I spent the morning in hospital visiting Mum and then, in the afternoon, Floss and I went to possibly the world’s largest M&S, and then on to, again, possibly the world’s largest Tesco.  It was so big our feet hurt!

So here are some calm and relaxing photos of Mum’s garden to help return my inner calm.

This year, Mum’s beautiful and skilled topiary has tragically been blighted with a heinous caterpillar that has wreaked chaos on every leaf.  It is too late for the box plants and they will have to be chopped down and burnt.  So sad.  She has been growing them for years and they were a major feature in the garden.

Relaxing now with a cup of tea and Ted at my feet (he was such a good boy while we were away).  My poor feet hurt.  How do people do this shopping thing?  Perhaps it is the shoes. I am not used to having to look clean and tidy all the time!

Floss, Ted and I went for our early morning walk – out by 07.00 while it is still quiet – on the golf course that surrounds Mum’s house.

Immediately, I saw a large dog fox run past and quickly vanish again.

And then, a little way away, we saw two deer grazing by the old stag oak – possibly a mother and this year’s youngster.

Everywhere was quiet and it really was the most perfect of mornings.  So peaceful.

Floss was with Ted (he is on a lead permanently) while I took photos trying to capture just how special it all was.

And then we saw someone watching us.

He was a big buck – a roe deer, I think.  He watched us for a while before bounding off doing those silly bouncy hops.  We laughed and thought of Lambie who doesn’t ever do them anymore.  He’s far too fat now though he did have a nice bounce on him when he was small.

I am just back from wearing my brave pants for driving to see my mother in hospital.  Well, all I can say is that nerves of steel are mandatory for driving in Berkshire and Surrey – I am still shaking but I did it. Having learned to drive in 1984 in London, I should be used to this but, even so, it was a trial by fire.

This morning, Flossie and I lifted Mum’s potatoes.  A few months’ back she had planted some pink firs and had been meaning to dig ’em up so we did them for her.

A nice little harvest and I showed Mum photos of her efforts.

We have put the tatties in racks to dry in the dark and then will bag them up in paper for later.

I brought with me some TurmerItch for dogs for Ted.  He is prone to itchy skin so I am giving him a daily “slice” and in return he sported the necessary bandana! He looked very nifty in it. A dear boy.  I haven’t seem Ted scratching today and I groom him in the evening for as long as he will let me  Hopefully the TurmerItch will help his coat too.

So handsome! ❤️

Well, that’s me. I got here relatively unscathed but leaving a couple of disasters in my wake.

• I lost my coat and found I had left it in the pub last night (thankfully open this morning with their own B&B guests so I managed to retrieve it – phew!)
• My shampoo managed to leak all over the contents of my overnight bag (bastard thing!)
• there’s probably more calamities – I just haven’t discovered them yet!

Anywho, someone was very pleased to see me, though!

Floss has been holding Mum’s fort wonderfully while she is currently in hospital.

My drive south was fairly smooth apart from the world and his wife trying to phone me. I couldn’t answer because a) I don’t know how to while I am at the wheel (I may have to investigate this) and b) I don’t like talking to anyone when I am trying to concentrate.

This is what I look like when anyone phones me while I am driving!

There’s lots of colour in the garden.

Autumn has most definitely arrived.

The last rose of summer (actually there are a few in the garden).

So, I did it. I drove 547 miles (it feels longer).  I am beginning to know the road.

Off the boat at 07:00 and then to look for my car which had arrived the day before.  It was happily sitting in the freight car park, so I set my Twat-nav for Tesco, Dundee and off I trotted.

I wandered aimlessly around the vast Tesco, buying some breakfast and lunch  and drove down to Old Tebay. It was a fairly uneventful drive. Just the two snarl-ups. I am staying in a delightful B&B.

This is what you get for £39 including breakfast! I love it. A total bargain.

I really cannot complain because it is quiet, comfortable and I am in the most beautiful village.

I had a little wander around and am now resting on my bed while writing this, with a mug of tea at hand and afterwards I will walk down to the local pub for my supper.

Like I said, delightful.