The tide is out . . . .

There were odd goings-on in the Solent off Bembridge on Monday evening.  An exceptionally low tide meant it was possible to walk to St Helens Fort, about 3/4 of a mile off-shore, along a shingle spit which is exposed for an hour or so before the tide turns.  This has been on my 'to do' list for many years but somehow I've always missed it - it is one of those annual events that seems to just happen spontaneously without being officially organised.  However, this year we got a text from someone in the know, and, deciding that we would be spontaneous too, we packed our water shoes and headed off.

As the tide dropped, people gathered along the water's edge.  A few brave souls tested the depth and gradually the walkers began to set off into the sea.  It started with just a few but before long there were hundreds of people processing into the water, along a unseen (but obviously well-known) causeway.  Some people start from St Helens, others, us included, from across the harbour at Bembridge, and it wasn't long before the two groups met up and continued to the fort.  It was the most extraordinary sight.  

There was quite a bit of wading involved; I abandoned all hope of keeping my shorts dry and simply embraced the experience!  I was not the only lady of a certain age trying unsuccessfully to maintain some - any - decorum!  The receding tide eventually exposed the whole causeway all the way to the fort itself.  The tradition is that having reached the fort, you must climb the steps up to a narrow ledge that runs all around the structure, and complete a circumnavigation.  We did our best but had to give up near the end as it became a little congested with people taking selfies.  As we made our way back, there were still people on their way to the fort.  

All those people (there must have been two or three thousand) and there was something of a community outing about it.  No problems that I saw, everyone properly behaved and just a jolly, fun atmosphere - there were a couple of boats and the coastguard on stand-by, just in case anyone got into difficulties.  It was one of the more bizarre things we have done, but certainly great fun.  Definitely one to tick off the list.    

Oh, and the water wasn't as cold as I was expecting ;)

A few days in the forest

We've been back home a couple of days but I had a very pressing engagement with the sewing machine which took priority over blogging (actually, over almost everything).  However, that particular task has been completed (phew, great relief) and I can now download the holiday photos.

We had another lovely break in the New Forest, it really is such a beautiful area with so much to see and do.  The weather was kind to us - it was dry - so we spent all our time outside.  We had some good walks with lots to see and thoroughly enjoyed our day at the New Forest Show.  Goodness, it's big!  Just so much to see and do.  Despite my very good intentions of taking in the craft tents and other exhibitions, we spent most of the day watching the heavy horses, Pony Club games, the cattle, the chickens (oh so nearly bought a hen-house!) and a glorious display by the Household Cavalry.  We managed to pop into the horticultural tent - those were some mighty big vegetables on display! - and pick up a few ideas for the garden, and saw some beautiful examples of fine woodcraft, and N was very taken with the tractors - he wants one!  But there was lots we didn't see so we will just have to go back next year, and possibly the year after that, too.  An excellent day out.

The wildlife in the Forest is one of the attractions for us, and we were delighted to see deer, squirrels (grey, not red), and had a very close encounter indeed with a huge highland cow who simply appeared out of the bracken and ambled by just a few feet away from where we had sat down to eat our lunch.  It was the most bizarre experience, and one which still brings a big smile to our faces as we recollect it, although it was a slightly disconcerting interruption at the time ;-))  We spent ages watching buzzards high in the trees, having been alerted by their distinctive cries, and were entranced by some stunningly beautiful damsel flies by the river.  It never fails to amaze me what is there to be seen if you just stop and listen and watch.  

A few days away and our batteries have been recharged.  It was lovely to have the opportunity to slow down and regroup.  Just as well, really, as the next few weeks are quite busy with lots of comings and goings, things to remember and places to go.  And new people to meet :)))

A new mantra

Forgive me if I witter on again about the walk on Sunday but I am still elated that I completed it - and it's a tick off the Bucket List.  For several days beforehand I had something of a confidence crisis and was convinced that I would have to drop out en route, and it wasn't until I had actually started walking that I felt the pressure i had put on myself begin to  ease.  As I passed each checkpoint my confidence increased, I was feeling pretty good and the task seemed more doable.  Walking for 8 1/2 hours non-stop gives you plenty of time for reflection and I did quite a bit of that.

I was amazed, and still am, that I didn't have one blister as a result of my 26+ mile jaunt; paying very careful attention to my footwear really paid off.  The walking socks I bought last week were so comfortable and cushioned my feet wonderfully, and I wore trainers rather than walking boots as they were wider and allowed my feet to swell without pinching which would have resulted in rubbing and then the dreaded blisters, so I was pretty chuffed that my preparation paid off so well.  Apart from sore hip joints, I don't seemed to have fared too badly.  I found the secret is to keep moving; if I sit down for too long, things tend to seize up ;) 

Anyway, it's all back to business this week, and I seem to be energised by my success.  Lists are being compiled and steadily worked through; things are getting done.  I recently came across a phrase on a blog I read (and I wish I could remember or had made a note of which blog it was so I could acknowledge it) which really resonated with me.   "Doing it gets it done".   Simple, obvious and so very true.  Why try to complicate matters?  If I want something done, I need to get on and do it; it won't get done if I only think about it or just talk about it, I need to action it.  So that is what I am trying to do now, and it seems to be working.  

It's bright and light by 5.30 in the mornings now, and we're up and about soon after, making the most of these wonderful long days.  By 9.30 we're looking for our mid-morning cuppa, lol!  Lots of work in the garden, and I'm making a start on some of the odd jobs in the house that were put to one side in the renovations last year.  It's quite a long list but breaking it down into small tasks makes it much more manageable, and I keep reminding myself that 'doing it gets it done'.  And so it does.

Putting my best foot forward

 

I went for a walk on Sunday.  A very long walk.  To be specific, 26.5 miles from one end of the Island to the other, through some of the best countryside you will see.  I was not alone; there were several thousand of us, all putting our best foot forward to raise money for our local hospice through the annual trek across the Island.  

I have never tackled the whole walk before, although it is always something I have wanted to do.  We have done the 'Flat Walk' on three occasions, joining with grandchildren and grandparents on an 8-mile, less arduous route (although still a test when you are 5 or 82!), and last year N and I did the first half of the main walk.  My son managed the full walk 10 years ago, and a couple of years ago, N's daughter did it.  It was time for me to step up to the mark, too.

I started walking at 7.30am at Bembridge Airport and finished at Alum Bay just before 4pm.  With the exception of a couple of short 'comfort stops', I walked non-stop; I knew if I sat down at any time, I probably wouldn't get going again.  Many times I was reminded just what a beautiful place it is we live in, although towards the end I was concentrating so much on just putting one foot in front of the other that the scenery was almost overlooked.  I had planned to take lots of photos along the way, but soon realised that it just wasn't practical to keep stopping to get a picture, not with so many other walkers - and quite a number of dogs, too - to consider.  I did make a point of getting my progress card filled in at each of the check-points, though.  

Unfortunately N wasn't able to walk with me.  It became clear, on some practice walks we did earlier this month, that the damage he did to his knee at the end of last year meant he simply couldn't undertake a walk of anything like that length.  So I walked on my own and he provided invaluable support via the mobile.  And I must say that there was huge support from all the marshalls and check-point volunteers along the way, which was great and much appreciated.

Tennyson's monument

The coloured sands of Alum Bay, and a glimpse of the finish

The blue and white archway, the official finish line - a very welcome sight indeed

The final leg from Freshwater Bay up and over Tennyson Down was tough.  It's along steady climb to the monument on top of the Down but the walk is still far from over.  Right out to the far westerly tip of the Island before doubling back down to Alum Bay; I had to dig deep.  But at last there is a glimpse of the finish line, and a final push to the end.

I crossed the line and had a 25th anniversary medal hung around my neck.  I found myself quite emotional for a few seconds, but elated.  I had Walked the Wight.  And not one blister!

You don't know what you can do unless you try.

Sunday in the sun

It was a beautiful day yesterday; crisp, dry, clear and sunny so N and I took ourselves off for a walk.  Through the town, along the esplanade, back through the outskirts and home via the scenic route.  About 5 miles in total, and it was lovely.

Model yacht racing on the boating lake

The view across the Solent to Portsmouth - the Spinaker Tower on the left

A few boats in the marina

Glossy ivy leaves and clusters of black berries

Shadows on the footpath

More shadows - me and my DB - the water in the creek was still and crystal clear

A sure sign of Spring - snowdrops

Five miles is a pleasant stroll for us these days, it doesn't leave us puffed out needing to put our feet up for the rest of the day ;-) .  We're both a lot fitter than we used to be - I think living out of town and having a 3-mile round trip there and back is pretty beneficial for our health.  And walking allows you to see the small things that flash past when you are in a car.  I'm going to start photographing some of these 'small things' on future walks, if nothing else, it makes me pay attention to what is around me.  

Oh, and the birdsong yesterday was wonderful.

Bracing walks

We've had very welcome guests (son and DIL) with us for a couple of days and it has been lovely to spend time with them.  A good excuse for a bit of a bake-up - homemade bread, cakes and cookies always appreciated.  We had a short bracing walk along Cowes seafront (brrr!) but mostly we were at home enjoying the company.  And doing jigsaw puzzles ;-)

I'm trying to get out for a walk whenever I can, it's one way of keeping warm in these chilly days of January and February (or at least the house feels warmer when I come back in!) and I managed a brisk 5-miler on Sunday; the 'tea cosy' (of previous post) was certainly a wise knitting move! 
Some of the sights along the way:

I passed several large magnolias which are just waiting to burst into flower; they are going to look a real picture very soon, so I must make sure I tread this same path again in the not too distant future.  A magnolia in full bloom is a beautiful sight.  

The past couple of days we haven't had to draw the curtains until gone 16.45, the light is gradually extending and although it's not by much, there is a feeling that we're over the really dark, short days of winter and lighter days are slowly creeping in.  Little signs are there - this afternoon, walking back from town, we noticed a purple crocus in flower - and the anticipation of Spring, full of promise of renewal, in so many different ways, is always something to gladden the soul.  

We have begun the next project - the hall cupboard - so I need to search out the paint and work dungarees.  Ah, DIY, I have missed you!

A few days in the Forest

Our short break in the New Forest was just lovely.  The weather held until the final day, and we were able to get out and enjoy what the Forest has to offer in winter.  Wrapped up warm against the very crisp temperatures (!) and with directions to hand, we walked through woods, across heathland and along cycleways - we clocked up about 10 miles each day.  Very often we had the paths to ourselves and the only noise was the birdsong.  We filled out lungs with fresh air and took in the countryside.  It was wonderful.  While we were away we also celebrated N's birthday, and more than anything we really just wanted to relax and have a bit of fun.  We were able to do both - visions of having a piggy-back to negotiate one or two particularly deep, muddy areas spring to mind! -  I'm so glad he packed his wellie boots!

A very sharp frost on the second morning of our stay turned the ground white . . 

. . . and froze the water in the ditches.

The winter sun sent long shadows through the trees.

A heavy downpour during our last night flooded the Watersplash in Brockenhurst, the village where we stayed; cars sent up an impressive wave as they negotiated the ford.  Usually the water from the stream is diverted through an underground pipe from one side of the road to the other.  Just behind the white railings in the centre of the photo, is a height post, indicating the depth of water in the ford.  If the water reaches the top, I imagine there may be problems!

Donkeys, like horses, have priority on New Forest roads; these four ambled around the corner and down the middle of the road, seemingly unaware of any hold-ups they may be causing!

We both agreed that our few days away had been one of the best short breaks we have had, and we're already planning a return visit.  It is such a great area for walking, and there is so much to see and do if you get out and about.  And walking is free.

Taking stock

It's all a bit quiet here, now our visitors have left us to continue their holiday on the mainland.  We really enjoyed their week here and it's taken us a while to get ourselves back on track. 

Having cut all the kitchen tiles with the much-travelled tile-cutter, N has been able to finish the grouting.  It's looking very smart now and has given us the impetus to continue the decorating that's still needed in that room - coving, painting, and flooring (that is going to have to wait for a while!)

Yesterday I finally used the new oven to bake bread.  A lovely wholemeal loaf and a batch of baps/morning rolls from Rhonda's DTE blog.  It was wonderful to have an oven large enough to bake all of it at the same time!  The rolls are lovely, and disappearing fast ;-)  I shall certainly use that recipe again, perhaps trying the fruit version as well.

I was, like so many, shocked and saddened to hear the news of Robin William's death this week.  He will always be the redoubtable Mrs Doubtfire to my children and I, but his talent created so many other wonderful characters, entertaining the audiences for many years.  It was sad to read of the inner turmoil he struggled with.  RIP.

It was a 'fetching and carrying' day today, so I had a couple of hours to spare waiting for my passengers to return from Southampton.  Rather than come home and go back later, I decided to have a couple of hours in Cowes.  Hard to believe last week was so busy - today there were just a few people along the Green and Parade.  

This time last week The Green was packed out; today I had it to myself

I had a brisk walk from Gurnard, in to town and back again.  

Beach huts at Gurnard

It was quite blustery (the yachts would have appreciated the wind last week!) and gave me a chance to clear any remaining cobwebs and just have some time to think and reflect.  Lots of things went through my mind and I appreciated the fresh air, the sea - always a calming effect on me - and just the time to mull things over. 

A lone gull surveying the sea

It's time to take closer order on some of the things that have been put on hold for several weeks.  And I think it's time to start sewing again :))