I joined the U3A photography group outing to the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis at Hale Milnthorpe.

On another Friday, I was back out with the photography group, this time at Colbeck. Alan, the group leader, gave me a lift as usual. I try to contribute by paying for the carpark or lunch, also known as “munchies”. The industrial site is interesting and quite extensive. I have an interest in industrial history dating back to school and higher education.

Laura, next door, invited Annabel and I, and neighbours David and Karen for an evening meal. The food and the company were very good. Happily, I managed to avoid further swelling on my tongue and gums. Another day we had coffee with David and then a meal at the pub – a getaway from the mess and disruption. David and Karen dropped in for coffee and cake later in the month when there was less mess.

Annabel’s friend, Debbie, came to stay with us for a few days. She and Annabel used to work together in Cheshire.  Annabel collected her from the station at Penrith. I was somewhat concerned about my hearing due to the high decibel levels but I get my revenge teasing them. Luckily, I had some down time when they went out for lunch.  That first evening we went to the pub for a meal and a drink or two. The decibels notched up to an even higher level. Back home, I countered them with the noise cancelling headphones Debbie had generously gifted me previously. I retired at 23:00 and left them to it.

We visit Tom and Tara’s family regularly. April is still growing and looks like she’ll be looking down on us before too long. We sometimes meet Tara’s relations, Colin, Maria, Carla and Charlie while we’re there. Cooper is still going to school on a part-time basis, as that is all he can cope with at present. He is suffering from tiredness. He’s quite a bright lad, so he should be able to catch up without too much bother. We just hope it doesn’t occur again at times of external exams. April seems to be okay and has some good pals at school, who support each other.

We both went to Tom and Tara’s for Cooper’s birthday. In my mind, his most interesting present was a 3D printer which I couldn’t get my head round. I need to adjust to the 21^st century; I think I’ll start by purchasing a 4D printer; that will show him that I have a full understanding of these machines.

I spent one day walking with the U3A Moderate Walking group. By moderate they mean not too fast, not too steep and not too far. I have been gradually increasing the distance that I’m walking, and I’ve speeded up a little, too. I realised that Brian had being giving me a lift for quite a while, but I now contribute to travel expenses. I do get the impression that some people are not happy to let me drive them, due to my Alzheimer’s. I do have to be checked on a regular basis, and my driving licence is reissued once a year.

On another occasion I had been in two minds about going on a walk, due to a poor weather forecast the night before. Angela gave me a lift to the starting point. We walked to Glenridding and Grizedale with the U3A Moderate Walking Group led by Brian. By the morning, much to my surprise, the weather had improved somewhat, and the worst we had was some occasional drizzle.

During the walk we stopped for a rest in this churchyard with its “host of golden daffodils”. I bet Wordsworth didn’t have any daffodil photos!

Unfortunately, we also came across an automobile rest home. Brian was keen to see my photos, so I processed them back at home and uploaded them to the group’s Facebook page.

I joined my friends, Richard and Sue at the Rugby Club for a Ramblers’ walk. We drove  to our destination and started the walk. I chatted to quite a few people, including one who asked me about the photo that I’d had published in the local newspaper, the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald. I walked with Sue for some of the walk as she was the backstop. I usually stay at the back which allows me to take photos and to catch up without stopping the group.

I also regularly enjoy a good workout at the gym in Appleby. I have found it particularly helpful for strengthening my ankle. From there I can watch the river rush past with ducks and other birds flying or swimming by. I can’t imagine many other gyms in the country having such an outlook.

Earlier in the month, there was still a lot of snow on the Pennines and the Lake District fells. On an unpleasant topic – Trump’s war on Iran – we’re concerned about the supply of heating oil. An even more unpleasant possibility could be the start of WW3.

We’ve booked a cruise to Iceland in July. Hopefully, the ice won’t have all melted by then. Maybe they should rename the island – possibly Sunny-Warm-land, Melted-Snow-Land or  Tropical No-Ice-Left-Land. Annabel spent a considerable amount of time working out the options. I spent even more time thinking up silly names.

The kitchen workmen cometh

We were enjoying the new kitchen even though it still needed painting. Darren, aka Denzil, painted the new kitchen. Luckily, this does not involve anywhere near the same amount of disruption as before. We went out for breakfast in Penrith and did a little shopping. The new tiles have now been delivered; they look good.

As usual, we went to the village coffee mornings. Annabel was working behind the scenes, whereas I joined the male dominated table. As usual, I helped to clear up by moving and stacking the chairs and tables. Again, we had lunch at the pub. Annabel had a massage that afternoon. I think this was the first time that I’ve sat in the sunshine in our newly finished porch.

It’s not often that we see cows in a wood but that all changed at 11.27 on 25 March 2025.

On a couple of evenings in the month, we joined the wine club at the village hall. As usual, I took beer with me and Annabel drank my wine. It was well past eleven by the time we reached home.

Thursday is our usual shopping day in Appleby. As usual, we had a good chat with the people at Stephenson’s fruit and veg shop. Another favourite shop is Howgill’s, the butchers. The proprietors are neighbours of Tom and Tara.

That evening, we had a meal from “Micky Pizzas” mobile van – one less meal to prepare.

We went to a Dementia UK meeting, where we chatted to fund raisers. We met the current Admiral Nurse for the Eden Valley – we’d raised a substantial amount of money with our calendar sales. Unfortunately, the nurse is not going to be replaced, which was a great disappointment.

Annabel visited an acupuncturist. She told me that she really enjoyed having needles stuck in her head, shoulders and legs, but she didn’t like all the blood spurting all over the place. Needless to say, she’ll ask a torturer – sorry acupuncturist – to use softer and narrower needles. I think I might run into trouble if I try to persuade her to hold a dart board. I need some practise.

We went to the cinema in Penrith to watch “Mother’s Pride” with the U3A Cinema Group. I always thought that Mothers’ Pride was a white sliced loaf initially. The title didn’t sound particularly interesting, let alone exciting. But, as time went by, it turned out to be quite good. I certainly didn’t fall asleep, as I have been known to do!