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
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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......

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

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

July - in a montage (or 2 or 3!)

I've been gardening today and apart from feeling absolutely shattered I am happy happy happy (can you tell?!!). 

Years ago, Himself and I were watching some  mindless American sitcom (the name and story line have deservedly faded into history) but we do  remember one sentence the main protagonist said and it was..... 

I am very tired - but it is a good tired! 

Any way, in the spirit being on hols, I shall do a July round up in a trio of montages!!

Firstly - a mix-up of garden and garden festival pictures, the garden - despite my work-induced neglect - looked good but not good enough to win anything, but the boys did well both winning a second place in their catagories. 

Our knit and natter group took over a huge area in the local church and we displayed both flowers and our work and received loads of lovely lovely comments.

We managed to squeeze in a lot of family and friends time in between work and sleep - Youngest finished junior school (a mixture of sadness and glee) and won the Technical Cup which took us all by surprise and delight!!  

Our blondies (young hens) are growing both in size and friendliness - they don't get much choice with the friendliness as they are regularly seen firmly tucked under a boy's armpit (poor chooks). 

A tree house has been built and now is the centre of many a boy-game or just gentle contemplating of life as they lie on their backs and watch the sky. 

My Dad celebrated his birthday (from last year!!) with a helicopter flight and we went along to watch and share, we also took a picnic and spent a lovely day enjoying the sunshine and family. 

Poor old giddy dog has had more than her fair share (as she thinks) of baths recently as the boys have discovered the 'delights' of washing her in the wheelbarrow.....they fill it up with tepid water and she hops in (well she is instructed to jump in and she so well trained she does, despite really really not wanting to!) then she is lathered up until she looks like a meringue, rinsed and dried and then all three of them play up and down the lane until she is dry. 

Youngest has rediscovered his camera (strangely it 'appeared' in the greenhouse....) and has been taking photos of EVERYTHING! 

Our veg garden is doing us proud, we are harvesting a goodly amount for such a small space. Yesterday I lifted all the garlic and they are now drying. 

The black kale and the Chinese mustard have been featuring heavily in our 'garden soups' and the onions are excellent and won't be long before I have to lift those too. 

Our peas, although only a few plants - gamely gave us just enough to have as mange tout initially then peas in salads latterly while the butter beans have been delish raw as well as being chucked in soups. 

The potatoes are still quietly growing and I haven't had an investigation yet but the tomatoes and courgettes in the greenhouse are the best we have had so far. We've picked tomatoes every second day and have them in lunch boxes, in salads and on picnics.  The beetroot have been a bit of an experiment - usually I plant them individually and allow to swell, but this year somebody on television (for the life of me I can't remember if it was a chef who gardened or a gardener who cooked) said to leave them in little bunches and lift a whole bunch at a time and they are sweeter and cook quicker. They do cook quicker, but they are definitely fiddly to deal with - so the jury is still out. 

Leeks are growing nicely and the rhubarb is now resting after providing it's first good crop - it is still a young plant and I didn't want to frighten it too much!

Eldest's wheel barrow entry to the garden festival is providing us with salad and herbs on a daily basis - it has been so so successful that I will encourage him to do it again as it has turned out to be so productive!

Well, that's just a little taster of our July - not a lot was done, but so much happened! 

Tomorrow is the 1st of August - can you believe it?? This year has flown by - it will be Youngest birthday at the end of the month - it doesn't seem so long ago he was just a tot :).

Tomorrow we are celebrating our day by going off to the local tea rooms for the obligatory carrot cake and tea then for a walk to return for the boys to wallow indulgently in the huge paddling pool Himself bought for them today - we may have to crack the ice of the top first and beat back a polar bear or two....!

Right I am off to bed! G'night!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

ooh it's lovely to be back :)