This Week in Wijnjewoude 2020: Week 44

Week 44

I had a birthday, even though I tried not to notice...

It started at 0700 with a video call from Frank and Pam - they were decked out with party hats and tooters and did a fair rendition of "Happy Birthday" - I'm still smiling...pity I didn't think to get a screen shot!

Then a phone call from Granddaughter Madeline - she was only allowed to go to a friends place if she rang Grandpa - so she did! So very special...

And then a Google Meet with the kids and other grandkids. It worked remarkably well - and Ben was able to join in from Amsterdam! Piper was at the Drive-In waiting for a movie, Alexander was in the staff room at Bunnings and some were at Cheryl and Paul's place in Mitcham. Glen and Nic and family in Camberwell. What a blessing these days to be able to do this from so far away!

And then a visit to Facebook - quite a few greetings from old Fire Brigade friends. Well worth the visit, even if it is only once a year!

and even an email from a forum that I visit now and then..."may your boat be leak free"...ha!

Happy Birthday from your friends at Cruisers Forum; we wish you all the best in the year to come.

May your boat be leak free.
May your sails be in good repair.
May the winds be fair, the weather kind and
May your days be filled with the exquisite pleasure of new adventures, fabulous destinations and excellent friendship.

I'd been asking Janny what she wanted me to cook for dinner, but she fobbed me off with "let's get something from the "Stripe"" (restaurant up the road). So, I just shrugged and looked through the freezer and pantry - but I couldn't find anything inspiring...

Then, at about 1700hrs Janny called me in from out the back... to find that Bertha and Greethilda had arranged two dinner platters - and another rendition of "Happy Birthday To You" - from all the brothers and sisters! Again, very special!

And then Ben came home at about 2130hrs - so all in all, a very special day!

Boeke was allowed to have a piece of cake...I mean, how could I say no?

Walking, walking...

I read an article (probably BBC) about research that showed that people can be "uplifted" simply by watching nature shows like the latest from David Attenborough.

Ben had recommended that we watch it, so that was a good Sunday afternoon spent in front of the fire and the telly.

More importantly, the article referred to how much better it would be to experience it (nature) first hand. Especially these days, with our Covid restrictions.

As I'm writing this, I realise that the boat also gives that same sense of relaxation - when we first started we used to say that it felt like (all the stress of life) just "melting" away - and that, after only about 50 metres!

And so it remains - it simply felt "good" even to be packing the boat up for the winter. It will be no time at all before I can put it in the shed for some more painting and anti-fouling - maybe I haven't paid as much attention before, but there seemed to be more growth (weeds and shells) than normal.

So, I am setting about my walks in the forest with a new sense of purpose. My standard walk is 5 kms, but Boeke starts to get a bit flaky - he just sits down if he wants a rest.

The walk across the heath is a bit longer but is also more enjoyable as the light changes just about every hour of every day.

One of the podcasts that I listen to (usually whilst walking) is 99% Invisible. It just so happened that this weeks episode was about "walking".

Another regular podcast is "Ologies". The latest episode was "cucurbitology" featuring author Anne Copeland. Available on Amazon, so I'll probably get it...might put some "green" into my pumpkin growing attempts.