Here are also some photos of Peter with "his" boat; Steve & Jackie on the beach and 2 beautiful examples of the flower mosaics. They really were well thought out and executed, some by children as young as two years old!!!!

busy weekend

What a busy weekend we have had! But it was super, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment with our friends from Oxfordshire, Steve & Jackie. This was their first visit to the Netherlands so they spent 3 days in Amsterdam doing all the touristy things etc, and then came to us on Friday for the weekend. Since the weather was perfect we were able to do and see a lot of sights which they really appreciated. We went to Giethoorn on Saturday, and Peter "skippered" the little skiff for us around the waterways there. It got quite busy on the water as the day went on...even two caravans went sailing by!!!! Yes, I have a photo to prove this!!!! We had a nice lunch on the lake at the restaurant there and then came back over the Afsluitdijk etc. to complete the tour. Saturday night we went to the Mastenbar in Enkhuizen for dinner. Sunday morning we three went to Egmond aan Zee for a walk along the beach and hot chocolate and applecake at a beach cafe. A bit of shopping later - we found a gorgeous shop there with all turkish and moroccan tiles and plates etc - and it was back home to see whether Peter had got his work done or not. Since he was still busy we went to Nieuw Niedorp's flower mosaic show. Quite a Dutch experience on the whole and Steve and Jackie enjoyed seeing life here as it really is, especially after being in the city for a few days. YesterdayI took them them to the garden centre before lunch and taking them to the train station in Hoorn. I am shattered!!!! Peter was in Berlin all day and is now on his way to Dublin, so I suppose I have to forgive him for snoring every night and keeping me wide awake!!! I am off to the sports centre at nine this morning too....if I can stay awake! And then work and then more work and then line dancing this evening - what a long day it is going to be!!!! I'll leave you with this photo of "caravans on water" in Giethoorn!

do you believe in coincidence or fate?!

Last night it was information evening at Tim's school. Peter is in Ireland so off I went to listen to the usual blah blah in the hall. Since I was alone, I went to sit next to another lady who was alone, being the friendly sort that I am! Two other ladies joined us and we had our coffee etc and chatted a little. I detected a non-Dutch accent in the woman sitting next to me, so I asked her where she came from...."England" she said. "So do I!" I replied. She told me that she had lived here for 20 years, so I said " in Enkhuizen?" "No, I live in.....WESTWOUD!!!!!" "So do I!" I replied, astonished. She lives just down the road from us, also for about 18 months in that house although she has lived in Westwoud for longer. We have never met or been told that there was another English person living here so it was WOW! Her son is in the same year as Tim but not the same class, so we went our separate ways, but not before I had scribbled our address and phone number down and given it it her. I really hope she rings me and we can get together for a proper chat! Of all the places I could have chosen to sit, and I chose that one. Must be for a reason, don't you think?

The B&B is lovely, hidden behind the reservoir half way up the side of the hillock and overlooking the moors and Haworth. Brenda is a dear, and was there with tea and biscuits and friendly chit-chat whilst we settled in. We walked to the Old Silent Inn in the evening to meet Lindsey and Jerry for a meal together. I'd give the company 10 out of 10 but I was disappointed with the poor standard of the service and meal. Disappointing really, but there we go. If a waitress spells COINTREAU as Quantro, there is not much hope for English grammar I guess.....

(sounds the same I know, but really!!!) These photos are of the cat at the B&B and walking boots from those "who didn't make it", according to Stan who was walking the PENNINE WAY. There we are walking towards the pub in the evening, outside the inn and with Lindsey and Jerry enjoying ourselves!! The stars in the sky on the way home were so clear, I even saw the Milky Way which I haven't done for years. Lily forgot her bum-bag half-way home, so they walked back and we picked them up in the car!!! All part of the adventure.

Weekend in Yorkshire

We had fantastic weather the whole weekend so no-one can say that it is grey and cold and rains in England after this!!! The flight was only 42 minutes so we were there in good time to pick up our car and whizz off towards Sheffield. I bought some material en route at Dunelm, and then we went to Meadowhall where we treated ourselves to some of Millies Cookies ( eh, William?) and a few little "necessities"... then off through the town centre which was being dug up, so took ages, and out onto the Peak District in all her glory. THE STRINES is a 16century old coaching Inn where we had our lunch. There are no road signs on the moors so hard to use the TOM TOM but suddenly there was the sign The Strines and we could wend our way towards the first beer!

We then took the scenic route through Penistone, Huddersfield and Halifax to Haworth and Stanbury where we were staying at Brenda Taylors B&B PONDEN HOUSE.

I could kiss you!!!!

Thank you Peter! I didn't know ENGLISH BEER was Soooooo Wonderful!!!!!

scrap with a twist dare september

This is a Lo I made for a dare on the scrap with a twist blog. It had to include 3 black & white photos on patterned paper ( or the other way round), buttons; ribbons and arrows. As I had these recent photos of Genghis I thought "this is easy" so I went right ahead and had a go! No idea how one gets the LO on their site or tells them about it, as I can't find that out!!!!! Maybe one just has to have a go and that's it....ah well, it was fun and gave me some inspiration.

Only one more day before our weekend away!!! Just deciding what to pack etc and trying not to wear the clothes I want to take with me! Maybe I have to buy more clothes?.... the weather looks promising so that means not having to take too many coats ( it is England after all!) or shoes. I bought THE best pair of boots yesterday!!!! I cannot remember the last time I was able to get a pair of boots on, as my right foot and leg is always swollen, and needs operating on when I get up the courage, but I went into Hoorn to Meijerink, and they had the perfect pair! Cost me an arm and a leg to buy, but I don't have any regrets, Peter!!!! Sorry, dear but I had to have them! Now I can wear my 3-quart jeans and trousers without thinking my legs look funny in the winter months...they are brown and have a zip and laces so that the leg can be made quite wide for me. I love them!!!!!! I will have to wear them everyday now for the next few months just to get my money's worth out of them, ha!ha! but hey, I feel cool!

England is beautiful!

This is a photo of Bolton Abbey in the dales. I plan to take us there by steam and diesel trains on Saturday! I have just been planning our final itinery according to the good weather forecast for the weekend! I think I should start a new career as tour guide as I love researching and finding out the best options for people when they are visiting England. Friday is more or less a travel-sight-seeing day as we need to get quite a way from Doncaster to Haworth via the most scenic routes etc. I have mentioned travel sickness pills being handy, but William and Lily have confidence they won't need them....I will!! I am not used to the twists and turns of the dales these days so I will take them as a precaution for sure! This is a photo of one of the canals since we are going to Skipton on Saturday and then on the Embsay Railway to Bolton Abbey.William is keen on stream trains like Peter and although it is a very short trip, it gets it included and the views will be worth it! We are then going to the ballet in the evening. The Royal Northern Ballet is performing A Midsummer's Night Dream so we decided to book for that on Saturday evening which is really exciting. Then on Sunday we should have time to see Haworth before heading back towards the airport and home. I think this will meet all the expectations of the weekend that William and Lily may have...I have tried to include what I think they will enjoy the most with some practicalities like time and distance etc. and the fact that the plane is in the afternoon now instead of in the evening. It cuts the time down considerably but no worries, "this will do, pig"!!! (quote, BABE).

Almost time for our trip!

These are views of the B&B and surrounding area we are staying in this Friday, near Haworth in Yorkshire! When I was there in the summer visiting Lindsey, she and I took the dogs walking around there and couldn't resist a sneak-peak!!! It has lovely views over Ponden Reservoir and is very secluded. I have high hopes that it will be fantastic!! The weather ought to be good too, if the forecast is correct so I will be taking the last few summery clothes with me I think...and the cameras of course! And the rest will take care of itself I am certain. Exciting!!! I always feel happier when I am going home...........don't you?