Tuesday 18 September 2012

A guest comes to stay

Last week we had a little Nora come visit for a few days.  Jo organised a bike rental for her from Tiree Fitness and I trotted down to collect her from the airport.

The weather was sunny, but a cool wind so I took Pippa down for a walk too.  We weren't there long before the familiar little Twin Otter landed and our Nora descended the steps.

After a good greeting from the dog and a giggle at the rollers that make up Tiree airport's luggage "carousel" we were off.  Madam doglet had plans though, as we were walking out of the car park Madam crossed infront of me and stopped, turns out I can still somersault if needed, I can also keep hold of the dog's leash while doing so.  One scraped knee, two bruised heels of hands and a bruised elbow later we were again on the move.

As the weather was dry Nora dropped her bags, had a quick lunch and went off adventuring, inadvertently cycling approximately 9 miles.  She did have a sit and watch the sea for a bit too.

That evening we had a bit of a giggle when Jo got home.  You see, I'm about 5'10", Jo's about 5'7", Nora is bang on 5'.  We had her put on my coat and hat...

Photobucket
On the plus side, if she ever needs a coat that will keep her whole body dry we know what to get!


We cleared off the futon in the spare room, this meant moving my giant stuffed dogs, the larger of which could be Nora's dance partner...
Photobucket


A good few days were had by all.  I helped with some knitting lessons? Issues?  Technicalities possibly, we also got Nora happily knitting on double-pointed needles and able to count rows.  The first part of that was especially amazing considering I initially started her going the wrong way (oops).

The brave, brave soul decided to also go for a swim, not a paddle, a swim, in the sea.  She did indeed manage, even though a big dark cloud came by, and even brought some of the beach back in her ears.

I have some videos from the weekend, but they're rather big files so will have to wait for our internet to stabilise, it's being a bit moody at the moment.

Nora mentioned that a friend had a daughter who's birthday was coming up and she wanted to knit something for the kidlet but wasn't sure.  She'd brought the yarn with her so I did a pattern search and knit this little item for the kidlet this weekend:

Photobucket

It'll be going in the post this week.


I've had quite the good knitting week.  I finished this pair of rainbow socks:
Photobucket
These were my "waiting time killer" knitting and actually, about 75% of the knitting time was in the doctor's waiting room.  Well, can't say I wasn't being productive.

I've also started this brightly coloured pair:
Photobucket

The yarn is a sport weight from America, it's giving a lovely fabric and I love how the colours are striping for me.

Tuesday saw a meeting of the SWRI (Scottish Women's Rural Institute) where members were encouraged to bring friends to try and get new members.  Our neighbour's mother is a knitter of beautiful shetland lace and lured me there with mention of teaching me the secrets.  It was an amusing evening with some insight into how it all works and items of people's craftwork to admire.  I was seriously considering joining and then I got post on Thursday, someone had anonymously paid my membership!  So I am now a member of the SWRI on Tiree and look forward to joining in.  I even have an idea of what to contribute to the community project for the show next year.  There are also quite a few classes where I could make something...oh the possibilities!

Anyway, sorry for the disjointedness of this post, I seem to be failing at English today.

Until next week, adieu.

Sunday 9 September 2012

Fur, silk and acrylic

This week was a bit of a mixed bag weather wise.  Madam went from hiding under her blankie;

Photobucket

To cooking gently

Photobucket

Fortunately it meant I got to do some laundry, including washing this log cabin baby blanket:

Photobucket

I did briefly consider making it bigger, but that last side removed that temptation.  It was going to go to the crafters' baby pile but...well, I'm being a little selfish and keeping it for our future kid(s). 

The weather went very "dreich" (I'm sure I spelled that wrong!) as the Scots say, lots of mist and low cloud lead to no plane for two days.  The weather also meant the Thursday ferry skipped going to Barra so it left late and fortunately was able to bring over that day's post.

Saturday was good though, thank goodness!  Madam had run out of painkillers the day before so we were dearly hoping the new ones would arrive, they did and she swore at Joseph for being too slow at feeding her.  How grateful she is! (note sarcasm)


See the black lump on the bottom left of that blanket photo?  It turned into this in the wee small hours of Friday:
Photobucket

Close up of one panel:
Photobucket


Blowing in the wind:
Photobucket

On me.  (I have a 2m armspan, this thing is wide)
Photobucket

After taking the above photos I went to check on the ferrets.  Fred was doing his favourite trick:  Front end in the food bowl while stuffing his face:

Photobucket

That's an 8" wide food dish he has his feet in.  Apologies for his scruffy look, he's 6yo and moulting ready for Winter, that's his summer fluff looking all ratty.  Ferrets can live up to 12yo, but Fred is very inbred so his chances are iffy, not that he cares.

My little Sister-in-law is visiting this week and has forewarned me she is bringing knitting to be helped with.  Must make sure the futon can be extended without hitting umpteen things first.

Anyhoo, life continues along with happiness.  TTFN.

Saturday 1 September 2012

22 hours later

My parents came up for the day yesterday, apparently it took a fair bit out of me because I needed 22 hours of sleep to recover.

However, it was a great day.  No photos, sorry, I was enjoying the day and forgot to even grab the camera before we headed out.

I did some research before the 'rents came up and we had a nice afternoon planned.  They had a stupendously early morning wake up to get the ferry, it left at quarter to six in the morning.  Fortunately our driver for the day (Dad) managed a nice nap on the ferry, Mum was amused too.  They had a good sail over, mirror smooth until past Mull and then only slight rolling.  Mum kept her breakfast so it can't have been too bad.

We spent the morning chatting at home, catching up on life and family while Pippa got lots of attention from Dad and enjoyed some new toys.  She demolished two tennis balls and fair shredded a rope toy too.  She too was worn out today, Jo didn't hear a peep out of her until she wanted to go to bed.

The afternoon was fab!

First was a visit to Blue Beyond.  I've had a few island friends say they would "kidnap" me and take me, so I took the advantage and we went as a family.  Dad stayed with the car (he's not a major art aficionado) and took a stroll along the road a bit.  Mum and I had to carry our jaws.  WOW!

I'd been  told the lady who does most of the work for sale is skilled but...wow.  She takes fabric and painted boards and makes the most amazingly colourful and realistic work.  If Mum or I even come into a lot of money we'll be going there and buying the place out!  There was also some stained glass that just begged to come home and bring colour to our windows.  I did resist, but only because my work money was already earmarked.  Mum spent some dosh though, an approximately 18" square piece and a smaller card one plus some printed cards to use as notelets.  Honestly, if you ever visit Tiree, go to blue beyond!  Even if you're not naturally an art fanatic you'll be amazed at the skill.

Next was a trip to Tiree Glass.  I'd been once with Alan and the Tiree Tech Wave gang, so I knew that even though Mum wasn't a huge glass fan she'd like it, and she did.  The lady who usually does the work was off teaching a course and I made an oops thinking the lady who was shop-sitting was her, fortunately I was forgiven.  In all fairness, I'd knocked on the wrong door (their house is next to the studio) so I was a tad flustered.

The studio is lovely, high roof, big windows, lots of space to show off the pieces.  Mum purchased a little glass star.  Amsuingly, of the three things she purchased she was only sure of keeping one, turns out a relative of ours is having their 60th soonish so Mum is dithering over what to send.

Then we went off to Chocolates and Charms so Mum could get more choccies from there.  We'd visited when they came up back in May so that was on Mum's to-do list from the start.

Alas, Beachcomber had closed the day before so that was missed again.  But I did get to visit with Fiona and Jane, so I've seen it this year at least.

After all that adventure (Tiree tracks plus short car plus three bods = adventure) we took a turn at the Resource Centre.  It was home to the various weekly and more regular groups to meet without being charged a huge sum but the body renting it had to give it back today so all the groups had to up sticks.  Cue a fortnight of sorting and then yesterday's big sale.  Stuff the groups didn't really want to find storage for but thought someone may want. The parental units came away with some books they'd not tried, I came away with a latch hook kit (I've not finished the other one that size), a knitting machine that might do sock blanks for me, a scrabble deluxe (turntable and score-keeping racks) and some other little bits.

We then came back home, had some more chatting and napping, relaxed, and then headed out for dinner.

What a dinner!

My parents stayed at the Scarinish Hotel and I had reserved us a table for the evening.  I admit, I was nosey and popped up to see the room they were in, rather nice, full ensuite, nice crisp room, very nice resting spot.  The guests also have a lounge with bar, sea view terrace and entertainment for all ages.

The restaurant had a varied menu, largely fishy things but also pizza, pasta, all sorts really.  We had a variety of starters including mushroom tart, mackerel teriyaki, pate and soup.  Mains saw two pizzas, fish and chips and pasta and pudding was divine.  Two apple crumbles with a shared pot of cream and two raspberry and white choc cheesecakes.  Yes, I snaffled some of Jo's cheesecake, yes it was lovely.

After typing that I understand why I slept 22 hours, heh.

A fantastic end to the week and the month.  I've got some ideas buzzing around my head for September, and I will try to update this at least once a week.

Anyway, Dad bought me a new radio that can pick up more than BBC Alba and Radio 1 so I'm going to go read the manual for that and have a play.

Night night.