Wednesday 21 August 2013

Best laid plans and all that.

It was my intention, and we know the road to you know where is paved with those-good intentions- to write my blog before 2 weeks were up .Oh dear the last date was the 4th August and now it is the 21st so I am going to blame it on Dorset time, it goes quicker here. My friend Julie (old bagpuss) said her holiday here went too quick and she did not have time to visit all the places she wanted to. So there we are not only my opinion that Dorset time is faster. Sorry I am wafflling here.Well loads for me to catch up on here, I use this as a reminder of what I have been doing both stitching and rambling,if I get a few nice comments from you very nice people who happen across then I am happy.
Summer holidays will soon be over and the kiddiwinks back to school. I have been stitching but not got any finishes this time for you. Just some wips. The first being my Wordplay for September which is on the horizon argh!!
Sorry about the creases ,it will be pressed and ready for hanging in 10 days or so (I hope). We have been very busy family wise this last few weeks . As you know I have got my walking legs back and I was determined to walk a route we last did 18years ago, how do I remember well Kate dd was pregnant with Jack who is now 18. So shall I take you on a little walk . We parked at an Inn whose barmaid kindly said we could leave the cars there. Kate came with 4 of her brood , Jack had already done it so he did not come . Not really! He was working. Anyway we set off and walked a farm track until we came to fields full of wheat which interested the boys . After picking an ear each ,Alfie wanted to know how much we needed to make bread ,ask grandad came the reply. We walked past a disused quarry which was full of blue/turquoise water and warnings of keep out  quicksand.More questions about quicksand. Onwards through heath and gorse which again was signposted this time dangerous snakes. So grandad was asked where they were,to which he replied the amount of noise they were making they would be long gone. We soldiered on past watercress beds,which the boys were intrigued with. After climbing a steep hill we veered right and through a lovely leafy wood.
Took this looking back and the next one looking forward.
I think Ollie was feeling a little tired by now it is a while since he has done a long walk. Alfie was in the I 'm hungry mood by now and we chivvied him along with ,grandad knew a secret place where we could have a picnic. Good old grandad. We walked a little further and then there it was the bridge 9not the one over the river Kwai).
If there is water a golden retriever has to be in it ,along with two small boys and a teenage girl.
It was lovely and cold apparently. Kate just looked.So did Grandad and I.
We sat and picnicked here , and then set off once again. Just on the edge of the path by the river here was our Little house in the country (I wish).They are so lucky to live here, and a tennis court and swimming pool were glimpsed through the hedge.
Will come back to the Little House in a moment. Onwards over stiles ,much hilarity with me trying to get my short legs over high stiles ,Caitlin has a pic of me atop one ,feeling quite hysterical on how I was going to get "my leg over". Ollie found a cow pat and proceeded to roll in it,one rather smelly dog and a tired family we arrived back at the car 4 hours after we left it ,with only a little break for lunch. Mind you I was whacked that evening ,and we could not quite believe it when Ollie stood by his lead when we said Walkies. He took a short cut apparently that night.
went and soaked his feet in the fleet and then came home. That is him in the distance!!
Him up close. Now I know you may be wondering why I mentioned the Little House ,well I had the next to sheep arrive,and stitching with Sally on Monday we are sheep stitching, this is how far I have got with Faith .I found the gremlins had visited and you may notice I have a slightly larger lawn that I should have. I am keeping fingers as well as stitches crossed that I can bodge it . Sorry perhaps shouldn't admit to that.
I have one less set of tiles on the roof so I am hoping it will all balance out in the end (watch this space).The next one to be done is Simplicity.
Next time I hope to show you progress on Garden pleasures. 
After the long walk I was given a day off and the day after we had the boys ,as dd had a job interview which unfortunately she did not get. I must say I wondered if working full time with 4 children is a bit much. However it is not me that has to do it ,so I keep my mouth very firmly shut. ]
We took the boys here.
Portland Castle, it was built as a defence against invasion from the sea, by Henry V111 between 1530 and 1540.The boys had great fun climbing on cannons and finding the kings and queens that were scattered around the castle and grounds.I cannot say it is a favourite place of mine to visit as it is a shell really. However I did take a picture of the kitchen ,how about cooking here for a garrison of soldiers. 

Bet the fire extinguisher would have come in handy in the 1500s.
The boys met Henry the eighth.
And climbed a few cannons.

Whilst the boys and grandad went up very steep stairs I wandered outside and sat in the gardens with my stitching. Bliss. 
So you see a busy few days. Graeme and Sue have just got back from Turkey ,Graeme broke2 ribs just before he went so he was pretty sore . Sue said the taxi driver gave him a funny look when she and Ella took the cases to the apartment from the taxi. Anyway they came down and were so delighted I was able once again we went for a short walk . The header is the view and the olympic rings were our destination. 
Left to right Ella, Alfie, Caitlin and Sam.. This was taken on Portland. Graeme was geocaching. So family news and outings up to date. Hope you have stuck with the chapter and verse so far. Well done if you have. More stitching of a different sort. Martin bought me a book this week as I have all the others Jane Nicholas has written. I have taken a pic of it for you to see along with a needlebook I stitched in 2004. 
Other stumpwork I have done .Not recently I might add,.
A hummingbird and fuchsias.
Strawberries. and last but not least a rather odd looking sheep ,which is supposed to be on Dartmoor. 
I still hope to do more  of this type of needlework. Lastly on the needlework front I have just started this over one and hope to get it done to display at next years arts and crafts.

So lots of encouragement needed. I have a ufo in my basket that hopes to see the light of day again when strictly starts again -you know the one-Quaker Diamonds.Well today in Weymouth it is carnival day and the town heaves with people . Martin has gone down to drive Annie or Clarabel from Thomas the Tank Engine ,I think all the trains have been made. The red arrows made an appearance this afternoon and  I tried to take a pic for you but all I got was lamposts and sky.ZOOM and they were gone. However if you scrunch your eyes real tight and squint a bit you may just see one as it flies over our rooftops.
See the speck in the sky! just below the sun,no its not a bird or superman. Well just being silly now so I will leave you with a view from the gun port looking across the harbour to Weymouth from Portland Castle.
 Hope you have enjoyed your meander with me. Have a good week ,keep those comments coming and thanks to you all who leave them . Hope to have some stitching to share next time,if I can keep my feet from walking lol.
Hugs and much love 
Barb x

Sunday 4 August 2013

Paper scissors and stone ,for want of a better title

Well here we are in August- and of course the wordplay for August is.
Everytime I stitch one of these I think it is my favourite. I just love the country lady with her sunflower and watering can.Well how are you all out there my blogging friends. I am still progressing with the diet and walking more. In fact we were out with three of the grandchildren for 3 hours walking, more of which later. 
I have finished my Cherries and Berries that I stitch in the parlour,but still have to put it together.
The fabric is going to be used to back it .Tomorrow is stitching with Sally and as I have not yet got my next sheep virtue, we are still stitching The Mystery by LHN. This is how far I have got so far.
Part 2 is here but if a sheep arrives meanwhile I shall be starting that next week.I would like to say to my fellow Janeites if you haven't already take a look at Willow Tree stitching blog link in my sidebar of blogs I visit., her tribute to Jane Austen and her Pride and Prejudice work is absolutely incredible. I had to have the reading saying ,that is a pattern by The Sampler Girl as I need to work it for my Jane shrine. I think I shall alter her hairstyle as I am not sure I like it.
I need to stitch this ,to go alongside this, that I ordered from Nikys Creations based in Italy. As soon as I saw the regency lady with her red ribbon and book I knew that I would place them together ,at least the top half of the chart. 
Here is what was inside.
Not sure if this next photo is better.

She is rather splendid do you not think.It certainly looks as if Jane approves there.Thanks Niky. Well I have had another finish but I think I will share my pics from yesterday . 
As I said we had 3 of the grandchildren for the day yesterday ,as daughter Kate and her hubby were off to Reading for a wedding. Jack the eldest had the day planned so we had Caitlin 15,Sam 11,and Alfie 6. In the afternoon we took them to a local sculture park in a Quarry. 
This has been a sculpture park since the early 1980s, some pieces inevitably have been vandalised over the years ,but lately some dutch scultors have been doing work in there. Here are some of the pics,
 Bears Head.

Hmm prehistoric.
No not the man in the chair! Grandad and Sam with a  very interested (not) Ollie. Whilst talking of Ollie ,he has not been doing so well this week, poor old dog had to have an op on Thursday last . He had a blockage in his ear and drops would not disperse it,so the vet had him in to give him a general . He has a perforated eardrum and he was so sorry for himself on Thursday, He has to have drops and pills for a week. More expense. Anyway onward we go.



Caitlin needed! to have a picture of us both so she took this one. Look at those dimples. She is a poppet.
If you look very closely there is a mans face carved into the rock.Lots of these "find me "carvings. My favourite that was done by the Antony Gormley who did the Angel of the north. Is this one .

The falling man. The kids thought this a really cool place, it is a little uneven and I must admit to not being even able to attempt this 3 hour walk last year. We also found as it was named by Sam, Ron Weasleys fireplace.
Sorry I guess I am getting carried away by being "out" properly. Just one more of the clan for you.
Well folks,I know some of you know it was Miss Julies 50th birthday this week and if you haven't seen her finish of Shores ,you really must pop along and see it . It is fantastic, all you talented people out there ,you are my inspiration and I am afraid to say it leads to more pennies being spent so we will never be rich. Rich in friendship through blogging. We also went to the Dorset Art and crafts 99th exhibition on Friday ,I cannot show you any photos of the stunning work there as no photography was allowed. However a couple of purchases were made. We bought this from a wild life photographer.
I just loved this lion and his cub, the photograph was taken at the Kruger National Park in South Africa. He had  some amazing pictures and I or should I say we could have spent a fortune. I do have his web site if you want a look at his work .It is www.survivalphotos.co.uk also I was bought this at the craft bookstall. 

and some dorset sheep wool rovings to go with it . Love the label on the roving.

I could see this needlefelted. I think Mary Ann is a dear to let me have some of her wool.
Oops another one I meant to show you and also a real one too.
It was just so pretty. and really true to the colour. One more of a grandaughter Caitlin and Alfie her brother.
Almost there are you yawning yet? Just the pics of the last thing I have finished. Country stitches dames of the needle sewing roll.
This was a delight to stitch. Sorry about the crease on the side.

 You will have to forgive the goofy looking bird my first attempt. It sits on a pocket for pattern thread whatever. Well if you have stuck with me so far many thanks. Hope next time I shall do an update quicker then I shall not have such a long post. Thanks for all the comments , and for just being there. You really are the best. Take care and keep safe ,till next time ,sending much love .
Barb xx

Hawthorns Scavenger Photo Hunt June

Well hello everyone ,super sets of photos last  time. Mine this time  again has been last  minute so shall we begin. The  words this month ...