Wales this week

We're off on our second little coach trip this time to Wales.Wasn't sure what the weather was going to be like as the rains have finally arrived on Friday night - along with storms. I have to admit it was nice that the temperature cooled down but I was hoping it wouldn't rain too much as going on holiday in the rain isn't a lot of fun. The forecast didn't look too good for Newport. It did rain last night but today was really beautiful. We went to The Royal Mint which was well worth a visit. Later in the day we went to Cardiff. Mum and I spent most of our time at the castle. It was really beautiful. If nothing else going there had made this trio worth while! My legs feel a little wobbly from all the steps up to the very top of the keep!

So hot

Groan. It's too hot for me. The buses were so hot and sticky today. We took a trip to Colchester but it was a job to find somewhere to sit that was in the shade. Everybody looked hot lol. The castle had a lovely flower display that was very bright despite the heat and lack of rain.

We're in Devon!

We've spent this week on the first of our five day mini breaks. This first one was in Devon. The weather had been lovely. I've really enjoyed this trip. One of our days out included a quick visit to Dartmoor National Park. It was absolutely stunning. I would love to be able to go back and walk there at some point. On our free day we visited Torre Abbey Gardens. Really beautiful and peaceful.

Still Sunny Suffolk

Thanks for all the lovely comments. Just a quick update. Having a great time. Been out with mum and sisters and the weather had been absolutely gorgeous. We're off to Devon for a Monday to Friday holiday so hoping it stays decent. Time is just flying by! I can't believe how quickly it's going by.

Went to Southwold the other day. Cloudy to start but ended up lovely. My sister took us in the car. It's so nice to spend the day with her and Mum

Hot and Sunny in Suffolk!

Go England! I admit to being a little afraid to watch lol.

Anyway I made it safe and sound to England last Saturday. Plane was a little late but my flight was okay. The weather here has been gorgeous all week but everything is so dry! We went to Bury St. Edmunds yesterday and went to the Abbey gardens. There's a river at the back where ducks and things usually are but everything was so dry! There was no water at all under the bridge. I might be glad it's not raining but I think some is needed. Perhaps just at night?

We've had a busy week so taking a day inside today. I did some stitching, a little kit in the front of a mag l bought.

Mum surprised me with a lovely Easter egg. I know it's a little late ( but still in date) as I always complain I can't get them in the states. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

I packed my bag and in it I put...

...probably too much! It's an early start for me tomorrow (long story) and a long layover in Chicago (part of the long story) but I'm stocked up with books on the kindle and music. This is one time I really like reading on my kindle otherwise I'd have to take a stack of books with me.

I plan on checking in now and then, but I won't be online much as I plan to be spending time with Mum and getting out and about.

One more photo of The Lake of the Clouds and I'll be off.  Going to try to have a somewhat early night - if I can sleep lol

Finished!

It's almost down to the wire now - I fly out Friday morning. I'm beginning to panic a little as I'm sure I'm not going to get everything just so before I leave. I know hubby will still be here, but I was hoping to organise a few things before I left. I suppose they will still be here when I return.

I did manage to finish my sister's cross stitch and frame it so it is all ready to put in my case.

I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I was hoping to put a mat around it before going in the frame, but it is an awkward size and I'm in a time crunch. It is sitting on the dining room table along with Mum's album and a couple of other pre-made albums I'm taking to her.

Tomorrow I have to check-in online, go get a couple last minute items from the store and then pack. It's going to be a busy day! 

Lazy Weekend

I should be doing things, but instead I'm sitting watching the World Cup and doing some cross stitch. I suppose that's something I should be doing as it's the one for my sister that I'm hoping to take with me. I'll start on housework tomorrow.  I did go for a little walk today just to get out of the house for a bit. It was very quiet down by Asylum Lake though I did see a raccoon climbing a tree back up to his lair (perhaps).

I'm still sorting through photos. I took lots of them. While sorting through them I did something where all my photos started to leave my computer and go onto the cloud drive. I do have them stored on there, but I wanted them on my computer too! I ended up having to download them all again. Sigh.

It's funny how you find delight in the small things. On our first day camping (at St. Ignace) I saw this lovely little family of Mallards (I think). They were so funny to watch. At one point they headed out into Lake Michigan and had to ride a small wave to get out there.

I sat watching them for quite a while. They were so funny trying to flap wings that weren't really developed yet. I'm just so easily entertained!

Back Again (from Camping)

We're back from our week long camping trip. Phew. I thought about calling this post Mud, Mosquitoes and flies, but that makes it sound really bad. We had a good trip, but there was an infestation (the only thing to call it) of big flies at one campsite the day we arrived and lots of mosquitoes and mud (the last two due to the downpours the day before we arrived).

When we left home last Saturday morning it was raining and storms were forecast for the area we were camping at the first night, but none came. We had a little rain overnight, but not much. We did see that our final destination (for five days, four nights) was having torrential rain. I looked when we got back (we didn't have phone connection up there) and they recorded five inches of rain in one day! Our trip up to the Porcupine Mountains the weather was beautiful. We stopped at a couple of places on the way and walked for a bit. It was still dry when we got to the campsite so we decided to set up the tent. The spot we had reserved was bigger (thank goodness) and a muddy in places where a camper had left tyre holes. We found a semi-dry spot to set up the tent and canopy. Managed to get it up before it started pouring again. Rather than sit under the canopy and watch the rain we decided to drive the 10+ miles to the nearest restaurant and get something to eat. Good thing. It fell down and began to storm a little. A local couple told us about a nearby town where some roads were underwater and there was severe damage.

It had almost stopped raining by the time we returned to the campsite and the rest of our holiday there was glorious sunshine and quite nice warm days. Perfect walking weather.

I won't make this an ultra long post. I'll share some more photos on the next post. I have to sort through them. This is me looking out on Lake Superior right near our camp site. Glorious to wake up to this view and see it just before going to sleep.

This place makes me quite happy. There weren't too many people who would go out there to sit so very peaceful.

I have a busy week ahead. I leave on Friday to visit Mum in England. Can't wait! I hope everyone had a good week.

I Packed my Bag and in it I Put...

Well, basically lots of warm clothes for the cool camping nights in the U.P of Michigan and some hiking gear. We're off camping for the next week! I can't believe it's come around so soon. Then I'll be back here for a week before I leave to visit Mum in England! Wow, where did the time go? I have all my clothes packed and now I get to pick some fun things I think I might do when we have some down time. I have a couple of magazines and books but that's about it. I think I'll mainly be taking lots of photos. I have my tripod ready to go and my camera all charged up.

I did get my Mum's scrapbook done! It was my goal for the week and I'm excited I got it done. I haven't taken photos yet, but will take some to share when I get back. My sister's cross stitch is coming along nicely too.  I am not so stressed over that because if it isn't finished I'll just take it with me and finish it up while I'm there. I'll know what frame it will fit in and will take that with me too.

I am all caught up on my 100 Days of All About Me. The book is becoming quite bulky.

I hope everyone has a good week. It's going to be nice to be away. We don't have phone service when we go up north so it will be a nice break.