Sauntering Saturday.

Well, it wasn't really sauntering, more determined striding out from Amersham to Chalfont St Giles by the pretty way, or steep way. A climb out of the town, across the fields, through the beech woods with ten others from the Church strollers group.

I did wonder if I would make the first part, lots of ventolin ensured I did, everyone was so patient waiting for me whilst I plodded upwards through stubble, mud and grass. Frightening at times as I knew my limbs were heavy which means not enough oxygen but managed to remember the breathing exercises, the steep part was about a quarter to one third of the first part of the walk then it was level. Lunch was taken at a pub, I think it was called Merlin's Cave, not quite sure. The parish church was next door, of course we had a peep at the church which was open, didn't look around as spoke to parishioner on duty. She had moved out from Isleworth where property prices too high for newly weds to Buckinghamshire. Today the position is reversed.

Our party split 7 - 4, some took the high road and were in Amersham afore us, the rest of us took the lower and level path still very interesting rather than returning the same way we had trod before. Picture shows those  who chose the flat route.

Did I mention that it was a rainwear on and rainwear off sort of day, some heavy showers, some warm sunshine? Plenty of ripe blackberries for Vitamin C, some of our party very clever at spotting bird life. One of my problems when walking is I'm so concentrating on the path or route ahead that I am unable to look around and take in the wider picture.

After we reached Amersham searched for a café for tea and cakes, eleven was a big party for the tiny establishments but we found The Crown Ian and I chose a cream tea with Earl Grey tea. Full marks from me cos no tea bags, proper leaves and strainers.

Ian drove both ways, going we were in convoy so I didn't need to help with navigating so started another hexipuff; coming back too tired to knit so think I will now go and complete the hexipuff. Would like to knit one a day. Ian has come downstairs after working at his maths studies so I will join him on the new sofa.

Here's a picture of progress so far:-

Haven't tried any fancy work or embroidery yet, am just making each one with different yarn to see how it works.

Oh, forgot to tell you folks, I wore my pink socks that I had knitted inside walking boots, socks were fine, no slipping down. As you can see, I have made a hexipuff in the same yarn.

Hexipuffing

SaturDAY, August 20, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook: 20th August

Outside My Window ... sunshine after some very heavy rain. From the front of the house it is a cloudless sky now, a couple of hours ago it was heavy rain.

 

I am thinking ... I will need to do more at home so Ian can study, he does a lot of catering and we shop together, I viewed it as a break but he cannot afford such long breaks now.

From the learning rooms ... much planning by Ian as to how much time to spend on his TMA and how much on revision. 

From the kitchen ... Ian has made his famous chocolate brownies.

I am wearing ... black jeans style trousers, grey and white horizontal striped top and charcoal grey cardigan.

I am creating ... Am making good progress with cardigan and have made my first hexipuff

 

I am sure the yarn snobs will not like this acrylic but all the materials, yarn, needles and pattern were a gift and I think the cardigan is looking good.

I am going ... to try and help daughter with her job search. She has been waiting a while to find out if her firm would keep her after she qualifies, eventually she was told that she wouldn't. Gather this is usual, trainees are taken on, paid minimum Law Society wage, given much responsibility and then once qualified that is it. Two months isn't long in today's world to find a newly qualified post, especially as solicitors at the top of the tree are not retiring so no space at the bottom of the ant heap.

So, if any of you lovely people reading these ramblings know of vacancies in any part of England for a NQ solicitor who has trained in area of private law and commercial law we would love to hear from you. Martha has experience of conveyancing too; she has good IT skills as worked in web hosting company in sales and recruitment, also in retail. As you know she ran in the London Marathon and raised nearly £4,200 in memory of her friend who died aged 27 from this disease.

I am reading ... The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks. Finding it interesting but it is a battle between knitting and reading.

I am hoping ... Martha finds work and that there are no more delays with Adam & Juliet's house purchase. The solicitors for the other party have delayed the move by a week, there are only two in the chain and absence from work has been booked around the move.

One of my favourite things ... learning new skills. Well I have learnt Turkish cast on and how to cast off using 3 needles. All because like so many I have joined in the latest craze on Ravelry in creating Hexipuffs. They are stuffed honeycomb shaped pockets, 3" across and can be joined together to make a quilt from a pattern one can buy and down load, created by Stephanie Dosen. Here is my first, and so far, only one!

I used the alpaca wool from which my jumper and beret were made, although the pattern suggests left over sock yarn. From reading the acres of print on line on this subject I think any 4ply will be fine and I am sure clever people will make them different sizes from heavier yarn.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... well, today is last day of the week but looking ahead am catching up with friends next week, giving a talk about Breathe Easy.

Not sure why some text has blue background but will leave it as I'd like to try another hexipuff - they are supposed to take half an hour to knit. Maybe that's when more than one has been attempted

 

Socks finished

Just in case you don't knit or crochet and thus do not peruse Ravelry I thought you  may like to see pictures of my second pair of socks I have knitted.

Although I am making a cardigan/jacket for myself from yarn and pattern received at Christmas from cousin, the socks have been my mobile knitting, the sort one does on the train or bus. As I use Magic Loop system it means no long needles so it is very portable. So now have to decide what my portable project is to be whilst knitting jacket at home when I can concentrate on a very complicated pattern.

Anyway, here are the socks, have worn them last evening when the temperature dropped.

Think this colour has come out a bit dark and bit more orange than the yarn, but so what. They are on my feet, they fit and are comfortable.

Two views of socks on cushion on another Lloyd loom chair, seem to photograph my knitting on these chairs all the time.

That's all folks, just pleased with myself.

Sunday matinee

SUNDAY, 7th August, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook: 7th August

Outside My Window ... Dark clouds, we have had some heavy downpours, much needed by the garden. Also, will wash away some of the dust from the building projects around here.

Yesterday evening we had double rainbows,

not very clear but views from the front of our house.

 

From the learning rooms ... Maths. What else? Ian has registered for M208 for next year, I said it sounded like a radio station not a study course.

I am thankful ... for friendship. On Thursday went to Hertfordshire to see friend, we used to share a house many years ago, have stayed friends. Took a toy for her dog, she chewed it to pieces in well under an hour. Haven't a picture of the destruction but here is the instigator.

From the kitchen ... Nothing much, lunch included home grown runner beans, stewed apples of which some were windfalls and garden blackberries.

 

I am wearing ... Cotton rich natural colour trousers, pink & white striped overshirt and my blue socks that I knitted. Also wearing friendship bracelet, one of the pair I bought Martha and myself from www.poppysparkles.co.uk. Go and look at the lovely jewellery.

 
I am creating ... well on with second pink sock, nearly at the toes as I knitted a lot on all the trains on Thursday, at the doctor's surgery and waiting in the chemist on Friday.

I am reading ... The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks. First time reading group has read a non fiction book, it is fascinating and so much better than the Twilight book.

I am hoping ... no more mozzie bites. The prayer and meditation group on Tuesday sat in a garden (the Vicar had double booked the church) and I came back with rather itchy legs. Should have gone to pharmacy earlier, left it till Friday so sent to doctors. By then swelling down a little, so just ointment but as usual brilliant liaison between practice nurse and GP to check my medications.

Around the house ... we have bought new lamps for the lounge, pictured below.

One of my favourite things ... probably said this before, but I appreciate my Freedom Pass so much, and the Senior Rail card. Anything better than driving on the M25, a chance to read, knit and people watch.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... nothing special, although have emailed a couple of people to see about meeting up so Ian can study uninterrupted. Feel I must make the effort, otherwise I could be quite a recluse as happy with my own company. At least I escape the building noise if I go out. View belong taken from back bedroom window, our kitchen Dutch blind can be seen to give some perspective.

 

A Picture Thought I Am Sharing ... of the new lamps, seem to have lost the top of the lamp but the large picture is really too big. You can see the nearly completed sock on the cushion too.

 

Home thoughts.

Just a few thoughts whilst I'm waiting for a loaf to rise as I decided to make bread rather than take one from the freezer. Bit naughty to make just one loaf, not efficient use of energy not sure I have the oomph to knead two loaves.

It has been a very unusual weekend for Ian left here at 7am yesterday to go to a Summer School at University of Sussex. Whole two days of maths related stuff. Can relate that he has enjoyed it, learnt a lot, thought about the next course too.

Meanwhile I'm home alone. Well yesterday not much alone as Martha didn't go out till gone 7pm last night so we did what we call Mummy-and-Martha things. Ordered a couple of friendship bracelets for us, I think of them as M & M bracelets from : www.poppysparkles.co.uk . Do have a look at this site, some beautiful, unique designs, prices that say "treat someone or yourself" and the pleasure of helping a small business rather than a chain store.


Today on my own and enjoying it apart from one thing. I don't wish to go and sit out in our garden. Even though it is reasonably quiet, only one lot of builders working on a Sunday, I am terrified that we have another fox visit.


Woken by the security light early on Friday morning, again the light alerted me to a fox in the garden on late in the evening. It had come through where the fence had not been put back properly by next doors builders, it was panicking too when Ian went out and chased it with the mop. 

Ian has propped the fence up now but I was worried the fox would jump over so have leant the whirly line against the fence too.

This is where I'm worried a fox will jump over, they have no fear around here and stroll about in daylight too.


My fears were dismissed by some at church this morning, but I would not be relaxed outside. Shame, the weather is fantastic, but some how the time has sped by. I am reminded of the time before I met Ian when I lived alone in my maisonette, I could pass a whole weekend without speaking to anyone, it didn't and doesn't bother me, I am happy with my own thoughts. In today's world I can share them and share others thoughts so would not wish to be without internet access and my iPad2 however much it eats into time.


Now I need to go and tidy the kitchen, there is ironing to complete, newspapers and a book to read and knitting to do. Two more rows of heel flap to be done.


Oh, and The Archers in 10 minutes. Byeeee!


PS on Monday morning. 


Loaf I made yesterday had a flying top but the taste was unaffected - still good. Think there may have been too much dough for the tin size, next time will set some dough aside for a few rolls as each time I make this the bread rises to twice the height of the tin.




Broad stroke planning our lives well into next year on Ian's return from his Summer School for the course he plans for next year is double the work and the double the points.* I am insisting we have a couple of trips away at the end of this year's study and before next years commences.


Then during the year I may go out to play again on my own, North Wales beckons again.


* We all know points means prizes don't we?

Give us our daily bread.

Never quite sure what to say here, think I will return to the template of Simple Woman's daybook although maybe not using all the categories. Whilst writing this blog I am making a couple of loaves so if all goes well you may see the final result.

Outside my window ... from the front of the house whether we look to the left or to the right we can see building materials. The house next door is being extended; next door but one the other way the property is being altered, rewired and replumbed. Skips are us.

I am thinking ... about Norway. How could this have been avoided? Probably couldn't but just hope somehow some good will come of this. What a way to learn about this tiny nation with a total population less than half that of London.

From the learning rooms ... Ian has sent his third TMA (Tutor marked assignment) to be marked. Quite a relief, I understand question 5 gave him, and other students, some difficulty.

From the kitchen ... bread is in tins, proving for the second time. Will be scampering downstairs to light the gas oven soon. Recipe for a Half and Half loaf is from Taste of Health, a BBC cookery book from 1985. Update: the loaves are baked, didn't stick when I removed them from the tins. That is always my fear in spite of oiling the tins well.

I am wearing ... M & S cream trousers, sort of chino style with a Boden black and cream striped top.

I am creating ... socks, on second pink one, nearly at the heel.

Also working on cardigan but that needs total concentration. Earlier in the week sat in the garden and made much progress but cannot follow complicated pattern if anyone else around.

I am reading ... waiting for reading group book, it will be The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks. From what I have gleaned on line it looks good.

I am hearing ... fridge humming. How exciting is my life?

One of my favourite things ... well not things, but place. It is the Royal Academy of which Ian is a Friend. Met up with him after his day school (morning only) and after a light lunch we saw just a few of 1000+ works of the Summer Exhibition. Didn't see anything I wanted to buy, most prices were out of our reach just as the sizes of the works would be in our suburban semi! There were a few I liked, my tastes are uncomplicated, I like interiors or street scenes that look realistic and also are calming. 

As I have worked in an art gallery quite often many modern works make me think of the Emperor's New Clothes. Good that everyone has a different viewpoint about art. We hope to return to see a few more of the works before the exhibition closes.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... BLF Breathe Easy group tomorrow, the last meeting for the development officer who is off to Oz, there has been no communication about the meeting. As I missed the last one, and development person has not responded to me, not sure what is happening. We shall see.

To tempt parishioners to come to the gardening party on Saturday vicar was promoting the joys of a new mower. It is a ride on one, now I've never driven one of these and have a mind to turn up and have a go. Will I need my driving licence? So different from our traditional push along hand one, bought second hand some 32 years ago for £5.00 and still going well.

A picture thought I am sharing ...

Photograph of one of the many and varied sunflowers in our front garden. Picture taken by Martha with her phone. Must take more pictures of these lovely flowers, some grown from last year's sunflowers. Those were from seeds given away at Hampton Court flower show.

Clarity

Hello folks,

Just a quick pop in here to say that the change of font is so the blog is easier to read, thought however pretty the previous type face was it didn't make giving links easy.

So what else has been happening. At doctor's yesterday, given an appointment for that morning with choice of doctor too. Fortunately chose to see doctor who specializes in lung problems, as usual at practice treated so well and have come away with steroids and antibiotics. After reading the possible side effects of the steroids I can be as loopy and spaced out as I like whilst blaming it on the drugs. Instructions didn't say no red wine so able to enjoy the same with a lovely Spanish style meal yesterday organised by daughter. Without going downstairs to check the feast included some lovely cheese, walnuts, a kind of quince jelly, lots of different meats too.

It was a productive day for knitting. As I'm not infectious (did check with doctor), went off to knitting group at Mrs Moon where ribbing for second sock completed and now working my way down to the heel. Much knitting was achieved at Home Group in the evening too.

Met a member of Home Group on way to collect paper this morning, we were comparing our life styles. This couple have very set routines, Thursday big weekly grocery shop, Tuesday meet friends for coffee and maybe a visit somewhere, then two days spent as volunteers at a charity.

We are so different, there is no pattern to our week really, apart from Sundays. Even that has changed as Ian has OU courses for three Sundays this month. We never shop regularly, it is a case of shopping when we need stuff, mainly at Waitrose but sometime very big Sainsbury's trying to avoid the crowds at weekends.
At  local studies I turn up on different days too, as this week I have given a couple of talks about Breathe Easy at Pulmonary rehab courses so haven't yet been to library. If the weather is good we may consider a trip out very much at the last minute, say a train trip to the coast, weather and Ian's studies have precluded this recently.

Now, will sign off, last of the washing to be pegged out. Yes, I know it it not Monday (a wet day this week) but there you go! All part of my philosophy of seizing the day, living in the present, going with the flow and trying to relax. Those who know me of old will appreciate how difficult that is for me.