A bit of light knitting
Yes, there has actually been some crafting going on but this has not been a straightforward project even though the pattern is simple as can be. It's the Houlland shawl pattern from Kate's Book of Haps and it certainly won't be the last shawl I knit from that book.
It started with a simple edging strip which I worked up really quickly. Then you just pick up the stitches for the body of the shawl through the back of the long edge.
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| The sections look rounded but they're pointy after blocking |
I also had to pull out of 2 marathons which meant a bit more stress trying to reorganise my 100th.
But we got through it and everything's OK now, thank goodness, including the shawl. After I'd calmed down I finished it off really quickly.
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| The construction was interesting. It was worked from the outside edge inwards, decreasing a couple of stitches on alternate rows, with a central column of yarn-overs and knit 2 together. |
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| Someone asked me about the stitch markers - they are actually rings that come with the replacement heads for my electric toothbrush but they make excellent and free stitch markers! |
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| Blocking |
Horsey guests
A couple of months ago one of our neighbours popped round to ask if she could put 4 of her brood mares onto one of our fields for a few weeks whilst their foals were weaned. She breeds race horses and apparently if the mares and foals are separated but can see oneanother then they try to jump the fence or get very agitated but if they can neither hear nor see eachother then they get used to the new situation very quickly. As we are far enough along the lane for them not to hear a neigh it was perfect.
Our sheepy visitors had just left us so it was perfect timing. I knew they'd arrived when I saw Esther and Kizzy galloping across their field to the gate!
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| Saying hello for the first time |
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| Quayle Landing and Tarneem were first to visit but Kizzy and Esther were not used to having horsey neighbours and turned tail! |
It was fascinating watching the dynamics of the new herd and although they were separated and Tarneem was in charge of her 3, Kizzy was definitely the matriarch of the whole group and was very vocal about it!
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| Kizzy saying "I am in charge here and I do not recognise your authority!" |
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| Beautiful Tarneem (who has bred 5 champion foals) with Quayle Landing and Garabelle just in view |
Little did we know were were going to see a re-enactment of Love Story though. Whilst 2 of the group had recently given birth and the other one was in-foal (with a massive tummy!), My Pretty Girl (MPG) had not produced a foal this time and was just coming into season.
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| MPG looking wistfully across the field at Esther |
That set the scene for the next 8 weeks with Esther and MPG having love-ins either at the gate or down by the stile at the bottom of the field. Every so often Kizzy would get cross and charge over to separate them but we literally had to prise Esther away each evening to put her in the shelter - things are complicated now as Kizzy has no viable teeth and so has to have a bucket full of chopped and soaked feed at night and as she hates being shut away we have to shut Esther in so she doesn't pinch any of the food.
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| The lovers galloping to greet oneanother |
The 4 visitors have gone back home now and although Esther didn't fret, she does keep grazing down by the stile just on the off-chance that MPG is there, bless her.
Meanwhile, the ducklings have grown. I chuckled as I watched the relationship between Tilly and Mrs Duck as there seems to be an unspoken rule that cats and ducks don't mix.
Shortly after this was taken, we lost one of them. I saw a buzzard flying low near the pond and heard Mrs Duck making a commotion so went running down there but was too late to save the duckling. I thought they were safe as they were nearly fully grown, but sadly they were not.
Then we had the orchards and lower paddock topped. We used to scythe it all ourselves but I have neither the time nor the inclination at the moment so we got the tractor in to hasten the work.
We did, however, have to rake, gather and turn it as we use it for bedding. That burned off a few calories I can tell you!
Whilst I was raking I discovered this little fellow who had been disturbed but thankfully was safe and sound. He's a Natterjack Toad and I was fascinated to see that his colour had changed to better match his surroundings.
It was fascinating seeing the variety of wildlife underneath the sward - there were vole tunnels everywhere and once they had been uncovered there was lots of interest from all quarters:
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| Mr Pheasant spent ages turning over the grass in search of goodies and I saw a hen pheasant catch a vole and run off with it. |
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| At this time of year we always get flocks of Woodpigeons. |
There so much to do in Autumn as we get ready for the bad weather. I had to give the barn a good clear-out ahead of the hay delivery and dismantle the polytunnel (I have a cheap and cheerful one which I take down each year as it would get blown away otherwise).
Inevitably I discovered some guests who needed to be helped with their house move - I love the different markings on their shells. They were relocated to the bramble/tile patch where the dormice and newts live.
I was fascinated by the beautiful markings on this spider. Those on his back resemble eyes or a face which must be to confuse any predators.
The last remaining vegetables were turned into a very satisfying roasted ratatouille using a recipe from Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's River Cottage Veg Every Day which is my favourite recipe for ratatouille. There are still plenty of chillies but they've come indoors to finish ripening.
We've also had some amazing sunsets recently and this was my favourite:
As I found myself marathonless for a couple of weeks I made good use of the fine weather and headed out across the fields into the valley several times and I was delighted to be treated to some amazing colours across the fields, just before the trees started to turn colour (see how far behind I am - the leaves are nearly all gone now!) and I spotted a young fox practising his stalking and a pretty duck hiding amongst the reedmace along the river. I've missed my long runs around where we live.
The Celebrations Continue
Mike and I decided to celebrate my 100th marathon with a visit to a wonderful restaurant near home. On the day itself all I wanted to do afterwards was get home, have a bath, then drink champagne so a few days later we headed off for a treat.
There was something else to celebrate too - I won a prize a few weeks earlier in a competition draw from Hobbs London. It was one of those random number type draws where you say why you want the prize and you think no-one ever wins so I was flabbergasted when I got an email telling me I'd won the Albany dress!
I have a couple of Hobbs dresses which are reserved for special occasions and this one is a beauty and even better it isn't my usual colour choice so took me away from what I would choose myself as I steer clear of neutrals:
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| I know I'm a saddo but I took my medal with me and Mike sneaked in a couple of photos at the restaurant! |
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| Look, no lycra! |
I have actually completed 2 more marathons in the last week but as this post is getting rather long I'll save my reports for next time.
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