Saturday 26 July 2014

Pre- Burwell Post!



A quick post, just to fill you in on this week's events, as we hurtle headlong into Burwell Bash week. (The mood on the BB facbook page is verging on the hysterical!)

It has been a beautiful week weatherwise, here in West Norfolk; we've had temperatures in excess of 28 degrees several times. The herd in the nursery field next door has been glad of the shade afforded them by our wall and the large beech tree. There are a couple of suckling calves there now, and Jim took some shots for me.




The veggie garden is doing nicely, green beans, broad beans and courgettes are romping away, and we are enjoying them by the plateful.



Those of you who remembered the awful pain and infection I suffered last winter in my jaw - first identified as a dental problem, then a sinus problem, finally a specialist dental surgeon diagnosed a split tooth which required extraction as it had grown another root, and then I needed a replacement. I've just had the final stage of the implant completed, and can now smile widely again!Hurrah, just in time for Burwell! The dentist actually timed the 2nd and 3rd stages so as to be complete before Burwell, honestly! What a guy!

I've been stitching furiously this week , mainly for the Craft Fair at Back to the Garden in August (tell you more about that later) and also to finish this commission for a shoulder bag. Again, the green colour doesn't show too well.


I
I do hope the recipient likes it! It is messenger bag size, with a pocket on the back and one on the inside.

Now I have got out of sync with The Year in Books, I'm afraid, but I have been reading - about four detective novels so far this month, and also I am tandem-reading this mighty tome with Jim.



It is a very large book, and we are both reading it, using individual book marks to prevent confusion. We don't fight over who gets to read it. If you enjoy a bit of non-fiction and enjoy history, and most of all WORDS, you could not do better than to try this. It isn't a book to whizz through at great pace,  but it is fascinating, covering such topics as English writing, mythology, religion, symbolism, the Anglo-Saxons - obviously! A book to totally immerse yourself in. If it takes me a month to read it I don't care. Oh, I might just add - though why I should feel the need is a sad indictment on the age - I should stress that the book has absolutely NOTHING to do with jingoism, Far Right politics, or plug-ugly skin-heads wearing bovver boots and fascist slogans.

And speaking of books, I have such a pleasant little tale to tell you. I had been searching for a book of small embroidery patterns, and eventually found one on Amazon second hand. The seller was a lady in North Wales, who answered my query about delivery dates with a lovely personal message - to which I replied. (I know, I know, you just DON'T do that normally do you?) My book arrived promptly and inside the package was this envelope:


And inside, this:


With another lovely personal message inside. Now that's what I call good service! Thank you so much Dr. Dorothy Griffiths, the book and your gesture has been much appreciated. 

I expect many of you will be enjoying watching the Commonwealth Games. I can't ay that sporting events figure largely on my list of favourite things, but JIm likes to watch, so I sit and sew with it all going on in the background. (When we come indoors to cool down!) But next week there will be radio, tv, and newspaper silence, as ever at Burwell. We cut ourselves off - apart from the occasional phone home - and leave the rest of the world to carry on while we exist on Burwell Time! This year I am forsaking the fiddle class - though I will take my fiddle for the sessions - because I shall be part of the brand new MELODEON CLASS and as I have intimated previously, our tutor will be ANDY CUTTING!!!!!! Forgive the excess of capitals and exclamation marks, but I am just thrilled to bits. I'll tell you all about it next time. 

Meanwhile enjoy this lovely suns and heat, you Brits, and to my Antipodean readers/friends/relations I hope it isn't too wintery for you down there! 

Sunday 20 July 2014

Champagne and Real Ale



Jim, me, Chris, Mike

The cryptic title of this post refers to the very different refreshments available at the two very different events I attended since my last post (Whenever that was!!) First was a brilliant afternoon/evening at Fransham Forge, the annual Folk at the Forge, hosted by the estimable Master Blacksmith Nigel . This year the weather was a great improvement on last lear,and we didn't need the roaring brazier to keep us warm! Much Real Ale was consumed - not by me, I hasten to add - and much music was played and enjoyed. The event coincided with a weekend course Nigel was running for blacksmiths, so there were lots of people around, as they bring their families and make a holiday of it.


A great BBQ was provided, cooked on the BBQ Nigel had forged that very morning! We took food for the communal table and there was more than enough for all.



This year we had trestle tables and benches, which was an improvement in one way on last year, but a little awkward for us box players, you had to sit a bit awry to play!




No photos of me this year but I was there, I promise! I love events like this, just chillin' and playin', great fun and totally relaxed.


Roger the Pipes


Mr Rob King 'gotchering' me as I 'gotchered' him!

The second, and more important event, was our grandson Chris's Graduation Day on Friday just gone. He is at Staffordshire University, and the awards ceremony was held at the very lovely Trentham Gardens, a beautiful setting and the weather was terrific - about 31 degrees we reckoned!




The ceremony was everything you'd expect , well run, entertaining, and emotional. The speeches were short and to the point, and the young people thoroughly immersed in the event. I hope all of them have happy and successful futures. The pride of the parents, friends and relatives was palpable, not least our own. What a wonderful way to celebrate all the hard work and achievement of our young people. We are so proud of Chris.


My Boys, Chris and his dad Mike


Look what I spotted hanging around the grounds ...


Brilliant, eh?

So despite the heat and the long drive there and back it was a day I wouldn't have missed for the world, and I'm sure those of you who have done similar will agree. So no textiles this week - and my A Year in Books has dropped off the scene I'm afraid; I HAVE read lots of books but have't got round to taking photos and making notes. I may pick it up later but I suspect there isn't much point any more!

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine, and girding up your loins for the holidays!