We're back.

Dorset was lovely but it did rain, so much so that on Bank Holiday Monday the trains had to go along the line under the bridge at walking pace as the water had stopped the points working and the signals too. Sorry the photos aren't very clear but I only had my mobile phone as it was raining. In the distance you can just see an enormous puddle under the bridge, there was a man in a Network Rail coat standing up to his knees in water winding the points so the trains could go through.

We spent the week with my parents and had a lovely time just chillin' out - it was too wet to do much. Although we did visit Broadwindsor craft village which has a lovely jewellery shop - Earth Design, Rumplestiltskin - which stocks unusual yarns and kits for knitting and felting as well as buttons and allsorts of other goodies for felting and crafting. Becca's Quilt Emporium - full of gorgeous fabrics and more crafty goodness. A restaurant serving delicious food then more units selling beautiful cards, bags, toys, scrap booking supplies etc. We also went up to visit Al in Cheltenham and went for lunch to Frankie and Benny's.

One afternoon the sun did come out - well it tried, so we went for a walk and found this very pretty field full of buttercups. Hope your week was good too. Jane x

Half term

I have been tagged by Lindsay

1. What was I doing ten years ago?

I was struggling to cope with a two year old who couldn't sleep due to chronic colic, which left me feeling like a zombie! we had moved into a beautiful old victorian house in Worthing which needed a lot of work and the neighbours weren't very friendly.

2. Five things on my to do list today:

Work, go to the post office, washing, ironing and packing. Yes I managed to complete all of that.

3. Five snacks I enjoy.

Fruit salad, a cup of tea, banana, ice-cream, Chocolate (flake, galaxy, minstrels, revels & Green and Black milk choc you get the idea!)

4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire,

mm, Well it would have to be a cottage in the country with roses around the door and a back garden as well, larger than the shoe box and postage stamp we currently live in. Share my good fortune with family and donate more money to cancer research.

5. Places I have lived:

Epsom, Sussex x 2

Now I am supposed to tag other blogs but if you don't want to do the tag it doesn't matter:

Lucy Locket

Moogs mum

Willows cottage

To everyone else If you wish to join in and I haven't tagged you please do so - Thankyou

The Baby blanket is coming along nicely and I have made all the squares and they need sewing together. But another project must be made before I get on with the sewing up. One of my friends from school is leaving and I have decided to make her something special (I won't say what it is because I know she does read my blog occasionally)

We are off to Dorset to visit the family as it is half term for us. So I will take my new project with me and continue the blanket next week. I hope you have a good week filled with lots of crafty fun Jane x

Thank you Leigh

Look, what arrived in the post today for my birthday. Its from Leigh in America. My favourite colour purple in yarn, a beautiful blue flower brooch and a cute card with a monkey on which Leigh made. Thank you very much Leigh, I love my birthday presents. I shall have great fun finding a pattern for the yarn and wearing my lovely blue flower brooch.
Works in progress: another baby blanket, this time made of crocheted granny squares in a rainbow of colours in baby yarn. It will be for another teacher friend who is expecting in the Autumn.
I am pleased to say that the Grey Wagtails are still with us, building their nest. They chirp and sing to each other whilst they are nesting, both bringing material to the nest. At the beginning it was moss and strips of grass which they have woven into a perfect oval shape and then they have lined it with cream coloured hair or wool. We have had a couple of occasions when a blackbird has landed in the same climber and the Wagtails didn't like it, so I'm hoping that it doesn't scare them away.

Thank you everyone

Thank you to every one who left me a comment on my previous post about my friend Barbara's death. I have read and re-read each one and as today was her funeral they were all much appreciated. I travelled up to Wimbledon for the funeral and although I was dreading it, I was glad I went. It gave me the chance to say good bye properly. Her daughter is only 9 years old, and with maturity beyond her years she read out the most moving tribute to her Mum which reduced me to tears. I met another old school friend, Theresa. I last saw her when I was 11yrs old. We chatted about our lives now and friends from the past. We exchanged contact details, so I suppose the saying "when one door closes, another one opens" came true. We were the only two friends from primary school days but there were many friends from Barbara's work and her daughters' school as well as family.

On a happier note, this past week a small bird appeared in our garden with a wagging tail and it was grey on its back with yellow front and small black bib. Tony mentioned he'd seen the same bird over the Easter break when Em and I went to visit my parents. We looked it up and discovered that it is a Grey Wagtail and He has a Mrs and they have decided to build a nest in our climbing Hydrangea right by the back door! They have made a tiny nest wrapped around the base of a miniature Rose bush. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they stay and raise young. If they do, no doubt there will be more pics.

Best Friend

I was going to write a post last week but life and work got in the way. Then on Friday I recieved news that my best friend from school days - Barbie had died, she had been very ill and despite her bravery with smiles and laughter she slipped away from us last Tuesday. Her loss has rocked my world. She was and is a very, very special lady, she was the life and soul of the party but she'd be your support if things were bad. She leaves behind a family and friends who will miss her very much, but she will live on in our hearts.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

Normal blogging will be resumed very soon. Jane x