There are finally signs of spring. The snowdrops in the wood are starting to fade and bright green spears of garlic are just emerging. Soon the air will be redolent of pasta and cassoulet and this will doubtless prove fatal to my desultory attempts to be rid of the winter lard. It is cool andContinue reading “Spring in our steps”
Category Archives: Pets
Rain did not stop play
It has been exceeding vile abroad. Lyra and I have bravely ventured forth every day, but it has not been delightful. The back lane is awash with puddles and the ditches are running lipping full with cold milky tea. By the end of our daily perambulation my finger ends are numb and Lyra is aContinue reading “Rain did not stop play”
New Habits
The same, but different is the new Ruthven House motto. We finally unpacked enough boxes to enable Mum to move into her new house in the middle of the month. There remain a number of cardboard hold outs, squirrelled away in corners where Mum thinks I don’t know about them, and a vast realm ofContinue reading “New Habits”
And lo – the cakes were iceth
Normal service has partially resumed. Mum and I have both been too mired in the great unpacking for the sake of our sanity, so we headed out to walk the dog first thing to get a bit of air and, possibly, a touch of perspective. It was a lovely bright morning, with just a touchContinue reading “And lo – the cakes were iceth”
Home Again Home Again Joggety Jog
After yesterday’s cultural endeavours (the ballet was fantastic, though I was so tired I had to soak my head in the loos in the interval to make sure I didn’t miss anything), we were back on the train home again today. There had been talk of Christmas shopping in the morning, but I had aContinue reading “Home Again Home Again Joggety Jog”
Day five distractions
A need to forage for something to cook with on Saturday took us to Norham this morning. The butcher’s window was festooned with fairy lights and festive papier maché pigs were standing guard over jolly painted cakes. Inside there was much chat of spousal gifting talents (Wendy’s Iain is clearly head and shoulders above theContinue reading “Day five distractions”
Here we go again, brace yourselves..
‘Tis the first of December and in three weeks and threeAll needs to be readyfor our yuletide jamboreeBut the cake is still just batterthe presents are not boughtthe wreath is still a-growingbut is she overwrought? No reader she is not. In the Seasonal Steeplechase we are barely out of the traces and (to mix myContinue reading “Here we go again, brace yourselves..”
Slip sliding away
We are in welly season. We celebrated Lyra’s 6th birthday with a sunny walk along the river in Norham only to find that the “low road” had been converted into a foot deep duck superhighway. Choosing the better part of valour, for once, Mum and I took the high road rather than wade through. EvenContinue reading “Slip sliding away”
from dreaming spires to forest pyres
The beginning of the month brought a spectacular downpour. Lyra was all for waiting it out and retreated to the spot under the table that is just out of easy reach for a woman with a lead. However, when faced with the smell of a venison twisty bar found herself unable to resist. We thenContinue reading “from dreaming spires to forest pyres”
A conflagration of leaves
My tale commences on a wet and windy trip to Norham a couple of weeks ago for essential bacon supplies. Lyra expressed the view that she was happy just to stay in the car and listen to the radio whilst I stocked up, with a view to heading straight back to the fire and theContinue reading “A conflagration of leaves”