Saturday Morning Bike Ride and a Few Other Things

Well, when I looked out the bedroom window first thing it seemed to me as if it was going to rain, so I set off just intending to do a short 1-2 hr route.

I head off on the road up the hill through the trees. The squirrels seem very busy at the moment, sometimes I don't see any, othertimes there are loads scuttling about and crashing through the branches.

I always like when I reach the top of the hill as it all suddenly seems very peaceful.

A view from the top.

Getting a little closer to the lambs now.

I've been spotted! She's fine though and doesn't run away and cause one of those mad sheep stampedes!

The tree mound and red gate post.

I like the contrast of the copper hedge and the green fields.

Pussy Willow.

A tree silhouette. The trees won't be bare branched for much longer, buds are starting to burst open.

Mossy Stones.

The peacock! I've often glimpsed him when I've come this way. This is the best view I've had of him so far.

Still not showing off his tail though.

Looking up the road to my left from where I've just taken the last photo.

This interesting little raised summerhouse is nearby. The roof is greatly in need of repair, I hope they get it fixed and don't let it become a ruin.

In the end it didn't rain so I could have gone for a longer run. However, I realise I've forgotten my pump (not that I've ever needed to use it (yet!)), and I also remember that there's a jumble sale on in the village from 10-12, I've time to nip home for a shower then back out for some bargain hunting!

For the grand total of £6.50 (includes £1.50 entry) I get 8 books, a bundle of clothes for A & N, a huge spicey orange coloured velvet curtain (to be used to back my tapestry cushions (at last!)) and a woollen picnic blanket. Not bad.

Earlier on in the week I spy this in TK Maxx. Look at those lovely little crocheted circles, such gorgeous colours too. They'd look great in my sitting room! It's not a blanket though...

... just the collar of a very nice girl's cardigan. I buy it as part of a birthday present for one of A's friends.

Last week I also received my giveaway goodies from Cathy at One Pink Goose. I picked the sheep from the selection of prints on offer, he just had a great expression. Cathy very generously also included several of her cards in her own designs.

This one is my favourite. I'm going to put it in a frame and hang it in our kitchen.

Talking of giveaways...

...earlier in the week I finally cleared my desk so that I could start work on my own giveaway prize. And, I managed to get two items finished too...

...they're on display in my living room though I'll be surprised if anyone mangages to spot them in amongst all our other bits and pieces (you should have seen the room before I tidied up - I did take a photo and considered posting it but in the end I decided that I didn't really want to mess up my blog!).

I've a garden post I want to do (before it all changes too much!) then I'll finally do my giveaway post, hope it's worth the wait...

The Gnome.

Ahh, that's better!

I couldn't help myself, I had to do it. I think this photo mosaic of my Mum's April garden is a big improvement. I'm going to get it printed for her.

And while I'm at it I'll get this one printed too, it's from last October.

I like the wee gnome who features in the centre panel of both mosaics. I gave him to my Dad many years ago as a jokey birthday present and was very touched to find he'd taken him with him when they moved house. By the way, I've still not forgiven my parents for moving! For nearly 40 years they lived in Angus which is where I grew up and where I liked being able to go home to every so often, not just to see my parents, but to catch up with my old school friends and my old haunts too (it's great cycling country!), then seven years ago my folks decided to up sticks and move 170 miles to the southwest. Where they are now is still a nice part of the country but it's a bit busy traffic-wise in my opinion. Anyway, they like it there which is the main thing (I suppose!)

Stripes, Stitches, Flowers, Feet.

I'm back!

We were just away visiting my parents for a few days. They stay in the south west of Scotland so no aeroplane travel involved, fortunately! It did mean I missed yet another Saturday cycle though.

Anyway, one upside was that I had several days with no cooking/washing/housework/computer access(!) at all. This gave me time in the evenings to do this...

... one side of a crocheted cushion cover for N.

So, what happened to the cushion for A? Well, here's a little peek...

Both sides are finished. The cushion pads have now arrived. Just need to find time to join them together.

As you may have guessed, I'm rather partial to these round stripey crocheted covers. I've now even offered to do one for my Mum.

One evening I did fancy a little change though so had a bash at one of the flowers from this book which I'd taken with me for such emergencies. I thought the book would have a quick description of each stitch in it but it doesn't and the only stitches I could remember off heart were chain, double & treble so that helped narrow down the choice of flowers I could make. I plumped for the lazy daisy...

...here it is nestling against some of my Mum's primroses.

Speaking of flowers, I did my usual photographic tour of my Mum's garden. I then spent(wasted!) much time sorting them into a photo mosaic...
...and after all that effort I'm not sure I like the end reult. However it seemed better than posting individual photos. Hmmm, I think I'll stick to 3x3 mosaics, to me these seem to work best.

Thank you for the kind comments on my last post regarding our own garden. We are lucky to have quite a big garden though because of its size I have yet to manage to tame it all. I've taken more photos of it which I'll bore you with another day. Here's one of a tiny bit of our mossy grass for now...

... graced by a lovelyhydrangea skeleton leaf.

On an unrelated note, I include this photo...

...just because I love the way A & N snuggle up to each other on the sofa when they're watching the telly (until A starts poking N then it all ends in tears!)

By the way, if anyone's really been paying attention you may notice that this is my 111th post which is when I promised a giveaway. Sorry but I'm not organised enough yet but it will happen sometime soon, hopefully by the end of next week. This week's turning out a bit busy. I'm also playing in this at the weekend, we had a rehearsal for it tonight. Lovely music!

Enjoy your week!

Saturday Morning Bike Ride

Today I'm up early to get away early, but just as I'm about to leave I notice a big bulge and a hole in my back tyre. The tyre is kindly replaced by hubby (he's much more adept at such repairs than I!) and I'm on my way at 8am. The plan is to venture further into Ayrshire today but as I need to be back by midday I don't have too much time to waste.

Off up the big hill at the back of Howwood. I'm pleased that despite it being a fortnight since my last decent cycle and the fact that I have eaten a huge amount of cake in that time, I manage up the hill without too much trouble at all. Spring has finally arrived here today - the day is balmy, blue and beautiful! Ben Lomond can be seen faintly in the background of the above photo.

Past Barcraigs. Daffodils are nodding in the forground, trees are reflected perfectly in the still water.

I do like the gate at this entrance to Barcraigs, here's yet another photo of it!

Barcraigs again.

Lambs! They're still a little too far away for a decent photograph though.

Now heading west towards Beith. I like this little clump of daffodils at the side of the road.

Up and over a landrover track heading south into Ayrshire. At this point the view takes me by surprise. Not only can I see Arran but also the Aisla Craig. Unfortunately they're both just a little too distant to photograph well.

It's a much more open landscape here - much flatter, which for me makes for slightly less interesting cycling. Still a great network of quiet roads to explore though.

More daffodils. Two birds on the telegraphs wires. The mountains of Arran in the far distance.

As this area is new to me I need to check the map often. I'm also very conscious of the time and don't linger for many photos. I basically make my way around some of the unclassified roads heading towards Dalry then veer off towards Kilbirnie where I join the cycle-path and zoom home. I'm back for 11:30 so did have time to spare, never mind, there's always next time.

Moo.

Home for a spot of gardening while hubby is out for his boozy lunch date. It actually gets too hot for me! As the leaves aren't yet out on the trees there's not a shady spot to work in. A & I retire to the deckchairs and eat ice lollies while N finishes his nap. A superior effort at tidying the garden will be made tomorrow morning...

Way Out West.

No rain today, hurray!

This morning we went on a little trip to the coast, just for a change of scene and a chance of some fine views. Of course I take my camera with me...

A & N enjoyed a play in a tiny play-park along the front. This little boat detail is from the play-park gate.

I eventually manage to persuade them to go for a walk with me along the front but we soon realise there are steps directly across from the play-park giving access down to a little shingle beach. We go down for a closer look.

The pebbles on the beach are mainly large and irregularly shaped but of a beautiful mixture of muted colours, shown here enhanced by the wetness of the sea.

Little pools in rocks filled with tiny pebbles.

Blue skies are moving in from the south-west, a little patch can be seen here over Gourock on the left. It was actually quite a sparkly day despite the abundance of grey clouds. My photos looked nice and bright on my camera screen but don't seem to have translated well on to the computer screen.

After a very pleasant guddle about on the little beach collecting shells and throwing stones in the water we make our way back to the car. The sun dapples the hills to the north.

We decamp to another, much bigger play-park further east. This one has a sandy "floor", whenever we've visited it's always been scrupulously clean, thankfully! A paces the deck of the pirate ship.

A self portrait of A in the sand.

Looking back at the play-park as we return to the car. It is in a such a lovely setting, something I never take for granted.

We have to stop off at a supermarket on the way home as I need to get a tin of caramel to make yet another chocolate cake (more visitors are expected tomorrow and it's a quick an easy cake to make and no I don't work for Nestle!). The most convenient one is Morrisons. N is not happy to visit Morrisons, he screams so loudly from the trolley that we get looks from old people. I've noticed before that lots of old people (by which I mean people older than me!) seem to favour Morrisons over the other supermarkets we have here. We get several glares but the cashier is very sympathetic. N then enjoys a much needed nap in the car on the way home.

We pass fields full of lambs on our journey home and the daffodils in the garden are finally in flower. My two "signs of Spring" that I look for have therefore now happened. The afternoon is full of sunshine but the wind is cold. A spell of balmy weather would be nice, just to confirm that Spring is here to stay.

Soon please!

A little bit of treasure hunting and cake baking...

Hello! It's been a busy week though with nothing terribly exciting to report (as usual!).

I did manage to make a tour of the charity shops and was lucky in my treasure hunt. First up was the white jug (rather pricey at £1.99) in the above photo containing the remains of the Mother's Day flowers. Note also our extensive Easter decorations - two little egg candles, well at least we remembered to light them!

This is a detail from a lovely linen table runner decorated with wool embroidery in an art deco style. 75p for all that hard work!

Here it is again with a bundle of children's books(10p - 60p each) to keep A & N amused and a little appliqued tray cloth (40p). I also bought a large pure wool throw (not photographed) which I proceeded to wash at 30C which unfortunately has resulted in it felting. It's now on the sofa in the living room and doesn't drape as well as it should, still, at least it's clean. Next time I'll be more careful and less hasty.

Much baking has been done this week. This is the last slice from the first chocolate cake of the week, made for the ladies attending a craft night. It's made using my favourite chocolate fudge cake recipe (very quick and easy but still delicious) which is listed under the recipe section in my sidebar.

I did make an attempt at decorating some eggs for Easter. These are just eggshells stuck back together then covered with tissue paper and glue. A was then going to jazz them up but we ran out of time for this Easter. We will finish them over the next few days then put them by for next year.

And here's some of the other baking I've been doing...

I finally hosted a birthday party on Saturday for hubby. He had a big birthday earlier this year (ummm, back in Feb to be exact - I get round to things eventually!), I made a huge chilli, rice, chicken fajitas, salsa, guacamole, key lime pie, another chocolate fudge cake, birthday cake (with lots of yummy butter icing!), chocolate caramel shortbread and fresh fruit salad. Family members also brought along other dishes. We've all got healthy appetites, just as well! Fortunately the weather was nice so the younger ones were all out in the garden playing football which meant the grown-ups weren't too squashed in the living room!

Much cleaning and tidying also had to happen before this big event, so that's pretty much what I've been up to this last week. No time even for a Saturday morning cycle. On Sunday though we did make a little family cycle along the cycle-path to the loch. The children have recently discovered the otter sculpture there which they enjoy playing on, here's a detail...

This morning I thought A had a birthday party to go to. She got all dressed up (I even remembered to brush her hair!), she made a card, I wrapped the present, we ventured out into the wind and rain, then discovered we were a day early! At least we weren't a day late. This afternoon weather is still not great - the perfect excuse to get out the Nanny Mc Phee DVD I bought recently (it's the first one, we've still not seen it yet), dig out what's left of the Easter eggs and make ourselves comfy on the sofa...