Tales from the Plain

It gets worse...

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:21:00 +0000

The first person facing the magistrates at Highbury this morning in connection with the rioting and looting earlier this week is 31 years old and works in a Primary School. That sets an example for the young, doesn't it?

Disbelief

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:46:00 +0000

I can't quite believe what is happening in our cities at the moment. I am not naive enough to believe that a 15-25 year old man growing up in a sink estate shouldn't feel aggrieved over some of the crap that he may have been dealt, but this isn't rioting aimed at changing a system that doesn't work. This is out and out lawlessness, destroying things for thrills and stealing items that other people work hard to save up for. At a supermarket in Salford that was being looted, whole families were allegedly turning up in cars looking to drive away with a hefty load. I could weep at the senselessness of it all. Why?

It's June already?

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 07:52:00 +0000

Where is the year going to? Today is Fathers Day, the third Sunday in June. How did we get to be here? I've written my reports and just got back from the Year 6 residential trip (tired but it went very well!) but the end of the year is hurtling toward me at an alarming rate. I think it must be my age - I'm now loosing whole weeks...

In Memory of Sarah and Victoria

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Some of you may have been reading me long enough to remember the post I wrote two years ago today. Others may know about my 365 Day Project, a photography project I'm doing through Flickr. For today's photo I had a very strong urge to incorporate a photograph of Sarah's grave into my shot. The problems with this idea are many. Photos of Sarah's grave are to be found on the web but using them would infringe copyright. To avoid this I would really need to take a photograph myself, which would mean visiting her grave. Sarah is buried in Allerton Cemetery, only a 45 minute journey from my house, and actually less than half an hour from where I was this afternoon. However, Allerton Cemetry is huge, easily the largest cemetery I have ever visited in the UK and I had no idea where the grave was. I phoned Liverpool Council and spoke to a very kind man who told me that the record office could tell me the plot number and which section it was in, but that the turn-around for this would be within 48 hours. It seemed like a doomed mission.

However, I decided to go anyway. Cemeteries are calming places that sooth my soul when I am as restless as I was today. I have passed it before but never been in. I drove up the main drive and parked my car near the central chapel, with absolutely no idea where to go. I spotted a grave under a tree festooned with Liverpool scarves, but it was for a serviceman killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009. I wondered around in a large circle for maybe 30 minutes and spotted an urban fox, trotting through the cemetery towards the woodland area but nothing else. As I circled back again towards the chapel, resigned to giving it all up as a bad job, I saw the soldier's grave again and then, across the grass saw a tree with much older scarves hanging from it.

Amazingly, I had parked my car less than one minute's walk away.

RIP Sarah, Victoria and the other 94.

Jolly Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:14:00 +0000

All the Education Authorities in Merseyside have signed up to a common term format starting from this year, in an attempt to standardise terms. No half term shall be less than six weeks and no week shall have less than three working days. This means October half term will always be the third week, February half term will always be the second week and the Two week holiday between the Spring and Summer terms will always be the first two weeks of April, regardless of when Easter is. This means this year, of course, the end of April is very bitty, with four Bank Holidays in the first three weeks of term, thanks to the Royal Wedding adding to the mix with Easter being so close to the May Bank Holiday. Meanwhile, Cheshire are sticking to the traditional two weeks around Easter, so my holidays are very quiet - I've not been off when schools are in like this since I became a teacher. It's peaceful, but rather strange and leaves April as a very messy set of short weeks... Ah well, some you win, some you lose...

A Fond Farewell

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:34:00 +0000

I have just sniffed and gulped my way through the last ever episode of Lark Rise To Candleford. In true Lark Rise fashion, all loose ends have been tied up, but nevertheless I will miss is sorely. Being an Oxfordshire girl (albeit the other side of the county), one descended from Agricultural Labourers to boot, it resonated strongly.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:46:00 +0000

Hope you all had a good might and I wish you all a Happy New Year. May 2011 treat you well. I'm off for a bracing walk along the beach shortly, but I give you with the funniest shot from last night - one of my sister-in-law's cats trying to get his food... Yes that is the picture rail above the door!

An Empty Lap

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:53:00 +0000

Today I was due to travel to my parents for Christmas, but due to their concerns that the weather would change for the worse and leave A stranded alone for Christmas, I'm having a "snow day" at home. I have to say I don't particularly share their concerns, as I'm confident that A would have managed the journey, but I didn't want to cause them any further concern or sleepless nights. This has given me a wonderful opportunity to clear all the ironing and wrap all the presents, which is why, of course, I find myself curled up in front of the fire with Poirrot and my knitting. Stella is asleep in her sheepskin bed in front of the fire and all is well with the world. But...

But... Something's not quite right. I have an empty lap. I have an empty lap and a cat in front of the fire who has recently been fed and has no desire for any human contact. At times like these, I really miss Lilly.

So where did this lot come from?

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:31:00 +0000

I don't remember this fresh snow being forecast last night! Two inches! There was nothing on my car when I went to bed last night...

Yum Yum!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:44:00 +0000

Yesterday A and I had our Christmas dinner and beforehand I made these petits-fours - Medjool dates and Marzipan - what's not to like?

Testing Testing

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:38:00 +0000

I'm so behind the times, I'm only just trying mobile blogging now...

Snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 11:49:00 +0000

Sorry I've been so quiet this term. Work hasn't been any less hectic even with only 21 or 22 in the class and I've been busy playing with photography in bits of free time as well as the knitting and crochet. I'll try to be a bit more interesting, I promise! To say sorry, here's a shot from my front door yesterday morning. The light was very strange and this shot is straight out of the camera, no manipulation at all. Hope you are all well and not dangerously snowed in anywhere...

One last full week

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:03:00 +0000

This week is my last full week of holiday. Term starts again for me next Tuesday, 31st August. 31st August, for goodness' sake! I had so many plans for today but the realisation of the lack of time and the dismal drizzle meant I spent the best part of the day curled up in a chair. I even needed to turn the light on to see my knitting. At 10 am.

August.

Gotta love a UK summer...

What I Learned at Knit Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:39:00 +0000

1. I strangle fibre as I spin so my yarn isn't lofty.
2. Double knitting needs LOTS of bandwidth. I can't even listen and double knit, let alone talk and double knit.
3. Lucy Neatby wears odd yet matching pairs of shoes (I was particularly fond of the one pink, one blue pair of Docs). The inner teenager who wore one red baseball boot and one black baseball boot through most of Sixth Form thinks this is VERY cool. (Especially as I drew a smiley face on one of the toes of those baseball boots and Lucy has drawn smiley stitches all over her Docs.)
4. When you spend a long time balancing yarnovers and decreases around the edge of a lace pattern repeat, this is for a REASON. Knitting your swatch including just the pattern repeat and not the balanced parts on either side will only lead to pain and anguish. And frogging.
5. I only know about one hundredth of what my little digital camera will do and I really ought to read the instruction booklet.
6. That when a vendor won't sell you any more, you've probably bought enough fibre.
7. I can remember all of the steps of Carcassian Circle, St Bernard's Waltz, Dashing White Sargeants, Strip the Willow and the Gay Gordons
8. I'm a little out of condition for Ceilidh dancing.
9. That doesn't stop me though.

Look What I Made!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Lovely batts from EverImprovingMe, styling advice from Mary Jane Mucklestone!

Lilly

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:19:00 +0000

A true fireside fat-cat! 23rd January 2005

What's this on my magnet? 24th September 2007

Enjoying the garden, 7th August 2008

Stella(L) and Lilly(R) 17th April 2009

Lilly's favourite mode of transport! 21st June 2009

RIP my darling Lil.

At it again!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sat, 22 May 2010 16:05:00 +0000

Despite not pounding the pavementa (or treadmill) for the best part of 3 or 4 years, I've signed up for the Race for Life at Arley Hall in July, to celebrate Dad's remission. If you could spare a dime I'd really appreciate it; please sponsor me at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/njr .

Thanks.

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:47:00 +0000

She's back!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:51:00 +0000

I can't actually believe it, but Lilly is home - filthy, ravenous and cross, but home! I decided on a last ditch attempt this morning by ringing around the local vets and lo and behold my own vets thought they had a cat brought in yesterday that matched her description. I hot-tailed it there after work and it is indeed my Lil, found nearly a mile away. She's lost her last canine tooth and had virtually eaten the surgery out of house and home, including trying to swipe the vet's sarnies at lunchtime. "She's feisty, that one," was the last comment made by the nurse. No kidding!

Lilly

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:26:00 +0000

My darling Lilly has now been missing for over two days. She's old, wobbly and has never missed two consecutive meals. I suspect that she has found somewhere peaceful to die, but not knowing for sure is very hard. She was very affectionate and I miss her dreadfully.

Rest in Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:47:00 +0000

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Just my luck!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:18:00 +0000

I awoke yesterday to just over 2 inches of snow - unusual for Chez Tales From The Plain. A took 5 hours to get into work, school was closed (as it is today) - the first time this has happened in all of my teaching career. So did I go out and throw snowballs? Lie down and make snow angels? Grab a sledge and slide down the (admittedly not very steep) hill behind the houses?

Did I buffalo!

Since Sunday I have been experiencing some serious room spinning, with the totally weird sensation of thinking I will fall off the floor (not fall down, which is a totally different feeling). I have labyrinthitis, which I'd never heard of before the doctor told me I had it, so I'm off work this week and in no state to leave the house. I can walk across the room if I concentrate really hard, which wears me out no end. Yesterday I felt worse and the room span even when I sat down (today it's a bit easier). Since it's viral, there's nothing I can do apart from tough it out, keep the fluids up, take some drugs to try to counteract the nausea and look at the snow, which is now at least four and half inches deep and hope A is OK, since he didn't risk coming home and stayed over in a hotel near work.

All that snow.... and no inclination to play. Sigh....

Cumbria

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:04:00 +0000

I used to live in Cumbria, not far from Workington. Luckily my friends who live in the area are ok.

My thoughts go out to the family of Pc Bill Barker.

My thoughts are also with those people in nearby Cockermouth, who also had terrible flooding last week. These shots show the morning after, when the waters had gone down.

They were lapping the first floor windows and some people had to punch their way out of the roof. I saw footage of a yarn shop with yarn bobbing about. I can't help but wonder what will happen about next year's Woolfest. The venue is fine, but will the town be able to cope with visitors?

Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:06:00 +0000

A and I have just returned from jolly-holly-days in Washington DC and Pennsylvania. We had a great time, with sight-seeing...

1. White House, North Lawn, 2. White House South Lawn, 3. Washington Memorial, 4. Lincoln Memorial, 5. Washington Memorial and Capitol Building from Lincoln Memorial, 6. Arlington Cemetery, VA, 7. Trees by USS Maine memorial, Arlington Cemetery, VA , 8. Korea War Memorial, 9. Kalorama, Washington DC

...yarn shops...

...more sight-seeing...

1. King Street Trolley Bus, Alexandria VA, 2. Washington's Town House (replica), Alexandria VA, 3. George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria VA, 4. Alexandria Old Town Marina

...ice-hockey...

1. Warm up, Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers, Verizon Center, Washington DC, 2. Go Caps!!

...a road-trip...

1. Somewhere in Maryland, 2. Somewhere else in Maryland, 3. North Carolina Monument, Gettysburg PA, 4. North Carolina Monument, Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg PA, 5. Eisenhower's farm, Gettysburg National Park, PA, 6. View from the observation tower across to Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg PA, 7. View from Little Round Top, Gettysburg National Park, PA, 8. National Cemetery, Gettysburg PA, 9. Gettysburg Address Memorial Statue, Gettysburg National Cemetery, PA, 10. Civil War Armoury, Gettysburg National Cemetery, PA, 11. Memorial, Gettysburg National Cemetery, PA, 12. View across gravemarkers, Gettysburg National Cemetery, PA

...puerile fun at the expense of a pretty town's name...

and more yarn.

This is Wendy, the lovely owner of Lancaster Yarn Shop, Old Pennsylvania Pike, Intercourse PA. Behind her are a pair of socks she entered in the county show which won (hence the ribbon!)

It was a lovely trip and I would really like to explore more. Much as I love the big cities, it was brilliant to see parts of more rural America.

Look what I made!

noreply@blogger.com (Nic) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:34:00 +0000

Yesterday, I went on a brilliant introduction to dying course, led by Debbie from DT Craft & Design. We played around with Kool Aid, "cooking" strands of yarn in single colours...

.... then in mixtures...

In the afternoon, we played around with procion dyes...

...and we each ended up with four differently dyed mini skeins...

I had a lot of fun, and I can see a lot of dying in the future ... although I may wait until the summer when I can do it outside to minimise the risk of splatter!