FNSI July again!

 So we have had two FNSI's this month and I joined in again on Friday. I decided that this was the time to get a finish ticked off my list and so on Thursday I spent an hour or so cutting and interfacing all the pieces to make up my clamshell Sew Together Bag. This meant that on Friday I was ready to get the machine out of it's hidy hole and crack on. By the time I had had enough for the day I was to the point of adding the main zip. This I completed on Saturday afternoon and I now have a second Sew Together bag using the lovely Tilda fabrics.

Once again the bag went together like a dream, this really is a good pattern. And I do love the clamshells.

Many thanks Wendy for getting us together again.

                                                             ++++++++++++++++

Earlier in the week we visited Dunster Castle again. This time with friends who had not visited before and who were both very impressed with the castle and it's grounds. It is a while since I had been inside and it was nice to be reminded of this beautiful silk patchwork cover on one of the beds.

Poor lighting for conservation reasons.

It is dated 1830 and was made by three spinster Luttrell sisters. The Luttrell family owned the castle from the late 14th century.

We also discovered the recently restored 'Dream Garden' which was originally laid out in the early 1900's by another member of the Luttrell family. I have often peered through this gate and wished I could get inside!

This time the gate was open and it was lovely!

I do love that gate!

That's all from me for now, have a great week.

FNSI July

 Good to join in with Wendy and friends especially as I was away for FNWF's last week - see my last post for a tour of North Devon.

Many thanks Wendy and please click on the link to see who else joined in.

I spent an hour during the afternoon prepping some Field Journal backings ready to sew in the evening. Also drew up a few more little designs ready to sew.

Spent a very happy couple of hours during the evening with needle and thread while we listened to The First Night of the Proms. Such a great selection of music.

Hopefully I will get the other two finished this afternoon while we watch Somerset play at the T20 finals day.

Also this week I have completed my RSC blocks - light blue with a hint of teal as I did red last month.

That rug is not the best to use as a background I see lol.

Have a great week everyone - I shall see you back for the second FNSI next week.

Dodging the showers - a weekend away

 Last weekend we decided to have a little trip away before the start of the school holidays and spent a few nights in North Devon. We had a tiny self contained apartment above this old coach house which was very comfortable and well equipped.

The Coach House is in the grounds of an old rectory, home to a delightful young family and their various animals.

On our first day we visited Rockford in the Brendon Valley on the edge of the river Lyn.

And after a pleasant walk along the footpath by the river we rewarded ourselves with lunch in the Rockford Inn.

Day 2 started off in Lynton and after a browse round the shops and craft centre we took the  Cliff Railway down to Lynmouth.

In 1952 the two rivers that meet at Lynmouth flooded following torrential rainfall causing the worst flood disaster in UK history. There is a memorial in the town and the memory lives on of all those killed in the disaster which devastated the small town.

Nowadays it is a thriving tourist centre and always very busy.

The Cliff Railway is the UK's only fully water powered railway. Built in 1888, it remains the world's highest and the steepest fully water powered railway and one of three examples left in the world.

From Lynton we took the scenic coast toll road

to Hunters Inn in the Heddon Valley. We took a short walk through the woods but didn't go as far as Heddons Mouth on this occasion. I loved this moss covered stone wall.

Last stop of the day was at Combe Martin one of the longest villages in England, which ends at this delightful bay.

Couldn't resist a picture of these gorgeous Hydrangea!

Sunday was a quieter day spent lunching with family and taking a gentle stroll.

Monday was our last day away and our luck ran out weatherwise. After visiting the pretty hamlet of Malmesmead in the Doone Valley - famous of course for the novel Lorna Doone - the rain came down and followed us all the way home.

That bridge I can tell you is a pretty tight squeeze and we used the ford to the left when we left Malmesmead.

If you have got this far then thank you for coming along on the journey.