I can’t believe that I have been volunteering at Attingham Park for a year. My first post shift walk (after a taster session) was on February 8th 2024 to see the snowdrops.
You can view the post here.
I haven’t walked after my shifts for a couple of months due to the lighting levels for driving home. I don’t like driving along a dark busy road with oncoming dazzling headlights.
I love it when the evenings get lighter with increasing speed in January and into February. Today, the 11th February it was light enough for my first post shift walk of the year.
One year on from the beginning of my volunteering journey I enjoyed another post shift walk through the snowdrops and walled garden.
Tags: Attingham Park, National Trust, Snowdrops, Visitor Reception, Volunteering, Walled Garden
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luke 11:9
Tags: Hertfordshire, St Albans, St Albans Cathedral, Vacation
The fish was the main ingredient. I haven’t quite got the hang of photography angles in my new kitchen.
Tags: Chez Nous, Dining at Chez Nous, Fine Dining, Friday Fish, Howdens Seasonal Cooking, Salmon with Goat's Cheese & Watercress Sauce
I have had two days where I wasn’t in control of my own time.
My car broke down last week on the way home from a visit to mum in the care home where she is temporarily placed for medical assessment. My car couldn’t be repaired at the roadside and had to be recovered to my dealership the following morning. The faulty part needed to be ordered so I had a few days without my car.
It should have been ready on Monday but it wasn’t. This meant that Mr C had to run me to and from Attingham Park for my Tuesday volunteering, after which he took me to collect my car and then it was time to visit mum.
On Wednesday Mr C was working away from home, he had placed an order that was due to be delivered that day. I was also waiting for a call from Mum’s Social worker. This meant staying at home until both things had happened. The call was late afternoon and shortly after whilst I was still on the call the delivery arrived! It was now time for me to visit my mum later than I intended.
This morning I woke up bright and early with my alarm, it was annoying me so I turned it off. Next thing I knew I had overslept. Rather than rush out I decided to have a chill out morning with a cup of tea and a bath before my afternoon volunteering in a local school.
I enjoyed my sunshiny walk to and from the school and reading with the children who were especially joyful today.
Later I briefly visited mum, she was not herself and sent me away. Much later I enjoyed ‘Fine Dining’ at Chez Nous.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2025, Chez Nous, Dining at Chez Nous, Fine Dining, Meals for Two, Warm Tuna Nicoise Ratatouille Stack
I was home alone, the sun had its hat on and was calling me out on an adventure. I could only adventure from my doorstop due to my car being poorly. My car broke down a few days ago when I was driving home after visiting my mum who is currently in a care home recuperating from a recent (recurring) illness. I digress (I will save the car adventure for another post).
As I stepped out on my sunny afternoon walk, I realised why I have not been inspired to go for a local walk. Most of my walks take me past the hospital where on and off for the past year has meant mums hospital appointments and visiting mum in hospital.
The thought was hidden in my subconsciousness. Now that the thought has become unlocked, I will enjoy seeking out new pathways that link to my favourite places.
My sunny afternoon walk took me through Woodhenge, along the Silken Way to Apley Woods. I was surprised to find that the duckpond had overflowed onto the nearby pathway. Also, the felling of trees near to the new housing development has made that part of the nature reserve rather stark and exposed.
My walking route included two of my favourite trees which I share with you.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2025, Apley Woods, Nr Apley Woods, Shropshire
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
Pericles
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, Hertfordshire, St Albans, St Albans Cathedral, Vacation
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, Hertfordshire, St Albans, Vacation
