Cornwall 2014

So this past week we have taken our annual holiday down in Cornwall, to visit my dad. Its not turned out quite like our usual visits, firstly we have gone earlier in the year than usual,  hence the weather has not been so great, plus with hubby's knee still not fully functioning it meant day trips out weren't possible. But of course we made the best of things, spending time with family, relaxing and still managing to see some of the gorgeous coastline...
Its a very long train ride, which actually flew for me as I got engrossed in my book, and thankfully we had some space to enable hubby to stretch out...

We had a lazy morning to recuperate, playing with the cats

a chance to crochet and a spot of lunch al fresco. After which  we took a little stroll around the harbour,  popping in to a few of the local galleries to see the latest pieces.

Oh and we stopped for the obligatory cream tea, of course! 

The next day the weather was changeable so we took a trip to the local garden centre. Garden centres these days have a bit of everything,  not just plants, although there were some beautiful blooms too

We checked out the gifts, books and fishes and there would be no doubt that my favourite would be the bunnies...

And a beautiful, coastal  drive back

I do love how the Cornish hedgerows are left to their natural, wild state

so much prettier than trimmed and controlled. Then it was back round to the familiar sight of the harbour

The following day was the only fine one we were going to get, according to the forecast, so we intended to make the most of it!

The plan was to drive the south/west coast and make some stop-offs along the route

We headed to Marazion and the unmissable sight of St Michaels mount, a sight that you can't tire of, and which changes with each season and change of light...

Further along to Penzance we stopped at LongRock

Going through Newlyn and Mousehole, we made a refreshment stop at Lamorna Cove

We had a hobble down to see the lovely sands at Porthcurno

We had a long stop-off at the Minack theatre, an outstanding outside theatre, a vision from one outstanding actress who carried on with the building of it, right through to her 80's

Surrounded by beautiful gardens

Set with idyllic coastal views

Can you imagine watching a production in such a setting?

Amazingly Hubby managed to combat all the steps, and he said it was worth the effort, but he did pay for it in the evening

By this time the day was slipping by rather quickly and we'd yet to have lunch

So it was a rush trip to Lands End.. But everything closed up and no food was available, my second, and yet again disappointing trip to this destination

So it was onwards to Sennen Cove, where we found a lovely little pub to have our meal

We carried on further north before looping round to come back down, stopping briefly at Zennor for refreshments

It was an amazing, packed day, which we all thoroughly enjoyed, but it did wear us all out...

The weather was appalling the following day, but we all needed time to recuperate 

In the afternoon, there was a break in the clouds

So we took a short drive to Poldhu

where, of course, we had to indulge in a tasty refreshment

On our last day, we decided a town was our best option, so we chose Penzance, which was not too far to venture

We strolled round the town, a stop off to indulge in a bit more cake, and down historical Chapel street

On our last night, we decided to eat out at one of the reputable, 'foodie' restaurants, and the food ceratinly lived up to its name...

Before we knew it, the week had flown by. It gets harder and harder to leave each year, and go back to a town, and i definately hate that we only get to visit once a year. I miss seeing my Dad more often, and its such a beautiful, relaxed, friendly and arty area...

But... Until next year......

Heathers and Bluebells...

Thank you all for last weeks lovely comments...
Sadly, no I don't' have a proper pattern for my Owlie, I have a bad habit of making things up as i go, even if i have the good intentions of writing down as i go, it doesnt quite happen, see a true disorganised crafter. This though, is a habit that i really must rectify!! I even have about 6 notebooks on the go to try, where I keep attempting to be good, so i really need to come up with a proper system, so i know what yarn, colours, the pattern, and the cost of each item....
Does anyone else have system in place??

This week, when i had a good rummage in my yarn stash, I was really taken with the beautiful tones of these little balls...

They reminded me of heather...
Although i knew i didn't have enough to do a project with these yarns, i picked out some similar colours for my next cushion. I quite like the colour palette although i would have preferred some more purple hues...

This is the back of the cushion completed, just a basic granny square, where as the front will be made up of four quarters...

As I had a lovely three days off, i took the chance to visit a dear old friend, who i've known for over 20 years. Having recently lost her husband she was very low, so after lunch we picked up her dogs

to go for a long walk

Its a great walking area, with open fields and woodlands

We were so lucky on this occasion, that the bluebells were still around, a whole carpet of blue and violet as far as you could see...

Beautiful stems and individual flowers

I had some 'happy mail' in the post. I spotted a picture of some skull fabric on instagram. I had one of those "I have to have" moments. I didnt Need anything but I just couldn't say no, so I asked 'SewRayMe' for a little storage bag to be made for me with a contrast lining. Of course I have lots of lovely bits and pieces that can go in it, so it will be put to good use.

This weeks mood square:

Lilac = relaxation, Purple/Green = fields and bluebells, Pink/Cream = relaxed days off

Next Sunday, we are off on our long annual journey to Cornwall, to visit my Dad, I'm so looking forward to it, and fingers crossed we have some nice weather, but we've had a set back with hubby's knee, as its swollen up and painful again, lets hope it improves so we can enjoy some trips out...

Disorganised crafting...

So after focussing on one project last week, the plans for this week was to continue, picking out flower patterns to embellish the cushion front.
But there was a set back, I have not been able to find my crochet flowers book at all!! Anyone would think we live in a disorganised mess... Oh wait, we do!!
So that threw me, I was stuck, I didn't know what to do...
On the plus side, whilst searching through boxes and the garage I did come across my long lost stuffing.
So a project did manage to get completed, just not the one I expected.
Remember my Owlie, that lay flat and abandoned, he has now fully come to life.

And another surprise I found another WIP that i'd forgotten about, Mummy and Baby Owl.

In the time that I was deliberating what to make I paid attention to my mood blanket. I had stopped joining the squares, and realised the reason why, was that I wasn't keen on a couple of squares, so I decided to change them for the better, sticking with the original colours of course...

The squares on the left are the new versions, and i'm much happier with them, so I have now got my joining all up to date.

And I had a great find in our local BHF store, this lovely seat, which opens up, for just £5. I'm not sure whether to revarnish it and keep it its original colour or whether to give it a shabby chic make-over? Either way it will of course be having a crochet, cushion top...

This weeks mood square.
Grey = feeling melancholy, lilac = relaxed, pink = giggles and cuddles with hubby