Blackgang Chine

No trip to the Isle of Wight could ever be complete without a visit to Blackgang Chine. So we went three times. Chris was particularly fond of the BBC Coast exhibition and spent happy times humming the theme tune and perfecting his Dick Strawbridge impression. George went mad for the waterforce ride and was begging to go down the plughole, but neither of his parents had the stomach for it so he said he’d do it on his own (before you call Childline, we firmly put a stop to that). I loved the still life exhibitions. The man in a towel with a wig is a fond favourite. I was mildly paranoid and delirious by the end as after each photo I took of the models, my camera said “blink detected”. Spooky!

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Isle of Wight

We have just returned from a lovely holiday in the Isle of Wight. Sadly the weather didn’t allow for much sunbathing and the sea was blooming freezing, but there was lots to see and many places to visit. I spent a good portion of my dole money trying to win an elusive Peppa Pig on the grabber machine (thank you kindly tax payers), and we had fun emptying the 2p slider machines of their rubber duck keyrings. The scenery over on the west side of the island is truly stunning, but *whispers*, I did find parts of the island a bit Romford-on-Sea. We managed to not eat anything green all week, always the sign of a good holiday!

Say cheese!

We bought the little man a Vtech Kidizoom camera for his third birthday. He proceeded to take photos of everything and with the memory full, I was curious to see what he had actually taken over 500 pictures of. So now we know.

Blackberries

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One of the things I love most about where I live is the fact my house is opposite Rusthall Common. And one of the pleasures of being lady of leisure, or unemployed if you prefer the more technical term, is swapping the BlackBerry for a spot of blackberry picking a few metres from my front door.

If you’d like to have a little blackberry moment yourself, why not make an apple and blackberry crumble or some jam or read or make some blackberry wine Or you could just eat them.

Sweet peas

Nothing beats a jug full of freshly picked sweet peas.

Rye

 

What a lovely Saturday afternoon spent mooching round Rye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vi & Art

I am fascinated by this photo I was recently given of my grandparents, Violet and Arthur (on the right). They look so handsome, happy and vibrant. I just adore it.

Southwold

I fell in love with Southwold six or seven years ago when I walked from Southwold to Aldeburgh with fellow Gallivanting Goddess Big Bird. For me it’s just perfect. I love the views, the beach huts, the walks, the pier. I’m also partial to a pint of the very moreish Adnams Explorer. The Under the Pier Show is fabulous I mean where else does one get to whack a banker, rent-a-dog or get autofrisked? Can’t wait to go back.

The allotment

We managed to hobble over to the allotment today having not paid a visit for two weeks. It was a pleasant surprise to find some fruit and veg blossoming amongst the weeds.

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A cosy blanket and some cushions

They have been languishing unfinished in my basket for far too long, so I took advantage of a recent break to finish off a few projects. So what do we have here then? A cosy blanket for my boy and two cushions. Great Auntie Win made the crochet covers (something I intend to learn how to make) and I took inspiration from Jane Brocket’s The Gentle Art of Quilt-Making for the patchwork backs. Cosytastic!