July 5th – Zumba….

Today’s picture is of my wife doing on-line Zumba to raise money for our local gym that has been badly impacted by the Corona virus lockdown.

The gym is brilliant, and treat customers like extended family. It is not for profit charitable trust.

What ever your political view, I don’t envy politicians trying to balance the health of the nation verses the health of the economy, but businesses in hospitality, arts, personal services and sports sector have had a really tough time. (There’s probably more and my intent isn’t to miss them out intentionally).

Whatever they do will be easy to criticise with hindsight.

July 8th – Telephones

Today’s picture is of our old telephone. No, it’s not connected as we use VOIP, but we have kept it as a talking point 🤣.

It was a phone like this that got me interested in electronics as a young lad, and the rest as they say, is history.

The inspiration for the picture was taken from a conversation I had with my cousin, who now lives in Scotland. We don’t talk often but when we do it lasts a while, and it was great to catch up.

Texting, emails, IM’s etc are fine for a short message but I personally feel that they are over used these days.

It also reminds me of how fast technology in our world develops, as I still remember having to walk to the telephone box in the village if I wanted to chat to any friends. In less than 40 years, the change in our world has been amazing. I wonder what it will be like in another 40 years?

July 6th – Goodbye summer house…..

Today’s picture is of our summerhouse, minus glass and doors, just prior to demolition. It was here when we bought the house 16 years ago, and has lasted well, but has now started to rot, and rodents have also been munching it.

I am going to build a workshop in it’s place so that should keep me out of mischief for a while (when I’m not playing golf).

My father was a carpenter and I often think of him when dabbling with wood, usually reciting his favourite phrase ‘You don’t want to do it like that, do it this way!’

July 7th – Au Revoir

Today’s picture, is of our dear friends Clive and Sarah, who have been our drive guests for a few weeks due to their year long trip, being put on hold due to the Corona Virus out-break, and having rented out their house.

Thanks to travel restrictions being lifted, they are on their way again. We wish them well, safe travels and look forward to following their adventures on social media.

July 4th – Walking

We were up early and headed down to Exford (2 hours away), a little village in the heart of Exmoor, for a 7 mile socially distanced hike with friends and our 4 legged children. The weather wasn’t the best, being quite breezy, and drizzly, but it wasn’t cold.

The route we chose was pretty mixed, with a few hills, open moorland, wooded areas and some by the river. We had done part of the walk before many years ago, but that was in February and the scenery was very different.

There were very few people around, which suited us, and everyone had a good time, with stunning scenery.

Today, was the day that the UK took a step back to normality, with Pub’s, cafe’s, some hotels, hairdressers etc re-opening. Whilst walking I thought how nice diversity is. Some people love noisy, busy pubs yet here we were having a great time in the middle of nowhere.

July 3rd – Moth or Butterfly?

I have never really known the difference and had assumed that moths only come out when it’s dark to eat light bulbs….. But apparently, whilst this is true for many moths, it isn’t for all.

Other key differences are that moths ‘generally’ rest with their wings open, whilst butterflies close their wings, and, butterflies have long, thin antenna, while moths have shorter feathery antennas.

This one is a ‘Scarlet tiger moth’ apparently. It occupies damp areas such as fens, marshes, river banks and quarries as well as rocky cliffs near the sea. A day-flying species. … L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded), however this species may be increasing in our area

July 1st – “This way Dad!”

Today’s picture features our 4 legged children on a woodland walk. They love scurrying around, sniffing this and that, and we also get the benefit of being in a beautiful environment.

Forests, and trees have always been a favourite of mine. Whilst wandering through trees, listening to birdsong, smelling the the various woody scents of pine and watching the dappled sunlight, filtering through the canopy, I feel calm and at peace.

I often wonder what stories the trees could tell us having stood there for so many years. What people have wandered by? What animals wander by when humans leave for the day? How they feel when wind gust through their branches?

June 30th – look back or forward?

Well, I like to do both.

The picture today is of our calendar. Each year I create a calendar which has photos of a year ago in that month.

As we hit 100 days in lockdown (in the UK), and say goodbye to June, I reflect on last year’s trip to Scotland from the calendar with very fond memories, and also what has occurred this month in 2020, but also look forward to July.

Looking forward can be daunting, especially if you are worried about job security or anything else looming. I feel for you, having been there, but one thing is certain, worrying about it won’t improve or change anything, and is wasted energy. It is far better to use that energy to plan for possible contingencies, in case they are required.

I have always tried to approach change with an optimistic view, because as one chapter ends, another begins, and that can be even better than the last. I’m also a great believer in fate.