Lockdown 3 - day 3

 

These hats were the result of my knitting yesterday. I hadn’t planned on two but when checking this yarn on Ravelry it told me it was a super chunky weight, so I went right ahead and started knitting. I hadn’t got far when it was apparent that this wasn’t the case. The yarn is Sirdar Eternity which is now discontinued but the label says to knit on 5mm and when I did a wraps per inch it came out clearly as an aran weight. The only info online other than Ravelry was for sone old knitting patterns which again states aran weight. 

Anyway I finished the small hat off to a baby size and then doubled up the yarn and made an adult sized hat. These are now on their way to France for Amy and Clement. The two hats I made for Rebecca are also in the post. Who knew that we now have to complete customs declaration forms. Another crazy fallout from being a non European! 

So today apart from a trip to the post office it’s been very quiet. Peter has pulled a muscle in his thigh so walking is out at the moment, yes I know I could go on my own but it’s so cold. I sorted out the freezer and did a tidy of the kitchen. “Chatted” to a friend online for a while and finished the first sock. Caught up on the news ???!!! Shocking. And cast on the second sock. I’ll post photo of said sock tomorrow when the light is better. 

Off to find something sweet now

Lockdown 3 - day 2

 

Today is our mum’s 86th birthday. 

She is sporting a beautiful black eye courtesy of a fall at the weekend. A trip to hospital for a check over and glue!

We’ve not seen mum since February due to our trip and lockdowns and very limited visiting. They are only allowed one 15 minute visit once per week. We live nearly a two hour drive from her. She has dementia and no longer knows who we are and has no conversation. My brother who lives 10 minutes away goes to see her about once a fortnight and sends us photos and updates. As he says in the 15 minutes he is there she normally falls asleep!  You basically talk to yourself or staff as she can’t answer your questions. It’s so sad and I know both myself and my younger brother feel very guilty. 

The photos below are from earlier this year, some taken through the windows, others through the plexiglass that protects her. You can’t touch or hug. The bonus, if there is one to dementia, is that she is blissfully unaware of what’s going on in the world. 

Happy birthday Mum 🎂

Lockdown 3 - day 1

Here we are in lockdown again. It’s very quiet, hardly any traffic noise again. Today at the feeder is one of the fat pigeons. He was really going for it. 

I decided to sort the fridge and found an open pot of plain yogurt and of sour cream so I mixed them together with some milk and made a soda bread which we had some of for lunch with soup. It was very good. 

I cleared the ironing basket and put away all the clothes from the airing cupboard. Sorted drawers and generally felt that I’d earned some knitting time. I did pop out for a quick whizz around the block but it was freezing so didn’t stay out long. 

Dinner tonight will be salmon pasta of some kind. I plan on going through the freezer and listing what’s in there, bringing older stuff nearer the top.  I tend to do this every year instead of constantly going to the shops, as you honestly forget what’s in there especially in a chest freezer. 

I’m hoping for some inspiration with meals as I feel like I’m getting stuck in a rut. I have been keeping a note of our main meals since the start of November and notice a bit of a pattern. Do you have a set of meals that you cook on rotation or do you change up every week? We like to eat differently each week but I have noticed a fair few Thai curries and chillis on repeat. We do love a curry!

2021 January 4

Lockdown again, well there’s a surprise. For us that have been in tier 4 life won’t be that different apart from the children are now not in school. Boris didn’t actually put an end date on the lockdown but casually mentioned he hoped the children would be back in school after February half term. That’s about 7 weeks from now. All I can say is thank goodness I have a large stash of yarn. Hat anyone?

Talking about hats I finished the grey one last night and knitted another this afternoon. I really should finish the socks and cushion covers I started, but hats are really instant 

I have a feeling that our homes are going to feel a bit like prison after this lockdown, it was so much easier when we could all sit out in our garden and enjoy the nice weather, but keep safe and healthy xx

2021 January 3

This is my third attempt at this post.  Blogger is playing stupid with my photos.  I now have them in but in reverse order ..... sigh!

So here is a hat I’m making for Rebecca, she wanted no bobble non slouchy as she can’t keep a slouchy hat on her head.  I’ve put a corrugated rib on which hopefully won’t allow too much stretch, there is a simple lace pattern which I’m hoping won’t prove too draughty. I may make her a plain knit one too, just in case.  I have to say though I am done with grey yarn, just saying girls......

We had a brisk and chilly walk earlier. As you can see the river levels are back to normal and the fields are nearly cleared.  It does make you wonder where all the water goes when the ground is so saturated.

We picked up three bunches of daffodil buds yesterday and they are starting to open beautifully. Such a treat to see such brightness on a dreary day.

2021 - January 2

we walked into St Ives this morning for the Farmers market and was amazed how much the water had receded compared to earlier in the week. This had been completely under water. 

As hoped we bumped into our youngest and her family. The children were itching to get close but were very good about keeping their distance. So sad but needs must. We are all awaiting a decision on them going back to school on Tuesday, preferring that they are kept off for another two weeks just to be on the safe side, but even then who knows. Things change so fast these days. 

This cheeky chap has been enjoying the bird feeders. We don’t get many small birds in the garden so these feeders are at lower levels for the three fat pigeons who seem to live with us! The magpies and crows are content with scraps on the lawn. The fat ball feeder remains untouched. I think the birds are fairly well catered for by the neighbours too so they are spoiled for choice. 

Happy 2021

Happy new year to you all. 

So 2021. 

It’s currently not feeling any different to 2020 is it 😂

Today we have cleared away Christmas, rearranged some furniture in the lounge, run the vacuum round, by which time it was raining.

It’s another afternoon of knitting whilst listening to Stephen Fry read Sherlock Holmes. I’m enjoying these stories and I love the way Stephen narrates. I have several other books on audible to enjoy too.

We still have a number of puzzles to complete along with a new one which we received as a present so our days will get filled. 

Farmers Market tomorrow, I’m hoping we will run into Rachel and the grandchildren, seeing them distanced is better than nothing. Two more weeks until the tiers are reviewed again but I’m doubting they will change much. Oh well just get that vaccine moving quickly is what I say.