I started the month walking with the Culgaith walkers, led by Big John. These short walks are aimed at people’s health and well-being and are supported by the Ramblers. Back at the village hall we were treated to coffee and homemade cakes. What was not to like?

The following day I was out again with the Penrith U3A photography group, this time visiting the Solway Aviation Museum, near Carlisle. I found endless photo opportunities there, despite having visited before.

Tara brought a letter from Crosby Ravensworth School, thanking Annabel for her ‘discussion’ about what her holidays were like when she was young. She recalled digging sandcastles on the beach, Manchester Airport which had only one room at that time, and Abersoch in north-west Wales. That afternoon, David invited Laura and us for afternoon tea and cake – very pleasant.

I bought Tom a good bottle of malt whiskey, thanking him for sorting out the problems with my computer. Watching the Dam Busters film in the evening was most enjoyable. The daring raid has gone down in history with pathos for the large numbers of civilian and military casualties. What a mind to design a bouncing bomb to destroy a series of German dams in WW2.

I‘ve started to identify a set of photos for this year’s calendar, which we’ll sell as we did last year. Hopefully, we’ll be able to raise sufficient funds for a dementia charity. Unfortunately, I had to visit the dentist as the amalgam in one of my back teeth had fallen out, leaving a largish cavity (photos available!). Luckily, I didn’t get any toothache.

We went to the coffee morning in the Village Hall. I sat with a bunch of fellows and had a good chat. I’d met Roger several times, as he is a good pal of David’s. They sail together at the local yacht club. Roger turned out to be a Guardian reader, so he must be a good chap. Later, we were entertained watching contractors climbing trees on the village green to cut back damaged branches and to avoid accidents. That afternoon I returned to the gym; I’m definitely becoming fitter and feeling so much better for it. And my ankle is continuing to improve.

I‘ve started to identify a set of photos for this year’s calendar, which we’ll sell as we did last year. Hopefully, we’ll be able to raise sufficient funds for a dementia charity. Unfortunately, I had to visit the dentist as the amalgam in one of my back teeth had fallen out, leaving a largish cavity (photos available!). Luckily, I didn’t get any toothache.

We went to the coffee morning in the Village Hall. I sat with a bunch of fellows and had a good chat. I’d met Roger several times, as he is a good pal of David’s. They sail together at the local yacht club. Roger turned out to be a Guardian reader, so he must be a good chap. Later, we were entertained watching contractors climbing trees on the village green to cut back damaged branches and to avoid accidents. That afternoon I returned to the gym; I’m definitely becoming fitter and feeling so much better for it. And my ankle is continuing to improve.

I went out for a U3A moderate walk, which was about six miles in length. It started off as something of a challenge, but my confidence improved as I managed to cope with the increased distance, albeit some of it on tarmac. I was pleased to complete it without any problems. I chatted with Angela for some the way, and she asked me to share some of the photos I’d taken at Dumfries House. That evening, we returned to Kirkby Thore Women’s Institute to deliver a talk with photographs of Antarctica. We took Laura, our next-door neighbour. The presentation went down very well, and they have already booked again next year.

We attended a funeral in the nearby crematorium for the passing of Ken, a popular resident of the village. A lunch was provided after the ceremony, and the mood improved as people started chatting again. (Annabel’s parents used to find funerals a good way to catch up with friends and acquaintances!)

I’m continuing to return to the gym to improve my stamina, and to exercise my muscles. My ankle, has improved considerably.

I woke up with swelling around my left eye, and a lot more on my right-hand side. Annabel suggested using a cold flannel, which helped to a certain extent, and some antihistamine ointment, which helped to calm it down.

Annabel and I went for a walk with Tom, Tara and the children (and Theo, their dog) around Lowther Castle

One morning I awoke with swelling on my lips and waist. I felt uncomfortable and looked unpleasant (well, more unpleasant than usual). Annabel sent a photograph to the doctor’s surgery, and I had an appointment very rapidly. Several children in the waiting room started crying when I entered. Dr Staines arranged a blood test and prescribed some anti-allergy tablets. I did look grim, but the swelling gradually died down. Come the evening, the swelling had diminished, thank goodness, but I’m only allowed out after dark.

In the middle of the month, we visited Howdens in Penrith wishing to update our kitchen. It took quite a while, but they were very thorough. Later, Phil called in to measure things up. Once the work starts, we’ll be moving out of the house for a couple of weeks or so. We’re looking at a few local holiday lets, where we might stay for up to three weeks while the work is carried out.

With my face back to normal, we visited the village hall for chair yoga with Sue. I still must lie on my mat at the end of each session, having fallen off my chair some time ago. In the afternoon I went for a walk in the direction of the Red Rocks by the River Eden.

I managed quite a good photograph of a swan’s reflection. When I tried to process the images, my software wasn’t working as it should. It turned out that I needed to renew my subscription.

As I walked along the river, I came across a prolific quantity of fungi. It’s been an incredible season. There are so many mushrooms around that there’s not mush room for anything else. Boom, boom!

After shopping in Appleby, I drove to Culgaith then went for a walk with their walking group. I coped with it quite well, but it was a relatively short distance – but I’ve got to start somewhere. Back at their village hall, we had coffee (or tea) and a choice of cake. Who should appear later but Jenny, one of our neighbours, who was running an art class upstairs. I chatted to quite a few people and I am getting to know them better.

Stephen Knowls, one of our friends in Cheshire, visited us enroute to a mystery weekend further north. We walked across the village green to purchase coffee and cake, and to chat with Stephen and local friends. We lunched with him in the Appleby Hub, a meeting place where you can chat and lunch. I uploaded a new version of Photoshop Elements and it’s taken me quite a while to become familiar with it.

Annabel spent time at nearby Acorn Bank, where she volunteers. It’s apple tasting time and visitors can indulge in apple tasting. Visitors can sample different types of apples and are able to buy some. I started to identify photos for next year’s calendar and for this blog. We’ll be selling them and donating the surplus to a charity. The weather was not very pleasant. In the afternoon, David invited us to tea, coffee cake and a chat.

I went for a walk one misty morning and couldn’t resist this shot of the temple Sowerby churchyard.

I gave Tom a rather nice bottle of malt whiskey, to say thank you for the considerable help he has given me recently with my computer ‘losing’ photographs. We’re having a new kitchen and planning to stay elsewhere rather than live in chaos for two to three weeks. We have decided to have the floor done in our living room at the same time. We’ve found alternative accommodation while the builders and decorators get to work.

We discovered that Laura, our neighbour, was a grandchild of John Buchan, the writer. Annabel is now reading his autobiography, “Beyond The 39 Steps”. Apparently, he wrote several follow-ups. My second favourite is “Heinz’s 57 Steps”.

Out with the U3A moderate walking group. I am gradually increasing the length of walks I’m attempting, after the long wait for my ankle to improve. It’s not particularly painful anymore, but it can still get sore. On a local walk with the Ramblers, we came across a whole lot of horse-shaped iron – quite spectacular.

The village green now has a 20 mph speed limit.

A visit to B&Q in Penrith was our opportunity to look at tiles and a new upstairs toilet – we certainly know how to have a good time. In the evening, we visited Debra and Phil in Penrith. They are good company, and we get on very well with them. We didn’t get home until quite late.

On one weekend we drove over to Tom and Tara’s house for Sunday lunch. I had quite a long chat with both April and Cooper. They both seem to be thriving at school. April has a good group of friends, who seem to get on well together. She’ll start studying for GCSEs next September. How time flies!

Towards the end of the month, I collected my prescriptions – I’m now taking six medications. In the afternoon we went to the cinema in Penrith with three neighbours to watch the Bruce Springsteen film, which I thought was terrific – interesting and fascinating. It was getting quite dusky as we drove home.

I visited the dentist to replace several fillings. I can’t say it was a pleasant experience.

And on the last day of October, I joined the photography group again at Shap Wells, which I always associate with red squirrels.

And finally, bring on the partridges!

Thank you for reading this blog; I hope you have enjoyed it. And thank you for your comments.