More of England

I have been rather distracted of late as I was busy "creating" items for my sister's recent craft stall.... how quickly did that come around and how quickly my fingers stitched to have some items ready!!....But more on that later as I still have my English holiday to continue.....
A couple of days after our weekend visit to James's parents place Megan & I headed off on a day out to Chiddingstone..... a heritage listed village about 1/2 hr drive away. The buildings date back to 1453 while at the local church interesting gravestones were found from as far back as the 1700s. 

Back to the car and a short drive further along these lovely (but narrow) country roads....

and we arrived at Hever Castle.....

The original medieval castle was built in 1270 and in 1505 became the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's 2nd wife. Early in the 20th Century it was owned by the wealthy Waldorf - Astor family who restored and extended the castle. Hever Castle was surrounded by beautiful gardens - which were only started in 1904.... we spent the whole afternoon here....

The following day turned out to be rather bleak and drizzly so Megan and I wandered down town for cakes, hot chocolate and coffee at lovely local cafe followed by an afternoon game of Scrabble.....

A sunny day.....James had the day off so another day trip - this time to Brighton...... Old world seafront, the obligatory walk out along the Brighton Amusement Pier. lots of laneways with interesting shops and a hippie feel......

Before leaving Brighton we visited the beautiful "Royal Pavilion" decorated with an Indian /Chinese theme......it was amazing but unfortunately no photos were allowed of the interior......

Dating back to 1787 the building was the "seaside" palace of Kings George IV & William IV and then Queen Victoria who ultimately sold it to the Town of Brighton in 1850.

The next 3 days saw Megan and I head off on our 3 day road trip.....but more on that next time.... I have Xmas biscuits baking and must head back to the kitchen.... 

Till next time,

Asta 

Holidays - England

I know it's been weeks and weeks since I have been here but I'm back to tell another "yarn"!
My last post mentioned that I had somewhere special to be.... well.... that was because I was flying off to spend just over 3 weeks in England catching up with Megan (and partner) with a bit of local sight seeing along the way.....a rather spontaneous decision but they are usually the best kind!  
On 3rd September this became my "home" in Tunbridge Wells -  about an hour by train - if it stopped at every station - south of London. 

Outside the block of flats where Megan lives.....and some views of Tunbridge Wells

The shopping centre was a "stone's throw" from the front door and the train station a mere 5 mins walk - very handy location! 

A day to recover from jet lag and we were heading off for a drive south to the "sea" - a place called Camber Sand. Weather was rather inclement and made for a rather gloomy outlook - hard to imagine it being a popular summer holiday destination!

 We also called into the quaint village of Rye about 15 mins away but as it was getting later in the day we only had a quick look around - a week or so later I ventured to Rye again by train and spent a while there so photos still to come..... 
A couple of days later and it was into London by train - a visit to Buckingham Palace, a stroll through Hyde Park followed by high tea at the Ritz......

What a great day in London town!

The weekend and a couple of days away in Whitstable on the north coast of Kent - visiting James's family....Whitestable markets, foreshore and street scenes.....

A day trip to Folkestone with James's parents.....another lovely village though photos don't show just how windy it was here this day! 

 As well as a stroll through town a 15.2 km walk was  also on the agenda! I thought I was going to get blown all the way to France which you could see across the channel from Folkestone!...... Leaving Folkestone behind as we started our walk up to the top of the white cliffs (not the Dover ones), along the top edge and back down to follow the coastline back into Folkestone.....

 The following day (still recovering from my BIG walk) we headed back to Tunbridge Wells and by following the coastline arrived at Broadstairs.... another seaside town mainly known for Bleak House where Charles Dickens spent most of his summer holidays - it was here that he wrote "David Copperfield" and began writing "Bleak House" ....his study is still as it was in his time.....

Bleak House on headland in the distance

That took me to the end of my first week away..... the following week there was history to see, another seaside town to visit and the start of a 3 day road trip with Megan - but - more on that next time! 

Happy Stitching

Asta

Very quickly.....

Just have to pop by and say this quilt has been finished and received by the new owner - who was very pleased to have received it.... a dear friend in Sydney not doing so well, healthwise.....

That's all for now....no time to chat as I have to be somewhere....special!!

Happy Stitching

Asta

The Weekend Before This one!

Well.... I really am a bit behind......can't let last weekend go unnoticed - particularly as it was what I call my "birthday" weekend - why not celebrate for the whole weekend when one's birthday falls on a Friday!! 
Lovely flowers were received from both my girls.....

.....and arrived just before I headed off to the Southern Highlands to spend the weekend with my sister and brother-in-law (the flowers came with me!)..... Their front porch and yard still had a Wintry feel and look about it but as always was very warm and welcoming inside!

Saturday morning was enjoyed visiting the Exeter markets....love these country markets! 

Followed by a lovely lunch at Burrawang.... the old general store now serving as a very welcoming and up-market cafe.......and yes!....it was rather cold outside! 

And....what better way to finish off a very tasty lunch but with a pot of tea and a good old-fashioned crushed weetbix and  marshmallow slice! Though no-one I've spoken to remembers such a slice... is that giving away my age!! 

Sunday morning  ..... and Bundanoon was celebrating - the 150th anniversary of their railway station... the small village was the place to be.... with speeches, unveiling a replica of the old gas lamp (with a light bulb!), a parade of vintage cars, and some interesting locals! 

All too soon the weekend came to an end and it was time to leave the Southern Highlands... with the promise of Spring around the corner as sunny daffodils start to appear......

During the previous week presents had been arriving from fellow members of the Fat Quarter Birthday Swap.....and on arriving home after my weekend away I finally opened them.....some lovely fabrics and gifts! Thank you to all.....

This weekend has been rather quiet.... belated birthday lunch out with a dear friend yesterday and today has been spent "pottering" around at home.... no creativity to show this time but am waiting for the quilt to come back from being quilted and then will be busy sewing on the binding..... 

Happy Stitching

Asta

Quilt in the Making

Only 1 more month of Winter!! Days may not get warmer too soon but it is nice to know Spring is around the corner....and with the warmer days comes more motivation - at least for me it does!
Meanwhile..... a quick trip to my local patchwork shop last Saturday to buy some batting & backing fabric for a quilt about to be finished soon.....here busy being sewn together....

.....and after lots of sewing last weekend and a couple of late nights sewing after work this week here it it ready to be taken to my "quilting" lady......

Back to last Saturday at the patchwork shop..... Steph's Fabrics also has a coffee bar - right at the front of the shop..... from where you get a lovely view of the whole shop!

.... and of course while sipping on a coffee one can "spy" some other things that just have to come home with you.....such as more wool! And another pattern to add to the "to do" list!

Time has also been spent reading this book ( a new copy).....

which I enjoyed just as much as the first time I read it..... a good number of years ago!! 

Off to tidy up the "sewing area" ready for another project.......

Happy Stitching

Asta