Week in Review - Mid March Mood
- christinestrike
- Mar 17, 2021
- 4 min read
March 8-14
Monday morning started with a cup of tea that was perfect, that wonderfulness that makes your whole body say thank you and wish that each morning your cuppa could be that tasty. I quit coffee cold turkey several years ago when my Dr advised it would help with my racing heart. I love coffee, it was my wake up, it was my treat, it was. I still get a thrill from the scent of coffee, especially when my husband grinds his beans for his morning cup, such a heavenly smell. Back to the tea, I am in England, land of oversized boxes of tea, tea time and plug in kettles in every kitchen. I've been trying different brands and decaffeinated flavours for afternoon tea. Hot cross bun tea has become an afternoon go to. I started listening to Glennon Doyle's book Untamed today, such great timing to be experiencing this book while on a personal pause and reset, I am a GD cheetah! I recommend this read, she makes me look at things from a different perspective and look into myself, I loved this book. One of few books that I immediately wanted to listen to again.
Tuesday was laundry, supermarket shop up and a walk to school with Genevieve for her pre-return to school Covid test, it was negative. A stop in a bakery on the way home for a spinach pasty and Plant & Pedal for a hot chocolate and that divine smelling, freshly ground coffee for Aaron. We also stopped in a stationary shop to pick up a few school supplies. The evening brought on school prep for Genevieve's big first day, see my blog entry about having your daughter start high school in a new country, that will let you know all about how my Wednesday went.
Online work was for Thursday, I photographed artwork, uploaded on my Etsy site, final tweaks to my blog site and launched it. This was a big day for me, I've always loved writing in a journal and sharing art is my passion. I've struggled with confidence in myself to put myself out there to this extent, the timing is right and I'm ready. Thank you for taking this journey with me.
We all have rented bicycles for the duration of our stay here in Cambridge. Before leaving Winnipeg I was determined to own a scooter while living here, it was going to be my Christmas gift from my husband. Once we arrived and settled for a bit I realised it just wasn't necessary, Cambridge isn't that big and I can bike or walk anywhere in the city and to surrounding villages with ease. The pedestrian/bicycle path systems here are impeccable and I already know they will be one of the things I will miss. A trip to return some shoes that didn't fit, I can't quite get the sizing correct here and its hard without trying on, and a shop up at Asda were my Friday outing. On my way between the two stops I came across the old and overgrown Mill St Cemetery. I was so excited by this find that I brought Aaron and Genevieve back in the evening to show them. I still find it novel to buy alcohol at the Supermarket. I picked up TukiTuki, a Sauvignon Blanc from my favourite Marlborough region in New Zealand. My first smell and sip brought me right back to the Ocean side Motel in Paihia, celebrating my birthday, singing Cake by the Ocean. What in the future will bring memories of Cambridge?
On weekends we plan a 'trip' or outing. We have memberships to the National Trust and English Heritage sites, they provide great inspiration when planning and were the impetus for the bike ride out to Anglesby Abbey, a National Trust site.
Saturday morning we booked a slot to help turn the gardens at the Clare Hall Allotment, it turned out to be a lovely morning and we stayed longer than we had booked. I love working in the garden and was so delighted to find a project like this in its inaugural year. We have many seedlings growing indoors along our window sill. A word I had used for myself and still do is Blossom, watching these seeds grow reminds me of my word. Genevieve planted a few more seeds with what had been leftover from previous sowing days and they were added to our window growing site. Passing on this passion is important. In the afternoon we were off to the Abbey, a very windy bike ride and lovely walk on the grounds. My body could feel it's use in the evening, satisfying muscle ache of a day well spent outdoors.
Mother's day in the UK is in March, this year on Sunday March 14th. I had a much needed sleep in due to the menopausal insomnia I have been experiencing. Aaron's amazing omelette was for Mum's day breakfast, a favourite of mine that he makes perfectly, complete with Cave-aged Cheddar this time. I wanted to go for a walk to enjoy my day and so we did. We followed along near Bin Brook and then into the City Centre. There was a children's play area on our walk with the typical play structure but beside was a little wooded area that had a rope swing, climbing trees and forts in the bushes, this would have been my choice of spots to play when I was little. Part of our walk had us wander into Wolfson College, a mistake we quickly found out when the Porter chased us down asking us to leave the grounds as "We are in the middle of a pandemic you know!". It is getting a bit more crowded in the City Centre on weekends, especially this day with folks out for Mother's Day. I am not use to being around that many people anymore. How long will it take to feel normal on an outing again and not constantly worry about being too close to other people?
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