-shirt. Lots of people in town were still in summer wear but in the shops Christmas goods are already on display. 

As the weather was good I washed my favourite large fluffy fleece throw. I had been so pleased that I could get it in my new,bigger washing machine but as happens after washing the fleece had lost its fluffiness so I spent over an hour brushing it as it hung on the washing machine. I had a lovely peaceful afternoon sitting in the warmth by the  scree garden. Already the house and garden are dropping into shadow much earlier even though the sun shines tantalisingly on the trees and the hillsides so I shall enjoy it as much as I can.

Sunny Again !

Another sunny day after a misty autumnal start. In its sheltered location school was pretty hot and the south facing playground was roasting. I was teaching a lively class for the whole day without a teaching assistant   so I was expecting to have a stressful day. But then  one of the assistants offered her services for the morning which was a great help. I was on my own in the afternoon but that also went well as we were doing more creative activities.

Linas came into town with me in the morning so that he could post his computer to himself in Belfast. His other bags are packed for the plane and he has managed to fit in a lot of his airsoft stuff having checked first with the airline that they will take it. He came to school at lunchtime and I drove him home which I normally wouldn't do but I wanted him to mow the lawns before he leaves so it was worth making that extra round trip.

After a day of teaching and using my brain at full stretch I was happy to sit up by the scree garden and share the last of the sun with butterflies and the many bees. I know I keep showing these butterflies but I am so happy to see them once more.

Sunny.

My bleary early morning eyes saw a pretty orange streaked sunrise this morning. The morning was noticeably cooler but the sun soon warmed things up. Today was my first afternoon back teaching. We had a fun afternoon talking about, then painting and drawing pets. 

It was lovely to be able to sit outside with my usual cup of tea and a book to catch the last of the evening sun. The butterflies were out but even more noticeable was the buzzing of the bees. 

After days of waiting for phone calls I finally got a date for my op, the 5th of October. I was sure the surgeon had said he would try and do the op the week after I saw him so I rang his secretary to see if there had been some mis-communication. He now says he said 'next month' so Oct is about on schedule. Speaking to the secretary I told her how my symptoms were getting worse so she will  put me on the cancellation list though I still need the pre-op test done first. She did say she would try and get that moved forward so that I would be ready for any cancellation. At the very worst I've only got 4 weeks to wait.