It's coming along nicely.

I decided to follow Sarah's(Knit along with me) advice and crochet the squares together.I still have another 50 to add and some wool left.I do feel I have got rather addicted to making them!Other things are being neglected like housework.

Family things have settled down but we are still very worried about our daughter.I think the consultant saying to her last September about only living to 50 has had a profound effect on her.She sees him again in three weeks so C is going with her.Let's hope someone can convince her he didn't mean it and as long as she looks after her diabetes she will live a long life.Once these ideas are planted in your mind it is hard to get rid of them.

We are off on our travels again on Sunday.We are having a week in Croatia staying just outside Dubrovnik.I just wish I wasn't so worried about Sarah.Before that I have the dreaded mammogram coming up on Friday.

Also I think I got caught speeding yesterday.I was only doing 31 or 32 mph but Flintshire has zero tolerance!I am waiting for post to arrive.

My latest little project.

This is one of the projects I took to France.It is a pattern from Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Knitting.It takes about 20 minutes to do a square.The plan is to use up all my odd bits of wool from blanket clubs etc.(I just can't throw it away).

This just a few of them.Each one is exciting.You are never quite sure how they will look until you put the border on.

I have done quite few-over a 100!can you imagine how long it is going to take me to sew them all together.

This is my next project-making wacky tea cosies for everyone for xmas.

I also took a 2ply shawl to France which I finished but havn't blocked yet.Photo later.I knitted one sock between La Rochelle in france and home.

I have had a pretty awful week.When my children were growing up they were very close to my brother's four children.our son and his family are coming up here in the summer and I thought it would be a good idea to get everyone together.They all have children now so it would be a big gathering.Both my two were very keen but it has been met with little enthusiasm by P's lot.I intended us to meet half way but my niece wanted it to be a picnic in a park by her,(her sons would only come if the local football team were playing away),another niece couldn't come but has sent me some pretty awful e mails suggesting I re read her messages etc and generally not a nice tone to them.One nephew has not even answered my e mails.The other one is the only one that was "quite " keen.So ,I have decided not to bother.What i thought was a good idea has severely backfired on me and left a nasty taste in my mouth.Families!

Then to cap off an awful week my SIL had a word with that he thinks our daughter is depressed.it seems she was in tears last night saying she couldn't cope etc ,etc.We have seen her this afternoon and although she wasn't her usual bubbly self she didn't seem too bad.He says she is putting on a brave face for us.I really don't know what to do for the best.Suggesting she goes to the doctors might make things even worse.

Sorry to have gone on .

We're back from France.

Actually we have been back over a week but we have been so busy.We had a full day trip to Dudmaston Hall near Bridgnorth with our Art Appreciation Group.It houses great collection of modern and contemporary art plus wonderful sculptures in the garden.We had a night out on Thursday with a gang of our local friends then Friday is was off up the M56 to meet up with 5 of my college friends and their husbands.We meet twice a year and it is amazing after all this time( I won't say how long!) that we are all still alive and with the same partners.Saturday morning saw my brother in law coming to stay until today.He spends most of his time in Kenya but also has a UK base in Newcastle on Tyne.Sarah and family came over on Sunday to join us.So it has been pretty hectic dealing with all this and trying to catch up with mail,washing ,garden etc.
We had a good time in France.The weather was mixed but not the rain we expected.In fact, no rain until the last day.We are off to Croatia on July 10th for a week.The first package holiday we have done in years.I'd better get together another set of books.Any recommendations?

Away for two weeks.

We are off to France tomorrow for two weeks.Folkestone tomorrow night,taking in Knole(NT) on the way.It is an awful journey for us from here in North Wales.We have to cope with traffic!!Friday night will be in Chartres staying at the Ibis right by the cathedral.Then off to Ballan near to La Rochelle for two weeks.I have just looked at the weather and basically it is going to rain,rain,rain.Let's hope it doesn't last for two weeks.I have a pile of books,CDs,cross stitch,knitting,puzzles etc.

Two gardens

Two gardens in two days and what a contrast.Today we visited Eaton Hall garden just outside Chester.Eaton Hall is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.He used to be regarded as the richest man in England and this is his place.They open the gardens three times a year for charity.This is the courtyard.

The chapel.

This is the view back to the house.It isn't the nicest looking house but has been improved by putting a pitched roof on replacing the original flat one.

There were smaller lakes and in the distance a huge lake.Just look at these sculptures!

This is the Dragon Garden and pond.

The building on the left hosts the Camellia Walk but it was past its best.How about this in your garden?

Beautiful flowers.Many varieties of iris.

Superb peonies.

There is a fab exhibition of carriages.You can just imagine getting into these in a novel.

This is a magnificent state carriage.














So that was Eaton Hall today.I forgot to mention the walled kitchen garden.really interesting.It was £5 to go in,all going to charity.It is well worth a visit.It is open again on 24th July and the 28th August.

In contrast yesterday we visited a garden open under the NGS scheme.A private garden on a housing estate.Such a surprise to go through the side gate and see all this.

This is a hen house.







Looking down the garden.

A little hut for the children to play in.

This was the owner's piece de resistance.His own Bothy at the bottom of the garden.A log fire was burning,a stained glass window installed,two armchairs and a selection of beers.What else could a man/woman want.

Another garden tomorrow?Maybe.I love looking round gardens.

Help.Problems!

I am having problems posting comments on some blogs.It just keeps returning me to signing in,I sign in ,type my message,press post comment and it goes back to signing in again and so it goes on.I can't find any help on blogger.Has anyone else had this problem and what do I do?

message for Kathy

Kathy-I have tried five times to leave a comment on your blog but I can't make it work so I hope you read this.Regarding your last post I think you have been amazing over the last year.I have followed your blog and you have been so positive.Not long until half term and then a summer holiday without daily visits to Clatterbridge.Enjoy.