February 2026

Good news at the start of the month – Sam will be coming to stay with us later this month. The Guardian newspaper online has changed. Previously, I’ve had access to the full paper at a reasonable price but that has changed. I’ve now started to get a free app which provides a reasonable range of articles.

My gardener at work!

Weather is not too good – wet and cold, but Annabel managed to get in the garden. Phil, the builder, is working hard; more cupboards are appearing but there’s lots of dust about. We had an online session with Amal – our financial adviser – with Zoe on hand. Thanks Zoe, much appreciated.

Egret

I thoroughly enjoy joining the U3A photography group once a fortnight. On this occasion we visited Leighton Moss, an RSPB reserve about an hour and a half away. We saw quite a collection of birds from a hide. As usual, I managed to find a variety of graphic images, in addition to the birds. It’s funny how things from the past suddenly appear in your brain – I remember being a teenager when girls were often called “birds”. It was great to see Richard and Sue, as Richard had been quite ill for some time, but had now recovered. At lunch time, a woman member told me how much she liked my photographs – some of which she’d never considered taking.

I had a good session at the gym in Appleby; it’s quite soothing watching the river flow past as I walk on the treadmills. I was quite taken aback (and pleased, of course) when I spotted Tara rounding up children from Crosby Ravensworth school at the swimming pool. Back at home, I suddenly felt rather tired, so I lay on the bed for a while. I must be getting on a bit – I remember my grandparents in Rugby who would often be caught napping.

On Sam’s advice, we had some new electronic valves connected by Tom to our radiators, but they were a bit random unfortunately – the valves, not Tom!

Robin

We usually go shopping on a Thursday or Friday but this time we went on the first Saturday of the month. Back at home we started tidying up our living room. There were a huge number of tools and machines which Phil had stored there (tidily) but I still couldn’t practise on my piano as it was impossible to access. I was concerned that the anti-virus on my laptop needed updating, but Sam advised me that it was no longer necessary as Windows deals with the problem. Thanks, Sam, I didn’t know that and you’ve saved us some money.

Pintail

We did some tidying at the weekend, and I can now find my way around most of the kitchen. There’s still plenty to do, but it should be sorted in the next few/two weeks.

Our neighbour, David helped me fill the skip while Jenny, helped Annabel move things back into the kitchen. There’s a lot of stuff which needs to go to the tip. On the Sunday we were invited to join Tom, Tara and the children for a Chinese takeaway. I had sweet and sour chicken and Annabel had portions of all sorts. The good news was that April and Cooper were improving health wise.

On the Monday April started back at school, but Cooper stayed at home. Phil is continuing to work on the kitchen and making a good job of it. So, we joined Simon for coffee at David’s house. We are now having problems with radiators overheating in the house. We went to Keswick for some shopping and lunch.

As it was raining midweek, I went to the gym rather than the U3A walk. At home we managed to move a few more things downstairs.

On the twelfth we left Phil working on the kitchen and set off for Lostock Green to stay with Dave and Jo, our previous neighbours. It was like old times. There was plenty of chatting. For lunch at the Golden Pheasant, we met our old friends, Stephen, Nigel and Plyn. It was so nice meeting them all again. Afterwards, we returned to Lostock Green and spent quite some time reminiscing. Jo had helpfully put up some signs indicating where the bathroom was – thanks Jo. One thing I realised was that I find it quite difficult chatting when there are quite a few people – I’m much better on a one-to-one basis.

The next morning we woke up and looked over the fields behind the house. I immediately spotted a hare leaping there. There’s something special about seeing wildlife. I regretted not taking my camera with me. We really enjoyed meeting old friends again – we seemed to quickly pick up from where we had last met them all.

As we approached Cumbria we saw both Lake District fells and the Pennines heavily coated in snow.

The next day I went out with my camera for some snowy photos on the Pennines, including Cross Fell, the highest peak. Later in the day we walked to Acorn Bank with Phil and Deborah for the snowdrop display.

We met Sam off the train in Penrith – he was staying for the week while Annabel took the opportunity to visit her brother and Ann in Yorkshire. Sam was, as always, very good company and I appreciated him coming to keep an eye on me. One evening, we had a takeaway from Janet but Sam did all the food preparation. I did offer to cook my special dish – beans on toast with an egg on top. He didn’t seem to appreciate what he’d missed! Both Sam and Tom are good at cooking. I went to a boys’ school and the head teacher obviously thought that Latin was far more important. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Insects caught in a spider’s web

Something to look forward to: Harriett is coming to see us and she is bringing her boyfriend with her. Sam and Tom went for a meal with each other at the King’s Arms.

We set off for a walk with Sam and Tom at Bowscale Tarn in Mungrisdale. It was a good walk and I manged it without any problems, despite the snow. The boys took a route to the top, but Annabel and I were not up to it. It was very pleasing having them walk with us for at least some of the way. As the path continued rising Annabel and I decided not to continue higher.

Annabel, Sam, and I drove to a pub to join Greg and Anne for lunch. We caught up with each other’s news and enjoyed a pleasant meal together. After lunch, Annabel went back with Greg and Anne, while Sam and I returned to Temple Sowerby. That evening Sam cooked an excellent meal for the two of us. Sam and Tom obviously learnt their cooking skills from me. Well, maybe Annabel did help!

Kendal Snowsports

On the following day, Sam and I visited one of his friends from university times. I met John’s wife and their two children. Enjoyed another good meal. Sam had to drive back home as I no longer drive at nighttime – a very good excuse to enjoy a beer with my meal! That evening, we went to the Kendal Snowsports

Phil has made quite a bit of progress regarding our new kitchen. We’ve decided to take a break once the kitchen is finished, as the next stage involves laying the flooring diagonally in the lounge to fit with the pattern in the kitchen.

Ice patterns

Sam and I drove to Appleby to meet Annabel off the train. I was very pleased to see her again – I’d missed her. That evening, Sam cooked a chilli dish for supper, and very tasty it was, too. I received a message from the editor of the local newspaper, asking me to identify a bird in a photo that I’d submitted. I showed it to Annabel, who agreed with my identification of a marsh tit.

Marsh Tit

The following day we drove to Penrith as Sam was involved with a park run. There were a large number of participants as well as supporters. Later, we did some shopping, and had brunch. Back at home, Bob had posted our newspapers through the letterbox. The flooring is now down in the kitchen and I’m gradually learning where everything is stored.

We drove Sam down to Manchester Airport and found a café for breakfast. Looking back, we might have chosen a better date for Sam to stay, so he didn’t have to endure Phil’s work and the dust. Thanks, Sam, we enjoyed your company!

I went to the gym in the morning and had a shower back at home.  Annabel went out for lunch with the Supper Club. No, that is not an error! I went to the pub in the evening for a quiz night. I was the only male in the team of six. The ladies were entertaining and were good at answering questions. We all won a free drink for our efforts. Unfortunately, I’m not as good with quizzes as I used to be.

It’s muddy road day…

On the last Wednesday of the month I, once again, walked with the U3A group. Despite the poor forecast, we were lucky not to have got soaked, although there was some light rain. We decided to go to Rheged for lunch. Back at home I enjoyed a shower.

The following day we drove to Appleby for our regular shop. This included dropping off some unwanted clothing to a charity shop. We’re getting close to finishing our kitchen upgrade. Phil works hard and is doing a really good job; we have every confidence in him.

We walked around the villager and bought coffees from the mobile café on the Green and, later, enjoyed a late lunch. I WD40ed the foldable patio chairs in the porch in readiness for Spring, as we couldn’t fix them in the Porsche. That evening we watched a film in the Village Hall – The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Unfortunately, we arrived late and missed the Third Best Erotic Marigold Hotel.

At the weekend we walked with Tom’s family to Acorn Bank and back. Cooper appears to be more perky than recently, but he still gets tired, poor fellow.

Pattern in the ice

And finally …

Thank you for reading my blog. I do enjoy reading your feedback. The photos this month are somewhat random as I was unable to get about as much as usual. My editor has suggested that I write the blog according to themes rather than the current chronological approach.