Freyalyn's Thoughts

Stupid computer!  The integral card reader didn't work at the beginning of the week, so I ordered a plug in reader and have been downloading at work this week.  The reader arrived in the post today; the slot in the computer box is now working again.  Go figure.
Yesterday morning's dawn - as you can see, grey and cloudy.  This morning's was clear with an apricot horizon and clear grey-blue above, with a brilliant Venus, but I couldnt' find the camera.

Took the camera down to the nature reserve this afternoon; I still regret not having it when an enormous bronze dragonfly sat in front of me for minutes a few weeks ago, and am determined not to be caught short again.  Of course, all dragonflies are now avoiding close encounters with me.


Pups posing on the stone seat.  I frequently have a lie down and look at the sky here in dry weather.  it's not dry today.


I ought to know what these purple things are but can't think off hand.  I just enjoy the brilliant contrast between the bullrush reeds behind and the rich fuchshia-y purple.


These are such gorgeous flowers - the sun had come out, but you can see how much it's rained.

Off to Durham to see my lovely friend Mavis in Lanchester tomorrow.  We're back on Monday after a local sponsored walk, and there's a friendly dog show on Sunday too.  We did it last year and Lunil and I failed to win anything.  There's a hire-van outside, which is ideal for carting pups and other things around.

And Cornwall is back on!  Yay!  I thought we were just going down to see Sarah and Swordfest would have to be binned this year.  I investigate train tickets - Mark already has a ticket down to Bridgwater which cost under £30.  For me to join him on that train and then both of us come back would have cost, at this stage, another £160.  Eek.  So we worked out it would be cheaper to hire the small van again just for a few days at Sarah's.  I then rang Neil Burridge in Cornwall to bemoan that I now couldn't manage to come, no car and hire/train being so expensive.  Now, last year I was given a discount because I catered for 25 on the Saturday night, and had already arranged to do the same this year.  Apparently, not only am I essential to the good running and atmosphere of Swordfest, I have amazing cooking skillz!  My attendance is now being subsidised, just about enough to pay for the extra days' van hire so I can go down as normal.  I am so chuffed it's not true.  

But I now have to cater for at least 28 on the Saturday night.  Must hone superior cooking skillz....

Much dyeing has gone on for the last two afternoons, but I haven't thought to photograph any. It's mostly a bouncy fine wool top I've been dyeing (carefully, as it felts beautifully), a bit of camel/silk, and a bit more kid mohair. Imperial on Monday, and yesterday afternoon I was playing with reds, purples and maroons.

I also dyed up a couple of hanks of yarn for this. I've had my eyes on this for a while, so now I have green yarn. But I may replace the squirrels with more trees.

This afternoon I'm off to Harrogate straight from work to help The Button Lady set up her stall for the Knitting & Stitching Show, Thursday while Sunday. That'll keep me out of trouble, and my feet will be killing me by then.

The blue shawl has about a third of it's edging on now. The end is approaching.

This is a photo I took of Lunil in the roundhouse down in Cornwall in September.