At the weekend we were treated to brilliant blue skies and high doses of welcome warm sunshine. Perfect July weather in actual fact, and even more welcome than usual as we had Outdoor Weekend Activity planned.
On Saturday we joined the happy masses and stood (slightly precariously) on the side of a little hillock at the edge of a big roundabout on the outskirts of our town. We stood, we sat, we fidgeted, we waited, we ate sweets, we slid up and down on our bottoms (well Little B did), we huffed a bit and got impatient, we got a bit bored with waiting the one-point-five hours for The Anticipated Arrival. But finally, after all that hanging about, we watched in stunned amazement as 198 bicycles whizzed by at super-fast speed. Whoooooooooosh. And in that one minute of shouting, clapping and cheering we were most definitely a part of the great Yorkshire crowd that turned out in their thousands to welcome the Tour de France to our beloved patch of northern England.
The above photo shows the Peloton racing up through the centre of my town (are you impressed with my newly acquired cycling lingo?). I'm very sorry I would love to credit this photo but I found it on t'internet and now can't trace the origin. It was taken from the top of the church tower, and is a great view of the town.
This photo was taken by a police helicopter, I really do love aerial photos so much, they give such a unique and fascinating perspective of familiar places. When we came home from the hillock beside the roundabout, we watched a recording of the Tour de France on TV so that we could see our local landscape unfold on the screen. I have to say, it made my heart lurch a little at the sight of all that lush green, the Yorkshire Dales are looking spectacular and I really appreciate the beauty of this place I now call home.
I was happy that we gave the Little People a chance to be a part of the Tour de France, I think they enjoyed the atmosphere even if the wait for the cycles was a tad too long. But gosh, being amongst all those thousands of people, well, I was glad to come home and sit for a little while in my peaceful, quiet back yard. Just me (and Bert the cat who stopped by for a visit), with my face turned up to the sunshine, alone with my own thoughts.
Sometimes, I think it can be incredibly hard to grant ourselves permission to just sit still and be. I know I don't do it often in my days, am very rarely sat still with nothing doing. But it feels soooo good sometimes to do that very simple thing, to sit, listen to the sounds of the immediate surroundings (jackdaws caw-cawing), feel the air touching your face (it was breezy), close your eyes (warm, sunny) and just drift in and out of thoughts and memories. I think this might be described as a kind of Mindfulness (do go read about it, fascinating stuff), do any of you practice this?
On Sunday morning I opened up the back door, put my apron on over my pyjamas and baked a cake. I buy my eggs from the local butcher and the colour of the yolks never fails to surprise me. I always expect them to be yellow, but they are always, always orange. I made lemon drizzle cake, such an easy, never-fail recipe (right here, if you fancy making it, you can impress your friends and family with it's light, moist zestiness).
Warm, freshly baked lemon drizzle cake is just divine and goes exceptionally well with a morning coffee. I took some time yesterday to catch up with a bit of reading while I was inhaling my cake, I have a magazine backlog which I'm working on eliminating.
Later in the afternoon, I felt the need to do some work. I say "work" in the loosest sense, as this is actually yarn bombing crochet work in progress for Yarndale. I set up my work station outside in the back yard, it was a bit like working in a laundry, but I didn't mind that so much.
LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you think of my YARN letters??! I am pretty impressed with them, they were great fun to make using a super-duper set of free Alphabet crochet patterns found on Moogly blog. The patterns are very well written, and when I had a little trouble with the "A" I used the fab video tutorial provided.
I made eight letters in total to spell out the word YARNDALE (I'm making woolly direction signs, like you do). It was really lovely to go back to the Stylecraft Chunky yarn on a satisfyingly chunky 6mm hook, that yarn is just so crazily SqUiDgY and produced the most beautiful, soft, squidgy letters!!! Once they're off the hook they do need to be given the Steam Spa treatment, they stop curling then and sit nice and neat and behave beautifully.
Worked in this yarn on a 6mm hook, the letters measured 12cm tall. I had Double Assistance yesterday afternoon with my photo shoot (oh I have some hilarious photos of Little B here, working the letters). Here is Little Lady telling me I need to have some wool going along the bottom Mum, like this look, see?
Oh, ok, yes, good job Little Lady, you have won me over with that line of red.
I've already made a second YARNDALE word and have started to crochet a striped background to accommodate the words in banner form (I need an arrow too, mustn't forget to do that). I realise that this vital hooky yarn bomb activity is truthfully an avoidance tactic re the 200+ mandalas waiting to be opened, stacked, photographed, uploaded, re-sized and Pinterested, but it was Sunday yesterday and back yard crochet yarn bombing work seemed to be an OK type of work to do on a day of rest. Mandalas tomorrow I think. I'll get some strong coffee on the go, a small slab of lemon drizzle cake and set to.
I just want to mention a little something re the Chunky Yarn, do you remember the Raindrops cushion I made with it, and the Jolly Chunky bag?
Well, you can buy this colourful pack of squidgey soft yarn from my very own Attic24 shop, nestled inside the rather wonderful Wool Warehouse. That's 800g of soft, chunky, bouncy yarn, it's such a joy to work with and I'm going to be doing much of my yarn bombing work with it (treble crochet rows grow deliciously fast on a 6mm hook!). I'll be adding more colour packs to my shop, including the pack for my latest Coastal Ripple blanket which is now finished and awaiting it's Ta-dah moment..................
You can expect a cool, coastal reveal very soon my friends, this is one seriously lovely summer blanket, loaded with seaside memories. Can't wait to show you!
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Can't help wondering, Lucy, but does your Little Lady crochet?
Posted by: Karen Calcroft | July 08, 2014 at 09:40 AM
We have hens and I always notice how orange the yolks are - really lovely.
Posted by: Gillian | July 08, 2014 at 09:08 AM
YARNDALE looks cool
Posted by: Alise | July 08, 2014 at 09:04 AM
OH yes, 'mindfulness' is a crucial thing to keep the creative plates spinning! The yarndale letters are lovely- an excellently creative avoidance strategy.X
Posted by: Kate | July 08, 2014 at 08:32 AM
For what it's worth, I think too many young women like yourself, busy ladies with families, careers, homes to run etc., are too hard on themselves, and almost feel guilty if they have a little 'me' time. But mindfulness is a wonderful thing... I've come to it rather late in life but am trying to learn. Janet Street Porter - like her or loathe her she does at times talk a great deal of sense - claims in her Daily Mail column that there is absolutely nothing wrong with sitting doing nothing... for 15 minutes a day, just sit. In silence, in peace and quiet. It's OK to think about shopping or laundry, the important thing is the stillness and the quiet. So treat yourself....
Posted by: Edwina | July 08, 2014 at 08:13 AM
Can't wait to see that summer blanket!
Posted by: Kokopelli | July 08, 2014 at 07:59 AM
So cheery and colourful! I can see that the magazine next to your slice of lemon drizzle is Simply Crochet. Which issue is it?
Posted by: Marijke | July 08, 2014 at 07:35 AM
I've just come to your blog via a new-found desire to try crochet (I'm a quilter really). I love your writing and the things you make. I try to practice mindfulness and when I'm consistent it really helps me stay sane (I'm an old woman with young children)and keep hold of my sense of self in the midst of family chaos. It also improves my sleep. Def worth a go and you only need 10-20 mins a day.
We didn't make it to the Tour, but watched it on telly - great stuff.
Posted by: Kaja | July 08, 2014 at 07:24 AM
What a busy and interesting weekend. We spent Saturday glued to the TV watching the Tour and looking out for landmarks we recognised from our visit to Skipton. Not that I saw much of Skipton as I was too busy in the crochet workshop! It was great publicity for the beautiful county of Yorkshire. I hope the avalanche of mandalas has slowed enough for you to get on top of the project. I can see why you need to practise mindfulness with all that goes on in your life.
Posted by: Catherine | July 08, 2014 at 07:22 AM
Hi Lucy, I just love reading your blog. Your piece about your hometown transported me to the days when I was reading books describing the English countryside. I wish I could be there. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Edith R. Gonzales | July 08, 2014 at 06:00 AM
What a wondeful weekend! Thanks for letting us be part of it!
Sitting down with nothing to do can be very hard indeed! I had to learn it and still struggle with the whole concept of doing nothing... but it is so important!
Take care Anne
http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de
Posted by: Anne | July 08, 2014 at 05:50 AM
Oh, what beautiful pics, Lucy!! I LONG for the day when I can visit your part of the world - makes mine (Midwestern USA) pale in comparison. The only time it may rival your little corner would be just before the fall cotton harvest, when we can look out on HUGE fields of cotton, and we see the beauty of "snow", without the cold :) My great-grandparents were completely Scottish, so I hope to see where they came from, up along the Tweed River. Ah, maybe someday...
I have been SO eagerly anticipating the Coastal Ripple Ta-dah - I've been watching for it daily. Cannot wait!!!! xo
Posted by: Janet Tweedie | July 08, 2014 at 05:15 AM
Hi Lucy, I have been following your blog for some time now and have always enjoyed seeing your pictures of the beautiful country and places near your home. We do watch the Tour online - both for the race itself and for the chance to see the background scenery - and were entranced to see how utterly lovely your area is!
DH & I both have ancestors from Yorkshire and look forward even more to visiting the area when we head overseas next year (from Australia).
We were surprised at just how many people turned out to watch and can quite understand that you needed a bit of peace and quiet afterwards! By the way, your lemon drizzle cake is very tasty.
Posted by: meg | July 08, 2014 at 03:59 AM
Ahhh fantastic! Love your letters, beautiful blue skies and at last an Attic24 shop. Fabulous!
Posted by: Louise | July 08, 2014 at 03:07 AM
Lovely post Lucy. The Dales look so green abd lush. The coubtryside on tge TV looked spectacular. Certainly will increase tourism in England. Would love tocomeand see your part of the world. Looking forward to your Ta-dah moment with the rippke quilt. Can you list the colours in order for those of us who are not colour minded. Wool Warehouse is a great shop to deal with and I will be looking forwRd to the new pack when it is available. It is winter here - wet, grey skies and windy. After seeing your blog where you bought some geranium plants, I went and bought some which are giving a little colour in our neck of the woods in Western Australia. Can't believe how many mandalas you have received and also to see how they are to be used at Yarndale. Thanks again for your interesting blog.
Posted by: Anne Dearle | July 08, 2014 at 02:33 AM
About Mindfulness, dear Lucy, I'll tell you some time ago made a reference to this. Well ... I google it, and started practicing on my own, and now I'm needing something more formal and I think contact with "Mindfulness Argentina - Vision Clara", which seems to me a serious organization ... and all because of you, hahaha! Como siempre, un gran abrazo desde Argentina
Posted by: vera Gombert | July 08, 2014 at 01:55 AM
Oh, I love the crochet letters! Makes me wanna make letter bunting. :)
Posted by: Carly | July 08, 2014 at 01:54 AM
Vive le tour de France! Beautiful yarn letter!
Lucie xxx
Posted by: Soleillucie | July 08, 2014 at 01:17 AM
Lucy, my mum aged 92 and I watched the whole of the tour de Yorkshire/ France on TV. We couldn't believe the crowds and the enthusiasm and then the wonderful scenery.
How are little B's pumpkin seeds. I noticed today that I have two just peeking out of their soil home to look at the world.
Posted by: Anne Skene | July 08, 2014 at 12:47 AM
Oh how I enjoy reading your blog! It has become one of my favorites. Maybe it is because I love crochet but maybe it is because you manage to crochet with kids around (I haven't managed that yet but my daughter is only 17 months old....) or maybe because here in Canberra, in Australia, it is winter and we are having below zero frosty mornings while you show pictures of gorgeous sunny warm days in entirely different settings to the one I live in. Maybe it is all of the above.
Either way - you have sold me on the letters - I was thinking of making a bunting for my daughter's room and have just decided that I will do triangles and letters to spell out her name! thanks for all the inspiration!
Posted by: Maya | July 08, 2014 at 12:34 AM
Being an inhabitant of France I have to tell you that it's such a thrill even here if "Le Tour" passes through your town or village! so enjoy!!
I have never come across the word peloton before - but a 'pelot' is what we call a 'ball' of yarn here! so it's very apt!!!!
So glad that you are doing a little business at last - you Sooo deserve it!!
Posted by: Kathy, FRANCE | July 08, 2014 at 12:19 AM
I got excited too when I saw your town on New Zealand telly news.I was more interested in looking at the crowd to see if I could spot you or the other family I know who live there.
( They are Chris and Sally Wolfeden -Smith and their 2 girls Nancy and Betsy )( Sally is also a crotchet person - makes great hats. )
We also watch your lovely countryside in a TV programme called " The Dales," with Adrian Edmonson.
Posted by: Ali Honeyfield | July 07, 2014 at 11:45 PM
What a grand experience! (I totally understand the "I'm glad that's over") the big crowds plus children to entertain. Such a beautiful place you live Lucy! I've seen pictures about the net of the race and your lovely countryside. Makes me want to visit your part of the world even more. :))I need to try that mindfulness more often I think. The letters look great and I agree with L.L. and congrats on the yarn store!
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | July 07, 2014 at 11:27 PM
Came up to the Dales to watch the cycling, got the caravan on a site I think you know on the way to Arncliffe, seem to have seen the pitch we were near somewhere before! Came into Skipton for a coffee at Coopers to find there had been a knit and natter finishing just afew minutes before our arrival. We watched the tour from the hillside at the bottom of Littondale and as you said a long wait, amazing atmosphere but over so quickly. L Anne x
Posted by: Anne Holt | July 07, 2014 at 11:05 PM
What a lovely post. I found myself nodding away in agreement with you as usual. I only watched Le Tour on le TV but it was wonderful anyway. I imagine the atmosphere being like when the olympic torch came to town a couple of years ago. I'd love to do some extra training to 'teach' mindfulness, it's such an important part of keeping yourself sane. One of these days I'll formally add it to my yoga teaching repertoire. As for the chunky yarn, I've been wondering about the style craft stuff. I've been making covered coat hangers as gifts for teachers. They certainly do work up quickly using chunky but the Wendy chunky cotton I'm using is not cheap. Yummy, but not cheap. I might have to check out the acrylic. Hope the sun continues for you. We've got a weather warning for rain tomorrow. ;-(
Posted by: Rachael Iddon | July 07, 2014 at 10:50 PM