It has been just over two weeks since my arrival in Ludlow, and as you can imagine there has been a lot to do in settling into my new home. Alistair was here for a week and then had to return to Spain to see to viewings that had been arranged for the house.
It is always strange those first nights in a new house especially in one as old as this, with creaking of floorboards and the like. I have grown accustomed to them now and love my little house with its little garden. Ludlow has markets on most days and yesterday was the flea market day. Corrine and I found some bargains and then joined Simone and JJ for a super pub Sunday lunch. It's so nice to be able to walk out of my front door and stroll around the corner to the shops, cafes etc. The town is full of tourists every day who come to see the Castle and explore the cobbled streets and their many independent shops, including three traditional butchers and three bakers providing a great range of products. Pork pies and Olive & pumpkin seed bread are my failings at present. I never thought i would eat toast in bed but find myself awake early around 6am after a peaceful nights sleep even with the window wide open ( lovely sash windows) no frogs or mosquito's just the sound of the birds in the morning - I sit in bed listening to them as I have my tea and toast and feel quite blissful. In the evenings I listen to Radio 4 on my new/old radio and it feels like i have stepped back in time.
My garden is small but cute and quite wild looking - I put out feeders for the birds and was told not to expect to see much happening for awhile till they found the food. In one day they cleared the lot !!! I now find myself buying copious amounts of food so the birds are as happy as myself and I think they are. Today I am going to so some work in the garden and have bought some penstemon's , passionflower and lavender to make a start. The roses need replacing and a general tidy up so I can see what I can add to the garden in the way of herbs and some design features, then I need to crack on with my photography - I have so much to learn and so much I want to achieve.
Alistair and I went on a 7 mile walk when he was here. It was organised by the people who run the Food Festival here in Ludlow and was a great way to find out about the area and also discover that my left knee seems to give up the ghost after approx six and a half miles. The walk had regular stops where food and drink were given from different sponsors and musicians and singers perform. It was really something, sat on top of a hill eating raspberry brulee, drinking perry and listening to a violinist. Loved it Loved it. I have bought myself some proper walking shoes which i wear every time I go out now. I might look shorter than usual but they make me feel like a local :-)