Devon Jollies and a finish!

I can now show you something I finished a couple of weeks ago (and gave a sneak peak of a little while ago) now that I know Deb has received her gift. It’s a bit of a cheek to call it her birthday present really, as this was for her 50th birthday in July, so it was a tad late – however, I think she has forgiven me and I think it brightened her day a little, as it arrived in the middle of the terrible earthquake they've had in New Zealand a week ago ... and are still suffering the aftershocks of!!! Anyway, I did a bit of cross-stitch and made a needle case and matching pinkeep ........

I have to admit being pleased with them, as I love the colours!


I’ve just come back from a short 'jolly' in South Devon, having had the opportunity to stay in the holiday home of an acquaintance. Although heavy rain was forecast, the sun shone practically the whole time and it was warm. These are the views from the back of the cottage:





















......... need I say more!! The view was beautiful and very peaceful and I did have the opportunity to sit & sew for a while, but didn’t complete anything, as it was only a short stay and one or two trips were a must, including one to the beach in order to have fish & chips by the seaside – and if Wendy is reading this, that was the only slip from my diet – HONEST – it was a premeditated slip though!!!

My 50th birthday celebrations begin!!

It’s been quite a while again I know!! I’ve been doing as much overtime at work as I can (needs must!!), so by the time I’ve caught up with household chores, shopping etc. I’m often too tired to do much sewing. Having said that, I have done a bit, but I can’t showcase my work yet, as what I have done is a pressie for somebody who may well read this, so that will have to wait!!

My 50th birthday celebrations have begun early with a 4-day trip to the Republic of Ireland (the south-east area around Cork, and Wexford) and have to say that all these stories one hears about lots of rain in Ireland I have decided are a myth, as we have just had 4 glorious days there – lucky or what!! We were also very lucky that we got back on Thursday morning – just before all of the travel problems that have arisen due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland!! I went with my lovely brother and sister-in-law (Colin & Ruth) – it was their present to me for my birthday – how generous was that? And I had a really lovely time. It was very relaxing (my brother did most of the driving – I did none!!) and Ireland, as foretold, is a very beautiful place ..... and the traditional Irish breakfasts, with black pudding and white pudding, were delicious!! The only downside really was the cost of everything! I already knew from others that it is generally considered more expensive than here, but added to that the terrible exchange rate at the moment – Sterling/Euro – and most things seemed almost double the price!

Anyway, if you’re still reading, here are a few photographs of our holiday



Brother and SIL on the coast at Hook Head – just look at the colour of the sea!!

The coast at Tramore

The harbour at Cork (I think!) – I loved the pastel colours of the houses!

The fantastic view from the farmhouse we stayed in at Ballinhassig, County Cork

.......... and a green post box!!

My favourite part was our trip to Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’) and an exhibition called the Queenstown Story Exhibition, which is housed in an old Victorian railway station. The exhibition told the story of the Irish/American emigration following the potato famine of the mid 19th century. Part of the exhibition was dedicated to the Titanic, as Cobh was the last calling point before it started its fatal journey in 1912!!

I must just add a funny note (sorry big bro!!). On Sunday (the day we set off for Ireland) we arrived at the dock in Fishguard, South Wales in good time. There was only a ‘Stenaline’ ferry in dock – we were travelling with ‘Irish Ferries’, so my brother started to check the travel documents; whereupon he suddenly dropped the papers, threw the car into reverse and steamed off again cursing “Christ, we’re supposed to be at Pembroke, (also in South Wales for those of you outside the UK) not Fishguard – we’re never going to make it!!” All was well though, as Fishguard and Pembroke are only about 25 miles apart and we arrived there still in good time. Needless to say, my sister-in-law, Ruth, and I didn’t let my brother forget his little mistake .... and I’m sure we’ll find plenty of occasions in the future to remind him of it – aren’t we cruel, but he did make us laugh?!!

Anyway peeps, hope to back soon to show you what I’ve been stitching.

Haworth & The Brontes'

Well, I’ve had a very agreeable few days away with my lovely cousin, Pauline. We went to Haworth in Yorkshire – home of the Brontë sisters. I’ve been before, but Pauline hadn’t. However, it never fails to amaze me just how quaint and charming the village of Haworth is with its old, cobbled (and very steep!) main street, and many of the original buildings – wouldn’t like to walk down the road in the winter when it’s icy though!! It’s mainly there for the tourists these days and the buildings are, therefore, very in keeping with the Brontë period. My favourite shop is the Apothecary, which is where Branwell Brontë (Charlotte’s brother) bought his Opium! Now it sells all sorts of gorgeous bath goodies and old vintage style nik naks – really lovely! This is it here:-



And this is the very steep main street (one from near the top and one from the bottom):-




We visited the Brontë Parsonage Museum, which was home to the Brontë family from 1820 to 1861. And just down the lane is the church which the Brontë sisters’ father (Patrick Brontë) presided over.




My cousin thoroughly enjoyed her visit to Haworth ....... and here is a photograph of Pauline looking very interested in ........ umm, I can’t remember what now!!! I don’t think she'll mind her photograph being on my blog – she said she wouldn’t mind so long as she didn’t look daft in the picture - and she couldn't possibly look daft as she's so lovely - that enough creeping darling Pauline??!!!




This is a cobbled passage near the church taking you down to the main street (so full of old-world charm)



And this is the view from our hotel, which had spectacular views like this all the way around:-



I told myself that I wasn’t going to post a picture of me, but, what the heck – here I am – notice I’ve cut the hips and thighs off – I’m not so stupid you know!!!!



I managed to stick to my diet for the first few days away, but slipped towards the end of my stay and unfortunately, that’s rolled into today as well – I just couldn’t resist a cream cake whilst I was out and about – naughty, but nice!!!

I need to get back to my stitching me thinks ...... take my mind off food!!!