What are you all up to
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We use our caravanning whirligig at home. Other was enormous, but camping one, which is on tripod legs is fine. We just hammer a couple of tent pegs in to keep it stable. We don’t use it in MH.
Pooch is off to see vet on Friday for first time since February, they are insisting on seeing him before prescribing more tablets for him. Hopefully, he will be ok. Could get costly if they insist on a blood test as well though. Kerrching
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Yesterday, as predicted by Madame Kirkwood, was a bit of a wash out!
Walked the dogs along the river one way in the morning and the opposite way in the afternoon, getting very wet both times!Today was much better but showery - one of those days where the minute you take your waterproof off it starts pelting down and as soon as you put it back on the sun comes out.
We did a full days walk though, across hay meadows to Hebden with great views of the fells on the far side of the river, then on to Burnsall (diverted by a very kind old Yorkshire farmer who warned us about cows and calves in the fields and helped us find an alternative route.
). Back along the riverside walk to Hebden suspension bridge and then over the fields to Linton where stepping stones would lead across to the little church. Sadly the river was far too high to attempt the crossing so we took the Dales Way back to Grassington.Feet up with a cuppa right now, dogs snoozing away - might be joining them shortly! 👍
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I have to wear a mask for 3 hours when on duty in the Cathedral
I fear it is something we will have to get used to for the foreseeable future. All the visitors either came in already wearing them or were very swift to comply when asked. I asked if we could wear face visors instead but the Bishop said no. Apparently they don't offer enough protection so face masks it is.We are off to the vets tomorrow as well TDA with our Charlie for his booster jabs - 3 months late because of the virus. (no Millie of course
) and his 6 monthly check. We too are hoping that they wont insist on a blood test. I can already see the ££££ signs.Lovely photos moulesy. I hope Lady and Ralph will cope with the heat on Friday. It is only 4 one day though. Typical of this country - a one day heatwave.
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Tyne quayside, 1928, 1960 and this morning from the same point, notice the lights and railings.
A much better day today than yesterday getting brighter throughout the day, and getting warmer for the next few days.
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Have spent the afternoon in daughter's garden, haven't been there for a long time so it was nice to visit. Will be meeting up with her again tomorrow for a trip to Forde Abbey, no booking needed. Decided to do this before it gets too warm later in the week. I'm also getting my hair cut on Friday which will be another step along the way into the "new normal" ha ha, the hairdresser isn't going to be pleased with my interim efforts!
I think you are a trouper wearing a mask for three hours Millie. Despite my best efforts my glasses steamed up in the local PO today, I had a disposable one on and had bent the nose wire to fit but to no avail.
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After driving down through the rain yesterday it was fine after we'd set up. The CL is situated at the back of large estate which has fishing lakes, a number of permanent pitches, a CS and a large caravan storage area, but for all that it is very quiet. Plenty of room to stretch out and to take Flyte for a walk.
It was showery in the morning but the sun came out thankfully. We went for a 3 hr walk in Delamere Forest. Good to see how many families were out, and nearly all keeping to the new distance norms. We were surprised to see that the height limit for kids had been reduced on the Go Ape, looking at some of the young ones "enjoying" the experience.
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We arrived home this morning after 4 fabulous days in the Forest of Dean, weather was a bit mixed but managed to get out and about. I was surprised how quiet the area was compared with July last year. We were even lucky enough to see some wild Boar at Nags Head nature reserve.
After quickly emptying the van it was back to work for me this afternoon.
Moulesy: Can I thank you for recommending Hawthorne Cottage . After a disappointing stay on a CL near Coleford last July, I made a note of the site when you posted about your stay. Great little site, in a lovely area, we booked again for next year before we left.
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MillieH, Brue et al :--
I've just spent my apres supper rest period fettling up a handful of bog standard pale blue masks . I've taken a tissue, cut it in half lengthways, then folded it into two long narrow strips and fitted each to the top edge of my mask. Each end folded over neatly so it does not protrude and its then stapled at the end by the upper ear strap ( to stop it separating - no other reason ) An engineering solution
but it does , really does, cause much less fogging of my specs, IF THEY ARE CLEAN Honest .I'm not sure what's going to happen in Spain but, on the BBC News tonight they had a nurse, from Barcelona I think, who was wearing a cup or pouch like fitted mask AND a normal rectangular type one { of the sort I mentioned above
} Wonder If she wears a waterproof and a swim suit when out paddling 
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I find if I put the bottom of my specs on top of the mask, it greatly reduces fogging. Although you have to be very careful if you adjust the mask not to pull them off. I think fogging will be a big problem as we move into winter, I don't think much will help then.
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ABM thank you I will give that a try. Last Friday I wore one of the pale blue standard masks as supplied by the cathedral and spent most of the morning half blind but yesterday I took my own home made one and it was much better. I think the mass made pale blue ones are a very poor fit.
One of the volunteers I was on duty with yesterday has a son who lives in Spain and she told me that quite a few of the Spaniards who live in the northern cities, where the infection rate is high, have holiday homes in the south and are migrating there for the summer so she thinks the virus is sure to spread.
Your trip sounds womderful Helen. So glad yoi had such a good time. You deserve it after working throughout.
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Thanks from me too and Steve L that's what I attempt to do too. I also read that washing glasses in detergent gives them a short anti-fogging protection.
My soft cotton easy handkerchief and PO bands version is better, probably because it absorbs... but then it probably doesn't repel!
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Just having a read through. Soooo slow! Took ages and several attempts to login 😤.
Re glasses and masks I don't have the issue so not tested but I wipe my bathroom mirror with shaving foam, not much, as I've learnt, to stop fogging. Might be worth a try???
Busy here still, emptying mum's- hard mentally and physically! Awaiting new meter fitting gas and electric at home this morning. Hope they do it this time........... Boiler service gas safe engineer wanted stability brackets on gas meter. Only one to raise the issue, it's been there 17 years.
Fun not, trying to get it sorted as to who was responsible! Ended up with Cadent on emergency call out several weeks back. Awaiting meter fitters but last time chap bottled it as lead connectors and as Cadent said unusual to see but not dangerous or impossible to do. I suspect a 'fun' discussion to ensure. So after clearing out at mums I had to empty understairs cupboards and so dining room full. At least i had a sort out a few weeks back for the aborted fitting!
Managed to knock a full pint glass of water over the bedroom floor before getting out out bed, caught the bedding too - so expecting the day to follow in a similar vein 😱
Nice to read of others days, continue to enjoy and stay safe.
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Good to hear that folks enjoying Delamere Forest are Social Distancing to the New Rules ** Nellie
. it can be a very pleasant place indeed if the weather is kind.** Keep Seven Chihuahuas or forty Chipolatas or fifty Chips apart ** is the latest advice or so I hear
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Thinking of you Bakers, a difficult task. Hope your pup is on hand to cheer you up.
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Thank you. Yes puppy is good but exhausting! Friends girls have been helping but she has much 'freedom'with them 😱. Wondered why she had taken to getting in the furniture!
The off lead walks in the local estate refresh me and tire her 😉. I wish meals weren't necessary!
Electric meter done, working on the gas one but wasnt fazed by lead pipe etc so fingers crossed.
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Tonight the celebrations of our recent Golden Wedding continue. Fifty years ago a group of 12 girls left college and we have kept in touch ever since. We meet up as often as we can. We were married two weeks after leaving college and one of the other girls the week after. So we are having a virtual party tonight. midway between the dates. I've scheduled a Zoom meeting and we'll all be primed with a glass of something for the toast. No travelling, no mad clean up. But we're going to dress up (at least above the waist!).
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We walked to Delamere on Saturday from the CL we were staying at and social distancing wasn't in evidence at all. Then again half of Manchester and Liverpool must have descended on the place and I don't honestly think it was actually possible. We bought an ice cream at the station (no queue, minor miracle) and skiddaddled quickly.
Mrs WN had her hair cut today. No more Mickey Dolenz.
Plenty of garden work today for me as brown bin day on Friday. Now full. Day out playing Hookey tomorrow.
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We've had a lovely visit to Forde Abbey Gardens today, just under half an hour away from where we live. Tucked in the valley below Cricket St Thomas (To the Manor Born) alongside the river Axe. The Centenary Fountain was on, now England's highest powered fountain so we enjoyed seeing it, they don't run it for long, just twice daily.
It's a friendly relaxed place to visit with just three gardeners keeping everything in order. They had veg and flowers available for a donation. Couldn't resist buying a couple of plants as well. No booking which was great and everyone had plenty of space.
Getting very warm now so relaxing at home.
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Have a good day out tomorrow WN & co, these trips out are keeping me sane! Nice to hear about Helen's holiday. We've booked a short break at Steamer Quay late August, something to plan for.
Goldie you've done well keeping in contact with so many college friends, I have three and we've been through all sorts of things since our student days!
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Another fine Yorkshire day today. We drove up to the top of Wharfedale to walk from the tiny hamlet of Hubberholme - we were hoping to get into the church, its claim to fame is that all the pews have mice running up and down the ends, carved by Robert Thompson, the "mouse man of Kilburn". Sadly, of course, the church was closed up, another casualty of Covid!
The walk took us up a steep climb and then along a lovely grassy path to equally remote Cray. Fabulous views down the valley.
Then we drove back to Kettlewell and walked the high path to Starbotton, returning along the Dales Way. We've discovered that Ralph is not used to sheep! Have to keep him on a very short leash!
Stopped off to take a picture of Kilnsey Crag on the way home.
Sun is shining now so chance to sit out in the little garden behind the cottage with a glass of something cool.
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Lovely photos and posts by Brue & Moulesy.
We had a reminder, as if one were needed, today about Coronavirus and what a right little **** it is. MiL met a friend in town today. They arranged a meeting whereby they occupied either end of a bench in the local churchyard. One brought 2 takeaway coffees, the other Chocolate Marzipan. A good gabble ensued. During which the friend mentioned a neighbour who had embarked on a cruise in March, rubbishing the Virus as something that could be held at bay by drinking enough Gin and Tonic. Seriously! Three months spent in ICU, most of it spent on a ventilator, and now learning how to walk again, she realises she was wrong.
A sobering tale.
Nevertheless, the 2 ladies did enjoy their meeting, the first they have had for months when they usually met once a fortnight. It helps us as well, firstly to see her independent again and secondly to reinforce vigilance is still needed.
Stay safe one and all.
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Nice photos, brue and Moulesy.
M, couple of other interesting places out where you are. Kirby Malham Church, has a “watery grave” in the churchyard. It’s a lovely church with a small library of books for sale inside. Not sure if it will be unlocked at the moment though of course. But church yard is interesting.
https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/KirkbyMalhamdale/KirbymalhamChurchDT
Another great drive out, with walking potential if armed with OS maps, is the drive through Coverdale. It runs from Kettlewell, up (and I mean UP😱) into the hidden Coverdale valley. Very scenic, eventually if you follow it all the way across, you come out on Coverdale Moor and gallops, where the tiny little town of Middleham has its hidden secret. Dozens of racehorse training yards, and of course, the fabulous Castle!
(Motorhome drivers, Coverdale is not a recommended route😂If tackling it from Middleham end it commences as a nice drive, then it gets interesting, then you have to try and get down, and round, and down and round into Kettlewell😱😱😱)
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Good to hear confidence is growing WN, so important for older folks to maintain contact with friends and family. Afraid that tale is all to common with some folks, and it’s very sad. The daily average number of new cases is slowly rising in UK again, so as you say, vigilance is still required.
We have had a mass dog laundering day here. All pooch quilts, covers, padded mats, plus soft toys (essential Labrador equipment🤣) has been laundered, along with all sorts of collars. Comical sight all dog toys hanging out to dry. The pooch himself didn’t escape attention. He was furminated for a good hour, outdoors. We could have stuffed a cushion! He’s wandering around deeply suspicious of both his beds at the moment, they smell far too fragrant and nice at the moment😂
Sadly, this house currently has a good too many spare dog beds, collars around🤔🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
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Moulesy, try downloading a walk around Middleham, if you want to obviously, from this site. Just input Middleham into search engine and choose walk and os map and description should download.
Interesting history of area including power base for Richard the third.
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Thanks for your pics and post Moulesy, it's good to hear about everyone's trips away or nearer to home visits. I enjoyed reading up about Kirby Malham TDA, I was relieved to hear the end results of the watery grave tale!
I'm glad your MIL met her friend WN, I feel we're all doing a balancing act at the moment so any progress is better than none.
Just hoping the predicted heatwave down here doesn't lead to packed crowds etc on the coast again!?
Also whatsapped son this morning could see grandson lolling around in the background, eleventh birthday approaching, another Lego binge...
Off to "big" school after the summer but it's not going to be the usual experience due to Covid.1 -
Mmm ... Middleham - I have an abiding memory of that place. We did a long walk there many years ago, just after we'd rehomed Harry. Decided to have lunch in one of the pubs, assuming he'd just curl up and go to sleep the way the other dogs had always done .... well, he was having none of that! What a nightmare - so straight back out to the car for him! It was the only time we ever tried to take him into a pub - gardens were fine but indoors, not a chance!
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😂 Dogs and pubs. We once stayed at Old Ferry Inn at Bodinnick, decided to have evening meal in bar. We took two dogs down into bar with us, one fast asleep in seconds, other our Airedale dog Bingley crawled under table, and we thought he’d gone to sleep.......not on your Nellie. He suddenly got up, walked off with table on his back, dinners and all. Luckily we caught everything. Then there were the pots of cacti all down the stairs, and of course we had a top floor bedroom. Again, oh dear.
Choccy Boy has stayed there as well. That was the night we found out he’d eaten a crab. At 2am in the morning. Trying to get him outside before he threw up......Lovely. It was hammering down as well. So much for a luxury B&B stay🤣
Its all War of the Roses stuff round Middleham. Jervaulx Abbey close by, and Bolton Castle. And Sheriff Hutton Castle. Richard III’s little son is buried in Sheriff Hutton Church.
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Grand photos,M and brue. Good to hear that MIL's adventure went without mishap, WN, and her take was certainly a sobering one.
We had another 3 hr walk today, this time from beside Oulton Park, with a bit of a tromp through fields to Little Budworth, and then along Byways to the common. Much quieter here than at Delamere. Thankfully yesterday had been practice day at the circuit so it was nice and quiet all the way round.
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Nice day here, yesterday was not bad either.
Yesterday we were called upon to look after Callum as Daddy was off out to lunch with a Uni friend, and Mummy had to work. We occupied ourselves ordering a new battery for Mummy's car, 3 day delivery quoted, an hour later it arrived!
So Callum helped me fit it, and while doing so also investigated the engine, the dipstick, and anything else he could get his hands on.
He then sat in Mummy's car and checked out all the controls, then in our car, which was much more interesting, especially the button for closing the tailgate!
He then had a conversation with the nice, but rather bemused neighbour upstairs, and informed him that Pappa's car was very, very, very big, which said neighbour could only agree with!
Today was a quiet day, little bit of shopping, ordering stuff on line, looking at sites for September.
Only interesting thing was making soup from our glut of cucumbers. Followed a recipe suggested on here, with a bit of variation due to lack of ingredients, result is delicious.
DD is a bit off her food at the moment, soup is a mainstay, so popped down with a litre or so for her to freeze for later, plus bread flour she needed.
Tomorrow will be busy......Waitrose click and collect at 11am, shopping at Tesco and Aldi......dentist for me in the afternoon.
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Good day today we took a drive in to Southport and had a walk around went along the pier and had an ice cream at the end got talking to a local about the history of the pier and the town in general. On way back to the car there was a singer on at the outdoor area of the little cafe/bar so we got a pint and sat out in the sun the singer was very good singing a few old favourites came back to the van and it was still warm outside so cooked pizza on the Cadac. Headed in to Blackpool a couple of nights ago went out around half 7 and took a walk along Central Pier and spent a bit of money on the 2p machines couldn’t believe how empty the town was especially as it’s July we have been coming here for years and never so it so deserted at this time of year lots of y he sea front shops closed some look like they won’t be re opening again. Not sure what t he plans are tomorrow only a few more days of this trip left then heading home but only for 4 days then we are going to one of our local haunts for a couple of nights
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