I suppose the expression 'conspicious by my absence' comes to find, seeing that I have not added to this blog for ages.  With the dismal weather haven't really ventured down the towpath of late and on the odd walk to the village have gone by the road as the path is so muddy.

However this has had one advantage as we found that one of our local chestnut trees has produced an excellent crop of fat chestnuts.  This is contrary to reports that the crop was to be bad this year,  although have to admit it is the only tree that seems to have done well.   A huge bag has now been collected, cooked in microwave (by hubby) and will be made into sauce ready for Christmas.

Weekend was busy.  We went down to the Isle of Wight on Saturday.   A last minute decision and the boat only booked at 7.30 a.m. after checking that daughter wasn't go to 'pop' on Saturday and if she did it was unlikely that baby woudl arrive in the time frame that we were down there.

Sunday went up into the loft,  a job we've threatened to do for ages.  Were rather pleased with the results, still have plenty to do, but find if you go overboard trying to clear out it gets over whelming and all goes back.  So sorted out boxes of paperwork that could be shredded and disposed of (i.e. utility bills going back to 1997 - 2003) so spent yesterday going through it all and sorting out what needed shredding and what could go straight into recycling.

Haven't done any baking of late, which is good at least for the waist line,  although have been a little busy on the savoury front  i.e. soups and stews.  Have a butcher on the IOW which does very nice/cheap stew meat, which we found in August, and as we happened to go past bought another batch and cooked that all up in the slow cooker to freeze in batches.  What would we do without chinese take away boxes (not that I buy chinese take away, but have loads from when the kids have done).  Only cooked the meat with onions, then can add fresh veg when it is all finished off.

So I am afraid my blog is rather mundane and boring this week, but hopefully things will improve by the next one.  Maybe even a baby to report on.  That reminds me I found all my crochet leaflets for baby clothes patterns whilst in the lfot,  but no breath holding on anything actually happening !! 

One last comment on the local wild life,  that Heron is getting cheekier,  landed on the railings which are only two foot from my hubby's office yesterday afternoon,  although didn't stay long when he saw he was being spied on.

Oh yes had another visitor last week,  a tiny blue tit,  which flew past hubby as he was on his way downstairs one morning.  He must have come in through the bathroom window as they do hang about in the trees in the front garden.  Eventually got him out of the front door.

Well had better close off, will be back soon.