Day 43

It is chucking it down today. There are hailstones bouncing off the gravel and the rain against our house sounds thunderous. I can’t believe the change in weather over the past week – I was gaining a golden tan 7 days ago – but this morning it is still dark when I open the curtains.

And of course it is today that I have to do some washing. I have enough day pyjamas to keep me going, but do not have 1 pair of comfy pants – you know the ones I mean – so I have to opt for a fancy pair. Although comfortable in the tummy area, every time I sit down they cut me in half vertically.

I leave Darren in bed and tiptoe out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind me. I count 13 pairs of knickers into the washing machine (how do I have this many??) and then try to wash up with minimal clunking. I peruse the fridge and fight the urge to scoff buttery crumpets and jam, opting instead for my homemade granola and Greek yogurt.  It’s actually super delicious and I have to make a new batch every week.

I last only 40 minutes at the dining table because there is a chill in the air, so I whack the heating on and snuggle under a blanket. It is hard to sit comfortably due to the knicker situation, but I find a good spot and settle down with my laptop. It is calm and peaceful, the only sound is the gentle whirring of the washing machine and the tap tap tap of my fingers on the keyboard.

All of a sudden I hear an odd noise.

I peer out from my cosy cocoon and see that the bedroom door is still shut. Gingerly, I haul myself off the sofa and creep towards the kitchen and, no word of a lie, I assume the karate hands position, ready to protect myself. There is nothing untoward happening in the house, even the fish are asleep.

A creepy melody plays over the silence….hold that thought, it’s just my work mobile ringing!

*****

After work, the sun is shining and I feel like we should get out for some fresh air and exercise. Darren is finishing off a few tasks and as I wait, my energy diminishes minute by minute. He joins me on the sofa and I lean on his shoulder, unable to stop my eyes from closing, whilst he fiddles around with his phone. I make several excuses not to go – none of them particularly substantial – and time passes as we fester and sink deeper into the cushions. “We seriously have to do something” I whine and Darren nods in agreement, his eyes glazed and focused on his phone screen. “I might have a shower” I suggest, and Darren mumbles “yeah, let’s do that”. He is clearly not listening to me, so I slip into teenager mode and sulk. Finally he puts down his mobile and says “right, let’s go for a walk” and I sigh, as all my life force has drained away.

We decide to go on a short walk and trudge down the muddy trail towards the main road in our wellies. Darren passes me a Fruitella (travel snack) and then goes in the search of a sycamore tree. He finds a sapling and produces a Swiss army knife from his pocket (#countrylife) and saws off an appropriate length. I watch as he slices round the circumference of the twig and then taps it, until he is able to slide off the bark, leaving the soft heart of the sapling. He then whittles away and slides the cover back on, finally producing a penny whistle! Ha!

We trample through the fields, emerald grasses mixed with small muddy puddles (and a minefield of sheep pooh) and we are surrounded by trees and hills in varying shades of green and it is breath-taking. Rabbits hop into the bushes and pheasants hurtle nervously across our path. We see tiny brown lambs sitting with their mothers and white lambs skipping and chasing each other. Cows moo and graze, staring at us as we pass, blades of grass hanging out of their mouths. We come across a sleek chestnut horse, who gracefully trots over to us and bows his head.

It is quiet tonight and there are only a handful of people around. We see a few families, their children brandishing sticks and wearing muddy boots, dogs wagging their tails and panting. This is what it is all about: families spending time together – connecting – exploring and enjoying nature.

We finally arrive home 2 hours later (short walk!?!) and I feel happily exhausted and hungry.