Not much of anything getting done

I have been very lax on the knitting/gardening front;  not really sure where the weeks and days go, but I never seem to get much done.

The garden still has some colour but its messy, lots of nettles and weeds hiding among the overgrown shrubs.  We had torrential rain all day yesterday but its been sunny/windy/cloudy today so I have managed to take some photos for you

On the knitting front - I have completed 4 of the holiday hats.  I then went on to use up some King Cole Splash that I have in my stash. I decided it only really looks good knitted as hats and mitts so I've done a few, the one with the picot edge is my favourite.  I still have over 100grams left so will maybe add it to another blanket.  I am on the last side of the Ten Stitch for Rachel's new car.  I will be glad to see the back of this as its been hanging around too long.

So do you procrastinate? I have loads to do but really can't be bothered to do any of it. I need to get off  here, prepare dinner, do some ironing, sweep and wash the kitchen floor, clean the downstairs loo, I could actually be here all day with what I need to do, so I'll stop now...........

French Leave

Le Touquet was the base for our weekend break.  The weather was mixed - Friday dull, Saturday sunny, today WET.  Here is a pictorial account of the weekend, enjoy

Practice Air Display on Friday

 Oh the food shops

Empty Market Hall on Friday - and flower shops

Pretty displays

The architecture

They do love their cakes and chocolate

and fish!!  So many fish shops in one town

Market on Saturday

Such lovely things....... 

What a difference a day makes - Saturday and Sunday - and a bit more Air Display

As befits the weather - Etaples Military Cemetery - 8000+ commonwealth soldiers and air men mainly from the 1st World War, a sobering experience

Mick, Eric & the Albert Hall

I went off to see Mick Hucknall at the Royal Albert Hall last night with Peter and Rachel.  It was his American Soul show; an enjoyable evening, good seats, row 9 on the arena floor, it was cold though.

Not sure on his soul selection, though he did a passable rendition of "I only have eyes for you" - which is "our song", 4 tracks from the Bobby Bland album, which were good. "I'd rather go blind" by Etta James - prefer Beth Harts version.  "Its Impossible" by Perry Como, which was ok but prefer the original.  He did drop in a couple of Simply Red numbers which certainly upped the tempo in the room.  I don't think he was feeling too well though as during the early part of the evening he kept wiping his eyes and using a nasal spray, he looked rough, too much stage makeup!  He did seem to liven up a bit more towards the end.  But as I say a good evening, but a late night 12:30 before we got home.

Then on to Eric - I have just got tickets for his show at the RAH for 18 May, also row 9 on the arena floor but on the other side of the room.  Luckily this was a fan club pre-sale otherwise the seating allocation wouldn't be as good.  The tickets weren't cheap but what makes me cross is the booking fee of £8.50 each plus £5.50 secure postage on top of the ticket price.  Oh well.

We are still eagerly awaiting the annoucement of the Crossroads Concert in 2013 which is rumoured to be at Madison Square Gardens in April.  Its a long way to go for a concert but so worth it!!  We will build a holiday around it though.

Another weekend roundup

They come and they go, another is nearly done.  Where does the time go?  Its been another busy weekend so far.

Friday, I motored up to Stamford to pick up Rufus and bring him back to ours for an overnight visit.  We had fun as usual.  Auntie Rachel was off work on Friday making a wedding cake for her cousin, she decided to do the finishing off at our house as we have more room in the kitchen and she wouldn't get pestered by her cats.  This is the finished result, I am sure you will agree it looks marvelous.  Emma and Nev wanted an all chocolate cake, this is the recipe she has used before - here.  The flowers were made by Stu's mum.

We walked the cake round to my sister in laws, leaving them to drive it to the venue!!  It did get there in one piece, thank goodness, though Emma ended up holding it on her lap all the way.  We then visited great Grandma and Pat, went to the park, played Duplo, waited, and waited and waited for Pops to get home, why are they always late when you want them home early?

Getting that last bit of ice cream out of the bowl.  See he is wearing his new jumper

Then on Saturday they hunted for the missing screws and nuts to fix the bike seat onto the bike.

Sorted

Then there was a bit of measuring

We then cycled to St Ives with Auntie Rachel and Stu to feed the ducks - actually ended up being more swans than ducks.  Its so lovely along the quay in St Ives, plus it was another beautiful weekend weather wise.  He insisted on keeping his wellington boots on and who are we to argue!

A ride on Thomas

Spot of lunch at the Cromwell

Its a shandy and he didn't drink any

Waiting for his sandwich - scratch on his face was from a fall after the measuring session!  Boys, I'm sure his parents think we knock him about.

Then it was just so exhausting he had to have a sleep - he sleeps in a double bed at ours now so we have make him a 'nest' to stop him rolling out.  This was taken whilst trying to wake him up, so that we could have a quick play before taking him home!

Saturday evening - wedding party.  Not a brilliant photo of the new Mr & Mrs Ward - I took this on my phone. Emma looked stunning and we had a good time, great to catch up with family and friends.

So here we are at Sunday.  Not such a nice day today, spent the morning fiddling around.  Peter and I have prepared a large bag of Sweet Red Peppers so that I can make some Red Pepper Jam, more on that later.  Possibly heading into Cambridge later for a food festival that's on in town and to meet up with Stu and his friends who are doing the Oxford to Cambridge Cycle ride today.  So catch you later, hope you are having a good one