Friday 21 September 2018

Thermos at the ready






Gloomy photos from dusk at Bath the other day. I went to a novel writing thing, which wasn't very good, I should have gone for a wander round the old streets instead. The person I had gone to listen to was squeezed in at the end for a short while. I would have liked to hear more of what she had to say. But never mind, I was a little motivated, so all was not lost.

You find me bracing myself for a weekend in the wind and the rain watching the children do outdoor things, mostly football. Sometimes I pretend I'm outdoorsy, but the truth is, deep down I just love being at home when it's cold and wet. I tell myself that I will appreciate it all the more for standing outside for six hours. I take little treats along for myself. A hot drink, something tasty to eat, a book, in case I have the luxury of ten minutes in the car, something else tasty. Honestly, I'm such a wuss. One of the biggest boy's best insults is when he says to one of his brothers, 'You're so special.' For example when they have something different to eat because they don't like what I've made everyone else, or when they get a lift because it's raining. Well, I am special too and I will go all damp and shrivelly if I'm exposed to too much rain and cold without a sufficient level of treats to sustain me.

Bertie and I have been making regular forays to the community orchard this week, in the wake of the high winds. There are lots of windfalls to be had, Cox's Orange Pippins no less, the king of apples, and I have helped one or two out of the tree as well with my ball flinger. There's a bit of a technique to it, although to be honest I haven't entirely mastered it yet. Quite often the apple lands on me or Bert. Sometimes he picks it up and runs off with it. But I do have a very good apple crumble in the fridge. I am planning on taking the littlest boy, who is as you know a top tree climber. He'll shin up and get a few good ones from the outer branches with any luck.

On the second visit there was a cat there. Bertie was absolutely beside himself - a cat, and he not on his lead! He was spinning round and round like a whirling dervish, and barking and racing in (but not too close) and back out again. At one point he turned his back for a moment and the cat shot silently up the Cox's Orange Pippin tree. Bert turned back round, and oh, his face. Hang on, where did it go? Cat? Cat? Where are you? There was a cat wasn't there? But, but, where..? Oh the confusion on his dear little face. The cat sat up the tree watching his every move. I left it in peace and didn't bother with the Cox's apples that day.

Has anyone seen that trailer on BBC1 for a sort of game show with little coloured suitcases - red, blue, yellow, orange, green? I honestly thought for a moment it was for a programme about Brexit. I am now officially unable to distinguish between politics and game shows. It's slightly worrying.

The wind was whipping little white-topped waves into the river this morning when we went for a walk with our whippet friend. Now I have a cold. Not caused by the wind of course, but by all of the germs the children have bombarded me with since going back to school. I thought I had avoided it, but I can feel myself gradually sinking into uselessness. Maybe I will be excused football duty. No, that's just ridiculous, there are no days off for colds. I will strap on my Thermos, wrap all my scarves around my head and be a complete martyr for the entire weekend. And yourselves?

21 comments:

  1. Probably curling up on the sofa with a Kindle book. Don’t be jealous!

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  2. I would have plenty of treats too if I had to stand out in the cold and rain for 6 hours, especially with a cold. Pack double, or even triple the amount of treats you think you need. I do love the image of Bertie and the cat. His face must have been priceless. It's the beginning of the school term holidays here and apparently we are off to buy bait so hubby can go fishing. Maybe I will join you in the rain. xx Susan

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  3. I did have a chuckle about Bertie and the disappearing cat. Too bad about the novel writing --I've just been reading Ann Cleeves' interview talking about how she just writes her mysteries - no plan--and whee she gets her ideas. I think its inspiring/motivating when you do find someone who you admire talk about their craft. Keep writing. Jean/Winnipeg

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  4. I love reading your blog because you are so normal and you're not afraid to show it. It's still hot and humid here in Texas, but the cold and miserable weather will come, so I am crocheting a blanket for my bed and listening to the radio updates on what is going on politically.

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  5. Poor, darling Bertie with his disappearing cat; bless his poor, puzzled, little face! Your evening photos of Bath are lovely - such a shame about the course. Good luck standing in the rain - I shall think of you. Maybe put some ginger tea in that flask? I swear by it for anything cold/virally. I'm hoping to pick some more apples whilst it's supposedly dry this morning (shall I post you some?!), then possibly a spot of baking or chutney making. Have a good one, CJ. xx

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  6. These dark mornings get to me; I just want to snuggle down and go back to sleep. I have the joys of a mammogram this morning so I’ve got to get up and face the world. Then frantic knitting to finish a cardi for a holiday (we go Monday) I might finish knitting but not sure there will be time to soak and block it. Just a quick damp spray and overnight block I think. I hope your cold goes away soon.

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  7. I remember those days braving the elements on the sidelines. I so nearly bought one of those half tents to make my own snug viewing pavilion ..... treats are good - and maybe a cordless earpiece to listen to a podcast - they didn't have them in the 80's.

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  8. My husband does the football watching at the weekends - that's how much of a wuss I am. Tthey are out at the moment and given that it is alternately blowing a gale and pouring down with rain, I'm glad its him and not me!
    Jillxo

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  9. I like the first picture. It looks like being a rather wet weekend so I'll be mostly armchair gardening. xx

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  10. Brexit IS a game show 😬. T and P commiserate with Bert over the cat and I commiserate over the long hours waiting xx

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  11. Oh - plenty of treats, plenty of scarves. I hope you survive the football!

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  12. That shot of the cat in the tree is great! I'm sorry to hear about your cold. I hope you feel better soon. Maybe put a little something extra in that thermos. :)

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  13. Cheering on your good mothering and continued good writing CJ. I am sorry you did not get to hear more from the speaker you most wanted to hear, but glad you were encouraged anyway. My grandsons are around the age of your sons and are not into football, but their dad loves to take them fishing. I recently posted a photo of my grandsons and of the Sea Robin fish my youngest grandson caught. I enjoyed the expression on my grandson's face as he sized up his catch :) Praying your cold vanishes quickly! xx

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  14. I'm not a fan of standing around in the cold, but I do like a brisk winter walk. John bought me a long hot water bottle that you can tie around yourself and it is the best thing ever (I really feel the cold). Maybe you need one of those as well as your thermos - and several layers of handknits...

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  15. Stay warm, we always feel doubly blessed that we have two girls so that we do not have to stand outside on a Sunday!!! Even my husband agrees we said it today as we attended a Christening where the girls all played together with some toys and all the parents of boys were trying to stop theirs going out onto the car park and onto the road! Jo x

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  16. I hope you didn't succumb to the germs! I admire your dedication to your boys football/cricket "careers". I would drop mine off as fast as a flash and go and enjoy myself. I hope it was not bad weather in your part of the UK. Richard and I missed price giving this year - Alistair was footballer of the year! I at least had the excuse of being in Canada. Richard just forgot to go to the last training day of the school year. Cats and dogs are funny creatures. We have one cat that loves the dog and another one that loathes the dog. Actually, the formers probably thinks she is a dog. I had to chuckle about your game show/Brexit comparison but then I worried I might cry. What a disaster. Have a wonderful week. x

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  17. I am thankful that my two are not sporty, and I think you're pretty fantastic to happily give up so much or your precious weekend time to do these things, but I know I would too if necessary. Can you drop them off and come back for them later, or share the lifts with another parent? Of course, you have thought of that already. I say just continue to take a book, hot drink, cake, whatever, and enjoy not having to get on with anything while you are there. xx

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  18. Hello!
    I can think of nothing cozier than being safe and sound inside during cool and wet weather.
    But, I know the feeling of being Mom. And wanting to support your little ones.
    My Rhett used to play soccer, and I swear, each game was either blistering hot or freezing cold with rain!!!
    Anyway, Have a cozy week ahead!

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  19. The cat photos go so great with your Bertie discovery story. Both animals are super cute.

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  20. Thank you so much! I really enjoy your posts they make my day!!!

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  21. Wrap up, stay warm and wallow in your specialness! Hector goes totally bonkers around cats too. I don't think I would dare let him off the lead near one!

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