Come For A Walk With Me....

If you are a new Follower, it occurred to me that you don’t really know where I live, although for readers in the UK, the name of my Blog might be a bit of a giveaway!

Yes, I live in the area of South Hams, in the beautiful County of Devon, right down in the South West of the Country.  Next to Devon, you have Cornwall, which I’m sure many of you will have heard of, from various novels and TV dramas -  Doc Martin and Poldark, to name just two!  After leaving Cornwall, you just drop into the ocean! That’s one of the things I love about living here, the ocean is always around us.  

The first four photos were taken at Hope Cove.  Walking from Thurlestone to Hope Cove is one of my very favourite coastal walks.

The photo above with the path leading to the sea, always reminds me of the poem by John Masefield, called Sea Fever .... “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by..... I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide,  is a wild call and a clear call, that may not be denied......”

We are surrounded by the sea, and I love nothing better than setting out on a coastal walk.  All the photos today were taken by me whilst I was out walking.  I also live at the foot of Dartmoor, one of our National Parks, but, to be honest, it has to be beaches and the sea for me every time.  Unfortunately, I am not  able to walk the 8 - 10 miles that I used to, but I still manage to do pretty well, in view of my advanced age!  Believe me, walking in Devon is no easy feat, as it is well known for its hills, so it really is all uphill and down dale.  The hills lead right down to the sea, and the lanes leading to the sea are narrow, with very high hedges, so that you can’t always see vehicles coming in the opposite direction!

This next beach has to be one of my very favourites....Bigbury on Sea.  Would you believe that I’ve been going there for over 73 years, as my mum and dad took me there from the time I was six months old, so it’s almost in my DNA.

This next photo was taken at Salcombe.  I really am so lucky to live in this wonderful spot, that I call heavenly Devon, as all these places are only 20 minutes from where I live. 

On a lovely Summer day, it’s one of the best places in the world.  Oh, okay, perhaps I AM slightly biased.  I was playing with a new Camera App with this last photo.  I have very fond memories of visiting Salcombe with a friend, a few years ago now.  It was a boiling hot day....too hot to do much serious walking, so we sat under the sun umbrella on the terrace of a lovely Hotel, which had gorgeous views all along the estuary, with brightly coloured boats bobbing up and down.  We started off with morning coffee and warm, buttered croissants, which drifted into lunch, accompanied by the obligatory glass of Rosè, and, believe it or not, we were still sat there at 4pm, so decided to have a Devon Cream Tea, complete with lashings of Devonshire Clotted Cream!

Well, I hope you’ve  enjoyed the little tour, and I’m sure I’ll be back again soon.  Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.  I really do appreciate it.

Women Of A Certain Age ....

I was thinking just the other day about how fortunate we ‘women of a certain age’ are in the year 2020 (When I say ‘women of a certain age’, I think I’m being kind to myself, as I’m sure I’m now in the ‘women past their sell by date age’!).

When I think of my grandma’s time, and even my mum’s time, I can see how things have really improved over these past fifty years or so.  Don’t get me wrong, I realise that we still have some way to go. I’m a big fan of the “me too” movement, and it’s so good to see how that Movement  has improved things for women over just the past couple of years. Now, at long last, talented women are achieving those top jobs, and getting salaries to match their male counterparts.  When you think where we’ve come from, that really is worthy of huge celebration.  

There are so many amazing groups that women can join now, to learn new things, and to forge exciting new friendships.  These things don’t just happen, of course.  You have to go out and look for them.  I know, sometimes, it’s easier to just carry on with the ‘same old’, and if you’re happy doing just that, then that’s fine too.  The main thing is, we have CHOICE these days.  Just remember the old saying......”life is not a rehearsal.”  THIS IS IT!

I do think it’s important to keep a close circle of lady friends.  As we get older, these ladies become even more important, and we realise how blessed we are to have them in our lives.   Cherish these friends, and let them know how much they mean to you.  Remember, life can change in an instant.  Never be afraid to say “I love you”, or  compliment them when they look good, or tell them when you like their new perfume, or lipstick, or whatever.  Try to love all the stages of your life, for they are all magical in their own way.

I hope you have enjoyed all the little quotes I have included with my Post today - all courtesy of Pinterest.com.  I’ll leave you with one that, hopefully, will make you smile, from the wonderful Dame Maggie Smith......

See you next time little peeps, and thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings

A New Month - Half Way Through The Year Already.

So then, how are you all doing out there in your own little corners of the world?  I thought that, today, I would bypass the current situation that we have been in for the past few months, and try to spread a smidgeon of positivity. 

Hands up all those of you who have spent quite a lot of time worrying over the years - often quite unnecessarily so. The following quote is so true, isn't it, and something that I have learned more and more as I progress through this wonderful life that we have been given. 

I thought that, today, I would show some quotes about worrying, and how, really, we should try to live 'in the moment' as much as we possibly can. Obviously, there are certain times in life that this is easier said than done, but I'm speaking generally here, and when we worry unnecessarily about what really are the 'little things'.

I hope that perhaps this will give you some food for thought as you go about each day. Meanwhile, hang in there. It's a new month and we can only hope that things will start to look a little brighter before too long. If only people would be sensible, and stay alert. Keep safe everyone ❤️

(All quotes today courtesy of Pinterest.com)

The World Has Been Turned Upside down...

Hallo everyone. I think we would all agree that these are strange and worrying times that we are living in. At the moment, here in the U.K., restrictions were slowly lifted yesterday, so that we can see our grandchildren or a couple of friends in our own garden. That was a lovely moment for a lot of grandparents, and I am thankful that at least two of mine live close by, so I was able to spend a few hours with them.  I know that, for many, it's still going to be a while before families are able to see each other again, as opposed to on a screen! 

My eldest granddaughter is also allowed out for certain periods over in Madrid, and I'm happy for her.

I was going to say that things are very slowly getting back to normal, but that would be wrong. I think we are going to have to get used to a different kind of normal for quite a while to come. I'm certainly in no rush to go out to the shops. Many shops are now open and more will open in a couple of weeks, but, because of the social distancing rule, there are long queues.  

Everyone's top priority should be to keep themselves, their loved ones, and the wider community safe, but I'm sure that many people are feeling anxious or frustrated. To be honest, much of the media coverage doesn't help. They seem to only focus on the negative stories and frightening headlines. Whereas we all know how people are pulling together in our own Communities and doing a fantastic job. These are just ordinary people who are trying to show the very best side of humanity. 

Someone mentioned that we are actually living through History - many years ahead people will look back at what is happening now, and be amazed at how much the world had to change. 

I wish I had written those beautiful words! I think not  being able to hug our family and friends during this time is very hard .... oh, and not being able to visit a Hairdresser!  Over here, we still have many weeks to go. At least I have Benji booked in at the Groomers in the 18th June. He's starting to look like a little teddy bear 🙈.

We have had amazing weather here in heavenly Devon during lockdown, over the months of March, April and May, with almost 700 hours of sunshine. The most since records began and absolutely unheard of. Even though a lot of people have just been working on their gardens, they look as if they've been on Mediterranean holidays! ☀️☀️

I really can't end this Post without mentioning the tragic events that are happening in America at the moment, as the world watches on in horror. Black lives really DO matter - it's time to end this terrible injustice. The worst thing is - how many years have we been saying that, and still it goes on. My prayers are for all Americans, that you may all come together.

 I hope this Post hasn't been too depressing a read for you today, as I usually like to be positive on here - not spreading doom and gloom. Anyway, please take care and look after yourselves. ❤️

Anyone Tell Me What Day Of The Week It Is?!

Hi there little peeps. Here I am again, just checking up to see if you’re managing to keep cheerful and positive in these rather strange times. A word that keeps coming up again and again at the moment is ‘unprecedented.’  Sometimes I think the ‘experts’ are just winging it, along with the rest of us!  Like a lot of you, I am very fortunate to have a garden - just imagine how much worse this would be if we had no outside space to spend some time in.  Granddaughter number one has been stuck in an Apartment in Madrid for the last five weeks.  Fortunately she shares with a friend, but, even so.....  restrictions in Spain and France are much tighter than they are here in the U.K. at the moment. 

At the beginning of this year, I decided to start writing a Journal - for the first time ever. Quite ironic really, as I thought I would be filling it with lovely memories of times spent with family and friends, walking the coastal paths here in the beautiful South Hams of Devon, out for lunches, watching interesting films at the cinema, etc etc.  Never mind, I’m still filling the pages every day - some pages are shorter than others!  Still, if nothing else, hopefully all this will have taught us what is truly important in our lives - love, family and friendship. As an only child, my female friendships have always been very important to me, and even more so once the children had moved out, and I moved on to the next stage of my life.

I always feel that I should apologise to my Facebook friends, as sometimes they have already seen pictures that I post on my Blog.  Oh well!  Here are some images of my favourite places nearby. Hopefully it won’t be too long before I am able to visit them again. 

So then, no exciting news, but I thought I would just pop in to say Hello and wish you all well.  

Strange Old Times....

Hallo to you all once again. How are you doing in this unprecedented, global situation that we all find ourselves in?  This time, we really are all in it together!

I'm sure, by now, most of you have been told to STAY AT HOME.  Right now, I feel so thankful that I have a garden to spend time in. It must be awful for those who have no outside space that they can use. I thought I would just share a little photo of Benji, my little Cavapoo, having a good snuffle around outside....

Unfortunately. There are a lot of people who are still not taking this Corona Virus seriously.  That is why so many Countries have had to take the action they have, and we find ourselves in a virtual lockdown situation. 

The Virus does not move - It is people who are moving the Virus. 

It was Mothering Sunday here a couple of days ago. Normally, people would be attending Church and the children would be handed little posies of flowers to give to their mums.  Restaurants would be packed with families, large and small, celebrating this special day. This is my dear mum, who is still thought of each day, even though she passed away some 24 years ago. 

This year, of course, it was completely different, as restaurants were closed and people were urged not to visit their mums, as most of them would be in the vulnerable category of being over 70. My friends and I feel we have aged ten years in the past couple of weeks, as we are so fed up with being labelled 'elderly'!! 🤣.  I had a parcel delivered here a few days ago, and the delivery man asked for my date of birth. It was so funny to see him scrolling down for ages on his little machine until he reached 1947!  We did smile - you have to keep your sense of humour, don't you?!  Talking about sense of humour ....

Thank heavens for modern technology at this particular time!  There are so many ways to keep in touch with family and friends. I particularly like the video chats via WhatsApp, Skype or Facebook Messenger. My daughters told me about Houseparty, and now all the family are on it, including the grandchildren. It really is fun!  You can pop in whenever you want, and we have had the whole family on there together, which is great!  Trouble is, you usually all end up talking at the same time! 

To be honest, I'm having more social interaction some days than before, and I'm thinking ... 'I just want to read my book'!!  It is so important to keep this contact going though , so that you do not feel so isolated from the outside world. 

I hope you are finding things to do during these times.  I'm doing plenty of reading, I'm writing in my Journal, spending time in the garden, I've found a really good jigsaw App, and I've decided to have a go at watercolour painting again. 

We had such a terribly wet Autumn and Winter, but it seems that someone is now looking after us, because ever since we have been told to stay at home, the sun has been shining brightly with clear blue skies. Still a little chilly, but that's not a problem. So!  I am so grateful for that. 

I've just realised that I haven't even touched on  the panic buying in the Supermarkets - for goodness sake!! 🙈🙈.  But let's not go there!! 

So then everyone, please take good care of yourselves and KEEP SAFE.  Sending virtual hugs to you all.

This was me sat in the garden yesterday, reading my book. Notice the blue sky! Bye for now ❤️

 

International Women's Day 2022

Today, on the 8th March, we once again celebrate International Women's Day. It is now the year 2022, and no Country in the world has achieved gender equality. My, but it's a slow process! The theme for 2022 is #BreaktheBias.  The Campaign asks you to cross your arms in solidarity to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping.  Together we can forge women's equality. 

I think it is important to talk about this event each year on my Blog, as we celebrate women everywhere, all over the world, and recognise the progress that has been achieved, and to give thanks for all the courageous women over many, many years, who have fought for women's rights. Rights that promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men. 

 

 Huge strides have been made over the years. Certainly since the 1960's when I was a young woman.  We didn't have a lot of the freedoms or rights that women have these days. Women certainly were not allowed to get credit under their own name. So a mortgage would be out of the question. Women at that time were very much looked on as mothers and homemakers.  Hard to believe, but right up until the late 60's, women were not allowed to wear trousers in the workplace.

 

Of course, if modern mums want to still be stay at home mums and raise their children themselves, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. In fact, in my eyes, that is to be lauded. Many women these days, of course, HAVE to work, purely for financial reasons. 

Personally,  I feel that the #metoo movement has been such a good thing for women, and I applaud women who have had the courage to speak out.  

I suppose my point is, that the younger women now have CHOICE, which was certainly not available before, and that, surely, has to be good for everyone. 

 

 

 

My wish is that my granddaughters will live in a world where they can be anything they want to be.  I also take this opportunity of celebrating all the women that follow my Blog. Remember, you are ALL special and you are ALL important. 

I also honour my two daughters and two granddaughters today.  My eldest granddaughter runs her own Company with her best friend, which tackles sexual harassment  in the workplace. It truly saddens me that, in 2022, this is very much still going on. 

Today I also think of all the poor women in Ukraine, and all that they are suffering at the moment. My prayers go out to each and every one 🙏🏻🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦