just pootling



It's been over week since Pippin died. It never ceases to amaze me how life just continues after a death. I keep telling myself that she had a great cat life and she was with me in the garden until the day before she died. She was watching a spot behind a young aquilegia plant with great concentration, not moving a whisker. Her intent was clear and I watched her for a while while hanging out the washing. I admired her ability to sit completely still, pretending not to exist. The rodents in the garden won't miss her. 

I am off work at the moment, essentially an extra long weekend from Thursday to Tuesday evening. I really needed a bit of time to ponder life and potential solutions for the single sock problem that is getting out of control.

Alistair, Jack and I went for a hill walk with friends. We chose Conic Hill, starting at Balmaha on the shores of Loch Lomond. The weather was glorious. Sunny and chilly, just perfect for a hike. At 361 metres above sea level, Conic Hill doesn't make the cut for a Munro (914 m) but it has some steep sections and is by no means a walk in the park (ascent 350 m). We had a picnic near the top but on our way down. Jack stole a salami sandwich and he sampled the local rabbit poo. Back on the shores of Loch Lomond, the boys dipped their feet in the freezing water while my friend Jo and I drank hot tea from a flask and ate cake. It was such an enjoyable day, just what I needed. Fleeting moments of happiness. We are planning to hike Ben Lomond later this year. This is one of the more accessible Munros and is almost on our doorstep, just like Conic Hill. 

We cleared out the porch, an annual spring ritual. I sorted through hats and gloves, old shoes, too small shoes, muddy shoes and wellies (of which we have more pairs than people living here). Some shoes were in good condition to pass on and were treated to a special wash. Our washing machine has a trainer programme, fabulous. I found two single gloves. The single sock problem apparently spreading to other garments. What's next I wonder?

I am dreaming of retirement and a gentler pace of life - in the distant future. 

Thanks for visiting. I didn't feel like doing much at all other than staring into the middle distance but after an emergency free  and rather boring week, I feel more human. I hope to visit you all soon, virtually. 😊


Comments

  1. Fantastic photos, so sharp. I'm glad the walk and time with family and friends helped you. Our pets are family and it's hard but good to take time to grieve. Take care Christina x

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  2. Oh yes thise single socks. Pippin was lovely and as family loved ❤ Awesome photos Christina. Take care and enjoyed that walk

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  3. It is strange losing a pet, you yearn for them but at the same time try and tell yourself it was an animal but it doesn't make any difference, it is still sad. It sounded like a good time to blow the cobwebs away with a hike. Jo xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  4. Pootling with cake sounds good. Those odd socks? They're with the tupperware container lids.

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  5. Oh yes, everyone needs time to gather themselves. Balmaha - I knitted a jumper of that name designed by Kate Davies of Kate Davies Designs. I love it and have done another one in a different colourway. Really hope your rest has done you good.

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  6. Now I know what. Munro is, at least in Bonny Scotland. Odd that it is capitalized, but then again, it’s Scotland. 😀

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  7. Glad you enjoyed your walk with Alistair, Jack and friends. Sounds like it was just what you needed. Your photos are lovely. You are so lucky to have such wonderful areas to walk in.

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  8. What a fantastic spot, such stunning scenery. Bertie loves a bit of rabbit poo when he can get it too, he tells me it's that delicious fermented grass taste. Rabbits are thin on the ground here, so he has to make do with eating damp grass that was cut a few days previously that has started to pickle. And of course a salami sandwich would never be refused. I know what you mean about the strangeness of life going on after a death. It takes a long time to adjust to a beloved presence that is no longer there. I hope you're having a good week. Bloglovin appears to be broken at the moment, so I had to come and find you myself. CJ xx

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  9. A family bereavement, whether its human or furry, does take time to get your head around, I know. Actually, its your heart that needs it, rather than your brain, which can process the facts of life and loss rather more quickly. Day to day living does carry on, as it must, but there are little holes in it that were once filled by the ones we lost, unseen and unfelt by anyone but us, as the world goes about its business. Those little gaps belong to us, and with us, and are something to be grateful for, in a way. In time, something of the aching is replaced, by happy memories, and funny moments, of times when we were together, like a little patch on a quilt. I like to think that those who have loved the most, in all kinds of ways, at all kinds of times, and for all kinds of things in their lives, end up with the most beautiful fabric to show for it. A life full of experiences and emotions, a life well lived.
    You take a bit of time out, a bit of middle distance staring, when you feel the need to. A bit of dreaming of a future time, when things will be done at a gentler pace. And then, enjoy every minute of what you have now. Take care xx

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  10. I love Loch Lomond and remember fondly climbing to the top of Ben Lomond a couple of years ago. Your photos bring back happy memories. I’m sure it must be hard at the moment missing Pippin. So good that you have happy memories of her last day. B x

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  11. I always find that a bracing hill walk (especially with friends) is restorative and good for the soul. I dearly hope your pain will soon be replaced by fond memories.
    Beautiful photographs. X

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  12. Sometimes just getting out and doing nothing other than spending it with family and friends can be restfulmfor the spirit. Of course, you will miss Pippin for some time to come and never forget. Maybe the odd socks ran away with the missing gloves.

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  13. oh we too have a single sock problem in this house, its getting rather mountainous, I really must do something about it ! Your photos are glorious!
    Jillxo

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  14. Your walk looks fabulous, I do hope the nourishing effects of it have lasted. It sounds like life is hard for your right now, I do hope you are able to find a gentler pace, I hear you on the desire to find that as it is so often elusive.

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  15. Ooh .. Off to Google washing machine trainer programme ... who knew!

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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