Weekend starts with a bang

Just a quick post tonight then I'm going to relax for an hour or so before bed and an early start tomorrow for my trip to Carlisle. If the "red sky at night" theory holds, then it should be a nice day going off the view down the road this evening.... ....just beautiful. Well, I'll be at Houghton Hall tomorrow - it's a massive place and the flagship branch of the Strikes/Klondyke garden centres. Good thing I'll be loaded up with all my dies and stamps etc otherwise I'd be coming home with an assortment of bulbs, plants and assorted pots!
Speaking of gardening, I finally completed the rebuilding of the low wall. It's not exactly great, but it is strong and I'm happy with it. It was tricky because it was brick on one side with thick concrete on the other side. Once it all got broken it left gaping gaps that had to be filled, so I had to do a mosaic and balance all the pieces whilst they set. Here's the mosaicy side anyway!

I was missing one of the top pieces too, so had to build up the cement there. I just need to scrub all the loose flaky bits off now and then will paint the top as it once was, so it should look okay then. Heather and I picked up (well, we tried!) two more bags of bark for me to complete that whole area and then I'll be able to get on with the fun part of planting bulbs and adding pots around the place. It's all being done on a tight, cheap as I can do it budget, so I'm making do with bits and bobs that are around the place and using them in different ways.
Anyway, as I was saying, I'll be in Carlisle tomorrow, so hope to see some familiar faces there. I've got some nice techniques to share and plenty of samples. I'll be doing a double shuffle to catch my train to Leeds for Sunday's dabble day at Samuel Taylor's, so look forward to seeing you there if you're booked onto the event.
This evening I heard some very loud rumbling and banging noises and went out to find out what it was. Thomas and Tara both came flying in like 100 metre finalists! Turned out to be fireworks miles away on Blackpool promenade but there is a good, if distant view from the back of the house. A neighbour and myself wandered down the lane to get a better view - both in our pj's....one of the nice things about this area is that you can wander outside in pj's without worrying about being seen by lots of people! I tried taking some photos, but it really was a case of "a long shot" and I didn't manage to capture the fireworks. However, I did like the way this picture came out. Very atmospheric.That's a boring telegraph pole on the left though it looks like something more interesting here. You can see all the orbs created by midges etc too. Speaking of which, I woke up with two more bites this morning, gggrrrr! I have been spraying insect repellent everywhere but the perishers still keep coming back. I think they have taken to hiding until I go to bed and then they come out and bite me - little vampires!
Just watching the third episode of Parade's End which I am enjoying, though it's somewhat spoiled for me by the muffled dialogue - I really like Benedict Cumberbatch but he does seem to be mumbling in this series and I'm struggling to catch everything. Still, it looks wonderful and the atmosphere is sublime. I enjoyed the Bletchley Circle last night too - a bit far fetched, but good actresses including the wonderful Anna Maxwell Martin and the beautiful Rachel Stirling, daughter of the late Diana Rigg. Two ladies who have perfectly modulated voices!
Well, I'd better say goodnight. Not sure how good a night's sleep I'll get tomorrow night as I'm staying in the heart of Leeds city centre so suspect it may be a little noisy! Have a good weekend everyone.

Two counties weekend

Hi folks! It's been a very hot, and very fun weekend in Yorkshire and Cheshire. On Saturday I was at Samuel Taylor's in Leeds where I met quite a few familiar faces from when I was there last time, a few years back. I also saw Carol, who was the winner of my first blog quiz a few months ago....I will really try to get another quiz together before too long - promise!
No pictures from Saturday I'm afraid, as I forgot the camera, but I do have a couple to share with you from today when I was at HG Arts & Crafts in Brookside Garden centre in Poynton. It's the Garden Centre that I shared photos from a year and a half ago when David and I went there in the thick snow on his birthday. There is a miniature railway there and so there is also a lot of railway memorabilia, making for a very picturesque setting. My demonstration was in the "Party Suite" which is filled with railway signs etc as you can see here. Childrens parties are held in here and there is a "throne" for the birthday boy or girl, which apparently also serves as a seat for Santa Claus when he visits the gardens. Needless to say, I was seated on the throne (no rude jokes please!) and when Sheila visited, wearing one of her trademark hats, I was promptly crowned and David took this snap! I was trying to maintain a "regal" expression, but couldn't keep a straight face! It was a really fun day and I hope you all enjoy your new inks, stamps and card. Welcome to the new followers too...keep an eye open for the next quiz as there will be prizes!
Well, it's been a busy week and a half, so I shall sign off now and report back soon...hopefully with questions and goodies to be won. Hope everyone had a great weekend.