Updates

Margot and her new friend

 1. Lurking in the darkest recesses of the blogosphere, one or two of you out there have enquired about my physical health following the involuntary tumble  I had on black ice last Wednesday morning. I am pleased to inform you that my wrenched left shoulder is definitely on the mend and I can now reach above my head with my left arm. At first I was anxious - in case there was a fracture  but now I am pretty confident that all will be well.

2. Yesterday, after clearing snow from our driveway and Butch's windscreen, I set off for the north end of Stanage Edge. There's no proper car park there so visitors park by the A57 on the verge opposite to the entrance to Moscar Lodge. I was hoping to do the walk I postponed  after my ice fall. However, when I got out to the parking verge there was too much snow and I didn't want to risk it. It would have been a great day for photography with sunshine, a blue sky and the drama of snow upon the edge.

3. Regarding my poem, "Stanage Edge" which is still in its gestation phase, I have written many lines, had various different ideas, toyed with many words and had long gaps between visits. I start to wonder if I should have followed my usual method which sees inspiration evolve into a poem quite quickly but hey, it's too late now. A healthy pregnancy lasts for forty weeks and maybe it should be the same for a poem.

Zach and Margot

4. Phoebe had her fifth birthday party today ahead of her actual birthday on Thursday. The birthday event took place at a venue called "BounceSheffield". The name gives you a pretty good idea of what happens there. She shared the party slot with another girl from her reception  class and by all accounts it went well. We stayed at home looking after Margot as requested.

5. In this blogpost, I am sharing three grandchildren pictures. Zachary was up in Sheffield for a few days after Christmas. In the image below you can see Phoebe in the background. She did not have a hangover but she wasn't feeling too well that day.

6. After thirty one years of using the very same numbers for The National Lottery, I imagined that I would at last win the jackpot on Saturday night but once again I was wrong. It will probably be next Saturday.