Post Comment Love - 6th - 8th March 2026

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

Please leave a comment with the host you link up with and we'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter/X tag us and we'll RT. You can find us here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby Please also add our badge to your post.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

Well March snook round quickly didn't it?

This week has marked the start of spring for me. Sunday was St David's Day and I promised myself a walk up the Malverns. I didn't set out till 4.15pm, but as it's not getting dark till later, I was able to get up to the top of the North Hill and home before the sun set. It was a tad windy.

Monday I was off to Birmingham to watch the football and it was the first midweek night match where I didn't wear my dry robe and thermals. I always arrive early and I sat and read my book.

Tuesday I stopped off at the garden centre to buy some new trays so I can plant some seeds indoors and Peter and I headed up the North Hill and stopped for a coffee, it was dark by the time we got home, but we did a bit of shopping also.

Wednesday I planned to pot up house plants and sow some tomato and herb seeds but Peter jet washed the under cover area and I decided my time was better spent having a coffee and blogging.

Thursday I was out running again via the Doctors for my 8 weekly B12 jab.

And not one drop of rain all week.

I'm not being fooled just yet though, it often snows in March, but for now I'm enjoying the warmer and drier weather.

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Word of the Week - Brighter

It's not rained for 5 days and I've not worn a coat for 3 days, although I have taken a coat with me and left it in the car, just in case.

It's still been a little chilly, but I'm indoors most of the day and it's been manageable.

Things have been looking brighter this week. Not just the weather but me as well. Work has been much improved, far less stressful and so far only one stray object has hit me, which was a deflection and so far I've just been called a 'crap teacher' no F bombs, no fights and quite a bit of cooperation from some students who previously have shown very little respect for themselves let alone anyone else.

I went to Birmingham on Monday after work and wore my normal winter coat rather than my dry robe, which has now gone up in the wardrobe in the loft, leaving so much more space in the downstairs loo.

Peter spent 3 days cleaning the patio area, it was full of debris and spiders webs and I'll be spending Sunday putting it back together.

The pots will be moved into their new positions and I'm looking forward to replanting the herbs that have survived the winter under the cloches and sowing some seeds ready to plant out in these beds once they've been weeded and compost from the bins has been dug in.

I'm back out running, no where near as far as I should be considering in just over 5 weeks I'm running a marathon. We've been walking the Malvern Hills after work as it's light enough for a stroll followed by a coffee after work.

I don't actually mind the winter, the cold and the dark evenings, it's the rain and ill health that has caused me the biggest problems, getting out and about. Picking a marathon date for April wasn't my smartest move for someone who hasn't run before with only 26 weeks to train to run 26 miles, but I'm getting there. 

I'll be running longer distances over the next few weeks now the ground is drying up and it's lighter as Malvern isn't the latest of places and a lot of my running route options involve fields which have been waterlogged up to now or industrial areas which I haven't considered safe to run on my own in the dark.

I haven't done half the jobs in the house I promised myself I would do over the winter and most of that is due to being the only one who wants to get anything done. I find I work much better if I'm on my own and I'll have a splurge over the next two weeks while Peter is away in Turkey visiting his friend.

Whilst the sun isn't necessarily shining every day, it's not raining, it's getting darker later, it's definitely warming up. More places are opening up and opening hours are extending. I've a couple of camping trips booked, some park runs lined up and several football matches to look forward to before the end of March.

The Easter holidays are on the horizon and then the summer and more of the above. So it's all looking brighter, all round.

The best bits of February 2026

Lots of grandchildren time and a visit to Northern Ireland and a week in the campervan.

Time with the grandchildren in England also and our other grandson turned one.

Lots of football.

Signs of spring in the garden.

We had a day out in Ludlow after a visit to Kinver Edge Rock Cottages.

We celebrated Stephanie's birthday.

I think we love in one of the most beautiful places in the world, on the Malvern Hills with views for miles over The Severn Valley and the Cotswolds, Herefordshire in the east and in the west the Black Mountains.

I've been enjoying reading when I've been out and about.

My marathon training has improved along with the weather and Peter will often come and pick me up from wherever I end up and join me for a coffee and the occasional gluten free cake.

Lots of plans for March which obviously involve a lot more football, camping, grandchildren, travel for Peter and marathon training and of course, chocolate.

Week 8 2026 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

The Negatives

My burn is really hurting as it's healing.

The stopping smoking is taking all my focus.

My calf muscles hurt from running.

The Positives

My burn is healing.

I'm not smoking.

I've been running.

Saturday 21st February Woken at 2am with a sideways motion on the ferry on the Irish Sea. Went back to sleep and woken again at 5.30am with all the lights coming on and public announcement. I had some breakfast in the lounge, freshened up, filled my coffee flask and down to the car deck. Straight off the ferry. Random police stop about where I'd been, then a 2 and a half hour drive home and back by 9am. Unpacked the van, washing machine on, everything put away and I had a long soak in the bath. Peter and I went into town for coffee, I had my nails done and after lunch the afternoon was spent watching Birmingham on the TV and finishing the washing and tumble drying. Dinner and Winter Olympics in the evening and an early night. The cat hasn't left my side since I got home.

Sunday 22nd February In bed all day with a headache, feeling sick and an upset stomach, spent most of the day sleeping, felt so tired and every muscle ached. Forced myself up out of bed around 2pm and had a long hot soak in the bath, still feeling nauseous and headachy but stomach settled so decided to have some fruit and felt much better. Around 4.30pm I went out for a coffee, taking it slowly and felt so much better, came home for some toast and stayed downstairs, reading and blogging, watched some TV with Peter and went to bed after another bath at 9pm. Still headachy and feeling nauseous. Pink fluffy clouds.

Monday 23rd February Woke early and struggled into work and through the day, not helped by being told off by a colleague who had failed to do what was needed in order for me to do my job, just didn't like me pointing it out by asking for help for the rest of the week. Home via the retail park. Decided to ditch the coffee shop after getting some more plasters for my burn which is really throbbing, bought myself some flowers and an M&S meal in an attempt to start eating properly. I retired to the sofa with a banging headache, managed a bath and was in bed by 9.30pm. Peter went to visit his friend in Lyme Regis for the day getting home at 7.30pm in time for dinner and to watch Man Utd. 

Tuesday 24th February A few issues in work, but otherwise all ok. Home via the coffee shop so I can sit in peace and complete some job applications. Still not feeling 100% A light dinner, bath and an early night. A light dinner, bath and an early night. Pushkins is enjoying the drier and warmer weather.

Wednesday 25th February A day covering Spanish, all year groups and in different classrooms and all good lessons, no hiccups. I just wish every day could be like this. Home and straight out for a walk up the Malvern Hills, well more of a route march. Peter met me in town for a coffee. We decided to get my burn checked up at the local A&E as my arm was swelling and the area was red and getting bigger. 3 hours later I was told it was healing nicely, it was part of the healing process and not an infection, a proper dressing was applied which I can change myself in 48 hours and if any further problems to go to the nurse at my GP surgery. That ties in nicely with B12 jabs and blood tests next week. Home for a late dinner, bath, finish watching Millwall v Birmingham on the TV instead of my phone and bed.

Thursday 26th February My stress levels are through the roof, my arm is killing me, the stopping smoking is driving me mad, I only took the tablets for 4 days as the side effects were awful so I've been going cold turkey, it's the habit that's the hard part, not the nicotine. The addiction is the going outside in the morning with the cup of tea, after work/dinner, before bed. Work...fights, sworn at, things thrown at me, daily occurrence. Stressed with EE, went to the gym, had a coffee. Home, dinner, read and bed. Some TLC needed in the garden also.

Friday 27th February I'd like to say work was reasonable but it wasn't. It's not acceptable to feel unsafe in the work place, sadly I'm not the only one who feels this way. Picked Peter up on the way home and we went for coffee, home for dinner, watch TV, bath and an early night.

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week.

Word of the week - Easier

My Garden in February

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Post Comment Love - 27th February - 1st March 2026

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

Please leave a comment with the host you link up with and we'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter/X tag us and we'll RT. You can find us here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby Please also add our badge to your post.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

Sorry for the delay in commenting on your posts. I'm all caught up now. Thank you to those of you who take the time to comment each week. I appreciate it.

Sometimes the weeks just races by and I find myself up late on a Friday night writing this post, other times like today, it's Monday evening and I'm putting this together. Who knows how the rest of the week will go?

I'm back in work this week after a week off visiting the grandchildren in Northern Ireland. If you didn't know what I do for a living, this photo should help. I took it on the ferry. There's no escaping it.

The cat is pleased to have me home, didn't leave my side over the weekend, how I didn't end up flat on my back side every time I tried walking somewhere without tripping over her, I'll never know.

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Word of the Week - Easier

I've not been well over the weekend and the beginning of the week. Headaches, sickness and an upset stomach. I've not been eating properly, sleeping well and my burn on my wrist from last week is irritating me. I'm unhappy in work, I really don't like my new job, despite all the support I'm getting from SLT.

In fact everything is irritating me right now. The weather, the permanent grey skies, the drive to work with all the potholes, the flooding and the road works.

I'm behind with my running and training for the Brighton Marathon and it's all got on top of me. Combine this with stopping smoking and putting all my focus into that. I've not been in the best headspace.

But there is a sliver of hope. The ill health is short lived. I've applied for 2 new jobs. Spring is only round the corner. Stopping smoking will help me with the running of the Brighton Marathon on the Day. I've just got to stop deal with what is going on now, be thankful for what is to come and just get on with it.

Easier said than done sometimes.

I dragged myself out of bed on Sunday afternoon had a deep, hot bubble bath. Got dressed and went out for a coffee.

On Monday I treated myself to some flowers.

On Tuesday I applied for some new jobs. I cannot fault the support I receive but it is very stressful and I just don't need that level of stress in my life anymore.

On Wednesday I went for a walk.

Thursday, I'm off to the gym.

Peter helps me out in the week by washing my cup and preparing my coffee in the mornings and taking the car off charge so I can leave on time for work.

It does make things easier when you have someone to help you and it does make things easier when you're not so hard on yourself.

My Garden in February 2026

I haven't ventured any further into the garden then the patio other than to take some photos all winter.

I took the cushions in from the chair as they were getting a bit damp earlier this month and just take them in and out when I need them.

I tend to sit out here in the morning with my cup of tea in all weather, wrapped up in a blanket.

These photos are only two weeks apart. It means I'll have to move the pots out of the cold frames soon as I'll miss the bulbs flowering.

All the pots in the cold frames have bulbs as well well as over wintering the herbs. I'm hoping the frosts and snow have finished now, but we had a hard frost last week, so who knows?

All our pots have excellent drainage and are placed on gravel, which is a good job with all the rain we've had this year.

This area has been a dumping ground for excess soil over the previous two years and is the last part of the garden that needs landscaping. It's no where near as waterlogged as it has been over the previous years, especially if you consider our neighbours garden is higher than ours and the overflow from their path drains onto this area.

The fleece blew away early in the new year and I didn't bother replacing it. Everything has survived and there are new shoots and buds appearing.

I'm tempted this year not to plant any veg and just fill the raised beds with wild flower seeds and create a colourful and vibrant garden and just enjoy it rather than working in it.

What do you think?

Week 7 2026 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

A burn on my right wrist.

No running this week.

Medication making me nauseous and actually sick.

The positives

A week with my grandchildren in Northern Ireland and lots of cuddles.

I haven't smoked for a week.

Saturday 14th February Had a lie in then off to Worcester for breakfast. I'm limited with what I can eat trying to avoid surgery with my gall bladder and being gluten free. The yogurt was soy to cater for the vegan market, so I opted for scrambled egg on toast. The egg had been over cooked and the toast was rock hard despite not even being browned. We took a walk around the town, lots of flooding from the Severn. Did a bit of food shopping and home to pack the van after Peter cleaned it for me. I went out in the afternoon for a 2 hour coffee date with a friend and home to make the bed, do some washing and drying and iron the fitted sheet after Peter had done the rest.

Sunday 15th February Woke at 8am and by 9am I'd put the last few bits in the car and was on my way to Birmingham. A bit tricky getting to my pre booked parking with road closures, but got to St Andrew's and in my seat an hour early for the FA Cup game against Leeds. It was 1-1 at full time and went to extra time, then to penalties and we lost 2-4. I then drove up to Birkenhead, stopping at Stafford Services for an hour for dinner and had a half hour nap in the van. I got to the port at 7.30pm and lay down and read my book, wrote some letters and watched Tv. Boarded at 10pm and spent the night in the lounge and slept from 11pm till 5.30am on a sofa.

Monday 16th February Drove off the ferry at 6.45am and at sons by 7.30am. Quick cuddles with eldest grandson before he went to pre school and day spent with Dil and youngest grandson. Plenty of rest, then off to do a food shop and collect grandson. I had a nap on the sofa in the afternoon in between playing with cars and reading stories. After dinner and stories at bedtime, I set the van up, wrapped up some gifts, had a shower, got in my pjs, read some of my book then settled down for an early night in the van on my sons drive. 

Tuesday 17th February Woke around 2am with one cold foot. Back to sleep and woke again at 7am as grandson went to nursery. Van was frozen on the outside and door was hard to open from the inside. Made a hot water bottle, cup of tea and a flask and back to the van for a couple of hours watching TV and reading. The flask lid wasn't on properly and I badly burnt my arm. Morning spent with youngest grandson and I walked the dogs. Caught the bus into Lisburn for a bit of shopping and afternoon with grandson. Eldest back around 4pm and we played cars, had dinner, tossed some pancakes, did some colouring while son and Dil viewed a house, stories and bedtime. Dil out to hockey, pancakes for son, then I got ready for bed and went out to the van to read and was asleep by 9pm.

Wednesday 18th February Woke around 6am after a solid nights sleep, nice and toasty, drifted back off till 7am to see grandson off to nursery, have a wee and make tea and refill the hot water bottle, back to bed in the van with the heating on finished reading my book and made a coffee. After walking the dogs we collected grandson from nursery and went to soft play for a couple of hours, picked up some shopping and I cooked cottage pie for tea Lots of stories read at bedtime and I was out in van at 9pm, but I stayed up till 11pm watching the TV.

Thursday 19th February I didn't sleep well and woke several times during the night, up at 7am feeling sick, think it's the side effects from the stop smoking medication. Dil took eldest to nursery and went to the gym. Youngest grandson and I spent the morning at home, he had a nap and I caught up with some blogging. We went out at 12pm to visit a friend for tea and cake for an hour then collected eldest grandson and went to a couple of shops. Home to walk the dogs and picked up a coffee on route. The sun shone briefly late afternoon so I packed the pop top away and made up the bed on the bottom.

Friday 20th February Woke up at 7.20am and a bit startled as to where I was. Felt sick and took my meds with some food. By the time we got oldest grandson to preschool I got out the car and was actually sick twice. While son and Dil went to sort out stuff for the new house, grandson and I went for his breakfast in a coffee shop. We all met up and did some shopping and home. I finished packing the van and had a shower and had some more time alone with youngest grandson while the dogs were walked. Oldest grandson home and we did some sticking and he played in his room before tea. Tyres topped up, air and fuel tank refilled and after saying my goodbyes, I drove to Belfast for the 10.30pm ferry back to Liverpool. Sat in the van watching TV and blogging waiting to board and grabbed myself a sofa in the lounge for the night. Youngest grandson pulled himself up for the first time.

On the blog this week:

Word of the Week - Camping.

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week.

Marathon Training - Stopping Smoking.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

20th- 22nd February 2026 Post Comment Love

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

Please leave a comment with the host you link up with and we'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter/X tag us and we'll RT. You can find us here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby Please also add our badge to your post.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

I've spent the week in Northern Ireland visiting my grandchildren. I've been sleeping in the campervan on the drive.

We've been to the park, soft play made pancakes, been colouring in, played with cars, had endless cuddles and stories at bedtime and lots of fun.

I'm on my way back home tonight on the overnight ferry which takes 7 hours, there are no cabins available so I'll have a pillow and a blanket and try and grab a sofa in the lounge.

I've also taken a huge step towards stopping smoking this week and so far it's been really good.

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Word of the Week - Camping

I'm aiming to camp in the van every month in 2026. I managed a night on my friend's drive in January.

I'm in Northern Ireland on my son and Dil's drive for half term. it's cold, wet and windy outside but lovely and snug inside. Peter opted to stay at home for the week which worked out well in the end as Birmingham reached the 4th round of the FA Cup against Leeds which was played on Sunday the 15th so after the match I drove on up to Birkenhead for the overnight ferry.

I couldn't get a cabin so slept on a sofa in the lounge with only a 35 min drive when I reached Belfast. 

I'm only using the campervan for sleeping in, going out to it at 9pm after a shower and getting into my pjs, with a hot water bottle and a mug of tea.

I'm waking up at 7am and it's a quick dash into the house for a wee, refill the hot water bottle, make a cup of tea say goodbye to eldest grandson as he goes to pre school and back to bed in the campervan for an hour. It was tricky opening the door one morning.

The campervan has diesel heating that runs either off the mains or the solar panels. I've plugged into the mains while I'm at my sons, if I camp for just one night I tend to use jsut the solar panels. I only need the heating on for an hour at night and an hour in the morning to get the van warmed up.

I sit in my dry robe until it warms up.

When the diesel heating is running and the roof is popped there is enough ventilation with the canvas, but when the roof is down I need to have a window cranked.

I opted to sleep on the bottom bed on the last night (Thursday) as the canvas had dried and it was due to rain on the Friday and it could be 2-3 days before I might be able to dry it properly, so I dried round the external rims and folded the top down.

The downside of sleeping on the bottom bed is not having a table, but there are plenty of surfaces to put things on especially as I'm not cooking in the van either or even having to make a cup of tea in it.

I packed my clothes onto hangers and placed everything int he wardrobe, just taking what I needed into the house each day, just leaving my washbag in the bathroom.

I'm travelling home on the Friday night ferry, again no cabin available and I've a 3 hour drive home so I'll be making a couple of stops on the way home for a coffee and a lie down on the back seats.