Monday 21st was supposed to be the great freedom day. Work had given us a mandatory day of leave. In the end we were still in lockdown. I didn't plan to do anything particular with it, but it turned out to be a lovely day. It was just like a day when I used to be part time. I was in control of what I did, and while it may be mundane: school stuff, meeting friends for coffee, gardening...it was what I wanted to do.
Bunnykins was heading off on school camp. I drove her in with her bags. We got there about 8:30am and got her signed in.
In the afternoon I was able to do some gardening. It's wonderful to see how the tomatoes are coming along.
I planted up a climber that Deirdre had given us at the weekend. Hopefully this time next year this shed should be covered in greenery!
I also nipped out to the garden center as I needed a bit more compost, and couldn't help but pick up a couple of bargain pots and something to go in them...my new hydrangea there in the center of the picture.
It was a mild day to put it kindly. I still wanted to be outside though, and with Bunnykins on camp there was no school pick up. So I took out a blanket and my book to the pergola. See, this was a good day!
Tuesday was Mark's birthday. It was strange not to have Bunnykins with us. I had got a few nice things in for breakfast and Mark opened his presents before Woo went off to school.
At lunch we had a hatch visit, with cake 😋
And then for tea I had got a cake in.
On Wednesday, Ben was up to the Bean Tree for a workshop. It was such a lovely day and I had half an hour free of meetings so decided to walk over to say hello. He bought us a coffee and we had a brief catch up. It wasn't long enough, I could had stayed sat out there all day, it was just the perfect temperature.
I made the most of getting out into the garden at lunch too and sat on the bench with Mark (though he kept wandering off to take calls)
In the afternoon, Mark went to get Bunnykins from school who was back from camp. She hadn't had a great time by all accounts, which is such a shame for her. I do think there were things she enjoyed, but one or two incidents of things not quite going how she felt they should had got in her head and she came back a bit upset by it all. It was wonderful to have her back, it is really tough being 11 though, I would have loved to make it all alright, but unfortunately there was nothing I could do....
She had a bad time, it was a shame, she was upset, it's OK that she felt frustrated - it was understandable, I love her, she'll be OK.
On Thursday I went into the office for my community quarterly meeting. It was noticeably more crowded on the bus and my hayfever was making it pretty uncomfortable to try not to sneeze.
It was nice to be in the center of town. It was a full on day though as this was the first proper time for meeting colleagues in the flesh.
I did take myself off for a bit of an early lunch and a wander around. Being around too many other people is just sometimes a bit much.
I had a nice walk out at lunch with a couple of colleagues.
And then we were out for drinks and food after work which was lovely.
Woo was off on an INSET day on Friday. So it was time for another hatch lunch.
With Bunnykins now home we had a takeaway and another birthday cake for tea in the evening.
Saturday I was up early. Mark made me porridge and saw me on my way. I picked up Ben and we made it to Cirencester with only a small amount of time to spare (oops) before our "gate time" of 9:20am to start the Cotswold Way challenge. The Challenge in full is a 100km course that can be ran or walked (or hobbled) over a 2 day event. You can sign up for the full 100, 50km or 25km.
Meanwhile, Ben had been sending me an update on his back garden. It now has planters in to define the patio space from the area behind which is going to be a bit more wild. Eventually there will be an apple tree in there, the washing pole will move, he'll add a raised bed for some veg and then wildflowers and bulbs to let that area be just a bit more natural while still being lovely to look at and a great place for wildlife.
Ben was keen to do the 50km but I had convinced him to start with the 25km and that 50km is really a bit hardcore to walk in one day. I did keep feeling bad that I had persuaded him not to be so ambitious, as I think we could have done it...we just wouldn't have finished until midnight!
Anyway, we got there, raced through registration, grabbed snacks from the welcome tent, used the portaloos and made up the rear as the last cohort were sent off for the day.
It was a beautiful walk and a really nice day to do it. Wasn't too hot, though later on in the day on some of the hills we were feeling the temperature.
The route was varied including lots of beautiful fields and meadows filled with wheat and wildflowers, to pretty villages, canals, and woodland.
It was lovely as always to walk and chat. The mid way rest stop for us was at 12km. It was at a Polo club which was interesting to see various people wandering around in their white tight trousers, seeing to their ponies and their open topped sports cars!...
The rest stop was a welcome sight anyway.
We had brought our own sandwiches, but there were loads of snacks and pastries laid on plus drinks.
including an enormous amount of frazzles! 😄
I didn't love the terrain on that section so much. It was really difficult underfoot. For quite a bit of the route there were challenging uphills, challenging downhills and some pretty rough going. It wasn't just a straightforward flat amble. So I was really pleased with the pace we made and super proud of Ben who does struggle with balance and such. He was a trouper and kept me going on all the hills.
Including the uphills!
As we walked through a wooded area, we were chatting away and then heard a noise in the canopy above. A branch crashed down only just behind me, as I looked back I could see it had passed my shoulder only by inches. It isn't a massive branch, but it was sharp at the end and would have made a nasty dent.
That excitement and danger traversed we carried on to the finish line. We got in just after 4:30pm
It was a good feeling to get there. I had seen some people who were signed up for the 50km and full event who we had passed and who would come in behind us, it was a little sobering to think how long they would be walking for.
We topped up water bottles, used the portaloos, and then were on our way again.
I loved this sign as we passed, I wasn't sure if it was an instruction or observation...
We were given our medals, glass of fizz, and a t-shirt then got sent with a ticket to the BBQ to pick up whatever we fancied, including lovely salads and cakes.
Anyway, I am super proud of him. A few years ago he wouldn't have walked down the road if he could avoid it and now he is a proper hiker.
The scent of the roses and jasmin was amazing.
I noticed my geraniums were also starting to bloom. I love love love the colours.
It was so wonderful to see them. We haven't all been together in person since the pandemic started. But it feels like we have never been out of touch as we have kept talking over WhatsApp and with zoom calls and meet ups in the park when we were able. We talked about all sorts. Michelle said it really well that it was so wonderful that even though we are all so different, there is that sense of going through stuff together. We have shared experiences and time to listen to what is going on for each of us. I love these guys. 
On Sunday morning Mark took Woo to frisbee. Bunnykins had various things she was getting on with. I spent some time in the garden, tidying up and tying up the tomatoes. Planting a few new plants and generally enjoying being out there.
I got lunch ready for everyone. Then had a shower and had a read for a while. I got ready to go out for a 5pm meal at the Grapevine with the mummies.
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