More Grandma Fixes

Now I have not seen the twins for a while - so I decided, that even though I was tired, I really wanted to see them. So on Saturday I travelled up the M1 to Leeds. What I had not realised was that for three quarters of the journey there were 50mph speed restrictions - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Accompanied with loads of posters warning me that my mummy or daddy works here - BUT there were NO workers! I don't mind doing 50mph when there is something happening, but why cannot the speed limit be altered? Mmmmm

Anyway enough grumblings - decided to reward myself with an espresso and a pain au raisin - getting into practice for my holiday.

Next stop Leeds. Oh have the twins grown - sounding just like my grandma. How I used to dislike her saying that.

Karis is on the left and Sophia to the right. Very hard to tell the difference. We had to pop into a local supermarket and for the girls this is a novelty as they order their groceries online and have it delivered to their door.

Lunch at The Gate House at Kirkstall Abbey. Rather yummy lunch for us adults. The girls was not so exciting!

OK so I travel north and what happens - rain! So the park was out of the question and instead we headed out to Tropical World, along with what seemed like half of Leeds! Golly I haven't been there for years.

Whilst daddy queued up to pay the girls played with the toys in the gift shop. They loved these snakes.

Oh and this card rack is great fun for swinging around!

Eventually we make it inside and oh I wanted to take lots of photographs of all the beautiful butterflies, but the girlies had other ideas!

This fish was enormous in comparison to the twins.

Scarey snakes!

The girls have always loved flowers.

We arrived just as they were feeding the meerkats.

Naturally the exit was though the gift shop again! I'm not sure that the girls didn't enjoy this more than the animal areas!

It was then back for a cuppa and time to make my way back down that M1. Came up with a new coping strategy for all the speed limits - every time I saw the speed cameras I ate a piece of savoury popcorn! That seemed to help relieve the boredom and frustration.

Well the rest of my week is filled to the brim. The Bristol family are up for a few days as the daddy has to see a client in Leicestershire. Also it coincides with Rowan's 2nd birthday. Then in the evening as they go some friends are coming to watch and celebrate the start of The Great British Bake Off. 
I have baked a madeira cake especially as that it what the contestants are making - see how my cake compares to theirs!

 The next evening number one daughter flies in from Northern Ireland and we plus Mrs A are off to Birmingham to the NEC for Festival of Quilts Show.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to read my ramblings, have a good week.

Having A Grandma Fix.

This last weekend was filled with the Bristol side of the family. Oh the house changes rapidly as they arrive with two under two and a Labrador dog. Suddenly our large house starts getting small! BUT filled with joy and laughter. The kitchen becomes an area, where if someone was filming, has someone nearly always in there! The work surfaces are filled with bowls of fruit, especially bananas, cakes and goodies. The pantry is heaving with extra food! Upstairs the bedrooms take on a new look with what has become the ironing room is reverted back to a bedroom for the toddler. My work room becomes a room for the baby and the third bedroom, well that doesn't get used much, so it is nice to see the beds slept in again. So unashamedly I'm going to bore you with pictures of the grandchildren - you have been warned! 320 pictures were taken over the weekend! NO don't worry you will not have to endure that many photographs!

Saturday we went to Rutland Water to the area with a beach. Now my son in law is amazingly skinny but loves his food - not fair (to eat lots and be sooooo thin). So as we arrive at 11:45 he's wanting the picnic already! Manage to persuade him to wait a little longer but not for too long as Rowan is wanting his lunch too! Now Rowan did eat his sandwich first before he had hoola hoops!

My basket had a new use! Perfect size for Ayla to sit in and be fed! She is now exactly six months old and beginning to eat solids. Unlike her brother who by three months of age was devouring everything he could see! She is taking life easy. She is able to roll around, but not quite sitting up yet. Saturday was one of those days that when the sun came out it was gorgeous and hot, but when it disappeared the layers were on again!

Here I am having precious moments with the baby. Having a large pointed nose was fun for her as she tried to rearrange it!

Meanwhile Rowan had a great time playing on the beach. He spent most of the afternoon contentedly playing with the sand.

He and his daddy made a sandcastle together.

It all became too much for Ayla and Poppy!

It took a long walk around to get her to sleep as she was busy enjoying watching all that was going on. Grandad too had a sleep!

Sunday the weather was horrid and so we opted to venture out to the local soft play park.

Rowan had a great time climbing and exploring.

Enjoying the small slide with his daddy.

Later on then enjoying the BIG boys slide!

Even Ayla had to be dragged around the play area to keep up with Rowan!

But she didn't last as long as he did before falling asleep. Golly even though she is small my arms did become tired holding her in one position for soo long. But oh what a privilege to have her fall asleep in my arms. Aaaargh!

One very thirsty boy - drinking the dregs!

- Drinking chocolate!

Back home for a bounce.

Rowan making me laugh! He discovered that in our porch we have an alibaba basket containing hats, scarves and gloves. Here he is after having chosen some clothes! I just love him in this deerstalker!

All too soon it was time for them to leave. :(

Thanks for popping by, have a good week.

Enforced RICE

Oh dear I have a very short blog today. Friday night was one of those glorious sunny summer evenings and Mr P and I decided to go to Foxton Locks and take the longer route so that we could spend quality time together whilst enjoying the surroundings.

Along the route, near to the start, is a lovely old traditional pig - a bit like this one.

So I went up to the fence to say hello, but he was further back and a new fence had been erected to prevent the pig getting so close to us. So disappointed I bade farewell and noticed a big hole in the grass verge. I thought golly I could have tripped on that! But as I was thinking this I go and fall! There was another hole! Oh it was not pleasant. It was one of those times when you know that you have hurt yourself a bit more than you want to. Mr P is busy trying to talk to me but only swear words are coming out of my mouth! Not helpful I know but saying "oh golly I have hurt myself" just doesn't work for me. I need to be more dramatic! It was obvious watching my ankle swell up that the lovely walk had gone out of the window. All that we could do was rest on the grass verge until I felt able to get up and hobble back to the car. Back home it was enforced RICE - rest, ice (bag of birds eye frozen peas - kept thinking what a waste), compression and elevation. Oh and some ibuprofen. Next day I dreaded getting out of bed but the RICE had done its job and I was remarkably able to get myself down the stairs without any swear words!

Saturday was another glorious day and I was soooo disappointed not to have been able to go out on a bike ride. But I managed to persuade Mrs A to accompany me for another trip to Foxton Locks. But this time it was to the tourist car park, with a picnic, to do a spot of boat and people watching. We spent the whole afternoon on a bench just observing everyone. It was a great rest and a great way to keep myself occupied without being cooped up in the house.

Sunday I was able to drive the minibus for church and this week my ankle is still swollen and sore but I can walk about fine. So I think I got off lightly. Well next blog will be more grandchildren pictures as the Bristol family are here for the weekend. Have a good week.

Barnsdale Gardens and A Crafting Update

Saturday was another glorious English summers day. Dad came over from Staffordshire and we headed out to Barnsdale Gardens, very near to Rutland Water.  Geoff Hamilton designed the gardens whilst working for the BBC. 

 I just love being outside when the sun is shining. I guess spending the working week indoors drives this desire to be outside.

Someone with a sense of humour - making this topiary.

I rather liked this unusual plant - sure Mr P would say it was a "phallic"!





























This was a children's garden, every few minutes smoke came from underneath the bridge. To the side there was a den constructed from a growing willow.

No problems with food for the bees here! The gardens were certainly buzzing, which was great to see knowing that we have a shortage of bees.

Now these brick constructions were early composters and when the compost was ready for use the whole thing had to be taken to pieces! Dad was saying that he doesn't use his composter anymore as he finds it too strenuous for his back. We did see a new design composter that looked a little like a cement mixer. It was circular on a stand and had a handle to rotate the composter. Now there's an idea for a presie for him.

Tortoiseshell butterfly enjoying the lilac flowers

Now as well as the bees the birds were having a great time pinching berries. I spotted this bird and cannot think what it is. I have come to the conclusion it is a female blackbird with a strange growth. Has anyone else any idea what this bird could be?

After lots of mooching around these inspirational gardens dad looks at his watch and we discover it is 6pm! Ah we had been there around 5 hours! What I really liked was that the gardens were designed into sizes that represented most peoples gardens. Lots of ideas to absorb and use for home.

Ok lets change gear and go onto another favourite subject - crafting.

It is really difficult to take a photo of my fern shawl as it curls at every edge. I am really enjoying knitting this shawl and can see the end is in sight. It will definitely need blocking. It will also have some tassels!

    

This is a small crochet shawl/scarf  Spun Gold by Kate Goldin. This I finished yesterday and I need to block it. The yarn is "purple haze" by Knitglobal - presie from a lovely friend!.

I have done a little bit more on my Indian Embroidery sampler.




Below I am going to add these washers! You'll have to wait and see as to how I am going to use them!

Last night I tried to make a top, well it went well until I went for a first try on and it was too small for my big belly! Fortunately I was only using some leftover cheap fabric, but I think I will try and add an extra panel in! Sewing clothes is surely a huge learning curve! Especially when you have curves like mine!

Well it's time to wish you all a great week, from a rather grey looking Leicester.