Tag Archive | Swanage

Liebster award

Nov23

A big “THANK YOU” to Megan’s Miscellaneous Menagerie for nominating me for the Liebster Award. It really made my day 🙂

liebster-award2

I will now answer the 10 questions that Megan has asked, and very good questions they are too!

  • Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

I’m very happy where I live at the moment but given the choice I would have to take up dual-residence in Swanage, Dorset and Esfahan, Iran. We have had some amazing holidays in Swanage and it is a place I feel very close to. By the sea, unpretentious and beautiful in a natural way.

Esfahan, my husband’s home city is so beautiful and full of history and culture. I think I must have been a Persian in a previous life as I feel so very comfortable in the country and am perfectly at home with their customs and attitudes.

  • What is your favourite pet that you have ever owned? (that is cat, dog, horse etc.)

This is a difficult one to choose as I’ve had many pets and they are all lovely. I guess my two cats Tom and Tess are my favourites, especially Tom (close your ears Tess) as he stays with me, by my side, whenever I am poorly. He senses when I’m ill and looks after me.

  • How would you describe your fashion style?

Ha! ha! What’s fashion? At work, smart. At home, my son calls me a hippy! I love bright colours and funky shoes (I even tried to turn up to work in 1 red shoe and 1 purple shoe last week!). I guess if I had to describe it, “Young at Heart”!

  • Are you a spring, fall/autumn, winter or summer person? (that is which season do you prefer)

Apart from my flowers in the summer, I’m not great in the high season. I get very out of routine and agitated and love it when autumn comes around and everything settles down again. Born in February 1963, winter snow is always welcome and there’s nothing like yellow daffodils in the spring.

  • What is the one thing you wish you were good at that you currently struggle with?

Drumming!

  • Would you prefer to work, or go to school as a student?

Without doubt I would be a perpetual student. The first thing I would do if I came into some money is chose a University course and start over. That’s my dream. My son is looking to start University next year and I’m so jealous! I’d swap tomorrow.

  • What is one thing you haven’t tried that you would like to have a go at?

Driving a steam train.

  • If you had a million dollars to donate to a charity, which on would you choose?

Oooo, a difficult one but most likely a charity that supports young people with mental health conditions and M.E/ CFS get qualifications and into employment.

    1. If you were to open a business, what product or service would you offer?
    1. I would offer to go and talk to businesses and employers about employing more people with disabilities, especially mental health conditions.
  • What 3 things would you change in your local community if you were elected mayor?

Firstly I would make sure to open the old railway line between our village and Market Harborough for walkers and cyclists to travel safely. AdamSmile.

Secondly I would veto the building of any more houses within a 5 mile radius of our village.

Thirdly I would try and encourage someone to open a village shop!

The bloggers receiving this reward today are;

The Project: Me, by Judy-great inspiration and support always.

We Are One-by Ruth- My journey out of the darkness of depression. How I changed from not just surviving but thriving.

Roots To Blossom-I am living proof that you can in fact return from the point of no return.

My Fibrotastic Life– The journey of hidden blessings

Leanne is learning to Drum-It’s nice to know I’m not the only nutcase!

My ten questions for you all are these;

1) What is your greatest achievement or proudest moment and why?

2) What was your favourite subject at school and can you remember a particular lesson?

3) If you could have fresh flowers delivered every day, which would you chose?

4) If you could employ ONE of the following, which would you have? A chef, a massuer/euse, a chauffeur, a gardener or a personal shopper?

5) What is you favourite book or story?

6) What was the last song or piece of music you listed to?

7) What makes you laugh?

8) When and what was the last thing you did for YOU?

9) If you could do anything you want today, what would you do?

10) If you were an animal, what would you be?

Have fun!

Poppyposts

Poppyposts

Advertisement

Sunny Swanage

Jul18

With temperatures up in the high 20’s C and the car thermometer showing 35 degrees, this week has been a great week to be on holiday in the UK. We haven’t had a drop of rain and the clouds have been few and far between. It has been hot, hot, hot and we have made the most of the good weather by being out in the fresh air as much as we can stand.

Swanage is an old-fashioned seaside resort in Dorset on the English South coast and it is to here that we venture every year for our early summer break. We have always had good weather here but we have never had it so good!

Here are a few photos to illustrate our good luck 🙂

Me and M.E

Jul18

Long time no hear.

The good news is that my depression and accompanying anxiety appear to be under control and much improved after changing my medication for Fluoxetine to Venlafaxine.

The bad news is that after another frustrating five weeks fluctuating from tired to exhausted and back again, my Psychologist is now treating me for M.E, more commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Although he cannot make a formal diagnosis, only my GP/specialist can do that, he has studied my history of cyclical depressive episodes of depression and fatigue and I am symptomatic of M.E. I have researched this illness and my symptoms certainly fit the bill especially as M.E can only be diagnosed by elimination. In other words, on the basis that my GP has found nothing else wrong with me, my Psychologist is probably right.

I trust Doc Fraser implicitly and after a chat about the illness, how it manifests itself, the probable causes in my case and the treatment plan, I am comfortable that I am on the right track for managing the symptoms better in the short, medium and long-term. Looking back, I have been symptomatic for many, many years but it is one of those illnesses that can sneak up on you time and time again just when you start to feel better. In fact, it is when recovery begins and the fatigue lessens that you are at your most vulnerable to a relapse and therefore simply being aware of this will help me to keep the triggers to a minimum and hopefully avoid a catastrophic  relapse like the one I have just come through.

After my weekly therapy sessions with the Doc, I am sent home with homework and action plan and last week was no different. However, the approach is different and involves a lot more rest than previously and a number of other lifestyle changes in addition to continuing with the CBT to help improve my underlying mood whilst putting the new approach into action.

I will report on my progress as I go along but briefly here’s a list of what’s in and what’s out!

What’s in?

  • Rest
  • Moderation
  • “Pacing”
  • New eating patterns
  • Shorter periods of activity interspersed by regular interludes during the day
  • Conserving energy
  • Drink more water
  • Gentle activity (gardening, walking, golf-3-4 holes to start with and swimming)
  • Asking for help

What’s out?

  • Manic activity
  • Wasting energy
  • Long periods of work with no breaks
  • Demanding physical exercise such as running, aerobics
  • Working long hours/weekends
  • Stress
  • Doing everything myself

Unfortunately, my personality dictates that I naturally follow the “What’s out” list rather than the “What’s in” list and therefore these changes are going to be hard for me to make.

Doc Fraser was, in no uncertain terms, adamant that I should want to get better not just in the short-term but in the long-term so that these cycles do not recur and I must put his recommendations into practice if I am to succeed. I took this as a clear warning that unless I take on this challenge and do my best to change the habits of a lifetime my mental and physical health with deteriorate and one day there may not be a way back.

Time to get serious methinks.

Any hints and tips for managing this illness are gratefully received and I will try to reciprocate as and when I get to grips with it myself.

In the meantime, I will continue with my holiday on the very sunny and hot South Coast.

037

The fox and the crow

Jan19
On holiday in Swanage last July we were joined by a couple of foxes who were clearly used to people and not at all afraid. I have to confess that I took advantage of their cheek and managed to coax one of them into eating out of my hand. We called her Roxy and she was particularly fond of the BBQ’d freshly caught mackerel we fed her. She was even stealthy enough to run off with 4 beefburgers left out by the BBQ for a mere 30 seconds….good job we had spares.
She flattered me with her attention and I fell for her charms. Just as Aesop warned me I would….
The Fox and The Crow-Aesop

A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree.

“That’s for me, as I am a Fox,” said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree.

“Good day, Mistress Crow,” he cried. “How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds.”

The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox.

“That will do,” said he. “That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future: “Do not trust flatterers.”

Coastal Path

Nov3

Climb hill
Out of Swanage
Poppies, stone cottages
Hollyhocks, red tree, cherry plums
Sour taste 

Meadow
Flowers galore
Grasshoppers, crickets, jump
Dancing butterflies, rarely still
Skippers 

Dry leaves
Soft underfoot
Coastal path through woodland
Cool damp copse, shelter from the suns
Hot rays 

The Globe
Sun, moon and stars
World as one, unity
Fifteen segments grey Purbeck stone
Tranquil 

Dolphins
Durlston Bay pod
Echo and his friends swim
Backs arching against the current
Rare sight. 

Lighthouse
Hidden rocks lure
Anvil Point headland waits
Waves crash against the chalk white cliffs
Danger 

Granite
Tilley Whim caves
Bygone industry past
Falling rocks too dangerous now
Closed off 

Steep cliffs
Fall to the sea
Gulls swoop round their domain
Nests perched on ledges, eggs, chicks safe
Soar high

 

View from a beach hut

Nov3

Weekend-busy beach
Punch and Judy fighting still
Sand castles, turrets. 

Crab-fishing, arcades
Boat trips, pedaloes, surf boards
Beach cricket, football 

Fish and chips “open”
Cappuccinos, ice-cream cones
Lobster, crab and prawns 

Silly hats, short shorts
Wetsuits, bikinis, costumes
England football shirts 

Red and white deck chairs
Bubble tents and picnic rugs
Sun loungers, wind breaks 

Buckets, spades and flags
Shells and seaweed intertwined
Soft waves lap ankles 

Water skis, dinghies
Speedboats and banana rides
Windsurfers, jetski 

Ticketty-Boo man
Tackle shop, Marsh’s boat trips
Twin jettys, rock pools 

Peveril Point

Nov3

Follow the coast path
Sailing club, yachts, private beach
Dogs pounce on the waves 

Rolling and dipping
Traverse fermenting seaweed
Rocks green and slippery 

Rough sisal plaited
Lobster pots stacked on jetty
Empty of their catch 

WellingtonTower
Capital relic import
Clock from London Bridge 

Lifeboat on alert
Orange and blue bow pokes out
Slipway clear, ready 

Danger. Rocks submerged
Beneath the surface, hidden
Snare the unaware 

At Peveril Point
Coastguards watch, all day vigil
No flares, SOS. 

Steep cliffs drop to sea
Loose rocks, wild vegetation
Mind, keep from the edge