Monday 17 May 2010

A Day Outdoors

I'm feeling a little bruised this week after a bit of an unpleasant incident yesterday. Off I trotted to the car boot for a gleeful hour of bargain hunting all by myself, only for it to all end horribly half an hour later when I realised some complete sod had stolen my purse. Luckily I noticed quickly and cancelled the cards etc but the shock lasted a lot longer.

My own fault really; being in a rush I shoved my purse in the bottom on my basket (under a sheet) but it must have been on view at some point and was swiped. Usually I just take along cash in my pocket but I think I was too busy thinking about not staying out too long and getting back to Woody and the boys and took the whole thing with me.
And most sadly it was my lovely green Cath K purse that I bought with the vouchers given to me by my old work colleagues. My mum and sisters have been very sweet and ordered me a replacement between them, I can't believe how kind they've been. I've registered with an counter-ID theft agency so hopefully that should be an end to it, just waiting for the new cards to arrive now. So very frustrating and at least I'm ok but please, do be more sensible than me and watch out now the car boot season is really underway, there are some horrid people out there.
So, as you can imagine I really needed cheering up so a day outside in our lovely local woods was just the thing. We're really lucky to have an idyllic RSPB wood just around the corner from home and it's a regular haunt for us throughout the year. This weekend the leaves and bluebells have really unfurled and it was the most calming, peaceful place to be.
The wild garlic is in full bloom and smells delicious - I forgot to gather any though. Something to do with the bundles of sticks I was having to carry for two little boys I think (what is it with boys and sticks?!)
This time we finally completed the whole walk all the way down through the wood to the canal and steam railway line and then back again.
Stopping off for a bit of dam building, hide and seek and some bird watching meant it took us all afternoon but who cares - summer is nearly here and it was a day absolutely made for meandering.
This is the lovely Red Lion pub that greets you on the canal bend and for many years you could only reach it by train or canal. We love to stop here for a treat of pop and crisps and watch the barges or steam engine pass by.
I'm not sure if these rather elegant houses (a bit more than cottages aren't they) were built by the railway company or the water board but I would love to live in this house with it's lovely vegetable patch, in this peaceful valley .
We made it home in time for tea and a well deserved sit down. All my troubles melted away and I slept like a baby. Being out in the open; the best therapy there could be.
Have a lovely week and hold onto your purse!

36 comments:

bellaboo said...

What a horrible thing to happen,so sorry.My OH always tells me to 'hang on to your purse' when out and about.I think a purse belt round your waist would be a good idea next time you're at the CB.
Glad you were able to unwind on that lovely walk..what a beautiful place!

Bellaboo :0)

silverpebble said...

Oh what a horrid shock you've had. That looked like the ideal walk to chase away the feeling.

Jackie said...

So sorry to hear about your horrible experience, which must be so upsetting. Thank you for sharing your tale so we can all be aware of these horrible people who can strike when we least expect it. Sending virtual hugs xx

Catherine said...

Poor you! What a horrid thing to happen! Glad the walk helped you feel better.
Cx

Victoria said...

That is just awful!!

I always put my purse in the basket when I'm shopping. I shan't do it again! x

Alchamillamolly said...

Oh poor you, glad it didnt let you spoil that special day with hubby and the boys. That place looks idyllic. I have a dream to stay in a cottage at the side of a canal but have always had a problem locating one - have you noticed if any of those properties along the way are holiday cottages?
I am going to search on the web to find the pub to see if they do b&b.

driftwood said...

what a horrible thing to happen, hope everything is ok.

Jacquie said...

Oh how ghastly . Shuch a nasty shock.
Your walk looks like the perfect tonic to sooth the nerves.
Jacquie x

Sophie - Chez Sophie said...

Thats rubbish! what horrid people there are out there. How lovely that your mum & sister sre getting you a new purse. The woods look idilic.
Have a lovely week.
Luv Sophie xxx

Emma Bradshaw said...

grrrr ~ what a pain, glad you're feeling better! Emma x

Angela said...

I forgot how "difficult" it can be living in Britain, there are some really terrible people around. I currently live in Japan and it is the complete opposite here. Everyone leaves their wallets literally "hanging" out of their back pockets, on top of their bags, or shock horror, on a table (in order to reserve it) while they go order their lunch! Can you imagine that in good ole Blighty, not a chance, too many villains! It's such a pity, there are good people out there, but unfortunately it always seems that the bad outweigh them. I love looking at your woodland photos, especially the bluebells. I can't remember the last time I saw them in real life, and the smell, someone needs to invent smelly blog for those of us missing the perfumes on English countryside. Just this morning, I took my puppy down to a local square where they have a rose garden displayed. They concoct this garden every year and fill it to the brim with roses. Can you imagine my absolute delight. Every day since Saturday when they set it up, I have been down there sniffing them, not sure what the Japanese make of this strange English woman, but eh, who gives a? There are some beautiful David Austin old fashioned repeat bloomers. I had my concierge (sounds posher than it is!) call the company who set it up and guess what, they are for sale in two weeks time. I have already picked out the one I want, a beautiful pale pink one, although I shall probably require a small bank loan to purchase it, Japan is so flipping expensive!

Thanks again for your beautiful piece and hugs to you on your unhappy event.

Angela x

maryelizabethroche said...

I had my purse stolen years ago. I had just gone to the bank, I was carrying quite a bit of cash, a gold necklace I needed repaired, and pictures of my brother who had just passed away. I was devastated because of the pictures. Two weeks later I received my wallet with my drivers license, my library card, and my pictures! A woman was mowing her lawn and found my wallet in a ditch near her road...obviously the person who stole my purse took what they wanted and tossed it aside. I was touched that someone took the time to mail me what I missed most.
Proof that there's good people among the few that are bad.
I'm sorry about your awful day!!...

M.E.

susan said...

That's not very nice now is it? Let's hope they try to use a card somewhere and they get caught.

KC'sCourt! said...

Same as Susan! I do hope they get caught.
Julie x

Celia Hart said...

Oh poo! that put a downer on the day for you :-) I hope someone somewhere finds your pretty purse and it makes it way home. Which doesn't help the horrid sick feeling and hassle you've had already.

What luck the sun shone so you could spend time in the beautiful wood and by the canal.

Celia
x

PS that pub looks very familiar - maybe I went there on a canal boat holiday many many years ago.

Just Original said...

You cannot trust anyone now a days!

Glad it did not stop you having a good weekend though. I think the houses were built by the waterboard, it looks very similar to one we were going to buy that used to be the waterboard supervisors!

Vanessa x

Greedy Nan said...

So sorry about the theft - it shakes you up and even though you know that there are some bad people, it's not nice to think they've been in your space.

Amanda said...

Oh I am so sorry to hear about your purse... what a shame!

As for boys and sticks... well, Tim still hasn't grown out of that one!!

Pixiedust said...

So sorry to hear about your purse, I'd have been shocked and horrified too. What a shame it was a favourite CK one too. So nice that your family have clubed together to get a new one for you. The pics of your walk look lovely. Being out in nature always seems to lift the spirits. xxx Pixie xxx

The Fairy Glade said...

I had my purse stolen in Sainsbury's a long time ago now. I was vaguely aware of a couple round every isle, or so it seemed to me. The woman came really close and stretched up to the top shelf for something. I thought it was odd at the time, but it was Christmas and very busy and eveyone was fraught. When I got to the till to pay, I realised that my purse wasn't in my pocket. Similtaneously, a member of staff appeared at the checkout with my purse which had been found by a member of the public in the ladies. Empty of money, naturally. So they got their shopping on me and I had to go home empty handed! No plastic card in those days. I felt sick for days as I had lost virtually a whole weeks wages. Dev x

Katy Noelle said...

Isn't it so strange when we live such a beautiful life (not perfect, but, lovely...) and something so black passes by? It just doesn't fit or make sense. Too bad that everyone can't live the life they could but that's a huge topic, no?

Steff, when I see that there's a post from you, I always give a little cheer. Your small adventure with your boys is just too wonderfully fun! We've been so busy with the move for two years, now (our house is a bit of a fixer upper) and I'm just remembering about all of this and on the look out for just this sort of thing!

thank for sharing, as always,

Katy xo

Katy Noelle said...

...."can't live the life they COULD"? ....they would if they could but they can't? Well, you know what I mean.

Shsjndkdns said...

Hi Steph,
Sorry to hear about your purse, I hope your lovely day out helped a little x

Frances said...

Oh Steph, I am so sorry to hear about that theft. It's crummy to realize how folks make use of happy occasions to do bad things.

We have a marvelous farmers greenmarket held in NYC's Union Square Park several days each week. It is great fun, very crowded, and definitely a place to mind where your possessions are.

You are clearly a positive-minded person, and have turned your mind to beautiful nature for a cheering up. Well done! xo

melanie said...

I am so sorry to hear about your purse been stolen, that is just awful, there are some truly dreadful people in this world.

Sally said...

So sorry to hear that your purse was taken...same thing happened to my mum in Hanley Tescos some time ago and she was heart broken. It's not just the money, it's the little tokens, photos etc that you carry with you that really hurt. Glad your Mum and Sister are replacing the purse, that's lovely of them... Sally

French Knots said...

What a horrible thing to happen, whilst we all know there are grotty people out there it's so upsetting when they impact our lives. xx

Karen said...

I am so sorry Steph but very glad you were able to take your mind of it. I find being out in the fields or woods, listening to birdsong especially at this time of year with flowers and blossom everywhere a great balm for everything nasty and Springwatch is back on the 31 May. Karen X

Bobo Bun said...

Some people are complete pigs aren't they Steph. Sorry that happened to you. It always seems worse when you're up with a lovely day planned. Glad you turned it round and looks like you had a great day with your boys.

Hope the kittens are doing well by the way.
Lisa xxx

harmony and rosie said...

Poor you, it feels like a real violation when something personal is nicked but thankfully you were able to sort it out (even the CK purse, phew!) which is the main thing. What a beautiful walk, so pretty down by the stream, we've been gathering the wild garlic at every opportunity - yum!

Kate x

*Ulrike* said...

What a rotten thing for someone to do! Once, my hubby had bought a new wallet while we were in a tourist town, and placed it in my purse till we could get back to the hotel. Someone took it out of my purse, but HA! it was empty, serves them right!!! On a different note...that was an absolutely beautiful walk! I would love to live in such a surrounding!!

Jo said...

It's just rotten when it happens to you, isn't it? I must admit I can be really careless about leaving things on display, so you've given me a gentle prod to take more care. Thank you.

Isn't it lovely though to be able to get out and about at the weekend with the little ones? Your walk looked lovely,

Jo xx

Country Style Living said...

So sorry to hear about your bad experience with your purse...it's not just the loss, but the organising and sorting afterwards and worrying what other damage these people could do! I am glad you had a lovely day, the next day...lovely photo's

prettyshabby said...

Hello Steph,
what a meanie,Dont you just hate the sneakiness of it.. and i know that horrid feeling and frantic searching before your stomach hits the floor with panic, not nice.You'd think with a rather bright green spotty purse they might have gone for something less conspicuous! i am a great believer in what goes around comes around so any day now the sneaky purse thief might get his comeuppance. Lovely photos of the woods, you just cant beat woods in springtime, that lovely earthy/garlicy smell. Harry still brings sticks home after his walks (thats Harry the 17 year old not the dog!!)so the boy-stick thing must stay with them forever. Hope your week just gets better and better now xx

Hesta Nesta said...

Hi Steph
I'm so sorry to hear about your purse, it leaves such a horrible taste in the mouth when something like that happens - some people are so horrible. We had an attempted break in five years ago at our cottage just after we had moved in - thankfully nothing was taken only the back door damaged, but it was horrible to think what might have happened! Take care and just hold on to the thought that most of us are honest and decent.
Jo xx

Hi! My name is erica. Would you be my friend? said...

That's a lovely walk! I'm glad I read the newer post about your purse first! :)