On a rather musical note....

I am rather fond of folk music - yes I can hear some of you out there sniggering or sighing at this unfortunate infliction, but yes, I am rather fond of the Irish lament or the traditional sawing away at the fiddle that gets your feet tapping and your heart singing (well for some of us that is!)

A while ago we used to regularly go to the Dent Folk Festival and see some amazing acts out on a field surrounded by hills and sheep. However latterly we have not been able to go.

With this in mind, last week at work when I was beside myself with the pressure of staff shortages and double shifts, I felt the need for some sort of music therapy so started searching for any bands or festivals. It was a fairly fruitless search to start with, as it is a bit too early for the festival season and bands were either too far away, too expensive, fully booked or not on a day we could go.

Then............ I found something that made me rather excited.

A local folk group were getting together this Friday - yes THIS Friday in a neighbouring town at a pub we used to use in our misspent youth - as ha! Problem solved - or so I thought....... erhum.

I text Himself who seemed fine about it, rang the pub to check that kids could come and through a rather muffled line I could hear an harassed staff member saying that yes kids could come but they would have to keep muffle muffle away from the bar (which is normal) and sit in the muffle waffle room with the waffle muffle band and that muffle muffle 8.30pm - he was obviously busy and I heard just enough of the conversation to confirm that this was what we would be doing this Friday evening. Yay!

To cut a long story short (most of my stories are fairly long and meandering) we arrived at the pub about 15 minutes after starting time - the 8.30pm that was mentioned. The car park was full so we hurried in....to an empty pub.....? We, with our drinks, sat in the lounge part and looked at each other... something wasn't quite right. I was about to open my mouth to speak when right above us, through the ceiling boards came such a stomping and a fiddle sawing we knew that we were in the right place, just on the wrong floor - a quick check with the young barman confirmed that yes indeed we should be upstairs.

We set off and I could see the legs and a guitar case of a folkie disappearing up above us, so followed keenly.

There was a lot of folk upstairs, chatting and clapping and we could hear the sounds of cheering. Aha, a good crowd I thought, however, we had to wait until the folkies at the door moved before we could go in and grab a seat - hopefully we would not be too near the back with being late. I needn't have worried....... oh no..... not at all.

We were ushered in by a cheery bearded chap as he told us to grab a chair and come through.

The room was small. Very~small.

There were chairs all around the outside.

Each with a seated folkie and their respective instruments.

We were put

in

the

middle

surrounded by about 30 people

 we~did~not~know~where~to~look.

I nearly died. The boys shrunk to a quarter of their normal size and stared into their juices. Himself and I, glazed looks on our eyes smiled tightly and we whispered rather too shrilly - ooh this is nice? Isnt it boys, very nice, oh nice, nice oh.

Then the music started.

Each folkie sang, played, fiddled, harped, strummed, piped and drummed around us, one by one we were serenaded with Irish laments, Simon and Garfunkel, jigs and reels, covers and originals as...

we

sat

in

the 

middle

with

about

30 pairs of musical eyes on us....

Nervous grins all round.

After several individual performances the lead folkie sort of made an introduction (for our benefit) who they were and what they did and then.... asked us if we sang.
Err No
Played any musical instruments (a hopeful note in voice)
Umm - not us but the boys play piano and keyboard 
Did we know any folk songs? (desperate note)
Umm - none worth getting excited about and only enough to hum to.

The room went rather silent. Then Eldest dropped his juice onto the floor. gah..... could it get any more embarrassing.

I lept up and ushered Eldest out and nipped downstairs to the bar to beg a cloth to mop the carpet. On returning we were met by one of the women who had been playing the fiddle most beautifully. She chatted about how she'd started and asked about our interest and mentioned that usually it is just them and it was a rarity to have an 'audience' and yes new comers were always put in the middle. She asked about the boys and without the pressure of being scrutinised by all the folkies it was easier to chat to her.  We then went in. Mopped the floor and relaxed a little.

We began to enjoy the music when the lead folkie noticed that Youngest was really enjoying himself by now and got him involved, got him singing and shaking an egg shaped rattly thing. Eldest remained steadfastly hidden behind his fringe.

Himself (after a pint or two) began to sing - he has a beautiful voice but only sings for us and only if pressed. It was, after a rather terrifyingly embarrassing start, a rather good evening and by the time we were able to leave, it was after closing time. We left after many hand shakes and 'lovely to meet yous and come agains' and decided that we had, eventually, have a brilliant evening.

PS - no teenagers were emotionally scared or harmed by embarrassing parents or younger brothers. He was, to our surprise, the first to ask if we could go back - but I think Himself and I need to recover first.


Are we going again? Probably, but will definitely get there much earlier and grab a wall seat!!!

Sunshine and yarn - bliss

Today was beautiful - we packed early (well for us, it was early) and set off towards Sedbergh in Cumbria. Our plan was to wander around the town which has many wonderful bookshops and antique shops, have a picnic lunch before setting off for our walk.

We stepped inside Westwood Bookshop and spent ages trawling through loads and loads of yummy books. It would have been rude not to buy at least one (or four) books....erhem.... which, between the boys and myself we did!

The first book - Knitting School caught my eye quite early on but I wasn't able to reach it as there was a woman steadfastly hogging the knitting section. I hovered for a while but she wasn't for moving. So I decided on a tactical retreat and went to find my boys.  I returned a short while later and discovered that 'my' book was still there and I grabbed it. Right next to it - as if it was fate - or luck - or something to do with that they are both knitting books and start with the letter K..... was Kristin Knits - oh it is full of inspiration and colourful knitting. Quite folky but definitely not twee - I was really really happy with my purchases (especially since I have found out I got my books for way less than half price and they are both almost new!)

We wandered through the town a bit more and came across the 'Community Charity Shop'. What a wonderful emporium of second hand delights! We came out with a mug (for me) a jar of beads (err for me) and a dog watering bottle/bowl type thing for the dog (not me!) And the grand total of our spendies in this charity shop? a whole £1.50 - wow!

Any hoo - spent up and happy we headed off to the river for our picnic - which was delish -  we sat in glorious hot sun ( in March!) We saw bumble bees and butterflies - such a treat.

Replete and ready for our walk I took along the necessary items...camera - check, sun glasses - check, knitting...check.

Every time we stopped - out came my wip. The yarn was generously donated by Fiona of TizDuster and is to be turned into squares for blankets for Japan. I just loved sitting in the sunshine and knitting much to the amusement of other walkers. My family are quite used to me crafting as we go along and no longer bat a collective eyelid.

Our walk continued in such a delightful way - we really really enjoyed it (my knee on the other hand is still debating about the amount of exercise it is getting....)  

Just one last picture - of Eldest... yes that is a sheep's skull on his back and yes that is a festive copper wreath frame on his head.... and no I didn't question him why...... 

Galloway birthday gettaway!

A secret weekend getaway was planned......bags were packed.....boys were excited (all 3)......maps, camera and crochet organised....hen sitter sorted......hotel not booked (what? Not booked??) weather atrocious...(aah that's why)

I'd arranged everything I could except the weather. Eventually I had to confess my plans to Himself - this weekend was for him - to celebrate his birthday and it looked like it was going to fall through. Finally late on Friday evening I decided that we would go grotty weather or not. It was forecast to rain pretty much everywhere so we might as well get wet out and about and have fun doing it rather than stay home and sulk. Woo hoo!

Clockwise from top left : Collecting shells for Bumpa's secret project..... Welcome sign through rain streaked windscreen.... Red squirrel! - albeit a bit wooden...... how could I resist a sign with a name like that? It has a beautiful loving reason behind it's name.

Clockwise from top left : The lobby of our hotel.... view from the rather grand staircase....look at the Victorian tiles and stained glass windows..... The books and candlestick in our room.......The view of the house hotel -{our room was on the second floor and took the two windows on the right}.....Our rather wonderfully huge four poster bed!

Clockwise from top left : We saw cliffs (!) and wildlife (!!).... beautiful lochen scenery in Dalbeattie Forest......totem pole - carved by Canadian First Nation artists....... Huge granite sculpture by a French artist {forgot to note his name}.......The coast {it is there - promise. No we couldn't see it either!}.. 

Clockwise from top left : Giddy dog insists on walking between himself and I.... 'walking' in Knowetop Loch reserve {well I hobbled and was carried!!)....Scottish Wildlife Trust board down to a natural arch.........beech leaves......board walking/puddling at Knowetop.




Considering we only had one night up there we packed in so so much. The boys were absolutely delighted and took every advantage of the meals on offer - I have not seen so much food consumed by two boys on holiday before. Sadly I have no photos to prove we had such delicious delicacies - the eating and quaffing and enjoying took precedence.  - It was a brilliant weekend.

I do have some other stories to share....like the missing pajamas and the Mu-u-u-um there's NO toilet paper in here! and the no-money-after-you've-eaten-in-a-cafe situation....normal every day things like that :)

The only damper (pun fully intended) was when we returned, our bathroom roof decided to sulk while we were away and sprung a leak. We now have to do a slalom between several buckets to get to the loo and back! Ho hum - never mind, poor old Himself will have to get back up on the roof as soon as it stops raining long enough to get the ladders out.



Well, better stop here, got to get on with mundane domesticity - I have decided that I am the most undomesticated goddess around here but I do still make some sort of an attempt.

Have a lovely and Happy Monday!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

A flashback and my cushion tada!!

We had a spontaneous jolly-out on Saturday, with this glorious Indian summer weather - it was silly not to.

We used to do them fairly regularly 'before children' but then we had babies followed by toddlers and our spontaneity was thwarted. Now the boys are older and able to enjoy as well as instigate spontaneity we have taken up our 'jollies-out' again.

We packed a scrummy picnic, camera, dog, towels and wet suits (just in case) and the all important crochet and set off early on Saturday morning. We decided to head east towards the Humber and then down the coast to find some sea air.

We'd done something similar a few years back and from memory I tried to re-create some photographs.  So, once we'd crossed the bridge (great excitement from the boys at the sheer size - shock at the cost of the toll by us) we found the bench we'd used six and half years ago and just look how they have grown!

With a bit of tootling through the countryside and the coast line we eventually landed on a beach north of Mabelthorpe. Somewhere between  the villages of Saltfleetby All Saints and Theddlethorpe St Helen - what brilliant names! 

The tide was out and it was a HUGE stretch of sand - not a wave in sight. But the air had a tang of salt and the breeze was delicious.

Himself set up our beach tent and we soon had ourselves a little encampment. We sat and took in the view and the air and scoffed our picnic and slurped our tea and just relaxed. After lunch, the boys wandered down to the waters edge (we worked out it was about half a mile away) and I crocheted and took a few photos. I was a bit limited to my usual explorations with my camera so had to be content with taking pictures from our lunch spot.

Clockwise from top left  - my three boys setting to find the waters edge, sand dunes and buckthorn, 

Youngest puddling while a rescue helicopter flies along the coast, 

Giddy dog - getting more grey daily - sunbathing, 

the vast expanse and solitude of the beach - bliss

****************************

My cushion cover❤❤ - just wanting for a nice red button - is finished!

 Left - cushion - yummy, cushion  (again), cushion (and beach).

Middle -  cushion (and dog)

Right - Cushion (of course) and finally cushion (and beach)!!

Cushion - I've just typed it out several times (in case you hadn't noticed) and now the word looks really strange to me...........

***********************

I'm surprised at how pleased I am with it. It is not really my normal 'style' as I don't really do fluffy or girly but this cushion cover seems to have really slipped through my guard and I have fallen in ❤L*O*V*E❤!!
Any way - details

Yarn - scraps left over from my ripple blankie 

Pattern - inspired by but adapted from Lucy from Attic24's version of  Two Butterflies vintage pot holder

Simplicity? - Yes, once I worked out the patterning it just flew off my hook

Happiness - off the scale ❤

***********************

Sunday was a bit of a washout weatherwise however we were kept busy with homework and harvesting. 

I am delighted to say we have washed and chopped and blanched and weighed and froze plums, apples and rhubarb and still feeling all  'self-sufficientish' I then made leek and potato soup (home grown potatoes) for lunch and vegi lasagne (using home grown onions and garlic) and lattice apple pie (with gleaned apples) - now I am all pooped out and in need of some crochet therapy - I have something new on the hook - can't wait to show you!!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and wishing you all a Happy Monday!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ooh I love a man in uniform!

A couple of weeks ago, up in Kelso, Scotland, we were lucky enough to see a  little bit of pomp and ceremony. I'd been scanning through the local paper and saw that on the Saturday,  the Household Cavalry were going to troop through the town and present a guard of honour for a wedding in the town square.  Now, I love horses and a man in a shiny uniform isn't half bad to look at too and the combination of BOTH in one venue was too good an opportunity to miss!
We arrived shortly before it was all to begin and could see most of the locals had the same idea, as people were streaming into the town up all the streets. Himself drove on, to find us some closer parking (I'd only hurt my knee the day before) but as we got closer to the centre the more parked up the streets and parking zones became. Himself tried again to find a slot and with one eye on the clock he managed to manoeuvre our car through the now massing throngs and double parked vehicles. He suddenly saw a street with no parked cars, turned into it and then we were met by rows and rows of cones and police! We'd turned onto the route the horses were going to take! He drove quickly along the length, conscious all the time that any moment now we could be confronted by a unit of mounted soldiers. At the end of the road a mini roundabout allowed us to escape when one of the boys caught out the back of his eye - the Household Calvary coming up the very road we had just left! We leaped out of the car (ok - ok, I hopped) and were met by this rather handsome sight

We hadn't realised that the local tradition of the 'Kelso Laddie' and his left and right hand men would lead the parade. So the three young men at the front were a delightful but stark contrast to the unit behind.  These three (and in particular the young 'Laddie' on the right) whooped and cheered at all the lasses - knowing a fair few by name, these girls (and some of them quite mature ladies I hasten to add!!) took pictures and waved and whooped back. They rode their beautifully turned out horses in a fairly relaxed upright position, often hand casually resting on thigh while sporting huge grins. The military men behind however were ramrod straight, not a muscle moved, not even sure they even blinked. Their immaculate horses were so shiny and black that you could probably see your face in their hooves!
I took photos frantically as my hobbling couldn't keep up with the walking horses.

We stood a moment and watched when I noticed that there was one more 'participant' to this glorious show of history and tradition.......... the road sweeper.
A BRIGHT YELLOW NOISY road sweeper followed not 10 metres behind. The driver, a wonderfully tattooed gent with his arm resting on the window, drove behind slowly picking up any horse manure - of which we noticed very little. I was a little put out by this mundane probably council driven clear up - particularly the noise, it did spoil it a bit, no it spoiled it a lot - as the road sweeper was driving at my hobble speed and I could not over take it and leave its noisy presence behind.

Once in the town, there were so many people doing exactly what we were doing that we didn't get a good view, Youngest did try for a spell sitting on Himself's shoulders and take photos for me but most of them I have had to delete as there were some crazy angles and most were blurred. There were loads of cameras out - both amateur and professional. The local television company were set up with high rise cameras on a boom that soared over our heads - I want one!

We hung around a bit, then decided to leave where a huge cheer occurred and we realised that the wedding party had come out (not that we could see) and then after performing the guard of honour, the mounted unit  marched out again (with that dratted bright yellow sweeper right behind!)

I managed a few more snaps - not brilliant ones but still very good reminders of a good day :)

And the sweeper? - well he better be in the picture too - he was there and he did do his job (just wish he hadn't been so NOISY and so YELLOW!!)

Well enough waffling, got things to do, places to be and breakfast to eat!

Have yourselves a lovely day - and if you hadn't noticed - its FRIDAY!! So have yourselves a happy sunny weekend where ever you are :)

hawthorn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just one of those wonderful weekends

I suppose we all measure our happiness differently, each person having their own determined zenith. These last couple of days certainly reached my standard for an all round really good weekend!

Saturday...............................

coffee in bed

breakfast in the sun

gardening all day

sandwiches on the lawn

packing a spontaneous picnic, heading for the hills

eating homity pie and flying kites in a glorious orange blue sky

watching the sun go down

lighting the fire and curling up on the settee and crocheting

************************************

Sunday...............................

sleep in

woken with coffee

breakfast in the sun

packing sandwiches and a flask of tea

finding the dog lead and lacing on walking boots

heading for the hills

bouldering and caching

crochet on the move

Boys off to Granny and Bumpa for sleep-over

Us - a grown up meal in a pub

**************************************

Monday...............................

yawn 

***************************************

And you? Was your weekend wonderful? I truly hope so :)

Now, must stop waffling and procrastinating, with all our lovely weekend wanderings nothing sensible was done, off to do Monday mundane chores - *yay*

Scenes through my life and holiday hearts

Scene one Act one


me: I really really feel the need to walk on a rocky beach in a blustery day with a rough sea (wistful sigh)


Himself: Sounds nice


me: where's our nearest rocky beach? (hopeful note in voice)


Himself thinks, with a thoughtful face, thinks a bit more and then says.
On the east coast


me: Really? How long would it take me to get there? (getting rather excited)

(Thinking that as it is half term, I could chuck the dog and boys in the car, grab a flask and spend a blustery wet morning on a rocky beach with a rough sea)


Himself: Hmm about 3 hours drive


me: (hopes dashed ) so not really a quick fix, if I'm going to drive that far, I'd rather you were with us and we spent some time there, not just a day visit. (mental note to self - shelve that idea until we can all have some time off together)


Himself: We could go up for the weekend, after I finish work and camp for the weekend


me: Really? Could we? (ooh ooh getting hopes up again!)


Himself: I'll see, I'll ask at work and see if I can get off early on Friday


me: Please!! (heart happy skip skip, face smiley smiley and packing plans forming)

**************

Act two Scene One

Himself: I've got Friday off and.........

me: Yay!! and? and? and?

Himself: ...........and Thursday afternoon!

me: woooo hoooo!

boys and dog (in a chorus) Woo Hooooo!

Curtains close for intermission

ie - packing

Act Three Scene One

It is early Thursday morning, Himself has gone to work, boys are still sleeping and I, still dressed in jarmies and dressing gown, nursing the first coffee of the morning hear a tap at the window

Big J: Mornin', don't you answer your texts?

me: Uh oh, morning J, do you know how early this is! What you doing here at this time? - (knowing exactly why Big J is here)

Big J: I've got your order of wood chip as promised........... where can I tip it?

me: erm - on the lane, as near to the garage as possible please, then the neighbours can get passed as they go to work, thanks

Big J (more cheerfully than anyone has a right to be at this early hour!) right ho - just get me tipper truck   

As he disappears to get his truck, I race off-stage for a quick costume change - from sleepy ruffled haired baggy eyed slob to a (I hope) ready-to-work in jeans and boots labourer. All the time, at the back of my mind was the fact, at lunch time Himself was coming home from work, ready to set off for our holiday!

Act three Scene two - Scenery change

On stage right - the three of us - my boys and me, in boots and work clothes, clutching spades and pushing wheel barrows.

A constant flow of lifting wood chip, loading wheel barrows and delivering it to the hen pen, the vegetable garden paths, the front garden, the path to the compost heap, the woodland area at the wood shed and the wild jungle area around the pond, then bagging and storing the remaining chip for use through out the year.

.................FIVE HOURS LATER.............

Youngest: I am tired

Eldest:  me too

me: me three

Wood chip nearly all loaded away and the un-loaded caravan

******************

Act Four Scene One

Later, much much later, the four of us, are sitting around the table, in the caravan, nursing mugs of tea, musing at our heavy duty activities. Himself declares his admiration with our efforts, while us three, although feeling rather stiff are definitely chuffed with the fruits of our labours. 

Tomorrow, we go for our walk, 

on the rocky beach, 

next to the sea - just what I needed.

*************************

 Hearts on gates found in villages and on walks

Hearts on doors and chocolate hearts on guitars (posed by Youngest moments before he scoffed his choc!)

Hearts drawn in the sand

Heart shaped cake boxes from a wickedly delicious chocolate shop 

with heavenly chocolaty treats inside

Hearts on a man hole cover - who'da thought it? workmen with a softer side :)

And my favourite?

Found on that rocky beach

on that blustery day

with a choppy grey sea

this 

carved in a rock

Bob loves Mabel 

******************************

Well, as it is the last day of February  this collection ends this year's heartathon,

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did,

 thank you as always for taking time to meander by and visit me,

and thank you so much  for all your wonderful comments

I love reading them :)

And just in case you still have the heart for more!! here are the links to last years heart-stoppers

• From Himself
• Heartfelt lunch and a hearty laugh
• Holiday hearts
• Hearty birthday plans

Heartfelt apologies!

Sorry for my lack of comms these last few days, but I been away!! 

At short notice, in a fit of spontaneity , in a devil may care, almost rebel like move - we went away!

to a rocky coast line

we walked with dinosaurs

we flew with gulls

we wandered through fields of snowdrops

we relaxed

we breathed

But, now with only a few minutes to spare before I have to trudge my way to work, I can only leave this hint of our escape. Tonight, when I am home, I will share pictures, hearts and stories!! 

But until then my lovelies - be patient, xxxxxxxxxx 

Funny little found hearts

Today's hearts

are 

'treasure' 

'found' by the boys while we have been out caching

We love walking, it is something we have always done. When the boys were still tiny they 'rode' on Himself's back and as soon as they could toddle - we got little boots for them and they 'walked' with us. In those days, even the shortest of walks seemed to last for ever as they wandered around and inspected stones and trees, now we can all go for miles and miles. The muddier, the wetter, the better. It is not a good walk if we have come back clean, some days not only the dog gets hosed down, the boys do too!

Himself and I had originally loved 'Letterboxing', a form of orienteering which initially was only played in the South West of England although it seems to be spreading further north and is now gaining a foothold in the  States.  Then in October 2007 we discovered Geo-caching which with modern technology has been made accessible and popular worldwide.

Anyhoo - we were out today and despite being a damp grey day with a chilly wind, we had a good 'play' out. We had wrapped up warmly but our noses, fingers and toes still felt like ice-blocks! The tracks we walked were rather claggy with clay-mud and in places we slipped and slid down the hills. Giddy dog ran around chasing after sniffs and hints of rabbits long gone. The boys re-enacted many scenes from *Starwars*, *Lord of the Rings* or the *Knights of the Round Table*. Fallen sticks transformed into swords or lances and twisted branches off dead ivy became wands. We were surrounded by magical beasts, wolves and padawans. The game lasted the entire walk, then suddenly just as we reached the outskirts of the village we had parked in, the magic stopped, Youngest was suddenly tired, his whole body drooped and he needed a hand to hold to give him the energy to get back to the car.

****Please note: no knights, have-a-go-heroes, children or jedi 

were injured during these battles, 

although there were serious amounts of giggling 

which was rather infectious!

Now that everyone has been fed, tea has been drunk and the energy levels topped back up - the boys are planning tomorrow's jollies-out. They are on half term and I have taken the week off to be with them!! With that in mind, I have been presented with a list as long as my arm of things my boys want to do......having read it, I think I better take a fortnight off to complete it!!

***************************

***Later: - Well, Sunday is all but finished, the boys are in bed, the radio on, the fire crackling away, I think I can here the kettle calling me, enticing me to make a mug of tea........ think I will listen, so I will stop meandering and wish you a very good week and hope you all have as much fun and nonsense as I suspect we three will get up to! 

And to see what hearty happenings happened last year - just pop over on this link xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi...ho...hi...ho...a 'raiding' we will go

This morning dawned bright and early - well, ummm, not so much of the bright but definitely the early. We were heading for a dawn raid and we had to get up before it was light. We wrapped up warmly and loaded the car with a picnic basket burgeoning with yummy delights. I looked at my three and despite the early start and the grey wet weather - we were all grinning with anticipation.


We travelled for about 20 minutes before we saw the sun come up, the clouds had broken and it was still bitterly cold, but in the car we were all cosy and warm under our crochet blankets.

Where were we going? Well, I put a link in yesterday's post as a hint but I can reveal today that we were participating in a 'Raid', but not just any old raid, we were about to do our first 'Raid Tan Hill'. But before I say anything more, I think a little flash back is needed..................

July last year we entered our 2CV, Emily,  in the village garden festival - as a planter - like you do when you are a known eccentric - any hoo I digress, our 2CV won 2 awards and I was suitably surprised and delighted. As a reward, we took our little car off to be restored by a specialist garage.

Much puffing of cheeks and tutting and rubbing of oily forehead by the mechanic produced a bleak (and therefore a very expensive) scenario. Emily apparently was worse than useless and not worth repairing...........the mechanic 'very kindly' offered to take her off our hands and use her as part-ex for a newer and therefore expensive (but not as expensive as the restoration) replacement. He went on how he would try and salvage any bits and use her for other restoration projects.

He was talking about using Emily for body parts!!!!!!!!!!!

Himself was devastated. We had rescued this little car once before and it had been our (but mainly his) dream to get her road worthy again.  We left Emily with the garage and drove home with our new 2CV. Our journey home was in stony silence, we should have been delighted with a newer model with no rust, no corrosion, not needing restoration and road ready.

We felt terrible - we had let Emily down, we had abandoned her!

Late that night Himself instructed me that as soon as the garage was open I was to ring them and tell them not to do anything to Emily - we were coming back for her!  Which we did, much to the garage owner and mechanic's bemusement. They had even offered more money for her.

We brought her home. Now, we were a 2 x 2CV family, did that mean were were a 4CV family?

So, to cut a fairly long story short, Emily is going to be restored - by Himself, piece by piece, with help from his junior mechanics (us) and even better, we have bonded with our new little car and she is called .... Gertie.

So, back to the present, c'mon.....keep up, keep up!

We took Gertie to Britain's highest Inn - Tan Hill which is 1732 feet above sea level - in the middle winter, through snow and ice. We were not alone, we trundled along with 51 other intrepid 2CVs of all colours and shapes.

Our new little girl - Gertie is a 'plum and custard'. 2CV colours are given whimsical names and unusual colour combinations. Emily is a 'Blueberry and Cream'

We ambled through quaint Dales villages

We roared our way over the cols on narrow icy tracks

Youngest took charge of the camera as often as he could

Half way there we were re-routed due to ice on the usual road. A bit later we all stopped and were supplied with hot mulled wine.We raided our picnic hamper

 - as usual the boys were starving

When it was time to set off again, several vehicles had to be 'helped' 

from their parking spaces back on to the road

The higher we climbed, the less clear the roads and the more intrepid we felt!

We tobogganed over hill.....

...and slid down dale

Then suddenly we all ground to a halt, the lead cars were slipping and sliding just a bit too much. Marshals jumped out of their cars and began pushing and guiding the little cars through the drifts.

Whilst we waited for our turn to attempt the hill I took more photos

Yes - this is the road we took! 

Himself managed to get up with out any assistance despite the icy conditions, 

but it was an interesting ascent, a bit more 'dancing on ice' that driving with due care.......

Our destination - Tan Hill Pub - 1732 feet above sea level.

Warm food and cold beer were waiting and we were ready.

Some of the earlier arrivals had been plastered with snow

A final photograph before we headed home.

Getting back was 'interesting' to say the least as the roads we had managed to do during the day were rapidly icing over as the sun dropped and we had to go the long way round.... a very long way round.... to get home. The boys needless to say finished off the contents of the picnic hamper and promptly fell asleep curled up under their blankets.

As I write this, I can see our certificate we received for participating in the 2011 Raid Tan Hill and know that despite driving, sliding and tobogganing over 120 miles we have thoroughly enjoyed today.

Oh yes - I did get some crochet done, not a lot though - there was too much other entertainment going on :)