It's been a long time

My dear blogging friends.

It's been a long time, I know.

I'm so sorry that I haven't been in touch

but,

without long explanations,

I know you understand.

My son and family

invited me to stay in Scotland 

with them at the end of October..
the Doctor had said 
I needed a holiday...

and we spent the week

in the Trossachs

This is Lachlan Castle

first seen in the distance and then

getting closer

Such a pretty place to stay

if you can afford it!

We couldn't!!!

So we went to a nearby tearoom...

...drank wonderful hot chocolate,

were persuaded to have the most delicious scones - (almost(but not quite) as good as my mother's) -  straight from the oven and covered with strawberry jam and whipped cream

and sat and looked out at Old Castle Lachlan

The weather was really bad when we were there,

so any small ray of sunshine

had the cameras out!

I am sure that you can see 

the difference in the photos?!?

However, no matter what the weather,

the welcome 

in the little

tearoom

was always friendly and warm!

I did take more photos

but won't put them all on today.

I wanted to show you a couple of things

that I have made

I finished the Capo-Ktus shawl

The pattern can be downloaded from Ravelry

It is the most glorious yarn
with a lovely sheen

and just slips through your fingers as you work.

Handmaiden - Sea-silk.

It was very expensive but so worth it!

I bought it with

Purlescence

I  also knitted
another 
Lisa's Wrap

I had made one for my daughter in law in the summer and Mum loved it..
 so she chose the yarn
yes another Noro Kogarashi!

and I've just finished 
a baby blanket

The colours haven't come out too well on this photo
They really are a lot lighter!

So....I haven't made much really...
I have started a few things and then not been happy and so pulled them out!

It's been a strange couple of months...
thank you all so much
for writing
and even one friend sent a card!
I do so appreciate
the love and support that you have all shown..
sorry I haven't written back

It somehow feels 
as if time is in slow motion 
and everything takes so long to accomplish 
that I often don't even start!!
The result is that I seem to have got 
very little accomplished!

I've been in quite a lot of pain
(even with all the meds)
and it feels as if the op last September (2012)
hasn't had much effect.

However....
I am going to Cardiff
(100 miles away)
for a major back op
on 26th of this month!

At the moment I am trying to get everything ready
both for being in hospital for a week
but also..
for when I come out...
...especially with Christmas looming!

I so hope that this will do the trick
and that I will be out of pain and able to walk and get about more easily!

I am so sorry that I haven't visited any of you recently.
I just don't seem to have the energy.
It doesn't mean that 
I haven't thought and spoken of you all a lot!
Hopefully I will get to see some of you soon...
I might even be able to visit
if the hospital has Wifi.


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friends in the USA

I'll show you 
just one more of the ruined castles we discovered