Holiday crochet

There was quite a lot of Chunky wool left over from my latest crochet bag, so I brought it on holiday and a hook.

A search of the internet and I found a  pattern, called Ballet Slippers and managed to complete them this afternoon... 

They will keep my feet nice and warm, but not sure where the ‘ballet’ comes into it!

Do you think they need a flower on the front to make them even more ridiculous?

Shopping in Merthyr Tydfil

The weather was being typically Welsh, one minute sun shine, next minute raining, so we set off for a new shopping centre in Merthyr Tydfil.

Wow what an impressive and extremely large new building, all grey and white with many towers.

Even more Wow when we got inside, it is huge selling everything from an envelope to a motorbike! I mostly explored the craft and stationary section while Chris was looking at spare parts for cars, and garden equipment.

The giraffe was for sale, only £645 but we did not have room in the car!!

Looking left

Looking right

Looks like a fairy tale castle.

On the way back we stopped at a Tourist stop in the Brecon hills National Park, loved this totem pole and the tiled awork.

In side was full of local crafts, the hanging fused glass looked lovely in the windows £25 each.

A wet day in Wales

The weather has suddenly changed and we woke to rain so decided to stay fairly local.

Llandrindod Wells has a beautiful lake so we drove around the perimeter to take a look.

A dragon sculpture is in the centre of the lake.

We then drove to Bluith Wells and wandered around the shops and along the side of the river Wye, until the rain came down again.

Loved this graffiti, so realistic on the side of a plain house.

A ‘bit of bull’ in the park

The River Wye.

Gold in them there hills!

A visit to the Dolaucothi Gold Mines

A National trust property, so we entered using our membership.

Due to the very steep stair climb into the mine, which I would have struggled with, we staying in the grounds looking 

at the machinery and enjoying the views.

Chris explained how everything works, which was interesting.

Children were panning for gold in the educational part of the mine. In fact a very small amount of Welsh gold is still 

mined and items were for sale in the shop. A pair of earrings for about £250 were out of my price range.

Not sure I would have liked to be dropped down into the mine on this contraption 

Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

Decided we needed to see the sea today, so drove to Aberystwyth for a walk along the the coast. The sea was very calm and the weather really pleasant.

A little excitement needed so a trip on the cliff railway was next stop. 

The railway opened in 1896 and the 778 feet undulating track and tilted carriages are unique. Built to ferry Victorian holiday makers 430 feet to the summit of Constitution Hill.  It was a most enjoyable ride and we had the carriage to ourselves.

Wonderful views as we slowly climbed the hill

Aberystwyth from on high

Passing the down carriage, again with only one person on it.

I said smile for a selfie, and this is it!

Glen Usk Hotel

Taking a five day holiday to mid Wales, Llandrindod Wells.  To break the journey we stopped at Evesham garden and shopping center for a bite to eat and drink. Diet out the window as I had a cream tea ! The Crafters Companion shop was full of goodies, and I especially liked the light fittings... BIG buttons

.

Next stop The Glen Usk hotel, and after settling in our room overlooking a pretty park, we went for a walk.

Our room is the one with the balcony above the front door.  At dinner we were seated with another couple from Norwich, Sue and Steve, and enjoyed a nice chatty time and meal.

Canal walk

Expecting nice weather we drove to The Boat House at Braunston and parked to take a walk along the side of the canal.

It was a glorious day and there were lots of boats moored and moving along the canal.

How can this be Bridge number ONE ? when the next bridge is number 92?

The entrance to the marina

Seeing the people busy with their narrow boats made for some reminiscing on the time we owned a boat on the canal 

And spent many weekends and holidays discovering the canal waterways.

Pond time

After a lovely walk along the canal at Braunstone we decided to clean out the pond, always a mammoth job!

The paddleing pool was set up with a canopy over it, as the temperature is rising, don’t want the fish to fry in the heat.

The pool was filled with as much water filtered from the pond as possible.

Next comes the catching fish, newts and frogs, actually the frogs were left to their own devices and soon left the pond.

An amazing number of fish under 2 inches were rescued, plus 16 large fish. A number of baby newts and one Mommy newt moved from pond to pool.

Water lilies were cleaned up and only two pink and three white kept for replanting, the pond had been far too overgrown with lilies and pond plants.

I cleaned off as much Elodea as I felt we needed while Chris delt with the sludge in the bottom of the pond, such a messy job.

Day two, the pond was refilled with a mix of tap water, saved pond water and by emptying both water barrels. It still needs another dose of tap water which we will add tomorrow. Now to catch the fish in the pool and put everything back in the pond.

Glad we only do this job about every 6 or 7 years!

Two days with the girls

The girls arrived Tuesday for a couple of days. The morning was spent making biscuits, Rainbow for Eleanor and smarties for Abigail, then it was off to Costco for lunch and a little shopping, we all love that place!  The afternoon was spent playing games.

Wednesday Clare and her two Grandaughters, Lily and Ruby, arrived for a glass lantern workshop with Vanessa of Ginger Cat Glass. It was like waiting for Christmas with all four girls eager to get started designing their six glass panels.

Vanessa giving Clare instructions

Eyes down sorting out the many containers of glass

Eleanor in goggles cutting glass, opposite Lily. Abigail opposite Ruby using tweezers.

So many choices, even the lanterns come in Black, White and Green.

So many different ideas ready for Vanessa to take home and put in the kiln... we cannot wait to get the completed lanterns back.

Also many thanks Ruby for the Lemon cake, and Abigail & Eleanor for the biscuits.

After the workshop we had a picnic lunch followed by a game of cards... Excellent day.

Weighing Day

I still continue with my Nutracheck diet assistance, and today....
Celebrations reached my ONE STONE [14 lbs] loss, so booking a Gel nail session as a treat.

Meeting Lucy from Attic24

Wool Warehouse were open for a special day with Lucy from Attic24, one of my favourite bloggers/crochet designers.

The weather could not have been worse with torrential rain and flooded roads but we made it to the Warehouse in Leamington Spa in one piece.

First stop cake and a cuppa, then to elbow into the room where all the wools they sell are on display, and Lucy had set up a display of her beautiful crochet blankets. What a colourful treat.

I bought Attic24’s kit to make a bag, not that I need anymore wool, but when in “wool land” what’s a girl to do?