Creations in the last few months

The cushions are for home, the scissors holder for Evie's birthday, the cardigan for Alyssa and the silver bags for the two little bridesmaids.

A few more photos from Dover Castle

When I came round the corner and saw this view, I thought I was in southern Europe. The red tiles I think. 

 Its a trebuchet! or a replica since it was used in the middle ages to catapult rocks into fortified castles.

 I liked this view as well. Its from one of the mediaeval tunnels - and looks out onto the moat I think. Can you see any of the strange sheep grazing there?

The autumn leaves on the grass caught my eye. They reminded me of the yellow planta genista (broom) sprig which the Plantagenet kings wore in their caps. Perhaps even when they built this interesting castle!

Dover Castle

I can't believe how many times I have been to France from Dover and never been in the castle before.
I suppose we had the long journey back to Scotland to think about.
Before we got to where I took this first photo we had already been in one of the underground tunnels. The one we went in was used as a hospital during World War Two. I'm glad I had Charis's hand to hold - it was scary when the sound effects started . . . the air raid siren, the bomb, the surgeon's voice as he prepared to operate on a Mosquito pilot - as we stood round an empty operating table!'
This was the innermost highest part.












Lots of hands on stuff

















The throne room.












The peregrine falcon waiting to swoop on the meat . .















Fish and chips - the grand finale - eaten while watching the ferries depart, and wishing we were on them!

Summer Scavenger Hunt - items 12,15,20,21

This was another hard one - lots of clouds but the one time I saw one that looked like something, I was on a train and just couldn't get to my camera quickly enough.
Anyway - here is a pale version of the Scottish flag - the Saltire.







Another Scottish flavoured photo - this is my god daughter's boyfriend.

















Dinosaurs were hard to come by this summer too!























 A police car outside Ilford Railway Station.
I didn't notice at the time, but now I am wondering about the man with his head on the railings,just behind the front of the police car . . .           

Summer Scavenger Hunt - items 3,5,18

 This is Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford

One of the many cafés I could consider a 'local'
This one is across the road from Finsbury Park Station.










This summer I never seemed to have a clear view of the sunset. I was always surrounded by trees and/or buildings at that time of day.

Summer Scavenger Hunt - item 8 - a tower

St Stephen's Tower (with Big Ben) and Boadicea or Boudica on Westminster Embankment











The Post Office Tower. London, UK
A friend very conveniently had her hip replaced in UCH last week. She was on the 10th floor - so of course I took the view, edging as close to the window as I dared!

Summer Scavenger Hunt 2013 - item 17 candles

This was a very easy one for me - just took a stroll along the road to my church and located the cupboard where there are lots of candles waiting for Christmas . . .

Summer Scavenger Hunt - items 4,6,and 10

The bench at the bottom of our garden - item 10



























Some one/something taking a nap - Liz's cat - item 6














An aeroplane - over the London Eye - item 4

Summer scavenger hunt items 1 and 13

Item1
  Street market - seen in Edinburgh and taken from the Castle.










Item 13

 Fence - between our church and the neighbouring alleyway.

Its about time I got started posting my photos for . . .

SCAVENGER HUNT LIST

1. Open air market
2. Theater for performing arts (not a movie theater)
3. City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building
4. Airplane
5. A sunset
6. Someone or something taking a nap
7. A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
8. A tower
9. A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong
10. A bench that is outside
11. An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc.
12. A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)
13. A fence
14. A stained glass object or a mosaic
15. A fire truck or police car
16. A windmill
17. Candle(s)
18. Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop
19. A fisherman
20. A dinosaur
21. A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply (you cannot substitute for this item)
Bonus/substitute items. If you find any of the above items too difficult, feel free to substitute either (or both) of these items. You can substitute up to two items, but you cannot substitute Item #21.

The substitute items are...

A person wearing an outfit (or item of clothing) that symbolizes your country
A sundial

Images of summer

 My contribution to the Dyptich Project this week.

Both these photos were taken in 2006.

This is the grass in the middle of the dual carriageway which we can see from our kitchen window.

It must have been a long, hot summer that year!

The grass is still bright green at the moment!

  These belong to my dear friend , Menna!                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Paths

 I can't resist any longer!

I am always inspired by the Diptych Project!

Here are two of my favourite paths.

This one is the pavement of the road we walk along to go to church. It never ceases to amaze me that here in London, this pavement is the width of the road on Iona!




 Nearly the same view in winter.

















This is a coastal path in Brittany - between the towns of Val André and Dahouet.

It reminds me very much of another well loved path in Cornwall - the South West Coast Path.




Thanks, Evie and Ann, for your weekly inspiration!

A long story . . .

 Recently I came into possession of these lovely pieces of fabric.
Well, the colours are bright, but because they are quite old - we estimated 50 years - the smell is of musty fusty dampness.
But I was determined to use them . . .

I tried washing them in Persil and vinegar . . . no change.
Our neighbour offered some Febreze - I used so much that I finished his bottle.














What actually did the trick was the Ariel powder that this same neighbour contributed.
Now a piece of the pink fabric is well on the way to being the piping round a new cushion cover I am making.









However when we went to Sainsbury's this morning I got some more Febreze to return to him. I chose this particular perfume as I have just finished reading a book about New Zealand - The Colour by Rose Tremain (a good read).
Unfortunately the lid wasn't screwed on tightly enough and it leaked all over our shopping on the conveyor belt!  The customer service was great - one of them mopped it all up, another dashed round the store replacing all our damaged purchases . . . then they apologised for keeping us waiting!
I tell you, we were glad of our coffee after all that, especially as I'd had another early breakfast with Evie!