Monthly catch up - May 2026

The beginning of May was a lovely treat as it involved a trip to a great yarn shop!

 

Alterknit Universe has been trading for eleven years.  Based in a lovely part of Somerset, between Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare, it combines hand dyed yarns from producers all very local to the shop.

 

They also stock the generic wool and have a great area for a weekly knit and knatter within the shop that takes place on a Sunday afternoon. 

 

 

Pixie Yarn  Sophie dyes small batches of the most stunning yarns from her studio.  Her background having studied textiles; printmaking, knitting, weaving, before focusing on embroidery.  Launching her business in 2017, Sophie has gone from strength to strength and now attends several shows a year.

 

 

 

Whilst I was there I purchased this recycled plastic hank and not only is it incredibly soft, but it is so easy to spin with.  I am looking forward to seeing my idea come to life. 

 

Along with the trip to the yarn shop also stopped off at this lovely cafe for lunch, was very restrained and didn't have a cake at Heathers Coffee Shop  although they looked very tempting!

Living in the Cheltenham we are lucky enough to have several festivals each year.

Although the town is synonymous with the racecourse and in particular the Gold Cup in March when thousands of people descend on the town, including a lot of Irish.   

Then in April the Jazz Festival comes to town.  I have never been before, but I did have a wander up this year to have a look around.  It was nice to hear the music coming from the tents and there were lots of places to sit and people watch.

It is interesting seeing a town I have now lived in for thirty-seven years as a visitor with the street art, the impressive buildings and the lovely yarn bombing done by The Kiwi Fruit Is Cute haberdashery shop, which runs a big variety of course and stocks almost everything you could think of when it comes to haberdashery.

The second weekend in May the weather was just glorious sunshine, not too hot and just nice to sit out in.

I spotted a lovely Lilly that had flowered whilst sat eating my breakfast and reading my current Agatha Raisin book, of which there are now 37.  I am only on book 7 so a way to go yet!

They are all based around the Cotswolds it a gentle murder mystery series and I enjoy as within the writing they do not change the names of places so you know where they are talking about.

On Sunday I headed over to the Forest of Dean, only thirty miles from home.  

Having looked at Google maps I spotted there was a footpath that ran parrell to the road.  It turned out to be a lovely walk and I came across river that runs down and meets the River Severn estuary.

Once again I used my Merlin app and recorded a variety of birds in a short time. 

Another fun thing I like to do is stand at a place and take a picture of where I am and then see in relation on the map what is opposite me.

I have almost always been on the other side, as this is where Slimbridge is, but it is great fun being on the Lydney side as you have a really wide view down the river to the two bridges and beyond on a clear day. 

Obviously I took knitting with me as I was working on my third project.  It was so nice to watch the birds and see the people walking along.  

I also do love my photography and really like how the black and white pictures have turned out. 

We then move in to a weekend I have been looking forward too for a long time.

I took a days holiday and joined for the first time in an event which incredibly, has been going on since 2009 and I was completely unaware until recently.

So I joined the a five mile walk that went on part of the Cotswold Way and then down into Winchcombe Potter.

We were given a guided tour by one of the three members of staff who work on the site.

The site is situated on private land which has had pottery on it since the 1800's.  Winchcombe pottery was established in 1926 on the site.

They have an on site shop aswell as online that sells a lovely range of pottery.

The ethos behind their prices stems back to the original Arts and Crafts where they believed beautiful items should be accessible to all, so the price you pay in the shop, would be the same price that a wholesale customer would pay to stock there items.

On the Saturday I then headed to a yarn show that is now in it's second year The Big Flock.

Held at UWE Frenchay campus it was a nice easy drive down the motorway.

Over the years I have been to many yarn shows, but I have to say I really enjoyed this one.  There were two halls with vendors, with a lovely mix of yarn dyers, stands with lovely knits on, along with many different accessories and buttons to buy and fleece for spinning.

I really liked how there were many places you could take yourself off and just sit quietly and people watch and relax too as especially on Saturday it was very busy. 

There were some beautiful knits, too many to photography, but I did get these.  I do love short row knitting and cables and the colour contrast was just great.

I have been following Pixie Yarn for a number of years, and she has only in the last couple of years started doing shows.

To me, I love that she brings along her sketchbook, which shows her inspiration and colour process, something you rarely see, and her eye for colours and creating variegated ones is exceptional.

 

 

Jeanette Sloan  is an icon in the knitting world, with over 30 years of experience, having taught at Knit Stars Season 6, where she taught bead knitting and now has a book dedicated to this.

I have recently on my last sample knitting used beads and they do add a lovely additional dimension to knitting. 

Sunday morning I attended a workshop run by Rachel of Cat and Sparrow.  I attended a workshop a couple of years back to learn drop spindle spinning, but this Turkish drop spindle was different to how I had learnt.

Amazingly Rachel produces her own spindles on a 3d printer and you can pick from a wide range of colours and sizes that she has available in her shop. Mine was the medium size called Persian that we used in the class.

For me what was a game changer was being able to ply the yarn and I am so looking forward to taking some fibre and my spindle when I go away and just sitting quietly spinning away!. 

My afternoon photography class was run by one of the organisers Jon.  It was a great class learning all about how important light, direction of leading the eye into a picture and many other elements in taking a good picture.

This was my image I took on the day, which I really like of my latest sample I have knitted. 

May is a great month as we get two bank holidays!  The weather has also turned from being extremely wet, to the forecast of temperatures in the high 20's reaching low 30's over the weekend.

So a perfect treat in the morning to take some time, which I have failed terribly in the past to just sit in the garden to have breakfast.

I do so love my garden, seeing what pops up and I really need to invest in some more big blousy Rose's from David Austin My only problem is I have no spare soil that is not planted, so they will have to thrive in a pot.

I then cycled into town, a journey that would take 45 minutes to walk, but only 15 to cycle, and in the heat a much better option!

While they are deciding what to do with the icon Cavendish House, a once incredible department store for 201 years, I still remember the amazing fall hall in the basement and the haberdashary upstairs, along with lots of lovely indepentent stores inside.  It then became a "pop up" stall, which I never really enjoyed, it seemed so out of place, with vast areas just left empty.  To now an empty building.  However thankfully the council commissioned for it to have a beautiful mural to be painted while they decide what to do with the building.
 

 

At the end of the Promenade is Neptune's fountain  unveiled in 1893 it has gone for a long time with the fountain not working.  So it was so lovely to see it back to it's former splendour.

I then headed to my local LGTB monthly cuppa to meet up with friends for a few hours and made some great progress on my second Stripes Are Us sock pattern that I designed.

Rejoicing in the fact that I would still have two days before returning to the "day job", and of course never failing to enjoy a trip to Slimbridge.  I stopped off at my favourite Caffe Nero and had the great surprise to see my lovely friend who had gifted me the best sticker for my mug, who made me, as always a delicious drink for my drive.

It is incredible how much the garden has changed and the new planting has just bloomed, if I have space, I really feel I should try and fit some Alliums in my garden, although I do remember planting a bulb, but not sure if it flowered!

I took my DSLR Nikon and normally use my 75-300mm lens, but this time I decided to just use the standard 50mm lens and work on getting good quality images using just this lens.  I am so pleased how they have turned out and some will be printed so I can view them again.  I find we rarely print images anymore, but this is something I have started to do as it is so lovely to get away from everything being digital.

 

There were so many baby Goslings it was so sweet to see them so close and watch them develop with there adult feathers coming through.

I would so love to work at Slimbridge, seeing the changes day in day out as the seasons change, but I am also happy that the site is only a 20 minute drive to home that I can pop to whenever I want.

For the last weekend of May I had no plans at all.

The weather was still due to be sunny, but so much cooler, thankfully as I am really not a fan of heat over low 20's temperature.

The morning was spent tidying the garden, sitting in it and reading and then as I always like to get out, my first stop was Castle farm shop on the outskirts of Evesham.

The garden section is an absolute gem, with a huge variety of plants and pots along with a great farm shop selling lovely fruit and veg.

 I treated the garden to two lovely grasses and three lots of Carnation flowers for my containers.

It was then just a scenic 12 minute drive to Snowshill Manor and garden.  I have been a few times over the years, and been into the house.

So this time I wanted to just enjoy the gardens.  I was amazed in the time I was sat knitting away in the shade enjoying the lovely view, how many people either in couples or family groups were here on holiday from a real mix of countries.  So I had no idea what they were saying.
 

There are so many places you can now purchase second-hand books, and the National Trust sites are one of these places.  

I have in the past added some great finds to my collection. 

I could not pass up the opportunity to take pictures of the about different pictures, which were all taken in the toilet block at Snowshill!  Never before have I been in a loo where they had such unusual displays on view!

Sunday was a much more overcast day.  But one I really enjoyed.

I am working on a new knitting design that I can take away in my van, as you always need a lovely knit to have when your away on your holidays.

Then in the afternoon, I took the short drive out to Tewkesbury.  The Roses were looking incredible and I was really lucky to hear the choir practising in the Abbey.  The atmosphere and acoustics in such a building always makes me appreciate how lucky I am to live near such an incredible building.

I can not believe we are now halfway through the year already!

So on with whatever fun June has installed for me, I shall report back. 

Monthly catch up - April 2026

So the start of April began with Easter, which meant a delightful long weekend!

I started off with a trip to Westonbirt.  It is incredible, when you just stop, open up the Merlin app and just listen, how many birds can been heard in one small area in two minutes!

 

Here the Bluebells were beginning to flower, in a week I feel it will be an incredible carpet of them, what a sight! 

 

The blossom on the trees, especially when the sun is out just catching the light through the petals is so magical.  I also could not believe the size of the Magnolia flower, it was the size of my hand!

 

I then took a short 30 minute drive across country and through Dursely, a town I have not stopped at but looks interesting, so I could have a short visit to Slimbridge.

 

I have a few more images and ideas that are all going towards developing ideas for the course.

 

Being treated to seeing the cutest Harvest Mouse and Mallard chicks.  Aren't chicks always just so adorable!  

 

Easter Sunday, when I feel sure many people were delving into their Easter Eggs, I had a treat of my own.  I took my fluffball out for a local wander, stopping off at my favourite coffee shop.  Then on to the phone box book swap, where I left a book and borrowed another.

 

 

The final day of the Easter break was a trip to Croome Court National Trust.  

A place I have visited many times, but is always nice to have a wonder especially as the weather was incredible.

I absolutely adhored the yellow mini in the car park, absolutely immaculate, but in today's world of huge lorries I don't think I would enjoy driving it.

There were also some great metal sculptures which I loved, they depicted the four seasons with different stories, all having the bridge within them to tie them all together.

So weekend two was a quiet one.  I treated the garden to another lovely Rose from Lidl, I have bought several over they years and they do well.

Partly due to the horrendous cost of fuel and being mindful with the diesel I have, the next weekend I did not drive anywhere.  

I did take a walk to my local Nero for a nice coffee to take back home so I could sit and watch Womens Six Nations Rugby England V Ireland.  I am pleased and not surprised to say England won 33 v 12.  

It was a great match and lots of shouting at the tv took place!

 

I have been spending a lot of time working on the next module of my course, which involves researching along with knitting 3d objects.

The grey and white knitted piece I sewed some fabric to the back and shall use in my VW as a little coaster.

The pink stuffed house, is just a cute little house I did and have placed it next to my treasured ornaments my Son gifted me.

Weekend three, I decided to venture a little further afield from home and on Saturday headed to Cannop Ponds in the Forest of Dean.  So a lovely drive out and a 4 mile round trip walk.

The weather had picked up and was warm enough after a gently meander from my parking spot listening to the wildlife and people spotting I found the perfect spot to sit and cast on another pair of Stripes are us socks.

Then before heading home I decided to take a little detour to a Lydney harbour, a place I have been meaning to go to for ages as it is literally across the river on the opposite side from my usual spots in Gloucestershire.

The harbour and view was just a brilliant huge expanse that you could see down to the two bridges that go from England to Wales.  If you sat here for a few hours you would see the incredible tidal river rising, which it does over time really quickly and would make the best time lapse video.  I will definately return. 

The following day I went to another place that I have planned for months to visit.  

I had seen Arlingham on my Google maps for a long time, but never realised how close, (A) it is to home and (B) how close you get to the river!  There is also a brilliant walk that you can do all around the bends called the Seven Way.  So again I shall be back for more exploring.

Then to top off the day a trip to Slimbridge and the canal, as why not!

The final weekend of the month, well what an absolute brilliant one it was! 

Thanks my dear Rugby friends I got to go and watch England Red Roses's V Wales.  It was a brilliant game in an almost completly sold out stadium at Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium.

It is funny to think, I never used to be in any way interested in watching sport until I started to watch my local team, many of whom were in the England and Welsh sides.  Also watching a live match and seeing the skill involved is just great.

I am now on my twelve visit to Slimbridge since November 2025 when I started my course.  It is not only a base for inspiration, but a place to sit, slow down and fully appreciate the sheer beauty of nature.

Some question why I keep returning so often, but for me, the more you go, the more you see and if something brings you happiness, then go as often as you want!

Monthly catch up - March 2026

 

So at the beginning of March I took a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, just a short 45 minute drive from home.  It was around 21 years ago that I last spent much time here and this visit was a real thorough visit around the town.

It is amazing just how many statues there are, I think my favourite was of Macbeth.

With so much rain that we have had in the UK over the last couple of months, it was no surprise to see just how high the river had got. 

The iconic Royal Shakespeare Theatre stands firmly on the banks of the river.  I do love a trip to the theatre and have added this to my list of places to go and see a production in the future.

The last time I came here, I had a walk along this riverbank and went down to the bridge in the distance, but this time that was not possible, unless I had wellies on!

The joy of Google maps when visiting somewhere is that you can just see what it's about and go and explore, which is what happened here. 

It was a nice 4 mile round trip, up the hill and ended up with a great view over the town. 

Obviously craft project is always in hand, so a much needed refreshement was enjoyed.

Before heading home I decided to take a look in the theatre, wow I am so glad I did!  

If you get a chance to visit they currently have an exhibition on which is incredidible.  It goes back 400 years showing costumes that are made on site.

As you go up the stairs there is this mesmerising scuplture depicting Hamlets face made out of stars.

These costumes really reminded me of Bridgeton.

I loved the simplicity of this dress for the character Viola.

But this dress from The Tempest for Juno the queen of the gods in Roman mythology.  It definately does symbolise a clear blue sky on a starry night.

The placement of William Shakespeare's work with the stain glass windows was just magical, especially as the sun was shining so brightly through.

The other brilliant freen activity you can do is go to the 8th floor and it is so worth it, what a view!!

So the second weekend in I decided to take myself of for a local walk to Dowdeswell Reservoir.  Having subscribed for a year's memebership to Altrails I have saved a variety of walks to help inspire me to adventure.  

 

I had decided to follow the orange arrows (not shown on this post!) and I had not seen any guidance as to what each colour represented, which would turn out to be fun later! 

 

For me personally, I am more of a fan of big open spaces and views, not really woods.  But I wanted to make the most of the visit as it was not too far from home to get to. 

 

Noticing the close up details of the tree bark and the height of the trees was fun. 

Due to the rainfull the resevouir was certainly high.

The one, for me big downside was the constant sound of the A40 main road which just had an endless stream of traffic.

 

This is where the lack of orange arrow meant I came unstuck as taking the route off into the middle of the woods equalled a huge amount of very very muddy tracks!!

I did leave the Merlin bird app running and was amazed at how many birds there were in the woods.

So now we have reached week 3!  Goodness March is a 5 week month with the clocks changing at the end of the month where we get to "spring forwards!"

For Christmas my Son purchased me membership to Westonbirt Arboretum and I have only used it once so far since he gifted it to me.  So with the sun shining, I thought what better place to go than a lovely drive out in the Cotswold countryside.

 

Westonbirt is split into two woodlands, I decided to head to the old Arboretum, this area is dog free, but also wow I was greeted with the most incredible display of spring blossom, with flower heads the size of an adult hand!

The sound of the bees was such a lovely sound, as I feel sure there must be so much nectar for them on these flowers. 

I have Primula's in my garden, but it was lovely to see native Primroses in big swaths across the woodland floor.

The vivid blue sky is such a welcome sight, and I just love the contrast from the bright pink.

I have no idea what this tree is, but it has to be one of my favourites, I mean just look at that bark!! 

I absolutley love to use the Merlin bird identify app.  Just standing still and listening and incredibly all the bird song is picked up and identified is just brilliant.

The weather is now picking up and we were treated to the most glorious sunshine.

I took myself off to a town just 8 miles from me for a glorious walk.

  

It definately lifts your spirits to see glorious blue sky.

 

They have an area in the Cotswolds called the Blossom Trail.  Even though I have lived here for 38 years I've never done it!

But it was so lovely to walk along the tree lined route and hear all the bees buzzing away already.

 

Cotswold stone buildings are always a lovely colour, but even better with the sun shining on them, they just glow a gorgeous gold colour.

Daffodils of so many colours are still out too which is just such a welcome sight.

I did as always have a craft project with me, so I could just sit, craft and take in the sun's rays, nature and being outdoors.

 

My home is a place of colour, be it through yarn with cushions, blankets and many knitted garments and accessories.  But I have also decided that I do not need to limit it to items that can be swapped around.

 

I painted areas of my bathroom recently in the delightful colour you now see on the windowsill.  I absolutely love it and in a different light it is a different colour.

 

So this week I decided to paint the downstairs windowsill and I'm so glad I did.

 

 

Saturday was a very mixed day of weather from sunshine, rain and hail! But this did not stop me getting my lovely weekly treat of a Cafe Nero, admintedly from not from my favourite Barista as she is on holiday.

 

When I saw her recently she gifted me the best stickers for my mug with the Crafter and a rainbow Pixie which I have put on the top.

 

Last weekend whilst at Slimbridge I decided to cast on a quick mitt project I had designed. 

In anticipation of wanting to wear them to Rugby, I actually stayed in and watched tv in the daytime, something I rarely do. 

But I finished them with thirty minutes to spare till my friends came and picked me up! 

We headed to our favourite (and anyone who supports Rugby) cafe Mozo.  Run by the Captain of the England team Zoe Stratford and her close friend and Captain of Gloucester Hartbury (the team I support) Natasha Mo Hunt.

It was such a tast Lattee and personally made by Zoe which is just incredible!  

For followers of Women's Rugby who attend games you will witness just how down to earth, kind and generous with there time the ladies are.  Always happy to sign autographs and have photo's.

My friend Carol (in the pink) is never shy to ask for a picture, thanks to her I have got many pictures I would not have asked for.

This is Kate Wiliams who not only plays for Hartbury, but is the Captain of the Welsh Women's team for the up and coming Six Nations Rugby for which me and my two friends here will be watching the England, Wales game in April.

Kate is holding the Slater Cup yet another trophy to add to there ever growing collection!

This final picture is the beaming smile of Mo, who recently last month reached her 100th appearance playing for Gloucester Hartbury. 

The Number 15 is Emma Sing who on this game also reached the incredible milestone of 100 appearances.  Having seen both play over the last 18 months I have been following the game, I have to say they are just brilliant.

So we have now reached the end of my March fun and on to whatever adventures I have in April!