5/31

Day Five

Normal waking up today, I would think. My neck is in about the same state as before, but slightly less stiff. Had my normal toast with butter for breakfast; then we took the dogs across the street to play around in the neighbour's huuuuge garden. Really though, it's absolutely massive. It must take ages to mow it and trim it and water it and do whatever needs to be done to it. But it's a nice house, so I guess that's one of the expenses of living there. After the dogs were done running about, we drove to Hay Tor. It was extremely windy, as expected in England's mountains and hills, so my hair had no prayer of staying nice. I eventually just gave up on it and let it run like mad with the breeze, as it continuously begs to do. I was actually getting pretty winded walking up the hill, which is a surprise. I usually don't tire out so fast... I guess it's because all of the heavy food I'm eating and how much I'm not exercising anymore! Need to get back on that, pronto. I'm starting to chub up again... eek!

For lunch, we went to the Rugglestone Inn, which I have eaten at twice now! It really is good, and it was a nice day to eat at the tables outside. I had a nice roast beef salad (Figures for being in England. FUN FACT: The French nickname the English "Roast beef" and the English give the title, "Frogs," to the French. Wanna know why? Because those are typical meals eaten there!). I actually think I got a little sunburnt while I was there. No matter; I need some sun anyway! I'm whiter than Casper.

After the lunch, we walked around the reservoir, where a good variety of flowers were beginning to bloom. There were SUPPOSED to be some rhododendron there, but the seasons have been all wonky lately, so we're a month behind normal functions. However, there were some very lovely bluebells-- I've already explained my absolute adoration for them-- that were scattered here and there. The walk was so, so calm. We were basically alone, maybe one or two people there. But the wind was so soft and cool, and the sun was so warm, and the water was falling ever so gently, and everything was so serene and wonderful. I'd like to go back there sometime with a towel to lay on and a book to read. After the reservoir, I went to the post to mail some postcards to a few of my friends! Sadly, they'll arrive around six days from now. I wish it didn't take that long, but C'est la vie*. I have to deal with it! I took a nice walk around the Abbey gardens while I was there.

Supper was a shepherd's pie (I was made a special gluten-free one), and a rhubarb crumble and custard for dessert. Oh, my, I ate WAY too much of that. But it's a good full. The kind of full where it's uncomfortable physically, but satisfying mentally. Yeah. That's a good full.

When I was at the reservoir, the inner peace I felt was spectacular. It's nice to finally be able to not stress about having quizzes, or tests, or finishing a paper. Make sure you have some time to yourself. I know keeping busy may be a priority to you, but have some "you" time and relax once in a while. You deserve it. You really do.

*French: Literally, "That is life"