Out and about...

This week we've had a lovely week off of work and have been blessed with decent weather.

After a day of rest on Sunday, we caught a bus to Cissbury Ring

It was bliss, being in the heart of the countryside, so peaceful

Just surrounded by the sounds of nature

with views of the rolling fields in one direction, and across the town to the sea in the other

We weren't just there to take in the beautiful surroundings, but we knew there were plenty of Geocaches to find

It was a fabulous place for finds, and we bumped up our total by finding 11

The next day was another rest day, but we did take a trip to the cinema to see Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children

Midweek and we were on the bus to Brighton. I really wanted to go once I'd heard there were a trail of snow dogs

It seems we're always hunting for something whilst we're out!

It was great searching the lanes and seafront for these amazing doggies, all looking so different as they've been transformed by different artists

The following day we spent more time at home, but with lovely weather we did take some beach strolls, but can definitely feel that its Autumn now as the temperature has sure dropped

I took a trip to the hairdressers for a much needed colour. I've gone back to red to cover those 'natural highlights'

At the weekend we had a visit for hubby's sister and had a lovely day around town, stopping for afternoon tea and fun on the pier

Although we've been out and about a lot, on our rest days with our feet up in front of the tv, I've been beavering away on the mandala

I've managed to complete 3 rounds which I'm very pleased about

To give you an update I'm currently on round 94 out of 111

Despite a change of routine I've still kept on track with my eating

So a great week, relaxing and fun, but tomorrow it's back to reality and work :-/

Brighton and Baskets

So this weeks beach walk took place further down the coast in Brighton. We got off the bus at the Hove borderline and headed down to the waters edge.

We had a great, relaxing hour walking along beach combing. We had a massive haul, finding so many pieces.

We took a break for refreshment at a seaside café and had a delicious homemade macaroni cheese

We continued along the seafront but couldn't continue treasure hunting as the tide had come in

We looked into various shops and galleries along the front, until we reached the pier, and had our usual fun on our favourite games

We stopped off for a quick drink before heading to the Theatre Royal, where hubby had booked us a treat to go and see Footloose, which is one of my favourite films

It was a great production, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our day and evening out.

After making my mandala mistake last week, I'll admit I haven't yet picked it up again.

I have however, completed my scrap yarn piece

As it had turned into a bowl, I decided to finish it off with a picot edging

I have also started a new scrap yarn basket

I started with the plain circular base

And made a start on building up the sides, using up the small balls of scrap yarns, and working two colours together at a time 

I'll admit that I haven't quite finished sewing in the ends of the yarn basket/bowl. Although, with the mad mix of colours it means that you are able work over some of the ends.

By the time I have finished this basket I do hope to have finished the ends of all the scrap collection to be able to show them off together!

Sunny South Coast...

This week we spent a lovely few days down on the South Coast, and the weather was glorious. We stayed with family in Lancing, and on arrival, after refreshments, we set off down to the town and headed straight towards the beach. After a little tour, the left us to wander, and we headed towards Brooklands park for some lunch.

We couldn't help ourselves, we had to indulge in a bit of geocaching whilst there, and found two by the seafront.

The sun was gleaming, and the waves were lapping, an instantly relaxing sound to me. 

The tide was going out, revealing squidgy sand, leaving its ripple marks, and little pools.

My face was positively glowing on return.

The following day we took a trip to Worthing. The sun was still beating down, and after our morning coffee we took a stroll around town, which had a great mix of high street and independent stores. I found a lovely little craft makers store, the Craft Tea gift shop, where I spotted Made with my very own hands, whom i follow on Facebook, its a small world. 

We ventured down to the seafront, and walked along the pier, where we always like to have a little play on the 2p machines! At the end of the pier, was a cafe decorated in 1930's style, which had been recommended to us, so we stopped for afternoon tea. I can assure you it is well worth a visit, I can imagine it must be a great atmosphere when a pianist is performing.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day and felt very at home there. Again we relaxed watching the tide go out.

For our last full day we planned a trip to Brighton. Firstly, we stopped at Shoreham-by-sea, as we'd been told about some house boats that were well worth a nosy at! They were much larger than I was expecting, and a variety of styles from quirky to modern.

We took the bus to Brighton, and after a panic that hubby may of lost his phone and the time consuming issue of getting family phone numbers to find out, and me getting hassle from work, we were eventually able to kick back and enjoy our day. We strolled around North Laine, taking in the atmosphere and stopped for some lunch.

We again ventured towards the sea and had our fun on the pier, the wind picked up by late afternoon so we took the train back and enjoyed another lovely evening meal.

We had a leisurely morning, after packing up our belongings, we took a stroll around the garden.

And went for a drive along Worthing coastline and stopped at the infamous Sea lane cafe, where we were treated to lunch.

It may have only been a few days, but being away from home and everyday routine did us the world of good, and the bonus of warm sunshine and sea air.

Back home, and the following day we were adjusting to being back so decided to go for a walk and do a spot of geocaching. We found a couple, but our intention of staying local ended up being a 5 mile hike across the other side of town, and having to give up on 2 others.

But there was plenty of pretty Spring blooms and blossoms to see along the way, and an area of large houses ( the size of 3), always good to see how the other half live!

Crafting wise I caught up with my mood flowers

and I've started another Chrysanthemum cushion front in a different colourway, and this time I will write the pattern down as I go!

It's going to be a shock to the system to go back to work, and i'm sure we will be counting the time down till we can go away again!