Well, term has started and we are back in the throes of something resembling a routine! The holidays went so quickly and I can't believe that it's over. We did have a lovely time though, and it is nice getting back to our regular lives.
Camping was a disaster as the weather was awful and I was ill. It is no fun vomiting in a bag in the middle of the night in a tent in a storm. Trust me. I didn't make it to Bridport market as the rain was so torrential, and I'm guessing no one was brave enough to attempt to pitch a stall! However, we were only there for a couple of days as we booked a last minute week away for the 4 of us. We stayed in a log cabin in North Wales, and had the most amazing, relaxing, cosy time, which more than made up for Dorset! The weather still wasn't brill, but it didn't stop us climbing mountains, finding waterfalls, pottering around pretty places and chilling out. This was the view from our verandah.
I could sit and look at it for hours. I started a new crochet project while we were there - Attic 24's Granny Stripe blanket, which is very satisfying. It was lovely to sit on the verandah and crochet with a glass of cider to hand while the girls explored the site and made friends.
So, after this lovely week we had another lovely almost-week in Pembrokeshire in a cottage with my parents. We were very close to Fishguard which is a really pretty town. We did beaches, pubs, towns, lots and lots of eating, and more beaches.
Bodie loved Wales too, especially the beaches!
I came home and started my usual nesting spree which happens every time I've been away. I've been moving things around and generally pottering which is very therapeutic. I am aiming for a calmer year this year, and I've reduced my hours at school slightly. No more Friday afternoons - yay! I'm working every morning which means I have every afternoon to potter some more!!
I started to cover this chair and realised that I didn't have quite enough fabric, so I have left the top for now. I actually quite like the contrast between the stripes and flowers, but I may get some more fabric to finish it off. This chair was a present from my Great Aunt Lucy when I was about 5, and it was pretty old then. It has the original lovely green fabric underneath, but it is very threadbare, so I keep it covered to protect it. It has gone into our room, and the chair that Andy used as a wardrobe (he does have a proper wardrobe but seems to prefer a chair) is now in the bathroom.
I finished this tapestry last year when I had a broken leg, and had the frame lurking in a box untouched for ages. It was very dark green, but a coat of paint worked a treat, and it now has pride of place on the kitchen wall. I have another one to finish and this has spurred me on, so hopefully it will join it soon.
So, new term, and new classes. Grace is in Year 6 now, which is so scary. She started Guides this week too, and is getting very grown up. Ruth is still (and will always be) my baby, despite being in Year 4. She's very happy I'm not working in her class this year - it's the first time ever I haven't been in her class at some point. I hope (if applicable) that your return to school has been painless, too.