Day 313

I’m not sure if conkers ward off spiders, but I’m not taking any chances.  To be fair, I don’t come across too many (touch wood) considering we live on a farm, so for all intents and purposes, evidence demonstrates that it works.

It’s basically science.

So, my trick is to pop a lovely shiny conker in each welly.  Good idea hey?  Except I forget they are in there…EVERY SINGLE TIME.

And those wellies are getting some wear, I can tell you.  It’s like a mudslide on some of the local fields (believe me, I am living proof: last week I slipped on my arse and ended up with six brambles in my hand).

Danger aside, I am trying to go for a walk every day, and at the weekend I encouraged Darren to join me.  We headed over to the post office so I could send off a few cards – and secretly check out the fresh baked goods situation – and it was a proper mini-adventure!

We saw a menagerie of animals during our hike – within a few minutes of leaving the house three swans flew overhead, honking.  A little later we were stood next to a plump robin with a scarlet chest and not five minutes after that, Darren stopped me in my tracks, pointing out a beautiful deer who spotted us and subsequently galloped off into the trees.

We were cold, knackered and at one point we were knee-deep in puddles and I almost lost a boot… but it was worth it for the Nature and delicious brownie!  Mind you, that wasn’t straightforward either – I got to the till and realised Darren was outside with my purse!  The kind shopkeeper was happy for me to bring the 49p in another day.

#villagelife

Post-brownie shopping we took a detour and saw four more deer from across the field.  They clocked us, but continued to graze a while longer, one of them keeping an eye out as we walked past.  It was breath-taking!  High in the skies were cormorants and a heron, and even our barn owl made an appearance.

Did I mention that we had decided not to bring the Go-Pro with us on our trek?

*****

Feeling inspired, I spent Sunday in the kitchen baking my own brownies, topped with chocolate orange and leftover Roses truffles from Christmas.  I’m not gonna lie, they were outstanding!  So much so, that I ate about four and felt rough the rest of the day (any excuse to lounge around watching Sunday films and reading magazines).

We weren’t completely immobile though – there were chores completed and we even managed some “ballet” with Charlotte via FaceTime.

Side note:  hopping is really difficult as an overweight 42 year old.  And 48 year old men shouldn’t launch themselves onto a sofa from a great height. 

Also:  what kind of ballet was this?!

In the evening we managed to throw together a roast chicken dinner and felt even lazier after stuffing ourselves full of stuffing!   I had to peel myself from the sofa to do the washing up – but I am so glad I did – because Mr (or Mrs) barn owl decided to sit outside the kitchen window to keep me company.