1 HOLIDAY, 1 WEDDING AND LOTS AND LOTS OF COWS!

I can't believe a week has passed already since our holiday. Last Sunday we were driving up through Germany and Belgium en route to Calais for our ferry home. Golly, a lot of washing has been pegged out to dry since our return!

We had a really lovely week by the lake at St Wolfgang in Austria. We stayed in a great hotel, the weather was pretty good and oh, it was just so peaceful, so relaxing. Most definitely, perfect!

Further along the lake at St Gilgen we took the cable car up into the mountains. The views were stunning!

We spent a great day in Salzburg!

And when the rain came, just like Liesl and Rolf, we ran to the summer house for shelter, (not to sing "I am sixteen going on seventeen", we're a little to old for that!) but guess what?

- on our occasion, the summer house was locked!

We both stood under the trees until the trees couldn't hold the rain back any longer and then had to run back to the car, a little wet!

While we were in Salzburg we also visited the Red Bull Hanger. I found this on trip advisor before we went away and we were so pleased we went, it was really excellent. The building itself is amazing, the exhibits are brilliant and it's free to visit. It's not in the centre of Salzburg but close to the airport and Michael and I both recommend it if you have the chance to go there.

Back in St Wolfgang, the little steam train took us right to the top of the Schafberg. It was pretty cold up there but again the views were just stunning!

We did quite a lot of walking and my socks were much appreciated by my feet. It's all very well walking along a steep path upwards which, we did when we walked the Pilgrim's Way to this little chapel.

 But, at some point, we had to walk back down this very steep path.  I had to curl my toes up into my socks to stop them stubbing into the toe cap of my boots. Ouch!

However, once back on the flat, all pain diminished and in sight was a very nice hotel that sold very nice, cold beer.

After quenching our thirst we had an excellent lunch and after plenty of people watching we continued our walk to St Gilgen. Fortunately the ferry was able to return us to St Wolfgang so that meant I could do a little shopping while I was there!

We were also in Austria because we were going to my second cousin's wedding so, after our week in St Wolfgang we made our way to a place called Hollersbach in the Kitzbuhel where the wedding was to take place on a dairy farm.

When we arrived the day before the wedding we were asked if we would like to pop and see the cows. Absolutely we thought, not realising what this would entail. Well, this windy road is the clue and the only way it could possibly go was up!

And up, and up, and up, and up ..........it went. It was actually more path than road and although I have no photos to show, mainly because I was a little on the scared side, I can assure you that though the road was windy and steep, the drop was even steeper!

Once at the very top, the view was incredible, simply breath taking. The silence was broken by just one sound - the jingle, jangle of the cow bells!
These cows spend their summer months up here grazing and the cheese made from their milk is made up on the mountain too. We felt so privileged  to spent time some time there with them and I think they were quite amused to have so many people with them at milking time.

It takes these cows three and a half hours to walk down to the farm to their winter cowshed and this is where the wedding took place the next day. It was a wonderful!

Congratulations to Beth and Anthony, the very happy couple!

THESE SOCKS ARE MADE FOR WALKING!

Shield your eyes folks, my socks are finished!

They are a pair, although they don't look it and once they're hidden within my walking boots I think they'll be perfect!

I've had a weekend of getting things done and I was pleased that I was able to give these pj bottoms to Kate. All she has to do now is put a little t shirt top with them. I really must thank my friend Diane for helping me as I've never made anything like this before. Our original task was to make these up in half an hour. That for me was never going to happen but they're finished now, I enjoyed making them and hopefully Kate will like wearing them.

 On the Drops website I found this scarf which I thought would be something easy and quick to knit. It only uses 2 balls of Drops fabel which I picked up in the sale. It made a change to make something like this and I finished it last night. I've got some more yarn to make one for Kate, different colours though.

I wasn't sure how to photograph it, neither  was I quite sure how to wear it but I got there in the end.

Despite the threat of flooding in Essex we were lucky here, quite a storm Saturday morning but then bright sunshine and again on Sunday. It was just nice to potter about, be able to bbq both days and sit in the garden into the evening. We were joined by the family yesterday and it was just nice to sit, relax and chat together.

Hope you all have a bright and sunny week!

WALKING & THINKING!

After last night's rain the path was soft and slightly squelchy underfoot but the sun was shining as I set off for my walk this morning.

Although this is right on my doorstep now I have been coming to this stretch of river since I was 16 years old. Infact, this is where I first met Michael's family.

We had both stood at the top of my road waiting for his brother  and his mum to collect us for our day on the river. I can remember being very nervous especially as Michael was happily telling me that his mum would really like me but not to expect too much from his brother.
"Roger, doesn't talk much!" he had said.
He was actually right on that count but funnily enough through the years that followed although Roger was always quiet and I was always the opposite, our friendship rumbled along quite nicely and when he passed away a few years back, I knew I had lost my best mate!

Michael's family had use of a caravan just up the river slightly from where I was walking this morning. They kept a boat there moored on the river which they used for water skiing and that was what I was to do on our first meeting, my first and last water ski lesson.

The family thought because I was a good swimmer I would be able to ski, in reality, that was not the case! Having struggled into the wet suit, I seemed to spend an eternity of embarrassment being dragged along on the end of the rope, my bottom never actually leaving the water. Roger, who didn't have the patience of a saint, drove the boat up and down the river, muttering and mumbling while Michael gave encouraging words of comfort.

I was quite relieved when my ordeal was over and we could return to the shore for tea. I vowed from that very day I would stick to swimming, just plain swimming!

It's funny what you you think about when you're walking isn't it?

Sometimes, it's planning the day ahead, sometime a memory jumps to the fore.

What do you think about when you're walking?

Before heading home for my breakfast this morning, I decided to take a detour for a short while along the canal. There was enough of a breeze that as it whirled around the masts that continuous whining sound could be heard.

I noticed the water lilies have plenty of buds so they should be out soon.

Hope you have a happy Thursday!

WE WENT ON A LITTLE ADVENTURE!

The weather forecast was rain, rain all day!

But, could we disappoint two little girls and a baby in a pushchair and cancel our planned day out, to find the Gruffalo?

Oh no!

We packed the car with our waterproofs, picnic and children and defying all weather conditions we set off to Thorndon country park.

Fortunately the weather people got it wrong, it may have rained hard before we got there but the rain stayed away for the rest of the day.

There are lots of fallen trees to climb up and walk along!

Then after our picnic lunch we set off again in search of the Gruffalo!

Were we going in the right direction?

Oh yes, there he is!

We also found quite a lot of muddy puddles on our way!

It was a great fun day!

As you may know I do seem to be drawn to bright colours at the moment. However, oh my word, I think I'm pushing my own barriers with this choice of sock yarn.

As I'm knitting it up it just seems to be getting brighter and bolder. I do feel even the sun will have to wear it's "shades" when I venture out walking with these poking out of the top of my walking boots!

Hopefully they'll be finished in the week.

I'd like to thank everyone for your lovely comments for my mum and my last post, they're much appreciated.

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY MUM!

My mum was quite a fashion guru in her time!

(I just love that hat!)

She married dad!

And then I came along!

She wanted to celebrate her 90th birthday, quietly!

So we just bought her a couple of balloons!

And made her an album, filled it with lots of photos, new and old!

When she looked through it for the first time there were lots of oohs and aahs.

Some made her sad and lots made her laugh.

The photos on the front and back of the album were taken sometime in the 80's.

Would you believe my dad, even now, still has a full head of hair!

Yesterday, my family all came together to celebrate. We all sat out in the garden, (yes it was warm and dry here) enjoyed a bbq feast, followed by strawberries and cream and her great grandchildren helped her to blow out the candles on her 9 0 birthday cake.

Unfortunately we have no picture of the cake because whoever was holding the camera was on a wobble!

Tasted good though!

Today, we are having a quiet day ourselves.

I've crocheted my mandela wheel, which in the week will be posted to Lucy for Yarndale.

I have put the ties on this little bonnet which has been sitting on a chair waiting to be finished for about 2 weeks and looking at this photo i'm still not happy with the ties and they will be altered!

I've also finished this pair of socks which I shall be wearing with my walking boots on holiday in Austria.

(I wish I could find a better was of photographing socks, whatever I seem to do they always look quite strange!)

And what has my husband been doing while I've been busy?

Well, he is in the garage building this strong back which is part of the mold for making a stony lake canadian canoe.

See, I knew my garage would never have a car in it!

MOODY SKIES!

At 7am this morning there was a definite battle going on between the sun and the clouds.

As soon as the sun tried to push through the clouds, the clouds bunched up blocking its rays.

There was a stillness on the water and the air felt quite muggy.

The boats laid quietly on their shadows.

Whether a breeze picks up as the tide continues to make its way in remains to be seen.

It was certainly eerily calm this morning.

A knock at the door at the beginning of the week brought me a lovely and unexpected surprise.

A delivery of these beautiful flowers!

 Who sent them?

My grandchildren (and their grandad)!

For what reason?

For being their Granny!

Lovely!

WALKING IN THE SUNSHINE!

When I woke up this morning, the sun was bursting through the curtains. I ditched my idea of an early morning swim, dressed quickly and by 6.45am headed out of the front door, making a last minute decision to grab my sunglasses.

I definitely needed them but, even though the sun was so bright as I set off around the seawall my eyes were soon watering as the chilly breeze blew directly into my face.

Today I walked as far as these new beach huts.  They're not quite finished but I really love them. When Michael and I were 16 we used to come here with his family for a day out, they kept a boat here and Michael used to do a lot of water skiing. I remember that there used to be a couple of old victorian bathing huts on the beach, long gone now, but these new ones remind me of them.

I mentioned in my last post that I have been making a photo album for my mum's 90th birthday. Well,  I finished it yesterday, having gone through so many albums and boxes, from in the loft and out of the loft. Some I could remember and others that I had forgotten, it was a real roller coaster through her life.
I really enjoyed putting it all together but it did take such a long time and yesterday as I sat there previewing it with my morning coffee I was almost hesitant in pushing the send button just incase I'd made some silly error. In the end I'd previewed it so many times that once the decision had been made and I'd actually clicked to send it, a sigh of relief washed over me.
I think my mum will be really surprised and quite emotional when she sees it for the first time. I'll let you know!

The first pair of socks are knitting up lovely. The yarn is good to work with and the pattern that I'm using is the one which is printed on the yarn label. Hopefully I'll get this one finished tonight.

Enjoy the rest of the week, it could be sunny!