that was the weekend: three things

1. I've wanted to take the Young Philosopher to Hadleigh Castle for a long time, and we finally did yesterday, on the way to visit my brother and his wife. There's a photograph of the castle ruins on my last post, these Iphone pics were taken on the short walk to get there from the car. I noticed the ruined tower many times over the years when on the train to Southend and idly wondered what it was, but I never visited myself until about eight years ago with the Prof. It's a lovely peaceful place, with a wonderful view across the estuary. I can't believe I lived half an hour away from it all my life and never went there. 

2. Indian food.

3. This song in the car

 

that was the weekend

Saturday was a quiet day. We got up late. I did some laundry and decluttered and organised the kitchen, where I found I have enough food in stock that we shouldn't need to do a big shop for several weeks. Famous last words, and then the Prof went out for a few essentials and managed to spend £60 anyway - although he did buy me a super pack of Sharpies, reduced to £8 from £24. Bargain! The Prof watched the archery and the shooting part of the Olympics on his laptop. The red button service doesn't work properly on our tv.....despite being a widescreen it seems it's verging on obsolete. I did a little knitting, and we caught up with the new series Containment, I'm liking it so far, it's one of those realistic breakdown-of-society things that I like to terrify myself with for some reason.



On Sunday we went out in Kent for the day. We live on the edge of East London where it converges with Essex, but Kent is very near and the Prof lived there for over twenty years. We both love Kent, and get over there as often as possible. My favourite area is around Stelling Minnis, and that's where we went this time. We stopped off at Chilham, a pretty little village where I love the shop - I came home with a book, a new peg bag and a bar of the most gorgeous honeysuckle soap. Then we drove through the lovely countryside to the Lord Whisky, an animal rescue centre with an attached restaurant that does lovely meals. We forgot to say hello to the resident pig this time.



After dinner, driving through the countryside we called in to see our friends, who were going out that afternoon to an open day at Old Bladbean Stud Gardens so we went with them and spent a happy couple of hours wandering around the garden together, and catching up.



I loved the whites, silvers and blues of this part of the garden, the photographs I took don't do it justice. I bought one of these plants with the ball shaped flower heads, they are much bluer than they look, and the bees love them.









We saw two memorials as we walked around, one to 'Abigail', and this one in front of a Roman style bench. I wonder who the rainbow chaser was?





I love the purple and white flowers behind the bench here.



I think this plant is Eryngium Giganteum, otherwise known as Miss Wilmott's Ghost, named after a 19th century horticulturist who liked to scatter the seed in other people's gardens. 

The gardens were beautiful, definitely worth a visit. They're not too huge, just large enough to spend a pleasant couple of hours, including a stop for tea and cake.







Our friends Brian and Trisha, and my Prof. No photos of me - as usual I was the one behind the camera.

Joining Karen at Pumpkin Sunrise

that was the weekend

Hahn/Cock, by Katharina Fritsch, I love the madness of this in Trafalgar Square among all the grey London  buildings

Most weekends I try to have a mix of getting things done and having fun. This one was more fun and less doing the necessary. The housework didn't happen, but these things did:

:: I went to a cafe for breakfast with the Prof, the young Philosopher and Ms S

:: I made delicious soup for dinner, twice

:: I spent an afternoon in London with the Prof, visiting the (excellent) Rembrandt exhibition

:: I wore my new all-black Converse, which made me happy. It's the little things!

:: I made a decision to wear my 'best' coat whenever I feel like it. How daft is it to have a coat I love that's only been worn twice in the 18 months since I bought it?   
    
:: I knitted some more of my blue/green cowl 

:: I took lots of photos. Half the fun was carrying my camera around in my new mint Jo Totes Gracie camera bag, which is exactly the kind of handbag I like. Roomy, long strap, room for camera, book, notepad as well as purse, keys etc. I love it! 

It was a good weekend, except that my poor Prof has a cold. I'm hoping he feels better soon (also that I don't catch it!). 


Weekending with Karen at Pumpkin Sunrise and others

That was the weekend

:: It was cooler this weekend than it has been for a while. Still too hot for me, but I'm grateful for small mercies. 

:: At our Slimming World class on Saturday the consultants cooked a healthy breakfast for around fifty of us. The food was really nice and it was a fun morning, with lots of laughs. We're doing well with the weight loss - Philip's lost 9lb and I've lost 11.5. Clothes are starting to be loose and Philip's had to take off his wedding ring for fear of losing it. He'll have it re sized once he achieves a level of svelteness that he's happy with!

:: On Saturday my Coke persona was 'Gorgeous', which Philip chose for me.(He got stuck with 'Angela').  

:: On both weekend afternoons we went driving around the countryside. We went to Kent on Saturday, and Sunday we drove down to Leigh-on-Sea, our maybe-one-day home town. 

:: I'm still on my self-imposed break from the Boring Orange Cardigan, and enjoying knitting some simple dishcloths. 



Sharing my weekend with Karen and others

back in time

In the early days of our relationship the Prof and I visited this little church at Bradwell on Sea. It was a a chilly, grey day and we said we would come back one day in nicer weather. So this weekend we packed up a picnic and drove to Bradwell. It's about a half mile walk from the car park - you can just see the church in the distance. 

Although it was a hot day there was a lovely breeze and we walked along watching the butterflies, who sadly wouldn't alight anywhere long enough for a photograph. We saw several wartime pillboxes in the fields. I remember those in other places when I was growing up and wonder why they were never taken away. 

The Prof has an interest in the materials used to build old Essex churches, so we often stop at them when we are out in the countryside. Sometimes I join him, other times I sit in the car and read. Today I was very happy to lie on the grass while he wandered around and took photographs. It's a lovely place, especially in the June sunshine. You can imagine that very little has changed in the thousand-plus years since the church was built. With fields all around, and the view out to sea, it's like taking a step back in time. 

Photos by me and the Prof  

Also featuring this weekend:

A very ill doggie late Friday night and a trip to the vet on Saturday morning. She improved very much overnight, and you wouldn't know that there was anything wrong to look at her now, but the vet told us to be prepared for bad news in the future. We are trying to be optimistic, and giving our girl extra cuddles and treats. 

Managing to stick to our diet healthy eating plan, despite considerable stress and an almost sleepless night. 

Knitting, of course. Always knitting. 

Weekending (belatedly) with Karen at Pumpkin Sunrise

a little sunshine at last

The weather has been mostly grey, dismal and very wet here recently, and at the weekends a combination of weather and jobs to do has kept us at home. This weekend was a refreshing change. I've been -

Doing: grocery shopping, running errands, driving down to Leigh-on-Sea, visiting my parents for a cup of tea on the way home 

Eating: chocolate cake with orange icing, cucumber and salad cream sandwiches, houmous and pitta bread, the last of the Wensleydale cheese with cranberries leftover from Christmas

Drinking: full leaded coffee, lager, orange and lemon tea

Making: Finishing the vintage embroidered tablecloth I've been working on for a while, and trying to master intarsia on a hot water bottle cover 


Weekending with Amanda

that was the weekend

I had fine plans for this weekend, for getting the tree and decorations down out of the loft and decking the halls. Just one time it would have been nice to actually do it on the 1st December, the date I usually aim for and I don't think have ever achieved. It usually ends up getting done around the 12th, and one time a few years ago it didn't get done at all! Life always seems to get in the way. 

The Prof had a sore throat on Saturday morning, but felt alright otherwise, so we ran some errands (including some Father Christmas stuff which the Prof went off to do and wouldn't tell me about, ooh exciting). In the evening we drove over to Kent for dinner with friends. By the time we came home his sore throat had developed into a full blown nasty cold, so today consisted of a lie in and then a quiet and lazy day. 

We had boiled eggs and toast soldiers for lunch, there's nothing like nursery food when you're feeling poorly. We ordered in Indian for dinner this evening, with enough leftovers for tomorrow's lunches. I did some laundry, watched some television and worked on a Christmassy hat I am knitting for myself. 

Fingers crossed that I don't catch the cold, and for getting the tree up next weekend! 

weekending with Amanda

That was the weekend

This weekend, I

:: visited the Estuary exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands with the Prof and two of my friends from the WI. It consists of paintings, photographs and films made by twelve artists, inspired by the outer limits of the Thames where the river becomes the sea. In particular I was fascinated by the work of  Stephen Turner, a slideshow with photos and diary entries from the 36 days that he spent living alone in the derelict searchlight tower of the Shivering Sands Seafort, a series of military platforms several miles off the coast, which were used during the Second World War.  

:: spent a happy hour or two with the Prof driving around in the Essex countryside. I really do find it so relaxing.  Not feeling so well lately, my two favourite comforting and relaxing places seem to be my bed and the passenger seat of our car. 

:: felt very fed up when the washing machine inexplicably stopped working and none of the lights would come on. 

:: felt very happy when two days later the Prof switched it on and all the lights came on and it appeared to have spontaneously fixed itself! Keeping a wary eye on that one...  

:: had a lovely lunch on Sunday. The Prof had meat pie and all the trimmings, while I opted for a delicious homemade carrot soup.   

:: spent a happy hour with tea, cake, and my lovely man, doing the Telegraph general knowledge crossword. Doing that on the weekend used to be a much more frequent occurrence in the past, and we don't find the time so often these days. Mind you, I live in hope of us one day having enough general knowledge between us to actually finish it, but we don't do too badly.  

:: delighted to realise that the '£2013 in 2013' saving challenge I set myself is doing so well! I am approaching £1000, which considering I've only been doing it a couple of months and it is just 'extra' money I have managed to make by selling things and doing a very small amount of part time work here and there, I am very pleased with. I think it might be a bit of a stretch to get to £2013 by the end of the year, but I'm hopeful, especially if I can manage some ebay selling or a boot sale. 

:: loving the last of the morning glory, flowering by our street door. 

that was the weekend

            :: lazy mornings

          :: time with family

          :: rhubarb and custard pies

          :: driving in the Essex countryside

          :: lunch in a sunny courtyard

          :: Fentiman's lemonade

          :: the Telegraph crossword

          :: a field of sweet peas

          

weekending with Amanda

this weekend I've been

volunteering: manning (womaning?) the Women's Institute stall at a local summer fair.  I came away with rhubarb and raspberry jam I was very excited about and some lemon drizzle cake. We hopefully recruited some new members too, there were some very enthusiastic ladies there. 

eating: lemon drizzle cake. Rhubarb jam (very disappointing - expensive and I couldn't taste the rhubarb). Strawberries and cream - how else to watch Wimbledon? 

drinking: proper coffee from my cafetiere, with cream. We've only had instant for a while and proper coffee is just so much nicer. A glass of traditional lemonade with ice on a hot day, gorgeous. I must make it myself sometime. 

feeling: tired, but happy. I've been doing more than usual lately, and so far it is making me very tired, hence lots of extra sleep, but its not made me ill so that's an improvement and I hope it continues. 

watching: Andy Murray win the Wimbedon men's final! The first British male to win in shorts, that's how long ago it was that we last won, 77 years! I have to admit to falling asleep in the middle of the match, but I was awake to see the end and to eat the strawberries, those are the important parts! 

enjoying: the sight and smell of the glorious sweet peas I am growing on a wigwam by the front door. I have small vases of them on the mantelpiece and the kitchen windowsill and they smell divine. 

weekending with Amanda 

this weekend I have been...

What I've not been doing this weekend is taking photos, hence this random one, taken in London a couple of months ago on one of our drives. After I posted it, I realised the words at the side are particularly apt: today I'm making laundry liquid! 

• Eating: Nectarines. Not really ripe enough yet, but I couldn't resist. There were four in the box - the Prof got one, the Young Philosopher wasn't here, I managed to eat the other three. A chip butty with lots of salt and vinegar. Toast with jam for breakfast. A veggie wrap and crisps from Pret in the car with the Prof on our way out last night. Half a brownie with the Prof, also in the car. I am not sure we ate a proper meal this weekend, that seems like a lot of snack food, oops. 

• Drinking: full leaded coffee as the decaf has run out. Peach schnapps and lemonade, which I took up to bed with me to read in bed. Woke up this morning and took a swig, thinking it was my usual water. Peach schnapps not so nice first thing in the morning! 

• Doing: Lying in bed late. Knitting. 

• Watching: Wimbledon. Not much of a choice, the Prof's a fan - me not so much, but I will summon some enthusiasm (and some strawberries and cream) for the final next week, I expect. 

• Feeling: Tired, it's been a busy week. This week and next week are too, so I'm crossing my fingers and planning to eat well, get to bed early (and maybe grab an afternoon nap or two) and hope I can manage and I don't get ill. 

• Going: to the Royal Albert Hall (for the first time. Fantastic venue, what a lovely building) to see Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, I gave the Prof tickets for his birthday in April. The special guest was Marc Almond from Soft Cell, the very last person I would have expected to see singing Jethro Tull songs. Apparently he's a big prog rock fan, who knew? I love Tainted Love, it's always been my theme song with my friends - you know the song you always get up and dance to? Ever since I was thirteen! 

• Making: Finally sewing the poncho together. It's about time. I still have to knit a border around the neck, another around the hem and make a fringe. I've also been making a dishcloth to send to a friend. I'm feeling the need to cast on something else and I'm not sure what. 

How was your weekend?

Weekending with Amanda 

that was the weekend

On Saturday we were up bright and early to drive the hour plus to Curly Girl's university, collect her and her stuff and deliver some of the stuff to the house she will be living in from September, and bring her and the rest of her things home. You may remember, Curly Girl was the Young Philosopher's girlfriend until a few months ago, when they split quite amicably and remain friends. Her Dad usually drives her to and from uni but is on strong painkillers for an injury, that mean he can't drive for several weeks. I was quite pleased that she asked us! She is a lovely girl, and obviously still feels comfortable with us enough to ask us a favour, which I think is so nice. 

It was quite a nice drive, the weather was sunny quite a lot of the time (despite how it looks in the photos!) and we drove back the pretty way, through the countryside. We made a detour not far from home and drove further into Essex to catch the planes flying over to Buckingham Palace to do a flypast for the Queen's Coronation 60th Anniversary. 

On Sunday we drove out to Blake House Craft Centre. They have a lovely restaurant and we finally used some money my parents gave us to go out for a meal for our second wedding anniversary. Having gift money to spend took away the guilt over having three courses and spending so much money when we are trying to economise! The meal was very good. I have been there previously with my WI craft group, and had cakes and sandwiches that time which were equally tasty. They give you tea the old fashioned way, with hot water to top up, so you get two of three cups from your pot which is always a nice old fashioned bonus in these days of giving you a mug of water, milk already in, with a teabag floating in it. Ugh, both scandalous and revolting.  We had a Sunday roast with all the trimmings on this occasion and then had a walk around the craft centre. 

We didn't buy much, just a couple of things in the farm shop there. My favourite shop is 'Kast Mystical'. They have gorgeous patchwork bags, rainbow jumpers, a selection of wonderful pewter (I think) ornaments (might have to put one on my Christmas list), green man cards and pictures, a lovely scent of incense wafting through the shop... I am a hippy at heart! Both times I have visited I've been very tempted by  a brightly coloured sun catcher with the words 'Be Happy', I can just see it in my little kitchen window where we already have two sun catchers the Young Philosopher and I made years ago.  I think I may well have to go back and get it another time. 

I saw a poster for a boot sale which was interesting as it was a 'lazy' boot sale, starting at 11 am. I remember selling at a boot sale years ago and having to get up at about 5, so this would suit me so much better and we do have quite a bit of stuff we could sell. There was also another poster that said they have an on site kinestheologist. I have been wanting to see one for some time, so I might have to visit again. Oh, I could also pick up that suncatcher.....

I did a little knitting in front of 'The Voice' on Saturday evening, I made a mistake and then put it away, so today I will have to sit down and get that all sorted out. Why do I still make mistakes, even on the simplest patterns? Answers on a postcard please. I need to write a list of projects to do next I think, I keep seeing more and more things I want to make! Recently I have come across this Lark Rise to Candleford Shawl and this head wrap, which both need to go on the list. I might even put the baby blanket aside just for today and make the head wrap....

And this is why I have so many unfinished projects. 

I will leave you today with a picture of the beautiful peacock who lives at Blake House Craft Centre. I'm calling him Bert. 

Yabba Dibber Do

This weekend the sun shone, and there was a lovely summer breeze

There was a wood turning workshop for the Prof, and a happy couple of hours writing and reading in the sunshine for me

There was a frugal shopping trip to Aldi and then spending what we saved on dinner out for two, with a glass of Pinot Grigio and dessert

There was a Sunday morning lie in, then a breakfast of pain de campagne with strawberry jam and coffee with cream

There was Sunday afternoon in my parents' garden catching up with Mum, Dad and my brother, with talk of moving house, new girlfriends and women with freakishly long arms (who,me?)  

There was much mowing and strimming by the Prof, and at 10pm tonight there was me planting sweet peas using the dibber that he made yesterday, with which I am mighty pleased. Yes, those are Cath Kidston gardening gloves. I am so chic.