Busy days

Hello again! How quickly that fortnight comes around again...

I was going to walk in Ampthill with my group on Wednesday but on Tuesday evening we had torrential rain that went on all night. That meant it would be very muddy in places and as I don't like mud I decided not to go. I'd planned to go for a walk on my own but that didn't happen either. I did go to Aldi and into to town to run some errands. I went to the High Street and looked in the charity shops. I bought a book and a dress to wear on Christmas Day! How organised am I? I even picked up tins of Quality Street and Celebrations last week as well; they've been put in the loft for safe keeping...

This was Wednesday's outfit. The coatigan was bought a few weeks ago at The Day Care Hospice charity shop and I didn't need it on Wednesday as it was warm, but I didn't realise until I went outside. Trousers by Yessica (C&A brand) from the same place and jumper by Tu; picked up in a charity shop somewhere. The boots were donated by daughter and all jewellery was charity shopped. I bought 3 pairs of ball earrings in red, turquoise and grey  for 5 euros in Oxfam  in Sligo when we were there in September. The earrings are put on back to front; the reverse of the way you usually put earrings in. The post which also has a tiny ball; goes in first through the back of the ear then the ball is pushed onto the post from the front. It took me a few goes to get it right!

I went for a swim on Thursday morning and did the usual 1.5km. It was a much cooler day and I needed a jacket. It started out at 9 degrees and by the afternoon reached only 12 degrees. This was the denim skirt I bought in Cambridge on Saturday. I shall turn the waistband over in future when I wear it as it is a bit longer than I like. The top by Primarni is years old and the boots by River Island were charity shopped.

All jewellery charity shopped except the ring which was a present. The cuff was a nuisance. When I went to pay for my shopping in Lidl it flew off my wrist and almost hit the checkout guy in the face! When I'd put the shopping away I then went to three different places to drop my grandson's CV off. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he gets something soon. B&M are desperate for staff but they only pay 16-18 year olds the minimum wage for that age group which is £4.62 per hour.

Another chilly day on Friday. I had planned to spend the day with cousin Marian and we had booked to go to Kenwood House in Hampstead. It was free entry and not too far from where she lives in London. Unfortunately, she had an abscess in her gum and was feeling pretty crap and cancelled: I went to see my friend Bernie in London instead. We had a great catch up at her house and then went to the charity shops in West Hampstead; where I couldn't resist a felted yellow coatigan which cost 15.00. That's London pricing for you but I loved it. I had a similar dark blue coatigan that I'd had for a few years so that was put in the charity shop bag in exchange. 1 in, 1 out. We had a meal out after our rummage and I got home quite late in the evening. OH and middle grandson had gone to the cinema to see 'Venom' so I got back to an empty house. This was what I wore to London:

Everything bought from charity shops except the boots which were bought online. Loose trousers by Jane Norman; top by Pepperberry and the jacket by Fenn, Wright and Mason. 

All jewellery charity shopped.

On Satuday I walked to the library to return my library book and then spent the afternoon at my friend Ann's catching up. I hadn't seen her since Jamaica Independence Day when we met in the Market Square. It's crazy; she only lives about 2 miles away! We've planned to get together and go out for a day in November.

Everything charity shopped except the boots which were yet another pair donated by my daughter. The trousers were by H&M as was the striped tunic. The top underneath by John Lewis.

This was the coatigan I bought in the West Hampstead charity shop on Friday. I put in the washing machine on Friday evening and it was dry and ready to wear on Saturday! It doesn't have any fastenings but when I was in Cornwall back in April I picked up about 5 felt brooches for 20 p each in a community charity shop in Pentreath so I shall use those as ad hoc buttons. I fastened it with a brooch with red stones here.

All jewellery charity shopped.

On Sunday morning my daughter and I went for a 5 mile walk;  in fact it was the walk I'll be leading on November 18th - a Thursday Amble. I'm leading an 8 mile walk on the 17th as well. I did the housework when I got back from the walk and cooked Sunday dinner for grandsons and OH.

 This was what I wore on Monday to Barnardo's. Everything was charity shopped. The wide legged cropped jeans were by Toast; the striped top from 1.00 rail; the cardigan had no label. The pumps were from Barnardo's and picked up a few weeks back.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I started later than usual at Barnardo's as I had a doctor's appointment on Monday morning. I'd had a telephone consultation with the doctor the week before and she asked me to go and be examined. All is well. I just needed some oestrogen cream in a delicate area...old age is not for sissies, you know! I finished at Barnardo's by 3pm; then went home and did a towels wash, cleaned out the fire and cooked dinner. I caught up with blogs and comments in the evening. I noticed reading the 'Persephone Books Blog' HERE that there was an exhibition of Laura Knight's art; 'A Panoramic View' at the Milton Keynes Gallery. I decided  to book myself a ticket and go sometime soon. It runs until February 2022 so there's plenty of time...you can find out more HERE. I watched a new series called 'The Outlaws' on Monday evening and it looks quite promising. I like having something to look forward to watching on TV most evenings. On Tuesday it will be 'Who Do You Think You Are' and on Wednesday evening 'Shetland'.

Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring, 1943 by Laura Knight.

On Tuesday it was back to the foodbank. They'd missed me last week and the manager said if I didn't do the hygiene bags they didn't know how'd they manage as they give out on average 60 bags on a Friday! I made up 67 hygiene bags in total and towards the end we ran out of washing up liquid to put in them and were very close to running out of soap, too. If you want to donate to your local food bank check online first to see what they need urgently. We often have gluts of certain types of foodstuff and not enough of others; and often have hygiene item shortages. The hygiene items we give out as standard are; soap, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste; washing tablets or liquid (for clothes), washing up liquid, cleaning cloths or sponges, cleaning spray or wipes, toilet paper and when we have them we also give out tissues and handwash.

Skirt by M&S; jumper; no label  ; jacket by Elizabeth Scott: Boots bought online and tights by Snag. I needed the jacket as the warehouse was a bit chilly to start with.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I went to Waitrose to pick up some soda bread on the way back from the food bank and also stopped at Home Bargains for some more bird food supplies. I spied this mirror there and as I'd had the old one for about 15 years decided to update it. I love arch shaped mirrors and windows. It was very cheap, too. I'd like the black one for my bedroom but then I'd have no wall space left to hang my earrings on...

This was Wednesday's walk from Caldicotte Lake in Milton Keynes. We walked along the Grand Union Canal towpath for about 2 miles. There were some lovely narrowboats and house boats. It was a very overcast day but it didn't rain and it was quite warm. The walk was just under 8 miles in total and good dry paths. There are many lakes in Milton Keynes and miles of walks around them and apparently the different walks link up in places.

 This appeared to be a canal side art club. The smaller square states 'I'm  not bad; I'm just drawn that way'. You can click on the photo to enlarge it.

This unprepossessing building below is a rear view of part of the Open University campus which is based in Milton Keynes but the majority of its students study off campus and come from all over the world. About ten years ago I did an Open University short course in Creative Writing and enjoyed it very much.

After the walk I stopped in Newport Pagnell and had a rummage. I bought a small fish dish and a pair of sparkly earrings to go with my sparkly Christmas dress and a I found a 50p bargain which will feature layer in this post.  As I was driving towards the car park in Newport Pagnell I spotted a delivery robot trundling along the pavement! It was doing exactly the same as the one in this video HERE. 

It's the first one I'd ever seen but they are a common sight in and around Milton Keynes, I believe. I stopped at Aldi on the way home and picked up some items from my weekly  shopping list. No robot delivery service in Bedford!

I went swimming on Thursday morning and did 46 laps. I wasn't sure what to wear so opted for a dress as they're the easiest of things to wear. Dress by Stella and charity shopped in Ireland (I think), tights by Snag and boots bought in Sainsbury's sale. Jacket by Country Casuals and was a charity shop buy.

I wore the cardigan (also charity shopped) by indoors as the dress had short sleeves. I would wear this dress with trousers in the future as it's a bit shorter than I like on me.

All jewellery charity shopped.

After swimming I went to the farmshop in Sharnbrook for more coal then on to Lidl for the rest of the weekly shop. I then collected the youngest grandson and he came back to my house as he was staying the night. But I also dropped him to basketball practice at 5.30pm and collect him at 7pm. In between I made dinner for us all. I was glad to sit down and put my feet up in the evening by the fire and get on with latest read from the library.

After a leisurely start to my day on Friday I took the youngest grandson home and went into town. I had a list of things to do (in my head); return book to library, get eyebrows done, buy new mop head, go to Boots. I did most of these and even went to the pound shop to pick up some nuts but when I got home realised I'd completely forgotten to get my eyebrows done! I couldn't be bothered to go out again so I'll go on Monday instead. I got very lucky at Wilco. They had a rack with all plants reduced to 20 pence each. I bought two miniature cacti and a large Kalanchoe plant in a ceramic pot and all for the princely sum of 60p!

Wearing a pink jumper by Next and a homemade (not by me) vintage top picked up at the Vintage Kilo sale in Bedford earlier this year; Marilyn jeans by M&S and boots donated by daughter. All charity shopped. I like the top very much and have a couple of skirts it would go well with. I also bought a long sleeved top from the same vintage kilo sale and planned to wear it on Monday to Barnardo's or to the Food bank on Tuesday. I have to admit I'd forgotten all about the two tops...

All jewellery charity shopped.

I made a 'Very Veggie Lentil Bake' for dinner and very good it was too. As there was too much for OH and I to eat and my daughter wouldn't eat it because it contained cheese; I froze a portion for my brother, Mark who is a vegetarian. Next weekend we're off to Norwich for a sort of family union with some family members from my Dad's side of the family. I'll get to see cousins I haven't seen for more than 40 years and get to meet two first cousins I've never met before! Mark doesn't want to come (he hates travelling) but we'll be picking the other brother up from Kettering so I can give him the vegetarian dish then.

You might have wondered why is there a random, not very good, photo of some rhinoceroses (rhinoceri)? The reason is I took this photo at Woburn Safari Park which we walked through on the group walk on Saturday. The walk started at Ridgemont (very close to the ginormnous Amazon warehouse in Milton Keynes) then to Woburn. There were several footpaths through the Woburn estate and this one went past the enclosures of the elephants, giraffes, wallabies, various kinds of deer, bison, some strange looking creatures which we couldn't agree were sheeps or goats; and then the rhinos. I've posted photos of the other animals before as I've walked through Woburn several times on group walks but this was the first time from Ridgemont. We walked 6 miles in total in very pleasant weather. We crossed under the M1 motorway at the start and over it via a bridge on the return section.

I spent most of Sunday in the garden cutting back the perennial plants and covering the pots with bark chippings which will hopefully protect them from frost and keep the weeds at bay. I had also planned to plant out seeds and bulbs but there wasn't time as the clocks had gone back on Saturday and it got dark by 5 pm! I should get it done in the week; weather permitting...I made dinner for us all and spent the evening chilling out watching the final episodes of 'Paris Police, 1900 which had quite an abrupt ending, I thought. I also finished my book about Sissinghurst by Adam Nicolson which I bought at the library sale the last time I was there. I am hoping my crochet mojo might return soon as we are back to long dark evenings and I like to crochet when I watch TV.

Trousers by M&S; top by F&F; grey tunic from 1.00 rail picked up last week and grey boots by Manteray; all from Barnardo's charity shop where I volunteer

Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.

I picked up this black Liz Claiborne jacket for 50p in the Keech Hospice shop in Newport Pagnell. Boots as before; polo by H&M also charity shopped. Skirt bought at QD for a charity shop price last Christmas.

All jewellery charity shopped.

It was a much cooler today on Monday and the morning was quite chilly so I turned the heating on for a while. The first time in the morning for a long time - well it was November! At Barnardo's, I met the new manager at last; and she seemed lovely and very easy to work with. It was a busy morning but I got a lot done; removing much of the lighter and summer type wear from the rails; thinning them out. In the afternoon at home I hung out a wash to take advantage of the robust breeze. I had my eyebrows done then came back and did some housework that I didn't have time for on Sunday and cooked dinner.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays it would be much easier for me if I just wore 'leisure wear' and dropped the make up, because of swimming and walking but I just wouldn't feel right. I don't have leisure wear anyway; I have some 'yoga' pants, I think they're called (charity shopped) and of course my walking gear and I do quite often spend the day in my walking gear if I'm not going anywhere after a walk. However, almost everyday I get dressed and put my make up on; I did all throughout the lock downs. This was what I wore today but ditched the jacket, one of my favourites, because it wasn't warm enough and wore a  green long cardigan instead. When I got in the car to go to the food bank it was 6 degrees and on the journey home the temperature had climbed to 12 degrees.

Tuesday was a busy day.

The jacket is a home made vintage one bought in the Red Cross when I volunteered there. The top is the second from the Vintage kilo sale; the label says Tussi; trousers by M&S; boots by River Island and both charity shopped.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I made up hygiene bags at the food bank making 65 single packs and 10 family packs. I put a wash on and cleaned out the fire when I got home then went for a swim where I swam 46 or 48 laps; I lost count, but I did at least 1.5km.  When I got back I was no sooner in then I had to go out again for my booster jab. I have a very sore arm as I type this and hope it wears off by tomorrow's walk with my group. It's only in Sharnbrook so not very far away and I have a lot of stuff to do when I get home so it will be yet another busy day. I'd rather be busy than sat around twiddling my thumbs!

 

Visitors and a gig

 Your good wishes for my walk worked! The weather on Wednesday 6th October, when I led a walk  for 23 people, was glorious. The breeze was quite sharp but when it died down the sun was so warm. It was a very enjoyable walk apart from when I got entangled in a briar and fell flat on my face! My hand was scratched but other than that I just got up and dusted myself down and carried on...

I picked these lovely gladioli up at our Tesco Metro; only 1.00 per bunch with a Clubcard. In the garden there are still flowering plants. The Petunias haven't stopped blooming since Spring; the Busy Lizzies are still blooming as are the Rudbeckia and the Fuschias. There are a few roses still blooming and a couple of Salvias still have a few flowers left.

 I went to the hairdressers after my 45 lap swim on Thursday morning; then headed out to do the food shopping. I wore casual comfortable clothing; all charity shopped and all have been on the blog before.

All jewellery charity shopped.

After I'd put the shopping away I caught up with blogs and comments and then made dinner. As we've been lighting the fire most evenings one of my daily chores is cleaning out the stove and filling the coal bucket. I also do a wash almost daily. On Mondays I wash the bedlinen; on Tuesday I wash towels and tea towels; on Fridays I do at least one darks wash whilst OH finishes the darks washes off on Saturday. On Sunday; it's another towel and tea towel wash and I also wash the bath mats and kitchen mats.

It was warm and even slightly muggy on Friday. I had a variety of errands to run in the morning and when I had completed those I went for a rummage to Castle Road charity shops and to the Daycare Hospice charity shop near my hairdressers. I didn't have time on Thursday to pop in. I'm glad I did as I picked up a coatigan  in black,white and red by Country Casuals. I found a green plaid skirt by Kettlewell in the Mercy in Action charity shop and a green tunic in the Children's Society; all winter items. In the junk shop I picked up 4 seed trays and a metal pot with holes in the bottom perfect for a planter.

Everything charity shopped except the shoes bought from Sainsburys. The jacket and skirt are by Adini and found several years apart in different charity shops. The top by Talbots was picked up at the Street Jumble a few weeks back.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I spent the afternoon hanging out washing; cleaning out the fire and I made green tomato chutney using up the tomatoes which never ripened. I'd not made chutney before but it couldn't have been simpler. The house did stink of vinegar afterwards as both OH and grandson informed me! I managed to fill 3 jars and a very small jar with just over 1kg of tomatoes. I picked what remained on the tomato plant and probably had enough to make another batch of chutney soon. Next weekend Hilary is coming to stay and I was so looking forward to seeing her.  I was going to take her to Cambridge for the day on Saturday and of course we'd go for a rummage. We would probably squeeze in a walk as well; on Friday or Sunday morning. I wish I could persuade her to stay an extra day...

I woke to fog on Saturday morning! When it cleared it was overcast and then the sun came out. I had my homemade green tomato chutney with my scrambled egg for breakfast and very nice it was too.

After pottering around in the morning and putting my summer, coats, jackets and skirts up in loft and taking the winter jackets down; I decided to walk with the Saturday group in a place called Upper Dean about 14 miles away from Bedford. I wore this top with walking trousers and boots. All clothes charity shopped; trousers by Whistles; shoes by Clarks and top by Joules. I'll let you into a secret. I bought this top a few years ago from Barnardos; I fell in love with the print.; I'm such a sucker for a floral print. Whilst I was ironing it today; I read the small print on the label which I needed my glasses for and guess what? It's a pyjama top! Who knew? I don't care.

All jewellery charity shopped.

The walk was brilliant. The weather was lovely; sunshine and a bit of breeze when it was needed. We walked 7 miles from Upper Dean - Shelton - Yielden - Melchbourne and back.

This is the Norman Motte and Bailey castle at Yielden. According to Wikipedia:

A motte-and-bailey castle is a European fortification with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised area of ground called a motte, accompanied by a walled courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade.

A beautiful house in Upper Dean.

St. Mary's Church; Upper Dean.

I enjoyed the walk so much I'd love to do it on my own one day soon. It was a windmill sort of weekend because not only did I spy one windmill on this walk; when I went for a walk by myself on Sunday morning I saw yet another one!

The windmill on the left is between Upper Dean and Shelton and the one on the right is the Stevington Windmill. I walked from Bromham to Stevington and then along the country park path in Stevington doing just over 5 miles.

On Saturday evening we watched the first in a new series on BBC 4 called 'Paris Police - 1900'. Interesting and a bit different.

 

Sunday's charity shopped outfit; Skirt by Wallis, top by Massimo Dutti; gilet by Tu and boots from Primarni. The skirt was relegated to the charity shop bag as I don't like the way it hangs...

All jewellery charity shopped.

When I got back from the walk I did the usual boring housework and between us OH and I cooked dinner; he did chicken curry (made with homegrown green peppers) and I did a nut roast with roast potatoes, vegetables, yorkshire puddings and some homemade green tomato chutney, of course!

More brown shades on Monday; it must be autumn! Everything second hand. The linen top by M&S which I'd had it for about 9 or 10 years; originally bought in a charity shop. The trousers; by F&F were bought from Vinted and the boots picked up in a charity shop somewhere.

All jewellery charity shopped.

 I started out with brown glass square earrings but realised when I got in the car to drive to the charity shop I only had one earring in. I came back and checked the house but couldn't find it anywhere; I may have dropped it in the street. Luckily that evening OH found it on the stairs for me...

It wasn't particularly busy at the charity shop but I got a lot done; sorting , tagging and putting garments out in the shop floor. I bought myself a BHS long silky dressing gown for the summer. When I finished at Barnardo's and went home I did two washes; I hadn't managed to squeeze a wash in on Sunday, and hung them out them to dry. I spent the rest of the day catching up with blogs and blogging. No cooking as there was leftover chicken curry to finish up. Yay! I love a day with no cooking required.

I don't know what's with me and brown, lately. I still have a plain brown top I'm dying to wear...This outfit is all secondhand. Shoes by Clarks; bought on a recent rummage in Huntingdon; skirt by Per Una from a 1.00 rail; top from 1.00 rail (it's a Polish make and I can't make out what is says even though it's spread across my chest). The jacket, by Next is so old and has never fitted me; I can't do it up but it doesn't matter as I rarely wear my jackets done up anyway!

All jewellery charity shopped.

 It was non stop at the food bank making up hygiene bags and putting toiletries away. Someone donated several bottles of perfume (all opened and partially used) so as they were destined for the bin, I rescued them  instead for a donation. I got a Clarins perfume, 'Happy' by Clinique, 'Cool Water' by Davidoff (almost empty) and one I'd not come across before called 'Philosophy Pure Grace'. I swam 46 laps at the pool in the afternoon and made a sausage casserole for dinner which was just right for the wet, miserable afternoon of weather we had. I walked with the group on Wednesday; 6.5 miles Bedford - Wilden - Renhold and back to Bedford. It was a bright, dry day. I stayed in walking gear all day as I collected the youngest grandson from school after stopping at Aldi and the doctors surgery for my flu jab after the walk.

I went for a swim on Thursday morning and did the usual 45 laps. My arm was still sore from the flu jab and I wasn't sure I'd manage the swimming, but I did.Then it was home and off to do the food shopping. I went to Sainsbury's where I hadn't been for a while and I also topped up my petrol whilst there. No queues or shortages I'm pleased to report!

 

Everything charity shopped except the boots which were donated by my daughter. Dress by H&M and top by Principles. Patterned tights also a present from my daughter.

All jewellery charity shopped.

When I'd unpacked the shopping I went to the library to pick up a reservation and ran a few errands. Middle grandson came for dinner (his mum's oven had broken) and I helped him with a CV. He wants a part time job now he's at Sixth Form College. He has two days work with OH lined up for half term week but wants a permanent part time job.

This was Friday's outfit. I went to B&M and Home Bargains in the morning for bird supplies then I came back home and waited for Hilary to arrive. I had been so looking forward to seeing her. The last time she came to Bedfordf was 2019 but I had been to Devon several times since then. Unfortunately, she had a horrible journey. Road closures and no diversion signs. She doesn't do Google maps or Sat Nav so tried to work it out the old way using her road map. She finally arrived after 4pm having left home in Devon before 10 am. It was good to see her and after she'd had a chance to recuperate we went out for a walk along the river to the marina and around the lake walking 5 miles in total. On the way back we stopped at a restaurant and had something to eat. There was a lot to catch up on!

Dress by Zara, jumper underneath by M&S; both charity shopped;leather jacket from a Dublin charity shop in 2016, Brown boots and tights also charity shopped. The bag was bought from Barnardo's a couple of weeks back.

All jewellery charity shopped.

On Saturday I took Hilary to Cambridge as she had never been before. She really loved it and all the beautiful old colleges and buildings. We had a good old rummage visiting both Burleigh Street and Mill Road which are good charity shopping places. I got very lucky and found a denim A line skirt; a pair of walking boots; 2 bangles and 2 brooches. We also stopped at the RSPCA bookshop in Mill Road where I found a green Virago book I didn't have in my collection. The last time I visited this bookshop I found 3 Viragos but one was a duplicate. We had coffee and cake in a plant based cafe; where I ate the best Bakewell Tart I have ever tasted. I promised Hilary the next time she's down we'll go back to Cambridge and I'll treat her to a punt down the River Cam; steered of course by a good looking Cambridge under-graduate!

Sunday's outfit all charity shopped except boots bought online. The cardigan came from our independent charity shop which sadly closed due to Covid-19. The earrings were bought in Co. Donegal and were made by a local artisan.

As is always the way we were too busy chatting to take any photos! We stopped at St.Botolph's church in Cambridge as they had a book sale; I did take a photo of this simple but very effective floral display as I have none of my own this week to show you.

We chilled out in the evening and on Sunday morning went for a 5 mile walk along the river to Great Denham and Biddenham. Hilary left around midday and next time said she may come by coach as she hates driving on long journeys more and more. I'm lucky and quite enjoy a long drive, still - but it may change in the future.

At Barnardo's on Monday I picked up a new William Morris calendar. I had several appointments to add to 2022 - already! We weren't really busy at the shop but had a steady stream of customers and a few donations. On Saturday they had over 40 bags donated. Next week the new manager starts.

It was an overcast day and it rained off and on but it wasn't cold. I didn't really need this Viyella jacket picked up from a 1.00 rail somewhere. The jumper by Seasalt, the skirt by Kettlewell - a recent find. I think the boots were charity shopped too, but I can't remember. That's the trouble when you buy a lot of stuff. To be honest I have cut back quite a lot as I just don't need anything in the clothes line and I'm constantly filling the charity shop bag with rejects from my wardrobe.

All jewellery charity shopped.

In the evening we were off to see brother Julian performing at 'The Stables' in Wavendon with Steeleye Span. It was a wonderful gig. OH's work colleague was there and had brought his 80 year old Dad along as a birthday treat. The original plan was for us all to go backstage and for the 80 year old to meet the band. Unfortunately, Covid regulations didn't allow for that but several of the band members came out and said hello. The band has been in existence for more than 50 years now although Julian has only been with them since 2010. 

The latest album.

Julian came back to stay with us and it was lovely to spend some time with him. I didn't go to the food bank but got up quite late (for me) and made breakfast for us both. We then went for a walk around Bedford and along the river to the marina. I wanted to show Julian what Bedford was like as he didn't really know Bedford well although the band performed here in 2011, but we didn't meet up until 2013. Once I'd dropped him at the station I went back home and got on with putting the lightest summer stuff away and bringing down the winter clothes. It took a couple of hours but it was a good feeling to have done it. The weather was unseasonably warm so I hope I don't regret doing it! I'll leave you with my latest read; a reservation from the library.