Jolly Jaunt #2

This year I decided to go and visit my sister 'Up North all on my own.  So packed with a lunch box, bottle of water and a re-tune of the OH's car into Capital radio off I jolly well went on Jolly Jaunt #2 for this summer.  I'd forgotten what a long and boring journey 311 miles can be on your own but at least the weather was good for my journey, more than I can say for the return where I got pretty scared on the A1(M) as the rain was pelting down and at one point I could not see more than 10 metres in from of me!

Although this was a really quick visit it is the first time in over 15 years that I have made it  without the boys and had some days planned out to spend quality time with my sister (shopping time really).

But once again the weather got the better of us and our planned trip to Yorkshire did not happen and my dream of a Betty's Tea Room afternoon tea will have to wait until a later date. We did however manage to get into Newcastle for a 12 hour mammoth spree (mostly my sister I may add).  It is an eye opener to go shopping with an enthusiastic (compulsive) shoppahollic and it goes something like this - walk into shop, scour rails of sale items, pick up at least 10 of said items, go to changing room and wait 15 minutes to try on, squeeze yourself into a size 8 because the size is on the wrong hanger, complain that the fit is all wrong  (I then notice the wrong size), laugh myself silly because my sister looks like Matt Lucas as The Only Gay in the Village, I don't stop laughing for the rest of the day, thanks for the memory Sis. 

It was also great to see my Nephew and his girlfriend and I vowed not to leave it so long until my next visit se we have decided to make it an annual event, perhaps next year I will get to Betty's. Fingers Crossed.

Well it's back to normality for me for a couple of days until my next little Jolly Jaunt to Poole. We are going camping with friends, just hope the weather cheers up before then otherwise it's wellies and water proofs!

Toodle Pip!

Lynetta

Today I................

Today I went to the Laundrette for the first time in 20 years

Today I hoped the rain would stop

Today I dreamed of an Indian Summer

Today I forgot to return a phone call

Today I heard my son laughing with his friends

Today I read my book at the Laundrette

Today I watched the new series of The X-Factor

Today I said nothing when a problem occurred!

Today I believed I am in the right place

Today I felt happy I could spend time with my friend

Today I wondered if anyone noticed I was not wearing make-up
Today I bought nothing, zilch, zero,  I stayed out of the shops

Today I cleaned my whole house top to bottom, all tinged

Today I was me :-)

Stitch and Bitch!

Itchy hand syndrome? Tense nervous twitch? Well why not try a hobby you've not visited for 15 years.  So with this in mind out comes the sewing machine and the thinking cap.

I have always wanted a tradtitional row of bunting, so with my Pic (Partner in crime) Sarah off we trot to Reading to visit a fabric shop. 1 1/2 hours later with huge smiles on our faces we have chosen our material and head back to get started.  We had a lovely afternoon and evening cutting and sewing with the end result more than I could of imagined.

We both had a good giggle at the amount of fabric we had remaining, and to think when we were in the shop we were both worrying we may not have enough, ha ha ha.....

So what to do with the remaining metres? - no joke we bought far too much - and as the bunting will be used to go over my tent I decided to make a patchwork cushion to match.  My first attempt at patchwork and chuffed to bits :-)

and if anyone is interested you can get a great tutorial for log cabin patchwork HERE! 

BTW, still have so much material left and will now be making a patchwork throw to keep me warm too.  Oooh I'm going to look all posh around the campsite now.  Watch this space.

TTFN :-)  Lynetta

Jolly Jaunt #1

Working in a school I suppose alot of people would say I am lucky to get 6 weeks holiday for the summer (plus numerous other weeks over the year).  However, if you are like me and love a routine it can take a couple of weeks to get used to no alarm waking you at 6am, no lunch boxes (hoorray) and no rush rush rush.  So with this in mind we decided to take our week's holiday immediatley from when school ended just to try and get me into holiday mode.

This year we decided to go abroad (normally we go camping but more on that later), we visited friends in Alhaurin el Grande in Southern Spain, friends we have not seen for over 10 years,  friends to get re-aquainted with. 

Boy was it hot! 42 degrees and rising everyday, and having to stay indoors to at least 5 o'clock when the weather cooled down as both myself and J suffered terribly from prickly heat.  We were so grateful for the dipping pool, a sure quick way to keep cool and to stop the itching.

We managed to venture into Mijas very early one morning, it's a beautiful Spanish White village but a little too touristy for me with horse drawn carriages and inflated prices for food.  Mijas has one of the last Bull Rings, our host Steve told us the history of Bull Fighting, but he also told us what goes on behind the scenes and I must say I will never want to see a Bull Fight and agree with many animal activists that this sport should be banned.  I took some lovely photo's of Mijas and the one that typifies Spanish life for me is the old men sitting in the town square having their daily natter. (Nothing like a good natter)

 

We also went into Fuengirola to experience the market! A few 'tat' bargains but none of reasonable quality that I wanted to part my hard earned cash on.

It was a lovely week of doing nothing but reading, relaxing and eating with my family and good friends. We are looking forward to our next visit very soon.

TTFN

Lynetta

Slippery Slope

After many years of blog watching (or some may call it stalking - ha ha ha) I have decided to bite the bullet and start a simple blog.  I think my real aim is to start documenting my daily/weekly life so my family can look back and laugh! and it may give me the kick start to get myself scrapbooking again.  Who know's and who cares (I do :-).  Hope to post again soon when I've worked out what to do.  TTFN :-) Lynetta