Yes, time does fly, and yes, we are still very happily married. I said to Mr Cooper the other day that we were very lucky to have found each other, not least because not many other people would have been able to put up with either of us long term.
Being together has indeed been/still is a voyage of discovery.
Back to the blog, and onto the first book.
In a month's time, I will hopefully be on day 5 of the annual South Downs walk. That will be quite a significant day, as I will then be over half-way through the 9 days walk.
As a consequence of this event getting realistically close, I have had to increase my training (yes, I have actually been training at least twice a week, and not just perfecting my packed lunch repertoire)
So me and Mr Cooper have been working our way through this book. Walking hangers* involves doing lots of steep 'ups' which I sadly need to do a lot of. I say 'sadly' as it is hard work, something that is in our nature to try to avoid! But, no pain, no gain.........
Walk one was titled 'Steep and Ashford Hanger' (Steep being a village, and not in that case an adjective, although it was really steep too) and when we were halfway up the first arduous ascent it was to find this monument to a local poet, Edward Thomas. He drew his inspiration from this area, before being killed in the First World War, in 1917.
I found the words on his memorial to be very moving, and timeless.
And I rose up and knew
that I was tired
and continued my journey
Whether it is our own personal journey through a difficult part of life, or indeed a demanding, physical journey, you have to, at times, just keep buggering on.
Even more valid if you were a poet fighting in World War One.
Each time we go walking, Mr Cooper asks me to identify wild flowers. Sometimes I can, but this one I couldn't, although we both agreed it was purple. I am going to get round to looking it up (in a wildflower book, of course, of which we have several) but if you know what it is, by all means get in touch, and tell me, to save me that bit of effort (see what I mean about being fundamentally lazy.)
What with walking, and painting away in my shed, annoyingly, paid work just gets in the way. Sometimes Juliette brightens my working day with some flowers that were destined for the bin, but this time, son John gave me a present to add to my collection of seagulls.
Thanks John, it is indeed as you described it, as 'a nice one'.
Happily leaving work once more behind, and putting on my walking boots again, me and Mr Cooper set out in search of more steep slopes. I do like, on an aesthetic note, the link of the yellows in these two photos. Schwepps Tonic Water and a field of oilseed rape sharing the same vibrant yellow.
This circular walk above Stoughton is a favourite of ours, which we know as the Polish Airman's walk.
I must be getting quite reflective in my mid fifties. Each time when we pause to read about the death of a young Polish pilot, killed whilst fighting for Britain, I do think that a lot of people should also be more reflective about their life, and that of their neighbours. Perhaps aiming to take out a portion of prejudice/ignorance from their lives, and to replace it with some kindness.
Well, we have now covered one book, two walks, and two reflections.
Let's find out more about two exciting 'bunches'.
Me and Mr Cooper had to decide what to do to celebrate our 7 years of undiluted happiness.
' You can do whatever you want', Mr Cooper told me, flinging his arms wide to show me just generous this statement was. When I told him what I would like to do, it was deemed to be 'too expensive'. Here followed a lengthy discussion about the actual meaning of the words 'anything you want', and also whether 'within reason' should have been included as part of the statement.
When peace and love had been restored, we decided to have an enjoyable day on a low budget.
This day would also incorporate yet another walk, but this one ending up in an Indian Restaurant (yummy) where you had to take your own booze (even better.)
Juliette presented me on the day before, with an amazing anniversary gift, almost all of it pictured here, designed to go with curry! (We ate the cashews and mints almost immediately, another trait that makes us so compatible)
Thanks Juliette and Col, we love our 'bunch of beers'......
......and Mr Cooper made the treat complete the next day, by adding a beautiful bunch of flowers.
We had a very successful walk, which did manage to also incorporate two pubs, as well as the Indian restaurant (well, it was a special day). I still think that I would get as much enjoyment from an Indian meal by drinking Cobra, eating poppadoms and their accompaniments, and just reading the menu. The food was delicious, but I was too full to eat it all. Another reason why me and Mr Cooper are so blissfully compatible..... he can eat for England, especially if he is paying for the food (or if it is a free buffet, or a Sunday roast, or dinner round friends......)
Keeping on the food theme. My painting of Millie and Bertie is now complete, and awaiting collection. And yesterday, Jan was coming over for tea, and collect it, and Di was coming over for lunch, and much laughter.
So time to shake the dust from a childhood cookery book, 'My Fun To Cook Book' by Ursula Sedgwick, which I got for Christmas in 1969, and have loved ever since.
I share with you the recipe for "Topsy Turvy Cakes'. If you want a teatime treat, and love glace cherries and a burst of sweetness, do not hesitate to make these!
Bringing you now to my last picture for this blog, here is the completed painting of Millie and Bertie.
This was a commission that I got so much pleasure from, especially as I was so fond of Millie ( and still am, of Bertie, and looking forward to meeting his new playmate Billy)
And what made all the thought and hard work worthwhile was that Janeese loved it.
As I said to Mr Cooper later that day, the best sort of commission ever.
So, until we meet again, just keep on with your journeys through life. If you keep travelling, the scenery will change. If you put in the extra effort to climb the hill, the views will make it worthwhile.
Why not make a cake this week, and invite a friend to share the treat?
And, try to be kind. It is not always easy, but neither is life.
Looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
