A Misty Morn in November

What better to blow away the excesses of the previous evening's dinner and a cooked breakfast than a ramble in the countryside? Armed with map, boots, waterproofs, oh and the puppydog, we set out on a gentle 6 mile hike from Fradley Junction. 

Have not been to FJ for years, even a tarmac road to pub these days! The walk started from the pub and we followed the canal for about 2.5 miles. The colours, even on such a misty day were amazing.

Only 66 miles to Preston Brook.

Monster mushrooms growing amongst the fallen leaves.

Kings Bromley Wharf, not a lot going on there these days.

Don't they know the canal is closed around the bend?

After about 2 miles we left the canal behind us and continued along a B road towards Kings Bromley.

Wonderful autumnal colours in every garden. Soon we found a farm track and a long horned cow.

 aahhhh, baby fresians.

Next stop, Alrewas Hayes, (nice wedding venue). Beautiful farmhouse although pity about the bit stuck on at the end to change what must have been a beautiful symmetrical Georgian farmhouse.

Maize? No, bamboo? now why would anyone grow so much bamboo?

Across a field of brassicas.....across a wood by the mobile homes and finally a wonderful sight.

2 hours in total, a great walk, hardly anyone about and those of us hardy souls who were, well our spirits were lifted by a trudge, a yomp, a ramble, a hike, a meander, anything you may wish to call it. A brilliant walk.

Pear Tarte Tatin

Autumn fruit is amazing. A colleague handed me a huge bag of pears so feeling somewhat energetic this week I set to and made a pear and ginger cake for his meeting. Unfortunately he didn't actually get any of it, so better set to and make another one.

Pear Tarte Tatin, almost better than apple. Thanks, Gordon.

One of those days

I feel like writing one of those letters which is signed Disgruntled of Lichfield.

Yet not really a bad day, the Freecycling continued after work. Garden furniture to a delightful couple who were on their way to the tip in their van and asked if I had anything they wanted me to take with them. You see, brief connections with people like this in the everyday humdrum of life often reassure you that, after a rubbish night's sleep (or doze should I say), most people are genuinely nice and want to help.

What is a house worth?

Listened to a laughable offer today. Incensed, infuriated and indeed I did laugh and said positively no, we are in no hurry to sell. But what if it is the only offer? The market is static, bills need paying, closure needs addressing, what price a house where you spent so much of your life as a child, a teenager, a young married 20 something, a 30 something mother, daughter, sister, you cannot put a price on that. I find I am defending the fact it has 'potential for improvement' - estate agent speak. Why does everyone need an ensuite these days or an island in the kitchen? It was fine for us growing up and the grandchildren growing up who have such fond, happy, hysterically funny at times memories of this house and their grandparents. I suspect the emotional ties now the house is becoming a shell of its former self are beginning to loosen. The day is fast approaching for the final time when we shall lock up the back, close the front door, close all the downstairs doors, draw the curtains and taken a final look behind us as we say goodbye. Tears will flow.

How lucky we consider ourselves to have those memories, how sad they are all in the past.

and so the Freecycling continues....

I had to ask my hubs the name for this...the sack truck, useful I'm sure but I had no idea of its name. So many responses. Came down to 'I have a disabled husband and would really appreciate it', no brainer as to the need.







The twin beds have gone to 'our friend who has recently opened a day centre and respite for the elderly and would be well cared for'.






The garden chairs, parasol and table go to the lady whose daughter is 'trying to make her garden nice for her and her daughter'.





Freecycling reassures your sense of what is right in the world.
You are all welcome.

Freecycling

What is it about Freecycle which gives such a sense of satisfaction?

I was introduced to it about a year ago by a friend who seemed surprised at my lack of knowledge. Once she had explained the premise and philosophy behind it, I created an email account just for freecycling and advertised my first item…..a chest freezer we were desperate to rid of in the garage as a)too large and b) things got lost in its cavernous base. Within hours of advertising I had received several responses. Now what? Did I choose according to time of email response ie first come first served or perhaps another fairer (in my eyes anyway) method? So I decided that the unwritten rule would be the Most Polite email or the Neediest or the Best Reason given and with that in mind I made my choice. So ‘my son has just moved out to start his own catering business and is desperate for a freezer’ won. The freezer was duly collected, I was thanked profusely and what was even better was the follow up email a day later telling me it was working perfectly in situ and how perfectly it fit the space.

Well, I am currently house clearing and have advertised 2 stereos, a video cassette recorder, 2 breakfast stools, conservatory furniture, DVD player, vinyls (there must be someone out there collecting?), a record player, a coffee table…..most of the items have generated lots of responses from ‘does the DVD work?’ – why on earth would I advertise a broken DVD? That one was deleted straightaway to a most polite email from a lady “I would be grateful for your DVD player my grandson has come to stay with us at the moment he has been using his play station to play his dvd’s but some of them don’t work and gets very disappointed this would be very appreciated, thank you”, of course that decision was made.

A young lady has just called to collect one of the stereo players. She arrived by taxi and used a walking stick as she walked up the drive. She explained she did not drive or have a car and had booked a taxi to collect her freecycle item. She was extremely polite, thanked me profusely and all I asked was she email me to confirm it worked ok when set up (why you may ask, it was free after all).

Dad knows the house is up for sale and is very interested in the process. I know freecycling his belongings in this way would both please and impress him that there are people who value and cherish what once belonged to him. I must tell him all about Freecycle.

Just a few tips….

Taking photos helps and replying with a quick email and photo can confirm or not someone’s interest..

It is useful to be able to send an email to the group stating Taken to explain the item has been claimed and sorry it’s not you…..

A polite response perhaps with a reason will get you far….

Can't Sleep, Won't Sleep

I haven't always been a poor sleeper. I remember in my youth and when first married sleeping for hours at a time, literally hours, getting up, making a cuppa, reading and then going back to sleep for more....I can't quite remember when it all changed. Probably the birth of my daughter when I was 30 was the first major obstacle to sustained periods of sleep, she was not a particularly good sleeper and I do remember the intense bouts of tiredness I felt as I worked fulltime after a restless night. The games and strategies we would use to prevent her falling asleep during the day so she would sleep soundly so we would sleep soundly....

She's 23 now, left home officially 5 years ago, and you would think this would be the ideal time to re kindle the idea of sleeping for longer than 5 or 6 hours. But it just did not happen. I rarely go to bed and lie awake, tonight is one of those rare occasions, my problem is I wake up in the night or anytime after about 4.30am and that's it. I am wide awake thinking about the day ahead, the lists I have made of jobs to do, the classes which need teaching, work to mark, demos to prepare, emails to read and send, colleagues to speak to.....really no more than millions of other working adults every day and yet my mind will not switch off and allow me to drift off again into a relaxing sleep. Instead the dozing becomes stressful, the constant fidgeting drives my husband mad, and in the end I get up as I may as well start my day.

The problem is that sleep is such a great rejuvenator and I rarely think to myself 'oh I slept well last night'. I rarely feel completely refreshed and most mornings take on the acceptance of often acute tiredness and dread of having to just get through the day as I am so tired. I find myself leaving the house earlier and earlier, my school is 19 miles away and I often arrive at my classroom at 7.15am, showered, made up and breakfasted....but tired.

So as the day wears on, and anyone working with young people will understand this, there is no time to feel tired. You have to stay on top of your game, cannot go and hide somewhere and have forty winks, you just get on with the nature of the job. At the end of the day, or rather once the children have left, it is great to pack the car up and drive home thinking about a relaxing evening ahead and the literal falling into bed later on. The rot sets in once I sit on the sofa. There is no particular time for the 'nodding off' procedure, it might be before we eat or after but it usually takes place at some point. It has to stop. I have to stay awake throughout the evening, come what may.

Exercise might help but the vicious circle of waking up tired, working all day, coming home tired and then going out to exercise negates the usefulness of this activity, especially in these dark days. There will be those who will say going out to exercise makes you feel better, more energetic and able to relax more but I just don't have the energy.

So some end of year resolutions seem to be in order, tell husband to wake me up no matter how much I complain and shout bitter recriminations, do more exercise.....I know it would be good for me.

I have just taken the Sleep test on the BBC site. Apparently I am probably getting the amount of sleep I need and a stern reminder quality is better than quantity.

Why do I still feel tired then?

November 2010

What is it about early November? Long nights, short daylight hours, shops full of Christmas decorations, (confusingly next to Hallowe'en displays last week) and the inevitable glut of autumn reality shows on the tv. Oh and I forgot the adverts, yes the new M 'n S one is very good and when will the John Lewis weepy be shown in response to Peter Kay's hilarious high kicks? But am already fed up of Christmas. It is not my favourite time of year and yet I can't exactly put my finger on the reason why not.

I hate the endless searching for online presents (to save time) but it never does, the reviewing of the Christmas card list (what is the point of sending cards to people you never ever see or have anything in common with?), the writing of the dreadful Round Robin letter (and trying to convince myself that if you personally head each one and then sign, it somehow becomes personal, which it doesn't), the buying of the tree (an absolute waste of money, why not just go and throw £30 into the bin?), the putting up of the same decorations each year in the same place, the budget for each present (which never includes the little extras you think you should add).....and so on.

As I read this back I just sound like Mrs. Scrooge. I hate the pressure of sorting out Xmas Day, who is going to eat where and with whom, what time should we eat, what time will guests arrive..and leave. When should we open presents? We had steaks 2 years ago, very good but somehow felt a bit cheated so back to turkey and all the trimmings. Do you know how long it takes to prepare all the trimmings? Do we need starters? How much wine? Do we really need cheese? Am exhausted just thinking about it...and I haven't even mentioned the vegetarians, bless them.

What time can I put on my pyjamas and go to bed??

The thing is I can't really think of an alternative to the day. Would I really miss it if I didn't do it? Would I feel guilty, upset, cross?

I think I would like to find out, just once.