Verb: pootle
poo-t(u)l To move in a leisurely unhurried way,
with no real purpose


Monday 5 May 2014

Pootling away from home ....

 
Having just read the title for this post back it sounds as though I've been up to all sorts
of shenanigans doesn't it ?
 But at the risk of disappointing anyone, sorry I actually haven't...
I've just been away for a few days with the other half and the dog in our caravan.
See, told you, nothing that scandalous really.
 
Its our first proper get away this year and we headed to an absolute favourite
campsite of ours in The Gower, called Nicholaston Farm.
We first went there about 5 years ago with my brother and his family, who said we absolutely had to come and see this completely magical place they had discovered.
The campsite is situated at the top of a hill overlooking the sea.
The walk down to the beach from there is through the most beautiful natural
woodland and as you walk along the path you suddenly realise you are no
longer walking on soil and bark but sand. 
 
 
 
And suddenly you break through the trees and look...

 
 this is what you see !
I always think of it as like walking through the wardrobe door in The Lion, The Witch
 and The Wardrobe.
Its completely breathtaking.
( I should probably point out here that my photo's really do not do it justice at all - I am no photographer and all pics are snapped in the moment on my iphone. )
The beach stretches for miles and more often than not you can not see one other single person.
I think its safe to say that this is pretty much Lilou's most absolute favourite place - she loves it and charges about doing Zoomies as fast as she can, tail turning a full 360degrees as she runs.
 
 
The walks you can do are amazing, full circle coming back up the sand dunes, all along the beach to stop at the pub or back along the woodland trail above the dunes.

 
Its quite a hike back up the hill but so worth it for the view from the top, and then its just a little meander along the woodland path back to the campsite.
I think we caught the bluebells at their peak, they looked and smelt heavenly.
 
 
We even managed to persuade Lilou to sit still for two seconds to have her portrait
 taken in amongst them.
 
 
 
 
This was the view from our Caravan door ... unbeatable.
 
 
Also unbeatable ... one pooped pooch !
And so to the big question, did I take any yarny bits and bobs with me ?
Most certainly !
Three different projects infact.
 
 
But the one that took my fancy was the latest patchwork blanket I am making.
So crochet sorted for the evening it was time to snuggle down, put the Beach Hut fairy lights on
 
 
and stick the DVD in.
 
 
 
 
If you haven't seen it already this is a definite must see movie.
 Classic Richard Curtis from start to finish. I loved every minute.
 
Despite the forecast having predicted rain, rain and more rain we were so lucky with the weather and so decided to walk along the coastal path to Three Cliffs Bay.
 
 
This looked like the perfect place to stop for a cuppa ...

 
so out came our faithful Kelly Kettle

 
and within a few minutes steam was up and



tea was served.
 
 
Yup, that'll be a pooped pooch again, well till the next morning at least ...
 

 
 
We had time for one last early morning walk on the beach before heading home

 
and a much needed wash down for the dog.
 
 
We shall be back.
 
Back home the squares have been finished off, I am loving these little blankets, they are so quick to do and they use up all those odd left over balls of wool.


And yet more sun.
 
 
All sewn up, and with the second part of the border now complete
 
 
I would now like to very proudly reveal
 

one completely random blanket !
 

 
  Look , no particular patterns, no particular placing of squares
AND two different types of squares, some knitted, some crocheted.

 
I know !
Would you get me with my randomness !
 
Have a lovely week everyone.



42 comments:

  1. That must have been the perfect trip, looking at your photos !
    Ps your Lilou looks so adorable.... :-)
    Greetings from Belgium, Ingrid

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    Replies
    1. It really was lovely.
      Have a good week Ingrid,
      K x

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  2. It's so pretty there. And you caravan is perfect inside! Oh, I love it.

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    1. Aw thank you Jennifer, its our little home from home on wheels !
      K x

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  3. Sounds like a lovely trip with lots of together time, some crochet and a film what could be nicer. I love your random blanket and mixing crochet and knitting together is a fab idea.
    Hope you have a good week.
    Sue xxx

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    Replies
    1. I've so enjoyed working with both knitting and crochet, you should definitely give it a go.
      Have a good week Sue,
      K x

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  4. What a lovely break you had Kate, such a beautiful place. Enjoy the rest of your week :-)
    Tracey xx

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  5. That trip sounds wonderful, proper tonic for the body and soul. Your photos capture the sense of space really well, I think, and what a view from your caravan! So glad you had good weather too. x

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    1. The sun definitely makes it all so much better doesn't it ? I took your top tip BTW and made all my photos a bit bigger on my post this time ... just need a camera now ! K x

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  6. What a stunning spot, a real find, the Gower is so beautiful. Glad you had such a lovely time, and good to see you had some yarny time as well, the blanket is great.

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  7. aaah you can't beat a good beach can you :) Your doggie is soooo gorgeous. We are trying to pluck up the courage to get a dog, we both grew up with dogs but can't quite bite the bullet yet, we know how much hard work they can be - but of course how rewarding :)
    Your blanket colours are really comforting to me - they are very much like my school uniform was lol :) This is definitely not a bad thing though :) We had a dark green skirt, beige winter blouse,white summer blouse and our ties and scarves had a red stripe in as well. They do complement each other perfectly ! Our school uniform designer knew what he was talking about :)

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    1. Love a good beach ! And these are certainly good with a capital G ! Love how my blanket reminds you of your school uniform, K x

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  8. What a beautiful place! Looks as though you had an amazing time. Love your new blanket too - you are embracing the random aren't you! xx

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  9. Looks wonderful Kate. It's lovely to be able to get a way for a few days. I wish I could convince D that a caravan would be a good thing especially with four dogs but he's not taking the bait yet. I'll keep working on it.

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    1. Keep at it, you never know it might work, K x

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    2. and thank you for the poppy pattern Mitzi. x

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    3. Well he eventually got fed up with me going on about a craft room and one materialized so you never know.

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    4. Forgot to mention... The Poppy pattern says to use 4 ply but I have been using DK and smaller hook as the petals seem to hold better.

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  10. Glad you had a lovely time away...and time to do some crafting too, even better! Your new blanket is lovely!
    Marianne x

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    1. Thank you Marianne, have a good week, K x

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  11. What a wonderful little escape you had with your honey and gorgeous pooch! Looks like a marvelous, relaxing time, a beautiful place, complete with random yarny love! I adore your latest make, I think it would be perfect for me when I start to re-learn to knit - when I get frustrated I can just crochet a square or two and feel stable again! ;-) Brilliant idea, you always make the most creative and fun things! Chrissie x

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    1. Aw thank you Chrissie. You're so right about making crochet and knitted squares - the crochet ones just fly off the hook !
      Have a great week, K x

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  12. Really interested to hear about the Gower as we are going to take our van there later in the year and were going to start looking for sites so where you've been looks perfect. Also going to have a night or two at Merkins Farm on the way as we have very good friends in Bradford on Avon. Anne

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    1. You should definitely give it a try Anne, and its probably worth booking during holiday times. There's another site too just a little bit before Nicholaston called Three Cliffs , and that's really amazing site too as it looks right over the beach. Love Merkins too ! They're all so friendly aren't they.
      Have a great week
      Kate x

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    2. Thanks Kate for that,will look it up. x

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  13. You are right, the views are stunning from your caravan window. And your caravan looks so cosy and inviting - love the lights! And oh my goodness, you have a kelly kettle - we love ours, it boils water so quickly doesn't it? Glad you had a great weekend
    Caz xx

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    1. You just cant beat a Kelly Kettle can you, tea wherever you go !
      Have a great week Caz
      K x

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  14. Hurrah for the random! Beautiful place in Wales too it seems.

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  15. Hi Kate, how beautiful that coastline is. Love your beach hut fairy lights and your blanket, the knitted/crochet combo is definitely the way to go on blankets, both on the speed and texture front, and it looks as though the fresh air has brought out your inner randomness! Enjoy the rest of the week.
    Jane x

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    1. It was so surprising how much quicker the crochet squares grew compared to the knitted ones ! But, like you, I like both together.
      Have a great week,
      K x

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  16. Such a lovely trip, Kate! I love the seaside, and your caravan looks so pretty and comfortable! All the wonderful walks looked perfect for your pooch too! Love your new blanket....well done on the really randomness :)
    Have a happy week.
    Helen xox

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  17. Loving the random, the pooped pooch, and wow, that beach! We so need a caravan!!

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    1. Can't beat a Welsh beach Annie !
      Have a great rest of week,
      K x

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  18. Hi Kate, Loving your blog as usual and the caravan I so wish they were as popular in the United States. I just love them and your blanket another amazing one. Thank you so much for all the lovely photographs to view. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you Pamela for your lovely words, I'm glad you are enjoying a little Pootling too.
      Have a great weekend,
      K x

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  19. What a beautiful place to go camping! The beach, the cliffs, the bluebells...it's all so lovely. I must admit I'm a bit jealous. :-)

    I love your blanket, too. What a fun idea!

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    1. Hi Kristie, thanks for dropping by - The Gower really is lovely if you should ever get the chance to visit.
      Have a great weekend,
      K x

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  20. Wow! That beach looks fabulous! We are off for a wet weekend in the caravan this weekend. I wouldn't mind if it was by the sea but it'll be the muddy field type of site unfortunately! I'm pretty envious that your dog has short hair and therefore stays cleaner and dryer. Ours can't go anywhere near the beds! I'm definitely packing my crochet too! Xx

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