A deep breath

Gorran Haven toward Mevagissey/Chapel Point.

Mmmmmm sandy. Lottie loved it.

Chapel Point from Mevagissey.

This morning we woke up really early and by 7.30am we were walking from Ovingdean to the windmill at Rottingdean, it was idyllic. Clear blue sky, rich dark blue sea, boats setting out from the Marina. The Skylarks were in full song and zipping about, we also saw Swallows. Really the best way to start a sunny Sunday.

M was still on holiday this week (up to Thursday) so we have had a chance to recover from all the holiday travelling and trauma of our return....a bit.

J has been busy - mates and cousins to play, stories to write and a massive swimming trip yesterday.

M has rediscovered his love of painting and his artist watercolours have been dusted off and me...?

Well, reading, knitting, crochet and spinning have all been dipped into this week but with nothing concrete to show for any of them really. But it has been relaxing.

And relaxing is just what I intend for the rest of today too.

Ugh

Family funerals - why do we seem to have so many?

*sigh*

Pictures

Firstly, thank you to everyone who left such kind comments about Lou-Lou, they meant a lot and really helped. The house seems big and emptier without my mad spotty buffoon, she gave us so much joy and happiness that we are, trying, just to focus on that.

Secondly, here are some holiday pictures. Above (taken by J) is Golitha Falls on the edge of Bodmin Moor. I loved it here - I think it was my favourite place to visit, quiet, tranquil and amazingly beautiful.

St Michael's Mounts (by J). High tide, so no causeway, but still impressive. Didn't fancy the ferry but enjoyed the view and watching the kite surfers whooshing by.

On the beach at Lizard point (photo by M). Wow!

J took this flower close up on our first full day - I just think it's a great picture.

View from the cliff above Mevagissey - again by J.

Farewell Looby-Lou

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

We lost our 14 year old Dalmatian today. She was a super brilliant friend and we all feel really sad.

Tough decision but the only way to go.

Home with holiday yarn.

Lovely time had by all - proper holiday post will follow soon. This is a picture looking down into the harbour at Mevagissey where we stayed.

Got home to a really ill Lou-lou - next 24 hours will tell what will be.

So until that's sorted and I feel a bit more settled - here's an interim holiday yarn post.


On route to home we stopped on Dartmoor with a little detour to Bovey Tracey, Devon and a wonderful yarn shop called 'Spin A Yarn'. I indulged in a little shopping,

Above is from Touch Yarns in NZ 100g 4 ply pure merino - is pretty?

This is the same brand but 2 ply (lace weight) 900m wool/mohair blend.

Finally more Touch -200g pure NZ wool, very soft and ploofy.

Off to chil-lax

Lottie has a head start on us all.

She has already packed her bag - 2 blue-fings, 2 chew bones, 1 headless pig called Gavin, 2 bowls - one for fud the other for tea, a smelly hairy bed, a big bag of fud and a box of bikkies - NO dog grooming wipes or dog brushes, 1 lead and harness - 2 large pink monkey's and 1 smaller one.

Fish Scales pt 2

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

Close up of pattern detail from leg of sock.

Fish Scales

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

Finally finished this design - it has a couple of bugs I need to iron out but am quite happy with the pro-type pair.

Knitted in Malabrigo Sock yarn - colourway Persia on 2.5mm dpns.


Pattern adapted from Barbara Walker 2nd Treasury p. 136.

Whoosh

That's the wind this morning - a bit blowy.

Am off on holliers at the end of the week - hurrah.

Can't wait - neither can Lottie who is coming with us.

Now I just have to get organised *sigh* here come the lists.

I went to Eastbourne and I bought......

Some shiny, very pretty yarn made from sugar cane - Araucania Ruca Multi - 2 skeins.

A skein of Araucania Ranco - I can see some thicker weight boot socks.

And cos I've not tried it yet some Noro Silk Garden sock yarn.

I also got some Addi lace needles and M bought himself some Artesano Hummingbird.

Great shop, lovely people - well worth a visit.

Charade Socks

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

Love this pattern, though it was a slow knit for me - don't know why, it wasn't a difficult pattern to remember and it was very well written, it seemed to take me forever. Really love them now they're done though.

Charade by Sandra Park via a free download on Ravelry.
Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sock in Montrose - great colour, unusual choice for me - got loads of grey/lavender tones they don't come through in the picture.
2.75mm Knit Pro Circular needles.

Yesterday

I wound up my singles, found the double yarn bowl and.....

started on this. Alternating the colours every 4 rows using 3.25mm Addi Turbo circ - I just had an overwhelming compulsion to knit. I finished listening to 'Neverwhere' on audio book and lost myself in the wonderful softness of these yarns.

Skinhead badger cut for the curious

Singles

As I have mentioned many, many times on this blog - I adore Jo at Limegreen Jelly's fibre. Over the weekend I spun up 2 1/2's of two of her plaits into singles. The pink is my birthday pressie from Jo and is merino/baby alpaca and silk and the silver is cashmere/merino silk. I have 50g of the silver left to spin and and about 15g of the pink.

Inspired by a lady I met at the spinning tent at the Spring Fayre at Ardingly show ground on Sunday I have a plan for this yarn rootling about in my mind and have the urge to experiment with the textural side of the singles. I see a cast on in my not to distant future.

Mmmm more flowers from M - such purty colours.

For those who know me IRL and especially those who know of my recent hair deal with a mutual friend.....I did it! I cut myself a number 3 last night - totally my natural colour. The description 'skinhead-badger' comes to mind. I also remind myself (a wee bit) of the baddie lady in Blake's 7, which is rather bemusing - I'm not as striking looking as her but the evil bit is pretty spot on.