tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83766930031928143412024-03-13T11:51:08.402+00:00Grow Our Own ~ an ecotherapy blogALLOTMENTS, HIKING AND ALL THINGS GOODCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.comBlogger931125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-69030138900363804962018-06-05T12:29:00.002+01:002018-06-05T12:29:24.429+01:00A change is as good as a rest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have started a fresh and ever so sparkly new blog home for the continuation on this blog. It's called A Stubborn Optimist and I would be extremely happy if you would come on over and move in with me - I'll bring the cake!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clickβ<a href="https://astubbornoptimist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>βto join me and please stay and update your blog address book xx</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I await you with baited breath</td></tr>
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Love<br />
Carrie</div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-83746249660349886852018-06-03T16:01:00.001+01:002018-06-03T17:40:20.354+01:00The Tropical Ravine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday was a good day - can I get a "Hallelujah"? PLEASE read to the end - there is exciting news!<br />
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We took it easy, went to do our Saturday morning messages and have a coffee whilst we planned something fun for the afternoon. The sun was shining and there was absolutely no rain on the forecast so we decided to finally go and visit the refurbished Tropical Ravine up in Belfast's Botanic Gardens. For anyone who has lived, worked or studied near Belfast the Botanic Gardens are a place of joy and we are no different.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNf3Bz-kf0ajkBhpirixQo89X3fEql8tZMrVgYdmTCJ7VVqCQgj7z35k_GhFbgXmGdSF7_nyCD7QpYNF9KQjDvuW1uhEKuvBOnXmjlDbFQvL9VSNM0h_NjvIg3N472hJgulYPAvH3ilv5/s1600/DSC01969+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNf3Bz-kf0ajkBhpirixQo89X3fEql8tZMrVgYdmTCJ7VVqCQgj7z35k_GhFbgXmGdSF7_nyCD7QpYNF9KQjDvuW1uhEKuvBOnXmjlDbFQvL9VSNM0h_NjvIg3N472hJgulYPAvH3ilv5/s640/DSC01969+-+Edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I remember the last time I was in the Ravine and it was awesome, in a run down, rusty and mouldy way. A place that had a certain smell, that of rotting plant life and stagnant water but good gracious was it beautiful at the same time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfABtI_LszIICSy8totGDDFpcJkfL8PEbEm2t9edH1QXPG_teo-jx4k-SugMsWfLtSQUDVK8eVQnlXXgtFyHm1IEo71qxBOGINGg6IFIodLKicbhUYMxKBvgs4N_spPrLcrZhugMRfWyw/s1600/irish+news+photo+of+ravne+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2015 photograph - property of The Irish News" border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1170" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfABtI_LszIICSy8totGDDFpcJkfL8PEbEm2t9edH1QXPG_teo-jx4k-SugMsWfLtSQUDVK8eVQnlXXgtFyHm1IEo71qxBOGINGg6IFIodLKicbhUYMxKBvgs4N_spPrLcrZhugMRfWyw/s640/irish+news+photo+of+ravne+%25281%2529.jpg" title="2015 photograph - property of The Irish News" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T-rImULw3ovaaBhyJbXCaeYKxRbu_yd5im0_PTJ4Mc6DAcJonhcpdWO5fDSMHYP3mvO69dHguo6f8O8v_1JzGd6cQfvjV_MEYzZ0AqXvYfh8cVa9fxf4y2Nwabw8AopEQOT9YpGxY2q_/s1600/DSC02036+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="photo of renovated Ravine - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T-rImULw3ovaaBhyJbXCaeYKxRbu_yd5im0_PTJ4Mc6DAcJonhcpdWO5fDSMHYP3mvO69dHguo6f8O8v_1JzGd6cQfvjV_MEYzZ0AqXvYfh8cVa9fxf4y2Nwabw8AopEQOT9YpGxY2q_/s640/DSC02036+1.jpg" title="photo of renovated Ravine - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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This Victorian beauty was originally opened in 1889 as a Temperate House and extended only a couple of years later to create a additional Tropical section. After that is wasn't touched, but for a new roof in the 1980's. So it was a brilliant surprise when it closed in November 2015 for a full Β£3.8 million renovation. It finally re-opened on the 12th April this year (2018) and all I can say is "wow!"<br />
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Here are a few photographs, oh and we entered at the new bottom entrance - leading straight into the Tropical section....<br />
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It was displayed on the wooden framed thermometer here that the temperature was 36.3 degrees but the humidity was an overwhelming 53%. There aren't many photos from this section as I was melting, literally melting into a puddle....<br />
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The misting mechanism over the tropical plants and the gorgeous new roof and windows. </div>
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It even looks too humid to be survivable, ahaha </div>
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The designers kept the old rusty railings and simply painted them and added a new wooden top.</div>
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I was more in my element when it came to the Temperature part of the Ravine, I could have stayed there quite some time, soaking up all the calming greens and the playful textures and explosions of colour here and there. There is also the original waterfall in this part and the sound is lovely. Sadly there were 'other people' (always a bother when you want to have quiet meditation and maybe a snooze) so I was a little on edge and stuck to simply wandering around and getting my photos :)<br />
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An explosion of green</div>
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Banana leaves are incredible, I adore the way they reflect the light</div>
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The tricking waterfall</div>
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Oh how I do love a fern or 6 </div>
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The extremely rare and delicate Killarney Fern</div>
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Clockwise from top left - the '<i>Makaya bella</i>', the '<i>Nerium oleander</i>' in bud and flower, '<i>Hibicus</i>' in both in pink and white, 'Senna floribuna' from a distance.</div>
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The same banana plant as before but from this side we could see it was in fruit </div>
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Just one more green photo before I go.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">*****</span></div>
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I would like to share that this is also going to be the 1st blog post on my revamped ecotherapy blog! "What?" you say</div>
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"Yes, 10 years on the same blog has left me wanting a new adventure, so I will keep 'Grow Our Own' as an archive and move to my new address at <a href="https://astubbornoptimist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">'A Stubborn Optimist'</a>. Exciting times!</div>
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I do hope you will join me there. And tell your friends too" π</div>
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Love, Carrie xxx</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">*****</span></div>
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Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-45716631543165478912018-05-29T12:35:00.000+01:002018-05-29T12:35:08.041+01:00The lost long weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I fear the allotment may think I have abandoned it, poor thing. The bank holiday weekend we just had ought to have seen me there with my gardening gloves on and my hands busy in weed pulling and seed planting. Alas it was not to be as my mental health took a terrible nose dive and I was lucky to see the sunshine through the half drawn blinds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTxIy2skspsdDoJ-EvLgrWfhetPbDF7zj5WFABM4HdpgPPibWzG2K6YJGeKyh-KKPZNvih7HocB8960VNw_kXT0K7cc3L4DYg1raZWgI3u8sUBussYtsPu2KIClzS9WIWRPoqPdHY5KLx/s1600/Renee+Carr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="logy meaning - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTxIy2skspsdDoJ-EvLgrWfhetPbDF7zj5WFABM4HdpgPPibWzG2K6YJGeKyh-KKPZNvih7HocB8960VNw_kXT0K7cc3L4DYg1raZWgI3u8sUBussYtsPu2KIClzS9WIWRPoqPdHY5KLx/s320/Renee+Carr.jpg" title="logy meaning - Carrie Gault 2018" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mental breakdowns don't care if the weather is stunning and you have hopes and made plans. Mental breakdowns suck. They leave me exhausted beyond words and so utterly depressed that my body just can't do a thing and I end up so frustrated and angry that any energy I did have gets burned up and I am left with sleep as my only option! Arrghhh.<br />
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So instead of tending my plot I slept. Andrew managed to get there for short periods whilst I was 'busy' sleeping and it is looking quite good. It's a miracle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT0dnGORe92kJzlWsj1iDyxJHy3bBwc-G3RMYxP9iJlgbAdtFMD9T9Ao2_FVyYPo3udKQcvo0S-SOYfXrIBJ_UpTX_ILyT9IBInnZjHlbVNCb7vmPDkiRx0Rr9XCH929wVSVyreIb_pxQ/s1600/andrew+allotment++-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Andrew's allotment Instagram photo - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT0dnGORe92kJzlWsj1iDyxJHy3bBwc-G3RMYxP9iJlgbAdtFMD9T9Ao2_FVyYPo3udKQcvo0S-SOYfXrIBJ_UpTX_ILyT9IBInnZjHlbVNCb7vmPDkiRx0Rr9XCH929wVSVyreIb_pxQ/s640/andrew+allotment++-+Edited.jpg" title="Andrew's allotment Instagram photo - Carrie Gault 2018" width="560" /></a></div>
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I am so glad I used a Saturday a few weeks back to plant up my tiered flower pot stand, these babies have given me hope and joy every day. Yesterday I managed to drag myself out of the house to the back garden and sit by them for a while - a little burst of ecotherapy goes a long way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6_CNq10Z4In-JwwAXL8HwVninWATq4Ij8ys7ZunDkoq8ha3uVsrpbx3h5FRAnzatmXjrwQ4LXY5hLLyw5_5WXFt8sryb9YOWezBLjK6EDKLHZGPEwH7g3e5NVJIojhRKALPGzSc_uQIZ/s1600/DSC01929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rustic tiered pot stand - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6_CNq10Z4In-JwwAXL8HwVninWATq4Ij8ys7ZunDkoq8ha3uVsrpbx3h5FRAnzatmXjrwQ4LXY5hLLyw5_5WXFt8sryb9YOWezBLjK6EDKLHZGPEwH7g3e5NVJIojhRKALPGzSc_uQIZ/s640/DSC01929.jpg" title="Rustic tiered pot stand - Carrie Gault 2018" width="604" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SGb0I0LO_wMzZmOgLinEfA0JErBWEFXaYN26cDp3PBOhoxmliHrASj8HGbri6Zv59xFehMf-WO7wvGV7XNmdBCqTemb_jtb5elphe2lWQ-wSPPGVgo4pb3NNsUkmHkD9kS7vB4kkVKkc/s1600/tiered-collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="macros of flowers and plants on tiered stand - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SGb0I0LO_wMzZmOgLinEfA0JErBWEFXaYN26cDp3PBOhoxmliHrASj8HGbri6Zv59xFehMf-WO7wvGV7XNmdBCqTemb_jtb5elphe2lWQ-wSPPGVgo4pb3NNsUkmHkD9kS7vB4kkVKkc/s640/tiered-collage+%25281%2529.jpg" title="macros of flowers and plants on tiered stand - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
I SHALL see my plot this week at some point, I miss it and I miss being able to share the goings on with you.<br />
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But already I have been outside today with my camera and as soon as I am finished here, out I shall go again and get me more Vitamin D π<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fRc1WGArYX1fP1MM6wG_WT8WA8aByY0uqvywB6arsm2sryEOT0o1pSwU9qR7v5ODAeJbAGCQ4wx0X4dFYoYEIaEpfJ9qA9q_RKR19CmWerkRH5fMoCjnKBVU1y0JosjNQgMp8sGh9jHv/s1600/garden-collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the tea garden - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fRc1WGArYX1fP1MM6wG_WT8WA8aByY0uqvywB6arsm2sryEOT0o1pSwU9qR7v5ODAeJbAGCQ4wx0X4dFYoYEIaEpfJ9qA9q_RKR19CmWerkRH5fMoCjnKBVU1y0JosjNQgMp8sGh9jHv/s640/garden-collage+%25281%2529.jpg" title="the tea garden - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hopefully I shall write again soon<br />
Your Carrie x</div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-67007076759586442102018-05-25T12:22:00.000+01:002018-05-25T12:22:07.753+01:00Hadrian's Wall Path ( the last 3 days)Well, it's just as well I keep travel journals as this series of posts has taken way too long. I am sorry. So much has been happening here and it's all been quite stressful and I end up sleeping a lot more than I'd like. So, let's get that journal out and finish this! I walked all those bloomin' miles and I want to share the accomplishment.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Day 5</span></b> was a sight seeing day and after the Hell of the day before it was so much appreciated. We visited <a href="http://www.vindolanda.com/" target="_blank">Vindolanda</a> and Hexham. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and acted like tourists for a change :)<br />
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But then we were back on the Path by <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Day 6</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></b>and what a day it was - Glorious! We hopped on a bus and got back to roughly where we left off on Day 4 - <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall/" target="_blank">Housesteads</a>. It's a really impressive place and worth a good looking at but we had done that a few years ago so this time the only thing that mattered was the passport stamp. These only start in May and you are meant to have an official path passport but, so what, we had missed lots in the past and this one went on the map and in my journal etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPpvWAfWLUGChTdNL6Dwhyphenhyphen0Gg8KJi9zSUA4kb65-iIEldYO06AYd7CuA1dC4y6zjkBX8xby0akou5o5bmy-P0SCg9BBwW2qlURBSoUHwxajZcQbESe2DoAE1MZLu5K0m2i9BYhvJfk57l/s1600/day+6+a-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Housesteads, day 6 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPpvWAfWLUGChTdNL6Dwhyphenhyphen0Gg8KJi9zSUA4kb65-iIEldYO06AYd7CuA1dC4y6zjkBX8xby0akou5o5bmy-P0SCg9BBwW2qlURBSoUHwxajZcQbESe2DoAE1MZLu5K0m2i9BYhvJfk57l/s640/day+6+a-collage.jpg" title="Housesteads, day 6 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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From here (chilliest place in England!) the walking is lovely and it's not too hard. We even had a temple to sit in and have our lunch break; the <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/temple-of-mithras-carrawburgh-hadrians-wall/" target="_blank">Temple of Mithras </a>(a pretty odd Roam cult) which was unusual. The altars are copies as there is no protection here and the real ones are in a nearby museum. Then came THE BEST BIT of the whole walk in my opinion - Black Carts to Walwick. The views were great, we got into the best walking stride yet and the sun burst out of the sky.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP2q4WLEQy8ixLnd3K_WeNgzGY44iw1UeY4ceuhgcuW2FwpBx-PXG2oDJPDOJg-GxFx3NydC1pRJBI13s5sy_-rJ2TLOuuyuW80YZT-qpO_7Dd7RbriJmZ-Nt0VymEGl3cX3LkYUVDIqf/s1600/day+6+b-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Temple of Mithras and countryside to The George Hotel - day 6 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP2q4WLEQy8ixLnd3K_WeNgzGY44iw1UeY4ceuhgcuW2FwpBx-PXG2oDJPDOJg-GxFx3NydC1pRJBI13s5sy_-rJ2TLOuuyuW80YZT-qpO_7Dd7RbriJmZ-Nt0VymEGl3cX3LkYUVDIqf/s640/day+6+b-collage.jpg" title="Temple of Mithras and countryside to The George Hotel - day 6 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another passport stamp at <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chesters-roman-fort-and-museum-hadrians-wall/" target="_blank">Chester's Fort</a> and then onto a pub! Yay! From here the day was over and we merrily waited for an Eco Cab to take us to our next hotel - there was no way I was walking on those fast country roads without footpaths for a couple of miles, way too dangerous.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Day 7</span></b><br />
We were once again at a hotel bang on the line of the trail AND it had it's own passport stamping post. This made the day start with a smile, that was until we saw the marker for a recently deceased walker who had died here; as I said, the roads were busy and without footpaths.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaieNipmUQLlSEl8hFbVzHCiJyomvn1LYCRlL1gOtolCqGjW9JmSyUl_P3DnQSurluTWHK1_UFQqO3k5zBSM5NbswulveisFf8DT5xaAFTM85jjhDPbhs2KyfQKvr7Mj8nyzu2rarBxPkF/s1600/day+7+-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beautiful countryside walking on day 7 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaieNipmUQLlSEl8hFbVzHCiJyomvn1LYCRlL1gOtolCqGjW9JmSyUl_P3DnQSurluTWHK1_UFQqO3k5zBSM5NbswulveisFf8DT5xaAFTM85jjhDPbhs2KyfQKvr7Mj8nyzu2rarBxPkF/s640/day+7+-collage.jpg" title="Beautiful countryside walking on day 7 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had many miles to dander in beautiful fields and around farms, saw more Roman stuff (getting boring now, haha) and unusual species of sheep. There was a long section beside a main road on footpaths which was wick but we came to a pub at the end of it and had sandwiches and a wee beer :) In this town was the last of the best wall remains so we detoured and appreciated them then moved on. We ended up in a strange place with loads of security cameras which we later found out was the 'Close House Agricultural Science Field Station' and surrounding land.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEbY8cYeW0myh5ymqAS_zBCy5ZHXsDb27pvbfIQlua8s02SE9JSHcFO9d96jaPIrmm38tDuPBUVcaaUoop6XUm56hYy0-SWc63fF633etkWYwUahxpVgIUrTp_ty8W2McGtALcMJEYVG6/s1600/day+7+b-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="countryside - Heddon-on-the-Wall - downhill to the Tyne - Day7b - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEbY8cYeW0myh5ymqAS_zBCy5ZHXsDb27pvbfIQlua8s02SE9JSHcFO9d96jaPIrmm38tDuPBUVcaaUoop6XUm56hYy0-SWc63fF633etkWYwUahxpVgIUrTp_ty8W2McGtALcMJEYVG6/s640/day+7+b-collage.jpg" title="countryside - Heddon-on-the-Wall - downhill to the Tyne - Day7b - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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After that we ended up on the truly beautiful Wylan Waggon Trail and saw the river Tyne for the first time. As we moved closer to Newcastle it became busier here and the Path changed it's name to the Hadrian's Way and the Tyne Riverside Park with many children playing and people out with their dogs. We bedded down just off this park and all the pain relief was needed to get me through the rest of the evening.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblfszfQTy4oWVofcoCwEoDVjCFHN9rr-05PCUVEiYoRCVk5JrsCKwW4ljRk_a9DvO7oYe7EzbZ311BkiWACnFgEBC3SdeJNJI4opEEf-WnnxKvVuTx1dQFx8OrJ1to-Bm6Rd2tckVx7Pw/s1600/day+7+c-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wylan waggon trail and the Tyne river, day 7c - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblfszfQTy4oWVofcoCwEoDVjCFHN9rr-05PCUVEiYoRCVk5JrsCKwW4ljRk_a9DvO7oYe7EzbZ311BkiWACnFgEBC3SdeJNJI4opEEf-WnnxKvVuTx1dQFx8OrJ1to-Bm6Rd2tckVx7Pw/s640/day+7+c-collage.jpg" title="Wylan waggon trail and the Tyne river, day 7c - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Last Day</span></b><br />
Oh my, good golly, crikey and such. This was the day we thought wouldn't come, haha. The sun was strong and not a cloud was to be seen in the blue sky as we walked triumphantly in our trail shoes (instead of boots) into the town of Newcastle along the riverside and all those famous bridges. What a day and what an assault of the senses - it was so noisy and goodness there were so many people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzSrxTAWkyJo4cImkuLFBUMdr0ltm6apeP292RcSs5TyCoKmyFhX5Lwtws90VAQjFBftVqxnp4_UlfDvUfrZ7SEr1Y5GZ3soXHoCo5dr8Bh-FqNnqQMMzBSoURGtfX5AOG6nwKB69cp7S/s1600/last+day-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Last day on the Hadrian's Wall Path - walk into Newcastle - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzSrxTAWkyJo4cImkuLFBUMdr0ltm6apeP292RcSs5TyCoKmyFhX5Lwtws90VAQjFBftVqxnp4_UlfDvUfrZ7SEr1Y5GZ3soXHoCo5dr8Bh-FqNnqQMMzBSoURGtfX5AOG6nwKB69cp7S/s640/last+day-collage.jpg" title="Last day on the Hadrian's Wall Path - walk into Newcastle - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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We cheated and I don't even care, we walked to our Hotel and dumped our backpacks. We couldn't be annoyed with them anymore and there is something about almost reaching your goal that both exhausts you and spurs you on to get it done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O16YL6PEQH1S1IQH9iak39BkccSAyvGNBBO_JIIfHhDYiYJCJZ3VY8CRt_9gVs74s-0Qjs6vEnde-1INqvIHFce5IBp2Gr_0V0jKaoaSWVyN0CPHd0ot_zvB644OJNjsRpGU9x3HPrK7/s1600/last+day+b-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="last day, Newcastle, Segedunum Fort and celebrations - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O16YL6PEQH1S1IQH9iak39BkccSAyvGNBBO_JIIfHhDYiYJCJZ3VY8CRt_9gVs74s-0Qjs6vEnde-1INqvIHFce5IBp2Gr_0V0jKaoaSWVyN0CPHd0ot_zvB644OJNjsRpGU9x3HPrK7/s640/last+day+b-collage.jpg" title="last day, Newcastle, Segedunum Fort and celebrations - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the bags gone we tackled the Metro system and went out to <a href="https://segedunumromanfort.org.uk/" target="_blank">Segedunum Fort</a> and the end of the trail; the glorious finish line and the conclusion of our adventure. It was done, we got our photos taken, looked at the museum and bought t-shirts. The day was so extremely hot though that we soon tired of the very idea of being hikers anymore and so, back to the Metro, back to the Hotel and to celebrate and to sleep. Ah, sweet air conditioned sleep.<br />
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P.S. Newcastle?! You are drunk!<br />
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Love and hugs<br />
Carrie x<br />
<br />Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-83928602853935819132018-05-17T12:50:00.000+01:002018-05-17T22:26:26.109+01:00Hadrian's Wall Path (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNLdPQIpfVSiOLENtVcr0fTok7zf1dsGFsFmKfhKDI1WS38Okbnrx5WAVq0kRUL9tKaiJJhRxvPt0CuvqZEZUfWBVFBqZI1I4-Vy0yjZ2V2k9ULSkD8evCwvTY4OHn-iuCE2L8B2SygW-/s1600/hiking+5+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="496" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNLdPQIpfVSiOLENtVcr0fTok7zf1dsGFsFmKfhKDI1WS38Okbnrx5WAVq0kRUL9tKaiJJhRxvPt0CuvqZEZUfWBVFBqZI1I4-Vy0yjZ2V2k9ULSkD8evCwvTY4OHn-iuCE2L8B2SygW-/s320/hiking+5+-+Edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Day 3</span></b> of hiking was lovely; the birds were singing, the temperature was warming up, we saw many a lamb and the blossom on the trees was stunning. It was like a fairy tale, and my love for Cumbria was cemented. I have nothing but good things to say about that day and we treated ourselves to a trip off trail to the Lanercost priory cafe, saw the first real parts of the Wall and even came across a young lad's enterprising snack stop. It all ended in a stay at one my favourite Inns, just over the border, in Northumberland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-li0Uyo0WTwx4HnXCdxumYF5ydKMTOxBTe8MWPUjNk8u5SOt23a51Ol8tcEFqKhgqcRw6c_odKIj2wSwK7J3X-AAOEc2lActCEh1m-SYSpL8PWjy4_bvuXaNpIptuOSc6bqvsfOmpxYa/s1600/day+3+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadrian's wall path day 3 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-li0Uyo0WTwx4HnXCdxumYF5ydKMTOxBTe8MWPUjNk8u5SOt23a51Ol8tcEFqKhgqcRw6c_odKIj2wSwK7J3X-AAOEc2lActCEh1m-SYSpL8PWjy4_bvuXaNpIptuOSc6bqvsfOmpxYa/s640/day+3+collage.jpg" title="Hadrian's wall path day 3 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuM3WvfP5o3uiBw_hZheyn1aBfzCvFVxIO9TTDJ1g_I5ZyBuBA_mvVgUAr7l5-xSPBuw6NP2Cyp0ZpIcHrcUEk8iQupKAiCv3NGZEXYvI1hxNC5BXFPLhOY-DIStAOKpIyBv5IVwiCVOw/s1600/day+3b-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadrian's wall path day 3(b) - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuM3WvfP5o3uiBw_hZheyn1aBfzCvFVxIO9TTDJ1g_I5ZyBuBA_mvVgUAr7l5-xSPBuw6NP2Cyp0ZpIcHrcUEk8iQupKAiCv3NGZEXYvI1hxNC5BXFPLhOY-DIStAOKpIyBv5IVwiCVOw/s640/day+3b-collage.jpg" title="Hadrian's wall path day 3(b) - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Day 4</b></span> was different, very different, though not to begin with. We had a hearty breakfast and though very cold (1 degree), the day was bright and good for walking. It wasn't long until we hit Thirwal castle but then it really wasn't long until the first set of 'crags' ever. Crags are evil steep ups and downs and from a distance they look like waves in the landscape with shear drops down the left hand side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYiZMzMOt1J86DpF0eNFpl8vLpP0pewjoKYjbzWlaA7UmkvumTRTVBo7T45y1Zb3xVfbYvFuFPgzUIyhown_671YyiC6k-bhdbexoHvEr0HM2OCx1ojfWdbK2EOHyVt5-Ebf3FU4U8Oc6/s1600/4b+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day 4 Hadrian's Wall Path - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYiZMzMOt1J86DpF0eNFpl8vLpP0pewjoKYjbzWlaA7UmkvumTRTVBo7T45y1Zb3xVfbYvFuFPgzUIyhown_671YyiC6k-bhdbexoHvEr0HM2OCx1ojfWdbK2EOHyVt5-Ebf3FU4U8Oc6/s640/4b+collage.jpg" title="Day 4 Hadrian's Wall Path - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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After Walltown came Cawfield crags and a break - boots off, tea and lying down. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then it became majorly poop!! Between here and Windshield Crags I began to lose it; <span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was hating life, disassociated, unable to speak, to focus my eyes. M</span>y bad shoulders and neck were not being helped by all the pain medicines in the world <span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">and the tears were gathering. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cWUfzhwYYSzaouZYXleImPFbat6pAAqydP05mgIrG3kWOdgEdLtenfcXGixRgSXNYaUuRbG-tAf8irv6tX5Hs9w6xXaSRcZ083tfJuppxxVNcPgIt56rzMoqQ_jntN0S4Ln4Z9orIMS5/s1600/4+-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day 4 (b) Hadrian's Wall Path - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cWUfzhwYYSzaouZYXleImPFbat6pAAqydP05mgIrG3kWOdgEdLtenfcXGixRgSXNYaUuRbG-tAf8irv6tX5Hs9w6xXaSRcZ083tfJuppxxVNcPgIt56rzMoqQ_jntN0S4Ln4Z9orIMS5/s640/4+-collage.jpg" title="Day 4 (b) Hadrian's Wall Path - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who was I trying to impress? I had been pushing myself far too hard over the past days and now it was all catching up and overwhelming me. Goodness sake I spend most of my life in this living room! Well now was the time to gather absolutely everything I had and we walked, up hill, slowly and continued on to the highest part of the whole damn walk. NEVER have I been so glad to see a trig point and in the distance a little hamlet - there be beer!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbVuvVc6L-ooXCtsuvQ9cfnVzNunRw55LrmEOAhoHPVtmdlMe2Zb0xl2or0nuIXwJ3YW1x1Fs7e9CQ-OiJ6jNbZnZPEh6ta2nScbd771puFTcVC8kHr4m8THgzoA7-RxsLkzkCGT-mgUS/s1600/beer%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Twice Brewed Beer - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="629" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbVuvVc6L-ooXCtsuvQ9cfnVzNunRw55LrmEOAhoHPVtmdlMe2Zb0xl2or0nuIXwJ3YW1x1Fs7e9CQ-OiJ6jNbZnZPEh6ta2nScbd771puFTcVC8kHr4m8THgzoA7-RxsLkzkCGT-mgUS/s320/beer%2521.jpg" title="Twice Brewed Beer - Carrie Gault 2018" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh boy, I shall never understand how we got through that day but I do remember the taste of victory in a local brewery/pub when it was over. Then we caught a bus to our next hotel and I slept, it was like Odin sleep, haha.</span></span><br />
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Much love<br />
Carrie xCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-65584850673300667212018-05-10T12:13:00.001+01:002018-05-10T12:14:15.099+01:00 Hadrian's Wall Path (Part 1)<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikyTV7J8_N7K7GyIHqu47x8kNDFy7AGkhfyU_cQQQ7P1sFx1R7YoVJuJeKfC3UnQ1rqZKx3ZgTqFgvZqjva6BmmVxWKntHGyA313rbgludUfqQ9yXDQpP17cU6WgrySGl3zBEaFMY8DTQ/s1600/little+by+little+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="little by little snail - C. Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="684" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikyTV7J8_N7K7GyIHqu47x8kNDFy7AGkhfyU_cQQQ7P1sFx1R7YoVJuJeKfC3UnQ1rqZKx3ZgTqFgvZqjva6BmmVxWKntHGyA313rbgludUfqQ9yXDQpP17cU6WgrySGl3zBEaFMY8DTQ/s200/little+by+little+-+Edited.png" title="little by little snail - C. Gault 2018" width="180" /></a></div>
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I still can't get my head round it; this time last week Andrew and I were walking into Newcastle upon Tyne in the baking hot sunshine, finishing our epic hike along Hadrian's Wall Path. </div>
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But, slowly going through the multitude of photographs I took each day, it is starting to seem like the evidence is there...we did it! </div>
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We did it our way too...neither of us believing in the idea that you must do every little bit (even when it is on dangerous roads or through swamps) as quickly as possible in order to deserve the accolade of being a real hiker and earning our badge. The glorification of hardship and suffering is just not healthy!</div>
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Heck it was hard enough as it was..and one's health problems don't stay at home when on holiday; you can't leave them at security either.</div>
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Here are the first two hiking days via some of my favourite photographs π</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Day 1</span></b> Bowness on Solway > Carlisle<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsMIdSSvwf2NUzAyHnqOY-hgzKiBoAhsZkIZ1Q6zlPnt4XXYv8CtJ52Tp5Rm8APepxM2ASaw66KDYmUCYyiJTwSFtR6zh6A46gFCC9WC70zSgeQZkQJKWuOGQeoDGt_Pi3HpwRZoWSAMG/s1600/DSC00550+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bowness on Solway, Hadrian's Wall Path Start/Finish Arch - C. Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsMIdSSvwf2NUzAyHnqOY-hgzKiBoAhsZkIZ1Q6zlPnt4XXYv8CtJ52Tp5Rm8APepxM2ASaw66KDYmUCYyiJTwSFtR6zh6A46gFCC9WC70zSgeQZkQJKWuOGQeoDGt_Pi3HpwRZoWSAMG/s640/DSC00550+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Bowness on Solway, Hadrian's Wall Path Start/Finish Arch - C. Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BC0jP3BpKDkC3rkqjpTtaGRxusuxfWWnTN2ymO1hMD9XsfY53PXPXPqFKJK-8iN7vZvl5vYx_viKsZ2NqMI8FwC0c3a0b95gzb_Enq1iZx8AmCKL2IvB1m5whiCV4wqWMTIqwWqlYw2B/s1600/day+1+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our first day's hike from Bowness on Solway to Drumburgh - C. Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BC0jP3BpKDkC3rkqjpTtaGRxusuxfWWnTN2ymO1hMD9XsfY53PXPXPqFKJK-8iN7vZvl5vYx_viKsZ2NqMI8FwC0c3a0b95gzb_Enq1iZx8AmCKL2IvB1m5whiCV4wqWMTIqwWqlYw2B/s640/day+1+collage.jpg" title="Our first day's hike from Bowness on Solway to Drumburgh - C. Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSpSCCyQzGagRcSwhEt2gH4Dc1gMqp0CHQJVylO6KxjgZ_hGNLngDSz7C5sVe5bCkYD_qmjtH6Bg4XYJaFK_SfW0mgon6HXsGrBKuETwLke1CiF5-5DxyxzvSdLWFuKHejjcATfpF22O_/s1600/DSC00537+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Carlisle's stunning city gates - C. Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSpSCCyQzGagRcSwhEt2gH4Dc1gMqp0CHQJVylO6KxjgZ_hGNLngDSz7C5sVe5bCkYD_qmjtH6Bg4XYJaFK_SfW0mgon6HXsGrBKuETwLke1CiF5-5DxyxzvSdLWFuKHejjcATfpF22O_/s640/DSC00537+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Carlisle's stunning city gates - C. Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Day 2</span></b> Carlisle > Newtown<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16r8RsqScvnuGGWcZ5fqIXE7zhNjHaJLLMhNCtmVFrL-voYphLPuqNc5Y9drMdzF1ta6aDzb6m2JXHsIGShIw5TrKnDIsson9wzUq_vY2l13_LS5Lota2xDjOW_h4bUunbk1JBOIYRTY_/s1600/DSC00595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gorgeous day, Carlisle town hall - C. Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16r8RsqScvnuGGWcZ5fqIXE7zhNjHaJLLMhNCtmVFrL-voYphLPuqNc5Y9drMdzF1ta6aDzb6m2JXHsIGShIw5TrKnDIsson9wzUq_vY2l13_LS5Lota2xDjOW_h4bUunbk1JBOIYRTY_/s640/DSC00595.JPG" title="Gorgeous day, Carlisle town hall - C. Gault 2018" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqYt9Tzrv3QEh0tRi4gZSAJ_XDBil2a87MbrnPQfcQRSjxhNiPlSwYgEvIU0_M2nK9TsYGICS65N3iPkh4J9_zY1Y3X-Xft62IxUAGgHRS4M75jpFnUKGRhVgOUuGuROJv0Oz1OgoiP1D/s1600/day+2+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hiking from Carlisle to Newtown - C. Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqYt9Tzrv3QEh0tRi4gZSAJ_XDBil2a87MbrnPQfcQRSjxhNiPlSwYgEvIU0_M2nK9TsYGICS65N3iPkh4J9_zY1Y3X-Xft62IxUAGgHRS4M75jpFnUKGRhVgOUuGuROJv0Oz1OgoiP1D/s640/day+2+collage.jpg" title="Hiking from Carlisle to Newtown - C. Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbks49fE3ckGF8vUVDZ2iLB75b1xNBKeOLyhvbAFwgn1ciqJNd6vJBJ5q1kCX6leXe0S2xMngXHOhGLkK50aGs86jTXDPXhWX-Cc3Ka_Rxvp-i-W1FsEFAf8Zaog3PQRNOcICiWpZMzoBE/s1600/DSC00666+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beautiful covered pathway to Newtown - C. Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbks49fE3ckGF8vUVDZ2iLB75b1xNBKeOLyhvbAFwgn1ciqJNd6vJBJ5q1kCX6leXe0S2xMngXHOhGLkK50aGs86jTXDPXhWX-Cc3Ka_Rxvp-i-W1FsEFAf8Zaog3PQRNOcICiWpZMzoBE/s640/DSC00666+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Beautiful covered pathway to Newtown - C. Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hope you like the look of our adventure so far. I'm trying not to overwhelm you with photos or we'd all be here all day, haha. Oh Gosh, I took so many.<br />
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Love and hugs, see you soon.<br />
Have a great weekend<br />
C xxx</div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-3831998714149766582018-04-20T13:18:00.004+01:002018-04-20T13:22:07.454+01:00Buds and SpudsHello my lovelies, hope you are all well and have a nice weekend planned --- Hurrah for Fridays!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-SbVYGbM1KBhxMCd5kIgPIbtwIYk4WHTOhV9yXuAJlBLJbb-7t1W7ql615rvmg_GRy6-tUIm9KTC44zNUSDRw_hL8MK6XWX2kHRvxMPq8AHUSyzQYUZEICk32f37GBdVRn6bzfgYfU9v/s1600/DSC00517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beech tree buds unravelling - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-SbVYGbM1KBhxMCd5kIgPIbtwIYk4WHTOhV9yXuAJlBLJbb-7t1W7ql615rvmg_GRy6-tUIm9KTC44zNUSDRw_hL8MK6XWX2kHRvxMPq8AHUSyzQYUZEICk32f37GBdVRn6bzfgYfU9v/s400/DSC00517.JPG" title="Beech tree buds unravelling - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="266" /></a></div>
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Today is actually a quite nice and bright day here, so I went outside with Toby and looked about the back garden. I LOVE it when the Beech buds open up, they are so beautiful, definitely one of my most favourite trees. Then I was surprised to find the Acer I had been worried about is looking heavenly = two sights that have put a smile on my face π<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA0hNt9Fxnr2w3-h3TmLuXw5ucFByp90qjhIwZvSCyBOUp5DuoBxqg3cYX1hSl0OZ7Li4DhrwJuW0aSSgkTy93X0nltx6SDHf2hmK0VdMrLxyMWnTyQrvMveeT3BXWs5Q5hkUxG45v1hi/s1600/DSC00521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Acer coming into full leaf - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA0hNt9Fxnr2w3-h3TmLuXw5ucFByp90qjhIwZvSCyBOUp5DuoBxqg3cYX1hSl0OZ7Li4DhrwJuW0aSSgkTy93X0nltx6SDHf2hmK0VdMrLxyMWnTyQrvMveeT3BXWs5Q5hkUxG45v1hi/s400/DSC00521.JPG" title="Acer coming into full leaf - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="266" /></a></div>
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I checked in on the seedlings Andrew planted up a while back and the Sugar Snaps are now too far ahead, oh this weather is so changeable! It's sad to compost new life but we will simply have to plant more seeds direct when we get back from our walking holiday. The leeks and spring onions seem to be in a good position though which is nice. I think most things are simply going to be later this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYwv8jpCv9mo3GrLuy0bIfAX0K2ncl3abcv9MJ_4OFpZf0oDMgtbBtY9_x1vLOp5QWLVsHGkbosxrFSxFMWSFr0kX0sYju-lNcgqz76OBANQ386SkMnIQf75r8k_yBF7Zy1C4F4H8PO8d/s1600/seedlings+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A few seedlings -Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYwv8jpCv9mo3GrLuy0bIfAX0K2ncl3abcv9MJ_4OFpZf0oDMgtbBtY9_x1vLOp5QWLVsHGkbosxrFSxFMWSFr0kX0sYju-lNcgqz76OBANQ386SkMnIQf75r8k_yBF7Zy1C4F4H8PO8d/s640/seedlings+Collage.jpg" title="A few seedlings -Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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But let me tell you about last weekend. We finally planted our beautiful Sharps' Express potatoes spuds); after my accident I guess I forgot all about it. This year we are yet again doing them in large tubs as it's just so darned easy to tend to and takes up much less space. Plus the harvesting has proven itself to be so simple and cleaner. Fingers crossed for a good batch again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPx3kFhk72SEN_5IeE9VMO2SlzIe74FiEwWK3AHwBJvZpjlpx8oETpa-Iq2gqxb7_oJy6Z0LTEAnXlVii748HxdjfMH4ri1NlTqR2bodvM-bgTRA2O9dhOVNARSO2NmT7lJrvpZu0GwxN/s1600/potatoes+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="growing spuds in tubs - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1600" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPx3kFhk72SEN_5IeE9VMO2SlzIe74FiEwWK3AHwBJvZpjlpx8oETpa-Iq2gqxb7_oJy6Z0LTEAnXlVii748HxdjfMH4ri1NlTqR2bodvM-bgTRA2O9dhOVNARSO2NmT7lJrvpZu0GwxN/s640/potatoes+Collage.jpg" title="growing spuds in tubs - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lastly, after the silliest and most cliched of allotment related injures to myself last Saturday... I stood (twice, for good measure) on a rusty nail that was poking up from a rotten plank. *Blush* I am glad to report I have healed up pretty well. The hiking holiday is still on π<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyIuH6cqZMOW2l-GG8z4_o0MTwv8caoFQRvlWOlMpEjrHJNy_x8m1ge93eWH6n-kqjL6ypdt-XTHGLn1bbVRhKMNonQMGrWSKM4yQ0Y_EjUJL4vf2g551-UxwTHi2hhg112BPO2I6c3R3/s1600/oops+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Antrim Area A&E - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyIuH6cqZMOW2l-GG8z4_o0MTwv8caoFQRvlWOlMpEjrHJNy_x8m1ge93eWH6n-kqjL6ypdt-XTHGLn1bbVRhKMNonQMGrWSKM4yQ0Y_EjUJL4vf2g551-UxwTHi2hhg112BPO2I6c3R3/s640/oops+Collage.jpg" title="Antrim Area A&E - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hugs and love<br />
Carrie xCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-46169504723196844052018-04-14T20:44:00.000+01:002018-04-14T20:44:58.227+01:00Allotment celebration Me : Now we are ten.<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">You : Who's ten; what do you mean?</span></div>
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Me : Our allotment is 10 years old today.</div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">You : Oh my goodness, where has the time gone? You don't look old enough to have a 10 year old!</span></div>
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Me : *blush* Thank you...</div>
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Oh my good grief friends, I can't quite believe I am writing this post. Andrew and I were talking about going to the allotment for the afternoon and suddenly I was reminded that it's the plot's anniversary. </div>
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Back them I didn't know what a blog was and so we had a scrapbook - old school style. Here are some never before shared photos from that happy book...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wPawPxS9AiL16-vT0yFq5_I3PZLzAmNwZ6wjCSNWpIbrZz3Hhby2iEtE-EZmDi_xY7ICkSvvGsYEt1IyqJY_hY80gJ7LjQDYc4zaYWRZ14adJuUY9crNnSQscEJoAwAgUCLLNvBN8gqt/s1600/scrap+book+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="early days- Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wPawPxS9AiL16-vT0yFq5_I3PZLzAmNwZ6wjCSNWpIbrZz3Hhby2iEtE-EZmDi_xY7ICkSvvGsYEt1IyqJY_hY80gJ7LjQDYc4zaYWRZ14adJuUY9crNnSQscEJoAwAgUCLLNvBN8gqt/s640/scrap+book+Collage.jpg" title="early days- Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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Gosh it really seems like yesterday when I think back to the day we visited our marked out rectangle of land with Maggie. We were the first in the field to dig a square and look at the soil below, I took pictures of a strip of green grass and Maggie had a pee = it was ours, we had claimed it in person and via the paperwork, haha.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simultaneously it feels like forever ago, haha. We have worked so hard on that little patch of land and had so many triumphs and 'learning experiences'. We made good friends who sadly have left the site by now, mainly through illness or shear disheartenment. But still we battle on...(sometimes we do wonder why though)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a look at the plan for 2018 - </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It's rough and unattractive but still, it is what it is...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwf-L6P54xqX5RXJt7j-YPbbzyaZVCLOHuVd6KHsofM8cx7GBz5clN1OiZpqmIVbzeqr0bz2OwVm3zIEo6gVjFUm94yS8X4hWuvfNoBJzOxa3WDsoYLWKxtRmCQ-G4M44KIQ1JBTt2kXX/s1600/DSC00498+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The plan 2018 - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwf-L6P54xqX5RXJt7j-YPbbzyaZVCLOHuVd6KHsofM8cx7GBz5clN1OiZpqmIVbzeqr0bz2OwVm3zIEo6gVjFUm94yS8X4hWuvfNoBJzOxa3WDsoYLWKxtRmCQ-G4M44KIQ1JBTt2kXX/s640/DSC00498+plan.jpg" title="The plan 2018 - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="488" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVE you all, we're off to the plot</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carrie xxx</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzhg1kZ3Sgmlxcgxsa2i14YtXdq29F4ECEe72VjiPLIB4KCO6a83pDDTl-24ttIXrqlRcNbl6RHpJe4Fz_zZVWwA2tpr7I5-fuhMa3Kkr9ha-CoOo_U9itYXa_HefaQVZFc1WAQblEy6U/s1600/Screenshot+2018-04-14+at+20.30.09+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="emergency room - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzhg1kZ3Sgmlxcgxsa2i14YtXdq29F4ECEe72VjiPLIB4KCO6a83pDDTl-24ttIXrqlRcNbl6RHpJe4Fz_zZVWwA2tpr7I5-fuhMa3Kkr9ha-CoOo_U9itYXa_HefaQVZFc1WAQblEy6U/s400/Screenshot+2018-04-14+at+20.30.09+-+Edited.png" title="emergency room - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Later...</b>. For the very first time in 10 years I suffered an allotment related incident today - I stood, twice, on a rusty nail that went nice and deep into my foot = a wonderful few hours waiting in A&E for a tetanus injection and wound dressing. We're only home now at 8pm. What a wick birthday celebration. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bring on the wine! π·</span></span></div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-55040143366028096192018-04-11T16:37:00.001+01:002018-04-11T16:38:48.018+01:00Actions and Consequences<h3 style="text-align: center;">
At what point does challenging yourself turn into a destructive act?</h3>
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It's been a while since I could even venture near this blog; a good while since I could write or even think a sentence of coherent words that might try to explain what's been happening with me. For some weeks now I have been a wreck, physically and sadly, mentally too. I have done a few good long weekend walks (in the freezing cold) but the effort has l taken it's toll and my week days have been a muddle of sleep and trying to stay sane.<br />
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Without giving my private issues air, things are really not good and I have had to visit my GP, my mental health team and get blood tests done. New medications have been added to my regimen and I could basically open a chemists shop!<br />
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Don't get me wrong - the walks have been good, I have managed them well and visited some beautiful places off the beaten track that have been glorious. However, with the <b><span style="color: #990000;">Hadrian's Wall Challenge </span></b>coming up we have decided to augment our route and make it a more rounded experience - less of the boring bits of the trail (by the highways etc) and more lingering in beautiful historic villages and the many museums along the way.<br />
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To keep you up to date here are the practise walks we have been doing every weekend. They've all been between 10 - 12 miles and in very sort of weather, bar warm and pleasant, haha.<br />
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1. The extended version of the<b style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://www.walkni.com/" target="_blank">Dungonnell Way</a> </b>which we did in -2 degrees with a wind chill of - 8 = is wasn't very pleasant! I took one photo, just one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGVNhZBQYN5atL_IUGduKoNeyF16ut9lFqj2rgtCeYNUrM_RPhE3Ar_fkACrAUnHhfzMZXNKvDXDUV6Mdjo3Wui5CNatLu_wK1QTZux8wHuyHS8EzgVAHiyhs9bRqPlvr5ShV51LOkQms/s1600/Screenshot+2018-04-11+at+14.56.29+-+Edited+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toby in the hailstones - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="538" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGVNhZBQYN5atL_IUGduKoNeyF16ut9lFqj2rgtCeYNUrM_RPhE3Ar_fkACrAUnHhfzMZXNKvDXDUV6Mdjo3Wui5CNatLu_wK1QTZux8wHuyHS8EzgVAHiyhs9bRqPlvr5ShV51LOkQms/s400/Screenshot+2018-04-11+at+14.56.29+-+Edited+%25281%2529.png" title="Toby in the hailstones - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="400" /></a></div>
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2. Section 2 of the<span style="color: #38761d; font-weight: bold;"> Moyle Way</span><b> </b>which is in the middle of nowhere; we couldn't even hire a taxi to take us up there. Pure BOG = one very mucky pup!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugArZ60TD2jiqk87UD4-RM84JHNQklQawE2Ejy2gvKlWIqNJC9aUwTnJLODTsIhaxnKWeQHDpme6GRHVMNuLiXSfdZptVv788OJmgmVDR9Afd3MJ_oljnEpAf83hFU86_MsVl-iSAMQvc/s1600/moyle+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moyle Way 1- Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugArZ60TD2jiqk87UD4-RM84JHNQklQawE2Ejy2gvKlWIqNJC9aUwTnJLODTsIhaxnKWeQHDpme6GRHVMNuLiXSfdZptVv788OJmgmVDR9Afd3MJ_oljnEpAf83hFU86_MsVl-iSAMQvc/s640/moyle+Collage+1.jpg" title="Moyle Way 1- Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DKelx7pWA-grEZOlYb67gVLOhjSViITrs5jYOGZUpFg_B2UgB3aJBNM2mJqqL4RI6F0W8-YhNH3UXdxMNbXd0pYdydhhVxqYlPpjRZUZ7vOwoB_KxySjoncGiMPcTQp0XOHLJ27gNnVl/s1600/moyle+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moyle Way 2 - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DKelx7pWA-grEZOlYb67gVLOhjSViITrs5jYOGZUpFg_B2UgB3aJBNM2mJqqL4RI6F0W8-YhNH3UXdxMNbXd0pYdydhhVxqYlPpjRZUZ7vOwoB_KxySjoncGiMPcTQp0XOHLJ27gNnVl/s640/moyle+Collage+2.jpg" title="Moyle Way 2 - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. The much more civilised<b style="color: #38761d;"> <a href="http://www.walkni.com/ulsterway/sections/north-down-coastal-path/" target="_blank">North Down Coastal Path</a></b> with toilets and cafes and towns. An easy walk but hard on the feet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I3JgVuRoZAEs4VoXeLg5Ab8OaBOYRBfiBYmPTvk335D2UcOG5hQ0CKT5mpRaM11nOl9OTr5OTg58uR1WpH9QR8SbCTI_Q5zHs3dgLDqdSDG3_b7ikCwsZOGbQ0EJSsNJAXVLxqwcWqHH/s1600/groomsport+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Groomsport - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I3JgVuRoZAEs4VoXeLg5Ab8OaBOYRBfiBYmPTvk335D2UcOG5hQ0CKT5mpRaM11nOl9OTr5OTg58uR1WpH9QR8SbCTI_Q5zHs3dgLDqdSDG3_b7ikCwsZOGbQ0EJSsNJAXVLxqwcWqHH/s640/groomsport+Collage.jpg" title="Groomsport - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiks6T5rE1vgnSamI68IjYNRds6F4JScTJo5KHyeFGuKsFZZJ_yD1M1yhKdt1xptFS-SlU5PRyHM3UpfxDoSN5J29OzwhLkgHtFC3dlsXgn92jnQA7rLv3a-0NjqrueZgahLyWTqqp93eQ/s1600/bangor+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Towards Bangor - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiks6T5rE1vgnSamI68IjYNRds6F4JScTJo5KHyeFGuKsFZZJ_yD1M1yhKdt1xptFS-SlU5PRyHM3UpfxDoSN5J29OzwhLkgHtFC3dlsXgn92jnQA7rLv3a-0NjqrueZgahLyWTqqp93eQ/s640/bangor+Collage.jpg" title="Towards Bangor - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELKzw5wr3U1kVpKA8gwO9xcxB-1MDvMzQjJuD2twPRvO8mLKhRxA8ZLX0crFvihIlHgkAsXwbq7lLSNPu6Q49vgU14g5lMwqR805hC_cVinv6r-mTTvV8KiW1CkkYawB6zFJc3iVU_OuS/s1600/holywood+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bangor to Holywood - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELKzw5wr3U1kVpKA8gwO9xcxB-1MDvMzQjJuD2twPRvO8mLKhRxA8ZLX0crFvihIlHgkAsXwbq7lLSNPu6Q49vgU14g5lMwqR805hC_cVinv6r-mTTvV8KiW1CkkYawB6zFJc3iVU_OuS/s640/holywood+Collage.jpg" title="Bangor to Holywood - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="640" /></a></div>
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And 4. A section of the <a href="http://www.walkni.com/ulsterway/sections/causeway-coast-way/" target="_blank"><b>Causeway Coastal Path</b></a> from Ballintoy to the Giant's Causeway which included some bouldering action that was fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgVr8WChtEn5nkp5rn5DV7pi2-Zko_9F6rmd2ieeWqawfrTnmueWua5zkuXEbAKWu9WxKtFE3ea1iMNBotDrm86F_koN6Nu_uxaooXIIaqVO7TigONIqagfuuzLq-8udBY83W2gfabug-/s1600/Screenshot+2018-04-11+at+15.00.41+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Arch at Portbradden - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="539" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgVr8WChtEn5nkp5rn5DV7pi2-Zko_9F6rmd2ieeWqawfrTnmueWua5zkuXEbAKWu9WxKtFE3ea1iMNBotDrm86F_koN6Nu_uxaooXIIaqVO7TigONIqagfuuzLq-8udBY83W2gfabug-/s400/Screenshot+2018-04-11+at+15.00.41+-+Edited.png" title="Arch at Portbradden - Carrie Gault - https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/" width="400" /></a></div>
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In all cases I would recommend my Hubby's Instagram account to be fair, he was much more into the 'memory capturing' than I was - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andrewgault_/">https://www.instagram.com/andrewgault_/</a><br />
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Lots of Love<br />
Carrie xCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-30757787478918626282018-03-14T14:37:00.000+00:002018-03-14T14:39:00.067+00:00Magic momentsWe had a very sneaky little 50 min attack on the plot again recently, whilst the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Naturally it was all about the weeding again but it was great and as it's dark, pouring and cold today, I am super glad we went.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmT2DFqga_9mTyCUiiufpwy7BE2mt4sppvAjivXZKHPOP_7Q57HHHX9zi7SatRTV3qip7bH-TX-YEBCf4fbvzULAX1CVBAOhNzktLpG3slQEXHZXqQK5tTacBoOqa-Gj4OhLDzVEB69r9/s1600/plot+13+march.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="plot 24a - Garrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmT2DFqga_9mTyCUiiufpwy7BE2mt4sppvAjivXZKHPOP_7Q57HHHX9zi7SatRTV3qip7bH-TX-YEBCf4fbvzULAX1CVBAOhNzktLpG3slQEXHZXqQK5tTacBoOqa-Gj4OhLDzVEB69r9/s640/plot+13+march.jpg" title="plot 24a" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice day for a potter :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Andrew raked all the weeds off last seasons sweetcorn and squash bed and I tackled the blueberry bed, which was much harder. <u>His</u> bed was all little surface weeds whereas <u>mine</u> was (and still half is) full of tougher weeds, grrr. It may not look like much but a trug load was removed from here of almost-in-flower dandelions (and their roots) and a lawn worth of grass! I also had to tackle a few massive slugs - it defies reason how some of the blighters get just so huge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQIfM8Bmb2ViYUVIKXv0RMyNxm3IshEOGhed3isi4Ag74mtvnbAQGXAC9rmqWq4GVO9cGIUh_CBm_-VbXlPM8Q-w6HCVyn__csg6_TFVU1CpoVN_g-oJe-dQkSiEo5E6CLsIX2EFJA4-1/s1600/blueberry+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="blueberry bed, plot 24a - Garrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQIfM8Bmb2ViYUVIKXv0RMyNxm3IshEOGhed3isi4Ag74mtvnbAQGXAC9rmqWq4GVO9cGIUh_CBm_-VbXlPM8Q-w6HCVyn__csg6_TFVU1CpoVN_g-oJe-dQkSiEo5E6CLsIX2EFJA4-1/s640/blueberry+Collage.jpg" title="blueberry bed, plot 24a" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Messy blueberry bed</td></tr>
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BUT this morning was even more exciting - it's hard to believe, I know. <b>We got our delivery of seeds </b>-<b> </b>beautiful little bags of hope, wonder and food stuffs to eat. Hurrah! It took the sellers a bit longer to get them to us and they apologised and sent some extra packets as we've been on tender hooks. But now the imagination can run wild and I can get one of my <i>extra special</i> plans drawn up - I know how you love them, haha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3eewSNTO33FHH1Jw1kD0t4MYIBWgQgdoeyzo8HPYStSLKsba-uj442aWOEEj0af_C__7JPwKmR_Zv2nUOyWS84fyce5VEskKuV7tm5rzjWxP86xro_RmesVAEzgDSrU9UirJKsC87kON/s1600/seeds+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="seeds arrived in the post - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3eewSNTO33FHH1Jw1kD0t4MYIBWgQgdoeyzo8HPYStSLKsba-uj442aWOEEj0af_C__7JPwKmR_Zv2nUOyWS84fyce5VEskKuV7tm5rzjWxP86xro_RmesVAEzgDSrU9UirJKsC87kON/s640/seeds+Collage.jpg" title="seeds arrived in the post, Toby does inventory." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby inspects the seed order - all is correct</td></tr>
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Quote from this blog 3rd March 2015<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><i>"So what can one do when one is so very impatiently waiting for the bloody weather to get it's act together? One plans, schemes and makes colourful drawings of what is going to happen once someone changes the sky and injects me with dangerously nuclear grade caffeine."</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">Nothing changes eh?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2nSMMmliW6mfJZuSWy6XhYFBkVRGw4YeuLFqWfoy_5tBjWQfAVK-febcik5VGqj5P04rrQbuUD4miPWfzSzktiN-1AwOcGdr9NRPG59dE1GSKcmj71ymsVJUi7MPoYvWuz3GuDxLgoJw/s1600/garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2nSMMmliW6mfJZuSWy6XhYFBkVRGw4YeuLFqWfoy_5tBjWQfAVK-febcik5VGqj5P04rrQbuUD4miPWfzSzktiN-1AwOcGdr9NRPG59dE1GSKcmj71ymsVJUi7MPoYvWuz3GuDxLgoJw/s640/garlic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">out of focus I know but I was so excited to see the garlic poking through I couldn't steady myself</td></tr>
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<br />Love and hugs<br />
Carrie<br />
xxCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-9366091452198737412018-03-12T15:14:00.000+00:002018-03-12T15:15:03.555+00:00The cat is out of the bag<div style="text-align: center;">
The sun is out, by Zeus, the sun is out! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-T2CvGa0HvGth7I3fdX9Q4JzpI8j1KqRqa0u5ismGG-7lxApKRGEDF7fhiAzO7lZmACFsgFJVuMQzq2oogfK4slGijtQEtViwo64rmo3XhfZwZP063suRNu_CEVf79G0sOmOK9WSj0NSM/s1600/sunnysky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-T2CvGa0HvGth7I3fdX9Q4JzpI8j1KqRqa0u5ismGG-7lxApKRGEDF7fhiAzO7lZmACFsgFJVuMQzq2oogfK4slGijtQEtViwo64rmo3XhfZwZP063suRNu_CEVf79G0sOmOK9WSj0NSM/s400/sunnysky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was just outside with Toby and we both just seemed instantly happier; *disclaimer - we were both asleep 30 mins ago and I awoke rather glum and still feeling defeated. BUT the back of the house gets the sun and all<i> </i>the song birds and it's<i> almost like</i> heaven out there. So here I am writing at the dining table (that never happens), surrounded by bits of vacuum cleaner and rubber gloves etc supposed to be doing housework - but stuff that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBTdg_rXuFfWuvZqYgLswkGUoXJmrTT6cZrbH9KqBadtnFKBbhiOIm4yWkdlHN7bj6zsoQdA5jP6E-LyqLKBgTCPeNahmyLoJ0qBfS7nootMGEU3dRk5s-OXyCzc4vhEjt_mEypPy7MU-/s1600/tobyinthebackgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBTdg_rXuFfWuvZqYgLswkGUoXJmrTT6cZrbH9KqBadtnFKBbhiOIm4yWkdlHN7bj6zsoQdA5jP6E-LyqLKBgTCPeNahmyLoJ0qBfS7nootMGEU3dRk5s-OXyCzc4vhEjt_mEypPy7MU-/s640/tobyinthebackgarden.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I have no news from the weekend - it was a minefield of mental health disasters and I stepped on every one. BUT today I received a 'Buddy Box' in the post - Andrew keeps surprising me with them - and it was full of things so pertinent to what we are up to next month that I have decided to spill the beans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjbBdwBDAdU-t_VkUfMXPbZhWwhvUCMdYhHm2faDJ3RdM1Hc4QQY_HArbFmxEfhCOvIStn3R4Hm1KZw51oTRd1ymnh46HYc2Oww5FSzpB19RdZL9ebIEET2SKClxpqG8ZuSqVlVvF2uTo/s1600/blurtbadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjbBdwBDAdU-t_VkUfMXPbZhWwhvUCMdYhHm2faDJ3RdM1Hc4QQY_HArbFmxEfhCOvIStn3R4Hm1KZw51oTRd1ymnh46HYc2Oww5FSzpB19RdZL9ebIEET2SKClxpqG8ZuSqVlVvF2uTo/s640/blurtbadge.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are walking <a href="https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrians-wall-path" target="_blank">The Hadrian's Wall Path</a>, all 84 miles of it!</span></div>
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It's going to be a huge challenge and I am trepidatious at moment alright, but we are doing it, one step at a time. It's all been arranged for months now and as the days draw closer we are building up our walking, mid-week and hopefully every weekend from now on. </div>
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Andrew knows the route, every twist and bend, every pub to stop at along the way, the large Roman sites and even the emergency exits if I can't take it any more. He has even sorted out my wardrobe for me and has the days planned so there is plenty of time for resting and letting the old brain take it all in, and the double vision settle a little.</div>
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We are doing this for ourselves, it's our Summer holiday but I would also just like to put it out there that I would like very much to raise some money for <a href="https://www.blurtitout.org/" target="_blank">The Blurt Foundation</a> along the way. In time I will have a 'go fund me' page and if you have a spare quid (dollar, euro etc) it would be phenomenal if you could help me out. </div>
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Blurt is not associated with any religion, government body or charity - it's just an awesome social media movement that aims to help everyone learn and understand about depression and other mental health issues in a friendly and empathetic way. It has helped us so much this past year and especially me. It empowers me to practice self care, to not be so damn ashamed all the time and to speak my truth.</div>
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Oh I have so much to share with you about the path, our plans, our kit etc. There will be a lot of beautiful hiking days to blog about before then though and I guess I need to focus on that first!</div>
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Love and hugs</div>
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Carrie</div>
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P.S. We have our seed compost at the ready and shall be getting started soon - eeek!</div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-76131740764367200152018-03-06T15:33:00.002+00:002018-03-07T15:20:57.870+00:00The wind blows coldMarch then. So it arrived with a bang, a larger than life HELLO and not a terribly friendly one. Sadly, as with many people, hopes and plans have recently been dashed by the freezing weather and snow/rain. (Honestly, though it hasn't been bad in Carrickfergus and I am very aware of just how lucky we've been.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdpAL7zLZz_EX40jFdDdHWCXLTJa2BqKmbnBEpPAVjfS3bqMSvH0rMB7PeBYVUPIHC6T7M7Oi8ADXyW5OArpz2B-Qgnk80ncAcgZ8a1KZUAM3hKutEN40vyIZkX30rr-UsR62B-yfMLfc/s1600/Pink+Green+Floral+Nature+Spring++-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1077" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdpAL7zLZz_EX40jFdDdHWCXLTJa2BqKmbnBEpPAVjfS3bqMSvH0rMB7PeBYVUPIHC6T7M7Oi8ADXyW5OArpz2B-Qgnk80ncAcgZ8a1KZUAM3hKutEN40vyIZkX30rr-UsR62B-yfMLfc/s640/Pink+Green+Floral+Nature+Spring++-+Edited.png" width="467" /></a></div>
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The famous Dickens quote has sadly yet to ring true. But it will....</div>
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As we didn't get hiking or over to the plot this past weekend we made plans about them instead (and watched films under a cosy blanket). The best thing to come out of it all was our seed order was made online and now we both feel a little giddy, waiting for them to arrive.<br />
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I've done my usual 'Things we plan to grow' page now so you can see the varieties <a href="https://growourown.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page_7.html" target="_blank">here</a> :)<br />
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I'm dreaming about 100% germination, no nasty bugs or diseases, of skipping home with oodles of lovely organic food to eat and oddly, of a new shed - oh how I would love a spanking new minimalist shed.<br />
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Love and hugs<br />
Carrie xx<br />
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P.S. I am still feeling rather vulnerable and exposed after my last post. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read it and thank you so much to those of you who left comments here and on my Facebook page xxxCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-79503966087204025632018-02-28T11:58:00.000+00:002018-02-28T18:25:27.779+00:00So it's like this<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqDWm27dNGP6Xn0hEe9jKHkHtkPqJ7QZbWzfqdSCDB7KnhNNxDzPhBuf-4myvXHsRDKWVONbLOww56nrnkRtEx6z79yZ2JgRPKPZC3c_ODB_mxhpH_vE9kRB4iP36Rbk4vPlhrBBxqWpf/s1600/DSC00327b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="tete-a-tete daffs - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqDWm27dNGP6Xn0hEe9jKHkHtkPqJ7QZbWzfqdSCDB7KnhNNxDzPhBuf-4myvXHsRDKWVONbLOww56nrnkRtEx6z79yZ2JgRPKPZC3c_ODB_mxhpH_vE9kRB4iP36Rbk4vPlhrBBxqWpf/s640/DSC00327b.jpg" title="tete-a-tete daffs - Carrie Gault 2018" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always look for the happy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can barely talk never mind read or write when I</span></span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">'m going through a really bad patch in my mental health. The confusion and forgetfulness about even the smallest things such as how to have a shower, eat or follow a story line on TV is so upsetting. The self hatred and anger towards myself is overwhelming and very destructive. This has been the story for the whole of last weekend, well, the very tip of the story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mental illness is like a cancer, utterly destructive, exhausting and invisible to others bar the side effects. </span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luckily, with a lot of support, sleep and zero activity I have slowly crawled out of the monstrous depths.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I may, let me explain a little further. I have chronic depression, acute generalised anxiety disorder and BPD. Which means I get anxious and depressed over nothing and frequently hear screaming in my head and sometimes mumbling voices. I'm paranoid often and completely doubt myself in everything I do.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">And top of that there is the issue of my permanent double vision. The confusion, head and back aches and oh yes, every step could cause a fall or injury. I can't even safely go out alone. </span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">That's the tip of my ugly truth iceberg. Boy do I feel exposed and vulnerable right now.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">But give out, give up, give in? No WAY, this is, for better or worse one stubborn girl right here and I WILL keep showing up for myself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hugs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carrie</span></span>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-87759981309202446562018-02-23T19:03:00.000+00:002018-02-23T19:11:00.016+00:00Quick mid-week allotment attackAndrew usually gets home from work after dark and at the weekends, as you know, we are hiking and then recovering and doing house stuff. Naively we always hope we'll get good weather for more than one weekend afternoon but this has yet to happen. So all this has lead to a slightly neglected plot. But *insert triumphant laugh here* no more my friends...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilz6W-EBPgPiC93jVygrgScoMnZ4RQnGiBGlVaJVEjHCtGDvTbwGjf5wLQ_VtY54ux-IPxtZf9XKsmiGmSmZtIEU-2KU0ZieY81C0T93KNKgkGt3aILt3q3oWe80yTBnvnE4M2rUsPbKRQ/s1600/DSC00318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilz6W-EBPgPiC93jVygrgScoMnZ4RQnGiBGlVaJVEjHCtGDvTbwGjf5wLQ_VtY54ux-IPxtZf9XKsmiGmSmZtIEU-2KU0ZieY81C0T93KNKgkGt3aILt3q3oWe80yTBnvnE4M2rUsPbKRQ/s640/DSC00318.JPG" title="plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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This week we were very lucky that Andrew could make it home a little bit earlier on Wednesday and we used the time to attack the plot. 40 mins of furious weeding and covering a bed in black weed suppressing membrane, tackling some of the paths, lifting produce and buying our new rhubarb crowns = an overwhelming feeling of success. So much so that as the sun disappeared we could be found in a local cafe with a coffee and a bun to celebrate getting stuff done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB89clxeUDCt7LOoaItaW08ncacZyDypB1MmmYEgg3MwWfdWYYjJ2fQyd6ZA8nm0z4jvKxDDl_EWXo9xMRYsTuGn1V6jrP0o4kpePgoZzpnf_TblY_B9NZOOD0pEqCKp8q_JtHH7UXH4ZO/s1600/DSC00317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="new rhubarb for plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB89clxeUDCt7LOoaItaW08ncacZyDypB1MmmYEgg3MwWfdWYYjJ2fQyd6ZA8nm0z4jvKxDDl_EWXo9xMRYsTuGn1V6jrP0o4kpePgoZzpnf_TblY_B9NZOOD0pEqCKp8q_JtHH7UXH4ZO/s640/DSC00317.JPG" title="new rhubarb for plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Rhubarb</span></b><br />
There wasn't time to move any of our rhubarb from the other plot (14b) that we gave up last year, sad times as whatever variety is was, it was thriving. This time round we have 2 varieties and we know their names, so we can be geeks and test out which one gives a better yield, ha ha; science.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">* <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Glaskins Perpetual</b></span> - Sadly I can't find any information about Glaskins on the RHS website, anyone out there got it? Is it fabulous? I forgot to bring the plant tag home with me so I can't even read what the supplier says about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> * <b><span style="color: #38761d;">Victoria</span></b> - Is mentioned on the RHS rhubarb page, phew. The information reads - '<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Late, cardinal red stalks with flecking at top. Red flesh tinged green. Very thick stalks. Popular old variety.'</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's just hope that in time they give us lots of lovely rhubarb for crumbles and compotes and to share with loved ones - that's what it's really all about, right?</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Beetroots</span></b><br />
I also lifted all the remaining beetroots (<i>boltardy</i>) and brought them home, yummy! Obviously this photo is not 'in the field' as it were but today, when I thoroughly washed them. In the process of which I found two, yes 2 New Zealand Flatworms getting intimate, argh. Andrew 'dealt' with them quickly and let's just say, they are no more.<br />
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We also still have a huge supply of leeks in the ground.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MvtWLgZ44eewg_locxwt6aL5xgbko45RGr34Z_FVuM1yVSu4Go130Wz3i3w9v7QGbUSzdZzpCsQW-Z0-o-q7AMrOkyH2yG4fxsyMXARkZajntkjVhicJpnqMkUYX7nRWFzjxHw_5tmeu/s1600/DSC00323-Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beetroot from plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MvtWLgZ44eewg_locxwt6aL5xgbko45RGr34Z_FVuM1yVSu4Go130Wz3i3w9v7QGbUSzdZzpCsQW-Z0-o-q7AMrOkyH2yG4fxsyMXARkZajntkjVhicJpnqMkUYX7nRWFzjxHw_5tmeu/s640/DSC00323-Edited.jpg" title="Beetroot from plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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So here's the 'after' photo and I look forward to clearing all the other beds. It's beginning to feel a bit Spring-y here (dare I say it) and we're starting to think about what seeds we need and where everything will grow this year. Walking around the field just a little we saw that many of the abandoned plots have been taken over and people have started to lay down plastic (including the one next door). Though it's sad to see some people we really liked give up, we welcome the newcomers and hope they know what they're in for!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P5yPCJ-LkJw8RUCYQPd4It6OYJaURQpe-o_G3Kbnl1n3XTWYOZoizn5K6oWkAIbKG3yUKCOBWd55RUWHjL84Qfla-yzY7lkA8MWsNYVAHi3IuMCZB8Gyie_9_sJ8cgmGE47F3nDVfASM/s1600/DSC00319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P5yPCJ-LkJw8RUCYQPd4It6OYJaURQpe-o_G3Kbnl1n3XTWYOZoizn5K6oWkAIbKG3yUKCOBWd55RUWHjL84Qfla-yzY7lkA8MWsNYVAHi3IuMCZB8Gyie_9_sJ8cgmGE47F3nDVfASM/s640/DSC00319.JPG" title="plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnCgKoOOF0RlOezaSAEWOxGGz3q_ypGEAx7JYJVGlBoVTRbFWMT-kRXyDSvQ-6xgAM-DHalQnxONWPQYGmfYC2BEfEaVOkYCAhHadjnxIcNbr9NaLmh-ZJJ8Q-JnS7i65TseZmaWXakdB/s1600/DSC00320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sunset at plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnCgKoOOF0RlOezaSAEWOxGGz3q_ypGEAx7JYJVGlBoVTRbFWMT-kRXyDSvQ-6xgAM-DHalQnxONWPQYGmfYC2BEfEaVOkYCAhHadjnxIcNbr9NaLmh-ZJJ8Q-JnS7i65TseZmaWXakdB/s640/DSC00320.JPG" title="sunset at plot 24a - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hugs<br />
Carrie xxCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-45061979196970597572018-02-20T13:15:00.000+00:002018-02-21T12:29:09.612+00:00Queen of the Glens (Hiking the Ulster Way)The weather gods offered us a nice hiatus from the recent dreariness on Saturday and we grabbed it with both hands (and paws, Toby was there too). It was too good a day not to hike and boy we crushed those miles like crackers under our feet. The sky was blue, there were but wisps of cloud, and it was the perfect temperature to walk hard but not get sweaty.<br />
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It's about time we started to get serious about longer stretches again; something big is coming up at the end of April and we need to be ready.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc_jlatL_DHQdc-umHz5SWYP2Q6JyETYSXsgOACiUgompWLMKACZrCjuGUwFbyELjRbUbIOc8h_uNHuRhIq4QTz7nkLKYAXWeKcjCjJQNH6isQtwOhlpS-Fs8yNfWPtocM1VUVJ8NpnmN/s1600/Glenarif+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc_jlatL_DHQdc-umHz5SWYP2Q6JyETYSXsgOACiUgompWLMKACZrCjuGUwFbyELjRbUbIOc8h_uNHuRhIq4QTz7nkLKYAXWeKcjCjJQNH6isQtwOhlpS-Fs8yNfWPtocM1VUVJ8NpnmN/s640/Glenarif+Collage+1.jpg" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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Time to cross off some more of the Ulster Way and see an area we thought we knew but didn't. Driving through somewhere is nowhere near the same as walking it and seeing its beauty up close, it's hidden friendly inhabitants and beautiful sense of place. For a start off we were walking from the sea (away from the crazy ducks and geese of the beach car park) and up into the sky in what has been declared as 'The Queen of the Glens' - Glenariff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheC_06AMB_0N-RnXvbQUmwko4Zp-Q9ZcDw3Nesdq4Dmu0RPONbboxv4Bk6bBO3qiKF4Ojtw-0gG0QhoUGC5VgMUb989h1Tszq7IF9CN9NRNTwoOfFwPChwdD2DMI1Wt02RM2mjAB99QUc/s1600/glenariff+map+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Glenariff hike Viewranger map - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheC_06AMB_0N-RnXvbQUmwko4Zp-Q9ZcDw3Nesdq4Dmu0RPONbboxv4Bk6bBO3qiKF4Ojtw-0gG0QhoUGC5VgMUb989h1Tszq7IF9CN9NRNTwoOfFwPChwdD2DMI1Wt02RM2mjAB99QUc/s400/glenariff+map+-+Edited.jpg" title="Glenariff hike Viewranger map - Carrie Gault 2018" width="285" /></a></div>
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Waterfoot to Glenarrif Forest Park and back again by way of the lovely Laragh Lodge for a wee pint = 9.5 miles. The terrain being river bank mucky grass path, lots of quiet road and then pine needles under foot (and the reverse). I got to try out my new backpack which is fabulous and fits me perfectly and we both had managed to get great wee breathable windproof jackets in the sales - awesome!<br />
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Really this post is just a great way to show how gorgeous our wee country is...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULXAdoWVrki1qjMuXacT0qTqv3D83FtG7X4T89wESskHYBiS3q5eCLmJEh4tk4kVXrti088apt2FlugeSEmsTTp9ICpokfkfa0xnhOGeK6r44lL9-QQ80XyuC7OaW4Xb8ongbVpZLdq80/s1600/glenariff+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULXAdoWVrki1qjMuXacT0qTqv3D83FtG7X4T89wESskHYBiS3q5eCLmJEh4tk4kVXrti088apt2FlugeSEmsTTp9ICpokfkfa0xnhOGeK6r44lL9-QQ80XyuC7OaW4Xb8ongbVpZLdq80/s640/glenariff+Collage+2.jpg" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the walk, behind a housing development</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMPZoi3jmbNc5vaOl7YyqSZJXXxMbACamDeVDm3hTHiTTZopBOTCxf9Mq0r3nW8zU3XkxMcaDGCp49gG2O7pUOxcrYJrw4IeeYIEHz1vK65GIn0EvLiAdWcTpu5_6FonDcicAEYevRUrD/s640/glenariff+Collage+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheep and the right hand side of the Glen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz9q9BYXUUaEJMNG2xDk2a_qiKiqGBbHZLPxTSxgIFAugxgiJw3NkYc0TMsy47dpn2yBFe-aivJc2HKQQvcRea-P2hjoPFNdwSs9A8ZRxWwCa6ViS7sfrbUojy0wGRLmjO-oVrWSIccgy/s1600/DSC00250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz9q9BYXUUaEJMNG2xDk2a_qiKiqGBbHZLPxTSxgIFAugxgiJw3NkYc0TMsy47dpn2yBFe-aivJc2HKQQvcRea-P2hjoPFNdwSs9A8ZRxWwCa6ViS7sfrbUojy0wGRLmjO-oVrWSIccgy/s640/DSC00250.JPG" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How's this for a living room window view :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26ykou3UEWfjVRN0OkCIMeL3NkhY-iFwQrKSwrutpL8_EYCR2tybqJOImrRPA0-3VP1CEEIPEY3Y0kORMPsYRgDBvnhIITdTuhOV_ltdVDSBLlHKx0fspq7GOajolQtQ5mH1e9eg10OhE/s1600/Genariff+Collage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26ykou3UEWfjVRN0OkCIMeL3NkhY-iFwQrKSwrutpL8_EYCR2tybqJOImrRPA0-3VP1CEEIPEY3Y0kORMPsYRgDBvnhIITdTuhOV_ltdVDSBLlHKx0fspq7GOajolQtQ5mH1e9eg10OhE/s640/Genariff+Collage+4.jpg" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the Forest Park area and the view back (left side of Glen)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ER9USZ8C7_z_SBb4W576m8cAc7zTYRVAENHjw6US_9m26Tfj3Wk3VTf33bbmCSZ6jkZW_lKoFlbnnZm21Fbvo8X9bP7X5VtMj3-fesnHb-zQbSnF3U8U6OHP423qN3cbS9mJb1SuJEdG/s1600/glenariff+Collage+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ER9USZ8C7_z_SBb4W576m8cAc7zTYRVAENHjw6US_9m26Tfj3Wk3VTf33bbmCSZ6jkZW_lKoFlbnnZm21Fbvo8X9bP7X5VtMj3-fesnHb-zQbSnF3U8U6OHP423qN3cbS9mJb1SuJEdG/s640/glenariff+Collage+5.jpg" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch break and the view down to the sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsQjMvxIEOHrIYYC1EeJtKRqIwF054oHxtwLwwH4MXRlaHOI1xw114E2jjmNFZ1ssUEy1QvQRsooFnV9OXvN18KQzhOXClfvyzusZ-Fw2oPyow9_R5y9yB7FSmvqYDTyQnahyWbiBgz8J/s1600/Glenariff+Collage+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1600" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsQjMvxIEOHrIYYC1EeJtKRqIwF054oHxtwLwwH4MXRlaHOI1xw114E2jjmNFZ1ssUEy1QvQRsooFnV9OXvN18KQzhOXClfvyzusZ-Fw2oPyow9_R5y9yB7FSmvqYDTyQnahyWbiBgz8J/s640/Glenariff+Collage+6.jpg" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">returning from whence we came</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXpLWix6RN7TvkyOdinCMcjpUrqbVvNnh-a7uV8OMFvNZI0QfAiukkNUdREXPQt0mJQqiP5PWCpWVxWvUzvxt5gO8uIrY0YX-WkHZMLQr4yOgKdtrza7pVWRksRlRBNLtOtvwtxukOnuv/s1600/Glenariff+Collage+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXpLWix6RN7TvkyOdinCMcjpUrqbVvNnh-a7uV8OMFvNZI0QfAiukkNUdREXPQt0mJQqiP5PWCpWVxWvUzvxt5gO8uIrY0YX-WkHZMLQr4yOgKdtrza7pVWRksRlRBNLtOtvwtxukOnuv/s640/Glenariff+Collage+7.jpg" title="Glenariff hike - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">idyllic Irish scene and back to the river walk</td></tr>
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So there we are - a walk in photos and I know there are a lot here but I have parred back as much as I can. It was a great hike π and I was still able to breathe at the end though I could barely see (shakes fist at double vision!)<br />
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Here are the stats but please note they are skewed as we didn't turn the app off over lunch or our cheeky pint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwstouFXN3SBctLSE5reOpFsaVdI1qM2i5lG7mY9zuJmGSFtQoxLrKnsDtHdFuEsxcrF9wXebhUAw3szykfpJTIIDqIESS_FwW0w4NgWysaMsj1chmnVKlFxlhOBDh0ZdXV_cWWA5l0Mul/s1600/statsforglenariff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Glenariff hike Viewranger stats - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="713" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwstouFXN3SBctLSE5reOpFsaVdI1qM2i5lG7mY9zuJmGSFtQoxLrKnsDtHdFuEsxcrF9wXebhUAw3szykfpJTIIDqIESS_FwW0w4NgWysaMsj1chmnVKlFxlhOBDh0ZdXV_cWWA5l0Mul/s400/statsforglenariff.jpg" title="Glenariff hike Viewranger stats - Carrie Gault 2018" width="400" /></a></div>
Love and hugs<br />
Carrie x<br />
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To discover more about this stunning area click here - - <a href="https://discovernorthernireland.com/about-northern-ireland/destinations/causeway/the-glens-of-antrim/" target="_blank">The 9 Glens of Antrim</a>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-17521513987981406162018-02-15T13:24:00.000+00:002018-02-15T13:26:00.902+00:00Ulster Weavers and the Eden Project<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ulster Weavers has been a well known quality brand name here in N. Ireland for over 100 years. Still a family run business, they create beautiful linen and textiles for the home. They even have the Queen as a customer; she gave them the royal charter in 1995, so it's pretty darn respected.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, Eden Project (I so want to go and visit!) and Ulster Weavers got together to create a new range of </span><span style="background-color: white;">quality, sustainable kitchenware, bringing colour and</span> wildlife into the home<i>. </i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">'The range has been inspired by the wildlife in the Eden Project biomes, has been manufactured using unbleached cotton. All labels and packaging are printed on FSC card and printed using vegetable inks.'</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UplntAliKRAF0ZyNVO9j4_6gwHkc_3RNvCBTfD8y9geCQHqbS9ukujgEhRXso2nr6ysEXhEcJlvEL2glIbQlp9U59CBgeySwK-22Zk_N9-63Y1O1Y0S6bCOOdpX-jqzvgyEcMyyJ9kPz/s1600/DSC00213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) tote bag - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1340" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UplntAliKRAF0ZyNVO9j4_6gwHkc_3RNvCBTfD8y9geCQHqbS9ukujgEhRXso2nr6ysEXhEcJlvEL2glIbQlp9U59CBgeySwK-22Zk_N9-63Y1O1Y0S6bCOOdpX-jqzvgyEcMyyJ9kPz/s640/DSC00213.JPG" title="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) tote bag - Carrie Gault 2018" width="536" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Their collaboration just launched this month and as a proud N. Irish girl I was very pleased to be asked if I would like to review it. The range comes in cheery pink or turquoise and I am honestly really impressed. The designs are beautiful and my turquoise bag is made of<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">thick cotton and lined inside, has a magnetic button closing, an internal zip and a strong re-enforced box bottom to carry the load - oh and it's cute, oh so cute. It also</span> came in a slinky presentation gauze bag - what a beautiful touch. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdBHfC8w7G_egYUJwWjMJVV7B_UctXf2ZgA0Bu7J5qetcq6_xcCEPrGRWLzo8-MO5wg9Wd4Gq91BIxjyWEWiG2Y1iwVHImnaCR76L9L4MknnvnuBXmqWPLtz_4-TWVMopyqhchOnr41ZU/s1600/DSC00206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) tote bag 2 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdBHfC8w7G_egYUJwWjMJVV7B_UctXf2ZgA0Bu7J5qetcq6_xcCEPrGRWLzo8-MO5wg9Wd4Gq91BIxjyWEWiG2Y1iwVHImnaCR76L9L4MknnvnuBXmqWPLtz_4-TWVMopyqhchOnr41ZU/s640/DSC00206.JPG" title="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) tote bag 2 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY5LJFD4Lyab89v4qlKqOh0ve9fD5xsUg4Ew8u4ulFpiFzQYDFgN5qc5aFnlenj0baDdZtMdB83wh9zTKbr2UHlHMNOQid3rHo97LjSJl9QcBOLkSUTcW0FY8kPjk6DCjBKv7wuY1RvP3/s1600/image004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) TEA TOWEL" border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY5LJFD4Lyab89v4qlKqOh0ve9fD5xsUg4Ew8u4ulFpiFzQYDFgN5qc5aFnlenj0baDdZtMdB83wh9zTKbr2UHlHMNOQid3rHo97LjSJl9QcBOLkSUTcW0FY8kPjk6DCjBKv7wuY1RvP3/s320/image004.jpg" title="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) TEA TOWEL" width="232" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EIUhvmvJ_YoxYH9vn1p-30GRwFJLkZV2Vpr2SrarrxQJOBoJKjGwa-2fcROUwqN4ajuNKoCOuIts8c2HseH542_oAyt9THKJiJ1D60FHxf1EK48y10pu0_whMl17r3yjCD4b6X20qz1I/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) OVEN MITTS" border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="271" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EIUhvmvJ_YoxYH9vn1p-30GRwFJLkZV2Vpr2SrarrxQJOBoJKjGwa-2fcROUwqN4ajuNKoCOuIts8c2HseH542_oAyt9THKJiJ1D60FHxf1EK48y10pu0_whMl17r3yjCD4b6X20qz1I/s320/image002.jpg" title="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) OVEN MITTS" width="255" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The prices are reasonable, ranging from <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212121;">Β£8.50 for a tea towel to Β£16.50 for a long length apron. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212121; font-family: inherit;">This gives you a great excuse, if you needed one, to update your kitchen in preparation for SPRING or maybe to give as a Mothers' Day gift.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can see the whole range here:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.ulsterweavers.com/collections/eden-project" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ulster Weavers collections - Eden project</span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCE-LpD9HEUCdNYutExSc4oTpNI6zrBTr4LAaCCUidk1HNhyOwiRtpVtMiD6C3V9f61cmxEQCPy5GI8WJl4UV5DoTXAYTd-ZQKe7OLW9AcsuioFZvONU37JWtzsiICpIg6hYWXVTo01HC/s1600/DSC00212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) tote bag and Toby - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1600" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCE-LpD9HEUCdNYutExSc4oTpNI6zrBTr4LAaCCUidk1HNhyOwiRtpVtMiD6C3V9f61cmxEQCPy5GI8WJl4UV5DoTXAYTd-ZQKe7OLW9AcsuioFZvONU37JWtzsiICpIg6hYWXVTo01HC/s640/DSC00212.JPG" title="Ulster Weavers (Eden Project collection) tote bag and Toby - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby appreciates a good sturdy re-enforced bag bottom :)</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212121; font-family: inherit;"><br />I'm hoping to take picnics to our allotment in my bag and bring home bounteous and perfect organic produce home from the plot :) </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-88734436947030723042018-02-09T12:02:00.002+00:002018-02-09T12:03:26.860+00:00Slieve Guillion Forest Park (first visit)As I sit here typing these very words I can feel Toby glaring at me from his bed; he's just had a bath. We went for a wee hike on Sunday and, well, he does love to pick the muckiest routes = he <u>needed</u> a bath. Ooh, he just looked away from me there and growled quietly, haha.<br />
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Andrew and I were caught deep in clinomania on Sunday and though we had meant to get up with the larks and go to Co. Armagh, but we, er, didn't. Such a cosy bed, such heavy eyelids....time passed swiftly and then, boom, it was 10am. Our gear all ready downstairs and our clothes laid out we shoved some breakfast down and out we went.<br />
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Only an hour or so away we came to our destination of<a href="https://www.ringofgullion.org/things-to-do/slieve-gullion-adventure-playpark/" target="_blank"> Slieve Gullion Forest Park</a>. The massive car park was full bar one space for us and on site there was a nice cafe = coffee! We decided that as the park closed at 5pm we couldn't do our desired hike but we could walk up to the mountain and check the terrain for the next time. I had my new camera so we took it easy and Andrew was very patient whilst I grabbed my shots and tried to get comfortable with its settings.<br />
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(Sorry, no photos of the fairy village or the giant's liar as it's bloomin' hard to get a shot when there are so many crazy excited kids around! The link above has great pics of that put of the park.)<br />
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Remember: click photos to enlarge π<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKqo1iHPByubYXmpX4taBRCBhIibKLldJU0cBLbDIHH6hylP7A6jmDZ3IDzTDDOan7mQRqVMJk5RRVEOrSqV06Jx6NELv-VehaZ2mDdpR7ZWnzXH10yAXjtBPkkO_ExDma2XJ8KYiElFD/s1600/SGRP+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Slieve Gullion Forest Park 1 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKqo1iHPByubYXmpX4taBRCBhIibKLldJU0cBLbDIHH6hylP7A6jmDZ3IDzTDDOan7mQRqVMJk5RRVEOrSqV06Jx6NELv-VehaZ2mDdpR7ZWnzXH10yAXjtBPkkO_ExDma2XJ8KYiElFD/s640/SGRP+Collage+1.jpg" title="Slieve Gullion Forest Park 1 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeously clear and freezing cold little spring/ Andrew and Toby being careful with all the cars around /Cut down tree with moss and ivy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiohkpPymUcyW3OvwDzH_cGRxydbPVU4MinCVi8A4B5eakvvbTzqY6kN4kOXcZMtqgprhg56wGKCNwxPOVwB7xGuVAhs5eWfGdPUkk7vmeNXXvlAcD13qtUG5qtoScuzLUmcApm1iViBd/s1600/SGFP+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Slieve Gullion Forest Park 2 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiohkpPymUcyW3OvwDzH_cGRxydbPVU4MinCVi8A4B5eakvvbTzqY6kN4kOXcZMtqgprhg56wGKCNwxPOVwB7xGuVAhs5eWfGdPUkk7vmeNXXvlAcD13qtUG5qtoScuzLUmcApm1iViBd/s640/SGFP+Collage+2.jpg" title="Slieve Gullion Forest Park 2 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny but bright lichen/ Rust and old wood with moss = joy/ Cute mass of pine cones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcUeYd1xtWG9WTFnxX58QRnWr9OeDP5qOWvl8JR-IxKLfVQJoqXczP_OhQWlIp4tMJmlDgKujmBFZb_LtVJCn4wdKLI20jqcyA0B4o89T7iuTGufGwwJ-gwkxwxeGE0vjzp4hagNtYF6J/s1600/SGFP+Collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Slieve Gullion Forest Park 3 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcUeYd1xtWG9WTFnxX58QRnWr9OeDP5qOWvl8JR-IxKLfVQJoqXczP_OhQWlIp4tMJmlDgKujmBFZb_LtVJCn4wdKLI20jqcyA0B4o89T7iuTGufGwwJ-gwkxwxeGE0vjzp4hagNtYF6J/s640/SGFP+Collage+3.jpg" title="Slieve Gullion Forest Park 3- Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view south over County Louth and Dundalk Bay in the distance / Lonely pine cone</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />*****</span></div>
Above was written on Wednesday - it is now Friday morning so I reckon it's time to finish this, and put some photos in, hahaha.<br />
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Plus I have a date with Toby again as he needs a hair cut today, he has no idea at present and he is already in a bad mood with all the cars and my David Bowie music stopping him from snoozing. Lucky I have treats and cuddles to offer.<br />
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Hugs and love, have a great weekend!<br />
Carrie xx<br />
<br />Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-62255020045261763402018-02-03T14:05:00.001+00:002018-02-03T14:18:32.756+00:00Snowdrops have superpowersI went outside yesterday {sort of} by my own volition and did some clearing up, brushing the deck and clearing away fallen branches and millions of leaves. All due to the power of the Snowdrop clump.<br />
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Toby likes to run round to that hidden area of the garden to have a hearty sniff and pretend he's being a good boy and doing his morning pee pees, but yesterday I followed him to make sure he 'went' and THAT is when I saw them.....glowing ethereally in amongst the detritus. They are the happiest part of February, don't you think?<br />
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Hours later and with the air a fraction warmer and the sky still bright I was drawn back to them (via my bedroom to put on lots of layers) and tend to them as they justly deserved. Here, friends, is a photo of HOPE, literal hope.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ARFV9v2Z-p8d_T15DJZWjItzffS6JAzjmGSRhEVHQeMIfr16_IGn5J5ZRCtBlSdZ306kN1H3cggE61wlh39QcQccBtUktZj61Sg1qEKlbpDDyBRQu4ZodZHLhQJrRICpgfdFQDxDEe45/s1600/DSC00124-+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ARFV9v2Z-p8d_T15DJZWjItzffS6JAzjmGSRhEVHQeMIfr16_IGn5J5ZRCtBlSdZ306kN1H3cggE61wlh39QcQccBtUktZj61Sg1qEKlbpDDyBRQu4ZodZHLhQJrRICpgfdFQDxDEe45/s640/DSC00124-+cropped.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Once I got my photo a massive panic attack had hold of me and that was the day ruined but you know, it was worth it.<br />
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Today I look at the meaning of February to me - yes, I'm Northern Irish so the Celtic Imbolc celebration does matter to my soul...I would like to cleanse the earth at the allotment by walking around it with a candle (or traditional flaming torch) but I'm not that much of a hippie. Instead, in my mind I have cleared the site and will consult Andrew on drawing a new plan.<br />
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Love and hugs<br />
Carrie<br />
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P.S. We have 6 more pots of snowdrops '<i>Galanthus'</i> for the front garden waiting to be planted.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-66861701918643789642018-01-31T20:36:00.002+00:002018-01-31T20:36:23.732+00:00Soil and cloudsFrom the dark cold earth to the misty white clouds, the last weekend in January saw the first of our visits to the Allotment and the first hike of the year. What a year we have planned as well! The allotment is going to get some serious loving and our wee legs are going to do some serious walking - my new camera was gifted to me at just the best of times.<br />
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With renewed vigour we intend to smash this year of 2018 into shape and make a heck of a lot of good memories while we're at it. Of course there shall be the usual mental health monsters to slay each day but we can do this together and I am not ashamed to fail (now and then). It's the year of learning self care, exploring new places and of the rebirth of our wee plot. The 10th year of plot holding; the 20th year of us being in love.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">* That 1st visit *</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMFqEwyQqmjHd2NXHg52vbKPQSPZlN6piQ8YvIDBWhsNetkAyViL17a9Ry4K-JY0yKK30bdEeb0bjnYquC7zAKl5SVPhDTDSO_cxHy4lZLCfe8hbMlMyhlqr1DaGC7CIV70dw3Q8REXCq/s1600/DSC00085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="the plot after 3 months of winter neglect - Carrie Gault" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMFqEwyQqmjHd2NXHg52vbKPQSPZlN6piQ8YvIDBWhsNetkAyViL17a9Ry4K-JY0yKK30bdEeb0bjnYquC7zAKl5SVPhDTDSO_cxHy4lZLCfe8hbMlMyhlqr1DaGC7CIV70dw3Q8REXCq/s640/DSC00085.JPG" title="the plot after 3 months of winter neglect - Carrie Gault" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">okay, it was very bleak but not too bad looking, right?</td></tr>
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It wasn't as horrendous as we had feared - virtually no winter storm damage and the weeds had not succeeded in conquering every last inch of soil. Plus the shed was still there.<br />
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We had to plant our garlic and luckily the 'Andrew of November past' had thought ahead and left an area covered over in black membrane = gorgeous weed free soil to plant into.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4X9BCZd2U1tXtuuDnIQ5c49-27NGUyibkS8hc1TQ89Wxr0TW6bmHfCoDGISpamJSzZgS_CVx9Tzucx_bFzqZpUe6jk74EUM029BoRDurePdSCje9jPTW5sLM9wnA1lSFeLzCqutmlrHa/s1600/garlic+planting+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="garlic planting at the allotment - Carrie Gault" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4X9BCZd2U1tXtuuDnIQ5c49-27NGUyibkS8hc1TQ89Wxr0TW6bmHfCoDGISpamJSzZgS_CVx9Tzucx_bFzqZpUe6jk74EUM029BoRDurePdSCje9jPTW5sLM9wnA1lSFeLzCqutmlrHa/s640/garlic+planting+Collage.jpg" title="garlic planting at the allotment - Carrie Gault" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back to basics - remember to plant your cloves a good hand span apart and not too deep</td></tr>
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I found signs of hope all around our little half plot and here are just three ...<br />
- the glint in Toby's eye (plus he was very good and quiet)<br />
- new buds on the apple trees<br />
- gorgeous red blueberry buds<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0YzhZBznSRRUoabSEI78fVME7gAzSX7ZAsP12rg2uv97lJTLx-UcQhWM8v2i1Mh3gnk4x2tWc4j_zeaBJWg7vmTSWHy_oNoFxagn12tlixx0EQHD4AiGJ0vfs7Q75wGhAW8AWTiYHNut/s1600/cute+things+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toby the dog and some other buds - Carrie Gault" border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1600" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0YzhZBznSRRUoabSEI78fVME7gAzSX7ZAsP12rg2uv97lJTLx-UcQhWM8v2i1Mh3gnk4x2tWc4j_zeaBJWg7vmTSWHy_oNoFxagn12tlixx0EQHD4AiGJ0vfs7Q75wGhAW8AWTiYHNut/s640/cute+things+Collage.jpg" title="Toby the dog and some other buds - Carrie Gault" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_388909375"></span><span id="goog_388909376"></span>And I was able to harvest leeks too, we have loads that I had forgotten about.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">**********</span></div>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">* That 1st hike*</span> </b><br />
Sunday started out <u>so</u> bad but there came a little moment in the afternoon where I just had to grab life by the shoulders and take control. I ran upstairs and got dressed; we left the house before I could even think about changing my mind. Off to Ballyboley Forest for a walk, in the rain. We literally drove up and up into the clouds and then walked inside them, it wasn't the most pleasant visit ever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn3rFRBzxTNNp23Fvq8TF-gQGUtlV5iT8xdrdsHBVhzQla5bj5F0-3ksjSkuEbg2OIGvQXI7LqbznWJ5PWr4oldm2bDzPdFbmuPSdlZXlT6dK48e1rM7FFMCwHlRAtFZShHU21owAfkpY/s1600/ballyboley+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ballyboley forest in a cloud - Carrie Gault" border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn3rFRBzxTNNp23Fvq8TF-gQGUtlV5iT8xdrdsHBVhzQla5bj5F0-3ksjSkuEbg2OIGvQXI7LqbznWJ5PWr4oldm2bDzPdFbmuPSdlZXlT6dK48e1rM7FFMCwHlRAtFZShHU21owAfkpY/s640/ballyboley+Collage.jpg" title="Ballyboley forest in a cloud - Carrie Gault" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very damp walk indeed and some shocking deforestation (forest service owns this area)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CqiMPpjBHLC6dCqWv4xSLf64tIiNpHfKpT3EBRd8nOg4hHGfvFQYTKEDMJESy2OeDFtj8dwAN0b5ZZkqT0BcPyQ8Z9IrRWnx6oGHQVxXSMeHseyClAbEgAN2UkYmYIcdX4b0dWglWbuV/s1600/Screenshot_20180131-201145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ballyboley hike stats - Carrie Gault" border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="640" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CqiMPpjBHLC6dCqWv4xSLf64tIiNpHfKpT3EBRd8nOg4hHGfvFQYTKEDMJESy2OeDFtj8dwAN0b5ZZkqT0BcPyQ8Z9IrRWnx6oGHQVxXSMeHseyClAbEgAN2UkYmYIcdX4b0dWglWbuV/s400/Screenshot_20180131-201145.jpg" title="Ballyboley hike stats - Carrie Gault" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew has a cool app on his phone that records all our hikes :)</td></tr>
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<br />It wasn't a long walk by any means but it was a good start after the holidays and all the sickness and snot we'd suffered. I had not thought clearly in my rush and thus had jeans on which got soaked and left me freezing but other than that we all kept good pace and took photos as well. Toby was just running back and forth all over (he walks at least twice as far as we do) but always came back when called - good boy.<br />
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So very glad I managed to get this published before the end of the month - though you can ask Andrew, I have been cussing away at the photo app I have to us - I'm always wanting to be better at everything.<br />
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Got your potatoes yet? We got <b>Sharp's Express</b> again - what's you favourite???<br />
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Love and hugs<br />
CarrieCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-11422833287483863962018-01-25T23:37:00.000+00:002018-01-25T23:45:00.193+00:00Beach treasure and hallucinations It wasn't a 'good' mental health day but Andrew managed to get myself and Toby out the door for a mini adventure on Saturday and in the end I was glad :) We went for a drive along the famous Causeway Coastal Route, I really wanted Toby to experience Maggie's favourite beach in Cushendun. Plus we just love the drive, any wonder it's TripAdvisor's highlight for 2018.<br />
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On the way we stopped off at <a href="https://www.glenarmcastle.com/" target="_blank">Glenarm Castle</a> tearooms. It was the first time I'd been since the extension and the addition of other small businesses. It's a beautiful place to celebrate my leaving the house and I had cake for lunch π. Our food was delicious and we even had a second coffee each (personally I needed it to keep me going, boy I have been constantly exhausted these past weeks).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3W8-wSTy72jdxw_6JOZ4DR_X-pC41jKpva4yU_iVCB9m7YF4S-3FQfmJpnc1tFEkJNBJvHnQ7eaT_7EbWcXgwgxCWSZMt4Dgokv8UVDtwqxiznFMM7t4LwiHvXKoswS9cJuhCp2wBcgW/s1600/cakeandwindowCollage+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cake and window - Carrie Gault " border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1600" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3W8-wSTy72jdxw_6JOZ4DR_X-pC41jKpva4yU_iVCB9m7YF4S-3FQfmJpnc1tFEkJNBJvHnQ7eaT_7EbWcXgwgxCWSZMt4Dgokv8UVDtwqxiznFMM7t4LwiHvXKoswS9cJuhCp2wBcgW/s640/cakeandwindowCollage+-+Edited.jpg" title="cake and window - Carrie Gault " width="640" /></a></div>
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I picked the cafe table and instantly got out my new wee camera to have a play around. With views of the kitchen garden right next to me, how could I not? What an idyllic scene and what a lot of gorgeous mulch they had! Tractors were needed - so jealous. I wished we could go out and really have a good poke around but it's not open until St. Patrick's day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp8YysCEBFsjpZIm0u71fK6JL8nVsTcNFK-2dGxEPnly7PxsUcX2PeCjGD7YPwbA1EwC2vnMR1c_6-X_wVmUaqL-IWNs9M2Gei5ocQeZWYoXHws8_HNKSwEaCgvB7RK6KG-2Nd1Zzbpb6/s1600/DSC00021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the kitchen garden at Glenarm Castle - Carrie Gault" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp8YysCEBFsjpZIm0u71fK6JL8nVsTcNFK-2dGxEPnly7PxsUcX2PeCjGD7YPwbA1EwC2vnMR1c_6-X_wVmUaqL-IWNs9M2Gei5ocQeZWYoXHws8_HNKSwEaCgvB7RK6KG-2Nd1Zzbpb6/s640/DSC00021.JPG" title="the kitchen garden at Glenarm Castle - Carrie Gault" width="640" /></a></div>
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Onwards to <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cushendun" target="_blank">Cushendun</a> and the lovely beach there. I think this is one of my all time favourite wee villages and I love it's beach; we see so many lovely people, friendly dogs and even horses on it. The village also has a resident goat that is usually tied up by the bridge beside a monument erected to all the poor animals that had to be put down due to the foot and mouth disease in 2002. Plus it has a wonderful very old pub - Mary McBrides.<br />
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Toby loved the beach, just as I hoped and it was beautifully clean as always, besides the seaweed from the recent big weather. He ran about all over the place and was a very good boy, until the very end when we were walking back to the car, at this point he ran up to a lady and bashed into her leg head first. He is a little crazy sometimes, hahaha.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC2UJ4TjRy0sK1X3CgdO7-NeO19Bbiv3c8rYd2Ha_2-6XsGqdgYwVyAPTiOsA7zqV7hM_WvBNiMMqjdaK5FYYjJ9PLIsVOKKJFhpgFFJYxNugCjUo3j-xa-QeCpO0dkFgrxYfxDNPeegT/s1600/beach++Collage+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cushendun beach and some sea glass - Carrie Gault" border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC2UJ4TjRy0sK1X3CgdO7-NeO19Bbiv3c8rYd2Ha_2-6XsGqdgYwVyAPTiOsA7zqV7hM_WvBNiMMqjdaK5FYYjJ9PLIsVOKKJFhpgFFJYxNugCjUo3j-xa-QeCpO0dkFgrxYfxDNPeegT/s640/beach++Collage+-+Edited.jpg" title="Cushendun beach and some sea glass - Carrie Gault" width="640" /></a></div>
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We did find some little pieces of sea-glass that we see as treasure, it's always been a fun pursuit. Andrew also found a mysterious plastic animal...a giraffe or maybe a seahorse. We took it home anyway.<br />
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On the way home we had chips in the car, all of us - Toby loves a good chip.<br />
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As for the hallucinations, well how about these during this week.... Sheep in the street and grazing on the neighbours grass and this, a bumblebee in the back garden! A bumblebee in January and he had pollen on his legs which I can only assume came from the little box hedge flowers.<br />
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We are determined to at least look at the allotment in the flesh this weekend, no matter the weather!<br />
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My love and hugs<br />
CarrieCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-9226625113361597442018-01-16T13:09:00.002+00:002018-01-16T13:09:32.184+00:00Hope, Love and Computer gardeningHello sweet reader; how are you? I fear don't ask enough or maybe ever and that has got to change. My wish is that you are all hopped up warm, maybe with a hot beverage and a loved one near by.<br />
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I am sitting here in my living room with my little dog and a decaff coffee (just in case you were wondering) and soaking wet hair - I just did the hardest thing - I just had a shower. When you have depression etc doing anything can literally be a battle and my mental health today is bad. And I mean BAD.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">HOPE</span><br />
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Look! - Daffodils are starting to emerge, to poke their brave little shoots up into the world and face the harsh realities of the cold and rain and snow. I think the snowdrops are doing the same but the deck of the tea house was slippy so I didn't risk it. ANYWAY - signs of hope are appearing, birds are singing ever so loudly and thoughts are turning away from the darkness and into the joys of planning, planting and pottering. Even with a blackness eating me up inside, I feel hope.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE</span><br />
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Last week Andrew and I celebrated 20 years of togetherness - something I never dared to hope for. He isn't fed up with little old me, he still loves me as I love him and both of us are looking forward to the next 20 years of adventures! (Light and dark by turn but always love.)<br />
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He made a book of photos from those last 20 years and it's adorable, I love it so much I can't describe it. We were meant to be Berlin but had to cancel as he was so ill with the cold but instead we had time in our pjs watching movies and napping; yes napping is one of our favourite things! <u>And</u> we stayed in <a href="https://bullitthotel.com/" target="_blank">Bullitt</a> Belfast (a lovely hotel) and drank cocktails and had the best dinner ever and it was fab.<br />
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Shout out to Mamma G for looking after Toby!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">COMPUTER GARDENING</span><br />
It's still so very chilly and the weather is dreich and not looking up for the days ahead. So instead of being at the allotment (I wonder if I'll be able to find it - it's been so long, too long) we are looking at past photos, getting inspiration on <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/carrie_gault/the-garden-or-allotment/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, thinking of what needs done, and even (I am embarrassed to say) playing Gardenscapes, hahaha. Gardenscapes is a silly game on Facebook where I am winning daft challenges to earn stars and then swap them for trades done to my huge garden - I'm on level 114 and it's looking fabulous, though no veg patch yet hahahaha.<br />
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Soon though we shall venture there to good old 24a with our garlic and our 'can do attitudes'. This my friend, is our 10th year as allotment holders and we plan to make it a good one :)<br />
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Love and Hugs<br />
CarrieCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-79529305243099015092018-01-04T12:21:00.000+00:002018-01-04T12:21:03.024+00:00A new dawn....<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had hopes. They weren't high, they maybe weren't based in reality, but still I had hopes. I have survived another Christmas and here we are in a new year, a brand new and sparkling 2018, first of it's kind. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFewDDzo2KzQ_eEutPhUlth00D6Qxeps_GqG_c7HKiaKdYlW14KpVIApYjGt29HcoDrdmbeHaH6XvcqIrcRpRtHwBhPpdiJjRqn7HSD6Nb1Kt2i3dvqbYARZZ8THYwLQqVMoLpI8N-vSsO/s1600/DSC01825+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="my bullet journal header for Jan 2018 - Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFewDDzo2KzQ_eEutPhUlth00D6Qxeps_GqG_c7HKiaKdYlW14KpVIApYjGt29HcoDrdmbeHaH6XvcqIrcRpRtHwBhPpdiJjRqn7HSD6Nb1Kt2i3dvqbYARZZ8THYwLQqVMoLpI8N-vSsO/s640/DSC01825+-+Edited.jpg" title="my bullet journal header for Jan 2018 - Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my hand drawn journal title :)</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Already it's a mess; Andrew and I have feeling yucky with a flu-like cold. My mental health is at an all time low. Toby is bored out of his little mind and we're had to cancel our trip to Berlin next week. π’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yay isn't this a great start to a new year?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Truly we ought to mark our front door with a big <span style="color: red;">X</span> and keep all other people well away. Oh and it's 5 am; I've been up since 3 am....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">.... Ever have a much needed sleep and felt worse for it? Andrew and Toby seem to have bought a one way ticket to Snoozeville but I'm awake and am jealous of them both, I got half an hour there.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, my lovelies this maudlin attitude is not good but to be fair this is a blog of truth so maudlin I am.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">BUT</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought I'd share our </span></span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Damson gin success (this is only 1 of 3 bottle fulls!) and </span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">a super wee book Andrew bought me - 'The Almanac' by Lia Leendertz (available in all awesome bookshops). Both are lovely and will last the whole year, haha.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">delicious damson gin (a little goes a long way) and a great wee book</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Goals for the year (aside from getting better) are -</u></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fafafa;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span> much more hiking (though a trip to the kitchen there almost broke me, haha) as we are going on another long multi day walk. We're doing The </span></span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hadrian's</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Wall Walk this summer. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>And</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span> Allotmenting lots - yes, the hope is a lovely allotment year to also share. Less work - more produce is the key, ummm but how?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now I return to my blankets and my book. I'm so tired (hence the eye mask) but can't sleep and there is a small dog here looking my attention.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oIXGCjQR54qJEbTqihQyLGFdlPq4XPMedKnjYYQBMcCR0-hYuNqMffYX2bWTY3odfkjUTAQ2PsT8W0A4GaRP1pEcM6UOE-5rya4aqLelYG2SZS5gkBTL9rGDAPsRTAqOS8CJvZIYMehx/s1600/DSC01826+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Some essentials to get me through this cold- Carrie Gault 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oIXGCjQR54qJEbTqihQyLGFdlPq4XPMedKnjYYQBMcCR0-hYuNqMffYX2bWTY3odfkjUTAQ2PsT8W0A4GaRP1pEcM6UOE-5rya4aqLelYG2SZS5gkBTL9rGDAPsRTAqOS8CJvZIYMehx/s640/DSC01826+-+Edited.jpg" title="Some essentials to get me through this cold- Carrie Gault 2018" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good book, tissues galore, blankets, eye mask and laptop</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; white-space: pre-wrap;">love and hugs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carrie x</span>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-4644280522540735132017-10-20T15:06:00.001+01:002017-10-20T15:09:53.381+01:00101 miles of the Ulster Way<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ott Car Park - Rostrevor</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>We slept in which wasn't the best start, especially as Andrew had taken the day off work to do this. But such is life and we know our gear so well that it didn't take long to get out the door and on our way. It happened so quickly in fact, I hadn't time to feel nervous.<br />
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The Mourne Mountains are an hour away, a distance in which I get sleepy and cosy in my car seat. By the time we get to our starting point I'm not at all ready, mentally or physically - putting on that backpack and starting off is a struggle!<br />
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I'm into my stride by the time we've walked past Spelga dam, on the road. Then take a sharp left and down into the wilderness, into sheep territory and a fabulous bridge with a creepy skull! Welcome to Slievenamiskan.<br />
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It's slow progress around the base of Slievenamiskan and Hen Mountain, as in the Mournes proper paths are few and far between. The land here is bog and with people, rain and sheep it becomes a waterlogged mess. It's a shame as we hikers end up destroying the land we're here to appreciate by having to make many alternate roots.<br />
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The views were nice though - archaeo-hubby pointing out places of importance and horses in fields close by. The sheep were friendly enough and lead us round to the next big gravel path. Boy, this was a long uphill trudge that just seemed never ending and ever more windy. At the top I was wobbly and seeing spots!<br />
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Lucky there wasn't much more to go - just the Rowan Tree River to cross and then we hunkered down for lunch.<br />
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With full tummys we went through true bog- as in we had to plot a course and run it! At the base of the coll we were able to take a drink of water and then, up, up, up tackling the rocky, boggy climb; sometimes losing the trail, but always going in the right direction. Getting the to top was a happy moment!<br />
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Getting down a big hill that's wet, slippery and mucky with rocks sticking up here and there is not easy but by gum, I did it (with many a helpful hand). Our phones changed to Irish roaming tariffs here - always a little novelty near the border. At last, at the bottom we could rest a moment and take off those gaiters (stinking, slimy things by now).<br />
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Then came the easy bit - lovely forest walks. Little birds singing, my usual 10 mile pains kicking in and the sweet bliss of ibuprofen. We walked on into the darkness and then a mile outside Rostrevor, booked a taxi. Celebrated passing the 100 mile mark of our journey with a high five and then had an all important energy boost - Cadbury fudge bars for the win!<br />
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We got to the finish in plenty of time :) It was dark (the almost black photo is Andrew, by the light of my head torch. I used the flash on the camera for the last photograph; it was here that the taxi picked us up and took us back to the start and our sweet car.<br />
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* Chips on the way home! And another 12miles crushed beneath our feet - yay π€<br />
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Hugs<br />
Carrie xxxCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-43020654515435219532017-10-14T15:43:00.003+01:002017-10-15T13:01:09.870+01:00Hiking the Ulster Way<b><span style="color: #990000;">Prologue</span></b><br />
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We set ourselves a challenge this year of 2017 to walk the<b> <a href="http://www.walkni.com/ulsterway/" target="_blank">Ulster Way</a></b>; at least all the quality sections (which are those not on main roads). For many years we have seen, as I am sure everyone who lives here sees, those innocuous little signs at the sides of roads all over the country and wondered where they went...we wonder (wander?) no longer....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILwBLK0NV9PGr62_MeySFNOXK9P5nMegFMNyEeOGM1Vb0_IbKkYi_MTex9sCbq5WIZtbe2tOwINT0-fb9zUKPZ6QnoozOTMJ7uh4uVuLqUvl3KQJ98ej0pxf_tF15cM5iiHx3g5YC6FAd/s1600/ulsterwaysigndownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="268" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILwBLK0NV9PGr62_MeySFNOXK9P5nMegFMNyEeOGM1Vb0_IbKkYi_MTex9sCbq5WIZtbe2tOwINT0-fb9zUKPZ6QnoozOTMJ7uh4uVuLqUvl3KQJ98ej0pxf_tF15cM5iiHx3g5YC6FAd/s400/ulsterwaysigndownload.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As you know last year saw us somehow stumble into the world of hiking and we have been ensnared in its grip. Andrew has gone right down the outdoor life rabbit hole and loves to wild camp too; I'm a bit more sensible - I love good sturdy walls, a roof and a proper bed with an en-suite..<br />
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So way back in our training for the West Highland Way (or half of it if i'm honest) we started these nice long sections of paths, exploring our home. It worked well, as this was the year when we had planned to focus on the hard landscaping of the allotment and thus have more time at the weekends for a bit of both. <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>(By the way - the allotment only has a few beetroots and leeks in it presently).</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitznpu_7BlxTKEGMpLqbhOe9EpA6Z9xgHfdnJwSx4mfzTy1zX_y3yi_7Df_Z3oz_FnfaO01SuXotX6U0TGlVGHaK9BJcIum942Z7woylkGA341rH_H7CoqX0g3xYRUJfrtGEdGDq7FvUgW/s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-14+at+14.42.54+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="The ulster way map via https://www.walkni.com - growourown.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="971" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitznpu_7BlxTKEGMpLqbhOe9EpA6Z9xgHfdnJwSx4mfzTy1zX_y3yi_7Df_Z3oz_FnfaO01SuXotX6U0TGlVGHaK9BJcIum942Z7woylkGA341rH_H7CoqX0g3xYRUJfrtGEdGDq7FvUgW/s640/Screenshot+2017-10-14+at+14.42.54+-+Edited.png" title="The ulster way map via https://www.walkni.com - growourown.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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The book above by Paddy Dillon is the only one on the topic and even it is 10 years out of date. All hail Mr Dillon though, I appreciate his efforts. The fantastic Walk NI is now the torch carrier of the way and their website is superb - <a href="http://https.www.walkni.com/ulsterway/">https.www.walkni.com/ulsterway/</a></div>
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The story of our walks so far will be told in a backward way as I really want to celebrate the latest one we did on Thursday past - the one wherein we passed the 100 mile mark. The one which I am still aching from as I sit here on the following Saturday morning; there are muscles aching that I didn't know I had!<br />
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<b>I hope you'll enjoy my photo filled stories to come !</b><br />
Love<br />
Carrie xxxCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376693003192814341.post-9236039347558836102017-10-10T14:03:00.003+01:002017-10-10T14:03:44.634+01:00like tears in the rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Today marks the anniversary of Toby's adoption - he's been with us a whole year!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think it's also very apt that it's world mental awareness day for without this bundle of fur, this sock stealer, I have a feeling I wouldn't be here.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnrzalgnhL3nB7X_e7LizSqE1iODGkbZldrYVvGA9qamWlPbEvRWDGitaPZkFUhfX-eectpweSh7H5Bi6YHTX3CD3kKYXX9kvanpftLj80TmibXuFukL71FCLkNg6trPAUs-T64LfVUet/s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-10+at+13.46.54+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnrzalgnhL3nB7X_e7LizSqE1iODGkbZldrYVvGA9qamWlPbEvRWDGitaPZkFUhfX-eectpweSh7H5Bi6YHTX3CD3kKYXX9kvanpftLj80TmibXuFukL71FCLkNg6trPAUs-T64LfVUet/s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-10+at+13.46.54+-+Edited.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right now he is in his daily daytime position - squished up against me and sleeping away (with one eye open, in case there are strangers outside). He knows I'm a mess - I haven't showered yet and talking is hard and playing is too energetic - yet he loves me anyway. Though to be fair, I'm the only one here and I do gave immeasurable amounts of hugs, kisses and scratches behind those ears. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KXGbqHGZkPyISVL5LifJoHdd4P4fUTMEQ2EdCihGNtfXIsJqeFq6i-FPINDObBAVUYXFBQIbEm0oqhs968uumdc7TmzUPMkdUrSLSi5hswIByW9sQTy0mzmIqGfq9EZ7H2VoD1LQinv0/s1600/firsts+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1121" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KXGbqHGZkPyISVL5LifJoHdd4P4fUTMEQ2EdCihGNtfXIsJqeFq6i-FPINDObBAVUYXFBQIbEm0oqhs968uumdc7TmzUPMkdUrSLSi5hswIByW9sQTy0mzmIqGfq9EZ7H2VoD1LQinv0/s640/firsts+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toby loves life, lives it fully and with such enthusiasm but he also knows how to sleep, to rest <u>hard</u>. He never has shame in asking for attention and has no qualms about giving and receiving <u>all</u> the love. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">He lives in the now, forgives with grace and snores without shame!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TXsYOcG8_7nqKzk8Ohq15AIpFsavQCPS76eiJ38RjjwV7l_0CxZCn7c-3WxBBiR3XDFcvteAfEKJmjuXJawgJoO0Rh_adzqSIE44NfUEp5dNKCeHceGY6TnpSne2X1h-vdr70V9rxI-d/s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-10+at+13.56.48+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="819" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TXsYOcG8_7nqKzk8Ohq15AIpFsavQCPS76eiJ38RjjwV7l_0CxZCn7c-3WxBBiR3XDFcvteAfEKJmjuXJawgJoO0Rh_adzqSIE44NfUEp5dNKCeHceGY6TnpSne2X1h-vdr70V9rxI-d/s640/Screenshot+2017-10-10+at+13.56.48+-+Edited.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gets me up everyday when all I want is to hide under the duvet. I open the blinds for him to see out and I step into the world (briefly) a few times a day to make sure he, umm, toilets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">He's the glue that holds me together until Andrew comes home from work. And then the fun and giggles can really begin.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm just one of many many people out there whose thoughts are turned towards World Mental Health Day today. I sure as heck don't feel good today, but in honour of all those for whom even writing a blog post is just too much - <b>please support those in need</b>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be an ear that listens (no judgement!),</span></span><span style="background-color: #fafafa;"><span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a shoulder to cry on or a mate that just treats their ill friend just the same. All of which Toby does in his wonderful and unique way xxx</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa;"><span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fafafa;"><span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carrie</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Roboto Slab, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">#worldmentalhealthday</span></span></div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475182740888543862noreply@blogger.com10