Weatherwise, it has been an unsettled week here in South Yorkshire. Yesterday was a good example - blustery showers interspersed with blue skies and sunshine. You didn't know whether you were coming or going. And it has been quite cold too.
That's how it is when you live on the western edge of Europe at a latitude of 53.3811° N, beside the temperamental Atlantic Ocean. This week's weather has been governed by an airflow from the Arctic but at the weekend a high pressure system from the south west will bring warmer and more settled weather.
To get more walking and photography done in what I call virgin territory, I have booked a room in a cheap guesthouse in the Lincolnshire market town of Louth. That's on Monday night. I plan to get two long walks in - one on the Monday and one next Tuesday before I head home.
Louth is under two hours from this keyboard. I have had a hankering to go there since before COVID and now I am off. It sits on the eastern side of the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds which is a beautiful area to explore. Strangely, it doesn't attract hordes of visitors. Co-incidentally, Frances, Stew and Phoebe's new house is on Louth Road here in Sheffield.
They were round here yesterday evening and I treated them to one of my famous spaghetti bolognese meals. The sauce had been simmering for three hours with just an occasional stir - softening the texture of the minced beef and nicely blending the various ingredients together. My sauce has evolved significantly from the one I was patiently taught to make by my Italian flatmate Paulo Palompo when I was at university. He has lived in The Shetland Isles for many years now.
Last evening I saw a film recording of the London grandbabe's current life. Scanned in his/her mother's womb, he/she is wriggling and growing and thankfully all appears very normal. The same is true of the new Sheffield grandbabe though I haven't seen moving images of that particular bundle of joy. It remains an exciting time.
Not too long ago we thought we would never become grandparents and now it looks like we will be blessed with at least three grandchildren. I hope the two unborn cousins will bring as much delight into our lives as Little Phoebe has done. Last night, as she was heading home, she pushed me back over the the threshold saying, "Back in Grandpa!" Cheeky little monkey!
You have to go places that are very different to keep your interest in the game.
ReplyDeleteWithin twenty miles of Sheffield city centre I have just about walked every path Red. It's nice to look and walk elsewhere. By the way have you seen any of the current BBC series, "Race Across the World" in which pairs travel across Canada on a limited budget. I think that you and Jean would find it interesting and entertaining. No air travel allowed. They even go to Churchill, Manitoba.
DeleteI'm sure she's just making sure she knows where to find you the next time she comes to visit.
ReplyDeleteShe can be bossy. I think it's in her nature. But it's very funny.
DeleteI am slightly envious of your overnight visit to Louth, and the weather is sounding agreeable. Is it Louth as in mouth or as in uncouth?
ReplyDeleteAs in "mouth" Andrew.
DeleteGrandchildren are the best reward for living long enough to meet them. I spent yesterday with the twins. Looking forward to photos of your walks.
ReplyDeleteWell you will be getting them... Granny!
DeletePhoebe is growing fast, and becoming a self-asserted, confident girl!
ReplyDeleteYour walking/photo-taking break in Louth sounds good. I so long for a good, long walk or hike in the Black Forest - spring in the woods is simply wonderful. This and the next weekend, we'll be in Ludwigsburg (no Black Forest), and the weather for this weekend does not look very walk-friendly. But all I really need right now is some rest.
And today looks to be the best day of this week with no rain and 14C with sunshine. I will try to wrap up work as early as possible and then go OUT there, maybe on what used to be my Mum and my favourite walk from Marbach to Steinheim.
Recently, because of inclement weather, I have found it difficult to keep up my walking routine but my trip to Louth should ensure two long walks in unfamiliar territory.
DeleteGoodness me, that photo shows that Phoebe seems to have lost a lot of weight. I do hope she is OK?
ReplyDeleteShe's the spitting image of her father.
DeleteI like Lincolnshire. A quarter of my ancestry is from beyond the Lincolnshire Wolds.
ReplyDeleteRussians?
DeleteIt's been very blustery down here. Enjoy your stay in Louth - my in-laws live in Lincolnshire and I know bits of it quite well. Have you been to Stamford ? It's a lovely market town where my hubby grew up. It must be fascinating to see a video of the unborn baby. When I was pregnant it was just great to get a photo. I can imagine how much more exciting it is to see the baby move.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been to Stamford. It is indeed a delightful market town and once an important transport hub in the time of stagecoaches.
DeleteLooking forward to tales from more long walks in the countryside.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry buddy - you'll be getting them okay!
DeleteHearing about your walks always gives me a little boost. Normally my walks tend to be the same old geography with only exercise and fresh air in mind. I'm determined to go a completely different route today which will involve a stop at a duck pond. Now isn't that adventurous of me?
ReplyDeleteAny walk is good for us in many ways Melinda. I hope that the ducks did not attack you.
DeleteHope the weather cooperates for your trip to Louth. It has gotten very warm here (80F) but yet we might have snow flurries by Monday! Have a nice weekend, Neil.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Illinois weather can be as changeable as English weather!
DeleteI'd forgotten how very flat that part of the country is, so I hope you find some interesting scenery to show us. We've become so used to seeing your walks amongst the hills, undulating woodland, beside rivers and babbling brooks.
ReplyDeleteGood to know that the two new future members of the family are coming along nicely. It sounds as though Phoebe will be keeping you all in order!
A lot of Lincolnshire is pancake flat but Louth is perched on the edge of the rolling wolds. Phoebe might be a prison warden when she's older or the new Betty Boothroyd.
DeleteAh- your Phoebe reminds me a bit of our Maggie. Who is the boss. Just ask her.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping for good weather for you on your trip. Sounds like a very fine thing to be doing.
I think you can see a child's character from when they are pretty young.
DeletePhoebe will probably welcome extra attention from her grandparents once the new baby arrives. It's nice that she (and her sibling) will have at least one cousin to grow up with, and they'll all be relatively close in age. How nice for the family!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful thing Jennifer. We feel truly blessed.
DeleteThere's County Louth and the town of Louth over here in Ireland.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip! Back out (on a walk), Grandpa!
ReplyDelete