Tuesday 27 July 2021

Ride Out

 


Following the previous day's efforts, it was quite lovely to enjoy my morning at a slower pace. Not that the walk had been particularly strenuous, in fact I was pleasantly surprised my legs didn't feel weary at all, but occasionally it can feel nice not needing to set off out quite so early.
It was also a good reason to indulge myself by eating a proper breakfast. When I'm working, breakfast is either a slice of toast and jam or some fruit and yoghurt, so on the days I don't need to be anywhere in a hurry, it can feel good to take my time and cook up something extra tasty. And I couldn't think of anything better to cook than the eggs I had picked up on our walk the day before.

Free range duck and hen eggs of varying sizes are often found beside an honesty box along the lanes in this area. You can just help yourself to the quantity you need and put the money in the tin or jar. And fortunately, on this occasion, I had just the right amount of money in my purse.




A little melted butter, two duck eggs and a tiny splash of milk made the perfect scrambled eggs for my breakfast. Just look at that colour! They were so creamy and delicious, some of the best I've ever eaten. 

Although this week I've been enjoying a holiday at home, there is no avoiding the fact that some of the more mundane chores still need to be done, including the shopping. So, after a quick visit to the supermarket, I should now have enough food in the fridge for the rest of the week. Take note of the word 'should'. I can almost guarantee I will have missed something from my list :)

Usually, my mornings involve quite a lot of 'encouraging' Lily to finish her breakfast then get dressed. For once, however, on this particular day, my powers of persuasion were not required. While visiting a National Trust shop a couple of days earlier, Lily noticed a head torch for sale and decided that she would 'really, really like to have it please'. Now I'm not entirely sure how, but she got it into her head that we would return some time on Sunday so we could buy it. I didn't mind. It wasn't expensive, will no doubt come in useful, and anyway, she never does ask me for anything much. We had been trying to choose where to go for a bike ride on that morning, when Lily decided where better to go than to the shop, where we could buy this 'amazing' head torch.  




Don't let on, but perhaps I should allow Lily to make these decisions more regularly, as we had such such a lovely time. We set off along the lane, where there was a little traffic but for the most part it was nice and quiet, before turning onto a bridleway, down the hill (so much fun 😄) across the field and then onto the track by the river. Here, we stopped for a while to enjoy a picnic lunch before, very carefully, crossing the wobbly bridge and cycling up the steep lane to the shop. I did think I might have treated myself to a coffee there, but given the length of the queue for the café I soon changed my mind. Maybe another time.

We returned home the same way we went, and I am happy to report Lily is thrilled to bits with her new head torch. No doubt she will be wanting to test it out properly very soon. 

J. X




22 comments:

  1. Wow, look at the colour of those eggs! Delicious! I'm sure the head torch will come in very useful.

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    1. I'm not sure what sort of exploring Lily has in mind :)

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  2. You know that the hens/ducks have free-ranged on proper grass when the eggs are that colour :-)

    Will the head torch be used to facilitate sneaky late-night reading when someone is meant to have put their light out and be going to sleep 🤣, or is she more likely to want to drag you up a hill when it is dark enough to be wine o'clock?

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    1. I wish it was for late night reading, Jayne. In fact, I'm actively trying to encourage it! X

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  3. What a lovely day out, and that breakfast is making me hungry just looking at it. Jean. x

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    1. It made a perfect ride out for us. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it :)

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  4. Those eggs look delicious. That looks a very pleasant route for a bike ride and Lily will be wanting to test her head torch sometime soon.

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    1. I'm not yet sure what Lily has in mind, but I'll keep you posted :)

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  5. If Lily is anything like my kids, there's absolutely no chance of her reading your blog so she won't cotton on about trips out to buy things unless anyone tells her.

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    1. I don't know why I hadn't thought of cycling out to the shop. I was too busy considering routes much farther afield. X

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  6. My son, who is in his sixties swears by his head torch. Glad Lily is getting used to it an early age. And what a lovely ride you had to get it. And as for your scrambled eggs - wow! talk about sunshine yellow.

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    1. I'm feeling a little envious now. I feel like I should get myself a head torch :)

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  7. Those scrambled eggs look delicious. It's funny what children get in their heads isn't it. I know Amy and Tom have wanted some very odd things in the past. Will Lily be allowed to try the head torch out in bed tonight or maybe you've another garden camp out on the agenda? xx

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    1. I only said that perhaps we could buy one some time. I have no idea where Lily got the idea it would be on Sunday :)
      So far, it has been worn for some bed time reading. I'll try anything to encourage her to read! X

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  8. A delicious looking breakfast! I hope Lily gets to try out her head torch very soon! :)

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    1. I expect the torch will be more useful as the evenings draw in. X

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  9. A head torch is an essential item in my life. My children love them, too. Good for camping, good for reading under the duvet after bedtime and good for hand stitching in the evening, when eyes are a bit tired. Your bike ride sounds lovely. I must say I am tired of walking the same old paths around our home and I feel envious seeing your beautiful photographs of your walks and bike rides, not just today but on all your posts (I don't always comment but always read). I love eggs but never scrambled. I made a duck egg curry not so long ago, an absolute delight to eat. Have a lovely week x

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    1. I'll definitely be getting a head torch for myself. It will come in very handy when I'm walking home from work when it's dark - there is only one street light half way up the lane. X

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  10. One year when they were just on the market in the ordinary DIY shops I bought everyone a headtorch to go in their "Christmas stocking". I think they are one of the best gadgets ever and with the latest improved LED lights they can even be used for walking outside in the winter. Good for Lily. As for reading at night I had to do it under the blankets with a torch when I'd scrumped a midnight feast.

    I often get fresh eggs (as if anyone would give me stale ones) from my next door neighbour who has hens and ducks on her croft up the road. They are wonderful.

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    1. A head torch can be used for all sorts. I'm definitely going to get one for myself :)
      I always used to buy my eggs from a farm several miles down the road, but I've got out of the habit, seeing as I don't tend to travel in that direction any more. I love that they are all different colours and sizes, and that they don't need a red stamp on them. X

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  11. I think a head torch will come in very handy if you go camping and want to read whilst snuggled up in sleeping bags. X

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