A week in Tenerife

We have just come back from a week in Tenerife.It is the first time we have done a Winter Sun holiday.How bizarre and almost surreal.At 7pm on Sunday evening we were in Tenerife and the temperature was in the 70's /25c.Four hours later we landed at Manchester Airport and it was 3 deg and the gritters were out!!We were very lucky in that we had great weather,a great room and a great hotel but would we do it again.I am not sure.C started with a really bad cold on Friday(his first for 5 years) which freaked him out a bit as he has no spleen and has to be very careful not to get infections.If he hadn't started there with a cold then he would have caught something coming back on the plane.Everyone was sneezing and coughing.You get people from all over Europe all bringing different bugs so perhaps we shouldn't risk it but I did enjoy a week of sun with no cooking,cleaning ,shopping etc.We did all inclusive for the first time which was wonderful until i got on the scales  this morning.far too much eating and drinking!!!The diet has started.

 This is the view from our terrace out to sea.The beach was below our room and all you could hear sitting on the terrace was the sea crashing onto the rocks and the birds singing.

 This is looking the other way towards the mountains.

                                         Hibiscus(I think)

2014

A Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone around the world.Hope it is a great crafting year for you all.I need a new project.Must get my thinking cap on.Perhaps some charity knitting to use up my stash.Any suggestions welcome.

It's our 47th wedding anniversary today!!!

 It is our 47th wedding anniversary today.Where has the time gone?It a tradition that if the weather is OK we drive through Snowdonia .It is less than an hour from home and today we woke to blue skies albeit frosty.
Imagine living here with this view in your back garden.There was snow on the mountains,not a lot, but enough to give us a wintry view.

 This is near Cwm Idwal.You can see the lake below the mountain.Really dramatic scenery.

 After we had driven through the mountains we came down to the coast and went on to the Isle of Anglesey for lunch in Beaumaris.This is Beaumaris Castle.We didn't go in today.Far too cold.

The above is the view across the Menai Straits to the mainland.We were back home by 4pm and go out to a local hostelry for a meal tonight.

To go back to the wedding anniversary,I can't believe we have been married for 47 years.We have produced two children who are married and have five grandchildren.We started as two and now we are 11.We are just as active and busy as we have been for years.I suppose it is just a number but also a rather amazing achievement.Long may it last.

What a brilliant Christmas..

 Our two gorgeous granddaughters having "pretend" Bucks Fizz just before going out for Xmas dinner.We went over to Sarah's on Christmas Eve and so could join in all the excitement of  putting out sacks,carrots for the reindeer,mince pie and wine for Santa etc.Magical!On Christmas Day we didn't have too early a start.7.45am.Pretty good.There was great excitement opening presents.We then went out to the local pub for Xmas dinner which was great.Lovely atmosphere,superb food and no washing up.Back home to open more presents and play some games.In the three days we were there we only watched TV for an hour.The girls played really well together ,totally sharing all their presents.It was lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it .

Mike,Sarah,Emily and Ruby in the pub just before lunch.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone.I havn't blogged for weeks but thought I would show you my first attempt at needle felting.Not very good but it does bear a faint resemblance to FC.
We have various problems in the family at the moment with job losses and wage cuts and I do tend to be a worrier.Let's hope the New Year brings us good news.We have had our two granddaughters staying in this weekend which was great fun.The excitement surrounding Strictly was amazing.We shall join them on Xmas Eve until Boxing Day so even more excitement .
Have a great Xmas and a Happy New Year.

Tosca from NY and Habit of Art from NT.

This is what we saw last night.Tosca beamed from New York,live,to our local Film Theatre(part of Theatr Clwyd).It was amazing.I have only ever been to one opera before and that was twenty years ago.Friends asked us to go with them last night and I have to admit that neither C or I was keen.You really felt you were there and part of it.In December they are doing Falstaff, again from the Metropolitan Opera in NY.More are being done in the New Year.As well they are beaming in Corialanus from the RSC plus other Shakespeare plays.I f you have never been to anything like this I urge you to give it a go.It will be on at a film theatre near you I am sure.

Last Thursday saw us at the Film Theatre to see Habit of Art by Alan Bennet.This was a beamed in live production of this from a couple of years ago.Again ,excellent.

Next Wednesday sees us at the theatre again to see Mansfield Park.This is in the main theatre and is a visiting company.Theatre Royal from Bury St EdmundsA really cultural week for us.We are so lucky that in our small market town of 10,000 people we have this amazing theatre,just a five minute drive from our house and with free parking!!.

Hexagon blanket.

 Having completed the blankets(well almost!) for my two grandsons I have started one for my granddaughter,Ella,who is 14.She has chosen the colours from the Stylecraft Special DK range.The photo doesn't really show the colours off too well.They are turquoise,purple,mauve,teal,lilac etc.I can do a hexagon in 15 minutes and I can get 14 out of a 100g ball.They measure 5in or 12cm across so I can work out how many I need.

 Should I arrange them in rows

                                         or in flower shapes

                                          or randomly?

                                   Which do you think looks best?