A February Village Walk

I have spent too much time recently sitting down crafting

and eating the cakes that I bake.  These are a gluten-free recipe I have tried from this book.  They were delicious and although we are fine with gluten, I will definitely be making them again.  I have saved the recipe here.

As a result I have gained weight and I am in need of some exercise!

Yesterday the sun was shining and I decided that a walk around the village was in order.

We live in a modern village,

 but are very lucky to be situated in quite a rural setting, with lots of woodland within the village.

 For this walk I stuck to the paths as the ground is very soggy underfoot after the recent abundance of rain!

 I had no particular route in mind, just a rough circuit of the village.  This was once the old road that passed through here.

 The brook isn't too high at the moment.

 Nature believes that spring is here already.  I discovered lots of flowers and blossoms as I walked.

Lesser Celandine

 Blackthorn Blossom

 Pussy Willow

 Snowdrops

 Hazel Catkins

 Primroses

Sweet Violets

Last year there was a bumper crop of acorns and they are still carpeting many of the paths.

 I made a friend. :)

 I walked 5.5 miles at a brisk pace, so hopefully it has done me some good!  My purse didn't fare too well though - I passed a charity shop and came home with these! 

I'd better choose a different route today! :)

unravel 2014

This morning I headed to Farnham where unravel, a yarn festival, is held each February.  I arrived early knowing that parking spaces would be in short supply later on.

 As I drove into Farnham the light was beautiful, so I decided to walk up Castle Street to take some photos.

This is the 12thC parish church of St Andrew's near the car park.

 I walked along The Borough, past some lovely old buildings.

 Just reaching the bottom of Castle Street

and on the opposite side of the road is The Market House.

 This is Castle Street - one of the finest streets of Georgian architecture in England.

 No 10, built in the early 18thC by Thomas Piggott, a London grocer.  It is built on the site of the Corn Rooms.

 The Almshouses - The plaque reads "Erected by Andrew Windsor Esq. in 1619 for the habitation and relief of eight poor honest old impotent persons."

 This is the view I see as I drive into Farnham.  Behind me further up the hill is Farnham Castle.  I've have never been there, so that is on my places-to-visit list.

 The Mews at the top of Castle Street.

 Time to walk back down into town.

Just a quick look at the church.

 By now it was 10 o'clock and the doors were open at Farnham Maltings,

where unravel is held.

These "trophies" greet you when you first enter the building! :)

 I always head down stairs to the market place first.

I couldn't resist some novelty buttons.

 But it is the yarns that are the stars of the show.

These are 100% linen and I seriously considered getting some, but I didn't know which colours to choose!  Hopefully next time they will be there and I can go with a plan of what to make with them.  I honestly didn't intend to buy any yarn this year as I still haven't used what I bought in previous years!

 These skeins are so tactile, I wanted one of the pinks, but I was being good at this stage and sticking to my plan.

It all started to go wrong when I went upstairs!  I instantly fell in love with this beaded shrug, with its buttoned up sleeves.

I bought the pattern by Jeanette Sloan, but decided not to buy the yarn until I was ready to knit it - see still being good! :)

 Next I glimpsed this shawl on The Natural Dye Studio display.  I have always had a thing for their yarns.  This shawl was beautifully knitted by the gentleman from NDS.

 I bought the pattern ... and some yarn, a 2-ply Blue Faced Leicester/Silk.  At this point I was on a slippery slope! ;)

another room and another pattern!  This design is by Tin Can Knits.  I might have bought 3 skeins of yarn to make the garment in!

 I possibly could have got away with only 2, but the 4-ply Merino yarn, by Easyknits, is hand-dyed and if I ran out I wouldn't be able to match it up.

 I would love to be able to make these felt creatures.  Jenny Barnett was running a course at the show, but I was too slow and it was fully booked.  Something to do in the future.

 I suppose I didn't do too bad, considering I only went for one one of these!

Before I left Farnham, I popped into White Stuff, one of my favourite stores.  My excuse is I had a 15% off voucher! ;)  I had had my eye on this navy shift dress with the boat collar, but I also bought this long white blouse in the sales.

 Time to go home I think, before I do any more damage to my finances!!