Who turned the light off!

This morning as I sat in bed having my first cuppa of the day it felt like the middle of the night and yet it was 7.30am! The light seems so unpredictable at this time of year, never mind the weather. It's no wonder that so many suffer from SAD!
One  Friday a couple of weeks after Christmas though could not have been more different, after quite a drawn out (for us) holiday where we had entertained or been entertained every other day for about 10 days, we arranged to take a walk out to Belton, only a couple of miles away from where we live.
That day dawned amazingly bright and crisp, perfect walking weather with just enough of a nip in the air to give us a glow.
We are very fortunate here in the countries 'most boring town' to be surrounded by some beautiful countryside just a stones throw away and one or two stately piles where you can enjoy some lovely walks.
Our goal was a local garden centre, not to start planning our gardens I fear but to break off for one of their delicious Lincolnshire sausage baps and a cuppa for our breakfast before we headed back home through the parkland of Belton House.
It was beautiful and just the tonic we needed having felt like we were in hibernation for so long. My body certainly feels as though it has been storing fuel (fat) for a rough winter!

The bare trees, the glistening river and the deer strolling around the park provided  some sumptuous  vistas.

A National Trust property that is well worth more than one visit and certainly gets our thumbs up.

Well 'the Wedding Year' has truly begun and the first 150 flags for the bunting we are going to use are sewn, only about another 2000 to go......... Wish me luck! We popped out to the village hall today where it will all be going on and were really pleasantly surprised. Although it was built in 1929 it looks clean and fresh inside with great facilities, and the outside looks just like a real old school building! Exactly the look the bride to be was hoping for. Phew!!

 PS. This looks as though it will be our busiest year ever, not just the wedding but we're off to Twinwood and Goodwood too!, tickets for the latter being another stunning Christmas present from the happy couple and family. We are so lucky....but now I'm panicking! Wedding dress, MOTB dress, 50s outfit  for Twinwood and 40s for Goodwood! I  have however just found a 1980's does 1940's suit packed away ready to go to a charity shop. I think with a bit of sewing magic I could have myself the perfect look for Goodwood.I have the perfect shoes and bag, just a hat to find!  Watch this space, I'll let you know how I get on.

Have a great week and do come and visit so I can check to see what you are all up to.

TTFN

Jenny xx

THE SUN HAS GOT HIS HAT ON....

Hip Hip Hip Hooray!!!

And not before time!... It's even been hot enough for me to wear mine (new in sale at Boundary Mills as DH crushed my last one in the boot of the car!)
 I cannot remember when we last enjoyed such a long spell of sunshine. So despite the fact that , as my mum would have said, the house needs bottoming .....and we are all in danger of suffocating under the piles of washing to do.... and if I don't iron some of that already done I will need to go shopping (any excuse) we have made the most of it. Outside walking in lovely gardens, playing and just enjoying it while it lasts.

Thursday found us at Belton House, a National Trust property with extensive grounds, wonderful kids adventure play area and a beautiful house into the bargain...typical have loads of photos but not one of the house itself...never mind! What did we do.......

Meander at leisure throught the trees

Got to know the locals

Visited the beautiful lake and boathouse ( I will show a piccie of the house one day as I'm sure we will go there again)

Then on Sunday we headed to a Megaboot!!!....all of 12 stalls!!  A bit of a disappointment, I think it clashed with another one locally so most of the regulars had deserted them.  I did find a couple of bargains, but that's for another time.

From there we headed off towards Tattershall Castle ( National Trust again), but were so parched we decided to have a stop on the way........ here........

Now that's a sign you don't see very often...'Free admission'  

(By the way its apparently pronounced Ascoffy!)...in Spalding

We had been here before but thought you might like a bit of a tour...

Wonderful topiary...I think it looks a bit fairy-like...perfect for a production of A Midsummer Nights Dream!

Can you see the ducks nose to tail!

Still some lovely flowers in bloom....

  

After excellent refreshments in the little cafe in the grounds we finally headed for Tattershall Castle...

It is by no means large and theres not a lot of objects to see, but if you do go do take the taped guides (they're free) because the history of the place and it's final restoration is fascinating and where walking through on your own with no guide would probably only take half an hour with the tape you can spend an hour and a half to two hours and not be bored.

I particularly loved the story of the fireplaces. In around 1911 the place already derelict was sold to the Americans and they removed all the fireplaces intending to ship them out to America. A gentleman (I beleive his name was Curzons) heard about this and decided that the castle was such an important part of our history that it should be retained by the nation. To cut the story short he bought the castle within 24 hours, found where the fireplaces had been stored ready for shipping and returned them after some time, triumphantly to Tattershall.

photographs property of National Trust (please forgive me but it added to my story)

Restoration in progress....

One of the fireplaces back where it belongs!.....

Here endeth the history lesson....Sorry hope you aren't too bored...this is a bit of a marathon!

Anyway that was our weekend, thoroughly enjoyable...and I might add finished of with the most perfect dinner at the 'Queens Head' Kirkby La Thorpe. Well recommended if you live in or near Lincolnshire.

And so finally....

the Puffin progresses!

Drawing complete, digitized for embroidery............

But you will have to wait for the project as I have a daughters birthday to prepare for this week.....

TTFN

Jenny x x