Autumn

Autumn is now well and truly with us, the last six weeks or so have been very pleasant here in North Devon but the wind and rain have finally found us. Saying that I am still wondering around in my shorts and Tshirts refusing to let go of that summer feeling.

I do like Autumn though because as the nights draw in you start to get the smell of the wood burners drifting around the village which is very warming on the wet and windy walk to the pub. It is the colours that I like the most though. The golden yellow browns of the trees, the colours don't last long I know but they are wonderful. I especially like the changes down the Tarka trail as the colours seem to last a bit longer down there. I think the trees are a little more sheltered so the winds don't blow all the leaves off.

The longer I live here in North Devon the more I appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons and the effects it has on the wonderful landscape that surrounds us.

New Shoes

We had a trip out to Plymouth and civilisation (if you can call it that) yesterday. The weather was pretty grey but at least it stayed dry. The purpose of the visit was to get Beth's feet measured and her first pair of proper shoes. I know there is a Clarks in Barnstable but we just fancied a trip out. Well we had lunch out, we were going cheep so we tried the Buffet Garden Chinese. It was definatley cheep with all you can eat at £6 / per head. The food was OK but I prefer the Water Moon at the other end of town. Lunch done with and three glasses of apple juice later we went off to Clarks. I had to make a detour to the public loos ( I really hate public loos, but when needs must). Anyway fitting complete we got Beth a lovely pair of Black patent leather shoes with flashing lights.

The trip out did my diet no good but hey ho, you only live once. To try and put matters right I am trying not to have dinner tonight. I hate this diet thing as I feel constantly hungry, but I am determined to loose another 27lbs by Christmas and break the 16 Stone point. I have been down the pool today. 30 minutes in the Sauna (to sweat the chinese off me) and 60 lengths of the pool for a bit of light relief. Hopefully the weather will be better next week and I can get my bike out again, Brenin should hopefully be up to another long run by then although I am taking him down the Tarka trail tomorrow for a gentle walk to try and break him in a bit more.

October Already?

Where has the last month gone? I really can't believe I have been home a month already and I don't feel my feet have touched the ground yet. September was a good month and I managed to get a few things done. The hedge along the Devon bank is slowly getting thinner and the hedge down the other border has mostly gone now. I have started decluttering the loft but there is still a lot to do and the floor panels will have to wait until next month. Beth's new room is painted, although I will have to paint it again as Debbie and her mum don't like the colours. Mind you most of the work in there has been done now so it shouldn't take to long to repaint.

My fitness regime is starting to pay off. I have lost almost a stone since I have been home, only another two to go until I get to my target. If I can stick with a stone a month I should be doing well I think. It has been hard at times as I always seem to feel hungry but it will be worth it in the end.

Since I last wrote on my blog very little has happened although I did take Brenin (our border collie) for a really long walk down the tarka trail. I took my bike and cycled almost to Bideford and back with him trotting alongside me. He was really well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed it but was knackered by the end of it. We will go again soon but I think I will go towards Meeth as it is uphill to start with so he should find it easier.

Well not long now until number two arrives, Debbie is due to give birth in November and know she can't wait for it all to be over. I just wonder what it will be, a boy or a girl. As long as it is healthy I don't really care.