frayed at the edge

That tastes good!

I'm not talking about my soup and bread that we had for lunch with a friend (more about that later), but about something which was so delicious, these lambs had escaped from the field to eat it

 

 

They were so engrossed in their munching, that they let me get really close to them

 

 

So what was so delicious?  Beech hedge ..... you can see where they have strippped the lower branches.

 

 

The lambs weren't the only ones enjoying the taste of the hedge ....... further down the road, this horse was tucking in too!  (It doesn't have a coat on because of the chilly weather - it's a fly coat)

 

 

So, back to the soup and bread!  I took two lots of soup out of the freezer last night - and couldn't understand why one lot looked brown, rather than red like the other one

 

 

My first thought was that perhaps it had gone bad (depite being in the freezer).  However, common sense prevailed, and reading the labels, I discovered that one lot was 'tomato and veggies', while the other one was 'tomato and roasted veggies'.  I simply stirred the two together!!  I also baked some cheese and onion bread (oh. alright, I confess ........ I put a packet mix into the bread machine and an hour later I had a delicicious loaf!)

 

 

I took these next photos yesterday, but they got bumped down the schedule by Warkworth!  On my walk yesterday, I had a detour down this farm track .......

 

 

........ as I could see these lovely fellows in the field

 

 

As I approached the gate, I saw this rabbit ........

 

 

......... which obviously thought that if it didn't move, I couldn't see it!  It sat there while I took several photos, and only moved when I turned away

 

 

I would have looked in the next field to see the Jacob's sheep ......... but the gap in the hedge that I usually go through to reach the field gate is completely overgrown with stinging nettles!

 

 

After my visitor left, I did some more work on the Baltimore block.  I had arranged the big flower on the right, taken this photo ........ and realised there was slight error

 

 

If you can't spot the error, I'll tell you tomorrow, and show you what else went wrong!!

Real chips!

We very rarely eat chips - if we do have chips at home, they are oven chips ........ ok, but not as good as real chips.  So when we were out for lunch with Jennifer today, we shared a bowl of real, proper, delicious chips (with salt and vinegar, of course!)

 

 

So where did we have this feast?  In this pub in Warkworth .......

 

 

........ and of course we ate more than chips!  I had this delicious stottie, with ham and pickle

 

 

Malcolm and Jennifer both had spicy chicken skewers

 

 

We went for a walk round the town after lunch - and the first sight we saw was somewhat unexpected - a window displaying a knitted Royal Wedding!

 

 

On the river bank, this seagull was happy to pose for a photo ......

 

 

........ but these ducks turned their backs!

 

 

As we came up the footpath from the river, we arrived at the back door of the castle

 

 

The castle must have been an impressive sight before it fell into ruin

 

 

Of course a visit to Warkworth has to include walking over the old bridge

 

 

It's just a pity that the replacement bridge is rather ugly!

 

 

As usual, I didn't just look around me, I also looked up ........ and was rewarded with this striking piece of wrought iron

 

 

There was more wrought iron on these front door steps

 

 

and a beautiful climbing rose round this door and window

 

 

All too soon it was time to head for home - but we did have one more stop to make.  We pass this postbox every time we go to see Jennifer ....... and every time we mean to stop on the way home (as it's on that side of the road).  So finally today, we remembered to stop.  This is the only postbox I have ever seen in a hedge!!

 

 

The first cut is the sweetest!

I went out to the back garden this morning, to decide whether or not to hang the washing out before I went shopping (the answer was 'no', as it was raining!).  I heard a lot of noise coming from the field behind us, and on seeing what was causing the noise, I quickly fetched the camera.  I had missed the hay being cut, but two tractors, with attached machinery, were busy dealing with it

 

this one raked the hay into lines

 

 

then this one gathered up the hay and baled it

 

 

working together, soon the field was full of ....

 

 

neat hay bales

 

After lunch, I tackled a job I have been meaning to do for some time.  The ceramic tiles on  my bathroon floor are textured, and although I mop them regularly, the dirt collects in the  ridges.  So I got out the steam cleaner and the scrubbing brush, and in no time at all the tiles were gleaming again (no photo, much too boring!)

However, while I had the steam cleaner in the bathroom, I decided to tackle another job.  When we bought this house, the bathroom was the only room which had been recently decorated, so we have yet to tackle it.  However, the previous owner had painted blue squares on some of the tiles (very 'Changing Rooms'!) ........

 

 

...... but the paint was starting to peel off some of the squares, revealing patterned tiles underneath

 

 

The half-peeled tiles were annoying me - and when I went to take a photo of an unpeeled square, I discovered that the bottom edge had started to peel!

 

 

I was reluctant to use any kind of chemical paint stripper, but I wondered if I could steam the paint off.  I quickly discovered that the answer was 'yes' - although while some squares came off in one piece, others came off in little bits.  (and my hair started to curl in the steamy atmosphere!)

 

 

Now that we can see the colours in the tiles, we can choose a colour scheme for when we redecorate the bathroom later in the year - the walls are the same blue as the squares and as it is matt paint, it is quite dull.

 

When I was out for my walk this morning, I picked up this tiny conker, which has fallen off the tree just a little bit early.  It is only the size of a large pea - by autumn, it would have been at least the size of a golf ball

 

 

I also picked some grasses and a spray of elder flowers, which I popped into a little bud vase, which I bought years ago in Jakarta

 

 

The last photo is from yesterday morning ....... as I was walking past some trees, I heard a great deal of noise.  Looking up, I just had time to snap this squirrel before it raced off out of sight

 

Honey!

On Saturday, I had a wonderful day out with the ladies of Southdean Rural (the Scottish version of the WI).  I used to be a member, and they very kindly invited me to join them on their annual day out.We were picked up by bus at the village hall, and headed for Northumberland, to visit the Chainbridge Honey Farm - you can read more here.  As we didn't leave until eleven, we arrived just in time to have lunch!  They have a very unusual tearoom - an old double decker bus ......

 

 

They had reserved the upstairs seating for us, and I was able to nip up the stairs ahead of the others to take a couple of photos

 

 

 

We were all so busy chatting when the food arrived, that I forgot to take a photo of my delicious cheese savoury baguette (but don't worry, there will be cake later!).  After lunch, we were given a guided tour by Heather, one of the daughters of the farm owners, who took us through the whole process from hive to the finished products that they sell (if you click on the link above, you can see the wide range of goodies, which you buy online!)

After seeing the large pieces of gleaming machinery where the combs are processed, we moved on to the workshop where all sorts of things are made with the beeswax

 

 

 

After seeing the working side of the business, we headed for the visitor centre and shop.  First stop was a taste of the honey .......

 

 

...... then some shopping!  For me, soap, handcream and a block of wax to run my thread through for handsewing

 

 

 

 

For Malcolm, a tub of heather comb honey and a beeswax owl candle (which is beside the owl I bought for him in Majorca for his collection)

 

 

 

In the visitor centre, when I saw this wasps' nest, I was very glad that we spotted the small ones in the summerhouse - this one is about two feet long!

 

 

The last stop of our visit was back in the bus, where we enjoyed a cuppa and cake - I had an exceedingly delicious piece of border tart

 

 

It's Monday, so that means the knitting update.  Because I decided to knit a second cushion cover, I only finished knitting last night, so I haven't made up the covers (I also need to get foam pads).  So for the photo, I put them over our footstools

 

 

This week's project won't take long - a string bag, the main part of which is knitted on 9mm needles!

 

 

Would you like to join me .......

........ on my morning walk?  You have to be up early, unlike these horses in the field across the road, who were enjoying the sunshine (we haven't had much recently!)

 

 

However, the sheep in the next field were up and about

 

 

No matter how many times I walk this route, I never tire of the view ....... on the right are the Minto Hills and on the left the Eildons (this view only shows one of the two Mintos, and two of the three Eildons!)

 

 

I walk for a mile and a half, then turn for home - and am faced with a long walk uphill

 

 

and more uphill

 

 

and yet more uphill

 

 

But once round the bend, the rest of the way home is downhill

 

 

As I get to the last field, the sheep and lambs start up a ferocious racket!  I discovered that it is because they are hoping I have their breakfast - sadly not, that's supplied by the farmer some time after I go past.  But the ewes and lambs run across the field every morning as soon as I appear.  Here are some of them watching to see if I am going to stop

 

 

While these ones ran down to the gate (I feel like the Pied Piper!)

 

 

But while I'm striding out, I do notice lots of things to take photos of.  In a few weeks these little buds will be raspberries

 

 

This little rosebud .......

 

 

...... will soon look like this

 

 

This plant looks like something from a sci-fi film!

 

 

Back home, another poppy has flowered - at least this one won't be battered by the wind and rain!

 

 

When these little clumps of toadstools come up in the grass, I always imagine that they contain a town of tiny pixies or elves!

 

 

 

It's almost time for Woolfest!  I am very lucky this year, as I am going on both days.  Are you going too?  Do leave me a comment or e-mail me (there's a link on the sidebar) if you are - perhaps we can arrange to meet!

Finally, thanks to everyone who identified my little creature for me - I was almost right ...... it's not a hummingbird, but a hummingbird moth.

A very busy weekend!

I have lots to tell you and show you ...... so here goes!

On Saturday morning we went to Jedburgh for breakfast (just a roll and sausage, not the full works!).  We then had a potter round the charity shops - I didn't buy anything.  But, when we went into a recently opened antique shop ....... I saw a wonderful little pincushion made with Victorian coins.  I immediately wanted it, but having looked at the price tag, I couldn't really justify buying it.  As I stood gazing at it, Malcolm came over to see what I was looking at.  I showed it to him and said I really, really wanted it ..... and he said, well buy it (normally he drags me from the shop!)  So the little pin cushion came home with me!

 

the front

 

 

the back

 

 

the side with some pins

 

On our way home, we called in at a small craft fair in the village of Denholm.  I recently met one of the stallholders, and said I would pop in to see her.  Everything Jakki makes uses recycled materials.  You can see her two Etsy shops here and here.

 

 

In the afternoon, I went out to the studio, to finish making this week's knitting project, the peg beg.  I choose one of my (many) curtain samples for the lining

 

 

I pinned the two together .........

 

 

I stitched round the edge, leaving a gap to turn the bag through to the right side

 

 

I then stitched the sides

 

 

I should have put a coathanger in the peg bag, but I didn't have a suitable one, so Malcolm cut a piece of dowel and added a large cup hook

 

 

 

I enjoyed knitting this much more than some of the other projects - but again, the instructions for making it up were minimal - a diagram showing how to do the lining would have been helpful.  This week's project is a cushion cover.....

 

 

........ which I started yesterday.  The back is just stocking stitch, which was quick to knit, and I have now started on the three-coloured pattern

 

 

Yesterday afternoon was spent in the studio sewing.   I quilted the little Linus quilt - it was relatively quick to do, as I quilted it with straight lines

 

 

 

All that remains to do is trim it and put on the binding.  I have also finished another knitted blanket for Linus (it still has to pressed) - Jemima was quite happy to model it!

 

 

I've started another blanket, using some variegated yarn that I bought in the hardware shop in Jedburgh on Saturday!

 

 

To finish .... we spotted these beauties in the car park in Jedburgh on Saturday morning ..... but I don't think I would give up the comfort of my car for a motorbike and sidecar!

 

 

 

 

Please don't eat the daisies!

When I resumed my early morning walks last week, I decided that I wouldn't take the camera every morning, for two reasons:- first, it adds about 15 minutes to the walk if I keep stopping to take photos, and second, I should keep up my pace to get the exercise, not meander along taking photos.  So having taken the camera on Tuesday, that should have been it for this week, but it was such a nice morning, I took it again today ...... and was rewarded with this little rabbit enjoying its breakfast

 

 

The blossom may have gone over, but come the autumn, there will be apples in its place

 

 

These flowers are tiny - about the size of glass-headed pins

 

 

We had a change this afternoon for our Friday cake at patch'n'chat - a selection of cupcakes

 

 

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend - although as it is a Bank Holiday here, no doubt it will rain!  Love, Anne

 

 

 

A leisurely weekend

I promised to tell you today where we are going on holiday - so I won't keep you waiting any longer!!  We are off tomorrow to Majorca, back to Pollensa, where we have now had several holidays.  Stuart and Alison are joining us, although we are travelling separately .... we fly from Newcastle, and they fly from Edinburgh.  We have a very early flight tomorrow, so we will get there well before them, giving us time to shop for essentials ....... beer and wine bread, milk, tea, coffee etc.

We pottered about on Saturday, getting things tidied up, sorting out what we want to pack.  Then on Sunday we headed first to Jedburgh, to get the Sunday papers.  On the way, the drivers of two cars which were coming towards us flashed their lights and gestured for us to slow down.  I just had time to get my camera out to take photos of the problem

 

 

 

It was another glorious morning, so we went for a walk round the town, calling in first at the gardens at Mary Queen of Scots' house.  This old apple tree was delightful, clothed in blossom

 

 

 

As we walked on round the town, I found another postbox to add to my collection.  This is a Victorian one.

 

 

We sat by the river and enjoyed an icecream - sorry no photo, as we had to eat quickly before it melted!  Then we had a short journey to the Oxnam Quilt Show.  Among the members of the group are Annette and Cathy from Borderland Fabrics - you will recognise this first quilt ...... it is Cathy's version of the 'row quilt', which inspired several of us to make similar ones

 

 

Annette made this quilt for her grandson Harry - he doesn't just like tractors ...... he likes John Deere tractors!

 

 

Another tractor quilt ....... the one that I made for Linus.  It was included in a display of quilts which have been donated (after the exhibition it will be given to a sick child)

 

 

On our way home from Oxnam, we were stuck behind a slow-moving car and horsebox.  But that gave me more time to take these photos

 

 

 

It's Monday, so of course that means the knitting update.  This week's project was a pair of baby sandals.  Not having a baby about the place to model them, I had to stuff them with some wadding to take the photos!

 

 

 

I've sorted out two small projects to take with me

 

 

 

I have done some posts to appear while we are away - including Shadow Shot Sunday.  They are just little posts, but I hope you will visit ...... the blog would be very lonely without you!  Please still leave comments (I love getting comments!), and I'll catch up with them when we get back.

You may not know .......

........ but there was a very important event here today.  Yes, we had a party at Borderland Fabrics.  Why?  To celebrate the other big event, the Royal Wedding!  We were able to watch the wedding on Annette's laptop.  This was our first look at the beautiful  bride, in her stunning dress

 

 

Her father looked so proud, and her sister gorgeous!

 

 

Then it was on with the most important part of the day - lunch!  We had all brought tasty things to share

 

 

And we had a glass plastic cup of fizz

 

 

But anything the Royals can do, we can do too - if they were having two receptions, we were having two parties.  So we did it all again in the afternoon ..... and this time we had cakes!!

 

 

We had our very own love birds in the garden this morning ...... a pair of swallows, romancing on the phone wire!

 

 

We have a busy weekend ahead, with clothes to sort out ready to pack for the holiday, and a quilt show to go to on Sunday.  I hope you all have a good weekend, love Anne

 

We are always early .......

....... and this morning we were very glad when we arrived early for our visit to Paxton House.  We got there twenty minutes before the first guided tour round the house.  We paid for our tickets, and the woman on the desk told us about all the things we could see.  However, she didn't mention The Prestonpans Tapestry, which was the main reason for our visit.  When we asked about it, she said that the exhibition had finished yesterday.  No, no, we said, the advert that we had said it finished today.  At that point, the woman who was going to be our guide for the tour arrived, and said she would take us up to the gallery to see if the tapestry was still there, as she wasn't sure when the exhibition was being removed.  Hooray, it was still there, and we just had time to see it before the curators arrived to remove it!  Photography wasn't allowed, but you can see the whole thing if you click on the above link.  Meanwhile, here is a little taster from the fund raising leaflet ....

 

 

...... and the leaflet about the summer tour.  Check out the link to see if it is going to be anywhere near you - it is a fabulous piece of work - I could have spent hours looking at it!

 

 

We enjoyed our tour of the house ..... but photography wasn't allowed.  Our guide was very entertaining and showed off the house well, with interesting anecdotes about previous owners.  The next stop was for lunch in the coffee shop, which is in what was the stable block (don't worry, it had been cleaned!).  We both had pan haggerty - you can find a recipe here.  I could tell you that this was Malcolm's portion with the cheese on top, but it's mine!

 

 

After lunch, Malcolm took the one photo that is allowed indoors ..... however I declined to sit on the chair to show its size!

 

 

We then went for a walk in the grounds.  Paxton is probably the finest Palladian house in the country.  The style is strictly symmetrical ......

 

 

....... even the swallows have built matching nests!

 

 

The pink sandstone looked lovely, bathed in sunshine

 

 

Down by the river, we found this fish house, where fish could be stored for several days in the cool, damp conditions, to keep fresh

 

 

Just past the fish house was this wonderful boathouse

 

 

Inside, there was an unusual staircase, which was folded flat against the wall, so that there was more space for the boat

 

 

We don't know what this strange edifice is - some sort of folly?

 

 

As we walked over to admire the Highland cattle, we were getting a bit worried as there wasn't a fence.  However, once we were up close, we saw that there was a deep ditch between them and us!

 

 

This one kept turning his head away (has he been talking to the owls at the Waterwheel cafe?), but eventually I got a good shot!

 

 

We had a look round the gift shop before we left (I resisted buying  a book about recycling textiles!).  The woman who had sold us our entry tickets told us that three ladies had arrived to see the tapestry just after it had all been packed away - they should have been early like us!