By Stephie, on Thursday 22nd September, 2011 at 22:43 pm
 Getting that summer feeling in Bath This post has taken so long to write. I started it about two weeks ago or more. I’ve just re-read it and it was long-winded and irrelevant, since it was about my birthday…which was in the middle of August. So I’ve deleted most of it. Here’s what’s left:
Kim and I went camping near Bath for a couple of nights.
It was the first birthday since I was 19 (trust me, that’s a bloody long time) without Kim’s dad there to celebrate. I survived. In fact, I had a great time.
The American Museum in Britain: go there, it’s awesome (and not just because of the fabulous quilt collection. Even Kim thought it was great fun. Probably had something to do with him beating me at ‘chequers’.)
We went to Kim’s favourite restaurant. Yes, Pizza Express. Again 
Don’t bother going to the Jane Austen Centre it’s total crap. In fact I went on for a very long paragraph about just how crap it was. Trust me it was disappointing. And totally crap. I may have already mentioned it, but it was c r a p: crap.
We found this little place called The Makery. It was in the street in the photo on the left. I bought fabric. Not much: I was broke (I’d spent precious pennies on a visit to a crap museum remember). 1m of Japanese linen/cotton mix print. Nice. Plans for it? No. Stash.
 Japanese fabrics We found a wonderful café full of beautiful, dainty-looking cake and pastries. It was my birthday, cake was seriously on my mind. There was bitter disappointment: the café was full. Didn’t they know it was my birthday? Call the police. They should be arrested.
 Oooh, which one should I choose? Well, don't bother actually. You can't come in. We spent an inordinately long time in a store we couldn’t afford to buy anything in. It’s Kim’s favourite store. Well, his favourite one that doesn’t stock Lego. It bears the name of a fruit. With a bite out of it. I like it there too. Sigh.
 Window shopping...wishful thinking. I kept seeing signs that I should be making stuff. And that made me feel guilty. Meh. And a bit excited. Woohoo.
 Signs... It was a day (or two) that I won’t forget. Just Kim and me. Special. Memorable. For all the right reasons.
 Thinking... Poulteney Bridge  Dusk. Bath Abbey  A grand entrance. Or exit. The Pump Rooms. Didn’t get time for a run though. Shame. I’ll have to go back soon. There’s always something to add to the list of things to do next time isn’t there?
Stephie x
By Stephie, on Sunday 21st August, 2011 at 16:11 pm
 Car Journey. Piglet still comes on holiday with us! Mountains of washing, an overly friendly cat, craving for a run, craving sleep… familiar stuff to everyone that’s just returned from holiday (well, the washing and sleep at least, Monica will know what I mean!). It’s been a 10 day whirlwind. Continue reading France
By Stephie, on Sunday 27th February, 2011 at 20:00 pm
Half term’s over and out. Kim gets on the school bus first thing in the morning and this last week will soon become a distant memory. Before we forget all about it (in favour of focussing on Kim’s imminent birthday!) I thought I’d show you some of the lovely things we did together. How about you, what have you been up to? I hope you’ve have a good time. The weather was pretty pants all week, but I’m sure it didn’t curtail your fun – you’re too creative to let that happen!
 Spending time together  Watching the horizon  Pretending it's worse than it is!  Whiling away rainy afternoons  Planting raspberry canes through the hail storms. It’s been a quiet, homely half term here. Domestic, with the odd cafe treat thrown in, late nights and pancake making, pop corn and The Fantastic Mr Fox – and he actually was fantastic! Back to ‘normal’ tomorrow. I wish it could be half term all over again…
love Stephie x
By Stephie, on Sunday 10th October, 2010 at 20:43 pm
Been there, seen that, done it and…
 GOT THE T-SHIRT - YEAH BABY, WOOHOO! I did it! I’ll just say that again - I DID IT! One more time? Ok… I. DID. IT. HOOOOORAAAY!
It really was gruelling; people hadn’t been exaggerating. There were hills like you wouldn’t believe, hills most people would have trouble walking up. The few down hill sections were light relief I can tell you. It was a lovely course nonetheless through the countryside and farmyards, but I especially liked the trails through Luxulyan woods, which looked stunning on such a glorious autumn day. I couldn’t believe how lucky we were with the weather, the sun and clear skies just made me smile the whole way through. Ok, so that’s an exaggeration, around mile 9/10 I really couldn’t have cared less what the bloomin’ sun was doing! But it was mile 11 – 12 that was by far the worst, I felt like I was running on empty and if one of the marshals had thrown a burger my way I’d probably have bitten his hand off. That’s saying something. I’m not really a burger fan. And I’m a vegetarian. The last mile, well probably the last half mile, you just run on adrenaline. And on this course you get a bit of gravity to help you on your way down into the arena. I loved that bit and gave it my all – actually speeding up and overtaking people! That bit I really loved! When I came through the funnel I saw three smiling faces I recognised, Jacqueline, Lucy and Tracey, and I think I virtually fell into their arms – I remember I could barely speak! It was just brilliant seeing them there: it totally made my day. But sadly, they couldn’t stay around.
I’m happy to say that my knees and ankles seem to have survived the ordeal, so far at least. They ache, but I can still walk. Talking of ankles, which are near my feet (yes they are!), do you remember that list of things I needed to make sure I’d packed? Well sometimes lists don’t always help and there was something on it that I forgot: my running shoes. Yep, nothing too important really. Just a minor oversight. I had, of course left, them beside my sports-bag, but just neglected to pick them up with it. I got a fair way down the road, into the petrol station and filled up my car before I even realised. So, here I am, knocking at your door, just as I said I would if there was anything missing from the list. I know they were technically on the list, but honestly I think one of you should have made me write it in capital letters or in colour or something. I’m going to rap your knuckles now (except Monica, she reminded me about my keys!), so go on hold out your hand… Oh, all right then, I’ll forgive you. Just this once. Seeing as it probably wasn’t really your fault. Probably.
Shoes retrieved, race run. So what does a girl do after all that effort? Well, I wasn’t going to drop like a stone and feel flat as a pancake as I did after the Truro half marathon a few weeks ago (the warm up for this one!). No, not this time. This time I thought I’d give myself something…
 A reward! And darn tasty it was too! I slowly ate my way through it as I sat in the open air listening to the prize-giving for the half marathon (the marathon prizes would be given out a couple of hours later). It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many cream-crackered looking people; the smiles of satisfaction and relief everywhere. The winning times were incredible, (one young woman finished in a jaw dropping 1:15 or thereabouts). I don’t know how they do it – although many of the fastest runners had at least a 25 year advantage over me! And probably a lot of running experience too. I sat there thinking that maybe by the time I’m 60 I’ll be good enough to pick up a prize for the ’60+ vets’. If I put in the training now. Obviously.
 Plaques and wine for the winners of a number of categories  Appreciative runners and spectators watch the awards being presented It was magical sitting here sipping my cappuccino and drinking in the atmosphere, exchanging knowing smiles with other runners. But once the awards had been given the crowds started to drift away and wander around Eden. It seemed to me like the perfect end to a wonderful day and I decided a slow meander around the Mediterranean biome would be the icing on the cake. And I wasn’t disappointed. The bright and bold colours kept my spirits souring for at least another couple of hours.
 Happy yellows  Zingy orange zinnias  Jars of geraniums  Red and teracotta  and the best bright bunting Finally, before I collapse in a heap in front of something mind numbing on the tv (CSI anyone?), thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that supported me with kind and encouraging words and with your exceptionally generous sponsorship for Mind, it meant everything to me.
With love Stephie x
PS results will be published on the 11.10.10, so drop by to find out whether it was me that was the fastest woman in my age group….although I think we know the answer to that one already, ha, ha!!! (If only there were prizes for bringing up the rear eh?!)
By Stephie, on Friday 3rd September, 2010 at 01:18 am
I saw the grand
 The Palladian mansion Holkham Hall and the dilapidated.
 Quayside workshop The idyllic
 A peacful morning in Old Hunstanton and the bleak.
 Flat, flat, flat! And I know where my heart lies.
I spent several hours one afternoon walking along the North Norfolk Coast Path. It’s a long distance path along windswept shores and I picked a section going west between Holkham and Brancaster. It was just about 10 and a half miles. The first stretch was through miles of sand dunes, which can change shape overnight in strong winds. Walking through the dunes you don’t see much except sky and the blue sea thistle. And the odd naked man. As you approach Burnham Overy the dunes fall away behind you and you find yourself walking along the top of the raised sea defences. The land is flat here; there are no majestic cliffs to break the skyline and all you see are salt marshes stretching for miles. This part of the coast is famous for it’s bird watching. Egrets, gulls, swans and curlews were two a penny, but I didn’t see anything more unusual. (Note to self: take a pair of binoculars next time.) In places, you walk along narrow board walks across the marsh with towering grasses on the seaward side and neatly clipped gardens on the other. Walkers were rude. At home everyone says hello, but here I’d step off the path to let people pass and not receive so much as a nod in thanks. So I found myself singing a sarcastic “thank you” at the top of my voice as I stepped back on to the boards. Nothing. Not a murmur. Heads down, eyes fixed they trudged along like a defeated army. These people, I thought, were as grey as the leaden skies.
I find it hard to describe my feelings about this landscape. It was wonderful, elemental, but so bleak and exposed. So, so different from home. There was nowhere to shelter, nowhere to sit and take in the sky without also taking a battering from the winds. It felt desolate, and at times the desolation felt like it would go on forever. I would love to be there at dawn. I can imagine the mist rising from the marshes in a watery light and the silence being broken by the dawn chorus. I’d sit there on the grassy path atop the sea defences, wrapped up in a blanket and a thick woollen scarf, breathing the sharp air. My eyes would be closed and I’d be listening intently to the curlews. I’d ignore any passer by that broke my reverie with a “good morning” and I wouldn’t care if they too thought me as grey as the leaden skies.
A 10.5 mile walk between Holkham and Brancaster
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Holkham Hall
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Hunstanton
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Hope enjoyed the photo albums. Back soon.
Love Stephie x
By Stephie, on Sunday 29th August, 2010 at 13:02 pm
Hello my lovelies! Not been here for a while have I? Computer problems and a week in Norfolk are to blame – not me obviously! I’m still in Norfolk as it happens, and I happen to have found a computer that works, if you’re one of the few people that consider Windows Vista as something that works…
We’re here in the east of England visiting family. Heavy rain and blustering winds have been battering this part of the coastline for days now, so we’ve spent a lot of time inside (not having thought to bring a jaunty sou’wester and Norfolk gansey!). Kim’s been running around with his cousins, one’s the same age and has the same passion for Star Wars and Lego as Kim does. Two of them in the house? Not good for the sanity. I lost my train tickets before we came and had to buy new ones (I think I must have thrown them out with some old tickets to St Ives), but admist all the self-imposed stress I did manage to remember to bring some sewing and a sketchbook, so I’ve been happily keeping myself busy despite being stuck indoors for lack of warm and waterproof clothing.
 All piled up and ready to go I’ve been working on a quilt top I started some time ago now. I rashly decided to make it entirely by hand, but it turned out to be a good decision. It’s something I can easily carry around with me and get on with whenever the mood takes me, or I’m sitting in a waiting room somewhere. I’ve finished all the nine patch squares now and have started on the sashings with the fussy cut squares. Even though I’ve been doing this for a year or more, I still love the fabrics I chose and it surprises me how quickly it builds up when I get going. I think I’ll be doing a lot more sewing this afternoon; I’m sat in my mother’s conservatory and it sounds like I might need an ark by nightfall! I think I’ll forget about the 8 mile run I need to do and the walks I’d planned at Brancaster. You never know, I might have a finished quilt top by the time I get home.
If you’re one of my keen-eyed readers you may have noticed that my From The Loft shop images have disappeared from the column on the right. I haven’t closed it down, just shut it for the week I’m away. I’ve got some more items to list when I get back, so keep an eye out for them. ‘Til then I’ll love you and leave you and hope that where ever you are, you’re not getting too wet!
love Stephie x
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I'm running a 28 mile marathon in memory of Josie this February. Come and find out why.
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