Camping - Another Lighthouse

A week to recover and then we were off on a camping trip. This was something hubby and daughter booked up while I was in England. We spent the weekend camping at Port Crescent, Michigan. It is across the other side of the state from us - a four hour drive away. We didn't get off very early and ended up at the campsite when it was dark. We had to put up the tents in the dark. Well to be honest hubby put the tents up in the dark! Saturday dawned with rain. It rained until about two in the afternoon. We didn't let it get us down.

We took a trip to Point Aux Barques lighthouse. Very pretty.

Daughter with her dog, Shasta at the lighthouse. It was built in 1848. This lighthouse was also home to Michigan's first female Lighthouse Keeper after she took over for her husband, Peter, who drowned in 1849.

I dropped my phone in the rocks - almost lost it - couldn't see it and there was no service so couldn't ring it. Luckily hubby found it after about five minutes of looking! It had fallen between some of the rocks and (even luckier) didn't get wet at all. Phew!

Harder to see - Harbor Beach Lighthouse. Quite drizzly weather and the only way completely out to the lighthouse is by boat. I didn't fancy taking a trip in the pouring rain so walked out as far as we could. I think this might be one to come back to on another trip!

Shasta was quite fascinated by the waves!

Once the weather had cleared to took her down to the pet-friendly beach so she could play!

This was a stunning beach. Not sign-posted at all. If we hadn't asked at the campground we wouldn't have even known about it!

She had lots of fun! 

Love this picture!

As the weather had cleared there was a beautiful sunset.

I have more photos to share - probably a Tuesday post! Nice relaxing weekend. I'm glad we decided to try camping this year!

Fun Photos - Five on Friday

It's been a while since I joined in as I've been away for seven weeks! I was off visiting Mum and family in England. Had a lovely time. I've got lots of pictures to share. This Friday I'm joining in with Amy over at Love Made My Home for Five on Friday. I'm glad Amy is still planning on doing these posts. It's fun to visit others and see what they've been up to and where they have been.

Today I'm going to share five fun photos I took while I was visiting Mum.

Morris Dancers. It's been years since I've seen any! We stopped at Ripon, Yorkshire on our way up to Scotland and Mum and I decided to take a walk to the cathedral where we came upon the dancers. I remember seeing them all the time when I was a child, not so much since!

My hometown, Ipswich, had an art trail of pigs around the town this year. Pigs Gone Wild. There was a map available and it was great to see all the families out and about searching for pigs. They will be auctioned off to raise money for St. Elizabeth's Hospice. Mum and I went to see quite a few of them. Ed Sheer-ham was one of my favourites! It is named for the singer Ed Sheeran who is from Framlingham in Suffolk.

Another piece of art I took a photo of is the famous Scallop on Aldeburgh beach. It is dedicated to Benjamin Britten who apparently used to take walks on the beach.

The words on it say 'I hear those voices that will not be drowned'. They are from Britten's opera Peter Grimes. It is very striking.

My 'new' Great Nephew, Archie. So cute and cheerful!

A really cute gargoyle. This was on a church in Cambridge. There were so many on this church but this had to be one of the cutest. Yes, I like them. What can I say? I find them really interesting. I am going to google the name of this church and see if there is a reason there are so many of them. I'm not a Christian, but churches and cathedrals are such interesting buildings and the architecture on them is truly beautiful.

Scottish Castle

I took this lovely picture as we were travelling along in the coach on our way to Gretna Green, where we were staying in Scotland. Unfortunately I don't know the name of it! I guess I will have to google and see what I can find.

I was really impressed with the beauty of Scotland. It was so beautiful. The views are just gorgeous. I was so inspired. I am starting to dig through my photos. I will be sharing some - can't resist!

Wednesday...and What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?

This is my first WOYWW since July so I'm looking forward to catching up and getting back into the swing of things. I'm joining in with Julia and the gang over at Stamping Ground.

I had a lovely visit with Mum and my family over in England. I have lots of pictures to share. Unfortunately I've caught a cold (got a sore throat a couple of days before I came back) and now I'm all stuffy so feeling yucky, trying to catch up and recover. At least the cold waited until I got back. I came back late Friday night.

I admit to not doing any crafting - lots of reading, but no crafting. I did pick up some things to 'play' with so looking forward to getting back into my craft room. I saw lots that has inspired me so maybe trying out some new things too.

These are just a few of the goodies I brought back with me. I did splurge on the one kit in the bottom picture. The other two are just charts I found at a charity shop. I also brought back lots of magazines, a few (yup) books and chocolates (yum). Seems you can accumulate a LOT in seven weeks!

September...and back!

Seven weeks has passed by really quickly and I am back in America. I had a lovely time in England. Got to spend lots of time with my Mum. I got to spend her eightieth birthday with her and my family. We went on two holidays - one to Devon and one to Scotland. Both were wonderful and we made some wonderful memories and saw some beautiful sights. I am already wanting to go back to Scotland. It is a really beautiful country.

Now I have to get back into the swing of things - sorting out the house and tidying up and doing lots of washing! I have masses of pictures to sort through. I am going to get these scrapbooked while working on some Christmas (yikes!) projects.

A picture of Mum on her 80th with a surprise flower delivery from her sister in Australia!

Checking in

Time is flying by. Having loads of fun. In one week we're off again. This time to Scotland. I am taking lots of pictures and will have a lot to share when I get back.

This is another picture taken with kindle so not great. This is one of the black swans of Dawlish. It's sitting on a neat of about three/four eggs. Beautiful.

Not the best weather but the views here in Devon are beautiful. I've taken some wonderful pictures but unfortunately no way to share. I have taken a couple of pictures with kindle. They're not so  but at least pictures. Having a lot of fun. There are lots of wonderful places to visit.

There's lots of Agatha Christie trivia here too! This is the pier at Paignton.

In the English sunshine

No pictures as I haven't worked out how to do that from my Fire tablet. I am happily in England, over (mostly) my jetlag and enjoying visiting with my mum and family. It's been lovely so far. I even managed to burn my feet in the sunshine. I keep them covered up while out and about walking or gardening in Sun so they aren't used to seeing the light of day. I did use cream but actually took a paddle in the sea at Clacton so probably could have used some more! I went to  Felixstowe and ate my lovely fish and chips. Very yummy!!!

Flying Today - Five on Friday

I'm joining with Amy over at Love Made My Home   for Five on Friday. It will be a fairly quick one today as I should be packing. I am flying out later today to visit Mum in England. So excited. We usually Skype on Saturdays - this week I'll be able to give her a real hug! It's going to be a hot one here today. It's going to be about 34c when I leave but with the humidity it is going to feel around 40c. We are under a heat advisory. I will be glad to be leaving it behind!

1. Packing - what to bring, what not to bring? I don't pack a lot of toiletries. I'm staying with Mum and she usually keeps some on hand. Clothes, I guess it is a hit and miss with weather. I guess if I really 'need' something and I haven't packed then I can buy it. Right? That's what I tell myself, anyway.

2. Kindles. All charged and loaded with plenty of books. I still prefer paper books but kindles come in handy as I can load up on books and pick and choose depending on my mood. I have my Fire for Internet access (when I do hook up which won't be often) and my paperwhite for actual reading as the battery lasts a lot longer.

3. Camera. Charged up and lenses ready to go. I have a couple of SD cards as I plan on taking a LOT of pictures. I will remember to take the charger lol. Convertor plug already at Mum's.

4. Crafty stuff - do I want to take some or maybe get a kit when I get there? Haven't made my mind up yet. I might take some photos and Project Life pages and go from there. I have a few hours to make up  my mind!

5. Mum's card. It is finished. I tried my hand at the exploding box card. I have purchased a harder box to transport it in. I hope it makes it in one piece! I really like the way it turned out. I put a lot of love in this card and hope it shows.

I'll be popping around to visit some Five on Fridays before I leave. See you in September!

Away Awhile - What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Yes, it's Wednesday rolling around like a bad penny. It's time to join Julia (YEAH!) over at Stamping Ground for another WOYWW. Jan has been a great host these past weeks so THANK YOU Jan! It's nice to see Julia well enough to host again.

This will actually be my last WOYWW post for a while. I am off to visit Mum in England on Friday and I won't be back until the middle of September. I might pop over to visit on a Wednesday but I won't have my phone with me and internet will be when I can get to it. Not sure how crafty I'll be while I'm away but I plan on taking a ton of pics so will have plenty to share, and work with, when I get back.

As of this afternoon I am still working on my card. It is getting there and will be done by the time I leave. I will try to remember to take a picture when assembled. I found a great website that you could add words and it would make them into any shape. I put some words to describe Mum and put them in a heart shape. That's what you see on the desk.

I've been working on putting some of Mum's genealogy into a booklet of some kind that can easily be understood. I have been handwriting it at night while watching telly instead of the stitching (that is framed and ready to go!). I am so excited to be able to show her what I have managed to get together and I think she'll be excited. My husband's aunt directed me where to find some great charts so I could put it all together.

I will be getting around to as many desks as I can in between trying to decide what clothes to take with me. It's been hot in Ipswich the last couple of days (not as hot as here!) and (cringe sorry!) hope it at least gets a little cooler as I really want a little break from the heat. Sunshine will be accepted and wanted! It's been so hot here in Kalamazoo sleeping the past few nights. Between the heat and the anxious-getting-ready-to-go-and-things-running-through-my-mind-while-trying-to-sleep I haven't been getting a lot of sleep!

Enough rambling! See everyone in September!