Foot bridge over the stream
Foot path around fields
This is my usual route I start my walk, along the designated foot paths across the fields. This weekend it was particularly wet with large rain puddles. The dark areas on the field was where most of the water was standing. Good job I was wearing my wellington boots!
There has been a tremendous amount of rainfall where I am living lately.
The rainfall usually occurs during the night or early mornings.
I had been hoping to go walking along the footpaths and over the fields with my friend but recently it has been so waterlogged. We had just climbed over a stile and put our feet onto the grass in the meadow, when we were shocked to see our feet sinking down and being covered over by water!
Never have I seen it so bad before! We could not even continue walking over the fields, we had to abandon the idea altogether and just settle on walking the pavements around the village instead.
Did some research on the subject, I found out that the fens nearby where we live on the east coast, the land from Lincolnshire, Nofolk and as far as Suffolk had been drained, first by the Romans, then later by the Dutch.
By yhe year 2050 the land may well flood again and be reclaimed by the sea, especially with the climate change, and global warming speeding things up. I probably will not be around by then, but possibly my offspring will.
Global warming is still with us and the clock is still ticking. Will we be able to save the planet by each doing our best, our little bit to help stop the climate getting hotter, to stop the sea levels rising? What can the government do? Will we be able to make a difference by our own practical actions?
Only time will tell!
Is Climate change happening in your area?
⏳ 🌊
Poulet aux Poireaux dans une sauce à la crème !
Nous avions récemment été invités à un repas de fête avec des amis. Le menu était excellent et j'avais hâte d'essayer de recréer ce repas.Poulet et poireaux dans une sauce à la crème Avec quelques légumes méditerranéens rôtis. J'ai beaucoup aimé ce plat, c'est une nouvelle découverte pour moi, car il est fait avec de la crème fraîche, donc il n'est pas aussi gras que la crème entière.
J'ai aussi aimé les légumes méditerranéens rôtis. Poivrons, tomates, cougettes, oignons rouges, courge musquée.
Depuis, j'ai fait une version végétarienne de ce plat en utilisant du « quorn » qui est également délicieux!
🍗🧅🥒🍅🌶
That's it then I have taken the leap!
I have registered on my next module. L185 English for accademic purposes on line. I am hoping to gain more practise in using online technology, without feeling too nervous about it! (Ha!Ha!)
At the same time I will be building up my English skills. This will give me extra confidence in speaking and in writing.
I wish my fellow students all the best with their studies whichever courses they are taking!
I am looking forward to registering and taking on another module with the OU in October. This will be an English module to consolidate my English skills.
I like writing very much and expressing my opinions, which is funny really because in real life I am very shy and reserved, as anyone who knows me will tell you! lol!
I hope I can succeed this module and that my life runs smoothly (that will be the day!) hopefully, in order for me to get this module finished.
I am so happy that the bus fares have come down here where I live! This is so helpful, as I often feel cut off and isolated, stuck out here in the sticks and I sometimes need a day out, so good for my mental health!
Thinking about exercising again this week, so I decided to board the bus, and to travel into the city.
I definitely needed more exercise, so I travelled 1 hr and 1/2 to the city by bus, mostly for a change of scenery, but also to get out and about for exercise, to get myself motivated and moving again.
First of all, I went to look in the Oxfam bookshop, to see if I could find any interesting french language books. I did find a couple of french books in there that might be useful, as well as some Italian and English books. My eyesight is not so good now since covid, as I often get blurred vision. I probably soon need new reading spectacles, so I went to book into Specsavers.
I managed to get a lot of exercise walking from one shop to another, especially as there was quite long distances between each place. This was very beneficial, and as well as that, there was a very steep hill to climb up!
Then I visited the library, it was quite a large place to explore, it had a very wide variety of books, DVDs, audio books etc.
I also just had to visit the music shop, to buy my son some new guitar strings, to encourage him to play his guitar again. (One hopes! )
At the DVD shop I looked out for french language movies on DVD. I found a couple that caught my eye. But then I thought I must stop at this point, before I spend too much!
I looked into lots of Charity shops up and down the high street, but there was nothing
there that I really wanted to buy today. Nevertheless, I still put a few coins into the box
I wandered about a bit in the town centre listening to the singing, playing buskers, sat watching the crowds passing by,
However, I managed to resist the temptation to eat a heavy, greasy snack in the street. instead I opted for a bowl of delicious healthy vegetable soup in a quiet little cafe. It was tasty and I just ate 1 bread roll., so I have been on my best behaviour today!
After buying a few essentials from Boots the chemists, so back to the town centre, I walked along a bit more just window shopping, before heading off to the WC s, these were up three flights of stairs!
In the bus station there was a lift but I didn't bother as I needed the exercise!
Afterwards I walked down all the stairs and waited in the queue for my bus to arrive. The bus came in on time.
I really felt like I had had a most wonderful work out, as good as a real gym!
Particularly after climbing up the steep hill, going from place to place, up the high street and walking up and down all those stairs!
If bus fares stay low priced, this could well be a new weekly exercise routine for me!
🏪🏙🚗🚑🚦🚌
🥐🧀🥖🥗🍗🍷
I can't help admiring our french cousins. They are on average a lot slimmer than the US or UK citizens and eat smaller much healthier portions!
This is probably due to their eating habits of a more Mediterranean diet. We in the UK on the other hand are much stockier and plump, living on an island that sees much colder, wetter, wilder, weather in general, so we have to eat a diet with lots of carbs particularly to survive the harsher, colder weather conditions.
However, the french love food and especially fine cuisine!
"Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup" meaning "eat well, laugh often, love much" is a common saying in France that sums up the nation's enthusiasm for food.
Note the "eat well" rather than "live well" - eating is to be savoured as a central part of life itself.
French movie star Leslie Caron knows a thing or two about French food, having run a restaurant near Paris for nearly 20 years.
"I eat sensibly – every day at lunch I have a steak with a big salad and I eat fruit, vegetables, yogurt and muesli," she says. "I seldom eat pastry – maybe once a year. I never eat desserts and I don't drink. That makes a big difference."
On the other hand, numerous studies have indicated that red wine, and French red wine in particular, contains high level of antioxidants. So French women can rest assured that one or two glasses a day are not only pleasurable but beneficial to their health as well. Santé!
Unlike the UK or the US
Food portions are much much smaller in France. It is quite common for french women to leave half her plate or save it for later!
Food is celebrated in France and enjoyed with family and friends. The french eat 3 times a day but they never eat between meals!
Food should always look pleasing to the eye and beautiful on the plate. Nouvelle cuisine is the popular choice of meal and remember less is always more.
So I think we can learn a lot from our french cousins. Bon appétit!
* Sources - Stylist.co.uk
*leoncechenal.com/french-diet- how -to - like- a - french-woman
I am still struggling to get my health back to normal again after the Covid. I am finding long walks just too exhausting, so I think I will try shorter quicker bursts of exercise instead, this will include walking the circuit of my village.
Starting from the park including the park, taking the longer route and ending up on the market place. This usually takes about 3/4 of an hour. I must set aside a time during the day between caring duties and study to take a walk.
My diet will have to change too, I just feel so heavy when I walk. I have decided to reduce and maybe even cut out completely, Carbs from my diet.
I am going to include instead low fat yogurts in my diet too.
Apart from that I will still eat vegetables, protein and fruit as usual. But no bread pasta, potatoes or desserts.
I have let myself go completely and piled on the weight. This is because I have been so busy doing my caring duties at home and going to appointments that I have neglected my own health. Now I intend to get back on track to a better health!
2024 this will be my year to get fit! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
We passed by these beautiful gardens on our walk across the fields to the next village, it was really a glorious sight. The renewal of Springtime!
Today was Easter Saturday, the sun was shining and the weather looked good. I asked J if he would like to walk with me across the field to the next village. He said he would and would be glad of a walk.
Set off walking across the fields, walking along the footpath. The first field was a small cabbage field, the smell of cabbage was quite pungent! We laughed, but I happen to like cabbages so I didn't really mind. From here we came into a lovely wild meadow, where we spotted wild yellow primroses, crocus, yellow gorse bushes. king cups, wood anemones, harebells and other wild flowers.
There was also the pretty white Hawthorn flowers growing on the hawthorn bushes, by the side of the footpath and the field.
J soon spotted 2 rabbits at the edge of the field scurrying quickly away, we watched as their little white fluffy tails disappearing quickly down the rabbit hole on the bank at the side of the field. When we came to the little footbridge over the stream, I commented about how deep the water was, and how fast it was flowing after the recent rainfalls. J agreed the streams were fuller than usual.
We sat on the footbridge to rest for a little while. By now we were about halfway there, but I felt tired already, so it was nice to sit and rest and drink a fruit juice. The sun felt very warm, but fortunately there was a slight breeze too.
Played at throwing sticks onto the water from the footbridge and waited until they appeared on the other side of the bridge. I think mine must have sunk as I couldn't see it anymore! J cheered as he saw the stick appear again still intact on the other side.
Next, we took the narrow footpath that ran along the backs of the gardens, beside the cows field except no cows were in there today, because they were in the lower meadow, beside the lake.🐂🐄
We both liked looking at the back gardens as we passed by on the footpath, there was a riot of colours! One garden was full of brightly coloured tulips while another garden was full of golden yellow daffodils of all varieties.
There were quite a lot of different butterflies about, we saw a peacock butterfly, a yellow one, common white, a red admiral or painted lady? and a little blue one. A few very large bumble bees buzzing around the flowers too. Some ducks were quacking noisily beside the pond in another garden! 🦆🦆
Soon we arrived at our destination, which was the little chapel in the centre of the woods hidden beneath the trees. Here, we were able to rest inside the little warm chapel for a while, and I whispered a little prayer of thanksgiving, that I even made it there, my first real long walk since covid!
I like this little chapel with its quiet altar, its flowers, the candles and behind the altar on the wall, the words of the Lords prayer on the left side and the 10 commandments on the right hand side. Just to remind us what God expects of us.
On the way out of the church we saw the lady vicar just leaving the house of one of her parishoners nearby in the village, so I waved.. She knows me and she waved back. "Would you both like a lift back home?" She asked. "Yes please, that's very kind of you" I replied and gave a big smile and huge sigh of relief! "Thank you." I think God just answered my prayers, as we were both feeling so tired after that walk!
Christ of Saint John of the Cross. By Salvador Dali.
Picture from Wikipedia
'For God so loved the world" John 3v16
Ref. The Bible
Listen on youtube
To God so loved the world by "Hillsong" with lyrics
Easter is a time of renewal, of new life. Emerging from the dark winter days, we look forward to a new life in Christ. Christ who has died, Christ who has risen and Christ who will come again. Jesus Christ died for our sins to bring us closer to God.
All our sins will be wiped out, when we believe in Jesus's sacrifice, that he died for us to take away once and for all every sin we have ever committed. Only then can God look upon us as his pure children.
Repent, believe, receive!
"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be white like wool."
https://www.biblegateway.com/
NIV version
Isaiah 1:18
Matthew 20:28
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” That was his purpose, his mission on earth to show us the way and to lead us to God.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Ref. The Bible
🌻🌷🌾✝️📖
I have enjoyed learning language studies with the open university. I think I have managed to achieve what I set out to do, which was to greatly increase my understanding and knowledge of the french language.
I have learned to speak a reasonable amount of french, enough to get by with while on holiday in France or keeping in touch with french friends.
At the same time I have also improved on my english language too, especially on my writing skills. I am still deciding whether or not to continue next term in english, this would just be to consolidate my english skills.
It has been a long journey with difficulties as a carer to contend with along the way.
but It would have been impossible for me to have studied in a brick university or college, living so far away from the city and having to travel daily. There is no way that would have worked out.
Distance learning, part-time on the internet, with the 'Open University' has been the best option available in my circumstances. So this was a fantastic opportunity!
I would certainly recommend it to anyone who has caring responsibilities at home, especially if you have a busy schedule and it is difficult to find time to travel by commuting from home to the city.
My family have also been very understanding and have been willing to help out when necessary.
Learning languages has greatly enriched my life and I am very glad to have achieved it at last!
I have been enjoying the latest episodes of "Astrid in Paris" in the french language on TV, on more 4 Friday nights at 9pm.
This crime detective series, stars Sara Mortensen as Astrid Nielsen, who is on the autistic spectrum, having Aspergers. However, this not a hinderance to her work , as an undercover archivist for the judicial police. On the contrary her photographic memory and sharp analysis, make her a force to be reckoned with.
Raphaëlle Coste is her partner in the crime investigatiion duo, with Astrid’s unique methods and Raphaëlle’s behavioural skills, the two make a tour de force for the Paris Police department.
As the latest instalments kick off, they are bound to have us here in Britain, on the edge of our seats!
French woman and astronaut Sarah has been chosen to go on a mission to a space station, in preparation for a future landing on Mars. She was only chosen at the very last minute to join the crew, so it is all very exciting but also a challenge to keep up with her male colleagues (She is the only female on the team!)
Sarah desperately tries to balance—the love for her young daughter Stella, with her ambition of becoming an astronaut and to see the space she's dreamed of ever since she was a young child. It is a very exciting event in her life.
Although her daughter Stella is proud of her mother, she is afraid of the seperation, she fears what could happen if her mother doesn't return home again.
Her mother and her father (Thomas) no longer live together as a family and while her mother is away Stella will stay with her father. Awaiting the return of her mother.
One of her male work colleagues is not too happy about having a woman as part of the team and doubts her capabilities. He had wanted another male astronaut to be in the crew, who is more experienced. However, when he sees how hatd working Sarah is and how well she does her job, he begins to warm to her and sees that she is capable of doing the job.
Sarah is heart broken when Stella and Thomas miss their flight, this could be her last opportunity to see her little girl in person before leaving the earth.
By happy coincidence Sarah and Stella are still able to see each other for a final time, but unfortunately this time it is through a pane of glass, as Sarah is in quarantine. Stella reminds her mother , that she had promised they would be able to see the rocket she was leaving on, but that Sarah had broken her promise.
Sarah has a pang of guilty conscience and decides to sneak out of quarantine, she awaken the sleeping Stella and takes her to view the rocket early in the morning.
The final scene of the countdown is dramatic and emotional. Sarah has a photograph next to her of her daughter. Stella and her father are there watching the take off. He is tearful and Stella is smiling happily. As the rocket blasts off successfully on it's flight into space.
It is a dramatic film, heart warming, with an interesting challenge for the woman and her family, as she realises her longtime dream of travelling in Space.
2019 french film directed by Alice Winocour. The film stars Eva Green as Sarah, and Stella (Zélie Boulant). It also stars Lars Eidinger as Thomas, her ex-husband and Stella's father; Matt Dillon as Mike, her work colleague.
🚀 🌠✨
Since starting to study languages with the OU, my love of watching films has steadily grown. While watching a film, it is an opportunity to listen to the language, and understand dialogues. I like to hear different spoken languages and accents. It is a good idea to pick out familiar words, words that may have a similar meaning in another language.
I am quite discerning, I like a good quality film, but also films that appeal to myself, for example being a wife mother, with a family and so on. Interests like; Family life, the natural world, music, travel, dramas, detectives, adventures, things like that.
When I was a very young age my parents took me to watch "The Sound of Music" at the cinema, I also saw Charles Dickens "Oliver Twist" and other films. This was a great treat and a fantastic experience!
However, then came TV viewing which became much more popular, then you could watch movies at home or on DVD. I now have a good collection of movies that I have collected over the years, these have remained my firm favourites. I have since added some french language movies, and other language films, to my collection.
Watching films is a very good way to learn languages. It involves using your eyes, ears, your brain, thoughts and feelings.
It is also useful for memory training.
You can start a conversation with "Did you see that film ?" (such and such) "Yes, it was great and do you remember who the actors were?" And "what was the plot?" "Where was the scene set?" "Who were the main characters in the film?" "What was it all about?" "what was the beginning?" and "What was the conclusion?"Can you remember?"
So this is all very good for the memory! 🧠
Today after reading my chosen study book and having done my carers duties, I decided on taking a walk to the park. The weather was fresh and slightly chilly, but this had the effect of waking me up and making me more alert!
I have had a shoulder injury now for about a week, this was probably caused by a pulled or torn muscle, from making a quick sudden movement, tidying up the house.
However, I am not put off by it and I continue to keep up with my studying and walking routines as regularly as I can.
It has been raining a little bit less often lately, so it is not so damp but colder, drier and fresher, It felt quite invigorating, the perfect weather to walk, as there is plenty of oxygen.
I entered the park through the side entrance, I was delighted to see the crocus, daffodils and kingcups growing beneath the trees. This was a cheerful sight to see! I began walking along the footpath past the pavillion. Nothing much happening in there today (no keep fit classes or dancing) and everything was locked up.
It was quite tempting to just sit and rest at the picnic tables, or on the bench next to the pavillion, but I decided not to because I really needed to push on and get some exercise done, especially after having Covid, then after that catching a bronchitis, so I really have to push myself to get going again.
Past the tennis court, this is surrounded by lots of really ancient trees and woodland which was swaying in the breeze. Lots of hedges and younger trees further on, with the sound of lots of activity and birdsong coming from within.
Reaching the far end of the field I turn, past the back gardens of the bungalows, with bird tables in the gardens and birds singing up in the
tree tops nearby. I stop and listen to the birdsong and this had quite a calming effect on me and helps my recovery.
Carried on walking past the little woodland area that had been flooded last time I had visited. The rain water had by now receded, although it still looked very muddy, so I decided not to risk walking in there today!
Instead I headed on past the childrens playground, which was empty of course, because the children were still in school at this time of day.
It was lovely just to breathe in the fresh air in the park, surrounded by all the lovely trees. The sky looked huge and had lots of fluffy white clouds, but it was mostly a grey coloured sky today.
I noticed a dog walker had entered the park entrance and was throwing the ball around for the dog to chase, although the notice reads "All dogs to be on leads in the park" but she doesn't let him play for too long, she soon puts it's lead back on and sets off walking briskly around the perimeter of the park. We say a cheery "Hello" as we pass each other.
Soon I had reached the park gates, I was then making my way across the road into the cemetery. Here I like to sit for a while on the bench and share my sandwiches with the little birds!
I remember the words of Jesus "Consider the birds they do not toil yet the Lord takes care of them. How much more will he take care of you!" " Don't worry! "
🌳🌲🐦🦅🦆
French Film -" Full Time"
(À Plein Temps)
This weekend I watched an interesting french film.(2021) "À Plein Temps"
The story of the daily struggles, of a single working class woman, with two young children, Nolan and Chloe.
Mother Julie lives in a small remote village in the countryside, she has to commute to the city(Paris) for work every day.
First, she has to take the children to the babysitter very early in the morning, before she takes the train to work. Anyone who has to commute to work can probably relate to Julie's struggles with transport. I can relate to this myself, from past experience of working in town far from home.
Her work shifts can sometimes change at short notice. She works in a five star Hotel, in the position as head chamber maid. It is often very hard work and for long hours, it also carries many responsibilities.
She would like to find a better paid job, with more money to suit her skills, in market research. However, It is difficult to get time off work to attend interviews, so she has to break the rules by swapping shifts with other staff to get time off work. She then gets into deep water with her mean demanding boss and things don't go too well. She decides to take a few days off to rest, persuading her boss she will do better in future.
Julie has to provide for her children and all their needs for their birthdays, holidays and for days out. It is very difficult to make ends meet, to pay for the mortgage on her lovely house, the transport costs, bills and food.
Meanwhile her ex never helps her with alimony, when she tries to phone him to ask for a bit of help, he makes himself unavailable and she just ends up talking with frustration into the answering machine instead.
Life is complicated when there is a general train strike, she then has to find other ways of getting to and from work. She often ends up thumbing a lift, or car sharing, often arriving home late into the evening when it is dark, to collect the children from the babysitter.
The situation is complicated further when the baby sitter( who is getting elderly), is not very happy with the situation of the long hours she has to keep. She soon starts complaining that she may soon have to stop looking after the children altogether, as it is bad for her health.
You never quite know what will happen next! Maybe a disaster could be looming ahead and that everything could just unravel at anytime.
However, all's well that ends well, when at lasts she receives a phone call, to say that she has managed to land her dream job, as a manager in market research!
A modern realistic film, filled with lots of drama and suspense. It tugs on your heartstrings, as you really feel for her!
Director: Eric Gravel
Language: French
Leading actress Laure Calamy
Distributed by: Haut et Court
In this country there are more and more people presenting with mental health problems. This increase in mental health problems has been going on for quite a long time, and there is a lack of adequate NHS mental health services to deal with it.
Some Mental Health Disorders include
• Anxiety Disorders,
Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Schizophrenia,
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) , Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Paranoia and many more.
Calls to a mental health crisis line have more than doubled in 12 months, according to an NHS trust.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPNHSFT) said calls reached 17,000 in September 2023, up from 7,500 in September 2022.
The trust said the rise in demand led to more people going to A&E with mental health conditions.
However, this is not due to the covid pandemic said one health worker. It is rather an undercurrent of political and economic instability in this country.
These are the important concerns that people have; Zero hour contracts, the cost of living crisis, rise in inflation, mortgage repayments, job insecurity, high energy costs and now a recession.
All this contributes to a decline in peoples mental health and creates huge problems related to stress and anxiety in families. This is having a knock on effect on the children who feel their parents stress, resulting in the rise of
Childrens mental health issues. This unease in society has a detrimental impact on the society in this country.
So what will the government do to help the adults and the young people of this country? And will they protect these vital Mental Health services?
Ref- bbc.co.uk .
Our neighbour(the kind jolly man) has passed away yesterday. He suffered from his lungs and heart(a smoker) Not that we have had close contact, except to just say 'Hello' over the garden fence, but we get on well with him and his wife.
After saying hello to him the same morning, he just dropped down dead a few hours later in the street!
We saw the ambulance arrive to take him away. I am still in shock! Another friend up the road is ill with bronchitis. There seems to be a lot of lung problems in our street at the present time.
Apart from all that I am still trying to study whenever I can!
Every day. I read the news in french, watch france24 in french, and I am reading a collection of short stories in french. It seems I am now at last enjoying the fruits of my labours of three years study of French! lol!
Now I can read French books and watch interesting french films not bad huh? Thanks OU ! 👍
Slowly starting to gear up for October, when I will be starting studying a 30 credit course in the English language. I have enjoyed studying English and liked very much the module "Creativity in language." As I like writing. I have really learned a lot on this course!
I have had to postpone my dental appointment when I had covid 19, so now I have 2 loose teeth and still feeling the effects of covid 19.
Now I seem to have caught another virus, or it could be a flu or cold but not so debilitating as covid.
However, I still have a niggly cough with phlem, so I don't feel well enough yet to go to the dentist at the moment, as I am still having a coughing attack now and then.
I don't like having tooth ache my gums are sore, I use painkillers and salt water mouth wash everyday. I just have to wait to go to the dentist when I am feeling much better.
I used to have an NHS dentist, now I have to pay when they all went private. I can't really afford it myself, so a relative is kindly going to have to pay it for me. This is quite humiliating! After being with the NHS all these years.
Maybe this government expect us to pull our own teeth out ourselves with the pliers? lol! 🦷🔧
The weather was a bit milder today. I decided to take the opportunity to get out and about, for some much needed exercise with my son, who has complex needs, including a heart condition.
He had not been out since we had all had covid 19 in December, so when I asked him if he wanted a little walk, I was so pleased when he said that he would. I asked him if he wanted to use his stick but he said no, that he would just lean on my arm instead.
We decided to go up to the large park, which is thankfully much less waterlogged now than it was the other day. He put on his padded jacket to keep warm.
"Be careful I have not been outside since before Christmas" he warned me but he needn't have worried as I am completely slow myself now, especially after the covid!
He leaned on my arm, as we walked carefully at a snails pace.
It was lovely to see that the woodland near the park was full of little white snowdrops and the new shoots of the daffodils and crocuses were coming up, because of all the mild weather we have had lately. The sun was shining albeit weakly and the weather felt a lot milder. It was good to get out for a walk at last.
🌲🌲🌳🌾🌷🐝🦟🌥
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