Berkhamsted Through Time.. 

This link is to the book I came across Googling H.C.Ward.. 

There seems to be many arguments over the name of Berkhamsted.. the various old spellings, with a 'p' with an 'a'.. and whether it was Great Berkhampstead... Well, back in the 1800's it most certainly was all these things.

Was looking for something else, and came across my old measuring tape.. it belonged to my great grandmother.. born 1848.. Rosetta Talbot.. I have a couple of her samplers also.. made over a hundred years before I was born.. 

I know here I ride my emotions out, the good the bad ...the happy the sad.. 

Over the years.. decades nearly now.. my blogging has been my therapy.. 

Thank you for walking the path with me.. 

M.

Having my bath removed and a shower put in this week.. meaning I'm leaving home earlier than I should to get to work! As feels weird being in my house and them working!! 

So now cooking in my car.. figuratively speaking! 

And now, because that was Monday or Tuesday.. it's now Monday.. again.. and bathroom looks amazing.. luxurious in fact! 

Wonderful isn't it! 

I've been to the cinema to watch the new Matrix.. okay, didn't stay to the end.. went to watch another movie but was only in Spanish and wanted to see it in original format.. 

So Matrix was what we saw.. I have to admit only saw the first many moons ago and this although started good.. for me, I lost the plot somewhere.. and having to get up early for work the next door.. left the last two people in there.. 

By the by there was only six to start! 

Yesterday went on a great ride to Ronda.. 

If I look a bit bulky it's because I was wearing three tops under the jacket which also had a fleecy lining, and leggings and jeans under the trousers!! 

But it was a cold day.. 14° without the wind chill!! Two bikes.. 

Saw the processionary caterpillar had been busy around Gaucín.. which is odd.. usually they are making their way to the pine forests around late February to March.. maybe even April..

But their nests were numerous in the pine trees in that area.. standing out so brighty.. 

Saw three storks flying around the inland area towards Sotogrande.. 

Had a coffee in Ronda.. loads of bikes on the roads.. day before had been cloudy and cooler and today the same.. 

Below the man and boy at the forest between Yunquera and Ronda.. 

Must have hundreds of the same view!

More to tell! 

Oh yes! 

I tripped up the stairs at home, again, but be nearly a year since I did it before.. didn't learn from the experience, obviously.. it's much better now, but still an obvious shiner!

First photo.. the morning after!

And then the next day..

Still have the red now.. so silly.. made me feel nervous for a few days walking!

Okay amigos! 

M.

Coffee Tuesday morning with las chicas.. and the gift of a heart in mine..

 

There has been very low cloud these last couple of weeks, sometimes here in the village, sometimes sweeping in from sea and laying low over the coastal areas..

So I've either left the clouds for the sun, or found the clouds and left blue skies behind.. 

We've had rain and sun.. warmth 22° and frost on my car! It feels very cold today with wind chill factor!

I opened my box of quality street the other week! Had a mishap at the top of the stairs.. luckily just the sweets that went down the stairs!! 

Since last Friday I've been to urgencia three times with another kidney stone... 

Last trip was yesterday because my temperature is either up in the 36 range.. high for me.. or down in 34 range.. and when it's been that low it comes with a fever and sweats!! Horrible.. I burn up.. So as the hospital doc told me to come back if I have temperature issues.. sign of bad infection, sepsis etc... I went back yesterday, and as my temperature was 35.6 he said I didn't have a problem.. I said it drops to 34.3 or so I get a fever etc.. and he said...no, you need a new thermometer!! Completely ignoring the fever that accompanies the sudden and thankfully temporary low temp.

He even wrote that on my hospital report.. Get new thermometer!! I couldn't believe it! Condescending, demeaning.. 

When I got home I took my temperatures with the two thermometers I have.. the same.. 

Apart from that!

I had a lovely day new year's Day.. despite the pain.  Which I've decided to ignore.. to put to one side of my mind and not look in that direction! 

Went to a good friends.. was so nice.. relaxing, eating.. talking watched a movie.. and three dogs into the bargain..

Two days ago shared a great curry in Coín in Mumtaz.. very nice, in fact the lamb bhuna was just as good last night and last bit today!  Here at home eaten with a wonderful curry chutney a friend gave me before Christmas! The perfect accompaniment! 

And now, after preparing an Italian sauce I've decanted into four sterilised jars.. got the wood burner fired up! No pun intended.. washing washed, terrace swept.. been to town for coffee at 8;30! 

I think now.. I'll pause the great series on Netflix started to watch last night.. Stay Close it's called.. 

I think a nap is coming on!

Just quickly though, before I post this..

I came across this.. maybe 10mm sized beetle last week, after Christmas, before New Year... This is the name of this little chap! Amphimallon Solstitiale seems like he was out at the wrong time of the year?

They have beetle recording in the UK, but can't find anywhere here.. Not that I'm a beetle spotter, but I do seem to notice these things.. 

These lines below are written on a stone, I think near the The Dream sculpture at Saint Helens, Merseyside..

'We make our own pathways, they disappear into serenity and sunlight, for beneath this world lies another, filled with dreams and scattered memories, the footsteps of our fathers.'

I like this.. a lot..

M.