more LTP blocks and a production

I haven't been doing much sewing this past week as my back has been a pain - literally. It's been a lot better the last few days so I made a few more of my long term project blocks.

This isn't the final placement - it's just a way of showing 4 blocks at a time.

I even dug into my Christmas scraps to make a couple of Christmas blocks. Fun!

On Saturday evening, we went to an outdoor production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It" at Falkand Palace. It was wonderful - the play and the acting and our picnic. The weather was not. Honestly! The last day in July and everyone was in winter jackets wearing hats and gloves (forgot mine!) with blankets over their knees or around their shoulders or both. It even rained a time or two but there was no way you could put brollies up as the folk behind wouldn't have been able to see. I just burrowed down into my winter coat and pretended I was a turtle!

I don't have any photos of the production so I'll just show the chairs we bought to take with us. Cheap garden foldy up things but they did the job beautifully.

If we go to another outdoor production next year, I'll be digging out the thermals, the gloves, the woolly hat and taking a flask (or 3) of tea to keep me cosy! Mind you, with the car seat heaters on in Douglas's car on the way home, it didn't take too long to defrost.

photos of our trip

I finally made myself go through the photos of our days away and have picked out a few - is 15 a few? - to show you. As I said in another post, I decided I wasn't going to use my iPad when I was away and, similarly, I also decided I wasn't going to spend the whole time with my nose to my camera. I wanted to see things "for real" rather than through the lens of my camera. As a result, I only took 83 photos whereas Douglas, who didn't make the same decision as I did, took about 250 photos. Mind you, he has got photos of things that I haven't but my 83 covers it for me!

We went to Alnwick in Northumberland, England. On the way, we stopped at Bamburgh Castle. If I tell you that I had on a polo neck, a long-sleeved shirt, an aran cardigan, a winter coat, a hat, scarf, gloves and thermal longjohns under my trousers and I was still cold you'll get the idea that it was not a very nice day! These 2 photos of the outside of the castle don't really give the true picture of the coldness - the wind and rain coming in off the North Sea was fearsome!

There were lots of things to look at inside but this wallhanging really caught my eye. It was made by Russian soldiers from uniforms - yes, that is all made of teeny tiny pieces of woollen material. Amazing!

We arrived in Alnwick and got ourselves settled into our room. I didn't notice that my Nora Roberts book was lying on the bed when I took this photo! Very apt for the amount of quiet time I spent with my nose buried in that book! This is the blue room at Greycroft B & B in Alnwick. As I wrote in their guest book on our departure - "Amazing place, wonderful food, fabulous hosts".

My next photos are of Wallington - I loved this room - the murals around the walls were amazing!

Needless to say, the kitchen was my favourite room of all. It was huge and light and just perfect!

Not only was there an Aga but it was on. It was so cosy in that kitchen.

There was a whole room filled with dolls' houses. I think I looked through every single window in that room. Fascinating! Naturally, I thought this one was cool - see the sewing machine?

It being the Easter weekend, there was a hunt going on inside the house but it wasn't for eggs, it was for lambs. I think this one had the best place of all - on top of a beautiful log cabin quilt.

We also went to Howick Hall - the home of the Earl Grey of Earl Grey tea fame. The house isn't open to the public (yet) but the gardens were well worth the visit.

Some of the local residents -

There were a few plants we didn't recognise at all -

These looked like snowdrops but they were about 2 feet tall!

I couldn't help feeling we were there just a bit too early in the season. A lot of things were just coming or nearly coming. Even the daffodil hill wasn't quite out yet. We still enjoyed the day though. And - TMI - I went to the loo to take off my thermal longjohns! Woohoo!! LOL

My last photo is of the Union Chain Bridge across the Tweed. On one side is England and the other side is Scotland. I wonder what would have happened if the referendum had gone the other way - would we have needed passports to cross?

The bridge only allows one car at a time to cross. We were walking on it when cars went over and that was an experience, I can tell you. Talk about getting the wobbles!

So there you have it - or some of it. A lovely time was had by all! :o)

The Assembly Rooms - Edinburgh

On Saturday morning, we headed out to Edinburgh to take advantage of the doors open day. Quoting from the Doors Open Day website:

"Doors Open Days give you free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland. Every weekend in September you can explore places that are normally closed to the public. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime. This is your chance to discover the architecture, design, buildings, places and spaces right on your doorstep or explore a new part of the country."

We (I) decided that we would go in the train to avoid parking issues. As we headed over the Forth Bridge, I took this photo of the Forth Road Bridge. The green arrows are pointing to 2 of the towers the new Forth Crossing which is due to open in 2016.

Our destination was The Assembly Rooms on George Street in Edinburgh. We were not disappointed!

My favourite room was the Ballroom. I so wanted to be there in a floaty Georgian dress! This view to the left as you walk in the doors:

And this is the view to the right. Yes, it is enormous!!

I took lots of photos of ceilings. I can't remember which goes with which room so let's just admire them!

A potted history of the Assembly Rooms.

This is the Music Hall:

We then took part in a Georgian Etiquette Class. The ladies were given fans and taught some of the language of fans. I don't have any photos of that as I was busy concentrating so that I would know what to do when I attend my next ball in the Ballroom! :oD

The men were given lessons in cravat tying. Douglas did very well - for a first attempt - without a valet! LOL The man behind Douglas in this photo came up from Manchester especially to come to the Assembly Rooms. That's dedication for you!

Next several of the audience were chosen to be shown how to get in and out of a coach. Douglas became the Duke of Dunedin (for about 15 minutes!). He, naturally, got the best seat in the coach.

The photo I took of all the participants in the "coach" was so fuzzy, even I didn't know who was who! But I did manage to get a photo of the chap from Manchester in his alter-ego role as coachman and his horse! LOL

The ladies were taught how to curtsey (no photos of that) and the men were shown how to bow. The man behind Douglas is a bit better at bowing than Douglas but then, his alter-ego was a dancing instructor! :oD

All in all it was a facinating visit and a lovely day out. :o)

Edinburgh's German Christmas Market

Today we went over to Edinburgh to the German Christmas Market. Here are just some of the photos I took when we were there.

Apart from the fact it was cold, it was a good time. My Bratwurst was especially delicious! :o)