Monday 2 July 2018

Early Summer


Thank you so much  everyone for your kind words and responses on my previous post, they are very much appreciated and I feel so grateful for your support and encouragement. I hope I didn't come across as too maudlin, as that really wasn't my intention, and thankfully I am already starting to feel much brighter. A couple of issues have been resolved, much to my relief, and the others are a work in progress. My outlook, therefore, is becoming much more positive. Big sister has moved back home, much to Lily's delight, and life is becoming busy and happy.

The hot weather continues and we carry on making the most of this, especially in the evenings and  on weekends.
Last weekend, and just before the weather really heated up, we went out on the bikes again. Since our last outing Lily was given a much needed new bike for her birthday (it's scary how fast she is growing!) and this one cannot be attached to the back of mine. I was a little worried how she would manage, but she did brilliantly. She is definitely getting the hang of  'keep left!' or 'keep right!' in order to avoid the other track users, and insisted on going the whole distance of twelve miles in order to get an ice cream which (of course!) she didn't really eat but liked the idea of. I love so much that she enjoys going out for a ride.






Spot the sheep.


The following day we walked up to Easedale Tarn near Grasmere. And for anyone who is wondering, no, the girl does not tire easily! Although, it was a hot day and we didn't want to do any steep climbing. The track up to Easedale  is a beautiful walk and a perfect place to head to for a picnic. Quite a few other people thought so too, as thanks to the good weather it was busier than usual up there. Lily and I enjoyed a paddle to cool off but there were a few people who braved the cold in order to go wild swimming in the tarn.






We've been enjoying time in the garden in an evening.The little paddling pool is the perfect way to cool off, and the fabulously bright flamingo swimming costume is getting plenty of wear. Meals are whatever is quick and simple to prepare, much preferring to be outside than stuck in the kitchen. The latest batch of Elderflower cordial is so delicious and refreshing. The perfect summer drink.

The few vegetables we have growing appear to be doing well, even in the heat. We've already tasted the spring onions and lettuce. Sadly, the strawberries have failed again this year. I really don't know what I'm doing wrong. I dug the remains out of the large planter and have replaced them with the tomato plants, which have plenty of flowers on them now, and will hopefully produce some fruit.





This last weekend has been so lovely. We went camping  near Ullswater again and tested out the new tent. We walked around Aira Force where the cool shade of the trees was very welcome, and naturally we had a paddle in the stream. Following a picnic lunch we walked down by the lake. I've never known even the shallow water to feel warm before, that's how hot it's been recently. In the evening we managed another short walk and did some Geocaching. It's a while since we last did any and I sometimes think the adults enjoy it more, although Lily does like the excitement of discovering the little boxes of 'treasure'.

I haven't seen Mog for a few days now, although I'm not worrying as I know she's around somewhere. I think she has found herself somewhere nice and cool to hang out. There are some large trees and long grass to the back of the house and I have a feeling that's where she is. Her food is going down, albeit slowly, and I did hear the catflap at around 5.30 this morning. It would be nice to see her face occasionally, however.

I could easily get used to all of this. It's wonderful to actually feel like it's summer.

J. X

38 comments:

  1. Lovely pictures, as always, especially the last one of Lily by the edge of the lake. I smiled at your washing picture my DH always looks at me oddly if I attempt to take a picture of the washing - men would never blog about their washing would they!
    Glad you are feeling brighter - the summer feeling does help although for me it is a touch too hot but I try not to complain. It is lovely to have all the doors and windows open and to be able to leave things outside without the threat of rain...and leave the umbrella at home.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, that's my favourite picture too.
      Haha! The washing photograph was really to show the swimsuit. We bought it last year on a day out in Liverpool. I was hoping Lily would choose a tasteful navy and white one but this was the one she chose instead! I think she probably made the best choice in the end.
      I'm feeling much brighter and I'm sure this fresh air and sunshine helps too. X

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  2. How confident Lily is on her new bike-you are giving her such a healthy, outdoor childhood which is lovely to see. We are about to depart in our moho for about 10 days and the main focus is The Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

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    1. Lily does love her bike Catriona. It's finding safe, traffic free places to go and ride which is proving quite difficult.
      She spends a lot of time outdoors and can never sit still for long. It's all I can do to try and keep up with her!
      Have a lovely time away. X

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  3. I'm pleased to hear you are feeling much brighter Jules. I doubt any of your blogging friends mind what you write, it's your blog and we are here to support you, having said that you're definitely not maudlin. You have the most wonderful blog and I for one look forward to your posts and photos. Wonderful that Lily can cycle twelve miles and enjoy herself. Lovely photos of your outdoor adventures. Wishing you a good crop of tomatoes and I'm sure Mog is just finding somewhere cool in this very hot weather.

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    1. Thank you Eileen, that's really lovely of you to say and I'm beginning to feel much brighter already.
      I whistled for Mog that evening and she came home and is now back to her usual routine. Perhaps she's getting a bit more used to the heat now, it'll be the hottest she's ever known it.
      Fingers crossed for the tomatoes. I've never grown them before so I hope we get a reasonable crop. X

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  4. Jules I'm so sorry I've been missing posts, for some reason you still aren't showing up on my side bar. I do so love seeing pictures of your countryside and would love a tarn to go wild swimming in. Love that Lily cycles 12 miles, so impressed with that. Go, girl! xx

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    1. Thanks CT. I know Lily loves to ride her bike, but she even surprised me with how far she went. X

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  5. I'm glad to read that you're feeling a bit better. I know how wearing problems can be, and remember what a relief it is when there is a resolution.
    Lily is such an active little girl. When you write about your activities it reminds me of what life was like when I was young. We were always outdoors; running, walking, playing and cycling, in what seemed like never-ending sunshine. I'm sure Lily will have wonderful memories of her days in the great outdoors too.

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    1. Thanks Scarlet. I think it's when the problems arrive all at once that I struggle, it can seem overwhelming, even if, in reality, it isn't. Things are now looking up, however.
      Lily is very rarely still and I'm so happy that she enjoys being outdoors so much. I do hope she will have some happy childhood memories, as I'm really loving trying to make them. X

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  6. I'm glad to read that some things have been sorted out Jules and that you're feeling better about others. I get so caught up in the simplicity and genuine charm of your posts, they really are a joy to read. Bike rides, camping, ice-cream, wonderful countryside, good simple food and family time is the stuff dreams are made of and you convey such a sense of calm and well-being in everything you write.

    I'm flabbergasted that Lily can ride 12 miles. What a girl. She's going to have some beautiful memories of her childhood. xx

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. That's a really lovely thing to say. I like to keep life as simple as possible but it's not to say we don't have our fair share of day to day chaos. I think it's trying to reach a balance that's important. We are so fortunate to have some beautiful countryside on our doorstep to help us to relax and unwind.
      Lily never ceases to amaze me with how she can keep going at times. Even her teacher once said she never seems to get tired. X

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  7. I'm so glad you are feeling better in yourself Jules. Being down is such a horrible feeling.
    I absolutely love your photos today. We are looking a tad dusty and faded in our little corner of Staffordshire. I feel like going out and polishing everything to brighten it up.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thanks Sheila. I'm definitely feeling a lot brighter now.
      I think dust has replaced mud in our little corner of the world. Thank goodness for showers! X

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  8. Lovely hues of blue...glad to hear things are straightening up for you xx

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    1. Thank you Jackie. I'm going to get a shock when there are eventually some clouds in the sky. X

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  9. How nice that you have your sister near you. The summer brings many blessings and I hope you and Lilly enjoy them all.

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  10. So glad to hear that things are a little better, Jules. I hope it all gets resolved before too long. Love the pictures of your countryside and I got all excited when I manged to spot the sheep in that one picture! :D I'm very impressed that both Lily and you can ride 12 miles! Wow! I know I can't ride even 1 mile, let alone 12!

    I enjoyed seeing a bit of your garden - you need to take more pictures of your garden and post! It looks like such an inviting space! And, I think, Lily's paddling pool is just what I will need when it heats up, over here, later this summer! I could set it up in the family room and cool off when it is 100+ inside!

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    1. Thank you Bless. The sheep did make me laugh. Every so often you can hear movement in the bracken and then a little face appears.
      I probably don't post much of my garden as I don't think of it as being very special. I'm really not green fingered and it is more of a practical than a beautiful space. I do feel very fortunate that it is, however, a space to sit out in and, of course, somewhere for Lily to play.
      I do think you should get yourself a pool! X

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  11. Ullswater and Grasmere look perfect at present, you are doing much better at taking advantage of what is on your doorstep than us :)

    I am deeply impressed at the distance Lily can cover on her bike, not sure I could do that. Do take care of yourself . . . a friend of mine used to say "baby steps, baby steps".

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    1. You must try and get out while the weather is good Jayne. I'm sure both you and Daisy would love a paddle in Crummock Water to cool down.
      I'm feeling much more positive at the moment but still taking each day at a time. It is all I can do, as sadly there are things that are completely out of my control.
      Lily is a bit of a whizz isn't she, or am I just biased? She does love her bike though. I could never have managed that distance at her age. X

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  12. So pleased that things are a little better …

    Your photographs are stunning, I've really enjoyed them.
    So nice to see Lily growing both in height and confidence.

    Is that a frittata with that salad? It looks delicious.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. I'm feeling much more positive now, although there are still some ongoing issues.
      Lily seems to have recently grown overnight and is looking rather tall. It must be all this sunshine. She loves being outdoors and her legs are covered in scrapes and bruises from her adventures.
      Yes, it's a frittata, and it was delicious. I love to make tasty simple food in this weather. X

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  13. Well done Lily on the cycling and walking, a great achievement for a young lady.

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    1. She does really well, Julie, although I'm not sure I'd describe her as a young lady! 😂

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  14. Its amazing how much energy children have when they want ice cream :)

    Im glad things are working themselves out for you too :)

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    1. Thank you. Yes, ice cream works as a great incentive. It would be even better if she'd actually eat it! X

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  15. What stunning scenery! I could wander places like that all day and be so happy in among the green-ness and under the blue sky. Great you can share that with you little one too. Meg:)

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    1. We are very fortunate to have such beautiful scenery on our doorstep. I try to make the most of it at every opportunity. X

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  16. Hi Jules, just saying hi and you can now find the new blog here.
    Marlene x

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    1. Thank you Marlene. I'm looking forward to reading and I hope it goes OK for you this time. Xx

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  17. How great that Lily is such an outdoors type, and what stamina!

    Glad to hear you are feeling brighter (I am just catching up with everything), thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos of the precious time you've had together.

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    1. She has plenty of stamina alright. It's all I can do to keep up with her at times.
      I'm thrilled she loves being outdoors. X

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