A second from me

Just had to share our walk to the lakes this afternoon, enjoy

Knitting news

 

I finally got round to photographing my work in progress, another Honeycomb cushion. I really love how the multi coloured yarn pops through the beige, like little stain glass windows. I’m nearly three quarters of the way into this so hopefully will be done soon.  I have enough beige for another but will have to stash dive to look for a contrast in my aran weight box, nothing sort of springs to mind unless I use two strands for 4ply together….. now there’s a thought!

We didn’t get to the allotment today as it was too windy for a bonfire, instead we continued with the great garage sort out. We’ve still some sorting to get through but nearly there. It looks much neater and all my gardening tools are now hanging neatly for the first time in ages. 

The new light fitting went up in the porch so that’s another tick off the list.

Casserole for dinner tonight, it smells yummy and making me quite hungry

Allotment day - 1

It was a productive first day on the allotment.  

We spent four hours clearing brambles, old carpet, rotten or overgrown fruit bushes. Broken wood pallets, plastic sheeting. You name it, it was there. We did discover a compost bin and a border fork, so that was a bonus.  

It turned out the plot wasn’t as big as we first thought. As it and the adjoining half plot were so overgrown it was difficult to see where each started and ended. However, over the last few weeks whilst we were away the other half has been worked on so we now have a clear division. 

Fortunately the soil is very light so the weeds are pulling out easily.  We decided to remove all the fruit bushes as I said, as they were overhanging the pathways and so old. We will replace with new plants in a more central location.

We have left a nice fire stacked and ready to burn on our next visit. Took home two builders bags full of plastic and metal and a wheelie bin full of stumps and stuff that will take too long to burn. Whilst we are allowed a fire it has to be during certain times and can’t be left.

We had to drag Rachel away, she would have carried on clearing. We even worked through lunchtime we were that focused. Hoping it will be good for the waistline.

We have rain overnight and tomorrow, so I guess Peter and I will go back on Wednesday to carry on clearing.  Once we have the plot cleared we will then define the edges and mark out the space.  It’s going to be fun seeing what we can grow 

Filling the day

After two weeks of working flat out it feels strange to suddenly have nothing much to do. 

When I say nothing much, there are jobs but there is no rush. 

This morning (Sunday) we were awake early, before 6.  

We had coffee/tea and came down for breakfast just after 8.  

I put laundry on.   

Made the bed 

Hung Peter’s long sleeved shirts up and put away the short sleeves - suddenly summer has gone and it’s too cool for short sleeves. 

Changed up the duvet and got out the thicker pjs, it’s that much cooler!

Went for a walk and back in time for coffee.  

Laundry all done and hung out.  

Flowers picked and arranged from the garden

Gardening tools checked over ready for our first visit to the allotment tomorrow (Monday) 

Lunch, knitting, wrestled the laundry from the line, high winds soon dried it, more knitting, dinner, yet more knitting, over half way up the cushion cover, must do photos, catching up on YouTube subs that I’ve missed.

Time for bed ……. See day filled

At last

Gus finally decided to model his new sweater for me. I was so pleased when these pictures popped into my WhatsApp.  

I so glad I went with plain sleeves for this sweater. I love the pattern which was from the Patons Play Days book, the style is called Oliver.  I think I’ll make him another whilst this pattern still fits him.

Driving home

 

We arrived home just before 3pm today after a thoroughly miserable drive. It rained for most of the day. Add to that poor visibility, people driving too fast, no lights on.  We had hoped that due to the fuel shortage in the UK that the roads might have been quiet. But alas no. We filled up before arriving at Eurotunnel in Calais so have nearly a full tank now. We have no plans to venture far, and mostly we can travel on foot or by bike locally. 

Rachel and I are due to be in London (Alexandra Palace for the Knitting and Stitching Show) on Friday but could go by train if we have too. 

It’s good to be home in our cosy little house after rattling around in the Chateau for the last two and a bit weeks. It’s also very quiet …….

All them apples

 

This afternoon I have been prepping apples for the Chateau freezer. These are a variety called Reinette du Canada, picked from the garden. Beautiful flavoured cooking apple.  The only criticism is that they discolour very quickly and after two of these trays I have orange hands.

As we are leaving in the morning the rest will be down to our daughter to deal with as she sees fit! My work is done.

I read that it is Blogtober - a post a day during October. Not sure if I’ll manage that but we will see