Day out in Arran

On Saturday the 6th April we all went a wee trip to Arran minus husband who was working and my sister Emma who stayed with the Westie two.  It was a great day, we walked all the way to Brodick Castle, me fed some ducks, ran from some geese and had some tea and scones on the way back.  

Here is some of the photos from our lovely day.

The view from The Arran Ferry just before we left the harbour

Family photo on the Ferry. 

 Brodick Harbour

 Goat Fell

Time out for a little knitting while others played crazy golf. 

 The Arran Ferry again from further along Brodick.

 The kids sneaking off down the rocks hoping that I haven't saw them.

On our way to Brodick Castle there was a bit where you could feed the ducks for 50p.  We thought we would stop and feed the cute wee ducks.

 A few ducks having a wee kiss.

Then quite a few more ducks appeared. 

Then a big noisy goose and its pal appeared.  Mum held her hand

out to it with some duck food but it wasnt quite as friendly as the ducks were and we now know it has teeth. 

We were alright as long as the geese were behind the fence but

one worked out how to get beyond the fence.  It was time to leave at that point. 

 Hey!!!!  Arran Aromatics.  Music to my ears.

Of course it would have been rude not to go in to  Arran Aromatics.  I bought a lovely hand soother for my sandpaper hands and im pleased to say its sort of working. It was Grapefruit and Cardamon.  I also bought baby barrier cream for my hands as I have heard its quite good for irritable hands.

 These were outside the Arran Cheese Shop.

I suppose you could assume this belongs to the cheese shop/

 Down the big slide together.

 Grouse Spotted!

More Goat Fell.  The views were really quite stunning.

More feeding the ducks.  They were so friendly and greedy.

Rikke Hat and now some mittens

Today marks the start of my holidays from work.  Im so very pleased.  Ecstatic in fact.  Its been last July since I had a full fortnight off and i don't even think the weather was that great.  The fact that the sun is out and the schools are off in Scotland is a rare occurance as usually during the school holidays here, it pees down in epic measures.

Ive many things planned with my family for the next week and a bit now that the kids are off.  Arran, cinema, Edinburgh Zoo to name a few.  

Im going to be joining in with this Simple Moms project simplify 2013.  There are a few areas in my house that I could definitely  do with gutting.  There are shelves of chaos in the living room that are a magnet to the tiny toys and fiddly bits of things that some with small kids.  These are on my hit list.  So keep your eyes peeled for lovely tidy shelves.   Im thinking i might get it done quicker with some gin.

I need some mitts to go with my Rikke hat.  Im not a great knitter and I have went against my usual and im knitting with double points.  The pattern for these knits are from a blog I came across, a friend to knit with  What a fouter double points are.  Im trying very hard but progress is slow.  Im sure I will pick up though as I practice.  So in the last month thats two things knitted/ started thats out of my comfort zone.  

Beardie and I at Irvine Beachpark.  It was a lovely day, it was even quite warm in the sun.

Hanging around.  There are these weird wee random climbing things dotted around the lake at the beach park.  I say lake loosely.  Im not sure what its meant to be but the swans seem to like it.

Rikke hat complete.  it goes with my pink glasses.  Love it!!! My first successful venture on a circular needle. Along with my Cowl with a twist by the Purl Bee.

Two little ducks. Quack quack.  I knitted these a few years back so I'm not too sure where the pattern is from

Thanks for reading xxxxx

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Catch up blog

We are now into the Easter holidays here. Kids are off school and next week, after my Thursday nightshift I shall be off too. Can't wait for long lies and lots of sleeps in my own bed.


These were the Easter chicks I worked on for the school fayre. It was lovely to see them on display and I was excited to see other people walking around having bought them.






My Rikke hat is a work in progress. Slow but sure. I'm worried its a wee bit on the loose side.


Eggless muffins. I found the addition of condensed milk most alluring. They were a bit heavy though.


Raspberry muffin. Totally yummy but didn't hold together that well.



Jessica has caught the customising bug. Let her loose with sharpies and a bag.


My wee mammys birthday complete with cake and singing candle.

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Tricked into thinking spring was arriving.

Yesterday was the most beautiful day, there was a heat in the air, the smell of fresh cut grass and you might be forgiven for thinking that spring was almost here.  I even put a washing out.  Dog and I went out a good walk.  I have a new audio book on the go , Heart & Soul by Maeve Bunchy.  In hind sight I should have read this before Minding Frankie as this book is introducing a lot of the characters that were in Minding Frankie.  I dont mind though, its a lovely book so far.

Today though its a different story.  The walk wasn't as long as the wind was strong and icy cold.  We did meet another collie & owner at the park though.  i was delighted to that its not only Belle that wiggles on her back like a looney.

I knitted a wee hat for Fish and Chip Babies  using some spare crofter yarn I had left. 

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Tea and a pineapple tower time.

My new yarn for knitting the Rikke Hat.  This yarn is sirdar Crofter in Hepburn 33 

Started off the Rikke on a straight needle, size 6.  My tension was ridiculously tight and the needle should have been smaller.  I have now transferred it on to a circular needle and all is going well so far.  I used the German Cast  on method.  The youtube link was suggested by the lovely Knitting Knoobie and is by The Knit Witch.

A solitary daffodil that the wee guy planted in 2011.  Never made an appearance at all last year but its fighting through now.

My primulas in the belfast sink at the back door.  Its a lovely splash of pink to see from the kitchen, they arent half hardy these things.

Dog amongst the pussy willow.  Just a random bush, sitting on its own down the embankment.

Thanks for reading.