BLUES AND GREENS...........

 Goodness, how time flies! I can't believe I'm back here chatting to you again. I posted on Saturday last week, as we had planned to race up to Manchester to see baby Sophie and for Mr S to see our son and daughter-in-law's new house. We left early on Sunday morning, returning on Monday afternoon. The view above was taken coming down off the Snake Pass. You can see Manchester in the distance. This isn't the shortest route from Norfolk, but it is most certainly the most scenic and the one that we almost always take.

Despite the long drive, we had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend, as the sun shone and we could walk the dogs and mooch around new haunts in Chorlton, where their house is located. Sophie was pleased to see us too!

It's been a busy and tiring week, as school resumed on Wednesday. The children don't return until this coming Monday, but even with NO children I felt shattered by Friday. We spent the three days in meetings, completing a First Aid course and sorting out our classrooms. It all seems so easy when there are no children around. The classroom looks clean and tidy. The shiny new stationery is out on tables, brightly coloured name labels are dangling from pegs and place names are awaiting their owners. Phew!

Needless to say, I STILL have to plan what I am actually going to teach next week, hence the reason for my post appearing on Saturday again this week, rather than the customary Sunday evening. Methinks I may well be a tad busy tomorrow!!!!!!!

The sun shone on and off for most of the morning today, so I made the most of it and sat in the garden to sew up the finished 'Artist' sweater.

 I'm sort of pleased with it, but also have some niggles. I don't make many large items for myself and maybe don't pay quite enough attention to the actual finished size to expect. I chose to make a size 12, but the sweater has ended up rathet roo wide under the arms for my liking. It is really supposed to be quite fitted. The same problem arose with the 'October Afternoon' cardi I made last year. I'll try a 10 next time!!!! My tension is correct, so I guess it's a lesson nearly learnt. I am pleased, however, with my much improved sewing up technique. I have to say, I almost enjoyed sewing up, as the seams were looking so flat. This was made possible by simply using 'mattress stich'.

The sweater has three quarter sleeves......just in case you were thinking, I must have very short arms!!!

I 've also made some progress on the 'Jules' socks. This is one of Kate Blackburn's patterns. The pattern is very easy and very effective. I love the heel detail!

They are taking rather a long time as I am used to knitting socks to fit a size 5 or 6, but these are to be a size 10! Think I'll need the third ball of yarn.

That's been my week! Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you about poor dear Oscar. He has had an intermittent limp for quite a few weeks now and we have been backwards and forwards to the vet, trying new diets, limiting exercise, anti-inflammatory tablets; all to no avail! He has now been x-rayed and has to have an operation next Tuesday at a specialist orthopaedic vet clinic about an hour's drive away. He has a problem with the growth of cartilage in his shoulder joint; it's something called Osteochondritis. I think he will be staying there for two or three nights. Poor Oscar!!!!! Hopefully though, the problem will be resolved and he will soon be able to run like the wind again.

I'll let you know how he is next time. I'm a little worried, but I'm sure all will be well. By this time next week, Oscar will be home again and I will have met and taught my new class for a whole week. I am always nervous before the first day.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everybody.