Didn't we have a lovely time

the day we went to Bangor.





We travelled to North Wales on Friday to vist the University. It took ages to get there due to lots of other people driving cars, vans and lorries up the M6. How dare they be on the road at the same time as us! Add to that a number of incidents on the roads it took us 7 hours to get there ( with two short "facilities" stops along the way).
We arrived at the Youth Hostel 5 minutes too late to have dinner, so went into Bangor to find an eating place for some fast food.
After a sleepless night we got up and DH dropped Em & I in Bangor before he and Charlie headed off to drive through the mountains. We walked through the city centre before heading up the hill to the University. Unfortunately we had the wrong site, but were directed to the right site by a very friendly security person. It was only a 25minute walk (or stagger) to the right place and we got there in good time. We were then treated to a very pleasant buffet lunch followed by an entertaining introductory talk about Bangor University School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science. Then we went on a bus tour of the city ending up at the Halls of Residence. Many of the Halls at Bangor are in the process of being updated and those we were shown were much better than were available when I was looking at Uni's 20+ years ago! It was then back on the bus to the Sport science block where we were shown around the laboratories. What amazing equipment they had.
The afternoon ended with us having a chance to discuss any questions we might have with some of the staff. We were able to find out more about the dyslexia services at Bangor, and the qualifications obtainable during the 3 years at Uni.
Then we were picked up by the "Mountain" climbers and we drove back to the Youth Hostel to watch the Wales / france Rugby match. It was a thrilling match with a fantastic final score! (Wales won-of course) By now we were ravenous and so made a dash in the car to Llanberis where we enjoyed a good nosh at Pete's Eats. This well known Cafe ( well known among walkers) does a realy mean plate of Chilli & Chips, which went down really well after a hard day visiting the Uni.
Sunday morning saw us packing up and heading for home. We took the scenic route back via the A5 and saw the snow on top of the mountains. Once we were on the motorway however we had a reasonable journey home.
The back caused quite a lot of discomfort during the weekend and I was relieved not to be doing the driving. This also gave me a chance to do a little bit of knitting in the car on the way home. When I wasn't "high" on painkillers I managed to complete 1/2 a sock. I have used the basic Fyberspates pattern which came with my first purchase of sock yarn, and which I have used for every sock I have knitteed so far, but adapted it to knit a basic lace pattern on the sock. (Photo to follow)

I went into work this morning for a couple of hours to get back into the swing of things. It was Ok, and I was so pleased to see all my friends. The last month at home has been terribly boring and lonely. Thank goodness for the internet. I have spent many happy hours reading other peoples blogs. Thankyou to all those knitting bloggers out there who have kept me sane over the past month.

Golf birthday cake

I have just got round to loading this picture onto the lap-top. I baked it and decorated it for my husband to celebrate his 60th birthday in February.
It was fun to make and decorate. I haven't made a "Proper" birthday cake for years. In the past I have created all sorts of things from sponge, including the Thunderbirds Tracey Island, Thomas the Tank engine, Postman pat's van and even a severed hand!! If I can find the photographic evidence I will try and scan it into the computer(but don't hold your breath)

Having just looked back over some of my previous posts I realise I never admitted what happened to the silky look cardigan I was making over Christmas. Well, it is now on the frogging pile as it was wider than it was long, and although I am a little on the plus size it swamps me.
I also have to admit to another purchase. (must keep it quiet as hubby doesn't know about it ) I was in Hobbycraft in Maidstone on Tuesday and they had some Rowan DK yarn 1/2 price. Well you can't miss an oportunity like that can you? I bought a few balls, enough to knit a long waistcoat, and so my stash keeps growing. At this rate, if I live to be a hundred I will never run out of yarn!

I have just made another e-bay purchase, Not for me this time. Mike had his eye on a dinghy to use to get onto his boat. He currently uses an inflatable which is great to use occasionally but is not big enough to transfer gear and bodies from "shore to ship" and vice versa. We are now the proud owners of a solid dinghy and outboard motor. Now we have to name her! The big boat is called VOLANTE and the inflatable is called the MOODY MOLLY (named after the make of the big boat and our dog!) The new dinghy now needs a wacky name. Any suggestions?

knitting upside down

Knitting flat on your back is difficult, but not impossible. I have just finished a pair of socks knit using some yarn I bought on E-bay from Angels and Elephants, colourway Candy Floss. I conquered the second sock syndrome by knitting both at the same time on two sets of DPN's. I.ve now cast on another pair using Regia 4py.I tried to do some of my Freedom spirit cardigan but this was too heavy to handle upside down!

I made some purchases on Amazon last week, including Mason Dixon Knitting which I promised myself ages ago but never got round to buying. I also bougt Yarn Harlot by Stephanie Pearl McPhee and The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. I am thoroughly enjoying The Knitting Circle.

Emily passed her driving test two weeks ago and since then I haven't seen much of my car. At least I can't drive it myself at the moment so it's working out OK. She is currently looking to buy herself a car and spends a lot of time on the internet researching diffferent makes and models.

Thankyou laughing mouse for this award. I would like to pass it on by nominating soxandcinders

The inside loop

http://www.theinsideloop.com/

This is a great addition to the online knitting community.

Self pity is not good

I'm lying on my back with the laptop propped up on a cushion to enable me to type. I seem to have a bulging vertebral disc in the Lumbar region which is pressing on my sciatic nerve. Movement of any kind is excruciating and I don't cope well with pain. This morning got lost in a blur of tears and sleep and now I am just lying here feeling sorry for myself.

Yesterday was hubby's 60th birthday and we had all the family round for dinner. Daughter 1, son in law, 2 grandchildren, Son, son's fiancee, Daughter 2 and Daughter 3. With hubby and I that made 10 round the table. It was great fun although I am paying for it today!
The birthday boy was delighted with his cherished number pates for his car( I was having doubts up until the last minute that he wouldn't like them). Just got to get to the DVLA to re-register the car so that he can put the new plates on. He also got some lovely photos of the Grandchildren in a frame, this will go on the wall as soon as I can get a hook for the picture rail.

Knitting has been non existant this week as i can't manage it lying flat on my back. Before I was in this predicament I had just frogged the back of my Freedom Spirit cardigan as I had mis-read the instructions. Happy was not my middle name!!!

I will post some photos as soon as I can reach the cupboard with the camera leads in as I can't download the photos onto the lap-top at the moment.

A great site to visit

Fluffyknitter is having a competition to celebrate her Blogiversary and if you go there mention my blog.

Our own little Christmas Elf.




Grandaughter Ella had great fun wearing an elf hat.
She is growing up so quickly and it doesn't seem like a year since we celebrated her first Christmas.



A finished object at last


I finished this in Peru Naturals (Machu Pichu) just in time for christmas, although it has taken me this long to put the picture up on the blog.

This month is my Hubby's 60th birthday and I have bought him a personalised number plate for his beloved GOLF. I took a long time thinking of what to do for his birthday as he is really difficult to buy for, and doesn't want a party. The kids are chipping in to pay for it, so I hope he is going to like it.

Half term is fast approaching and Em and I are off to Bangor to look round the University. She has been offered a conditional place there so we thought we better go and take a look. I am not looking forward to the long drive up there, but we are making a short holiday of the trip by staying a couple of nights in a travelodge.

I finished and sent off two hats for the BISS campaign, but forgot to take a photo before I posted them. Now I'm about to start a crossover cardigan in Twilleys Freedom Spirit which I bought at Sandown Park in January. I was very disappointed in the knitting (or lack of )stalls at Sandown Park, and am hoping that Olympia in March will be better. I have nothing against card craft, but when the majority of the stalls are catering for one type of craft it is hard on those who participate in other crafts. Also there were a large number of non craft stalls.

What are you doing on 29th February?
I will be taking part in the first World Knitting and stitching day. Want to know more? visit Stitchlinks to find out what is going on.
I am going to IKnit London to indulge myself in some yarn based retail therapy, and am then going to enjoy an evening of knitting while watching a Dvd of my choice.

Training has now started for the Black Horse Bike Ride in May and Charlie is already collecting sponsorship via her webpage. Please take a look and see what she is up to.

I'm angora?

http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/pottercraftnews/buttons/angora_big.gif

Protesting

I took part in my first proper protest demonstration this morning. I don't usually get involved in direct protesting, prefering to use the power of word via letters or e-mail. Well today I felt I needed to join with other parents and local residents to support the blocking of a phone mast being errected within 20m of my daughters primary school. For more info see www.radioaction.co.uk

Now I am relaxing with my knitting. Current WIP's include the Golden Goddess cardigan from Issue 36 of Simply Knitting. I am making it in Sirdar's Silky Look, which is knitting up beautifully in colourway Coffee and Cream. Also a pair of aocks using Regia Bamboo Colour. This is amazing stuff which is similar in feel to cotton. The muted colours blende to create a very interesting effect.
Finished projects include a baby blanket, a Harry Potter hat and scarf and a fluffy scarf for a friends 11yr old daugher.
Charity knitting currently being undertaken includes hats for BISS, and blankets for the Baby Pack project.

I am now in training for a cycle ride to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Coulsdon, Surrey. My daughter (who will be 10yrs old by then) will be raising the sponsorship, but is unable to cycle by herself, so Mum has to go too! Hopefully I will soon be sorting out a just giving page for her so we can attract sponsorship from far and wide.

I had a moment of panic on Thursdy when one of the chickens seemed very off colour and was being attacked by one of the others. I rescued the ailing hen, and put her in isolation in the dog cage (no the dog wasn't using it at the time!) and gave her 24 hours to see what happened. Well she laid an egg and then seemed OK so I put her back in with the others and all was well. Perhaps she was a little egg bound and just needed a bit of privacy!!

DD1 is now on a roll with her University applications. She has been offered conditional places by Bangor, Portsmouth and Southampton Solent, and has an interview at Newport. It looks like we will be putting a few miles on the car before the end of February, as we are visiting all but Portsmoputh in the next few weeks.

No photos this time but I will try and add some next time.

Merry Christmas

One down, twenty three to go

No I'm not refering to days in December before Christmas, I am refering to knitting for a change.

I finished my Sirdar Peru Naturals cardi in Machu Pichu (photo asap), and have now got 23 more project ideas to go.
The sailors socks for Mike are nearly finished, and I have started work on the Griffindor house scarf for Charlie (I can only work on this after she goes to bed!), and I have started on a baby blanket for Emily's college tutor.

I bought loads of lovely sock yarn at the S&B













From the top they are:

Alpacca / silk from The Natural Dye Studio

Blue Faced Leicester also from The natural Dye Studio

Alpacca / merino from Fyberspates

Bluefaced Leicester / Nylon also from Fyberspates

Bluefaced Leister from Oxford Kitchen Yarns

and lastly 3 balls of Tofutsies for summer weight socks.

Photos,Photos and more Photos

Here are a few of the photos I took at the Stitch and Bitch yesterday.

Me and Amy Lame (and my PomPom)













Debbie Stoller & me













Betsan and me













Fireworks on the Thames to celebrate the Lord Mayors Parade















Now for some photos which I should have added before!



Stripy legwarmers and fingerless mittens knitted for a friend!













Molly in her halloween costumes!

WOW
That just about sums up the event.
I made the trip to London by myself (first time I've done that in about 3 years). I arrived early and there was no one queuing. I almost thought I had gone to the wrong place. I sat in the foyer of the hotel and waited for signs of other people going to the S&B. There were plenty of stall holders going in and out, but no ticket wielding public. By 9:10 there were two others and our little queue started. By 9:30 the queue stretched round the foyer twice and out the front door. It was at that moment that I was glad I had come early as the first 30 people in the queue got to go to the Debbie Stoller workshop.
Once inside I headed straight for the book stand to get my hands on the Debbie Stoller Son of Stitch and Bitch and was the first person to purchase a copy. Then I started to have a look round at the wonderful stalls and the amazing choice of yarn(more about that later)
The first activity I was drawn to was Pom POm making with Amy Lame. How relaxing is that! Although I have made pompoms recently with my rainbows, most of the people around the table hadn't made a pompom since primary school. I was sat next to Stephanie Mann (she writes the back page for knitting magazine)
Then I made a quick visit to the Stitchlinks stall where I met Betsan and Steve, after which I took my place in the Debbie Stoller workshop. Amazing, I learned the technique of Double Knitting which she uses in her latest book. I would never have attempted it from the book as the instructions were so complex, but being taught by a real pro was brilliant. We even got to keep the two balls of beautiful wool and the Brittany birch needles. I got my book signed at the end of the workshop, and my photo taken with Debbie Stoller.
Before Betsan's Stitchlinks presentation I just had time to make a scarf for SHELTER the homeless charity(Not a full sized scarf-I'm not that quick! a mini scarf for a bottle, a bit like the innocent hats!) Then clutching the wool and needles I went to listen to Betsan's presentation where |I listened with interes to what she had to say, all the while knitting more scarves for Shelter. Had a lovely chat with Charlotte and Betsan before heading out into what was now a much more crowded market place.
I was looking for the knit a pet workshop in the I-Knit lounge when I heard that it was in the workshop room. I headed there and was just in time to get one of the coveted places at the table. We were then shown some of the knits in the Pet Heaven book by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne. Then the fun began and we knitted a Hamster!!
I finished the day with some shopping and then headed home. Only when I got near to Charing Cross there were Fireworks on the Thames to celebrate the Lord Mayors Show, so I watched those before going home.
It was only when I got into the station that I realised I hadn't eaten all day so had to have a Burger at the station.
Photos of my day, and my purchases to follow asap.

Stitch & Bitch : London

I can't believe I am going tomorrow to the first Stitch and Bitch day in London. I have been looking forward to this for a long time and now am getting ready for the big day.

I have saved up for it and have got my ticket. My bag is packed, my comfortable shoes are ready and my last minute babysitting problems are solved, thanks to the weather! (My hubby can't go sailing due to the storm winds and so is staying at home to look after Charlie)

I have read the web-site info so many times that I almost know it off by heart.


Current knitting projects are going to take a back seat if I buy some new stuff. I have just finished a pair of stripy legwarmers and fingerless mitts for one of my patients in black and day-glo green. I will take a photo when my batteries have recharged. Also on the needles is a pair of socks for my hubby in green and red (one of each colour for sailing). And for a change I have something I am making for myself. I found some Sirdar Peru Naturals, colour way Machu Pichu.
I cast on Monday evening. I finished the back and have started the sleeves already. I am going away for a weekend in December and would like to have it finished by then.

The problem is I received my copy of Simply Knitting yesterday and it included a pattern for a Shaun the Sheep mobile which both daughters have fallen in love with. Plus a friend wants two mini hat and scarf sets for a gift she is making.

7 things about me

I have been tagged so here goes

1) I don't like winter as I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

2) I am a Rainbow Guider

3) I want to live on Arran and breed alpacca (but since their winter days are shorter I don't think this would be a good idea)

4) I have a stash of yarn which my husband knows nothing about

5) I love murder mystery books and have enough to keep me going for at least 2 years without needing to buy any more,(not that that will stop me!!!

6) I entered and won the missability knitted walking stick cover competition.

7) I found this really hard to do as I couldn't think of anything to put down at first.


Tomorrow my first born will be 18. I can hardly believe that my "baby" is old enough to vote!


We had a family party for her on Saturday and 42 people joined us to celebrate.


This was taken while she was on holiday in Snowdonia.

I have just realised that my last post was a total mystery as the words disappeared!

The trainer socks (which look like kids socks, but do actually fit my size 5 feet) were knitted in Patons splash cotton 4ply. I started knitting them in Arran and I love the colours.

The other pair are Opal flamingo.

I've been busy lately getting back into the normal routine of School, Brownies, Dance classes, College and all other kids stuff!

This weekend we went to Hastings for Ella's 1st birthday. I can't believe that a whole year has passed since I put Ellas 1st photo on my blog.

Other things happening in the Mad-house have included entering the missability knitted walking stick cover competition which I was overjoyed to discover I won in the real life category.

Now I'm busy thinking up plans for Emily's 18th birthday party.

Socks

More holiday snaps

Charlotte and Mike splash in the waterfall



Charlotte sitting on a concrete SHEEP!


Charlotte and Molly in the tent


Sock knitting in the afternoon sun

Views of Arran

Glenashdale Falls



View towards the sea



Lockranza Castle