Monthly catch up - February 2026

Well,  February got off to a great start.

This is only my second time attending a great knit and natter held near Bristol.

The people I met were all so friendly and welcoming, and it was lovely to meet up with my dear friend Sophie. 

The owners of Birdstreet Yarn Jon and Clare, not only produce incredible dyed yarns, but are both such genuine, kind people. 

 

As you can see the event was well attended, with every seat taken.  As part of the afternoon Jon carried out a really fun quiz which was not only really fun, but a great way for people to then interact with others on there table. 

 

At each of these events Birdstreet yarns bring along their beautiful yarns for avid knitters to purchase.

 

I like so many seasoned knitters, obviously I didn't "need" more yarn, but these colours together are just perfect.

I love the names given too, the one on the right being "Dietrich" and the left "Maple Drive".

For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, will know that I am also a fan of Women's Rugby.  Having now been coming along to the game since November 2024 when I first watched Gloucester Hartpury.

It was a great win and had put them top of the The PWR league after round 9.

Well weekend two, as most weekends in my world was another busy one.  Once again Gloucester won their game in round 10 and I shall be heading to watch them play their next game for round 11.

On Saturday I took a trip down to see my Mum and then on to Clevedon for a short walk over Poet's Hill and down to the marina.

It has been a very grey wet for weeks, which many people find soul distroying.  I however try very hard to get out in most weathers and it was no exception even though you could see the cloud rapidly blowing rain up the channel. 

 

 

I love black and white images and it works so well showing the lines of the mudflats and the clouds.

Another joy of the weather was that many people stayed away and I don't think I can remember a time when my walk has been so blissfully quiet.  

I have also never been around the marine lake and spotted the signs along the wall before, or got so close to the water's edge.

After Clevedon I then drove down to Yeovil for a couple of blissful nights stay in a lovely Airbnb, as the Sunday myself and my two good friends were seeing Hamza Yassin tour which had been booked months in advance.

It did not disappoint, learning many fascinating facts about Hamza's work.

I had made another unique gift for Hamza, which sadly I never got to give in person as I had to give them in to the reception of the venue, of some very warm fingerless mitts.

I do hope they found there way to him.  I spotted the following weekend on Countryfile, he had worn the cowl again.

Then I had the absolute pleasure to have the day off work on Monday, so on the drive home stopped off at Slimbridge for some more research pictures for my course and to just take in the sheer beauty of the place and listen to all the birds. 

 

Seeing so many birds in flight is a magical experience that I will never grow bored of.

It was also so lovely to see the blossom on the trees.

I like to try and take time to stop and notice the small details too, like these fungi growing up the tree.

Catkins are such a delicate sign of spring.

I also caught a brief glimpse of the Black Swan.

The Flamingo's are currently all under cover.  I am unsure how many are in the enclosure, but it is fun to watch them.

I did of course also make sure I took my knitting to sit and work on that too.

The third weekend was a very much looked forward to Rugby game, and considering it had been raining for days on end, was so lucky that the match took place in actual sunshine!

 

 As part of the day Kingsholm had the world cup on display, it was stunning!

Also got to see the PWR cup which Gloucester Hartbury have won three times in a row!

For anyone who watches women's Rugby will recognise the stunning Ellie Kildunne, she plays for the London team Harlequins.  Like all the women Rugby players I have had the pleasure to meet after the match she was so friendly and happy to have pictures taken.

 

Another player who plays for Gloucester in the same position on the pitch as Ellie is Emma Sing.  She was not playing in this game, but came to support her team.  

 

Again, she was more than happy to get a picture.  I love how they both have beaming smiles.

 

Sunday I decided to get some fresh air after the wet morning had   

 

I have started a new knitting project, having now finished my last sock project.  This will be a lovely hat pattern that I have knitted twice before and look forward to wearing it.

 

 

In the weekday evenings I have been cosying up under this gorgeous blanket i've had on the needles for far too long.  It is lovely to have a blanket on the needles I find, even though I have two other double bed sized crocheted blankets, and I don't really need anymore I feel sure I will no doubt cast on another at some point when this is done!

For the last weekend of February I took myself off to one of my favourite local towns of Winchcombe which is just twenty mintues from home.

The town is full of a really mix of styles of houses as the town has grown in since.

It is so lovely to see that spring is definitely here now, after what seemed like such a long winter, with the colourful Crocuses popping up in the churchyard. 

As part of the course I am studying I researched churches that had been built from the financial gain through the trading of sheep and wool.  Winchcombe has a very impressive Church which is in the grounds of what was an Abbey.  I had never been in it before, but goodness the window at the end is so impressive and I just love the ceiling.

As you can see from this plaque the history of this town goes back a very long way! I do love the name of the cottage too!

I had a lovely walk passed the castle and albeit muddy was worth the views, I shall definitely be back to explore it more.

On the way home I stopped off at the local garden centre, had a lovely cuppa and a spot of knitting.

Got some more things for the garden.

I now have four solar lights scattered around the garden, it is always a joy seeing them light up at dusk, which as the light is drawing out is getting later each day.

 

I also finished the quick knit hat project I was working on.  I'm not 100% sure the hat suits me, and if I knitted it again would make it a lot smaller.  But we are coming into not needing hats soon so it won't matter.

 

So until next month, I hope you all have a lovely March.