Whilst me and Mr Cooper have spent January weekends socialising to avoid those post-Christmas blues, Sam and Molly went one step further than this.  They spent a whole week on holiday, and in England too.  Molly organised a surprise (for Sam) week, in Lyme Regis.  Luckily, Molly was not also 'surprised'.  Mr Cooper and I went there once off-season, in the half-term before Easter, and found very little to be open, especially on the eating-out front.  Sam said that the eateries were open, but he wished my present was better, as the more amazing confectionery shops were closed.
But what could be more delightful than some foil-covered chocolate sardines?

'At least I know you'll eat them,' Sam said to me.  This was  by way of being a reference to his father's habit of keeping edible presents as artworks in themselves, unless they were then promoted to becoming part of a larger artwork.  Eaten just as an edible gift? Hardly ever.

Here is part of a diorama made by George, where you can see the wrappers of three chocolate sardines having become part of an amazing art work.  Sam is happy with gifts to be used this way, just not kept intact and going past their 'use but' date by weeks and months, if not years.

I have yet to confess that I couldn't eat all of Molly's Christmas present to me and Mr Cooper, as they were just too beautiful.  But now I have taken a photo of them with my new camera (hurrah, we seem to be getting along just fine) Mr Cooper has started to devour them with gusto!  How could he?

At least I have evidence that me and Mr Cooper polished off the chocolate sardines.  We ate one each, then Mr Cooper went heads and I went tails on the third.
 I just need to create some art with their outer-casings now.

Last week found me setting off to the shops, and taking what was my last week's advice to you, by putting an additional vegetable into your basket, plus a more exotic fruit.  Pak choi accompanied our Saturday night Ragu Bolognese; not a traditional accompaniment, but quite delicious.  This was followed by a quick dessert of 'golden Kiwi fruits'.  Do try them if you spy them, they are much less acidic than their green cousins, and these four came with their own green spoon!

In my 'book of the week', none of the characters in it would have been enjoying pak choi or golden kiwis, let alone green ones.  In 1937, an movement called 'Mass-Observation' was formed, where 'ordinary' people were invited to record and send in their thoughts and views of their everyday lives.  Here is an extract from one of its promotional leaflets from that time, to help explain its aims.
'Intellectuals find it hard to express themselves [but] observation comes naturally to people who are living in the thick of work-a-day existence.  Among our best Observers are a mechanic, a coalminer, a waiter, a clerk, a house-wife (middle-class) and a housewife (working class).'

In this book the author researches and puts together the recordings of five 'everyday folk', from the days preceding the declaration of war to the midst of the Blitz in October 1940.
It gives you a very real insight into the very varied thoughts, and fears, of the nation at that time.
I have given it to Mr Cooper to read, as I feel that he will also greatly appreciate it.
Also, it is in quite large print .

 We set out to visit the pictures last Sunday, planning to watch 'The Darkest Hour' at 3pm.  'Do you think we should book?' I asked Mr Cooper in the morning.  So we didn't, and when we got there, it was to find we would not be able to sit together.
  'What if I fall asleep next to a total stranger?' was my worry, so we went home after a very enjoyable interlude in Chichester, and booked two places for the following Wednesday, at 11am.  There are decided benefits to being a) retired.... Mr Cooper, not me and b) self-employed....definitely me.

If  you have recently gone to the pictures to enjoy' The Darkest Hour', you will remember that the King advised Churchill to listen to the people.  The book of the week is actually written by 'the people', just like those whose opinions he sought.  If you loved the film, seek out this book.
I have now got to find the one written about the times between 1945-48, called 'Our Hidden Lives'.  In fact, I may do a little Internet shopping in half an hour or so......*

The 'enjoyable interlude' in Chichester started with Mr Cooper showing me a public garden he had discovered when visiting Chichester by bus (another advantage to being retired, free bus pass.)  The garden is called The Bishop's Palace Garden and is a gem. It was such a delightful and tranquil garden that neither of us had known anything about, and one which we will visit often in the future, perhaps with a picnic. http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/things-to-do/bishops-palace-gardens-p613661 Then we retired to the Crate and Apples where we received a very warm welcome, and a seat by the fire, even though we were there for a drink and not a meal (subtle dig here to pubs that only seem to welcome eaters, not drinkers, you know who you are!)
We did become diners later, as at four o'clock we were given some roast potatoes to enjoy.  We both whole-heartedly recommend this hostelry, especially at 4pm on a Sunday!  http://crateandapple.co.uk/

Although I do not like the way technology seems to have replaced so many peoples brains, creativity and individuality, this morning I was able to check my bank-balance, pay my N.I contributions, catch up with my emails, email a complaint to the insurance company about the repairs to our door, look at wide-legged jeans, buy a book and then wonder where all the time had gone.

Just staying on the subject of emails for a bit, when Saturday found me catching up on that side of things, it was to find one from the organisers of the annual South Downs walk, which contained the following information.

'Annual Walk 2018. Some places are still available at each of the four pick up points - Shoreham, Worthing, Arundel & Chichester - but both the 7 & 9 day options have filled up faster than in any previous year. If you know anyone who hasn't booked yet and is planning to do so, please let them know. '


 Ten minutes later I texted Dawn, my fellow-walker,  to alert her to this fact, then I went on-line to join and make my payment. Just after that, Dawn texted me to say she had done likewise, great minds not only thinking alike, but acting at rapier-like speeds.

Then I acted so quickly again that I forgot to do some groundwork thinking. 
As I had joined the walk, I thought had better start  training immediately.  Whilst John goes to see Pompey play, I will do a shortish local walk, that involves a steep uphill, starting from Stoughton.

Well, I was well-dressed for the rain, which alternated between fairly light but very heavy, but in my haste I had forgotten that January had been a very wet month.
I got to the top without too much difficulty, and realised that I was fitter than I had been at the start of last year, but not as fit as I was at the start of June last year.

Then I realised what happens to the countryside in winter .
Here is the view I had halfway round the  four and a half mile walk, looking at where I had come from.... 

.....and here I am looking at where I have yet to go.

The good news is that I now know my kit is waterproof!

As well as struggling through the mud, another struggle I have been having this past month is with my knitting.  My latest jumper for Henry, a rather natty fair-isle creation, is proving to be problematical.  I have never had to pull-down to correct mistakes on such a scale before.  Although, when I have analysed this a little further, the evenings when I am knitting whilst drinking tea are more successful than those where red wine makes its welcome appearance.
Here is a little glimpse of it.  One sleeve to finish, then it is nearly done, as am I!

My next jumper was to have been one for Mr Cooper, but I have just acquired this gem of a book.

You can guess what I need to knit next!

Friday morning found me walking to Tuppenny Barn, for my second visit to join in with the monthly craft club which meets there.  The first visit saw me cutting shapes from a camouflage jacket that I have been intending to customise for a year or so.  In the interim, I added some beautiful fabrics to fill the shapes, stitching them in by machine.  The second visit was used to add some hand-stitching to the shapes.
 In theory, I will complete this during February, ready for the next stage to begin during visit three.

As well as spending a very pleasant couple of hours sewing and chatting, I acquired a knitting booklet to rival the book that I had purchased earlier in the week.  'How could that be possible?' I hear you ask.  Well, just take a look!

My first one to knit from this book has to be to the cover for a wine bottle, in the shape of a poodle! I took this book with me on Friday night to share with Juliette and Colin, who were as charmed as I was by it.  After a lovely evening with them, and Mr Cooper too, of course, I was pleased that I was able to knit, as I spent most of Saturday slowly knitting, and drinking quite a lot of water.  Thank you both, it was a lot of fun, and Sam's prediction was all too true!

In the coming week, which may be getting colder, be sure to do something to bring a little colour into your week.  You could start knitting a fox stole, or just bring home a bunch of flowers.  Buy two, and give one to a friend. Be sure to wrap up warm, and this is where your new fox stole could really help!
Looking forward to seeing you all again in a week or so.  In the meantime, enjoy the snowdrops.

* Arriving in the next 3 days, £3.13, very good condition plus p&p.