(Unexpected) encouragement

1. The Pilates class was hard, but much better than I expected. I was able to do a couple of exercises I couldn't even attempt a year ago.

2. I met with my prayer triplet this evening. We were all tired and not feeling too alert, but it was still good to get together. And encouraging to remember that God has enough strength for us all.

3. A clear sky tonight meant so many stars were visible.

Our bank holiday beach adventure

We joined our friends for an evening at the beach:

• paddling and games
• sandcastles, moats, trenches and islands

•  a picnic tea before we moved to be higher than the rising tide
• a bonfire in our new location, with marshmallows and toast
• kite-flying

All under a warm (but not too hot) sun, as it started to set

A fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon/evening.  And what a privilege to live near such a lovely place.

how to start the year

Two fabulous ways to start 2012:

• watching the New Year's Concert from Vienna
• we've applied for the draw for next year's concert tickets... you never know!
• climbing Barrow Fell with our friends
• it was very windy at times, but didn't rain
• the views were well worth it
• and it feels good to start the year in the fresh air

so what happened in 2011?

January

• we spent Hogmanay in Gateshead, and went to the Viennese concert at The Sage on New Year's Day

February

• we had a visit from our friends for a weekend, and dragged them up Latrigg.  The clouds parted for long enough to see how good the view should have been...

March

• Calva Bridge reopened after the floods - what a difference!
• I knitted 2 baby kimonos and crocheted 5 beanies for the Romania coffee morning
• one kimono sold (hooray!) and one beanie was taken for a young person over there
• the coffee morning raised lots, especially from the baking and preserves which were donated

April

• a lovely visit to London to see family and enjoy the sights
• day trip to Leyland Trucks with work...
• Beckie's 40th birthday meal
• we walked up Latrigg (again!) with our housegroup on Good Friday

May

• we walked in the Lakes one bank holiday with church
• I did the medium-level walk (along the shores of Loweswater, then back along the coffin road)
• Andrew climbed Melbreak, and was amazed at how close together everything is
• Andrew is another year older
• we visited the Gincase with our friends
• we fed the baby goats
• then chased the guinea pigs
• and I was pushed around the go-kart track by a 4-year old

June

• 9 years :o)
• we spent the weekend in York
• lovely sunny weather
• and a welcome return to a favourite pub
• we said hello to Andrew's latest novelty car...

July

• ...and we said goodbye to Edgar the Morris Minor

• birthday barbecue for Sally by Crummock Water
• Keswick Convention
• but Andrew was able to get an evening off to see Senna at the cinema
• a moving film, which made me realise what I'd missed before I got into F1
• Ceri visited for a few days
• lovely to catch up properly again, and we were able to get out into the Lakes to enjoy the fresh air and lovely views

August

• more fell walks, with stunning views
• alongside Loweswater
• up Low Fell

September

• we visited Ceri in Gloucester

• and returned via Liverpool
• it was a lovely, relaxing break

• I started my blog...
• and turned another year older
• 40 is getting closer!

October

• quick trip to London to celebrate my cousin's wedding
• Becca's birthday party
• and an engagement party for Emily and Sam
• then Graeme asked Thea to marry him (well, he got us to do it for him, really...) and she said yes


• our friends visited for the weekend with their kids
• we walked around the harbour at Whitehaven

• and explored the Gincase

November

• 2 trips to Sweden for work
• tiring but good to reach the end of lots of Autumn travelling
• also, a day trip to Derbyshire to see the Thorntons factory
• yum!

December

• early Christmas in Scotland with my family
• Polish treats and lots of laughter
• "real" Christmas with Andrew's family
• then I had the bit between my teeth to start clearing out stuff from the kitchen
• it's only a start, but it feels good to get a bit more control over our house

Winter's arriving

Driving to work yesterday morning, the sky was clear and there was snow on the Galloway hills.  The sun was lighting them up, and it was beautiful.

We're in the middle of a storm now - gales and rain woke me through the night (I thought the window might break!) and it was lashing it down this morning.  Now the sun's shining, but it's still very strong wind; the forecast is for at least another day...

HIMP day 2

I think yesterday was designed to ease us in gently (or should that be "lull us into a false sense of competence"?) because they've upped the pace a lot today.  I'm very comfortable with the maths part, but all the accounting terminology just has me reaching for the dictionary!  There's another half day to go, so I hope I manage to keep my head above water...

It's a beautiful view outside the hotel - I've tried to take a photo from my balcony but I can't do it justice:

Imagine tranquil mists over still water...