I would love to retire to Cornwall one day, but I have to convince Steve of its merits. We recently spent a few days there to check out different areas. It’s gorgeous and my heart belongs on a beach; there were also two fabulous quilt stores that I could quite easily support! But Steve is right, it’s a long way from the kids and Heathrow.
Feeling chuffed with myself this morning – actually machine quilted a project all by myself on my sewing machine. I haven’t done that for ages (except for my quilted tote bags) so it’s nice to know I haven’t lost the touch. And more importantly no wrinkles on the back!
The Alsace region of France is lovely with lots of little villages scattered around low mountain ranges. After finishing at the quilt show we broke the journey home with a short stay in Reims where we went to see the Taittinger champagne caves, Reims Cathedral of Notre Dame and the UNESCO Basilica de St. Remi. I took tons of stained glass photos to add to my burgeoning collection back home – not sure what I’ll ever need them for but I am so drawn to the colours and patterns especially on a sunny day.
Really enjoyed visiting the Alsace region of France attending the Sainte Marie Aux Mines quilt show with Steve as the driver and Claire as my shopping partner. The quilts were beautiful and inspiring including a 10 metre long single square quilt that took the maker exactly 10 years to create! (Not sure why she’d want to do that but mine is not to reason why.) And, yes, the photo of the woman with blond hair is painted in the background but quilted with details – amazing eh? Claire and I also took a class with Edyta Sitar and we both came away with another project to do! Edyta is an enthusiastic, very talented quilter and teacher and even this old hand benefitted from her methods.
Yesterday, Steve and I went for a lovely walk from Shiplake Locks to Shiplake College with dog and camera in tow. Couldn’t resist sharing a few photos of early September along the Thames.
My daughter, Claire, and I have this competition going right now to see who can take the best photos of bees or bugs up close. Don’t ask me why, but I guess we both have fancy cameras and want to see who can use the technology best.
So Claire…after visits to Hampton Court Palace gardens and Mount Stewart gardens here’s my latest offering. Do you concede?
I just spent a couple of days in Northern Ireland attending the wedding of my cousin Barry’s daughter, Amy Jayne, to Sam Robinson. It was a busy wedding with lots of home grown flowers, Swarovski crystals, homemade wooden tables, stable lanterns and Amy in a gorgeous wedding outfit (not her normal jeans as threatened apparently). It was also a fantastic opportunity to catch up with some of my other cousins (and their families). Nice to see you Ken, Noreen, Barry and Sharon…!
On the second day, Steve and I went to see my cousin Barry and his wife Cindy. They breed Shetland Sheepdogs – two of whom who were knawing on my fingers and then little Ellie who sat so sweetly on my lap. Ellie has the most gorgeous face and is a blue marl colour with lots of black freckles dotting her little nose. It’s no wonder she’s Barry’s favourite at the moment.
At the wedding I also found out that my Dad taught at a school in Grey Abbey in roughly 1948. We had passed this little town on the way to the hotel the day before so we had to go back and get a picture of it (see below). It was a two room school back then. And wonder of wonders there was this wonderful shop across the road that sold antique quilts, embroidered linens, estate sale jewellery and other antiques. Only spent a little money on a couple of bits of vintage linen.
Birds seem to be a part of my sewing activities these days – on the bottom an appliqué border that needs a vine and more leaves. On the top is my first attempt at crewel work – a pattern I got at a sewing show in London only a few months ago. Some people drink wine to relax I just grab a bag of Fruit Pastilles and keep working on my latest project!
Blisteringly hot here in Villasumius, Sardinia. This is our view at breakfast.
Went exploring in town, then to the beach, then back to this pool then probably out to a pizzeria for dinner. I tell you this being lazy is very tiring. Another early night so we can repeat tomorrow!
Walked along one of the many beaches in this area at sunset. Tried to do some sand art like hearts and footprints but got soaked by rogue waves. Found a restaurant that has tables on the sand and fairy lights – booked for Friday night. I adore Sardinia!
Last day waaaah! Dinner on the beach tonight; perhaps three hours in Cagliari tomorrow then home. I tried to convince Steve to stay a few more days but the old meany said no. Who could resist a place that looks like this (pix taken from a mountain road)?
And, of course, there is always a flower picture or three…
Spent the May long weekend in the Isle of Thanet in eastern England. Visited Leeds Castle on the way and Canterbury Cathedral on the way back with various gardens and a couple of small museums on the way. Even had time for a walk along Broadstairs beach where the great British public were wearing jackets to keep warm but every child under two had a bare bum! These are some of my photos (and don’t worry there’s no nudity).
