The long fast went well. My body didnt revolt too much, the secret for me is definitely to drink lots and accept that coffee does help with pain meds kicking in to action. I decided that during the hours when I would have been cooking eating etc I would make a concious effort to pause and consider the great fortune I have in being able to make this decision not have it forced upon me by circumstance or edict. No lack, how could there be when I have easy access to clean clear drinking water and if food was needed there is my larder sits ingredients for many a meal. We were blessed with a blue sky sunny day even if the wind was still rather keen so I spent some time outside sitting on the yard with RnB happily snoozing on their rug, after teeth cleaning of course:0) I played with some yarn that I want to weave up into fabric for a Teddy Bear Im wishing to make. Its certainly not going to be a brown or black bear as the colours I was playing with were yellow, black and pink and if you know Sirdar Wash and Wear Crepe youll understand that this is not going to be an understated bear:0) There is a story behind why that yarn and I may well blog that when the weaving has begun in the meantime it makes me smile. Also given that Spring has made fleeting forays in to my garden but declined the invite to stay or even move in a little introduced colour doesnt go amiss. Today rain is back combined with icy wind so makes yesterday all the more a gift.

Goodness, that sounds like an exciting project to be part of. I wish you well with your bid for the prize but get the distinct feeling that the group of people you have on board will not let prizes or lack of stop this important work. Glad to see that knitting still holds you in its embrace and you find moments to stop and breath deeply:0) We, Rhys and Banon, Flo-cat and me have today greeted the awakening of Spring with time in a rather neglected but much loved garden on a day when blue sky visited and rain is only showing itself now, chilly wind but in shelter the sun was warm on the nose. Daffoduils are showing shoots and buds seem to be forming early even after the last month of -C temperatures, hurricane winds, heavy snowfall and even heavier rain and that was just one day!:0) the joys of a lush green country with a water table that is two or three inches above the ground at present even here on the side of the valley. Glad to hear your family is doing well may the wheels of Academia get some WD40 added to them so you all may be together as you wish sooner than a memo can get round a department, cough. Yes life is loved deeply here in Wales, moments are always so good at continuing to arrive don't you think:0)

All those words and no trees died such magic:0) As I am a fairy godmother to a wee flock who have recently delivered four lambs in to the hands of my co-fairy godmother I'd love to win the book for her as its been a steep learning curve

Yes he has got that glint in his eye but in reality he's a bit of a sweetie I'm told, he loves company be that his sister and mum or the shepherd or better still her dog. We think he would make a good sheep for someone who keeps a flock for fleece and mowing possibilites as he is actually very gentle likes being handled etc, not like the other male lamb who is definitely up for rough and tumble as long as he comes out top:0) Both boys will almost certainly need to leave this flock but as to where we've a while yet to decide. For now the picture opportunities are plenty and all four lambs are happy growing and keeping all the ewes 'entertained' :0)

Thanks for your comment. I'll be in touch by email soonish. We are trying for rooing rather than shearing as that gives a better quality but have to catch them at the optimum time to roo but great way to collect from back and neck etc and keep each area separate. I've spoken to my friend and she's as happy as I for you to get a package from Uk:0)

Thanks Beth, it is tentative but it feels like a beginning that is good to share with you. our journeys have certainly had moments to stop us both in our tracks over the years but I'm so glad we met and continue to journey together:0)

Oh crumbs, I've probably spelled those words correctly only in my own personal dictionary. My polytunnel will be tiny compared with the commercial ones that can stretch for what seems miles in a bid to have a longer growing season and my tunnel is definitely going to be a growing area but for me as well as seedlings:0) It will be home to my raised bed system - made using 1ft square plastic pots one placed on upturned other with both having the majority of their bases removed. This tunnel is to grow food for myself in but I feel I can use the space for sitting in too. A room of as much light as there is in the garden is too good to not utilise in different ways., watch this space as they say:0) The polytunnel is here all in its component pieces so may be by Summer Solstice I will have a picture from within.