Two Weeks in June

What Ho,Old Beans! Well, we've reached the 'let's unload the camera' time again. I'm painfully aware that other people have beautifully written and constructed blog posts with a definite theme involved. Mine is more of random collection of bits and bobs with very little connecting them, other than the fact that they are happy moments which I would like to remember. 

I thought that by this time E would be home for the summer, unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it and from whose perspective, she has managed to land herself a paid internship at the uni for 8 weeks. It was open to post grads as well, so we are very proud of her for getting it (and it will do her finances no end of good!), it's just that I miss having her at home. Here then are my displacement activities from the past 2 weeks, as I try to distract myself from my sad little empty nest:

R and I took a trip to Calne and then Devizes in Bridget. Whilst wandering around Calne at around lunch time, by happy chance we managed to stumble across a cute little veggie/vegan cafe set in a small courtyard. As we weren't that hungry, we just opted for panini (delicious!). although R then regretted his choice when he noticed our fellow diners tucking into a veggie curry and vegan all day breakfast!

 Another play at The Watermill. The girl playing Bottom stole the show.

 A relaxing day doing an embroidered hanging workshop at a local farm. These were the ones provided as exemplars:

 ............... and here's the one I did:

 2 finished objects. Firstly, my Soiree Sweater in Stranded Dyeworks' Shiner Colourway:

....... and my Hipster Shawl (pattern by Joji Locatelli) in Malabrigo 'Hot Java' yarn:

 

I would apologise for the state of the unplumped cushions in the background, but that would imply that it is not the usual state of affairs!

Making a new willow cloche for the garden:

 L moved to a new flat in London and R and I drove in to help her move her things. I should have taken a photo of our car, packed to the gunwales with stuff, but you wouldn't have got the full effect without me being present in the passenger seat with my feet on her printer and knees under my chin! Her boyfriend J has moved there from Oxford and, whilst I had grown fond of her old flat, I'm happy that they can be together and that their beautiful new flat (it is gorgeous) is far more convenient for her chambers.

After unpacking we went to Cafe Van Gogh  for lunch. This is a vegan cafe set in a church around the corner from where Van Gogh used to live. The setting was lovely and the food delicious.

 My new cast on - the Featherweight Cardigan from the pattern book that L bought me for my birthday: 

 Going to see John Finnemore's show at The Anvil Theatre. I thoroughly enjoyed this, although the evening itself was a bit of a disaster as R's train was cancelled and I ended up having to go on my own.

 Taking photos of some of our sparrow box residents. As usual we have sparrows in 2 of the 3 boxes and bees in the end one:

 A day trip to Winchester with R. I have been many times before, but this was the first time that I had actually gone in the Cathedral.

 Jane Austen's Grave:

 St Swithun's remains:

 Stunning Medieval tiles:

 Whilst walking round the Cathedral, we spotted a couple with binoculars peering up at the window. Being nosy, I asked what they were looking at, and they showed us the Peregrine Falcons nesting on the Cathedral ledge. Apparently, they used to nest on the old police station before it was demolished. Knowing that they would need a new nesting site, a tray of gravel was deliberately placed in the gulley to simulate their preferred nesting sites. It worked; the falcons have reared 3 chicks and next year it is hoped that a webcam can be placed there, allowing visitors to get a closer look.

My first attempt at Kimchi. The recipe was from The Good Eatings Podcast and was supposed to contain wild garlic. Not having any, I substituted with normal garlic and some spring onions. 

 Finally, my supermarket Irises:

Well, that's all for this week. It's a bit dull but dry today, so Hamish is off into the garden and I'm going to clear out the larder - it's long overdue. I can't do it with Hamish in the kitchen as the bit at the back goes into an inaccessible recess under the stairs and the little darling loves nothing better than to disappear in there! Wish me luck.
Toodle Pip for now. x