tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63243025434182216692024-03-05T17:49:05.962-08:00Faith*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-21616929514063175462017-11-25T02:59:00.001-08:002017-11-25T10:51:40.750-08:00Plenty<div style="text-align: justify;">
I never imagine when I blog, that it will be ages until I do it again, I have loads to say...plenty on the go...good intentions.....perhaps just not the time to go with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am now a month or so in on my Design Studies BA and I can't believe how much I love it....I did an art course....uuummm....twenty years ago and I loved it then, but went on to jobs, marrying, kids...all lovely things, but apart from a bit of painting here and there, art was largely forgotten.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been working a few relief-shifts in a local library, which I also really love....with that has come a couple of trips to other Welsh libraries, firstly a wonderful library in a beautiful old building in Llanelli. They've achieved an amazing space, which is part of, and being used by the community. I'm afraid I've become a library geek and can't understand people's negativity towards libraries....some of the things I've read in the local paper this week, about a planned new library, have made me feel very sad for people who don't see what I see. In all the comments on the article, they amounted to the same thing, libraries have no place in the now or in the future...although the commenters didn't put it quite so nicely. After our trip to Llanelli, we visited the <a href="https://www.llgc.org.uk/">national library of Wales in Aberystwyth</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wow, mind blown, and I went up a couple of levels in my love for libraries! I had the privilege of being allowed to look in the vaults at their archives and even more excitingly their Art section. Wow! I saw so much, most impressively the huge collection of work by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyffin_Williams">Kyffin Williams</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway....gosh...where was I....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So onto a few things I've been doing </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkHzchXGjdgmJMfpx2sB9psOBR12QuXxJymrdMEaPUj9wHPVEFVEcq9O7NosUByELjXcIGgiK23349boqehAwTEozZDL_RdRnQA2ILc0BEg4g7lC_Uj3iszDQHKzL9RabOdexB1mBFXNC/s1600/DSCN4896%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkHzchXGjdgmJMfpx2sB9psOBR12QuXxJymrdMEaPUj9wHPVEFVEcq9O7NosUByELjXcIGgiK23349boqehAwTEozZDL_RdRnQA2ILc0BEg4g7lC_Uj3iszDQHKzL9RabOdexB1mBFXNC/s400/DSCN4896%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rust dying...this is so exciting, although requires some patience...something that I'm not great at!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know I will do more of this as my head whirs with ideas when I'm unwrapping the results. One thing I am also in love with is dissolvable fabric which I am itching to do more with.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPly3mzRHidZE7yWxpIczAP9tXKn4MGBcFNR3jPwAVT_U1FJPyRpwNHT3HT-Dml7NSDABi31kfNBLwdVWtMI-TmS81ISwyW5RBxC1kaKxvYmY27Dwzu76Adw-ddBYtiwfyEDnD5n5i699P/s1600/DSCN4903%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPly3mzRHidZE7yWxpIczAP9tXKn4MGBcFNR3jPwAVT_U1FJPyRpwNHT3HT-Dml7NSDABi31kfNBLwdVWtMI-TmS81ISwyW5RBxC1kaKxvYmY27Dwzu76Adw-ddBYtiwfyEDnD5n5i699P/s400/DSCN4903%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Always said I was not much interested in dying wool....I've changed my mind.....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l6yEMgYOpNOFn4lYRg4MxLn7UuNEOAuN7bNu1nGgzA88bv0POSBQFLdR8-cAop1f-ax6da-KzATXQ-tCSerlqZslf8ORu8nGjucDEcss9_T90gM2ixpSquJSSYk76O8gk79mpW7Q-Ydw/s1600/DSCN4966%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l6yEMgYOpNOFn4lYRg4MxLn7UuNEOAuN7bNu1nGgzA88bv0POSBQFLdR8-cAop1f-ax6da-KzATXQ-tCSerlqZslf8ORu8nGjucDEcss9_T90gM2ixpSquJSSYk76O8gk79mpW7Q-Ydw/s400/DSCN4966%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have no idea what I'm doing with a camera, but I'm enjoying the process of playing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hopefully, next time will be soon....catch up again then.x</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-6202120386568618462017-10-14T07:50:00.001-07:002017-10-14T07:50:46.838-07:00Learning<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-pZJ_3U2ZCFNoeW8eJhIZmS0HIPV66kC4WOeHsuf9A1GF-ksOE-Hsl6FdPYciLhZzyREKFZpzXzAgg45PKmainYWhkJSj2I8r9YwJDrW51uuWYCQ1jVgwEDPJhUxGI63fWWElvRDOPWe/s1600/20171006_093346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-pZJ_3U2ZCFNoeW8eJhIZmS0HIPV66kC4WOeHsuf9A1GF-ksOE-Hsl6FdPYciLhZzyREKFZpzXzAgg45PKmainYWhkJSj2I8r9YwJDrW51uuWYCQ1jVgwEDPJhUxGI63fWWElvRDOPWe/s400/20171006_093346.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So last time I blogged, I was trying to make a decision.... and now.....I have!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've enrolled on a BA in Design Studies, which I'm still finding difficult to believe. I kept thinking and saying 'but art is something I would really enjoy' which in my head meant that it wasn't a sensible choice!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My head is ticking over with lots of ideas, I'm excited to start thinking creatively again, to see the things around me....funny....it is like something once loved and put to one side, has been brought out of the shadows and remembered!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I always used to be in the habit of photographing everything I saw, as I was always thinking about blogging, but it's a habit I have grown out of. Now it is required of me I can't wait to get going again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One thing I love is colour, like the purple berries I spotted among the 'old hat' red berries....I mean these almost look 'artificial' they are such an unusual colour....like jewels glistening in the sun.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LCfCWBRctwyBXThg93xyeEn65VnL0nDVwEIlvc1fPBPB84QQCZLZodT-t86e0YXozm-kPGpHm4OrN5hFiu3MGvUAYZz_KUXE8hDF1mTuKhCZaLjZRXmt-WI5DYCaGyMz15Yuv-BZXgth/s1600/DSC01394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LCfCWBRctwyBXThg93xyeEn65VnL0nDVwEIlvc1fPBPB84QQCZLZodT-t86e0YXozm-kPGpHm4OrN5hFiu3MGvUAYZz_KUXE8hDF1mTuKhCZaLjZRXmt-WI5DYCaGyMz15Yuv-BZXgth/s320/DSC01394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have ordered myself some raw yarn this morning, for a few ideas spinning around in my head...any pointers would be gratefully received, but otherwise I'm going to throw myself in feet first and see where the path leads.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had a wonderful time at Cardiff Half-Marathon, what an amazing event to be a part of....very inspiring and emotional</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8bcliL5k2hD-PZ30ap-2J0Jfq440UKxnFv6CTcMGkVZgPUEdbCbtqd3GlwazCacUpojxvJf6axBLlIsF6mKt3tyr96t9pv_yEKDBAEeiitZ9Ac61ZH-RqrKqheIoo0YQg3fgQiZJTZ91/s1600/cardiffhalf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8bcliL5k2hD-PZ30ap-2J0Jfq440UKxnFv6CTcMGkVZgPUEdbCbtqd3GlwazCacUpojxvJf6axBLlIsF6mKt3tyr96t9pv_yEKDBAEeiitZ9Ac61ZH-RqrKqheIoo0YQg3fgQiZJTZ91/s320/cardiffhalf.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-75054734451694029062017-09-28T05:31:00.000-07:002017-10-03T08:59:16.674-07:00Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGOi1mfV3A1PEbojDlCQ37GPD5un3RsvRIIHTV1Tx17Wn7gsLHlKXhRKcK4TZMK7ir9vSM2ljmCULBWE2UXxaTSdkIqhk3tbrcC5B_uAuZUoJxPxj5y3JXL-d8Jr3cpxpZNrC6OwlQW9Q/s1600/DSC01388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGOi1mfV3A1PEbojDlCQ37GPD5un3RsvRIIHTV1Tx17Wn7gsLHlKXhRKcK4TZMK7ir9vSM2ljmCULBWE2UXxaTSdkIqhk3tbrcC5B_uAuZUoJxPxj5y3JXL-d8Jr3cpxpZNrC6OwlQW9Q/s400/DSC01388.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow would be the day, if all had worked out, that I would have been starting in Swansea Uni part way through a BA in German (and a little French), a continuation of my three years part-time study with the Open University. A big decision, as it was sooo tempting to finally see a degree in sight. Reality strikes though and its not to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You see, the last year has made me a little fidgety and while time is flying past, I seem to have watched it feeling sad. I've been doing a bit of this and that, but nothing that has made me feel really content.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Working a few hours in the library has given me a glimpse of being an adult again and begin to feel more confident. Taking up running and entering a few races has done me the power of good and I've met so many lovely people (highly recommended!)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But having my hopes lifted and then realising that Swansea would not work out, was not all so bad....it has made me think about other possibilities.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Totally in reverse of where I am now, I have a real opportunity of another college course, one on my doorstep, one that feels like it might give me direction and possibilities.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now it's just to decide....not my forte</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I decide, there's always crochet and running! This Sunday I am running my second half marathon in Cardiff....there is a bunch of my running buddies going too, so it should be a sociable occasion...no pressure for times, it's such a big event that it's more about enjoying the experience with the other 24,000 runners (wow, I can't imagine what it will be like!)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last Sunday, I ran a 10k organised by a local running club and held in my village. It was wet, wet, wet, but I'm not a fair weather runner and quite enjoy the rain to keep me going. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not particularly fast, but see a small improvement each time I race....onwards and upwards</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrhE7DZ2vZ-XQVl8dhEfef7vaRM32qyreBXRXrzuGIyksTTqHVQC9xwynaaoy2wiYM0dPiYS758mZAu0D4QeKnyVesqFaobzHyHntPKgsJfUEEKLDu0yCQIIyy6Vnu4sTJeEYbOoggaQg/s1600/DBP_Dale2017_404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrhE7DZ2vZ-XQVl8dhEfef7vaRM32qyreBXRXrzuGIyksTTqHVQC9xwynaaoy2wiYM0dPiYS758mZAu0D4QeKnyVesqFaobzHyHntPKgsJfUEEKLDu0yCQIIyy6Vnu4sTJeEYbOoggaQg/s640/DBP_Dale2017_404.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(smiling as I'm on the last straight!)</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-48597742069876023562017-09-15T08:40:00.000-07:002017-09-15T08:40:05.420-07:00Small Hello<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKvFkVd4nvAnM_sLx0LOOUwXQhm5N2bhMp2NNJeiPGeXCjSOAMV7lwwYavNQCK3AXuvideG1EtEWJ4O2l0QAuCzkJkCujzlt684VghB_woZl8-jAdw3X35GdMpz2crKZGqMToKJIkgAWU/s1600/DSC01386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKvFkVd4nvAnM_sLx0LOOUwXQhm5N2bhMp2NNJeiPGeXCjSOAMV7lwwYavNQCK3AXuvideG1EtEWJ4O2l0QAuCzkJkCujzlt684VghB_woZl8-jAdw3X35GdMpz2crKZGqMToKJIkgAWU/s400/DSC01386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My latest crochet project....nothing too difficult beyond making the decision of which colour to use next. Feels about the best thing right now, as typically for the beginning of the academic year things are 'full speed ahead'. New classes for the boys, new commitments after school, new races to be run (and the training that goes with them), new plans to be made. I like all the newness, although it can become a bit difficult to prioritise.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been doing a few hours working here and there at the library and I picked up a crochet book which contained lots of ideas, none of which grabbed me, apart from the above pattern which, although not complicated is effective I think.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The library is such an amazing resource and so underused....(I might actually be becoming a library-bore). I find new books each time I'm there....shame that when it comes to book-reading time at night, I can barely keep my eyes open.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Small hello from me anyway...hoping to be back here more 😊</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-10998688659074429572017-03-21T06:55:00.000-07:002017-09-15T06:14:08.545-07:00March<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn8GrZqa9QhWH9eOtLe3quP-e019XVktAXRywBvgqBjMlnqWuNsySUb2aQMxofP7M3mDb6g2-f8eNdCvpU40MPUrB8cEFSSC4Ap1ttcLA0rcXUk2nKb2dMCKc17NfErKur2ES5myHPsWk/s1600/20170302_114753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn8GrZqa9QhWH9eOtLe3quP-e019XVktAXRywBvgqBjMlnqWuNsySUb2aQMxofP7M3mDb6g2-f8eNdCvpU40MPUrB8cEFSSC4Ap1ttcLA0rcXUk2nKb2dMCKc17NfErKur2ES5myHPsWk/s640/20170302_114753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It has been a busy month....again....but now things are beginning to settle. So many new things, setting myself a few challenges....the stirrings of spring have made me feel like taking on new projects....it's all good!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I had a mission to undertake recently, a painting commission that required me going on a bit of a recce to take some photos. The place wasn't really on my doorstep, so I decided to combine it with visiting another place I was keen to see. The panorama view above and the view below are of Llangrannog, a small coastal village with the most stunning coastline. This gentleman overlooking the sea, is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carantoc">Saint Carannog, </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbXaf8wkFZJ1as5c2gKR3WmfFOhi_1p3m7bbJ_VMT51NMhxC71Y6AAngSEtoXTImTIIJk7NwCQSftIdK_rw6D7pWsuDMso6Tfoyo-o94elC53knz-qhL9Uq2eBKikSgoGltRhLlRoffeS/s1600/Crannog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbXaf8wkFZJ1as5c2gKR3WmfFOhi_1p3m7bbJ_VMT51NMhxC71Y6AAngSEtoXTImTIIJk7NwCQSftIdK_rw6D7pWsuDMso6Tfoyo-o94elC53knz-qhL9Uq2eBKikSgoGltRhLlRoffeS/s400/Crannog.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I am very blessed to live right by the sea and the coastline is breathtakingly beautiful in Wales, I do rather like the more mottled colours in our landscape during the colder months, there is definitely something to see all year around.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIywfH2TKaoo-qRYD41aGsKl2Vyl7jV8xn5ftUBnz-w_WgAiAWZ2fltmDZ3zZvHAKhhehRrcCTs0cUx0eRgf3cLv2_7u4DBxcQnZexQz-aZRJYkow8lsMTjStwoCwZ6eHurJwmjTXuAI4f/s1600/DSC01150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIywfH2TKaoo-qRYD41aGsKl2Vyl7jV8xn5ftUBnz-w_WgAiAWZ2fltmDZ3zZvHAKhhehRrcCTs0cUx0eRgf3cLv2_7u4DBxcQnZexQz-aZRJYkow8lsMTjStwoCwZ6eHurJwmjTXuAI4f/s320/DSC01150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Ends can only mean one thing...a finished blanket....a stripey blanket at that.....this is my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moorland-blanket">Attic24 Moorland Blanket</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It has been a lovely project and fairly easily done. Two of my boys have recently been in a stage show of Oliver with the local operatic society. My oldest took the part of Oliver, so for the past five months I have carted him back and forwards to lengthy practices, sometimes three times a week. My trusty project bag has come with me every time, much to the amusement of the rest of the cast, but there was suddenly more interest as it looked more 'blankety'....some even sounded envious that I had something to show for my hours of sitting in the back of the hall.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Last week was show week and I got to shed a few tears at both my boys on the big stage....I am so proud of them both, especially the oldest having the courage to sing solo in front of a sold-out 300 seater theatre.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Thinking of it still now makes me emotional, the music, the orchestra, the costumes....it was a fantastic opportunity I won't forget and certainly the boys won't.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXnwAZznYPn7y18haB905jaDwF9kZXy3KDvZyc2MsxG9vELn9OD9sDnuO5tU9e87P5MZs0pld5WYez9Rl40Jrbvm6v4t3teY3nhUcpMJF2ATbN4ZhKC7h4OGKF21MFqKVi70I-ffJFsp1/s1600/Oliver.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXnwAZznYPn7y18haB905jaDwF9kZXy3KDvZyc2MsxG9vELn9OD9sDnuO5tU9e87P5MZs0pld5WYez9Rl40Jrbvm6v4t3teY3nhUcpMJF2ATbN4ZhKC7h4OGKF21MFqKVi70I-ffJFsp1/s400/Oliver.png" width="291" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Finally, I've been running again, this was a charity race for a Neonatal ward....it was muddy and steep, but a lot of fun! Look, I'm smiling, but most likely as I could see the finish line!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKtSO9SXnzvFE67FhnCQUT5AxQMT7C1Di3EvadBHmAdoubT7ojo4pOAys9BzvreCndsVouARVVlsMZkGS_dw_Fsrsizpf9dr5QzFbV27w9Zp0UCrUKDeYO5j-qxIf43ETXBufaclUWmyA/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKtSO9SXnzvFE67FhnCQUT5AxQMT7C1Di3EvadBHmAdoubT7ojo4pOAys9BzvreCndsVouARVVlsMZkGS_dw_Fsrsizpf9dr5QzFbV27w9Zp0UCrUKDeYO5j-qxIf43ETXBufaclUWmyA/s320/IMG_0833.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-48011801192872697402017-02-16T03:33:00.003-08:002017-02-16T03:33:23.464-08:00Walking, colours and crochet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH3mpcEyysIzTCFo47sCT_3q2gqCuHtN-mNsCxJqWgj2LzLtVeS4BRkdVD8psLPYrltx1Q15_-IGYRmkdkQGnbMoQ9VwPAQ2WSWQpmU2UoIQx9QsID1bZHOZsSHp7LFFkfLTNIww3O8gM/s1600/20170121_115853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH3mpcEyysIzTCFo47sCT_3q2gqCuHtN-mNsCxJqWgj2LzLtVeS4BRkdVD8psLPYrltx1Q15_-IGYRmkdkQGnbMoQ9VwPAQ2WSWQpmU2UoIQx9QsID1bZHOZsSHp7LFFkfLTNIww3O8gM/s400/20170121_115853.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Recently it seems, we've hardly had time to stop, I've been fetching and carrying a little more than usual and everything seems to be squeezed in. Thankfully, on two recent Saturday afternoons, I've managed to get all boys and dogs walking in the same direction and been out for a ramble in our wonderful surroundings.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This first walk was best part of an hour away from us, but a place we often drive past and think of planning a walk. From the road, the rocky outcrops look like three wolves, and I'd often wandered what they were like close up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The day was clear and crisp, perfect for appreciating the panoramas and seeing the landscape's rich colours.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c903zFRZwRWQrwGPJ4mWR7UfVl6LieHASRn2epdh3CYUVeGi793OPpHwxlGsFT5H-OK-ZHoEXKkr-1q7ETVp-NObdJ2ftCuzVKTB91abWcHH2xnM4oNuon7aSjFJC4UGYVIQWC-Xmgim/s1600/20170121_121612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c903zFRZwRWQrwGPJ4mWR7UfVl6LieHASRn2epdh3CYUVeGi793OPpHwxlGsFT5H-OK-ZHoEXKkr-1q7ETVp-NObdJ2ftCuzVKTB91abWcHH2xnM4oNuon7aSjFJC4UGYVIQWC-Xmgim/s400/20170121_121612.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All happy boys....one not so happy a little later on, when we got a bit off-map and ended up with a couple of extra miles under our belts ;-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8X1R-SaFWp1vgJ5DmL0IYiR7FCRL-1u7fnG2NSsPhMzpcSCneZlwzjims6-bYlXyLl7TYNrbg-HnMAhpuWxkpuXAAVNsCOm76pGLUhD0fW0I4aaSUH9y1ovxBZthMbELC1l3FpDQYZpM/s1600/DSC01015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8X1R-SaFWp1vgJ5DmL0IYiR7FCRL-1u7fnG2NSsPhMzpcSCneZlwzjims6-bYlXyLl7TYNrbg-HnMAhpuWxkpuXAAVNsCOm76pGLUhD0fW0I4aaSUH9y1ovxBZthMbELC1l3FpDQYZpM/s400/DSC01015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here, if you look carefully, is our collie Ned, watching his master, who is seeing what it would be like to sleep on top of a rock......hhhmmmm....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg1B0wxtXwTUQMlW0chFywpFBtqWan6K4SwVCMCqYTRxYLH59AZHY63UktRykVtQQvf2T35E1pgv3VPU-RYY_1QFKu5RYB9FKocooYnJT8V2TtkrRKffVWIVUu4TQNAfktfxHkf4CN7je/s1600/DSC01021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg1B0wxtXwTUQMlW0chFywpFBtqWan6K4SwVCMCqYTRxYLH59AZHY63UktRykVtQQvf2T35E1pgv3VPU-RYY_1QFKu5RYB9FKocooYnJT8V2TtkrRKffVWIVUu4TQNAfktfxHkf4CN7je/s400/DSC01021.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some curious ladies also enjoying the dry day</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXjJMziIaCP35-lISvoTgMCfSfJKwOCZ3eqJBLzTXg_DbFBfWs37s924lq7-18XE-XJDHLIlGXb_CX5RqtzzJf4xuxJWn8KfCK4fcero6gfQ-M3yu0KDt3YYOITPSnEB2IA8SkG8aRaQb/s1600/DSC01030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXjJMziIaCP35-lISvoTgMCfSfJKwOCZ3eqJBLzTXg_DbFBfWs37s924lq7-18XE-XJDHLIlGXb_CX5RqtzzJf4xuxJWn8KfCK4fcero6gfQ-M3yu0KDt3YYOITPSnEB2IA8SkG8aRaQb/s320/DSC01030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A view from the other side....the light was beginning to fade (after our de-tour!) and it was satisfying to feel like we had earned our supper after a half day walking.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1Ma_3_jNNFvWw8D7WpbpwC_nHW6sf6EHpUZDLM6mmcpD0s0wBLJg-GzB6bm9nYKCmiXQuAU4c8hScFvH-ax8OZGy69WO9A8p9aaRsGb5K5GgCsrgsKKTbvXuuYFFtnoC9CT4TY8F1Jun/s1600/DSC01035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1Ma_3_jNNFvWw8D7WpbpwC_nHW6sf6EHpUZDLM6mmcpD0s0wBLJg-GzB6bm9nYKCmiXQuAU4c8hScFvH-ax8OZGy69WO9A8p9aaRsGb5K5GgCsrgsKKTbvXuuYFFtnoC9CT4TY8F1Jun/s400/DSC01035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On the second Saturday, we ventured out in the same direction but to another rock, this one I can remember visiting when I was small child. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The day we chose to walk, was bitter and threatening rain, so it was rather shorter than the previous walk.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO15a7iOEL7SIuRpDefZ2xLZFevcmHr16OINN0OwZUSKgFXPKcYuUbBcjBp4xJFrTGqJ8X13N_JrRibPXCxqunn5bkr0Ui62CM-CYrSilxMOXJ38dBLPV5RZlOEZzThfRCidxpHthW_-sH/s1600/20170204_142744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO15a7iOEL7SIuRpDefZ2xLZFevcmHr16OINN0OwZUSKgFXPKcYuUbBcjBp4xJFrTGqJ8X13N_JrRibPXCxqunn5bkr0Ui62CM-CYrSilxMOXJ38dBLPV5RZlOEZzThfRCidxpHthW_-sH/s400/20170204_142744.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We did picnic on this walk, but it wasn't quite as successful, as we were all pretty cold and fed up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The colours of the hills and bracken in the back ground did remind me a bit of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moorland-blanket">Moorland Blanket</a>.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVv5srhr0WFbTWY9h9YDGIq0dZbo72M47sxhki1P1SSzLdXoTRUcvRRMpvfbtM103tHA51xXXTlgYpXfgRzFMI_5F34lNlX3lTdxdltbYwzlqN3Lic3r-8XKZ9K9bC6HMRFN4myP7Qa15/s1600/DSC01067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVv5srhr0WFbTWY9h9YDGIq0dZbo72M47sxhki1P1SSzLdXoTRUcvRRMpvfbtM103tHA51xXXTlgYpXfgRzFMI_5F34lNlX3lTdxdltbYwzlqN3Lic3r-8XKZ9K9bC6HMRFN4myP7Qa15/s320/DSC01067.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which is coming along nicely, as I have had to attend a lot of practices with my boys for a play which they are involved in. Initially I think that people thought me a little quirky with my crochet, but now they are seeing it grow it seems to be making more sense. In fact one of the ladies in the cast, came over and said she was making one too....it's a small world!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGRPgN6fTpCv1XT-RLUz92oLY_98nwbX5e4Hyjlr6VzGYQMcNwC81cHf1L0WtFW5z8ibVlubOvW7f93mnzy8cpRDwPVvQ7SHT9JZj7lg-LnU3EVRbRrk9bFH8Ytpl9FqII9DhTg_bqQXh/s1600/DSC01068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGRPgN6fTpCv1XT-RLUz92oLY_98nwbX5e4Hyjlr6VzGYQMcNwC81cHf1L0WtFW5z8ibVlubOvW7f93mnzy8cpRDwPVvQ7SHT9JZj7lg-LnU3EVRbRrk9bFH8Ytpl9FqII9DhTg_bqQXh/s320/DSC01068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-90123946866844515272017-01-13T05:38:00.000-08:002017-01-13T05:38:37.332-08:00New Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First finished project of 2017...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This was a kit bought for me by my in-laws for Christmas, it is gorgeous... a quick make and great finished bag. I haven't done yet, but I intend to sew some bias-binding along the handle to stop it stretching, but other than that, it is good to go.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oeer_SJXv3SZdIGq02kljGSJwwmvTFx-iOLTqDsQw6o04oaDXSspRvsyY760L8q_kD5ztIlCLYHW1oUP395r0Xf4I4wZJouxCUSmWYmiZgeOlf9Fc7L0J1HSR1SP6oEMgJmMFUONOwmR/s1600/DSC01007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oeer_SJXv3SZdIGq02kljGSJwwmvTFx-iOLTqDsQw6o04oaDXSspRvsyY760L8q_kD5ztIlCLYHW1oUP395r0Xf4I4wZJouxCUSmWYmiZgeOlf9Fc7L0J1HSR1SP6oEMgJmMFUONOwmR/s400/DSC01007.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Attic 24's Weekend Bag in Heatwave</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMGdJB3lvwVd0WrTE1p61qHq81hDlrnTtyXKkZOszgUuec9v7lQ_pPuT7fTKIkoufpTvPNT7yET4PQGcM2-HOMtkZDB3yavQuj3LlpkW-Ql9mLGEvzMzk9qXgzhC5L8G4ZQJnMA-xtNxV/s1600/DSC01001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMGdJB3lvwVd0WrTE1p61qHq81hDlrnTtyXKkZOszgUuec9v7lQ_pPuT7fTKIkoufpTvPNT7yET4PQGcM2-HOMtkZDB3yavQuj3LlpkW-Ql9mLGEvzMzk9qXgzhC5L8G4ZQJnMA-xtNxV/s320/DSC01001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Somewhere between Christmas and New Year's day, I finished off the last few remaining squares of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/last-dance-on-the-beach-scheepjes-cal-2016">Last Dance On The Beach</a> (Under the Stars colourway). I admittedly didn't follow it to the letter, there were two squares I just couldn't get on with (and a colour I disliked) and I swapped things about a bit. I'm quite pleased with the end result, its a colourway I normally wouldn't go for, but I really like the darkest brown against it and it somehow works ok.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73uClBUCX6NhaHsmqngl7Ef8eQtDw9yjyoLql6IS5y9WYGg6Qy4w53xp5m7i4dwSh_4CAfz0ivgiulwUG6cTMulZYVcTdeYDS1h8MGwAHpYRa4V3fqwEuJBVM1EnRCM1_E9F88mK20DpL/s1600/DSC00995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73uClBUCX6NhaHsmqngl7Ef8eQtDw9yjyoLql6IS5y9WYGg6Qy4w53xp5m7i4dwSh_4CAfz0ivgiulwUG6cTMulZYVcTdeYDS1h8MGwAHpYRa4V3fqwEuJBVM1EnRCM1_E9F88mK20DpL/s320/DSC00995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I would normally be a little out of sorts without a blanket on the go, but all is well, as I quickly took up this....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShDSMtypiXj1wsCvYaR9TGjzVYLXWFhBYTF_O-asALfWhoysIQCVHDWW3RK6FXnjkoCLq0doftmRuLTfOwZ5VQhEtOxaxbTHETuYh0k5k0zcXT1HldvRqs-XwD1KMDQJ4JXq5Dxxpa_ke/s1600/DSC01010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShDSMtypiXj1wsCvYaR9TGjzVYLXWFhBYTF_O-asALfWhoysIQCVHDWW3RK6FXnjkoCLq0doftmRuLTfOwZ5VQhEtOxaxbTHETuYh0k5k0zcXT1HldvRqs-XwD1KMDQJ4JXq5Dxxpa_ke/s320/DSC01010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moorland-blanket">Attic 24's Moorland Blanket</a> which was also bought in kit form for me for Christmas, this time from my parents (my family know me well!!) I'm enjoying this, the colours are beautiful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So busy with this and a few other less exciting things. Back to studying now and back with the running group I joined in October. Hopefully 2017 contains a few 10k runs and hopefully I get to set some new Personal Bests.</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-76990473688483423882017-01-13T05:17:00.002-08:002017-01-13T05:17:39.298-08:00Christmas 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I have spent about an hour trying to break into my blogger account....why does this happen....I blame the small boys who have been using the computer, changed everything around and then silently crept away...I have no idea if I will ever be able to sign back in again, so maybe I should just say everything I have to say now ;-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So 2017 is well under way and the routine has become the norm again, after the bliss of the holidays. Christmas was good, although quickly over. There was knitting</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrpit_rQmz2js_N1SArTE_J6YVZ9KbmvAZl4pE3QuEHKpu7OeQp_NIFeg7YVyl2B917TFkx-mh8EkDX3CslPuM1w_EFj7Ox6n6tWoHGU5Lu3tjVpiGgRjc-fqn7GzyAGkzA62yCWSP6h6/s1600/DSC00948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrpit_rQmz2js_N1SArTE_J6YVZ9KbmvAZl4pE3QuEHKpu7OeQp_NIFeg7YVyl2B917TFkx-mh8EkDX3CslPuM1w_EFj7Ox6n6tWoHGU5Lu3tjVpiGgRjc-fqn7GzyAGkzA62yCWSP6h6/s320/DSC00948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/225-degrees">22.5 Degrees Martina Behm</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
and crochet, a corner to corner piece which grew and then turned into rather a nice cushion cover</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi477T35Wk4k_H5nYlmzJ8epmWz8ITi5GoPd6h-RiXovYrEgmIKyKvi9FR7gw90v1-ttppEQohvJlxAS4HHSXkWL8c_zDi_LT2TXodbTBiNYpsJvJI5G_UUea9jhnrg9o8b93281sfBRQxX/s1600/IMG_20161028_140923%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi477T35Wk4k_H5nYlmzJ8epmWz8ITi5GoPd6h-RiXovYrEgmIKyKvi9FR7gw90v1-ttppEQohvJlxAS4HHSXkWL8c_zDi_LT2TXodbTBiNYpsJvJI5G_UUea9jhnrg9o8b93281sfBRQxX/s320/IMG_20161028_140923%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I took part in a lovely christmas present swap and received some beautiful gifts from a generous lady who had found out all about the things that made me tick. It was so exciting opening up gifts from a stranger on Christmas night when the boys were all settled to their own things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbsHGgwmvM3zJv2yxZRVrqWYZ-LCYM0fiQiEXZBM8cKkLEGJTq8m5-vqX2PJ0-z20UaJOJzAE3tK68mFzxIq9CTHFnVM1gU4tOEQtFWYPjo6tFVpdmCT2z_FE0kyc2OANxozaAfdkun_R/s1600/DSC00919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbsHGgwmvM3zJv2yxZRVrqWYZ-LCYM0fiQiEXZBM8cKkLEGJTq8m5-vqX2PJ0-z20UaJOJzAE3tK68mFzxIq9CTHFnVM1gU4tOEQtFWYPjo6tFVpdmCT2z_FE0kyc2OANxozaAfdkun_R/s320/DSC00919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One brilliant gift among all the lovely suprises was a candelabra, which I know is supposed to be used in a cake, but I put it on the grasshopper pie I made on News Year's day when we had family for lunch.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W-Tslg5Oanw1WDMxwY8blfk-8pvd68rx84e0ic7zQ4vV348eRqeBb1-5wN3z96S-MVux9j-KU76feNBLLXckpeeIldFmtYCpHxB9841XLJH1-y8ByfZ4k8Iv9j6rWpC8p7doYBaOPWKn/s1600/DSC00987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W-Tslg5Oanw1WDMxwY8blfk-8pvd68rx84e0ic7zQ4vV348eRqeBb1-5wN3z96S-MVux9j-KU76feNBLLXckpeeIldFmtYCpHxB9841XLJH1-y8ByfZ4k8Iv9j6rWpC8p7doYBaOPWKn/s320/DSC00987.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't that the coolest thing ever??</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I sent my gifts to America, lots of bits and bobs.... my favourite sort of presents.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKkf11_bVrvYaZ8lJfUWA4VNpDqZSBvX-cbi06uI0vJydsAgsg7q-sIdgi58ByoRejULCtyQhPpisq9jIQdeyCgy5rbL0FJqqV5zojDcGvD7Q1hTUbhhD72oLhRG47djXXtCAHaOBMkFL/s1600/IMG_20161125_211008%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKkf11_bVrvYaZ8lJfUWA4VNpDqZSBvX-cbi06uI0vJydsAgsg7q-sIdgi58ByoRejULCtyQhPpisq9jIQdeyCgy5rbL0FJqqV5zojDcGvD7Q1hTUbhhD72oLhRG47djXXtCAHaOBMkFL/s320/IMG_20161125_211008%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I knitted these mitts with some wool I bought in the Cotswolds when we were there in October....and packaged them up too for my giftee, (I'm assured by a genuine Californian knitter that people from California do sometimes have the need to wear gloves etc... (I had a small wobble half way through making and wondered if I'd lost the plot!))</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rUUktrZtafCrTwNmeI9MnKGKxxb9xELlSS_hkUPS9970DYG5NlLAqDXOHQyek3i5Bcq9Mf1U58OxHgCft3o1wHp_Sx2OBTyV5dBYBkfEJopX9TSnIJDPk5d6xQRxS4HTnZKOYMYcT9qf/s1600/DSC00907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rUUktrZtafCrTwNmeI9MnKGKxxb9xELlSS_hkUPS9970DYG5NlLAqDXOHQyek3i5Bcq9Mf1U58OxHgCft3o1wHp_Sx2OBTyV5dBYBkfEJopX9TSnIJDPk5d6xQRxS4HTnZKOYMYcT9qf/s320/DSC00907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I took part in my second 10k race in two months, which was a fun filled (apart from the huge mile and a bit hill at the beginning) run with other nutty people dressed in christmassy clothes. I crocheted my hat the night before and managed to keep it on the entire race, which was an endurance in itself :-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After the run, the finishers were given glühwein and a christmas pudding to take home....you can't say fairer than that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMD8lz6YV9htMIgzn_uGrbxn_MXeWsDDTsloCTzBPMcmA723xtM2yspwfL511h3XJEF7nGl6OkshQLCGAASwAoYRYOt172uQJTypRfZ3ghMbE9J37DVIAGYywNvRTsf9vogOdh5stwWN5/s1600/IMG_20161211_151157%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMD8lz6YV9htMIgzn_uGrbxn_MXeWsDDTsloCTzBPMcmA723xtM2yspwfL511h3XJEF7nGl6OkshQLCGAASwAoYRYOt172uQJTypRfZ3ghMbE9J37DVIAGYywNvRTsf9vogOdh5stwWN5/s320/IMG_20161211_151157%255B1%255D.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And then it was done....just like that...and me being me, started feeling the need for some fresh air and new plans....so that is what has been happening in small amounts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH6xS7OonSRQH-HtrVzGorBOEG0SMxJV43_eb__sIupRFdaQf6omT_L6KTaImO70plXK-TqqU3FrVynfXqL-flD5sR8Z0VagqMm_zcr9doPvBWwwc6xkcF0bFm5HeurdWhJa5Fh7diP17/s1600/DSC00964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH6xS7OonSRQH-HtrVzGorBOEG0SMxJV43_eb__sIupRFdaQf6omT_L6KTaImO70plXK-TqqU3FrVynfXqL-flD5sR8Z0VagqMm_zcr9doPvBWwwc6xkcF0bFm5HeurdWhJa5Fh7diP17/s320/DSC00964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No big challenges, or difficult-to-keep resolutions, just some good intentions which will be worthwhile and reasonable......watch this space :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-7717386907670047812016-11-22T03:46:00.000-08:002016-11-22T03:46:24.712-08:00..and sew on....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last year, about the middle of November, I decided I was going to make a 'skirt' for our Christmas tree, I had a pretty good idea, how I wanted it to look, so being the highly experienced sewer that I am (hhhhmmmm....) I bought lots of bits of pretty fabrics and started <strike>hacking</strike> cutting and sewing. I soon realised that although I had applied some maths to my pattern, I really had no idea what I was doing and within a few days my enthusiasm was nil and the skirt was in a project bag underneath lots of things that had suddenly become more appealing!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD5JWJWTmEjloFqDwgVfGh36xr6h4avVk2gBJOKoasHPDA9bQB3328oBPK-sbibAGII9gS-RTHa-LksuwAvzltqd-pOR6GCsHqiDw4IQQ81Ssfy9Wd65v_y6Dq9FebhDcwogPMQsC-BKW/s1600/DSC00903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD5JWJWTmEjloFqDwgVfGh36xr6h4avVk2gBJOKoasHPDA9bQB3328oBPK-sbibAGII9gS-RTHa-LksuwAvzltqd-pOR6GCsHqiDw4IQQ81Ssfy9Wd65v_y6Dq9FebhDcwogPMQsC-BKW/s400/DSC00903.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not entirely sure that I approached the project this year with any better knowledge, or even a pattern, but somehow, grim stubbornness has allowed me to make something that is getting there (not without a few small tantrums and big headaches). I have no clue what I will do next...but even if it's just straightening up the edges, throwing it under the tree and piling the presents on top, it feels like going forward 😉</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJmPAVNVLSzZPKyOT6BRJAF8j3kJSCVG9npfhcBrhJkR05gfReuFDJ78sLE1viP1PXArt6HTJezzsQgX2_aNPk-zBu2wTIomnL9mMAyteGt9fGH6Y-t2ORmOK61iVCaF6Rf7KKA1uUAPd/s1600/DSC00895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJmPAVNVLSzZPKyOT6BRJAF8j3kJSCVG9npfhcBrhJkR05gfReuFDJ78sLE1viP1PXArt6HTJezzsQgX2_aNPk-zBu2wTIomnL9mMAyteGt9fGH6Y-t2ORmOK61iVCaF6Rf7KKA1uUAPd/s320/DSC00895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've finished off the second baby mini-blanket, I do like lots of bright colours, especially as it's been rather grey around here....we've had our fair share of rain over the past few days, it always seems to me, that I'm a day behind on my choice of clothing for dog walking, yesterday was a perfect example...and then today's choice was way off!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks for the good wishes for the job interview, I haven't heard back and I'm not sure I interviewed that well really, there is being relaxed about the outcome and appearing unprepared, I fear I may have come across as the latter....ah, well...as I said I'm incredibly blessed and happy with what I have.....</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-45318253988281606012016-11-15T03:57:00.000-08:002016-11-22T03:52:43.446-08:00New Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-IACCQ0pb8Y1o3SQIWpnJbjn-JGJFfvETs17uNEEV9_wv_GvIIMWwxatHhuhZL0RO83jl4q1j6B4RyEDgw50L-WoodxNTOyHOR75qrfOcZT4ssr8HkjLlgUno546p-IWUywKa_mzQUdj/s1600/DSC00883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-IACCQ0pb8Y1o3SQIWpnJbjn-JGJFfvETs17uNEEV9_wv_GvIIMWwxatHhuhZL0RO83jl4q1j6B4RyEDgw50L-WoodxNTOyHOR75qrfOcZT4ssr8HkjLlgUno546p-IWUywKa_mzQUdj/s320/DSC00883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There have been lots of new things recently... I definitely feel a bit like I'm reflecting more....good or bad I'm not sure! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This afternoon, I will be going to an interview for a Library assistant. I haven't worked in this sort of environment for 13 years, although I realised when I came to put my CV together, I've actually done a lot of things which are definitely relevant. I feel sure that if it is the right thing, it will all work out, otherwise I will not stress about it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On the crochet front, I've been doing ripples, this one for a brand new baby boy (and I have a more girlified one on the hook as well) These have been my go-tos when the boys have had various things to be at.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've been going along to a running group on a Wednesday night, I'm pretty much the slowest there, but I smile all the way home (not so much when I'm actually running!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This last weekend, I did a 10k with the running hubby and middle boy (I whined all the way around as it was hilly, muddy and puddly and I found it sooo hard!) but I did it and was smiling at the end!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGxRwIe36oterDbpix1zhB7kkU1N1N_8_INoMg-M_k3h5HLTAnBL-SP55ecTZpPAvONOqWyGAdFHBJPOsdYc_n2OeBsdZ13USi_FCkn2K1jSVmE6MWUL6bkqldB1tDT3WMzrM9lAnP93u/s1600/SAM_2778+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGxRwIe36oterDbpix1zhB7kkU1N1N_8_INoMg-M_k3h5HLTAnBL-SP55ecTZpPAvONOqWyGAdFHBJPOsdYc_n2OeBsdZ13USi_FCkn2K1jSVmE6MWUL6bkqldB1tDT3WMzrM9lAnP93u/s320/SAM_2778+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(there was a huge hill at the end, which I had already decided at the beginning I was going to walk!)</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At Christmas, I did a painting of the daughter of a friend, taken from a photograph of her when she was working for a charity in Durban, South Africa. Then a few weeks ago, I heard about a colouring book being produced by a children's charity in Kenya to raise funds, this painting immediately came to mind and I thought I'd see how it worked.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMR-JdN6K9hUgS0vMLySr9aJYAua7XNsf_DrKsyVgM-oGkhmmzNvXbKvRA1hRI39aCcohMRfzJwAmDR_aLoGbVoL-cQhDzPve6aP_R1i4jmtYjqUnd_wolfgDekkAdOXFijPIE_2BvgEH/s1600/20151224_110542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMR-JdN6K9hUgS0vMLySr9aJYAua7XNsf_DrKsyVgM-oGkhmmzNvXbKvRA1hRI39aCcohMRfzJwAmDR_aLoGbVoL-cQhDzPve6aP_R1i4jmtYjqUnd_wolfgDekkAdOXFijPIE_2BvgEH/s640/20151224_110542.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A few days later, I heard back that they liked the picture and hopefully will use it in their book. I am so pleased, as it seemed so right to me. The charity is called <a href="https://rafikimwema.com/">Rafiki Mwema</a> (Loyal Friend in Swahili) and they look after both boys and girls who have had unimaginable experiences, supporting them and helping them to rebuild lives....an amazing work!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTatkaOzTve5mspAWwyAJ5U6D7l1EcwauJQsNJcosqxpUmuO_nKna63yngMjg1NX_JARpIRRgtvxRmbSRr1Hf98bHAzq8qSX0mbFh0PkM1Ur8Qvf0fYY7lmnQuTH6us8LsKySQaY0e6Bf/s1600/rafiki2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTatkaOzTve5mspAWwyAJ5U6D7l1EcwauJQsNJcosqxpUmuO_nKna63yngMjg1NX_JARpIRRgtvxRmbSRr1Hf98bHAzq8qSX0mbFh0PkM1Ur8Qvf0fYY7lmnQuTH6us8LsKySQaY0e6Bf/s320/rafiki2.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Lastly...not leastly...some knitting. These (there is a pair, but impossible to photograph without another pair of hands) are a pair of wrist warmers made for a Christmas gift swap. So quick to make and lovely yarn that I hadn't used before. The yarn is Louisa Harding and I bought the ball when we were on holiday in the Cotswolds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNjxHjxPYD1PJkFegnt9HLbyXzt1cJUi63vuEElmh2wDcN7Bo3VoeOSdstu6psWWCzSiruUWAkdejzGFjhfZEBL9q3qg4sYFpRLvBwsWBdgsu8iMOYkDtgUEA7gj027T-g104_IZKejjd/s1600/DSC00891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNjxHjxPYD1PJkFegnt9HLbyXzt1cJUi63vuEElmh2wDcN7Bo3VoeOSdstu6psWWCzSiruUWAkdejzGFjhfZEBL9q3qg4sYFpRLvBwsWBdgsu8iMOYkDtgUEA7gj027T-g104_IZKejjd/s320/DSC00891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I discovered a lovely yarn shop (it's a knack you know!) in Chipping Norton, <a href="http://www.thefibreworks.co.uk/">The Fibreworks</a>, small but perfectly formed, offering lots of beautiful yarns and crafting classes to boot. The lovely lady on the desk even allowed me to sign-into her wifi so that I could open my ravelry account and find out what I needed (I needed everything of course, but restrained myself to one ball!)</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-35583518481905718482016-11-06T08:17:00.000-08:002016-11-06T08:17:17.934-08:00Birthday walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So...a few photos from my big birthday day out. I had a lovely birthday, the boys were in school so hubby and I planned a nice long walk along the coast path and a picnic. The sky was blue and the day was just perfect. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HZNR375tW6WNWnoDw6OP2z2oq3kYwuJiMDAztShc5shGKjV4DfqAyN2Tv8HXXe_iGNLQn4apior2WRd6NtDehk3xVTPsDrvEImU66lzAT47xbOUKdrNQqGpLWj8HJLJO9TVyRdpRiBiz/s1600/20161013_102725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HZNR375tW6WNWnoDw6OP2z2oq3kYwuJiMDAztShc5shGKjV4DfqAyN2Tv8HXXe_iGNLQn4apior2WRd6NtDehk3xVTPsDrvEImU66lzAT47xbOUKdrNQqGpLWj8HJLJO9TVyRdpRiBiz/s400/20161013_102725.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We walked a section that we haven't been to before, the coast path here spans 186 miles...all beautiful. We are truly blessed! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQ873_3cq_qKWxqhw0tmy2eR26NCxtX16oEitNdgjhyicYHJMqBokRsi8FGG6dMWJtP3VVWxJ9FOPLS1s4AKvpS4CLRqbLA4aCALKKH4R0uRpfDfMsNNm6MbDp-sem3zVxNT7QHZLNun_/s1600/20161013_111518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQ873_3cq_qKWxqhw0tmy2eR26NCxtX16oEitNdgjhyicYHJMqBokRsi8FGG6dMWJtP3VVWxJ9FOPLS1s4AKvpS4CLRqbLA4aCALKKH4R0uRpfDfMsNNm6MbDp-sem3zVxNT7QHZLNun_/s400/20161013_111518.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The real treat was stopping above one of the small coves which can't be reached by foot and seeing seals and their pups sheltering there. The noise of the seals calling was quite something....really loud, in fact it stopped me in my tracks to see what it was.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhFrhNue_cg3e0JFpnSZS-_YopczQ-T0afSWmj5t9KTUfjfbMMI674Xh3mXgXCKGbyvyyg74NoHltCtcBbtQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWetWeSy7e-Lbu8tB5dqUR0-maycuf2mBv30N4sv85-6AyECcOtVGSbCPA5iKshcR9UF8W8W1gRE4am_66s40ZpniuZgzcWhJxH4HZfRbgux59YfWUDzorBTjwlcfv5N_EbGDmmPbJRpCQ/s1600/20161013_112401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWetWeSy7e-Lbu8tB5dqUR0-maycuf2mBv30N4sv85-6AyECcOtVGSbCPA5iKshcR9UF8W8W1gRE4am_66s40ZpniuZgzcWhJxH4HZfRbgux59YfWUDzorBTjwlcfv5N_EbGDmmPbJRpCQ/s320/20161013_112401.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWEl-oIXfSoKk0-fYM5mUXThZP22cOL0XNBRR5Ca2b7qPZzGWkTzQ3Y0tOURUmR6hm3rzYiQKnkVnpGUe2cp95yF0QVZnug5d59-Cm4P67CQDGN6gWqrJtFkQ45Etp9Aa8mG5t5hg3xxI/s1600/DSC00821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWEl-oIXfSoKk0-fYM5mUXThZP22cOL0XNBRR5Ca2b7qPZzGWkTzQ3Y0tOURUmR6hm3rzYiQKnkVnpGUe2cp95yF0QVZnug5d59-Cm4P67CQDGN6gWqrJtFkQ45Etp9Aa8mG5t5hg3xxI/s400/DSC00821.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Chester spent the day with us to...he is more keen than the boys to go for long walks! It was a really wonderful day, over too quickly of course, but memorable and just the right way to mark a birthday in my opinion!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We've definitely been getting out in the mild dry autumn days. During the school holidays we visited the Cotswolds in our caravan. We've not been there before and it was a lovely introduction to an area that definitely needs more discovering. The trees were what took my breath away, but the little chocolate-box villages were beautiful too...(I even found a lovely wool shop...bonus!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9KD1r2kUjEgChJ1xHq74v8pMIoqDwxCudTF7qmFLAtwJ_DQKOeiA-4UrGB_wJpbQ3LeJP-pBaaeBP3ndqcIios4q4HtXanvxurEGLzKnUG3ESNbsNfIat8q8xUDrP5zEz4ecY_8vfLHj/s1600/20161025_122102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9KD1r2kUjEgChJ1xHq74v8pMIoqDwxCudTF7qmFLAtwJ_DQKOeiA-4UrGB_wJpbQ3LeJP-pBaaeBP3ndqcIios4q4HtXanvxurEGLzKnUG3ESNbsNfIat8q8xUDrP5zEz4ecY_8vfLHj/s400/20161025_122102.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4G89XOykqD_cUFntwL_NPcANw6a0PWHhzAJlCPUQlx4kdXbS5YL97zbgAyg-R4bdqAZtWnUPlhwa4lPwVWt7QMt8cLBEm1TQV5Cd90mIOtOFkmuNxNp85BPDZlwDaeybYfyBMr1rJS_q/s1600/20161025_163441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4G89XOykqD_cUFntwL_NPcANw6a0PWHhzAJlCPUQlx4kdXbS5YL97zbgAyg-R4bdqAZtWnUPlhwa4lPwVWt7QMt8cLBEm1TQV5Cd90mIOtOFkmuNxNp85BPDZlwDaeybYfyBMr1rJS_q/s320/20161025_163441.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It was lovely to go somewhere new and potter around. Our caravan holidays always turn out to be super-relaxed, lots of sitting, reading, eating and chatting. We did do a bit of walking, but honestly it was more about relaxing and not having to be anywhere else....just what we all needed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I actually have lots of pictures and news to put on here....but it will have to wait...there's been reading, crocheting, knitting, drawing, running....gosh, it has been a busy few weeks!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-22174810333335334152016-10-12T08:27:00.000-07:002016-10-12T08:29:49.074-07:00Coldplay - come to my house for tea?So today is the day before my big birthday....I know that I've been somewhat more reflective over the past few weeks and I'm sure it is no coincidence!<br />
<br />
I rather thought I should have announced a big list of things that I was going to do before this birthday, but maybe it makes sense to look forward to all the things I am going to do, now I've reached this age :-)<br />
<br />
I've always been one for dreaming big and have talked about it <a href="http://faithymay.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/dream-big.html">here</a> before. I'm actually of the opinion that there is probably not many things that you can't dream for. For instance, I love to bake and cook and I've always thought I'd quite like to have Coldplay come and stay at our house for a weekend, kick back, relax and enjoy some good welsh cooking :-) I'm a huge Coldplay fan and this year finally managed to get tickets to one of their arena gigs.<br />
<br />
It was by far and above the best thing ever! In fact, I'm incredibly blessed as we've tried to get tickets for some years previously and never had any luck, but now this summer we went and my wonderful hubby has bought us tickets for next year too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBkMxSX2qjArdGq2t7nZL86z4PPPXbPmCBj5baiCdfvshTGwoPp98opU3XyTrS-I8UP9avaJ2vjMmiLc66HHSTDq2EuxfEA3ZRIUTZwSErba7upEFcyxDhwon658vLWVUCuMqiwjurGK0/s1600/20160604_222106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBkMxSX2qjArdGq2t7nZL86z4PPPXbPmCBj5baiCdfvshTGwoPp98opU3XyTrS-I8UP9avaJ2vjMmiLc66HHSTDq2EuxfEA3ZRIUTZwSErba7upEFcyxDhwon658vLWVUCuMqiwjurGK0/s400/20160604_222106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Call me delusional but I think there is no good reason for me not to believe that one day Coldplay may actually come around to my house, play my piano, eat at my supper table and go for a walk to the beach just behind our house..... ( I don't think that I am a 'scary' fan ;-) )... I just think <i><span style="font-size: large;">'Why Not?'</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Of course, I should go on to say, that if this should ever happen, I wouldn't tell y'all, as Coldplay would probably never come back to tea at my house again, which would be really disappointing ;-) )</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmK0V6F18CSOp7NBvKpU5_59ODs6IGvCcMAv-wKsvpi2eWQAkbEoLUHitHfDzdX9sDfaYn7w8xW8c4onUkh8-AqL2bFoavKfoLgwZaXq-uE-CATC2i4dTeDqFWwH7kC414WDn-omTv8X-L/s1600/20160604_224926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmK0V6F18CSOp7NBvKpU5_59ODs6IGvCcMAv-wKsvpi2eWQAkbEoLUHitHfDzdX9sDfaYn7w8xW8c4onUkh8-AqL2bFoavKfoLgwZaXq-uE-CATC2i4dTeDqFWwH7kC414WDn-omTv8X-L/s400/20160604_224926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My dreams for this coming year are going to be bigger and better</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First dream....then dream a bit bigger, I'm telling you that you will do more, see more, achieve more when you dream big....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-88334652195002644142016-09-29T09:12:00.000-07:002016-09-29T09:12:07.183-07:00Honestly?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MX6MTp-YtymmdZYNCLU9o0d_MEOFQjCV1LzrQ4AGofTHP1C3KXG8-L5X2utlGO9FH-6RKhugplJBiVUTShS-VWERB4m-Izj6muFDZxkqGrQQ7AgbJy1kePLkAl9RdcYR2EtP83AxNtCF/s1600/DSC00752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MX6MTp-YtymmdZYNCLU9o0d_MEOFQjCV1LzrQ4AGofTHP1C3KXG8-L5X2utlGO9FH-6RKhugplJBiVUTShS-VWERB4m-Izj6muFDZxkqGrQQ7AgbJy1kePLkAl9RdcYR2EtP83AxNtCF/s400/DSC00752.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See this bag....rather empty hey? Well....I decided to be honest with myself and pull out all my unfinished projects....hhhhmmmm......dangerous ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So first one out is this ten-stitch twist....reason it's in the bag is that I've forgotten how to do it....simple problem easily solved I guess...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm_jGoEgKn8ZiXg85uI62YBgCe_os86jQ-gfZtAbQykFXjhQFG5YnKhxg2gaSIPid3eIMchurS_CRvZIpjY9_HroR3_2lMkuYgVcZctZjidSXgUT7_NRnnNC0oNjQ1ny_r8vJ4qA9FzvU/s1600/DSC00755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm_jGoEgKn8ZiXg85uI62YBgCe_os86jQ-gfZtAbQykFXjhQFG5YnKhxg2gaSIPid3eIMchurS_CRvZIpjY9_HroR3_2lMkuYgVcZctZjidSXgUT7_NRnnNC0oNjQ1ny_r8vJ4qA9FzvU/s400/DSC00755.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Second one....a pair of two at a time socks, put down and not picked up again.....<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIgxMW1lyc34Mu9ohFufOMhU5pGTdE3gnjP5rWV4wE0TksVVYC-9fTp00HOzE8e4BNfkHAl35ZWqNvtg5qhm1QOceWqUvvtTOsjZljwurwHIveXHHodQ88TBDfoZX4AklJkvQk07ykY8U/s1600/DSC00756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIgxMW1lyc34Mu9ohFufOMhU5pGTdE3gnjP5rWV4wE0TksVVYC-9fTp00HOzE8e4BNfkHAl35ZWqNvtg5qhm1QOceWqUvvtTOsjZljwurwHIveXHHodQ88TBDfoZX4AklJkvQk07ykY8U/s400/DSC00756.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last Dance on the Beach CAL.....I have done over half of this ....possibly even 2/3s</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-APeUDI9VSBREscwFrDOzoLXJI3cdFAlD1IRudYcz6hOPTP7ydZRFWM-WQp9Lp0qxetjkqyoU4nyX3TGLx6sDmTqdyn9YP4aqUPbMYyKs07hVFP_RTLU4-sIFMvp8N4TZnV_9cUYKyCg/s1600/DSC00759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-APeUDI9VSBREscwFrDOzoLXJI3cdFAlD1IRudYcz6hOPTP7ydZRFWM-WQp9Lp0qxetjkqyoU4nyX3TGLx6sDmTqdyn9YP4aqUPbMYyKs07hVFP_RTLU4-sIFMvp8N4TZnV_9cUYKyCg/s320/DSC00759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a re-entry....you may be able to just spot the issue....its a beautiful blanket, but the side has unravelled and I need to remember how to do the stitch so I can fix it again.....so simple, but again, enough to stop me getting on with it. (Actually, I see that there a lot of areas along the side that look dangerously like they will unravel in time, so I'm actually wondering about sewing a border onto it and catching it all up with the machine, I think the yarn is quite smooth and therefore is slipping out where its been sewn in....ggggrrrrrr!)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7r8Iqi4WoN6Tqh05V2Go8VDVIwcAeQ91OWpeenypHGw5oxa8_yS54PDUGAWJ1muDNCU0q-VCOe9otFTpNIoAj3bTUx2FJjP6N0SXGkDe4k5_HwBwgZ0CvR6c_J0JBATDLWsvxLtdEned/s1600/DSC00760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7r8Iqi4WoN6Tqh05V2Go8VDVIwcAeQ91OWpeenypHGw5oxa8_yS54PDUGAWJ1muDNCU0q-VCOe9otFTpNIoAj3bTUx2FJjP6N0SXGkDe4k5_HwBwgZ0CvR6c_J0JBATDLWsvxLtdEned/s320/DSC00760.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This hat has never been near my head, as I could probably fit three heads in it...I was so gutted I just put it away...but brave I must be and unravel....maybe I should choose a different hat pattern altogether now....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU6YMRD-ZvaG-giasVcXk3Q7guyPKN6st4DRrovic_3Ici0dxPTauYZto1bMIhJuVVHkYcW3X55UnTJOk4t543nPGto5qIf67xoFOGFVcR1Kxbk8ZxY1D_DEZ8ll5p78HFo7K0oPFi5cu/s1600/DSC00762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU6YMRD-ZvaG-giasVcXk3Q7guyPKN6st4DRrovic_3Ici0dxPTauYZto1bMIhJuVVHkYcW3X55UnTJOk4t543nPGto5qIf67xoFOGFVcR1Kxbk8ZxY1D_DEZ8ll5p78HFo7K0oPFi5cu/s320/DSC00762.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Dream Stripes shawl...put down, never picked up again....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2O-gS1RmHv_Wiv3vrx_Kz4RnmwRIXVFNX6Py2uzqZI4whDv-MFKuQwOfP0iffDNROKYkdQeVgH74dl-Yb6btyS0xF-r22oPrTxhOBFhyphenhyphen0kXzHaX5U9z7JJnxrU1xDdZgT8jxNZmbzQOs/s1600/DSC00763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2O-gS1RmHv_Wiv3vrx_Kz4RnmwRIXVFNX6Py2uzqZI4whDv-MFKuQwOfP0iffDNROKYkdQeVgH74dl-Yb6btyS0xF-r22oPrTxhOBFhyphenhyphen0kXzHaX5U9z7JJnxrU1xDdZgT8jxNZmbzQOs/s400/DSC00763.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another crocheted shawl which is just s-l-o-w, I like it, but I can see me putting it in the bag as it needs to be about ten times longer!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbdpJfsA4Y1hgQNc4DiruWw90HRPrgI9AjrH7fGG0UbZnNFqr1uq7ece581NHctXS2qabIqCyw2ihkZtQzgDbB-CgKr_b8edJ3PP4hE0mu2Ade1Isz4v0AmmqVIOtiKq-5tTPYxmRZYDF/s1600/DSC00766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbdpJfsA4Y1hgQNc4DiruWw90HRPrgI9AjrH7fGG0UbZnNFqr1uq7ece581NHctXS2qabIqCyw2ihkZtQzgDbB-CgKr_b8edJ3PP4hE0mu2Ade1Isz4v0AmmqVIOtiKq-5tTPYxmRZYDF/s320/DSC00766.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another light weight wrap thing....I found the joining method on this so difficult to understand that although I got it right twice with some help, I can't remember how....(notice a theme here?)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0eSyjxbRmxCk1RZvhVJYnoWgiHWCO22i-2BJG9C4E5EizEFyfH7ZY0da5vKOy9arlxnweSu7yuRdYCRzxwMzQTVKIu_MhmcwljzLCvm6_L4Go7XXB-wdT6OyE6OBZAg42A_Qit4jClCg/s1600/DSC00768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0eSyjxbRmxCk1RZvhVJYnoWgiHWCO22i-2BJG9C4E5EizEFyfH7ZY0da5vKOy9arlxnweSu7yuRdYCRzxwMzQTVKIu_MhmcwljzLCvm6_L4Go7XXB-wdT6OyE6OBZAg42A_Qit4jClCg/s320/DSC00768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A 'made-up as I went along' shawl which is really pretty, but it's a bit small and I need to add some more on to make it more wearable.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALoJ4m5d0pUmew0QT1iA-6kCz0CMyZmYokfk3Q_c4_wdMwGtCmKex9QPSl-L-lsZeorO5o-ltlMl-39dVNLyTff0z27orCEkuxyKgahJL2tICfYGbWh8jE_Ob1TyY4ChG1o2YiQhMYJDe/s1600/DSC00769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALoJ4m5d0pUmew0QT1iA-6kCz0CMyZmYokfk3Q_c4_wdMwGtCmKex9QPSl-L-lsZeorO5o-ltlMl-39dVNLyTff0z27orCEkuxyKgahJL2tICfYGbWh8jE_Ob1TyY4ChG1o2YiQhMYJDe/s320/DSC00769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A started baby blanket, which stopped when I ran out of the multi-coloured yarn and couldn't find it again...so frustrating...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYanbNBqlM3t7Y-KWe6EFDtfHLHwojcoBX1J5wzX7ff61L5b8xmCrveB-8OB5Zbdf2TGvXdRQqEHutaUdXjDiLCgad8LEeYKdQQukZnuTA7AVijZLphzP8fhfKl2cS0pJ8pXcjioRZ7wwD/s1600/DSC00772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYanbNBqlM3t7Y-KWe6EFDtfHLHwojcoBX1J5wzX7ff61L5b8xmCrveB-8OB5Zbdf2TGvXdRQqEHutaUdXjDiLCgad8LEeYKdQQukZnuTA7AVijZLphzP8fhfKl2cS0pJ8pXcjioRZ7wwD/s320/DSC00772.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
A Christmas table runner....no idea where the pattern is....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWSXKYkheY7D75wOBgoc3_yMy4H_aR76bK20NusDDPExFHJkQCuLfnNh3edcDAYwTvS79lZ0R2nvFUMg-RvG4Cn6pgb7M18NixpO6ZS3i7jnSDIKU0_5EsJVN0npHktmrxWmsHPLUPuIs/s1600/DSC00774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWSXKYkheY7D75wOBgoc3_yMy4H_aR76bK20NusDDPExFHJkQCuLfnNh3edcDAYwTvS79lZ0R2nvFUMg-RvG4Cn6pgb7M18NixpO6ZS3i7jnSDIKU0_5EsJVN0npHktmrxWmsHPLUPuIs/s400/DSC00774.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A shawl which I gave up on because the pattern was difficult to follow, although I wonder on looking at it now why exactly as there seems so little detail for so much effort....no idea where the pattern was from.....ooooopppppsss!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-LytrHeHpe1qGLlj3uhZloncsyzwSMGZpmD60AmqNQMbGXTflRikeyNu2-HCXL3ZqoHonw_HGNGIc5cujKAPpjEnOa8N-5xnRByT8TmTQ7Uqv2FPxZsJRTQ44nmfvGMQ5Q3g8DFEb8oe/s1600/DSC00776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-LytrHeHpe1qGLlj3uhZloncsyzwSMGZpmD60AmqNQMbGXTflRikeyNu2-HCXL3ZqoHonw_HGNGIc5cujKAPpjEnOa8N-5xnRByT8TmTQ7Uqv2FPxZsJRTQ44nmfvGMQ5Q3g8DFEb8oe/s320/DSC00776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My first ever crochet project, stopped as I ran out of one of the reds....if I hadn't already sewn so much together I would add another colour in....rookie mistake...no idea what to do with this....its fairly wide so far, but pretty narrow.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ97cNpTZtTu_dB3xbAQiQK3eAp5aJtzDFTnI0X3rB_OTQgkpyjd1TDTTX026GDNwG5OeMA9OdCoZerm2RFL0055CBhTUrM5ZlzrU54CLKvJSmP1_Y5wP2g8alwA386M0SuMUolPAJRd7/s1600/DSC00778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ97cNpTZtTu_dB3xbAQiQK3eAp5aJtzDFTnI0X3rB_OTQgkpyjd1TDTTX026GDNwG5OeMA9OdCoZerm2RFL0055CBhTUrM5ZlzrU54CLKvJSmP1_Y5wP2g8alwA386M0SuMUolPAJRd7/s320/DSC00778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Oooohhh....I had totally forgotten about this one, my temperature blanket with a square for each day showing the lows and highs of temperature....I think I've done two months....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVghsy3LLUIsFfa5VF55xC8b82U4K-IgRJDiLVOhY_4_BAzMu1jXdQnBkxqtwB1W9ZiSn_ndb6Qk4Sri69xCwdk0GSNy6BEaIvoKW0Gx0SkfwULCSEX6xoUfZBszO2h5jhkXIE6m2Z7Rk/s1600/DSC00781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVghsy3LLUIsFfa5VF55xC8b82U4K-IgRJDiLVOhY_4_BAzMu1jXdQnBkxqtwB1W9ZiSn_ndb6Qk4Sri69xCwdk0GSNy6BEaIvoKW0Gx0SkfwULCSEX6xoUfZBszO2h5jhkXIE6m2Z7Rk/s320/DSC00781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A last minute whim Christmas pattern which I just could not get my head around....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRYNmh7GBnz-WyQOcXKavjeN4qh1Yw2pds-HCR6ICzI04lrZxv6f4_GaC4hcqBeEtKiq-IQpFw1OgChbWm9X6979O00BevrfMJLRVm4__-kfsKhepNFrzDpVLpbgcZq7ZlAewm3Jvz38O/s1600/DSC00783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRYNmh7GBnz-WyQOcXKavjeN4qh1Yw2pds-HCR6ICzI04lrZxv6f4_GaC4hcqBeEtKiq-IQpFw1OgChbWm9X6979O00BevrfMJLRVm4__-kfsKhepNFrzDpVLpbgcZq7ZlAewm3Jvz38O/s320/DSC00783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The cable beginning of wrist warmers....this really was the most fiddly part of the pattern, all they need is the sides putting on and sewing up.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4vOU_waa79vMAp6JWCNG2rQtTaTgoK9F6gdW3WySo-C8WJJfoc95UyUZvdMTpOvNtqYLLVQstNppBU36CpXm7Sa_BVQg7nLoxk8_D7-YsBIZNW3bWpyTkS1mgGs5YoJ888lh7NZDJ5-D/s1600/DSC00784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4vOU_waa79vMAp6JWCNG2rQtTaTgoK9F6gdW3WySo-C8WJJfoc95UyUZvdMTpOvNtqYLLVQstNppBU36CpXm7Sa_BVQg7nLoxk8_D7-YsBIZNW3bWpyTkS1mgGs5YoJ888lh7NZDJ5-D/s320/DSC00784.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So that is all the projects neatly folded and sorted back into my big bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2ghdEh3cwzK8IK9nH70apL-THIfC50nPpSGCzYnQJ_3eRq2alvvyhhGbtDI9s7DafYZNZSq3p-vIoxsyYQcSqtWPTgCNvUsdGU3hFe7A0b4ad_bOTBLB1Drwnh-gUxlTdk9Lj31EAYZN/s1600/DSC00786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2ghdEh3cwzK8IK9nH70apL-THIfC50nPpSGCzYnQJ_3eRq2alvvyhhGbtDI9s7DafYZNZSq3p-vIoxsyYQcSqtWPTgCNvUsdGU3hFe7A0b4ad_bOTBLB1Drwnh-gUxlTdk9Lj31EAYZN/s320/DSC00786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've seen a few people referring to unfinished projects and I've always been slightly in fear over what was actually in my big bag....it isn't as bad as I thought somehow...in fact, I wouldn't even feel guilty if I started something new ;-)</div>
<br />
But seriously, first port of call is the CAL blanket, as it is pretty close to finish, then I need to bite the bullet and unravel some of the things which I put down as I really didn't like them and then oooohhh, I can start planning some more unfinished projects :-)*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-21136388701273145222016-09-25T10:00:00.000-07:002016-09-25T10:00:08.458-07:00Small steps - kleine Schritte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This week feels like a satisfying week...not only one finished project, but two.... (I won't mention that one also started this week, so wasn't strictly an 'unfinished project')...am I on a roll do you think? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExkK3CnVEHPYsiuvxAPI0QxXYEP1e-XqR5-Z9tSjUfKRqDBFgAK1AlqURv2UhyphenhyphenoD82oHUis_44Q6xJ592xAWdmEw_eFV2qeoy9zkKacBjikjNI2IdfleMUUPu0E4_BVEONkxbUj6gbkal/s1600/20160925_115737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExkK3CnVEHPYsiuvxAPI0QxXYEP1e-XqR5-Z9tSjUfKRqDBFgAK1AlqURv2UhyphenhyphenoD82oHUis_44Q6xJ592xAWdmEw_eFV2qeoy9zkKacBjikjNI2IdfleMUUPu0E4_BVEONkxbUj6gbkal/s400/20160925_115737.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This first one, is Shifting Afghan by Grace Akhrem which I found in an edition of Interweave Knits. It's a really effective pattern although really simple.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWHBCbpf7F5oLrK8xUcQXJk1nDh4JGLl3yti7pDq0GoxD5D8RI3G5Gkqw2S3VL4GYGCTa9O-k8pxdE9rm6389Iudv7OYwZeg76UwlvfvCm1iDCj-lI1Mnq2I1sX9aYAiEYHKevE6tYFF1/s1600/20160925_115541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWHBCbpf7F5oLrK8xUcQXJk1nDh4JGLl3yti7pDq0GoxD5D8RI3G5Gkqw2S3VL4GYGCTa9O-k8pxdE9rm6389Iudv7OYwZeg76UwlvfvCm1iDCj-lI1Mnq2I1sX9aYAiEYHKevE6tYFF1/s400/20160925_115541.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The yarn is Sirdar Escape which I bought three (?) years ago....see although it looks like I have a huge stash, it's just waiting for the perfect project to come along and the pattern on these mitered squares, sets off the range of colours brilliantly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The next finish was <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fittleworth-cowl">Crafts from the Cwtch's Fittleworth cowl</a> this was a really quick simple knit...so not strictly part of my huge bundle of projects I need to get to, but hey.....small Steps! I made the cowl with a Rico Creative Micro dk which was beautifully coloured and has a great drape, plus it's so soft against your skin....my only complaint was that as it has such a high sheen, the ball just kept unravelling itself which was pretty frustrating. The finished cowl is beautiful though, worth the yarn-niggles</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvo59Sg0_Ggex4LS0dMoGckR-aw3ldcvun5dq0B50anH2MNoaRrlscszv10dnKmgY6LvQRDgAKkTaxix32OeNYsXLL5oYt20qrkUro22enNuISgWCSyvu38_i3TMaxXHiMfIzAXvo7bZzm/s1600/DSC00750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvo59Sg0_Ggex4LS0dMoGckR-aw3ldcvun5dq0B50anH2MNoaRrlscszv10dnKmgY6LvQRDgAKkTaxix32OeNYsXLL5oYt20qrkUro22enNuISgWCSyvu38_i3TMaxXHiMfIzAXvo7bZzm/s400/DSC00750.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So this week, I may have a look in the dreaded project bags....I also have half a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/last-dance-on-the-beach-scheepjes-cal-2016">Last Dance on the Beach blanket</a> to do....hhhmmmmm.....I've also emailed a running group with the idea of joining, I'm a bit nervous as I don't know anyone there and I'm pretty slow....well I could think of lots of reasons not to go, which is probably why I should! And I have some German to catch up on too....it's going to be a busy week!</div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-65986067540960479782016-09-21T04:27:00.000-07:002016-09-21T04:27:50.182-07:00September <div style="text-align: justify;">
I find myself reflecting....now this could be down to a number of things....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's September and while school was a long time ago for me, I am still caught in the whirl with three school-aged boys.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've changed my plans a little this year as for the past three years, I've been doing some language study with the Open University....but this year, I'm taking a small break to consolidate a little....and maybe to realise my options....(who am I kidding what spare time?)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm going to be forty very soon and although I'm not one to really worry about age, it has made me take stock a little.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've made a bit of a list, with all sorts of random challenges, I won't get to them all, but then I'm a firm believer in '<a href="http://faithymay.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/dream-big.html">Dreaming Big</a>'...My time is nearly always a little on the lean side and even though I'm not studying to a plan this year, the time that I thought I might have will somehow disappear.... the more I think about what I want to do.... the more things I can add to my list.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have two huge bags of crochet and knitting projects, half done....some I've forgotten how to do, so they seem like a massive undertaking...others I have most likely just forgotten about...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So what has my reflecting achieved....haha, well, I realise that I've been rather tough on myself in all sorts of areas in the past and that's a nice thing to acknowledge....it's allowed me a little perspective...hhmmmmm.....and it also makes me think about my priorities....all that from a bunch of old photos and a big birthday looming! :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQONxayScFFuz6Kg68V5njvejdS5cGNTTAioAwxxWq3W2WJNhSq_BXyu4y-S5rykCHTAG55YSpmzSRLs8Sn_JEC0A5QsFzgGKlS0VIVoe161dubR2vdZqLaaUNOmSYcxTrIuziGGyqFDn/s1600/DSC00742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQONxayScFFuz6Kg68V5njvejdS5cGNTTAioAwxxWq3W2WJNhSq_BXyu4y-S5rykCHTAG55YSpmzSRLs8Sn_JEC0A5QsFzgGKlS0VIVoe161dubR2vdZqLaaUNOmSYcxTrIuziGGyqFDn/s400/DSC00742.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-17943459808705220812016-04-25T11:59:00.002-07:002016-04-25T11:59:21.661-07:00Crochet comeback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Oh, how I've missed this...all the usual excuses...well you know how it goes...the thing is I have probably gone into procrastination over the really pressing things, such as the big German exam I have next month, so what am I doing ....anything but revision!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7EEjWpDb8IVIWZI19xfh9QnHh_KUjMnT_HpCNv04X6S6IGmH-Q3_LiTJ0P0ID2RQPIpRjd5ut1Hbb4wktTRMMWtmDUlrUuLyDotKMpGSWyXMI3oP5BhHhOqP3UO05cb0bEnMaOVHQoPA/s1600/DSC00582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7EEjWpDb8IVIWZI19xfh9QnHh_KUjMnT_HpCNv04X6S6IGmH-Q3_LiTJ0P0ID2RQPIpRjd5ut1Hbb4wktTRMMWtmDUlrUuLyDotKMpGSWyXMI3oP5BhHhOqP3UO05cb0bEnMaOVHQoPA/s400/DSC00582.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-into-summer-blanket">small baby blanket</a> above was a total re-make after beginning a very similar blanket and finding I didn't have enough yarn to finish and then frustratingly, being unable to find the same yarn again. Baby blanket #2 </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5W1SVaMpfSWCFSc56fM8Y3XNn5JdTEsP_AxCvwSqnsZ62p3rIopUlqBhXQGZklSpImRfDPiXiv-ITevRJuJ6Hk84rRIA0tDUCgeYkcD1ztQqWj0x38Nf-VyucbEJsELNNuuFMXWIskVw/s1600/DSC00613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5W1SVaMpfSWCFSc56fM8Y3XNn5JdTEsP_AxCvwSqnsZ62p3rIopUlqBhXQGZklSpImRfDPiXiv-ITevRJuJ6Hk84rRIA0tDUCgeYkcD1ztQqWj0x38Nf-VyucbEJsELNNuuFMXWIskVw/s400/DSC00613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We had two nights away in our little caravan, the sun shone on us and our day-out was simply 'wunderbar'! Llansteffan Castle and beach, Carmarthenshire.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_MDsjfBVAUmTukdPrUG0tyBNmh3_z5C1A3SmBsJD69XUV5yZllA-e2i3j2lZdv2-GUPgPbWc4HJ-r4JbNRrNop89yL5gv0UL0H8mrKoSQBeqdP2R0cOmpwnDLZTrk3KI7JtGPldM3jVi/s1600/DSC00629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_MDsjfBVAUmTukdPrUG0tyBNmh3_z5C1A3SmBsJD69XUV5yZllA-e2i3j2lZdv2-GUPgPbWc4HJ-r4JbNRrNop89yL5gv0UL0H8mrKoSQBeqdP2R0cOmpwnDLZTrk3KI7JtGPldM3jVi/s400/DSC00629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The latest project....guess what I'm making? It will always be a blanket. I'm pleased to be taking part in the 'Last dance on the Beach' CAL </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25.5px;">As many of you know, this CAL was designed by the late Marinke Slump ( aka : Wink) from </span><a href="http://www.acreativebeing.com/">www.acreativebeing.com</a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25.5px;"> and was the final design she was working on at the time of her passing. In accordance with the wishes of Marinke’s family, 12 of her online friends and bloggers have completed her unfinished design to present this beautiful and sensitive CAL in Marinke’s memory and as a tribute to her work.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">I am here....I am still crocheting, knitting and sewing...although admittedly, a little less. I'm beginning to be bored with my less-productive self....I'm getting fed-up of thinking about projects, but not actually doing them....so I'm doing something about it! (although I am by no means promising to finish off the hundreds of unfinished projects lurking!)</span>*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-73423119477720155542016-01-23T04:38:00.000-08:002016-01-23T04:38:45.621-08:00Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well 2016 so far has been pretty much me thinking and not really doing! I'm definitely in a reflective mood. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj14Ut0QElIf8CAb3EFP1ggU17CI9XgLAK1NWynr4sdo2yWFRV7RTrS3-Cq_XUMY6DTiw_gmDz3_VpqSgLcor5Elcd-PlPjkyr2WlWTI1A2n0e9rx4eufyvkxcRHF3yrpyn-Piu0VMg72Q/s1600/DSC00571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj14Ut0QElIf8CAb3EFP1ggU17CI9XgLAK1NWynr4sdo2yWFRV7RTrS3-Cq_XUMY6DTiw_gmDz3_VpqSgLcor5Elcd-PlPjkyr2WlWTI1A2n0e9rx4eufyvkxcRHF3yrpyn-Piu0VMg72Q/s400/DSC00571.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think that probably every blogger has a whole host of things that they should be doing....things that that they want to do....and its probably not worth adding the things that you'd like to have a go at!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It turns out I have rather less time than I thought I had and even then, its probably less than that.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My crafty endeavours, German learning and running come way down the list of things that are part of my everyday, and yet they are important, as they probably make the essential things possible. If I didn't do some of the 'me' stuff, I would soon not be me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last weekend I should probably have been catching up on my German (I have fallen behind in my studying) but we all did a <a href="http://www.parkrun.org.uk/">Parkrun</a> instead....and do you know what it was exactly the right thing to do. I had a clear head, I felt more balanced and not quite so panicky that I wasn't ticking everything off the 'to-do' list.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So the big list didn't shrink any really, but I was happier.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I would like to be blogging again....I would like to know the method of making all the new German vocabulary, I look up everyday, actually stick so that when I go to use the word, it is still there (where does it go?)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I would love to know what on earth the coloured ball of acrylic that I was mixing in, with the pale pink, in the above baby blanket was..........I have been back to the shop, I have picked up what I thought it was twice and come back to realise it is nowhere near.....that's a small frustration in the scheme of things, but hey its not asking much!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I would like to be able to combine all the things I want to do into one activity...so I can listen to German TV while I run, but can I blog and knit at the same time? Maybe I could find a group of German runners who are also part of a knit and natter group....maybe I should start the group....I would.... but I have no free time ;-)</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-887856729438036052016-01-04T12:04:00.000-08:002016-01-04T12:04:13.387-08:00Zwischen 2015 und 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlpczD9DSUWPN5RxHNb4_SCEDB8m94Omml1rfmTbJpqruh4ItaZ4uXVzuPiMs1mcuNcctvqO2Kn-hovgqRh40VG6VeUrhrzhkn1oc_DOFk097B8TohSM8E4Z5xN3zY-KpSfC17Ug0Jshw/s1600/20160102_130043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlpczD9DSUWPN5RxHNb4_SCEDB8m94Omml1rfmTbJpqruh4ItaZ4uXVzuPiMs1mcuNcctvqO2Kn-hovgqRh40VG6VeUrhrzhkn1oc_DOFk097B8TohSM8E4Z5xN3zY-KpSfC17Ug0Jshw/s200/20160102_130043.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So for another year, all the sparkly decorations have been packed away. Christmas 2015 has been lovely......relaxed, good company, good food and happiness. It has been pretty difficult to 'snap out of it' to be honest. The run up to Christmas with school age children (in three different schools) is busy to say the least. We picked up the children from school on the last day of school and took off to Cardiff for the night. It was such a big treat for us 'countryfolk'! Hotel, meal out and shops....a welcome break from the same four walls and routine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD7BYPveJwOyfEl6vdJe4hyphenhyphenZekFxG-7wUGNwh-VUlc1b8DrFb_mWxm2auvxKkKSMA8Haw8nibAIXOvRcxuxO1mLg_HoCfwJukec2B_Pdxc-FKMMO9wBdeTfMshAxz2jt0NXf6EZvf4xpM/s1600/20151231_101954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD7BYPveJwOyfEl6vdJe4hyphenhyphenZekFxG-7wUGNwh-VUlc1b8DrFb_mWxm2auvxKkKSMA8Haw8nibAIXOvRcxuxO1mLg_HoCfwJukec2B_Pdxc-FKMMO9wBdeTfMshAxz2jt0NXf6EZvf4xpM/s320/20151231_101954.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Away has gone my advent calendar that I made some years ago. Despite the lack of chocolate the children still seem keen to see what will come out next.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk_2fjVeASmT97LIAWf2tYkI_Rh2-QszmUKqydM3TgLT4sLIhLwCvGGzkKkvjLvX5zWP6HMxb-4YtMs_oGu-br_799f31A63RRDW2yGAHyGGRUgadcRQzRwmpeWZpSyUszzUGe1_VzdH9/s1600/20160101_094111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk_2fjVeASmT97LIAWf2tYkI_Rh2-QszmUKqydM3TgLT4sLIhLwCvGGzkKkvjLvX5zWP6HMxb-4YtMs_oGu-br_799f31A63RRDW2yGAHyGGRUgadcRQzRwmpeWZpSyUszzUGe1_VzdH9/s200/20160101_094111.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
New to our family traditions is a big portion of <a href="http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/making-more-winter-honey-caramelcorn.html">Sue's Caramel Popcorn (recipe from Mrs. Micawber blog)</a> Along with the batch of <a href="http://mysparemoments.com/2011/12/01/mince-pies-and-baileys-choc-chip-cheesecake/">Ruth's coconut mince pies</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
(These are not the only favourite things from other bloggers....one can't blog and not be affected! )</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwBYnz3jpzLFlmjgGe2cflzcZ0sjZtRhSi72EQVOjFjdxNcV4pa4cOMrKQZZL8NIb7K2tjEcuNE447PZEPnA0oGLwo-vwPAW9dSojocRyr6TO-TnBfl_aZf_DaYpWthHRmy0c6sJ9CGrw/s1600/20151206_090016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwBYnz3jpzLFlmjgGe2cflzcZ0sjZtRhSi72EQVOjFjdxNcV4pa4cOMrKQZZL8NIb7K2tjEcuNE447PZEPnA0oGLwo-vwPAW9dSojocRyr6TO-TnBfl_aZf_DaYpWthHRmy0c6sJ9CGrw/s320/20151206_090016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've rattled through a few makes, some of which were presents. The christmas tree hat was for a friend who runs a food and basics bank and at Christmas also manages to give out presents to children who would otherwise have nothing in our county. Anyway after promising a hat, this was my offering</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtpesHLxlBDy0MZf79sMb0UWZYuLx_0MqZ1VrH-XfA2Wifqt5DqpjX7QjCXoUka9XsHyOrs605Q7qIvrWJSrx2i1JnmHZwpcA73uEpROtQnRRFiUYKVXZoNDp810pPtILgUrEnTP2YcvH/s1600/20151208_122551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtpesHLxlBDy0MZf79sMb0UWZYuLx_0MqZ1VrH-XfA2Wifqt5DqpjX7QjCXoUka9XsHyOrs605Q7qIvrWJSrx2i1JnmHZwpcA73uEpROtQnRRFiUYKVXZoNDp810pPtILgUrEnTP2YcvH/s400/20151208_122551.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was a scarf I made from <a href="http://www.craftsfromthecwtch.co.uk/p/patterns.html">Crafts from the Cwtch's pattern Little Bear's Porridge</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLtI8KQwpj-FPnAyF1Z3oXfTeQwpyHqPS1G8y_4e0_gKGFzQCIEUWV6Jo6Ve7nni_ac0OUf0zI4zJMSy4HcP0CD2_JqmIh7CHmlrFb083Qto9BWlCZAPioskFAIrePel2s_HwSpztkmg0/s1600/20151017_100140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLtI8KQwpj-FPnAyF1Z3oXfTeQwpyHqPS1G8y_4e0_gKGFzQCIEUWV6Jo6Ve7nni_ac0OUf0zI4zJMSy4HcP0CD2_JqmIh7CHmlrFb083Qto9BWlCZAPioskFAIrePel2s_HwSpztkmg0/s400/20151017_100140.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This shawl was a happy skein of yarn from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MothyAndTheSquid">Mothy and the Squid </a>and the pattern was </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-half-pi-shawl">Simple Half Pi Shawl</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8OqUIFNaIRZd2vyf2AuKqwjqPfOP7eheiy183VjoggahIOJLFR-DMGqOoJMQDYFu-n_7BoGPYedUi3JbzDKS3rIXn7GlQYnWtoIbHMbzR0zNCP1dMhF3gRjFjAycndWCH_prC1__5VSj/s1600/20151224_110542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8OqUIFNaIRZd2vyf2AuKqwjqPfOP7eheiy183VjoggahIOJLFR-DMGqOoJMQDYFu-n_7BoGPYedUi3JbzDKS3rIXn7GlQYnWtoIbHMbzR0zNCP1dMhF3gRjFjAycndWCH_prC1__5VSj/s400/20151224_110542.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The painting above was a commissioned gift for a young lady who has been doing charity work in Durban, South Africa with young mums and children.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y1x8MtMx4jyQtK1voYIVrmTi-O8syln-MWhucMlNnXA8URIuqKq7erSV_Wll3cbI0JBJ-HgJGqPeJq5dcjY-mRhX_qKXYEkUgSOauKSL1pjcd8MtUnB6KpfelX3noxqOOzgGz7pcgTn5/s1600/20151101_165606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y1x8MtMx4jyQtK1voYIVrmTi-O8syln-MWhucMlNnXA8URIuqKq7erSV_Wll3cbI0JBJ-HgJGqPeJq5dcjY-mRhX_qKXYEkUgSOauKSL1pjcd8MtUnB6KpfelX3noxqOOzgGz7pcgTn5/s400/20151101_165606.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is a painting of Chester our beagle for a competition, unfortunately I did not place, but I enjoyed the process!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kk1mksZirYfwp9cJeYwIxcqorMhabl5LtuU5mgTdrDQW6xqtO66zRSkBNUcXdkeDzWnYZS4T3txwqLjHcqkPQHhfaTawQpfDUBAcO9yoK7RVf_ki5FVQXv4IgOetTGpVGzUqyhVnzN0P/s1600/20151227_142140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kk1mksZirYfwp9cJeYwIxcqorMhabl5LtuU5mgTdrDQW6xqtO66zRSkBNUcXdkeDzWnYZS4T3txwqLjHcqkPQHhfaTawQpfDUBAcO9yoK7RVf_ki5FVQXv4IgOetTGpVGzUqyhVnzN0P/s400/20151227_142140.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We've enjoyed some lovely walks in the past week or so, despite the dreadful British weather at the moment. We have somehow got out of the habit of doing longer family walks, we must get back to it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Apart from more of the above, I hope that 2016 is filled with a few more challenges. I somehow managed to pull off my first race, which was a 10k in September....I ran the whole lot, which I was fairly smug about....not bad for a lazy girl. I am hoping that this year might hold a half marathon.....although I am realistic that I may not have the time to train.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I am still pressing on with my German (with far too many major wobbles just recently) I have never found anything more difficult or nerve wracking. I am supposed to travel to Jena, Germany next month and the idea of it makes me feel pretty queasy! If I have an hour to work out what I want to say and a notebook I'm ok.....but conversations don't generally work like that!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JTZ2SmwEKbkewYGizyXW4XL1IEcRj43rqgaB0idIwaqxw8o8EmWMtcwwH3LxgU3XfypQlevsYM_o5lJc29KksyLKkuN42pCZ1HjLWUIP8IUlOKArjuM39JWO5O2b_3MNbVkfEUtvbT6e/s1600/20150920_142452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JTZ2SmwEKbkewYGizyXW4XL1IEcRj43rqgaB0idIwaqxw8o8EmWMtcwwH3LxgU3XfypQlevsYM_o5lJc29KksyLKkuN42pCZ1HjLWUIP8IUlOKArjuM39JWO5O2b_3MNbVkfEUtvbT6e/s400/20150920_142452.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyway....if I can do these things then so can anyone....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All the very best for you and yours in 2016!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-85119415943933541912015-09-17T08:24:00.001-07:002015-09-17T08:24:30.451-07:00Blanket love<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, you might think you could get bored of doing the same thing.....but you know, no matter how many blankets I make, I still want to make more!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
About three months ago, we bought a caravan, in a bid to make family holidays a little more affordable, having three school aged children and dogs makes for an expensive getaway always.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our first caravan holiday went swimmingly, it was so relaxing.....yes, we forgot things, but it was lovely having all your own things to hand.....and who knew that you could carry so many crochet/knitting projects when you have a whole caravan to fill ;-)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, it wasn't long until there were 'caravan blankets' being crocheted frantically!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09snifASWDlAXsCGoB_kZ2oGWgp-bFDnBwx6eopcZgctzUd8N2ht5t2U_-W4KwVNlU40POyGA1t88eb4krCVOp5rPycgh5_vodQdqXbV3KJ07pjfv6jqox56ubi_BvNv4jXTn_zYjrntm/s1600/2015-09-17+14.03.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09snifASWDlAXsCGoB_kZ2oGWgp-bFDnBwx6eopcZgctzUd8N2ht5t2U_-W4KwVNlU40POyGA1t88eb4krCVOp5rPycgh5_vodQdqXbV3KJ07pjfv6jqox56ubi_BvNv4jXTn_zYjrntm/s400/2015-09-17+14.03.17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is middle boy's blanket who has a liking for yellow and blue....and was so excited when I finally sewed in the final lose ends....doesn't that make you so warm inside when something you've made is so wanted?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5coeXT0mI1Q0DJAMwpsXhGTOpkux70UbE5bYhyphenhyphen1nHF3hP2WQeOBUJL8H3PEEBeP7nU5r_NujJe2ELmF8l0KqWMbahxD91rTIK2s1evGwhem4smNcTEHxvzjO1vLPq-ICbse_k1qqgWvur/s1600/2015-09-17+14.01.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5coeXT0mI1Q0DJAMwpsXhGTOpkux70UbE5bYhyphenhyphen1nHF3hP2WQeOBUJL8H3PEEBeP7nU5r_NujJe2ELmF8l0KqWMbahxD91rTIK2s1evGwhem4smNcTEHxvzjO1vLPq-ICbse_k1qqgWvur/s400/2015-09-17+14.01.33.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is biggest boy's (as seen on the last post)....far more grown up and sophisticated!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsgHCRcXQAyOCyok0mUTR1zI91OIbeDS_ZSJIOJZA2hyphenhyphenCywgQkF7lH7kvvouW8VDbNy-y79MXc_CAmeFNxOF90x_oiZB2kX_Ly5Orecz2TcADsJdq8qIBbMDdbv9XorGn8n_3ZaxPoH-q/s1600/blanket+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsgHCRcXQAyOCyok0mUTR1zI91OIbeDS_ZSJIOJZA2hyphenhyphenCywgQkF7lH7kvvouW8VDbNy-y79MXc_CAmeFNxOF90x_oiZB2kX_Ly5Orecz2TcADsJdq8qIBbMDdbv9XorGn8n_3ZaxPoH-q/s400/blanket+024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is littlest boy's....I had already made this, so it has been re-purposed as a 'caravan blanket'</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And if I haven't made enough, I find myself making another at the moment, this one a car seat blanket for a new baby girl....I am really enjoying it, as it's a totally different design to the ones I have made previously....I'll show you next time.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2diylY99LBRADHViSkQhB2Oh8IeS5XvvgFkvCWEMjNTyrrcZS9Seto3S9zHy2Qnk7cweaXIV_8DsRV1fe486G8PVrN-kx6hnLjgVyuqVoKLWQaDA2J5elZuTCdUAd5clVgoecmrl5NTJ/s1600/2015-09-17+14.13.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2diylY99LBRADHViSkQhB2Oh8IeS5XvvgFkvCWEMjNTyrrcZS9Seto3S9zHy2Qnk7cweaXIV_8DsRV1fe486G8PVrN-kx6hnLjgVyuqVoKLWQaDA2J5elZuTCdUAd5clVgoecmrl5NTJ/s320/2015-09-17+14.13.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On other yarn news, I bought the above from a lovely etsy shop<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/247432613/on-sale-summer-skies-rainbow-dk-hand?ref=shop_home_active_19"> Mothy and the Squid</a>.....it looks amazing, you can't see all the rainbow colours in it, but it is called Summer Skies Rainbow.....I think it will be a shawl....hhmmm shawls, just mini blankets eh?! The delivery was next day and I got some lovely stitch markers to boot! How thoughtful is that!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHAMkNRr4POKgm-STus_uP1u2N_wU8gGZ_gzXJno3Cu6VSuDoP4yhJvhHCyRdCb2BIXqpOPJU7-RqfkzO2QSqOIYG0J8LC6GLVw2cBbVi4MmKfy8OdX2D8qM8JT3m6rACUDvnipuaJyGN/s1600/0957_032000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHAMkNRr4POKgm-STus_uP1u2N_wU8gGZ_gzXJno3Cu6VSuDoP4yhJvhHCyRdCb2BIXqpOPJU7-RqfkzO2QSqOIYG0J8LC6GLVw2cBbVi4MmKfy8OdX2D8qM8JT3m6rACUDvnipuaJyGN/s640/0957_032000.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On non-yarny news, this is my mad hubby, finishing his first Iron Man....that's 2.4 mile swim, 122 mile cycle and 26.2 mile run....I was too stressed at the time to take it all in, but I've shed a few tears since. He raised £500 for a local food and clothing bank.....MY HERO!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just to leave you with more happy thoughts, here's the caravan blankets, littlest boy, middle boy, biggest boy and mummy blankets....hubby denies needing one.....will it stop me???</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVMggzLST8NnK3t6O6xdUO3gmstsE-6cWpNzY5jyM0hYIklDd4fJLE8y5LS78h4M9FkP-CqLLfGB54Xe4hlf_HNk4Sj9Rh6ugwj3yVbcmYOkCmJqKNLVwItj7RMYzPXk8fqkp6Hvi64dG/s1600/2015-09-17+14.08.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVMggzLST8NnK3t6O6xdUO3gmstsE-6cWpNzY5jyM0hYIklDd4fJLE8y5LS78h4M9FkP-CqLLfGB54Xe4hlf_HNk4Sj9Rh6ugwj3yVbcmYOkCmJqKNLVwItj7RMYzPXk8fqkp6Hvi64dG/s640/2015-09-17+14.08.24.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-31773438373374281092015-08-26T07:15:00.000-07:002015-09-17T08:24:54.337-07:00Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B2g1yUnW4XuaLPCqTZe9vFB9MeZ0tUBJnVrwCudQcgEdxlLi9OdliFDbkOJIzB9PJImVfSPZf9E3yTtdjQrYScyJcN1QLOgOpMMSD84_UYcx0uIeKGpPXaHtdRCn8FvVnZi2jpZ2yUvf/s1600/2015-08-22+18.29.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B2g1yUnW4XuaLPCqTZe9vFB9MeZ0tUBJnVrwCudQcgEdxlLi9OdliFDbkOJIzB9PJImVfSPZf9E3yTtdjQrYScyJcN1QLOgOpMMSD84_UYcx0uIeKGpPXaHtdRCn8FvVnZi2jpZ2yUvf/s400/2015-08-22+18.29.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well, as ever, my life can hardly be described as uneventful. These school holidays have been filled with all sorts of bits and bobs. I often think I haven't done much until I look back through my pictures. It must be the sign of a blogger (up-to-date or not!) who always takes photos of everything!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So a quick look at just a few makes, the above ripple is for biggest boy, and actually is now finished, ends sewn in, border added and in situ on bed (I must go and rescue it to take some pics before it is too lived-in)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The below toe up socks are<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/have-fun-socks"> Lousie Tillbrook's Have Fun Socks</a>, and were started rather haphazardly, ripped out after realising I wasn't concentrating and have gone so far and been put down in favour of crochet....I'm sure they will come back in to their own when I am back on the school runs again next week. It is nice to have a take-a-long project.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHiTqrsjE1p_Vn35WmXQ6Ky6kJBJLHjaZZ-Y81vL2pXATUGCcT1p4ZsceGNE2Bui_KKfZn_MuOgGNr6E3fYFYSowwF7EFcxUQzBSpHG7Hg3XZyBvjJehpAYtormGWt8cpp1ITCX7HmgEe/s1600/2015-08-22+18.27.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHiTqrsjE1p_Vn35WmXQ6Ky6kJBJLHjaZZ-Y81vL2pXATUGCcT1p4ZsceGNE2Bui_KKfZn_MuOgGNr6E3fYFYSowwF7EFcxUQzBSpHG7Hg3XZyBvjJehpAYtormGWt8cpp1ITCX7HmgEe/s400/2015-08-22+18.27.12.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Biggest boy has been away on a church camp with friends and was part of a nativity dress-up (he was dressed as Michael Jackson....don't ask!) and a last minute non-delivery of wings meant that I was rustling up these at midnight before they left early the next morning. I love a challenge....I also love the fact I have one of everything in my craft cupboard! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfVTFZMyhqgxDGOMrjuay-XAPF0VBpzyXXj22Bknxq3AhR78Ep5R-jE48gtNDzLPAX8XZbQ37vajnsosrDt5_sqVAgPUdqpdcsINMsayGNf5lyd7a3peRsesDRY-FFrTWS1CXO3jkIkbM/s1600/20150815_061644%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfVTFZMyhqgxDGOMrjuay-XAPF0VBpzyXXj22Bknxq3AhR78Ep5R-jE48gtNDzLPAX8XZbQ37vajnsosrDt5_sqVAgPUdqpdcsINMsayGNf5lyd7a3peRsesDRY-FFrTWS1CXO3jkIkbM/s400/20150815_061644%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've had my sewing machine out a few times recently and have rustled up a number of cushions, which is a great short job that I enjoy. Cushions that I have made for our caravan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntuIebCJMKm6-fpxqdlseKcNZkiSqonA6bjBV30ae2w6_LfgQaXOaJ2ji1n3mOMWfPtISEuIw467ZPI9yaL32hioyd3iO7kuFMIaXehbBugv3EWuIfkn2UilPlmsOCl6qTrkSsgQUZ9tJ/s1600/IMG_20150807_143352%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntuIebCJMKm6-fpxqdlseKcNZkiSqonA6bjBV30ae2w6_LfgQaXOaJ2ji1n3mOMWfPtISEuIw467ZPI9yaL32hioyd3iO7kuFMIaXehbBugv3EWuIfkn2UilPlmsOCl6qTrkSsgQUZ9tJ/s400/IMG_20150807_143352%255B1%255D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a patchwork cushion cover made up with wool blanket remnants from a local woolen mill. I made this for an old Welsh friend who now lives in America. The word 'Hiraeth' is a welsh word for a homesickness for Wales. I really enjoyed making this....such an enjoyable make.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpuRUCxamRFhAfguvI9-9qQutiaIJPcBIblYi49E7o2xCoEfgv1eIi5Gav3R6GuA6ArHiJ4TjgoTTi1uigiAYPMg2G5EE96QPKbQsMI_OizavcYTkgQkjhUaC1Rq1xtEZ4_N985b4HA85/s1600/20150720_170251%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpuRUCxamRFhAfguvI9-9qQutiaIJPcBIblYi49E7o2xCoEfgv1eIi5Gav3R6GuA6ArHiJ4TjgoTTi1uigiAYPMg2G5EE96QPKbQsMI_OizavcYTkgQkjhUaC1Rq1xtEZ4_N985b4HA85/s400/20150720_170251%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have done loads of baking, actually, I think I've truly bought up much of the baking section in our local supermarket. We've had friends to stay and I've baked until I've dropped a few times for various get togethers. This cake below was a requested pig birthday cake....hhhmmm...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX6GdcsJn6eGDJEdrDI6p-offO3ltcNkUdFQ2E-rbjmeKmibpVxCEnoYWD4W44-H-_1qPbGdxLu235y58iQvv5kHWr3INZ2VdMdqsk5vY3NNRN9uQkmARr1hVs0LYx7TdSepF_QdTaq1u/s1600/20150805_145114%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX6GdcsJn6eGDJEdrDI6p-offO3ltcNkUdFQ2E-rbjmeKmibpVxCEnoYWD4W44-H-_1qPbGdxLu235y58iQvv5kHWr3INZ2VdMdqsk5vY3NNRN9uQkmARr1hVs0LYx7TdSepF_QdTaq1u/s320/20150805_145114%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
What with all the baking, there has had to be a bit of activity too. I have taken up a bit of running again, although the term running is used loosely! As a family (even the dog) we have done a couple of <a href="http://www.parkrun.org.uk/">Parkruns</a> which have a weekly 5k run about an hour away from us. My hubby is a runner and a nutter so he cycles the 30 or so miles to the parkrun and then runs at snails pace with me at the back, and then cycles back home....impressive on his part, less so on mine...but hey, its an effort in the right direction!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHC0J9SETrg4HiRvxqd01FznfRqm9XpTDl4l0oNNBps72Vy7gMw1JNzpRDoVHCY1WW0DuJgr_ucrVv14Ozp4f6mRFkd0ScNqIGypDyvRzpLqGq7EKHBxtHXkAG1_Hh2y9M1tbrXsUyj33U/s1600/20150808_095050%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHC0J9SETrg4HiRvxqd01FznfRqm9XpTDl4l0oNNBps72Vy7gMw1JNzpRDoVHCY1WW0DuJgr_ucrVv14Ozp4f6mRFkd0ScNqIGypDyvRzpLqGq7EKHBxtHXkAG1_Hh2y9M1tbrXsUyj33U/s400/20150808_095050%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Middle boy wanting to be like his Dad in everything has done a couple of kid's triathlons and this is him after the most recent one, which was a mudbath but much fun was had despite taking a good slide along a muddy field and landing flatout....up he gets, grinning from ear to ear and came in third in his small group.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp_f5ff9X-s5hBRiUYDeWp-dqU_R0eClI7UcFDaZcxXbHQSrTDupedlcWHxbw0bxpwkbUYobY6SW-dha2xXHtQgsMt8IJjPTWykJAPSyq3tCjYZTktPJZGYoiUe1Q6vTSWLvxEbwrETmx/s1600/20150823_112817%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp_f5ff9X-s5hBRiUYDeWp-dqU_R0eClI7UcFDaZcxXbHQSrTDupedlcWHxbw0bxpwkbUYobY6SW-dha2xXHtQgsMt8IJjPTWykJAPSyq3tCjYZTktPJZGYoiUe1Q6vTSWLvxEbwrETmx/s400/20150823_112817%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And here he is, the hubster himself after completing a middle distance triathlon Ocean Lava Wales. This is a pre-cursor to The Big-One which is Iron Man in three short weeks' time. The Iron Man is a 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike and a 26.2mile run.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm so proud of him, its only 18months since he did his first run, a half marathon on a foggy beach.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If only I had some of that determination....can you imagine how many things I could crochet and knit!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVqp5RrLU5lHBbCeDWt4ZrqF-oti4L-_t0maBqq736Xv30Y9NPcVzBipP6TvHbxhSpNhfL1ojR80LV0L35OJQ_3Yac3wE2GsDiniVYhHS9qsk1tdsEl36jsS-l7xR-5Nn_P4cr-Du1MAV/s1600/20150801_172746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVqp5RrLU5lHBbCeDWt4ZrqF-oti4L-_t0maBqq736Xv30Y9NPcVzBipP6TvHbxhSpNhfL1ojR80LV0L35OJQ_3Yac3wE2GsDiniVYhHS9qsk1tdsEl36jsS-l7xR-5Nn_P4cr-Du1MAV/s400/20150801_172746.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-55396273831639707222015-07-28T08:51:00.000-07:002015-07-28T08:51:17.482-07:00Catching up....again....<div style="text-align: justify;">
It always seems to me that I'm trying to catch up....ever have that feeling too?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are now a week and a bit into the children's big holidays, and everything is passing-by even quicker than it was before.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I figured rather than try and cover all the news, I will at least show you my latest finished shawl.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2-ZsOrRydrlbB3LNmvj5JpvhAtqGRhBYf6CQt48681RIgFx_lAX64Sv6lgEBMtqASwg5tjFgsejWVQphK7_h28J-V83LkA9KAhOv78xVYBbocco5eo6GlzgFVQ4yWBKrdB5_hgbeTGyB/s1600/DSC00443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2-ZsOrRydrlbB3LNmvj5JpvhAtqGRhBYf6CQt48681RIgFx_lAX64Sv6lgEBMtqASwg5tjFgsejWVQphK7_h28J-V83LkA9KAhOv78xVYBbocco5eo6GlzgFVQ4yWBKrdB5_hgbeTGyB/s640/DSC00443.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/der-querdenker">Der Querdenker </a> by Petra Neumann....translated into English from German (I think my next German pattern I should try in German, could make the knitting so much more of a challenge!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_By05hS8XxPeOJIksI3IPsE68vz_kJfhRBSCMwJYjhIqpYvXdIYt5u4CncCXn3mM4x4XLJu6tjhKcZX9veILmGTEQC9v6VNUUm53P0Htey6D-W8lS12U6R2QqXIjMS-t1GiOpDlq-aFe/s1600/DSC00429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_By05hS8XxPeOJIksI3IPsE68vz_kJfhRBSCMwJYjhIqpYvXdIYt5u4CncCXn3mM4x4XLJu6tjhKcZX9veILmGTEQC9v6VNUUm53P0Htey6D-W8lS12U6R2QqXIjMS-t1GiOpDlq-aFe/s400/DSC00429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The yarns were ones I had on my shelf (I was sorely tempted to splash out though!) the blue and the green were both bought in the Waterfront in Cape Town, both spun and dyed by Nurturing Fibres. The Pink was a bought from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/perran-yarns-handpainted-laceweight-baby-alpaca-silk-cashmere">Perran Yarns</a> left over from a previous make,,.,,,and there's yet more still to make something else too!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCcQIVD_dZ8tccgXGR6aqRm26lfb_zLPjOV3kk0as07TWnUi6CteLW33-8HOfrxQc95jQNtEzcjTw5fHNYHyCYoeavzsXgUslSLHwmBii5qon8NWShhLAwdflDZHpysTxvNL6PposGr-b/s1600/DSC00432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCcQIVD_dZ8tccgXGR6aqRm26lfb_zLPjOV3kk0as07TWnUi6CteLW33-8HOfrxQc95jQNtEzcjTw5fHNYHyCYoeavzsXgUslSLHwmBii5qon8NWShhLAwdflDZHpysTxvNL6PposGr-b/s640/DSC00432.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was a lovely shawl to make with a swing knitting short row technique that I had not done before. The technique made sense, was easy enough and actually to me, was a better way to do it than I've done previously (which was always a bit hit and miss). All in all, a really nice project. This is now packed up and winging its way across the pond to a lovely German teacher in America who helped me so much in my recent German exam......but that's another story!</div>
*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-65712587214486760702015-05-17T08:10:00.001-07:002015-05-17T08:10:55.205-07:00Make-along #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So two weeks and a bit into Crafts from the Cwtch's Make-along and I am making fairly good progress, I can't tell you how lovely it is to be knitting again....it seems like I've been away for years (which isn't true of course) but it's a happy reunion. I've even managed to do some knitting-on-the-go, the best thing about doing a small project like this is I can chuck it in the car and hope that I'll find a spare few minutes to fit some knitting in....and I have!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh2yUeAtGzRUHVXoeUxmxG10TnSZRvrgyHgW4CuU3_vvsB-DKLKolp0RZOJfwg05lHt8C93k9lnezMjdz6rumIOxdXiDo0PpxDK2CQ-2dhKPZNRCsrWg_6W2Sp2n1O44EglhYDAOEjz70/s1600/DSC00359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh2yUeAtGzRUHVXoeUxmxG10TnSZRvrgyHgW4CuU3_vvsB-DKLKolp0RZOJfwg05lHt8C93k9lnezMjdz6rumIOxdXiDo0PpxDK2CQ-2dhKPZNRCsrWg_6W2Sp2n1O44EglhYDAOEjz70/s400/DSC00359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/der-querdenker">Der Querdenker</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5KkpmHGP_-duneB3xVnKY6vVYU7Ab6ce-aoUNrFeYKNJBZJZjxjcnZ73Z9zUubiZh5KvL92tAvvFS-TqQji6oONEvb2s28vR99kMEJzzwIjLD4z8obHmNvaIWRUM3-A1uN41lByifF0U/s1600/DSC00361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5KkpmHGP_-duneB3xVnKY6vVYU7Ab6ce-aoUNrFeYKNJBZJZjxjcnZ73Z9zUubiZh5KvL92tAvvFS-TqQji6oONEvb2s28vR99kMEJzzwIjLD4z8obHmNvaIWRUM3-A1uN41lByifF0U/s400/DSC00361.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It isn't exactly the best choice of colours, and actually the photos don't really show them as they are....but I am enjoying the design and the colours work with it I think. I wanted to show you my inspiration....when I first started with the blue and green, they so made me think of the bluebells, although try as I might, I have not managed, on many occasions, to capture the real deep blue I could see. Anyway....the pink made me think of the pink campions as it started to work in.....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TK5aHG6r-Ixq-KyGYwZ0x0ZiD8y9dCxE2ZE53l93z2Td4_mSbUPCeif-XCNwPPTjzpz1fXN9ZOhT-5cry2R-8cpeAh-9hHoii00RUNA-qib3mcVaBtdoJsa-ed_mBGHCZ5BN_Q2CdUe8/s1600/DSC00367+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TK5aHG6r-Ixq-KyGYwZ0x0ZiD8y9dCxE2ZE53l93z2Td4_mSbUPCeif-XCNwPPTjzpz1fXN9ZOhT-5cry2R-8cpeAh-9hHoii00RUNA-qib3mcVaBtdoJsa-ed_mBGHCZ5BN_Q2CdUe8/s400/DSC00367+(2).JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm enjoying this one....I'm also looking forward to doing another shawl as soon as this one is off the needles....I think I have certainly discovered my weakness.....I've always had a huge blanket obsession, but shawls are just mini-blankets right? Comforting, warm, pretty and quicker to make than blankets.....what could be better?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZVll91b2pI4Ufyaexjh3xKtcwaoTxgZsnoa3s9KQeMQX7ygWrh3jwixpvw0KjwNcv_AGN3i37CrKxBtVC1FC9riXOSFeDdsCKqKzPqYb7CuznQeCVhYauoJSauVmOxGEJ175iW2qWfcR/s1600/cftcmakealong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZVll91b2pI4Ufyaexjh3xKtcwaoTxgZsnoa3s9KQeMQX7ygWrh3jwixpvw0KjwNcv_AGN3i37CrKxBtVC1FC9riXOSFeDdsCKqKzPqYb7CuznQeCVhYauoJSauVmOxGEJ175iW2qWfcR/s320/cftcmakealong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-75797695434549287392015-05-04T12:50:00.001-07:002015-05-04T12:50:05.165-07:00knitting again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've been rather 'stuck' in a crochet rut recently, the offending article being a teeny-tiny baby blanket that should have been finished in a week, but actually ran to two months....ooooppppssss!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Anyway, the blanket is now hopefully, wrapped around its new owner....although, I am a little bothered that the weather has vastly improved since I started it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxxzGz5muG4Znpremg3BavRM6-hYbY0mz45moUJiqFyM96vLxoY1RpVbamLLIiljYgUsIEttpWOerXz9C4O4ZAgAuWnYJWcAXehv3YflIuwkcanZp07etuYH7VxvKyoQQfqyinYOca8hy/s1600/DSC00291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxxzGz5muG4Znpremg3BavRM6-hYbY0mz45moUJiqFyM96vLxoY1RpVbamLLIiljYgUsIEttpWOerXz9C4O4ZAgAuWnYJWcAXehv3YflIuwkcanZp07etuYH7VxvKyoQQfqyinYOca8hy/s640/DSC00291.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So with blanket gone, I turned my attention to the yarn I bought in Cape Town....a multi-coloured dk with a lovely sheen....a bit fat chunky brightly coloured yarn....some pink banana yarn.....some deep green merino....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DMnAOvQ8V54H7n0IpFEICdbgpMEuR6FIwRFzdpyZRasQG6XnbZW_W4ui_QuPCZTq4u1dsKV0r_OL50g7DqTm7KyGy1_0_B_wSQBv5za52NGDYHRmrNre-6aXW_JGnTp86Qys8gRXGNuq/s1600/DSC00311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DMnAOvQ8V54H7n0IpFEICdbgpMEuR6FIwRFzdpyZRasQG6XnbZW_W4ui_QuPCZTq4u1dsKV0r_OL50g7DqTm7KyGy1_0_B_wSQBv5za52NGDYHRmrNre-6aXW_JGnTp86Qys8gRXGNuq/s400/DSC00311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I seem to have caught a bug for knitting shawls at some stage, so I've been itching to break into the green lace-weight, looking for the opportunity, so when <a href="http://www.craftsfromthecwtch.co.uk/">Sarah Crafts from the Cwtch</a> announced her make-along I was there!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rg4oLvih53x3HBz21jKp7abBU5rH0ORg3ZLJLnCfNuqGNyPO4KGI1cotTVhPOhkV8x6_JYRobCURl7NUF2pbb6zIvePIZHCU6UCrDIexYYRAvCe7hTUZzqnexAzjP7EemN68trUIxaG_/s1600/cftcmakealong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rg4oLvih53x3HBz21jKp7abBU5rH0ORg3ZLJLnCfNuqGNyPO4KGI1cotTVhPOhkV8x6_JYRobCURl7NUF2pbb6zIvePIZHCU6UCrDIexYYRAvCe7hTUZzqnexAzjP7EemN68trUIxaG_/s320/cftcmakealong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I've made a start, after much deliberation on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/der-querdenker">Der Querdenker</a> I was tempted to download the pattern in German, but figured I may get myself into a real tangle. The pattern uses a new-to-me method of doing short rows, swing-knitting, which I will let you know how I get on!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfJ8raRdeSiu_373o-7ta_N9TG2t83HlhiU14UUEvFoCPXeoVIRIz3ItFTzZ1BJhMoECoV3hKZFvuA0gedMAGInfCFf-jy_AaumIc9-7E1ZWwW4BAZC0OTeprrEfd8XvIIj5wFn-en64k/s1600/DSC00343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfJ8raRdeSiu_373o-7ta_N9TG2t83HlhiU14UUEvFoCPXeoVIRIz3ItFTzZ1BJhMoECoV3hKZFvuA0gedMAGInfCFf-jy_AaumIc9-7E1ZWwW4BAZC0OTeprrEfd8XvIIj5wFn-en64k/s400/DSC00343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
While I've only just begun, I am enjoying the colours so much, the blue yarn, is also one that came back from Cape Town last year when my well trained hubby bought me some back from his holiday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I will be adding in another colour, but at the moment, it so reminds me of the bluebells in the garden.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD0sOkqzDh12qnRU5NKBuH69kDREdegW3e-GZZM7PljRUbaMs5hCg_yPbFpP1plz_mMv3ri_WTyIhzl8jEeQH9-kxUUN6BihWr8yHRx_2JViFQxgjUrX9r1CuRL6Qz6MyNBva7HneF29O/s1600/DSC00337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD0sOkqzDh12qnRU5NKBuH69kDREdegW3e-GZZM7PljRUbaMs5hCg_yPbFpP1plz_mMv3ri_WTyIhzl8jEeQH9-kxUUN6BihWr8yHRx_2JViFQxgjUrX9r1CuRL6Qz6MyNBva7HneF29O/s400/DSC00337.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After a grey and wet weekend (in which mein Mann decided to do his first trail run competition on the coast paths....28 miles later...wet, muddy and cold) today has been a pretty good Bank Holiday, so we got out with boys and dogs and did a 7-miler.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sv6yVTZzPRooGEmlnJ2fDXw-1sVnRVKR0zG6A_BGwrcHIt67smasQ5q3JZDz7NQxCDg6aCSFeaaK5n5ElGE8GM8-GL1mnaP2KYUiEqD3Q_J2Puz31WhN226An2K-abKIXWj37Fgo2XYP/s1600/DSC00321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sv6yVTZzPRooGEmlnJ2fDXw-1sVnRVKR0zG6A_BGwrcHIt67smasQ5q3JZDz7NQxCDg6aCSFeaaK5n5ElGE8GM8-GL1mnaP2KYUiEqD3Q_J2Puz31WhN226An2K-abKIXWj37Fgo2XYP/s400/DSC00321.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been busy, busy, busy around here....I have both my French and German open university courses finishing this month, with a final examiner assessment. For the German, I have a live spoken assessment, that if I think about for too long, I start to feel queasy....learning a language is all very well and good....but actually speaking and being asked questions....a whole different ball game!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've also been doing a huge amount of baking, unfortunately not for us all of the time. I do love to cook, almost as much as I like to eat...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, one final picture of one of the puds I've made, lemon, mascarpone, frangipane and cherries....yum!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__2H6Dg0dm_P9G47tP2HqwMKgK-ZEarB6o24kSd7vKGlDG1BsLdEucC6D10IAjYhlfDR6yTiGJGXa_6bOZlNlce72Sj47n71wlBnyRMUjzp26AllSjlLIBxs6kwkl-AoduuQnhroU8MAj/s1600/DSC00269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__2H6Dg0dm_P9G47tP2HqwMKgK-ZEarB6o24kSd7vKGlDG1BsLdEucC6D10IAjYhlfDR6yTiGJGXa_6bOZlNlce72Sj47n71wlBnyRMUjzp26AllSjlLIBxs6kwkl-AoduuQnhroU8MAj/s400/DSC00269.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-5341078205464293772015-04-18T12:07:00.001-07:002015-04-18T12:07:06.161-07:00...and everything in between.....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Easter this year has been a lovely time.....the weather here has been glorious. Doesn't it make everything just right?! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We set out walking on a new route this week, an area that we haven't been to before, where there are the remains of an old slate/shale quarry It was established in the 1840's, but has been out of commission for some years now. The remains are spectacular, eerie and in some places quite sad. Silent and empty.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I spotted this little archway above where we were walking on a slate bank, so we all clambered up. Well worth the effort as there was a sight to behold captured by a torch and a mobile phone camera.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepcTzHDlLLW5O3XQcB_i1esylGXvTc1LvtqISbqeXAUBmtn0BA5pxdJ91asgH5pswjIE24pROD-YxsdsZuqWT2DSKWhFoU28Zr6zyX-viYPlzgmSdXgTmhJBwmX1wu75qsGkvZK9czFPJ/s1600/20150404_125636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepcTzHDlLLW5O3XQcB_i1esylGXvTc1LvtqISbqeXAUBmtn0BA5pxdJ91asgH5pswjIE24pROD-YxsdsZuqWT2DSKWhFoU28Zr6zyX-viYPlzgmSdXgTmhJBwmX1wu75qsGkvZK9czFPJ/s1600/20150404_125636.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0StOIIZXEPIMmStotopUYWXk-3nF6aD5kI5T_pDq2-ytxqnwrVebogjdhHse0rx3tMz1sKsjBc-DM3uVyPzgCzE1no4BKS6FO8xxP5AupLf4nvkOpPV-1pO6qk4hs3-puIei03mnN39h/s1600/rosebush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0StOIIZXEPIMmStotopUYWXk-3nF6aD5kI5T_pDq2-ytxqnwrVebogjdhHse0rx3tMz1sKsjBc-DM3uVyPzgCzE1no4BKS6FO8xxP5AupLf4nvkOpPV-1pO6qk4hs3-puIei03mnN39h/s1600/rosebush.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(photo care of hubby's phone camera and middle boy's torch....how eerie is that?)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
There was a secret just around the corner</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1UyLFLnMHeqmrjtTJhbdw2RuB6wvMRJadwW8shnbA8a6Y8Eq7I1ND3LGShhY3Wg5YM2hH_uysX7TzpLHmsJr9q6wFP5YbbiZ-XlkRx9jrqUDAeUvaEVt7jEpBlG8AdAbQISKWW-SrF5P/s1600/20150404_130635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1UyLFLnMHeqmrjtTJhbdw2RuB6wvMRJadwW8shnbA8a6Y8Eq7I1ND3LGShhY3Wg5YM2hH_uysX7TzpLHmsJr9q6wFP5YbbiZ-XlkRx9jrqUDAeUvaEVt7jEpBlG8AdAbQISKWW-SrF5P/s1600/20150404_130635.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
A perfect picnic spot<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpagvFsuOFTpWmBZGh3qWwq0Cm_3ll_o289DrJWozEUiRl8-_hWs1f3cruA4w0GLLL7o9llgGToQm6fd9DrVS9CD0UpRg000SAl4Vsk43_LtuIuCw-9kt87jgNJVPopYZd1jUWe32tN4J/s1600/20150404_130808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpagvFsuOFTpWmBZGh3qWwq0Cm_3ll_o289DrJWozEUiRl8-_hWs1f3cruA4w0GLLL7o9llgGToQm6fd9DrVS9CD0UpRg000SAl4Vsk43_LtuIuCw-9kt87jgNJVPopYZd1jUWe32tN4J/s1600/20150404_130808.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-1-CRqzK_EHs9-GzqPyVzUZTfhTkr-OlRlz4Rca4GJNNrLInKnzU7ZEczkrt6a9Mv-MsYtn-YXOgsqxRTewrO-7NMKRsqjoER7vatTj8whufydW0vtRkXSVNOgSkz-RviBHMHOeWuMVV/s1600/20150404_130821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-1-CRqzK_EHs9-GzqPyVzUZTfhTkr-OlRlz4Rca4GJNNrLInKnzU7ZEczkrt6a9Mv-MsYtn-YXOgsqxRTewrO-7NMKRsqjoER7vatTj8whufydW0vtRkXSVNOgSkz-RviBHMHOeWuMVV/s1600/20150404_130821.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love getting out in the wilderness with the boys and dogs.....I find it puts your body right somehow, especially if you are otherwise cooped up a lot during the week. I can't put my finger on what happens, but being outdoors brings balance, I was feeling quite out of sorts and a bit despondent when we got back from our hollies, but getting out on a good long walk, put me back to rights!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Biggest boy turned twelve, his birthday was guitar focused, guitar cake and a guitar to go with it. I am so pleased to encourage my boys in music and creativity, I am so thankful for all my creative exploits, especially the music....even when the going is tough, losing yourself in music puts everything in perspective.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iHi-KNvncbkQQzdbRTftCqqWSgsZ53IrvTsqdhizM98KBZZUQlyrd_Y2q67AThMTjdqASWORqZWHlHYQi7S7yLSDuXERvnDN1GgdUQFeLrvHnY9DI3Ol3MenW560vD4Oy9FTLTWG7ZnV/s1600/IMG_20150328_142247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iHi-KNvncbkQQzdbRTftCqqWSgsZ53IrvTsqdhizM98KBZZUQlyrd_Y2q67AThMTjdqASWORqZWHlHYQi7S7yLSDuXERvnDN1GgdUQFeLrvHnY9DI3Ol3MenW560vD4Oy9FTLTWG7ZnV/s1600/IMG_20150328_142247.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS5EP1hPNgTGJ_0vWH8JnPSm2DLxal1U_BX8qmdn-7bKhQYaPT6BLEslrYfFa9IPwmcIaL0l_Ry196H5U7SnTMoLA9qAi4P4b9lxvvgwT9vnsMaf-qtnG3m0xObHPUlmXvzDaQqnG-S1x/s1600/IMG_20150328_153127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS5EP1hPNgTGJ_0vWH8JnPSm2DLxal1U_BX8qmdn-7bKhQYaPT6BLEslrYfFa9IPwmcIaL0l_Ry196H5U7SnTMoLA9qAi4P4b9lxvvgwT9vnsMaf-qtnG3m0xObHPUlmXvzDaQqnG-S1x/s1600/IMG_20150328_153127.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(this post has been lurking in my edit list for an age, landlines down and then very slow broadband, it is surprising how much we have all got used to having google at our fingertips....how does life continue without search engines I wonder?! So it is far less than everything in between, there has been much food, more walking, some crafting, lots of learning...)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324302543418221669.post-15264605383586716052015-03-29T13:06:00.000-07:002015-03-29T13:06:50.284-07:00South Africa - our first family visit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Last month, as you already know, we had a family adventure......we travelled to South Africa to spend two weeks in the sunshine, visiting all the places that my husband (who was born near Cape Town) used to go to as a kid. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We did a fair mix of everything, the touristy stuff, catching up with friends and a good deal of eating good food and relaxing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here are a selection of memories...(this is very abridged, and I won't bore you with details of all the lovely food we ate!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZny3pYHrpnTV5JrUjNkKjMOV9fVxTGHg23sccKM3F8dlsE0s2-iwgKEIVrWgok9LnNtFKZWJwd3tW0423oWtdn6yI8GaJHFldOlTrDDkjVMjH8SahBJ4YfKnUlJRRFk2Habbtwn_rVop/s1600/20150205_204616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZny3pYHrpnTV5JrUjNkKjMOV9fVxTGHg23sccKM3F8dlsE0s2-iwgKEIVrWgok9LnNtFKZWJwd3tW0423oWtdn6yI8GaJHFldOlTrDDkjVMjH8SahBJ4YfKnUlJRRFk2Habbtwn_rVop/s1600/20150205_204616.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We did the long haul, Birmingham to Dubai...Dubai to Cape Town...17 hours in total.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately not everything went quite as swimmingly as it should and we ended up just missing our connection in Dubai as it was a bit cloudy to land. This meant us spending a day in Dubai.... as it turned out, it was a great experience for all of us, a chance to look around this spectacular place....Its all about the wow factor, interesting to see, but I'm happy if that is my one and only visit there.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy8iVKoQDYieuHR-XZB0-ShLhO2CYlJMX0DGk98Ci3FbVui8kRtqKSJb10xZ66YZbux-Q6C2Leqg_t3QeBNy37HChNG_EFmuAXOcDsh0E1HdND4TG-lmHuUi4n2XSb-2tw8JbrnCbgWlm/s1600/DSC09865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy8iVKoQDYieuHR-XZB0-ShLhO2CYlJMX0DGk98Ci3FbVui8kRtqKSJb10xZ66YZbux-Q6C2Leqg_t3QeBNy37HChNG_EFmuAXOcDsh0E1HdND4TG-lmHuUi4n2XSb-2tw8JbrnCbgWlm/s1600/DSC09865.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(us wearing all the wrong clothes, but not having our suitcases meant no other option...it certainly makes me realise I will never pack the same again!)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The tallest building in the world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67ewTHW1DLWkq_lvW43BxLLijJRbSnt3TB0YPacWdznOB3palHAf41Fn-mxZAdKsSly9yCq6WGuz0hnlH9HOSLYjOq09JpWbC3BuzsKhh0BgK2obuo_jAWnqpINrvFWLQK5NsqgsrjfWf/s1600/DSC09943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67ewTHW1DLWkq_lvW43BxLLijJRbSnt3TB0YPacWdznOB3palHAf41Fn-mxZAdKsSly9yCq6WGuz0hnlH9HOSLYjOq09JpWbC3BuzsKhh0BgK2obuo_jAWnqpINrvFWLQK5NsqgsrjfWf/s1600/DSC09943.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So after we finally arrived a day later than hoped, we slept, caught up and then hit the road...<br />
<br />
This place is just so beautiful....I didn't go with any ideas what it may be like, and therefore was just blown away by the scenery....especially the mountains, rising up out of the sea....the blue-green seas the whiter-than-white sands.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqs6HnNwDutXBJ_O0SibbgVPOQKuflzOtclXjW1Mq1_8su0RAaifXVOB_2mxd4QVdyGy974XzWlQSeklfxuWFwuOeH6uj-dxGevs9TNcvxctrpzXADA9s7Ht1MBhONAbPUZvDIhpYLNyr/s1600/20150208_120939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqs6HnNwDutXBJ_O0SibbgVPOQKuflzOtclXjW1Mq1_8su0RAaifXVOB_2mxd4QVdyGy974XzWlQSeklfxuWFwuOeH6uj-dxGevs9TNcvxctrpzXADA9s7Ht1MBhONAbPUZvDIhpYLNyr/s1600/20150208_120939.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">This is Misty Cliffs, breathtakingly beautiful...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLCJBK5LxiVrkQNF8y0XglstsFck0WTnyk3uPOq_u5g0DHWWZgxOJD7cLFLYuaX0pj29rW7sqtWRCEVGN680fAVmqg8XcHLkUpMipZNsfeac0-Os193c-8bF9ohBKkV4e_Zf-lFMprpeV/s1600/20150213_135035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLCJBK5LxiVrkQNF8y0XglstsFck0WTnyk3uPOq_u5g0DHWWZgxOJD7cLFLYuaX0pj29rW7sqtWRCEVGN680fAVmqg8XcHLkUpMipZNsfeac0-Os193c-8bF9ohBKkV4e_Zf-lFMprpeV/s1600/20150213_135035.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Littlest boy holding a croc (with it's beak well and truly shut tight!)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnjKsX4ALVOkf8YlpGz1FkjYLyx4k7u_byX1zNyJZckiqBx7WBtEEp9x9O1SVfb1e3XEYO8euIeHRo1ezRreav7MaULIec1akSOfiLlloWcYfcuYJIsC_yPRuQOHcQByoEfO_cr3hdqii/s1600/20150214_115854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnjKsX4ALVOkf8YlpGz1FkjYLyx4k7u_byX1zNyJZckiqBx7WBtEEp9x9O1SVfb1e3XEYO8euIeHRo1ezRreav7MaULIec1akSOfiLlloWcYfcuYJIsC_yPRuQOHcQByoEfO_cr3hdqii/s1600/20150214_115854.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cape Point (which actually isn't the lowest point) a beautiful nature reserve with the Indian Ocean one side and the Atlantic on the other...one side warm....one somewhat cooler. We had the most amazing meal in a restaurant overlooking the oceans, a memory hard to beat, and as one of the boys pointed out when I said how romantic the setting was, we were there on Valentine's day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb2Jq60Xk9QXOYNH4X0apHqJAd3fxMsxOKVibrpBdQIpOkjccakD9zX304y2ErtYEvHxwOtx2-8w4FWmGEU1PsE8iHfeYJ15q6O7meh3LvMb5qd9d-64Wj4F0W9319Vm708IDJqfYgBO9/s1600/20150214_120556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb2Jq60Xk9QXOYNH4X0apHqJAd3fxMsxOKVibrpBdQIpOkjccakD9zX304y2ErtYEvHxwOtx2-8w4FWmGEU1PsE8iHfeYJ15q6O7meh3LvMb5qd9d-64Wj4F0W9319Vm708IDJqfYgBO9/s1600/20150214_120556.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCPH9qqhvaEvMUl02eJjUEhgVxT8IzIWoK2_PbNwkgtALI_qHe9VV5EUBMWUUuhzZcFrToNp0l7hJ0zAjPDoER-suUrYkYAfxNNiLnYrvnA_G1cuc2478x4ujyydCdGJARJLmduuZU5U4/s1600/20150214_143443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCPH9qqhvaEvMUl02eJjUEhgVxT8IzIWoK2_PbNwkgtALI_qHe9VV5EUBMWUUuhzZcFrToNp0l7hJ0zAjPDoER-suUrYkYAfxNNiLnYrvnA_G1cuc2478x4ujyydCdGJARJLmduuZU5U4/s1600/20150214_143443.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We looked out for baboons the whole time when we were in South Africa, but right at the end of the holiday, we finally saw them here. (They have been a real menace in the past, and with tourists feeding them they can be fairly aggressive, they are not as dominant as they were thankfully, as people have been employed to keep them in the mountains where they are safer and people are not in danger of being attacked). While we were at the reserve we saw ostriches and dassies also</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Za1GllqzfbeL8QQlvS_rE72Iczc7SiXb7RU8CBGdcfZykCaV3LthRWL-HgZxlPS374qb_3I7G8NU-2YUzCORvsakAkffZkRu3dVthTV5khCpli-ez5_qOBzyYbM3Stg4oEJRkXtPpAqo/s1600/20150214_145249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Za1GllqzfbeL8QQlvS_rE72Iczc7SiXb7RU8CBGdcfZykCaV3LthRWL-HgZxlPS374qb_3I7G8NU-2YUzCORvsakAkffZkRu3dVthTV5khCpli-ez5_qOBzyYbM3Stg4oEJRkXtPpAqo/s1600/20150214_145249.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
Around every corner there were views like this one....white sands and turquoise seas....stunning. This is Noordhoek beach where my hubby went dogwalking when he was a young lad.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdN-FUcc0OqQ9z-KPB2b6fc1IMByUu3owl1M38VSib_cVGohTIysvWBsnKWxDPF7GkKRCUqhyRa7S7ENtXoiOBGX2xg9GUTEB91AabdRX23STtTN1t9t9RZFG304kmo3gYl0orOSoTDKf/s1600/20150215_140152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdN-FUcc0OqQ9z-KPB2b6fc1IMByUu3owl1M38VSib_cVGohTIysvWBsnKWxDPF7GkKRCUqhyRa7S7ENtXoiOBGX2xg9GUTEB91AabdRX23STtTN1t9t9RZFG304kmo3gYl0orOSoTDKf/s1600/20150215_140152.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a photo taken from Chapman's Peak, a breath taking view across to Hout Bay where my Father-in-law used to work (which we later drove around to and saw seals on the dock)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNo-uzF-xXyCXrVoZnlKhV4ox6HlzfwxOHjKsUGis1blWuWdjs-b1bd8lS-47bMKt4DDxaikcMmpIXzoLgTlC2tkb1CVyiygtb1CV97s71dpvhd43Kp-0_l3POC5yWMTmT7sfeZEAe7pq/s1600/20150215_141543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNo-uzF-xXyCXrVoZnlKhV4ox6HlzfwxOHjKsUGis1blWuWdjs-b1bd8lS-47bMKt4DDxaikcMmpIXzoLgTlC2tkb1CVyiygtb1CV97s71dpvhd43Kp-0_l3POC5yWMTmT7sfeZEAe7pq/s1600/20150215_141543.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the catwalk at Fish Hoek where my husband grew up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QdpPGL6T9SGxFOfpgbkMp79CdRb4ewsLBAHoQ7tmaGgNlhcIt8Qc-r7PzfQPdDvZGOmOpV5WGAXusNmw9CNffYnusDuTnaE7J9lLEYxLfR07UJ2ivCi4AQV5Ior7M8l5tgFe1qzg3pY3/s1600/DSC09966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QdpPGL6T9SGxFOfpgbkMp79CdRb4ewsLBAHoQ7tmaGgNlhcIt8Qc-r7PzfQPdDvZGOmOpV5WGAXusNmw9CNffYnusDuTnaE7J9lLEYxLfR07UJ2ivCi4AQV5Ior7M8l5tgFe1qzg3pY3/s1600/DSC09966.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Boulders beach where they have resident penguins. While we were here, there were baby penguins, all fluffy and brown sitting in dug out holes in the sand....sooo cute!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSqAkAT9SGNDkqRxiI431yD8glb_kfQBs3QpM9hd8EM8mSGLCvkWJqJXqNZXqNjDcXztblVr8vSdKbbWGFvJ4FKMehajnnqIlnFMQrX77iczUU647ouFoS2H3n8bzhfnRltN1bC6zN8JH/s1600/20150209_160036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSqAkAT9SGNDkqRxiI431yD8glb_kfQBs3QpM9hd8EM8mSGLCvkWJqJXqNZXqNjDcXztblVr8vSdKbbWGFvJ4FKMehajnnqIlnFMQrX77iczUU647ouFoS2H3n8bzhfnRltN1bC6zN8JH/s1600/20150209_160036.jpg" height="216" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We visited Cape Town (I bought some yarn!) and then we took the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwfEt1dHeU5PHi1mBtBfLhsyV4-NxpmdKEYeBfFs4C_ZITryFSPTNUv8FPw7DnB4z4th_AUHvSy_Fnusjg3qWqaNMMcWzQM8NHVTPVSuDRquqoIA6Bak0crPi7BKqKZ7k11NTRbMNS-LX/s1600/DSC00122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwfEt1dHeU5PHi1mBtBfLhsyV4-NxpmdKEYeBfFs4C_ZITryFSPTNUv8FPw7DnB4z4th_AUHvSy_Fnusjg3qWqaNMMcWzQM8NHVTPVSuDRquqoIA6Bak0crPi7BKqKZ7k11NTRbMNS-LX/s1600/DSC00122.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBEIxHBb51umhyphenhyphenr5kWQVf3RKb3GHeYcTYy-lVPW9buYAUrfOr0Nc7mfrp5-4kWE0LgPNQUMYVx2XLgbCQyHluY0pQ9zvw5wADDm5jDuaHfwAtbHQrREEpTxiu0xK6OTdkniLATZ2uvHUp/s1600/DSC00107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBEIxHBb51umhyphenhyphenr5kWQVf3RKb3GHeYcTYy-lVPW9buYAUrfOr0Nc7mfrp5-4kWE0LgPNQUMYVx2XLgbCQyHluY0pQ9zvw5wADDm5jDuaHfwAtbHQrREEpTxiu0xK6OTdkniLATZ2uvHUp/s1600/DSC00107.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The views from the top of Table Mountain are glorious....what an awesome day it was.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvAx2xiQntQDkED1t01P7BoKxWduWtzlWP1pbW5-toM2K62UqoXpAd3LKHrhiI22h2oPPLzZAA-84huSGHIY9b1KCPn_Fb43siSKdnyW5Kh7GufEO0jZAvVrAsAUQbmrhHkHxhpS1jx7g/s1600/20150212_131400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvAx2xiQntQDkED1t01P7BoKxWduWtzlWP1pbW5-toM2K62UqoXpAd3LKHrhiI22h2oPPLzZAA-84huSGHIY9b1KCPn_Fb43siSKdnyW5Kh7GufEO0jZAvVrAsAUQbmrhHkHxhpS1jx7g/s1600/20150212_131400.jpg" height="248" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwznffxVpMBPYELFXTdKoZcQT3ypqkKmRTLuQ4YtGhR6kf6fnzqA0vGD2xprzFZ727U1Yhbzl3XesSQX2muxwN6lgoUNMHTcMUGCrJsPNNtqxLLFIp2-sJNms33MykNEK8ZzqQcLvodHt4/s1600/20150212_132509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwznffxVpMBPYELFXTdKoZcQT3ypqkKmRTLuQ4YtGhR6kf6fnzqA0vGD2xprzFZ727U1Yhbzl3XesSQX2muxwN6lgoUNMHTcMUGCrJsPNNtqxLLFIp2-sJNms33MykNEK8ZzqQcLvodHt4/s1600/20150212_132509.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The beach at Fish Hoek has people shark spotting in the high places. When a shark is seen, a siren goes off to warn people. The day after the boys were surfing, this happened and it really was quite chilling. The shark had come in with the fishing boats.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When my husband was a little boy he regularly went surfing after school, but in the last fifteen years or so there has been a big increase in great whites. I was relieved I admit when the surfing finished!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGNYD8Ni2c3GxEVzBQHiyG3uoa_Awxm697bTMmomRrwW0pKaNUsiZIhkbDcLzc-P6zv7cPwsQjnEcJROODN2pt-l-V2l3kwQllD5kWFd2f2P19iFON50mZwTv4o9kcGSoCvu_muxzyXD2/s1600/DSC00197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGNYD8Ni2c3GxEVzBQHiyG3uoa_Awxm697bTMmomRrwW0pKaNUsiZIhkbDcLzc-P6zv7cPwsQjnEcJROODN2pt-l-V2l3kwQllD5kWFd2f2P19iFON50mZwTv4o9kcGSoCvu_muxzyXD2/s1600/DSC00197.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Middle-boy who turned out to be a real natural.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qU97WwrLdYBXAJI47B2trMbwovHUP90ze7EEY7hupIoZhOScRE-IljUJ1ZSX2TdpIKXkNEdToRhvSxVVkCjoOqVTHlszO37E8OKUwFaV5sfg034Y1wfKmyEl-8CqAn02bQZ8yWn2Xj17/s1600/DSC00231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qU97WwrLdYBXAJI47B2trMbwovHUP90ze7EEY7hupIoZhOScRE-IljUJ1ZSX2TdpIKXkNEdToRhvSxVVkCjoOqVTHlszO37E8OKUwFaV5sfg034Y1wfKmyEl-8CqAn02bQZ8yWn2Xj17/s1600/DSC00231.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Littlest boy taking a break from the surf!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28YRR0a44bxEKEyLXp3Sy-f9sYaa8Ji0UMttOjDqN06i_mgXloQ8-cKbel43rSmD2yrpzhZpmq1-FQuQhRKLVio5j7-EkSPnJyDKH9VRkJ31qBjkZXiultRCoLUcbqBIhuZ7yK9fDIq4A/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28YRR0a44bxEKEyLXp3Sy-f9sYaa8Ji0UMttOjDqN06i_mgXloQ8-cKbel43rSmD2yrpzhZpmq1-FQuQhRKLVio5j7-EkSPnJyDKH9VRkJ31qBjkZXiultRCoLUcbqBIhuZ7yK9fDIq4A/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Mastered! (and thankfully I got the photo when they were both up at the same time!) This day will remain with the boys, as they had a wonderful time. This was a surfing masterclass from my hubby's old scout master who believe it or not is still doing the job today....we took the boys to cubs and learned about how the South African cubs run things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This wasn't the trip of a lifetime, as we hope to go again, maybe even soon. The husband took part in a marathon while we there, and hopes to do 'The Two Oceans' ultra-marathon next year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I loved it....we only saw a small part of it, but it is an amazing country, and I can't wait to go back!</div>
<br />*http://www.blogger.com/profile/10821840185143701654noreply@blogger.com6