Daddy comes to visit.....

So, I disappeared from blogland for a couple of weeks, firstly due to pleasure, secondly due to work, which meant I didnt get the chance to update...
So going back, we had Fathers Day. For the first time ever, my Dad came up to us to visit for a couple of days. He does live right down at the bottom of the country, in Cornwall, so it is a long trip! As its such a distance it means we only get to see each other once a year, when we go down for our annual visit. So to have this extra time together, and for him to see the area we are living was so lovely.

They arrived on the Saturday evening and we met up after we finished work. We had chosen to go to Charlie Choys, a local restaurant, which is buffet style, so an opportunity to taste new flavours, and something for everyone to enjoy.

The food was amazing, and it was great to have a catch up.

The following day, they came to see where we live, and spent the first  half of the day having a relaxed natter, just stopping for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon the weather brightened enough for us to venture out. We walked down the road, to our local park, which has a beautiful large lake. By the time we walked halfway round, the sun had made an appearance, and the ice-cream van turned up, it looked like it was all done to plan!

The sun shimmered on the water, the ducks were quacking, the swans were gliding across the water and the bees were buzzing around the flower heads.

It was lovely to get out in the fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun, get to relax and enjoy spending time with family.

The relaxation continued in the evening as we cooked a homemade vegetarian meal and watched television together.

The following day we overslept and so felt in a bit of a rush and a panic.

But we had chosen to go to Wisley, as it was close by and we all enjoy visiting gardens, plus it looked like the rain would hold off.

We strolled around the gardens, until we needed refreshments.

We stopped for lunch, which of course had to involve cake!!

We went into the Glasshouse, where there was the most amazing colourful display of Orchids.  I find these flowers fascinating with their different sculptural shapes.

Further round in the 'hothouse', were the collection of Cacti. Again, another love of mine, due to the textures and shapes.

After a quick pit-stop, we went round more areas of the garden, until it was closing time and we had to leave!!

We were exhausted by the end of the afternoon, but thoroughly enjoyed our day, and although the gardens are just down the road from us, it's so difficult to get there on public transport, so we appreciated the opportunity of being able to go.

After stopping off at home to freshen up we went out to a local restaurant, The Khyber Pass. We chose the set meal for 4, and this gave us a nice mix of 4 different curries for us to try out. As you can see, I got so into eating, I forgot to take a picture till after.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time together, and it's only a couple of weeks until we get to make our trip south. Hopefully now we will get to see each other twice a year in future.

I have managed a little bit of crafting, but I will leave that for next weeks post, as they are WIPs at the moment!

MOVIES
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

The story of Dr Alfred Jones, a fisheries scientist - for whom diary -notable events include the acquisition of a new electric toothbrush and getting his article on caddies fly larvae published in 'Trout and Salmon' - who finds himself reluctantly involved in a project to bring salmon fishing to the Highlands of the Yemen - a project that will change his life, and the course of British political history forever.

***1/2 much better than the title! 

Rise of the Guardians

DreamWorks computer-animated family adventure film based on the book series by William Joyce. When the nightmare king Pitch (voiced by Jude Law) launches his evil plan to engulf the whole world in darkness, the Guardians - Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the Sandman - enlist the help of a young and reluctant Jack Frost (Chris Pine) to stop Pitch in his tracks and protect children everywhere. But with the powers of the Guardians waning, will they be able to convince the world's children of their existence and overcome the power of Pitch?

****1/2 Fantastic, Magical

Colourful London...

It was a trip to London for me this week. I havent managed a visit to the Capital for a long long time. Its easy for us to get to with a direct train, but its just a silly cost! But with the Kaffe Fassett exhibition on at the Fashion and Textile museum, nothing was going to stop me!

I also took the opportunity to meet up with a friend who havent seen since i got married.
We met at London Bridge, and eventually found the museum, tucked away, but not till I managed to trip over a wonky pavement and hurt my elbow  :-(
I was excited to see the works of Kaffe, all that mass of colour at close hand that i'd only managed to pour over in books.

With his still life paintings

His colourful quilts

And Multi-toned knits

There was a whole delightful corner dedicated to his 'cabbage' phase

With an array of quilting and needlework. Everything was stitched, tablecloth, wall-hangings, cushions, armchair and even the slippers!

And a whole wall dedicated to knitwear when collaborating with Rowan

Even the painted design notes were interesting to look at, with the colour notes and instructions

|All in all, it was definately worth the trip, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see these beautiful stitch works so closely.

By the time we came out, we were hungry, so we grabbed a sandwich and headed towards the river. We had the luxury of sitting in the glorious sunshine, enjoying the warmth, and watched the world go by.

All the surrounding office workers were snatching some rays in their lunch but they soon dispersed and we were left to just enjoy the surroundings.

I cant believe how much the skyline has changed by the Thames. It used to be the historical buildings that stood out with their different architecture depicting their years. But now rather sadly, they are now dwarfed by these huge, glass, alien looking, modern buildings, which are just growing higher and higher!

We had great views of tower bridge for our little pit-stop

But decided to wander down further

past HMS Belfast

But of course, as soon as we moved away from the bridge, what happened, it opened up!!

Luckily we turned around, and had a quick dash back...

We walked down towards London Bridge, stopping to see 

 'The Navigators' sculpture at Hays Galleria

We went as far as London Bridge and made our way back up the opposite side of the river.

we went around the outskirts of the Tower of London

We made it back to Tower Bridge, this time walking across it. As luck would have it, when we were 3/4 the way across the siren went to off to warn that the bridge would be opening. So this time we were able to see it open at close hand.

I was exhausted and sore by the end of the day, but it was a most enjoyable trip.

Crafting wise, (yes I have managed a little), I have put the cushion on the back burner, until i manage to have some hours at home to dedicate to it. But I did a sneaky little, quick make. A little Owl. It is nearly completed, and I want to make a little baby one to go with it too...

MOVIES

Paranormal Activity

Supernatural thriller in which a young couple tries to rid their new house of unwanted guests. After moving into their new home in San Diego, Katie (Katie Featherson) and husband Micah (Micah Sloat) begin to hear strange noises and witness odd occurences. Believing that she's been followed by ghosts since she was a child, Katie is convinced that malevolent spirits have followed her to her new home. Receiving no help from a local psychic, Micah decides to try and get proof of the ghostly presence by installing a bank of cameras to record any manifestations. Now, as the couple try to make contact with the spirits with the aid of a Ouija board, their unwelcome guests decide to make their presence felt.

*** started slow, boring + amateur, but made you jump by the end

Wreck-it Ralph

A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.

*** ok but more suitable for kids

Bank Holiday outing...

This week we had a bank holiday, and we were extremely lucky that the weather stayed fine. We had plans. The Surrey County show was on in Guildford, which we have been to before and we enjoy. This time my Mum was going to meet us there.
Its a fun and fully entertaining day.

Beautiful Angora Goats

Lovely Goats

Llamas

Beautiful Falcon Birds

Pretty little Caged birds

Noisy Poultry

Bees and Honey making

Floristry displays

In the Main Arena, throughout the day, were various events, showcases and races.

]

Double Harness Scurry races

Traditional Farming Methods

And the monster trucks - Big Pete

And The Grimm Reaper

We thoroughly enjoyed our day, in addition to the above, there was also all the food, shopping and craft areas too. It was lovely to be out in the fresh air, and for the sun to be shining was a bonus.

The only downside of it being bank holiday was the public transport, although things did go very smoothly for us, it did mean busses stopped running very early, which meant a long walk home, after a long day out. We were able to go a scenic route though, with a walk beside the canal, where we hadn't actually been for over a year.

This week I have achieved very little iin the crafting front. But I did manage to complete the dull task of sewing in the ends...

Today, the sun made an appearance again, so we decided to go out on our bikes. We haven't done this for a long time, partly because of the terrible weather, plus its very easy to get lazy!

I was a bit wobbly to start with, but soon got back in to the swing of it. Again, it was lovely to be out and about in the fresh air, though it was a bit hard going on the bum!!!

Movies

Green Lantern

In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan, played by Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds must master his new powers in order to ward off the threat from the intergalactic villain, Parallax.

***1/2 Human chosen to help keep peace in the Universe

Hobbit an unexpected journey

A band of wandering dwarves shows up one or two at a time. The goal? To hire poor Bilbo for a quest that entails defeating a dragon and recovering a treasure. Along the way there are adventures with trolls and elves and The Battle of Five Armies. But most importantly of all he acquires a peculiar ring that has had and will have a great impact on the future of their world.

****1/2 Pre Lord of the Rings story