A crazy week!
Well, what a week it’s been! A totally crazy week in lots of different ways and I’m still catching up with myself!
For a start, last week whilst heading up to Skipton for the Knit n Natter, I watched the clouds rolling in … full of snow! I couldn’t believe it – snow in April! The tops of the highest hills were white and there were definite snowy flurries during the day. As if I needed another excuse to stay indoors with a mug of Coopers‘ excellent hot chocolate!
Then, a couple of days later, after a brief, unexpected return to winter, spring was back again. The temperature lifted again and I spent the day gardening in beautiful sunshine. This is a garden I’ve looked after for many years and I love it. It also helps enormously that I like the family that owns it very much. I love the magnolia tree which flowers twice a year …
I love the fig tree which manages to produce figs every year …
And I love the secret blue door.
On this particular day, I also loved the robins. There’s usually one hopping about but this time there were two. This cheeky little chap (and no, that’s not a zoomed-in photo, he really was that close!) …
and his equally cheeky friend. Wherever I was, they were there too, regarding me with their bright eyes and ready to dart in to grab a worm or an insect.
At one point, I was worried that I was going to stand on them! It did make me very happy to have feathery garden helpers, though I do hope none of the neighbours were watching me chatting to them!
The week started to take on a rather surreal feel when the Sockalong Facebook group suddenly grew beyond all of my wildest expectations, thanks to my lovely friend Lucy mentioning it on her Facebook page. Goodness me, I’ve met people from all over the world who are now knitting a pair of socks, some of them for the very first time! It’s quite incredible, and a wonderful feeling to think that I’ve been able to help them to do something that many of them though impossible.
I’ve spent most of the week talking about socks (something that I’ve only ever dreamed about!) as it was Yarn Shop Day last Saturday, and I got to meet even more people who are going to try their hand at socks. I can’t tell you how great it’s been to be able to do that! There were some last-minute preparations on the Friday night, all ready for a weekend of socks, because on Sunday the Sockalong started. I have no idea how many new pairs of socks are going to be in existence over the next couple of weeks, but if it helps our wool industries, our yarn businesses and our own peace of mind through knitting therapy, then I’m happy.
Today, the dog and I took ourselves out on a different walk (it’s good to walk him in different places because he doesn’t get over-confident about which path we’ll be taking!). I’ve spent more time than usual in front of the computer this week and I need to remember to get up and walk around once in a while! The bluebells were out in the woods, a deep purpley blue which the photograph doesn’t do justice to. I have the paler hybrid Spanish bluebells in my garden, so it was lovely to see native English ones carpeting the banks.
The wild garlic was also in flower …
and I found lots of this pretty little pink flower. I have no idea what it is, so if anybody knows, please enlighten me!
And this white daisy-like flower too – it’s not one I’ve seen before.
Not long after I took these pictures, I watched the clouds rolling in again although instead of snow, it was heavy rain. The dog and I headed for home.
Yes, it’s been a crazy week but I wouldn’t have changed any of it. I’m loving seeing all the sock pictures on the Facebook page and I can’t tell you how fantastic it is to know that people are joining in with the Sockalong, so thank you. Here’s to next week!
Sounds like a mad week hun, even though im not joining in on ur sockalong the atmosphere is amazing. The walk you went on looks amazing can you tell me where it is next time i see u please?
You're not joining yet … 🙂 xx
No idea what your mystery flower is, but it is very pretty isn't it! How wonderful that the sockalonging is going so well!!! I am so pleased for you as it know that you have put an awful lot of work into this and the posts – even though I am not sockalonging I can tell!! Everyone certainly seems to be having a lot of fun with it. Way to go you!!!! I hope that you have a good weekend. I am looking forward to the next sock post! xx
Amy, it's great fun and I'm really enjoying it. Hope you have a fantastic weekend too! xx
a lovely post and I love the robins and the blossom. I am so jealous you went to Coopers and I am hoping to arrange a visit there before too long. I am doing the sockalong and the first sock of the second pair is nearing the heel stage the same as the first pair.
Love Joy xx
Joy, you'll love Coopers if you can get to visit there, it's a really lovely coffee shop and the food is excellent. I'm so pleased that you're joining in with the Sockalong, and it sounds like you're just in time for the next post on Sunday! xx
Wow… Your post is full of wonderful things! Loved reading every little bit! Good luck with the sockalong- not that you need it. Happy weekend, J9 x
Thanks J9, and have a lovely weekend yourself! xx
You must be so busy with the sockalong. Just the Facebook page along, the posts keep coming in by the minute. Am really enjoying it and looking forward to Sundays instalment. As I've said before, thank you for organising it. X
It's all good fun, Selma, and I'm so looking forward to seeing all the finished socks! xx
I love Skipton I went on a bus trip so my time was limited last time I was there, I did looks for Coopers but couldn't find it! I'm planning on going to Yarndale so hopefully I will find it then, I love bluebells and once the weather improves up here I will be taking myself down the dene which is virtually on my doorstep to see them there is always a lovely display. I'm really enjoying the sockalong although I have to report I have very sore fingers those cute little needles are very sharp! 🙂 xx
Cooper's isn't far from the Auction Mart where Yarndale is held so hopefully you'll find it when you visit again, Linda. I'm glad you're enjoying the Sockalong and I'm looking forward to seeing your finished socks – your sore fingers will be worth the effort when you're done! xx
Your white daisy-like flower looks to me like stitchwort. I don't recognise the pink one, though, sorry.
Yes! That's it! Thank you, Melinda! I've just googled a picture and that's exactly what it is. I've never seen it before so it's nice to know what it's called xx
Gosh I love Robins! We don't have them here in Kangarooland but ever since we had to all sing 'When the red red robin comes bob bob bobbin along…' every week at assembly in primary school (for 7 years!) I've always had this love of them. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos! It's a miserable autumn day here today (Mothers Day here in Australia) so any spring photos (or robin photos!) are so lovely and cheery to see!
It fascinates me that we can be the same planet and yet your seasons are different! Lucky that you came to love robins after singing that song for 7 years – it could have so easily have gone the other way! Happy Mother's Day to you! xx
Great photos, those bluebell woods and the wild garlic, both beautiful signs of late Spring. Love the robins too, there is something very special about a robin watching as you work in the garden. xx
You're right, Jan, there is something very special about having a wild bird or an animal feel comfortable being so close to you. I felt very honoured to be spending the day with them! xx
Your white flower may be stitchwort, or early white campion, both seem similar, and both may be out round now. Look at the back of the blossom to see whether there is a clean or a hairy stem. Hairy stem is campion, smooth clean stem, stitchwort. 😉
Thanks, Mammafairy! I'll take another look when I'm back round there. I've seen red campion before and that's been taller than this plant which makes me inclined to think it's stitchwort, but it's a good excuse to go back and check! 🙂 xx