February Blahs

So this is what I'm working with these days - I saw an Occupational Therapist last week who said if I didn't stop playing volleyball and put my fingers in a splint for at least 6 weeks I would have permanent damage. Being right-handed I had to take her seriously. Php$pb#bbt%t! I can only remove the splint to take a shower and even then I'm not to use my hand. 

Just think about all of the things you do with your dominant hand and/or use two hands for. Basically everything.  Just try pulling up your pants with one hand...or brushing your teeth...turning the key in the ignition...doing dishes...using the bathroom...turning doorknobs...the list is endless. 

To make a pot of chilli I had to get Kazi to open the cans of beans and tomatoes etc. I've had two other cans sitting on the counter awaiting her two good hands but I haven't seen her for two days...so they wait...I'll get even with her later as it's recycling day! 

Technically I shouldn't be typing either...I'm using my left hand plus my index finger of my right hand. Typos like crazy!!

Last week we had a bit of sunshine and snow so I went out and took a long walk and a few photos (with my left hand!) It was glorious to be outside.

Unfortunately neither the sun or snow lasted long and now it's raining like all get out with the promise of freezing rain just to mix things up a little.

 LOOK AT THAT SKY!!!

 I have a bag I keep stale bread in - I made the duckys' day :)

 I love patterns in nature - here the warp and weft and the water and the icicles made for a pleasing photo.

 I'm pleased I didn't drop my camera in the water - I'm not very dexterous with my left hand.

Finally...My darling Lilypad knows something is up - I've covered the dining room table in maps and passport renewal form and notebooks and calendars!  More on that another day. It's time to hit the exercise bike - don't need hands for that!

My First Scarf!

Yes, I took a lot of photos of my newly crocheted scarf!! It took a couple of weeks of evening TV watching to complete it. I used 2 skeins of acrylic yarn that was on sale in the clearance bin for $1.49 each! So...it's a $3.00 scarf!

 I didn't follow a pattern. I just used a double crochet stitch from start to finish. I don't know how many stitches per row as I just did a row of chain stitch until I thought it was wide enough :) I'm
such a rebel!

I know there are sections where my tension varied a bit...but who's gonna know??

 My scarf is kitty approved!

 It's nice and long for only 2 skeins of yarn! Hmmmm...my coat seems to have grown a tail!

It's long enough to double it and pull the ends through :)  Do you see kitty legs?

Wherever gramma goes....

...a closeup - it has about 4 different colours in it....oops, I see a spot where I need to trim. One of the skeins had a few knots in it :(

Peek a boo!

I see you!  Whatcha doin' gramma??

It goes around my neck several times. I've been wearing it proudly!!

Such a poser you are Luna! With her favourite toy - a piece of ribbon :)

And that's that! Next up is an infinity scarf using a super bulky yarn. I've found a youtube video that I'm going to follow...unless my inner rebel takes over! I bought 3 skeins of a black/grey blend which is all the way down in the TV room or otherwise I'd take a photo of it! Well, it is Sunday ya know - I'll take photos later :) It's supposed to get up to a whopping 12c today so I'll be rambling through Kilally meadows again.

Here's a few photos from my last hike through (last Tuesday I believe...)
If I get tired  I can have a little sit down.

Some trees have been trimmed and an enterprising soul built a little lean to.  It looks kind of cosy in there!  From the front (can you see my little head?)

From the side...

 I think the bridge is going to need some repair this year. I posted a pic of this bridge a couple weeks ago and the water was almost at the top of the bridge! I'm glad the flooding is receding but it is leaving a mess in its wake.

Loch Nessie?

Normally this area isn't under water but we've had a lot of rain this winter.

What's your Sunday game plan??

Walton to Carlisle: Sat. Sept. 26

I made a note in BIG letters in my journal today that we had absolutely NO RAIN!! Yeehaw!! It's so much nicer to walk in dry boots! Today's hike was only 12 miles though it was a bit longer than it was supposed to be as we missed a sign to turn off and had to back track a ways. But, it was a nice day for a walk:) Considering how far we've come we only had to back track twice (I think) - that's not bad.
We arrived at the outskirts of Carlisle around 2pm but then it was another good jaunt following the River Eden to get to the Sports Centre for another stamp in our passport.

Pic: dry boots!

An easy hike today...

And what's a day without a photo of a sheep??

I'm a big fan of trees...

Still some ups and downs but pretty flat for the most part.

Are you sure that's the right way? I see you Annie!

 Another white cottage - the patio was full of potted plants and flowers...

 Very cool weather vane!

The enchanted forest...I see the next signpost! 

Yup, we're going in the right direction. Should be in Crosby on Eden by lunch time.

Halloween tree!

Only 4 miles to Carlisle!

No fun to be had here!

Crosby-on-Eden :) Where we got lost for a few minutes :(

A bench! A lucky find... time to eat!

A little too close to civilization for my taste!

Annie had to change the graffiti from "F-ck Islam" to...

...F-ck Islamophobes"!! That's my girl!!

Flowers blooming around .....

A picturesque little shed...

Getting closer!

On the outskirts...an octagonal Victorian folly tower in Rickerby Park - built by George Head Head...(because 2 heads are better than 1??)

...one of my favourite berries - elderberries - yes, I sampled.

All we need to do is follow the river  Eden into Carlisle - it felt like a looooong way!

We could see it but the river wound left and right...

 Eventually we found the Sports Centre and got our stamp and close by was the Hungry Horse pub!! Celebrating arriving in Carlisle!

Well...it did say WELCOME!! Cheers!

Next up - finding a drugstore and then our B& B which was called Fern Lee Guest House.
I love the rows upon rows of red-bricked houses.

 We found a shopping centre - me goofing off!

And there's our B&B! So far so good! Our navigational skills are improving!

It looks like I need about 12 hours of sleep!

 I wrote in my journal that we arrived at our B&B at 4:20pm. We showered and then asked our hosts where we could get some dinner.

We ended up here at the Beehive. And a beehive it certainly was!!

You can't tell from this picture but the place was a zoo...I mean a beehive! We were lucky to get a table and every television was at full blast showing a football, rugby, soccer game??? There was a ball involved - that's all I know!

I sneakily took a picture of these guys at the next table - a wee barmaid had to ask them to leave as they were starting to push and shove - so they "took it outside"! We had our dinner and didn't linger...the noise was deafening!

 Tomorrow - the final day!!!