A dog, a porch and an icon.

B is for BEACH

We live very near to the beach and make a point of taking our dogs every day.

We like to go at 10 o'clock when we know our friends will be there but if the tide is in there's no beach for the dogs to run - which they love.

At the moment the tide is out around 4pm - I take endless photographs but yesterday I tried to capture the dogs in action. Sadie left and BING on the right.

Whilst this photograph is slightly BLURRED I feel it captured the essence of the moment.

B is for BASE coat. The decorating is moving on and what a difference a few days has made.

The BULBS will be replaced with a bit of BLING!

B is for BARGAIN.

Whilst the room is going to be a grey colour on the only larger wall I wanted a mirror.

Initially I wanted a full length one but as our local hardware shop is having a sale - this one at £12 was just the ticket.

B is for BOWIE.

 I was a fan of David Bowie. Like many people I was saddened last week at the news of his death.

At college between the ages of 16 and 18 a lot of my friends went to a local pub to the college. 

One of our neighbours was a barmaid and would have told my parents if I was drinking in there ie underage, so I didn't - choosing to save my pocket money for records - L.P's. 

The joy of listening to an entire album was always exciting AND I had something to show for my money. Hunky Dory was a particular favourite. My favourite track was "Life on Mars."

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B is also for BACK to the Porch!

My Sewing Adventure !!

For my ABC Wednesday theme I have chosen to focus on my sewing adventure. Basically I want to be better than I am and want to extend my sewing skills....although I chose A for Adventure last week I am doubling up.....2 for one this week....

A is for Applique.

In its broadest sense, an appliqué is a smaller ornament or device applied to another surface. In the context of ceramics, for example, an appliqué is a separate piece of clay added to the primary work, generally for the purpose of decoration. The term is borrowed from French and, in this context, means "applied" or "thing that has been applied."

Appliqué was first discovered when clothes ripped and needed fixing so they used to sew over the top of the rip patches of different material otherwise known as patch work.
In the context of sewing, appliqué refers to a needlework technique in which pieces of fabric, embroidery, or other materials are sewn onto another piece of fabric to create designs, patterns or pictures.

B is for Buttons.....

This technique below is called "yoyoing".....I am still experimenting!

All in all, I am pleased with my efforts and hope to show you the finished product next week.......C for completed........??????

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For cat lovers and owners, make sure you see my Giveaway post yesterday!

I is for Incidental timings!

So - there we were on the ferry! Now I don't mind the ferry crossing because I put myself into a place of gay abandonment - after a nice meal, a bottle of wine I settled down for the night.......
Now dear Jon KNOWS I am a light sleeper and after 23 years of marriage knows it is unwise to wake me unecessarily......so when the cabin light came on I awoke immediately.
Jon, eyes like saucers was informing me the ferry was turning round - infact it had been for a while and he was convinced we were moving in a circle!
The captain made an announcement "Ladies and Gentlemen we are making a detour as a female passenger has left the ship and is in the water!"
Jon went outside to see what was going on and witnessed the rescue.

See the amazing footage from the RAF here.

Amazingly the girl survived!

The holiday was fantastic and I will share our adventure later as we only returned yesterday and the kitchen is back on.
Whilst we were in France we were aware that a hurricane was due for the |North East Coast the day we were returning on the ferry! Needless to say I managed to get myself in a state - a quiet state, just keeping my worries to myself. I must admit when Jon pointed out he had noticed the ship's name had been re-painted, this being bad luck did not really help. Then he pointed out the lower the deck the better or smoother a crossing would be - so to be on deck 1 or 2 was best....we were on deck 9!!! Prone to a bouncy crossing!!
My fears were in vain - the crossing was very smooth.
We left the ferry around 10am Monday and then came the motorbike ride home - in the wind!
I can honestly say it was one of the most frightening moments in my life! I could feel the bike being buffeted by the wind, and held on for dear life.
When we finally pulled up outside the front gates I felt a pope moment coming on - all I wanted to do was kiss the ground!
Home safe and sound!
Phew!

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FUN!

Right........????? This is our kitchen as it is at 10am Tuesday! Today, my task is to remove the tiles. We removed the wall cupboards yesterday - after I had driven to Harrogate and back I hasten to add - AND with a satnav who had an identity crisis!!!!!!

All wall cupboards will be removed today and tomorrow I will take off all the remaining wall tiles.The Rayburn is safe under a cover!

I find it helps to post pictures here - it gives people an idea of the pigsty we call our kitchen - I KNOW as people read this they will look at their own kitchens and realise they could never live in such squalor! lol! I also know that it is a work in progress and the same people will see the finished work in a few weeks and see the work we have done. Yes it is hard work but we are coping. Believe it or not I feel organised and can see a plan emerging.........well I think it's a plan - it could be the first stage of madness!

Oh and I keep telling myself - in two weeks time, 10am Tuesday morning we will be disembarking from the ferry and biking through Holland, Belguim and onto France - if you see us, give us a wave! lol!

Watch this space!

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E is for......electrical stuff!

Well, it is the 16th today - the kitchen is being delivered in 10 days time. The plasterer is booked for the week commencing 29th August - by which time all the electrical work needs to be completed, the current units removed, the door fitted and the sink moved. If I say the list quickly it doesn't sound so bad - but yes, there is still stuff to do, much is totally out of my control. However - one thing I can do is, once the units are removed I CAN remove the tiles........ (hmmmm !)
Jon has been really busy, but this afternoon we have been out looking for lights - and we have bought some, ready to be fitted. Jon, bless him, did explain about the transformers (I thought these were some sort of toy my nephews played with - robotic vans etc) and to be honest he may have well explained the operstions of robotic super power for all the good his explaining did. I don't know what it is about explanations - totally above my head, but with Jon being 5' 11" and me being 5' 1" this is to be expected, nay celebrated!
Having such fantastic blogging friends out there who have been through the kitchen experience, it is great to feel encouraged, nay inspired by such people, for instance Kath - you can read all about her fantastic transformation  Here .
So..........let the work continue and progress begin!
Watch this space!

R is for Rayburn!

After months of deliberation, negotiation and discussion we narrowed it down to the model we wanted. The technical information is as follows....

Product Variation Name	355SFW
Function	Cooking / Domestic Hot Water / Central Heating
Fuel	Smokeless selected bituminous coals, seasoned wood and peat briquettes
Controls	Thermostatic and Manual
Initial Flue Pipe (minimum internal diameter)	Conventional 150mm (6ins)
Ventilation (minimum air vent for room)	182.5cm2
Electrical Supply	No
Water Output	Up to 40,000Btu/h - 11.7kW 8 Radiators
Hot Water System	Gravity DHW and pumped heating
Water Cylinder Size Option	190 litres (40 Gallons)
Lower Oven	Warming Oven

Jon has spent the last few days negotiating prices, delivery dates etc and we finally went with our local dealer. The deposit is paid and delivery will be around the second week in July. The flu is on the right hand side, slightly different to the Aga so some moving and shaking will need to happen, but not until the Rayburn is in situ. Jon will have some lights to sort out in the kitchen, and the ceiling will be plastered BEFORE the Rayburn is delivered, but that is all we can do really - well in the kitchen anyway......so the lounge is now our focus.

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