Surprise in the Post

 

Together with a birthday card I also received this lovely little handmade postcard. I am so lucky in that I have some lovely friends.

Belated Happy New Year

We might not have had the amount of snow that some have experienced over recent days but we have had some nice frosty mornings. I have been sad not to get out cycling for quite some time because of the cold but have made up for it by walking regularly.

It has been a bit icy on the Malverns but there was a plentiful supply of water babbling its way down towards Great Malvern.

Unfortunately, like lots of other people I have spoken to, I seem to have lost my creative mojo for the moment and I am finding it very difficult to focus on drawing and stitching, pastimes which I would normally love doing.  However I have been making an effort to read fiction and we are fortunate in that our library is still open for the collection of ordered books and return of those we have read. It is a round 4 mile walk from home for me so an excellent excuse to get out and about.
 

 Managed to start December off with a lovely ride out to Martley with my cycling friend Sue.  This is one of my favourite views out that way.

Reindeer at The Cob House were all resting ready for their big task of delivering presents at Christmas.

Of course it would not be Christmas without a silly selfie with Santa Claus. This was at the outlet selling Christmas trees near Rushwick.

Gathering Leaves

 

Took the opportunity this week to do a bit of eco dyeing/printing with mixed results. Silk always works best and I discovered I get better rusted bits if I steam the bundle instead of boiling it.  Boiling makes everything go very black. Perhaps the aluminium pan I use has an effect on it.

Silk steamed

Silk boiled

Khadi Paper

Autumn Ride

 

Another fabulous cycle ride today.  The recent weather forecasts are driving me mad.  They keep saying it is going to rain and then it never materialises so today I decided to just go out and risk it and what a lovely time I had.  I discovered this lovely lane near Powick.  But what a difference using a different camera makes.  One is from my little Olympus pocket camera and the other is from my phone.

September Cycle 300

 

Well I did it.  I finished the September Cycle 300 miles for Cancer Research UK with a whopping 484 miles.  I raised £635 (plus £111.25 Gift Aid) for the charity and am so pleased I took on the Challenge.  I really enjoyed myself and it gave me the impetus to get out and cycle more.  Thank you everyone who supported me.  I know it is a cause close to many people's hearts. I lost a lovely friend Dianne Ewin to breast cancer during the past year and I am sure she would have been so proud of me.

September Cycle 300 miles for Cancer Research UK

 

Last weekend I completed my 300 miles for Cancer Research UK.  I am trying to increase this to 400 miles this month now, for no particular reason other than I think I can.  A big Thank You to everyone who has sponsored me too.  I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received in terms of money and the companionship of other cyclists in Women on Wheels who have helped me to keep cycling when sometimes I have felt like not going out. Good job I have not been riding this bike ....

or following this sign