BATTERIES CHARGING!

 

Hello there! How lovely to be here on a weekday afternoon. I hope you are all enjoying a happy Wednesday. It's rather gloomy and wet here, but I'm not letting that spoil my lovely, relaxing day pottering around at home. We've just got back from enjoying a really lovely few days with our family. It's the perfect way to recharge the batteries and take stock of what is most important to you in life. School felt like a lifetime away!

We left home at around 10a.m on Saturday morning and by the time we hit Sheffield, there was a thin covering on the snow on the ground. Mr Snoops is the oracle on all things weather related and he had expected it. Me, well, I just take it as it comes and had no idea! By the time we reached the Snake Pass, it was pretty much a wipeout. It had stopped snowing and the views were really beautiful; snow-laden trees shrouded in low, frosty-white cloud. The pics are not the best, as they were taken from the car. So much for Spring being on the way!

Knitting went well en-route. A five hour car journey always equates to guilt-free knitting! I managed to finish the second 'Happy Sock' ........... and do plenty of scenary watching at the same time. I really like the simplicity of the blue and red stripes. The yarn has a high bamboo content and is very smooth and soft to work with. It is a rather floppy, so I'm not too sure how they will look after a few washes. We will have to wait and see.

We spent lots of time out of doors, walking Scott and Oscar and quite by accident,  met the Dragon of Longford Park. I have to say, not many people are so fortunate, as he leads a very reclusive life!

It was Mr Snoops birthday on Monday, so we also made sure we paid a visit to one or two our favourite 'eateries' and ale houses, to help us celebrate! The Marble Beer House in Chorlton is just the best place to enjoy real ale. The Manchester Marble Brewery makes cask ale from only organic and vegetarian ingredients. It certainly tastes good and is just a five minute walk away!

I also managed to complete the first of my 'Wildflower Socks'. I really like this pattern. It's simple enough to knit whilst chatting or travelling, but the little wildflower detail adds just enough interest to stave off boredom. It also suits variegated yarns well. Notice, I've cast on the second sock. I have to do this as soon as the first sock is finished, to help me gather the required momentum to get the second sock underway. Otherwise, I could very easily end up having to wear odd socks!

On Monday, after a fabulous pizza at Croma, I managed to drag the female members of our gathering into central Manchester on a yarn mission. Mr Snoops had his own mission to accomplish, as he always likes to pay a trip to 'The Cheese Hamlet' in Didsbury. The expectation prior to the yarn mission had filled me the greatest excitement, as only a visit to a previously unvisited yarn shop can do! Central Manchester is not my favourite shopping exerience and so it was only a two-stop mission. The first, to get the younger Miss Snoops some new running shoes. She has a place in the London Marathon this year and is training hard.  The second, well, to fondle some yarn at the recently opened 'Purl City Yarns'.  We walked a fair way into the Northern Quarter, only to find ........ the shop was closed on a Monday. Damn and blast it! Snoops was NOT a happy bunny! I know, I should have checked. Here is the shop in question....... looking VERY closed! Next time I'll check the opening hours first.

Before the long drive home on Tuesday, we shared lunch together at 'Battery Park' in Chorlton. The juices, smoothies, salads and paninis etc. are fabulous and it has a relaxed and laid back atmosphere. We love it!

So too does little Sophie, who just loves being out and about. She is nearly nine months now and so full of character and fun. She is a real delight. We love her to bits!

She's wearing a hat knitted by her mummy!

So, it's Wednesday already. Where on earth does the time go? I have bits and pieces planned for the next few days and then it's back to school! So far though, I've had a lovely half-term, doing just the simple kind of things that I enjoy most.