We started to keep chickens over eight years ago, mainly for their eggs but also to add a pretty addition to the garden, such as it is, it is very small. When we began keeping chickens all those years ago we chose a mix of chickens, some that we knew would lay very regularly, over three hundred eggs per year and some that would lay only about two hundred but were completely irresistible, such as my Buff Orpington, who I adored because of her sturdy yet cuddly build and quiet chirruping when she was deep in conversation. We kept our first chickens for many years, even when they weren’t laying and were costing us quite a lot of personal energy let alone hard earned pennies to keep them.

Then we had Black Rocks which is a commercial trademarked name (but which the industry instantly recognises) which are Rhode Rocks. They laid well, well over three hundred eggs per year each and laid well for three years, but then we were left with hens that either didn’t lay or were destroying the eggs that were laid. It was time to say goodbye. I know that sounds very heartless, but it is a necessary evil if you are keeping hens mainly for their eggs.

At that point, late last autumn, we weren’t sure if we needed or wanted any more hens, one boy was off to University and the other is hardly ever home. And so we talked and talked and really couldn’t make our mind up as to whether we wanted more hens. So we left it in limbo.

I then started to buy eggs from the supermarket. And even if I bought eggs that were the freshest in date that was available, free range and organic they were pretty nasty compared to a freshly laid egg. To the point that we almost stopped eating eggs!

A few weeks ago, with hubby in tow, I was again looking for the freshest eggs that were available and said to hubby “look these eggs are over £3.00 for a dozen, how much does it cost us for a sack of grain?” “Well, just over £7.00” “Really?!,” (enough to feed three hens for weeks) “forget that then, we are going to buy some hens I am so sick of these eggs”, to which hubby agreed.

And with that we ventured forth to the Domestic Fowl Trust at Honeybourne and on the journey chatted away as to what we were looking for, I said that this time I would like white hens. To my delight they had three White Stars, which were clearly laying as not only were their combs full and bright red, which is a clear indication that they are starting to lay, they had already laid five eggs in their viewing pen.

White Stars are a quite a slim bird bred just for egg laying they are a Leghorn hybrid, which means they are they won’t eat as much as an Orpington to lay eggs, so are much cheaper to keep. They are very nervous and flighty compared to some of the older style hens so possibly not suitable for a new hen keeper, with only three hens they will quickly get to know us so they shouldn’t be as flighty as if there were in a huge flock, but they are so pretty and what is more they lay between 300 and 340 eggs per year, each! The sad part about this is that they will wear themselves out quite quickly, three years will be their limit, but on the other hand, we should be getting eggs right through until the darkest days of winter.

They came home with us as did their newly laid eggs, which was a lovely treat. We let them settle in their hen house for a day with food and water before letting them out the next day. We let them out on their second day and remembering they are barn raised hens who haven’t seen daylight before, they were very cautious and only came out for half an hour to feed and water. But it was okay because they still had food and water in their hen house.

Day three, they weren’t coming out either, so I investigated if everything was okay for them and with the noise that I was making at the end of their run they came out. My camera was ready..

Hens that are really not sure,

an hour or so later I gave them some outer leaves of a cabbage I was preparing and they looked at it, and looked at me as if to say, “what’s that?” I am sure they will enjoy learning all their is to know about being a chicken.

“Well this is very interesting”

An egg laid in completely the wrong place, we have since taught them to lay in the egg box. And you may be asking how does one teach a hen where to lay, well normally they like to lay where it is dark and secure, but because these hens didn’t know any better because they are barn raised, any place that is dark is okay, such as the hen house, which was difficult as hubby had to crawl into the hen house to retrieve the eggs. But along with that the hen house has an egg laying area which is even darker and more secure so we just left an egg there. And sure enough the hens found it and started to lay their clutch of eggs with the egg that was already there. Simples….

But it is all worth it, look at such a perfectly white almost porcelain egg.

The hens are laying well, their eggs are starting to increase in size, hubby was quite excited today as one egg was a full sized egg. And as for me, well I love the eggs, but I have also missed the hens chirruping along with their triumphant calls as to when they have laid an egg.

Chick chick chick chicken lay a little egg for me,
chick, chick, chick, chick, chicken I want one for my tea…

At long last I have crocheted all the way around my Lizard Ridge by designer Laura Aylor which I started on January 29th 2008. In one way that seems a long time ago yet in other ways it seems like only yesterday. I haven’t only knitted this blanket, I have made many other items along the way. I found that after knitting three squares I needed stimulation elsewhere but it was always very comforting to come home to a familiar project that just oozes so much saturation of colour. The temptation is great to start another one, maybe next year, I seem to have a lot on at the moment.

You can just about see the crochet. I crocheted an extra two rounds of double crochet to make the edge more sturdy along with to show off the colour of the edging a little more. I am nearly tempted to block the crochet edging to make it lay flatter, but am worried that the dampness of blocking may transfer to my bumps, and I do like the bumps that the short row wraps have created. So I am leaving it, with age and wear it will all flatten out eventually.

I thought the teal colour would match the blanket perfectly.

I just love the colours.

So pretty

and vibrant.

And don’t forget, …

they’re be wolves in these parts… who love the Lizard Ridge almost as much as I do.

Hubby and I decided we needed a break so I did my usual ebay hunting which involved plugging in the words ‘Holiday Cottage Easter’, you would be suprised what bargains are to be had when you want a last minute holiday and sure enough up came a very pretty cottage in North Devon. Just over 24 hours later, after giving ‘the children’ strict instructions not to burn the house down, feed and water the dogs and please don’t have a party, (at least not one where the police would be called) we were off. It has been forever since we had a whole week to ourselves and we quickly became good company for each other and pottered around North Devon quite amiably.

First there was rock pooling.

Hubby scampering over the rocks, I am not sure footed these days so my feet stayed firmly on the sand.

There were beautiful rock pools, this one in the shape of a heart.

Gorgeous seaweed in greens that I adore.

And still life’s of beautifully flattened pebbles.

Then there was crabbing…

Imagine my excitement when hubby thought he had a big ‘un!

Me in zen like pose, I was completely at peace listening to the seagulls and the waves crashing against the sea wall.

There were walks along beaches.

And time spent gazing out to sea.

A local Alpaca farm had an open day.

And we went to the zoo.

We went to a restaurant partly owned by Damien Hirst

Where his art is surrounding you. (fortunately not cows cut in half!)

We travelled to John Arbon’s new shop in Lynton and bought a jumpers worth of Knit by Numbers which is dreamily soft and is a very pretty tweedy green.

But the best part of the holiday, the absolutely best part was when Martin Storey invited us to tea. I’d emailed him to say we were in his neck of the woods and to ask him where were the best yarn shops which is when he told me about John Arbon’s new shop and then Martin invited us to tea. I was terribly excited and could barely contain my nerves, donned my best holiday attire and sun hat and ventured forth. Martin is lovely and made us feel most welcome.

He has a very beautiful home, with stunning views over the sea.

Hubby dwarfed by the size of the sitting room.

Martin in comfy repose.

Martin and I chatted away for nearly two hours about all things knitterly, it was absolute bliss and a memory I will keep with me forever.

And as if our holiday couldn’t get any better, we watched the Royal Wedding, had a good lunch and started to think about packing when we decided we would wander around the harbor, we drank tea and I knitted and just as we were about to wander home we spotted a fishing boat unloading its catch and bought two lobsters live and kicking straight of the boat.

What a last supper! I dispatched them, sorted out the doings and lavished butter on them and roasted them in the oven, they were an absolute treat.

And then hubby stopped off at Get Knitted on the way home. The shop took my breath away, it is glorious.

And amongst all of this we had fine dining most evenings, ice creams and a most memorable cream tea. As I say, What a holiday!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for sending messages of sympathy, it was much appreciated. Roger was a very good friend and I shall miss him dearly. As hubby had already booked a holiday we have just spent the last week tootling around Ilfracombe, with much walking and talking, it was lovely and was just the break we needed. Much better than to be dwelling on all that could have been and general chatter that comes with knowing and being one of the locals.

Roger really would have enjoyed this week, he worshiped the sun and used to turn a lovely shade of a dark mahogany every summer.

I shall write up a holiday post just as soon as… (insert post holiday jobs) I just wanted to say thank you to you all first.

My friend,

He is gone.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye,.

He supported me so, when I lost my hair, when I wept for it.

And now he is gone,

Gone.

And I weep for the loss of him,

my friend.

Gone.

Roger’s hat.

Flowers from Roger when I was poorly.

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him;
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones.

(Mark Antony’s speech in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare where Antony has agreed to abide with Brutus not to place blame on the conspirators – which he fails in quite dramatically with the use of sarcasm)

What I love most at the start of this speech is the two lines “The evil that men do lives after them, The Good is oft interred with their bones”

How true is this? I have found it so, goodness is often quietly given, evil even if slight is often remembered.

I wish I could express myself like the great writers so as you, my readers could understand the passion with which I speak. But my feet are made of clay, so may I present, the good that people do, given ever so quietly.

You may see just a simple bunch of daffodils, but to me, well they are so much more. They are a gift given with love, friendship and caring, which I will hold for ever dear. I won’t embarrass my friend but thank you so much for them and taking the time. I’d also like to say thank you to the message sender for her deep friendship, kindness and caring. You both know who you are.

And then I would like to tell you about the women, of which there were many, who have read my blog over the years and sent by post or given to me in person their spare Noro Kureyon which has all been encompassed into my Lizard Ridge blanket. I have loved each and every gift and have carefully incorporated your wool into my blanket to the best of my ability, your love, friendship and caring will remain with me forever, most often in a woolly cuddle deep in the midst of winter.

I started my Lizard Ridge in January 2008, who knew it would take so long, and it is still not completed.

Along the way there have been wonderful surprises where deeply saturated coloured yarn, often entangled with each other have fallen out of envelopes or bags to be met with my highly pitched sound of glee.

The blanket, my blanket with the yarn of others, freely given, is sewn up. I love it so. And I can’t quite believe that it is mine. It is just too beautiful to be mine. I have crocheting to do, of which I have to decipher the American crochet to the English version, I will try tomorrow.

But until then, here is a close up of my Lizard Ridge,

at this point, I would like to say a special thank you to Carie and Diane who spent the best part of their knitting time helping me to place the squares for maximum effect.

Whilst at the NEC Sewing for Pleasure show on Sunday I caught sight of some beautiful fabrics by Kaffe Fassett at half price! At that price I thought I would give them a go, not least because I seem to have a mental blockage on finishing a quilt. Son no.2 is still waiting for his, although having seen how he keeps his room at Uni I think the quilt is best kept at home rather than festering in his room.

I chose ten colours and bought half a metre of each, hoping to find a pattern that might fit and I found one in Jelly Roll Quilts called Nine Patch Wonder.

I’ve washed the fabric, tumble dried and ironed them, so pretty, its really not a chore to iron such colourful fabric. Next I have spent most of my evening cutting out the squares and 2 1/2″ wide strips.

I am going to retire to the living room to read the instructions and then to continue sewing up my Lizard Ridge.

Although I might just gaze at these pretty colours for just a while longer.

Whilst surfing the net trying to find the perfect yarn to crochet around my Lizard Ridge blanket I found this, Noro Retro.

From here.

A delicious mix of 64 % wool, 24% silk and 12 % angora.

‘nough said.

(apart from why isn’t it in the UK?)

On Friday I rose at the crack of dawn and hubby and myself readied ourselves (hubby was driver to the train station) to pick Noelle up along with I to catch a train to the NEC, we were both giddy with excitement of what the day would bring. We had both volunteered to teach hand knitting at the Knit 1 – Pass it On stall which is funded by the UK Hand Knitting Association. In return for a couple of hours teaching we were given an exhibitors pass, which was gratefully received. We had a very fun two hours, I knew from past experiences that Noelle loves to teach, she has a way with her and got on very well. Me, well I bumble along like I usually do, but I got there in the end and was able to teach cast on, purl, knit, how to pick up stitches if they were dropped (I think that is really important it takes the stress out of learning to knit if you know how to pick those stitches up) and cast off.

Before our session at Knit 1 – Pass it On we had much fun. I hadn’t took my camera so you will have to rely on me that there was much to see in the arty side of things, we could have stayed all day, but shopping called and during the morning I saw Pauline Ineson‘s stand, she who I worship from afar was giving free workshops. I stopped most abruptly and swiveled my head with the speed of a velociraptor spying game with a gasp of “Oh its Pauline Ineson” and wandered over to see what was going on. Only to be told there were free workshops afoot and that there were places available, can you even try to imagine just how giddy I was at this point., I doubt it. Noelle and I quickly booked up for an afternoon session and then headed off.

Later, much later we came back and settled into our seats to listen to Pauline, she was a wonderful teacher. And soon we both had this,

Firstly we learnt the secrets of candlewicking which is the middle section and then were swiftly taught how to make wavy window tucks. Then, if that were not enough Pauline came over to show us just how to mitre the corner of the bias binding that was included in the kit. Doesn’t it look interesting, I have sheer jewel like silks in my imagination to make this project shine.

And then all too soon it was time to go home, although just before we left I had asked if they need more volunteers over the weekend and was told that they might be short on Sunday and so was able to come again to the show.

Come Sunday I was raring to go, even with the loss of an hours sleep with the clocks coming forward I was off again. This time, I had carefully looked at what is available and as soon as I arrived quickly booked myself onto available courses with the go ahead of Fred, (manager of knit 1 – pass it on).

And I took my camera.

With the benefit of the exhibitors pass I was able to gain entry before the general public so took full advantage to photograph (with permission) the Above and Below the Waves Knitting Project, created by Alison Murray, she who also created the 25ft Christmas tree and the most wondrous Gingerbread House. This time Alison is raising money for the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), a very worthy cause.

Pirates looking very pleased with their haul.

Oyster divers, can you see their string of pearls on their purses and their daggers to open the oysters with?

Called the Nemesis, “Yep, I would think that would be my worst enemy too”

Loved the turtle.

And this fisherman in a full scale adult sized aran jumper!

Punch and Judy with crocodile with his string of sausages, whilst families watched. (I love this the most)

Sunbathing and knitting.

donkey rides!

a light house with people enjoying themselves.

a RNLI boat fighting against the huge waves.

Under the sea in a tunnel you walk through which was magical and beautifully lit, you have a beautiful mermaid,

and more beautiful mermaids enjoying the coral.

lost fish nets become home to beautiful fish.

a huge shark….oooh he was scary.

such atmosphere with coral, octupus, shells and crabs.

and jelly fish and sea weed, (there was lots of sea weed in the photo’s, you just have to look for it)

And then there was time for the workshops, which were all given for free by very gifted tutors. Today I learnt how to…

There was Wing Needle and Criss Cross Chainstitching by Pauline Ineson to make a cover for a packet of tissues.

I made a concealed zip, from the dress makers workshop which I thought was amazing, considering this was a red zip can you see it?

I am very pleased with this technique.

Next was Amy Butlers “Blooms quilt” this was fabulous, I enjoyed it immensely, my cushion is not finished by you can get the idea.

And just before joining Knit 1 – Pass it On, I passed Pauline Ineson’s stall and noticed that there were three sewing machines not in use, I asked Pauline what had happened and she asked me if I would like to join in, not a second passed before I said “oh Yes Please” (we later learn’t that the clocks going forward had thrown the participants)

We learnt Shadow Applique by Pauline Ineson, silk was used to shadow the applique dove and we made it into a pretty card. (the purple pen will fade with sunlight)

I met knitters who I know and love, blog readers that recognise me (once seen, never forgotten) and others that know me from just being at the shows, it was wonderful, I had a wonderful day.

On a much sadder note, I came home to find that a favourite Uncle had passed away, he was one of my favourites not least (although not a blood relative) he was alopecia universallis from the age of five. He was a staunch supporter of me and everything that I have gone through and I will miss him very much. And strangely I have the perfect card, made today, to give to my Auntie. Perhaps it was meant to be.

Everywhere I look there are signs that Spring has sprung, unfortunately I don’t seem to have taken any spring like photo’s yet this year. But that might be because until very recently I have had my head down and been focusing on this.

Which I have finally finished and managed to sew the buttons on today, which Noelle helped me to choose from our LYS.

It is Audrey in Unst by Gudrun Johnston and I have knitted it in Rowan Purelife Organic Wool which I bought from House of Frazer in Solihull for a ridiculously cheap price. (I have also bought rather alot of the other colours too! – well when a yarn keeps on getting reduced, eventually settling on a 80 per cent reduction, what is a girl to do?!) And yes, I did tell my knitting pals that the reductions were grand at H 0f F this year and there was much whispering of just how good they were.

I have lengthened this pattern by two inches and I think I could have added a couple more inches. It will look nice with a skirt though. It has had a light steaming and really needs to settle into a nice lukewarm bath and then I can stretch it out a little as it is a bit snug. I think I was hoping that I would have shrunk more by this point, but hey ho, that is life.

I slightly altered the lace pattern so that it was wider than the original, to suit the wider person that will be wearing it.

I am pleased, of course now it is finished, it is much too warm to wear it. But that is okay too.