Porridge for Breakfast, The Ordinary Life of a TTP Survivor

I don't like Halloween.   It's origins or the 21st Century version. Right from it's beginnings it has been about death and spirits of the dead.  I always say I'm not superstitious,  but somethings shouldn't be messed with.  Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, has been turned from a Celtic tradition to ward off evil and spirits, to a commercial nightmare.  I know that many will say that nowadays it's just a bit of fun, but like my fear of spiders, its maybe instinct.  Maybe its the near death experiences that TTP survivors have, a little too close to home. Winter in this part of the world brings darkness and cold, something that the Celtic people took seriously.   If any misfortune befell them in the winter, they likely didn't survive.  For a while the Christian form of All Hallows Eve became a time when the poorest folk would beg at more wealthy folk’s doors for food, in return for offering prayers.  Now children are encouraged to trick or treat.  Really?  To ask

This weekend away was not my choice but my husband's.   To be fair I've had my weekends away and it was his turn.   Of course,  it involved football.   BHA v Newcastle.  It's on his list of dreams.  What would my grandfather,  a supporter,  think of us flying to Newcastle to watch a match? We flew with Easyjet, cabin bags under our seats, and limited amount of cloths.  I've never travelled for a weekend before knowing that I would need to wash undies.  My meds (not TTP related) took up more space than my toiletries!   We arrived exhausted, but driving would have been so much worse. We ignored our own travel tip and landed after sunset.  It's disorienting to land in the dark when you have no idea where you are.  Flight delayed at both ends, we took the Metro from the airport to the city centre, it was delayed en route, and then we left the station by the wrong exit.  It resulted in us walking more than a mile, in an arc, instead of .2.  We asked twice for directions,

I always take too many photos.  Thank goodness for digi cameras.  I get a bit snap happy, and when a cousin asked if I'd like to have a stopover in Wiltshire to visit the Stones, I said 'Yes!' immediately.   I knew I had to add this to my Journal.  The Avebury Stones are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site linked to Stonehenge.  They are freely accessible,  being part of the landscape around the village of Avebury.  You do cross farm land, and it's hilly, with animals grazing.  You need to be respectful of other people's property.  It is challenging.  However,  we did it!   You can park in the NT car park,  a charge applies.  From there you can walk to Avebury Manor and Gardens, also chargeable.  The real attraction though are the Pre Historic sites of Avebury.  We ate lunch at the Red Lion, apparently the only pub within a stone circle,  anywhere.  The staff were friendly and the food was good.  I recommend it.  We parked in their car park.  After ea

We're just back from a short break in South Devon.  It was much needed, just a few days with a change of scenery and no cooking or washing or gardening or any ordinary daily life. We took our Bongo but stayed in a Premier Inn for one night and then an Airbnb for two more.  We ate meal deals at lunch time and pub meals in the evening.  It was just wonderful not to have to wash up! We stayed in Paignton for the first night but didn't see much of it, the weather was horrendous for the whole time we were there and we had a booking the next day at Greenways.  Sorry Paignton.  Maybe our loss, but two weather warnings in one day was enough. Greenways is NT and once belonged to Agatha Christie.  It really is one of the most relaxed properties I've visited.   It felt like a home, and you could imagine Agatha dreaming up her plots there.  The golf clubs in the hall, the squishy sofas, the boathouse and the numerous collections from her

I get a lot of recipe videos on my social media feeds.  Many claim to be just how someone's Grandmother showed them.  I often doubt it's true.  I'm older, of course, so possibly I'm thinking of days from long ago.  My Grandma, Nanny we called her, was born more than 100 years ago.  She had a large family and undoubtedly did make pies, but I don't think they had desserts.  She would have made pastry, she didn't have a fridge, and I have seen her cooker in a museum 🥰.   Nanny had access to fresh veg because Grandad had an allotment and she kept her own hens and rabbits.  She didn't leave a recipe book, but she left a healthy brood of children. The old apple tree in our garden has withered this year.  Although it had buds, it didn't produce any blossom so no apples.  We couldn't bring ourselves to remove it, and we'll give it another chance next spring.   I do know it will be something of a miracle if it fruits again. My neighbour has, however,  gi

Last week the sun shone and we certainly made the most of it.  Our grandchildren were staying and we  were able to have several beach days as well as days out and days at home.   We visited Lynmouth,  just over the border in North Devon.  We found a great little Coffee Shack,  new this year, and deserving of success.  A relaxing cup of coffee was just what we needed.  Just a short walk over the bridge led us here. Take a look and have a great Coffee if you're there.  Rugs and hessian cushions were laid out on the wall. We rode the Cliff Railway from Lynton to Lynmouth, not easy with a pushchair and a pram, as both had to be collapsed.  It was worth it though,  for the views. The sea was the bluest I've seen for a long while and the sun was out all day!    Other days were spent on the beach, building more sandcastles.  I've become quite proficient ☺️.  Paddling almost daily and picnics and snacks in our camper, some