Observing

Here in the UK we are having a cold spell.

However in comparison to Chicago in USA who are currently at temperatures of -27 BBC weather our weather is positively tropical!

Each day instead of cycling I now walk the 1.5 miles to and from work.  Today was such a lovely day for a walk.

Doesn't frost make everything just look so much prettier, even on these quickly taken pictures with my camera.

I have also been enjoying the amazing programme that is BBC Winterwatch.  The presenters make the show so informative and fun.

This year they are based in Cairngorms, Scotland.  What a stunning part of the country.

In the two episodes so far they have covered some fascinating subjects involving research that is being carried out, showing live cameras in and around there local area and other documentaries they have filmed over the last few months.

If possible I HIGHLY recommend having a watch.

p.s. if you enjoy reading my blog please do leave a comment I would love to hear from you.

UPDATE 1.2.19

We had an overnight treat of snowflakes.

Fairy Dust Cowl new design.

Welcome to any new reader's and hi to any returning ones.

I can not believe it is almost the end of January 2019, where does time go!

I hope you are all well and either enjoying the chill of winter or maybe the extreme heat on the opposite side of the globe to me in Australia.

Have you any new year "accomplishments" your hoping to achieve?

For me my plan is to read alot more novels, do my best to design more knitwear.  Plus I am on a personal mission to lose weight and get alot fitter.

The first book I have managed to finish was such an inspiring book by Bear Grylls called Mud, Sweat, and Tears. A fascinating insight into a man I have such admiration for.

Regarding my mission to get fitter, this has involved signing up with a personal trainer for a five week course.

Please note the trainer is an ex Marine!! To give you some idea of how he likes to push you.   For me this is great, as I am changing my mindset slowly, from one of "I wish I could do that", to one of "I can do it".

Determination, self motivation and belief are very valuable. At times it is easy to slid backwards, but I believe each day is a new one that if you just try little steps big things can come of it.

So before I bid you farewell from this post I wanted to share my latest knitting design, which is a cowl perfect for almost all year round.  Fairy Dust Cowl.

My Urban garden

For me there are certain things I get great pleasure from, one of them is my garden.

I live on the edge of Cheltenham in a housing estate. I love my home, not so keen on being overlooked from every view by houses, but it's home.

Over the nearly 17 year's I have lived here I have always loved the garden and wanted to share just a few of the pictures I have taken of my plants over the last month.

If you have an Instagram page, then you can find me at Lovemygarden8

Until next time, have a great weekend.

Birmingham in September

This month my OH turned 50, so to celebrate we popped on the train for 45 minute journey to stay in Birmingham.

Thanks to advance planning and Booking.com we got a great deal on an amazing Hotel right in the centre called Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The Hotel has an impressive 24 floors one of which is the Presidential Suite which comprises of  140-square-metre suite—the hotel’s largest—offers a spacious lounge with baby grand piano!!, bedroom with king bed, work desk, and kitchenette with a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, and 10-person dining table. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the city from the hotel’s top floor. Soak in the whirlpool tub or relax in the steam room; visitors can use a separate powder room. For one night the cost is over £2,000 a night!!!!

Our room was on the 15th floor and had amazing views over the very much "under construction" city, but with the floor to ceiling windows you could see for miles. 

Within the Hotel we had use of the Spa facilities and on both days enjoyed using the lovely pool and sauna.

Birmingham itself is undergoing Hugh amount of construction due to events such as the 2022 Commonwealth games being hosted here.

They are also investing billions in Project HS2 which will mean that travel between London and Birmingham will take less than an hour.

Almost opposite the Hotel is The Library of Birmingham designed by Mecanoo a team of architect's based in The Netherlands.

The Library in itself is stunning both architecturally inside and out, but also houses over 400,000 books available to the public along with Shakespeare's collective works.

So if your ever nearby and fancy a trip, I highly recommend stopping and taking a look at this city.

Deckchair sock

Back on the day of Prince Harry's and Megan Markles wedding I decided to take my knitting and head to the lovely location of Slimbridge with my knitting.

I wanted to use up some ends of sock yarn that had been used but not completely on other projects.

I combined West Green Loft Yarn with the beautifully speckled yarn of Vicki Brown the colourway is Candyfloss.

I cast on and started the first toe while sat watching the River Severn eb and flow as the tide came in and went out.

I then went to the South Lake hide for a while.

I ended up at the Flamingo house.

I took them on holiday and sat in a tea room in Ilfracombe and did a few rows.

In June the Fushias where the perfect match with them.

Then at the beginning of July when the tea Rose and Hydrangea are in full bloom they we're finished.

1st July summer day walk

I am still striving to keep up the steps, aiming for 10,000 six days a week.  As it was another great day I decided to head out around Cheltenham.

As I walked passed the racecourse I realized the annual Cheltenham 5k and 10k race for Life event was on.

 A stop off at Wyevale Garden Centre. My little routine means that I get a nice refreshing drink, buy one or two small plants for the garden and have a short rest here.

I do love to see poppies blowing in the wind, this was the pathway down to the main racecourse.

 The racecourse is also home to Cheltenham Archers who where holding a tournament.  Is quite incredible how far away the target was they had to hit and I loved the road sign.

I don't know what these flowers where in the hedgerow, but oh so pretty.

Cheltenham is also home to Gloucestershire and Warwick Steam railway. 

I have not been on the steam railway but it goes from Cheltenham through to Broadway where I went last weekend.  For a very reasonable £18 for an adult you can get a Rover's ticket which means you can get off and on the 28 mile route and see some places I have yet to visit.  

That is the wonderful thing I've discovered about not only walking, but by writing my blog I am discovering new to me adventures I can go on.

Instagram is such a lovely app in many ways and in this case it enabled me to watch the temperature rise and rise as the day went on.

This was the total distance I walked today of 9.6 miles, which considering the heat was not too bad.

The remainder of my day involved chilling in the garden with my #roadtohappinesscardi I am designing. 

What are the temperatures where you are reading this?  How are you enjoying this heatwave if you are UK based?