Blood test results; meeting a friend and enjoying a Grand Day Out.

 Well, I'm thrilled to bits!  I just rang the surgery and asked for the results of last week's blood tests - and everything except thyroid is very good; thyroid medication needs adjusting, that's all.  I am particularly pleased (over the moon in fact) with the HbA1c (blood sugar level) reading of '53 - good control' as I only control the diabetes by diet, not medication. I was dreading this reading as I have had no diabetic check-ups for 2 years.  And b r e a t h e.

I started my renewed lifestyle with a vengeance last Friday, meeting with a friend who was down in Cornwall  - we had wished for a dry day, after many rainy ones, but hadn't reckoned on the beginning of a heatwave.  She was staying in Paignton, Devon, so travelled to Cornwall by train; we had just over 5 hours together before she needed to catch her train back to her B&B.  I thought long and hard where to take her, wanting to show her the very best of my beloved county within reasonable distance of the railway station. I decided on Rame Head, which has spectacular views along the coast road which ultimately leads to the Coastguard Lookout.  

On Thursday afternoon, I arranged with Ben, the owner of the Cliff Top Cafe, for a takeaway lunch as I knew we'd stand no chance of finding a seat or table at this time of year; we collected that on our way through to the Rame Head parking area - only a dozen or so cars there, no caravans or motorhomes because the final part of the road is too narrow for big vehicles. In the car, I had two comfy folding chairs, a small table, a coolbox and as usual, my little camping stove, kettle, crockery, cutlery - and lots of water for Pat and myself as well as Benji. of course. 

We set up the chairs, put a bowl of chilled water down for Benji in the shade of the car and settled down to our picnic.  Prawns in Rose Marie sauce baguette for Pat, chicken, avocado and lettuce wrap for me, plus a chilled J2O Spritz each from the cool box.  A Galia melon was duly sliced up to make a refreshing dessert I can't remember the last picnic I had - it was lovely  and I must do it more often!  

After clearing away and re-packing the car we set out for a stroll along the coastal path; the wildflowers were a picture . . . but here I need to make a confession.  I had forgotten my camera so these photos are from a previous visit in May 2018, just to show how beautiful the wildflowers are that flourish on these exposed clifftops. 

Just to emphasise that these flowers appear in the Spring, not mid-July!

All other photographs were taken by Pat during our lovely day out.

Pat climbed up to St. Michael's chapel to enjoy the views from the top.  I watched from below!

There had to be one of Benji - it took several shots before Pat managed to get this one without him turning his head away!

Slicing the melon.

Walking up the slope from the Cliff Top Cafe, with St.Michael's church on Rame Head in the background.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day in Pat's company - I couldn't have wished for a better start to my resolution of getting out and about again, rather than Staying At Home as Boris demanded. I see from today's news that he's not so keen on doing that himself. 

We made it back to the station in good time for Pat to catch her train and I think we'd both had enough sun for one day. It was good to return home and switch the big fan on.  Benji fell fast asleep. stretched out on the floor and enjoying the cool air wafting over him.