Scheduled Downtime

We have just returned from one of our twice yearly stays in the Langdale Valley in the Lake District. It is not unusual for an August visit to be tinged with hints of autumn. This year, however, we were surprised to note that yellowing leaves and the first signs of autumnal colours are more noticeable at home in  North Yorkshire, attributable, I guess, to our summer of drought.

The Lake District never seems to suffer from a shortage of rain, or at least not when we visit. This year was no exception and whilst the weather was warm, we certainly experienced some atrocious downpours. 

We were delighted to be accompanied by all the family including, of course, Grandotty and Little Sister. The great benefit of grandchildren those ages (two and a half and  four months) is that neither is particularly suited for long and high fell walking. This means that Grandma had the perfect excuse, in addition to her dodgy knee, to opt out too and instead spent her days by the river, tracking down ducks and rabbits as well as picking blackberries and jumping in puddles. 

With the mini-whirlwind that is Grandotty, I certainly didn't lack for exercise. Moreover when I finally felt ready to collapse, there was no opportunity because that child has such an imagination and vocabulary that even when my limbs could no longer move, the cogs in my brain were forced to keep turning. 

Mercifully, with their departure today, relaxation and recovery have arrived. Tomorrow's stretching in Pilates and deep breathing in Yoga should see retirement life resume its equanimity. A short and much needed down period before it's time to seek out the next novel experience.