Ey Up Tis Tour de Yorkshire

Oh them Sharp's they donned their boots
To watch those cycling men
They marched themselves up Blacker Hill
And marched back down again.

And when they were up, they were up
(to their necks in lycred thighs)
And when they were down, they were down
(in the Red Lion drinking cider)
And when they were only half way up
They were neither up nor down.

And a jolly time was had by all. The cyclists streamed by, undeterred by the gradient of the hill. A helicopter hovered overhead. A dozen or so police motorbikes sped by, lights flashing, sirens screeching, and like a single body, a mass of competitors, peddling like no tomorrow, whooshed by. Several support vehicles carrying spare bicycles followed on, then it was over. Over for us that is, the lovely lycra men had miles to go to reach the finishing line in Ilkley. David and I sat in the pub and watched the rest of the race on the television before walking home. I wouldn't mind a bike, but I prefer to walk up hills, and we seem to have done quite a bit of that lately. Where will it end?

Yeah! Feeling good!

So, that was my day. I hope yours was as enjoyable. I can recommend a walk through Worsbrough woods, the bluebells are stunning and there is a plethora of wildlife. It looks like it's going to be a sunny bank holiday weekend, so make the most of it. I shall be in the garden reading a few poems. By the way, I have completed a final edit of my book, Higgs Bottom, and we are hoping to have it up on Kindle before too long.

Talk again soon,

Love and hugs,

Jane x

After The Anaesthetic

I'm alive! Goodness, that was nasty, but six weeks on I have body and soul together and I'm surging ahead into 2018.
Meet Monty Bear, my little comforter in between the pain killers and sleep.

Well, I survived the anaesthetic, and I'm not going to go into the grizzly details of my operation, or the wretchedness of the month of February. Suffice it to say, the Doctors and nurses of Barnsley hospital were wonderful, my home carer (being David) was a saint, my family were there when I needed them, and Monty Bear was a comfort to me during my regression into a childlike state, while I switched off to allow my body to heal.

So, here we are into March. The 'Beast from the East' Siberian weather of the past week has moved on leaving patches of frozen snow here and there, but the garden is green again, and the streets are clear of any trace of slush. 

Birdwell Feb2018

What a good job I didn't have to go out in that awful weather, but now I'm well on the mend it's full steam ahead with a mission to get battle fit for the long walks that we are planning. First we shall complete the Barnsley Boundary Walk, only about 3 legs of that walk left, then we shall be heading to the coast for a bit of coast walking. It's all in the spirit of having fun. And in that same spirit David and I have booked a coach trip to Whitby. 

Yes, there's nothing like a near death experience for bringing to the fore the necessity for having fun. In this our 50th year of marriage, we shall be having plenty of just that. So watch this space for details of our adventures, oh, they won't be taking us to the Seychelles, or China, or the Bahamas, but   I promise we shall still be having a load of fun. 

In my quest for better health I have perfected the art of making cake without butter or margarine, that is without fat.
This is my recipe: 100 gram dark brown sugar,
2 mashed bananas, 1 small carton Alpro yoghurt, 1 egg (beat all that together) Add 200 gram gluten free S R flour, 1 teaspoon ginger, pinch salt. (Beat all the ingredients together and pour the batter into a loaf tin). Bake for approx 35/40 mins Fan 175.

Give it a go. Add your own spice. I sometimes put in dried dates soaked in water. It is also possible to use apple sauce instead of bananas. 

So, dear reader, join me in a year of fun from here on in. Talk again soon.

Love and hugs,
Jane x

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
From the wonderful, wintery, wonderland of Birdwell! Yes, it's Jane Poppins enjoying the Yorkshire air.

I'm heading for morning coffee/tea in my new shed

We haven't quite got round to furnishing it yet, but so long as I get a desk and chair, I'll be happy. This picture was taken a couple of days ago when the shed was built by Garden Shed UK. Well done lads! You did good!

It's a few weeks since I last blogged, sorry about that, but I've had a few health problems. To cut a long story short, I am booked in to have my gall bladder removed this Saturday, in Barnsley Hospital. Of course I'm not overjoyed about having surgery, but I am so glad the doctors have found out what has been causing all my pain and sickness. I will be happy to get shut, and get on with my life. The results of my ultrasound scan said, "gall bladder packed with calculi," so, goodbye stones.

I certainly have things to look forward to, (apart from being able to function better), there is my lovely new shed to paint, inside and out, I want to create a peaceful writing space and artwork area, there is Valentino to practice, then there is the garden to sort out with David ready for our anniversary celebration in the summer. It will be our 50th Wedding Anniversary on August 3rd, so I think a bottle of bubbly is on the cards.

Meantime, I continue to write poetry in the hope that practice makes perfect. Talking of poetry, the Barnsley poet, Jethro, is compiling a CD of Barnsley Voices, and he paid me a visit to record on of my poems. (Watch this space). He's such a lovely guy, and energy to spare for the poetry scene. 

I'm going to miss my trip to Kent this month, but hey, it's cold outside. I'm optimistic about February, and of course the approaching spring.

So, keep warm, dear reader, and I'll talk to you on the other side of the anaesthetic.

Love and hugs,

Jane x