Missing …

one Winwick Mum!

I feel like I’ve been absent from the blog for longer than I intended.   Oh, I’ve managed to publish a few posts so that you know I’m still here, but I don’t feel like I’ve really been here, if that makes sense.  I had the lurgy last weekend – more of a bad cold than anything else, I think, but I felt dreadful on Sunday and was grateful that big daughter, visiting for lunch, took charge and cooked the roast dinner whilst I wrapped myself up in a blanket, drank hot honey and lemon and felt sorry for myself on the sofa.

Before that there was Socktember, then all-change with our cats, lots of busy-ness with the day job and suddenly, it’s November and the big store Christmas ads are out.  It does feel as if I’ve blinked and someone has spun the hands of the clock faster than I was expecting!

Anyway, here I am now and I hope everything is well with you.  There’s been lots going on in the world, some good, some bad, and I hope that whatever side of the news you’re on, you and your loved ones have remained safe.

Since I’ve last chatted to you properly, I’ve been to Birmingham to celebrate the 50th birthday of Christine’s Wool Shop – no, that’s not my yarn shop but one belonging to Caroline, Julie and Sally Davies who took over their Mum’s shop when she died and ran it with their Dad until they had to say goodbye to him, too.  Now, it’s the three of them carrying on the tradition and what a wonderful shop and community they have.  They really deserve their own post for what was a very busy but very fun day, full of chatting, socks, yarn and excellent cake, so I will do that and post it very soon.

Julie, Sally and Caroline Davies – Christine’s Wool Shop, Bournville

Autumn has finally arrived, although it’s still warmer than I think it should be for this time of year.

I’m sure our Acer has worn its autumn coat far sooner than this in previous years but maybe not – a quick look back on the blog at this post showed that the leaves were starting to turn at the end of October so perhaps it just feels later this year.

I’m absolutely certain that these should not be flowering, though!

Cowslips are early spring flowers, not November flowers!  We’ve still got roses in bloom too, and there are spring bulbs popping up all over the garden.  It’s not going to be good for them if the weather suddenly turns very cold!

It did feel very autumnal the day I went up to Skipton to see my friend Lucy.  It was raining when I left Winwick but by the time I got to Skipton, the weather had cleared a bit.  It was actually quite bright, but not bright enough to let the sun shine through the clouds and show the leaves off at their best.  It was towards the end of October when I went up and again, I’d have thought the leaves might have been further on with their colour-changing, but maybe not.

We took the path along the canal up to the farm shop for a leisurely brunch and chat – oh my goodness, we always have so much to chat about! – and then walked back down into town for another brew and some cake in a different cafe.  That’s pretty much how our catch-up days work … walking, chatting, drinking tea and coffee, eating cake – and coming away feeling as if my batteries have been totally recharged.

This canal boat made me smile as we walked past it.  Can you see why?

Mabel continues to bring joy every day.  I’d forgotten how busy kittens are, and Astrid never knew because the last time she was in contact with a kitten, she was a kitten herself!

Mabel adores Astrid and wants to do exactly what she’s doing.  Playing with a paper bag?  She’s in there …

Astrid might look grumpy, but she wouldn’t get out of the bag!

Sitting by the Aga in a box?  Yep, she needs her own (no room for anyone else in Astrid’s – and she chose that one, perhaps for that reason!) …

Trying out a new game with ping pong balls in the bath?  You do it like this …

Astrid also likes to be involved in what’s going on, so it’s not just Mabel who is glued to Astrid; Astrid likes to know where she is as well.  I love this photo because it looks like she’s telling Mabel how the game works, and although those ping pong balls were a bit scary at first, I can often hear them rattling round in the bath now as Mabel takes herself upstairs to bat them around.

And trying out new places to sit?  Mabel’s your girl!

Yes, that was what it looks like. Oh dear! 🤣

There’s more to tell you, of course, but I can do that another day; now that I’m back into creating posts again then it’s much easier to get on and write more.  There are socks to show you and other things to talk about (I could do with some advice on looking after a potted lemon tree if you’ve got one) so I’ll definitely be back!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xx