Five on Friday - Quick, Quick, Slow.

Hello there, how are you, had a good week? It's been a busy few weeks here, nothing in particular to write home about. Since April, myself and two other ladies have been planning some social activities at church, just one a month. We've also been on a walk that was planned by other's in the church. For years my tendons have hurt but they seems better now, making walking easier. We took Angus and were delighted that he managed both the styles on the walk. There's no way we could lift him over! 
I've been trying to slow down and not keep rushing round like a manic woman! The present UK hot weather certainly makes you slow down. 

We cheated with our hanging baskets this year, B&Q specials. They are beautiful and I'm very pleased with them, more flowers have budded since these photos. My view from the kitchen, on a clear day you can see across to The Wolds, Lincolnshire.  

 

We popped for a coffee in town a few weeks ago, they do a fantastic cooked breakfast if you get there early. This occasion we just had a cappuccino before finishing our shopping. 

Stocking up on some hand soap at the health store, they're all variations of the orange fragrance. Usually I buy their Rose Blossom soap and the same in shampoo refill. For years I used solid shampoo bars (friendly soap company) but after an itchy and dry scalp, it's a refreshing change. A beautiful delicate fragrance. 

It's finished at last, my coastal blanket that I've crocheted. You'll likely recognise it as designed by Lucy from attic24. I love everything about it, the bright colours and the soothing waves. I'm finishing off some socks I started a while ago, my plan is to focus on the top 5 craft items on my list. It's hard as I want to race ahead but no, I need to get things finished first. 

My current reading pile borrowed from the library. 
I've returned A Grave in the Cotswold by Rebecca Tope, an enjoyable read told by the natural burial,  sustainable undertaker. It's part of the Cotswold Mystery series, best read in order as it follows Thea's life as a house sitter / sleuth with her sidekick dog Hepzie. She's finding her way after becoming a widow, playing scrabble online to pass the time, dreading the return to an empty house. 

I've just finished The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I kept thinking about all the times in the past that I've visited the library, the changes that I've seen and its history. I remember, whilst working at Boots the Chemist in Petersfield high street, a colleague told me about the old underground library beneath the shop. Sadly it shut many years before I worked there   

taking all its secrets with it.

I'm reading the next in the Alexander McCall Smith - The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, there are changes for Mma Makutsi of 97%. She's married now and the blurb mentions a baby, I can't imagine that for a moment. 

Well that's my five things round up, what have you been up to, leave a comment to let me know. Thanks for visiting Cx

Walking with the Vikings - Craft plans

Hello there, its been a busy few weeks. How are you, I've had a virus (not THEE virus) but horrible all the same. It started with a headache that left, a few days later I had flu symptoms, that left. Phew I thought, until bedtime... all my limbs felt like the weight of them were being dragged downwards. It was awful, that feeling lasted for days, with nights being the worst.

I've taken a few pictures on my camera but with no real purpose. I've photographed part of some cooking but forget to photo the finished product! I've also gone back on instagram... It feels wrong to say it's wasting time but it's true, I create/read or I scroll... but not both. I have found that I can log out, so I do, a lot. It's the only way for me.

 

One Saturdays a few weeks ago we set off for a walk 'with a nice clean dog.' It obviously didn't take him long to get muddy. Armed with water for Angus, our trusty local guide book, and a packet of humbugs we took our walking boots and set off. Being late in the day, we had the place almost to ourselves. It was a warm dry evening, not exactly a wooded area but enough to believe you're walking in the woods. 

Following one of the Spring walks in Summertime, meant that the bluebells and daffodils were no longer in bloom. That didn't spoil our walk, it was enough to extend our usual distance walk round the local area and Angus certainly enjoyed it. 

Lincolnshire is a large county so most walks require a bit of a journey. Our walk takes in part of the Spa Trail and the village of Martin. Continue in either direction along the old disused railway line and the Spa Trail will take you to Horncastle or Woodall Spa. It's good solid ground perfect for walking, pushchairs and cyclists. If you hear a bell, step aside for the bikes.

Along the Spa Trail are several metal sculptures celebrating the Viking connection. 

NOT a headless dog, the head end is busy sniffing EVERY thing and wondering if water, mud or rabbit droppings will be found on this walk. 

Well he certainly found the mud whilst seeking out a drink from a stream. 

It was a nice walk finished off with a stop at another beauty spot on the way home to bath the dog ha ha. 

Have you been out walking recently?

Some Craft Plans

I'm working my way through my craft projects 'to do/finish' list. I have 5 at the top of the list. 
* Crochet blanket - FINISHED, photo next time. 
* WYS Robin Socks - One sock complete, 2nd sock in progress. 
* Jumper - Finish
* Jacket - Finish
* Wrist warmers for Mark - I started some but didn't like them - so bought a proper pattern 

What are you making at the moment? 

Thanks for visiting, I'll stop by and visit your blogs this week.
Ttfn 
Cathy x