Woolfest day 1

This is a quick update on the mobile in the hope that concentrating on writing will aid sleep.

Wooooo hooooo I made it to woolfest. No way was recovery from gallbladder op going to stop me. Especially as my dear friends jo and Ali were happy to do the carrying of everything. Girls you two really rock thanks.... I owe you both big time...

So Thursday arrived and the food stuffs were bought essentials like sweets for the car journey and wine fir the evenings oh and breakfast and packed lunch items...lol. Then we were off first stop Gretna outlet village. We had promised ourselves m&s shopping... However I found a wee shop called klass... Omg kid in sweety shop does not start to describe my feelings, I loves so many dresses really loved the shapes and materials. So with a lot of persuading from the girls ( ok none) they carried a arm load of dresses into the changing rooms. And the fun began. Every one fit perfectly, I mean really well. I had a ball strutting my stuff really had a ball. I knew I looked really good when jo announced I was a bitch with a hugs smile on her face and shaking her head. Thanks girls really made me feel gorgeous. Then Ali asked me to try on a black slinky number just for her. So of course I did and well to say I was surprised by how amazing it looked isn't even starting to cover how it made me feel... It hung beautifully and well is totally drapey and swishey and well ideal fir a formal night on the cruise.. So yes I had a wee splash out on some brilliantly flattering dresses love them. Lol pics one day promise ...
We arrived at the travel lodge to a hiccup with our room but all credit to the staff the were great realised their mistake and sorted it with minimum fuss and a smile. Thanks

Friday dawned with torrential rain and if honest never stopped but we were there for the start ready to queue all was orderly and them we were off. First the lovely vintage nic nac stall, were we ooo,d and aaa'd at lovely itty bitty's from our past and I bought a wee concentina opening sewing box. It's not as beautiful as my nanna's lost last year in the fire but it's sweet and came with some buttons to start my collection off again. Ali found a sweet wee set of thread clippers and jo lovely antique silks and we were of on a wonderful frenzy of wool and fibre and art bliss or what?

To try and describe the colours smells noise well would be impossible but we loved it to say the least. The girls gad taken my new shopping trolley to the yarn crèche and the wonderful wee man was happy to let me troup pack and forth with my parcels. I now have the pattern and yarn for a herring girl shawl. Ideal for vinnie evenings and already cast on. ( my hap shawl is a disaster, but more on that in another post). I have a pattern for a lovely shoulder piece called ocean ...... Erm something. Ops maybe sleep is trying to overcome the pain finally as can't remember. I visited the lovely timbertops stall ( links when back on laptop posting) and well was greeted as a long lost friend... Our shared fire loss experiences have forged a bond which well let's just say I know they really understand how thus last 15 months have felt and I know how they felt watching their workshop burn down not an experience anyone should have to live through. But we both can only say that the family through Ravelry made us all feel humble with everyones kindness seriously people really cared and showed it. I know I am eternally grateful for my fibre/wooly friends fir their kindness generosity and support... My family it goes without saying rocked too. So 3 wee shuttles later and sone buttons and well a yearning to buy the Harris loom they have lovingly refurbished left me with goodies in my bag and a keen wish the insurance monies had been paid (that table loom moves like a dream and is 8 shaft and really would love to be re homed in Milton.... Lol

I then visited the lovely Natalie and Gavin at yarnyard and well have a gorgeous fibre plait, sone gorgeous yarn and 5 wee braids of tatting silks... Delicious. I then had the pleasure of touching and of Course buying some beautiful merino silk which really is gorgeous to touch and will be a dream to spin all 300g of it. 100g organic falkland had to be bought especially as the island itself is in the news at the moment.

Sleep has alluded me but meds starting to work so will add the rest if Fridays fun later. Off now for breakfast and more woolfest woo hoo albeit mostly sitting today much too sore fir standing much but what a wonderful place to sit and knit while people watch... Missing you Liz we watch people so well together

Excited who me....

Well its the night before I go off to Woolfest in Cockermouth.  I am so excited about going that I am almost unable to sleep, I say almost as I do feel my eyes getting tired now I have decided to write about it... typical...

Anyway Woolfest for my close fibre loving friends and myself is an annual outing and we generally manage to go to the theatre too in Keswick while down in in the Lake District... This year  due to various health issues with us we are not making the theatre but that is all good because it will mean we can sit around with other friends and just knit and spin along together and also we can partake of a little beverage or two....as you do.

So what am I expecting to see and buy at Woolfest.... If I am honest I am not sure really.  I would love to get a bit of fleece for spinning I still have only 200 grams of tops for spinning and also a wee bit 300 grams of Alpaca so my fibre stash is seriously empty.  So some nice mixes of fibre would be good to gather into my stash...

Yarn oh now that's a big one, I am always always wanting more yarn and I love going to wool festivals to enable this... What specific yarn to I really need............ well none really though I am after knitting at least a couple of shawls for my holiday in November and well I can always do with some extra mitts and cowls and well I am short of a shrug or two... so as you can tell I am wanting yarn for a few things... have I actually worked out what patterns in advance so I know what yarn to get... not yet maybe I will get that done tonight I am to try....

I would also like to get a few nice buttons to start a new button box to take back into Milton when she is ready for inhabiting in about 3 weeks... I am also about to do an envelope swap so will be on the look out for one or two items to place in that for my very special spoilee....

So here I am shattered and needing some sleep and yet I am so excited that I can't actually sleep lol would you believe that a 54year old woman could be so silly..................... OK you can because I think most of you who read my blog are knitters and well you really understand this fascination with all things sheepy...

Will see you all the other side and well I may have a picture or two  lol

It seems to have clicked today

So it is the week of Woolfest,http://www.woolfest.co.uk/ the wool and fibre event of the year for me and my knitting pals... we tend to all head down to Cockermouth for this annual affair and if I am honest its not looked like this would happen for so many of us this year what with hospitals and illnesses and bad backs husbands being ill and well many many other issues but here I am on the Tuesday with only 2 sleeps to go and its looking good...woo hoo..

I have adapted what I am taking, so no spinning wheel this year, unable to carry it so soon post operation, and also not even sure if I could spin yet anyway as concentration levels are at an all time low.... however I am now pondering what wee item to take with me to knit... I was going to start a Hap shawl but decided that it maybe a bit to heavy to carry around all day while looking at stalls then going and sitting down to rest and wiping it out would be good but well if it is too heavy well perhaps that isn't a good thing... So what to take with me to knit in the car on the way, and also to knit in the evenings while all partaking of some gin...or wine or what ever takes our fancy... it really is a quandary... I have also got lined up for future knitting a camper van doorstop and that might be an option....oh I am so indecisive... Any way I hear you all shouting what is this wee post about.... It seems to have clicked today...


What the title is referring to today was Emilidh (Gaelic spelling of Emily) my granddaughter, came this evening after school to do her homework which is her reading mainly but also can be her writing practice too... Anyway she is a bright wee thing and nearing the end of her P1 year... She is in the Gaelic medium school and most days when we do the reading.. (bare in mind my Gaelic is not the best and I rely on www.gaelic4parents.com for help with our pronunciation), anyway most days she has learnt the book really when they all read along together she is almost word perfect at times but it is rote to be honest as all learners are... well today she was most definitely reading every word... No it wasn't as fluid, yes she stumbled with part words coming out but she stopped looked again and read the actual words... wow was I proud of my gorgeous wee Emilidh...It Seems to have Clicked...

Thank you Ann-Marie and Andy for trusting your wee one to my care with reading and other homework I find this a privilege and such fun...


KNITTING

Well today like most of the last couple of weeks after my operation my concentration is low and well all I have managed today is to do.  The stitch picking up along one side of the Crow Waltz scarf.  This is almost finished it needs this side cast off and the stitches on the other side picking up and 3 rows of garter stitch doing then cast off too... with only the blocking to do after that... so tomorrow should see that project finished....

And a few rounds of Lindsay's leg warmers - which are still not really floating my boat and with that in mind I am tempted to do no more till I see if she is happy with what's been done so far because if she isn't its pointless to carry on... I am knitting them with Noro silk garden sock yarn but not really feeling the love this time.

So knitting today has been spasmodic but that's OK and I am OK with that as I am only 3 weeks tomorrow post operation and well didn't expect to be doing much more than this at this point... so all is good...

Now what to take to Woolfest?

What, I dont know that?

lol well what a surprising visit I had on Friday into the Bank... I went along to the bank to pay some money in for Robs business.  Thought I would be helpful as well as trying to do my bit of exercise...boy was it wet and windy let me tell you it was like a bad November Day not a day in June...for goodness sake


So I went in and handed over the paying in book as you do... and all was well I had done it all correctly phew... then the lady behind the counter...(more on her shortly) said very politely would you like to have your mortgage paid for a year by us?  er Yes please... Ok so fill in the competition form and post it here and you never know... and wee smile on her face ... bigger on mine... and I left the counter and then went to the ledge place you are supposed to lean against and write on... with pens which never are whole, this was well bent and the point was very long and bent too... thanks goodness now really need for signature else it would look forged....

Any way filled in name then came the difficult bit... here is how it went..


Where is you Mortgage held?...................... Don't Know

What amount is your Mortgage for?............I guessed a figure and when told Rob he blanched and said we have never ever had a mortgage for that large an amount ....ops

How long have you got left of your Mortgage to run?    Don't know

And What is your House worth? ......................Don't Know...

At this point I was stunned and finding it hard not to laugh really I didn't realise I know so little about my financial situation with regards to Milton....ops...

So decided that I had better say yes to the two questions I normally say no too...

Do you want contacting about any of our services?    Yes....(hope can opt out again very soon else rob will brain me when the inbox is inundated with info)

Can we use your email to inform you in the future about anything dah dah dah.... Yes...

Decided I needed to say Yes to those things else they wouldn't even put my form into the draw... I mean how could I not know that...

Oh well you really don't know what you don't know unless someone asks you the question..

Torch Saturday

We woke up early.............. well that's slightly untrue I was awake almost all night but Rob did wake before the alarm but that was probably because I was rather fidgety...lol  anyway we were up and into the shared bathroom asap... the person before erm.... either is daft or has a woman sort out all his mistakes normally.... Coz he had not shut the shower correctly and well had used 3 towels to mop up but then hung said towels without squeezing them out over the radiator and they were dripping everywhere.... I was glad rob came in with me else that would have broken my challenge not to do something not allowed before I even had my clothes on lol.   Mary at the B and B was wonderful all giddy with excitement like I was, her son had carried the common wealth games torch a few years previous and she still had his torch and uniform etc. so she understood exactly how I felt .....

The mums came early and we set off for Inverness the weather at Fort William was sunny and we entered less nice weather almost instantly we left but it was promised to improve and well we knew it would.   The traffic was surprisingly good considering all that was going to be happening this weekend in the highlands... there was the world cup in Fort William, Rockness at Lochness, and a round of woman's golf up in Nairn I believe along with the Olympic Torch relay.... busy weekend for one main trunk road... still we were on it early and it was nice and clear..

We made it to Drumnadrochit by mid morning and stopped mainly for a stretch for me... so we took a nice gentle wander around the area and came across the lovely castle centre piece in the gardens...now I am ashamed to say that I have driven past here numerous times and even stopped a far few times in the wee car park to visit the toilets but I have never noticed this up close... I will put a wee picture of mine here but also an image found on Google images so you get to see the detail better my wee camera phone isn't that good at getting lots of the same shade to show up well. and this was all wee succulent plants growing through a framework and looked brilliant.

So after looking in wonder at the cleverness of the gardeners we took a wee rest stop in the local cafe where I drank some lovely "Vale Of Belvoir",  ginger beer, which was needed for the settling of a not so happy tummy but was also so apt as Lindsay and Ann-Marie grew up in the shadow of Belvoir Castle and well it seemed appropriate on this Olympic torch morning....  After refreshments and a stab at the crossword see the photo of the Cooksley brains working hard.... we set off again for Inverness with me navigating with Robs blackberry phone sat nav. app.... Why that one and not my Iphone app I hear you saying... well because my phone is absolutely useless out and about when it has to rely on a phone signal... where as robs ancient blackberry never ever fails...which is a real pain in the proverbial at times I must say.... however we made it into Inverness and the road in also was the road which Lindsay would be running her leg of the relay so we sussed out the route and parking and where would be the place to plonk me and my chair down and went of to find the Theatre as this was Lindsay's rendezvous point with the Olympic relay coach at 2 pm.....


Eden Court Theatre and Cinema complex was just around the corner to Lindsay's relay route so we parked there and went in to see if there was a suitable coffee shop restaurant etc... did we land on our feet or what.  The centre was a very modern looking one and was so welcoming and well we found a bay to sit in and that was it for most of the day we based ourselves there.... Lindsay Chris and Freya arrived about 30 mins later and we sat and had soup/bagettes etc for lunch.... as we finished eating along came Lucy (lindsays adopted sister) with her other family Linday John and Evie and so our support group were assembled.... Lindsay then went off to change into her uniform with Lucy and Evie as hand maidens or possibly calmer down/wind up merchants lol..... We then had time for some pre torch photo's before Lindsay and Chris went off to the Olympic Torch room to get briefed...


The photos show Lindsay and I then Lindsay with Evie, and below that Lindsay was obviously asking for something from Chris her husband...lol then a nice we shot of the both of them with Evie

Seemingly when Evie woke the family up that morning in their motohome she had informed everyone that today was all about Lindsay day.... she will go far I believe...lol

After checking in with the torch room due to the coach being a bit behind schedule Lindsay came back to our wee gathering and we all had another good hour of fun and frivolities laughing and joking but absolutely not letting Lindsay near anything which would definitely stray onto her nice white uniform.... This time was particularly special as we hadn't expected it and so was more treasured than ever for that... Then as we all were disbanding to do things till cheering time Chris called me outside to see Lindsay's coach group boarding the bus..
There were only 16 of them so it was a nice small group of inspiring people and they all got to know each other really well through the course of the afternoon... Lindsay felt really emotional when relating their wonderful journey to the torch relay...

And so it was time for us to go along the road to the route of Lindsay's relay to say I was excited is really not covering it at all... but I managed to let them stop on route for an ice cream and then we were there... I chose a spot not quite at the end of her run because I thought at the beginning once she was gone it was over full stop I wasn't capable of running along side as most of the others were planning to do and thought this way I would see her approaching with the torch and would be able to let rip with my cheering and flag waving to my full ability that way.... The waiting was not long and the outriders came along first these big police motorbikes with their policemen astride they were all waving and smiling and it was a lovely site...one stopped to speak to me and I was beaming with pride when I said it was my daughter who was running this stage, he was really sweet and gave me the advice that I was to enjoy every moment and if I felt like crying it was ok and well he was right...this policeman like all the others both on bikes and running alongside the torch are from the Metropolitan Police force and they were totally awesome, kind, funny, alert and relaxed together and well it was a pleasure to chat with those that I did...these guys were along for the whole torch relay and were definitely enjoying doing something which was mainly a fun event.

Then along came the sponsor vehicles with their staff whipping up a storm of excitment and giving out flags etc....









Here are the Coca cola sponsor staff mobbing Lindsay  one of their future flames... The Coca Cola places were won by people who are working for the future of sport and that was what Lindsay was nominated for... She has done untold amount of work promoting women in Mountain Biking and has also lead ladies only rides at Cowal Walking and Art Festival for the last few years...She is a very active member of Diva Descent which is a female lead group encouraging women in Mountain Biking sport to do more downhill events and with this in mind the Diva Descent group hold special uplift days for women at the various biking trail centres... The hardest thing for women in Mountain biking is there isnt many of them and so they are often over looked but these active group of women are changing this and we are getting to see many more giving it a go and well that is good... so after filling in her mission statement it went to public voting and well there were thousands and thousands who applied and the Coca Cola co-ordinator on the day told Lindsay what a hard fought place she had received... woo hoo Lindsay...

Then she was coming her came the car and coach of the torch relay carriers already run and it was wonderful to have them waving at me and shouting woo hoo Lindsay is coming now... it really brought all my emotion to the surface... and then suddenly I saw Rob charging along to me shouting she is here look her is your girl.... he was choked with emotion and just swollen with pride... and there she was my wonderful bright happy talented daughter running with the Olympic Torch I was jumping up and down shouting cheering and generally being all the mum I am... My dad was with me all through this amazing day he was one of the most brave men I have ever met and he was a sportsman through and through and he was proud too of his wee Lindsay...

Here she was just coming and then she heard me shouting I
think....lol












Then it was the next young lads turn and she was back here with us and wow was I proud... the flame was out in her torch but the flame in lindsay will never be extinguished she will always be passionate about getting more women into sport for the fun and challenges that that brings... well done Lindsay your challenge is really only just starting out and you will continue to be a future flame for women in sport and specifically Mountain Biking.

This may sound like the end but its is very much not Lindsay then was back on to the bus with her fellow runners and we were walking back to the Theatre to await their return..

 Then  the were getting off to all their proud families and supporters...









As the entourage returned guess who spotted me waiting ..........yes the lovely policeman and so he came over shook my hand and well................ gave me a kiss...he was gorgeous and well I am happy and ops Rob even captured the moment ...lol

As the entourage returned guess who spotted me waiting ..........yes the lovely policeman and so he came over shook my hand and well................ gave me a kiss...he was gorgeous and well I am happy and ops Rob even captured the moment ...lol

Then it was time for all the families and supporters to spend time with their very own special Olympic Torch Carrier.  This was a very special time we were all milling around having family photos and also the general public came along and various wee ones had the chance to talk to the Torch Carriers...hold the torch... and even have photos with them...it was very very special...

The following photos are a few of the many lovely wee moments captured and looking you can see the fun love and joy this wonderful event gave each and everyone of us...

Even the wonderful Freya Lindsay and Chris's rescue greyhound had a great day she ran along beside the flame when her mum was carrying it and even had a grand time sitting posing for photos... while we were doing this many other people came over and took photos it was very surreal... but so sweet and she was lapping up the attention....




So my thoughts of this day are very very emotional proud and what fun it was to be part of and event which had started a bit worryingly close to my operation but ended with a family day shared together with hundreds and possible a thousand or two people on the day but which stayed very personal and a privalage... Thanks to the sponsors Cocoa Cola for giving Lindsay her chance and to the many supporters who took the time to vote, thousands of them.  We all loved being part of your future flames and I know Lindsay was very honoured to be one of you Future Flames.


On a final note if you would like to see Lindsay's stage follow this link and you will see it on youtube.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikbmxNcbyA

Olympic weekend friday

wow well if ever I want a lot of organisation skills I think I will employ the logistic company of the metropolitan police to show me how its done... the Olympic torch relay team we had access to on Saturday at Inverness were totally awesome and never again should anyone british think it is only the germans who can do things to the second... these guys will give them a run for their money...

Anyway back to my thoughts and musings of this wonderful family and regional and even national occasion of the my daughter carrying the Olympic torch..

As you all know I have had a gallbladder operation and making really good progress this weekend was going to be a challenge this soon after and well if honest it was... but with my gorgeous Rob and both his and my mum we managed very well... We set off for the first leg to Fortwilliam around 10 am on Friday, calling in Miltons garages for the cover for our deck chair which I would need to stop me having to stand around a lot...

 The excitement in our cars was palpable and when I popped into see the guys building Milton and hand on some info about worktop deliveries they needed they helped to fuel the excitement by indulging this doting mom...lol So with flags attached to the cars we were ready to set off only instructions from me was we will need lots of stops for stretching my sore body...

And we were off, I was sat in the passenger seat of the the Seat... with a load of pillows to lean back on and my crow waltz scarf to knit .  The mums were in the toyota Janet driving this section getting used to the automatic and my mum having the rare chance to be a passenger so we set off... First rest point is going to be Inverary for coffee via our local amazing garage The Cot House..

We made it to Inverary and I have to admit to being glad the pot holes on the roads of Argyll are legendary but if I am honest I hadn't realised how sore they would make it for me...Rob did a lot of swerving around when traffic and safety allowed but even so I was glad of the stop... So we parked at the front car park had a wee wonder up and down the street and then popped into The Bramble cafe which array of cakes was impressive... none of partook though as the next stop was to be The real Food Cafe at Tyndrum and the food there not to be missed...


So after a nice cuppa we set off again in convoy but this time Mum driving and leading the convoy this came about more because she was first out the car park but she drives this way such a lot they were only convoying to keep me company at all the stops... So a rather sick feeling sandy arrived at the next stop.  The real Food Cafe http://www.therealfoodcafe.com/ and I can say yes it is a chip shop take away but it is so so much more... the couple who opened it saw a niche in the area for good food, the green welly is just up the road and fills one area of a travellers needs but this also gives locals some lovely food reasonably priced too... they only cook as you order so the food is always totally fresh, they source their fish ethically and sustanably, they buy from local estates the venison and the local butchers for the pies etc...this is not takeaway chip shop food it is much much more...there is a wonderful woodburner for those cold days and well its well worth a visit trust me..

So what can a low fat eater get there... I had a gorgeous venison burger which was really really tastey... the mums and rob had the small fish suppers and well they were raving about the fish so a wee flake or two no batter found itself into my mouth and wow it was delicious...think this week it was coley..nom nom... so we stopped for a wee time and then after finishing our freshly squeezed orange juice set off for only a few hundred yards I felt it was time of another photo of cars and flags so what is known as Emily's layby had to be the next stop...

Then we set off again and made it to the glencoe visitors centre... This was not the time for more tea as we were chock full up. So a wee dander around the gift shop and I managed to pick up something for an envelope swap later this summer so a very useful stop it was indeed... there was also the wee free exhibition centre there and we took a wee look... Now been many times and sometimes the exhibits are not something I would be too worried about seeing again but have found some absolute gems sometimes and well this was one of those times... they were exhibiting some photography finalists photos of wild life and well amazing is all I can say... we spent a good half hour looking round reading the snippets about why and how the photos were taken and well it put all mine to shame.... still I am a point and shoot kind of girl not a study the area/lighting and patiently sit for what will be the shot.... wish I was more that kind after seeing these photos they were wonderful... even the german wasp (which I have real issues with as the wee beasties always sting me) was stunning sat on a sunflower in extreme close up...stunning.  




Leaving the centre and returning to the carpark what did we see but the Jamie and Claire tour car... wow Janet and I had to have our photos taken with the car and we had a wonderful chat with the woman who was leading the tour very nice she was too...I wish the ladies taking the tour lots of laughs in all the familiar places though dont think any of us really knows where lallybroch was really situated... 

So we now pushed on to Fort William and negotiated the horrendous traffic got the mums booked into their B and B's and made it to corpak where we were staying with a lovely lady called Mary...who kindly opens her home to people who come to see the world cup MTB downhill series... did we land on our feet there...mary was so kind and made us very welcome and well do love a B and B which will let you loose in their kitchen to help your selves to tea and coffee so none of those wee carton things for oldish pasturised milk.... just good fresh out of fridge cowy goodness... bliss..

Needless to say straight from dinner it was into to bed for me and lots of lying down, wish I could say I slept well but I didnt... still it was so exciting I was never going to sleep.... 

mother of all invention

lol so today I was left on my own for a wee while something I was asking for and awaiting with delight... however didn't really get it organised correctly... yes I had Rob back to fry the mince and put it into the oven for me.... but forgot he wouldn't know if there was enough for the extras we are feeding tonight.... My mum has gone over the water to meet with Moira and collect the IKEA kitchen bits we need and also then on to airport to pick up my lovely mother - in- law Janet.  Who is up to be in on the Olympic torch excitement...  So the mince is cooking away but started to smell really cooked you know... so I opened the oven and . ..... disaster I saw the size of the casserole Rob had put in... nope that wont feed four but is too heavy for me to lift out... so what to do?


Well I have decided that I am getting better at thinking out of the box...or is it just that I have an odd thought process anyway I don't have a clue but in the end... I managed to get some more mince from the freezer and slowly defrost and fry (need to get rid of even the tiny amount of fat that butcher steak mince has in it for me) and without lifting anything too heavy got another small empty casserole into oven, the mince into it while in there, then the gravy made in small amounts added to said casserole... then I managed to put a lid on to both casseroles and shut the door.... if I have it all right there should now be two lovely tasty casseroles of mince and gravy for the workers and travellers when they get in the flat about 8.30pm, mum prepared the potatoes and will be switching them on when she gets her... so I am happily proud of myself for working out what to do and not just sitting down and crying as I am apt to do at the moment... no idea this tearful thing would last so long...its a week today since I gladly gave the incinerator my gallbladder for fuel....

So my time on my own wasn't as calming and relaxing as I thought and wished it had been but I survived and didnt do anything silly woo hoo