Good morning Michael and all GN's from a dark and windy North Yorkshire. Been awake for a long time, but am really struggling at the moment. I am in a lot of pain and exhausted and feel that I havent got an ounce of energy left. Today is definitely going to be a day of recuperation and expecting nothing of myself, but just do whatever I fell up to. It was a long hard day yesterday, but it was worth it so I shall be paying for it today. Never mind. As far as I know I am not expecting to have to do anything, so the most effort I shall make will be to make a casserole from the beef I got out of the freezer yesterday, and think I still have some cooking apples left so a very cosy warming day of jacket potato and casserole and stewed apple and maybe custard, will help me to revive and definitely comfort food.
I am not fond of any american expressions but I do use this one for today only. So I make sure that I do things the right way by saying to myself "spring forward and fall back". It makes sure that I do it the right way. Many years ago I went early to church as I was singing a solo, and the organist had asked me to come in a bit early so that they could check a few bits with me and for their own little tricky bits. I arrived at church to see one of our elderly ladies looking cold and a bit worried, waiting outside.She wondered where everyone was as she had moved the clock forward instead of back!
Well what a day it was yesterday. The plan was to meet my son and family at Kirby Lonsdale, about 11 to 1130. We would then have time to have a little wander around, and then go to the cafe for some lunch and a catch up etc. I have really missed seeing them for some time, just the way life has been lately, and was not only looking forward to seeing them, I was glad to have the chance to see my son in real life and find out how things were going with his ear etc.
I was having a tough start to the morning, getting more and more exasperated by my slowness , but had planned to leave in plenty of time to allow me to stop somewhere up the dale on the way and make myself some coffee and be glad to just drink in the scenery and enjoy being back where I loved. Being half term I expected quite a bit of traffic on the way and so wanted to get off early as possible. It just took me so long to load things up and check things out and to buy a Yorkshire Post to take with me but I finally got off.
I had looked at three possibly routes , and checked for road works etc and the weather, but we had a clear and not too chilly morning, with the weather expected to get worse later, so was able to choose my favourite way. Off I set, doing quite well, despite a fair bit of traffic and a few caravans about. I thought they would be getting them home and in a safe place, but went past one farm where they had a gathering in quite an open field, think they often go there for the last meeting up, but thought with the forecast I would have given it a miss! Anyway quite blowy and bits and pieces flying about and scudding across the road at times but no major worry. I had decided that I would go through Hawes and then take the road across to Ingleton and on to KL, and that once I had negotiated a very busy Hawes I would get up the first rise and then stop for coffee at one of the various places I knew off. Until then there had been no sign or information but just got through Hawes and set off up the hill when there was a red sign saying road ahead closed and no entrance to Ingleton!! I pulled in to the side and checked things , and the choices were to either go ahead and assume that this sign had not been removed from the day before but then risk being stuck with no way past that didnt involve a big detour, or to turn around and then have to go via Sedberg and then down a little road from their to KL. With no sign of anything coming towards me I decided best to go to Sedberg, so coffee time cancelled and had to set of the other way. I was then in some traffic in quite a narrow roadway, so decided to keep going until there was a real holdup or a decent layby so that I could ring my son and tell him what happened. Kept going, anxious to make up the time and then they rang me to see where I was and I was about 10 miles out by that time, so they were wandering to the market square to meet me. So finally got there , hungry thirsty and weary!
We managed to get into the cafe we usually go to and I apologized for the delay, and then heard someone at a nearby table say they were going to go via Ingleton to Hawes next, so my good deed for the day was to warn them of the closure and they were pleased and could choose to go up via Sedberg.
So finally we were able to get together, catch up on all the news, my grandson looked very smart, and had coped quite well with the delay. He has settled in at his new school - which actually was the one my son went to - and when he went off to look at a shop window while we had coffee, they told me that he has coped well so far, that he has made a good friend , who is quite sensible and they are pleased that they are pals, as 4 of his classmates from the junior school have gone to other schools and between that and getting used to catching the bus and a longer day, he has had quite a big change to get used to, and this other lad has definitely helped in the move, so fingers crossed all will be well. He has started well and is enjoying a lot of the lessons and has taken like a duck to water with spanish, which is good , and will hopefully be something I can help him with in the future.
After all the journey and with the poor weather coming our way, we didnt linger but it was so worth while to actually see them, and mentally worth the effort, and my son now has an appointment next thursday so fingers crossed for better results. I decided that I would go a different way home via Skipton, as it was an A road and if there was going to be any problems with trees blown down or whatever there would be more people about. I drove on steadily and called in for a coffee at a Neros on the way to have a little break but then it was darker and it was quite clear that many cars had their lights set far too high, and they were dazzling. There has been quite a bit about that on news etc and I think that there needs to be a clamp down on adjusting their lights to shine on the road, which is what they are meant to be doing. There were quite a few dozy pedestrians about too, wearing dark clothing, with no high viz, or even a white plastic bag to show them up on unlit roads. However I eventually got nearly home, and decided to call at the chinese and get some prawn curry, partly as a treat, but also because I knew I wasnt in the mood to organise the casserole, or wait for it to cook. So it was a quick grab a curry and then home and stuck some rice on , whilst I emptied stuff from the car, which just got dumped and I got my curry together and had a naan bread to add to it here, I sat in that shattered state, where you actually realize how tired you are and let your body relax , thankful that you have managed the day. I sent them a text to say I was home and they had just arrived home themselves, so all safe and sorted. After I had eaten I just wearily got into my dressing gow and sprawled on the bed, and read a bit of the Post, too tired to do anything. Pleased that I had managed it all but well aware that I had definitely run out of energy, and so here I am now just recovering very slowly.
There is now a little daylight and the wind is still blowing and swirling round the tree. Not a sign of squirrels or pigeons today, no doubt they are attempting to keep dry and warm somewhere. Havent looked out at the front, but didnt hear any major crashing about so fingers crossed things will have survived the night. I hope that everyone is ok and still has electricity etc.
Hope you get to see your cycling Mick, and that bad weather doesnt stop that happening. Ashcombe , hope you have a good crossing and that the winds have died down a bit by this afternoon. grandMattie I would be tempted to be a bit sarky with the complainer and write a list of complaints out with a number beside them so, 1. no milk 2, tea towels not washed etc . then give it to her and say that you thought she could save time and effort by just being able to say grandMattie 4 and 2 today!! You could perhaps also put letter beside the complaint so that A meant Nothing to do with you, B the dishwasher only gets put on when it is full etc!! Remember your G and S "I've got a little list, and they'll none of them be missed"
Oh here comes the rain now, perhaps the wind might drop a bit . Whatever it does I plan to only see it from my window and will definitely be taking things steady through the day. Most of my clock timings are sorted but will check things like the oven clock etc. I am looking forward to DID today as it is Eric Idle, and think there will be both some good music and interesting conversations, so at least I am looking forward to hearing that if nothing else. Hoping that everyone keeps warm and safe and can actually enjoy that feeling of being snug and warm inside and looking out at the chilly scene and be glad you are not out there. Take care of yourselves and a blessed day to you all
