Sods Law

Obviously as it's a Bank Holiday weekend & we're going away tomorrow both DD & I are sick. Not dying & knocking on deaths door sick, rather a sore throat that feels like sand paper, feeling lethargic & generally not up to much.

DH has been threatening to cancel our holiday but so far I've managed to convince him that I'm not dying (although I'd love to crawl into bed) & we are going away tomorrow. DD isn't helping my cause though & has been found lying in bed in the afternoon fully dressed or lying down on the back seat of the car as she was too weak to sit upright. She fell asleep on the sofa last night so was put to bed at 6.20 p.m & went up at 5.45 p.m. today which is normally unheard of.

We're nearly ready to go away; clothes are packed away in the caravan cupboards, the roof box is back on the car & full of the heavy stuff & a list has been partially ticked off. Vinces' cage has been cleaned out, the grass cut for the first time in over two weeks as for once it hasn't rained today & we've spent a fortune on the car in the past two days as it was found to be in desperate need of repair We're going back to a site that we visited last year for a week. There are two good LYS's nearby but I'm going to try & be good & not bring too much home.

I have been knitting mainly on the my Lacy Scallop socks as I've lost all enthusiasm for Lady Eleanor since my disaster.


Lady Eleanor

I was annoyed with myself on Friday morning as I discovered that I'd made a mistake on the Lacy Scallop sock. I'd been concentrating so carefully on the gusset decreases that I had carried the lace pattern on continously on the front of the sock without the garter/stocking stitch panel. I was sat in the garage with at least half an hour left to go before my car was driveable without my notions bag - hence no needle or waste yarn with which insert a lifeline.

Do I put it away & just sit here with nothing to do, twidderling my thumbs whilst waiting for the mechanics to finish the car or chance it & frog it???

I took the brave route & after putting a stitch marker in roughly the right place to stop me going back too far, removed the needles & RIPPED!!!! Of course the car was ready for me to take away when I had just a few stitches left to pick up & I was concentrating on it intensely - 4ply yarn with 2.5mm needles isn't easy to pick up at the best of times so the car had to wait.


1st Lacy Scallop sock nearly finished

Check out my new stitch markers - sent to me by Terri, many thanks

Now I've got to put a list together for my MIL of the things she needs to do whilst we're away including feeding of the cats & hamster but not to each other.......

Bizarre things that lead people to my blog

As I'm easily amused I regulary keep an eye on how people come to find my blog. There are the obvious routes; words like 'sirdar', 'firefly' & kaarlund, clicks on links from other knitting bloggers, forums & Yahoo lists. Then there are the really odd & bizarre search terms that somehow lead people here.

I've done this post twice before but have had some funny ones recently so thought I'd share them with you.

Firstly my 'stalker' is back again. At regular intervals somebody searches for 'blueadt' & this time used

knitting blog + blueadt

It could be the same person or a number of different people - no idea but I'm leaning towards the former. Blueadt isn't a word & to my knowledge nobody else is using it so all searches tend to find me. I hope what you've found has kept you amused. I'm sure that you know me - if you do, next time we meet, reveal yourself!

fat cats in anger management

found me via this post. I'm sure the searcher didn't mean to find a knitting blog!

being a mum at 15

because of this & the heart-wrenching comment left by Lucy

"how to do frogging"

found me because of this post. I'm glad the animal mentioned was a frog & not a canine!

photo gallery pool "chicken fight"

due to this meme. I have a Photo Gallery in my side bar & the word 'pool' is littered throughout my blog as my DD is a competitive swimmer & I spend too many hours per week sat watching her train which is why I took up knitting again as I was BORED

DOMESTIC GODDESS CORNFLAKE BUNS

due to this post about the school Summer Fair last year. I'll be baking again this year & DD is desparate to sell raffle tickets - any takers?

Moving away from traffic watching - tonights meeting was a sucess given I had 33 hours notice. 12 people including the two children (who had a great time - my purse was opened many times). I've also decided what I'm doing for the The Knitting World Cup & which yarn is coming out of my stash - more to be revealed soon.

The Knitting World Cup

I turned my phone on this morning & this text popped up:

"Happy knitters welcome twice a month. Enjoy"

It was from the manager of the coffee shop where we meet in response to my request to hold the group twice a month. So I had to sent an email out quickly as otherwise I'd be the only one there tomorrow night. I've had a good response so won't be on my own & DD is coming as well for the first time. She's extemely excited, me less so.

I enjoy a night when I'm not mum, when I can just be me & relax & have fun without having to watch out for her, dip into my purse or the other many demands placed upon me. But she's really enjoying her knitting since the Rowan Parent & Child Workshop & has gained a lot of confidence. Luckily there will be another child there who is visiting the area. This little girl is learning to knit so DD will have the important task of helping her

Piglottie has been organising a local squad for the Knitting World Cup; another totally pointless but fun KAL. I have a friend who is a keen football fan & I can imagine the stick I'd get if I told him!

So far projects under consideration are a pair of toe up socks or another pair of Jaywalkers as I enjoyed my Tiger Jaywalkers finished a few months ago. I have some Flamingo, Ladybird, Parrot or Zebra in Opal Rainforest. But then again all the socks I've knitted so far have been cuff down & I'd like to try a new technique but would do a simple stockinette sock whilst learning a new sock construction.

No doubt I'll be able to talk through my options tomorrow night whilst emptying my purse as DD fills her belly!

This evenings' sunset

Spring Sunset in the Northern Hemisphere


Spring Sunset in the Northern Hemisphere


Spring Sunset in the Northern Hemisphere

Welcome back Lady Eleanor

Finally after much tugging of skeins of yarn & trips to the post office I have enough Silk Garden to finish her. Celtic Cove have been helpful in that they have sent replacement yarn from which I could choose but I resented the comment that due to it's composition (45% silk, 45% kid mohair & 10% lambs wool) it was a fragile fibre & should be treated with respect. Silk is an extremely strong fibre and I didn't mis-use the yarn.

This has been the state of play for the past week as it was a week ago this evening that I discovered the faulty yarn:


Lady Eleanor stalled

This photo shows exactly one weeks works so I would have been well on the way to finishing her by now if disaster hadn't struck. However I have enough now & won't be buying Noro again.

Inane comments

We've all had them, stupid idiotic comments by non-knitters.

To put this in context, the gala on Sunday was pants. I won't go into it here but lets just say that it was the worst we've ever been to & DDs' club are putting in a formal complaint. I had already had a 'heated discussion' with one of the officials who was querying my need to watch my child swim*!*?*

He later passed me sat on the floor in the corridoor (don't ask) working on my Lacy Scallop sock & said

"Are you knitting anything good?"

To which I replied:

"I wouldn't bother if I didn't like it, would I???"

This weekend

I groomed the dogs,


DD won 2nd place in 50m Backstroke


and 5th in 50m Frontcrawl,


I knitted

and DH took photos

Second chance

Celtic Cove have found another 6 balls in the same dyelot & they've apparently passed the 'pull' test.

I nearly frogged the lot last night as I was so annoyed - glad I didn't now. However this has put me off Noro for now & I doubt I'll buy it again.

Watch this space....

Lady Eleanor on the rocks....

Total disaster - of the 10 balls of Silk Garden that I have left 6 are useless

I had just joined a new ball of yarn & picking up the stitches started to knit with it. I'm not rough with yarn & have never had a fibre break on me before but this stuff is like cotton wool. I checked the rest & only half of my original purchase is usable.

I'll be ringing Celtic Cove tomorrow morning to see if they have any usable Silk Garden left in the same dyelot or ask for a refund.

Am Totally Gutted

Destashing

I've been having a long hard think about my stash recently. I know most knitters would say that you can never have too much yarn but I have - for me.

It was brought home to me with Lady Eleanor as I'm enjoying this yarn & pattern & it's growing fast, very fast. Whereas the Snowflake baby blanket took about 3 months purely because I hated knitting it. I didn't enjoy the texture of the yarn, was extremely bored with the basic pattern & it became a chore. It is a fantastic baby yarn but not for me. I don't have a baby & don't plan to have anymore so am very happy that it's going to a new home.

I'm being sensible & have started to go through my stash & getting rid of yarn that I either no longer like (masses of Snowflake - I didn't realise I had so much!), like but can't find the perfect pattern for or books that I'll never use.

Since the weekend I have either sold or swapped 1900g of yarn or 38 x50g balls + a Rowan book which I didn't use. I have two beautiful balls of sock yarn heading my way & enough money to pay for the Noro Silk Garden which I bought last week with some left over.

If anybody in the UK would like to give a home to this little cone of yarn - please leave me a comment with your email address. If overseas I may also do it but it'll be more complicated & expensive due to currency & postage.


320g Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed

There is enough yarn to do either the Zipped Jacket (ages 2 or 3) or The Lined Coat (ages 12-18 mths or 18-24 mths) featured in the tweed collection which is also available.

I'm open to offers or swaps for sock yarn.

[19/5/6 - A swap has been arranged & neither book nor yarn are available any more]

Off the needles....

Stripey blue baby blanket

Yarn: Sirdar Snowflake Chunky Magic shade 412 3x 50g balls, 9g left.
5mm needles
Dimensions: 86cm long x 59cm wide

Pattern - my own
cast on 108 stitches length ways
Garter stitch for 4 rows
Repeat the next two rows until desired size.
Row 1: Knit row
Row 2: K4, P to last 4 stitches, K4
To finish, garter stitch for 4 rows & cast off loosely.

Casting on along the length allows the stripes run downwards which I think looks nice if across a childs legs in a buggy. The 4 stitch Garter stitch edge prevents the edges curling up & gives it a slight border.

I've deliberately made this quite large as the intended recipent was born in February & has already received some handknitted items. The weather is a lot warmer now but it'll be great for him later in the year when it gets colder.

Weekend Knitting

8 Tiers of Lady Eleanor

Lots of knitting, gardening & some necessary house stuff.

Did I mention the knitting?

One Skein Questionnaire

1. Which yarn is most like your personality (you can be specific or
general with your answer- brand, type, color, fiber, whatever)?

What a question - I'm definately not an acrylic kinda girl - more natural fibre with a hint of luxury. Without knowing the prices of things I'll always fall in love with the most expensive coat or pair of shoes in the shop but rarely buy them.

2. What is your favorite color yarn to knit/crochet with?

I love the Debbie Bliss cashmerino range & am also falling in love with Noro Silk Garden. I haven't used other Noro yarns.

3. Have you ever used variegated, or magic, yarns?

Yes - both Opal & Regia sock yarns + Noro Silk Garden.

4. Do you tend to favor certain fibers when choosing yarns?

Wool (often merino), silk, cashmere.

5. Do you prefer to work with center-pull or traditionally wound balls
of yarn?

Traditionally wound as I've found that centre pull balls collapse on themselves when some has been used. But I'm not really bothered.

6. Have you ever worked with organic yarns or are you interested in
trying them?

No & would like to try but again not too fussed.

7. How many and what projects have you made in the last year?

Not as many as I would have liked. Check out my Photo Gallery at the top of the side bar.

8. Will you be knitting any gifts this year?

Yes

9. What is your favorite one skein project?

Felted bowls & cabled socks.

10. How much yarn do you have in your stash and how do you store it?

I have a health stash & store it in 6 large boxes.

11. Do you have a yarn in your stash that you love so much you can never
use it or part with it?

No - I have lots of yarns that I love but I want to use them.

12. Do you knit less or differently in the summer?

I tend not to use heavy wool in the summer as my hands get hot but apart from that no difference.

13. Do you belong to any knitting groups (online or offline)?

Yes I run a local group & have also set up a group at my daughters school. Plus a number of Yahoo groups - link in the sidebar.

One of Each

When I picked DD up from school today I didn't have a Tracy waiting for me but a quiet, calm child - too quiet. Realising that something was amiss, I asked about her day & was amused to discover that she'd lost one shoe!

One shoe - how on each do you lose one shoe? A pair of shoes yes but just one?

She had worn her PE trainers at break to play football in & left her leather school shoes in the cloakroom. When she returned - one was missing.

A trip to the school office revealed some good news; the renegade shoe was last seen heading upstairs to another classroom as some helpful girls were sure of the one shoe shod owner. The office staff are going to find out what happened to it on Monday so she came home in trainers.

Why am I rambling on about 'one shoe' you might be wondering. A very good question.

Tonight when I returned from a most enjoyable knitting meeting (19 people, the biggest yet & requests for a second meet per month) I could only find one of my slippers.

One slipper, not two.

Now we (DH & I, as DD is seemingly immune to mucky socks or cold feet - or so she says) both wear slippers in the house, as we have laminate flooring downstairs & bare floorboards on the stairs & hallway upstairs, due to soon-to-be-completed 2 year long building work.

Anyway back to the slipper, just one.

After searching under the sofas & other possible hiding places revealed nothing, DH joined my search.

He then discovered that he also only posessed one slipper.

We both had just one slipper (left singles if anybody is interested) - which was too much of a coincidence. I've heard of couples wearing the same or similar clothing but this was taking it too far.

So we both headed upstairs (in our single left slippers with cold, sock clad for DH but bare for me, right feet) to find the source of the slipper thefts.

Eureeka!!!

There in Vinces' room were the two missing right slippers!!!

DD had taken 'One of Each' & worn them to go upstairs to get Vince out of her cage - maybe she wanted us all to be part of the One shoe/slipper gang

Bear with me, this gets better; upon finding the missing slippers & reuniting them with their partners, I noticed that Vinces' cage was open - Yes DD had done it again.

A quick scan of the cage & no hamster

We were furious & as the door had been left open both realised that we'd have to go back to the vase & rebait her night after night until she fell in - again.

DD exploded & it wasn't her fault (again).

A more detailed examination of Vinces' cage (it's big & I'll post pics one day so you can see her palace) & I spotted her at the back of the maze.

DD was very lucky this time.

BTW - for those with young children I can throughly recommend One of Each - a beautiful story about Oliver Tolliver the Airedale Terrier.

On the needles....

It's about time I had some photos as it's looking a bit dull here so prepare for a run down of what I'm doing at the moment:

First off - surely to be expected Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style


3 Tiers of Lady Eleanor

I tried to leave the yarn in a bag & finish the very tedious & boring blue baby blanket in Sirdar Snowflake but it was calling my name & I very quickly gave in

I haven't knitted with Noro before & now know why knitters rave about it. The colours are so exciting! I've found a few bits of vegetable matter but nothing to get stressed about & no (touch wood) knots yet. I cast on with a beautiful green hoping to get lots of base triangles out of it but it soon changed to a purple. I'm going to do some sort of fringe so hopefully that will detract from the bright green cast on. The Silk Garden seems a bit rough in my hands but I know it'll soften wonderfully after washing due to the silk & kid mohair content.

The pattern is really simple & makes for relaxing knitting - far easier than the other Entrelac Shawl shawl which I'm supposed to be knitting but I'm ashamed to say that I haven't picked it up in ages.

Next some baby socks using the same pattern as the Tiger Cubs with the left over yarn from my Mothers' Day Socks


Baby blue opal socks

This odd looking tube is destined to be a felted bowl from One Skein which DH bought me for my birthday


Mohair bowl-to-be

I was given this mohair yarn for my birthday last year. I LOVE the colours but it shreds horendously so it sat untouched in my stash until now. This way I can use this beautiful yarn which is so soft but the felting will reduce the shedding as will a quick defuzz if necessary after felting.

Last project on show but not the least another pair of socks - Lacy Scallops from Sockbug - my first lace project!


Lacy Scallop in Socka Color

I bought the yarn last year at the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching show.

I'd also like to say Thank You to Susoolu who gave me a late birthday present:


Opal Cotton

I've never knitted with a cotton sock yarn before & am looking for it.

Finally just overload you with images check out the slippers that I bought for my niece this afternoon:


Tweety Pie slippers

She is 6 and has adored Tweety Pie since she was a baby - I think these will be worn until they drop off her feet!

Fall from grace

I've fallen off the wagon How could I resist
3 for 2 on Noro Silk Garden at Celtic Cove?????

I've wanted this yarn for well over 6 months to make Lady Eleanor (scan down to see 4 different Silk Garden colourways) from Scarf Style but had so far resisted. I firmly lay the blame at the door of Piglotties' Parlour - you're a bad influence!

So one strike against me on my Stashalong Pledge. I signed up for three months but know that I need to keep it up for much longer than that. I had allowed myself one day off per month but didn't actually allow one for May. I had mentioned May in my pledge as we're going away for a week near some good LYS's but we don't go until the 29th so can see that happening in June if it happens at all.

Lots of knitting is taking place but I've got so many things on the needles that none are finished yet....

Anger Management

After reading this post yesterday I couldn't believe what happened to me this morning.

Every Saturday morning I go to a village 10 minutes away (I live on the very outskirts of the city) & do the shopping; collect the dog meat from the butchers, go to the farm shop to buy our fruit & veg & any other bits that we need. I make a point of trying not to buy everything from the large supermarket which is so very close to my office as I believe in supporting local businesses rather than the 'fat cats'.

Anyway I digress....

After collecting the dog food I reversed out of my parking space & realised that my exit was blocked. From one side there was a queue of 3 cars & on the other a woman had parked across the road waiting for my space. So I politely gestured that if she could pull over to one side then I could leave - no problem I thought. I hadn't been rude & if she didn't pull over we'd all be sat there all day - I couldn't move & 4 cars wanted my parking space.

I was really shocked when the male passager in her car flicked a V sign at me & shouted abuse. He went to open his door but luckily she stopped him getting out. His face was twisted with anger & I was really scared that he'd get out & attack me.

"Sh*t" I thought. I'm stuck here, I can't drive away & this total idiot has taken offense at my polite request to allow me to leave the carpark. In those few seconds lots of thoughts went through my head - I knew that DH couldn't come quickly as I had the car & anyway he had DD with him. The police are useless & would have arrived when I was a bloody heap across the bonnet or worse.

Luckily the driver moved her car & I was able to drive away - shaking.

Feeling chilled...

I had my birthday massage this morning & walked out feeling very relaxed & smelling of essential oils. The only sign of my injury was a red patch on my skin when my back was massaged - I felt absolutely no pain which was great. True to form I couldn't bear my feet to be touched as I am extremely tickerlish but eventually I could tolerate it. Nearly asleep by the end I felt quite sleepy when I walked outside into the sunshine.

I then spent a lovely afternoon with Piglottie & between us I think we'd be able to put the world to rights. Finally still feeling relaxed & calm I had to leave & made it across town to school with a minute to spare to find Tracy furious with me!

She'd managed to get out of school early & where was I????? She swims early on Fridays so it's always a rush to get her fed in time & the teacher for once let her out so that she could eat her meal without bolting it down. Apparently I should have known that she was out 10 minutes early rather than enjoying some adult time. She didn't end up swimming anyway as has a strained muscle due to her own keep fit routine during playtime. Whilst teaching her friends press-ups & sit-ups, she had strained her shoulder practising her butterfly arm drills (read lots of arm swings & oddly co-ordinated movements).

Whatever happened to marbles????

Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

Note to my pal - please feel free to email me with any more questions.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

The feel of a fabric/yarn is important to me. I love the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino range (baby & aran I haven't used DK yet), pure wools & other natural fibres. I'm not keen on squeaky arylic, novelty yarns or very 'sheddy' yarns like mohair.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My circular needles when not being used are kept in their plastic sleeves in a basket. My crochet hooks are stored in a pencil case in my knitting bag which holds all my other 'notions'.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting since 1990 but I've been actively knitting for about 8 years as I had a break in the middle. I'd consider myself an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes - please email for details.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I love natural scents but I'm not keen on floral scents particulary lavender. I recently recieved a windfall in bath goodies so really don't need any soap but the bathbombs are depleating fast

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes I do have a sweet tooth but am trying not to eat too much sweet stuff. I love Green & Blacks, Galaxy & black liquorice. I can't stand Turkish Delight or other floral tasting sweets.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I don't spin. I can cross-stitch but don't. It's only knitting really with a bit of crochet.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

All our stereos & PC's play MP3's.

Fleetwood Mac
The Pretenders
Norah Jones
KT Tunstall
Joan Armatrading
Ella Fitzgerald
Crowded House
Scissor Sisters
Keane
Paul Weller
Talking Heads
Semi Sonic

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love strong colours - reds, purples & pinks. Like blues, greens. I can't stand orange & yellow.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married with 1 10 year old daughter - who is a keen beginner knitter & competitive swimmer. DH is into photography & Speedway.
Dogs - two Airedale terrier bitches; Blue & Annie, three elderly cats; Tia, Monet & Pam + Vince the female hamster - we didn't name her.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves & mittens. A hat if it's absolutely freezing but I don't suit them. Ponchos - no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

At the moment socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?

This is an embarrassingly long list:
Lacy Scallop socks, baby socks, crochet bag, mohair bowl, entrelac shawl, baby blanket + baby bootees. Plus more I can't think of at the moment.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes please

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circs all the way - favourites are addi turbos & I like bamboos but not Inox with horrible joins.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

A yarn winder.

17. How did you learn to knit?

A German friend taught me when I was 19 - unfortunately I've now lost touch with her. Last I heard she was teaching in Turkey.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

8 year old cotton baby jumper - found recently in the loft just needs one sleeve.

19. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas when the whole family is home from work & school.

20. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn but I've now signed up to Stashalong as I have too much & tasteful Airedale Terrier items.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have a subscription for Interweave Knits. I've been very fortunate to have received lots of fanastic birthday presents recently so have been spoilt. I have an amazon wishlist with loads of books that I'd love. I'd also love to try a skein of sock yarn that we can't buy here in the UK.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I'm still exploring socks & felting. Instaria & fairaisle don't appeal to me.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

UK 7, US 8 1/2. Circumference 9" according to the measurement guide in Sensational Knitted Socks

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

04/23 - just had it!

Dear Lucy

Thank you for your comment - it brought tears to my eyes.

I take on board what you said about your mum. Is she aware of the full picture? My DD kept things hidden for so long as she was scared of the implications if she opened up. I'm sure she'd help if she knew what was going on & how awful it is for you.

Have you tried speaking to an aunt or family friend?

If that's not an option there are other ways you can get help & support - Childline have a freephone helpline and Kidscape only charge a local call rate.

Please speak to someone. I can't email you as you left an anonymous comment but am here if you need me.

Parent & Child workshop at Rowan

It was fantastic apart from the fact that I had Tracy Beaker with me aka DD who was a crabby s*d due to lack of sleep, missing her daddy & being a pain. She loves this TV show & has taken to shouting at us like Tracy - which I'm trying to cope with & hating every minute of it.

The venue was lovely, set in the rolling hills of Holmfirth, excellent company, lots of yarn to play with, loads of great food including cakes & biscuits which the kids dived into. Everybody created some fantastic things using a variety of Rowan yarns. DD & I both learnt to bead, she also designed her own bag with the help of Sharon Brant, knitted it all apart from the handle which will be done soon, sewed it up & decorated it. She also learnt colour work on the DK Cotton beaded purse & had lots of fun. We've both got some finishing to do before any photos & one of my projects is awaiting the purchase of a 12mm crochet hook so I can't get on with it at the moment

I bought a few bits of yarn from the bargain bins including some Rowanspun DK & 200g of Jaeger Siena both in green shades. I also picked up a couple of books which were greatly reduced due to slight damage to the spine & some R2 sparkle which will be used to decorate projects.

We also visited Up Country where I bought 4 balls of Debbie Bliss's Baby Cashmerino which I'll use to contrast with that already in my stash.

I'm going to try & book again for next year but will commute each day rather than stay in a hotel as DD just isn't up to it.