IF WE TOOK A HOLIDAY,
TOOK SOME TIME TO CELEBRATE.
JUST ONE DAY OUT OF LIFE,
IT WOULD BE, IT WOULD BE SO NICE!
(Madonna)
Actually, we took seven....and it was fantastic!
This was my workdesk last week! It's taken on the patio of the cottage we stayed at, right by the side of Offa's Dyke. For the non-UK readers, that was an earthwork built by King Offa in the 8th century and runs between England and Wales. It runs along the side of the garden and up the other side of the valley - as delineated by that diagonal tree line. Good, huh?
The cottage was on a National Trust estate, Chirk Castle to be exact...
An early 14th century castle which was converted into a house from the 17th C onwards. This was about 100 metres from our cottage and after all the tourists had gone home, we could wander around freely, pretending it was ours!! Fab :-)
The only thing is, as a true Welshwoman, I'd have been on the attacking side in times gone by......*grin*
While we were there, I met up with Rachel (Mike's Gal) a lovely WOYWWer. Rachel is running a craft stall in aid of the RNLI on the 10th August and I had made some things for her to sell. So, it was an ideal opportunity to meet up and have a chat - we got on like a house on fire! In fact, the girl in the Tearooms came over to have a nose at what I'd made and bought a pair of earrings!! So, that was the first sale for the great cause that the RNLI is!
Rachel, naughty girl, bought me these as a thank you:
I was really touched...as you know, I adore hares, so this was a really thoughtful gift, Rachel....I love it :-)
On arriving back at LLJ Towers, there was a parcel waiting for me with an Alaskan postmark....oooh, I love surprises.....
Inside were these funky fabrics featuring Alaskan dog teams! Sara (Jansen) had been sorting out her stash and thought of me when she came across these! I must be the only person in Wiltshire, possibly the UK, to have this fabric...yay, thanks Sara!! I knew immediately what I shall do with it - make the usual pegbags, carrier bag tubes etc etc and send them to Karen, who raises funds for animal shelters. That pleases me!
As did this........
You might have to click on this to read it, but it's a thank you for the money raised at the crop together with other items that were sent to the Salisbury Womens Refuge....I can only reiterate the thanks from Julia and I to those who supported us. We made a difference through crafting.
And finally, when we were in Ludlow church on our holidays, we spotted these fine carved misericords under the choir seats...and I found my doppelganger!!
Just what I look like if I don't get my beauty sleep!! Though the guy on the left looks a bit legless to me...must have been one heck of a party!!
See y'all next week xxxxx
63 comments:
Your view from the holiday cottage and I love your crochet basket! So fun that you got to meet another WOYWWer! Very thoughtful gifts, it is so lovely to come home to a nice surprise! Well done on your fundraiser for the refuge!
Hope you are enjoying being back home from your jollies!
Debxx
Wonderful post as usual LLJ and so glad your money raise went well.
.. not playing this week, (nor last) am not well and not coping in general so best to be wise :D
Am teaching calligraphy two hours a week at our church school Yrs 7/8 and am allergic to teaching these days :D or my body is..
So saying hi to you in lieu of all dear folk in WOYWW as unsure when will be back but had to have one quick fix to stave off withdrawals!
I love the castle, dear dear England, Shaz in oz.x
So you came all this way and didn't call in? I used to work in Ludlow! I sent you an email last week forgetting you were on holiday....maybe you've not read it yet?
So glad you had a good time up here....it's a beautiful county isn't it?
Hugs,
A x
What an idyllic picture of the lovely Welsh countryside and your marvellous basket of crocheting, l could of easily sat there with you crocheting and chatting for hours :)
I'm so glad that you had a lovely week with your family, you must come back again or better still move here so that we can get that craft club set up.
Well done on your fundraising, your heart is a big'un!
Happy WOYWW, big hugs xxx
Wow thanks for sharing your Fabulous WOYWW xx Jan (15)
Love the pictures, love the fabric - huskies pulling sledges in UK? Could be quite a talking point when you've made them into bags etc. We, that is glitterandglue and me, live the Welsh side of Offa's dyke and love it. Have a good WOYWW week,
john-w #21
That view is incredible. You have a fantastic camera, that's for sure. And your photo taking skills are as good as your seamstress skills. I love the composition. So you are a hare fan. It's nice to know just in case (grin).
Its always nice to feel appreciated, and that note says it all. You did SO much for that cause.
Gotta love that gorgeous fabric. I bet Sara is the only person in WOYWW who has that fabric (other than YOU of course).
Happy WOYWW from #2.
I love the epics what a fab post and sounds like you had a great time well done with the fundraising...i do admire you.what fab fabric isn't it ace cant wait to see what you do with it ! Andrea #32
Lovely post Jan, and your holiday location looks idyllic. And how nice to be able to meet up with yet another WOYWWer - super photo of the two of you, can see you hit it off too. Fabric all the way from Alaska - how cool is that. And I'm sure too that you are the only person in the UK with fabric that features Alaskan dog teams :) Look forward to seeing the goodies you make with it. Gosh, but that caricature is ugly ... I don't believe for one minute that it's you on a bad day, with that lovely smile of yours, definitely not :)) Hugs, Elizabeth x #16
great post! wonderful words and pictures, jan - and so lovely to meet up with a fellow WOYWWer!
thanks so much for sharing x
happy WOYWW and have a great week :)
no. 8
What a lovely post to read jan
The first photo with your wool, the view looks fantastic!
How nice you meet up with Rachel and were able to give her so much to help with the fund raising for such as wonderful charity, as a girl who was born at the seaside and knew many members of the lifeboat crew I know just how important they are
Jackie 10
Hi Jan, glad you had a fab time at Chirk, both my parents and my No.1 son are volunteers there so I know you will have had a great time. Your misericord picture and comment really made me smile, I think I might look like that when I'm getting my hair off at the kids! Have a good week. MMx #42
Sounds like you had a lovely holiday - what a fantastic view! We visited Carrickfergus Castle recently, but I think it would be a bit draughty to live there!
Bernice #39
Oh, it sounds like you had a fab time. I love all the pictures! That fabric with the huskies on is just terrific. I so need to make a new peg bag, but it won't be a patch on yours with material like that! My daughter's best friend actually got a job looking after huskies last year - I think it was somewhere in far northern climes like Iceland or somewhere!!! She loved it! I also adore hares! My favourite cushion has a beautiful fabric hare on it. I also love those quirky medieval carvings, though I think you're being completely unfair to yourself when you say it's your doppelganger! Lovely post. Thanks for sharing. Julie Ann #12
Julia has told me you do a lot for charities Jan.I wish I'd been there with you havinga nice time with another WOYWWer.
Wool is such a friendly fabric isn't it!
Judy
Sounds a lovely holiday!
Thanks for visiting and sorry for that bug ;) I know what blanket you mean - and I have to say that I'm pretty happy with it myself! And yes, not snowing ;D We have had a lovely, warm summer!
Hugs
Tuire
Hi Jan and a lovely post. That view from last week's 'desk' is gorgeous. Loving the basket of yarn. Glad you had a great time. Lovely gifts from Rachel and the fabric from Sara is fab. Well done on amount raised for the Refuge. Happy WOYWW Anne x #24
Hello again Jan, thanks for your visit. Mum & Dad live near Chirk (Weston Rhyn) and No.1 Son goes over in the longer school holidays to volunteer in the garrison (he's a military history nut) We live in Stafford. As for the holiday we sorted it all ourselves (or rather Mr M did) he found an area we wanted to stay in (in this case Gryon-Villars (GORGEOUS!!!)) and then looked on TripAdvisor for reviews and pics. The details of the chalet we stayed in are here http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g667655-d4027917-Chalet_Le_Taureau-Gryon_Vaud.html it says in the blurb that you don't need a car in the summer - the chalet is almost at the top of the mountain and I don't think you'd want to have to walk it every day to get your morning croissants! Can't recommend Switzerland highly enough - we had a great time and the scenery - well every bend you go round it's just another WOW! MMx
What a gorgeous place you stayed at, such lovely countryside and I love that castle. The fabric you received from Sara is fabulous and that cup is so sweet. You are wonderful to help all those charities and the shelter. Glad you had a great holiday.
Have a wonderful week.
Von #34
Glad you had a great holiday - welcome back! What a fantastic view - you can't beat England for it's wonderful natural scenery!!! Love your fabric too, I must admit I've not seen any in our local Haberdashery store yet!!! ♥ Karen ♥ 56 x
Hi Jan, sounds like you had fun, you certainly chose a great week. No can't say I've seen any fabric with Alaskan dog teams either!! Lovely to see the note from the shelter. Have a good woyww, Cindy x
OMGoodness that view is stunning and it looks like you had a lovely holiday with a catch up and a sale. Lovely goodies you have received and isn't it wonderful when people/committees etc write a thank you. Definitely showing my age when I want it in writing!
Sandra @69
Wow! What an amazing view and a wonderful place for a holiday :o) So glad to red the letter from the refuge and know we have made a difference, however small in someone's life :o)
Fiona xx
Lovely to see the two of you together. What an amazing looking castle too, looks like a fab holiday week. That fabric is amazing, how wonderful and for animal charities too? what great work you do. RNLI is a fabulous cause too, we have a local independant here that I support.
Great blog.
Lynda #59
What a hollyday and especially WHAT A HOUSE! You got a little summercottage :-D
Wonderful to see and go around. You've got amaising memories.
Greetings from Finland, Uuna
Hi for WOYWW - great to see like minded people getting together - and the card with your new mug is lovely... hope you have a fabulous week - Mxx #84
What a lovely spot to have a holiday, and I am totally with you on the pretending you owned it after hours... (did that with a swish boat with a helicopter on its roof in Monte Carlo one year without realising the actual owner was sitting on deck... luckily he didn't mind my check)!!
How lovely to get the letter thanking you for your hard work at the refuge. Annette #1 for the first time in 4 years!
Beautiful photos. Lovely area to stay - know it well. Well done for all your hard work - the letter is a beautiful tribute to your efforts. The new owners of Chirk Castle, hey?? - fabulous! Loved the husky fabric - will await the end results of all that loveliness.
Margaret #9
What a lovely post this week. Glad you had a lovely holiday, England isn't that bad says she who has lived in Wales for 25 yrs now! My Parents live near Swindon and I'm down here by your Dad!
Have a happy week
Lynda B # 43
So glad you had a super holiday in Chirk and met up with fellow Woywwer.
Wales is wonderful, but today is living up to its reputation and raing on us, but you chose a super week and saw Wales at its best, in the sunshine. That card is beautiful, and the mug looks as if it will hold a really lovely cup of tea. Enjoy!
Chris #83
Your holiday sounds amazing, I would've loved that view and the castle. Wow! I must admit my ideal holiday now, not that we are having one this year, would be a cottage somewhere just like that or Paris! What a lovely letter, it feels nice to know that we all helped in a little way. Take care my friend, stay cool. Zo xx 77
Hi again Jan
Parents live in Wroughton! When I was young we used to go to Malborough common and have a picnic and Dad used to fly his model plane at the club there. Would love to meet up if you are down during summer hols
Hugs Lynda x
Me again! Thanks for visiting and letting me know about stuff, I will have a look and see how I'm going. I definitely going to do the crafty charity thing at some point, later this year. Thanks lovely xx
What a lovely post, the cottage looks idyllic :)
Dawn #94
Sounds like a fab holiday, and that fabric - funky! I love the photo of the view, yarn and all. Wish my desk was as inspiring :)
Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (17)
You bless you, are sweet to assume that it's only non Uk resints who need to know what and where is Offa's Dyke!! i LOVE the view, how marvellous and in the great good weathe, what a thrill. i'm delivering this afternoon but when I get back I shall be ringing you. Consider it a threat if you like!!
Great sights and pics. And what a great idea to raise money this way. Suzanne
Sounds like you had a lovely time Jan! (No worries about last week! Not a problem!) The misericord made me laugh - here's my doppleganger when we were on hols in Suffolk - Shoshi On A Bad Day lol!!
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr328/shoshiplatypus/Suffolk%20Holiday%20June%202009/11th%20June/3%20Wilby/02WilbyChurchDoorwayGargoyle.jpg
It's funny about moving - when you're not doing it, the very idea fills you with dread, but when you are actually doing it, you find strength to do it, and somehow it just happens! I am amazed at the amount of work we've done over the past months, because it's not just us that we're moving, but we're moving Mum too and completely cleared their house, and Dad never threw anything away!! We are not going far - about half an hour's drive, and we've got access during this whole time that the builders are in, so we've been busy taking stuff over a bit at a time. Still loads to do, but we'll get there in the end! Hopefully end Aug.
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #66
Great post Jan - that letter is very touching - I am sure your donations will be well received and appreciated. Glad you had a lovely time in Wales - we live near part of Offa's Dyke - have walked a little bit of it. x Jo #11
Hi Jan, what an idyllic scene to sit & relax in. And didn't you pick a glorious week!Lovely letter from the Refuge, really nice to know a day we all had so much fun with, helped someone else too. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz xx #22
Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. Love that view, the cards and the fabric. happy crafting #125
What a lovely holiday you've had, must remember to take some crafting things away with me when we go to our holiday cottage in the Cotswolds.
Rebecca #90
http://mellymoopapercrafting.blogspot.co.uk/
Sounds like you had a fabulous well deserved time, and how nice to meet another WOYWWer...
Helen, 6
Wow it sounds like you have had a fabulous week. It's always so wonderful to meet an online friend in person and a fabulous feeling to know you have made a difference doing something you love. Your gifts from Rachel are just beautiful too! Hope you have another great week and Happy WOYWW! Danie #25
I love your post today. I used to live a few minutes drive from Chirk Castle, in Oswestry. Just sometimes I really miss the green hills, but really I love the mountains all around here. They are just a bit brown and barren right now. I am back in Oswestry for a family get-together in September. I expect it will all look very lush.
Years ago my parents used to volunteer once a week to man the RNLI hut on Poole Quay, because my dad was in the angling club and the local fishing boats took them out into the harbour on Sundays, so they were happy to know the lifeboat was ready and waiting should they need it. You use your talents to do so much good for others; you deserved the lovely gift from Rachel. Kate x #18
Hello again Jan. Thanks for popping over. Pergamano is an ancient craft which pierces parchment and also, by rubbing it on the reverse you stretch it, thus causing it to go white - hence all the pictures and the patterns. Great fun, highly addictive, needs patience (not too good at that bit!) but the results are just exquisite.
Margaret #9
Wow, what an amazing view. And how fun to get to roam around the castle!
Happy Woyww,
Sandy #110
Oh those yarn colors are a delight! Happy WOYWW! Thanks for a sharing a peek into your studio space, I love seeing what everyone is up to! ~Robin Panzer Art Studio 33 (#132 whoa…I was late to the party today!)
I think your desk is my favourite this week. :). #114 Ann
What an awesome view and so good to be able to meet with fellow WOYWWers
Bridget #63
Sounds like a lovely rest and some crafting in there too - what could be better?! Glad all the goodies for the refuge went down well too.
Sounds like you're having fun. Blessings!
Howdy Ms. LLJ, where do I begin?? 1st, sounds like a delightful holiday. Loved the little history lesson. I'm truly fascinated by that kind of stuff. 2nd, sounds like you and Rachel had a blast. I think it's fun to hear when WOYWW'ers get together. And what a great cause the two of you supported. You have a very big heart. 3rd, that fabric is brilliant. I've never seen fabric like that before. I'm now on a mission to find you fabric that is unique to North Carolina. Ooh, maybe I can find something covered in Lighthouses. Lastly, that wood carving kinda gives me the willies. I think the guy in the center ate the guy on the left sides leg. Enjoyed your post!! Have a happy weekend. (((HUGS)))
Kimmie
WOYWW #145
Brilliant misericords!
A little birdie tells me it's your birthday - have a good one! x
Laura
53
:)
Oh look at that view, I could sit and look at it all day, and pretend I own that lovely pile too! Fantastic to meet up with another blogger pal, always much fun and lovely gifts too! Wonderful letter, so glad they appreciated everything. LOVE that fabric, not going to find too much of that knocking around in Wiltshire are you! Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Brenda
Hi LLJ
Glad you had a good hols. Love your new holiday home hehe I wonder what it's like to live in a castle?
Great fabric. But what to make with it.... A crochet hook holder for yourself maybe or maybe some doggie neck scarves.
Sorry so late visiting not easy on my phone
Janet
A little birdie mentioned on her blog that it is your birthday! Happiest of birthdays to you! ~ Laura (a WOYWWer, but didn't join in this week.)
LOL - Happy Birthday LLJ - hope you have a fabulous celebration... hugs Mxx
That looks a beautiful place to stay - just up my street as I don't do beach holidays! I adore your mug - and the fabric is fab - it's going to be put to very good use if it raises money for the animal shelter - do you ever take a break?!!
Um, isn't that an odd carving to be in church? Quite a party, indeed! And this was quite a lovely post, LLJ!! I enjoyed seeing a part of your journey, that amazing castle, meeting Rachel, the hare cup, the wonderful charity work ... it was all a faberrific good read!!
Happiest of Birthday wishes to you!! And many, many more!! xxoo Darnell
Glad you had such a good holiday, and were able to meet up with another crafter in the process. What a beautiful view to inspire your creating and how great to have it to yourselves. Thank you for your visit this week, and it is wonderful to see out of the windows without poles and scaffold boards in the way. I still cannot bring the caravan home, as I need another small skip while they do the base for my new greenhouse - that one is for my strawberries, so that I can eat some before Gemma scoffs the lot, she does not even wait for them to ripen. The caravan will have to wait till I have been up to Derby and then Nottingham for the Clarity workshop. Have a great time, deciding what to do with that beautiful new fabric. xx Maggie #48
Sounds like a wonderful time and thank you for sharing the fabulous pictures, almost as good as being there.
Regards diane
Hi Jan . . . what a lovely blog post and it was great to see a picture of you and Rach together. Glad you had a fab week in Wales and a little birdie tells me it was your birthday too . . . so BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES going your way.
Hugs
Sarn xxx
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