Yummy yarn!

 Just one stall
.I have been to the Woolfest just outside Chester today.All the big names were there.Posh Yarn(my favourite),Fyberspates,Laughing Hen,NDS,The Knitting Goddess,Easy Knits and a few more.I was spoiled for choice.All this lovely yarn but what is good is that you can feel it and see the true colours which you can't do on the internet.

This is my haul.From left to right.Posh yarn 2ply Sylvia(merino and silk),Betsy sock yarn(wool,silk and cashmere),Easyknit Timeless Tweed Sock Yarn(merino and Donegal Nepp),Knitting Goddess Same Difference Sock yarn(two closely matched skeins) which I am going to knit into a Wingspan shawlette/scarf and finally Rooster Lace in burnt orange.
It was lovely talking to fellow knitters  and as I only live 20 minutes away I may go again tomorrow and grab some more yummy yarn!

A little catch up

 This is a photo from our recent visit to the Loire Valley.I won't bore you with loads of photos but I thought this was a nice one.Me and C at Chenonceau.We had a gite which was very close to it and we could walk and view it across the river.A very pretty sight.We only went for a week and the weather wasn't brilliant but we had some wonderful food and drank plenty of wine.

I thought I would put this one in of my two granddaughters snuggling under my latest crocheted blanket.I have now sewn in all the end!I love this pattern.It is a Jane Brocket pattern.Emily who is seven had brought her knitting(Ruby came in saying "Em has brought her "needing nittles".Bless her).The Head at her school plus one of the mums has taught a whole group how to knit.She spent most of the day knitting.I do hope she is going to be a knitter.Sock knitting is the order of the day at the moment.It fits in with lots of Olympic TV watching!
Sunday we are off to Cambridge to "grandparent" our other three grandchildren for a week.I am just hoping we get some decent weather.

I've just bought an i pad.Help!

I have just bought an i pad.Have you any suggestions for craft apps or any apps that might be useful.I quite like playing games so ideas for that would be good too.I am a bit concerned that all this technology takes away so many things we have treasured.We are about to go off to France for a week and we always take scrabble,boggle,cards etc.We could just play on the i pad but that wouldn't be the same so I think it will stay at home!I think I just have to prove to my family that I am not past it and can deal with an i pad and a kindle.Am I wrong?

What is the weather doing with you?

What is the weather doing with you?I feel so sorry for people who are on holiday.Here in North Wales it is cold,wet,grey and windy and we have got the central heating on!Our son is at the Isle of Wight Festival which I understand is waterlogged.Such a shame.

I'm feeling quite sad tonight

No photos today.We have been to the funeral of a very dear friend today.She was our next door (but one) neighbour.She was 91 two days before she died and she was an amazing lady.A real role model for me and everyone.She had ovarian cancer when she was 84,I went with her when she was diagnosed because I was certain that would be the diagnosis.She got over that.A year ago she  got breast cancer.She overcame it all until the cancer spread to her liver.Connie was in my reading group.She only missed one.She always knew all the characters,dialogue,namesetc ,alot more than many of us umteen years younger.She ran a writers group,was a member of a drama group,studied philosophy,could email,text and until 6 weeks ago was driving.I was very close to Connie and feel really sad tonight.She was always smiling and a truly remarkable lady.My role model.Tomorrow I will celebrate her life but tonight I feel sad.( I could have done with a phone call from my daughter checking I was OK!)

Just back from Spain

 We got back from Spain in the early hours of Saturday morning.What a shock we got!Driving to Malaga airport the temperature was 32 deg.We got off the plane in Liverpool and it was 9 deg.We then drove 40 minutes back home to North Wales in torrential rain.We started our Spanish trip with two days in Grenada.What a lovely city.The above photo was taken in the Alhambra.Fortunately we had booked tickets on line a few weeks ago.There were none available on the day for the Nisrid palace which is amazing.

 Look at this amazing ceiling.I could bore you with loads of photos but this is just a taster.

 We then moved on to Belamedena where we joined our daughter,son in law and our two gorgeous granddaughters(Emily 7 and Ruby 4) for ten days.Sarah had found a villa in Belamedena Pueblo,the old village up in the hills.It had three bedrooms,two bathrooms and this wonderful view from the terrace.It was just a ten minute drive to the beach but we had our own pool which the girls loved.

 This is our terrace complete with BBQ and a pizza oven.

 A typical street in the village.

A square in the village.
It was very quiet on the Costa del Sol.The beaches were empty.I don't think I would like it in July and August.The sun shone and we shared a brilliant holiday with the family.Lots of lovely memories for us to look back on.What a shame we couldn't bring the sunshine back home with us.Five weeks at home and then off to France for a week.Being retired is such hard work(not)!!

Jubilee swap

 These were in my goody box from Helen(The Fabric Laboratory).Lots of lovely yarn.I'm looking for a new project so this yarn will be my starting point.A great selection of treats.Thank you Helen.

My favourite thing was this bag made by Helen.It has just been to Spain and back with me and was very useful and beautifully made with lining and inside pockets.Fab.