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!

26 comments:

  1. Isn't your grandson like his dad?! Glad you've had some good times - it can't be stitching all the time can it?!

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    1. He is a chip off the old block, isn't he! I have been stitching too - just haven't taken any photos, but they will be there in force in my next post ... I MUST organise myself! Lxx

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  2. lynne you look absolutely stunning at the graduation - i love that colour!!! it is strange how we all seem to be similar in blogland isn't it? i couldn't help feel the same at my sons graduations - you just want to give them the whole world with no problems!!! impossible of course but you still want them to have a smooth ride!! my grandchildren are still very young - who knows what they will do eventually - right now their priorities are food, play and sleep .......... we are expecting another kiwi grandchild in october and we've just booked a trip out there in february/march - going british airways this time after a few times with air nz - it's a lot cheaper so we are hoping it's all ok - who do you usually fly with and what do you think? enjoy your sunday and hope your mum is ok xx

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    1. Thanks Lynne - it is a very old outfit from Gudrun - about 13 years to be honest and I wore it only twice before! Was panicking about what to wear, as you do, and feeling huge and horrible. But this felt just right and was lovely and cool on the hot da. We go out to NZ next Jan/Feb just north of Aukland - we could meet up!! We have been twice with Singapore Airlines and last time with Emirates - oh boy were they good! We were put off BA by someone but our son Mike has flown all over the world with them with no complaints so really you takes your choice! Lxx

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    2. Thanks for your update Lynne! xxx Shame we shall not be meeting on the other side of the world - what a blog-post that would have been, eh?

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  3. We'll done Chris! Glad you had a good time, I think we will be into decrepit old age before we attend one!

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    1. Ha! I was a child bride!! But it s well worth the wait, I promise you! xx

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  4. Firstly, you look lovely in that dress in the first photo, reminds me of one I have, must look it out! And congratulations to your grandson, you really don't look old enough to have a son or grandson of they age! Were you just 16 when you had your son? And as for the music festival, it looks such fun, how I wish I could play an instrument competently, my son is always off out playing here there and everywhere and meeting such lovely like minded people and having a whale of a time.... I'm sure one day your paths will cross. The gardens at Trentham look amazing, another place to add to my list of things to do, me thinks. Suexxx

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    1. Oh, mine is Gudrun too, definitely need to find it now, I remember I used to have to put it on and take it off several times before I got my head through the hole, the layers used to confuse me!

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  5. Hi Sue, yes, as I say to Lynne above, it is a Gudrun dress, double crepe and very very comfy! I love the colour too. I was 19 when I had Michael and he was 19 when Chris was born - early starters in our family obviously!
    I love going to the Forge, and other similar events just so relaxing and no feeling you are performing, just a relaxed jam session really, with food and drink! XX

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  6. How lovely that you travelled to Staffordshire for Chris's graduation ceremony, you must be very proud of him. I love the family photo of you all.

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    1. Very proud indeed, Jay, and it was a great day out too! xx

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    2. I've just realised that this is the blacksmith who made our iron 'chandelier' thing in the bathroom! I'm sure it's him......

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    3. He works in a village called Great Fransham, your side of Swaffham, and his stuff does find its way all over the place - but he isn't at Holkham Forge, which lots of people mix him up with - they do courses and 'ladies days' as well. xx

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  7. What a contrast of events, both look equally enjoyed. Congratulations to Chris, you must be very proud grandparents. xx

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    1. We certainly are Karen. We did the boys' Passing Out Parades but this is the first Graduation - apart from JIm's that is! xx

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  8. Oh Lynne what lovely photos of you and your family! And yes you look wonderful in that dress! Glad you enjoyed Trentham - it's about five minutes from us in the car but is one of those places we hardly ever seem to get to - must try harder! Mr K and I both graduated there back in the 1980's (crikey was it really that long ago?) but that was before all the big refurbishment - far prettier now! Hope you're enjoying the weather ( too hot for me I'm afraid and turning me into a right old grump!) Jane x

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    1. Thank you Jane, it was a very comfortable outfit and hides a multitude of sins! I was amazed at the lush surroundings, though Jim and I have stayed there before at Premier Inn when we broke our journey to Wales last year.
      I am loving the sunshine and heat, but I do need a good breeze or the fan!xx

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  9. Hi Lynne, what a fun filled week you had and congratulations to your grandson. I must say he certainly looks like his Dad. I would have loved the blacksmith festival. My grandfather was a blacksmith; he died when I was a baby so I never knew him, but I've always have a place in my heart from the trade.
    Wishing you a wonderful week.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  10. Hello Connie, yes, he does resemble Mike when he was younger! And the Forge is a brilliant place, I love going there and it was all fired up while we were there because of the visiting smiths and students who were working there. Nigel is hugely well respected all over Europe ans a smith and as a teacher; he often brings his foreign 'journeymen' with him to folk sessions in the pub, so interesting to talk to them too. xxxx

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  11. A busy week.`well done to Chris and what a beautiful setting.
    Gillx

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    1. Brilliant day, Gill, so pleased the weather did us proud. And Chris has worked so hard, he deserved his 2:1 Honours!xxx

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  12. We had a family celebration at Trentham once, a christening, back when we lived in Stoke in Trent. Lovely place.

    Hugest well done to Chris :)

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    1. Hi Annie, yes, the gardens are lovely, -the weather helped- so much greenery and of course the water was an added bonus - I could tell Mike and Jim wished they'd brought their fishing rods with them! Jim and I stayed at the Premier Inn, based in the gardens, to break our journey to North Wales last year; we were going to arriving in N Wales, seeing someone briefly (in connection with my melodeon) then driving on down to South Wales, so we needed to be fresh. It made a big difference to the journey. But we neither of us had time to explore the gardens.Lxx

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  13. Both events look like much fun was had by all, but in different ways. So good this year that the sun has shone (mostly) on all these summer events. Love your dress Lynne at the graduation event - very elegant. xCathy

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    1. Thanks Cathy, yes, we had a good run with the weather. And yes, I felt good in my frock! Lxx

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