Out and about and something new

During October when we had some glorious weather for half term, I travelled to Kent to see my family there.  We went for a brisk walk on Saturday afternoon and admired the new houses that were being built close to the town and had a 'Kentish' look about them; but we hoped no more would go up.  On Sunday morning it was to be a trip to Camber Sands.  After a quick stop here 

for the most delicious bacon butties and coffee we went on our way.  It was during that hot weekend that we had, so we walked along the beach, made sand pictures and I took photos of seagulls!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

People in the sea being sporty!

 

Careful your wellies don't fill with water!!

Following this we went to church, well to visit this delightful church on Romney Marsh.  We have driven past it before and I have always wanted to go in.  First we collected the key

 

and the door was opened

and we went in to this very unusual church

Box pews - I have never seen anything like this before

and a newspaper cutting showing the church surrounded by water

We went outside and I noticed the mounting block (on the left) for those riding to church.

No village in sight but I remember this from the last filming of Great Expectations in 2012.  Incidentally they also used Holdenby House near where I live, for the exterior shots of Miss Haversham's home.

At Higham Piecemakers in October we made either Alfie the Elf or Evie the Elf.  Once started we couldn't stop and I made four

 

 

with one being given to my granddaughters in Kent, one is in Cambridge, one for Will and one for myself.  Mine is a naughty elf and has muscled in at 'Sock' Club

 

Embroidery Christmas lunch day

 and very upset when there was no cake -

I mentioned 'Sock' Club where I have been going for the last three months at Purlwise.  Such fun and I have completed one pair, but finished some single socks.  I tell this against myself, but I decided to make a pair for one of my sons, who has since said he doesn't want any!!  Anyway I started and finished one and asked him to try it on for size

It was enormous and I gave it to my brother in law as he had just had an ankle operation and it covered the plaster and kept his toes warm!!  Are well you can't win them all. 

A trip up the river

Once again I am very tardy in doing the blog but following a wonderful day out with friends I discovered that my camera hadn't been working properly and they came out as mini videos (definitely pilot error, I know) but it left me feeling very depressed.  However two things happened that cheered me up: my friend SewHappy sent me all her photos - wonderful and I suddenly found how to get one frame from each video and though it has taken time, I have some at last.

I have always wanted to go on the PS (Paddle Steamer) Waverley, from back in the days when the children were small and I was living near the Bristol Channel, but we never did, so when the opportunity arose to go up the Thames on her I signed us up.

We went by coach to Southend where we had a hasty lunch of fish and chips, before catching the little train that took us to the end of the 1.25 mile pier. A quick ice-cream (it was a glorious hot day with no wind) and then Waverley arrived.

I had hoped to have my 'Titanic' moment standing in the bow but I couldn't get there because it was full of ropes and a sailor!!

Then we were off and what a brilliant trip it was and at times I found it very emotional.

Good there is one lifeboat at least

The RNLI were interested in us

A container ship being loaded at Thames Gateway

We overtook 'Atlantis'

I must mention that during the entire trip up the Thames all sorts of ships and boats were giving us a toot.  Occasionally Waverley replied with a wonderful deep bass hoot that seemed to vibrate through the whole boat! We also slowed a one stage for a boat to come alongside to change River Pilots.

The Queen Elizabeth bridge

 I have crossed this bridge as part of the Dartford Crossing on my way to stay with my son in Kent so I was quite excited to be going under it

This bridge is one way going South on the M25. Coming back you cross through the original tunnels

and that upturned mushroom is one of the vents for the tunnel.  You can't see that from the road.

Going through the Thames Barrier

As you can see the sun is beginning to set but we chugged on up the river passing

Greenwich Palace

 What you can't see here is the Greenwich Meridian that lies behind the buildings on the hill.

The Cutty Sark

 

Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf rose from the old docks of London and I regret I am old enough to remember the old Isle of Dogs and when my husband and I were courting we often went there with friends to eat and go to the pubs for the entertainment!!

Past the O2, now hemmed in by flats

Courtesy of SewHappy

and then further up river we came round a bend and there ahead was Tower Bridge all lit up against the setting sun.  A very moving moment for me.

The Waverley slowed right down and we waited; at this moment I felt that the ship was straining to go but couldn't and then slowly we edged forward and the Bridge started to open

and then we were through and at that moment the wonderful deep bass hoot was made and I like to think that it was the Waverley thanking the bridge for opening!

We were in the Pool of London in front of the Tower of London

The White Tower

and in the background was The Shard with HMS Belfast tied up.

This was the end of a memorable day out and another tick for the bucket list!!

On the crafty front I was asked to provide an item for Will's Family Box (remember, I used to look after him but he has just started school) so I decided on this

An ice cream complete with sprinkles!!

 and I have re-started knitting socks.  The first one was too big

but it has found a use as my brother in law has just had an operation on his ankle and is in plaster and this over-size sock covers the whole thing beautifully and keeps his toes warm!!!! 

A week of walking - well almost!

I haven't posted for a while because I knew that this walking week was coming up, as it has been in my diary since the beginning of the year.

The 50+Adventure Club were going to walk Hadrian's Wall - at least for three days!!  However before I met up with my companions I had invited myself to stay with friends who live near Alnwick and who I haven't seen for years.  They have dogs, who are walked morning and evening, and I requested the beach walks that I remembered.  So Sunday evening we went to Sugar Sands 

 

A rainbow

There was a sudden downpour and for the first time in my life I saw a whole rainbow in front of me but couldn't get it into the photo.  Early Monday morning we walked in the sun on Boulmer Sands 

 

Then I packed my bags and headed to Hexham to meet my 50+ Adventure Club friends after a good catch-up with old friends.  But on the way I decided to visit Vindolanda (a Roman fort near the Wall) that is somewhere I have always wanted to go.

After paying, the tourist passes through this quiet court, so like a Roman house, before coming out into the fort itself.  Immediately I spotted volunteers at work 'finds washing' so I went to meet them.  They used similar equipment to us at Chester Farm but I queried why this bone was black, not bone coloured

The finds are all found in anaerobic conditions (no oxygen and wet) so this preserves them better.  I was shown one item that was grey which is the colour after drying

A cattle head

 

Note the bluish tinge due to chemical reactions

After this I wandered round the fort noting the layout and the different rooms.

Following a visit to their museum I went to the Roman Army Museum, well worth a visit: then onto Hexham and my hotel for the rest of the week.

Day 1 of our walking dawned bright but very windy and after catching the AD122 bus (yes that is it's name!) that took us to our first drop off we were planning to walk 6-7 miles of the Wall.

 

We passed many small fortlets built every mile and at times the wall disappeared completely, mainly because the stones were robbed to build field walls and farms!!  Incredible views.  We did pause to watch a shepherd on a quad bike with two dogs, rounding up a flock of sheep, and moving them to a new field  and done so fast that I didn't have time to take a decent photo!!  Well 7 miles passed and we were not at the end and I was beginning to tire when suddenly we had to scramble down and up two very steep gullies.  This was a nightmare to me as I suffer from vertigo when going down steep hills but my companions were brilliant and helped me down - going up is no problem and then after 8.25 miles we reached Housesteads but were not allowed to stop for refreshments as we had the 4.36 bus to catch back to Hexham.

Next day the walk was only to be about 4 miles, so once again onto the AD122.  This service runs between March and September on a circular route from Hexham taking in all the major points on the Northumberland part of the Wall, but can be hailed at any time.  Overnight we learned that Prince Charles was in the area for the official opening of The Sill that was on our bus route and so we swept into the car park full of police and men (and women) in 'suits' while he was inside.  Our destination was the Roman Army Museum (where I visited earlier) but no stopping as we set off  We had only passed the car park when we saw this

A goose with a bow tie round it's neck!

Were we seeing things - no! 

Apparently this goose travels in the front seat (no seat belt) with it's friend the sheepdog and the rabbit on the back seat!!  We were told that they have their own website but I cannot find it.  Anyway we started walking and once again the views were stunning and we could see why the Romans decided to build a wall here commencing AD122 (now that is why the bus is so called!).  High crags to stop invaders

but once again a lot of scrambling though I chickened out this time and went round the bottom.  The walk this time was only 4.75 miles but took us nearly 4 hours with stops to see the views, but our destination was the Milecastle Inn where we stopped for a drink before catching the bus.

I woke up on Thursday morning deciding not to walk but to do my own thing.  I went to Hexham Abbey

and had a look around, noting the Frith seat for the Bishops of Hexham

and the staircase where the monks would have descended from their quarters - very worn

 I then caught the bus to the Sill and had a good look round, but not venturing out as it was pouring with rain.  However Housesteads Roman Fort beckoned so after another short bus trip (isn't this service wonderful especially as I was able to use my senior's free bus pass) I got there as the rain was sheeting down!  I walked up to the fort but only stopped briefly to view the Roman latrine in a very well preserved condition, before my walking companions suddenly came into view and we all caught the bus back to Hexham.

 

Raining still

Getting back to Hexham some of us went to the little cinema to see The Children Act and we all met up for our final meal together before going our separate ways home on Friday morning.

A great week away ticking many of the items on my personal 'bucket list'.