Wednesday 22 August 2007

Holiday in Northumberland

We're back from our weeks holiday and I have finally found the time to blog about it. I had seven loads of washing to do when I got back as well as unpacking, cleaning out the camper van and getting the shopping in. Then I had a heart scan yesterday which was ok and then I did a tour of the charity shops on Ecclesall Rd to find Gary some work shirts. I came up trumps there and found him four lovely shirts. 2 x Marks & Spencers and 2 x Next, all with the double cuffs he asked for as he likes to wear cufflinks. All were beautiful quality and three seem brand new. One needs the cuffs turning, but I'm more than capable of doing that.

Last night we had a free evening out with Gary's firm. First we had a meal at Nandos and then we all went bowling. I was spectacularly rubbish of course, but I always enjoy it. It wasn't until we were nearly finished that I thought I probably shouldn't be lifting 12lb bowling balls and hurling them about! I am supposed to be taking it easy after my lady-op. Oh well, as Gary pointed out my guts didn't fall out!

Then today Chris dragged me, Sarah and dad out on a four hour hike. The good news is my hip held up fine and I'm not in pain. The bad news is that I am obviously too fat and unfit as I ache all over and I won't be able to walk tomorrow! I shall post some photos just as soon as Chris emails them to me.

So now all that's done I am able to bring you a few photos of our hols. :0)

Gary and me at Anwick Castle. Harry Potter was filmed here but I was SO disappointed that there wasn't one mention of it anywhere. What a wasted opportunity for the owners! Maybe it's to do with licencing? It was a lovely castle though.

Livvie and Gary had a go at archery.

Does anyone recognise this from the films? I didn't recognise anything at all. Maybe it was all computer jiggeried?

This is our campsite in Haltwhistle. It is actually the very dead centre of Britain. It was all extremely pretty. Very much like where we live in Sheffield, but with some raging rivers thrown in. On the other side of the river bank were cows, sheep and bunny rabbits hopping around all day. Livvie even crossed the path of two deer in the woods. Talking of Livvie, she was dead chuffed to get kissed twice! Two boys actually had a fight over her and had to be separated by a mother!!!
This is Dawn and Glen at High Force water falls. This is how the weather was most of the week. Still, we didn't let it dampen our spirits.

All in all we had a fab week and really enjoyed ourselves. We even slipped over the border to Scotland to do a spot of shopping at Gretna.

************************************************************************************
Yesterday I finally started the quilt. Here are my fabric choices for the turquoise background. I printed out the sketch of Livvie in the size I needed and cut it out ready to make a pattern from it.

This is the first, un-ironed stage of the quilt. It doesn't look very impressive now but believe me, it will be stupendous when it's finished! Assuming that I am able to move tomorrow, I shall do some more. :0)

8 comments:

Babs (Beetle) said...

It certainly does look lovely where you stayed. I expect Livvie will remember two boy fighting over her for a long time to come :O) I once had the same although they were much older and at a party! Needless to say I didn't date that boy again. Fancy resorting to fisty-cuffs because another boy was eyeing me up!

The quilt be no doubt be slendiferous! Although it will probably mean we won't see you for months now ha ha!

Bry said...

Ooooo i was looking at Anwick castle the other day, i recognise the piccie from the Potter film. The first two films were shot there and if you remember in the first film when Ron was talking about hermione as they came out of class they came out of that door and walked across the courtyard, she overheard him and ran off crying...this was Halloween just before the troll was let in the castle!!! I know my Potter!

Looks like a fab holiday.

Can't wait to see the finished quilt....what are you going to do with it when it is finished?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

granny grimble said...

What a lovely place to have a holiday at. I don't know anything at all about Harry Potter (probably the only person in England who can say that!) but it was superb in it's own right. What a shame you didn't get a photo of the duel over Livvie, what a keepsake that would have made! Can't wait to see the quilt taking shape now. Don't make us wait for the finished article, will you? We want a blow by blow account. By the way, glad you had a jolly holiday, but so glad to see you back X

kay said...

Hi Sindie, Glad to hear you had a great time on your hols and it does look like a nice place. Shame about the weather though. My! I love sewing, but you must have the patience of a saint to do what you are doing with all that material. Look forward to seeing it progress.

Kay
XXxx

Gary said...

Of course I shall give a blow-by-blow account of the quilt in progress! I couldn't keep it to myself as I am such a blabbermouth...or maybe that should be bloggermouth! That's it, the new word for all of us that have to spill the beans about every little thing including spider invasion, wet knickers and invading wilderbeast!

Croom said...

Hi
This is Bloggermouth from Spain.

What a fantastic holiday was had by all. Last time I saw Livvie she hated boys and would have been in there throwing punches along with them, she is growing up Sindie.

Who drew the sketch of Livvie? it is fantastic. Cannot wait to see more photos.

I have only seen one Harry potter film and I recognized the castle so it must have been that one. He was very young in it.

Pip has brought me the latest Harry Potter book and it is winging it's way to me as I type. The stupid thing is I have not read any before. Would love to read them all.
Tina Spain.

Gary said...

The original sketch was by cousin Lynne Chapman. She did it one evening in her garden when we were visiting.

http://www.lynnechapman.co.uk/

I traced it so that I could enlarge it for this project. It's fab isn't it? If I remember (or if someone reminds me) I shall post the original sketch for a side-by-side comparison when the quilt is finished. :0)

Jeanette Spain said...

I am glad you had a good holiday, I have been to Anwick casle many times, we always seemed to be going there on school trips,
Northumberland is beautiful, I love the coast line.
The quilt looks fab you have done a lot of hard work on it.

Jeanette Spain