A month of charity sock knitting.

At the beginning of November I designed a sock pattern to knit in aid of supporting Bone Cancer charity as they set a challenge to knit for 30 minutes each day.  

I worked out I knit for a minimum of two hours a day on a work day before work and in the evening.  So it was lovely to combine my love of knitting and designing to help a great cause.

I'm very lucky that my good friends know that I will take my knitting literally everywhere!  So for this month the needles  have been busy in various cafés, at a walk by the river in Tewkesbury and at a Rugby game!

If you'd like to contribute any amount to my Just Giving page here is the link to charity page. 

Easter Sunday walk along the canal

Easter weekend traffic is always terrible on the motorway here in the UK.  So I try and stay local and enjoy what is only 20 minutes from me and why wouldn't you when you see what there is.

If you have followed my blog for a long time you'll know I often go to WWT Slimbridge.  To get there you go over the The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.  

It is a ship canal in the west of England, between Gloucester and Sharpness. For much of its length it runs close to the tidal River Severn, but cuts off a significant loop in the river, at a once dangerous bend near Arlingham. It was once the broadest and deepest canal in the world.

I was so chuffed to see a boat named after me!! 

There are all sorts of boats along the river bank.  I loved how they managed to get so many flowers on this one. 

They also had a huge boat that was for river cruises. 

This sign was great that I came across too.  Only 34.5 miles to Bristol Cathedral! 

The other brilliant thing about the canal was the much slower pace of life.  The fact that you can just listen to nature as you walk and the people you meet who are so friendly.  

On my way both up and back I met Mike who was 70 and happily fishing this stretch of the river, which he does 3 times a week.  

He lived in a cottage nearby which dated back to 1610 with his wife who he met when he was 17 and she was 14!!! and they have been together ever since. 

He was such an amazing guy to chat to with so many stories to tell and a great fisherman.  

While I was there he caught two 10lb Seabass.  He showed me his hook and line it was so thin it was incredible the skill needed to thread it.  He also always put all the fish back he caught. 

I did a respectable 6.5 mile walk from Slimbridge along the canal and back.  As I'd parked in Slimbridge carpark I had to have a whistle stop visit!! 

The gardens were so pretty too. 

Finally I managed a tiny bit of knitting on my Son's sock in the Duck Decoy hut. 

I hope you have enjoyed your Easter and this blog. 

Until next time..... 

Day 2 Pembrokeshire Martin's Haven and Scomer

So day two I decide to travel from the campsite about 25 miles to Martin's Haven a true jewel in the crown of land the National Trust owns.

I started my morning by walking down to the beach where you can get a boat to Skomer and surrounding islands.  This is very popular at this time of year due to the puffins on Skomer.

In the distance you can see the coast line of St David's.

After going to the beach I decided to take a walk around Deer park and enjoy the spectacular coastline.

I always take project to knit something like a pair of socks is the perfect versitle project.

I had to take a panoramic and now have this as a perfect reminder as my desktop screensaver.

This is Martin's Haven beach were a group of young lads where out scuba diving.

This is the Coastguards lookout tower where they keep a watch over the coastline.

This was as close to Skomer Island as i'll get.

 

 

Whilst standing so close to Skomer was amazing, I also suffered from very bad vertigo, hence such a short video, but you can see how amazing the place is.

As I was walking back I joined these two lovely guys who where the coast guards on the day.  It is incredible to think it is all run by the kindness of people like these men as it is all voluntary.

By the time I got back to the van the field was almost empty.  I wish I had stayed till about 10pm as this area is marked as one of the areas to see a perfect dark sky which would have been incredible.

This was the view at the top of the campsite at 10pm

My lovely cosy set up after a brilliant day.

Day 1 Pembrokeshire Campsite and beach Day 1

So this was Day one at the campsite I stopped at.

It is 5 miles from Tenby in a lovely hamlet called Manobier.

The caravan's behine me I believe must be perminate where the owners can just come when ever they want.  One of them had a tv set up in the awning bigger than mine at home!!

To get to the beach from the campsite is just a few minutes walk down the hill to through the woods and so worth it.

This was my first night and the choppiest I had seen the sea.  So lovely to just sit at 8pm listening and watching the sea eb and flow.

I could not believe how crystal clear the water was!

This is Manorbier Castle I did not get time to go in this time, but when I go back I will make sure I visit.

Just a video of my #knittingoutdoors

Stripes Are Us Socks new pattern release

So a few months back I cast on and designed a new sock pattern.

The pattern is knitted from toe up with a heel flap construction.  It has a lovely textured stitch pattern that keeps you interested, but at the same time not being too complicated.

I love to take my knitting out with me and these socks have had a journey that I wanted to share with you as to where they where knitted. 

If you would like to buy the digital download pattern then head over to either Ravelry, Love Crafts or my Etsy shop where you can purchase the pattern and make your own lovely pair of hand knit socks.

National Botanical Gardens of Wales

The Gower, South Wales

Rhosili, South Gower, South Wales