You sound as though you are right back on the wagon, Polly! Well done! Now all you need is summer weather. 😄
We are heading rapidly in to winter, with cold, wet days. We really have had our fill of rain…everything is getting mouldy!! It also makes it hard not to eat. I’m not fasting at present, but am trying to eat tasty, hot, low carb vegetable based meals. It’s amazing how onion, chilli and garlic, and liberal amounts of fresh herbs can raise the satisfaction level!
Australia is tense tonight, with our Federal election tomorrow. It feels as if change is in the air. We’ll see…
Purple

Good to hear you are making progress, Polly, on your weight-reduction plans.

And an interesting outcome of your election, P. Change certainly was in the air, and this time the pollsters didn’t get it wrong. Haven’t heard of your WAGs, Polly – not complaining there! And as for the appalling Bor-exit!

We have been enjoying lovely autumn weather, even though winter is just around the corner. The trees are getting spectacular. My soil pile under them is gradually diminishing. This is the result of having two new septic tanks installed last month. We were going to have one put in, to upgrade the system, but found the existing one disintegrating and in dire need of replacement, so with minimum of fuss two were dug in. So I grabbed the soil – several truckloads of it – to spread on the lawn where the tree roots are coming through. They do make mowing awkward! The lawn’s surface has sunk over the years, so I am going to gradually build it up.

Stay well, mates – or am I not allowed to say that now, P?

Yep, happy to see the back of Scummo! There’s hope for the future.

I’m envious! Johnson’s departure is well-overdue. However, I want the Tories to keep up as he’s Labour’s biggest asset at the moment. Only one fine after all those parties! We eagerly await the Sue Gray report. But ‘Boris’ is like an ‘albino greased piglet’. That was David Cameron’s description of him.

Great to have you back and hear all you news. You’ve certainly been enjoying life!!
Yes, our election results are an enormous relief. Now for the UK to lose their slippery PM. It’s called People Power!! 😀😀 P

Hi, Barata, The BBC ran Michael’s advice as R4 programmes, ideal. Just short bursts of advice- non of which I acted on, of course.

We’re having a horrible summer, so far. The were two hot days, with the wind from Spain, lots of advice of managing in ‘dangerous heat’, then back to a blast from the Atlantic. It’s 13 degrees now, with a max of 15 forecast. Grey. I’m siting here in my winter dressing gown. What ate your winter temperatures?

Food wise, I’m just about hacking it. We have a funeral to attend in two weeks, so OH is panicking about getting into a suit. It’s Fathers’ Day today, so indulgence will be tempting, no doubt. I have another incentive to maintain my weight: to refute that claim that everyone puts the weight back on in about five years or so. It’s nearly six for me. I’m still below my original target, but four pounds up on amended one.

Hope everyone is well.

Congratulations, Barata. How many members do you have? I feel that our U3A has grown too big and somewhat impersonal. We’ve had some situations where new members have wanted to turn every upside down, antagonising many, including our founder. Thankfully, a super member had returned to bade from the exalted ranks of the national body.

The funeral will be three weeks after the death; that’s become pretty normal here. It’s OH’s brother-in-law. We weren’t close, but going out of respect.

Ah, 200 is a nice size. We’re about 800. Three weeks has been the average for funerals for years. Nothing to do with covid. Could be shortage of crematoriums ( crematoria?)

The Welsh for crematorium is ‘amlosgfa’ – literally ‘place for burning. 😌

Stress on second syllable ‘losg’, with a hard G. F is pronounced a V.

Happy Winter/summer solstice girls. I just photographed the sun sinking I to the Indian Ocean on the shortest day.

Morning.

Apologies for my very long absence! I had an awful start to the year and have struggled to motivate myself to do anything…

Successive bouts of ill health, including post viral fatigue,have laid me low. That, with the isolation, lack of emotional support and uncertainty about the future had taken its toll on my mental health.

Anyhow, this last few days all of a sudden I feel so much better. The fatigue seems to have left me, I can exercise now without feeling steamrolled the next day. A bit of sunshine helps too! Our house sale is progressing and fingers crossed I’ve found myself a little place I hope I’ll be able to call my own in a few weeks. For the first time in a very long while, I feel positive about my future.

I hadn’t been fasting and my weight had crept up a few kilos. It’s dropped back again (in time for summer!) I suspect not so much due to recent fasting efforts but more to do with stress and worry! Anyway, whatever the reason, I’m pleased to have shed the spare tyre I was nurturing!

Amazon.
I always love reading about your travels and visits. I’m a country bumpkin but even I can appreciate there are benefits to living in London…!

The solstice passes uneventfully here, I didn’t join any crowds at stone circles! However it was clearly a very long day as it was still pretty light past 10pm when I went to bed 😁

Cwtches sound lovely Polly.
A new start, Happy. More happiness x

Happy,

I was thinking about you a few days ago and wondering how you were.
So sorry to hear you’ve been having a tough time and very pleased to hear you’re feeling better.
It must be hard to be moving and leave your garden etc but a new start in your own space will give you peace and give you plenty to occupy yourself with.

I’m glad you enjoy my travel tales etc. I’m aiming for a couple of overseas trips next year, fingers crossed all is well. Having had 3 trips cancelled I’m not going to book anything until the end of this year.
I’m hoping for a trip to Africa and if I can save a sufficient amount a trip Down Under towards the end of next year.

We shall see.

I’ve just passed the year mark since my hip replacement and I can honestly say having it done privately so I didn’t have to wait any longer was absolutely the best decision I’ve ever made.

I’m still clinging onto the wagon by the tips of my fingernails but after so many years of downs and ups and downs and ups I’m not stressing but accepting I’m always going to struggle and continuing to keep trying.

We’re having beautiful weather here which is wonderful as we are in the middle of the grass court tennis season and I’m now glued to the TV at every opportunity.

I know all about Cwtches, my Herefordshire friend has a Welsh husband and he used the word all the time especially when their children were little. It took me ages to work out what he meant 😆

Thanks! All virtual hugs gratefully received 😁

Amazon, I can’t believe it’s a year already. So pleased the new hip was worth it, you’re a new woman!

It’s been another lovely day here, I won’t be getting used to it though – I live in Cumbria after all 😂 Only just out of my thermals AND I’ve just realised that I’ve still got the winter duvet on the bed, perhaps time I opted for spring tog instead…

Yep. Pretty good overview, B. 😏😒

He has to keep the wheels of government ticking over. There’s another party to organise – Chequers, anyone?

I love your list of activities, Amazon. We have a thriving arts scene here, but there’s nothing like a city for the variety.

I’m glad things are progressing with your house, Happy. Is the U.K. the slowest at selling? You might not have culture but you have the scenery. We’re quite well located for both, on edge of the Clwydian Range, and within easy reach of Liverpool and Llandudno for opera and theatre – not forgetting lovely Theatr Clwyd in Mold.

Friends, I fell off the wagon again! Half-hearted efforts BUT we’ve been away on a little break to the Isle of Wight and I was appalled to feel my muffin top in too many pairs of pants. Anyway, I’ve got flipping Covid now,so don’t fancy food

Exciting stuff in Downing Street. ‘Boris’ has never realised that it was as unchanged anti-Corbyn vote that got him in. PMQ has become the highlight of our week, watching the mendacious, arrogant toad deliberately stutter and sprinkle a bit of Latin to impress the plebs, like us.

It was a rain-free day here today, but bookended with deluges. Must keep my snorkel handy!

… big rant deleted about the state of the planet …

kia kaha, friends.

I’ve not had Covid and I don’t want it thanks, which is why I’m wearing a mask on public transport unlike the majority.

The ballet was wonderful apart from a last minute discovery the station nearest to the theatre was closed. Thank goodness for taxis meaning we made it in time to grab a G&T before finding our seats.
The theatre was cool and well ventilated which was great as we’re having a heatwave as the weather forecasters like to call our two weeks of summer 😉
My friend thoroughly enjoyed her first trip to the ballet which made me very happy especially as it was a birthday treat for her from me.

I’ve been working so hard on my fitness since my surgery last year and I’m not best pleased to be suffering from plantar fasciitis which id b***dy painful and more than inconvenient.
I’m now alternately iccing my foot, sitting with it raised and doing stretches hoping I can nip it in the bud and recover before it interferes with my plans. I’ve waited aged to get my life back and I’m not keen to have to stay home again.

I’m watching the wonderfully talented but very troubled Nick Kyrgios v Novak Djokovic contesting the Wimbledon final.

I’m firmly in the Kyrgios camp.

Good to hear from you, Wi. I trust OH will be back with you pronto!

I had another fall on Saturday – going INTO the pub, not out! There is a sill at the door, and obviously I wasn’t watching. So a break from the gym while my foot heals. I’m loving the strength work there, will be back as soon as I can.

It looks as though Kyrgios lost the tennis as much as Djokovic won.

Yes, I am grateful for that, P. And no Covid in the household yet, also. Masks are still mandatory in some situations here, and being strongly recommended where they are not.

After all that rain and wind, Duck Lake is back on the lawn (sans ducks, though). And now the sun is shining, and 19 degrees!

Well being in the north, it isn’t hot hot hot here! But it’s pleasantly warm and the sunny bright blue skies make everything seem better. We could do with some rain though…. 😂

Polly, I hope you’re feeling OK. I was fortunate to catch a later strain when fully vaccinated, but it was still unpleasant and the effects lingered.

Mask wearing is very low here too. I mostly continue to, in the slim hope I might get some protection from it and also to make a point! Covid hasn’t gone away and even these later mild strains can kill and disrupt services.

Re house selling. Yes, it’s slow at the moment! Apparently there’s about half a million houses sold subject to contract, which is roughly 42% higher than pre-pandemic levels, hence delays with processing! Frustrating as you really want to exchange asap to secure it ☹️

Amazon,

Sorry to hear about your foot. Fingers crossed it does heal quickly, I know how frustrating injury is when you’ve worked on fitness and want to be active! After my illnesses earlier this year, I’m still not back to my 2021 fitness levels but I’m very aware I need to try and build slowly…. ☹️

Wiwi,

Sorry to hear you’re all alone in France… again! Hopefully not for as long as you were during the lockdown phase of the pandemic!

Barata, P, stop falling over!!

It’s not warm here either, 16 degrees, and pretty galling to hear moans about the heat from the rest of the country.

Wi, that’s an odd one, at least you’re not ‘Lost in France’.

Amazon, masks seem to be a thing of the past and it’s difficult to avoid crowds. That’s might be one advantage, the only advantage, of your enforced rest with your foot!

We enjoyed the final PMQ with ‘Boris’ yesterday. The arrogance and mendacity were undiluted. How the hell has he not gone, though?

I’m doing ok with food at the moment, mainly because I was so uncomfortable in two good pairs of jeans, with hideous muffin tops thankfully concealed under tunics. Weight had crept up 7lbs, half a stone. Too many treats

Amazon, I second your loathing of the whole hypocritical, self-serving crew! They scorn someone from a disadvantaged background, who pulled herself up by her bootstraps with no help and leaves them resorting to cheap jibes as she lays into them.

They try to dismiss Keir Starmer as an Islington lawyer. He’s the son of a toolmaker, went to Leeds uni and worked pro bono for years. I suspect some of the Eton/Harrow types want to keep positions and power for themselves and offspring.