knitwise

After the break...

We had a little break away in Paris during the first week of the Easter holidays and, during the second week, we had family visiting from France. Today, everyone is back to work or college and peace has returned once more at home...  Paris was hectic and wonderful as usual.

Women don't wear fashion like this anymore but  the cafes, it seems, will always retain their charm and unique style. I love to sit at the terraces and watch the world go by...

Now that I am back I can show you my progress on the Winter blanket. I am still a long way to go but as I am sewing it as I go along, I can see it growing and it cheers me up.
I have a lot of sewing plans now that Spring is here and, once the house is back in order, I hope to get going and attack the fabric stash. Kim Hargreaves' new book is out soon and I seriously hope that there will be a little cardi calling for the turquoise 4ply wool which is resting in my knitting basket!...

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Back home...

Paris was as lively and beautiful as ever!...  We walked miles, determined to show the children as many places as possible in such a short time. Notre-Dame, the book shops along the river Seine, the Louvres, the Tuilerie gardens, Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, to name a few, were all on our agenda.

The picture above was taken in Montmartre, one of my favourite places in the City. I love the village atmosphere, the colours and admiring the artists at work on the Place du Tertre.

Back to reality and everyday life...  Although I had to work two 6 day weeks since my return, I have managed a bit of sewing and my blouse is nearly finished. My knitting is progressing too but slowly as I had to re-knit one of the fronts (I realised I had missed two whole rows at the beginning!...)

Next week should be back to normal with regular blogging and hopefully some pictures of work in progress or ,better still, completed.

A week off...

Next week I won't be posting because we are going to Paris. It will be a little break between exams for the children, a chance to see my family again and catch up with all the news back home. It will not be a restful week as there will be lots of talking, visiting and walking through our favourite places but I am looking forward to our trip as it has been such a long time since we were there...

My 1953 blouse pattern has arrived! The pattern was already cut by the previous owner and it makes me quite emotional to think that at least once, sometimes in the 50's maybe, someone else used this very pattern to make the blouse.  I feel as if I am holding a precious antique piece of paper and I am nervous about damaging it. Sadly it is too late now for me to start before we go away. I want to take my time over it to make sure I do things right. The pattern states that it is an easy one  but,  glancing quickly at the instructions, I am in doubt...

Now that I am in my 50's mood, a pile of Miss Read novels is awaiting me. It has become a ritual every Summer. I love re-reading those books at this time of year and dream of simpler times....

 

A day out...

Yesterday was such a beautiful day here. We decided to leave our island for a visit to the Mainland. Our destination was Highclere Castle, the home of the 8th Earl of Carnarvon. It was the 5th Earl and Howard Carter who famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.

 

 
This beautiful residence was also the film location for the TV series Downton Abbey.

The castle opens  its doors to the Public at certain dates in the year and Easter time is one of them. I am so glad that I was able to go inside. The rooms are beautiful! Here are some of my favourites:

The library

 

The Drawing room 

  
The Great hall

Now that I have been there in person, I am ready to watch Downton Abbey all over again!

After leaving Highclere Castle, we made a (long) detour to the lovely village of Woodstock and had afternoon tea at these charming old fashioned Tea rooms. The choice of cakes and pastries was unbelievable!

 

Harriet's Tearooms Woodstock

Then it was time to go home after a perfect day...

 

Sailing back home to our Island

Have a very Happy Easter!