Hello, well we have survived the first week of the Summer holidays and I think we have settled nicely into our holiday routine. It has been so lovely not having to do any work of any sort, it feels rather strange.


We have been on a few trips out this week, we went to see Cars 2 movie at the cinema on Tuesday which was actioned packed, good fun and really well done. On Thursday we had an exhausting day at Legoland. I always have to gear myself up to go there but as always I really enjoyed the day. I must admit my legs and shoulders feel rather achy today. We walked around for 9 hours and I had the job of carrying our picnic in a rucksack (hence the achy shoulders today).

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday when we met our friends at the local National Trust property Cliveden. We parked ourselves on a bench in the watergarden where we spent a good few hours, drinking tea, chatting and crocheting whilst the kids made a den and had the freedom to explore and play.



Last Saturday we went out to celebrate my mother-in-laws 65th birthday. We had decided to have afternoon tea at Danesfield House in Marlow. Danesfield is a rather grand hotel set in an old manor house and surrounded by lovely grounds overlooking the River Thames. The setting is beautiful which is more than I can say for the afternoon tea. We had such a lousy experience there. The amount of food was minimal, the sandwiches were served on dry white bread and the service was shockingly poor. We didn't complain at the time as it would have totally ruined what was supposed to be a lovely afternoon. I did however sent a rather shirty email when we got home. I got an initial response on Monday, but am awaiting a further reply after they have investigated the situation. The worst part was that it cost £200 for 5 adults! Here is Danesfield in all of it's glory, such a shame the it didn't live up to our expectations.

Next Saturday we are off on our holidays to Cornwall. We are staying in St Ives. I am really looking forward to going away but have that horrible feeling the weather is going to be rubbish again. I so desperately want the children to experience Cornwall at its best, when you can spend leisurely days on the beach. We have also booked to go for a long weekend to Centre Parcs in October. I have been really naughty and booked to go in school time. The difference in price between the weekend before half term and either of the weekends during half term is huge. It would have cost us another £300!


The Centre Parcs weekend is very well timed as we are going the day after Daisy finishes taking her 2nd 11+ paper. The dreaded 11+ seems to be hanging over our heads and I think everyone is feeling the pressure. At least by October it will be all over and what ever will be will be.


On the crafting front, I have finally finished my cotton granny square blanket which I am rather pleased with. I have also finished the second baby blanket, which was really well received. I have just bought a load of yarn for a blanket for Daisy. I think I might make a granny square blanket for Daisy but do each square in one colour. I hated having to sew in all those ends when you change colour each round. I think I will use a cream yarn to join the squares together.

I have decided that I would like to run a stall at the school's Christmas fair this year. I have asked my friend Julia (@ Peacock Blue) to go halves with me, which will make the job a bit easier. I'm not sure exactly what we will make but at least by deciding to do it now, we have plenty of time to get making. I don't expect for one moment that it will make a fortune but it would be a good way to show people what we can make. I thought I could make some Christmas Stockings similar to the ones I made last year.

We have a fairly quiet weekend ahead with very little planned at all. It looks as though today is going to be a nice day, well the sun is shining at least. Mr P has to work today so it's just me and the kids at home. Daisy has some grand plan to make a collage and Alex wants to go and buy some embroidery thread and Aida (is that what the white fabric with all the holes in is called?) and make some book marks. I think he has set his mind on selling them at the Christmas Fair!!

Right it's time for me to get up, I have a stack of washing to do and lots of boring old housework jobs that need doing.


Have a lovely weekend what ever you get up to.

Till next time.

Alison x

PS Still no eggs yet!

Tuesday Update

Hello, how are you all doing on this rather wet Tuesday afternoon? It was absolutely glorious up until 3.15pm and since then it's done nothing but rain. It's hard to believe looking at the weather outside that I enjoyed a rather lovely lunch with my friend Julia sat outside in blazing sunshine. That's the good old British weather for you.

We are all pretty good in the Gingercat household, although I think it's fair to say we are all feeling a bit tired and jaded and really in need of the Summer holidays. Not long now only a few more weeks to go.

Mr P and I had a fabulous night last night, we went to the Take That concert at Wembley. It was so good, those boys don't half know how to put on a show. Robbie really was the star of it all, he was exceptional. God I love that man, he has such talent and certainly knows how to entertain.


We have had a bit of a wobble on the chicken front. It started on Sunday morning when Daisy went to let them out. I was still in bed and I heard what I thought was a crowing noise. Low and behold, Mrs Featherbottom was crowing. I don't profess to be a chicken expert but even I know that hens don't crow. I went to investigate and the more I looked at her the more it dawned on me that Mrs Featherbottom is in fact most definitely Mr Featherbottom!


Sadly it's not possible to keep a cockerel in our garden, if they weren't so noisy then it wouldn't be a problem. Mr P took him back to the breeder and swapped him for a hen. Daisy was upset and there were tears and sadness as we said goodbye. Mr P came back with this funny little thing, which we have called Nellie.



















She is a grey colour with a funny little small head. Doris and HP were not keen on her one bit when she arrived. There was lots of annoyed clucking going on and a bit of pecking too. They seemed to have settled down now and even allowed her on their perch. Here they are the inseparable two.

















I haven't posted a pic of Pepe lately, here she is asleep on the sofa this morning. She hasn't really budged all day, the lazy thing.



















I finally managed to take some photo's of my finished blankets. This granny square blanket was started last Summer. I have joined up 16 squares and am now crocheting around in treble clusters (as I got fed up with granny square making). The treble clusters don't really lie flat and the boarder is a bit flouncy if I'm honest. However, the colours are very summery and it will be perfect for throwing over laps or legs when it starts to get a bit chilly.



















This is the first baby blanket that I have crocheted. I choose some very lovely Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino in gorgeous baby shades and used a vintage granny stripe pattern. It is so soft and snuggly, I am just waiting for the baby to arrive now.


















Here is a close up of the colours, I thought if would be fine for either sex.


















I am also crocheting another baby blanket, this one is white and lemon. The baby arrived a week ago now, so I really do need to get on with it.

It's my book club this evening which I always look forward to. This month our book to read was Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes, it was gripping to say the least. Rather disturbing too but definitely a page turner.

Right I am off to make the tea.

Till next time.

Alison
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