frayed at the edge

A tale of two beaches

On Saturday, we went for a walk on Spittal Beach.  While Malcolm was busy looking for driftwood, I was looking for interesting things to take photos of.  However the tide was in, so there were no rock pools to explore, or interesting bits of seaweed.  However, I did discover a tiny dead crab

 

and a shell from his big brother

 

and another little dead one

 

of course when I am on the beach, I have to take a photo of the lighthouse

 

there was a bit of excitement when some microlights flew over us - I think the people who fly these things are either brave or mad!!

 

 

I was glad when we went back to the carpark that these beauties weren't sitting on my car!!

 

 

then on Sunday, we decided to head north to Dunbar, birthplace of John Muir

 

I was rather taken with this original entrance to a shop - too often the tiles are removed or covered over.  And you can just see a bit of the mosaic tiled floor

 

this shop had some wonderful things in it, including some lovely driftwood creations

 

and so to the beach.  It is very different to the beach at Spittal - I found it hard going walking on the pebbles

 

it looked better from this side!

 

when we were walking round the harbour, we saw this boat getting ready to set sail

there used to be a castle in Dunbar

 

but this is all that is left

 

however the remains of the walls have provided nesting sites for the seagulls

 

back at the flat, there were lots of swans in the dock, but my view was obscured by this large lorry ..... as an aside, Stuart was at school with Richard, one of the Stevenson family

 

however, the dock gates are open on a Sunday, and I was able to go on to the dockside to take some photos

 

I still have lots of photos left, so I'll just pop in a random selection

 

and to finish ....... more proof that it was a foodie weekend!  For lunch on Sunday we shared a portion of chips.  In our defence, we just couldn't help ourselves, we kept passing people tucking into chips, and the smell was so delicious, we just had to have some!!

A quick tour .....

...... round the rest of the weekend, as it is Abbey Quilters' monthly meeting tonight.  On Sunday we went for a run over to Wooler.  Having lived "down south", I know a lot of people down there think that it is grey, grim and industrial "up north".  If only they had been with us to enjoy the stunning scenery

 

in Wooler, one end of the town is dominated by the church

 

I couldn't remember if I had taken a photo of this pillar box before, but you can't have too many photos of pillar boxes!

 

as all the cafes/coffee shops were shut, we headed to the antique centre at Powmill, where we shared an excellent cheese scone

 

I liked the set my tea was served in, and you can see Malcolm's coffee mug in the background

 

we didn't buy any antiques, but I did come home with several pieces of Liberty fabrics

 

and a good sized remnant to make cushion covers

 

there was a big ship sitting offshore on Sunday morning, waiting for high tide to come into the dock, but it wan't until early evening that the pilot boat went out ......

 

........ and shepherded in its charge

 

and before we leave Berwick, we have to have a swan photo!

 

on our way home yesterday morning, we called in at the Lovatt Gallery in Jedburgh ......

 

........ as the owner, Linda, who had bought some of Malcolm's driftwood creations at the Christmas Fair, had said she would be interested to see more of his stuff.  We were very glad that we made the detour, as she bought almost all of his remaining stock!!  So we went off to Border Meringues to celebrate

 

Malcolm had a rhubarb and ginger scone

 

and I ate what has to be my entire week's month's year's sugar allowance in a slice of rainbow rocky road!  It isn't white chocolate on the top, but a  sort of chewy fudge.  It was delicious, but it will be a long time before I will want to eat anything so sweet again!!

 

must go and make the dinner, but I'll be back tomorrow with some sewing!

 

 

Not long now!

We are currently relaxing, before having an early dinner, then going over to the Town Hall to set up our stall for tomorrow's craft fair.  We came over yesterday afternoon, after we has managed to squeeze everything into the car.  As soon as we arrived, I was at the window taking photos of the swans!

 

I'm not sure if this is a duck or a goose, but I remember it hanging out with the swans last summer

 

in the evening, there was a great commotion of seagulls, out in the river

 

while the swans seemed to be investigating something in the dock

 

this morning, as we started to walk over the old bridge, Malcolm spotted a heron.  I immediately took a photo. in case it flew off before we got closer

 

then another one as we got closer still

 

until finally we were right above it

 

we went for a walk after lunch, and as we came down the hill back towards to river, I took a photo of the old jetty, which was damaged some years ago when it was hit by a ship

 

we have heard that there are moves afoot to repair it, but perhaps they could leave this little bit as a reminder of what happened

 

I wonder why this corner has been cut out of the door - it looks to small to be a cat flap, and as the door opens into a garden, I don't suppose you would want a cat flap in it anyway

 

we stopped to look in the windows of The Tower House Pottery.  Their work is stunning, but a little bit expensive

 

please keep your fingers crossed that we sell lots tomorrow, as we really don't want to have to take it all back home!  Have a good weekend, love Anne 

 

 

Topsy turvy weather

After a few wonderful, very warm spring days, on Saturday there was such a cold wind blowing I declined to accompany Malcolm for a walk on the beach, although these swans didn't seem bothered by the wind

 

and the windy conditions hadn't deterred this little boat from a fishing trip - although I think they would have been glad to be back, as the weather worsened

 

the weather on Sunday morning was grey and wet, but the boat set off for another day at sea

 

as we drove home, the rain got heavier and turned sleety, so we were quite happy to stop at The Teviot Smokery for a cuppa and some excellent sconnage.  As usual we had half each, and that did us for lunch

fruit

 

cheese

 

by the time we got home it was snowing ......... you can just about make the snow out in this photo

 

but today, although it wasn't as warm as last week, it was warm enough to open up the summer house to have lunch in

 

and to hang the washing out to dry

 

when I was hanging out the washing, I noticed that the dark hellebore had suddenly flowered - there wasn't even a stem showing s few weeks ago when I took photos of the adjacent pale one!

 

and there was another splash of colour in one of the pots

 

as Malcolm was busy in the garage creating all things driftwoody, I offered to unwrap the olive tree for him

 

we were relieved to find that it had survived the winter and was looking healthy

 

I have to thank my friend Sandra H for the next two photos, taken on a recent holiday.  For some reason I can't get the photos to separate, to put captions under them, so I will just say that I want one of those machines, and I am intrigued by the markings on the sheep at the back

to finish, when I was doing the ironing this afternoon, I wondered if I am the only person who is tired of the on-going fashion for putting silly little straps inside sleeves?  If I roll my sleeves up, I don't want to faff about doing up the little button to hold the cuff up, when it stays up perfectly well on its own!

 

ps - if, like me, you are fed up with the election, then check out the app "Penguin Poop", and have have fun splattering your least favourite politician!!

Back to basics!

When we headed over to Berwick on Sunday morning, I left my laptop and big camera at home, and contented myselfwith the Hudl and my little point and shoot camera .......could I survive for two days without lots of time online and basic photos with limited zoom?  I was pleased to find that the answer was yes, that I am not as addicted to my technolgy as I feared!  When we arrived at the flat, there were lots of swans in the dock, and I was quite happy to take a general shot, rather than zooming in for close-ups

 

after lunch, we headed off down the coast to Cocklawburn Beach

 

the tide was out, and the sands stretched as far as the eye could see

there were also lots of interesting things closer to hand to see

 

there is always a dead crab on the beach!

 

we climbed over a ridge of rock ....... and there was even more beach!

 

while Malcolm was looking for driftwood, I found this  old piece of wood, which had a bit of fungus growing on it

 

as we walked back along the beach, the tide had turned, and a chilly mist was blowing across the sand

 

there was an icecream van in the car park, so we rounded off the afternoon with a "99"

 

the sun was still shining when this little fishing boat came into the dock

 

unlike yesterday morning!  When we got up, we couldn't see the dock at all, but by the time we had breakfast, it was just appearing out of the fog

 

however, the fog didn't stop us having  a good day out, which I'll tell you about tomorrow!

 

To finish, three sigms today that spring is here

1: a man wearing socks and sandals (there should be a law against that!)

2: a postman wearing shorts (I think it might be obligatory after the first of April)

3: best of all, several large bumble bees buzzing round the garden!

 

A blowy day

When we arrived at Berwick on Saturday, we decided to go for a walk on the beach before lunch.  It was just a little bit windy, as you can see from this poor little dog's ears!

 

we both took photos of the sand blowing past the wooden groynes, but I won't say who took which ones

I had to get down on my knees to take these "arty" shots!

 

I had to get up early yesterday to go to the loo, and I thought we had left a light on in the lounge, as there was a line of light under the door ....... but when I went into the lounge, this is what was lighting it up -  a spectacular sunrise

 

by the time we had breakfast it had started to rain, so we decided to head up the coast to St Abbs, for a walk roung the harbour and a cuppa

 

I wonder if anyone would notice if I acquired one of these lobster pots?

 

and perhaps a brightly coloured float or two?

 

the stones that have collected in this crab shell give you an idea of how big it is

 

when we went for our cuppa, I was slightly peeved that while I had a plain white cup for my tea, Malcolm got this one for his coffee

 

however when we shared a very tasty toasted teacake

 

I got a posh plate to put my half on!

 

there were no swans in the dock this morning, and when we walked over the old bridge to the town, we found out why -  they were all in the river

 

to finish ........ we saw this poster yesterday in St Abbs.  I have cropped the photo to remove the phone number, as I didn't want the poor man to be inundated with calls from all of you!

 

A very, very busy weekend!

Oh my, we managed to squeeze so much into the weekend, this will have to be a two part post!!  So, let's get going!  We went for a (rather chilly) walk on Saturday, stopping first at the Coastwatch Tower

 

we were invited to go up to the balcony for a better view, but when I saw the ladder, I decided that I would remain on the ground!

 

while Malcolm was upstairs, I took these two photos to show how strongly the wind was blowing

 

a quick selection of our progress along the beach

 

I wondered what this group were doing, so of course when we went past, I stopped to ask!  They were making a dinosaur sand sculpture ...... and I think the adults were having more fun than the children!

 

I wondered what had left this mark on a rock.......

 

when I saw this on the next rock

 

and while I was taking that photo, Malcolm pointed out this on the next rock!

 

I'm glad that the dog that left this paw print in the sand wasn't still on the beach!

 

we encountered quite a lots of birds on Saturday

 

there was a very high tide on Saturday - a combination I gather, of the 18-year lunar cycle and the eclipse.  Combined with the wind, the waves were coming over the breakwater 

 

we had an excellent day out yesterday, but I'll save that for tomorrow, and instead I'll skip forward to today.  We were woken up in the early hours by a lot of noise coming from the dock, so we weren't suprised to see a large ship when we got up this morning

 

its cargo of grain was being unloaded into large lorries

 

we popped into town for some shopping, and decided to try out the new coffee shop

 

which is very nicely decorated

 

but I don't think I'll be rushing back to have a cheese scone served with salad!!

 

Take my photo ........

........ I'm the handsome one!  After our cuppa on Sunday morning, we continued our walk.  Malcolm and Alison looked on bemused as Stuart and I crept up to take photos of two seagulls on a wall

 

we laughed when the one on the right walked in front of the other one, as if to say "never mind him, I'm the handsome chap you want in your photos"

 

we walked back over the new bridge, so that Stuart could take some shots of the old bridge ........ but of course I had to take more photos too!  This is looking down on the area that is to be refurbished, where Malcolm went for his walk last Saturday

 

hopefully the old wooden jetty is going to be restored

 

I liked the reflection of the bridge in the slightly muddy water

 

but I doubt this statue likes what the seagulls do on her head!!

 

you may have to click on the photo to enlarge it, to see the seal swimming beside the pilot boat

 

whn we got back home, there was time for me to do some sewing before dinner.  I started by choosing these six fat quarters

 

and cut as many two and a half inch strips as I could from them

 

there was a slight pause as I had to eat a donut (Stuart and Alison had brought us a box, so we had to eat them!)

 

on a sugar high, I stitched all the strips together

 

trimmed off the corners

 

pressed open the seams

 

and folded and pressed the binding

 

ending up with eighteen yards for the space quilts

 

this morning the first job of the day in the studio was to take a photo of my special tea in another of my special mugs

 

I have been doing well NOT buying books, but this one somehow was bought and arrived in the post this morning!

I made a start to using all that binding

 

but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see the finished quilts.  While I was busy sewing this afternoon, Malcolm was busy in the garage, making a rather large garden door for our lovely neighbours, the shoe shop owners

 

I thought I made a lot of mess .........

I'll be back tomorrow with some knitting.

The Aunts' Quilt and Mother's Day

A very short Auntlets' report this month, as I am on schedule with my blocks.  No photo though, of all the blocks on the design wall, as there isn't room for them now!

1st pieced block

 

2nd pieced block

 

applique block

 

for next month, there are the last two pieced blocks and the last applique block.  After that there are the setting triangles which are appliqued.  The outer border has appliqued scallops, but I think I might not do them - I shall decide when I have assembled the main body of the quilt.

So now on to Mother's Day.  Stuart and Alison arrived at the flat on Saturday afternoon, and Malcolm made us a very nice dinner.  Then, after breakfast on Sunday (also cooked by Malcolm, while I sat with my feet up!), we went out for a walk.  We had frequent stops, as Stuart was trying out his new camera.  As always, there was plenty to see

I know there's an engine somewhere in here!

 

having fun with a floating plastic container

 

you're dribbling dear!

 

the allotmenteers are getting ready for planting

 

a splash of colour on an old brick wall

 

an interesting plaque on an old building

 

a good address!

 

I've still got lots of photos from our walk which I will save for tomorrow, because I have the main event to share with you ........ sconnage!  We popped into Lowry's Coffee Bar

 

Stuart and Alison shared a fruit scone

 

while Malcolm and I shared a cheese one

 

and here I am, a very proud Mum with her handsome son!

A walk on the wild side

When we arrived at the flat on Saturday morning, Malcolm suggested going out for a walk before lunch to look at the dock area that is going to be smartened up.  But the weather wasn't very good, so I declined!  Thanks to the big lens, I could follow his progress.  Here he is all by himself crossing the bridge

 

then walking along the dock

 

I kept shouting at him to stay away from the edge!

 

eventually he disappeared round the end of the dock

 

while he was out I took photos of the wine box chest of drawers, which looks fabulous in the hall

 

late in the afternoon, a large ship appeared offshore

 

then there was a flurry of activity and the pilot boat headed out of the dock

 

and started to guide the much larger ship in

 

it didn't take them long to sail round the channel and into the dock

 

 

back home, a little blue tit has been spending a lot of time sitting on the ornamental quince outside our bedroom window.  Usually he flies off as soon as I go into the bedroom, but this morning I managed to sneak in and take some photos of him

 

I'll be back tomorrow with lots of sewing, including my first sample of woolly bits!