TRYING TO CATCH UP

Where has this week gone!
I'm trying to think what on earth has been happening for the last week, but just seem to know I've been busy with one thing or another and not being organised enough to do a post, so here goes.
This will be in 2 parts:-  1.  Life in the now.
                                        2.  More holiday photos.

 What I've been working on.  This is a customer quilt which I brought back with me on our visit to Warragul.  My friend V, who had the heel reconstruction passed over 2 quilts to do, so she can get caught up when back on her feet properly, with her backlog.  Then, yesterday I had a phone call and now have another quilt to do for someone here in Ballarat.  Yeah, I've not done any for customers since before June last year.

BACK TO HOLIDAY SNAPS.

Views on the road between Keswick and Ambleside.

An old Police box.

The tiny cottage spanning a brook in Ambleside.  I think it was once a tollhouse.(Anybody can correct me on that, please.)

From Ambleside, we followed the road to Windemere, to Kendal, Hawes and Aysgarth by afternoon tea.  We ate our lunch on the way and I'm not sure where it was but a few of the pics are from our stop there.  I'll do my best at remembering where they might be.

Leaving the Lakes District behind.

This must be the viaduct at Garsdale Head.

Parking in a large graveled area beside the road, we ate our lunch and I took loads of photos, as the views were all around.

Another view.

And another with sunshine and shadow.

The National Park Visitor Centre for our loo and afternoon tea stop.

We then head for home (Leeds) for tea and a well earned good nights sleep to set out with our niece, her hubby and two children on Thursday afternoon for Blackpool.  They had decided on hubby's day off to go and see the Illuminations and invited us to go too.  I'd never quite seen anything like it before.  During the afternoon, we walked along the seafront to the Fun Pier and all the way back to have tea at a fish cafe.  Then the exciting part to see all the lights.  We travelled on this very colourful tram.

I'd left my camera in the car, so this is from Hubby's mobile.  Probably not the best pic.

Next two are what I took from the car on the way home.

Street light illuminations.

Now I am feeling chronically homesick and will leave it at that for today.  Still a few more outings to post about, along with lots of other things to catch up on.  Missing those people I met and all that wonderful scenery.
BTW, the weather here has been very up and down with some very warm and windy days and then today, it is only in the mid teens, so I'm back in warm clothers.  How crazy is that.  We'll pop out for a walk this afternoon, then I must get stuck into that quilt on the machine.  Hope to post with more holiday pics very soon (I mean it) as the next few will be something special.

Take care all.
Susan.

THE LAKES Part 2

After arriving in Keswick, we did some much needed washing, explored the town and settled in for a night of rest.

Next day we headed out for a garden, only to find it wasn't open every day, so visited the Lakeland Motor Museum at Newby Bridge.  Some great transport items on display as well as Donald Campbell's Bluedbird.  Just a taster.

Isn't she a beauty.

This is cute.

What was someone thinking!!

What every little boy dreams of.

The view from the coffee shop deck.

Woops, one I forgot.  Hubby rode one similar to this whilst a butcher boy doing deliveries after school, between the ages of 13 and 16, which would probably be a no-no these days.

Next morning we went for a lovely walk from the B & B up to Castlerigg Stone Circle and although a bit misty, I did get some lovely photos.

A misty view.

The stone circle.

After our walk we set out for a leisurely, if somewhat scary (at times) drive, as we'd been invited out for afternoon tea and the weather was being a bit unpredictable.  First we drove up to Ashness Bridge, then a little further up the road, we found a wonderful view point, where I was supposed to be able to see 2 lakes, but it was too misty to see the farthest one.

Ashness Bridge.

The view down to Derwentwater.

Looking the other way, I should have been able to see Bassenthwaite Lake as well, but just look at that misty rain.

We left here to head over Whinlatter Pass where we had lunch at the National Park Visitor Centre and got thoroughly soaked going from the car to the cafe.  After lunch we drove on and took the road over Honister Pass where there is a slate mine.  This is the most amazing bleak countryside, but so beautiful in its own right.

Definitely no vegetation on this mountain.

The road disappearing into the distance from near the mine site. Notice the weather!

Next we headed towards our destination for afternoon tea and the rewards were great.  A friend I'd never met, but who started me on my blogging journey made us so welcome.  Her garden is lovely and I forgot to take any photos, as we chatted on about our loves of gardening, quilting and putting the world to rights.  All too soon our visit was over and we headed home.  But oh, wait, there is a photo.

OK, I know, that is me.  But who is that trying to be ever so friendly.  Why that is "Daisy".  Some people weren't sure about having their photos put on my blog, so I've been good and obeyed, but couldn't help myself with this one.  Thanks to you know who for a lovely afternoon.

Just a quick catchup with few odd photos from around here, being some flowers from the garden, although it's looking very wilted this afternoon after a hot and windy day, so will leave photographing that  for another day.  I also had a rearrangement in the sewing room.  I do think it is working better.

This was on the opposite wall, where I have now put my cutting table.

Daises and succulent flowers.

2 different roses and I don't know what they are, as they were here in the garden when we moved in.

Sewing table now straight and easier to access for getting up to use the ironing board and cutting table.  The cushion on my chair came home with me from UK as just the cover.  I used it in the car so I could see out the window.  After I bough it at a great sale price, I realised it came from a Kirstie Allsopp collection.  Hadn't noticed till I showed my niece.  I am a bit of a fan. (don't laugh, I am a bit odd).

I'll finish up for now and the next instalment will probably be early next week.  We still have a way to go with some great photos, but till next time, take care.
Susan.

I AM STILL HERE!

OK, so I've been a bit quiet, but have slowly started catching up on all bits and pieces that constitute our lives.  Since I posted last, hubby had a small medical procedure, and the results came back fine.  The next week, we spent 3 days back in Warragul for me to see the dentist, catch up with friends, a wonderful massage and an afternoon having a walk along one of our favourite beaches, then a coffee.  We took our caravan across, which hasn't been used since we moved and lo and behold it had been leaking.  We dried it out and I've shampooed the carpet and will have to do it again.  This past week has seen us pop along to another steam rally at Lake Goldsmith and also babysat the grandkids on Tuesday,so it's been very busy.  Along with all that comes housework, gardening etc.  I'm also struggling with being torn between two countries, with family and friends in both, but so far apart, so bear with me as I try to be normal.
In this post, I'll try and do some catching up on our trip.

THE LAKES

We left Beamish (posted about before we flew back), and headed towards Carlisle, where we stayed the night.  Next morning we traveled across to Whitehaven, where we stayed for just one night.  A few of the highlights of the time in the area.

A section of Hadrian's Wall.

Views from said wall.

Disappearing into the distance.

Next are some photos of Whitehaven.

The church at Moresby, which was originally a Roman site.

Whitehaven Harbour.

One of the many "knot" sculptures.

Looking out to sea.

After sightseeing the area, we backtracked to Keswick, where we booked into a B & B, for the duration of our stay in this beautiful part of England.

Brookfield B&B Guest House.
It is the second one from the left.

I'd highly recommend this to anyone off to Keswick, as the service was great and the owner is a mine of information on the area.

As it is getting late and I'm tired and making lots of spelling mistakes, I'll leave it here for tonight and do some more catchup with our UK holiday over the weekend, before starting on what I've been sewing, baking and growing in the next few weeks.  I do have lots of sewing to do (baby quilt and a housewarming one on the list), and a veg patch to start planting up.  Also, I do believe Xmas is on the horizon!!!  Must go before I fall to sleep at the keyboard.
Till next time, take care.
Susan.

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh dear, I'm so sorry all my followers, to have not blogged for such a while.  First I know I explained that I was having trouble loading photos whilst away and would catch up as soon as we got back.  Well, that hasn't happened has it?  I do have an excuse though!
We arrived home Thursday, we unpacked, did some washing, had tea and fell into bed.  Friday, more washing, a little shopping, mowing lawns and weeding, fell into bed again.
Saturday, oh no, I'd picked up some yukky tummy bug and spent the day in bed and am only just starting to feel OK and eat again.  Hubby also went down with it, but has picked up better than me.
In amongst all that I've been trying to finish up Dad's affairs and sort things for my brother once again.  Next on the list is to work out where I got up to with the blog, and go through the photos and do some follow up posts.

As most of my followers know, I just love owls.  The photo below was taken at the White Rose Centre in Leeds.

I would also like to say a big thank you to the lovely "new" people I met, along with family and old friends for making our holiday so special.
Now that we are home, I must really get cracking on making Xmas presents and I've already done a little sewing on something I may tell about in a later post.

OH  &  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
These 2 greetings are belated, but we had birthdays this week for Missy Moo who turned 7 on the 15th and Little E who turned 7 on the 16th.  Our two youngest grandchildren are growing up fast and I'll see one on Saturday and the other hopefully in a couple of weeks.

Best go so I can get the day started and sort through the photos later today and maybe do an updated holiday post on Sunday.
Take care all.
Susan.

TAKING OFF TOMORROW

I am writing this in a Premier Inn on our way to London, to  fly back to Australia tomorrow.
Once we are home I will be able to update our travels around UK.  I still have so much to show in the way of photos and commentary. 
I will certainly miss the beautiful countryside, picture postcard villages and quaint cottages.  Narrow roads and huge roundabouts are something I won't mind leaving.  We seem to get continually lost on the roundabouts. 
The thing I am going to miss most though, is some of the wonderful people I met, including new blogpals, old friends and family.  Bless you all for making us feel so welcome. 

No photos in this small post, but hopefully I'll pop on a post over the weekend.  We should be home sometime Thursday afternoon. (Australian time)   I'll be washing, looking around the garden and probably catching up on sleep , but I will also enjoy doing some cooking, sewing, making lists ready for Xmas and lots of other things, including talking to our children and grandchildren.

Take care all.
Susan.

HEADING NORTH

Friday saw us leave Leeds and take the road to Northumberland, where we made for a very nice little village called Longframlington.  Now what this village has is a quilt shop called STITCHIN HEAVEN.  The owners Anne and Mick made us welcome and then I met Lucie,  from Lucie the Happy Quilter.  Meeting her was great and we had a little chat, but as she was working, we left and went on to Jedburgh to meet another blogging friend Anne, from Frayed at the Edge.  I think she was quite surprised to see us.  Had a cup of tea, whilst we talked and then let her get on her way, as her hubby was getting the meal that night and she didn't want to be late.  What a wonderful day I had.
Of course going to Quilt Shops meant that I did buy some fabric!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Will take a photo later, when I have some good light.

Anne and I.

Saturday we met my niece, her husband and 2 small children.  We spent the day exploring the Beamish Open Air Museum, which is  a living history museum of the north of England. It was very overcast and drizzly, but there is so much to see and do, that I'm sure you could take a few days.  We saw how coal miners worked, went on a very ancient type of steam train, saw how dentists were in the late 1800's where you paid for morphine and laughing gas before you had the treatment in case you died whilst in the chair.  The instruments looked "ghastly".  There were all sorts of old fashioned shops, houses, farm workers cottages and lots we didn't see. 

29th September.
So sorry I've not posted lately, but I have no proper internet access where we are staying now and am madly doing this at MacDonalds.  I may not get a chance to update till we get home and I'd had the first part of this post as a draft. (Photos take so long to load that I'm just writing instead).  We've had wonderful times so far, but leave on Tuesday 7/10 and this week, we seem to be doing a lot of catching for farewell outings with family and friends.  Thanks to all who have commented and I'll try and do the odd catchup on your blogs when I can.  Take care all and have a great week.
Susan.

THE DALES

Ongoing tales of our adventures.
On Wednesday we let the car lead us up to Colne where we had morning tea at a little care in the local market.  On this day I didn't take many photos as it was very misty, but we did see this.....

Seen during the English part of the Tour de France.

Countryside views on our way to Colne.

Thursday we decided to go back and see Bolton Abbey, after the rather rainy day we attempted earlier on our holiday.  We wandered all over and saw lots, had lunch at the small tea rooms and enjoyed immensely.

Sheep standing along the wall below the abbey.



Part of the abbey showing the beautiful shapes of the non-existent windows.

Looking up toward the tearooms.

Flowers in an old tree stump.  Loved this idea.

After lunch we headed off to Malham Cove.  We'd gone to Malham before, but not walked to the Cove.  Below just a few photos.

Stone wall on the distant hills.

The cove.

A stone bridge across the stream. Notice I didn't call it a creek.(giggle).

400 hundred stairs to the pavement above the cove.  Our excuse for not going up?  We didn't have time because it was about 3pm and we had to get back for tea.

It was a great day out, not particularly planned, but oh so lovely to explore the Dales.
All for now and hopefully have some time over the next few days to tell about two lovely people I met on Friday and what we did today.  Tomorrow (Sunday) we head toward the Lake District. 
Hope the weekend is being kind to you all and take care.
Susan.