Back in 2007, Rich and I took a trip to the US West Coast.  I kept a travel journal and thought that I had lost it.  Tonight, I was trawling through some old back-ups and I found the travelog.

The previous year, we drove from Miami to Washington DC and then took the train up to NYC and then Boston.  With the East Coast explored, we wanted to see what the West Coast had to offer.  We weren’t going to be disappointed…

Ooh La – The Kooks
Fat Lip – Sum 41
She Wants To Move – N*E*R*D

Read all about our trip here.

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

I have just finished reading Swallows and Amazons for my Open University course. The essay I need to write looks at fantasy vs reality, with Swallows and Amazons an example of realism. The natural dialogue and the detailed descriptions make this somewhat dated setting still seem fresh, despite the fact that the freedom experienced by the children of the book places the story very much in the past.

I can certainly understand why this book has lasting appeal well into the 21st century for children and adults alike. Children will enjoy the adventures and vivid imaginations of the Walker and Blackett children. Adults will, depending on their age, enjoy the nostalgic reminiscences of a more innocent time (whether that time was a reality or not) or wistfully yearn for the same kinds of freedom for themselves which modern adult life usually denies.

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Susi, one of our sew make believe members, asked for donations for a Fair Trade Fair being held today 11am-1pm at Ashorne Village Hall for World Orphan Week.  The proceeds will be going to orphans in Haiti.  I had a bit of a hectic week so I only had time to make this little guy.

Block
‘Home’ was a spot on the corner of our garage which was also the corner of the street. One person guarded home while everyone else hid. The aim was to get ‘home’ without being tagged. The guard had to try to tag people before they got home. The most successful guards just stayed put but kids have a lot of time on their hands so the hiders would stay put until the guard got bored and tried to find them, thus leaving his post. This was the time to strike. Running for ‘home’ with the guard in hot pursuit was such a thrill.

Barrels
We moved to a new housing estate when I was about twelve and though our section had been completed a few years before, a new tranche of building started on the green behind our house. We spent a happy summer playing the trenches (the dug out foundations of houses) and the barrels (huge wooden empty bobbins which used to carry wire). These bobbins had a square hole which gave access to the hollow centre and the space inside was a perfect fit for a kid. We used to climb in with just a jumper for protection and then get pushed along the ground spinning upside down (not nearly fast enough to achieve any kind of g-force). Such (dangerous!) fun.

On Friday, a box was delivered to work but I was too poorly to care. Then Sunday, feeling better, the butterflies started.  My Cornishware had arrived but it was at work!  This morning when I arrived at the office, I had a peek at my boxes but I had to wait until I got home before I could have a proper look.

We could only afford a set of four main plates, side plates, cereal bowls, 6 mugs, 2 pasta bowls and a biscuit barrel but its a bloomin’ good start.

And here is it in its new home:

More pictures here if you’re interested!

I made this little fella earlier today for my brother (who is 36!).  He bought me the fabulous book Stray Sock Sewing, Too by Daniel (just the one name for this cat) for Christmas and has requested his very own stray sock toy.  I chose this ultra-cute dinosock because, well, the ultra-cute part.  This is what I was going for:

Apart from sewing the legs a little high (which gives Jayjay the look of Nessie rather than a dinosaur!), I am pretty pleased with it.  He really is a cutie:

See more photos of Jayjay here.

So this is how it is.  I am feeling better but not Better better.  But regardless of how I feel tomorrow, I refuse to spend a whole day in front of the TV so this is the plan, in no particular order:

• Read Swallows and Amazons (required reading for my course);
• Hoover the house;
• Change the spare room bedding;

And if I have time:

• Make a sock toy.

This seems to be achievable.  Oh and number 5? Welcome home ricardo!