Sunday, lazy Sunday

After yesterday's blue skies it was a bit of a downer to open the curtains this morning and see them a uniform grey.  I know "leaden skies" is a cliché, but I can't think of a better word to describe the colour of the clouds this morning.  And they weren't bubbly or shaped in any way, just flat, dull, heavy.  Need I say it was raining?  But at least I could still see the Downs even if the Portland stone of the Chattri was not gleaming in the sun.  This was the weather that had been forecast so the cynic in me was surprised not to see the sun.  It didn't seem to be raining too heavily so immediately after breakfast I took Fern for a walk before the rain got any worse.  That is what I would have done as a matter of course just a few weeks ago and I hope we are getting back to normal at last.  I did manage two walks yesterday, one in Stanmer and another round our local park, although both walks were somewhat shorter that what I would consider normal.  This morning I went to Stanmer Woods again and walked a little further.  I shall try to get out again this afternoon.  Meanwhile, read the blogs I am following and perhaps trace a few more of those elusive distant relations.

As well as easing the joints so that I can walk the dog more comfortably, the steroids I am taking are having another effect: I have developed a voracious appetite.  No sooner have I finished one meal than I am wondering what will be on the menu for the next and as for snacking in between...  Nuts, biscuits, chocolate bars...  At this rate I will very soon have regained the weight I have lost recently and more besides.

So I wonder what will be for dinner tonight?  We ate Italian on Friday - risotto - and Greek yesterday - moussaka - but should be back to English tonight with a roast.  I think I saw beef taken from the freezer.  And on that note we will leave you.  Except for today's picture.

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As I have taken so very few pictures just recently - yesterday's was about the only one for weeks - we will delve into the archive once again for another view of the château at Châteaubriant.  This always seems to me a peculiar mix of the defensive castle and sumptuous (for its day) living accommodation.  Nowadays the building is used as offices for local government.