The weekend

On Saturday I went for a very enjoyable cycle over Leckhampton with Jerry - a glorious spring day.

On Sunday William and myself were a little unsure what to do as it was the first Mothering Sunday without Christine.  We visited the cathedral and had lunch in the cathedral coffee shop. I enjoyed a cathedral cappucino - Chris used to say that cathedral cappucino was the best she'd ever tasted - it was lovely.  In the afternoon we went for a stroll over Leckhampton.

An emotional weekend

This weekend was an emotional roller coaster for me - I enjoyed it, but I was also overcome with immense sadness.  On Saturday I spent a very enjoyable day with Jane and Jessica in Bath exploring the city. We met up with William and walked around the Abbey. A choir was rehearsing for an evening performance of Handel's Messiah - we lit a candle for my dearest Christine - oh how I miss her.

On Sunday Jerry and myself packed up our mountain bikes and headed for Malvern. We cycled from the town up to North Hill and then along the ridge getting close to British Camp and then a return back to Malvern. The weather was spectacular; howling winds, rain and bright sun - a ferocious hail storm hit us just as we arrived at Worcestershire Beacon.  The dark stormy weather came in waves that you could see move across the landscape from West to East.  A super ride - thanks Jerry.

Coming home on lovely sunny spring days make me miss Christine even more. You think you are doing so well - then it hits you.  I miss her voice, her touch, her warmth - where is she? why did it happen?  My heart breaks.  Christine loved the world and it's seasons - we enjoyed them together.

Today reminded me of the first few lines of the poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins that Bron said Christine used to quote when they were at school.

God's Grandeur.

The world is charged with the grandeur of God

It will flame out, like shining from shook foil

It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil

Malvern walk

Spent a great day walking the Malverns with Dale. Starting in the town it was up to the North Hill and across to Worcestershire Beacon, the highest point on the ridge - the wind howled on top enabling us to lean into it at a precarious angle. We continued onto Wyche and then back to Malvern town via St Ann's Well.  Back in town we feasted on homemade beef stew in a small cafe tucked away in a side street.    The view from the ridge is spectacular - to the east it's rolling hills all the way to Wales, to the west it's the flat Severn Vale with the Cotswold escarpment in the distance.

A day in Bath

I spent a lovely day in Bath with William. We walked along the river and around the city - taking time to enjoy the wondrous interior of Bath Abbey. We lit a candle for Christine and we shed a few tears. In the evening we invited Ross to join us for fish and chips in the car to watch the sun go down - a great Turtino tradition.

FOD ride

The FT's joined the Turtino's for a blast around the FOD cycle trails - we enjoyed the ride so much that we went around a second time.  A great day - thank you.

Staffordshire walk

On Thursday I went to the Midlands to stay with my old school friend Dale for the night. During the day we went for a long walk around the Trysull area, taking in Awe Bridge and the Bratch locks on the Staffordshire Canal and the The Plough at Trysull. In the evening we went for a tasty curry in Sedgley.

It was a full english breakfast at the Railway Cafe at Bratch before setting off for home. Thank you Dale and Deb.

Busy weekend

A busy but enjoyable weekend.  Friday Dale my old school friend came down for the day - which was great. Saturday went for a long cycle ride in the morning, in the afternoon I went to Anil's for tea and snacks and in the evening I went to Hayley's for a curry.  On Sunday I visited Anita and John for lunch.  Thank you all for your love and friendship.