August - week 3

Here we are after the hottest August Bank holiday weekend on record.  Phew it was a hot one, and its due to be 31C -  hot again today, then plunging back to a more comfortable 22C tomorrow.  We are never really happy are we?  Autumn is round the corner.  The garden is starting to look tired, especially the back fence which gets the heat for longest.

So what have we been up to this past week? Not too much really.  Shopping, walking, reading, knitting, childcare, mammogram just the normal run of the mill stuff, well apart from the mammogram!

Monday was stormy so we made a quick dash to the market for plants...... no plants they are on holiday

Tuesday spent the morning fiddling about and then cycled into St Ives for my knitting group, only 4 of us this week

Wednesday was walking day.  An 8 mile wander through the Hemingfords - Houghton Mill - The Thicket - St Ives then back to Hemingford

Thursday was mammogram day and a bit of shopping to top up for the weekend

Friday - Jess and Gus came to stay overnight -  Jess has taken an interest in flower arrangement - happy with that so whilst Gus and Pops went to the (big) park we stayed home and played with flowers.  I gave her a small tub with moss filled chicken wire and she wandered around the garden collecting the flowers and foliage she wanted.  After a brief description of how to start the arrangement she just got on with it.  I'm pretty impressed for a 5 year old

The rest of the day was trying to stay cool, it involved lots of water fun and ice cream

Saturday we headed for the river and (pavilion) park before it got too hot. 

and in between times I have been knitting

 and reading - Tidelands by Phillipa Gregory   I read this in two days, enjoyable but I felt the end was very rushed and that so much more could  have been made of it

and trying to keep cool

Its funny, I didn't think we had done that much this week but when you see it laid out it was actually quite busy

August knitting

Not a whole lot of knitting has been done this month.  Jess asked for a Unicorn hat which I have played with for the last month, doing an odd bit here and there.  I think it looks a bit rude but she is happy with it

I think I've cheated a bit on this month's socks - rather than make a full pair of socks I opted for a slipper sock version in Aran weight.  These I knitted over two evenings.  They would make a great quick knit for a last minute gift and a bonus of using hardly any yarn so oddments from stash would be perfect.

I'm feeling a bit directionless on the knitting front at the moment.  I have shelved the summer top, still wondering whether to just rip it back.  I have lots of yarn suitable for shawls but need some inspiration.  

So what is currently on my needles?  Hot water bottle covers for the Chateau. Now they have another suite ready, they need more bottles to keep their guest beds cosy over the coming winter.  Nothing like snuggling up with a hot water bottle

Here's one I made earlier

August - week 2

After returning the boys we stayed at La Ruche for three days.  Due to the Chateau being so busy there was lots of garden work that needed doing.  Its good to get stuck into a garden that needs some serious work.  Peter tackled the hedges, lawns and the lake banks.  I worked on the side lawns, avenues, woodland walkways, weeds and the fruit garden.  I think we made a good impact in our short time

The grapes and figs are coming along a treat, though the wasps are contenders for the figs

Chateau neighbour Alain's fox terrier bitch has had puppies and we went for a visit.  Someone was smitten ………  they are very cute but …………

I'll leave you with photos of flowers rather than puppies

For a peek at our garden this month I've updated the Our Garden Page pop over and take a look

August - Boys return to the UK

Week 2 - we left La Ruche after dinner for an overnight crossing on Eurotunnel - we figured the boys would sleep most of the way home.  We arrived around 3:30am and managed to lift the boys without waking, though didn't get too much sleep as they were awake before 7am.

Monday - We decided on a quiet day with just a visit to their cousins and a wander around St Ives to feed the ducks and ice creams.  I went and had my haircut whilst they all played.  Then dinner and an early night

Tuesday - Peter took the boys to Duxford.  This had been on Laurie's list for ages and I think they had a good time.

Rachel and I took the little ones into Cambridge and then we all met up at Great Grandmas for a visit then off to Pizza Express for dinner, again the boys choice.  They did real justice to their dinner. Afterwards we ended up having piggy back races around Huntingdon Market Square, and for some reason I ended up with Rufus, whilst Stu got Gus, doesn't seem fair somehow!!

Wednesday - National Trust Anglesey Abbey - we had a great day, climbing, picnic, crafting, den building.  Anglesey Abbey even shared the kids craft photos on all their social media after I shared them on Instagram

Thursday we headed for the coast - Old Hunstanton - a beautiful day hot and sunny - fish and chips for dinner.

Friday - chill day - the weather wasn't great so Rachel and the little ones came over to play.  Rufus had a sick headache and spent most of the afternoon and evening asleep.  Laurie went back with Rachel for a planned sleepover which Rufus unfortunately missed.

Saturday  - after a morning shopping and doing jobs.  Packing and making sure we had all their stuff together we collected the others and headed for Johnsons Crocodile Farm at Old Hurst

They had a great afternoon, running around and feeding the livestock (not the crocodiles!!).  A very windy walk through the woods had us scuttling out due to falling branches but otherwise a fun time

An early start on Sunday morning, leaving home at 1:30am, the boys slept nearly all the way home so we had a very peaceful drive.  All in all a successful visit, we did lots and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.