Now Wearing Purple

DOWN TIME I’ve been getting very excited this last couple of weeks, due to  the fact that I’ve managed to persuade Mr to go on a short camping break. We bought a tent years ago, on a whim, but never got around to using it. Every year I suggest we go camping, but various things conspire against it, more often than not, the good old UK weather.  I’m very much a fair weather camper, after some gruelling early experiences.  Not this time.  We packed up and off we went Sunday afternoon, taking pot luck on a campsite that doesn’t take bookings, but had great reviews.  We weren't disappointed. You know when you have in your mind a picture perfect idea of how a planned trip will pan out. No traffic hold ups; beautiful weather; fantastic,  serene surroundings; no midges/mozzies;  no technology -  just sitting in dappled sunlight, with a good book or a bit of crochet, surrounded by trees.  This had been my little fantasy; unbelievably ...

I decided to renovate a couple of Lloyd Loom chairs this week, for use in the garden.  I've had them for years, but never quite got round to tarting them up.  As the temperature was up in the 30's,  I did it in my underwear, in the kitchen - not a pretty sight I can tell you.  Thankfully, I had no unexpected visitors. It was a fiddly job and I ended up liberally plastered in paint as you have to stab at the weave with your paintbrush. These images were taken after I'd removed the shabby brocade fabric that covered the seats. I decided to use up some more of our surplus Annie Sloan chalk paint, this time 'Greek Blue'.  I love this colour,  it brings back memories of holidaying on Rhodes back in my youth, the colour of the sky and ocean against little whitewashed buildings.  The process was a bit of a pain, as the paint had been opened a while back and had to be continually stirred to stop it separating. I think they look much prettier now,...

It rained today. I stood in the garden and let the soft drops fall on my face....it was marvellous and very rejuvenating, something I needed to feel today.  I don't dwell on sad times, it helps no one. We didn't get the downpour we'd been promised -  flash floods, Armageddon, it was not. I was hoping for a good drench though in order to re-fill our water butts on the allotment.  That problem has now been solved...more on that later! I cheered myself by making flapjacks, a recipe I have mastered after many years of brittle, rock hard rubble that I had to chisel out of the baking tray.  However, I did something so stupid, I felt like battering my head on the work surface once I realised.  I lined the flaming tin with parchment...WHY!  I swear my brain goes on vacation and doesn't bother to tell me. Well, I let it cool too much and couldn't get it off the paper, so put it back in the oven to warm it up. I then tipped it onto a tray and peeled...