My friend Dell's rural idyll

I have spent a lovely afternoon with my dear friend Della at her little Lodge on a nearby estate.

I helped her move in the depth of winter and even then it was lovely. It is a little country idyll with wonderful views across the countryside and she has made it lovely .

The deer and rabbits are a challenge to gardening... this is Darcy her friend Christine's dog who spend a happy afternoon with her head down any hole she could find!!

Dear Della taught me everything I know about computers and showed me how to build my web site..was always on the end of the phone and did endless research.

Della is fully trained and has endless patience so if you need a web page or a few lessons let me know and I will introduce you.

Makes the best Victoria sponge anywhere.

It was lovely to relax in the sun after a long stint of work, thank you friend xx

" Buffy's Babes "

Vache de Brittany

The most memorable part of the last trip was the wonderful smell of new mowed Hay everywhere we went, it occurred to me that this s a rarity in England now , Brittany has that wonderful rural life that makes you feel that you are stepping back in time despite the contrast of the larger cities where things are up to the moment.

I love wandering round the back roads, it's a different pace and so pretty.

Hope you have a good trip home Tick and look forward to seeing you soon xx

Calstone Wellington Talent For Textiles

Friday morning after a hearty breakfast we set off down the road to find the Malt House and the Barn that was our venue.

It was an idyllic spot if somewhat hidden away so we were thrilled with the wonderful support we got from enthusiastic customers.

There was a fabulous turnout and Ginny who provides the most delicious food sold out!!

Ginny and friend Sue , thank you girls!







There s always a good atmosphere at these events as we have all become friends and it is such fun.

Polly's mum was over from India we always love to see her . I am trying the neck exercises she gave me as all this lifting has taken it's toll !!

If it's Thursday it must be Calne & Friday Calstone Wellington Sat / Sund. Bath Phew!!

Opposite the hotel was a little oasis with a stream , moorhens and lots of places to sit. There was an amazing mural on the end of an old building depicting the main aspects of life in Calne.

Overlooking this lovely stream was an Italian Restaurant , we earmarked that for supper and sat in the sun in the Hotel courtyard over a Guiness until Loveday arrived.

We were not dissapointed , Supper was excellent and we had great fun catching up and relaxing before the next run of working days.

Lizzie and I came across this rather abstract piece of sculpture on the way back to the Hotel and admired the welding and colour. It was not until we looked back across the road that we realised what the subject was !!!

Well we started packing cars Tuesday !! We packed Freidatoo with Textiles fortunately the weather was good so I could empty the studio and sort in the garden. Wed. we packed LizziesRenault from our stores ready for Bath Assembly Rooms.

Thursday we were off to Calne to stay the night at the Landsdowne Strand Hotel in the old part of Calne , it was an old coaching Inn and an amazing mix of old buildings with a big courtyard and stables where the teams of horses would have been kept for the London to Bath coaches.

It was not bad but why is there such a lack of imagination in the decor of these places, it is not cheap to stay in England and this was about as far from "Horse Guards Inn" where we stayed in Sussex as you could get.!! It was clean and friendly.

Lizzie and I had a wander round the near neighborhood and a great effort had been made , however as soon as you got up the road you wanted to go no further .

The Hotel had several aspects that reminded you of " Fawlty Towers " which made us giggle , but the staff were very willing.