Bath in autumn.

 We didn't actually take that many pictures while we were away.

The weather was lovely and everywhere was infused with autumn colours. The church is St John's - it's not as old as looks but its spire dominates the skyline near the river and it was the church we could see from our room last time we stayed in February. We didn't manage to find it then, so went searching for it this time. As we walked past you could hear the bird of prey that nests/roosts in the belfry calling. And we also managed to be there when the bells peeled. Amazing - no recording of bells here but the real thing - I think they said there were 8 and local bell ringers reckon they are the best in the area.

 This was the view from our hotel window.We spent quite a while watching the fish, ducks and moorhen dabbling about. A huge bird of prey wheeled over head and was mobbed by crows. Even with the traffic sounds (which we're not used to) it was a lovely spot.

 I have a thing for a Weeping Willows and this one is a beauty.

 Watched these guys in the lock (first or last in the flight depending on your direction) - I stated once more "Never again!" But enjoyed watching others do it!

Two of our closest neighbours.

We did other stuff too. Had a lovely time. Relaxing.

Went to my favourite yarn shop. Picked up some supplies for a couple of projects and I also treated myself to enough Cascade 220  to make an Aran knit cardi for the winter. Got some new Knitpro cube shaped needles and some Eucalan wash. I was spoilt for choice with so many yarns but decided not to splurge my budget on sock yarn for change....cos it's not like I haven't got any stashed.

Paws for thought.

 Monkey Fings are going away for a couple of days.I shall be experiencing a Grandma-Monkey Fing pampering session in their absence. I thinks I may need a paw massage.

I shall spend the rest of the time snoozing and awaiting their return....Oh and keeping the Boggart firmly in his place under my shredded wheat paw of power!

Salmon Run Socks

 Pattern is Masonic Lodge Socks by erqsome knits. I think it is meant to be a 'guys' pattern but I like the pattern against a feminine colour.
Knitted in a Wibbo's Works sock yarn called Salmon Run. This was a gift from the amazing Wibbo herself almost 3 years ago and it's taken me all this time to find a pattern I liked for it. And although I like the pattern (it is very well written and is free on Ravelry) I did get severe 2nd sock syndrome so am very relieved to get them off the needles!

Love the simple cables with two differing size gaps. I've made them a generous UK 5 - knit on 2.5mm circs. they will make ideal walking socks.

Photos - don't do justice due to shitty light but I wanted to photograph them before washing and blocking/

Mrs Grunty - the art of relaxtion.

 Firstly find a comfy spot (shove any other terriers in the area to one side). Roll and luxuriate in the soft, warm spot,

 Keep one eye open and also one ear (at least) the first for signs of any passing treat the latter to be ready for woof alerts.

Give your best pose for any MF camera peeps.

Change brings...

change.

The weather changes, the outlook changes, the length of daylight changes and in our house people change. They become melancholic as summer fades. Sadly, this is not pleasant to live with. It is challenging on many levels. Their malady is not a sad wistfulness for another summer passed but often manifests in spite against the rest of us. It makes day to day living tiresome at best, at its worst unbearable. It is yet to reach its zenith, it will peak in October and then normal life will resume.

I used to love the change of seasons, summer to autumn in particular - now I dread them and wake up every morning weighted down by my own sense of sad that although the person affected owns this problem and when rational is aware of it - there is nothing I can do while they are in throes of it.

So it's heads down and battle through it.....again.....till winter and then till spring.........

I hate the unfairness of it. I hate the sense of unease it brings into our home. I hate the pointlessness of it. I hate my sense of powerlessness against it.

Babbley Ball.

 With my beloved (but silent at the moment) BB.

 Without BB - cos I spat it out!

Someone who does not appreciate the wonders of BB at all......he is just so uncultured.

Doodling.

 I cannot draw, paint or create art (despite having an O level in the subject) but I do like to doodle. I have spent a few hours this week with my head in my sketch book. Whilst doing so I looked back at what was already gracing (hahahaha) its pages.

I go through phases with doodling sometimes I go years and never touch a pencil and then it hits me, and then it possesses me and other times I just pick it up and put it down over a few weeks.

When I'm in the mood to doodle I can loose hours.

 This week has been a relatively quiet one. I'm recovering from  a nasty chest infection and J is back to hitting the books. So we have taken it easy(ish). I am getting better but am still full of it - lots of croaky voice and coughing and sneezing - but I feel OK now in myself.

Very little knitting or spinning (some but nothing worth showing). A little reading. A lot of grumping cos I do get grumpy when I'm out of sorts. I now have 5 projects under way - 2 gifts and 3 personal ones. I am finding it hard to settle. Perhaps that is because I know we're going away at the end of month and it is making me restless.

The weather has kept me in, as with this nasty bug, wind and wet are not conducive to recovery. I had intended to go for a long walk this afternoon but the coastal fog has eaten my world and where I live is enfold in a white damp blanket - again not kind to an inflamed chest.

All my chores are done, including the ironing, I'm not going out unless the fog clears .....time for a book or some knitting.

The Sunday post from Mrs Grunty

Today I am going by another name.....Lil-Miss-Won't-Piss. Well it is raining after all, you cannot expect a young BT lady to go wee-wees in the rain!

So on the beanbag for prolonged napping appears to be the order of the day- there may be some alteration to that plan once the joint goes in the oven later or if the sun comes out to play.

Till then it's crossed shredded wheat paws followed by lots of Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's.

P.S - just cos Fergus is daft enough or brain washed enough to pee in the wet - doesn't mean I am!

Trying to find balance

 This week has had a higher % of shittiness than I like in a week. Personal stuff, stuff affecting friends and family and hearing of 3 deaths of people from childhood. But instead of wallowing (and I have shed tears this week). I am trying to use this blog post to redress the balance and look at the positives.

First up, after buying M his new Ukulele at the weekend (early anniversary present) he reciprocated and bought me yarn - he knows me so well. This is Juno Lace-weight 2 ply in a blend of baby alpaca, silk and cashmere - the colour is 'Orangerie' but to me it looks like the bitter orange marmalade M loves so much. My tastes in colours have changed so much over the last year or so - this is perfect and exactly what I was looking for. I have 1600m of this to make into to something beautiful.

 When I was little there was a shop in the Laines where they made/had stripey pottery that they would paint your name on. I had a blue and white mug. With a name like mine it has never been easy to find on stuff. So this cup was special - I loved it. By the time it got broken the shop had gone and I know in these days of get anything on the Internet I could have got a cup with my name on - it wouldn't have been the same.

When M got his wheel, I said to him you can make me a little mug (when I'm out and abouting I like a little drink in the morning - hate public loos!) for my mornings. We got talking about colours and mugs and I remembered my love of my blue and white mug with my name on - spelt correctly. This morning when he emptied the kiln I was presented with the above. I love it.

I love it even more because 28 years ago today, when I was 16 and he was 21, M asked me to marry him. So to get such a special surprise today was lovely.

I think the balance is redressing a bit don't you?

 The next photos show a pot M was experimenting with - using under glazes. It was a thrown piece he was not as happy with so it became a guinea pig pot.

 Can you see the little mauve fishes in the sea?

I said I thought it was too nice for a guinea pig pot and I'd give it a home - cos I love the colours and the fishes inside and out made me smile every time I looked at them.

One last thing to even the balance; when I cry Fergus loves me (Lottie just looks worried - I don't often cry) but Bogey comes and sits next to me and nudges me with his hooter until I fuss him and if I stop he shouts at me until I carry on. It is very hard to stay miserable with enforced Scottie love being dolled out. They are not always the most affectionate of breeds and he can be stand offish - I like the fact he reserves his love for when it is most needed.