I'm slightly horrified to discover that it's nearly 2 months since my last post, summer has got in the way. There has been much going on over the last 8 weeks but unfortunately little design work and of that, not much to write about! I took heed of advice given by friends who have older children to relax and enjoy the children whilst they are small, so this summer that is mainly what I did with a few days (and rather more evenings) spent at the knitting machine.
Here is a slice of our holiday to give you a taste of what we've been up to.
Ventnor beach. We caught the early ferry to the Isle of Wight, we were there by 10am.
We stayed in a small caravan park (just 6 caravans) in Niton, on the southern most point of the Island. Unadvertised and hidden down a narrow but winding man made track it was a bit of a trek to get there but the views were certainly worth it........
Even a pretty toilet block for those eating at the cafe!
A trip to Chessell pottery was something we did 8 years ago and we all wanted to revisit and create some more souvenirs. I managed to resist painting anything myself but the children created some lovely pieces to be treasured.
A fossil tour from Brook chine beach lead by the amazing paleontologist Felicity who knew everything there was to know about fossils. One little boy on our tour did actually find some dinosaur bone! It was a great activity which made little difference whether you were an adult or child.
Fuelling up at the Piano Cafe at Freshwater before our walk up Tennyson down, a childhood tradition I am now inflicting upon my own children!
The climb up Tennyson down.
Views from the top.
This little grocers was outside the Piano cafe at Freshwater - it seemed almost unchanged and was thoroughly charming. Unfortunately it was closed so I couldn't venture further in for a nose around.
Later on in the week we went to collect the fired pottery pieces - Ta dah!
On our last day, after a failed attempt to visit the beach, we ended up at Mottistone Gardens owned by the National Trust.
Views in the background to the sea, obscured by cloud.
The gardens were beautiful and there was a trail which kept the youngest members of the party happy.
However, the highlight for me was........The Shack! Designed in the 1930s by architects John Seely (2nd Lord Mottistone) and Paul Paget as their country retreat and rural office.
I loved this fireplace.
It had a little kitchenette, shower room, two cabin beds and desks, much like our caravan. Home from home!
It used revolutionary materials for the time, such as insulation board, hardboard and tubular metal. Every little space was used well and the overall look was not at all dated - in fact I would have moved my knitting machine straight in given a chance.
On our return home we found a jungle had grown in our back garden. Including this bronze sunflower, which definitely reached a record height for us!
Unfortunately despite the good weather continuing next week the summer break is now well and truly over and I will be found mainly sitting at a knitting machine for the next 4-5 months fondly remembering days on the Isle of Wight. I hope you all enjoyed the summer.