2009

Well it's a new year starting tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to this one!

I have been seeing a lovely man called Ed since September, which all came about because I moved house, because he is renting the room above me. He is tall, sexy, handsome, romantic, fit, intelligent, thoughtful, kind, considerate and fun. I am very much in love with him!

He has invited me to move in with him to our own place, in Spring/ Summer, which I'm really excited and happy about. The future seems bright and I'm hopeful that life is just getting better and better for me. He's even coming to meet my parents and sister in Dubai next month. I think they're going to like him as much as I do.

He says he would like to go travelling with me. I think I would really like that.

No New Years Resolutions this year because I feel pretty good about what I already do. I'm just enjoying what comes.

Congratulations to my lovely friend Zarah who gave birth to her new baby girl on Dec 19th by emergency C-section. After a difficult start, they are both doing well, with lots of much appreciated support from husband Kevin and their friends and family. I am so pleased for them!

30

It's my birthday next Saturday and I'm excited because I'll be 30!

I'm having a tea party and invited some good friends. I guess some might be able to come :-) I've been neglecting some of them because I'm falling in love with this lovely man I'm seeing. But I hope they will forgive me and show up anyway!!

My boyfriend Ed is also cooking me dinner, taking me on a walk in Cornwall and meal out the day after. He is also taking me out to see a lecture at the university with his parents, about art and Dartmoor. Illustrator, Alan Lee, who created images for "Lord of the Rings" will be there, so I expect it will be good.

There's a chance my sister will come and see me. It's a long way for her to travel, but it would be great if she could make it. I love her so much - I don't see her as much as I'd like. I'd love her to visit.

Things Are Looking Up

This is a photo of my Mum (right) with her sister (left) back home after her operation. She looks remarkably well for someone who has just had a tumour removed - if fact I'm not sure I've seen her smile so broadly for a long time! I think it must be a big relief to be out of hospital and I think she was very touched because my aunt flew out from Florida just to see her and be with her.

The surgeon said that the tumour was 2cm in size and he felt confident he had removed it all. We still need to find out if it is malignant. This is likely, but we are expecting to learn that it is a low grade, Oa or 1a. There are four grades of cancer, 1-4 and the higher the number, the more advanced and aggressive it is. So this would be good news.

Incidentally, would you believe that Mum is now in her sixties? She's very fit and trim.

Ma

Uggh. My Mum had an operation today, on her kidney. They initially thought it was a kidney stone, but a couple of days ago the urologist had some doubts and she's been fast-tracked into surgery.

I understand that the operation seemed to go well and that she is feeling fine. Her sister is there, flown in from the States.

We don't know yet if it's cancer. It is hard not to be scared.

Sharpitor, Leather Tor and Burritor in Autum

I love being out in the rugged, ancient landscape of Dartmoor.

It was a bright day, with the distant sun illuminating soft, warm oranges and golds. I climbed Sharpitor and walked to Leather Tor, climbed that, then followed the leat through Burritor, through the pine woods, along water-soaked logging trails and back to the road.

It was a steep climb to Sharpitor over haphazard clitter. At the top, I ate my lunch and took in the wonderful view. It was such a clear day, I could see the sea. As I continued, I passed dartmoor ponies huddling at the base of Leather Tor. I had a good climb over the clitter and tor there, enjoying the challenge of using my arms to lift myself up into granite crevices. I sat there for a while just enjoying the view and taking photos.

I headed down into Burrator, past some old trees coated with thick, green moss, into the pine woodland. I came across a sheep nibbling on grass in amongst the trees. Its wool coat was thick, making it seem very fat indeed. It seemed oblivious to the bramble it was carrying.

I reached the leat. The flowing water chimed and resonated. It was refreshing and energising, as if I had quenched a thirst I did not know I had. Onwards through the woods, past more ponies and suddenly so many mushrooms, lurking around roots and rotting logs. I flicked through my mushroom book, but couldn't tell what was what.

I noticed the light was fading. I was making slow process today, being much more interested in taking photos and investigating everything I came across. I couldn't resist stopping every time I came across an interesting mushroom or toadstool!!

The ground was getting increasingly boggy underfoot and I was struggling to find a way through. It was a race against the coming darkness. There are no bears or wolves in this part of the world, but still I felt my fear of getting lost in such a place at night. How easy it would be to get confused in the strange shadows! I finally found a narrow point of the stream and jumped, landing a little awkwardly so that my ankle turned over. It is the same ankle that I have sprained three times. It was not sprained this time, just a little sore.

I made it back to the car before the last of the light had faded, wondering at the beauty of this rugged place.

2 Weeks of Bliss

It is so wonderful being off work for a couple of weeks. I can do whatever I want!
So far that has been:
sleeping in late
making dark chocolate and mango brownies with pine nuts, walnuts and brazil
making lavendar-scented candles with layers of purple and pink and real roses in them
making a huge pumpkin and mushroom soup
making Christmas cards
going for a (short) run
making plans to go and see my favourite singer-songwriter play in London
planning to visit the British Museum and an exhibition of 'Weird and Wonderful Inventions'
planning to have an Action Day with my best friend's husband - walking/ caves/ canoeing
inviting my friend and husband over for dinner
planning my friend's baby shower

Scratch n' Sniff

I have been very excited about smells today. I bought some sandalwood incense from the Chinese shop on the Barbican and a mandarin orange soap in a tin from the Woollen Mill.

I think I have sniffed both items about 8 times each already. Yes! They still smell wonderful!

I have also forced other people to smell them as well and they complied, but perhaps that was just so they didn't upset me too much!