Happy #NationalBikeWeek

Riding a bike is great for your mind body and soul , the environment and your community !!

I really really love my bicycle with the basket I amble to and from school on it ding dinging my bell when ever possible , it really doesn't matter the over familiarity with my route it matters I'm using my bicycle . Yes it is a rather expensive bicycle and yes you could have a small weekend away in Paris with what I paid for it but I care not. On occasion I do take my bicycle called Myfawney further afield and I've even been out in the rain in it < oh get me.

Upon my cycling journies I'll see 

Mr T has a shiny new mountain bike and all the gear you can shake a stick at , inevitably I've been gifted the old mountain bike which I will take for a Spin.

Spare mountain bike update it needs adjusting as one I walked into the pedals and two the seat is too high.

So I took my beautiful Pashley out instead !

I Was A Stranger And you Took Me In

Appreciating things even the little things in life is what matters and that is very much grounding me at the moment , at times I still feel like part of my jigsaw fit is missing . It is nearly 2 years since I had my breakdown and I think I will and won't be ok ( possibly ambilvance) I will and always be an introvert and I like being an introvert as it gives me breathing space in making sense of my feelings.

I am a wonderful person and I have empathy for others , what I dislike is people not having empathy for others I wish more people had had it for me at the time of my breakdown 2 years ago. And I don't have any contact with y Father for various reasons and that can bother me at times but I know I am better off without that hassle in my life.

So the little things it can be from spotting the tractor as I cycle home on my beloved bicycle with a basket, to my son tidying his room ( as he was bored ) to me actually doing something that needs doing round the house as I do tend to struggle with certain tasks in hand.

And I'm reminded in this life I arrived as a stranger and was welcomed in various ways.

" I was a stranger and you took me in "

That's a beautiful phrase in a stained glass window I came across last week in Sudbury Hall church . The window pays homage to the evacuees of the Second World War .

So you can be a stranger to life but someone , somehow will take you in some capacity.

Barefoot Malbec New addition To The Family

The other day I was sent a rather nice bottle of Californian wine which brought the Californian weather with it as it has been glorious ever since ! The Malbec from Barefoot wines is new to the family and it is certainly making a impact

"Big juicy flavours of blackberry and currant set sail on a gorgeous of vanilla , caramel and toasted oak"

Wine descriptions do have the tenancy to make me giggle somewhat as sometimes they can sound ever so presumptuous but not in this case , when I was discussing the wine description I had a friend say


"I would love to set sail with that wine "


Barefoot Malbec goes great with barbecued steak,pulled pork or a caramelised-onion pizza, making a fantastic wine to enjoy during the warm summer months such as we are currently enjoying now. If it rains tomorrow please however do not blame me ! I am not a weather reporter though my cat can predict the weather !


Barefoot Malbec is available from all good stockist nationwide with a rap of £6.99

Coping With The Fear Of The Dentist

I have a real genuine fear of the dentist so much so I haven't been in 5 years but today is T (teeth) day I have so much trouble in the past right from childhood with a mad old dentist that just seemed to be around forever . I come from a long line of false teeth owners starting with my Nan and I remember her false teeth looking a the from a class in her bathroom ) not quite sure if false teeth can look at you )

One in 4 of us has a fear of the dentist and being afraid of the dentist means different thing to different people to be honest I am not sure where mine came from but I suspect it might of been the mad old dentist from my childhood who resembled a character from the Yellow submarine. Right now I can hear the old dentist drills whizzing in my ears and I feel like doing a Forest Gump and just running for the hills and not coming back.


The good news is that there are more and more dentists that understand the pain of this ( please excuse the pun but humour helps me cope in stressful situations )

I did tried to search for a dentist before but have bottled it for such reasons as I didn't like the sound of the receptionists or if my husband like his dentist then I was not bound to like what he likes ( pie in the sky excuses maybe?!)

But thanks to various work colleagues who have suggested a certain dentist then I took the plunge and rand the dentist moths ago and made an appointment ( a huge step forward for me ) and I like the sound of the receptionist too !


And with dentists understanding the needs of patients fears there is a lot that they can do stress free with gentleness and gentleness.


Dealing with the fear 

• Dentists are more bearable nowadays ( I know it sounds rather like a oxymoron )
• Make an appointment that you'll stick to preferably early morning * this isn't an option for me as I don't drive so mine is at 5.05 on the other side of town and will encounter heavy traffic ( so I Do need to stick to it otherwise I won't be popular!
• The environment of dentists now seem to be very luxurious and relaxing resembling a coffee shop etc
• Equipment is out of sight and have music playing nowadays.
• The first appointment will be just a check up so don't worry they'll launch into treatment straight away.
• Take a friend with you  ( I know my friend did offer and it gives me courage just knowing that ) 
• agree a signal with you dentist so they can stop if you don't feel comfortable .
• Take some music and headphones with you .

There are all sorts of dental treatment available on the NHS for those who have fear just ask a dentist or your local NHS.

Clues That Cats Do Sulk

People say a dog shows loyalty and cats are just aloof , aloof yes and very much unrivalled in their disdain in fact nothing can ignore you like a cat . If you've not been ignored by a cat then well you're in for a treat when you are ignored and you'll finding yourself pleading to be loved by them in a Shakespearean way. Cats sulk for a number reasons and we would really be here all day if we went into each and every reason why they sulk and show utter disdain that you are even breathing the same air as them !

Despite what science behaviour animal experts think I honestly believe that the arrogance is genuine and the cat is Infact trying to overpower me . So in the style of a magazine story from the 1980s I give you ....

The Snub

"Hi Rollie I'm back from the Spa !! I missed you "

Rollie " Did you miss me , did you really ?!"

" Let's talk about it , we can solve any problem !"

Rollie " Who are you again ?!"

Meanwhile downstairs with Jack 

Jack " I love you , I missed you "

"You promise this isn't superficial love ?!"

Disclosure All the actors in this photo story are played by the cats themselves Rollie and Jack .