Mid week update

How does it get to Wednesday already without me realising?! Time has flown by since getting back off holiday. It now feels like it's been weeks since the girls were out in the sun instead of just a few days. 

Half way through the week and my first week back at work. It's been a bit chaotic with getting everything sorted for the moves. Plus my manager is moving departments from next week, meaning my team will effectively have no manager for a couple of weeks. It's all very unsettling at the moment. 

Outside work I've managed to go line dancing and make another bag charm - only one last night as it was getting late, but I quite like it.....

I thought I'd have a bit of a wintery theme. I'm aiming to make some snowflake earrings too. 

And tonight I treated DD (and me too!) to a gingerbread bat each as its nearly hallowe'en. 

Quite yummy too! 

Cyprus

The girls are back! 

After a wonderful 5 night stay on Cyprus, we arrived home in the early hours of yesterday. And what a week we've had - lots of sun, eating, drinking, and talking. 

The hotel we stayed at was fantastic - I don't think any of us can fault it. From being met on Sunday afternoon with champagne and snacks, to the friendly staff, it was all wonderful. And so many cats! It made us feel quite at home with so many coming to our apartment! 

Paphos was lovely. None of us had been before but we all enjoyed it. We were only a ten minute walk from a decent sized shopping mall, including a supermarket, and about a twenty minute walk to the harbour and castle. 

We went self catering, but apart from breakfast and a couple of days when we made some sandwiches for lunch, most of the time we've found places to eat out which has been lovely. 

We had a couple of days where we stayed at the hotel, just relaxing, but we've also been out and about a little bit.... 

.....including the Tombs of the Kings ....

.....and crazy golf!

We even managed to put together our own afternoon tea one day! 

And then Friday was our last day. We weren't getting picked up until late so we managed to have another day sunbathing......

.....before heading off to the airport to go home. 

It's been our best girls holiday yet. 

And the rest of this weekend has been spent catching up with the washing, cleaning, and sleep! We had so many late nights while we were away that it was good to get home on the weekend the clocks changed so that we could have an extra hour! 

DH had looked after the animals while we were away. But I'm not sure if any of them even noticed we'd gone! 

Back to normal for me and DD tomorrow as we're both back at work. What a thought. 

Time to plan the next holiday I think..........

Holidays!

This week has been a busy one as I've been trying to sort out holiday clothes, and then decided to make some jewellery to take on holiday too!! 

It's 'the girls' holiday this time - going with DD and her Auntie to Cyprus - so we're getting quite excited now. Sadly, DH is staying at home to look after the animals. Thankfully they're pretty easy to look after .......

I've had to find time to finish off a small wedding scrapbook for DD's Auntie this week too. It's something I've been meaning to do since her wedding at the end of August. And it's finally done! Hopefully DH will remember to bring it to give to her when we get back off holiday next week. I don't think I want to chance it in a suitcase.

Then this morning, just as we were getting ready to take DD to work, I spotted an unusual bird on one of our bird feeders in the garden. Turns out it was a great spotted woodpecker when we looked in our bird book!!! Never seen one before so that was quite exciting too!

I've also made some fruit scones today.  DD loves scones with jam and clotted cream, so I thought we'd have a treat before our holiday. And it'll be homemade pizza for tea. 

Just need to finish off my packing now, ready for in the morning.......

Pies again!

Ok, so I know it's food related again. But DH didn't have the pie last time we stayed at the Strickland Arms. As DD was going to see her boyfriend last night, it gave us the chance to have another night away - at the Strickland Arms again - but this time sleeping in the van but still eating in the pub! 

The pub lets you have a hook up for electric as long as you eat there. Who could refuse their pies?! We had lovely meal in the bar before settling in the van for the night, complete with a little heater going! 

And we woke up to this ...

.... brilliant blue sky!

We didn't stay on the pub carpark to make breakfast, but headed down a lovely road towards Tebay. 

We were heading to a small carpark where we could walk down Borrowdale, not far outside Tebay. 

It was a fabulous walk. After sausage sandwiches and hot chocolate made, we set off through a wooded area before it all opened up to see the hills. 

The walk itself was really easy, but was probably just about right for Molly. 

We've not been here before but I think we may have to go back one day - it was so peaceful with hardly anybody else around - bliss!

Crafting

For the last two days I've been trying to get some crafting done - both jewellery making and also some card making. I used to make cards a few years ago but got out of the habit as I didn't set up anywhere to sell them. With getting in to jewellery making recently it's made me think about all sorts of crafts that I could do, including going back to card making. Luckily I kept all my card making supplies, so I've had a lovely time rediscovering it all! 

I've also had chance to put together a bag charm for DD's Auntie who got married recently. It's just something extra for her to remember the day, with a couple of handmade charms along with other charms for her.  

And another bag charm with some autumn colours ......

I love spending time making things. I just don't seem to find enough time! 

Leaving

It's been a sad week back at work this week. The moves that we found out about two weeks ago are happening. Half of the team move next week and the rest of us move in a few weeks. So today was my last day working with some people. We'd arranged to go out for lunch together which was lovely. And I made some fairy cakes for everyone as a farewell treat. 

I'm sure the changes will all work out in the end. It will just take a little while to get used to it all. 

And tonight it was pie time! Not knowing what we were going to have to eat, and knowing there was some of my corned beef hash left (or my hotpot!), I made it in to a pie!

And very nice it was too!

I think we may be having a night away in the van this weekend too, so we'd better start thinking of where to go walking on Sunday. With both dogs with us we'll have to choose carefully so that it's not too far for Molly. And with all the rain we've had I don't think we want to go anywhere where we'll end up knee deep in mud! Bring out the maps! 

Tiramisu!

Our holiday is almost over. A week off work already! I've still got another day off yet, but DH goes back tomorrow. The week seems to have gone so quickly, and I haven't done half the jobs I wanted to! 

I still need to weed the garden and sort out the garage (not a job to look forward to!).

I have, however, managed to find time to make a tiramisu tonight - DD favourite. 

Red Tarn

What an amazing day! 

DH decided that it was a good idea for us to walk to Red Tarn. I'll be honest - I had my doubts whether we'd be able to do this walk.  

We chose today to go as the weather forecast was pretty good. If you're after a good walk in the Lake District, and the weather forecast is good on a particular day, you just have to go for it! 

We'd managed to get a fairly early start, mainly because DD needed dropping off at the train station early - a good excuse for us to get out early too. After a lovely drive through Kirkstone Pass we had a fabulous view of Brothers Water.

We parked up in Glenridding and headed off on the long path, with blue skies and sunshine! 

The only things that I can say about this walk is that the scenery was incredible and that parts of the walk were quite tough!

I had to keep stopping to take photographs as it was so incredibly vast and beautiful. 

It had been quite hot at times on the trek up, but once we got to Red Tarn there was a chilly breeze so the hot chocolate that we'd taken was much needed! 716m!!

We didn't venture up to the summit of Helvellyn - Striding Edge looks a bit too scarey for me, as did Swirral Edge! So we opted to head down via a route with a fabulous view down Grisedale. 

 

And then finally back to Glenridding with more wonderful views of Ullswater ....

.... and in time for a lovely afternoon tea!

I'm so glad DH suggested this walk. But I still don't think I want to do Helvellyn from this route!