I (k)need seeing to...

On one of our walks..(no, let me re-phrase that, on our LAST decent walk of the holiday) was down to a brilliant little ruin called Fast Castle. Brilliant because it is a few turrets and fallen corbels on a sea stack joined to the main land by a short narrow causeway.

Originally it had a drawbridge but over the centuries and with more 'modern' intervention, the causeway is a combination of (?possibly Victorian) crumbling iron work, farmer's baler-twine and tatty concrete.

The footpath to the castle was fairly precarious - more exhilarating than dangerous. We walked down through fields of the most delicious honey-scented heathers.  By the time we reached the point of dropping down we'd not yet spied our castle when it became steep with many many steps. Suddenly, Fast Castle came into view.

I can remember gasping as the beauty of it all, the HUGE sky soaring over us, the curvature of the deep blue sea, the gulls whirling over head and the sweet smell of the heathers.

We finally reached the little causeway. At the end was a chest height sheer rock with a small toe-sized  'step' cut out about half way up leading to a small flight of concrete steps. Himself had to help the boys up the first stone step, then he scrambled up himself. He turned to give me a hand, I reached up, managed to put my left boot into the 'toe-step' and pushed up with my right leg. A resounding *POP* and immediate pain hit my right knee. Himself hauled me up on to the step and I tried to compose myself, but the pain was incredible - a deep dull hard ache rather than a sharp cut or twist feeling.

Any hoo - I sent the boys off exploring the castle and sea stack with dire warnings of 'be careful'! so that I could quietly get feeling back into my foot and allow my knee to recover itself.

After about 10 - 15 minutes it was apparent that my knee was determined to sulk and not feel better in any way, so I crawled off to find the boys and sit with them as they all looked worried and cracked awful jokes. It even crossed my mind that we might have to call out the coastguard - coz I wasn't too sure if I could walk back.

But after a mug of sweet tea I decided to not cause any more grief and I would stagger back - and stagger I did.

Our first view of the sea stack castle, there is a steep drop between us and the view 

- a small issue of 30 - 31 steps 

(it was not agreed as to how many) 

which seems so innocuous on the way down but returning were bordering on tortuous!

 Moments before knee popping episode...but never mind that, just look at the VIEW (of the railings, the steps, the rock)

The view from the causeway, 

the sea was crystal clear and the rocks looked beautiful under the water

Now, today, I have an appointment with a physio to assess what I have actually done - so, fingers crossed!

Have yourselves a lovely day, with good wishes (and a dodgy knee) hawthorn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Holiday - gone but certainly not forgotten....

Well, where to start?

• I could just list all the things we got up to - nah that's far too clinical and boring............
• I could insert a photo with a caption of what we did - good grief - I've just checked - I took 375 photos (may be a tad long for a post).........
• Umm....
• I could be selective and show a few good photos, add a few choice words, insert a couple of funny moments and be done with that - nope, that's too concise and organised for me...........

OR!!

I could do my usual and just waffle about holiday happenings and see how it goes - yes, that's it, my usual format of stuff and guff and hope for the best!

Right, got the hard planning over with - let me get started!

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After our last drenched camping lark we did put a lot of hope on this second attempt and we were not disappointed.  

We had beautiful sunsets..............

We walked for miles and miles (until - t.h.e  o.u.t  o.f  k.n.e.e  e.x.p.e.r.i.e.n.c.e....) ............. **

We felt intoxicated by the vastness of sea and sky........

There were moments of solitude..........

There were moments of cacophony and loud and cheerful celebration.........

There was cake................lots of cake..................(err, had an excuse - Youngest's birthday and umm, we were on holiday. AND yes BEFORE you ask - I have put on a teeny weeny bit of weight erhem but we won't dwell on that.......)

I'll stop here, I know I could go on but post-holiday clear-up calls and so does breakfast! Oh yes before I forget -

** the out of knee experience - more about that later, suffice to say - OUCH!!!

Despite longing to be back in Northumberland with the surf and the sky it has been lovely chatting with you and sharing some of our moments. I will catch up with you in the next few days - I promise!

Have yourselves a terrific Tuesday with love and sunshine where ever you are!

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Hello!!

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post, we are back now and feeling quite sad at our holiday end. I  will share pictures and stories soon - and I have some corkers to share!!

Yes - you DO want to get some fresh air!

.............Aww Mu-u-u-um - do we have to?.................


Yes I cheerfully say as I frog march a world weary teenage-boy and an over enthusiastic 10-soon-to-be-11 year old out the door to be greeted by our ever-ready-for-walkies giddy dog.

Our last local walk was thwarted by rain, but this time there was sunshine and I wasn't about to waste it!

Our last attempt - already wet - then the rain started in earnest

We set off over the hills to a neighbouring village where our path took us through the church yard. There the cemetery has gently decayed into a slumbering Eden, filled with wild life, ivy covered stones, self sown trees and has a most wonderful view.

Every cemetery has a story.  The faded stones with names of folk long gone, their memories and their family gone too. The First World War pilot shot down, the Second World War private lost in the trenches and the entire family lost to typhoid when the water went bad.  The old man laid to rest alongside his mum. She died when she was 102. He had been a war hero, and when I knew him he still limped and shyly wore a mask of shrapnel scars after being shot down over France.

All around wildflower-filled grass cover the plots like shag-pile carpets, lush and unkempt, seemingly only visited by us and the birds.



We left the solitude of the strangely comforting graveyard and walked into the village. Down through quiet streets. Narrow and winding. Hardly a soul. Down to the village 'well' for giddy dog.

The well, water trickles constantly along the trough, the deeper section against the wall, the shallower edge on the left.

A small green island amongst the jumbled shoulder-to-shoulder stone cottages, the well's garden has a couple of benches, a few trees and neatly mown grass. Cool and inviting. Giddy dog slips into the weedy water, laps, turns around a couple of times then lies down - briefly - the icy water seeps through her fur and she quickly stands up.

  A refreshing stop for giddy dog and for us on our walk

The water from the well, once a lifeline, then a killer, is now a decorative feature in a rustic hillside hamlet.

We left the village and crossed the valley back towards home

We follow a favourite route - passing by some of the locals. Friendly feathery folk, who run up to say hello and happily pose for the camera.

The boys never fail to be delighted by these birds and the dog never ceases to be fascinated - hunching down in typical border collie pose to creep closer and peer steely eyed. The chickens on the other hand fail to be impressed by the dog's antics, preferring to see if the boys have anything worth eating.


We finish our walk in record time - I have a fair bit to do at home and need to get back sharpish.... Eldest flops on the settee declaring exhaustion and feebly muttering things about being famished but unable to forage from the fridge for himself. Youngest still bursting full of energy leaps on his scooter and he and the dog rattle up and down the empty back lane.

Kettle goes on, lunch is started - I wish I didn't have to go to work, it feels that my day with the boys has only just started and it seems so unfair to leave now.  Never mind - next week.....{ oh next week!  Be still my beating heart!}...... we are together for 10 whole days (after which I will probably be glad to go back to work!!!)

So glad you came along with us on our walk :) I love sharing our day with you - have yourself a wonderful weekend..........

Thank you for all your lovely comments about my ripple blanket - I hope to finish it this next week.

Love and sunshine -  hawthorn
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reach for your sunnies

After the last few grey damp days I though we ALL could do with a little colour therapy - 

so, 

reach for your sunnies, 

sit back and enjoy a little zing!!

Before I start a project, I rewind the yarn with my favourite toy - my wool winder

turning  them into deliciously squat balls of yarn. 

Then, as I go along and they lose their firm fat shapes,

I rewind them - smaller but still squat and full of yarny promise.

Doesn't make your eyes 

go

ZING!

Today there's been the most delightful flashes of sunshine

So I rushed out and took a few photos

Although growing nicely, 

the ripple blanket is probably still 34 rows (two colour bands) too narrow, 

hopefully I can 'stretch' the yarn to that!

oooooh, I love my ripple blankie and yes it is mine, 

all mine 

mwhahahaha!!

 Despite photographic proof that my boys have already wrapped it around them 

and twirled about pretending to be a

psychedelic

 'Drakelearrr' (Dracula)

!!

I do have other crochet madness to share, but time and work and boys and the washing up and the dog and vacuum cleaner are all singing rather loudly and I have to go and sort them out!!!

Have a lovely lovely day - hope the sun is shining where you are :) 

love and happy wishes xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bring me sunshine...tra la la...

I can't get this tune out of my head!! Bring me sunshine..in your smile...bring me laughter...all the while....


After last week's rather soggy affair with a brief holiday, yesterday's sunshine and patchy blue sky was such a delight.  We packed a picnic (and not a car-nic - YAY!!), walking boots (and no waterproofs - double YAY!!) and set off for the Dales.

It felt wonderful to stride out and not need to puddle jump or wipe my rain-filled eyes. As we started out, I must admit to casting a wary look at the cloudy sky, but I needed have worried coz as the walk and the day progressed the clouds just melted away - brilliant.

Our paths crossed a huge HUGE party of walkers, so many we decided that it was an organised charitable walk. Himself chatted to one or two and found out that it was indeed a fundraising event called walkforall.com and that approximately 2000 walkers were participating - amazing! We had unwittingly joined the 26 mile group as they hobbled and winced the last couple of miles back to Settle but also on offer was a 14 mile and a 4.5mile length. What a wonderful day they had for it, a light breeze and blue skies!

We soon turned off, following our own path again where we stopped for a brew and yummy left-over birthday cake (happy birthday fav-sis-in-law!)

We sat quietly, backs against a rickety old fence, watching rabbits running and sunning themselves while we listened to the breeze whispering through the forest. Bliss.

As we eventually returned to the car, Himself kept gently extending and extending the walk in the evening sunlight. He admitted he didn't want it to end - I didn't blame him, this was the first decent day off we had together and tomorrow (Monday) we would both be back at work......

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Thank you for your comments - I do love reading them :) And as for crochet - well that too was a bit of a washout - but I did manage to get some done - I will take some pictures today and share with you tomorrow!!

It's been lovely chatting with you, thank you for popping by and hope life is good where ever you are :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

stories from a soggy carryvan

Rain? did any one notice the rain, or was it just me? 

Oh, phew, you did too, so it wasn't just me.

Actually, now that we are back (earlier than planned) and dried off, 

I can now look back 

and see that despite the rain 

we did have some really good moments.

We walked some wonderful walks. We were amazed and humbled by the height of the trees, at the base are my boys - can you see them?


We followed overgrown grassy paths as we wandered through these giants.  Littered along the pathways were mushrooms of all shapes and sizes, from 'traditional' pixie homes to huge wild sturdy fungi.  Huge glossy black slugs gorged themselves on the forest floor feast.

(enbiggen the picture if you can't see the boys) 

We managed to picnic with a fantastic view over Lindesfarne, the Farne islands and towards Bamburgh. As we sat on slightly damp grass and munched, we decided that the usual occupants of this field (the sheep) probably didn't appreciate their view but we certainly did.

There were conveniently placed trees for climbing, specially added muddy puddles for splashing in, perfectly placed stones for jumping over, ideal streams and creeks for the dog to dip her tongue and her toes into.
All in all a really good walk.........


And then there was the rain..................

A bit of a routine began to occur, wake up to the sound of rain, have breakfast, peer through rain streaked windows, pack a car-nic, set off in the rain - get wet.


There were a couple of evenings that the rain relented and we rushed out - and the boys ....got wet.......

And me? 
Well, I took my camera and got lost in the beauty of the reflections of the sky and the sea..........

Not the usual colours of a summertime seaside holiday, however just breathing the salty air, watching the crashing waves and walking on the damp sands went a long long way in reviving a tired soul :)


It has been lovely sharing with you some of our soggy and not so soggy stories from our 'carryvan', and while the boys are still on their hols, both Himself and I are back to work, back to reality next week - oh well, it was fun while it lasted!


Wishing you lots of love and happy moments  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


PS Thank you for your lovely comments on both this and my  Kyōyū kyōyū blog, I shall be catching up with your happenings over the next couple of days as well as sharing with you The Next Big Step! (ssshhhh - all will be revealed soon :) )

What a wet day!

Probably made wetter by a soggy combination of boys, wellies, hose pipes and power washer.....and oh yes it rained as well!

It started oh so well......we were all togged up with wellington boots and waterproofs (a tad over dressed? - err no - bear with me, you will soon see ).

Now, through the eyes of the boys - the order of the days play is as follows...

• find power washer (right in the bowels of the back of the garage) so far so good
• connect hose pipe to tap (still going well) then connect to power washer
• switch power and water on (NOT YET I shriek! my PLANTS and we got to move the bench!!)
• switch power off and grumble about mom and giggle at brother
• help carry countless pot plants out, move table, bench, boots, milk crate, mat, dog bowls, dog toys and feel that this isn't exactly fun
• get permission to switch power on again (SWITCH IT OFF I shriek [again] water is going EVERYWHERE!!) 
• isn't supposed to do that? (err no - connections not secure and water is spurting out from every possible place)
• switch power on and feel the power!! 
• 'draw' squiggles on the stone in the water and marvel at how dirty the flags and paving slabs are
• shoot water sneakily at your brother's back when he and your mom are not looking
• deny all knowledge of above bullet point, giggle
• spray a bit more
• hit a soapy area and make some glorious frothy bubbles, snort and chortle
• spray the wall (The floor please I remind)
• spray the floor
• quick spray at back of brother's head, look away and pretend to whistle while working, trying not to giggle
• get yelled at by dripping brother, giggle
• get yelled at by getting-worked-up mom
• spray the floor
• spray mindlessly in the air as the is infinitely more fun, giggle
• have spray removed from you and have it given to your brother....
• Follow similar procedure several times whilst swapping power hose between brothers
• Stand in the ran while spraying the outside area feeling very wet
• start to get bored 
• find a broom and hit a small plastic pot around the lane in an exciting mix of ice-free hockey and croquette, giggle
• almost hit your brother with a wild swing
• get yelled at by brother
• get yelled at by teeth-grinding mom
• sigh
• swap with brother who immediately starts playing ice-free hockey and croquette and almost takes your head off too
• yell at brother
• spray him in revenge , giggle
• both get yelled at by your wild-eyed-going-mad mom
• both stand sullenly with dripping hair and water in your boots
• complain that you are wet and need to go get changed
• get told not yet (Please C.A.N  W.E.  F.I.N.I.S.H   W.H.A.T   W.E   A.R.E   D.O.I.N.G... I say through gritted teeth)
• sigh and return to spraying the floor, the rapidly retreating dog, the plant pot, your brother, the air and then back to the floor before your frenzied mother notices, try not to giggle
• too late.....she noticed
• RIGHT THAT'S IT - ENOUGH! your by now demented mother shrieks
• notice that actually she seems pleased and that she has started to put things back into place
• gallop upstairs dripping all the way to change into dry clothes
• come back downstairs to find chunky slices of the carrot and almond cake waiting next to your mug of tea
• Aah yum,  and despite your hair still dripping down your neck decide that actually it was GREAT fun.

I, on the other hand have delayed plans to power wash out the front of the house to when the boys have gone back to school, or left home, or got married or anything.......!

I have recovered now.

Any way, today we are doing something in complete contrast - we're off to Harrogate for the day! 

What ever you get up to,  I hope you have a wonderful day xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

hot cake and hot hens, err no - hot walk, hot dog, hens and carrot cake !

Himself has just left for work, the boys are still asleep upstairs and I am sitting quietly nursing a mug of coffee while I pick out the interesting bits of news that Radio 4 relentlessly churns out.

It sort of goes like this...

.........rumble...rumble...cricket, a decisive win.......rumble....waffle.......weather, there will be light showers in the north, brightening up later.......rumble...waffle...waffle.....So I said this to the prime minister - but you are not answering my question minister! - If you would give me time to reply!......................rumble rumble.... GOOO-O-A-L.!............

Any hoo -

Yesterday the boys and I had a really lovely 'us' day - all that was missing was our dear Himself :(

As planned we trundled off to the local tea rooms (plus giddy dog, walking boots and camera) where we sat outside in the heavy warm air and slurped cups of tea and scoffed rather large portions of cake (sorry - too busy scoffing and slurping to remember to take a photo!). Fully laden with our morning munchies we sort of struggled up the first hill, I never really fully appreciated the immense gravitational pull of tea and cake before - oof.....

Once up the hill (I make it sound HUGE - but it wasn't!) there was a wonderful cool breeze and a welcome seat - Lee's Bench.

Complete with fresh flowers and music festival tags. Regular notes and single blooms are left here by this young man's friends and family - he is still greatly missed.

We wandered through thigh high grasses and wild flowers as we headed towards the next village. There we dropped down a narrow stone-walled cobbled-path directly into the centre.

Giddy dog knows where the village's original water source is and she trotted off panting and hot. In the cool of the village green we found the 4ish metre wide stone trough with the bubbling spring. Pond weed waved gently in the slow current. There is a small plaque on the wall gently giving the history of the well - I must get a picture and post it, but it was so warm there that my brain had melted to a soft porridge and I forgot.

Once Giddy dog's thirst and hot feet were soothed, we continued down through the village back to the valley bottom, crossed the road and back up the other side.

One of our favourite stops is near the goose green allotments where there are hundreds of hens, geese, ornamental pigeons, turkeys, ducks and other strange and delightful water fowl and they are all free range in rather large pens - happy birds! Youngest had his camera and took one or two (hundred) pictures.  

We L-O-V-E chickens!!

Having torn ourselves away from the allotments we wandered through narrow pathways flanked by sweet peas and fading honeysuckle - in the hazy humid heat the scent was heady and indulgent - delicious.

Down the path to the lane, crossing over towards the school. Walking through the back lanes, seeing houses and folk we know. Despite it being the holidays - the village seems very quiet - may be the world financial difficulties hasn't prevented many of the families from going away.

Round the corner, cross the road and then we are home. Boots off, feet sizzling, dog flat out on the lawn cooling down - lovely lovely..

Later, feeling a bit less lethargic and bit guilty at our cake scoffing while Himself languished at work, I made him a cake - carrot and almond.  Now, I am well known for my inability to master the carrot cake with any degree of success and although this one was one of my better efforts it was still not quite right!

Still it was well appreciated and all my boys sat outside in the garden surrounded by the trappings of woodwork and power tools (big boy toys now) and ate cake as they batted off  our rather curious hens.

I chose to leave off the usual cream cheese topping as Himself had found some double cream on special offer and it just had to be eaten............

Well, been nice chatting to you, the boys are up, eaten their breakfast and are now getting restless - they need exercising! So today's 'big-boy-toys' will be a power hose, brooms and wellies - we're off to get wet and hopefully do a bit of cleaning. 

Have a lovely day coz we certainly plan on having (soggy) fun :)  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx