she's gone.............

Life has been really hectic here in the small town of late. We have visited two more universities for youngest, one far afield and one a bit nearer and then of course this weekend we took eldest child to York university. Which of course was extremely exciting and more than a little sad. The process for moving in couldn't have been easier. As we parked the car outside the accommodation, a mob of students descended and unpacked the car in a trice (love that word!) and deposited everything in her new home. The bed was made, the tins squirreled away (herb was aghast at how much food i had actually bought) and then we left, really quickly.
Of course that wasn't my idea, I would probably have hung out for the dramatic goodbye, but herb was having none of that (and quite right too) and so eldest disappeared without a back ward glance and left me to have a quick weep. Of course I knew she was crying too.....but after we had a walk round the campus and returned to the car, we spotted her on the grass in a big group all getting to know each other. I have phoned, I couldn't help myself and she is have fun meeting nice people.

Last week we visited Norwich university of art and Newcastle! I have never been to Newcastle before and we all loved it. Great campus, fantastic art department, the space for the students was the best we've seen and the course seemed just perfect, but of course it all comes down to that wretched portfolio, so youngest is busy trying to get that up to scratch.

On the way home I asked the man in the car park how we could get to see the Angel of the North as we had left the A1 too soon to see it. His reply was that why on earth would anyone want to see that rust bucket, it was a terrible eyesore, he could see it from his house and loathed it!

But we loved it. We only saw it close up but its a magnificent structure and when you stand at the feet and look up its imagined movement is more that a little scary.

Norwich was really good too, but it is specifically an art uni and is quite small, but its a great little city so she could do worse than end up there. The building and facilities are excellent and it all felt very exciting and creative.

On the crafting front the bargello is coming along a treat and I had a play with the hook and came up with the beginnings of this little scarf. both I think will become Christmas gifts as 'handmade is the way to go this year I think...............now that we are supporting a student and are poor, well that's what I'm telling herb when he wanted a new golf club, its going to be a cheap Christmas ha ha.

3 days to go..............

before eldest child packs up all the stuff we have bought, pots , pans, plates etc, all the photos she has printed of her pals, the university blanket and the box of tinned soups pasta, shampoo and loo rolls and various other bits and pieces and moves to york for university.............a new chapter begins.

Where has the week gone?

Where has the week gone that's what I'd like to know. Seems to me that after the landmark birthday last year the days are not just running or flying by, oh no, we are talking speed of light here. And yet more birthdays loom for us both, here in the small town.
Herb has his biggie coming up and try as I might I cannot raise a spot of interest in celebrating it. I've tried tempting him with the thought of a free bus pass and free swimming but he wont have it. I should have married a younger man not an older one me thinks if I wanted enthusiasm!

I tell you what finally raised a smile, someone told him that we look about the same age despite the almost decade between us.......how should I feel about that?

On Friday we had a lovely trip out with both girls to Grantchester for lunch... Here are the meadows made famous by Rupert Brooke, with a lovely little museum and more importantly, tea rooms that serve wonderful lunches in a beautiful setting. We had ours in the orchard sat on those deck chairs(not actually the easiest place to have soup) but oozing charm. The sun was shining, the apples dropping..........wonderful. The girls loved it and after food we ambled along the river which you can follow all the way to Cambridge. If you are in the area, do go. The museum is very small but crammed with letters and pictures of Brooke and of course all his poetry. What a gorgeous looking chap.....and such a tragic death.

Sunday Herb and I went for little drive and ended up in Finchingfield, one of Essex's prettiest villages. Obviously a meeting point for silver haired bikers on a Sunday, but with oodles of English charm. It even has a windmill.

On the crafting front, the university blanket is finished, bar a few more ends to sew in. It will be winging its way to York in 10 days time with eldest child to its new home....and god help it. I know it's probably destined for that spot in the corner or under the bed or at the bottom of the wardrobe. but you never know, when she has a moment that she misses us she might drag it out and think of home.

I saw a picture of this needlepoint in a magazine and thought it was beautiful, so have blatently copied it. Hardly creative I know, but it's been fun to sew. Do other blog friends copy stuff like that? Do let me know.




Another uni visit this weekend, Newcastle if you please and apparently there is a home game, so traffic and parking should be horrendous. The things we do.....................

another week another university

So its another week and therefore another university open day. Last week Leeds, not our part of the country but an acceptable few hours driving.....this week Lancaster! How much does this child want to get away from us! A very unacceptable 4 hours in the car each way. But did we complain....not much! but not within hearing of youngest child.

This one she liked. For those who have never visited this university(and why would you have) it is very near the wonderful lake district but in terms of its architecture

it is anything but wonderful. More of a dogs breakfast, a seventies new town look. BUT she liked it. The guy doing the talk for fine art was very interesting and the course seemed far more suited to her. Unlike Leeds which only really seemed interested in extremely modern conceptual art,

Lancaster lets the student follow the art direction that they prefer and fine tune it. Just what she wants.

Youngest was not allowing me to take many photos but i managed a few and it is in a glorious part of the world.

Despite the mishmash of architectural styles some of the accommodation was really tip top , very Scandinavian in design and well thought out. She liked that a lot and it wasn't even the most expensive....a mere £84 per week! A really worthwhile day for youngest...we shall see. Norwich next.

Friday I had a really fun day. Went to a friend who is a wonderful quilter(is that what they call themselves) and she gave another friend and me a tutorial on patchwork and more importantly for me, the correct way to use a sewing machine.I loved it and look what I produced.

Actually I know this is fairly unimpressive but who knows where it may lead on the crafting front. I really enjoyed all the quilting paraphernalia, the measuring and cutting and Jo said I made a pretty good job of my joins. So am all inspired now.

Have a great week folks

No I haven't been away........

nor have I been any busier than usual with work, but the reason I haven't written is that i didn't know what to say. Life here in the small town has taken on a strange atmosphere, preparations for university have stepped up a pace. There has been a trip to Primark for towels and bedding, I am buying all the deals on toiletries I see....all with more than a little disbelief and dread. Herb is keeping his feelings very close to his chest but I am becoming agitated and there is a certain tension in the house. This was compounded this week with a visit to the university open day in Leeds for youngest child. We did the 3 hours drive up north to see what Leeds has to offer for a 17 year old wanting to study fine art. We loved it but to be honest I think she was a little overawed by the campus and the course and it probably isn't for her. (Her with the purple bag)but again on the drive back, I pondered on the fact that this time next year the nest will indeed be empty.....and that doesn't make me happy. There was an article in the Observer last week whose tone was that this was an ideal opportunity for a couple to refind each other, to pursue new interests etc. Of coursed I pounced on this but it didn't make me feel any better. We have a lovely life which I appreciate very much , we enjoy each others company, have lovely friends, a nice home, a good work life balance , it will just seem a paler shade without the girls. that's all.

Enough.....its going to happen onward and upward.......I have plans to fill the space.

I'm going to turn the spare bedroom(it's so bad now i can't even bear to show you a picture) into a bit of a craft room.

I will go to the handmade craft fair in Cambridge in December and the knitting and stitching show at Alexandra Palace in October for inspiration.

I am thinking of starting a stitching group in the small town.

I have Herbs landmark birthday to sort.....and of course youngest will still be here for another year. No need to wish that away.

Speaking of crafting.....a little bit of crewel..I have run out of wool for the university blanket, so took the time to finish the black and green one. I absolutely love it. I know its a bit contrived colour wise but that's me I'm afraid. Only a few hundred ends to sew in!

bank holiday chilli festival

Yesterday Herb and I went to the Benington Lordship chilli festival in a small village about half an hour away. Neither of us knew what to expect, but we certainly hadn't anticipated the level of interest in chilli's! It was a fantastic event.

You could smell the food as we parked the car and even though it was before noon we started planning what we'd have. Of course the food stalls were a big draw but those packed with all things chilli were amazing, plants, sauces, chutneys, aprons, shirts and more. Lots of tasting to be done and some purchases to make. We laughed so much at all the blokes egging each other on to taste the deadliest of sauces. one chap was clearly in some distress after tasting something called Satans S@@t.

I waited for ages for the paella to be done, long after Herb had eaten his harissa chicken with yogurt and flatbread (yum he said). But it refused to cook, poor chap, I gave up in the end.

I finally decided on the goat curry and I'm so pleased I did. It was really wonderful and I'm going to try and recreate it............when I can source the goat meat!

The house and gardens are wonderful and it was the perfect venue........try and go next year if you re in the Stevenage area.

The music was perfect and very mexican..............

....and we finally chose a medium hot chilli plant, some chutney, chilli of course and a southern indian garlic and tomato sauce to take home.

We loved this little chap in the vegetable patch.......he's not real of course...we want one.



On the craft front I am beavering away at the 'university blanket', its not going to be huge, just enough to wrap round her shoulders, when home seems a long way away..........


I bought this beautiful thread from rowan, cotton glace in blue and burnt orange colours and thought I would do some motifs to put on a white pillowcase. Will show you if it works out.
Finally youngest child returned from Greece, looking beautifully tanned and happy. Boy was I relieved to see her back in one piece.....you see a week before she left, a fine young man, a good friend of hers, died tragically on holiday. A terrible accident that makes you want to hold on to them even more tightly, even though at 17 they don't want to be held so so tight.