The Cottage Smallholder

Quick update for those of you that know me.

My luck has been generally poor but it must change sometime. Soon hopefully. The job that was originally supposed to start in July and was postponed until Sep is now due to start in Nov. Apparently the client still wants me but obviously my confidence that it will happen has diminished with each delay. Nothing else materialised, to my great surprise and disappointment. So I am trying to earn a crust online but it’s too early yet to know how successful that will be.

Achievements (achievements of the year, really I guess): Lost 35 lbs and 4 inches off my waistline, quit dairy, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine (day 42 off the fags after 42 yrs of smoking), and I am still optimistic that all will come good! Of course, I will have an occasional coffee or glass of beer/wine etc. if an occasion requires it but my mindset is altered – permanently I hope.

Some of you know from my FB page that I tore ligaments in both ankles a few weeks ago and did not have it diagnosed until I went to A&E 10 days later when the pain became too much (my GP is still in Newmarket although I have switched now). Resting up was easy since I am not working and recovery has been great. I went for a slow amble down the marina here in Ipswich yesterday and ankles were fine although feet were tired. I will give them another recovery week to be sure.

Fiona is fine and working all hours on her vintage toy business on eBay with good results during these very poor summer months. Sales should pick up from Sep-Dec and she has geared up to take maximum advantage. Her mum of 93 will soon be moving into a retirement home because she has begun to fall over too frequently and is now very frail apparently. F and I speak on the phone several times a week and look out for each other.

I have been living in a little room in a shared house since Jan. It has served its purpose and now time to move on and improve my quality of life. Originally I was willing to relocate anywhere in the world for work but I am getting quite attached to this sleepy corner of East Anglia so I will stay on for a little while longer at least. When I have settled in a new abode in the next few weeks I will update again.

Still have a vague intent (not a plan) to visit some of our old friends from CSH. A grand tour. But it’s not yet crystallised into a travel plan and establishing my financial lifeline is the top priority right now.

I pop in here just now and again and it’s just great to see so many regulars still posting. It’s still as lovely a place to visit as ever, which is so good to see.

Can’t believe we are almost at the door of the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. The weeks are zipping by at an alarming rate.