May Weather Not Good for Blogging!

I am sooooooo grateful these days for the wonderful weather we're having after our long hard slog through winter and early spring. "Mid-SPRING" has been worth waiting for! Only a couple of weeks ago we had a major ice storm and now the fruit trees are flowering and yesterday I was attacked by mosquitoes and flies while hiking in Kilally Meadows!! The temperature yesterday was a HOT 27c (81F) so I took full advantage of it enjoying a good long ramble.

Mr. Heron is about the only bird that sits in one spot long enough for me to get a photo!

So I guess you know what kind of photos I'll be taking for the next few months :)

Fauna and flora :) in the photo below those 3 blurs are white-tailed deer running along a path.

 I zoomed in a little more and you can see a lovely little white tail just right of centre. They were loving the weather as much as I was. If you look at the header photo above that is the trail the deer were running on. Of course by the time I hiked across the field to get to the path the deer were long gone.

It's so amazing the difference a coat of green foliage makes!

I was getting VERY tired of grey/brown:

Now there is so much colour everywhere!  

So, if I don't post often just imagine me on my bike with a big smile on my face:

Well, looky here...

Spring has sprung and the grass is riz...and I have photos once again!! Hurrah! I've been exploring Kilally Meadows as often as I can and my rambles should increase now that daytime volleyball has ended. I still have Friday nights at volleyball til the end of June.

Then I signed up for "Huff n' Puff" slo-pitch which was to start today. But the fields were closed to use today as it has been raining BUCKETS for several days. Yesterday I suffered with a migraine due to the intense low stalled over the city. There is still a bit of residual throbbing in my head today.

Pellride  - you asked about the uses of skunk cabbage so I did a little search and found this:

Skunk cabbage was used extensively as a medicinal plant, seasoning, and magical talisman by various tribes of Native Americans. While not considered edible raw, because the roots are toxic and the leaves can burn the mouth, the leaves may be dried and used in soups and stews.

Close to the skunk cabbage which likes a wet, marshy environment are the under-rated marsh marigolds. I think they are gorgeous and are one of the first spring flowers to pop open.

 Violets are everywhere, forming a lush carpet under trees and along the paths. I imagine I'll have to wait for a couple of dry days before I can venture into Kilally Meadows again. It's been flooded a lot this year due to so much rain. A friend told me a few days ago that he was about to plant his corn; however I'm sure he has delayed planting once again in the muddy fields.

Gorgeous blue scilla are everywhere - they are a feast for the eyes!

 While walking one day, close to the river, I heard a sound like a chainsaw starting up. I thought someone was clearing up dead branches. Then I saw a large shadow and looked up to see a heron fly right over my head bleating loudly. I think that may have been the first time I've heard that sound!

 I'm hoping to see the may apple flower this year - hope I don't miss it. They must not last long because last year I only caught sight of the little apples, no flowers.

Bloodroot is everywhere but beware! Bloodroot extracts have been listed as one of "187 Fake Cancer Cures people should avoid!"

 This is an area carpeted with violets. Just beautiful!

I will keep trying to capture Mr. Osprey. He was sitting on that metal thingy and I crept up trying to get his picture. Of course he saw me and took off (I thought I was well hidden behind some branches). So this is my effort at capturing the osprey in flight with a branch between me and him. It looks like he's coming right for me - good luck lifting me off the ground!!

Sorry I haven't been around much. I had some computer issues to sort out (my own) and still trying to sort out my mother's files, plus play a LOT of volleyball, get out hiking and so on and so on! At least my blog is back in action :)

Money Monday

As the month is young I don't really have much to report about my budget except I'm a bit behind in my two new goals. My charitable donations are right on track with another donation to kids' cancer of $50. Where I am behind is in my Christmas gift buying/creating. I bought a gift in January and also in February and then I stalled. I need to get crocheting and carving more but it's hard this time of year as I prefer to be outside. Today being a rainy day I will get into the workshop. I brought home a good strong tree branch yesterday to use as a walking stick but it needs a little work. I hope to get that completed today but it's a gift for myself  :)

Other than that it's business as usual - I transferred $400 into savings and have divided my misc budget into 4 equal amounts to get me through May. Extra expenses this month include my truck license plate sticker and one night in an Airbnb in Dublin. I will also be checking out flyers for sales on hiking duds. I think I'm in pretty good shape there though, perhaps some socks or hiking shorts.

Lately I've mentioned "forest bathing" and how getting out into nature is good for stress and overall well being. And then I found this!

"Want to feel healthier, happier and more peaceful? Add a daily dose of nature to your routine.

Most of us spend too much time in front of screens and too little time outdoors. It’s time to fall (back) in love with nature!

This May, the David Suzuki Foundation is challenging you and people around the world to join the 30×30 Challenge by spending 30 minutes a day in nature for 30 days. Our goal is simple: to reconnect human beings with nature for the sake of their health and mental well-being.

Join us in taking the 30×30 Nature Challenge, so we can reap nature’s benefits together. See you outside!"  Found on the David Suzuki website. David Suzuki is a high profile Canadian scientist.
So I'm going to give it a try. 30 minutes is easy...everyday will be harder. Yesterday I spent about 2 hours in the forest and even though it was cool and cloudy it was very enjoyable. Here are a few photos...

Gradually the colour green is taking over.

I wonder which way to prevailing winds blow?

Looked for deer but didn't spot any. Just bunnies, a heron and crows
mobbing a hawk.

This is part of my "running trail."

So inviting!

Mallard duck

A tree sculpture!

Hope your Monday isn't TOO manic :)

Final Hiking Day: Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway 8,000 kms!!! Photo Heavy Post!

Just kidding (sorta), but those 23km sure felt like 8,000!!  Trudge, trudge, trudge!

Here's a quote from my notes: "It was a long walk today - 23km and we were tired, hurting and really struggling to put one foot in front of the other. The road seemed never ending."

We met up with a fellow with a dog going in the opposite direction who asked us "are you ready for the long road?" He wasn't kidding! A lot of it was on the paved road which was hard on the feet and the River Eden and Scotland were on our right most of the journey. The fellow with the dog also asked us to tell the woman at the Kings Arm pub that he found his other "good" shoe and that she would know what he meant. Annie remembered to let her know :)  when we were there for dinner.

Now...on to the pictures for today's forced march hike!

Swans in the River Eden...

And a heron...

 A beautiful arched bridge with a ..... what is that in the distance?

It's a cow!

 It took a few minutes to leave Carlisle and the noise of construction behind us; the countryside was quieter and greener... here we go!

 The red doors on this old barn were just begging to be photographed!

 I think I look a bit scary in this photo - like I'm holding a knife or something!

There, that's better, looks like Annie's doing some ballet move :)

Wanted to find a 4 leaf clover but there wasn't enough time...

But we did find a cornfield - the first I've seen here in Merry Olde...

So quaint!

 We took photos of every signpost along the way - we were really into the countdown mode on our final day. We've come 3.5 miles so far.

There was a bit of a diversion but nothing serious. Just meant we had to walk on the road for awhile.

 I do enjoy a good cemetery!

 The lovely village of Beaumont.

What a fabulous spot for a snack! A bench built all the way around the tree!

 A bit of a sculpture garden.

Any hobbits at home?

 Sorry, another cemetery! I just liked how this one is framed by the trees and how the grave stones are silhouetted due to the sun peeking through.

Only 7.5 miles to go!!!

 We had a good lunch here & met up once again with the 6 Canadians plus the young woman, her husband and dogs. The fish cakes were delish! This was in Burgh by Sands I believe.

 6.25 miles to go...

There's Scotland across the River Eden - the tide was out so we could have walked over.

Slowly but surely...trudge trudge trudge!

There wasn't a lot to take photos of - one thing I noticed as we walked through any village - people put such lovely pretty things in their windows - I quite like that practice and wish I had window ledges in my house :(

Just because I love this sign! Wouldn't you love to be able to say you're from Whitrigglees?

 I liked the idea of ladies chatting over the cottage gate :)

A short but welcome respite from the sun and paved roads. It was the warmest day of our hike no doubt because we were so close to sea level instead of up in the hills.

 Let's walk to Scotland!

 Back in amongst the trees one last time!

Getting excited!!!

Back on the road again...

 We met an old fellow who adds to his income by putting signs up showing how far people had travelled and taking their photos- London, Ontario is actually further than 3151kms but at this point we didn't really care.

 It was pretty wonderful to be walking in T-shirts!

 Time for one more selfie in front of the Bowness on Solway sign.  We're here! We did it!!

Where's the parade? It's a pretty quiet place!

 Wait little girl - are you the parade??

Nope... (but isn't she a picture!)

 We found the official end of the trail and got our final stamp in our passports.

Ahhhhhhh...this is what I was looking for!!

 There's free beer tomorrow!! Annie and I quietly celebrated completing the trail. We met another hiker who had walked the entire trail in 3 days by getting up at 5am and walking about 18 hours a day! Now, what is the fun in that I ask you!? He then went on to say "it's not how quick you do it, it's THAT you do it!" Well we did it!

While at the pub we got a Hadrian's Wall pin and certificate showing that we had walked all of Hadrian's Wall trail - woot woot!!

 Bowness is very small and we just had to go around the corner from the pub and walk down the street to the B&B which is in the former manse of this old church.

 There it is!! It was soooooo nice - the bathroom was full of lotions and potions and soaps and gels and a BATHTUB! Absolute luxury! There was even muscle relieving bubble bath (which we used of course!)

We went back to the pub for dinner after a good soak and I had vegetarian lasagna (with the inevitable chips), another pint of course and a double scotch because I deserved it!! :)

Then walking back we noticed the "super moon" - first time we'd really seen the moon all week!

 The perfect ending...

 ...to an amazing week!