Signs Of Spring!

On my way to the doctor's this morning there were, at long last, definite signs of Spring

and the trees on our village green looked splendid

I managed to get there without a panic attack (regulars readers will know it is very hard for me to go out) and I am pleased to say that my blood pressure is very good.  I had hoped to get everything out of the way this side of Easter but because my blood sugars are still holding higher than they should be, my doctor decided he wanted another blood test done that shows how they have been acting over the last three months before he would make any decision as to increased medication.  This could be done at the surgery he told me so that I could also be checked over the by the nurse at the same time - feet etc.  Unfortunately this cannot be done until the 19th April so fully are they booked.  So, alas, I will have it hanging over my head throughout Easter and I will not be able to have even a tiny nibble of an Easter Egg!

I was also a bit cross because when I went down with the flu type bug, it caused an infection.  I knew it caused an infection and tried to get antibiotics ten days ago.  I was told I did not need them, they were not necessary. Well, the doc looked down my throat this morning, felt my glands, looked into my ears and said............ you need antibiotics .......doh!  So, I am now on them.  Oh well, hopefully things can only get better.

A couple of days ago, Mike took the dogs down to our nearby river, The Crouch, not a very romantic name but quite a pretty place and very popular with boating enthusiasts.  Jack was very taken aback at this vast expense of water and stood for a long while just staring at it

He called Jesse for a second opinion

Mike never lets our dogs swim in this river as it is tidal and has very strong currents so could prove very dangerous but when the weather warms up they will go swimming in the lake he discovered last year.

The Crouch was well known for smuggling and there is still a place called Brandy Hole.  It is also associated with a witch legends:-

At one there was supposedly a family of witches by the name of Hart living in the vicinity.
As a witch, Mistress Hart suffered from an allergy to Church Bells. She was especially annoyed by the bells at Latchingdon Church. One night she removed the bells from the church tower and took them to Burnham where she attempted to take them to the opposite side of the river. Instead of a boat she used a barrel.  Not suprisingly neither she or the bells made the crossing. Legend has it that on stormy nights the bells can still be heard tolling from under the River Crouch.

The last Hart witch is documented as living in the early 1900's. Rumour had it that legions of imps were hidden in her cottage. One night a man was riding past her cottage when he met a vast army of small animals with fiery red eyes. He lashed his horse and escaped although to his dying day he claimed that the creatures were Mistress Hart's imps on their way to cause mischief.

Hope you all have a happy week dear readers.