Friday 1 October 2021

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Happy Friday - happy 1st of the month.
I have lots of photos to share again this week!
Firstly though thank you for your understanding about 
skipping October's charity kit.  It has taken the pressure off this month and
allowed Elliott and I to take our little trip away.

Last Friday lunchtime we arrived in St Margaret's at Cliffe,
drove down to the bay and this was our view - can you smell that salty fresh air?
It was warm, the sun was glistening on the water and we could see for miles.
We walked for a while and then feeling quite virtuous
we ate a huge lunch in the pub!


Next day a trip to Sandwich, which took a lot longer than normal as we inadvertently
joined a traffic queue thinking it was for the town and it was actually for fuel.
Once there we walked the little scenic streets and we thought about food again!


The Lantern Pub in Martin.
When I visited last time we had hoped to eat here but it gets booked
up very quickly.  It is such a beautiful little pub.
We phoned in the vain hope that they may have a table available and they did!  
And to make it doubly perfect, the sun came out so we sat outside.


And...trebly perfect, they had a stone pizza oven - Elliott was over the moon.


With full tummies and me expectant of an afternoon nap Elliott asked
what we would be doing next.  It was definitely a different paced break.
We headed off to the White Cliffs at Dover.
This time walked down the cliff to sit closer and watch all the ferries,
lorries and cars - it is quite mesmerising figuring out the logistics in the little toy town below.


We took a drive into Dover town which I have to say wasn't so nice,
like many towns it is a bit depressed and full of charity shops.
But look what I came across...


Opal Fruits!  
Not Starbursts, I was quite excited about this and probably
went into a longer explanation than necessary to Elliott about the 
fact that Mars changed the name (and flavours) 23 years ago!
I then thought I had better check this wasn't an out of date bag
but no, it's a limited edition and available for 12 weeks only.
Funny how these little things can make you really quite happy.
"Made to make your mouth water" for those who remember the jingle!

Now where was I?  Oh yes - on the Sunday we visited 
Wingham Wildlife Park.

We planned to arrive in time to see the otters being trained and fed.
They put their noses and mouths on the stick so they are upright and the keepers
can check them over to see they are healthy.


Flamingos have very odd knees!


Well hello!


Red Pandas are super cute but very shy.


Meerkats - can I just say, these little fellas took up nearly an hour
of our day - you cannot stop watching them.


The following day we had to leave and the heavens opened.
We packed up dashing to the car in torrential rain.
30 minutes later the sun was shining so we stopped off in Canterbury.


It has been a long time since I visited.
The Cathedral was covered in scaffolding so not picture worthy,
unlike these gorgeous buildings.





We stopped off for a coffee and brownies - a perfect breakfast.



And that was our trip away and it was very wonderful.
As I said goodbye to Elliott he asked when we could go again. 
I think that is a huge measure of success.


Crochet:

If you've made it this far (so many photos!) I do have some crochet news.

While I was away I began to write up my cushion pattern.
My naive head said 'oh it will be easy'!
In reality - I take my hat off to anyone who writes patterns.
I have persisted and it should be ready soon. 
Slight stumbling block - the pattern needs a name so all suggestions welcome.
I was keen to have lots of clear photos to assist in the tutorial
and the lovely daylight in St Margaret's helped.




I plan to have it available here on my blog and also free to download
through Google docs (like I do with recipes).
I had even wondered on doing a CAL (Crochet Along) at some point
but perhaps I am getting ahead of myself...

Telly:

All this galavanting away and then straight back to work has meant
very little telly.  As mentioned, I have subscribed to Acorn TV
so I am revisiting episodes of Agatha Raisin.

Having read so many of the books I still struggle with Ashley Jensen
playing Agatha. She's a bit too nice and glamourous.
In the books Agatha is a bit of a cow! 
Anyway, it is relaxing watchable TV with murders thrown in.



No garden news this week - it's scruffy and needs a good tidy up.

Recipes - thank you Karen for sending your soup recipe,
it looks wonderful and I am planning to make it - 
unfortunately my food shop let me down
with one of the ingredients - coconut milk. I will endeavour to get some.
I'll be sure to share - through the Blog medium, hands off my actual soup!

This weekend - well not going too far as, like many, eeking out the fuel.
 I need to get to grips with the garden and hopefully
finish off that crochet pattern.

Take care friends, wishing you a lovely weekend,
it's certainly turned colder - we all need a crochet blanket!



13 comments:

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Morning Christine.
Another lovely chat thank you.
Brilliant photos so glad you had a great time.
I expect you need a rest now lol.
Take care and have fun Kitty.

hazel young said...

Gorgeous photos Christine, love everywhere you went and great to hear Elliott wants to return. Crochet looks lovely great colours and design. How about naming it after your mum or one of your cats. Made a lovely leek and potato soup the other day, can't beat home grown and home made. I've seen a few episodes Agatha Raisin they are my jam. Enjoy your weekend and try to have a rest, you are so busy. stay safe xx

CraftyCoffey said...

Great catch up on all your news-the photos of your trip look great.

Michele

jdunkley said...

Good morning. I'm pleased that you had a lovely and well deserved break. You were lucky with the weather, good job it wasn't this weekend!
As someone who can turn my hand to most crafts ECEPT crocheting, I do love your work. You have inspired me to purchase a knitted blanket kit
I'm going to name your pattern The Emberson Cushion in awe of the skills involved.

Jackie Durrant said...

Good morning Christine though it is pouring with rain as I type this. I'm glad you both enjoyed your break. Dover has got a little run down in the town though the works on the promenade make for a nice area to sit and watch the world go by with a sandwich from the new M&S and just one street back from the sea front is a selection of factory outlet stores including a Pavers which I always head for but like most towns it is a case of knowing what is there. I have never got to grips with crochet so I shall look forward to reading your pattern in due course. Like you I haven't ventured far as I don't want to waste the little fuel I do currently have in searching for more. I'm hoping that early next week we won't have this problem. Have a good weekend xx

Margie said...

Great post Christine, I really enjoyed the photos, especially in the sunshine when all we have at the minute is black skies and more rain! I'm looking forward to taking a trip with my daughter in law when we can - that would be so nice to look forward to. Love the crochet pattern and looking forward to seeing it written down. I might be able to manage that one but the sewing up would be my undoing! You'll need a rest after all that gallivanting so enjoy the weekend. xxx

Anonymous said...

Well you certainly have had a busy, but good break from the looks of the beautiful photographs. I had hoped to take my hubby to the East coast next week for his birthday but due to the fuel supply issues he's said he'd prefer not to as it is a 'jaunt' and others need fuel for work. We've not been away now for over 3 years due to various reasons of health etc, but we will celebrate with his favourite foods for lunch and dinner and I will make him a very large Cheese cake!! Great to hear Elliott wants to venture again with you. Have a good week. WakeyL

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Well you certainly have had a busy, but good break from the looks of the beautiful photographs. I had hoped to take my hubby to the East coast next week for his birthday but due to the fuel supply issues he's said he'd prefer not to as it is a 'jaunt' and others need fuel for work. We've not been away now for over 3 years due to various reasons of health etc, but we will celebrate with his favourite foods for lunch and dinner and I will make him a very large Cheese cake!! Great to hear Elliott wants to venture again with you. Have a good week. WakeyL

1 October 2021 at 10:50

I should clarify I meant a 'days' outing rather than those going away on a pre-booked holiday. He also is worried that supply issues may mean we don't have enough fuel to get back.

pinksparkle said...

What a lovely break, your photos remind me of a holiday we had at St Margaret's when our boys were young. We took the ferry across to France from Dover for the day. Also visited Sandwich. Would enjoy a CAL with your pattern, but know you are very busy. Have a good weekend.

Littlelamb said...

Looks like you had a lovely time away with Elliott especially as he want to go again. Thank you for all the photos. The crocheting looks good. I have never followed a pattern but will give it a try. My blanket is certainly keeping me warm whilst I am crocheting it. Would,certainly,like to see Karen’s soup,recipe if it is gluten free. Gluten Free soups are so expensive in the shops compared to ordinary soups. I usually make my own now so a,different recipe would be good. Have a good weekend.

karenlotty said...

Fantastic photos What a lovely place I have never been in that neck of the woods
Look for tins of coconut milk either in the Asian aisle or baking aisle next to the evaporated milk etc A friend of mine makes it without and says it’s equally delicious
Well done to you for tackling writing a pattern I have used existing knitting patterns for the lingo when writing my own knitting pattern It’s not an easy job and I truly admire pattern writers
I can’t think of a name except I have Pebble in my head but that’s what the back reminds me of not the front!
Off to actually visit a craft store today I am so excited!
Take care everyone

karenlotty said...

PS What we think are knees on a flamingo I are their ankles! In effect they are walking on their toes!
Just thought you’d like to know that useless piece of information That’s what being a mum to a zookeeper turns you into🤣

karenlotty said...

Look for Tesco Food Love Stories Nana’s Magic Soup
Karen
xxx

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...