Summer Hols - the back home edition.

Well, we set off from our little holiday hideaway just before 9am. 

Bye bye gorgeous part of the world! 

We are English Heritage members and frankly, thought it rude of us, if we didn't manage a cheeky 125 mile detour to nip and see some 4000 year old stones. 

You have to pre book your ticket - the website said. I'm glad we did. Because the rest of the world was there too. The only other English people were the English Heritage people. Tons of Americans ( quite literally ), hundreds of Australians, and the Chinese financial crisis was probably caused by the majority of the population being over here with their selfie sticks and paper masks over their faces. I heard German, French, Spanish and Italian languages. Japanese were there too and Indians by the coach load. It truly was a world heritage site. 

The view from just off the bus - look at all the people! 

The people who pissed me off the most were the young Brits. Not my two, who were asked dozens of times to take photos of people- one couple in particular being very demanding if my girl * take it landscape, no, we want the stones to our left etc* 

But the worst was a real little knobhead who was just showing off in front of his silly mare girlfriend -he was mimicking the Americans then he was really rude about me - I was stood looking at the stones - as one does when one goes to Stonehenge, along with the trillion other people, but apparantly I was in his photograph -err just either move along a bit or wait till I've moved - as he moved right across my path he then got himself tangled up in my floaty skirt because he was being a little idiot. I sniggered as he tripped forwards and as he looked at me I smiled and said it served him right! His mother must be so proud of the little ignorant twit she raised. 

We've used our EH cards to the max, but the Stones just didn't *do* it for me. Yes once up close, or as close as the path made out of Hamba beads would take us 

It was pretty awesome to think they'd been there 4000 years, but I wanted to TOUCH them. Not be roped off. I wanted the peace and quiet and solitude we get at our normal site visits. Not thousands of people. 

If we were not members, then we would not have gone. It would have been an eye watering £17.50 each!! The buses to and from the stones were a welcome 'freebie'. The ladies toilets were AMAZING! You would not want to be sat on the loo and accidentally press the flush button, as there wasn't a flush as such, it was a super vacuum hyper fast suck all the contents away with a whoooop sound!!! You'd get your bum sealed onto the seat!!! The sinks were beautiful marble and they had those mega fast hand dryers that shine a blue light on your hands as the jets of air distort the skin! Loved them! 

The exhibition centre was really good although fascinating, I felt a bit uncomfortable about the human remains on show. I'm not squeamish, but I felt the same about the mummies in the Eyptian exhibition in Manchester. I couldn't not look, if you know what I mean- I was drawn to look at them for ages..but it was in the back of my mind that these were people, real people. Odd feeling. 

Anyway, we had a brilliant week away, sad it's over, we've seen and done ( and eaten ) a lot! Seasides,countrysides,castles, towns,pasties or parsties, ice cream and cream teas! 

We strayed into Cornwall a couple of times. We met Tracey again, along with MW, GD AND the babies. Her Granddaughter is totally adorable, she declared she loved me! Well that's ok because I love her too! Her little babyGrandson  gave me the sweetest of grins showing off all four of his little toothy pegs! He was a darling!

We met in Tavistock - utterly charmed the pants off me!! Plus two quid to park for THE DAY! It was very sad to say goodbye :-(

Back home to a nice tidy house ( I cleaned it for the burglars as you do ) and it was so lovely to climb into my own bed! Ahhhhh it's good to be home x 

Lots of love from 

Rachel *yet to unpack* Radiostar xxx

Summer Hols - Devon -the Cream Tea edition

D is for delicious Devon scones

E is for every calorie in the clotted cream

V is for very moreish

I is for I couldn't face another bite

O is for only one a day

N is for nearly didn't finish it! 

Yum! We went to Westward Ho! 

The exclamation mark is actually included in the name. Not sure why. 

The evening sunshine was glorious,

so the disposable BBQs were duly lit. 

Here is a recipe you may or may not have sampled before. If you have, then you understand the magic, if you haven't, then, honestly, don't be revolted...like I was when first confronted by them at a friend's BBQ- give them a go! 

Bacon Cherry Rolls

You will need:

Streaky bacon 

Glacé cherries

Skewers

Method :

1. Cut the rashers of bacon in half

2. Wrap a whole cherry tightly in the bacon 

3. Pop it on a skewer

4. BBQ it for ages! 

5. Try not to die from delight/burn your mouth as you eat them! 

These are best popped on the BBQ as soon as the last burger/sausage/rib/whatever has been moved. They need turning occasionally. But basically enjoy the meal and the company as they transform ...

Ready to go! 

Not yet.....

Not yet....

So close....

EAT!!! 

Mmmmmmmm the crispy saltiness surrounds the now juicy hot sweet cherry that pops in your mouth when you bite! Am I selling it to you? Also, if you and yours do like them, you will never make enough - true fact!! 

So it's now Tuesday and once I've pegged out the hot tub towels, we are off castling! The starry sky last night was so clear, the moon shone  really brightly. It was a little chilly out, but it didn't matter in the hot tub!! 

Today: My Weather Apps on my phone say it is cloudy with rain- however I see blue skies as I look out across the water! I can also see little fat blue tits/great tits/coal tits and robins stuffing peanuts down their beaks from the feeder, as fast as they can! It's odd because if I ever put red peanuts out for the birds at home, they go mouldy and untouched. I bought a suet block when we went shopping and it took them a few days, but they seem to be enjoying that too! 

Right, breakfast on the decking to be eaten! 

Lots of love from

Rachel *look, Tracey's socks match my dress* Radiostar xxx 

Summer Hols - Devon -the Cream Tea edition

D is for delicious Devon scones

E is for every calorie in the clotted cream

V is for very moreish

I is for I couldn't face another bite

O is for only one a day

N is for nearly didn't finish it! 

Yum! We went to Westward Ho! 

The exclamation mark is actually included in the name. Not sure why. 

The evening sunshine was glorious,

so the disposable BBQs were duly lit. 

Here is a recipe you may or may not have sampled before. If you have, then you understand the magic, if you haven't, then, honestly, don't be revolted...like I was when first confronted by them at a friend's BBQ- give them a go! 

Bacon Cherry Rolls

You will need:

Streaky bacon 

Glacé cherries

Skewers

Method :

1. Cut the rashers of bacon in half

2. Wrap a whole cherry tightly in the bacon 

3. Pop it on a skewer

4. BBQ it for ages! 

5. Try not to die from delight/burn your mouth as you eat them! 

These are best popped on the BBQ as soon as the last burger/sausage/rib/whatever has been moved. They need turning occasionally. But basically enjoy the meal and the company as they transform ...

Ready to go! 

Not yet.....

Not yet....

So close....

EAT!!! 

Mmmmmmmm the crispy saltiness surrounds the now juicy hot sweet cherry that pops in your mouth when you bite! Am I selling it to you? Also, if you and yours do like them, you will never make enough - true fact!! 

So it's now Tuesday and once I've pegged out the hot tub towels, we are off castling! The starry sky last night was so clear, the moon shone  really brightly. It was a little chilly out, but it didn't matter in the hot tub!! 

Today: My Weather Apps on my phone say it is cloudy with rain- however I see blue skies as I look out across the water! I can also see little fat blue tits/great tits/coal tits and robins stuffing peanuts down their beaks from the feeder, as fast as they can! It's odd because if I ever put red peanuts out for the birds at home, they go mouldy and untouched. I bought a suet block when we went shopping and it took them a few days, but they seem to be enjoying that too! 

Right, breakfast on the decking to be eaten! 

Lots of love from

Rachel *look, Tracey's socks match my dress* Radiostar xxx 

Summer Hols - MW

Yesterday's post was all about when Rach met Tracey. Poor MW only got a mention for his choice of ice cream. I've not been over to My Beautiful Life yet to read her version of events but I want to dedicate this post to MW - her Man Wonderful. 

You really could not have created a better nickname if you tried. Mr Tracey is just gorgeous. If he was a stick of rock and you cut him in half it would say gorgeous in the top semi circle and wonderful in the bottom one! 

He was the perfect gent all day. He didn't leave us all day ( take note HG!! ). Although my HG said he'd have keeled over and died had he stopped for me on the hike back up the hill- he just had to keep going!! Also I think he knew we were being super cared for by MW!!  He was charming, witty, attentive, delightful and I think everyone's other half should aspire to be like him!  

I think I've fallen for him Tracey!! 

No in all seriousness, you couldn't wish to meet a more perfect couple. They compliment each other seamlessly and the HG and I had the best day out with them. So thank you T and MW! 

It's 7am and bouncing down, although you can't tell on the photo I just took! The HG has set up fishing directly opposite and in a minute I'm taking my tea and toast back to bed where I'm then going to knit and wait for the kingfisher. The weather forecast isn't great for today so we are going to have a very lazy chill out day, pleasing ourselves. I think it's supposed to fair up at lunch, much like yesterday so we will pop along to Westeard Ho! What an odd name! Also I need to address the fact that I've been in Devon for three days now and not one cream tea has passed my lips!! 

Cheerio for now! 

Lots of love from 

Rachel *loves being on holiday* Radiostar xx 

Summer Hols - The Devon Files 2

Hellooooooo! What a wonderful wonderful wonderful day. If you didn't already know, finally, after forging a strong friendship over the tinternet, email, post and phone calls, me and Tracey met up today. 

Between us, with no phone signal and very weak wifi, we somehow managed to agree to a venue and time! 

I was too excited to sleep. Well, the biblical rain woke me at 2am and I took advantage of the slightly stronger wifi to catch up with blog land. 

I did nod back off in the very comfy bed and woke up to the view of a Kingfisher on a branch. 

( this is where we are staying by the way for those asking ... 

http://www.valleyviewholidays.co.uk )

I received the message 

The Puffing Billy 12.30 

I sent one back.. Bring a cool bag and an ice pack! 

So I faffed about in the hot tub before leisurely getting sorted! Tracey actually arrived at 11.30am so we quickly got our coats on ( still monsoon conditions ) and drove to meet her! 

I peered in the doorway and saw my friend and her lovely MW and we had the loveliest  of mega hugs!!! Even though it was the first physical meeting, I thought it  felt like the most natural thing in the world. She then presented me with a pair of hand knitted socks which I'm wearing now...

No awkward silences. No actual silences at all! Both chattering away ten to the dozen about anything and everything! 

We'd booked a table and ordered our food. We were laughing about poncy food served in flowerpots and on roof tiles and chips in buckets.... Cue our meals... 

Hehehehe!!! That quiche, by the way, was bloody good! 

Tracey took pics of all the food - she might put them up on her blog. We looked at the map and decided we'd be total tourists and head to the coast. Clovelly ( I think it's pronounced clo rhymes with snow and velly rhymes with fully - snowfully Clovelly ) 

was chosen. Tracey was pleased to return to somewhere where she'd been as a child. 

It was a breathtaking place. The views took my breath away. The bloody steep climb back up the cobbles took my breath away! 

I minced down to the shore line like a 99yo lady. You see, I've a dodgy knee that's actually ok right now and a weak ankle. I did have proper walking sandles on but gingerly stepping downwards a millimetre at a time at practically a 180 degree vertical angle was hard work!! I was really nervous about killing myself on that downward trek!! There was much stopping to pause and admire the view. The sun was hot and the sky and sea were a crystal sapphire blue. 

This top bit is actually Tarmac and I'd class it as a gentle incline compared to the rest! I joked about hoping there'd be a Stannah Stairlift at the bottom to bring us back up. 

The cobbles were not like the cobbles we have Oop North - flat and round and relatively easy to walk on. The cobbles were thin disc like stones set perpendicular to the floor. 

The locals use sledges to pull things up and down! It seemed like our descent was never to end, but we finally made it to the pub! Where me and Tracey claimed two seats and left the menfolk and offspring to climb up the harbour and look out and watch the porpoise in the bay! 

There was a waterfall along the beach..

And a sign asking people not to throw stones in the harbour!! Well who put this lot here??? My feet/ankle/knee couldn't take the thought of the rocky beach, so we admired from afar! 

After a rest ( and a chat ) Tracey was cajoled into walking back up with the rest of us! She was yearning after the landrover which was taking folks up and down the cowardly way!! I'd decided I wanted to walk back up so I could properly take it all in, instead of gazing intently at the floor! 

Bloody hell that was knackering!! But I was very proud of my little fat unfit self to get to the top where we all quickly replaced any burned calories with a delicious ice cream 

Ice cream details 

Me - candyfloss 

HG - Rhubarb crumble

T- vanilla 

MW- coffee latte

Girlchild - Eton mess

Boy child -Toffee fudge 

Mmmmmmmm!! I really struggled with the choice! There were too many to choose from! No photos because we scoffed them too quickly!! 

Oh by the way, the Thunder and Lightning ice cream I had last week was 

Vanilla with chocolate /coffee and caramel icream with honeycomb in it . Mmmmmm!! 

Anyway, we sat and chatted until it was time to part! I got to say hello to her Grandchildren via FaceTime! Having discovered we are not actually too far away, tentative plans, if we've time, were made to maybe call and see them at home at the end of the week. More hugs and we went our separate ways. 

It was a bloody brilliant day. Oh and why did Tracey need the cool bag? Well

My present to her was some of our favourite cheese. Lancashire Creamy Mild from Dewlays in Garstang ( it's award winning you know!! ) 

I'm signing off now, tired and happy - looking forward to reading Tracey's view on the day! 

Lots of Love from 

Rachel *too tired to think of a witty middle name* Radiostar xxx 

Summer Hols - the Devon files

I'm away on my holidays in an idyllic spot! 

The journey started an hour late after we slept in. It's been glorious hot sunshine with one shower when we were out buying provisions. We called at a friend's halfway down to have bacon butties. It wasn't long until we were at the world's biggest traffic jam near Bristol. Sally Traffic said there'd been an accident. 

Closer to where we are staying we were treated to some lovely roller coaster esque single track lanes! At one point I shut my eyes! One thing though, people of Devon, it is polite ( deemed by us oop North ) to wave to the person who slowed down, pulled in to the edge as far as they could, so you could drive past. I swear the only people who acknowledged us had roof top boxes on like us, I concluded that we are either, unwittingly members of a secret roof top box society, or they are tourists like us, not from Devon! 

Anyway

The owners are lovely, the log cabin is lovely. The view is lovely. The hot tub is lovely. The peace and quiet is lovely. 

View from the decking. Already have seen a kingfisher! 

View from the hot tub. 

The neighbours! Sorry pics by my phone!! 

TOMORROW WILL BE LOVELY - for , as some of you may know already, I'm going to meet up with Tracey, from My Beautiful Life ! I'm so super excited!!! 

Aren't holidays lovely? 

Lots of lovely love

From 

Rachel *hope this wifi works* Radiostar xx 

Summer Hols - Day 36

It is actually day 29 today. I think I've been counting from the 16th July!  although that does include weekends and I don't officially include them as we get them off anyway!! Actually too, people call this the 'six weeks holidays' when in fact I won't have actually had six full weeks off at all!  ( cue angry uprising from non school workers) 

When we went on our ( shopping/touristy not walker/rambley) tour of the Lakes at the weekend, we first went to Ambleside to a garden centre where I bought a new blue pot for the delphs. It was half price with an extra 15% off. Next stop was Windermere for a wander. We parked out of town for free. We found a sweet little sewing shop and I spent a whopping £2.10 on some rik-rak edging. We sampled some award winning pies before continuing our journey home via Grange over Sands. It's very steeply hilly! We parked out of town for free and walked down into the town and onto the prom. This is prime salt marsh lamb land. The Bay itself is treacherous. You can only walk across it with a guide appointed by the Queen. That's true! 

T

It was a lovely sunny day but the view across the bay was hazy. 

This was the very steep little lane we nipped back up from the prom to the town. If you look closely you will see a little old man hiding in the bushes! He was trying to not be in my photo even though I said I didn't mind waiting for him, or even having him in it! We laughed when I showed him the photo! His wife said he looked like a peeping Tom!  Once back in the town, we stopped at another award winning butchers and bought pies, steak and sausages! 

Next was round the bay to Arnside. We had fish n chips ( sans chips ) from the yes you guessed it award winning chippy ( quite famous round these parts ) - although the batter was a bit greasy, we ambled up and down the prom and watched the world go by for a bit. It was a bit breezy! 

We sat on that jetty and then ate an award winning ice cream each! He had raspberry ripple, I had thunder and lightening!! 

We then had a go at this.... 

Ok ok that was an OUTRAGEOUS LIE. We watched the power kite surfer dude for a bit. He was really zipping through the waves. 

Then we meandered home! It was a really relaxing nice day out! 

Now I'm off to clean the budgie out. Not a euphemism. Barry is going to stay with his other school mummy whilst I'm away! I'll miss him a lot! It'll be very quiet! I'll share our day out on Tuesday to Yorkshire, tomorrow! 

Lots of love from 

Rachel *got sciatica today OUCH* Radiostar xx 

Summer Hols - Day ???

Hey lovelies, 

I have no idea of what day it is really! I'm not counting now, because I will be aghast at how fast I am zooming to back to school. 

However, 

I've still been filling my days with things that I like. The HG is also off so we've been out and about and we are looking forward to our holiday in Devon next week. 

I finally put a face on Miss Bear. Though her smile is masked, it is there! 

I gave her some detail on the paws. I've had people ask me how much I would charge to make them one! That sent me into free fall ! How much would you pay for a bespoke bear hand made by me? Theoretically speaking I mean.  I have done some research and anything between £5 and £100 is fair game- ie no help at all! 

I spent a while rearranging the pots so now you can see the beginning of the Delphi border. All five plants! I'm pretty sure they are all the same dark blue/purples. I will look to get some lighter shades of blue next. 

If you look carefully, you can see someone else liking my pretty purple flowers! 

These ones have black middles. 

I couldn't resist this sweet little box of plants for the tub at my front door. 

I finished the knitting of the little matinee jacket. Just to sew it all up and make the hat and bootees. 

The edge is a picot edge, I just need to turn it up. Maybe later in the day, in the sunshine. 

Finally, I thought I'd show you this brand new Per Una skirt I got from a charity shop for £3 

I am going to unpick it all and use it for teddies!! 

I got it on our day out up in the lakes on Saturday. A gloriously beautiful day that I'll tell you about tomorrow! 

Here's a shot from the car window on the way. Is there a prettier view from the road in the UK? Probably, but it'll do for me! 

Right, lots to do! I'll see you soon! 

Love from 

Rachel *will be bloggy catchupping later* Radiostar xxx 

Summer Hols - Day 2??

Hello folks, it's Friday. 

It has rained. Every. Single. Minute. Of. Daylight. No let up at all. Mind you, the weatherman had warned us that it would be raining in biblical proportions of torrential standards yesterday. However,  not a drop fell. It was burning hot sunshine. A bonus. 

The HG tried out his new garden cutters on the bay tree.

 The tree is about 21years old now. I've had to push holly into the bottom branches to keep NDFC out of it. It usually hosts a family of blackbirds every year. I had the delightful job of picking up all the cuttings and stuffing them into FOUR garden sacks. I cannot stand the smell or the creepy crawlies that come down with the branches. 

The boy did just fine with his A Levels and now has 4 to add to his CV. His Uni Place is secure and is on hold till September 2016. He has a year now to find the right apprenticeship for him, or he'll go to Uni. All's well. Our school career is done! 

Today I have had my first go on the overlocker. I spent a while looking at the manual and the machine. It took me less time that I thought to thread it up and away I went!! 

It's MUCH faster than the sewing machine. 

I've used it on the dress I'm making and I altered one of my dresses. I'm impressed with it! 

It's 6.35pm and the news is on. The terrible explosion in China; the story that someone has tried to burgle Cilla Black's house; Cuba has a new U.S. Embassy and the awful plight of the Syrian refugees arriving in Greece and there's a big hole appeared in the road in Manchester, probably due to the rain.

The world is a troubled place for sure. 

I rarely watch the news, is depressing. I find ignorance is definitely bliss. 

Tonight, once the tumble dryer fixer man turns up ( he said betwixt 5.30pm and 7.30pm )( time is running out)  , it will be an easy tea and I will watch the Jo Brand spin off Bake off program with my knitting. Don't hold your breaths, but, there may be a 'ta daaah' tomorrow!! 

Oh yes, just before I go... The squeamish may want to look away now. You know how I was bragging about my 'wildlife free' veg patch? Hmmmm. Well, I've had visitors. I don't know who, but they left me presents. No, they really shouldn't have! 

Can you tell me who they were? 

Look a little closer

1. Neat little cream balls.

2. These ones creep me out. Like sinister doughnuts. But how nearly they are arranged! 

3. A batch of bright orange more cylindrical blobs

And 4. More doughnuts but arranged slightly differently to those above. 

There must be something that eats these? I've picked all the leaves off and thrown them over the back wall

Into the grassy ginnel. I couldn't squash them because er Baby Butterflies. ! 

Lots of love from 

Rachel *overlocking everything in sight* Radiostar xxx 

Ps thank you for all your comments! I do always reply you know x