Porridge for Breakfast, The Ordinary Life of a TTP Survivor

We've had a mini break, just over the county border, with one night away 😀.   It proves you don't have to go far, sit in airports, or queue.  You don't have to spend mega amounts. You can fit a lot in, and have a great time.   I've had holidays out of a suitcase in the past.  Travelling across the USA and China were both amazing, but I don't want to do either again.  Now, I would choose somewhere to get some sunshine,  relax and enjoy the views, or just travel the least distance 😉.  Barnstaple is not a pretty town.  Its maybe typical of places that have seen good times and are now struggling.  It is trying though and there were signs of investment.  The main shopping area has most things you need, though the larger supermarkets are of course out of town.  It was good for us to stroll around,  the Pannier Market has had glass doors added, making it look more contemporary,  and a few hardy stall holders were inside. Butchers Row looks lively again and we found a qui

I have a cold.  Nothing new or unusual there, however it irritates me and my head is thick.   I've discarded one post already this week because I couldn't put any sense into it.  I was deleting as much as I was writing and in the end gave up.  That's not me, I don't give up.  The weather has been so cold here, and yes, I know its much worse in other places.  We've been lighting the woodburner so that we're only heating one room for most of the day, rather than the whole house.  It’s cosy, and encourages you to sit.  Maybe not so bad once in a while, I really need to get rid of this cold!  A wish would be for a kitchen the size of a lounge, one we could live in.  Honestly, I feel like I’ve begun to hibernate and will have to step up next week. We've been out walking a couple of times, to get some fresh air, the wind was bitter at the beginning of the week and the frost didn't clear yesterday.   No snow here though,  it has been just cold and bright.  Toda

The weather forecast says there will be a freeze and I don't want to be shut in any longer than necessary.   Today, the sun was bright and shining, not to be wasted.  We decided to get some air and drove up onto North Hill.   My sneezing has turned into a cold, but my back was telling me I needed to walk. The cold air hit us as soon as we opened the Bongo.  Despite layer upon layer of jumpers, fleeces, duvet coats, two pairs of gloves and a hat, nothing protected my nose!   Our walk was shorter than usual.  It was worth the effort though.  The shadows were long but the gorse is flowering.  No doubt about the time of year!  There were a few hardy dog walkers.  Some more hardy than others,  we saw one man, with his dog, not even wearing a coat!  His walk was even shorter than ours! One of the greatest things about walking at times like this is seeing the Exmoor Ponies.  They know where to hide when people are about, but on quieter days you can come across them

The weather has changed.  The rain has stopped and the cold air has set in.  I'm a chilly person at best of times, and although I appreciate the dry, I'm really not fond of the cold!  I do believe in the saying,  'There's no such thing as the wrong weather, just wrong clothing'.  However,  the cold does get into my bones and I don't like it.   Anyway,  I haven't walked very much these last few days, I've stayed in the warm, although I've caught up on a lot of jobs.   We've put foil behind our radiators, changed the layout of the lounge,  dusted!  Dusting doesn't happen very often!  I've tended the houseplants.  And I've sneezed!  Alot! My neighbour insists it will snow next week.  So, with a need to stretch my legs, my back aches, and get out for some fresh air, we decided to walk in Dunster Castle Gardens today.  The car park was full, clearly many other people had the same idea.  The Castle is built on a tor, so steep pa

Our Christmas decorations are down and packed away.  As I type my husband is in a cupboard,  doing his best to store the many boxes, along with the vacuum, family tents, and a multitude of other paraphernalia that is hidden out of sight.   We've left some lights up, and lanterns by the fire, for some winter cheer.  Christmas cards are waiting to be cut up into parcel labels for next year, that's something my family have done for decades.  Its good to look through the cards, quietly, after Christmas,  to read the messages,  to contact family and friends.  It's very therapeutic. The Christmas Cake has been eaten and left over mince pies are in the freezer.  All chocolate has vanished.  There is fruit to be eaten, we had a lot of satsumas.   Fruit salad is on the menu for several days. The house looks bare but tidy.  The fire is alight and curtains drawn.  It's time to make and revise plans for 2024.  The shed is still top of the priority list! I've signed up for my ne