First Bumble Bee of the year!

Today has been interesting.  After my rather late bath I finally got dressed and just as was about to come downstairs I looked out of the bedroom window to the River Mersey, and saw what I think is the biggest ship I have seen from here.  Bound for Eastham, the Maracas Bay, 175 metres long!  A chemical/oil products tanker.  She was riding very high in the water, and had a tug boat at her stern.  Later to be followed by Leander, at a mere 145 metres, but similar capabilities and headed for Stanlow.  I didn't get to see Leander though, as was rushing to be ready for my Dental Hygienist appointment.

After having my teeth thoroughly cleaned and rattled in my skull I sat out in the front porch continuing my re-reading of "Wolf Hall".  A must re-read since we're enjoying the BBC2 adaptation so much.  It was surprisingly warm in the sunshine, only had a thin jacket on.  Was delighted to see my first bumble bee of the year briefly.  So briefly I couldn't tell what kind it was, but it wasn't one of those huge queens you often see in springtime.  Sort of beige-ish, and about standard medium bumble bee size.  But a promise of Spring!

Now I have freezing feet, as I sat out a bit too long and I'm wearing my posh shoes (have to look respectable when go to the dental practice) and not my sheepskin boots.  The sky is now pearly and beautiful, might grab my boots and go out to sit for a bit longer to watch the colour changes as the daytime ends.

River Mersey seen from our bedroom window

The river a sliver of silver 

slashed by the trees 

soon to green up 

and hide our view of the ships

the sandbanks and the high tides.

Bounded on the far shore by a skein of amber lights.

Proof of roads and people over there.

Further away the hills of Deeside,

And further still the wilds of Snowdonia.

At our old home I could see Snowdon from my bed.

Here I see a river and hills 

but not a mighty mountain.

Book cull!

Spent afternoons yesterday and today at our old home sorting stuff to a limited extent.

After spending most of the time there yesterday sitting by a nice open fire in the living room with me feeling "carp" we decided to take a look at the books that John had brought down in 5 boxes from the bookcases in our bedroom.  After some time going through them all, we filled 2 boxes to go off to Oxfam, so now only have 3 of those boxes to come back to new home.  I kept a load of stuff that maybe I should have let go?  Neville Shute for one.  Will I ever read them again?  Doubtful.  But I don't quite feel ready to let them go yet.  Rather like my Mum's china ornaments.  Elizabeth Goudge books too.  And a few more random books!

Today those 2 book boxes went off to our local Oxfam shop, along with a box of stuff from new home too - trousers that don't fit John any more, and a couple of DVDs.  I washed the lower side windows in old home living room so I could see the sunsets better.  John will have to wash the top ones, as I can't clamber onto a ladder (or the back of the settee) these days to do them due to dizziness - apparently "mild left vestibular disorder" according to the very nice lady neurologist I saw some years ago now.

Progress is very slow!  But anything is better than nothing!

Meanwhile in a pot just outside our new home front door the lilies that we bought at the Chelsea Flower Show last year are beginning to sprout despite the cold weather.

My ME/CFS comes of age...

Well, yesterday it was 21 years to the day that I had the virus (?) that preceded me getting ME/CFS.  Difficult time, but also joyous in that a few days later (we thought I was recovered) we went to Birmingham to a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert (Into the Great Wide Open).  I think when I really noticed things were getting strange was when we went to the wonderful Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and in the hot house I was crying to think of how the Palm House in Sefton Park was not open any more.  I mean, why cry over something like that, sad though it may be!  The Palm House is back with us again now, but I still haven't been back to see it again since it re-opened.

I spent most of the day back at old home re-acquainting myself with various parasols I bought in the run up to my parents' deaths.  While my Mum was getting more and more demented (but we didn't know that at the time) I tended to hit eBay and buy stuff.  At least there was a reason to buy parasols, I did a course run by my friend Penny's website on renovating parasols.  I have some silk ready to work with the parasols I have.  I hope that I can actually get down to it and renovate some of the lovely parasol skeletons that I have!

Red Double Amaryllis

Sarah and Mark gave me an Amaryllis bulb for Christmas.  It was a bit of a laugh at the time as it had completely white shoots coming off it!  So I planted it up immediately and put it in the utility room to get some good light.  Now it's in our porch, which can be a bit chilly, so every day I light night lights in lamp and "chandelier" thing...  Good to keep the flower cool, but best to not let it get frozen!