Visitors about to depart

We had Dancin over on Tuesday with the pups.
There were plenty of hugs and many smiles with the pairs antics.
Thanks Dancin and thanks to Buddy and Roxie for such fun.
This is Wednesday morning, when the pup mobile was being loaded.
A clear message, are we going home now.

Mums day delights

Its Mums Day and I have been spoilt a great deal. Mac's niece and Dancin have made sure of that. Not to leave our grandson out, he also sends me lovely gifts. I also got a surprise Amazon gift voucher, from Dancin, so will be looking at what reading delights I can purchase. My love and Thanks to such wonderful daughters and grandson.

Tattershall Castle

Tattershall Castle built in the 1400s by Ralph Cromwell.
Six stories high with 150 steps from the basement to the battlements.Originally there were spires on the towers.

A mere shadow of the original.

These structures based in the moat, were used by the kitchen staff. Possibly to keep fish alive until needed.

Fifth floor and battlements.
The centre of each of the the steps leading to the top of the castle were patch repaired,
due to the heavy wear over the years.
The stone hand rail showed signs of use, retaining a shine through the many hands which slid over it.




There was no mention about this structure. Although I have seen other castles reports, indicating a cold store, which look similar.

A 21st Century Tapestry hanging in the castle with a close up of its Mosaic structure.

What a wonderful way to start my day

Thank you so much for spoiling me Mac's niece.
I woke to receive a large bouquet box this morning. Inside are these wonderful flowers.
If you look well viewers, in picture four here, you will see Mac's niece at graduation.

The flowers are a thank you for the knitting and sewing I do for fund raising and they are lovely.
May mothers the world over be as blessed as I am.

These are a few of my favorite things

Just popped out to see what the views were through the camera lens.
Earth stood hard as iron water like a stone.

O Tannenbaum

While I thank my lucky stars that the snow has missed us, this time.
Thoughts are being given to all of the people who's lives are being made difficult by it.
We do have exceptionally cold weather it was -7 at lunch time and is now dropping fast.
The pine tree looked very pleasing, rimmed over with frost and I thought I would share it with you.

St Denys Church and copy

Hi well Sensory Dragon asked to see the church, so I popped down to town and took a couple of pictures of the original.
The last one is the copy. Three feet by four feet long.
It is a wooden model frame, with the knitted church covering it.
There are another four to make so I will keep you informed about them.

Saying it with Flowers

Today is the day that the knitted St Denys Church, is to be handed over to the vicar of the originl St Denys Church in Sleaford, in time for the Christmas services.

All of us who had worked on the church, met at The Hub and were delighted to be invited to a lunch by the ArtsNK staff.

Thank you ArtsNK.


Its was followed by a photo shoot by the local press.

It was nice to join together again with group members Marion, Val, Pat, Sheila, Audrey and Dawn, this time without the stress of deadlines.

I was very surprised after the photos had been taken,
to be presented with the lovely flowers you see above and a thank you card signed by all group members, for
joining them and assisting in the completion of the project.

My thanks to you ladies for the gift and the opportunity to become involved in your project.

The Sun Will Come Out

Having shared the cold and winter's weather with you yesterday,
I thought that you may like to see today's change.
Unbroken blue sky, which was very welcome, and wonderful sunshine.
Its still very cold but I can live with that as long as the sun shines.

This time of the year

Its arrived again.
For the first time since it started, the Lincoln Christmas Market has been unable to open,
due to weather conditions.
Nice to be sat indoors looking out.
Be well and safe everyone.

Lake District tree changing direction

We spent a week in the lake district.
It is reputed to be the wettest place in England, and was while we were there.
This tree caught my attention, so camera to the ready I took a few shots.
Seeing the wonderful views in that part of the country, even in bad weather conditions ,while in a car.
Has not stopped me wanting to return there.

Birthday greetings Nana

My grandson wanted to buy me a birthday present, and I wanted a gecko transfer for my car.
As you can see he fixed it for me. Thank you Aidan.

Meme sharing

I have been tagged by Dancin' from over at In The Pink.

The meme is a bit of fun and shares a laugh with bloggers, in fact anyone wishing to share a little time.
Please feel free to join in.

Instructions:
Copy these instructions and the questions into a new post, post it with your answers, visit five new or known bloggers and leave them with a link to your relevant post, inviting them to take part and leave them a comment letting them know your post is up.

1. If you could have super powers what would they be and what would you do with them?
Feel free to be selfish, you do not have to save the world.

2 Where would you find your self stranded on an Island with a CD player.......It could happen.......what would your top ten blogger Island discs be?

3 If you were a smell what would it be?

4 What bird would you most like to be?

5 If you were a bird, who's head would you most like to poo on?

6 Are there any foods that your body craves?

7 What is your favourite time of the year?

8 What is your favourite time of the day?

9 If a change is as good as a rest which would you choose?

10 If you could have a dinner party and invite any of ten people from the past or the present who would they be? (living or deceased)

Well that takes some thinking about, on a light note however.

1 Super powers.
I would like a magic nose like Samantha in "Bewitched"
To move the furniture when I am cleaning or just to change things around.
Which also has a hidden benefit of freezing a moment, to get me out of a tricky situation.

2 I would like an Island some where in the Mediterranean, which has plenty of good light and warm breezes. Trees for shade and a huge amount of fruits.
Then I could enjoy listening to my favourite top ten blogger discs.

Aretha Franklin, Say a little Prayer for me.
Mamas and Papas, Dedicated to the one I love.
Barbara Streisand, Memories.
Bangles, Eternal Flame
Leslie Garrett, The Flower Song.
Elkie Brooks, Knights in White Satin
Barbara Streisand, Enough is Enough
Phil Collins and Phil Bailey, She's an easy Lover
Phil Collins Against all Odds
Meatloaf, Bat out of Hell

Cheating I have to add an all time favourite
Sarah Brightman and Miles Kingston Pia Jesu

It was hard to restrict myself as music is so much part of me, it is balanced with some good belters to get rid of any angst I may be feeling at any time.

3 A smell, well a Lemon its clean, astringent and awakening, so useful too.

4 A bird !!!!!!! A Humming Bird small agile and colourful.

5 I am not given to strong feeling of dislike. However, I feel that between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown they have done a lot of damage, which the repercussions are to be felt and delt with by the public, for a long time. Can I have a case of the runs and poo on both of their heads.

6 Food cravings. A toss up between Cheese and Fish.
Cheese since I was a child and fish latterly oh and Marmite. If you too like these, then cream cheese and Marmite sandwiches are lovely.

7 Favourite time of the year. SPRING, emerging from the winter with its unclothed fields and trees.
I suffer what the old folk call the green sickness. I must see green in winter it goes with being a Libra .

8 Favourite time of the day. Early morning, watching the sun rise and burn off the mist.

9 If a change is as good as a rest.
Well I would choose the change, as this would indicate that I had already done something or been some where. I would want to extend the enjoyment for as long as I could.

10 My guests at my dinner party would include:

Kaffe Fassett because of my love of crochet and knitting and now design.
Kenny Everett no need to say why.
Billy Connelly as a foil for Kenny.
Ronnie Barker.Full of surprises.
Alistair Simms, such a brilliant actor.
Richard Burton, the same and I could listen to his voice for ever.
Margaret Thatcher.Cat amongst the pigeons.
Dan Brown the author, another cat to cause amusement.
Clement Freud. What would he make of my guests and me!!!!!!!!!!!
Kenneth Branagh an actor I rate highly.

I have tagged three people for this Meme.

Silvia from Blogging in the slow lane.
Imac from Photos from the Minds Eye
Donna from Donna B Good

St Denys Outing

I mentioned about St Denys Church having an outing to Mablethorpe last weekend.
Well what a wonderful experience it was.
The church was displayed at the Bathing Belles beach huts and received a good amount of interest from the public, whilst the event was not intended to be a fund raiser,it raised nearly £50.00.
This money has been sent to Help The Hero's Fund.
A local clergy person took inspiration from the project and is weaving it into his sermon this week.
Another person offered to buy the Church for £500. even in its uncompleted state.

A compliment indeed.

The people involved in this project produce craft exhibits for Arts NK.
Visual Arts in North Kesteven.
more information can be found at www.artnk.org

There are many groups of individuals, all ages and walks of life, who are committed to the huge umbrella of Arts and Crafts.

The Nettles a nature area in Sleaford is part of their on going work.

The Knitting group, which I attend, knits huge projects which travel around the country.
A knitted shed and garden surrounding it complete with fencing, is just one.

The swimming pool another and as you will have gathered St Denys Church.

Last week, ArtNK hosted a meeting to discuss local involvement with Cultural Olympiad, which is taking place in Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland during 2011.
Not for profit organisations can apply to run programmes events or activities through The Inspire Programme. contact Paul Brookes-paul.brookes@artscouncil.org.uk

Some of the suggestions raised were, for each village to compose a new carol, flags to be designed and flown for the occasion, Church and Hand bell ringing, Mosaic work, Sculptures in various mediums and Knitting projects for the occasion.

The meeting hi lighted Arts projects completed in the county, for the Queen's Silver Jubilee and the Millennium.
A smile was raised when one project was shown. It had started out as a mosaic of moderate dimensions and now is almost 30 feet long by 6 high. We all love our chosen Arts.
Many of the works have become an Arts Trail, visit Nocton and you will get to see how The Saphire Festival arts are projected into the community.
In Baxindale a working Sundial sculpture is on display.

There is enjoyment when travelling throughout Counties, you come across a sculpture or art project on view. Well there are also volunteers engaged in bringing this pleasure to you.
Why not join them.

If you have any ideas or interest then please contact marion.sander@leisureconnection.co.uk

Silverstone Experience

Dancin' from over at In the Pink, treated Lord L, otherwise known as my other half,
to a driving experience day for Fathers Day.

On the 9 September we travelled to Silverstone race course, for him to experience driving
an Aston Martin, on this wonderful track.
As you can see the weather was very kind to us all.
It was a surprise to see the number on his car, although this made it all the more memorable.
The pictures show the start, drive and finish. If you click on the picture it will enlarge for you.
It was a wonderful time for us all. Huge smiles of enjoyment by everyone.
After we stopped to have a break in the restaurant and would you believe it, the heavens opened with vengeance.

Thank you dancin', what a fantastic years experiences we have had from you.

Sutton Bonington Show

Sunday was the day the public could attend the Sutton Bonington show in Leicestershire, the local events having already been held on Saturday.
We travelled to the venue, to join both of our daughters and our eight year old grandson.
It was packed with revellers, who had either children or dogs or both in tow.
The many and mixed smells of cooking wafted about the large field, which was set out with many craft exhibit tents, side shows, various activities, birds of prey, bee keeping, hen coops, garden nurseries, tombola, cake stalls, Ferret runs, calf's, sheep, archery, mini golf, to name but a few.
The central arena continually changed, as log chopping events gave way to various breeds of different animals on show.
I never heard a cross word in the 31/2 hours we were there, evidence of the good time being had by everyone.
We had taken a picnic lunch and found a quiet spot near by to enjoy our break.
Dancin' from over at In the Pink, ( blog site in my side bar on the right) was the only one to remember to take photos.
I will have to refer you to her site to do the show its full justice, as a very memorable day out.
Next years event will be on September 4 2011. If you are looking for a good fun day out, I can assure you this will be the place where you will find it.

Mini Cooper Sport Driving Experience

In March I received a mum's day gift of a Driving Experience in a Mini Cooper Sport,
from Dancin' over at In the Pink.

On Saturday 21 August a warm and overcast day,
Dancin' took me and my family, to Rockingham in Corby, Northampton, where I took the experience.
What a thrilling day it was.

I was amongst a huge group of people taking part in various driving experiences.
In the above pictures, three of which contain the Mini Cooper Sport that I was driving,
you will see some of the other vehicles.

The time passed quickly but is still clear in my mind. I did not mind moving aside for a Lamborghini and a Ferrari.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, and am still walking about with a huge smile on my face.
Thank You Dancin'.
I can not think of anything which will beat that experience.

Blog Layout

What a lovely weekend.
We shared it with Dancin' at "In the Pink", Mr Dancin' and the pups.
More about the weekend tomorrow, when I will post some pictures.
I was so pleased that Dancin' could show me how to change the layout design on my blog.
I like Acer's and have several in the garden, so this design seemed appropriate.
Let me know what you think of it.
Thank you Dancin'

More pictures of Belton House

These pictures were taken by Lord L.
They are of the Norman church and its stain glass windows.

Belton House

At Christmas we received membership to the National Trust as a gift from Dancin' Fool, In The Pink.
Thank you Dancin' and today we visited Belton House and gardens.
The first picture is of the first Earl Brownlow's Cript, outside the Norman church in the grounds of Belton House.
The second is the Hot House. What a conservatory it is.
It was a wonderful day. People and children were enjoying the many pleasures available to them, as were we.
It is too large to take in all that is on offer in one go, so we plan a return visit soon.