Lately ....

If we were hoping for an Indian Summer, then so far this month we have been disappointed.

The weather has turned decidedly autumnal.

Nevertheless, last week, optimists that we are, mr digandweed and I booked a beach hut at Wells next the Sea for the day.

Don't be fooled by these photos - the wind was very cold and the day was peppered by heavy storms!

Unsurprisingly, we had the beach more or less to ourselves.

But the inside of the beach hut was cosy and it was lovely being able to retreat inside and make a cup of tea.

Apart from a windswept time at the beach, there have also been some blustery walks through local woods.

At the end of this month, I am joining dear daughter on a 10 mile sponsored walk around the city of Nottingham in aid of Maggie's, so I am getting in some practice. 

Maggie's is a nationwide charity providing help and support for people with cancer.

They are beautiful, individually designed buildings situated within hospital grounds providing a 'home from home' away from the hospital ward.

When dear daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma this time last year, we were very grateful to have a Maggie's centre on the Nottingham campus.

They provided our daughter with financial advice, as well as support regarding hair loss and also put her in touch with another young woman going through the same thing.

During the long hours of chemotherapy ( 7 hours at a time), it was a lovely friendly place for me to pop into. 

There was always a warm welcome, a cup of tea and a place to eat my sandwiches around the kitchen table which forms the heart of every Maggie's centre.

A wonderful charity.

And back in the kitchen at home, I have been baking.

On a cold, autumnal afternoon, cake and tea is what you need!

This is a cake I made the other day: a sponge cake rippled with blackcurrant puree and baked in a bundt tin.

Hoping the week ahead is a good one for you.

annjenny

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