Gracie's favorite articles

Yesterday I took an early morning stroll up the beach before breakfast. It was a lovely morning and the day stayed that way. I spent all day in the garden and it was a wonderful way to waste time. Today started out the same way, a lovely sunny morning for my trip to Aldi and the new larger store nearer to home.This trip is about 1 mile each way which knocks 1 mile off the 3 mile round trip from the old store and well within my range. I enjoyed my trip,the store is very large with plenty of r…

I awoke to rain yet again for the second day running. After sorting the cats and polishing off a couple of bacon buns I sat watching the rain and a thought popped into my head. "When did I turn into a weather wimp? Is this the man who trod the Lakeland fells and stood laughing on the top of Black Combe in a hailstorm? " It is time to stop all this nonsense and man up,so I took my old hiking weather lightweight waterproofs out,donned them and a pair of boots, picked up my sports bag and headed o…

We have had a spell of good weather here and it is set to hang around,this has meant I have been able to get right on top of the gardening On Monday after an early morning shop I cut and strimmed the front garden before Ellen arrived for her weekly visit which I enjoyed Yesterday after a trip to see my mother and youngest sister I started on the back and got that into shape as well. I even managed some work on the patch to the side of the house and after a rest day today I will do some more…

Jane and Arlene are outside their nursing home, having a drink and a smoke, when it starts to rain. Jane pulls out a condom, cuts off the end, puts it over her cigarette, and continues smoking. Arlene: What in the hell is that? Jane: A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet. Arlene: Where did you get it? Jane: You can get them at any pharmacy. The next day, Arlene hobbles herself into the local pharmacy and announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of condoms.…

Iset off for a nice stroll along the prom to the park and came across this So had to climb back up the hill and start again From there It was through the park to the wild area then home Not quite 3 miles but enough as I cut the front grass on my return Lots of lovely scents wafting on a gentle breeze

Inspired by Jenny and her terrific neighbours. Over the years I’ve lived in a number of houses with a ‘rum do’ assortment of neighbours. As a teenager, we lived in a new terraced house on a housing estate that had limited access for cars. With underpasses aplenty, you could walk for a number of miles without ever having to cross a road. Anyway, on one side was a neighbour we barely knew or saw, and on the other was a family with what is now called a special needs child. Man, they were often n…

Well Mandi arrived last night or should I say early this morning?!!! It was close on 5am by the time she came in. My neighbours had been brilliant and gone to pick her up from the airport, which is just over 100 miles away, and her plane didn't land until just after 2am!!! I can't thank them enough for going for her, and bringing her safely to me. Well we both had a lie-in and had only been up a couple of hours when Emily arrived!! Those two got on so well and soon we were all chatting and laugh…

I’m a dreamer, always was, always will be. I don’t see it as a character flaw, or something to be proud of, I just am. In my youth, I’d like nothing better than window shopping in stores I couldn’t afford; just looking at nice things and hoping one day that I’d be able to afford them. My then husband was so down to earth it was scary, and I do seem to attract that type; so opposite to myself. I once went to a shopping mall, a few years ago, and simply wandered around a department store looking a…

My daughter Ellen that is. I mentioned a few days ago that I would have to shampoo the carpet in here. She told me not to as it does hurt my back with the furniture shifting etc. She came over at 9am this morning to do it while I visited mother, I returned after about 3 hours to find she had not only done the carpet but mopped the kitchen floor and wiped all the worktops and appliances down. So after a nice visit with mother and a good chat with Ellen when I got home I had a nice clean home…

Today dawned a beautiful sunny day just as it has done the past 4 days. I must say, I have never known such a warm February. It clocked up 18C today, and with the blue sky and warm sun, I ventured out to see what other new growth had come up since Friday. It was warm enough to go out without a cardigan - just a jumper - incredible. I first saw some more primroses had bloomed on the side .... Then I saw a robin settle in the bush near me and he stayed there quite a time while I walked…

Today we had wall to wall sunshine for most of the day and it was a balmy 14c very warm for these parts. I ditched the winter coat and hiking boots and sonned a lighter jack and walking trainers.It was like being released from constraints . it was a very pleasant trip to see my mam and youngest sister We are promised the same tomorrow so hopefully at long last I can make a start on the mini jungle that is the front garden

After a spell of glorious weather it's all change again. Yesterday was nice if a little cooler so it was back to the garden. I raked the dead grass off the front intending to start on the back garden after lunch.My back decided otherwise and refused to play along so it was back to the massage chair again. Last night the weather started acting up getting cold and when I went to put something in the wheelie this is the misty damp sight that greeted me. Today is dark and damp and rain…

It's early day but so far the new lifestyle is working well. I got a free delivery slot for Sunday lunch which meant I did't have to go to town on a rainy Saturday. To get free delivery I have to spend £35 more than a normal week but with the new mostly meat order and the veg I already have I easily have enough for 3 weeks or more meals.I will see how it goes and when the time is right re-order, next time more mixed with fruit and veg as well as meat. What lttle walking I have been able to g…

As regular readers will know, I love my table. It’s almost as old as the Deckhand and is a pine table with hand painted tiles inlaid. Nothing overly fancy, nor particularly expensive however I like it. On this Ship, most meals are consumed at the Captain’s table and although I have my laptop on it, and always a bowl of fruit, there’s plenty of room for dining too. Christmas morning the table was graced with pastries from the oven and an espresso pot. Later, a full roast dinner of rib roasted bee…

…On a wet and windy Sunday morning. Now and again, I open YouTube and just see what’s available. I’ve been listening to Gerry Rafferty – Get it right next time, it really speaks to me – when I noticed an ‘ad’ for Enigma. Man, that took me back, and I spent half hour or so listening to various Enigma tracks before bed. It left me feeling very mellow, and Saturday night, in spite of the rain lashing against the windows, I slept well. Although I like Enigma, and more contemporary music too, my favo…

Bideford new bridge from the quayside. Thought you might like this Pam.

Over the weekend I phoned my kid sister; we both have ‘free’ calls on the weekend if we natter for under an hour. Is it Saturday already she asked? No, I truthfully replied; it’s Sunday. It was her turn to call, and somehow, she’d lost a day. She’s not working, medically retired, however her partner works so he must know what day it is. How can one lose a day? A whole day? It got me thinking about time. When we natter, I have to keep an eye on the time because if we go over the hour, we get char…

This week we’ve had a small invasion of ladybirds in the garden. Not hordes, but more than I’ve seen in a good many years and Thursday I had to shut all the windows as they were crawling up the windows, the kitchen wall, and the back door. Weird. Only one landed on me as I was hanging out washing and I was able to encourage it to fly off. They’re pretty enough, and harmless (I think) though it’s slightly creepy to see them crawling up the windows. One time, whilst staying at a Tai Chi retreat…

Have a great day today Mickey. You have been my very dear best friend for over 10 years now and I am so lucky to have you in my life....... Happy birthday sweetie x xxx

Good journey up to the Midlands, safely moved in, with a minor hitch with the removal firm holding my 'stuff' to ransom until I paid more money! More of that to follow. The Deckhand chose well (mostly) and I moved him to the new home the same day (Thursday). Man I was shattered. Sunday I had my first good night's sleep in over a week, so that's good. Ship's dog is off his food a little, but he'll be okay. We found a lovely green space to walk him - trees, a path through some woods, and…