At the end of October 2012 I had much better weather for my walk along the shore. In fact it was prefect walking weather, cold and bright without too much wind. Back then work had not long begun on painting the tall flats and the whole of the Itchen Bridge could be seen across a sea of rubble on the old Vosper Thorneycroft site. So much has changed in just over two years but so much remains the same. Continue reading Sea, sand and pebbles – first published 30 October 2012
When the clocks went back in October 2012 it left me feeling tired and grumpy. A wet walk to work didn’t improve my mood but going through the parks and a friend with far worse weather problems to worry about soon had me counting my blessings. There is always someone worse off. Continue reading lighter mornings, darker nights and a ‘famous’ actress – first published 29 October 2012
Oddballs, people who don’t quite fit in or seem, at first glance, a little strange are everywhere, I might even be considered as one of them. Without them the world would be a far less interesting place in my opinion. After all, the oddballs and weirdos are often the artists, poets, writers, inventors and the people who have ideas that change the world. Ok, so being odd isn’t always good and some weirdos are probably best avoided but a post from the end of October 2012 celebrated some of them. Continue reading Job hunting, walking and weirdos – first published 26 October 2012
Some days it seems as if all that can go wrong does go wrong. You make all the right plans, do all the right things but, somehow, everything conspires against you. Those are the sort of frustrating days that can leave you feeling frazzled, cross and as if the whole world is against you. If you’re very lucky though, you will have friends who know just how to make you feel better. This post is about some of mine. Continue reading disappointments and good friends – first published 16 October 2012
Mostly I walk alone, hence the name of this blog, but it’s always nice to have a little company on a walk. For some strange reason not a lot of people like going for long, rambling walks so it isn’t often anyone wants to walk with me. Occasionally Commando can be persuaded but I always know he’d rather be running. My boys, on the other hand, are all quite fond of walking. Maybe it’s because I dragged them all on walks from an early age. When Commando decided a second training run in the New Forest was in order, my son Bard jumped at the chance to come along and join me for a walk. Continue reading A forest walk in good company – first published 14 October 2012
The other day I was talking about my stupid memory and some of the embarrassing situations it has got me into. Today I’m going to tell you about one of them. It isn’t strictly memory related really, more about having too much going on and losing track of the days but still. In fact, when I first found it in my blog archives, I did consider just pressing delete and consigning my shame to the bin on my Mac. In the end I decided everyone could do with a little laugh to brighten up a cold winter day and if that laugh is at my expense, so be it. Continue reading Monumental cock up on the twilight Race for Life – first published 7 October 2012
There is something about me and rain. At times it feels as if there’s a little black rain cloud sitting high in the sky waiting for me to step outside the door. Looking back on my old Fatgirlslimblog posts from 2012, I realise this isn’t something new. It can be all blue sky and sun when I leave the house but, within minutes, that blasted black cloud has appeared and started raining on me. Something else I noticed when I looked back was the huge difference between my job then and my job now, not just in what I did but in how I was allowed to manage my workload and the freedom I had to do things my own way. Continue reading dancing, walking and the odd memory foam pillow – first published 3 October 2012
Living just a few miles from the edge of the New Forest, as we do, means we tend to take it for granted. People come from all over the world to visit the lovely forest on our doorstep while we drive through on the way to other places and forget how lucky we are. Isn’t it always the way? Occasionally, we remember it’s there and have a little wander to remind ourselves just how beautiful it really is. The end of September 2012 was one of those occasions. Continue reading A nice walk in the New Forest – first published 30 September 2012
The invention of the iPod and, before that, the Walkman were, in my humble opinion, the best technological advances in modern times. Ok, so neither have ended world poverty, cured diseases or won wars but they have made music accessible at any time and anywhere. For someone who walks long distances this is wonderful. Quite often I don’t use my iPod at all but, on a miserable day or a long walk where I’m struggling, having the music I want with me in my pocket can make all the difference and, in times of stress, the right song can soothe and calm. Back in September 2012 my poor overstuffed mind needed a bit of both. Continue reading The motivation of music and some parks – first published 28 September 2012
You may have worked out by now that I have a shockingly terrible memory. It’s something I wish I could change but I can’t so I’ve learned to live with it or work round it. Back in 2012 I saw a TV programme that got me thinking that having a poor memory might not be as bad as I’d thought. Thinking about this somehow got me thinking about happiness and what I could personally do to make the world a happier place. Continue reading memory, happiness and being creative – first published 27 September 2012