Last week was very busy again, with a funeral thrown in for good measure. The lady who had died was a family friend of ours and in her early 90s; she had been ill for some time and I guess ultimately death came as a relief.
Friday evening saw me travelling to O.K.'s, with the train being only about 10 minutes late. I always look so much forward to that moment on Friday night (usually around 9:00 pm) when we finally can sit down at the dining table in O.K.'s cosy cottage, with a bowl of salad, fresh bread and a delicious selection of cheeses, accompanied by glasses of red wine - all prepared by O.K.!
On Saturday, we took advantage of the dry day (it has been raining on and off most of the week, and more was forecast for Sunday) and went running. It was very windy, which for me makes running twice as exhausting as it should be, and on my request we shortened our route from what would have been roughly 7.5 km to 6.
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| Is this hawthorne? |
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| Pink, white, yellow - spring is here! |
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| View from O.K.'s living/dining room |
Whenever the sun had a chance to get through the fast-moving clouds, it was rather warm, but with the wind, it felt colder than it was.
Sunday was spent most leisurely with a late breakfast, until it was time to meet up with a group of friends at a rustic restaurant for an early evening meal. The food was excellent (if a bit expensive), and the company entertaining as usual. One of the group had an appointment with her riding club later that same evening, so our party broke up earlier than usual. Going back home to O.K.'s would not have been practical, so I opted for my trains home an hour earlier.
Having to say good-bye to O.K. at the station was a little harder than usual, as I know I won't be seeing him until the 6th of April. Of course we will be on the phone and communicating by email and imesage while I'm in England, but it is just not the same as being together.
On the other hand, of course I am very much looking forward to seeing family and friends in Yorkshire - and there is even a trip to Derbyshire planned, to see family living there!
Keep your fingers crossed for our flight on Thursday around lunch time... I am NOT keen on high winds when I am up in the air, even though I know they do not pose much of a threat to a good aircraft and an experienced pilot.
By now you will be several hours into your work day....how wonderful that you will be on vacation after Wednesday! I know how much you love seeing your Yorkshire family. Will you be anywhere near Neil while you're there?
ReplyDeleteSince you will be in England over your birthday, will you still have your annual birthday gathering for friends this year? I have plans for a small get together this coming Saturday. :) And I did get your comment about the card. I'm glad I sent it early since you will be away from home over your birthday!
There will still be a birthday gathering for my friends and family here this year, although not as huge as last year's - there were nearly 70 of us there to celebrate my 50th birthday.
DeleteGeographically, I won't be all that far from Neil, but practically, it is a rather long journey from Ripon to Sheffield, especially if, like us, you do not have a car.
OK must be a remarkable man. Not only can he bake bread and grow salad crops. he also makes cheese and wine as well! Does he have his own vineyard?
ReplyDeleteHe IS remarkable! And although he does not own a vineyard, he can cook and bake (he is a fully trained baker, even though he had to stop working in a bakery many years ago, due to flour-dust allergy).
DeleteNot a good condition for bakers.
DeleteIndeed not, and it has forced many bakers into a career change. One I know of here in town became a physiotherapist instead. Apparently, kneading people's backs is not so different from kneading dough.
DeleteI love learning more about O.K. as he sounds like such a wonderful man who enjoys making you happy! That welcome supper is what would be perfect for me, all my favorite things!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you Thur. as you fly to England - safe travels. I won't be far behind you as I leave for England in early May, also to see family and friends, and hopefully squeeze in a little shopping for favorite items I can't get here. Wish my trip was shorter like yours, that 8 hr. overnight is no longer enjoyable, especially in economy as one is now 'tethered' to a narrow seat and unable to move about except to use those hideous tiny toilets! We do pay extra for more legroom, but we need to win the lottery and fly First Class now! When I've done that I have to say the difference is amazing and the journey much more pleasant, but the cost is abominable!
Anyway dear, hope you and sis have a fabulous vacation. Hope the weather is kind and the you can enjoy the always picturesque British countryside in warm sunshine.
Take care.
Bon voyage.
Mary x
Thank you, Mary - and bon voyage for you and Bob, too!
DeleteYes, long distance flights are what keep me from travelling to places I would love to see. I had a holiday in the US only once - a 10-hour-flight -, and although it wasn't too bad, it wasn't an experience I wish to repeat regularly.
I can confirm that O.K. is indeed a wonderful man who knows how to make me happy! I just hope he can say the same about me, when asked.
I am happy to read about another weekend visiting O.K. My sil from Munich works as a baker and enjoys it a lot and I certainly hope he does not get any sort of allergy or bad reaction to flour! I wish you safe travels on your vacation to Yorkshire later this week! My dd Alice just returned from Budapest and had to change planes in Heathrow and Chicago and wind complicated her journey! But all's well that ends well, and we are so glad to see her back. I hope you get to meet with the Weaver of Grass among all the other happy things you do...
ReplyDeleteA good friend of ours who originally trained and worked as a baker had to stop that work for the same reason, it is not uncommon to develop a flour-dust allergy in that line of work.
DeleteThank you for your kind wishes, Kristi!
Good to know your daughter arrived home safe & sound.
Not sure yet when/if/how we can meet Pat - the diary is filling up rapidly, and we have no car.
It's been very windy here too - and "snow-showers" today (snowflakes in the air but melting on the ground). No flowering trees around here yet! I wish you a calm flight, and a nice spring holiday in Yorkshire. I was thinking of sending you a card for your birthday too, but then realized that it probably wouldn't reach you before you leave - so I'll wait! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica! I'll love finding cards and letters on my kitchen table upon my return - my downstairs neighbour takes out my mail and looks after my three house plants when I'm away.
DeleteToday was very cold here, too, with two or three showers of icy rain between rather deceptive sunshine.
Such beautiful landscapes in your photos. Have a lovely trip! Oh, that view from O.K.'s cottage! Sounds like a lovely time...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sketchbook Wandering! I believe this is your first comment here, therefore: Welcome to my blog!
DeleteIt's always good to hear what you've been up to. I wish you safe and comfortable travels and a wonderful holiday. It would be good if the weather improves for you. I'm looking forward to your holiday posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Graham! We are hoping for some walk-friendly weather, of course, but the odd rainy day does not scare us - with an entire cottage at our disposition, plus friends and family nearby, we won't run out of things to do anytime soon!
DeleteSO excited for you!!! And looking forward to your pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nan!
DeleteDon't forget - if you are anywhere near here to e mail me and we can at the very least meet for coffee. Enjoy your Yorkshire holiday - there is nowhere quite like it as you know as well as I do and seeing relatives you haven't seen lately is also enjoyable. We are due for some warmer weather from tomorrow, so hope you will be lucky.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat! I'd love to meet up with you, just don't know yet when/if/how it is possible, as we do not have a car. But I will be in touch if there is an opportunity! Also, in case you'll be in the Ripon area next week, let me know.
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