Weighty Thoughts

Over the past few years, because I have not been in good health and at one point was prescribed steroids for a long period of time, my weight has steadily been increasing. I knew this because the clothes I had no longer fitted as well, if at all. I had read that one of the side effects of steroids was that they stored fat in the abdominal part of the body. This meant that my waist was non-existent and I become in shape much like a cylinder with a bulge in the centre.

My mind has a habit of ignoring the obvious. I had assumed that on my return to better health and having come off the steroids, that my weight would just fall without me doing anything. How wrong I was.

It was only when my dear husband rested his hand on my stomach, in that way that a husband does to  his pregnant wife that I realised that things would have to change. I felt uncomfortable; everything felt tight and I wasn't happy with myself. But, what to do?

The day after that incident, we had my stepson and his wife over. Charlotte had lost a lot of weight recently and looked exceptional. During our conversation, I asked her how she did it. She told me that she had followed a slimming programme with Weightwatchers. So, with much scepticism, I joined up for three months. The said feeling of scepticism wasn't against the company, but me. I love my food. My idea of heaven is a large slice of coffee and walnut sponge or any fruit crumble and ice cream or both, if possible. But something had to change.

I joined Weightwatchers on a special 3 month offer. Looking at the different plans, I came to the conclusion I could do this. And so it started.

Myself before the Diet!

At first the weight came off relatively slowly. I would get a three pound drop one week, then a week or two with nothing to speak of. The worst bit was when I went five weeks at the same weight. But gradually the weight has fallen. To date, I have lost eleven pounds and have dropped a dress size. And, I can hear you ask, has it made a difference?

I can truly say that it has. Camping was a bit of an ordeal, with the bending and stretching involved, I would end up with acid indigestion. Just recently we went camping and I had no problems at all. Another good thing is that I've lost a few centimetres around my waist. My stomach is no longer prominent and I have had to put a new hole in my belt. This means that I can wear dresses and skirts without feeling self conscious. Finally, because I'm doing more exercise, I have this feeling of well being and enjoying life, which has to be a good thing.

Now I look forward to further weight loss and reaching my goal weight. I can see it ahead now and am patiently working my way towards it. It is funny how something I thought would be really difficult has become a way of life now. Long may it last.

Five Things to Remember When Going Camping

Camping at a small site near Burwash

Having taken up camping again after in the past year, after a decades long break, I thought I would share five main things to consider that may improve the experience. It did for us anyway.

1.  Planning
This aspect is so important, especially if you've never camped before, or do it very rarely.
Camping has changed over the years. Materials for tents have changed, as have designs. The amount that needs to be taken (if you want to enjoy the experience) is mind-boggling. Discussions on equipment ranged from the type of sleeping bag wanted as well as the size, to the type of camping stove, to the lamps that we preferred and which would do the job.
When we actually went camping, my husband started to pack five days before we were due to go, which  I thought was overkill, that we could get everything together the night before. When I saw all the different bits of kit that went into the car, I changed my mind. It would be a slog to do that. Taking your time and making lists of what you intend to take definitely improves the experience.

Another important planning issue was to know that we had a space to go to. I know that some campers we talked to reveled in the hit and miss of finding a pitch. Me, I'm a worrier. I like to know where I'm going to be. But finding the right location, that had the facilities we wanted (we're just talking loos and showers here - nothing fancy) and was dog friendly took time. It was worth it though. We have been on some lovely sites this year, which has made me keen to explore more next year.

2.  Have a Dry Run
If possible, go camping for a couple of nights close to home, just to experiment with your new gear and get used to the whole adventure. I believe this is important if, like us, you haven't camped in a while. It does mean that pitching the tent and trying out the stove can be experienced, without shouting matches developing and it all turning into a nightmare. We were fortunate. We did have a dry run and sorted out most of the problems before going further afield. I think the only major problem we came across, which it wasn't possible to solve was that of screaming children, which reinforced our plans to go off during term times.

3.  Don't Over Pack
It is so easy when you're getting things together, to pack for every eventuality. It might rain a lot; it might be cold; Alan might cut himself; or I might get soaking wet. As with any kind of holiday, a lot of what you think you need you won't use. When you have only a limited space to put everything in, it becomes very important that you only pack what you know you will actually use. Don't, for instance, pack four jumpers for a two or three day break. Are you really going to read all those books you're packing? Aim for the minimalist approach. I speak as one who isn't and finds that type of approach difficult in the extreme and learnt the hard way.

4. Keep Your Sense of Humour
You get to the site and get caught up in the moment. All of a sudden you want to help and your husband decides he wants to deal with this on his own and tells you to go away for an hour (or two). Or it pours down with rain and you're sat in the tent hoping that it will stop some time soon. Or you need to use the loo in the middle of the night and you discover that your trainers aren't waterproof as you walk through grass with a heavy dew. Or you get back and sit on the airbed, misjudge the position and bounce straight off, bruising your shoulder. Or, you spend the first night listening to all the unfamiliar noises, hoping against hope that the snuffling noise that you can hear is not a crazy axeman. Or you get to the site to find there is no shower and it isn't repaired until ten minutes before you leave.
Any one of these things can make a time away camping not enjoyable. For me, they have just been funny experiences and ones from which you learn. I have found that my husband likes to sort things out for himself, talking to the tent as he does so. When he has got the tent up, then I can help.
Camping has also made me very aware of the rain. But, we live in England and it does rain. The other matters I also learned from. But most importantly, I found I couldn't take them seriously. I have laughed more when camping than at any other time recently. Maybe it is the novelty of the experience. Or the fact that I haven't been on holiday for years. But I have found that the light touch emotionally is definitely the best.

5.  It's An Adventure!!
Most important - relax and enjoy yourself. Dig up your wonder at the world around you. Enjoy the different people that you meet and chat to. Camping, I have found is a very enriching experience and a very different way of life.

Sunrise near Burwash

Homeward Bound

We were sorry to leave our beautiful log cabin near Yealmpton, (which, we found out before we left, came all the way to Devon from Estonia as a flat pack). But all good things must come to an end and with sad hearts we packed up to make our way home, travelling to our next port of call - a campsite called Paddocks Farm, near Bridport.

Sunset at Paddocks Farm

Once more, we became gloriously lost down small country lanes trying to find this site, but were helped by the landlady of a public house called Shaves Cross Inn, to find that we were actually very close to our destination, so close that we went back to the Inn for a really wonderful meal later in the day.

Before our meal however, we went for a walk along one of the footpaths near by, which involved walking through a field of wild flowers. I felt exactly like someone in a 'Flake' advert wandering through flowers, some of which were at waist height - a lovely experience.

The campsite was lovely, with clean and tidy facilities and the surrounding countryside was beautiful. We were joined on the site later in the day by an Australian couple, who were at the start of an extended holiday. I'm afraid I gave the husband of that couple an unintended shock by leaving the toilet/shower room area door ajar while showering, so that when he opened the door, he was greeted to a view of my naked body through the clear shower door - not really an edifying sight.

Our last port of call was a small certificated site near Minstead village in the New Forest. This time, we were determined not to get lost, only on arrival at the correct turn off, we found that the road was closed due to work taking place to replace cattle grids.This resulted in a rather long but well signposted detour and the relatively easy finding of our last site of this holiday. Once more, we were treated to a lovely secluded and peaceful site.

Camping at Minstead Manor Farm

We set up camp beside a massive tree (believed to be a lime tree), and went exploring.

Minstead village was very pretty, with it's wonderful pub and a village shop that doubled as a tea room. After an enjoyable lunch,we walked up to the church where after exploring the interior, we went to see the grave of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his second wife.

The following day we went to Lyndhurst, which, even out of season was incredibly busy. The highlight of the day for me was the ice cream shop where the ice cream was actually produced on site - just delicious!

Conan Doyle's Grave

After two days, we packed up and started to make our way, finally to Seaford, our home. It was hardly surprising though, in view of the lovely weather we had experienced and the wonderful time we had had that both of us felt like turning around and starting all again. Happy days:-)

Perfect Holiday

View from Yealm Cabin

Have you ever had a time on holiday when it was just perfect?

The weather is great.
The surroundings fantastic.
The food superb.
You get to do everything you want to do and you come across things you hadn't expected to see, making the holiday an even better experience.
Everything is just wonderful, even if there are slightly duff moments, because you can laugh at them.

Each morning when I opened the blinds at Yealm cabin, I looked out over the valley seeing the wide variety of trees and shrubs, with so many green shades, looking like an artist's palette. And in front, in the field, were three horses together with a group of  rabbits. It looked stunning.

Jessie, our little Border, liked nothing better than to sit outside the cabin, watching the horses intently and flushing out the pheasants.

A walk near to Yealmpton

The village store, a couple of miles away, had everything we needed - I still wonder how they managed to stock as much as they did in all the nooks and crannies. I managed, with their help, to have more than my fair share of pasties during the week and they were pure heaven!

Walks in the area were a revelation. A walk to the south of the village took the old route of the railway dismantled during the Beeching era in the 1960's. Seeing the ghostly plant covered stanchions as we walked past them, as well as other industrial relics, against the background of the constant babbling of the river alongside us - just beautiful.

And Alan, well Alan was feeling very happy, because until he arrived here, he had thought we were going to a cabin in a holiday village. To come to a secluded cabin and area such as this more than exceeded his expectations, my bad mood at the time of arrival quite forgiven.

A beautiful 7 days was had by all.

Alan pottering in the kitchen area

To Devon and Beyond

View of the Yealm Valley

Travelling in hot weather with a dog and a car full of camping equipment is not a good idea. And, if you're travelling to an area you're not familiar with, it's even worse.

There we were, riding in our car from Verwood in Hampshire to Yealmpton in Devon with Jessie our trusty Border Terrier. We hadn't been on the road ten minutes when I navigated us away from the A31, which was where we wanted to go, to somewhere completely different, which cost us some time. It had rained overnight and the tent was wet when we packed it up. We needed to get to our destination in plenty of time to dry it out.

After a while, feeling thirsty and needing a toilet break, we decided to stop at a well known service area to meet our needs. To say that stop was a disaster is probably an understatement. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. One of the staff there had just told the boss he was leaving in two days. The atmosphere was bad and the service torturous. And the beginnings of a black mood began to develop for both of us.

Then I made the mistake of asking to stop at the Exeter Service area to use their facilities - on a Saturday afternoon - with someone who hates crowds - nightmare! This was coupled with the fact that Alan, who was doing the driving and was tired and hot, felt my directions were a bit slow in coming. Bad enough - but then things went from bad to worse.

Tempers were getting frayed.The driving speed was going up. Although the weather was hot, the atmosphere in the car was icy. Jessie was making her feelings felt by ensuring she had a lion's share of my seat, which meant that I was now sitting at an angle. I felt sorry for her as there was really nowhere else to sit, the rest of the car being filled with camping equipment.

I mentally breathed a sigh of relief when we turned off the A38 and started to make our way to Yealmpton. But I had reckoned without the slightly vague directions that we had received to find the location for the next seven days, Yealm Cabin.

As we drove up a hill on a single lane road, we looked in vain for the allotted place. Then came those magic words, "You've got us lost". I had been quite calm up till then, but something inside me snapped. With the words, "I'll get out and find it then", I exited the car, slamming the door as hard as I could and went marching up the road to the nearest property.

Now, Alan just cannot stand slammed doors at the best of times and I could hear him swearing at volume as I walked off. By the time I had received directions and turned back, the car had disappeared. My first thought, I'm ashamed to admit, was that he had gone home, which led to the thought "well, let him", as my overheated temper was totally in control and getting the better of me.

Making my way to the house where the owner of the log cabin's lived, I knocked and introduced myself. It was not really surprising, but she did look a bit bemused to be confronted by one person, with no luggage and not a car in sight.

At that point Alan arrived. The small time away had allowed both of us to regain our cool (although I was still angry inside - flaming even). How was the week in the cabin going to go, I wondered?

Drying Out the Tent!

On Holiday - At Last

Well, we actually did it - the first holiday in years and the first 2 week one that we can remember having in very many years.

Alan thought, that because I am such an unknown quantity with my chronic fatigue symptoms, I would not be able to cope with two weeks in a tent, so, we decided to spend the middle portion of our time away by booking a log cabin in Devon.

Camping at Verwood

The first three days were spent in Verwood in Hampshire and were fantastic. Even the service station where we stopped on the way there for a toilet break was a novelty.

The site we used, a Camping and Caravan Club site, I would not call scenic in itself, but was surrounded by wonderful countryside. Although it was beside a busy road, it was very well equipped with a toilet and shower block, a wash-up block and laundry facilities.

One of the main features that appeared to recur during our time away has been the easy ability to get most gloriously lost. It occurred twice in these first few days, but also at other times, of which, more later.

The first time was when we were driving back to the site from Fordingbridge, when we had a moment of serendipity. Arriving at a village called Dakerham, we came across a pub called 'The Compasses' and, on impulse we decided to stop and have lunch there. It turned out to be the most beautiful lunch in the beer garden, beside a cricket field with nothing to disturb us.

The second 'lost moment' was the following day, where we tried to find Moors Valley Country Park we had seen on the Ordnance Survey map. Just a few miles away, or so we thought. We learnt the lesson that day that what you actually see on the map is not how it looks on the ground, finding ourselves miles away in the opposite direction. But after asking directions, we eventually found our way there.

It was a most amazing place with the entrance road surrounded by tall trees, plenty of parking space and loads of people. And it was a week day!  There seemed to be a little bit of everything there, with a golf course, lake, miniature railway and forest walks. And it was there where I first realised that Alan did not want to spend his holidays mixing with crowds. Oops!

Then on the fourth day - off to Devon, to our log cabin near Yealmpton, getting lost yet again on our way to the A31. I'm really not used to this navigation thing.

The River Avon at Fordingbridge

Camping Preparations

Before we went on our holiday last month, it was decided that we prepare ourselves - test out the equipment and the tent, and see whether there was anything further we needed to purchase.

tent conditioning time

And so in May, with the permission of obliging (and very tolerant) friends, our bell tent was set up in their garden, so that it could be conditioned. This was accomplished by water being sprayed on it, then leaving it to dry overnight. 

All was successful, with no leaks to the tent and meant that we could move forward to the next phase - that of camping for a couple of nights to check everything out. For that, we went to St Ives Farm in Hartfield, near the Ashdown Forest in Sussex, not too far from our home.

As we were still in May, the nights were rather cold, the first night particularly so. And what with the lambs in a nearby field calling, the birds singing and a rather suspicious snuffling sound (which I later came to the conclusion may well have been a hedgehog and not a mad axe-man), I arose at 5.00am to make a cup of coffee and sat to watch the morning wake up around me.

golden dew

It was truly a magical experience seeing the sun rise and the heavy dew on the grass helping to colour it gold; watching the mist waft across the small lake there and to hear the sounds of the animals welcoming the new day.

One strange thing did happen while we were there. I had purchased a small bottle of hair conditioner on our arrival. On our first night, we both went to the 'wash-up' area to clean our dirty plates. On our return, we saw three birds, two black and one obviously a magpie flying away from our tent as we approached. Investigating further, we found that they had explored the bag of items left outside the tent,and had taken the bottle of conditioner. Their need was apparently greater than mine!

our tent at Hartfield

I've seen the Future - and it's Pine!

Some of the boxes of our pine furniture 

After five weeks without wardrobes in the bedroom or the clothes in the usual drawers and cupboards, any one who knows me would think that I would be tearing my hair out by now. Nothing is in its place. Sometimes there is a search for what is needed for the day, but I appear to be remarkably calm.

I have wondered about this. My dear husband has this urge to prepare for things long before they actually happen, with good reason I might add. He is just better organised than me. When we moved here 6 years ago, we were all packed and ready to go 2 weeks before the date of our move and, whilst it did take away the rushing around that seems to happen before any move, I found it very stressful, living next to boxes of my 'things'. This time however, I feel free. It has been rather nice to live in a bedroom that has been almost minimalist with painted walls and a bed and two sets of drawers. There seemed to be so much space.

The other funny thing is that the bed has been moved round so that it faces the window rather than being under it. It just feels better and we both have been sleeping well. I wouldn't have thought that it would make so much difference, but apparently it does.

Today, the furniture arrived - pine wardrobes and cupboards (of which more later in another post). And yet I feel a little sad amid the excitement of these new items; that we will be filling up this wonderful open space that has been there. It is amazing what you can get used to and even enjoy.

Onwards and upwards towards change and the 'all pine look'.

New Technology Part 2 - Does it get any easier??

I talked in a recent post about my new smartphone. Well, I'm getting more used to it now, but with one slight problem - I can't answer the damn thing. The instructions tell me to press the black phone icon on the screen and then to flip to the green phone icon which appears. It's very much a case of knowing what you should do in your mind but the hands or rather fingers not getting to grips with it - Scary! I suppose with practice I will improve. It's just that panicky feeling I have when the phone starts to ring and I try almost a finger dance to answer it,usually without success, I might add!

So you would think that I wouldn't have any problems with my new laptop. On that score, you are wrong and for similar reasons. It's the touch-pad. I had used one years ago when I was working and touch-pads were just being installed into equipment. I didn't have any problems with it at the time and didn't anticipate any problems this time.

To start, I found that I was enlarging things when I didn't want to or, because of its sensitivity deleting things or filing them into places I didn't want them to go. Then, at other times, it appears stubbornly immobile and I find that I'm tapping at the borders where it seems less sensitive, or even worse I'm absentmindedly  tapping the space bar.

I am getting used to both pieces of equipment, just wishing it came easier to me.

View from The Eight Bells Jevington

On a happier note, we went to Jevington for a walk last week on a beautiful day filled with sunshine, followed up by a drink at The Eight Bells together with a shared dish of cheesy chips smothered in tomato sauce and a sunbathe. I leave you with the view from the beer garden - it doesn't get much better than that.

Change - Just a Massive Spring Clean!

It is strange how you can go for years, just ticking over; not over happy with how things are style and comfort wise in the house, but relaxed enough to put up with it. Then one small (or maybe, not so small) thing happens, which leads to other things; which leads to yet other things and all of a sudden you feel like you're in the midst of a whirlwind. Change has come into your life and your home like a raging tempest and it will never be the same.

We were suddenly in the position to purchase a new computer. As we had already purchased a smartphone and become aware of WiFi, we decided to go for for a laptop and WiFi printer to go in the study. The computer had previously been in the bedroom, near to a phone point. Moving this equipment really opened up the possibility of sorting out the main bedroom at last, six years after moving into our home in Seaford.

My husband, bless him, turned into Action Man, and commenced preparing the walls for painting - filling holes and removing lumps and bumps. As we had moved the computer etc , it was also deemed an excellent time to get rid of the old filing cabinet and put a new one into the study, giving more space.

My New Study

This of course meant that the files within the filing cabinet  had to be pruned. This was a difficult job for me as I like to keep things from my past - so hard decisions had to be made. Then there were the wardrobes that were there when we moved in. Apart from my clothes, they had also become a hoarding place - so yet more sorting out. In three weeks, Alan must have been taking bags of 'stuff' up to waste site every couple of days, with me feeling ever more miserable as more stuff disappeared.

Now, about a month on, I can see the benefits. We still are waiting for new furniture (more about that another time), but the room looks fresh and clean, with new carpet, the bed in a different position (and both of us sleeping better) and me knowing where most of my paperwork is (at last!).

New Technology - Part 1

As part of our ongoing preparations for our camping expeditions this year, my kind husband suggested that, in order to keep up with emails and Facebook when we go away; that I purchase a smartphone – as long as it did not end up costing us megabucks. If only he had realised that in doing this, we were entering into a world of pain, verging into insanity.

It has been some time since we gave any consideration on getting a new phone. Our last mobile was bought over twelve years ago and has always been for emergencies only. It's never been any problem and it chugs away wherever we need it. I don't even know the number, it's so rare we use it. But I know that technology has moved on. Even when I purchased with my latest computer, which is two years old now, I noticed that  there have been massive changes since the last time I bought one, seven or eight years before.

And two years later, technology has moved again, with there being a significant drop in sale of your traditional computer with a tower hard drive, and more sales of laptops and tablets.

My New Smartphone

It had been the plan initially to obtain a tablet of some sort and I very quickly became very bogged down with what was around and what it was required to do. In the end, reality set in. I realised that the size and weight of the item would need to be considered, if it was to be of major use when we go camping, so a tablet would really not be light enough and space will be limited. I also knew that if it was a phone as well, it would be a good way of killing two birds with one stone. The Motorola Moto G smartphone very quickly established itself as being the best value for money, so I took the plunge and purchased it.

It arrived very quickly. Opening the packaging, I soon realised that the instructions were quite sparse. The first job was to insert the sim card. This was a nightmare as you have to prise open the back in a certain way. It says something (to me anyway) when you have to look at someone doing the same action on Youtube, to ensure you're not getting it wrong and ripping the phone to pieces.

Once you have done this, for someone who hasn't done this before, you are left hovering on an air of indecision. Who do you register with? How do you get the emails to the phone? We started out with an Orange pay as You Go Top up, when was used up very quickly in the setting up of the phone, so more money was needed. And how do you do that?

For those of you rolling around in hysterical laughter that someone of the mature age that I am does not know these things, please consider, I had not been in a position health-wise to even consider going through this process, quite apart from the money issue.

In the end, through trial and error (because I was initially given wrong information), I managed to set up a plan with Orange and I managed to link in my emails so I could access them on the smartphone. It did make me pause for thought, that when confronted with something new, anything that you do with it can seem frightening; or if that word sounds too strong, try edgy instead.

Now, a couple of weeks on, I love my phone and what I can do with it, even going to a pub which a Wi-Fi hotspot and using it there. I am very pleased with this accomplishment. Maybe it was just as well that we started small and learnt from that, because bigger things were on the horizon.

Jevington Walks

At this time of year and with the particularly bad weather we've been having, I suppose that it's inevitable that my thoughts should turn to the walks that we have had in different parts of East Sussex, at times of the year when the weather has not been as inclement.

St Andrew's Church, Jevington

Jevington is one of those villages that I love to go and walk Jessie, with my husband. It is situated in a valley, not far from Friston Forest and with the South Downs Way running through it.It is popular with walkers, who use it as a stopping point for lunch, with some stopping for a beverage at the Eight Bells pub, on the main road.

The thing I love about it though is the fact that if you want just a short walk (less than an hour), then there are a few alternatives. I suppose that the only problem is that, being in a valley, any walk involves initially at least, walking up a slope (sounds easier than a hill!). And you, of course, can take your time.

There is a small car park that we have used once we get to the village. From there we have the choice of going on the path leading from the car park or across the road. The first one, from the car park itself is visually stunning right from the start, with fields on either side and the countryside opening up the further you walk up. Once you reach the top, you are on the edge of the forest, with a choice of left or right. We once sat on the bench that was there and watched the planes fly over who were part of the Eastbourne Air Show - wonderful sight. We usually go right as we have wanted to circle the village. One day (in a more adventurous mood) we will go left heading eventually to Butcher's Hole in the forest.

Then you have to be careful not to miss the gate that takes you eventually down to the church, touching part of the South Downs Way. In weather such as we have been experiencing, this part of the path would be nearly impossible to traverse. It is deeply rutted and at times incredibly muddy. We did walk there once when there had previously been some rain. Did I say walk? Rather it was a case of slipping and sliding our way, together with jumping from once side of the path to the other in an attempt to avoid the worst muddy bits.

Of course, if you wanted to avoid that experience, you could carry on walking along the path which meets up (eventually) with the Wealdway and which leads to the main road. A right turn will take you back towards the car park, with a pit stop at the pub for a refreshing brew. It does take a little longer, though.

A Field in Jevington at Harvest

The other route takes you across the road from the car park and up a path alongside the tearooms there. This is another part of the South Downs Way, heading towards Eastbourne (but we don't go that far). It differs from the first walk in that, to start with, there is no view, just hedges either side. Just when you think the hill, no, slope, is never going to end; the hedges disappear and the wonderful views of the Downs can be enjoyed. If you're really energetic, you can follow the path right around to a car park before following another path down to the main road and, eventually, the car park. Our usual walk is a little shorter, with a stile being crossed before the hill levels out to take us through fields and down to the main road to the point where the restaurant 'The Hungry Monk' used to be, which was famed for having created banoffee pie.

Makes me wish I was walking there at the moment, as we have sunshine this afternoon.