A busy lockdown weekend

Friday was a funny day I was very tearful for no reason.  But that’s okay it’s allowed.  So I went to my go to thing for distraction and knocked up another scrappy hanging.

We stopped off at our local pub to treat ourselves to one of these bad boys. They are massive and delicious.  The pub are     making lots of take out food from their usual menu and have set up Ella’s Sundae Stall.  It’s a family run business and much loved within the community and demand for their food is still high even during lockdown.

Saturday we had a bit of excitement on the lane when the Ninja mobile coffee cart turned up.  Normally they are to be found at events and festival, so for now you can book them to come to your street. It was really good and the lads passing by, cycling the Pennine Way,  thought so too as did a couple of dog walkers who all stopped off  and bought a drink.

Got our togs on then and set off for Todmorden market for fresh provisions for the weekend and some for Mum.  It was nice to see some of the old traders back.  It meant we could buy our cleaning stuff and toiletries from the hardware man and there was a new stallholder who makes fresh pasta sauces and sponge puddings.  We like to support as many market traders as we can.  We are very lucky with our little markets.  It's as well as we are not supermarket shoppers.

Spent the afternoon sat in our friend of 40 years garden.  Socially distanced of course.  We even took our own drinks and picnic.  It was lovely, just like old times, and we even managed to forget about things for a while.

Sunday .....


We enjoyed a couple of hours with our niece for her birthday.  We had all been given our time slots so that there was no more than two visitors at once.  Good job the sun shone again and we could sit outside. 

Kim is a head teacher at a primary school.  A job I definitely wouldn’t want.

After dropping Mum’s shopping off we scuttled off back home as we both needed the loo by this time and as the rules about going into peoples houses was still a no no at this point we made a hasty retreat. 

Monday now and the sun is out again today and the wandering welder is working on a little project for our garden gate display.

No tiger in my tank today but there are some on my charity shop frock.  Enjoy the sunshine, rain is on it’s way later this week.

A busy lockdown weekend

Friday was a funny day I was very tearful for no reason.  But that’s okay it’s allowed.  So I went to my go to thing for distraction and knocked up another scrappy hanging.

We stopped off at our local pub to treat ourselves to one of these bad boys. They are massive and delicious.  The pub are     making lots of take out food from their usual menu and have set up Ella’s Sundae Stall.  It’s a family run business and much loved within the community and demand for their food is still high even during lockdown.

Saturday we had a bit of excitement on the lane when the Ninja mobile coffee cart turned up.  Normally they are to be found at events and festival, so for now you can book them to come to your street. It was really good and the lads passing by, cycling the Pennine Way,  thought so too as did a couple of dog walkers who all stopped off  and bought a drink.

Got our togs on then and set off for Todmorden market for fresh provisions for the weekend and some for Mum.  It was nice to see some of the old traders back.  It meant we could buy our cleaning stuff and toiletries from the hardware man and there was a new stallholder who makes fresh pasta sauces and sponge puddings.  We like to support as many market traders as we can.  We are very lucky with our little markets.  It's as well as we are not supermarket shoppers.

Spent the afternoon sat in our friend of 40 years garden.  Socially distanced of course.  We even took our own drinks and picnic.  It was lovely, just like old times, and we even managed to forget about things for a while.

Sunday .....


We enjoyed a couple of hours with our niece for her birthday.  We had all been given our time slots so that there was no more than two visitors at once.  Good job the sun shone again and we could sit outside. 

Kim is a head teacher at a primary school.  A job I definitely wouldn’t want.

After dropping Mum’s shopping off we scuttled off back home as we both needed the loo by this time and as the rules about going into peoples houses was still a no no at this point we made a hasty retreat. 

Monday now and the sun is out again today and the wandering welder is working on a little project for our garden gate display.

No tiger in my tank today but there are some on my charity shop frock.  Enjoy the sunshine, rain is on it’s way later this week.

What’s on your Workdesk

Well last week was an exciting one at our desks.  Thank you all for your good wishes and lovely comments, celebrating 11 years of us all chatting, swapping ideas and inspiring one another.  Julia you are amazing keeping us all together, especially now in these immensely troubled times.  Thank you.

As you can see I’m still obsessed with stitching together tiny bits of fabric and making them into little hangings.  My workroom wall is full of them.  I think it’s become my go to thing to relieve tension.  There’s no plan with them I just layer them up as I’m going along.

I’m using twigs to hang them from.

This is a hanging I did sometime ago.

Here’s my book bags. I make them for my very special books to keep them in good order.  I’ve had a long overdue shuffle round of the stuff on display in my workroom.  I dare’nt for shame show you the floor and other areas.  Maybe next week.  That’s if I’m not still stitching bits of fabric haha.

Right that’s me done, I’m off to the local market, we are lucky enough to have a fishmonger, butcher, greengrocer and  baker.  So lots of fresh food and a nice chat with the traders. I don’t do supermarkets at the best of times so there’s no chance of me going now. Take care everyone and I’ll see you next week.

Linking up with 

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday

What’s on your Workdesk

Well last week was an exciting one at our desks.  Thank you all for your good wishes and lovely comments, celebrating 11 years of us all chatting, swapping ideas and inspiring one another.  Julia you are amazing keeping us all together, especially now in these immensely troubled times.  Thank you.

As you can see I’m still obsessed with stitching together tiny bits of fabric and making them into little hangings.  My workroom wall is full of them.  I think it’s become my go to thing to relieve tension.  There’s no plan with them I just layer them up as I’m going along.

I’m using twigs to hang them from.

This is a hanging I did sometime ago.

Here’s my book bags. I make them for my very special books to keep them in good order.  I’ve had a long overdue shuffle round of the stuff on display in my workroom.  I dare’nt for shame show you the floor and other areas.  Maybe next week.  That’s if I’m not still stitching bits of fabric haha.

Right that’s me done, I’m off to the local market, we are lucky enough to have a fishmonger, butcher, greengrocer and  baker.  So lots of fresh food and a nice chat with the traders. I don’t do supermarkets at the best of times so there’s no chance of me going now. Take care everyone and I’ll see you next week.

Linking up with 

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Lockdown Diary - Bank Holiday Monday

I’m starting Lockdown Monday with  a grumble.

Thinking I was supporting a local author I preordered her book “The Secrets of Love Story Bridge”.  Publishing date April 2020.  

Then I noticed she had recently published another book “Secrets of Sunshine”,May 2020,  so I sent for that as well.

Imagine my surprise this morning when deciding which one to start first I discovered it is exactly the same story in both books.  Unbelievable!!!    I’ve never come across this before.  I’ve been caught out when book are reprinted with a new cover but never a new title.

Apparently the first was for the US market who wanted a different title to the UK one.  Have you ever heard anything like it.  What a con.

Needless to say I’ve sent the first one back as I paid £20 for it.  The second one was £7.  I’ve written to the author but her explanation was as bad as a politicians.   Grumble over now.  Time for some sunshine.

The Doodly Birds are joining the,  Lockdown on our lane party.  I designed these nearly 10 years ago and they used to appear on books, bags, clocks, pens, mugs, coasters, cards, and these postcards.  They’ve all flown the nest now and they are not like homing pigeons, they won’t be making a comeback.  Done that one, ticked it off, got the T-shirt.  Well

Philip has, he still wears his haha.

Here they are with Big Ted waiting for the walkers to say hello.

Right I’m off as it’s time  for my favourite programme of the week - Grayson Perry’s Artclub, channel 4, 8pm.  This week’s theme is HOME and here’s his bear Alan Measles peering out the window.

Could be looking for his friend Ten Bob Ted.

Lockdown Diary - Bank Holiday Monday

I’m starting Lockdown Monday with  a grumble.

Thinking I was supporting a local author I preordered her book “The Secrets of Love Story Bridge”.  Publishing date April 2020.  

Then I noticed she had recently published another book “Secrets of Sunshine”,May 2020,  so I sent for that as well.

Imagine my surprise this morning when deciding which one to start first I discovered it is exactly the same story in both books.  Unbelievable!!!    I’ve never come across this before.  I’ve been caught out when book are reprinted with a new cover but never a new title.

Apparently the first was for the US market who wanted a different title to the UK one.  Have you ever heard anything like it.  What a con.

Needless to say I’ve sent the first one back as I paid £20 for it.  The second one was £7.  I’ve written to the author but her explanation was as bad as a politicians.   Grumble over now.  Time for some sunshine.

The Doodly Birds are joining the,  Lockdown on our lane party.  I designed these nearly 10 years ago and they used to appear on books, bags, clocks, pens, mugs, coasters, cards, and these postcards.  They’ve all flown the nest now and they are not like homing pigeons, they won’t be making a comeback.  Done that one, ticked it off, got the T-shirt.  Well

Philip has, he still wears his haha.

Here they are with Big Ted waiting for the walkers to say hello.

Right I’m off as it’s time  for my favourite programme of the week - Grayson Perry’s Artclub, channel 4, 8pm.  This week’s theme is HOME and here’s his bear Alan Measles peering out the window.

Could be looking for his friend Ten Bob Ted.

Lockdown Diary - Saturday 23rd May 2020

As the weather was to windy to walk over the moors we went down into nearby Healey Dell Nature Reserve. It’s a lot more sheltered down there. We are lucky enough to live overlooking the reserve and have magnificent views from our windows.

Don’t think Philip was impressed with my tree climbing skills.

Isn’t it a beautiful place. 

This is the fairy glen with the stone viaduct above.  The viaduct was once a local railway line.

After a light lunch at home and a change of clothes off we went to see our beautiful niece.  I think the lockdown has messed with my normal organised birthday brain.  Turns out it’s not Olivia’s birthday while Monday.  

Two gorgeous girls,  Olivia and Blossom the teacup

Pomeranian 

Back home and time to reflect on how strange it felt to be out in heavy traffic again after all these weeks and how sad not to have been able to hug everyone and  have a cuddle with young Blossom.