The Fox's birthday

Monday turned into a busy day.

I spent the morning on the phone, trying to sort out the holiday insurance. I’m relieved to say the process seemed easier this time. The questions asked seemed more sensible & relevant to our medical problems. The prices were all around the £200 mark, some considerably less. We’ve not yet bought any but at least we’re under way.

The afternoon saw a trip to the hospital for the Fox’s physio session – the last as it proved to be. This time it was decided to strap up the Fox’s back, which really did not help. Now we know if things don’t improve, or even worsens, it will be back to the GP.

After that we decided to head north. First we went to Beetham Nurseries. We’re still looking for some art feature/focal point for the garden. We’re seriously thinking that, unless we see something better, our best bet is to get a large terracotta Ali Baba jar, grow a small tree/shrub in it and then surround it with other terracotta pots of different sizes & shapes filled with colourful plants.

While we were there, we sat outside having a drink & I was struck by a fabulous tree peony. I’ve only seen them in books before. This one was full of yellow flowers. It looked wonderful. And we’re going to have one in our new garden. It should look great, nestled next to a magnolia. I just wish the job was done. The garden at the moment looks a right shambles.

After that we decided to complete the Fox’s birthday celebration with a meal over in Arnside, where we lived for some 23 years before moving here. We tried for a short stroll along the prom but soon discovered the walk around the garden centre, mixed with the back strap, meant the Fox had had enough walking for one day, so we headed off to the pub, the Albion.

The Albion has been enlarged since we lived in Arnside, turning a rather grotty games room into a nice restaurant. The people who run the Albion are the people who used to run the Pub in its heyday. So we soon found familiar faces.

As we passed the outside tables we were met by Keith, a retired policeman &, like us, a former regular of the Pub. With him was Paul who used to have the fish stall at Morecambe Farmers’ Market. He too has retired now and moved from Beetham to live in Arnside. They regularly meet up to go for a ramble together. We joined them for an hour’s chat and catch-up before venturing inside for the meal.

The meal was good though the quantities were a bit overwhelming. We both ended up feeling a bit bloated. Nonetheless we did polish off a large bowl of pea & ham soup each. The Fox then polished off the Steak & Ale Pie, while I had the Pork Medallions & black pudding in mustard sauce.

It was late when we left – that is late for us i.e. after 7pm. We decided to complete the trip with a trip round by Arnside Tower, a ruined pele tower, along the coast to Silverdale, skirting Leighton Moss the RSPB bird sanctuary & our first marital home at Crag Foot, noting some of the changes that have occurred since we lived there & generally reminiscing about past times..

We arrived home exhausted, but filled with good memories & having had an enjoyable day. Yesterday was spent quietly recovering before we get back to the chores of the big food shop today.