Sea holly and bees

This morning I spent some time making a start on clearing a bed at the front of the house, it was covered in dying plants. Have been concentrating on the back but apparently someone in the town said the front garden was a disgrace. I wouldn’t go that far but it is in need of improvement. Tina sent out a request for ideas but I have decided to clear what I can of the main bed myself. The sea holly is a real bee magnet, and the bees that are attracted are not bothered by you taking pictures. I have cut it down to three!

I caught the bus up to Freeport as I wanted to get more dies and if possible some spray glue. Bought quite a lot of dies, may use some and have pics tomorrow. Aimee was on duty today and she made me a cuppa and we had a chat before I became the best customer of the day!

Darren was collecting his new car this evening and had been going to take me to Bridlington for a couple of hours while he went to one of his club meetings. But in the end he was delayed so the three of us went out for tea instead in a nearby village so I still got a ride in the new car.

The car is great and the meal was good when it arrived although the service was a tad on the slow side!

Only had to water a few bits in the garden but will be back to the whole watering thing again tomorrow I think. Have loads of gourds forming and the plants are huge!

Bit of card making

I stayed home this morning as there were people coming to look at the front garden to see if a group of volunteers would be able to help us get it into a more presentable state. That is looking positive. Then Tina had meeting so I stayed around to open doors, make drinks etc. I got the die cutter out and did a bit more experimenting. It will take a while to be completely conversant but did get some cards finished and even got some ready to mail.

I had a card to send to America as well so took a walk to the post office and had a look at the sea while I was out. Bit grey and back to normal today but it made a nice change.

On the way back I took a picture of the scarecrows outside one of the churches, they will all be taken down this week I should think.

I got some lunch on the way back and had that with Tina before she set off for the first aid hut. I did a bit more experimenting with the die cutter, will be a while before I get proficient but I think it will get good use.

I walked up to the hut a bit later to have a ride with Tina into Hull as she was sorting the finance for Darren’s new car. We didn’t spot it to start with but Tina saw i it as we were leaving.

We have had a Chinese take away this evening, naughty but very nice!

Hotel nightmares!

Will start with our second night at the hotel and then put on some pictures from yesterday. We knew there was an event on below our room on Friday night and although it was loud we did manage to get to sleep. We were told that all would be well for Saturday night, but it wasn’t. An even bigger wedding party with much louder music! We tried to settle down but at 11.2O pm Tina suggests we go and sit in the car. That we did and I just went in my pyjamas! We came back to the room just after midnight and it did stop just after we got back. But by then we were wide awake so had a drink b fore we could settle down. We were not impressed, such a shame because everything else about the hotel was really good.

Anyway, back to Saturday, w had a walk in th grounds when Brian was resting, we have a mirror in the walled garden but this one was pretty impressive.

Tina and Hazel enjoying the walk through the trees.

This yarn bombing was attractive.

Back at the hotel we went in the outdoor pool as I said yesterday, very nice setting and there was a well equipped gym in that building behind the pool.

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We had a drink in th bar and then walked round th nature rewerve, passing this small pond.

And this larger one.

Finishing the walk by this fabulous tree.

This morning we saw Hazel and Brian again for a bit before making our way home. We were both tired and the weather was bad on and off, so we did have a couple of breaks, but we were home in time to have an evening here.

Down South!

We are staying at De Rougemont Manor near Brentwood, about fifty miles from where we need to be but the journey today was less than an hour each way as it was mainly on the M25. The hotel is fabulous and the breakfast was excellent but it is also very popular for functions so we were above a very loud wedding party last night, and sadly, although we were lead to believe otherwise we have a repeat performance tonight.

We went across to see Brian and Hazel. Brian has been poorly for a while now and was very tired today. We had lunch with Hazel and then went with her into Berkhamsted for a look in some shops and tea and cake. We will see them again tomorrow before we head for home.

There is an outdoor pool here and when we got back earlier we did go in it for a while. Very cold when we first got in but we swam for a bit.

We had a complementary drink in the bar and wandered around the small nature reserve at the rear of the hotel.

I will just post a picture of the impressive building on this post as I really struggled to publish yesterday with a lot of photos. Will post more when I am home.

Stormy weather

I don,t think I will be trying to see the blood moon tonight, we have had a long journey and it was cloudy. Tina said the moon was bright last night so went out to take a couple of pics.

We had a bit if rain yesterday evening but a full on storm in the night, so Darren won’t need to water the gardens tonight.

Darren and Tina went out this morning to look for a new car for Darren. I went to the post office, bought a new top in one of the local shops and got on with the packing for our trip. 

I had a walk round the garden, I cut a couple of the gourds yesterday and have put them in the greenhouse, there are plenty of fruits now, just need to get the drying right!

Took a picture of the newly planted funky daisy, it seems happy.

I got some salad stuff so I could try my new gadget.

It worked pretty well.

Tina and I set off just before three, went over the bridge at Hull which was a bonus.

A couple of sky shots, we went through some torrential rain and storms.

Got here after eight hot and bothered!

Crafty day

This morning I walked up to Freeport. I hadn’t booked to be on the decopatch class but there was only one other person so I was able to join in. Much excitement there today as they had lots of new stock, some great fabrics and die cut machines and lots of embossing and cutting plates. I have never had a die cut machine and must admit I was tempted. We started our decoupatch a little late, I covered two boxes using two different tissue napkins. I am really pleased with the result.

Tina came up when we were finishing, we talked about the die cut machine and she was a bit worried that I may not be able to work it as it is manual. Mags said she would unpack one and let me see if I could use it. So Tina and I went and had some lunch and also visited The Works and got some books for the weekend. Then we went back to the craft outlet to have a play. I could do it so am now the proud owner of a machine and a few dies to start me off.

I had a bit of a trial run when I got home, so one embossed and one cut card for starters.

I have planted up the funky daisy and a few other plants and done the watering. We did get a couple of rolls of thunder and a few raindrops, but not enough to let me off! A picture of the funky daisy as promised.

We are not leaving for our trip down south until the afternoon so no panic packing tonight!

Hospital trip

I caught the bus into town and allowed time to get to the bank and hav some lunch before making my way to the hospital. There was a police motorbike with lights flashing on th journey in. It pulled the bus over and all the traffic behind. Lots of other police activity too. We sat for a while and then these two very large, escorted by numerous vehicles, lorries rolled by on the other side of the road, and then we were all allowed to continue our journeys.

I had some lunch and then made my way to the hospital. I was early for my appointment and was seen promptly. I was seeing a neurologist to try and get some answers about my numb foot. She wasn’t too happy to start as the referral said I had trouble with both feet. She obviously was not convinced I was telling the truth, even showed me the referral email! Said I wouldn’t have been seen if it had said it was only one foot! She did make lots of notes though and examined me, tested reflexes etc. Basically, although she didn’t say it in so many words, the damage was most likely done by the injection, as I had thought all along. She said that there could be improvement for about eighteen months after the injury, but any damage after that would be permanent. That’s okay, now I know I can stop worrying about it.

Saw this mural on the way back to where I was meeting Tina.

Tina was off this afternoon so she came in to collect me and we went to Beverley Garden Centre. Got a new plant, surprisingly, a funky daisy, will take a picture tomorrow. Also got some craft stuff at their very large craft department. Tina got me a salad chopper, well, a gadget to chop veggies or fruit. It worked on a pepper as I had to try it.

Nana time

Today Anya has been working from home again and Isobel and I have had a day together. We went up to Freeport on the bus this morning, I had a drink and Isobel had an excellent cream at the cafe when we arrived. Then we walked up to the craft outlet. Amy and Anita were on today but were happy for Isobel to sit and use the craft kit we bought at the table where I have my craft classes. She was painting some sun catchers, I didn’t take photos of the ones she finished but she had a great time, got some black paint on her t shirt which was quite new, in fact I had bought it back from America, but I am sure it will wash out, got her a clean one at the Regatta store!

Anita also got us started on making friendship bracelets, Isobel got on fine, mine was rubbish! We had some lunch, got some sweets to put on cup cakes and a t shirt before catching the bus home. Isobel did some more crafting, she got a pencil box to decorate and I put the Disney channel on for her. I got on with dinner and got everything ready for Isobel to make cup cakes as she had asked if she could when she got up. They turned out well and tasted delicious too,

A farewell play with the cats and a wander round the garden after dinner before they set off for Peterborough

I got the gardens watered and haven’t done much else. Have a hospital appointment tomorrow.

Day with Isobel

Anya and Isobel were up quite late as they were very tired after their hot weekend camping at the festival. Isobel helped mr make up the drawer unit while her mum got ready.

Tina had studying to do today so Anya, Isobel and Ibwent for a walk through the park.

Isobel tried some of the outdoor fitness equipment.

Just a nice picture by a tree she had just been climbing in.

We had some lunch out and then came home for the afternoon. Anya was ‘working from home’ so Isobel and I did some crafting while watching Disney movies. This evening we went out for fish and chips with Darren and Tina. Isobel being dared to try vinegar.

And afterwards, she liked it about as much as I do!

After dinner we went down to the beach, we had come prepared with buckets and litter picking stuff.

By a very quickly made sand castle!

Nice sky.

We did find quite a lot of litter in the end, especially bottle tops. Then we had a leisurely walk home.

A bit of watering when we got home, must keep the gourds growing!

Boot sale bargains

This morning Darren and I set off heartland to go to the boot sale and market. The first bargain was right near the food stall where we had our cuppa and sausage sandwich. A lady was selling silver coloured earrings for 25p a pair or six for a pound. Bit of a no brainer for someone who likes silver and loves earrings!

I need more pictures for the wall like I need a hole in the head, I have plenty of pictures already that haven’t got wall space. But this lovely, well framed, original water colour caught my eye. I did walk away but went back and when it was just £2 it had to come home with me.

I have always loved anything to do with otters, this adorable plate was one pound, it is called ‘Winter orphan’.

Then this rather nice otter ornament was two pounds.

I did buy a new plastic storage unit as wwell ll but it needs assembling, so photo another day.

We came home, cooled off a bit and then I walked up to Freeport as I was booked into a class using teabags! I am not really into mixed media, layering etc, but enjoyed the technique although maybe not one I will use a lot.

It was with Mags who is a lovely instructor and a friendly group of ladies. I walked home as well and have made dinner and watered the gardens. 

I was expecting Anya and Isobel tomorrow but they are now arriving later tonight, so that is really good.