Today this idiot followed me out on my bike. She was initially very engaging in following me whilst yelling, until she realised we'd left the garden. She freaked out and ran away. I spent ages fishing her out from under a parked car. #mycatisanidiot❤ #notanadventurecat #homebody
Today I finalised our Mortgage arrangements! Two more documents to drop off next week and then Ben Trafford and I start the house buying roller coaster. I drank lots of coffee during the meeting when I was already nervous so I'm just taking a minute to chill out in the park. Whilst accuring 'active minutes' on my watch.
I can't believe how many forms we need to sign.
Today at work, all our phones got upgraded. It took us an hour and a half to figure out how to log onto them.
No calls Monday!!
Well, for 30 minutes.
On Sunday Sophie, Kirstie, Ray, Phil and I went to London to see the Frida Khalo exhibition at the V&A.
We had traditional lunch at Dumplings Legend.
So good!
The exhibition was awesome too, I loved the dresses best!
We popped in to see Abi too on the way home. A proper catch up!
Today I met with Amanda, Charlene, Matt and baby Lawrence.
I arrived early so I had time to do some shopping at the market and see the new art exhibition at the arts center.
We had lunch in town and had a look in a few more shops, it was ace to catch up!
Albie has Kittie suncream for her ears. She also likes rolling in dirt.
The suncream makes her ears sticky so she's filthy.
Today she rubbed the dirt off of her head all over my leg.
It was unpleasant.
Today Tracey and I went to the Painswick rococo gardens again.
In April they were full of bluebells and it was a sunny spring walk.
Today the gardens were a riot of Colour and attracting all sorts of insects. We saw several species of bee and entry of butterflies.
This time we dipped our feet into the plunge pool to cool off, and it was freezing!
I can't imagine any sane person wanting to swim in water that is always 12 degrees. I guess it would be refreshing?
We set up a blanket by the pond to read our books and make the most of the day in the sunshine.
After 30 minutes we were besieged by ducks. They tried to eat Tracey's shoes.
So we headed into the woods for a cooler, quieter reading space.
We had a go on the swing and we had sushi for lunch at one of the picnic tables. Technically the garden prohibits picnics, but actually what they're trying to stop is lazy People leaving plastic/rubbish in their space.
Take food in tupaware. Take bottles of water (the type you refill) and there's no issue.
This means that the watermelon cool bag has had another outing. I'm still very sure it was a good purchase.
The gardens shop was selling produce today along with plants and their own apple juice. 😁
Today Tracey and I went paddle boarding with SUP Gloucester.
I wasn't sure what to expect as I'd never paddled with them before.
Getting to the pub for the starting point was a bit of a challenge, but once we got there it was ace.
This was only Tracey's second paddle, so we were grateful to be allowed to choose our boards- 10-8 and 10-6 red square touring type for lots of stability.
We also had about 15 minutes practice time before setting off.
The tour of the lower lode loop was very chilled, we went along the river through two locks to Tewkesbury and through the town. We pulled out boards out of the river at the sleuce gate and walked through the park to relaunch.
After all the rain and wind last weekend, the bank had collapsed a little. I slid down on my bum 😁
The tributary we paddled on the return was to relaxing and tranquil.
In some places it was tricky to navigate as trees had come down, but it was an interesting challenge rather than a frustration.
I loved getting out and seeing new things and these were my first locks. On the second one my board caught on the lock gate as it was filling which was scary.
I'm hoping to paddle more with SUP Gloucester, they have some cool routes and opportunities.
This tour was £30 for 2.5 hrs so it was a good price. I thought it was really good value for an instructor lead tour and kit hire.
Cheaper than south cerney anyway. Not quite as bargainous as brogborough but you can't have everything in life...
On Friday night, we agreed on a final price with our landlady to buy the house we currently rent!
Yay!
To celebrate, we went to the Vic to see 'sounds of Seattle'. The first half of their set was acoustic, taken from nirvana and Alice in chains unplugged sets for MTV.
The second half was electric guitar and good covers, including mad season. We loved the band but the sound engineer sucked!
We went for a nightcap in the Vic on the way home and saw pub cat. The pub owners said that pub cat won't be around much longer as his humans are having a baby, so their old town house is too small. They're moving to Rodbourne, so we might see a bit more of pub cat.
Hopefully he won't try to take up residence in the dolphin.😂
We got home about 1.30am. Marley got us up at 5.40am. she's mean.
So far I've caught Marley twice (she'll do anything for free food...) Muma cat and this guy...
We've seen Studmuffin though! We're getting closer to success!
Only Marley likes cat prison. All the other cats were very hissy.
Today has been a good day.
I was off work again yesterday with this horrible cold cough thing, but it is now finally starting to clear up.
I didn't have any plans for my no work Thursday because I've been feeling so rubbish, so I was pleasantly surprised when Jay turned up and said we were going to the Turkish baths.
2 hours of steam rooms should have sorted me out now!
After cooking ourselves, we had ice cream and he headed home.
When I got home I had two parcels- my new overboard case for paddle boarding and my cycling challenge medal!
Whoop!
There is another challenge in November if you want to do some cycling for a good cause too ...
Traff took me out for dinner just to make my day more awesome. Tagline and good company.
Yesterday I went to see my parents.
My dad has stepped up his baking game again. Since he retired he's been getting pretty good at cooking, and more recently has taken an interest in making cakes. He made a battenburg yesterday that Mary Berry would have been delighted with.
Not to be outdone, my mum gave me flowers to take home from her sweet peas.
Today I tried vegan man n cheese (so just Mac?) It was pretty good tbh 13/10 would recommend. But sadly I think the deliciousness is delivered with cashew nut butter so it's not 'healthier' but it is lacto free... Like I am supposed to be...
I'll definitely go back. The food was good and really good value.
😁
I can pretend it's healthy.
It's not that I don't love my old watch, but 'forerunner' the clue was kinda in the title.
This one does lots of different sports and has a fancy heart rate monitor!
So cool.
Unfortunately, I was an idiot and ordered it with an extra large watch strap. It fits around my ankle.
Like a tag.
I'm going to enter another virtual race in September, so I need an accurate watch even if I'm indoors.
I'm also considering a triathlon next July, but instead of open water swimming it's paddle boarding!
We have borrowed a trap from a cat charity in Frome (it's just been delivered) and we'll set it once it stops raining and hopefully catch ourselves a Studmuffin.
Muma cat along with Babs and Bernard have moved into the garden on number 34 and Studmuffin makes regular visits. The guy who lives at number 34 doesn't like cats very much and is increasingly fed up with noisy nosy Studmuffin- but that means he's close.
Obviously we only hope to catch our lad, but round here I think free food might be interesting to quite a few pets (probably including our own cat)!
I think we'll probably get Muma and her kittens too as they're looking a bit thin now.
I need to find a polite way to ask our neighbors if they'd like the kittens rehomed and/or their cat as it won't come home and isn't spayed. I don't think this will be easy.
Once caught Studmuffin will be neutered and either rehomed or released.
I feel really sorry for him. He's out in all weather. It must be miserable. Especially today as it's pissing down.
Incase it's useful for anyone: cats protection league offer free spay/ neutering. You just have to call them: 03000121212 and it's option 2 on the switchboard
