Sunday 17 November 2013

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




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






32 comments:

  1. We will be thinking of you as well. In earnest, and hoping the latest treatment has you ready to skip and jump with joy.
    As always, thank you so very,very much for taking us along on your touring. To see such places brightens my day.

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  2. Oh, I'm sorry to hear you're still in pain. I hope the next op does the trick and you'll be like new. What a gorgeous place you visited! I've never seen a castle other than in photos. Gorgeous things you've made! Get well!
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Good to hear from you and be able to share the lovely photos from your trip. (something I would never see if you didn't share it with me) Fingers crossed that the surgery will be the key to having you back up and running. Thoughts and prayers.

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  4. You were missed but truly forgiven since you shared photos of the Loch!
    Wishing you the very best for a quick recovery following your surgery Dear!
    Thinking of you and sending prayers!
    God speed,

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  5. Thanks for catching us up on some of your news and views, Joan. I am sorry you have been in so much pain, but am hopeful with you that your upcoming surgery will be successful and you will be healed.

    Just for the record, I think your speed and skill of project production are stellar!!!!!!! (especially since I major in slow and simple :) I admire your work!

    I really enjoy seeing the world around you, and am glad you were able to take a lovely trip to Scotland. Thanks for posting!

    Gracie xx

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  6. It's good to hear from you! Prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery!

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  7. Oh Joan I have been thinking of you and hoping you were doing OK I am so happy you had time away that is ALWAYS good thing. Never worry about writing back or commenting to anyone as I am Positive everyone just wants you happy and well. I will be thinking of you when you go through the surgery and I pray that it works well for you. Your wraps are gorgeous. Be well my friend you are in all our thoughts. Hugs lots of hugs. B

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  8. Have fingers crossed the surgery will set you back to full health again. Thank you for sharing the lovely photo's of your holiday in Scotland.

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  9. Loved seeing the name Pembrokeshire come across my screen and to hear a word from you. Happy you enjoyed a bit of a holiday. Sorry about the continued pain and hope this new surgery does its thing . . . quite the journey for you indeed!

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  10. Thanks for sharing your photo's of Scotland. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming op, hoping it does the trick this time.

    Diana

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  11. Hello I was just noting the other day that you had not posted for a while. Just hoping that all was well. Glad you enjoyed Scotland. Beautiful photos. I loved it there. Best wishes for the surgery and hope you will be so much better afterwards. Hugs Anne x

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  12. Please don't ever worry about visiting when you are not well. We all understand. And I will say extra prayers for you and the surgery you are scheduled for. I hope it takes care of your problems for good. I love the beautiful photos you've shared and the lovely shawl and wrap you made. You are so talented my friend. Sweet hugs, Diane

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  13. The photos Look beautiful. Glad you are taking good care of yourself.
    What lovely yarns . Be well my friend and it is good hearing from you but always take as much time as you need

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  14. Blessing to you and hoping and praying for a successful surgery snd recovery
    Ally

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  15. Looks like a nice place for a holiday. Hope your surgery goes well and it provides some relief from the pain. Sending you good thoughts from across the pond.

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  16. thinking about ya. have missed your posts - but totally understand when you are not feeling up to it. big big hugs. ( :

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  17. Wow, Joan, what absolutely lovely yarn ... and what amazing photos. Even the mist is picturesque there! I like the vines growing against that white wall. And I am sure you didn't take much persuading to eat those delicious-sounding scones. :)

    Have said a prayer for you, and for your surgeons and doctors and nurses - I do hope you have a great result this time.

    Hugs, Sue

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  18. So nice to see you back again, and your photos are lovely. I love the yarns that you have been knitting with. beautiful. I will remember you in my prayers that your upcoming surgery with be very successful. back pain is a very difficult thing to deal with! Blessings, and welcome back. be kind to yourself!!!!

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  19. I was away for the last couple of days and I was SOO happy to see you here again, Joan. I was wondering how you were. I am glad you were able to get away for a bit of a holiday with your son/family.

    Visit when and as you can-IF you can- otherwise, just pop in with a post whenever you can so that we know you are alright. I will be praying for a successful surgery for you- xo Diana

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  20. It was so good to see a post from you Joan, and I'm glad you had that break in Scotland with your family. The photos were stunning. That last one looks just like a watercolour! What a view from that delightful little tearoom. It's so miserable to be in pain and feeling so low. I really do pray that the op is successful and that all goes well for you. Take care and don't worry about visiting us. Just get yourself well again x

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  21. I'm so glad you got a holiday away from home. Hope all goes well in the hospital and the pain eases for you. You're in my prayers.

    xox

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  22. Beautiful post you have a good eye and it is always interesting to see such beautiful places. Best wishes on your surgery we will be praying for you.

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  23. You've been busy. I hope everything goes OK at the hospital next week. Thinking of you! Jx

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  24. Your photos are amazing and I just love seeing your part of the world. I am sorry that you have not been feeling well, and hope that your surgery fixes those issues. It will be so worth the recovery to be able to get about again.
    Be well and God bless you as you go through this. Thinking of you and Happy Thanksgiving.

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  25. Great to see a post from you Joan :o)
    Looks like a great holiday despite the weather. Fingers crossed they get you sorted out - sending very best wishes as always.
    Rose H
    xx

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  26. Good luck with your surgery - hope it does the trick for you. Love the pics - particularly the moody misty ones. Cheers

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  27. My sweet Joan, I am so glad you posted. It was lovely to hear from you and see what you have been up to. Love your pictures of Scotland, and of course you know I love that Clapo-ktus and Lisa's Shawl. You might be interested in The Vite Cowl, here is the link http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vite-cowl. It is gorgeous and fun to make, I have made several into scarves not shawls and it works beautifully.

    I so wish for you to be out of pain, and I think this next operation is going to do the trick. I wish you the very best.

    Let us know how you are.
    Meredith

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  28. Dear Joan, while you have been missed, it was lovely to read about your travels and see the photos. What a great place that cozy tea room sounds like and someplace I would have been holed up in watching the bad weather, as you were too. You finished some lovely pieces too.
    Sorry to read about the continued pain and hoping the upcoming operation will ease it somewhat. Thanks for the updates and take good care of yourself.

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  29. Dear Joan, I do hope the operation is a great success and you feel better and have a lovely relaxing Christmas! Take care of yourself. Xxx

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  30. Finally, I'm catching up with you, and I find it's just the day before your op. Good luck x

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  31. I've been slowly catching up with blogs and just saw this today. You should have had your surgery by now. I hope everything was a success and that you are mending well. Relax, heal and come back when you are all better. Best wishes to you.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  32. Was looking back to see what had happened to you! Your photos are lovely and this looks like a beautiful spot of the world to visit. Back pain can be so trying! Nothing quite like it. Definitely hope that this surgery has helped and that over time, you will be much better.

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