A quick catch up....

A huge thank you to all my friends for your lovely comments recently they mean such a lot. Things are getting pretty hectic around here now - with just over a month to my final mammoth assignment I don't seem to have time for anything. So - for the moment I'm blogging as and when I can and apologise now if I miss any of your posts.

So here's a catch up on what's been happening down my way over the last week.

Last Sunday we were having coffee in our sitting room when John spotted this strutting past our front window.

We couldn't believe our eyes

It was obviously a bit peckish as it was happy to eat some breadcrumbs

we threw out of the window

We have since heard that it belongs as a pet to someone living about a quarter of a mile away who often lets it out. It finds it way home later in the day when it feels like it - like a cat will do. 

I was absorbed with my reading last week and feeling pretty stressed out when the postman knocked. He had a parcel for me and I definitely wasn't expecting one. Well to my absolute delight this is what I received all wrapped up in this pretty fabric and sent as a RAK from the lovely Heidi in Holland such a lovely Random Act of Kindness and so much appreciated. Made my day!

These are called 'Lapkins' that she made from fabric purchased at an Alsacian factory in France. So pretty and reminds me of William Morris fabric.

and then she crocheted the napkin rings to go with them

which she had attached some gorgeous vintage brass buttons

Thank you once again Heidi I love them and as you suggested will come in handy for out in the garden (when we get some sun of course)

Thought I'd show you a couple of charity shop finds too.

I really don't need any more bone china tea sets but couldn't resist this one. I just love the colour which is a very pale pink almost white and the pattern is so pretty.

and also this cut glass cake stand/fruit bowl - not sure which but will do for either.

Again I have a sideboard full of them - well three or four at least. But hey it'll come in handy

As it was half term last week my daughter had a friend and her daughter to stay and they took me out for the day with young L to Suffolk for the day. We first of all went to Jimmy's Farm - where it rained all day long - not an animal was to be seen by us - they were there somewhere but had the sense to stay inside their pens, barns, stables etc, although we did see some day old chicks which pleased L.

So what were us girls to do with ourselves - a pub lunch - that'll keep us happy and it did too. We found one called the Butt and Oyster by the river near Ipswich which in the Summer would be idyllic but in the rain - dismal.

This ploughmans with cheese and ham was divine and kept us out of trouble for a few hours catching up with all the girlie chat as you do over a glass of wine or three.

We had friends to stay this weekend so made these yummy chocolate brownies  which I only just remembered to snap before they all went - recipe another time.

Well that's all the news from here and will be back soon.

I'd like to welcome my new followers - Serendipity, Lavender Attic, Tanya, Louise and Ivan - lovely to have you on board.

The Great River Race

John and I belong to a local walking group in Leigh on Sea, they organise walks and cycle rides and other social activities. There are generally two or three walks a month and a couple of bike rides. Mostly we drive out to a designated area and are guided by a fellow walker who has reccied the walk beforehand. Sometimes however, we take the train to -  guess where?  yes London.

Yesterday saw ten of us on the Isle of Dogs with a view to watching the start of the Great River Race where some fellow members - four boats in all - rowed up river 22 miles to Richmond. There were hundreds of boats taking part and some with as many as sixteen rowers.

 

We took the train to Limehouse and boarded the Docklands Light Railway to Crossharbour

and proceeded to walk to the start

It was a race in itself just getting their boats into the water!

 

 

 

and across the road!

 

 

The sun shone all day - it was glorious

 



After the starter gun went off we continued our walk along the Thames Path

These old wharf buildings are everywhere - restored into luxury apartments

 





 

And some were so pretty too

 



 

 

You wouldn't expect to see so much greenery in such a heavily built-up area

After about three miles we arrived at our Lunch destination -

The Prospect of Whitby - supposedly the oldest Riverside Inn

 

 

Where we sat upstairs and ate our lunch overlooking the river from the terrace and later viewed this fabulous skyline of London's financial district known as "Canary Wharf"
 

We continued our walk which totalled approx five miles, towards
The Tower of London, on our way to our train home.

 

 

 

All in all a wonderful day, with plenty of sunshine, good company and a peep into life on the Isle of Dogs. A return visit is definitely on the cards.

 

 

Bye for now - have a good week

 

Lots of nice reading

I just want to say that I'm so grateful for all your comments, they mean such a lot and are so appreciated. Thank you also all for your kind wishes for Hubby - he's on the mend and hoping to be back at work next week!

Yesterday I read Rosie's post at rosiepblog.blogspot.co.uk and noticed that she had bought the very magazine which I'd thought about buying. I couldn't decide between the two and couldn't really justify buying them both so I opted for this new magazine for the summer.

I think it's a very good buy and includes lots of 'good ideas' featuring clothes and fashion, glamorous beauty updates, a brilliant menu planner and some clever touches to stamp your own personality on your home as well as a section on gardening about growing your own food. This is the summer edition and it looks like there will be four a year.


Off to my sister B's today for a lunch and a crafty afternoon and hope make a start on something nice and vintage-y, armed with my stash of material and these lovely books I've had as gifts or bought for myself..

I should find something - shouldn't I?