London

A much needed few days away was called for, so Sal and I shot down to London on a Pendolino and stayed in Greenwich.

I dragged Sal to a lovely yarn store in Islington - Loop and a fab bike store called Bobbin. I purchased a lovely skein of Malabrigo in a fetching green colour to make Ysolda Teague's Ishbel and a reflective sash for when I am on my bike at night. Much nicer then the horrid fluorescent bibs don't ya think?!

We then saw the amazing Ghost Stories at the Duke of York Theatre which scared the proverbial trousers off me.

Oh and bumped in to Robert Downey Jnr at the Due Date premier...

Day Out in Manchester

My mate Claire and I had a potter around Manchester on Friday.
We checked out the filming of Captain America around Dale St but unfortunately didn't spot any stars and was kept moving along by the security staff - was quite exciting though.

We then mooched about the Northern Quarter, had a drink in the Crown&Kettle, checked out some groovy shops and then finally hit Walrus for 2 for 1 cocktails and some grub. It was a top day out.

In the Kitchen

Have decided to make two cakes a month (ideal opportunity when Sal runs the boys back home). So after Sal's marvellous birthday cake success, I attempted a dandelion and burdock cake today and it looks great.
Yet to taste it though...






Over the weekend I also picked up Nigella's latest offering. Some fab looking stuff in here and should make deciding what to have for dinner over the coming weeks a little easier.

Bunting is Up

Super pleased with my bunting, and it is so easy to do. Do need to make more however, as it doesn't stretch all the way over my 3 fence panels at the back of the garden.

Makes me smile everytime I see it though...

Middlebrook Valley Trail

Shot off down the Valley Trail this afternoon.

Joined it at the Lostock Arms. It was a lovely run, passed where I used to live in Deane and I remembered cycling this path with my dad when I was little.

Rivington

First decent bike ride clocked last weekend.
A lovely(!) 16 mile trek around Rivington.

With a couple of stops to take some pictures and have a breather...

My Beautiful Bike

Sal kindly bought me a bicycle the other week. Isn't he fab?!

She's a beaut. A Specialised Globe Vienna 1. 21 gears.

Complete with mudguards and rack, D lock and helmet I am ready to ride.

I have already been to work and the gym on her. And today ventured over to my mum and dad's where I took some pics.

I want to ride around Rivington next. It is lovely to be on a bike again after oooh must be 10 years or so.

New Sewing Club

An offshoot of The Knitting Noras has sprung up. A few of us are going to meet on the last Wednesday of the month up at the Horwich Art Studios and sew and generally lark about.

My first project will be a simple one - create some bunting for the garden.

I have some fabric set to one side that I think will look rather fetching with my new pinking shears.

Gardening Update

Phase 2 of my gardening project is now underway. I have put down some matting to kill the 'lawn' and so I can put down some circular paving on the right hand side so we can sit out a table and dine and leave the left hand side to put in my veg, herbs and flowers.

Check it out...




I have however put too many courgette plants in (didn't realise how ruddy big they got) but I am harvesting quite regularly now.




And the squash is doing nicely, as to my physalis that I got from a pound shop, the nasturtium off my friend Josie and the cornflowers grown from seed are looking lovely.

Norfolk Broads

Wow, it has been a while since my last post. But now I'm back.

We had a lovely summer holiday with the boys this year on the Norfolk Broads. It was sooooooo relaxing and the boat was easy to navigate - mooring was another matter but Sal soon became a dab hand.

Here are a few select pictures of our time in East Anglia. We were super lucky with the weather too - was rather damp and dreary on our return home...
















We moored overnight in Gt Yarmouth - my it was quite a place(!), seemed to be stuck in the mid 70-80s and just check out the bizarre line up at the Britannia Pier.




Bye bye from the Norfolk Broads...

Progress

Just under a month, and there is a huge difference to the garden.

Bit by bit I hack away and dig - it will look marvellous come summer!

Oh and saw this tool come lunch box in Gardens Illustrated magazine, may have to purchase...

Before...


Today!

New Obsession

Am now obsessed with creating a fabulous garden.

Every year I look at my rear garden and think how marvellous it would be to step out in to it, chill out, smell the flowers - but it is a mess. So the time has come to take the weeds in hand, remove those odd trees that are just growing out of the earth willy-nilly and give it a jolly good tidy up.

I am tackling areas bit by bit - it seems the best way without me going slightly insane or giving up.

Here is what I have completed so far [not much granted but watch this space...] in a series of pics, enjoy!

Montanel 2010

One week in April I drove to France with a few friends, to spend time knitting and relaxing.

I met Ani who was lovely and was very kind in letting me share her lovely home with her. (Sal and I and the boys had spent last year's holiday at the cottage).

Sue, Colleen and Eadaoin rested at Glenda and Steve's fabulous B&B.

Everyone had a wonderful time, and we got lots of knitting done, and drinking, and eating, it was heaven.

We visited Mt St Michel, Dinan and Cancale too. Here are some pics...