Thursday, August 31, 2006

Knitting Update

I do still knit I promise. I do other crafty things too....will the wonders never end? I am enjoying spending my evenings making goodies for people and for myself.

My lovely french pleat. I came out just right today, not too tidy, not too messy. I love my hair.

Look see I made my laptop a cushion to live in. I need to name my lovely new laptop....mmmm any ideas?

A sneak preview of a crafty quilty gifty thing.

Hats hats hats for a very special Scottish baby...


I'm also slogging along with my rug, about 4/5ths there, and my minnie mouse dress is cut out. I just need to cut out the interfacing and do the tailors tacks then I'm onto sewing.

Knitting Update

I do still knit I promise. I do other crafty things too....will the wonders never end? I am enjoying spending my evenings making goodies for people and for myself.

My lovely french pleat. I came out just right today, not too tidy, not too messy. I love my hair.

Look see I made my laptop a cushion to live in. I need to name my lovely new laptop....mmmm any ideas?

A sneak preview of a crafty quilty gifty thing.

Hats hats hats for a very special Scottish baby...


I'm also slogging along with my rug, about 4/5ths there, and my minnie mouse dress is cut out. I just need to cut out the interfacing and do the tailors tacks then I'm onto sewing.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Thanks to Hannah for a great weekend....

Read about our adventures at gigs here.

Thanks to Hannah for a great weekend....

Read about our adventures at gigs here.

I kissed your mouth and back.

we might kiss
when we are alone
when nobody’s watchin’
we might take it home

I bit into my apple and the pink flesh that hides behind the rosy red skin takes me by surprise. Damien soars in my earbuds, the equaliser rising and falling in time with my irregular heart beat.

we might make out
when nobody's there
it's not that we're scared
it's just that it's delicate

Sometimes this job is the best. I have my work, the work I think might be my life's work, in front of me, taking notes from dusty books. The real work has dried up and rathe than sat here bored on the internet I thought I'd read and nibble apples.

so why d’ya fill my sorrow
with the words you've borrowed
from the only place you've known
why d’ya sing hallelujah
if it means nothin’ to ya
why d’ya sing with me at all?
But the apple took me by surprise. A moment of sublime in world of grey. The red of the skin seeps through the flesh to a snow white core. It could be blood on winter snow or strawberry juice staining baby cheeks or cold bitten lips.
we might live
like never before
when there's nothin’ to give
how can we ask for more?

Things are going to be ok. I might be trapped in this office, but I'm soaring through pages and pages of books. I have nothing to give to quote Damien, and nothing more to ask for. It's a nice place to be. This study excites me. It answers questions no one could before.

we might make love
in some sacred place
that look on your face
is delicate

In Soton over the bank holiday weekend, I am ashamed and proud to admit that I went to the library and stood in the oldest reading room and smelt the air like a drug addict. Leather topped desks, and mirrors, and shelves of crumbling books interwoven with modern plastic coated ones, and flickering lights. It's a drug this learning. I want to know. I want to know. Not just my history, but other things. Why do hands have such a range of movement? Which bones and tendons allow me to type? What are the Noachime laws? How do numbers in a computer programme become letters and shapes on my monitor? How will Farraday Cages stop wireless network connections from leaking out of buildings?

so why d’ya fill my sorrow
with the words you've borrowed
from the only place you've known
why d’ya sing hallelujah
if it means nothin’ to ya
why d’ya sing with me at all?

I can't take my eyes off of you. Hundreds of thoughts are tumbling through my brain, matching to curls around my shoulders. It's great to be happy again. It's great to know people can feel again. I can't take my eyes off you. That I can be alone again without feeling desperately painful. Did I say that I want to?

The memories of last night fill my daydreams. The crochet slips between my fingers. The words slip beneath my eyes into my head. My mind.

Oh! :-)

I kissed your mouth and back.

we might kiss
when we are alone
when nobody’s watchin’
we might take it home

I bit into my apple and the pink flesh that hides behind the rosy red skin takes me by surprise. Damien soars in my earbuds, the equaliser rising and falling in time with my irregular heart beat.

we might make out
when nobody's there
it's not that we're scared
it's just that it's delicate

Sometimes this job is the best. I have my work, the work I think might be my life's work, in front of me, taking notes from dusty books. The real work has dried up and rathe than sat here bored on the internet I thought I'd read and nibble apples.

so why d’ya fill my sorrow
with the words you've borrowed
from the only place you've known
why d’ya sing hallelujah
if it means nothin’ to ya
why d’ya sing with me at all?
But the apple took me by surprise. A moment of sublime in world of grey. The red of the skin seeps through the flesh to a snow white core. It could be blood on winter snow or strawberry juice staining baby cheeks or cold bitten lips.
we might live
like never before
when there's nothin’ to give
how can we ask for more?

Things are going to be ok. I might be trapped in this office, but I'm soaring through pages and pages of books. I have nothing to give to quote Damien, and nothing more to ask for. It's a nice place to be. This study excites me. It answers questions no one could before.

we might make love
in some sacred place
that look on your face
is delicate

In Soton over the bank holiday weekend, I am ashamed and proud to admit that I went to the library and stood in the oldest reading room and smelt the air like a drug addict. Leather topped desks, and mirrors, and shelves of crumbling books interwoven with modern plastic coated ones, and flickering lights. It's a drug this learning. I want to know. I want to know. Not just my history, but other things. Why do hands have such a range of movement? Which bones and tendons allow me to type? What are the Noachime laws? How do numbers in a computer programme become letters and shapes on my monitor? How will Farraday Cages stop wireless network connections from leaking out of buildings?

so why d’ya fill my sorrow
with the words you've borrowed
from the only place you've known
why d’ya sing hallelujah
if it means nothin’ to ya
why d’ya sing with me at all?

I can't take my eyes off of you. Hundreds of thoughts are tumbling through my brain, matching to curls around my shoulders. It's great to be happy again. It's great to know people can feel again. I can't take my eyes off you. That I can be alone again without feeling desperately painful. Did I say that I want to?

The memories of last night fill my daydreams. The crochet slips between my fingers. The words slip beneath my eyes into my head. My mind.

Oh! :-)

Monday, August 21, 2006

Decadence

I spent Saturday night in a heated paddling pool, drinking wine. It was like being in an American College movie.

Pity really that the rest of the weekend sucked. Pity that I let wishful thinking make a fool of me.

Oh well. Today is a new day, and the begginning of a new week and I refuse to be a burden on anyone any more.

Decadence

I spent Saturday night in a heated paddling pool, drinking wine. It was like being in an American College movie.

Pity really that the rest of the weekend sucked. Pity that I let wishful thinking make a fool of me.

Oh well. Today is a new day, and the begginning of a new week and I refuse to be a burden on anyone any more.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Left me standing by the sea...

...picked me up on the beach.

(Points to anyone who comments with the name of the song plagerized my in title.)

Little things can often make a huge difference. My moods have been all over the place in the last few days. I think the changeable weather and my hormones must be having a huge party somewhere and that's what's upsetting my insides.

But those little things. The rain, the rain the rain. And the rain came down and the floods went up. It's raining even harder than yesterday if that's possible. I'm so glad that when I went out with some old friends on Wednesday it was good weather. I'm still getting used to the novelty of doing things on my own at home. At uni, I'm was often on my own during the day as I picked obscure units and thus only saw my history friends in the set units. Shopping, eating lunch, etc etc I would do on my own and enjoy. I don't really like clothes shopping with other people etc as I worry I'm boring them, and like to try on random things.

Here at home, I was used to going out in Bath with Rob, and it all feels a bit weird to do these things alone. But I sucked it up as some random nationality says, and bought my Subway sandwhich with loads of extra pickles and olives and read the paper. I sat under a big tree in a square that's lit up with fairy lights and it was lovely to be alone in the crowds of shoppers for a little while. I also tried to get hold of loads of people on my phone as I realised I had loads of things I wanted to check, like calling Sarah to find out where I was supposed to meet her, and Chris to check about Amsterdam money. Though Chris you never answer your phone, and I had Sarah's old number.

When I'd finished I got the sudden whim for a pint. So a pint of Guinnes it was, in an arty bar, all alone with my paper under a parasol and gas heater. Now this felt weird for another reason. I hardly ever drink alone. Uni is where I do most of my drinking, and it's either with the group of four from my halls last years, or the people who'll be my housemates next year or a large group of male engineering students. However this felt nice and civilized and very grown up.

The rest of the evening was spent drinking cocktails with people who had been classmates at school. Again it was a little thing, but these people are people who, no matter how long we go with out seeing or speaking ot each other, we manage to seamless pick up where we left off. That's as comforting and nourrishing for the soul as big fluffy duvets on cold November mornings.

Yesterday I navigated delayed trains, and was crammed like sardines in a tin into a two carriage train. People actually got left behind on the station which I've never seen before. Except at tube stations and uni bus stop, but's that's slightly different, what with the services being more regular.

At home the highlights of my evening were threefold. The first was getting hold of Chris on the phone, even though in our catching up over his trip to Ireland, I forgot to ask about the Amsterdam money. Its always nice to have a satisfying chat. The second was doing half the old Mr Motivator video with my mum and sister. It was naff and cheesy, but I could definately feel it working my muscles. Remember Mr. Motivator?

His terrible naff lycra outifts? He even has a myspace!















But I have to say his exercise video does give you a work out. Which is what you want really...

The final highlight was finding an albeit weak unsecured wireless signal in my room last night, meaning I can use the internet on my laptop. The one problem is that in order to connect, I needed to hold my laptop up to the window. I compromised. See the diagram below.



Yes that was lovingly crafted in MS Paint at work. Yes my hair is that orange, but I am going to rectify that with highlights this evening.

Left me standing by the sea...

...picked me up on the beach.

(Points to anyone who comments with the name of the song plagerized my in title.)

Little things can often make a huge difference. My moods have been all over the place in the last few days. I think the changeable weather and my hormones must be having a huge party somewhere and that's what's upsetting my insides.

But those little things. The rain, the rain the rain. And the rain came down and the floods went up. It's raining even harder than yesterday if that's possible. I'm so glad that when I went out with some old friends on Wednesday it was good weather. I'm still getting used to the novelty of doing things on my own at home. At uni, I'm was often on my own during the day as I picked obscure units and thus only saw my history friends in the set units. Shopping, eating lunch, etc etc I would do on my own and enjoy. I don't really like clothes shopping with other people etc as I worry I'm boring them, and like to try on random things.

Here at home, I was used to going out in Bath with Rob, and it all feels a bit weird to do these things alone. But I sucked it up as some random nationality says, and bought my Subway sandwhich with loads of extra pickles and olives and read the paper. I sat under a big tree in a square that's lit up with fairy lights and it was lovely to be alone in the crowds of shoppers for a little while. I also tried to get hold of loads of people on my phone as I realised I had loads of things I wanted to check, like calling Sarah to find out where I was supposed to meet her, and Chris to check about Amsterdam money. Though Chris you never answer your phone, and I had Sarah's old number.

When I'd finished I got the sudden whim for a pint. So a pint of Guinnes it was, in an arty bar, all alone with my paper under a parasol and gas heater. Now this felt weird for another reason. I hardly ever drink alone. Uni is where I do most of my drinking, and it's either with the group of four from my halls last years, or the people who'll be my housemates next year or a large group of male engineering students. However this felt nice and civilized and very grown up.

The rest of the evening was spent drinking cocktails with people who had been classmates at school. Again it was a little thing, but these people are people who, no matter how long we go with out seeing or speaking ot each other, we manage to seamless pick up where we left off. That's as comforting and nourrishing for the soul as big fluffy duvets on cold November mornings.

Yesterday I navigated delayed trains, and was crammed like sardines in a tin into a two carriage train. People actually got left behind on the station which I've never seen before. Except at tube stations and uni bus stop, but's that's slightly different, what with the services being more regular.

At home the highlights of my evening were threefold. The first was getting hold of Chris on the phone, even though in our catching up over his trip to Ireland, I forgot to ask about the Amsterdam money. Its always nice to have a satisfying chat. The second was doing half the old Mr Motivator video with my mum and sister. It was naff and cheesy, but I could definately feel it working my muscles. Remember Mr. Motivator?

His terrible naff lycra outifts? He even has a myspace!















But I have to say his exercise video does give you a work out. Which is what you want really...

The final highlight was finding an albeit weak unsecured wireless signal in my room last night, meaning I can use the internet on my laptop. The one problem is that in order to connect, I needed to hold my laptop up to the window. I compromised. See the diagram below.



Yes that was lovingly crafted in MS Paint at work. Yes my hair is that orange, but I am going to rectify that with highlights this evening.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Thought

"Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow." -Maria Mitchell

Its Raining, its pouring...

The rain is throwing, chucking, dead dropping it down today. The light has taken on that queer dull gloom. Its a day for snuggling up with someone, watching good films and eating good food. But I'm at work, sat here in a pool of fluroescence and bored brainless. I have completed todays tasks to the best of my ability. No one is answering my calls, no one is online and I'm the only person in my team again. Oh what a grey grey day. The grey is eating me up!

I ripped out the rug. It looked too old fashioned and lacy for me to be happy giving it to it's male recipient. So I've started again. This time its rectangular. Hopefully I'll be happier with it this time.

I keep thinking Friday tomorrow Alex, Friday tomorrow. Then a weekend and a birthday party. Then two days, only two days of work. Then, THEN, then I can go to Southampton, move some more stuff into my house, and spend time with my friends. That is of course, if they want to see me.

Thought

"Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow." -Maria Mitchell

Its Raining, its pouring...

The rain is throwing, chucking, dead dropping it down today. The light has taken on that queer dull gloom. Its a day for snuggling up with someone, watching good films and eating good food. But I'm at work, sat here in a pool of fluroescence and bored brainless. I have completed todays tasks to the best of my ability. No one is answering my calls, no one is online and I'm the only person in my team again. Oh what a grey grey day. The grey is eating me up!

I ripped out the rug. It looked too old fashioned and lacy for me to be happy giving it to it's male recipient. So I've started again. This time its rectangular. Hopefully I'll be happier with it this time.

I keep thinking Friday tomorrow Alex, Friday tomorrow. Then a weekend and a birthday party. Then two days, only two days of work. Then, THEN, then I can go to Southampton, move some more stuff into my house, and spend time with my friends. That is of course, if they want to see me.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

What I am to you is not real...

Oh sweet heavens I love Damien Rice. He makes me cry. In a very very very painful way. Yet its good and horrible.

Ugh. I'm in a funk. I need to do work and paint and things but I really feel like watching trashy telly. Nothing seems to make me feel much better. I shouldn't be dependant on people for happiness. It just sucks a bit when you spend all day trying to get hold of one friend, one person to talk to and be met by blank walls. Enough bitching Alex. Breathe! I'm also going on a real health drive because I have put on a lot of weight and despite what darlings say to me about my looks, I am not happy. I know I can look better.

So far this health drive involves
  • ignoring chocolate, crisps and cake unless its the wrong time of the month,
  • a calorie controlled diet of at least 1000 calories so my metabolism doesn't die,
  • Coffee twice a day to boost the metabolism before my exercise.
  • 150 situps/crunches in various guises a day and 30 pathetic girly pressups a day
  • Various stretches a day so I'm flexible enough to dance properly when the new improv session starts at uni.

I'm also going to try and get some aerobic exercise in 3 times a week, even if its just the hour long walk down the hill from work to the station. Its not a 'I hate how I look', I still have a pretty enough face, albeit more chubby in my opinion, my hair is nice, and although one of me boobs is increasingly larger than the other, they are nice enough looking now. I like those things about me. I want to tone my stomach and arms, and loose the fat on my back. I've done it before and I can do it again. I just got lazy at uni.

I'm trying to fill the gaps with crafting and making and things. Work is so slow and involves only envelope stuffing, so I've been browsing the web for ideas on my next big knits.

I would like to make a few more things for myself. Alot of my knitting has been presents for other people. So I would like to make my self Sally, in the colours shown, and because I'm a poor student, probably in supersoft superwash baby acrylic yarn.

The second thing I want to make is a variation on this pattern. I saw Debbie Bliss' Lara pattern for Alpaca Silk Yarn which is of a similar style, and thought it would look nice with cables in place of the ribbing. I know it would alter the structure/stability of the design, but I wouldn't mind that. I can't afford to blow a tenner on Debbie's book, and so searched the net for an alternative to Lara. UnGrannySmith was the closest. I won't include the beading, just work the main body in stockinette, and then replace the ribbing with a saxon braid cable. What do you think?

What I am to you is not real...

Oh sweet heavens I love Damien Rice. He makes me cry. In a very very very painful way. Yet its good and horrible.

Ugh. I'm in a funk. I need to do work and paint and things but I really feel like watching trashy telly. Nothing seems to make me feel much better. I shouldn't be dependant on people for happiness. It just sucks a bit when you spend all day trying to get hold of one friend, one person to talk to and be met by blank walls. Enough bitching Alex. Breathe! I'm also going on a real health drive because I have put on a lot of weight and despite what darlings say to me about my looks, I am not happy. I know I can look better.

So far this health drive involves
  • ignoring chocolate, crisps and cake unless its the wrong time of the month,
  • a calorie controlled diet of at least 1000 calories so my metabolism doesn't die,
  • Coffee twice a day to boost the metabolism before my exercise.
  • 150 situps/crunches in various guises a day and 30 pathetic girly pressups a day
  • Various stretches a day so I'm flexible enough to dance properly when the new improv session starts at uni.

I'm also going to try and get some aerobic exercise in 3 times a week, even if its just the hour long walk down the hill from work to the station. Its not a 'I hate how I look', I still have a pretty enough face, albeit more chubby in my opinion, my hair is nice, and although one of me boobs is increasingly larger than the other, they are nice enough looking now. I like those things about me. I want to tone my stomach and arms, and loose the fat on my back. I've done it before and I can do it again. I just got lazy at uni.

I'm trying to fill the gaps with crafting and making and things. Work is so slow and involves only envelope stuffing, so I've been browsing the web for ideas on my next big knits.

I would like to make a few more things for myself. Alot of my knitting has been presents for other people. So I would like to make my self Sally, in the colours shown, and because I'm a poor student, probably in supersoft superwash baby acrylic yarn.

The second thing I want to make is a variation on this pattern. I saw Debbie Bliss' Lara pattern for Alpaca Silk Yarn which is of a similar style, and thought it would look nice with cables in place of the ribbing. I know it would alter the structure/stability of the design, but I wouldn't mind that. I can't afford to blow a tenner on Debbie's book, and so searched the net for an alternative to Lara. UnGrannySmith was the closest. I won't include the beading, just work the main body in stockinette, and then replace the ribbing with a saxon braid cable. What do you think?

Saturday, August 12, 2006

New Shoes


New Shoes


Today isn't the best of days



It's sit all day in your pijamas day. I've been ill, and I can feel my limbs shake when I sit still. All my energy is gone. I suppose its just the physical manifestations of months of stress. So instead of ramblings I give you knitting and crochet goodness.












These are socks I knit a while ago using the last of the wool Chris gave me for xmas. My own top down pattern with a motif from the lace section of knitting-and.com















Yes it is really that bright. A red crochet piece that will eventully become a rug for Dave's new house.

The below is a pic of me looking nice for once in a fantastic dress my mum bought for me.

Today isn't the best of days



It's sit all day in your pijamas day. I've been ill, and I can feel my limbs shake when I sit still. All my energy is gone. I suppose its just the physical manifestations of months of stress. So instead of ramblings I give you knitting and crochet goodness.












These are socks I knit a while ago using the last of the wool Chris gave me for xmas. My own top down pattern with a motif from the lace section of knitting-and.com















Yes it is really that bright. A red crochet piece that will eventully become a rug for Dave's new house.

The below is a pic of me looking nice for once in a fantastic dress my mum bought for me.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Things I have noticed so far today whilst being the only person from my team in the office.

  1. The aftertaste of a Double Decker bar tastes surprisingly like a pleasant cup of coffee
  2. Lucozade is great for making really loud burps
  3. VGCats is really funny...but you'll only get the jokes if you're a gamer, or know gamers. I'm the latter. The Sims and Neverwinter Nights is as far as I ever got down that road.
  4. No - one from the other teams in the office comments on the fact you're working on a mystery piece of crochet if you're the only person on your team and the phone has only rung twice all day.
  5. Letter stuffing will make your hands ache
  6. I have teeth shaped indentations on my tongue. According to Google, I must be grinding my teeth out of stress. I have no reason to be stressed.
  7. I appear to have actually got a tan whilst in Worthing.
  8. The other people in this office use the same volume to a) talk on the phone, b) talk to each other and c) talk across the room. This office is loud!

Things I have noticed so far today whilst being the only person from my team in the office.

  1. The aftertaste of a Double Decker bar tastes surprisingly like a pleasant cup of coffee
  2. Lucozade is great for making really loud burps
  3. VGCats is really funny...but you'll only get the jokes if you're a gamer, or know gamers. I'm the latter. The Sims and Neverwinter Nights is as far as I ever got down that road.
  4. No - one from the other teams in the office comments on the fact you're working on a mystery piece of crochet if you're the only person on your team and the phone has only rung twice all day.
  5. Letter stuffing will make your hands ache
  6. I have teeth shaped indentations on my tongue. According to Google, I must be grinding my teeth out of stress. I have no reason to be stressed.
  7. I appear to have actually got a tan whilst in Worthing.
  8. The other people in this office use the same volume to a) talk on the phone, b) talk to each other and c) talk across the room. This office is loud!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Anti - Role Models

I've just spent the last hour or so eavesdropping. My eavesdropping habit probably deserves a post of its own but I shall ignore it for now. I was listening to two colleagues, ladies 45+, well dressed, sucessful looking, who were catching up. Gradually the conversation turned to their ex-husbands, as both were divorcees.

What struck me, what hit me hard, was the way both had remained in relationships with men for many years had bullied them. Where they were afraid to have an opinion, and found themselves doing things that they really did not want to because it was easier than fighting.

It was the little irksome things. Putting a teapot upside down to dry, a toothbrush in the right place. These everyday things were the proverbial 'straws' that damaged the camel spine of their relationship. The real malignant hurt had already been done over the years.

I know that this applies to both sexes. One partner is often dominant in a relationship. However, such controlling behaviour, such bullying behaviour is unacceptable. These women are adults with choices, and whilst they choose to enter these realtionships, they felt like they had lost the right to even decide what clothes to wear, or whether they should go out for a works do.

I know that I am easily led, that my head is turned easily. I know I could easily be one of those women, or worse a woman who was not brave enough to ultimately end a bad relationship, or even a woman who justifies being physically abused as a way of a man showing he cares. Women look for security, and I found a quote somewhere that I will paraphrase now. For a woman love is her whole, for a man it is a but a part. Relationship so easily consume us and find us willing to change, to give up being ourselves in order to prolong them.

Hopefully in future I can use these women as anti - role models, and watch myself closely. We should remain individuals and equals in a partnership. Quite often it is our individuality that made us attractive in the first place.

I know I'm completely mad. Being like this makes me happy. So I'll carry on this way.

Anti - Role Models

I've just spent the last hour or so eavesdropping. My eavesdropping habit probably deserves a post of its own but I shall ignore it for now. I was listening to two colleagues, ladies 45+, well dressed, sucessful looking, who were catching up. Gradually the conversation turned to their ex-husbands, as both were divorcees.

What struck me, what hit me hard, was the way both had remained in relationships with men for many years had bullied them. Where they were afraid to have an opinion, and found themselves doing things that they really did not want to because it was easier than fighting.

It was the little irksome things. Putting a teapot upside down to dry, a toothbrush in the right place. These everyday things were the proverbial 'straws' that damaged the camel spine of their relationship. The real malignant hurt had already been done over the years.

I know that this applies to both sexes. One partner is often dominant in a relationship. However, such controlling behaviour, such bullying behaviour is unacceptable. These women are adults with choices, and whilst they choose to enter these realtionships, they felt like they had lost the right to even decide what clothes to wear, or whether they should go out for a works do.

I know that I am easily led, that my head is turned easily. I know I could easily be one of those women, or worse a woman who was not brave enough to ultimately end a bad relationship, or even a woman who justifies being physically abused as a way of a man showing he cares. Women look for security, and I found a quote somewhere that I will paraphrase now. For a woman love is her whole, for a man it is a but a part. Relationship so easily consume us and find us willing to change, to give up being ourselves in order to prolong them.

Hopefully in future I can use these women as anti - role models, and watch myself closely. We should remain individuals and equals in a partnership. Quite often it is our individuality that made us attractive in the first place.

I know I'm completely mad. Being like this makes me happy. So I'll carry on this way.

Monday, August 07, 2006

The Last Stand I promise!

And I also promise these are the very last ones!

Chris can cook. See world! I taught him well. Here he is making his favourite scalloped potatoes. He cuts them EXTRA-FINE!

Egg Whites that I whipped and whipped, and beat and beat because they had been very naughty.

Then I tortured them in a hot oven till they became delicioud meringue. We
had this with cream and strawberries. Yum! Eton Mess I think is the technical term.

I then made home made mayonnaise with paprika and coriander to use up the egg yolks. This was fantastic on....

...The selection of BBQ meat left over from a party.

Then Kyle came over. Things go a bit hazy from here on. We had a BBQ, above shows the boys playing with fire, or it would if Kyle hadn't walked in front of the BBQ just as I took the damn picture. Awkward child, but lovely,

Then we went out for Tex - Mex in the eve. Note the blurriness of shot. We bought a Fiesta feast for two with extra sausage stuff for Kyle cause he like sausages. Needless to say we did not finish it all. In fact, it was the undoing of Chris. I shall leave it there. Don't go eating Mexican when you've had BBQ for lunch.

Below is my Passionfruit Margherita. I could have had many manymore of these. But they were £3.75 a time. I had to have one to try as I was on holiday.


Chris too busy eating to be photographed.

A very compliant Kyle, who after seeing my first pic of him, said "That's crap, take a nice one." So I did. You look lovely Kyle.

Just to prove I was actually present. But don't ever sit that close to a Digital Camera. My nose is not that HUGE. EVER! I PROMISE!

This was a BIZZARE shop we walked past on our way home. Foundation underwear, Bridgit Jones style on one side, small teddies and gifty type things on the other side. I thought it was two separate shops at first, but they appeared to only have the one door. People must always think of buying a teddy after they've bought hold it all in knickers and girdles. Don't you?

And finally, Chris and Kyle under the Beardy men at the entrance of the Park. Can you see the resemblance. Well they looked alot more like that in the morn with a nights stubble!

The Last Stand I promise!

And I also promise these are the very last ones!

Chris can cook. See world! I taught him well. Here he is making his favourite scalloped potatoes. He cuts them EXTRA-FINE!

Egg Whites that I whipped and whipped, and beat and beat because they had been very naughty.

Then I tortured them in a hot oven till they became delicioud meringue. We
had this with cream and strawberries. Yum! Eton Mess I think is the technical term.

I then made home made mayonnaise with paprika and coriander to use up the egg yolks. This was fantastic on....

...The selection of BBQ meat left over from a party.

Then Kyle came over. Things go a bit hazy from here on. We had a BBQ, above shows the boys playing with fire, or it would if Kyle hadn't walked in front of the BBQ just as I took the damn picture. Awkward child, but lovely,

Then we went out for Tex - Mex in the eve. Note the blurriness of shot. We bought a Fiesta feast for two with extra sausage stuff for Kyle cause he like sausages. Needless to say we did not finish it all. In fact, it was the undoing of Chris. I shall leave it there. Don't go eating Mexican when you've had BBQ for lunch.

Below is my Passionfruit Margherita. I could have had many manymore of these. But they were £3.75 a time. I had to have one to try as I was on holiday.


Chris too busy eating to be photographed.

A very compliant Kyle, who after seeing my first pic of him, said "That's crap, take a nice one." So I did. You look lovely Kyle.

Just to prove I was actually present. But don't ever sit that close to a Digital Camera. My nose is not that HUGE. EVER! I PROMISE!

This was a BIZZARE shop we walked past on our way home. Foundation underwear, Bridgit Jones style on one side, small teddies and gifty type things on the other side. I thought it was two separate shops at first, but they appeared to only have the one door. People must always think of buying a teddy after they've bought hold it all in knickers and girdles. Don't you?

And finally, Chris and Kyle under the Beardy men at the entrance of the Park. Can you see the resemblance. Well they looked alot more like that in the morn with a nights stubble!

Nearly there

The last of the holiday pictures. I kind of gave up taking them half way through the week as I was too busy lazing around. Kudos and thanks to Chris for inviting/letting me talk him into having me in his house for the week. I had a very relaxing time, and it was fantastic to get away from Westbury and boredem for the week. It was also nice to be a in an environment where nothing was expected of me. I drifted from room to room, pandering to my short attention span, and I definately feel better for it.

I watched plenty of trashy telly, read the latest Joanne Harris novel, and Pratchett's Going Postal. Both were good but removed from the authors normal fare. Surprisingly for a Pratchett, GP even has chapters. I wasn't sure I liked that very much, being a creature of habit.

On the Sunday, Chris took me to Arundel. It was fantastic going to visit this little place on the train as the track curves round toward it for miles and you see it appear nestling in the hill. Very fairytale - like.


























Chris on the very posh Southern trains. They were even air conditioned, and had very comfy seats.















I got to go in one of these boats. We rowed around the lake and looked at lots of different types of duck. It was like being in a film. I didn't dare row as I'm so clumsy I'd drop the oars. Saying that, Chris is prob more clumsy that me, but i thought as he'd done it before he'd be a better bet.


























This is the walk from Arundel town centre to the lake. It was so beautiful and peaceful, even though it was busy with tourists.
















Boats on the river at Arundel.



A ruined friary (sp?), and very picturesque.



Chris then made me climb a huge hill which with my blister that covered the whole of my heel on the sole of my feet. But these stunning views made it worthwhile. I'm not sure they are worth the humilating crawl on my hands and knees down a very very steep chalk hill.




We then tried experimenting with camera settings.