Sewing and cake!

I have like many been a follower of Attic24's blog for many years and have now had the privilege of visiting Skipton and Yarndale many times, which was initially started by Lucy.

Anyhow I digress! In Lucy's latest posts she writes how their are fewer and fewer blog writers.  To me now society just wants a quick fix of images or visual stimulation and not spend time reading and enjoying what people write.  But I write my blog as a way of writing my thoughts and sharing my activities.

It's been an interesting week for sure.  Last weekend I went with my Son and his partner to Just Fabrics an amazing material shop to make my first project bag. 

Then on Friday I was treated to an amazing cake for having been at my day job for 19 years!! 

I could not believe thinking back how much has happened. My Son was only 3 when I started, I've since been married, divorced and had Cancer.  

But through everything I've always had the incredible support of my Son who is my role model, Mum who is such a determined and strong willed lady and a few close friends. 

One of my next challenges set by my Son is to be able to run 5k together and I'm determined to do it. 

Who inspires you? 

The City of Wells

So over the Bank Holiday weekend I took a day off and headed 50 miles from home down to stay with my Mum who lives near Bristol.

One of the places she loves to visit is the city of Wells in Somerset.  

It has great childhood memories for me with the drive there I used to cycle with my Dad and we once did my longest cycle from our home up to a place called Priddy Pools which is right on the top of the Mendips.  

It is about a 2 hour cycle to get there and I will always have such clear memory of Dad putting his hand on my back and helping me up the hill.  Every time if I cycle and I'm struggling to get up a steep hill I just imagine Dad pushing me and it spurs me on.

This is a picture of Priddy I hasten to add not taken by me but a beautiful image I wanted to show.

Mum has the most amazing memory of places they walked, Dad worked for the Ordinance Survey and if their was a walk to be had, or a footpath to find, he would find it!

It was interesting finding somewhere to park as it has been many many years since I last drove to Wells. In fact the last time was also when the market was in town and I got my trusty knitting basket which I adore.

So by the time we got there it was time for lunch and what better place to have lunch than with Wells Cathedral as a back drop!!! I mean just Wow!!

We had lunch and a good old natter.  

Then as we were leaving a big congregation of people came out of the Cathedral including the Archbishop.

We had a wonder through the market and I was treated to an Aloe Vera plant to add to my lovely houseplant collection.

Then we headed to the Bishops Palace Gardens which I can't recommend highly enough, it is just the most peaceful and inspiring place.  On route we passed a very talented pianist who played so beautifully that I wanted to share with you.

Isn't it just beautiful.

Before we entered the gardens we were saw the Swans and there new signets too.

You can't do anything but say ahhhh when you see the little babies.

This is the entrance to the gardens where behind me is a lovely café which does the loveliest cakes and drinks.  This very precise lawn doubles as a crotchet lawn, although I am not sure when they ever play on it.

I love this view through this window. 

The buildings date back over 800 years with more information here if you would like to go and have a look for yourself.

Mum and I loved the doorway which she modelled just how much more petite in height than some people are now as she is 5ft 2" and she fits perfectly!!

I then ventured off for a little while with my camera, while Mum found a lovely spot to sit and knit.

To get to part of the gardens you go through an entrance in the surrounding of the palace wall down a walkway that runs parallel with the moat that surrounds it.  As you come round one side of the building you are greeted by the most stunning view of the Cathedral.

The sound of the waterfall, the reflection in the water, and the majestic huge building that is the Cathedral is just stunning.

So I walked over the bridge and the waterfall and came across the community allotment.  I mean wow what a place to have an allotment! 

I then walked through the gardens and came across this area that was left to grow naturally with Tulips and Bluebells just popping up through the grass.

This was I think one of my favourite parts of the gardens, it was just so quiet and when you sat down at the flowers level it was like you could be in your own private woodland.

Throughout the gardens there was also paintings and this was by far my favourite. I would love to have that on the wall in my home.

Finally we came across this sculpture which represents a Swan, I just loved that when you looked at it from different angles it looked higher on one side, then higher on the other.

I hope you have enjoyed my photographic tour of Wells and will leave you with Stanual my Campervan when we stopped off at a scenic part of the drive home on the outskirts of Wells.

Until next time......

A special day

So on Wednesday 30.3.22 a very special thing happened!

My one and only Sister Jo got married in a Castle!!  Not often you get to say that now is it!

A little history about the venue.  Walton Castle is recorded in the Domesday Book, with the original site dating to between 1615 and 1620. Originally the Castle was designed as a hunting lodge.  However the castle fell into decline and by 1791 it became derelict.  Move forward to 1984 and the now new owner Margarita Hamilton set about restoring it to it's currently beautiful setting where you can hold your own wedding ceremony.

The wedding group was small but perfectly formed group of people attending.  Obviously Sis, her now hubby Mark, then we have my Sister's Son Simon and partner along with her Daughter Holly.  Our incredible Mum, my Son Harry, Mark's Sister, Brother and there respective partners.

I do not have a huge arrear of pictures, but the one's I do have I think are beautiful and sum the day up. 

The ceremony was held outside and considering that rain had been forecast to say we were lucky is the understatement of the year! They managed to have the ceremony outside followed by some lovely pictures underneath a beautiful tree in full, full flower.

So let us begin......

Simon gave my Sister away, although Dad was looking down from heaven on the special day, he'd have so loved the fact it was in Clevedon.

The had the ceremony which was lovely and exchanged rings, Mark was very happy as he is now the proud owner of "bling"!!

 My Son videoed the whole event for them.

Followed by signing of the register and Jo taking on a whole new name!

Then it was time for those all important pictures in the garden.

Jo's dress was just beautiful and Mark looked so dapper in his nod to Peaky Blinders.

This picture however has to be my favourite, it sums up their relationship, they are always laughing and when you have such a beautiful smile as my Sis why wouldn't you!

This was the full group lucky enough to share this magical day.

Here's a few pictures of the Castle grounds.

Then finally little old me with the two most precious people in my world my Mum and Son.

These two people are just such amazing people.  I know everyone love's there Mum and Son, but these two have helped me through so much in the last three years that I will never be able to thank them enough for.  Coupled with that it's amazing that my lad will be 21 in July then Mum 80 in August, just brilliant!

Finally just a picture of a Mum and Son wearing my handknitted shawl, that by shear coincidence matched perfectly with my dress, tights and shoes, as if you know me you'll know I don't "do" shopping, this outfit just fell into place perfectly.

If you've enjoyed reading this blog, please do leave a comment I love to know what people think.

Until next time....