Back again

We stayed the first night in Huntingdon,en route to Folkstone,but we had a lttle trip to St Ives.What a lovely little place.We had an early evening drink overlooking the river.

Our first night in France was in Abbeville and we always like to go to the village of St Riquier.It is only small but has this amazing cathedral and an art gallery/museum next door.It never ceases to delight us.

This was in the centre of Abbeville.It was devastated in the war and they are still improving it.These children were having such fun in the water.

Next day we moved on to Honfleur.This is the house our son and family exchanged for their house in Cambridge.It had a huge garden,swings and slide and a heated swimming pool.It was a cheap holiday for them as they also used Tesco vouchers for Eurotunnel.

While we were there they went to this climbing experience.Ella,above,was on a trail for 16 yr olds.She is 11.She was held up by 4 young men in their twenties who were scared!Our son was more frightened than his children!

This is Honfleur.It really is unique and we love it.We all had a meal sat by the harbour which I paid for.it cost me a fortune.

This is us and our 3 Cambridge grandchildren in Honfleur.

This me later in the evening when it had got quite cold but the lights were lovely.

Not much to report on the craft front.I did a bit of sock knitting in the car and last night finished the last of August's squares for the Mystery blanket.

Hope you have all had a good Bank Holiday.

another week

Another week has gone by.We had a trip to Anglesey on Tuesday to the art gallery at Llangefni.It was to see the Kyffin Williams exhibition.We called in the Royal Cambrian exhibition in Conway on the way back.
Last night we went to Bolton for a reunion of our youth club from 40 + years ago.I must admit I was a bit apprehensive bit it was great seeing everyone again,recognising them after a few seconds .There 16 0f us there and we made a resolve to do it every year.People had come from Pembrokeshire,Bristol,Swindon etc and us from N Wales.I wonder do we get more nostalgic as the years go by and want to revisit past times.
In 2 hours time we are off on a jaunt.Tonight inHuntingdon ,Eurotunnel tomorrow afternoon,1 night in Abbeville.Then we join our son and his family in Honfleur where they are on their holidays.two nights in a hotel in Honfleur,then back to Abbeville for 2 more nights when we can visit the lovely St Valery sur Somme.Home on Friday!
Cheerio for now.

photos

Our visit to Tatton.If there is nowhere to sit Grandma's feet are better than the floor!Two very tired little girls.

One of the lovely beds at Tatton.

This was fun.I love carousels.

These are two of the sculptures,part of the 2010 Biennial at tatton Park.We thought the rocking horse was amazing.

We also went in the maze and sussed it out this time.Last time we couldn't find our way out but all mazes have a pattern and we knew what it was this time.

Two recently finished projects.

Cotton mix Regia 4ply.Very nice to wear in the summer with trainers.

This is the latest shawl.The pattern is Miranda and the yarn is Manos lace from Uruguay.70%baby alpaca,25% silk and 5% cashmere.It is so soft and gorgeous.I bought this yarn from Stash in Chester.

We did get our walk today at Colwyn Bay.It was lovely and warm and we actually came home and sat in the garden.The first time for weeks.I think that was probably our summer.

start of the football season!

Today,I understand , is the first day of the football season so off weent C to watch Wrexham play Cambridge United(where our son lives).Luckily Wrexham won.C normally goes ,comes back and says they were awful and doesn't go again for 3 months.I get the house to myself and potter.I find if I am in the house on my own I talk to myself.It really is strange.Never do it at any other time!
Both my children have gone on holiday today.Matt has done a house swap for the first time.He has swapped his house in Cambridge for one near Honfleur in Normandy.It looks lovely and has an outdoor heated swimmimg pool.We are going to visit them for a few days in their second week.Any chance for C to get to France nad speak French then we are off.Sarah has also gone to Normandy-camping.This is an extra holiday for them but the forecast is awful-rain and yet more rain.
I have just finished a book that I really enjoyed called "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society".I have now started"Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffenegger.It looks promising.Before my reading group on Thursday I will have to do a quick re read of "The Secret Scripture" by Sebastian Barry.
Tomorrow is promising a decent day so a walk by the sea at Llandudno or Colwyn Bay is planned.

update

just a quick update.I have not been on here because my daughter has had a miscarriage and we spent the first three days of this week looking after the children and taking her backwards and forwards to the hospital.It was anembrionic(?) pregnancy which meant it was never going to develop into a viable foetus .She is fine and feeling very positive,She is very anaemic,very tired but on the up.In our house there are 2 very tired grandparents who have loved looking after our little girls !!Nevertheless ,we are off to the film theatre to see Le Jour se Leve.Hope I manage to keep awake and can follow the subtitles!
Must dash.Back tomorrow night.

a walk at Parkgate on the Wirral

The Wirral was where Charles worked so we often go back.One spot we really like is Parkgate.We had a really good walk.We actually overtook people!!i havn't done that for a long time but my new knee is brilliant and i just want to walk.I kept thinking of all those calories I was burning and then negated it all by having a drink at the Boathouse pub.
After that we went to Brimstage and I went to see the exhibition at the Voirrey centre.There was some excellent work done by customers.I came away all fired up to do some more blackwork and cross stitch.

When is the weather going to get better.It is most depressing.Grey day after grey day.

Tai chi

I have a couple of friends who go to Tai Chi.There are quite a few classes round here.They keep trying to persuade me to go.My trouble is I am totally and completely uncoordinated.I put it down to being left handed but it probably isn't but I was made to do a lot of things right handed when I was at school.So ,going back to the Tai Chi I thought if I could get a DVD I could have a practise at home first.I bought one off e bay for £2.49 including postage and it is brilliant.it is just an introduction but has some sessions on it.I tried one yesterday and am sore in places today.I tried a different one this afternoon.I really think it will tighten up muscles and it is also very relaxing.I will give it a few more goes and then I may be brave enough to join a class.watch this space!

catch up

Angus ,our youngest Cambridge grandchild at Toy Story 3.

Last Thursday we did something we havn't done for years.Ten pin bowling!We went with a group of friends,10 of us in all, and had a great time.We followed the bowling with a visit to a Chinese restaurant-eat as much as you like.A great time with good friends.In the evening I was out again.I go to a supper club which I have got into through W&H magazine.There 12 of us at a pub just outside Chester.Another great evening.

Friday morning saw us setting off from N Wales to Ashbourne in Derbyshire where we picked up 3 grandchildren from their other grandparents and headed off to their home in Cambridge.That evening my OH and son went to the Cambridge Folk Festival to see Seasick Steve(!!!)

Saturday morning we went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D.This was my first experience of 3D and it was fab.We came home on Sunday afternoon .

Today I have been to Chester with Sarah ,Emily and Ruby.We visited Build a Bear,saw more rhinos.lunched and then went to the Grosvenor Museum where a children's activity was organised.We walked miles!!I think a quiet day tomorrow is called for!