Windy week in Wales

Hello, we are back from our week in Wales.  What a mixed bag of weather we had, but I guess at this time of year its to be expected.

We arrived at our home for the week amidst pouring rain and gale force wind.  We sat in the car for a bit not daring to brave the 31 steps down to the cottage, and when we did we tried to minimise the number of trips back and forth by carrying as much as we could safely carry.

those steps on a sunny day!

The cottage was very sweet, a typical Welsh cottage, situated on the side of the hill in Rhiw on the Llyn Peninsular overlooking Hells Mouth (Porth Neigwl).  The cottage is owned by the National Trust and has been preserved carefully.

This was a Thursday to Thursday let, which was strange and we got really confused as to what day of the week it was.  As I said Thursday was wet and windy but Friday was absolutely beautiful and we drove down to the bay and spent the morning walking along the beach from one end to the other

we were in one of those white dots on the hill side to the right of the photo

 and because it was so nice we had lunch in the garden

Of course we woke on Saturday to rain, so we headed out for supplies and then lit the fire and snuggled down for the day

Sunday was again a beautiful day.  We headed across the Peninsular to Morfa Nefyn and parked up and walked the beach and up over a golf course and back.  Beautiful views.

We then headed along to Aberdaron - great bakers shop - eccles cakes, we ate a few

Then as we were making the most of the good weather we went to the Whistling Sands.  By the end of the afternoon we lost the sun but it had been a good day.

Monday was cold, dry and grey so we headed out in the car to Cricceth, Beddgelert, Porthmadog and finally Llanbedrog beach

castle closed on a Monday

That proved to be the end of the good weather, Tuesday and Wednesday we stayed at the cottage.  Plenty of reading and knitting in front of the wood burner

I think if we were to go back to Wales then we would go earlier in the year.  Most of the cafes and restaurants were closed for the season and like High Streets all over the country lots of empty shop units or businesses for sale.  Sign of the times I guess.  Also the remote location of the cottage would be great for bright sunny evenings but driving in the dark on single track mountain roads in the rain is not my idea of fun.  But we had a good time, it made a change but I think we will be going back to Southwold next autumn

Busy needles

Another week has flashed past,  my needles have been on fire.

First I got those October socks completed and with two days to spare.  As they were large child sized it was a little less knitting than adult ones

Then the first of two hats for Gus

Two more hot water bottles

I'm now working on a hooded scarf for Jess

And in between times I made our Christmas puddings

What else this week? We've been out for a few walks, knitting group and into Cambridge for a bit of shopping.  The weather has been pretty rubbish at times, rain, high winds but also a couple of very frosty mornings.  Autumn colour is really coming to the fore now

I was asked what my monthly project would be for 2020.  As you may know if you are a regular reader, this year it was a pair of socks a month to become more proficient in sock knitting.  For years I have been promising myself I'd learn to crochet properly. I have the books, the hooks. I can do a single crochet edging and managed some small flowers for Rachel's bouquet, but what I really want is to be able to make a Granny Square blanket.  My plan for 2020 is to make a certain number of squares in a month.  Not decided how many yet, I'll see how I get on and what size blanket I decide to make.

I certainly have plenty of yarn oddments for this project so it would be a brilliant way to use them up and make a very portable project to stick in my bag.  So watch this space in 2020.

Right I'd best get on and finish that scarf. Bye for now