November.......

What a BUSY month.  Looking back through the photos on my phone, we seemed to have done lots this month.  I already shared a few things in earlier posts this month.  So what else have we been up to?  If you follow me on Instagram then you will have seen some of these photos already

We went walking -

Wicken Fen on a beautiful sunny day

Godmanchester Nature Reserve

Attended the Remembrance Parade in St Ives

Did a good amount of knitting -

For Gus

For me

Went to France for 12 days, more walking, some gardening, brass cleaning, cooking, jam making, generally helping out and spending time with the boys

And now we are home with just a few days of the month left.  The cat was so pleased to see us, she's not stopped purring yet. 

December looks like being busy too.  I need to get on with Christmas shopping.  I have my monthly flower club next week, along with a wreath making workshop on the Saturday.  A blood donation (had to cancel the last one due to being ill).  Hair appointment and various other things to fit in along the way.  Christmas cake decoration. Family visits and time with friends.

I plan on starting another sweater for myself and maybe another ten stitch, this time for our bedroom. Also a request is in for a man sweater.  A book to finish reading and a pile of others to get into.  Just as well the garden has gone to sleep for the winter and I can legitimately put my feet up and enjoy the long afternoons and evenings.

Take care of yourselves and keep well

How about a winter break?

Thinking about the long winter ahead.......  Those days that seem to last forever when the weather isn't great......... I don't know about you, but I yearn for a change of scene......... so I thought I'd tell you about a great offer at my favourite French chateau, to beat those winter blues.

Come and enjoy a luxurious three-night break for two at Chateau de le Ruche this winter, with a home-cooked, four-course supper every evening and a hearty breakfast every morning for just €399.

Stuck for a gift? - I think this would make a wonderful Christmas present for a couple to share.
Get away with friends.
A romantic Valentines.
Or just a luxurious treat for yourself in the French countryside.

If you go before Christmas then you can explore the Christmas market in Le Mans and buy your presents at the same time.  There are lots of lovely small towns and villages to explore in the Loire valley.  An all round great location.

Their website is - chateaudelruche.com for full details and your chance to see more of the chateau and grounds.  You can also follow them on Instagram and Facebook

This truly is a great offer and open until the end of February, so check out the local tourist office and start planning your trip

and btw ........

Calling all those Le Mans car/bike race fans - something you might like to know they do special bespoke packages just for you - check out their events page for details

Have a heart

Good evening.  Here we are on another Sunday, another month.  November is here already and there is Christmas on the horizon.  The ads have started with a vengeance and there are Christmas knits popping up on Instagram and Ravelry.  I have no plans for any seasonal knitting this year.  I'm hoping that the grandkids sweaters will do another year.

I got the hat done for Jess and along with it a cowl/neck warmer.  She loved the hat and not yet seen the cowl, but what's not to like?

I had planned to start on a tunic top for me but now I'm knitting a sweater for Gus, he also needs a neck warmer so will get that done too, then turn my attention to me.

We have been trying to get out walking most days.  Wednesday we walked from the village to Houghton Mill, then along the river loop and back - 6 miles

We strolled into St Ives yesterday for the Farmers Market - 3 miles and today went for a walk around Hinchingbrooke Country Park - 4.1 miles.  We are fortunate to have some good walks close at hand

I think I've finally seen the back of my cold, I had an awful sinus headache on Thursday afternoon which put me to bed early and left me feeling wrung out on Friday.

Not much planned as yet for the coming week apart from giving blood and a pension review, exciting or what?  Actually I tell a lie, we are going to see Seasick Steve on Friday evening, that should be fun.  In fact that will be the second concert in two weeks, I forgot to tell you about Jools Holland last Sunday, a very good show, he never fails to please.

A lesson learned

How often do you start something, realise that you aren't happy with it but plough on regardless?

 This was the case in point for me yesterday.  Jess had asked for a hat with a heart on it.  No problem.  I duly cast on - I'd finished those socks so it was ok - I like to knit hats in the round, no seams.  What I hadn't factored in was that when doing intarsia in the round your yarn ends up in the wrong place.  I googled to see if it was possible, and there are various options but I decided to go with bringing the yarn back and then catching in the floats.  This is where I should have stopped and knit it flat.  But no I ploughed on.  Adding to the problem was that the heart I chose ended up being HUGE, even at that point I carried on.  Stubborn or what? I made the decreases, added the bobble and threw it on the floor.  Went to bed.  This morning I picked it up, showed it to hubby who didn't respond in the normal way - he normally loves the things I make - I knew I'd gone wrong this time.  So an afternoon and evening wasted to end up with this

At least I can selvedge the bobble!

Here are my autumn socks

On a brighter note I have been to Thursday Flower Club this morning. I did struggle a bit with my arrangement (not feeling on top form having been trying to fight off a cold all week), not being keen on very high arrangements, but ended up seeing the merit to it.  Lots of lovely poppy heads and dried alliums, chinese lanterns for a vibrant pop.

This afternoon, do I, start another hat or do the pile of ironing that has my name on it?  Its raining so outside activity is off limits..