Yes, the earth moved for me!

James and I have just been away for a few days (more details later), and arrived back late on Tuesday night to James's house in North Lincolnshire after midnight. After making a cup of tea, changing and cleaning teeth, we were ready for bed at about 12.45am.

Shortly after, at around 1am, there was a low rumble, the floor started shaking, the rumble got louder and the whole house was shaking. The event probably only lasted 15 seconds, but was a scarry and very strange experience. We wondered what it could possibly be. Were we over-reacting or imagining it? Was it a gas explosion from one of the large chemical plants on the nearby banks of the Humber? James looked out of the window onto the street, and several neighbours lights were on, and a few people had wondered out into the street (one man still in his pyjamas). They had obviously felt the same experience and we could hear much debate as to what had happened.

We decided it had to be an earthquake, although we have never actually felt an earthquake at first hand (I guess the Japanese earthquake simulator at the Natural History Museum doesn't count?), although an earthquake in England seemed unlikely!!

It wasn't until the next morning that we uncovered the full facts. It WAS an earthquake. Biggest in the UK for 25 years. 5.3 on the richter scale, with the epicentre in Market Rasen in Lincs - only approx 20 miles away! How bizarre......

A bridge too far?

I’m pleased to say that James is back in my life and has decided to make a permanent change in his life in order for us to be together and to allow us to plan a future together (aah!). We have agreed that he won’t move in to my house but he does come and visit, and he also has his own cottage where I can visit, so effectively each of us has a holiday home also!

I was really pleased when James found a lovely cottage to live in. It was unfurnished, so he asked if I would help him choose furniture, design the layout and get it looking homely (dream come true – as if I would say no!!). The only problem was that he lives in North Lincolnshire, and I live in East Yorkshire. About 25 miles apart. Not really much driving distance, and certainly not a problem if we are talking long distance relationship. Anyway, he works a couple of miles from where I work, so he is often around East Yorkshire.

When he moved in, he had lots of boxes of stuff but very little actual furniture. The first evening, after lugging in lots of boxes, we ordered a Chinese meal and then realised. I had brought a couple of fold up garden chairs, but there was no table. In an inspired idea, we used James's workbench, with a piece of hardboard over the top, and an old curtain as a tablecloth and....voila...a table. One candle in the middle, light the open fire, and it was a cosy and inviting room!

After a week or so, and a trip to Ikea, and a few ebay bargains, James had some great looking, modern furniture and the place was feeling more like a home.

The only problem was the bridge. Those of you who know me, will know that I have had a bit of a fobia about bridges. (Something to do with an uncontrollable urge to drive off the edge…..I won’t bore you with the detail). For me to visit James, I need to drive over the Humber Bridge. It’s a mile and a half long and is (or maybe was?) the longest single span suspension bridge in the world….or something…anyway, it’s really scarry, with a vast expanse of water below.

The first time I drove over to see his new house, it was SO windy that it was closed to high sided vehicles, and reduced speed limit. For me, it was a white knuckle ride. But I did it! (the things we do for love…!) Since then, I have travelled in thick fog, more high winds, sleet and darkness (that’s ok). It’s really expensive to cross over (£2.70 each way), so James bought me a book of bridge tickets to encourage me to visit!

Anyway, I feel ok about crossing the bridge now. It’s not as scarry as I thought. Perhaps all I needed was the right incentive!

Spring is Sprung

Why is it that we get through Christmas, and we think how lucky we are that we haven’t had much of a harsh winter (apart from maybe half a day of snowy slush) and then the days start to lengthen and buds start appearing and all seems like Spring is on it’s way and we have hope of improving weather…….then it gets bloody cold?!

This week has been freezing, and generally feeling very cold. Last week, however, I took mum and Toni to nearby Burton Agnes to walk through their ‘snowdrop walk’. We also found some 'erantis' which have not seen in the South of England and are prevalent in North Jutland and remind mother of her childhood (in fact she has a Royal Copenhagen porcelain dinner service that has a pattern showing this flower).

The snowdrops at Burton Agnes are in gardens, fields, woodlands, all full of snowdrops. Thousands of them. Well, probably millions. I believe there are loads of different varieties, although they all look rather similar – small, white, delicate. It’s one of mum’s favourite flowers and we always make a point of looking out for the first snowdrop of the year. It’s lovely to have a winter walk, looking at nature, and to stop at the café for lunch.

In the Woodland Walk there are lots of sculptures and surprising things. I told Toni that I wouldn’t show the photo of her doing her owl impersonation……but, well, I had to really! (sorry, Toni!)