frayed at the edge

How much is ......

....... that doggie in the window?

 

Sorry - couldn't resist starting with that one!  This morning we went to Kendal to see the Quaker Tapestry (sorry, no link, as it has been a long day and I forgot!!)  I couldn't take photos in the exhibition, but I bought a book, and have taken a couple of photos to let you see what a wonderful work it is - if you are ever in the Lake District from April to October, make sure you go to see it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stitching is amazing (click on the photos and they should enlarge).  I just hope I can make a good job of this kit which Malcolm bought for me

 

 

On the way back, we stopped at Townend

 

 

 

 

 

 

This evening, we bought fish and chips, and went down to the lake to eat them ..... and watch the sun go down


 

 

I still have about 200 hundred photos that I have taken over that last four days - I will have to sort them all out over the weekend and share more of our adventures with you next week.  We'll be heading home tomorrow - no doubt with a stop or two on the way!!

 

Shall I pencil you in for later .......

.......or will I get right to the point?  Yes, you've guessed, we went to the Pencil Museum this morning

 

The first photo op was before we even got in the door!

 

 

When you go into the museum, you go through a mock-up of a graphite mine - this poor chap didn't look too happy at his work

 

 

The museum is well laid out, with lots of information boards telling the history of pencils

 

 

But there was more to this new industry than you might imagine

 

 

There were displays of pencils ......

 

 

...... and this one of pen nibs

 

 

When we went for a cuppa, we discovered paper and pencils on the table, and instructions on how to draw a mouse

 

 

This is Malcolm's mouse

 

 

And this is mine

 

 

We then did some shopping, before going for lunch ..... delicious tomato and tarragon soup and a crusty roll - I had ham and chutney, Malcolm had beef and horseradish

 

 

We needed a hearty lunch to build us up for our afternnon walk ...... up a very long hill to see the Standing Stones. 

 

 

The walk up to the stones was in lovely sunshine, so we were a bit peeved that it started to rain as soon as we got there.  However, I didn't mind so much when I captured this shot of the rainbow

 

 

Unlike Stonehenge, you can walk round these stones

 

 

We liked this stone contraption on the gate ...... it makes sure that the gate shuts!

 

 

On the way back down, we had some wonderful views of the hills ......

 

 

....... and saw lots of sheep!

 

 

ps - I bought some pencils for Malcolm at the museum, but I forgot to take a photo!!

 

 

 

 

A lot of walking ........

...... and a little bit of knitting!  I wouldn't want you to think that I am being lazy on my holiday.  On the way over yesterday, I started knitting a sock in the car (I've discovered that I can manage plain knitting .... maybe I'm finally growing out of car-sickness!

 

Did you notice that there are only three needles ....... I had a slight accident when I went to start a new row - the needle pinged out of my hand and vanished down the side of my seat, never to be seen again!  We know it must be in there somewhere, but we just can't find it (for some reason Malcolm refuses to dismantle the seat!!).  Fortunately is was one of my very cheap bamboo needles, so I wasn't too upset - and there is a little wool shop here in Keswick, so I was able to buy another set!

I have also started knitting 'Ishbel' .... a lovely shawl by the very talented young designer Ysolda Teague.  If you haven't seen Ysolda's work, do have a look at her website - and you can buy her patterns (as I did) as a download.  For Ishbel, I am using beautiful yarn that is 70% merino and 30% silk, which was given to me by Meg.  It is knitting up very quickly

 

We have walked for miles (and miles) today ..... and I have taken lots and lots of photos.  Once we are back home I will do a collage or two, but for now, here is a small selection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I still have so much to tell you ..... and we haven't even been to the Pencil Museum yet (we will probably go tomorrow, as rain is forecast).  I'm off to rest my poor legs, have a glass of wine and do a little bit of knitting!

A little bit slow!

We're away from home, and this is a little bit of a slow connection, so there may not be a lot of photos tonight!  We had a rush of blood to the head a couple of weeks ago, and decided to go to the Lake District for a few days.  We are staying in the lovely town of Keswick, in a little cottage tucked away in a courtyard on the High Street ...... lots of shops and restaurants just a few minutes walk away!!

On the way, we stopped here at the Lanercost Tearoom for an early lunch - delicious Cumberland sausage in a roll

We also stopped in Bramptom for a stroll - we were a bit disappointed ..... the town has lots of character, but had a lot of litter everywhere.  However, in one of those little coincidences, there was a pub called the Nags Head!!

As I may have mentioned (only once or twice!!), Saturday was my birthday - I was thoroughly spoiled (thank you Malcolm and Stuart) ...... I just want to show you my present from Stuart.  I had mentioned to him some time ago that I wanted a tailors' dummy, to model my knitting on.  He had a look on e-bay for me, but they were a bit pricey.  Then on Friday, he arrived with an enormous box (beautifully wrapped with ribbons and bows)  I just couldn't wait until Saturday, so he let me open it ...... and here's what he had bought for me

A very stylish mannequin, beutifully decorated ... it even has jewels on it!

I know you got very excited when we went to the Needle Museum ....... so I hope you can cope when I tell you that there is a Pencil Museum here!!

Shadow Shot Sunday

Just a quick post today, as it's my birthday ...... I'm sipping a glass of champagne after being thoroughly spoiled by Malcolm and Stuart!!  However, I wouldn't miss the fun of

Remember to pop over to Hey Harriet to see who else is joining in the fun today.

 

chives reflected in a kitchen knife

 

 

a green shadow from a garden ornament

 

Of course, it's a new month ..... yes ladies, it's the latest braw laddy!  I have censored this month's photo, as I felt he was showing us just too much!  Remember it has all been done for a very good cause, which you can read about here 

 

 

Regular readers might remember that two of the braw laddies were called Malcolm, and I had to reassure you that they weren't MY Malcolm.  However, my Malcolm has decided to join in the fun .... here he is modelling the socks I have just knitted for him.  Only I know what else he was (or wasn't) wearing - and my lips are sealed!!

 

Hard graft!

Don't worry, I haven't been working my fingers to the bone, rather I was grafting the toe on Malcolm's second sock last night.  This is also known as Kitchener stitch (but I don't know who Kitchener was!).  No matter how often I do this, I have to read the instructions and then keep reciting the method as I work my way along the stitches

 

 
all ready to start

 

 

finished!

 

This afternoon, it was off to Borderland fabrics for an afternoon of patch'n'chat.  Anne S. brought in her latest project - she has completed the centre of her quilt top, and is ready to add her first border

 

 

I made a start to my first owl

 

 

And of course there was cake - one of Annette's lovely sponges with delicious raspberry jam

 

 

It has been a rather miserable day here, so I thought we ought to have something lovely to look at to cheer us up ...... I hope these two orchids do the trick

 

 

 

 

I hope you have a super weekend, love, Anne