Lazing on a sunny afternoon

I feel good today, not just OK but actually chipper.

As I mentioned the other day I’m in the transition period from one set of meds to another, and the past few days have been rough. The tiredness I can deal with (what’s a full night’s sleep again?) but the mood swings have been horrible. Never knowing from one minute to the next whether you’re going to want to laugh or cry; shit or go bust is not fun.

So I say again, I feel good today.

The day started badly oddly enough. I had planned on making some mushy peas (Ambrosia of the Gods) today and to that end had put the peas in to soak yesterday. Anyway when I came to cook them off I bolloxed it up but recovered the situation enough so that I now have enough pea soup for lunch at work every day next week – yay me! After that I got on and decorated a triple layer chocolate fudge cake. One of our team is leaving tomorrow and I promised her I would go all out on a cake for her. I think I’ve kept my promise! (I will quite happily write a blog about my cooking adventures if anyone is interested)

Once that was done I set to cutting and splitting some more firewood. I still wore my flip flops but just made sure the grenade was nowhere near my toes! Once the wood was cut, split and stacked I decided to chill out with some lunch, a drink and a book. I’m trying to read Feral by George Monbiot; it’s about his perspective on rewilding. A very interesting subject but I’m struggling with his writing style at the moment. Perseverance is the key!

As I was sat in the garden I could feel my mind beginning to wander (I don’t mind it doing that but I am worried it won’t come back again one day!) so I decided to do something else!

I grabbed my rucksack, threw a bottle of water and a couple of bits and pieces into it and set off for a short bimble to a little spot down at the nearby river on the forest. I love the forest at all times of the year, but spring and autumn are my favourites. Autumn you have the riot of russet colours and in the spring everywhere is new growth and new hope. The weather today was perfect so as soon as I was on the closely cropped grass (thank you ponies) I slipped off my flip flops and walked bare footed. It’s an incredible feeling, the warmth of the grass and the smoothness where the ponies take it down to a billiard table finish is wonderful; just keep a weather eye out for poo and thorns!

I had to slip my flip flops back on to traverse some branches across a slightly swampy area and then I was into the trees (mostly holly) so they stayed on for foot-preservation purposes!

Now the golden rule of slinging a hammock is to never sling it any higher than you’re prepared to fall; for me that’s about 18 – 24” (45 – 60cm if you’re metric). I did do mine higher today but I got away with it. The other reason to sling it low is that it makes it a damn sight easier to get out of as well.

Once the hammock was up and I was happy with it I climbed on and just lay there swinging gently listening to the sound of the birds singing and the wind soughing through the tree tops. I think at that point I came as close to transcendence as I ever have.

So passed a completely blissful 40 minutes and then it was time to pack everything away, retrace my footsteps and bimble home. Next time I will have to take a stove and kettle with me so that I can have a brew as well!

I also pondered some kayak-hammock-camping as I pootled my way back. I shall have to propose it to the senior member of the fraternity. I know he will be up for it the mad, impetuous fool that he is (scary really that he’s the sensible one of the pair of us).

Anyway, like I said at the beginning – I feel good today!