music for ageing ears

I made Derek a mix CD for his birthday.
He's getting on a bit now...

cycling on cliff tops

Yesterday I went on an impromptu cycle ride from Brighton to Eastbourne with some fellow outdoor explorers. 

It was a great adventure on unsuitable bikes! We crossed golf courses, rivers, and harbours and saw a lot of the coast on the way.

I had my doubts we were going to make it at one point when we were climbing up and down the Seven Sisters at dusk, but we made it into Eastbourne in the dark, windswept and celebratory. I think it was harder than the London to Brighton in parts.

I also think there are more than seven sisters... 

Lovely photos by Simon Brice.

f1

Monza

I'm going to the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

Go Ferrari!

treat

I arrived home yesterday to find this really sweet plant awaiting me from Lyndsey. Such a lovely surprise (thank you!)

I'm currently helping Lyndsey out with an exciting new venture of hers - which I'll share more about soon.

Right now, I need to do some packing. End of the Road tomorrow!

the sea

Yesterday I could smell the sea from my desk.
A little reminder that I live in a great city.

stitches

Some more stitches to add to the collection. I like the colour palette here.

waistcoat

I forgot I had made this waistcoat until I discovered it in my room last night.

The majority of it was made on my trip to Japan - there was quite a lot of time for crochet with two long flights and two 24 hour ferry rides.

I'd like to add a button or two, but as that's one of my least favourite chores I thought I'd start wearing it instead.

Oh, and my other big crochet project is coming on nicely too...

signs of summer

There are colours everywhere.

I found one of the blue envelopes from give mondays today. It was a really sweet surprise - I'm going to keep it in my bag until a worthy cause presents itself.

the park

I went to St.Ann's Well gardens after work today to do some drawing. I find it hard going home before sunset now, as I have noticed how much shorter the days are becoming and I want to make the most of the summer sunshine.



It was very peaceful, apart from the cheers from the cricket ground, which were a pleasant interruption as I feel a bit lost without any olympics to watch. I did a bit of bee watching before going home for tea.

sketchbook

I've been remembering to carry my sketchbook around with me more often at the moment.

welling up

I went to the wedding of one of my favourite people on saturday, and it was the best day! Full of happiness which has left me feeling warm and content on the inside.

I didn't think I was the kind of person to cry at weddings but this one proved me wrong.

Three cheers to the happy couple!

shopping

I'm going to try and post more frequently on my shopping list blog from now on... I've got a bit of a pile-up of lists in my room.

balloons

This week has been a week for celebrations - with 4 birthdays and an engagement to toast!

People everywhere seem to be in good spirits. Today on the bus I saw a man do a little skip as he walked along the road.

scalloping

This weekend was a bit of a wash-out weather-wise. It meant I didn't feel so bad about spending a lot of time on the sofa though.

Today I spent the day watching a LOT of sport whilst doing some knitting and drawing.

And I did make myself go for a quick run this evening, so my muscles don't begin to waste away from lack of use.

wildflowers don't care where they grow...

 This is a pretty time of year.

The Potash

Last weekend I went away with some friends for a few days in Suffolk.

It was such a lovely time in the countryside: we played boules on the lawn, rounders by a castle, threw stones in the sea and had an evening murder mystery barbecue.

Long weekends are the way forward...

ps. If I ever own a house I'll definitely make an embroidery of it.

fête des pères

On Friday I went on a Father's day outing to Arundel with my mum and dad.

It was lovely weather and although we couldn't go boating on the lake there were lots of water birds there for us to watch. My favourite were the baby moorhens - so small!

We also visited Arundel castle - my favourite part was the walk around the gardens. There are some interesting water fountains (one with a levitating crown) and many nice flowering plants. A good time of year to visit.

let's cook: bigos

For our May instalment of our cooking challenge my mum voted that we should cook up some Bigos (or Polish hunters stew).

I am a big fan of this dish and I am sure to order it every time I visit my favourite Polish restaurant, but I'm ashamed to say I didn't rise to the challenge this month and am yet to produce any stew.

In my defence, there was a bit of a heat wave at the end of May which meant a warm winter stew was not the most tempting idea, but really I have no excuse, as my mum managed to cook up not just one, but two batches during May.

Above is the first of those attempts. Looks tasty...although I would have skipped the mashed potato in favour of some rye bread.

My dad gave this dish 9/10 - a great score (he was especially happy as it was a very meat heavy dish). Good work!

I receive 0/10 for a non-submission. Bad form. I will be sure to make it another time though.

This month we are doing pannacotta (a much more summer friendly dish, and one of my favourites). I'd better pull my finger out and get in the kitchen this time! Watch this space...

a wedding

I made this card for a wedding I went to at the weekend.
I was pleased to have the chance to use one of the nice envelopes that I bought in Japan.