Walking and yoga

Firstly, I want to thank all of you who have sent me such encouraging messages following my last blog. For several months now I've been wondering what was the point of blogging, what was the point of keeping in contact with people I've never met, am never likely to meet. And you've all shown me exactly what the point is. Because you're my friends. We don't need to meet, or even to know what we all look like, but somehow we've 'clicked' through the world of blogging and can hold out a helping hand across the world to each other. So - I'm sending you all cyber hugs and thanks.

The chronic fatigue I've been plagued with for the last three years seems to be on its way out at last. I can walk for several miles now without getting too exhausted; I don't have to eat every two hours because my metabolism is all over the place; I don't have to have a rest every few hours after doing very little. So now I need to get fit again. So walking is on the agenda - yesterday I walked for about two miles and it was great, so I'll be off out again today, looking for a new route around the village. Roll on January - we're planning on getting a dog, who will be a wonderful reason to walk, and a companion on my walks.

And yoga too, so good for the soul. I've started a new class, and been twice now. I just love having the time to properly relax, and focus totally on ME! Learning to relax and breathe again is brilliant.

No photographs today - Christopher has borrowed my camera for a few days - but there is some sewing and crafting to share in a day or so.

I think I'm back

I've been largely missing from Blogland for some time now, though I've continued to visit all my favourite blogs. But I think I'm back now. Fingers crossed. I've pondered long and hard as to whether I should write this blog but decided that too many people keep quiet about their mental problems and that is what allows prejudice to arise and stigma to attach to people with mental problems.

I recently realised that I've become increasingly depressed and anxious over the last year or so and finally decided that I had to do something about it. My doctor referred me to a clinic that specialises in these disorders and I'm about to start on some CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) classes that will hopefully help me to deal with my anxiety problems, which really have been getting me down. The doctor has also given me some anti-depressants, which are now beginning to work, so I'm sleeping much better and also beginning to feel much 'lighter' and more positive.

I've also taken some action myself and joined a yoga class in the village and the Amateur Dramatic group in Wells, where I'm going to be helping with the costumes for this year's pantomime. The amount of exercise I was able to do when we were in Cornwall has convinced me that I'm pretty well physically now, so I need to get out and do a lot more walking or swimming. So I'm going to look for a local walking group.

So, all being well, I'm back and on the road to recovery. Please forgive me if I haven't replied to any comment you have made on my blogs, but I just haven't felt like talking much.

Cornwall

We've just come back from a lovely long weekend in Cornwall. On Tuesday last week our friends Carol and Albert came to visit us, and then on Thursday we all went down to stay with another friend at a property she part-owns in Cornwall. The Dome House is set on a Country Club estate and was very comfortable. The weather was extremely kind to us and we were able to do a lot of walking (the other four did quite a lot of running too) as well as use the swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room in the Club.

On Friday we drove to Rock and took the ferry across to Padstow, famous for being home to Rick Stein, who has several restaurants and shops there. It is an extremely picturesque little town and I'd love to visit again. We bought some mackerel for supper and cornish pasties for lunch at his Deli on the harbour front. We sat by the harbour eating our lunch, harangued by noisy, demanding gulls.

On Saturday we had a very long and hilly walk into Padstow which was great but a bit tiring, so we took a taxi back.

Sunday was a bit rainy and very fresh. We walked down to Polzeath, about a mile away, which is very popular with surfers. The waves seemed to be about perfect and there were loads of people there, many with their dogs, swimming (far too chilly for me), surfing and kayaking.

We travelled home on Sunday afternoon.

Angel swap

The goodies I made for my Stitchers' Angel swap partner have arrived. Unfortunately I forgot to take any photographs before I sent the package off, so have to use this picture that Tracey has put on her blog Mistea Crafts. I made a couple of the projects designed for this swap - the drawstring bag and the notebook cover (which I made smaller to fit the diary). I also made a needlecase with Helen's Angel Hugs embroidery on it, and a coaster with her roses pattern. I used another of the swap designs, again made smaller, to make a wrist pin cushion. There was also a little drawstring bag with some 'hand made with love' charms in.

Many thanks to Helen for arranging this swap, it's always a lovely one to be involved in.

The Lake District

I've finally got around to uploading my photographs from our holiday in the Lake District. Turn your speakers off if you don't want to hear the rather irritating music!

Make a Smilebox postcard

I'm back from holiday

I'm back from holiday - in fact we came back about a week ago - but I've not been feeling absolutely the ticket, haven't even uploaded my photographs yet, so no blogging for a while, but I hope to be back soon.

First finishes for September

My first (and probably last) finishes for September are both items of clothing. I like to knit when I'm a passenger in the car. I can't sew as it required too much close focus and I get queasy, but simple knitting I can do with one eye on the horizon. I fancied a big, warm sweater for the winter, that I can wear over blouses and lighter turtle neck jumpers. Quite what I liked about the colour at the time I'm not too sure now, as it certainly doesn't go with anything else that I possess! But it will be warm and that's the main thing.

When we were last down at Brighton I found this fabric and thought it would be ideal for a shirt, and I loved the idea of the spotty fabric for the neck band. It's quite a while since I made myself any clothes, although I used to do a lot of dressmaking. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, though it's a little roomy, so I'll need to adapt the pattern if I use it again.

We're heading off in the motorvan on Saturday for a two week holiday in the Lake District, so I'm busy stocking it up with food, and lots of clothes. The weather forecast doesn't look too promising, so I think the warm sweater will come in useful. Never mind, it will just be lovely to get away somewhere new. Christopher is planning lots of sleeping and reading. I've packed about fifteen books so far, as well as a new sweater to knit, backgammon and a pack of cards, puzzle and crossword books, DVDs and loads of music - everything you need for a holiday in the UK. And of course, plenty of hand sewing. I'm starting to think about Christmas presents for this year and I'm planning to make Christmas placemats for everyone, with a hand stitched panel.

I'm hoping to take lots of photographs to share with you when I get back, but doubt if I'll be able to get an internet access while we're away, so have a great two weeks everyone, and just hope I don't get webbed feet and fingers while we're away!