Reconnecting

Today has been a quiet day when I have finished the notes for yesterday’s meeting and did various computer jobs.

For today’s picture I have used one that Rajan took of today’s work – stringing up the bean and snake gourd plants.  I feel my whole being is very focused on the garden at the moment.

Getting into the swing of things

Got to work again this morning and used my lovely new gloves, given to me by Emma, for the first time.  They are made very well and I hope they will stand up to the hard use they are going to get here. 

Went to a Farm group meeting which was very difficult but not too much bad will flying around.  I continue to do the notes and Jeff and Vivek are going to proof read them before they are circulated to the group.

Had my first yoga class and feel much better and more in my body.

Back in the garden

Managed to wake up on time today without my alarm clock which I think shows that a part of me must have been on Indian time all the time I was in the UK.

Went to work late this morning but had a really good session in the garden where a huge amount got done.  This afternoon the Buddha Garden group talked together.  I felt I did not do a very good job of keeping everyone together, but it was OK.  What I am finding is that every time I do something, meeting, computer job or whatever, I come over feeling tired.

So must continue to look after myself and am finding that the yoga really helps.  Will hopefully go to my first class tomorrow afternoon.

Two lives

Have had a very quiet day when I have managed to do this picture.  It was the one I had the strong image of while I was away. 

That I have two lives in one and that they can be in balance.

My sinuses and throat are very sore and feel as if they are dealing with an infection….

Back to my India home

Journey back was less hassle than going as I didn’t have a long wait for my connection in Doha. Fortunately Donald took me to the airport as it was pissing with rain – something I hadn’t thought about when I planned to walk to the station! Plane from Manchester to Doha was pretty empty so much less stressful than usual.

Am now back and enjoying the warmth although it feels like my prickly heat has come back. Have had to clear up ants and start work on the grass cutting.  Why is it that the grass grows so much while I am away? In this case the volunteer who was doing a lot of the grass cutting had an accident with a bus and had to have 15 stitches.  He hasn’t been doing much for the last three weeks.

Ready to go?

Emma, Sam and me went into Manchester to pick up my glasses and finish off some shopping.  Only one pair of glasses were ready so Emma will have to send them.  After that went to see Amanda’s project this afternoon which is very good indeed.

Annoyingly I forgot to take a picture so will use a picture of Sam playing the stick game instead.  We played it in the park yesterday.  I throw the stick, he picks it up, he throws the stick, I pick it up – it can go on for ages.

Spent the evening packing and feel very nervous about going tomorrow.  In some ways can hardly believe that I am leaving.

Looking after Sam

Had a lovely day with Sam.  In the morning we went to the library and I read some stories as well as choosing books for him to bring home.  Apparently he has now brought home all the library books he can!

Sam got very frustrated at lunch time when he couldn’t explain to me how he wanted his cheese sandwich cut up.  It suddenly hit him that Mummy and Daddy weren’t around and so he wasn’t going to get it done how he wanted – I just couldn’t figure it out! He cried very profoundly for a minute or two when he realised this, but then got over it.  Showed me how sometimes all we have to do is feel something and that in itself allows us to move on.

This is a picture I sent to Emma to reassure her that we were both OK!

Cold again

This afternoon I took Sam to the park so Emma could have a rest.  I bribed him with a ‘snack in the park’ which he thought was a wonderful idea.  In fact he wants to do it again tomorrow when I will be looking after him.  Normally Lynn comes on Wednesday but cannot because she is helping her daughter in Cambridge.

I really enjoyed myself and hope tomorrow goes OK.

The new toy

Spent the day with Emma and Sam neither of whom are very well. Especially Emma who has got a very bad cold which has, as usual, gone to her ears.  She went to the doctor this morning and it looks as if she is going to see an ENT specialist and may have to have grommets put in her ears.

I managed to get the toy hippo finished although we all agree it looks more like an ant eater! Got very cold and found it difficult to deal with Sam when he wouldn’t get out of the bath…. Had to warm up with two duvets once I got back to Amanda’s.

Sheffield lunch

Had an Indian type journey today….. Missed the train I meant to get to Sheffield as the tram connections were not very good.  Had to wait nearly an hour for the next one and then found that my ticket had expired.  I had booked it incorrectly on the Trainline app.  There was nothing for it but to buy a new ticket which fortunately wasn’t too expensive.  Had to stand the whole way to Sheffield as the train was impossibly full. Then on the bus to Rachael’s there was almost a fight between three passengers and the police were called.

Coming back it was clear that I hadn’t taken out all the tickets from the ticket machine, although this time I was allowed to get away with it.

Rachael not feeling well because of a cold and some of her teaching is getting her down.  It’s a difficult job.  The bean I planted when I was here last is doing extremely well.  I can’t help feeling that Rachael is doing the same despite all the problems.

Back to Manchester

Seemed to have a very quick journey from London to Manchester but then took me a long time to get to Amanda’s. It seemed to be a long wait for the train so I went by tram.  Was surprised at how tired I felt as this past week I have been feeling very energetic.

Emma came over with Sam and we had a nice time together although both of them have colds – change of season I think. Emma wanted to go out for a meal tonight and although I felt rather tired I am glad that we did.  Went to a nice Italian place in Didsbury village.  

A long walk

Lesley wanted to go out for a walk so we walked all the way along Portobello road to Kensington gardens, around the Palace, into Kensington High Street and then on a short bus ride to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  We walked around some of the exhibitions and then had lunch there.

I got to use a lovely Victorian bathroom at the V and A.  Beautiful tiles, brass taps and old fashioned sinks.  But unfortunately no ornately decorated toilets by Thomas Crapper.

Shopping

Woke up to glorious sun and feeling warmer. Went shopping to buy some clothes for myself and try and find some rubber bottle tops for Angela.  She has a Bach flower remedy set and the rubber nipples on the tops of the bottles are disintegrating in the heat and don’t work very well.

Went to Neal’s Yard and they can supply bottle with tops but not just the tops.  Angela suggested that I write to the company that made them.  I did and got a reply to say they can supply the tops.  Great. So all in all a successful day.

Had a lovely wander down Portobello road.  Feel I need to wander and let my mind churn to try and sort out what I should do about Buddha Garden

To London

A very grey and rainy day which got worse the nearer I got to London.  Apparently it is the fag end of some tropical cyclone on the other side of the Atlantic. Trains on this line during the week seem more modern than at the weekend.

Lovely seeing Lesley again and we had lovely conversations as well as going to Sainsbury for some food.  We bought some black berries which were very large, but I don’t think will taste as well as the ones I found in the hedgerow yesterday.

Still in Norfolk

Decided to stay another day in Norfolk as was invited to see my sister Anna and her family as it was Darcy’s birthday.  Annoyingly the balloon I had ordered for her hadn’t arrived.

Had a lovely time in Anna’s somewhat chaotic household where there is a lot of warmth.  Everyone seems to be doing very well although Harriet, after one week at secondary school is having second thoughts about being there.  I said she should give it at least a month. So far she has made one new friend per day which I think is pretty good going.  Tyler wants to come to India but at 13 is probably still a bit young to come on his own.

Stuck in Norfolk

Am stuck in my sister's house because I am in deepest rural Norfolk where there appears to be no form of public transport.  I couldn’t think of a nicer place to be stuck as it is comfortable with good wifi so I can get a lot of work done. Only thing to do is to go out for a walk down to the river.

Had a lovely evening with Gwen, a very old friend from way back when I was at school.  She has created a really simple yet fulfilling life for herself and is obviously enjoying herself.  About time as she has had a difficult life. Annoyingly I forgot to take a picture of her.

From Bristol to Norwich

Got the train OK at 8.30am and on the direct line from Yatton to London. The train from London to Norwich looked as if it had just been taken out of mothballs! Was late because the power failed half way here.

Had a lovely getogether with everyone at Maria’s.  Everyone seems to be doing pretty well.

Around Bristol

In the morning we went to look at a cheese farm and how it is made.  Unfortunately the machinery wasn't working so it was of limited interest to the children.  Heard about the farming problems on the farm and it sounded just the same as Auroville.....

In the afternoon we went to Clifton which I really enjoyed as we had a long walk in the sun - wind made it cold though.  Lovely place for children as they could go alone on their scooters along the footpath and then enjoy the delights of a bouncy astle. Looked after the children in the evening so Mary and Justin could go out together.

Onwards to Bristol

From Manchester to Bristol by train and it wasn't too bad.  Very nice to be staying with Mary and the family as I feel it will help me to get to know them all better.  Unfortunately the weather is only marginally warmer than in Manchester.

The picture is of Clifton, where we had a really lovely time together.  Its where Mary did a lot of her swimming practice before she swam the channel.

WIth Sam

Had another lovely day with Emma and Sam.

With Paul

Woke up very early this morning with a distinct feeling that somewhere in my body I am on Auroville time.  This was intensified by getting an email which seemed to show that Pierre was going off on his own again.  I answered this and several other emails before going to see my brother Paul in Halifax.

Eventually ended up in a pub by a canal from which the above picture was taken.  The beer was proper English beer and was delicious – my first beer this trip.  Went and got some lovely warm socks but unfortunately I left them on the train.  I should have put them in my pocket so I couldn’t lose them.  Am very sorry that I won’t be seeing them again but hope someone else enjoys the warmth from them.

In the park

Had a lovely time in the park with Sam while Emma went to see a friend.  It was sunny instead of rainy like last time although still rather cold.  Fortunately with more appropriate clothing I am feeling a bit better about the cold.

Sam was very active and not surprisingly went off to sleep when we brought him back home.

I love Manchester trams!

Had a free morning so went into the centre of Manchester where I did some shopping and booked up an eye appointment.  The special thermal socks I bought have made me feel much warmer.  I went by tram and just love using these vehicles although I don’t know why.  I love the way that they can travel on what look like railway tracks and tracks laid in the road.

Had a lovely afternoon with Sam and Emma in the garden.  I weeded and replanted the strawberry patch which included planting at least 50 skewers, points up, to keep off the cats.  I also cut down a rather overgrown hedge around the bay window.

A very quiet day

As Sunday is the day Emma is involved with church I didn’t get to see her until late afternoon.  I was able to have a very quiet day at Amanda’s place which was just what I needed.

I spent a lot of today feeling cold as I have been sitting around doing things on the computer. I have decided that I need to get more warm clothes, especially socks and trousers.

Have thought and thought but cannot find a picture for today.

To Sheffield

Woke up with hurting joints and having lost my camera, a train ticket and bag of electrical connections. By the end of the day I found everything but I didn’t know I was going to do that when we set out to see Rachael in Sheffield.

Had a really wonderful day seeing Chris and co and finishing off Rachael’s garden at the front of the house.  I think working with the soil does something for me as I felt really good when I came back having planted heather, lavender and a variety of bulbs for the Spring.

With Sam again

Went out with Sam and Emma to the park.  Sam is still learning to ride on his scooter. He’s gradually getting the hand of it.  Had a lovely time playing in the park where my new coat was much appreciated being dry and warm.

With Sue and Dennis

Spent the day with Sue and Dennis and went to Trentham gardens where there was a recording of a TV show going on.  The gardens were amazing having been designed by Capability Brown and then recently restored.  In the days before machines it must have needed an army of people to keep it up, but now they manage with eight gardeners.

I loved the sign as I seem to spend so much of my time having to get lost before I find myself again.

They had quite a large market there where I bought a proper rain coat.  It will be so much better than the one I have which absorbs all the water and stays damp for ages.

With Jean

Spent the day with Bob and Jean who is very poorly. We managed to have a giggle though as she went up and down the stairs on her stair lift. A good day.

With Sam

Have had a lovely day with Sam and Emma. This was what I hoped for when I decided to come and be in Manchester.  I could do the things I needed and just be around for Sam in a relaxed way.  I am quite happy not having to organise anything and he doesn’t seem to mind doing the usual things which as the picture shows included playing with stones in the garden.

At the park we got caught in a very heavy shower that was also a hailstorm.  We had to take shelter under one of the structures in the playground that was very small.  I showed Sam a hail stone but he didn’t like it at all! There were big puddles everywhere and I was very happy to have my new waterproof shoes.  Unfortunately the coat is not so good and absorbs water and then stays wet for ages.

A bridge

This is an art installation at the Whitworth Art Centre where we went today.  All the children seemed to love it and Sam spent ages there going up the stairs and over the bridge.  I loved the paper underneath which was made to gently move.

For me it triggered so many memories of Chinese temple festivals in Malaysia.  Going over the bridge was often an important part of the ceremony as it symbolised going from one way of being to another.  You generally got a stamp on your clothes to show that you had done it.

Sewing

After the party I came to stay here in Amanda’s house.  I have spent most of today helping Lesley sew an overall using material that was once a bedspread.  Its lovely material and I have really enjoyed myself.  Am thinking of getting some material to make some dresses for myself……

Had a lovely afternoon with Emma and Sam when I gave Sam his new scooter.  He hasn’t quite got the hang of it yet but I don’t think it will take very long.