tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54128651016242366232024-03-14T05:17:46.811+00:00moonstruckcreationsThings I love and things I make!moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.comBlogger392125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-90928423838941511002015-09-12T13:48:00.001+01:002015-09-12T13:48:38.211+01:00Qualifying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Qualifying and first race day was fantastic. Sunshine. Crowds. Flags. Roaring engines. Beautiful machines. Dashing drivers. Even though our driver had a broken gearbox nothing could dampen our enjoyment. A fitting build up to the grand prix!<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l39fOUwhIN4/VfQc_edsdxI/AAAAAAAAHTM/Qrhu1rmZiCc/s1600/20150822_133123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l39fOUwhIN4/VfQc_edsdxI/AAAAAAAAHTM/Qrhu1rmZiCc/s320/20150822_133123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0hcBbioH94U/VfQdJCzbu3I/AAAAAAAAHTU/nQaYQYEgvWs/s1600/20150822_134116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0hcBbioH94U/VfQdJCzbu3I/AAAAAAAAHTU/nQaYQYEgvWs/s320/20150822_134116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ni6WzwC2cIA/VfQdWVamhWI/AAAAAAAAHTc/XHPH9syA48o/s1600/20150822_164810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ni6WzwC2cIA/VfQdWVamhWI/AAAAAAAAHTc/XHPH9syA48o/s320/20150822_164810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cziTW5cJuSg/VfQdhP6VT2I/AAAAAAAAHTs/mvSsKZusv4g/s1600/20150822_180036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cziTW5cJuSg/VfQdhP6VT2I/AAAAAAAAHTs/mvSsKZusv4g/s320/20150822_180036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h6sSSyJinKk/VfQeN3j7anI/AAAAAAAAHUE/0OP-eAve6PI/s1600/20150822_061651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h6sSSyJinKk/VfQeN3j7anI/AAAAAAAAHUE/0OP-eAve6PI/s320/20150822_061651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogyo-d4iBdc/VfQeUOTzl2I/AAAAAAAAHUM/tXJ39qQnysM/s1600/20150822_061707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogyo-d4iBdc/VfQeUOTzl2I/AAAAAAAAHUM/tXJ39qQnysM/s320/20150822_061707.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-87061197501110483202015-09-06T20:10:00.001+01:002015-09-06T20:10:28.734+01:00practice makes perfectHello again. At a Grand Prix weekend, two practice session for the F1 cars are held on Friday (except in Monaco when it is Thursday) and the drivers in the support races (in this case GP2, GP3 and Porsche) get to practice too. This is vital for so many reasons including orientation, safety and tuning the cars - each track is different so each needs a different set up. Belgium must be the hilliest track of the season and so needs special attention. The support races of GP2 GP3 and Porsche had a practice session too.<br />
<br />
Here are some photos I took...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_YeLzPgCYs/VeyNstcePtI/AAAAAAAAHQk/VrHgOcKNf5s/s1600/20150821_153653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_YeLzPgCYs/VeyNstcePtI/AAAAAAAAHQk/VrHgOcKNf5s/s320/20150821_153653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRli6xQ8hGE/VeyN_XsLtmI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/4be_lyE2mvE/s1600/20150821_143155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRli6xQ8hGE/VeyN_XsLtmI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/4be_lyE2mvE/s320/20150821_143155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I1mzsuZUUE/VeyOMkgD8PI/AAAAAAAAHRM/oObIoqFejDc/s1600/20150821_160301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I1mzsuZUUE/VeyOMkgD8PI/AAAAAAAAHRM/oObIoqFejDc/s320/20150821_160301.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipYLGukSOno/VeyIpAfnFDI/AAAAAAAAHQY/m1pWaI3L9gY/s1600/20150821_170307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipYLGukSOno/VeyIpAfnFDI/AAAAAAAAHQY/m1pWaI3L9gY/s320/20150821_170307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-anKkyj3dg9k/VeyHlETi4wI/AAAAAAAAHQM/AfamwC_9814/s1600/20150823_092146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-anKkyj3dg9k/VeyHlETi4wI/AAAAAAAAHQM/AfamwC_9814/s320/20150823_092146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A lot of excitement which gave us a lot to look forward to as final practice and qualifying was the following day.<br />
<br />
It was lovely to go back to our chalet knowing that the following day would let us see drivers and machines operating at the limit.<br />
<br />
Back soon hopefully for qualifying day !<br />
<br />
Helen xxsmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-39586018108939193242015-09-04T06:52:00.000+01:002015-09-04T06:52:29.016+01:00Life in the Pit Lane!Hello everyone!<br />
<br />
Well, Thursday arrived, and with it our chance to revisit the pitlane at Spa-Francorchamps. We had such a great time there last year.<br />
<br />
We queued for nearly three hours, then a mad rush to get a position outside favourite team garages. The boys raced off to Ferrari, which is always a madly crowded affair, but DD, me and DH headed for the Williams garage as DD is a great fan of Felipe Massa, and I was also quite interested to meet the rising Finnish star, Valteri Bottas. I love the driving style of the Finnish F1 drivers, Mika Hakkinen, and of course Kimi Raikkonen. And on the way to the track we found out that Ferrari have signed him to drive for them again in 2016 - such jubilation!!<br />
<br />
And the bonus, the Williams garage was next door to Ferrari, so we had a clear view there too. <br />
<br />
Fascinating watching the mechanics prepare the cars...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LxCOwoQYoE/Veh8yOK_WDI/AAAAAAAAHLs/amc3iafhFSk/s1600/20150820_150123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LxCOwoQYoE/Veh8yOK_WDI/AAAAAAAAHLs/amc3iafhFSk/s320/20150820_150123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ojh95plMz7E/Veh8x2MfeLI/AAAAAAAAHLo/j9LZrGAgkaw/s1600/20150820_150128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ojh95plMz7E/Veh8x2MfeLI/AAAAAAAAHLo/j9LZrGAgkaw/s320/20150820_150128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSHtBfXhjPQ/Veh_ugYUoQI/AAAAAAAAHO0/hnPGm9esmCk/s1600/20150820_163553_4%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSHtBfXhjPQ/Veh_ugYUoQI/AAAAAAAAHO0/hnPGm9esmCk/s320/20150820_163553_4%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47GMJzT-PDE/Veh8yhtyyKI/AAAAAAAAHL0/mT732m2FDrs/s1600/20150820_150222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47GMJzT-PDE/Veh8yhtyyKI/AAAAAAAAHL0/mT732m2FDrs/s320/20150820_150222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkweyhCX68c/Veh8zzbGHlI/AAAAAAAAHL8/uwy3bBb8XCQ/s1600/20150820_150247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkweyhCX68c/Veh8zzbGHlI/AAAAAAAAHL8/uwy3bBb8XCQ/s320/20150820_150247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Taking the cars for scrutineering...<br />
<br />
Ferrari...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dhe6N2WJo2g/Veh80s0L3oI/AAAAAAAAHME/Pj17BU85Pq0/s1600/20150820_150323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dhe6N2WJo2g/Veh80s0L3oI/AAAAAAAAHME/Pj17BU85Pq0/s320/20150820_150323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g-lktZ-Pexo/Veh81J5W3RI/AAAAAAAAHMI/dLpwXaeHAQ8/s1600/20150820_150338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g-lktZ-Pexo/Veh81J5W3RI/AAAAAAAAHMI/dLpwXaeHAQ8/s320/20150820_150338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Williams...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RUOolhtHmI/Veh81hWc2AI/AAAAAAAAHMY/hYKJkigU5oc/s1600/20150820_150616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RUOolhtHmI/Veh81hWc2AI/AAAAAAAAHMY/hYKJkigU5oc/s320/20150820_150616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Force India...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OkBLnPmXTc/Veh82_UijZI/AAAAAAAAHMc/FQBwmwOmX4s/s1600/20150820_150950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OkBLnPmXTc/Veh82_UijZI/AAAAAAAAHMc/FQBwmwOmX4s/s320/20150820_150950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Torro Rosso...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bD-0fF_wNME/Veh83eVOh1I/AAAAAAAAHMk/Tu_Ht23TDN4/s1600/20150820_151050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bD-0fF_wNME/Veh83eVOh1I/AAAAAAAAHMk/Tu_Ht23TDN4/s320/20150820_151050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
More final preparations...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCktvFf5yPU/Veh84Zm_DfI/AAAAAAAAHMw/D_xl5rNe2Rw/s1600/20150820_152435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCktvFf5yPU/Veh84Zm_DfI/AAAAAAAAHMw/D_xl5rNe2Rw/s320/20150820_152435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And then, DD let out a squeak - Mr Felipe Massa emerged from his garage...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D75tGGHxgsc/Veh85BxuPaI/AAAAAAAAHM4/4KM66oCbHKU/s1600/20150820_155842_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D75tGGHxgsc/Veh85BxuPaI/AAAAAAAAHM4/4KM66oCbHKU/s320/20150820_155842_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
He graciously signed autographs, DD still hasn't descended from cloud 9, thanks Mr Massa for making her day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ugq-0_H6IEI/Veh85vdSB6I/AAAAAAAAHNc/uI2AkHhvJ3o/s1600/20150820_160034_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ugq-0_H6IEI/Veh85vdSB6I/AAAAAAAAHNc/uI2AkHhvJ3o/s320/20150820_160034_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Valteri Bottas, a rising F1 star...I was able to use my entire Finnish vocabulary when thanking him (i.e. Thank you very much!) I think he was quite surprised, but understood me and thanked me in English!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA2Sg_dRaKE/Veh86DIyJcI/AAAAAAAAHNE/r0TAJVcfSQc/s1600/20150820_160151_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA2Sg_dRaKE/Veh86DIyJcI/AAAAAAAAHNE/r0TAJVcfSQc/s320/20150820_160151_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B2WKAhjGXRU/Veh8711XNII/AAAAAAAAHNY/DVPF38kyZh4/s1600/20150820_160838_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B2WKAhjGXRU/Veh8711XNII/AAAAAAAAHNY/DVPF38kyZh4/s320/20150820_160838_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7Q9sUgvMWA/Veh88YjROxI/AAAAAAAAHNg/lH3GNCG9pYM/s1600/20150820_161010_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7Q9sUgvMWA/Veh88YjROxI/AAAAAAAAHNg/lH3GNCG9pYM/s320/20150820_161010_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Such excitement! <br />
Then a huge cheer went up from the Ferrai fans - Mr Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 F1 World Champion, and our family favourite, had arrived!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6fdF_LsZZo/Veh89gn2O1I/AAAAAAAAHN0/Hvn1IM5PlZM/s1600/20150820_161059_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6fdF_LsZZo/Veh89gn2O1I/AAAAAAAAHN0/Hvn1IM5PlZM/s320/20150820_161059_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
DH shouted "KIMI!!" rather loudly so I got a great shot of the Iceman (his nickname) looking straight into my camera lense...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2G-28GSU-hI/Veh89sQKItI/AAAAAAAAHN4/cvv0m0E_TmI/s1600/20150820_161105_23-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2G-28GSU-hI/Veh89sQKItI/AAAAAAAAHN4/cvv0m0E_TmI/s320/20150820_161105_23-1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
One of his mechanics shared a joke and we were treated to a rare smile, Kimi is known for his cool, calm demeanour and it is said, by some, that he doesn't smile often, but he did on this day...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8FaE1V-q_8/Veh89zeyZbI/AAAAAAAAHOE/W0_TZa7iFOw/s1600/20150820_161110_43-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8FaE1V-q_8/Veh89zeyZbI/AAAAAAAAHOE/W0_TZa7iFOw/s320/20150820_161110_43-1.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
Sons managed to get autographs but we were not near enough. But it made our day watching him chatting with the fans and his mechanics and team mates.<br />
<br />
Then the Ferrari Team Principal came out of the garage too and spoke to some of the Ferrari fans in front of their garage. I had my Ferrari cap and cheekily called to him to come over to where we were... and being a very nice chap he did just that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6mAqizU8No/Veh-fjfBp8I/AAAAAAAAHOM/R-Q4GdbftmM/s1600/20150820_163212_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6mAqizU8No/Veh-fjfBp8I/AAAAAAAAHOM/R-Q4GdbftmM/s320/20150820_163212_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
He kindly signed my Ferrari hat - I was very pleased! And of course I thanked him for signing Kimi again, he was very gracious and friendly.<br />
<br />
Then - another world champion was spotted - Jacques Villeneuve , soon to be a Formula E driver next season, being interviewed by a TV crew...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-beJ5ndtwEaQ/VeiASlTDCEI/AAAAAAAAHPA/LapB196rAFo/s1600/20150820_161808_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-beJ5ndtwEaQ/VeiASlTDCEI/AAAAAAAAHPA/LapB196rAFo/s320/20150820_161808_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What an afternoon!<br />
<br />
After all the excitement with the drivers we allowed to walk onto the track itself...<br />
<br />
The pit straight....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bjZsy5ZaLc/Veh_U9vgdyI/AAAAAAAAHOY/c4M1WozIlZU/s1600/20150820_170533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bjZsy5ZaLc/Veh_U9vgdyI/AAAAAAAAHOY/c4M1WozIlZU/s320/20150820_170533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Exit of La Source...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxZc4MygYu8/Veh_UiyhsCI/AAAAAAAAHOU/RLM-wpaBEq8/s1600/20150820_171033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxZc4MygYu8/Veh_UiyhsCI/AAAAAAAAHOU/RLM-wpaBEq8/s320/20150820_171033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSs5xXDvmXI/Veh_VPlviLI/AAAAAAAAHOg/GSjJvCJ4jCc/s1600/20150820_171328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSs5xXDvmXI/Veh_VPlviLI/AAAAAAAAHOg/GSjJvCJ4jCc/s320/20150820_171328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MN-hsgSKhbI/Veh_V_z-DuI/AAAAAAAAHOs/mmQCyX28PQ0/s1600/20150820_171413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MN-hsgSKhbI/Veh_V_z-DuI/AAAAAAAAHOs/mmQCyX28PQ0/s320/20150820_171413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
All of this set us up very nicely for the race weekend!<br />
<br />
Back soon hopefully with Friday practice!!<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-84861417912015570882015-09-03T17:38:00.001+01:002015-09-03T17:38:55.940+01:00Hello Sunshine!Hello everyone, hope your week is going well. <br />
<br />
The weather, up until the Wednesday of our holiday, had been rather grey, with some rain here and there, which, fortunately did not spoil any of our plans.<br />
<br />
But, Wednesday dawned and - hello sunshine!! And the lovely weather was to stay until the day we sailed back to the UK.<br />
<br />
DH and I had a lovely walk around the lake onto which our chalet opened, it was about a mile circuit with lovely views...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOb8HUPj4XI/Veh1YUU6pJI/AAAAAAAAHJc/1NCEGRxVKb8/s1600/20150819_103456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOb8HUPj4XI/Veh1YUU6pJI/AAAAAAAAHJc/1NCEGRxVKb8/s320/20150819_103456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rozGNP1uAWI/Veh1X23iqKI/AAAAAAAAHJU/YBqrDMlCJYg/s1600/20150819_103753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rozGNP1uAWI/Veh1X23iqKI/AAAAAAAAHJU/YBqrDMlCJYg/s320/20150819_103753.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mPwqG_n5C0/Veh1X3760CI/AAAAAAAAHJY/DkZyLH1NRgs/s1600/20150819_103832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mPwqG_n5C0/Veh1X3760CI/AAAAAAAAHJY/DkZyLH1NRgs/s320/20150819_103832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-621Ht5CfYK8/Veh1ZndUGPI/AAAAAAAAHJs/t2eIOIeadpY/s1600/20150819_104201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-621Ht5CfYK8/Veh1ZndUGPI/AAAAAAAAHJs/t2eIOIeadpY/s320/20150819_104201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TZy9-kAjno/Veh1aSr3XyI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/PM8GPEsNbC0/s1600/20150819_110648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TZy9-kAjno/Veh1aSr3XyI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/PM8GPEsNbC0/s320/20150819_110648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our chalet in close up...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0BjA76BQjg/Veh1anrIZRI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/rdo2LyFGQq0/s1600/20150819_110746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0BjA76BQjg/Veh1anrIZRI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/rdo2LyFGQq0/s320/20150819_110746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xT7pFsY9KSg/Veh1bbyU5_I/AAAAAAAAHKA/rA8eFMuI9lg/s1600/20150819_111002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xT7pFsY9KSg/Veh1bbyU5_I/AAAAAAAAHKA/rA8eFMuI9lg/s320/20150819_111002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU-7HM86VFI/Veh1c8-7osI/AAAAAAAAHKM/eduAfCt3Pow/s1600/20150819_111246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU-7HM86VFI/Veh1c8-7osI/AAAAAAAAHKM/eduAfCt3Pow/s320/20150819_111246.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Some intriguing graffiti, apparently there is a legend about witches in Vielsalm, and apparently they have something to do with blueberries...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QD1Rnkk87N8/Veh1dOo_8mI/AAAAAAAAHKU/QPr2FTunDtk/s1600/20150819_111308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QD1Rnkk87N8/Veh1dOo_8mI/AAAAAAAAHKU/QPr2FTunDtk/s320/20150819_111308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gp35hMu5XRY/Veh1dXvKE0I/AAAAAAAAHKQ/9zPWPJzxhOg/s1600/20150819_111335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gp35hMu5XRY/Veh1dXvKE0I/AAAAAAAAHKQ/9zPWPJzxhOg/s320/20150819_111335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldw4lti-W-I/Veh1e3x9tKI/AAAAAAAAHKk/BihS2i-jlu0/s1600/20150819_111409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldw4lti-W-I/Veh1e3x9tKI/AAAAAAAAHKk/BihS2i-jlu0/s320/20150819_111409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESs7JSDiGm8/Veh1ffAO8lI/AAAAAAAAHKo/kf1isIpmy1A/s1600/20150819_111828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESs7JSDiGm8/Veh1ffAO8lI/AAAAAAAAHKo/kf1isIpmy1A/s320/20150819_111828.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After a quick lunch we set off again to see what was happening at the race track, as the following day the teams would arrive in earnest and, for those of us lucky enough to have weekend tickets, there would be a pitlane walk and a chance to meet the drivers!<br />
<br />
Well, the circuit was a lot busier, with the podium being prepared - please note the Canadian flags, not sure what that was about...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-PiZMJh3e8/Veh2XnQnQEI/AAAAAAAAHK4/PAKX0s9i4ho/s1600/20150819_142124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-PiZMJh3e8/Veh2XnQnQEI/AAAAAAAAHK4/PAKX0s9i4ho/s320/20150819_142124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The media circus had arrived...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hajfV6fAzbg/Veh2Y797p0I/AAAAAAAAHLU/AyQt3tNCQag/s1600/20150819_143052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hajfV6fAzbg/Veh2Y797p0I/AAAAAAAAHLU/AyQt3tNCQag/s320/20150819_143052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsVym5QOR9Q/Veh2Yhq5vaI/AAAAAAAAHLQ/jhX5U86g-iY/s1600/20150819_141646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsVym5QOR9Q/Veh2Yhq5vaI/AAAAAAAAHLQ/jhX5U86g-iY/s320/20150819_141646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
More Ferrari lorries....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4cVuB2LhXX0/Veh2YVzEYrI/AAAAAAAAHLM/40qAsmiFVaw/s1600/20150819_140707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4cVuB2LhXX0/Veh2YVzEYrI/AAAAAAAAHLM/40qAsmiFVaw/s320/20150819_140707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The safety car was being prepared...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KwwR1X5oQE/Veh23k_CtCI/AAAAAAAAHLY/37Hhtt1sLCQ/s1600/20150819_142728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KwwR1X5oQE/Veh23k_CtCI/AAAAAAAAHLY/37Hhtt1sLCQ/s320/20150819_142728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We were, by this time, very excited indeed! The next few days would be spent at the race circuit, so we nipped into Lidl in Malmedy (again, a town heavily affected in WW2 but now very pretty and peaceful) to stock up and then back to the chalet for an early night.<br />
<br />
Back soon hopefully with news of our adventures in the pitlane!!<br />
<br />
Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-2423176074174903612015-09-02T09:41:00.000+01:002015-09-02T09:41:00.207+01:00Nurburgring and NordschielfeHello again!<br />
<br />
Early on the Tuesday morning of our holiday we packed the car and set off for Germany. We were off to visit the mighty Nurburgring and Nordschliefe motor racing tracks. On the way we passed through Luxembourg and made two interesting discoveries: <br />
a- diesel there has to probably by the cheapest in Northern Europe and <br />
b- European petrol stations don't sell maps. <br />
We have a sat nav but it didn't show the race track so we had to pretty much guess our route based on nearby towns. Thankfully as we got nearer the tracks were clearly signposted. My usual chorus of "don't worry DH, you cant get lost far in...." seemed to not be well received i.e. "don't worry you cant possibly get far lost in mainland Europe" being judged as somewhat unreasonably optimistic!<br />
<br />
When we arrived at the Nurburgring we were very impressed by the exterior, evidently this has been recently re-developed...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qdooNQh8P7w/VeQNGDitKHI/AAAAAAAAHEc/mQCBfVnxP-c/s1600/20150818_145758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qdooNQh8P7w/VeQNGDitKHI/AAAAAAAAHEc/mQCBfVnxP-c/s320/20150818_145758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EG6pamA9GHs/VeQNFzidK3I/AAAAAAAAHEY/qLplMnbMchc/s1600/20150818_145900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EG6pamA9GHs/VeQNFzidK3I/AAAAAAAAHEY/qLplMnbMchc/s320/20150818_145900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6dqQgx9DL0/VeQNGeTbSvI/AAAAAAAAHEg/tr21oH9o0og/s1600/20150818_145948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6dqQgx9DL0/VeQNGeTbSvI/AAAAAAAAHEg/tr21oH9o0og/s320/20150818_145948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwCHfT14Z6A/VeQNHSop_WI/AAAAAAAAHEw/aO6YO_UzoxM/s1600/20150818_151622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwCHfT14Z6A/VeQNHSop_WI/AAAAAAAAHEw/aO6YO_UzoxM/s320/20150818_151622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The car park was full of Ferraris, Maseratis, Lambourghinis, Lotuses. our people carrier felt right at home :)<br />
<br />
The entrance area was huge...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ63mmmzArk/VeQNgMOPDFI/AAAAAAAAHE4/0xRgG_QNNLQ/s1600/20150818_142404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ63mmmzArk/VeQNgMOPDFI/AAAAAAAAHE4/0xRgG_QNNLQ/s320/20150818_142404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6v3vqn2bls/VeQNgTR8RoI/AAAAAAAAHE8/_YQ9kwrRNjs/s1600/20150818_142316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6v3vqn2bls/VeQNgTR8RoI/AAAAAAAAHE8/_YQ9kwrRNjs/s320/20150818_142316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
and contained lots of interesting things, such as one of Michael Schumacher's winning cars...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lISbOrYluZE/VeQNy5SnNRI/AAAAAAAAHFI/RKyAw0VOtV0/s1600/20150818_140600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lISbOrYluZE/VeQNy5SnNRI/AAAAAAAAHFI/RKyAw0VOtV0/s320/20150818_140600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A teddy's racing car...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXuFHgzTVAI/VeQOf98xmPI/AAAAAAAAHFY/YRhU99mVeNQ/s1600/20150818_140705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXuFHgzTVAI/VeQOf98xmPI/AAAAAAAAHFY/YRhU99mVeNQ/s320/20150818_140705.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And a car for even smaller drivers...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNoHazTeJWo/VeQOgPB1rLI/AAAAAAAAHFc/ndpS4V3bJ1g/s1600/20150818_140710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNoHazTeJWo/VeQOgPB1rLI/AAAAAAAAHFc/ndpS4V3bJ1g/s320/20150818_140710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There was a huge exhibition of Nissan cars, including Nismo's - this caused a little hilarity as although I do indeed drive a Nissan, it isn't quite like this one...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CD2lFL-WYvc/VeQO53yI84I/AAAAAAAAHFo/9W6E9oHB8eg/s1600/20150818_141344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CD2lFL-WYvc/VeQO53yI84I/AAAAAAAAHFo/9W6E9oHB8eg/s320/20150818_141344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNdrYbeXP6Q/VeQO6LhFgrI/AAAAAAAAHFs/ZqiNQML3qyw/s1600/20150818_141908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNdrYbeXP6Q/VeQO6LhFgrI/AAAAAAAAHFs/ZqiNQML3qyw/s320/20150818_141908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Have to admit I was drooling quite a bit over this beauty...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LgtQhT99-Y/VeQO50sNlLI/AAAAAAAAHFw/HgHQJrJ1L1g/s1600/20150818_141915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LgtQhT99-Y/VeQO50sNlLI/AAAAAAAAHFw/HgHQJrJ1L1g/s320/20150818_141915.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So far, all of this was completely free, but for the princely sum of two euros (less than a cup of coffee) one was afforded the opportunity to go into the Pit Straight grandstand to view the mighty Nurburgring F1 track- oh my....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VbjkJFmmltI/VeQPtUspCOI/AAAAAAAAHGE/3uSLSe875iw/s1600/20150818_131154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VbjkJFmmltI/VeQPtUspCOI/AAAAAAAAHGE/3uSLSe875iw/s320/20150818_131154.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2olcHGWKG0/VeQPy9KWb-I/AAAAAAAAHHY/yE6ntR1vD8s/s1600/20150818_135452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2olcHGWKG0/VeQPy9KWb-I/AAAAAAAAHHY/yE6ntR1vD8s/s320/20150818_135452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What a treat for us motorsport fanatics...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MshwS9OI8B8/VeQPtnCiSzI/AAAAAAAAHGI/jbU8esQOMSo/s1600/20150818_131110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MshwS9OI8B8/VeQPtnCiSzI/AAAAAAAAHGI/jbU8esQOMSo/s320/20150818_131110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR9JqctriiI/VeQPtmxPm1I/AAAAAAAAHGM/vxGZrCASbDU/s1600/20150818_131113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR9JqctriiI/VeQPtmxPm1I/AAAAAAAAHGM/vxGZrCASbDU/s320/20150818_131113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJnC0LVmSt0/VeQPvqu67-I/AAAAAAAAHGc/G1PjyIsDsro/s1600/20150818_131456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJnC0LVmSt0/VeQPvqu67-I/AAAAAAAAHGc/G1PjyIsDsro/s320/20150818_131456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cmVY7IQ5Qe4/VeQPxCooKwI/AAAAAAAAHG4/65csk3MPBuA/s1600/20150818_132531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cmVY7IQ5Qe4/VeQPxCooKwI/AAAAAAAAHG4/65csk3MPBuA/s320/20150818_132531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4781mbS4bKw/VeQPwhv8oOI/AAAAAAAAHGw/k1SOgl2I1Do/s1600/20150818_132724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4781mbS4bKw/VeQPwhv8oOI/AAAAAAAAHGw/k1SOgl2I1Do/s320/20150818_132724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMb6fJvPffE/VeQPxYUT44I/AAAAAAAAHHA/zazDwNdVpIk/s1600/20150818_133737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMb6fJvPffE/VeQPxYUT44I/AAAAAAAAHHA/zazDwNdVpIk/s320/20150818_133737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EhNs4YNaBE/VeQPy22UziI/AAAAAAAAHHU/MVubPdjbEPc/s1600/20150818_135821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EhNs4YNaBE/VeQPy22UziI/AAAAAAAAHHU/MVubPdjbEPc/s320/20150818_135821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
We even got to see cars on the track as it was a racing school training day...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGm3YM9sQW0/VeQPyItPDDI/AAAAAAAAHHI/8oiv-d5HrdM/s1600/20150818_134427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGm3YM9sQW0/VeQPyItPDDI/AAAAAAAAHHI/8oiv-d5HrdM/s320/20150818_134427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Had to take this as son #2 is mad on the German group Kraftwerk....and yes we had been singing "bah bah bah on the Autobahn" as we sped down the highly efficient German motorway on our way to the track!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-blvSxKW7-_g/VeQQvzXBk4I/AAAAAAAAHH4/1cQNdv_AO1g/s1600/20150818_132335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-blvSxKW7-_g/VeQQvzXBk4I/AAAAAAAAHH4/1cQNdv_AO1g/s320/20150818_132335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The AMG Mercedes logo, the sound of the engines of these road cars is legendary....sigh...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvl3rYou36M/VeQQv9hn5UI/AAAAAAAAHH0/wGE7TzT6St4/s1600/20150818_132346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvl3rYou36M/VeQQv9hn5UI/AAAAAAAAHH0/wGE7TzT6St4/s320/20150818_132346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Considering 2 euros to have been very sensibly spent, we bid our farewell to the Nurburgring F1 track and went in search of it's highly revered, and has to be said feared, elder ancestor, the Nordschliefe...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tcuy2gIONi4/VeQRl4SZaAI/AAAAAAAAHIk/HIjWUhj1Xy4/s1600/20150818_151749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tcuy2gIONi4/VeQRl4SZaAI/AAAAAAAAHIk/HIjWUhj1Xy4/s320/20150818_151749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was the old track, around 12 miles long, nicknamed "the Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart. It was also the place where Niki Lauda had his awful crash in 1976, depicted in the film "Rush". Many drivers lost their lives on this twisting, hilly, high speed track, and so it was decided that only the shorter track could be used for high speed races. But the Nordschliefe is still used for testing and for general uses to have a go! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here you can see the track running alongside the highway...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q266hatVWg/VeQRlobnRYI/AAAAAAAAHIg/DiaC7Tykvrg/s1600/20150818_151738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q266hatVWg/VeQRlobnRYI/AAAAAAAAHIg/DiaC7Tykvrg/s320/20150818_151738.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mSpHtmcAzk/VeQRm3TWoKI/AAAAAAAAHIw/yQFWYWGq7do/s1600/20150818_151800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mSpHtmcAzk/VeQRm3TWoKI/AAAAAAAAHIw/yQFWYWGq7do/s320/20150818_151800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
We spent a good couple of hours parked beside the track, watched the testing then the general public "having a go" - even a brave little Smart car went round!<br />
<br />
Such an amazing day - for all F1 and motorsport fans, Spa-Franchorchamps and Nurburbring are legendary places - how lucky was I to visit both within the space of a week!!<br />
<br />
Really enjoyed our brief visit to Germany, a beautiful and friendly place. Here is the Nurburg castle on the hillside as we set course back to Belgium...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StVawzoq6w8/VeQRnuQJn0I/AAAAAAAAHJA/FEjZt8eWfBo/s1600/20150818_152019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StVawzoq6w8/VeQRnuQJn0I/AAAAAAAAHJA/FEjZt8eWfBo/s320/20150818_152019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Back soon hopefully with further adventures in Europe!<br />
<br />
Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-44834703924757274412015-09-01T18:17:00.000+01:002015-09-01T18:17:00.584+01:00Return to La Roche en ArdenneHello again!<br />
<br />
On the Monday of our holiday we decided to have a brief break from our motorsport goings-on and revisited the little town we stayed in for our visit to the Belgian Grand Prix last year - <a href="http://moonstruckcreations.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/beautiful-belgium.html">La Roche en Ardenne</a>, a beautiful and friendly little town, but one with a tragic past linked to the Second Word War and the Battle of the Bulge...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyaFEmQsIYk/VeM4YJCUqUI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/ho1ZyBCsfd8/s1600/20150817_122136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyaFEmQsIYk/VeM4YJCUqUI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/ho1ZyBCsfd8/s320/20150817_122136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Such a pretty place, with houses nestled amongst the trees on the hillside...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXPjISfnVQE/VeM4XmpbxdI/AAAAAAAAHCM/ynIrL5s3g8I/s1600/20150817_122201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXPjISfnVQE/VeM4XmpbxdI/AAAAAAAAHCM/ynIrL5s3g8I/s320/20150817_122201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
and more houses line the river bank...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKjBQdwpOHE/VeM4YF0YIcI/AAAAAAAAHCY/cB0MJO2cORk/s1600/20150817_123138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKjBQdwpOHE/VeM4YF0YIcI/AAAAAAAAHCY/cB0MJO2cORk/s320/20150817_123138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty little streets...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUpS674Dezo/VeM4amXTKqI/AAAAAAAAHCk/NY6nlME5DrY/s1600/20150817_123226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUpS674Dezo/VeM4amXTKqI/AAAAAAAAHCk/NY6nlME5DrY/s320/20150817_123226.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZP4mFjlLf8/VeM4ahYqgCI/AAAAAAAAHCo/r1-fvFWJ8jk/s1600/20150817_123710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZP4mFjlLf8/VeM4ahYqgCI/AAAAAAAAHCo/r1-fvFWJ8jk/s320/20150817_123710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the lovely place we stayed in last year, as the lads were camping, but this year we all stayed together so we couldn't stay here again...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv0yzzL91O4/VeM4bC8CIfI/AAAAAAAAHC0/-c1O-NYhzx8/s1600/20150817_123837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv0yzzL91O4/VeM4bC8CIfI/AAAAAAAAHC0/-c1O-NYhzx8/s320/20150817_123837.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The British (and US flags) still fly as a mark of respect for the many service people who lost their lives liberating the town...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhIzHQ0JK88/VeM4cfMuJ2I/AAAAAAAAHC4/QiHPFqy-2Sg/s1600/20150817_124656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhIzHQ0JK88/VeM4cfMuJ2I/AAAAAAAAHC4/QiHPFqy-2Sg/s320/20150817_124656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The castle is many hundreds of years old and stands on a natural outcrop of rock...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghDzUnmtABo/VeM4dVzOt2I/AAAAAAAAHDE/vdGmZjDHJTA/s1600/20150817_125353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghDzUnmtABo/VeM4dVzOt2I/AAAAAAAAHDE/vdGmZjDHJTA/s320/20150817_125353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Climbing the ramparts is rewarded with great views across the town...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rrUkXo0PpIE/VeM4ewngTnI/AAAAAAAAHDU/ddtshp8HiGI/s1600/20150817_125819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rrUkXo0PpIE/VeM4ewngTnI/AAAAAAAAHDU/ddtshp8HiGI/s320/20150817_125819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Loving the panorama setting on my camera...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rY88GtgI3bY/VeM4deHpEaI/AAAAAAAAHDI/8k6u5e2u-hQ/s1600/20150817_131238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rY88GtgI3bY/VeM4deHpEaI/AAAAAAAAHDI/8k6u5e2u-hQ/s320/20150817_131238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Admission was 6 euros and included a falconry display - with condors! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEbrwhZQUvs/VeM4e6248zI/AAAAAAAAHDY/GkNcODbcIR4/s1600/20150817_131557-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEbrwhZQUvs/VeM4e6248zI/AAAAAAAAHDY/GkNcODbcIR4/s320/20150817_131557-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And eagles! Brilliant value! Especially as the condor nearly landed on my head on a fly past!! For some reason that seemed to be a very amusing event for my beloved family...bless them...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6UKw-Xll0o/VeM4e2_jrVI/AAAAAAAAHDc/QakJ8hBTXsk/s1600/20150817_131705-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6UKw-Xll0o/VeM4e2_jrVI/AAAAAAAAHDc/QakJ8hBTXsk/s320/20150817_131705-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Belgian flag flying proudly...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSkDR04AtoA/VeM4hfWaAgI/AAAAAAAAHDs/BSqiGzIre8E/s1600/20150817_134137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSkDR04AtoA/VeM4hfWaAgI/AAAAAAAAHDs/BSqiGzIre8E/s320/20150817_134137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The ancient walls could certainly tell a tale or two if they could speak I'm sure...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rkEoBFB3oks/VeM4h0wUe6I/AAAAAAAAHDw/BHqVotQrFYU/s1600/20150817_134429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rkEoBFB3oks/VeM4h0wUe6I/AAAAAAAAHDw/BHqVotQrFYU/s320/20150817_134429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Most of the town was totally destroyed in WW2 but the castle and church escaped relatively unscathed...so difficult now to imagine in this beautiful, quiet, friendly place...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuujUtMvK_U/VeM4iMro8nI/AAAAAAAAHD8/_J9KYnAsydU/s1600/20150817_135154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuujUtMvK_U/VeM4iMro8nI/AAAAAAAAHD8/_J9KYnAsydU/s320/20150817_135154.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We enjoyed a delicious snack of Belgian frites (which DD and I managed to order entirely in French!) before jumping back in the car to go back to our chalet by the lake...where a delicious meal was cooked by DH, followed up by these fun cow-shaped Milka chocolate biscuits for dessert...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ogXLK_MuLA/VeM6TMKL3QI/AAAAAAAAHEI/yQyJNpQz4R0/s1600/20150817_205755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ogXLK_MuLA/VeM6TMKL3QI/AAAAAAAAHEI/yQyJNpQz4R0/s320/20150817_205755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then it was a reasonably early night as we were on a mission the following day to Germany, firmly back on the motorsport theme - back soon hopefully to explain more!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Helenxx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-82245955400500668442015-08-31T08:59:00.000+01:002015-08-31T08:59:23.827+01:00Deep in the forest a monster sleeps...Hello again everyone - well, I left the last post with a bit of a cliffhanger: what were we seeking, deep in the forest of the Ardennes?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMEL26XNsdg/VeLvVDKfqpI/AAAAAAAAHBI/vXcdQ8HbSZ8/s1600/20150816_162043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMEL26XNsdg/VeLvVDKfqpI/AAAAAAAAHBI/vXcdQ8HbSZ8/s320/20150816_162043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can you make out what it is?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VN32jdaBb-c/VeLvDTfKJ9I/AAAAAAAAG_k/6tv3tUeLX-E/s1600/20150816_141944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VN32jdaBb-c/VeLvDTfKJ9I/AAAAAAAAG_k/6tv3tUeLX-E/s320/20150816_141944.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQBfR7taPyo/VeLvDHzhq9I/AAAAAAAAG_Y/WrtIhRL0v7A/s1600/20150816_141334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQBfR7taPyo/VeLvDHzhq9I/AAAAAAAAG_Y/WrtIhRL0v7A/s320/20150816_141334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, we had returned to this amazing place....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMouYtOYU7U/VeLvM-UWViI/AAAAAAAAHAY/glY16YmhgRY/s1600/20150816_151237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMouYtOYU7U/VeLvM-UWViI/AAAAAAAAHAY/glY16YmhgRY/s320/20150816_151237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For the fabulous Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix!!!!!<br />
<br />
We had been planning the trip since before last Christmas, with race tickets and accommodation booked the day before my birthday on 12th January.<br />
<br />
The track was locked to the general public as this was the weekend before the race, but the real reason for our country walk was to follow a woodland trail that runs parallel to the track giving tempting, fleeting, evocative views of what many F1 fans count to be the best race track in the world...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oInklQiDNSY/VeLvDdIYgSI/AAAAAAAAG_c/uaBnTOvI8sQ/s1600/20150816_142436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oInklQiDNSY/VeLvDdIYgSI/AAAAAAAAG_c/uaBnTOvI8sQ/s320/20150816_142436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking across to the legendary Eau Rouge section of the track...the <br />
G force exerted onto the drivers at this point is greater than that experienced by astronauts at take-off - the cars are travelling at around 200 mph...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77bOAHjYC1A/VeLvGdmXioI/AAAAAAAAG_w/Jrb3cgHP9Vg/s1600/20150816_142639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77bOAHjYC1A/VeLvGdmXioI/AAAAAAAAG_w/Jrb3cgHP9Vg/s320/20150816_142639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdFgilqRmLI/VeLvIbF4API/AAAAAAAAHAA/dVa5Ut_yIEs/s1600/20150816_143309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdFgilqRmLI/VeLvIbF4API/AAAAAAAAHAA/dVa5Ut_yIEs/s320/20150816_143309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkOnNhgvEYA/VeLvRe5ohAI/AAAAAAAAHAw/Ns2tDcdXaDU/s1600/20150816_152907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkOnNhgvEYA/VeLvRe5ohAI/AAAAAAAAHAw/Ns2tDcdXaDU/s320/20150816_152907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The pit straight...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOZJ34oqek4/VeLvS2XAN3I/AAAAAAAAHBA/klnvb-YraMU/s1600/20150816_153948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOZJ34oqek4/VeLvS2XAN3I/AAAAAAAAHBA/klnvb-YraMU/s320/20150816_153948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lorries with equipment and the cars themselves had already arrived...<br />
<br />
FIA vital equipment, this lorry, we discovered later, was carrying the safety cars...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V64TSPO4UeU/VeLvkFyL1OI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/1tn6CYzwHSQ/s1600/20150816_142333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V64TSPO4UeU/VeLvkFyL1OI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/1tn6CYzwHSQ/s320/20150816_142333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Team Lotus and Team Torro Rosso...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfTFly1JNeY/VeLvkibIIxI/AAAAAAAAHBY/uHPZBz4dB8I/s1600/20150816_143452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfTFly1JNeY/VeLvkibIIxI/AAAAAAAAHBY/uHPZBz4dB8I/s320/20150816_143452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Love the Torro Rosso logo of the charging bull...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fD9USPUTuOY/VeLvJo68A3I/AAAAAAAAHAI/z3GpJly88QM/s1600/20150816_143445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fD9USPUTuOY/VeLvJo68A3I/AAAAAAAAHAI/z3GpJly88QM/s320/20150816_143445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A HUGE cheer erupted from us all when we spotted the Ferrari lorries as the driver we support, Kimi Raikkonen, drives for this team...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kwHFgrnyf8/VeLvkDptsCI/AAAAAAAAHBU/EbufRWMeak8/s1600/20150816_141424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kwHFgrnyf8/VeLvkDptsCI/AAAAAAAAHBU/EbufRWMeak8/s320/20150816_141424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We then walked into the village of Francorchamps which offers one of the entrances to the track...<br />
<br />
Big hotel, this houses a lot of fans come race weekend...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLtg3HKgNEI/VeLvL4JEwPI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/eRD4W8EdhqU/s1600/20150816_145809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLtg3HKgNEI/VeLvL4JEwPI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/eRD4W8EdhqU/s320/20150816_145809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Impressive new house...wonder who lives there...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS9lBBmwzP0/VeLvM3WIbvI/AAAAAAAAHAc/d5TJ64S4CEQ/s1600/20150816_150647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS9lBBmwzP0/VeLvM3WIbvI/AAAAAAAAHAc/d5TJ64S4CEQ/s320/20150816_150647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hotel de la Source, named after the first bend on the track...this is a place for VIP visitors...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDszm9r68qE/VeLxVGPh1qI/AAAAAAAAHBs/ShjaA_zMBu8/s1600/20150816_150555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDszm9r68qE/VeLxVGPh1qI/AAAAAAAAHBs/ShjaA_zMBu8/s320/20150816_150555.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Number 1 son had planned this walk for us, and all were in agreement that it was the ideal start to our European Motorsport Road Trip!<br />
<br />
Walking back to the car, we excitedly discussed who we thought would be the winners and losers, who could cause an upset, the latest Formula 1 gossip - yes, our support of this sport is a real family affair. <br />
<br />
The hillside was just starting to show pink/purple hues from the emerging heather....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDEqVZWpqu4/VeLxoomoVoI/AAAAAAAAHB0/WTFpuJz9p1g/s1600/20150816_162930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDEqVZWpqu4/VeLxoomoVoI/AAAAAAAAHB0/WTFpuJz9p1g/s320/20150816_162930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Beautiful view over to Stavelot and beyond...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMtTVBSJ604/VeLxom5SekI/AAAAAAAAHB4/jGZQcyaN6gI/s1600/20150816_164957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMtTVBSJ604/VeLxom5SekI/AAAAAAAAHB4/jGZQcyaN6gI/s320/20150816_164957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tired, but excited for what awaited us the following weekend we returned back to our chalet for a lovely dinner, cooked by DH.<br />
<br />
Back soon hopefully with our visit to the castle of La Roche en Ardenne! Complete with condor!!<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-54321102587550974542015-08-30T12:32:00.004+01:002015-08-30T12:32:56.246+01:00Bonjour Europe!Hello everyone, and to those fellow bloggers in the UK, happy Bank Holiday weekend - spooky to think that the next Bank Holiday here will be Christmas Day!!<br />
<br />
I have been away for a couple of weeks from Blogland as I was lucky enough to have 10 days with my family holidaying in Europe. We set off in the middle of the night, and drove down to the ferry port in Dover. After a bit of a wait at the port, we boarded the ferry at 6am and waved goodbye to the UK...<br />
<br />
Farewell white cliffs of Dover...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fVuf86Yrbc/VeLlv7pRjrI/AAAAAAAAG9E/FrLK62vCXXw/s1600/20150815_060414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fVuf86Yrbc/VeLlv7pRjrI/AAAAAAAAG9E/FrLK62vCXXw/s320/20150815_060414.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Feeling excited as we cast away from the docks...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zO0GqzAZ7o/VeLlwUXV1BI/AAAAAAAAG9M/lCTcc_a2l0s/s1600/20150815_060713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zO0GqzAZ7o/VeLlwUXV1BI/AAAAAAAAG9M/lCTcc_a2l0s/s320/20150815_060713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Leaving the harbour...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-17Bbqy-Uthg/VeLlxHVR67I/AAAAAAAAG9Y/jLO-Kymp2h0/s1600/20150815_061036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-17Bbqy-Uthg/VeLlxHVR67I/AAAAAAAAG9Y/jLO-Kymp2h0/s320/20150815_061036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
the grey skies did not dampen our excitement...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-un5kgavfWDY/VeLlyEMSaMI/AAAAAAAAG9g/1cJkiKNFXTI/s1600/20150815_061542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-un5kgavfWDY/VeLlyEMSaMI/AAAAAAAAG9g/1cJkiKNFXTI/s320/20150815_061542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Cheeky seagull hitched a ride, perhaps he wanted to swap chips for frites!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz7yMNRCYTs/VeLlybla9BI/AAAAAAAAG9o/Wr5eVLyJjrA/s1600/20150815_061944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz7yMNRCYTs/VeLlybla9BI/AAAAAAAAG9o/Wr5eVLyJjrA/s320/20150815_061944.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sailing into the harbour at Dunkirk...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1f74zoCOpKI/VeLlzXVgIQI/AAAAAAAAG9w/gRlf3H7HIUo/s1600/20150815_074624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1f74zoCOpKI/VeLlzXVgIQI/AAAAAAAAG9w/gRlf3H7HIUo/s320/20150815_074624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHmrLgDYErI/VeLlzkXvU1I/AAAAAAAAG90/sJgQeAetPAQ/s1600/20150815_075245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHmrLgDYErI/VeLlzkXvU1I/AAAAAAAAG90/sJgQeAetPAQ/s320/20150815_075245.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once arriving in France we promptly set the sat nav for Belgium and headed for the village of Vielsalm, deep in the Ardennes. It rained heavily on and off for the whole journey, but this did not bother us one bit - we were far too excited!<br />
<br />
We stayed in a lakeside chalet, lovely views out of the window in the evening...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbIC6inS9Js/VeLnODOTNzI/AAAAAAAAG-E/1eSn2UitnDs/s1600/20150817_201241_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbIC6inS9Js/VeLnODOTNzI/AAAAAAAAG-E/1eSn2UitnDs/s320/20150817_201241_LLS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ_2qlxT4JQ/VeLnhVHMPzI/AAAAAAAAG-M/5eaIudXLvpI/s1600/20150817_201300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ_2qlxT4JQ/VeLnhVHMPzI/AAAAAAAAG-M/5eaIudXLvpI/s320/20150817_201300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next morning we discovered some geese had made their home on the lake, they were quite vocal...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OC7xYLY7mXE/VeLn5j3X3hI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/1fN3FrGEqiE/s1600/20150817_113029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OC7xYLY7mXE/VeLn5j3X3hI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/1fN3FrGEqiE/s320/20150817_113029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6YblX3z-zE/VeLn5-tInlI/AAAAAAAAG-U/Po091MGBjNg/s1600/20150817_113048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6YblX3z-zE/VeLn5-tInlI/AAAAAAAAG-U/Po091MGBjNg/s320/20150817_113048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A lot of fun was had feeding these guys, they could be quite intimidating at times though!<br />
<br />
On Sunday we set out for a country walk, deep in the forests of the Ardennes...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5UnY0CYtZ4/VeLoXY-DINI/AAAAAAAAG-w/adqA4qa3Y7k/s1600/20150816_125333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5UnY0CYtZ4/VeLoXY-DINI/AAAAAAAAG-w/adqA4qa3Y7k/s320/20150816_125333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avFOqQIvQWo/VeLoWXi2VUI/AAAAAAAAG-k/vV-Oq8oqSQs/s1600/20150816_125757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avFOqQIvQWo/VeLoWXi2VUI/AAAAAAAAG-k/vV-Oq8oqSQs/s320/20150816_125757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The landscape is a working area too, with the forest carefully managed for logging purposes...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41GfJ2mizHw/VeLoW-IU6cI/AAAAAAAAG-o/AuVK5shFjSk/s1600/20150816_133216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41GfJ2mizHw/VeLoW-IU6cI/AAAAAAAAG-o/AuVK5shFjSk/s320/20150816_133216.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But it still remains blissfully tranquil...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfd5Sf3K7Vw/VeLoX1rcxII/AAAAAAAAG-8/jlu3qo5ykYs/s1600/20150816_134423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfd5Sf3K7Vw/VeLoX1rcxII/AAAAAAAAG-8/jlu3qo5ykYs/s320/20150816_134423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We covered over 8 miles in total. But although we were really enjoying these dream-like forest views, we were looking to catch a glimpse of something else...the excitement when we eventually spied, deep in the forest, what we were looking for cannot be described...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gfM_odkB4w/VeLo-gjzH1I/AAAAAAAAG_I/s2PHZyTm3BE/s1600/20150816_141235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gfM_odkB4w/VeLo-gjzH1I/AAAAAAAAG_I/s2PHZyTm3BE/s320/20150816_141235.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What do you think it was? And why do you think we were in Belgium? <br />
<br />
Back soon hopefully to explain!<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-42577999173804811792015-08-09T21:15:00.000+01:002015-08-09T21:15:25.884+01:00woodland walkGood evening everyone hope you had a lovely weekend. A very busy one here. Yesterday late on in the afternoon we had an invite to dinner with relatives in London. We got there in time and finally got home at 2 am this morning.<br />
<br />
This afternoon we decided on a leisurely stroll to our local outwoods. It was lovely. Still in summer mode...but subtle glimpses of autumn were there if you looked closely. I could almost smell autumn in the air. So tantalising close, but not too close yet. The fields are all ready to be harvested. I am in the garden writing this and I can hear farming equipment in the distance.<br />
<br />
Well back to work tomorrow for a week before the second part of my holiday.<br />
<br />
Night night, Helenxx<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFxXReJFJXw/Vce0ZnMdDkI/AAAAAAAAG6w/oU04b_06y40/s1600/20150809_155053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFxXReJFJXw/Vce0ZnMdDkI/AAAAAAAAG6w/oU04b_06y40/s320/20150809_155053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yz8qSYjyDWc/Vce0ZDolpaI/AAAAAAAAG6o/anmqtYZX02Y/s1600/20150809_154912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yz8qSYjyDWc/Vce0ZDolpaI/AAAAAAAAG6o/anmqtYZX02Y/s320/20150809_154912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCbgIyQUVBQ/Vce0ZMWTCrI/AAAAAAAAG6s/xnVqJN5nGWM/s1600/20150809_154804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCbgIyQUVBQ/Vce0ZMWTCrI/AAAAAAAAG6s/xnVqJN5nGWM/s320/20150809_154804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaC27xiVTvk/Vce0bLCpyHI/AAAAAAAAG7A/mM7dzYeIqgI/s1600/20150809_154701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaC27xiVTvk/Vce0bLCpyHI/AAAAAAAAG7A/mM7dzYeIqgI/s320/20150809_154701.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1QtjcSIrBY/Vce0b8hRgII/AAAAAAAAG7I/2zhTCGHxKjQ/s1600/20150809_154119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1QtjcSIrBY/Vce0b8hRgII/AAAAAAAAG7I/2zhTCGHxKjQ/s320/20150809_154119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukLuvybq0rw/Vce0byZsDsI/AAAAAAAAG7E/OmERw7XC2KA/s1600/20150809_154330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukLuvybq0rw/Vce0byZsDsI/AAAAAAAAG7E/OmERw7XC2KA/s320/20150809_154330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IRkBPXeA7co/Vce0dAxlglI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/iJl91WErbGI/s1600/20150809_154323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IRkBPXeA7co/Vce0dAxlglI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/iJl91WErbGI/s320/20150809_154323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZN3zLMGdrQ/Vce0d7URNPI/AAAAAAAAG7g/W97bG9dnBmg/s1600/20150809_153905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZN3zLMGdrQ/Vce0d7URNPI/AAAAAAAAG7g/W97bG9dnBmg/s320/20150809_153905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgr7J1UlI20/Vce0divQuBI/AAAAAAAAG7k/_-V2BUz27rE/s1600/20150809_153821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgr7J1UlI20/Vce0divQuBI/AAAAAAAAG7k/_-V2BUz27rE/s320/20150809_153821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bc2oOLfZKeQ/Vce0eK0CFdI/AAAAAAAAG7o/duSjmID_nU0/s1600/20150809_153332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bc2oOLfZKeQ/Vce0eK0CFdI/AAAAAAAAG7o/duSjmID_nU0/s320/20150809_153332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJIbZ-KrHGo/Vce0fRkmcMI/AAAAAAAAG74/VqI57lRt3Ws/s1600/20150809_153212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJIbZ-KrHGo/Vce0fRkmcMI/AAAAAAAAG74/VqI57lRt3Ws/s320/20150809_153212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJLPCld6r_c/Vce0fn6xiVI/AAAAAAAAG78/vG1h3KeQnpI/s1600/20150809_153206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJLPCld6r_c/Vce0fn6xiVI/AAAAAAAAG78/vG1h3KeQnpI/s320/20150809_153206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCXMoEQxytE/Vce0graVCUI/AAAAAAAAG8I/FQvsDbgwy_k/s1600/20150809_152534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCXMoEQxytE/Vce0graVCUI/AAAAAAAAG8I/FQvsDbgwy_k/s320/20150809_152534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5yYx2cqBUs/Vce0g8vNSLI/AAAAAAAAG8M/4nmFs23NG0A/s1600/20150809_152400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5yYx2cqBUs/Vce0g8vNSLI/AAAAAAAAG8M/4nmFs23NG0A/s320/20150809_152400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gswLTnnbqY/Vce0g7YHdFI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/Zl6164JuqEw/s1600/20150809_152216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gswLTnnbqY/Vce0g7YHdFI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/Zl6164JuqEw/s320/20150809_152216.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJndI43nVCc/Vce0h9oAC7I/AAAAAAAAG8g/bNXQA5WmVks/s1600/20150809_153446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJndI43nVCc/Vce0h9oAC7I/AAAAAAAAG8g/bNXQA5WmVks/s320/20150809_153446.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbo_os_SYV8/Vce0ia5rLSI/AAAAAAAAG8k/hggdvc2EuxA/s1600/20150809_151931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbo_os_SYV8/Vce0ia5rLSI/AAAAAAAAG8k/hggdvc2EuxA/s320/20150809_151931.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-19977623729683381782015-08-07T17:47:00.002+01:002015-08-07T17:47:42.162+01:00MatlockHi everyone. I am gradually getting my head around going back to work next week. It is only for a week then I am off again for ten days before the teacher training day starts.<br />
<br />
so can't grumble!<br />
<br />
This afternoon DD and I popped up to Matlock in Derbyshire for a little walk around . It is only an hour away. Lovely little town to potter around and has a pretty park too complete with bandstand..DD pointed out a tuttut on a restaurant roof quite unusual. ...<br />
<br />
back home now having a cuppa before starting the dinner.<br />
<br />
Did you see the sunset last night? Really stunning.<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DUuxyAu5lo/VcTghAsyoXI/AAAAAAAAG40/L-ouj3N8b9M/s1600/20150807_132635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DUuxyAu5lo/VcTghAsyoXI/AAAAAAAAG40/L-ouj3N8b9M/s320/20150807_132635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLOU1jnRDKA/VcTgjiN7FCI/AAAAAAAAG48/EBTQ1fvRgVM/s1600/20150807_132247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLOU1jnRDKA/VcTgjiN7FCI/AAAAAAAAG48/EBTQ1fvRgVM/s320/20150807_132247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Jy_5bAFfVQ/VcTglXR7AaI/AAAAAAAAG5E/PND_cw63758/s1600/20150807_132240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Jy_5bAFfVQ/VcTglXR7AaI/AAAAAAAAG5E/PND_cw63758/s320/20150807_132240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hU71MBxhyic/VcTgofZ_TQI/AAAAAAAAG5M/uVuh1m4Lc1s/s1600/20150807_132233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hU71MBxhyic/VcTgofZ_TQI/AAAAAAAAG5M/uVuh1m4Lc1s/s320/20150807_132233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VmzPSldIMdg/VcTgpuWzn0I/AAAAAAAAG5U/V5jIQO-dXdo/s1600/20150807_125937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VmzPSldIMdg/VcTgpuWzn0I/AAAAAAAAG5U/V5jIQO-dXdo/s320/20150807_125937.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zI-pWUiMR0Y/VcTgrLUgVbI/AAAAAAAAG5c/b1HdsiaJfAE/s1600/2015-08-07%2B17.36.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zI-pWUiMR0Y/VcTgrLUgVbI/AAAAAAAAG5c/b1HdsiaJfAE/s320/2015-08-07%2B17.36.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiHZS6pmn4M/VcTgykvXdwI/AAAAAAAAG5k/ap5fwnx2pM8/s1600/20150807_125625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiHZS6pmn4M/VcTgykvXdwI/AAAAAAAAG5k/ap5fwnx2pM8/s320/20150807_125625.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6N4sOW_OKBE/VcTgzuaW-iI/AAAAAAAAG5s/Y_FHP8ZxzCM/s1600/20150806_205435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6N4sOW_OKBE/VcTgzuaW-iI/AAAAAAAAG5s/Y_FHP8ZxzCM/s320/20150806_205435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LMZZlzK2sc/VcTg1Yu65HI/AAAAAAAAG50/E-tIBXFvff8/s1600/20150806_205421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LMZZlzK2sc/VcTg1Yu65HI/AAAAAAAAG50/E-tIBXFvff8/s320/20150806_205421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJo12jAxmHI/VcTg3EZUwgI/AAAAAAAAG58/QKPRoGhyZSs/s1600/20150806_205359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJo12jAxmHI/VcTg3EZUwgI/AAAAAAAAG58/QKPRoGhyZSs/s320/20150806_205359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-32218567009129920682015-08-06T22:29:00.002+01:002015-08-06T22:29:57.848+01:00Down memory lane in Yorkshire Hello everyone hope you are having a great week.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMt1-9MLDB0/VcPRHOo1pLI/AAAAAAAAG4A/ptxaubKkKbk/s1600/IMG_20150804_230343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMt1-9MLDB0/VcPRHOo1pLI/AAAAAAAAG4A/ptxaubKkKbk/s320/IMG_20150804_230343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olSLzKRsmJw/VcPRKHQuGRI/AAAAAAAAG4I/aigFpZ2Pn2U/s1600/IMG_20150804_230209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olSLzKRsmJw/VcPRKHQuGRI/AAAAAAAAG4I/aigFpZ2Pn2U/s320/IMG_20150804_230209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMiy7GJ4kDw/VcPRMlbblHI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/beMtbLVdwn4/s1600/IMG_20150804_225439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMiy7GJ4kDw/VcPRMlbblHI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/beMtbLVdwn4/s320/IMG_20150804_225439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEWI1Pe3v-8/VcPROn-6McI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/a6EkJawIoi4/s1600/IMG_20150804_225757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEWI1Pe3v-8/VcPROn-6McI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/a6EkJawIoi4/s320/IMG_20150804_225757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BU1xbUfIdE/VcPRQ07SPNI/AAAAAAAAG4g/9DeZxqvXeHA/s1600/IMG_20150804_225553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BU1xbUfIdE/VcPRQ07SPNI/AAAAAAAAG4g/9DeZxqvXeHA/s320/IMG_20150804_225553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On Tuesday DD and I went up to Yorkshire to visit some very dear friends. We had a lovely time catching up. We used to live near each other as I lived in Yorkshire for 16 years.<br />
<br />
We had a lovely drive around and I thought I would share some of the magnificent views I used to know so well.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_674007256"></span><span id="goog_674007257"></span><br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_481677898"></span><span id="goog_481677899"></span><br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-35523874519714647702015-08-03T09:20:00.000+01:002015-08-03T15:44:06.433+01:00Pootling gentlyMorning everyone hope you had a good weekend.<br />
<br />
DH had to work one day over the weekend but we still managed to sneak a cheeky trip to Derbyshire. Always a favourite place to visit for us.<br />
<br />
at the moment I am blogging from my camera (yes you did read that right) which is great but with two caveats:<br />
1-i am prone to typos with the small touch screen keyboard and 2- I can only seem to load photos after the text. It is however early days using this method so hopefully i will improve my skills as i go.<br />
<br />
Have a great Monday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niiI4pdbYTU/Vb8jdnKJziI/AAAAAAAAG3g/YFdDtkmRtu0/s1600/20150731_143024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niiI4pdbYTU/Vb8jdnKJziI/AAAAAAAAG3g/YFdDtkmRtu0/s320/20150731_143024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiPOl7Chy7Y/Vb8jikSJfjI/AAAAAAAAG3o/nenKj-KeXJc/s1600/20150731_115510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiPOl7Chy7Y/Vb8jikSJfjI/AAAAAAAAG3o/nenKj-KeXJc/s320/20150731_115510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4K5t39a_5M/Vb8jmxOqBfI/AAAAAAAAG3w/cs1JDjHCwXc/s1600/20150731_125308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4K5t39a_5M/Vb8jmxOqBfI/AAAAAAAAG3w/cs1JDjHCwXc/s320/20150731_125308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPTcoKLLJGs/Vb8jSnHII7I/AAAAAAAAG3Q/NhgW8iY6pLo/s1600/20150731_142817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPTcoKLLJGs/Vb8jSnHII7I/AAAAAAAAG3Q/NhgW8iY6pLo/s320/20150731_142817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pUkuBC4dBA/Vb8jYqcGsZI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/m0aGZ1xt_XM/s1600/20150731_143250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pUkuBC4dBA/Vb8jYqcGsZI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/m0aGZ1xt_XM/s320/20150731_143250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-HwpHElZ0k/Vb8jInij7bI/AAAAAAAAG3A/jyyNrFixnDU/s1600/20150731_115710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-HwpHElZ0k/Vb8jInij7bI/AAAAAAAAG3A/jyyNrFixnDU/s320/20150731_115710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc4TBS3Y8cI/Vb8jNWTF3BI/AAAAAAAAG3I/yf0jqJ-OK_4/s1600/20150731_124256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc4TBS3Y8cI/Vb8jNWTF3BI/AAAAAAAAG3I/yf0jqJ-OK_4/s320/20150731_124256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1118917219"></span><span id="goog_1118917220"></span><br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-42607914450846464282015-08-02T13:46:00.001+01:002015-08-02T13:46:37.843+01:00Easy like Sunday morningJust chilling today with a bit of baking (cinnamon rolls) and a bit of cross stitch. Blissful.<br />
<br />
hope your day is relaxing!<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvmznUY93tI/Vb4QdC1ND-I/AAAAAAAAG2g/mGEQUo7DQj4/s1600/20150802_123243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvmznUY93tI/Vb4QdC1ND-I/AAAAAAAAG2g/mGEQUo7DQj4/s320/20150802_123243.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYCIjPrfA_c/Vb4RFyInNQI/AAAAAAAAG2o/VJqxzNKE5WA/s1600/10984462_527221164095684_7052486511022687308_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYCIjPrfA_c/Vb4RFyInNQI/AAAAAAAAG2o/VJqxzNKE5WA/s320/10984462_527221164095684_7052486511022687308_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-3925387034922828612015-08-01T10:06:00.000+01:002015-08-01T10:06:13.159+01:00Once in a blue moon...We get two full moons in a calendar month! And that is exactly what happened last night.<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-4h9SAyJI0/VbyL4khrNlI/AAAAAAAAG2M/4kXAkVp-p10/s1600/2015-07-31%2B21.53.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-4h9SAyJI0/VbyL4khrNlI/AAAAAAAAG2M/4kXAkVp-p10/s320/2015-07-31%2B21.53.42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-13114006043770872082015-07-31T19:31:00.001+01:002015-07-31T19:31:12.531+01:00Now breathe....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At last....on a break from work. Thanks so much for your kind and lovely comments on my last post. MIL is on the mend thankfully. Now school is out so time to reflect wonder at nature and eat icecream. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hope you are all having a wonderful summer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Helenxx</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4DT5w5KcYk/Vbu9umZWu5I/AAAAAAAAG1Y/lZKSpwW-uDw/s1600/20150731_142120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4DT5w5KcYk/Vbu9umZWu5I/AAAAAAAAG1Y/lZKSpwW-uDw/s320/20150731_142120.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRNlwCAW3xo/Vbu9xikj64I/AAAAAAAAG1g/hT3mhR0DuqI/s1600/20150731_143150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRNlwCAW3xo/Vbu9xikj64I/AAAAAAAAG1g/hT3mhR0DuqI/s320/20150731_143150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfU2rCxsP9k/Vbu9746SZVI/AAAAAAAAG1w/gql6GCKLUwE/s1600/2015-07-28%2B18.40.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfU2rCxsP9k/Vbu9746SZVI/AAAAAAAAG1w/gql6GCKLUwE/s320/2015-07-28%2B18.40.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rHcrp13LJQ/Vbu-BmFrnrI/AAAAAAAAG14/F-1CRH55xnc/s1600/2015-07-25%2B20.49.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rHcrp13LJQ/Vbu-BmFrnrI/AAAAAAAAG14/F-1CRH55xnc/s1600/2015-07-25%2B20.49.07.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-62846239077327610432015-06-15T06:52:00.000+01:002015-06-15T06:52:00.913+01:00A difficult weekendMorning everyone.<br />
<br />
It has been a difficult weekend. My MIL was rushed into hospital on Saturday. Yesterday she had surgery my husband was told that the risks were high. She did make it through but is in intensive care at the moment. We are all hoping and praying she makes a good and speedy recovery.<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2oDuDWZlN4/VX5n6GKZoQI/AAAAAAAAG1A/0NxcDLuVwJ8/s1600/20150615_063751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2oDuDWZlN4/VX5n6GKZoQI/AAAAAAAAG1A/0NxcDLuVwJ8/s320/20150615_063751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-41960716794260844362015-06-08T06:39:00.003+01:002015-06-08T06:39:49.175+01:00Early on a Monday MorningGood morning everyone - well, here we are at the beginning of a new week. I was up very bright and early this morning (5.30am!) and decided to hang the washing out as it was already very sunny (quite nippy though). And as I walked in and out of the house with the washing I looked up and spotted the moon - well, how could I not grab my camera?! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZXQga941Ag/VXUodmDZx_I/AAAAAAAAGzU/_GulKIo4NtE/s1600/2015-06-08%2B06.20.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZXQga941Ag/VXUodmDZx_I/AAAAAAAAGzU/_GulKIo4NtE/s1600/2015-06-08%2B06.20.31.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The sky is so clear this morning, and with the zoom on full throttle I could even spot the craters on the moon's surface - and yes, I was Moonstruck!!<br />
<br />
A few other things caught my eye in the garden too, I had bought a few plants at the Open Gardens event on Saturday... a pot of basil...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4KOyXL4Gg0/VXUo_F2o7zI/AAAAAAAAGzk/vUZj3thtZQI/s1600/20150608_061312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4KOyXL4Gg0/VXUo_F2o7zI/AAAAAAAAGzk/vUZj3thtZQI/s320/20150608_061312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Liquorice mint - quite unusual flavour but very refreshing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98BYj-id6hE/VXUo_NFqFSI/AAAAAAAAGzs/0CEQa3ULzxs/s1600/20150608_061258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98BYj-id6hE/VXUo_NFqFSI/AAAAAAAAGzs/0CEQa3ULzxs/s320/20150608_061258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
and a Sedum plant - we used to call these Ice Plants, due to the sparkly appearance when water droplets catch on the leaves - the butterflies love the pink flowers in the Autumn when these are at their best...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytP89rfqQ-o/VXUo_AKoJ2I/AAAAAAAAGzo/BerD4psZMB0/s1600/20150608_061318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytP89rfqQ-o/VXUo_AKoJ2I/AAAAAAAAGzo/BerD4psZMB0/s320/20150608_061318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Can you spot the bee busy amongst these blossoms?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ntXdr2bp70/VXUpAxUAewI/AAAAAAAAGz8/zduuFgHEIdc/s1600/20150608_061503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ntXdr2bp70/VXUpAxUAewI/AAAAAAAAGz8/zduuFgHEIdc/s320/20150608_061503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And finally I couldn't help taking this photo of our olive tree, branches swaying against the blue sky - could almost imagine that I was in Spain...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XdkmXfSJrak/VXUpAyI9RkI/AAAAAAAAG0A/GcA71BMTo_A/s1600/20150608_061520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XdkmXfSJrak/VXUpAyI9RkI/AAAAAAAAG0A/GcA71BMTo_A/s320/20150608_061520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, must away as the household is starting to stir, and there is a long, busy week ahead. Hope you have a great Monday!<br />
<br />
Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-77784828893583920502015-06-07T09:57:00.000+01:002015-06-07T09:57:21.899+01:00In English Country GardensMorning everyone, hope you are having a lovely weekend.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, my bestest and our DDs went along to an Open Garden Afternoon in one of our local villages in the Charnwood Forest. I usually miss the event due to this and that, but this year things worked out just perfectly. The weather was super, sunny, warm but not too hot - just as well really as we walked a lot and it was very hilly in places! There were plant sales, and one house opened up it's garden as an impromptu café - the lady there made delicious cakes, Sue and I had pineapple fruit cake and our daughters had the rich chocolate cake - very scrummy indeed.<br />
<br />
So, on to the gardens but I must give Due Warning - this will be a <strong>very </strong>photo heavy post!<br />
<br />
The first garden we visited was owned by a sweet couple who had founded the Open Gardens Event almost 30 years ago...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3llmH8kSPlc/VXQDZ502snI/AAAAAAAAGu4/-6Qbct27dRo/s1600/20150606_142532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3llmH8kSPlc/VXQDZ502snI/AAAAAAAAGu4/-6Qbct27dRo/s320/20150606_142532.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5WSd4ooa2g/VXQDZ4Z9hGI/AAAAAAAAGu0/_Ku1oNSCYtw/s1600/20150606_142613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5WSd4ooa2g/VXQDZ4Z9hGI/AAAAAAAAGu0/_Ku1oNSCYtw/s320/20150606_142613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc2tZpGX-Dk/VXQDZWh0X9I/AAAAAAAAGuw/_brvqpOESrw/s1600/20150606_142620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc2tZpGX-Dk/VXQDZWh0X9I/AAAAAAAAGuw/_brvqpOESrw/s320/20150606_142620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Rtjta_5oiM/VXQDbzoSFoI/AAAAAAAAGvI/aAiaRf6epII/s1600/20150606_143043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Rtjta_5oiM/VXQDbzoSFoI/AAAAAAAAGvI/aAiaRf6epII/s320/20150606_143043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjQQrDoscuU/VXQDcLBoHvI/AAAAAAAAGvc/9v0XQ2WXmZw/s1600/20150606_143309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjQQrDoscuU/VXQDcLBoHvI/AAAAAAAAGvc/9v0XQ2WXmZw/s320/20150606_143309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6lf-zI0ZJM/VXQDcD36wXI/AAAAAAAAGvM/Zdk14FDim48/s1600/20150606_143347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6lf-zI0ZJM/VXQDcD36wXI/AAAAAAAAGvM/Zdk14FDim48/s320/20150606_143347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DNlb9yLbao/VXQDdF0zEXI/AAAAAAAAGvY/QZbO1K3HqX8/s1600/20150606_143413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DNlb9yLbao/VXQDdF0zEXI/AAAAAAAAGvY/QZbO1K3HqX8/s320/20150606_143413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This sweet little chap kept an eye on the proceedings...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ra5ih3p8F0/VXQDzIsaDYI/AAAAAAAAGvo/5W66Fizqe6o/s1600/20150606_142517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ra5ih3p8F0/VXQDzIsaDYI/AAAAAAAAGvo/5W66Fizqe6o/s320/20150606_142517.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The next garden was long and narrow and full of the most lovely things...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaSzAH_q31s/VXQFQpUPpGI/AAAAAAAAGws/CqZWjz4TKks/s1600/20150606_144050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaSzAH_q31s/VXQFQpUPpGI/AAAAAAAAGws/CqZWjz4TKks/s320/20150606_144050.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DLcRYraVbis/VXQFQZw8miI/AAAAAAAAGwo/LGW-0FvX654/s1600/20150606_144140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DLcRYraVbis/VXQFQZw8miI/AAAAAAAAGwo/LGW-0FvX654/s320/20150606_144140.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfAgAv_qZN4/VXQFYpBdcDI/AAAAAAAAGw4/sVLJt5wfaw4/s1600/20150606_144119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfAgAv_qZN4/VXQFYpBdcDI/AAAAAAAAGw4/sVLJt5wfaw4/s320/20150606_144119.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eaF8GVx9lcc/VXQFZL_obPI/AAAAAAAAGxE/17y1j1UhJYw/s1600/20150606_144222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eaF8GVx9lcc/VXQFZL_obPI/AAAAAAAAGxE/17y1j1UhJYw/s320/20150606_144222.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XI1I_oPaFQQ/VXQEW0cnUvI/AAAAAAAAGwg/czLB9UeDAEs/s1600/20150606_144207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XI1I_oPaFQQ/VXQEW0cnUvI/AAAAAAAAGwg/czLB9UeDAEs/s320/20150606_144207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPivS6UPAuY/VXQEUrUTVaI/AAAAAAAAGwI/Q9W4S86vr-Q/s1600/20150606_143921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPivS6UPAuY/VXQEUrUTVaI/AAAAAAAAGwI/Q9W4S86vr-Q/s320/20150606_143921.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Glk1dtuPJ-o/VXQET2zjiOI/AAAAAAAAGv8/JKSiaK7b4kY/s1600/20150606_143835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Glk1dtuPJ-o/VXQET2zjiOI/AAAAAAAAGv8/JKSiaK7b4kY/s320/20150606_143835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And of course, everywhere we visited there were wonderful flowers...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VCXyDJ32QnM/VXQFvG6JAfI/AAAAAAAAGxU/sbH7u7LCb8M/s1600/20150606_154414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VCXyDJ32QnM/VXQFvG6JAfI/AAAAAAAAGxU/sbH7u7LCb8M/s320/20150606_154414.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-meyNoJ7t5q4/VXQEUWdIwiI/AAAAAAAAGwA/CcEPwviFNVY/s1600/20150606_144014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-meyNoJ7t5q4/VXQEUWdIwiI/AAAAAAAAGwA/CcEPwviFNVY/s320/20150606_144014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8w0UIm43HrY/VXQEVclWioI/AAAAAAAAGwM/NErcCTCfjEw/s1600/20150606_144032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8w0UIm43HrY/VXQEVclWioI/AAAAAAAAGwM/NErcCTCfjEw/s320/20150606_144032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xqGXC20Gk0/VXQEV2v_G_I/AAAAAAAAGwU/HderTYxh0gw/s1600/20150606_144126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xqGXC20Gk0/VXQEV2v_G_I/AAAAAAAAGwU/HderTYxh0gw/s320/20150606_144126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tBmsL-L4hE/VXQFu9EQrKI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/u2-swTQ2clo/s1600/20150606_154346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tBmsL-L4hE/VXQFu9EQrKI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/u2-swTQ2clo/s320/20150606_154346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was delighted to find that one lovely old cottage on one of our walking routes was open to visit - we often peek over the hedge and say "wouldn't it be lovely to visit that garden?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dIYZWtS3j1I/VXQGPK1oNRI/AAAAAAAAGxg/ol5EwFNjCdU/s1600/20150606_145445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dIYZWtS3j1I/VXQGPK1oNRI/AAAAAAAAGxg/ol5EwFNjCdU/s320/20150606_145445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzcEher7yYw/VXQGRmDKMgI/AAAAAAAAGx4/h7ez6mAVUJM/s1600/20150606_154323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzcEher7yYw/VXQGRmDKMgI/AAAAAAAAGx4/h7ez6mAVUJM/s320/20150606_154323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-w0qzzq4Vw/VXQGXTqai7I/AAAAAAAAGy8/cktoZIxQ7u0/s1600/20150606_155504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-w0qzzq4Vw/VXQGXTqai7I/AAAAAAAAGy8/cktoZIxQ7u0/s320/20150606_155504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ChEgNHhArE/VXQGPN0RUQI/AAAAAAAAGxo/6TrXd_wJN38/s1600/20150606_145439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ChEgNHhArE/VXQGPN0RUQI/AAAAAAAAGxo/6TrXd_wJN38/s320/20150606_145439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Summer fruit and vegetables...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvb3bIGtjxc/VXQGR70LOJI/AAAAAAAAGyM/bQQAR8IjNZ4/s1600/20150606_154638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvb3bIGtjxc/VXQGR70LOJI/AAAAAAAAGyM/bQQAR8IjNZ4/s320/20150606_154638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIvzuPjaHP0/VXQGToT5qiI/AAAAAAAAGyg/KYqx9G8743E/s1600/20150606_154953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIvzuPjaHP0/VXQGToT5qiI/AAAAAAAAGyg/KYqx9G8743E/s320/20150606_154953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCvVbteGJME/VXQGTOXxxWI/AAAAAAAAGyY/iDq-MFU4EDY/s1600/20150606_154810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCvVbteGJME/VXQGTOXxxWI/AAAAAAAAGyY/iDq-MFU4EDY/s320/20150606_154810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
flowers, birdhouses and lanterns decorates the borders...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWjTDXaAdjg/VXQGT1I2OOI/AAAAAAAAGyk/_4F1Dtk2h2s/s1600/20150606_155408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWjTDXaAdjg/VXQGT1I2OOI/AAAAAAAAGyk/_4F1Dtk2h2s/s320/20150606_155408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mW7c9flks8c/VXQGV7LHeyI/AAAAAAAAGzA/GiPrDwOheyM/s1600/20150606_155443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mW7c9flks8c/VXQGV7LHeyI/AAAAAAAAGzA/GiPrDwOheyM/s320/20150606_155443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8FOJjm6oqs/VXQGV7YuYpI/AAAAAAAAGy4/48eQxZwd-D0/s1600/20150606_155433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8FOJjm6oqs/VXQGV7YuYpI/AAAAAAAAGy4/48eQxZwd-D0/s320/20150606_155433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xP44xfVAQrY/VXQGPGQy5DI/AAAAAAAAGxs/8jH6zeNZJlc/s1600/20150606_145338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xP44xfVAQrY/VXQGPGQy5DI/AAAAAAAAGxs/8jH6zeNZJlc/s320/20150606_145338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
All in all, it was a lovely afternoon. At the moment we are in the middle of a major "re-furb" of our garden, we have built a new shed and have almost finished replacing the fences. So now we are almost ready to start planting anew, although there are some old shrubs to be tackled before that can happen. But looking around these beautifully tended gardens certainly was inspirational, and gave some food for thought!<br />
<br />
Hope you get some time to spend in your garden today!<br />
<br />
Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-78857174487783638752015-06-06T08:49:00.001+01:002015-06-06T08:49:10.215+01:00At the Grand Old House <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Morning everyone, the sun is shining (so far) it is very breezy, so the washing is looking as if it will dry nice and quickly on the line. A common thread of this little blog is the hectic work life I lead. And last week was very much in the same vein. I had been very busy preparing to deliver a review and planning day for the project I lead. Lots of data to analyse and present. Powerpoint to do. Group activities to plan. Important guests accepted the invitation. You get the picture. I was really excited and looking forward to it, but also quite nervous too - what if I wasted a whole day of the guest's time? What if it came across as a bit, well, amateurish? What if I had a question I couldn't answer? And where to hold the event? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Those who have followed my <strike>ramblings </strike>writings for a while will probably have seen some photos of what I call the Grand Old House, which is set in beautiful grounds near to where I live. It is used to hold teacher training events, conferences etc. How pleased was I when my boss told me to book a conference room there for the day!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The room we used was the one behind the window on the right of this photo of the façade...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kzmDayYF8o/VXHi1Ddk3LI/AAAAAAAAGuI/IG9Y4FV3ZRc/s1600/2015-05-19%2B09.23.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kzmDayYF8o/VXHi1Ddk3LI/AAAAAAAAGuI/IG9Y4FV3ZRc/s320/2015-05-19%2B09.23.50.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking out of the window, once I had set everything up with the help of my wonderful assistant, I surveyed the sweeping drive that leads up to the hall...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-156oTwBhPpA/VXHi6HdArZI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/keXLvqUBl4g/s1600/2015-05-19%2B09.22.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-156oTwBhPpA/VXHi6HdArZI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/keXLvqUBl4g/s320/2015-05-19%2B09.22.34.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
I jokingly said that I wished I was the Lady of the Manor!! <br />
<br />
The hall is a local landmark, only available to be visited on a couple of guided tours per year, or by booking one of the monthly Sunday lunches they hold there. I could recommend that as each time I go there (and this week was no exception) the food is fabulous and the service meticulous. The hall is a Victorian building, owned by a local family, until it was requisitioned in the Second World War by the government. It then became one of several listening posts feeding into Bletchley Park. Much of the old outbuildings, air raid shelters etc are preserved for local school children to visit. A lovely time of year to be there on a conference is near Christmas time, when there is a huge Christmas tree in the hallway and if any school children are there visiting the teachers usher them to sing carols to us at coffee break.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnc42jgznuQ/VXHi_tPfV-I/AAAAAAAAGuY/fKCGz1kMokg/s1600/20150519_084852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnc42jgznuQ/VXHi_tPfV-I/AAAAAAAAGuY/fKCGz1kMokg/s320/20150519_084852.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
Thankfully the day went better than I dared have hoped for, everyone fully participated, no unanswerable questions were asked and everyone declared it a thorough success - phew!<br />
<br />
So this morning I am taking things a bit steadily, but hopefully out later with my bestest, and both of our DD's to a local event.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely Saturday, Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-59491513673797654612015-06-02T06:16:00.000+01:002015-06-02T06:21:09.013+01:00The British Quilt and Stitch Village 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello everyone. I was going through my photo album on my phone and suddenly realised that I hadn't posted about the trip my bestest friend Sue and I made to the Quilt and Stich Village at the end of April - so, better late than never...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMnzXiRTCY0/VWq2U__jP4I/AAAAAAAAGsY/ydplAWrah4E/s1600/20150426_120541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMnzXiRTCY0/VWq2U__jP4I/AAAAAAAAGsY/ydplAWrah4E/s320/20150426_120541.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is held at Uttoxeter Race course, the weather was lovely...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-VM7tLEBn0/VWq2UhmfhgI/AAAAAAAAGso/a61plKXwjQY/s1600/20150426_120451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-VM7tLEBn0/VWq2UhmfhgI/AAAAAAAAGso/a61plKXwjQY/s320/20150426_120451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The standard of entries to the embroidery competition was higher than ever...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNy48vaK4yM/VWq2VrbO0yI/AAAAAAAAGsg/9wTF6Ez7MJ8/s1600/20150426_121959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNy48vaK4yM/VWq2VrbO0yI/AAAAAAAAGsg/9wTF6Ez7MJ8/s320/20150426_121959.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zy16E4rJu0c/VWq2XjtodAI/AAAAAAAAGs4/OkdwHLzzRLM/s1600/20150426_134030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zy16E4rJu0c/VWq2XjtodAI/AAAAAAAAGs4/OkdwHLzzRLM/s320/20150426_134030.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PI6z3P10adk/VWq2YA0_X-I/AAAAAAAAGtA/P60IzLzhruM/s1600/20150426_134048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PI6z3P10adk/VWq2YA0_X-I/AAAAAAAAGtA/P60IzLzhruM/s320/20150426_134048.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KyoXu1mRxk/VWq2YoDyalI/AAAAAAAAGtE/ivi51GOVR7Q/s1600/20150426_134128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KyoXu1mRxk/VWq2YoDyalI/AAAAAAAAGtE/ivi51GOVR7Q/s320/20150426_134128.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Had to include a football theme here ;)...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YuDfxb77oAk/VWq2XeNUinI/AAAAAAAAGsw/DNQpmgWHzz0/s1600/20150426_133920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YuDfxb77oAk/VWq2XeNUinI/AAAAAAAAGsw/DNQpmgWHzz0/s320/20150426_133920.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Loved the colours used on this piece...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xd2BJdv5b7g/VWq2Z5NdsVI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/TLsaJVPEgFE/s1600/20150426_154358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xd2BJdv5b7g/VWq2Z5NdsVI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/TLsaJVPEgFE/s320/20150426_154358.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
But the real reason for our trip was to see Sue's entries...aren't they amazing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9pGZVIUWZs/VWq2UkPj5xI/AAAAAAAAGsk/zFi3a5GlmR8/s1600/20150426_120745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9pGZVIUWZs/VWq2UkPj5xI/AAAAAAAAGsk/zFi3a5GlmR8/s320/20150426_120745.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
A crown to mark the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and a clock, the skill and hours of work that went into these cannot be truly measured...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq4ZGRGORgE/VWq2ZidD8oI/AAAAAAAAGtM/zmcUa7kgE8s/s1600/20150426_153751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq4ZGRGORgE/VWq2ZidD8oI/AAAAAAAAGtM/zmcUa7kgE8s/s320/20150426_153751.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMgOk3OnOXM/VWq2XHfnHlI/AAAAAAAAGto/7UhMCKQBy_Q/s1600/20150426_122125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMgOk3OnOXM/VWq2XHfnHlI/AAAAAAAAGto/7UhMCKQBy_Q/s320/20150426_122125.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
She very deservedly won first prize in two categories!! Well done Sue, I am so pleased that your beautiful work has won recognition for the second year in a row. <br />
<br />
We also had the chance to stock up on some craft supplies, there is a really nice collection of stalls with lots of goodies on offer. I really look forward to attending this show, I have been to each one so far.<br />
<br />
Hope you are having a lovely week!<br />
<br />
Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-60956146776715271652015-05-31T08:12:00.000+01:002015-05-31T08:14:27.839+01:00Time out for half termGood morning everyone, hope you are enjoying the weekend.<br />
<br />
Last week I managed to get a couple of days off work as it was half term, I didn't have the whole week off this time as I have so much to do, but I was very grateful to have some time out from the usual hectic schedule.<br />
<br />
On Friday afternoon, after a trip to the newly opened Range store in our town (and delighted with my investment of £1.79 for a balloon whisk AND an ice cream scoop - last of the big spenders or what?!!) I decided to go on a very short drive with my DD around a couple of local villages. We ended up here for a quick look around...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3m83yBsOS8/VWqwc6EZ4fI/AAAAAAAAGr0/vRg_iyy4LPo/s1600/20150529_152509%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3m83yBsOS8/VWqwc6EZ4fI/AAAAAAAAGr0/vRg_iyy4LPo/s320/20150529_152509%255B1%255D.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3zjsVPPqS74/VWqxvQZXTWI/AAAAAAAAGsE/N-pZ3wSDRuo/s1600/20150529_153206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3zjsVPPqS74/VWqxvQZXTWI/AAAAAAAAGsE/N-pZ3wSDRuo/s320/20150529_153206.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
Mount Saint Bernard's Abbey, it is a monastery very local to our town, a very nice quiet place for a wander around, some lovely grounds and a very interesting building as well to visit. The church is made from local stone, the photos don't really do the colour justice. I love to look round places of worship, my days of being head of Religious Studies in a 6th Form College must still haunt me!!<br />
<br />
Arriving back home I cooked this cornflake tart, my DS#2 had been asking for this as he could remember it from his days of eating school dinners!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiLE7geUshI/VWqxvk7-W8I/AAAAAAAAGsA/kuD_SU7czjY/s1600/20150529_195953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiLE7geUshI/VWqxvk7-W8I/AAAAAAAAGsA/kuD_SU7czjY/s320/20150529_195953.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
It was declared a big success, and all eaten very quickly together with custard.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we had visitors, so much cleaning and cooking, but this morning is grey, raining and dull so a bit of crochet by candlelight is in order...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YEWSoEXzMA/VWqxvDWwXVI/AAAAAAAAGr8/iezMgkO3_SU/s1600/20150517_184139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YEWSoEXzMA/VWqxvDWwXVI/AAAAAAAAGr8/iezMgkO3_SU/s320/20150517_184139.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
I am loving my blanket challenge this year, each granny square is made of 3 colours from a palette of 5, with 3 different types of double knit yarn to try to replicate the texture of birch bark. Each square consists of 10 rows, so takes about 45 minutes to do if there are no interruptions (otherwise the longest it has taken is 3 days - don't ask!). I have made 17 squares so far as I started the project in April. I was aiming to do 30 squares in total, but I might make a few more to make the blanket a bit larger, will just have to see how it all shapes up after the summer holidays.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely Sunday, and if you are in my part of the UK, lets hope the sun will come out later on!<br />
<br />
Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-45754911629257106502015-05-29T09:03:00.000+01:002015-05-29T10:42:15.204+01:00Road trip to DerbyshireHalf term is properly under way for me at last!! Hooray!!!!<br />
<br />
So my bestest friend Sue my darling daughter and I have had a lovely day out in Derbyshire. <br />
<br />
So many lovely flowers and blossom everywhere. ..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4mnjPKEutw/VWYW6TA0naI/AAAAAAAAGns/QsN-dfTp8Nk/s1600/20150527_155438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4mnjPKEutw/VWYW6TA0naI/AAAAAAAAGns/QsN-dfTp8Nk/s320/20150527_155438.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_KCdPj0rM4/VWYXCTbmFqI/AAAAAAAAGn0/iNep7nVappM/s1600/20150527_155245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_KCdPj0rM4/VWYXCTbmFqI/AAAAAAAAGn0/iNep7nVappM/s320/20150527_155245.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3kT5TxAeJQ/VWYXb9r339I/AAAAAAAAGn8/gwcmjl7YPpY/s1600/20150527_124258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3kT5TxAeJQ/VWYXb9r339I/AAAAAAAAGn8/gwcmjl7YPpY/s320/20150527_124258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Khz2ZIWGN38/VWYXg3fGV9I/AAAAAAAAGoE/b43qS1pWA5Q/s1600/20150527_122016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Khz2ZIWGN38/VWYXg3fGV9I/AAAAAAAAGoE/b43qS1pWA5Q/s320/20150527_122016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP86Pi6TV0g/VWYXklfbL4I/AAAAAAAAGoM/WciGv2hEcOY/s1600/20150527_124217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP86Pi6TV0g/VWYXklfbL4I/AAAAAAAAGoM/WciGv2hEcOY/s320/20150527_124217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
the May (Hawthorn) blossom was at it's very best...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1d5SlTaOnA/VWgZKsTC9AI/AAAAAAAAGpY/aeYSu2546sw/s1600/20150527_155744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1d5SlTaOnA/VWgZKsTC9AI/AAAAAAAAGpY/aeYSu2546sw/s320/20150527_155744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYmQ-9wLgnY/VWgZKIDjSLI/AAAAAAAAGpI/gpnXsqwrSXY/s1600/20150527_155829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYmQ-9wLgnY/VWgZKIDjSLI/AAAAAAAAGpI/gpnXsqwrSXY/s320/20150527_155829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8bD4obnqPk/VWgZKp-9toI/AAAAAAAAGpM/R4IfF6daM9w/s1600/20150527_155906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8bD4obnqPk/VWgZKp-9toI/AAAAAAAAGpM/R4IfF6daM9w/s320/20150527_155906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brQfJneNKDE/VWgZMoS4odI/AAAAAAAAGpg/KxC9tBMI5Mg/s1600/20150527_160306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brQfJneNKDE/VWgZMoS4odI/AAAAAAAAGpg/KxC9tBMI5Mg/s320/20150527_160306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnzIOJyaH_g/VWgZMmiWFII/AAAAAAAAGpc/TEFLQwZBmFg/s1600/20150527_163758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnzIOJyaH_g/VWgZMmiWFII/AAAAAAAAGpc/TEFLQwZBmFg/s320/20150527_163758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Adorable animals...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_w66lhl_sg/VWYXxWp2EkI/AAAAAAAAGoU/l6gpUsnw1X4/s1600/20150527_124752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_w66lhl_sg/VWYXxWp2EkI/AAAAAAAAGoU/l6gpUsnw1X4/s320/20150527_124752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x1wx1b8OP8/VWYX0wUngJI/AAAAAAAAGoc/08Sq3y2HLks/s1600/20150527_160314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x1wx1b8OP8/VWYX0wUngJI/AAAAAAAAGoc/08Sq3y2HLks/s320/20150527_160314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlVC1iez28w/VWYYtyqoYAI/AAAAAAAAGos/Qmu7YbUftgQ/s1600/20150527_155917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlVC1iez28w/VWYYtyqoYAI/AAAAAAAAGos/Qmu7YbUftgQ/s320/20150527_155917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bakewell was quite busy...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H7FfxZuqR7c/VWYY9XWYnUI/AAAAAAAAGo0/LeVBcnxN9Mk/s1600/20150527_124631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H7FfxZuqR7c/VWYY9XWYnUI/AAAAAAAAGo0/LeVBcnxN9Mk/s320/20150527_124631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHSt2MQ6x4w/VWgZrZ-DDsI/AAAAAAAAGpw/hO48rEXvKvM/s1600/20150527_124443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHSt2MQ6x4w/VWgZrZ-DDsI/AAAAAAAAGpw/hO48rEXvKvM/s320/20150527_124443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Lots of padlocks on the bridge, this seems to be such a growing trend...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-1qc3qdMCE/VWgZrnRnp6I/AAAAAAAAGp4/kznpx49zhwU/s1600/20150527_124325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-1qc3qdMCE/VWgZrnRnp6I/AAAAAAAAGp4/kznpx49zhwU/s320/20150527_124325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It drives my husband absolutely mad, he can moan about this trend for ages...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDcP9srPyqU/VWgZr17w_aI/AAAAAAAAGp0/y0AB6pAGMvY/s1600/20150527_124449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDcP9srPyqU/VWgZr17w_aI/AAAAAAAAGp0/y0AB6pAGMvY/s320/20150527_124449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Love this shop selling hand made baskets of all types...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7kfQMGpyss/VWgZts5-ISI/AAAAAAAAGqI/9dHjx6gcBc8/s1600/20150527_124958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7kfQMGpyss/VWgZts5-ISI/AAAAAAAAGqI/9dHjx6gcBc8/s320/20150527_124958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Reminds me of Domestic Science lessons, when we would carry our ingredients to school in baskets like the one below, covered by a freshly laundered tea towel...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DReHylDiA1M/VWgZt8rpQLI/AAAAAAAAGqM/PoPiQa-rLdk/s1600/20150527_125024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DReHylDiA1M/VWgZt8rpQLI/AAAAAAAAGqM/PoPiQa-rLdk/s320/20150527_125024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Old police station complete with blue lamp...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qourkRLfk0o/VWgZvS2O6xI/AAAAAAAAGqc/gftMk5V53Ds/s1600/20150527_152008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qourkRLfk0o/VWgZvS2O6xI/AAAAAAAAGqc/gftMk5V53Ds/s320/20150527_152008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We trawled the charity shops, which are usually very good indeed, but only managed to get a few bits and pieces as I think they had been pretty much picked over during the bank holiday weekend. By this time we really needed coffee and lunch so went to our favourite café. I love the pattern on my latte - wonder how they do that?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73lFTow7AAY/VWgZvBdvfLI/AAAAAAAAGqY/cV_W1IL5uR8/s1600/20150527_140336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73lFTow7AAY/VWgZvBdvfLI/AAAAAAAAGqY/cV_W1IL5uR8/s320/20150527_140336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The café is within a Thornton's chocolate shop, so they give you a chocolate smile...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dD9n9PHUQI/VWgZtsP6HXI/AAAAAAAAGqo/g3QqUxsRsNs/s1600/20150527_140325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dD9n9PHUQI/VWgZtsP6HXI/AAAAAAAAGqo/g3QqUxsRsNs/s320/20150527_140325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sue was the driver so on the way home I managed to snap a few more photos en route. The Peacock Hotel in Rowsley, dates back to Elizabethan times...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUeS27mc6y0/VWgbYF18xPI/AAAAAAAAGq0/lnTwG0ta85o/s1600/20150527_164119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUeS27mc6y0/VWgbYF18xPI/AAAAAAAAGq0/lnTwG0ta85o/s320/20150527_164119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Big old Victorian Mill in Belper...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp5xKsEWGUk/VWgbaudUYUI/AAAAAAAAGrU/lPWT4ByaVJs/s1600/20150527_172112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp5xKsEWGUk/VWgbaudUYUI/AAAAAAAAGrU/lPWT4ByaVJs/s320/20150527_172112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Matlock Bath, with the Horsechestnut blossom at it's best...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TICGzZ2O098/VWgbYxPseHI/AAAAAAAAGq8/qhYi_exossY/s1600/20150527_170437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TICGzZ2O098/VWgbYxPseHI/AAAAAAAAGq8/qhYi_exossY/s320/20150527_170437.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tunnel of trees between Matlock Bath and Whatstandswell...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnneeLuh-JE/VWgbY7jMGpI/AAAAAAAAGq4/_HBitnKwPbs/s1600/20150527_171120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnneeLuh-JE/VWgbY7jMGpI/AAAAAAAAGq4/_HBitnKwPbs/s320/20150527_171120.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKToPDuPJ-c/VWgbZiF8tSI/AAAAAAAAGrI/0fvkroFXrJg/s1600/20150527_171352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKToPDuPJ-c/VWgbZiF8tSI/AAAAAAAAGrI/0fvkroFXrJg/s320/20150527_171352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A wonderful day out with a lovely friend and DD, just what was needed after what has been a very hectic few weeks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Helenxx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-45125470388409903312015-05-25T10:17:00.000+01:002015-05-25T10:17:11.422+01:00Winter Forest lap blanket project completedMorning everyone!<br />
<br />
Here in the UK it is a bank holiday it is so nice Not to have to rush out for work on a Monday morning :-)<br />
<br />
Before our trip to Jordan I finished a stash busting project: a lap blanket using scraps left from my 2014 blanket.<br />
<br />
I have called it my winter forest lap blanket, would you like to see?<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjKnNmJE4Q0/VWLmA7lqUKI/AAAAAAAAGm0/1WlUiCWg3lI/s1600/20150525_092518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjKnNmJE4Q0/VWLmA7lqUKI/AAAAAAAAGm0/1WlUiCWg3lI/s320/20150525_092518.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo-bvHnZdZA/VWLmO4xp8PI/AAAAAAAAGm8/1EsZtPKy58g/s1600/20150525_092549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo-bvHnZdZA/VWLmO4xp8PI/AAAAAAAAGm8/1EsZtPKy58g/s320/20150525_092549.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCN6SpaQ028/VWLmlIQvUYI/AAAAAAAAGnE/OdeoWUIxFJI/s1600/20150525_092601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCN6SpaQ028/VWLmlIQvUYI/AAAAAAAAGnE/OdeoWUIxFJI/s320/20150525_092601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is the whole thing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeFSr98PzaY/VWLmupfwJqI/AAAAAAAAGnM/epf7kmKRdLw/s1600/2015-05-25%2B09.38.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeFSr98PzaY/VWLmupfwJqI/AAAAAAAAGnM/epf7kmKRdLw/s320/2015-05-25%2B09.38.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It is basically a huge granny square with extra rows at two sides to make it into a rectangle. Just trial and error but I am pleased with how it turned out. Just right on chilly spring evenings when a big blanket is a tad too much.<br />
<br />
Mind you it is chilly and dull this morning,I have lit a candle on the mantlepiece just to cozy things up a little...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYJyk54ThPw/VWLnzJpVuaI/AAAAAAAAGnY/oAYFngxV30w/s1600/20150525_092803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYJyk54ThPw/VWLnzJpVuaI/AAAAAAAAGnY/oAYFngxV30w/s320/20150525_092803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am now working on another big blanket project,14 out of 30 biiiig squares completed far. Hopefully back soon to show my progress!<br />
<br />
Helenxx<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-86460093642415109572015-05-17T17:59:00.001+01:002015-05-17T17:59:17.129+01:00Catching upHello everyone, long time no see!!<br />
<br />
It has been a very busy time, I just can't believe how quickly the last few weeks have flown by. So many things happening, all of which have resulted in a definite neglect of all things blog-related.<br />
<br />
One of the reasons I have been out of the loop so to speak is that we were lucky enough to go to again to visit the beautiful Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for 12 days. It is such a fantastic place to visit, a real treat of culture, great food and friendly people.<br />
<br />
So, to start off with my catching up I thought I would share some photos from our holiday- hope you find them interesting!<br />
<br />
Downtown Amman is a very interesting place to visit, with a Roman Theatre dating back to Biblical times....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4L_tBaQdtc/VVi9x90mlBI/AAAAAAAAGhM/7aUGsw31dGc/s1600/20150409_121928%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4L_tBaQdtc/VVi9x90mlBI/AAAAAAAAGhM/7aUGsw31dGc/s320/20150409_121928%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_405032158"></span><span id="goog_405032159"></span><br />
Zoomed in you can see pictures of key members of the Jordanian Royal family...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sudHy-Smjtk/VVi-VZss5xI/AAAAAAAAGhU/2D6pCQ5gK-Y/s1600/20150409_122139%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sudHy-Smjtk/VVi-VZss5xI/AAAAAAAAGhU/2D6pCQ5gK-Y/s320/20150409_122139%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We went to visit the Citadel, one of the highest of Amman's seven hills, it is home to some wonderful Roman ruins, such as this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPs-F5ofPgA/VVi_RCaV8yI/AAAAAAAAGhc/5hZEviFEaRs/s1600/20150409_122557%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPs-F5ofPgA/VVi_RCaV8yI/AAAAAAAAGhc/5hZEviFEaRs/s320/20150409_122557%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmAae4gjGbc/VVjDX6GE-vI/AAAAAAAAGh4/ulK_1IDaYI4/s1600/20150409_123404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmAae4gjGbc/VVjDX6GE-vI/AAAAAAAAGh4/ulK_1IDaYI4/s320/20150409_123404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VZGWM77o7o/VVjDYI_5W0I/AAAAAAAAGiI/CyImJ5gps50/s1600/20150409_123517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VZGWM77o7o/VVjDYI_5W0I/AAAAAAAAGiI/CyImJ5gps50/s320/20150409_123517.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkrsvHmPeoU/VVjDZQ-DdvI/AAAAAAAAGiM/zVAF7qFC2IY/s1600/20150409_124201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkrsvHmPeoU/VVjDZQ-DdvI/AAAAAAAAGiM/zVAF7qFC2IY/s320/20150409_124201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5NfQ3LPVjQ/VVjDZ-dukgI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/4lNSqEaPpPs/s1600/20150409_124338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5NfQ3LPVjQ/VVjDZ-dukgI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/4lNSqEaPpPs/s320/20150409_124338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The view of the city from this hill is incredible, so many things to look at and wonder about...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1W6sHwaAv38/VVjAHL5CoKI/AAAAAAAAGhk/J_rW3MzhYwQ/s1600/20150409_122256%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1W6sHwaAv38/VVjAHL5CoKI/AAAAAAAAGhk/J_rW3MzhYwQ/s320/20150409_122256%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlOplQVs-54/VVjAXl3UQoI/AAAAAAAAGhs/9h7BoEUTOvY/s1600/20150409_122317%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlOplQVs-54/VVjAXl3UQoI/AAAAAAAAGhs/9h7BoEUTOvY/s320/20150409_122317%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2kgLjNq0aPs/VVjDX23ZqdI/AAAAAAAAGh8/LULoJh7xt5o/s1600/20150409_122805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2kgLjNq0aPs/VVjDX23ZqdI/AAAAAAAAGh8/LULoJh7xt5o/s320/20150409_122805.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc6Ux2agyfQ/VVjDeiVMa4I/AAAAAAAAGjA/-iXHKVKBqpM/s1600/20150409_142139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc6Ux2agyfQ/VVjDeiVMa4I/AAAAAAAAGjA/-iXHKVKBqpM/s320/20150409_142139.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovzJQKAAEiM/VVjDcsuiObI/AAAAAAAAGi4/MbBG4-_fNbs/s1600/20150409_141150_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovzJQKAAEiM/VVjDcsuiObI/AAAAAAAAGi4/MbBG4-_fNbs/s320/20150409_141150_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Loved this flight of steps painted in all the colours of the rainbow...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8yf_Gzm-Bw/VVjDbyGXS0I/AAAAAAAAGik/-fYcF8Oo8_I/s1600/20150409_124730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8yf_Gzm-Bw/VVjDbyGXS0I/AAAAAAAAGik/-fYcF8Oo8_I/s320/20150409_124730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the tallest free-standing flagpole in the world, the Jordanians are very proud of their country...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3iTb9Hx7SI/VVjDcNVIpiI/AAAAAAAAGio/IXqFMfhr0ZY/s1600/20150409_140136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3iTb9Hx7SI/VVjDcNVIpiI/AAAAAAAAGio/IXqFMfhr0ZY/s320/20150409_140136.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A lovely old palace, sits amongst the Roman ruins...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1CEhhXR5sN4/VVjDboXvk1I/AAAAAAAAGig/jXY_H8HXVxE/s1600/20150409_133408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1CEhhXR5sN4/VVjDboXvk1I/AAAAAAAAGig/jXY_H8HXVxE/s320/20150409_133408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We were also able to visit some interesting caves and tombs in another part of the city...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0c1AhOPtZqM/VVjDiCB4q7I/AAAAAAAAGjw/R-yJAKhNWvg/s1600/20150411_100455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0c1AhOPtZqM/VVjDiCB4q7I/AAAAAAAAGjw/R-yJAKhNWvg/s320/20150411_100455.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rx7P4SU7zA/VVjDi1S9xaI/AAAAAAAAGj0/5Tia8WMSbxg/s1600/20150411_100602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rx7P4SU7zA/VVjDi1S9xaI/AAAAAAAAGj0/5Tia8WMSbxg/s320/20150411_100602.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VENMB1_yyxI/VVjDk2_w6wI/AAAAAAAAGkM/RvijtNsTh-0/s1600/20150411_100609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VENMB1_yyxI/VVjDk2_w6wI/AAAAAAAAGkM/RvijtNsTh-0/s320/20150411_100609.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F27sVqY9qx4/VVjDkXeRjGI/AAAAAAAAGkA/HQ_6Tmv6i7M/s1600/20150411_100700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F27sVqY9qx4/VVjDkXeRjGI/AAAAAAAAGkA/HQ_6Tmv6i7M/s320/20150411_100700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joCdagSvk9Y/VVjDky3vS1I/AAAAAAAAGkE/4vK87sMbheI/s1600/20150411_101031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joCdagSvk9Y/VVjDky3vS1I/AAAAAAAAGkE/4vK87sMbheI/s320/20150411_101031.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-UBer_CXWk/VVjDl5bU-cI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/LCcpFPMWuAY/s1600/20150411_101531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-UBer_CXWk/VVjDl5bU-cI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/LCcpFPMWuAY/s320/20150411_101531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spring is such a lovely time to visit the Desert Kingdom as it offers a few short weeks of spring weather...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0MS69eQE2s/VVjGmrsIYvI/AAAAAAAAGkw/oi24J7PSQh8/s1600/20150409_155613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0MS69eQE2s/VVjGmrsIYvI/AAAAAAAAGkw/oi24J7PSQh8/s320/20150409_155613.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY6NsidB0Ww/VVjGmdyN4hI/AAAAAAAAGks/DmexnYF9YV4/s1600/20150409_161612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY6NsidB0Ww/VVjGmdyN4hI/AAAAAAAAGks/DmexnYF9YV4/s320/20150409_161612.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jCHkb3ZIix0/VVjGnfvtdzI/AAAAAAAAGlI/JcxtPI42-hA/s1600/20150409_161901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jCHkb3ZIix0/VVjGnfvtdzI/AAAAAAAAGlI/JcxtPI42-hA/s320/20150409_161901.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
All of this exploring certainly works up an appetite...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCDJRnajL2E/VVjDeNMkVFI/AAAAAAAAGi8/1xV9a5rcJsM/s1600/20150410_074337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCDJRnajL2E/VVjDeNMkVFI/AAAAAAAAGi8/1xV9a5rcJsM/s320/20150410_074337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aXw4k1sv04/VVjDfL1XgeI/AAAAAAAAGjI/TR0XiUN6H98/s1600/20150410_074448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aXw4k1sv04/VVjDfL1XgeI/AAAAAAAAGjI/TR0XiUN6H98/s320/20150410_074448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4WmlpdYcUw/VVjDgOPCiDI/AAAAAAAAGjY/LRFtFV2Z4G0/s1600/20150410_074452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4WmlpdYcUw/VVjDgOPCiDI/AAAAAAAAGjY/LRFtFV2Z4G0/s320/20150410_074452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lemons from a neighbours tree, lovely with a cup of black tea..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rgt30SlKDBQ/VVjDhDzSB8I/AAAAAAAAGjk/GmtEcCogGjY/s1600/20150410_183649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rgt30SlKDBQ/VVjDhDzSB8I/AAAAAAAAGjk/GmtEcCogGjY/s320/20150410_183649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Knafeh, best dessert in the Middle East - fact!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_LMtT8QRRk/VVjDhF8hngI/AAAAAAAAGjg/wlDzUqsI-Do/s1600/20150410_183720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_LMtT8QRRk/VVjDhF8hngI/AAAAAAAAGjg/wlDzUqsI-Do/s320/20150410_183720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are totally yummy too...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EZdS-q8YeU/VVjGE8jM51I/AAAAAAAAGkk/OD4mxjRtfJ8/s1600/20150419_163645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EZdS-q8YeU/VVjGE8jM51I/AAAAAAAAGkk/OD4mxjRtfJ8/s320/20150419_163645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this slice of Napolean Cake was a very welcome refreshment...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpkhBqS-I0k/VVjGmU5y0zI/AAAAAAAAGk0/noDpvkDm80w/s1600/20150409_152904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpkhBqS-I0k/VVjGmU5y0zI/AAAAAAAAGk0/noDpvkDm80w/s320/20150409_152904.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All too soon it was time to get back on the plane to come home, but this cheered me up in the airport...yes, a Formula One Ferrari...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2wOeVCoMKo/VVjGofLezuI/AAAAAAAAGlg/bDShlINCFe0/s1600/20150411_113257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2wOeVCoMKo/VVjGofLezuI/AAAAAAAAGlg/bDShlINCFe0/s320/20150411_113257.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
Flying to Jordan we experienced very severe weather, quite a rollercoaster ride, with the plane pitching and dropping, mega-turbulence, not very nice at all, even the pilot sounded fed up when he gave his pre-flight announcement, but on the way back things were much calmer thankfully...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3D5RVv-MkI/VVjGpOkZwtI/AAAAAAAAGlM/6_7Rf_-xLH4/s1600/20150411_163505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3D5RVv-MkI/VVjGpOkZwtI/AAAAAAAAGlM/6_7Rf_-xLH4/s320/20150411_163505.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
Mountains in Anatolya...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRGVO7U7URE/VVjGpje3TiI/AAAAAAAAGlk/fziT3raVMUY/s1600/20150411_164106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRGVO7U7URE/VVjGpje3TiI/AAAAAAAAGlk/fziT3raVMUY/s320/20150411_164106.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VlD282pbYAM/VVjGqKmmYpI/AAAAAAAAGlc/jJUJK1WSpdQ/s1600/20150411_164111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VlD282pbYAM/VVjGqKmmYpI/AAAAAAAAGlc/jJUJK1WSpdQ/s320/20150411_164111.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
And even had time for a bit of plane spotting at Vienna Airport. We flew from Heathrow via Vienna on Austrian Airlines, who, I have to say, gave fantastic customer service.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCLYEEArAMA/VVjGrIJMiQI/AAAAAAAAGlw/bytPSfsmAz8/s1600/20150411_180628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCLYEEArAMA/VVjGrIJMiQI/AAAAAAAAGlw/bytPSfsmAz8/s320/20150411_180628.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
All in all a wonderful but very tiring trip! Then it was straight back to work, which has been, to say the least, very intense. Oh well, it is half term soon!!<br />
<br />
Have a lovely Sunday, Helenxxmoonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412865101624236623.post-50782482612738178362015-04-25T09:25:00.001+01:002015-04-25T09:26:49.740+01:00All good!Hello everyone how are you? All good here but so much going on I have had to have a blog break.<br />
<br />
Have missed reading your blogs too!<br />
<br />
Back soon to catch up hopefully.<br />
Helenxx<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrz0O9DwtV0/VTtKCDK76tI/AAAAAAAAGg0/j2Tum769wXc/s1600/20150413_064822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrz0O9DwtV0/VTtKCDK76tI/AAAAAAAAGg0/j2Tum769wXc/s1600/20150413_064822.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />moonstruckcreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00085978299766605788noreply@blogger.com9