Author Archives: Sally

Walking in the rain and the sun ……

We have just had 4 fantastic walking days in Yorkshire, we stayed at the Grinton Lodge YHA with the Cambridge rambling club.

Jill led us on 4 great walks straight from the hostel door everyday, its always nice when you get a great walk with out having to drive 🙂

We missed the heat wave and had rain most days but at least it was warm and sunny

between the showers, making it great walking conditions.

The Bridge Inn in Grinton village did excellent food and we enjoyed two great evening meals there.

I gave in and took a bit of extra kit with me this trip, it was well used but I refused to have the standard black one !!

All my photos can be seen here…

Grinton YHA trip with CRC

Happy Garden

I love Sunflowers

So this year for the first time ever, as my garden gets lots of sun, we decided to try growing some.

We now have about seven sunflowers that are at least eleven foot tall and yesterday the first one came into flower 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making it a very Happy Garden 🙂

It’s official …..

I have a new contract with Tesco and a new job too 🙂

I get to keep my 18 hours a week but my hours change slightly but nothing too drastic.

I still work the same days but my hours are now 10.30am till 5pm, 1.30 till 8pm and 10am till 4.30 pm

So I am now working on the check outs, a job I have avoided for 11 years (yes thats how long I have worked for Tesco )

I hated the thought of having to sit for 6 hours but now that I can walk to and from work its not quite so bad 🙂

The main things I like about the checkouts is that I am constantly busy so the the time goes quick, I get to chat all day long, I dont come home smelling of fish and the best thing of all is that for the first time in 10 years I am warm at work 🙂

Today was my first 1.30 till 8pm shift I was a little worried about it but it was actually fine and I think I am going to enjoy my new job and hours very much.

My life is quite perfect at the moment…..

Just one thing would make me happier and that’s if my boys could  sort themselves out and get jobs !

 

 

 

All work and No exercise

Makes me a moody irritable girl 🙁

Since getting my job transfer and changing my work hours its been hard fitting in my exercise.

For those that are wondering , I have still not be allocated a job at tesco BUT have allocated myself a job… I sit on the tills, its busy, the the time goes quick, I get to chat BUT I get no exercise 🙁

Due to my growing massage business  I have not been able to get to ladies swimming or my exercise class.

I have started running again, but only a mile as I want to keep it low milage till I see how my achilles feels. I have now been 4 times and its feeling good but I dont want to push it too hard just yet.

NordicTrack E10 ZL Rear Drive Cross TrainerI was all set to join the gym again as I miss the cross trainer but I thought I may never find the time to go, then someone suggested that I bought myself a cross trainer.

AND  I decided what a fantastic idea, Geoff has measured up my shed and its the perfect size, so hopefully by the end of August I will be the proud owner of this and I am so so excited about it 🙂

 

 

 

 

A mountain of cakes

On 28th July it was Geoff’s 65th birthday we celebrated by having friends and family round for tea and cakes.

I baked a mountain of cakes for a man that loves walking in the mountains 🙂

The baking had started 10 days before when I baked two fruit cake’s  in a number 6 and number 5, after feeding them with brandy for a few days I then put the marzipan on and hoped that I would get them to cambridge in one piece.

On the day of his birthday Geoff had me up bright and early as he was stressing  🙁 but I had everything under control.

I made…

2 carrot cakes,  2 molly cakes, 24 plain cup cakes, 24 chocolate and beetroot muffins

30 ginger biscuits  and finally 12 carrot and cardamon cup cakes.

The cakes were enjoyed by everyone, although I could not bring myself to eat any after baking all day and making what felt like a thousand cups of tea, BUT I made up for it the following day 🙂

 

 

 

GR10 Photos…

Day one..   Merens to Refuge des Besines 

Day two.. Refuge des Besines to Refuge des Bouillouses

Day three..Refuge des Bouillouses to Planes

Day four.. Planes to Caranca

Day five.. Caranca to Py

Day six.. Py to Cortalets

Day seven.. Cortalets to Arles sur tech

Day eight.. Arles sur tech to Moulin

Day nine.. Moulin to las Illas

Day ten.. las Illas to  Col de l’oullat

Day eleven.. Col de l’oullat to Banyuls.

Short summary of the GR10

It was tough walking, the weather was hot , the scenery fantastic and I loved every step I took 🙂

If your thinking about walking in the Pyrenees and along the GR10 I would recommend a few things..

Remember to take insect repellent or bite cream as I had a few nasty bites.

Make sure your kit is light and quick drying as its a hot dry dusty place and you will want to wash your clothes out at night.

If you are a light sleeper take ear plugs if staying in dormitory type refuges.

In peak season July/August book refuges in advance ( we had a few lucky nights where we just managed to get the last beds available )

If staying at Cortalets think about staying an extra night to enjoy a walk to the summit of Carnigou.

Keep your pack as light as possible, mine was around 10kg with water and lunch.

Most of all ENJOY !