Eight-by-Six

I hatched an idea yesterday, like you do when you have an extra day off! And it involves yarn and crochet, my two most favourite things.  Normally I bake for Macmillan coffee morning, this year I am holding an alternative coffee morning via my Just Giving Page here  My blanket journey started 5 years ago when my dad was first diagnosed with cancer and I’d learnt to crochet. I started with a granny stripe blanket taking it along to my dads hospital appointments. I was amazed at how many people stopped to look at me crocheting all the bright colours, it wasn’t a gloomy visit, far from it. At the end of my dads treatment I gave him the blanket which he still uses today. I decided that rather than bake this year I’d crochet instead - one of my Orla Kiely 1970s inspired blankets, big and cosy for autumn nights in front of the tv.  Its so easy, I'm doing all the hard work, all you need to do is pledge £2 to be in the draw to win my blanket. And live in U.K. (due to high ...

How will you be spending your extra time? Me, well I'll be crocheting a new blanket in the garden tonight my Orla Kiely blanket pattern and sipping some of my special artisan gin I made at the end of 2017 my artisan gin Perfect!

On Saturday we decided to make the most of the weather and headed off to Tankerton Slopes near Whitstable on the Kent coast. It's well worth a visit for the views a the top sof the slopes, the beautiful old (and new) beach huts, local shops and cafes. It has a shingle beach with timber groynes and sand and at low tide it is possible to walk out to sea on a natural causeway known as 'The Street'. At this state of tide there is a fair bit of sand and a few rock pools to explore. It was quite misty when we arrived and the tide was on the turn but we managed to walk The Street  strip of sand and Moss had a dip in the sea with a new friend he met. beach hut Whitstable and Tankerton Slopes are only a short drive from our house, about 25 mins. The beach allows dog walking up until May 1st, after that they have to remain on the lead at all times. I'm not too keen going there in the height of the season unless its very early in the morning before the crowds arrive. I...