D is for Duck!

Blogging is a funny old thing - one with which I have a love/hate relationship, but this morning I found myself looking back on the photos and records of our motorbike adventures and realised what a fantastic resource I have compiled over the last 10 years and more here in a virtual little space on the internet.

Blogging has been an adventure - one where I have met new friends and met up with many - travelling to meet them on our motorbike. Back in 2002 we were visiting the Scottish Motorbike show and I bought a duck back pack. I fell in love with him and has since travelled evrywhere with Jon and I when we go out on our motorbike adventures.

One project I am proud to share is ABC Wednesady - a little idea I had many many years ago. Each week as we worked our way through the alphabet we would post a photograph and sometimes a few words. The project took off and spans the globe with  many contributions each week. It is currently in its last chapter under the team I am part of before entering a new level. When I read that Liz  had joined in it made me think again. Liz is a blogging friend of many many years - as are many of my other blogging friends. One day we will meet up with Liz and it will be on our motorbike - and yes the duck will meet up too - with Delilah!

For more ABC follow this link

We're all set! Departing tomorrow!

Neighbour looking after the hens.

Sadie and Bing had an extensive play on the beach before going to their luxury accomodation.

Some of the places we will be frquenting shortly!

Watch this space!

N is for narcisus and numbers

I have been making the most of the good weather and have nearly finished planting up the front verge. I have lost count of the exact number of bulbs I have actually planted as I clear out old grass and squeeze a few bulbs in at each opportunity. Often a session sees me plant anything up to 50 at a time. I have done the sessions in a slightly erratic fashion - initially starting by the gate nearest to the house, then the end nearest to my neighbour as Emma was in the garden and we were chatting, then I tackled the middle of the space as I had a different selection of tulips and so my reasoning continues in a hap hazard fashion such I put down to the Mrs Nesbitt approach!

I am planting a selection of bulbs, mainly Narcissus, tulips, grape hyacinth and blue bells. It is very addictive and due to the wonderful tool called the internet I can source sound suppliers, indeed as I write I have 250 bluebells on route. I also have about 230 tulips, 130 mixed narcissus to keep them company!

I spent most of Saturday planting, Sunday was a lovely day so we had a tootle over to Scarborough on the motorbike. Whilst I wore my leathers I was well wrapped up with my fleece tights courtesy of Asda.

To think that only last weekend when I was planting away I was wearing my shorts! The sudden change in temperature saw me scrambling for suitable clothing at the drop of a hat - but I think I am sorted now. Warm jumpers seem to be on the cards now.

When the days are wet (like today) I continue with the clearing of the second bedroom ready for the plasterer coming on 27th. I plan to clear the room by Friday 24th leaving me Saturday and Sunday to strip the wallpaper. When I read that last sentence I try not to feel a hint of panic if I stick to my guns I should be on plan as I know next week is busy but I'll carry on. I have decided on the colour anyway - sticking to the Farrow & Ball colour scheme I am going for Tunsgate Green as I want to keep the room light. The view is lovely from that room so I don't want to take the focus away from the window.

Watch this space!

Terrific Tomato Pasta.

We go to the Isle of Man on Friday for the TT Races, my ABC Wednesday contribution is a little late as we have been so busy, but as with all of my contributions for this round I wanted to share something that had been a success here in the Nesbitt household, cheap and something I would cook again.

Planning meals is an essential part of my losing weight, together with regular exercise and a healthier lifestyle. I walk the dogs every day, attend a Zumba fitness class once a week as well as a total toning session. This is a manageable activity programme for me. I enjoy the beach walk - every morning, it sets me up for the day. A group of us are there, everyday and whilst the dogs play, run and exercise together, we pass the time chatting and walking - discussing everything from The Archers, Menus, the price of potato crisps in Asda and what jobs are on the list today. I also enjoy my Zumba and Toning classes - simply because the instructor is an inspiration - hilarious yet the results happen.

Often I plan my daily meals whilst out walking but there are times when I find myself unprepared or at a loose end as what to cook for dinner. These are dangerous times in a diet as becausesuch things happen when I am hungry it is so easy to reach for something which may be instant and filling but not a good choice for the diet. I have got a jacket potato down to 10 minutes in a microwave - 10 minutes is a good time to chop up a salad and get a decent filling together. Whilst this suits me Jon prefers a more substantial choice and that is where Bachelor's pasta Sauces come in!

I can get a Bolognese from start to finish in a matter of 15 minutes. Basically I boil 3/4pt of water and pour over the sauce mix. Microwave for 15 mins. Meanwhils in a pan frylight onions, mince (optional) peppers, mushrooms, chopped celery and any other veg floating around. When pasta is cooked stir into pan and add lots more chopped tomato and spring onion. It makes TONS and is TERRIFIC so so so TASTY! Now frylight have a garlic seasoned spray I often spray some thinly sliced French bread with thefrylight and pop into the oven for a couple of minutes - sprinkle parmesan on for a kick!

Sitting here writing this has made me so hungry - this is an ideal supper  for tonight - there will be enough for tomorrow night and it is an ideal way to use up anything lurking in the fridge!

Tata for now!

For more ABC fun follow the link in my sidebar.

Withernsea and Beyond

 

Weather was lovely yesterday so we headed up the coast to Withernsea.
 

 

 

Wasn't sure what we were expecting but it did remind us of Bridlington.
After a walk along the High Street we headed off for something more remote.

 

 

 

 This was more like it!

The beauty that is Spurn Point can be seen from above here.

Keeping an eye on the weather.

We made the most of the weather at the weekend. Our initial plans were to head towards Hull on Saturday - but as we headed over the moors it was clear we were heading in the wrong direction - it would seem the best weather was literally at home, so we turned round and stayed local. Sunday however was truly glorious. The forecast was excellent for the North East Coast, so we headed out and followed the coastline. We decided to venture further than Bridlington which we find too commercial.
Jo, had written about a little adventure here
so we decided to head for Fraisthorpe.





As soon as we pulled in I realised we had been before....so after a quick toilet visit we headed further North and as we were tootling along we passed a sign "To the sea front" so we followed the road and came to a lovely little gem - will definitely be a picnic stop on future expeditions. Willsthorpe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the motorbike we headed towards Hornsea and had an ice-cream. The views were wonderful.  

 

 

 

 



WE had wanted to go further but time was pressing on so we headed home via Scarborough. A wonderful afternoon - we will go there again and head towards Withernsea. For more ABC fun follow the link in my sidebar.

Summer?

Yesterday, Thursday the weather was quite glorious so we made the most of it and went for a tootle on the California. We tooled over to Thirsk, returning home via Sutton Bank, Helmesley, Scarborough and Whitby.
We stopped off in Scarborough and as the promenade was quiet Jon snapped me with this new sculpture.

'Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers' is a giant steel structure made by Ray Lonsdale, an artist, fabricator and sculptor and is now on permanent display, thanks to the generosity of a local Scarborough resident.

The sculpture is based on a retired miner Ray became friends with who turned out to also be one of the first soldiers to relieve the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the end of World War II.

This piece of art is not just about Freddie Gilroy but represents all the normal people that were pulled out of an ordinary life and forced into a very extraordinary and dangerous one during the World Wars.

Ray Lonsdale, sculptor from County Durham said:

"Scarborough is a unique town and I am pleased that my 'Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers' will be on show there for residents and visitors alike to look at and enjoy. This piece is almost a war memorial as it depicts the lives of all those who suffered during the World Wars".

"I hope that people get enjoyment from my sculptures but also reflect on the sensitivity and emotion which I have tried to convey through my work."

The sculpture is located near to the Oasis Cafe on Scarborough's North Bay.

Ray also has 'High Tide in Short Wellies' sculpture on the beach front near the Coble Landing in Filey and an exhibition in the Arts Bank at Saltburn-by the-Sea .

 

As we headed over to Whitby from Scarborough there was a definite change in the weather and rather than turn right for Whitby we turned right for home. It was a race against the approaching rain but we arrived home just before the rain arrived.
I think Summer is on the way out but what a wonderful few months we have had.

The hens enjoying a dust bath yesterday.

Food and Fun!

Yellow tomatoes are my ABSOLUTE favourite type of tomatoes...a particular favoured breakfast is microwaved or grilled yellow tomatoes with laughing cow cheese on toast.

One of my all time teas is a simple egg and chips. A neighbour gave me some lovely fresh potatoes so I chipped them and cooked in the oven, a Slimming World method. Eggs - lightly stirred and microwaved for 75 seconds. Put  both ingredients together result...FABULOUS!

Same egg recipe but on toast!



At the weekend when I was walking Bing on the beach one of the fishermen gave me a lobster...cooked I hasten to add. I had never used a lobster before so after some googling I came across this recipe... We had it as a starter but I modified the recipe quite a lot. I felt the paprika was too overpowering - I added cumin and lots of black pepper.

 

Main course was Fillet Steak, our favourite.

 

 

On Saturday and Sunday we were out tootling on the motorbike - the CB1300. We went to friends  on Saturday, getting slightly wet in the process and Sunday we tootled over the moors to Fridaythorpe just outside Norton near Malton, returning home via Stamford Bridge and Caste Howard, stopping for an ice-cream nearer home.

 

 

 Good Fun and Good Food I would say!

For more ABC Fun follow the link in my sidebar.

 

Events

I have been busy sorting and decluttering - I made the mistake of taking out a box of old photographs.......our big day, 25 years ago!

 

Last weekend we had an expeditions - to Sunderland. It always amazes me how the people from Sunderland do NOT understand us when we speak and vice-versa. I was asked which part of Wales I was from not so long ago!

 

Saturday our Evening Meal was Swordfish loin - first time I have cooked this but must say it was delicious.

 



A change from the Moto Guzzi on Sunday - back to the Honda

to the Ridewell event at local Preston Park.

 



Jon fancies one of these next - a BMW!

 

 



Back home Bing continues to grow!

 

 



and the hens enjoying a dustbath.

Bev (the black one) is now over a broody period and is now giving us the blue eggs we love.

 

Mabel has taken to laying her eggs in the wood shavings container inside the henhouse.

 

My neighbour has a new puppy - Reg (far right - photo position not his political leaning! lol)

As Emma works part time I am the official puppy minder and see the dogs have exercise and Reg eats his meals.

Awwwwwwwwww!