March in like a lion....

Oh it has rained a lot this March....
Wind and rain, it certainly has come in like a lion.

 I made two lots of flap jacks...the first batch were crumbly, the second lot over baked!

 When I go to my Pilates and aqua fit classes I often see the local town geese, they make me smile when they bring traffic to a stand still as they cross the roads.

 I enjoyed watching my hyacinth come into bloom, the colour was a surprise as it didn't have a label, it was a beautiful peach colour.

 The cats as usual have been a delight

Waiting for supper

 I planted 200 snowdrops in the rain.....

 I went on a very wet school trip to Knowsley Safari Park....

 This is Teddy the Lion. Because of an operation when he was young he can't grow a mane, apparently he is fussed over by the lady lions!

 We learnt a lot about tigers.....and didn't see one!

 I did some playing in my sketchbook ready for a collagraph print course I am doing over three evenings.

and of course we have had pancake Tuesday but we couldn't have them on the day so we had them a week late!

We went out for Sunday lunch and watched the sleet fly past the window....horizontally!

 We raised lots of money for Comic Relief at school with a cake sale

 And then last Saturday I went on a Workshop at Shed 76 1/2 hosted by Anne and Viv (Hens Teeth)

 The plan....to make a diorama in an old vintage tin.....

 I was very pleased I finished mine and I love it!
I have to say there was a fabulous atmosphere at the workshop. I sat with lovely ladies who I have met on several occasions at workshops over the years and made lots of new friends too. We laughed and chatted and created together it was such a delight. I sat next to my lovely friend Lynn....pop over and read about the day from her here on her blog post.

With so much rain the rivers in the valley were fit to burst as I was driving home. The flood sirens were going which is a scary sound.

 Then on Sunday....struck down with my cold again I snuggled on the sofa and watched old films.
So that is March so far........

February Half Term (warning this is a long post!)

I had a lovely February Half Term.
It was helped by lots of lovely mild weather.

Roseberry Topping

 The first weekend we had a night away at Grinkle Hall near Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire

 It started with a delicious Afternoon Tea

 and then a walk around the grounds.

Then we had a drive to Saltburn-by-the-Sea
A quaint Victorian seaside town.

We had a play on the slot machines in the arcade

 

 Then it was back to the hotel for a very delicious evening meal.

 The next morning after breakfast we headed off to Whitby

One of our favourite places.....

We parked near the abbey then visited St Mary's before going down the 99 steps.

It was such a glorious day, very mild and sunny and so we headed to Robin Hood's Bay for some lunch and a look around. It was different last time we visited Whitby and Staithes at Easter 2018 when it was cold and foggy.

Robin Hoods Bay is full of little nooks and crannies, little paths and narrow lanes....it is a pretty little seaside village, very very busy in the summer but not too bad this half term and we found parking at the top of the village no problem and had a lovely lunch sat outside in the sunshine at a cafe over looking the sea!

We visited the Old Coastguard Station now a visitor centre run by the National Trust

and popped a few pounds in the fish collecting money since 1887

 And then as the sun started to set we thought we had better return home after a wonderful weekend away.

 The rest of half term was nice and slow and mainly catching up with friends and family.

Plenty of time spent with the cats.

 I did do a watercolour...

This is Alfie. He was a six dinners Sid sort of cat. He visited our house most days to partake in some biscuits and a snooze in a comfy spot. More than once he was accidentally locked in with our three and spent the night here, rising with the rest for breakfast and ready to stretch his legs outside. Our three cats didn't mind him he was one of the pride. I knew where he lived (in the next drive down the hill) and kept his owner up to date if he was out all night. Unfortunately he was hit by a car and killed two weeks ago. I was really upset, I had grown fond of the cheeky little fella. I did this painting from a photo of him I took when he was upset I was closing the cat-flap one evening-the cafe was closed. I found out later he lived with two other cats that bullied him so maybe that is why he liked popping to ours. RIP Alfie.

Spring has arrived in the garden too.

 I indulged in a day relaxing, watching old films and reading.

 Then on another day it was Afternoon Tea at Rochdale Clock Tower Restaurant in the Town Hall with friends. 

 Then on another day more food and drink and a catch up with old work colleagues 

Then last weekend I walked down to the village to take some photos of the grass verges that are full of crocus blooming.

 (There are rather a lot of photos!)

Then on Sunday I watched my favourite film....Yanks

We had a drive out late afternoon to one of the film locations....Marsden Moor

All I needed was Richard Gere to join me!

 So a few more of the cats in the garden......

 Back to work and the warm weather continued

So well done if you managed to get to the end of my February Post. I did warn you it was a long one.......March today and so far I am so pleased with myself for keeping up to date with my blog....long may it last.