You can find me here    Granny’s World Just to let you know I have moved over to Substack.  You can find me there if you are so inclined  Thanks x ..read more

 I finally finished this cardigan. And to be honest I’m glad to see the back of it. Started at end April it’s been hanging around for a while. This isn’t for me, I have two already, but for a friend. She asked if I could knit up some alpaca yarn she had in her stash. I said I would. There was no hurry, but I kept finding other things to do and I hate having projects languishing. Anyway said friend is coming this afternoon so I can hand it over and hope she likes it! The pattern is the Mdina Cardigan by Kari Helene Rane, you can fine it on Ravelry or Payhip.  I have now started ..read more

After days of indifferent weather, grey skies, rain and cool, we had a reasonable day yesterday. So we decided to take a walk after dinner.  I’m glad we did. It was so still and lovely along the river. Here are a few photos I took The country starts its four day celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee today - 70 years. That’s some achievement, the longest reigning monarch ever.  There is a fair bit going on in our local area so I’m sure we will join in with something. In the meantime look how lovely the local postbox in Hemingford Abbots is. A work of a ..read more

 On our return from France we found that the garden had decided to put on a bit of a show for us.  Plants that were still in bud when we left have burst forth, much appreciating the recent rains and warm temperatures. Also things are taking shape in the allotment. Yesterday we bought home a good haul from our autumn planted brassicas  We have here sprouting broccoli, pak choy, chard and two cabbages which were a bit slug damaged but I picked through carefully and we had one with dinner last night. Can’t really get much fresher.  We picke ..read more

The meadows are springing to life with flowers here at Chateau de La Ruche.  The French countryside is certainly a picture at the present.  The local farmer has taken over a couple of fields near the Chateau and has cleared the old fences and brambles, opening up the views. The sunset last night was amazing. As I write the sky tonight is glowing so I expect if I get off of the sofa I’d see a similar view ..read more

Off the needles  Summer Bucket Hat -  Gemini Top - not sure if I really like this or not. I actually don’t have anything it will go with ? oh well I can wear it in the garden if not out  Patchwork Squares -  With the top and hat now completed I’m at a loose end knitting wise. I can’t decide what to knit next.  I spent an age winding a 300 gram lace weight skein, to then decide not to use it! I’ve spent too much time on Ravelry and going through patterns looking for inspiration but nothing really takes my fancy.  I only made the hat for something to do ..read more

The borders are blooming. Blues and pinks and purples, with just a touch of yellow still. That’s all for today   ..read more

As previously mentioned we decided that rather than drive back in one hit we would stop enroute and make a pleasurable day out of our return home.   Normally we leave at 8am with a quick stop for coffee just outside Rouen then onwards to Calais to get the 13:20 crossing. Most often we arrive in time to be put on an earlier train. It does however mean that we hit the Dartford Crossing at lunchtime which is invariably busy and stressful.  As we are unfortunately no longer restricted by the frequent traveller timings with Eurotunnel, by paying full fare we can pick and choose when we cr ..read more

It’s no joke today is April1st, where is this year going?  The last 9 days have whizzed by.  It always does when in France, we are kept so busy the days just fly. The weather on the whole was amazing, almost summer like at times.  But here we are, awake to a dusting of snow on both sides of the channel. Cold winds ?  Nature reminding us that it’s not time to shed those layers just yet. As I said a busy time out in the chateau gardens. I think we made a decent impression with all our work. Clearing away the debris from winter winds, cutting grass, tidying borders, weeding gr ..read more

Ahh and we are back.  After an early start yesterday morning we arrived in sunny France.  As soon as you turn into the long lane to the Chateau you feel the peace of the countryside wrap round you.  Windows down we took in the sights, birdsong and soft breeze. The woods and garden are covered in a coat of gold from the celandines, their faces open to the sun, magical. I’ll leave you with my photos of a walk around the grounds for now.  Today we will be tackling the gardens, cutting grass where possible, just neatening nature, rather than a full out stripping of the lawns wh ..read more