Pheww!!!

It was certainly HOT in Egypt! We had a brilliant holiday, hotel, food, flights, weather, activities excursions, everything went without a hitch. A little bit of Egyptian tummy but that is almost to be expected with everthing so different from home.

We spent a lot of time just lazing around the pool and dipping in to cool off but we enjoyed three wonderful excursions.

The first was a trip into the the desert for a 'Bedouin experience'. First was a ride on a camel,getting up and down was quite an experience in itself. we were then given two traditional drinks which were both delicious. We walked up small mountain and watched the sun set and heard the amazing echoes. After a traditional meal there was dancing around the camp fire( the temp. was already around 33 c !) The final part of the evening was star gazing. In the middle of the desert of course there is no artificial light and the number of stars was breathtaking.

For our second outing we took a one hour flight to Cairo and then onto Giza to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. It was incredible to actually be in the place that we have seen so many times in books and magazines. In the afternoon we visited the Museum to see all the exhibits from the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Last but not least we spent the day snorkelling in the Red Sea. I had to talk myself into it as I this was something new to me and I was quite nervous. Once in the wonderfully warm water all my nerves dissapeared as we discovered a beautiful under sea world. So many brilliantly coloured fish and wonderful shaped corals. What an experience!

Do you like the 'trout pout' ?

Almost...

ready for our hols. Case nearly packed apart from a few bits still in the wash. I will tidy and hoover tomorrow and then we shall be off to the In-laws for the night as they are fairly near Gatwick.

Last Tuesday was my birthday and I spent the day at a patchwork workshop. We made up 3 blocks ready to carry on to make a lap quilt here's one of them.

I have also done a little more to Ethans new quilt and hope to finish it as near to his birthday as possible.

In the evening we all had dinner at Rachels' and I had lots of lovely goodies as presents, mainly craft stuff. Ethan had helped to make my birthday cup cakes and presented one to me, complete with candle as he sang 'Happy Birthday'.

We went to watch the film 'Mama Mia' last Wednesday. The critics seemed to be doing their best to to say it was trash, probably because there was no blood and gore or heaving bedroom scenes. The singing wasn't the best but for me that added to it. It was a feel good film that one could just sit back and enjoy and we certainly did!

Thank goodness...

it stayed dry last Saturday, so Beverly and I could enjoy an open air performance of Midsummer Nights Dream at Cliveden. We had a lovely day. Our first port of call was good old M & S to buy goodies for our evening picnic. We stopped off in Wendover and had a wander in a few very pretty shops and found a wonderful cafe where they make chocolate too! Next stop was Hugenden House, we always buy a guide book so we know what we are looking at. We took tea by the river at Maidenhead and then on to Cliveden.

Parts of the play had been updated but in such a way that it wasn't spoilt. The cast were good and the minimal scenery and costume changes ( each actor played 2 or 3 roles) were brilliant.

We sat on the ground

supported by our bean bags which everyone seemed to think was a very clever idea ( well done for that one Bev ). The only bad part of the day was getting stuck on the M1 for an hour on the way home.

Olney crop was on Sunday and again I managed 4 layouts and had a great day.

Time is moving on apace now towards our Egypt holiday so I have been stocking up with suncream, ' mossie' lotion and antiseptic had gel. Rachael andI have both bought a sun hat and very fetching we look in them too! We shall certainly need them.

What's been happening...

since I last blogged?

Had a lovely weekend ( the one just passed). We had Jet and Sasha to stay as Lindsay sailed off to the Isle of Wight to visit Squirral. and Ed was playing cricket . On Saturday afternoon we went to the Olney Cherry fair. There was a small dog show included so we entered Sasha in the class for' Best Girl Dog' (don't like that other word!). Ethan took her into the ring, helped by Rachael and he was thrilled when she won first prize. The judge commented on her beautiful shiny coat. Jet got a bone as a treat as he was very well behaved but we didn't think he would be too keen about being in the ring. Bonnie stayed at home, all the other dogs would have terrified her.

Beverly and I took Ethan down to the fun fair at the rec. where an hour and the contents of our purses disappeared fairly rapidly!

We all joined up again for a b-b-q to round off the day.

Sunday morning saw Rachael and I driving down to Watford to take part in a Donna Downey class at Willow Tree crafts. We really enjoyed the class although we haven't finished the project yet,so, piccies later. Donna was lovely, not at all Diva'ish , chatty enough but kept the class going.

I have been enjoying the warm weather and took Bonnie for a lovely walk over Clifton Meadows this morning. The garden is looking nice and full and the hanging baskets are blooming well.

This coming Saturday Beverly and I are spending Saturday at Hughenden House and then going on to Cliveden (both NT properties) for a performance of 'A midsummer Nights' Dream at the open air theatre. Let's hope the weather holds!!

Lets hear it for...

'This blessed plot, this earth, this realm. this ENGLAND.'

Can I be the only one who is fed up with all and sundry moaning and groaning about this wonderful country of ours? Yes, I know we have our problems but so do other countries, although they seem not to publicise them or put themselves down as we are wont to do. The press and other media whip up all the bad news stories and tell us about all the evil people, the skivers .

Maybe I wear rose coloured spectacles but I still belive that this is a great country to live in. I belive that there are far more good people than bad living here. As a general rule, we are still free to go where we want , when we want and to voice our opinions without fear of being shot or imprsioned. We are tolerant of other lifestyles, although maybe sometimes a little too much so!
No society is perfect, what a boring world if they were.

We have a rich and varied history and many famous, infamous , inventive characters now and in the past.

We have scenery, countryside , coasts , towns and cities to rival anywhere else in the world.

Without our ever changing weather (something that generates so much complaint) we wouldn't have the lush greenery and native wildlife that we see all around us. Endless sunshine in some other countries may seem like a dream but, how boring when it is day after day, week after week.
It's time to be more patriotic and fly the flag for this beautiful varied ( in all aspects) country.

Sunny weather

How lucky were we with the weather last week? Blue skies all the way for the first 5 days and although Thursday and Friday were a bit breezy it was still good and we had no rain.

I just love this part of Cornwall, somehow I feel at home there. Porthscatho is a very small town/village and there is really nothing there but something attracts me back there as often as possible.

We took a boat trip on Tuesday and were lucky enough to see a large number of dolphins, a few seals and the Navy helicopters landing on ships just off Falmouth.. We managed some short walks (Dad used his motorised scooter). I particularly enjoyed going down to see St Anthonys lighthouse and the views over St. Mawes.

This was rather good too!!

Ethan was very pleased with the postcard we sent him but wanted to know why we hadn't taken him. We have been promising to take him away in the caravan without Mummy and Daddy so we are off with him for a weekend in August.

I held a Stampin'up party last night . I managed to get 2 free stamp sets and lots of free goodies . I am looking forward to them arriving later in the week. It was a very busy evening but everone seemed to enjoy it and the little books we made.

What should I post?

It's odd but when I am out and about so many things go through my mind that I could 'blog' about. When I sit down to type all those ideas seem to fly away or I decide that they are too personal or about someone else and maybe they wouldn't want them broadcast to the millions that read my blog! LOL! Maybe I should write a proper diary (a private one ) to get all these thoughts down but I know I would never keep it up.

So... once again just a few bits and bobs to report.

Last Thursday Claire and Sheena and children were due to visit. Unfortuately Claire and Alex were both ill and the visit had to be postponed. We decided not to waste the day so Rachael, Ethan and I made a trip to Warwick castle. This was not a cheap outing but the weather was good and there was plenty to do. Knights, horses, birds of prey , archers entertainers and of course the castle and grounds.

Fun of the free kind yesterday when Rachael and Ethan called in after school. The weather was lovely so we had a cuppa in the garden . Ethan decided on a battle of his own and I got some great photo's of this rough and tumble with his Mummy.

Michael and I are off to Cornwall on Saturday with Dad and Dave and Liz. Really looking forward to this as it is one of my favourite places . Just hoping the weather behaves itself.

Now I know that it is not the 'in' thing to have garden gnomes these days but I think this one is rather lifelike !

Yuccky weather..

Thank goodness we got out in the garden yesterday. We cleared out the shed (at long last ) and painted the benches. Dad re-did the teak oil on the wooden table and chairs. I planted up the hanging baskets and have also put in some sweetpeas. We were going to take everything to the tip today but it was too wet. My last job in the garden for this year is to paint the two gates and the old water pump, which I will use as a feature. Hopefully , now that the garden is quite full and has plenty of perennials, we won't have to spend too much on it in the next few years.

Last Sundays crop was a very productive one. I can't belive I actually did 4 LOs! Everyone enjoyed Willows class and we had some fantastic work on show.

This pigeon appeared in the garden about 2 weeks ago. It is a racing pigeon and has a ring on its leg but, has obviously lost its sense of direction. Poor thing looks quite lonely but at least it doesn't seem to be having any problems feeding and seem to have made itself at home!

I have been very good this week, three visits to the gym and lots of dog walking. Not sure if it is doing me any good. I have the 'sniffles' and a horrible chesty cough.

Here is Michael watching the rain pour down. His game of golf was cancelled. All say 'Ahhhh'.

Goodness...

where did the last two weeks go?

We had a good w/e away and the weather was, in the main, good to us. We didn't really move very far once we were there. The little town was interesting to wander around. We took a boat trip on Sunday, followed by a BBQ. There was a nice pub on the waterfront and we also ate there on Saturday evening. Lots of chat and far too much food!

The sunny weather in the last week encouraged me out into the garden and I finally found a new table and chairs for the patio. Some of the plants I put in a few weeks ago are begining to bloom. I particularly like this Loncheria ( sp?) a type of evergreen honeysuckle.

Last weekend I was at Knuston Hall on a patchwork course. Lovely setting especially in the beautiful sunshine. I was very busy though. I made some progress with Ethans tool bench quilt and completed two cushion covers, a small bag and this project which is to be my special table mat. Now I have to make one for Michael, he wants a red one! I am buzzing with other projects that I want to do.

Another full weekend coming up. We are off to Kailas' 3rd birthday party on Saturday. Sunday is the Olney crop. Willow is going to show us some of her techniques. I think the LO will be very different from my usual style but i'm looking forward to having a go.

Nearly packed...

for our weekend away. We have a good assortment of clothes to cover all seasons and will enjoy ourselves whatever.

Had a great evening at the stampin'up party on Monday and of course I had to buy something. Beverly was there and regaled us with anecdotes about her Paris trip. She was really on form and had us rocking with laughter. Talking of stamps, the 'Tilda' Magnolia stamps seem very popular just now. I have to say that I am reminded of hippo's each time I see them and I just itch to give them a mouth of some kind.

Had lunch with my friend Rose on Tuesday and we were asked to leave the Pub! No, we hadn't misbehaved. Just nattered so much that we forgot they shut at 3 p.m. We had a small crop here in the evening, six of us. I am enjoying using the Becky Fleck Page Maps, they are really helping me to get LOs done.

Ethan has his new glasses and thinks he is the cats whiskers, I have to agree. Mind you Grandad and I are in his bad books because we are going away in the caravan without him! We will be arranging a weekend to take him as soon as possible.

Hope you all have a good Bank holiday w/e.