A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

ginnyknit

Girding your loins :rotfl: but you can gather them if you want x

THIRZAH

Byatt

We went on a Ramblers holiday last year and both the walk leaders used poles.

I got mine from Go Outdoors. They were about £10 for a pair two years ago and have really been worth it. I'm hopeless at going down steep hills.

I know you said that you like to walk alone but you might find it worth checking out your local Ramblers group. You can go on a couple of walks before joining.I wasn't sure about walking with a group but have found that I feel much safer.Some people do chatter all the time but others walk by themselves within the group. Our group has at least three walks a week of different lengths. There are some groups that rely on public transport to get to the start of the walk .

jpscloud

Byatt, a wily old national park ranger once taught me to have a large robust plastic sack (something like an unused plastic pepple sack from a DIY store) inside my rucksack, into which went all my spare clothing and anything I didn't want getting wet. After being out for 8 hours in pouring rain my stuff was still dry!

SDG31000

Morning everyone

I hope everyone is warm and happy this morning. Fingers crossed Bruno is feeling more himself this morning too Leicester is cold, frosty and has a little snow falling at the moment.

I'm still in my flannel pjs and wondering if I'm going to brave going out today. I've managed to avoid it since Monday, but I could do with some fresh air. I've spent my shopping budget for this week on DH's Valentine's Day present, so I'm trying to avoid spending any of next weeks budget as well. I need some more knitting needles as I can't find my 6 and 7 mm ones and want to knit myself a hat out of some gorgeous blue alpaca/wool mix yarn I brought on impulse. I either need to stop doing that or to buy it in larger quantities as I have more choice of what to do with it.

Yesterday I made a big pot of chicken and veg soup/stew and made dumplings for the first time. I have to admit that they weren't too bad. Today I think I'll make chilli for dinner. It is definitely comfort food weather.

Thankfully my mood has improved a lot from last week. I'm still having trouble focusing on anything, but I can work around that. It's not helping me get the two scarves I need to make for Birthday presents finished. So I'm doing a couple of rows at a time when I feel like it. I have a week to go and thankfully they are made from can-can yarn and knit up quickly.

Take care and stay warm everyone xxx

Carissa

Hi everyone! Only been a week since I was last here and have about 25 pages to catch up on! You sure can talk!

My 3 year-old DD has been full of cold all week and has spent the days snuggled up to me on the couch watching Peppa Pig over and over. I used to like it....

Also planning my DH's 30th birthday party for next month. He wants an 80s themed disco with fancy dress. Luckily (because of family connections) we've managed to get the venue for free, saving £150:T
Now to get the costumes for as little as possible. I fancy going as Boy George so will scour the CS's asap.

Also entered a couple of comps on F/book this week for the first time and won! A litre of Tropicana, a microwave jacket spud thing, and a bottle of Fenjal bath oil :T

Popped into our local M*rris*ns last night for a few bits, and really hit on with the YS's. 4 loaves of posh bread, 2 packs of posh ham (20 slices in each) 4 packs of 8 walls sausages, 4 packs of cornish pasties, large lump of cheese, 4 shepherds pies, 4 hotpots and a tub of fresh beef broth - all for 19p each. Freezer is now full with DH's sandwiches for the next fortnight!

Hope all is well with you all and here's a hug if you need it! ((((hug)))) x

scrabbles_2

Byatt Before my health problems started I used to love walking. I was never one for going in an organised group, (although I'm sure the people in the groups are lovely and I gather that some of them are essentially pub crawls that cover larger distances, which sounds good to me). I revelled in the peace and quiet and alone time, and in seeing wildlife etc that may have been scared off by a group.

You do 'need' more than you think but like most things in life you can improvise until you decide you like it and you find a bargain.

Wear: a nice warm jumper or fleece, but make sure you have a jacket with you. A thin cagoule isn't exactly a fashion statement but it is extremely light, windproof and waterproof, which is perfect. If you have a Go Outdoors near you, you can get these for about a fiver (hint: buy a man's one. The second the outdoors industry decide to make a ladies' version of anything they decide it has to be pink and six times the price). Trainers are probably okay to start with, but if you're planning on walking regularly, especially in the countryside, walking boots or shoes are probably a better idea. I wear walking shoes all the time instead of trainers - I wait for a good sale to come along. Hi-Tec are regarded as a good-quality budget brand.

Walking poles are fantastic, as other people have said, and not just for walking!

A rucksack is better than any other kind of bag because it spreads the load across your back. A carrier bag is the worst because you carry the weight too low down and too one-sided. I second the need for something waterproof inside; a thick carrier bag will do the trick! Take a second thick carrier bag to sit on should you choose to stop for a rest.

Other than that, the usual: little first aid kit, fully charged phone, bar of chocolate, biscuits or fruit for energy, bottle of water. Little flask of tea or coffee, if you have one. Map and compass or guidebook if you plan on leaving the beaten track at all (smartphones are great if you have one, but still take a map and compass. Signals and batteries can both fail at inopportune moments).

If you do have a smartphone, geocaching is fun! It's essentially a treasure hunt. I have found amazing places even a mile from my front door that I would never have known about otherwise!

Sorry if this is rambling (no pun intended, honest :rotfl:) My codeine dose has been upped again. I must be a total lightweight as it has sent me a little doolally.

GFN123

Morning

Urgh, yuck. I am full to the brim with cold and feel dreadful. I've actually called in sick which is unlike me but after struggling through an afternoon meeting yesterday, where I had to run out when I had a coughing fit and started streaming, I'm best off at home and keeping my germs to myself.

On the plus side, I'm boiling hot so no need for heating to go on

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the good wishes re the job interview. And silvasaver, you are totally right and I think my manager is a prime example of the kind of guy you're talking about, though his ability doesn't even touch 50%!

Money saving as a science - love it! There's another topic here on OS about finding it hard. I can totally relate to it as when I started my DF journey I felt very resentful of not having money and having to scrimp and save. Now I love it! I see it as a challenge and am of the mindset that every penny I save can go to good use on something else, it's all part of fulfilling the life I want and not just material needs. Last night OH was trying to use the Ocado voucher we got and kept asking for the price comparison on goods. It surprised him and me that I had most of the answers, and I was really proud to have come so far.

What's that old saying about knowing the price of everything but the value of nothing? I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that this path equals the opposite! (or rather the price, but ALSO the true value of things).

I learnt very swiftly how meaningless that more materialistic lifestyle was. It's a long story but once, briefly, I 'had it all' but my soul was empty. Now I am so content and fulfilled, my heart is full and I get a deep satisfaction from OS ways that I'm very grateful for.

Ach, I'm so muzzy-headed I can't remember what else I was going to ramble about!

Anyway, I'll no doubt be back as I have the day in bed to mess around online. I hope folks are well and not too cold and that some of you have this lovely bright sun that is streaming through

smileyt_2

ginnyknit wrote: »

Girding your loins :rotfl: but you can gather them if you want x

It was late and I was tired ....... :rotfl:

GFN could you use your time off to practise for your interview or are you going back to bed? Hope you're feeling better soon.

Just having five minutes with a cup of tea and then I'm going to tackle the hoover filter :eek: to see if I can squeeze a bit more life out of the hoover.

Reading the last few posts, it seems people are starting to perk up a bit :j, perhaps having some sunshine has helped, even though it is so cold. Roll on summer.

mardatha

I can empathise with that GFN, the spiritual side is every bit as important in life as the material bit - although it takes you a few years to find that out. Money and "stuff" cannot make you happy. Fact!
I have a back garden full of ice sculptures the hens water is frozen into one solid lump every morning and the top is frozen every couple of hours. I throw the lunps out into the grass and now have about 3-4 days worth looking dead arty and sparkling in the sun LOL.

BitterAndTwisted

Mardy: have you tried the balls on the water for your hens? (Pun intended). I have a vision of you topping up their water from the kettle and a couple of ping-pong balls floating on top. No hardship with the kettle as I always imagine that in your house it's never off.

I think it might be time to give us a link to pics of your ice-sculptures. And your hennies, hen.