Another sunny day and we have left the car on the drive and got on our bikes instead. We have had a lovely cycle along the canal and then we tried a little track to save going on the road but this petered out into a non existent path although it is supposed to be a bridle path. Reminded me of my Dad's shortcuts when we often had to lift the bikes over stiles etc.

We arrived at the NT garden in time for lunch but the whole world and his wife were having lunch so we decamped to the pub down the road. Had some lovely sandwiches in a pretty little garden. Strolled round the NT gardens - very pretty and then a welcome cuppa in the cafe.

We decided to go to another NT property not far away and apparently if we cycled fast we would just make the last guided tour of the house.

Arrived in the nick of time but then just as we were about to prop up our bikes a friend I havent seen in years called my name. We had a quick chat swapped email addresses and managed to join the tour 10 mins late. Glad we made it as it was most interesting.

seaside

Well we've been to the sea today. Looked like a nice sunny day so we thought we would go to Weymouth. Have only been in the winter before usually just after Christmas and we really enjoy it. A lot different in the summer hols though. Reminds us of living on the IOW. We used to avoid the beach in the school hols.

Anyway lots of old fashioned beach things - punch and Judy, donkeys, deckchairs and swingboats were in evidence. However there was a brisk wind blowing so a bit chilly. We had lunch in the theatre cafe (our normal haunt) and as it was so cold had hot tomato and basil soup which was very tasty.

We then walked round the harbour and then up and over the headland to the other side where there are rocks and pools etc and hardly any people. Much warmer as well and we had a good walk then back round the headland and back to town.

T's hat blew away as we were crossing the bridge and fell into the river - last seen floating out to sea.

Certainly a lot busier than when we normally go but still a lovely day.

National trust

Actually joined the NT today. Hadn't seemed worth it before because we are not in England much but decided we might use it this week and may be next year if T semi retires (as is the plan).

Today we visited Montacute house in Somerset. Lovely drive through the countryside and dry. When we arrived there was also a craft and garden fair going on so went round that as well. Bought a new fuschia which is pink and purple very pretty.

The house was very interesting and there was also a collection of samplers. How they managed such tiny stitches is incredible.

The gardens were beautifully laid out and there were a group of dancers doing clog/tap dancing so a great day with only a couple of small showers of rain.

England

Back in England and the weather is Yuck. Saw a glimpse of the sun this morning but then it disappeared. Not a good day.

1. Tried and failed to get my hair cut - the shop where I normally get it done has closed down
2. Tried and failed to get HP from Asda - sold out
3. Tried and failed to get some scrapbooking supplies - shop I normally frequent in Bristol has closed down.

However I have

1. mowed the lawn
2. Been shopping at Tescos
3. Got 2 new 12x12 albums at 6 pounds each.

packing

Toady have been sorting things ready for my trip home. This involves the DHW, washing, packing, last minute shopping to make sure OH is stocked up etc. Also been doing some scrapping. This is a LO I did for this weeks challenge.

Also have been out and about searching for a new rucksack to carry my laptop in with its own pocket as we always have to take it out of the bag at airport security.

Now getting weather from UK. In the middle of a thunderstorm. Nothing we can do except watch TV so just watched Eragon DVD. Read the book ages ago so can't remember whether it was true ton the book or not.

Read a bit of trivia today - must check it out. Apparently an ant has 5 noses.

meal

Well yesterdays meal was good although since we were there last they have changed the menu slightly and no longer did the salad starter which was my favourite.

Anyway I had orange juice (freshly squeezed), tuna crostinis, lamb rack with rosemary potatoes and vegetables which were yellow and green beans, icecream - amaretto,vanilla and stracciatelli, followed by coffee and chocolate. OH had sole which they came and filleted at the table.

We had a stroll back through Zurich before catching the bus home.

wedding anniversary

35 years today. Goodness me doesn't time fly. Now have my troll bracelet on and unbeknown to me OH had bought me 3 other beads so I am a very lucky girl. Will take a piccie later.

Not sure what we shall do today but we are going to our favourite very expensive restaurant in Zurich tonight.

cyber photocourse party

Had great fun last night taking part in the photocourse cyber party. We had to take various pics in a very short space of time and get them uploaded. Here is one - something in the kitchen up close and personal. This was the egg tray out of the fridge. We also had a treasure hunt in which I did very badly.

Previously yesterday we had a wander round Sihl city and Zurich. Weather threatening rain which turned into a fullscale downpour when we got home.

I had tried not to read any news or check out any websites that may have had any news about the latest Harry Potter book as I want to get it when I get home on Wednesday but just walking past a cafe window and there is a bloke reading a newspaper with the headlines in huge writing telling me the answer. Shame I can understand German.

troll bracelet

Now the proud owner of a troll bracelet. Well almost - am not allowed to play with it until Sunday our WA. Took some time choosing the beads and hope to get more over time. Will take a piccie when I'm allowed to see it again.

The morning was taken up with boring washing and HW . Still everything clean and tidy for the weekend. Its been chucking it down this evening with thunder and lightening but at least its a bit cooler so may get some sleep tonight.

lazy day

Well just to be different to yesterday today has been a lazy day. Went to the local shops this morning because I have a shoe problem - well a skirt problem really. I have one ordinary skirt here - didn't pack for a heatwave and I have been wearing it for a littlewhile so really had to wash it. This meant wearing my best skirt which doesn't go with any shoes other than my best sandals which I can only wear for short distances. (Bad buy). Hence not much walking today.

Spent some time finishing some paper LOs and reading a book. Went swimming late again which works out quite well as a lot of the children have gone giving me more room to actually swim and the water ( It is an unheated pool) has warmed up a bit so its not so difficult getting in.

This piccie is of the cyclamen I have here. I used flash with a bit of tissue paper over the bulb to give a more muted effect.

Sad that the photocourse is now at an end and I wont have a new assignment in my inbox tomorrow.

Busyish day

Well the afternoon anyway. This morning I was finishing off a LO for this weeks challenge. Another photo on it taken a month or so ago (realised I haven't put the date on the LO) on my way to the shop. The edge of the river is really stony and doesn't look like anything will grow but just look at this collection of wild flowers. It was absolutely glorious. The LO was a scraplift ie used someone else's with a similar design as a basis for mine.

This afternoon I cycled into the city. Didn't take very long at all but spent some time trying to find the best way there without going on the main roads. Think I've got it sussed now.

Really hot in town so didn't spend long - however did buy a desk fan to help keep us cool. Its moving the air around anyway. Managed to get it in the basket on my bike.

Went to local supermarket - the tiny one but it has most things I needed. You have to look hard for things because they only keep one or 2 of an item so there are lots of different items very close to each other IYSWIM.

Then I went swimming. The local pool is not very far away and unbelievably for Switzerland is FREE. Its great because I can just pop down - do a few lengths - maybe 10 mins worth and then come home without feeling I've wasted any money.

supermarket

And this is the what greets me when I get to the supermarket.

Well have just messed up my post trying to be clever and shift pics around. Seem to have failed miserably and only saved part of the post. Not sure what has happened to the pics!!!

I was chatting about the supermarkets we have here. I have 3 within 5 mins of the flat but they are all small. There is another a little distance away and is my preferred shop if the weather is dry and I haven't got to carry anything heavy. My route there takes me along the river bank which is very pleasant and by the childrens playground, then over my favourite bridge. If I' m feeling energetic I can take a slightly longer route which takes me by the allotments. These are always interesting and very neat. Anyway this is the way I went today as it was slightly cooler and I took a picture of someones runner beans. A much more elaborate structure than we would use.

Another scorcher

Shouldn't complain really as have been looking forward to some sun but think this is going a bit over the top. Went to the outdoor swimming pool this afternoon which was really cooling but then got hot again cycling back up the hill. (There's always a hill!!)

At least the washing is dry ( 2 loads today).

Here are a couple of pics that I took yesterday one with and one without flash - what a difference even in bright sunlight.

scorcher

Well it's so hot today - scorching. Have spent most of the day in the flat as it's too hot outside but went out this afternoon for walk in the woods which ends in the cafe overlooking Zurich. Great view but I just can't capture it on my camera. The mountains are lovely with snow on the tops. We just had to cool off with a couple of ices.

Now back in the flat it is 29 degrees and soon am going to have to cook dinner!!

flea market

Been down to the flea market this morning. Got a jug for 3 franks which is about 1.20 so didn't break the bank. It has a small chip in the base so thats why it was cheap. However I only buy jugs for the look of them rather for any value particularly so I wasn't particularly worried.

Boy is it hot out - we had a wander and then went to Globus to see some troll beads - they were doing a promotion and was thinking might get OH to buy me some for our WA . It will be 35 years this year!! Supposed to be coral or jade I gather. Of course I prefer the gold version rather than the silver ones but they are so much more expensive.

Lunch at out on the balcony which was spoiled somewhat by a pesky wasp!

Looking forward to seeing Harry Potter tonight at the pics.

Summer is here

At last we have sun - the sky is blue and it is hot, hot, hot and supposed to be hotter tomorrow and even hotter Sunday. The sun doesn't arrive on our balcony til about 4 in th eafternoon and then stays til about 8 pm which is all very well but makes it very hot to get to sleep and I have to keep the blinds and shutters down which really goes against the grain.

Think in this weather it would be preferable to have the sun in the morning and the shade in the afternoon. Still Im sure we shall appreciate it in the winter months. Now we are on the top floor we should get any sun that's going.

Had the new module today - using flash. Not sure about this one at all as its open as to what we take a piccie of.

Have actually been out on the bike today - found a big notice on it asking who the bike belonged to . If we did not ring a particular number it was going to be towed away! Fortunately it was our landlady so we are now able to keep the bike against the railings. It had been so little used of late that she probably thought it had been abandoned.

Zurich

Back here in Switzerland. Weather not much better than England at the moment but is supposed to be improving. As usual feel like nothing on earth today. I am only 1 hour ahead. How people cope with more I don't know.

Had a few probs with the bus yesterday which sailed right passed me and so had to walk on for another 10mins along a busy road with no footpath. Anyway popped in a local hotel and caught the next bus from there. It just goes round the hotels so made it in the end. Luckily I had allowed plenty of time.

Went to the local italian restaurant. Think we are getting well known in there now. Had the fitness teller which is basically chicken salad. Then out to try and get pics of light trails of which I have uploaded one.

Weather still not brilliant. Hard to imagine that this is summer. Am still wearing my winter shoes!!! Having a problem trying to decide which shoes I should pack this time. Need my trainers as I hope to do some walking/jogging. Need my old sandals for everyday if its hot. Need my new sandals if I go anywhere dressy. (Now is that likely?) . Do I need my winter shoes - well if it rains I will. Hmm if I take all these shoes will there be room for scrapping stuff?

Went to shopping centre yesterday and found a waterfall. Took a few pics to try and get some movement. Met DD1 and GS. He is trotting around really well now and looks so cute.

Sunday was spent doing some more gardening and popping out for a walk between the showers - also watching mens final and mixed doubles final (wimbledon). Federer won again but very close match and Jamie Murray and partner won the mixed doubles. Really great partnership and lots of fun by the look of it. Makes one want to go out and play. Something I haven't done for years. Think I would have trouble running round the court now. Note to self - must exercise MORE.

We are piano less now. Have sold it to a friend of OH. Now DS has left there is no-one to play it so felt it ought to go to a good home where it will be used. We now have a big space to fill and nowhere to put the lamp!!
Been watching a great game of tennis. Actually got a British player in the final of Wimbledon - well mixed doubles anyway.

Well its a toughie this week. Have got to create movement and blur in our photos. Difficult. Tried some wizzing washing and then the lawnmower. Might have to wait until I next go to Zurich though to get some waterfalls.

Actually seen the sun today - in fact its a beautiful afternoon and have managed to cut the grass in between watching wimbledon.

Almost finished cutting the front of the hedge yesterday. Looks tons better although could do with the top cutting as well. Need to get the electric trimmer and ladder for that so will wait for better weather. May be waiting some time.

Trying out new things for digi scrapping and downloaded and used a font also made an overlay. Used them both on this LO .

Loved doing this module using the macro function on my camera and the tripod. Amazing what you see when looking for different angles. Mostly lots of DUST.

Back to watching wimbledon. Not sure they'll manage to get it finished on time this year with all the rain they've been having.

July is here and have missed a few days blogging. Blame it on the OH who came home for the weekend. The long hot summer we were supposed to be having has still failed to materialise and it seems to have rained everyday since I came back to England.

We had OH's brother's 60th birthday bash at the weekend in a marquee in the garden with the rain bucketing down. SIL had spent a lot of time and money trying to make the garden look nice and no one really saw it as we were all huddled inside. The band was excellent playing tunes from our era.

Have also been busy taking close ups for the photo course I'm doing.