Thursday 14 February 2019

Thursday

Good morning, everyone.  It's Thursday and nearly half term!  I can't be bothered to open the door and check the weather as I'm nice and warm but BBC says that it is freezing out there (all the more reason not to open the door yet) and today is going to be pleasant - sunny with a gentle breeze.  I'll take that, thank you.

It was another lovely day yesterday.

I arrived at Val's just before twelve and we talked almost endlessly for a few hours.  She made up a Tom Kerridge recipe that she found in one of the Times add on magazines and it was scrummy - smoked haddock and spinach egg pots.  Tom is, of course, very aware of calories and more healthy eating nowadays, and this recipe (with a bit of adapting) works very well with the Slimming World ethos.  Definitely one to do again.  Thanks, Val.

Val would like to come with me on one/some of my coach day trips so when the next lot come out - which should be very soon now - I'll look through online and see which sound likely.  It's always nice to have a friend around.

Talking of trips, I want to test my new railcard next week with a trip to Norwich or Ipswich, both of which are on the line from here.  I must look up what there is to do in each city and where the stations actually are.  I've decided to leave 'Sarfend' until a later and warmer date.
Any ideas about those two cities, anyone?

Or, looking at the map, I could get to Kings Lynn although it is a slightly more complicated journey.  That's supposed to be quite nice, I think.

All of the above depends on the weather, of course.

Does anyone enjoy the Great British Sewing Bee?  I watched it yesterday morning while doing some ironing and I thought it well up to standard, inspiring me to look up how to do a concealed zip on youtube.  In my day (getting old) we weren't taught that and I've never used the relevant zipper foot but I think my machine has one - must check.
I would never wear it myself, but I liked the 'wriggle dresses' but I think jumpsuits are the most impractical things out.  Imagine having to practically strip off to go to the loo!  The winner's jumpsuit was fabulous though - that lady has style.

Anyway, as I watched on, I could feel myself getting twitchy in a way that I always recognise.  I want to start sewing!  I want to make some clothes for myself, now that I can use standard patterns and they will all be in my size.  I also have my mum's lovely sewing machine to get used to so I want to do that too.  I think I need a few more days in each week!

So I'm off into town as soon as we hit nine o'clock, straight to John Lewis where they have a good selection of books to see what's available.  I might wander off the town centre to see if the dedicated fabric shop - Franklins - is still around too.  Call it a fact finding mission!
That will take up most of the morning, one way and another.

It's SW group this evening so, as always, my fingers are crossed.  All day!  :-)



12 comments:

  1. Good luck for tonight and I have recorded the sewing and will watch it this afternoon. I found Ipswich much like most towns these days all generic shops but I didnt really explore.

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    1. Thanks, Diane. I will do some research.
      xx

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  2. Good luck for tonight. Looking forward to reading ideas about Norwich and Ipswich from your readers .

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    1. Me too, Shirley. People are so very helpful, aren't they?
      xx

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  3. Christchurch Mansion is within walking distance of the town centre. That's probably the most interesting thing to see. Lots of charity shops and the new feature of large concrete stonehenge blocks outside the Corn Exchange!

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    1. Thanks, Sue. I will look that up via Google.
      xx

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  4. Franklins is still around, but you might try the market - also, you'll find a lot of people buy fabric online these days. Always slightly risky as I like to feel it before buying, but Minerva Crafts is a very good site.

    I'm not sure if I've commented on here before, but I love reading your blog and especially your Food & Recipe blog, your weight loss journey is very inspiring.

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    1. Hi, Athene.
      Really glad Franklins is still around, thanks. I think I shall stay on the bus until the Moulsham Street stop and then work my way back into town again.
      I like to feel and look before buying too. I've not come across Minerva Crafts before so will have a good trawl around. Many thanks.
      I think the market is better on Fridays than Thursdays and I might go there next Friday as I can't go tomorrow. I do love the fabric and haberdashery stall and the yarn stall is pretty good too. My other favourite is the herb and spice/wholefood stall at the back.
      Thanks for the kind comment about my weight loss journey. I never thought I could do it and had given up but I can and I am! :-)
      xx

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  5. It's very misty and quite cold here today so I hope you find better weather once you venture outside!

    I'm joining Slimming World online today (hopefully, there are internet issues) so will be following in your footsteps. I too want to start making (sewing) my own clothes again but need to find a store with a good selection of fabrics. The one in town is quite small and I never seem to see any fabrics I like.

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    1. It can be tricky if there's no shop locally. Maybe online would work or maybe a day trip further afield and combine it with something else?
      Good luck with Slimming World - it's worked really well for me.

      It's mist and cold here now I've drawn the curtains but should be OK on the bus.
      xx

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  6. Morning Joy, Last year I missed the planned holiday to Norfolk, which included a day in Norwich, thought I'd send you the itinerary as you might find something that would grab you:

    Later this morning, we will enjoy our first visit of the day to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, one of Britain's leading galleries, on the University of East Anglia campus. In an internationally renowned building designed by Norman Foster you can discover the delights of the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, which was given to the University in 1973. There are now over 1200 items in the Collection, spanning thousands of years and many cultures. Alongside African masks you can see works by Picasso, Bacon and Henry Moore. Japanese scrolls rub shoulders with pottery and metalwork from Mexico and Peru. Ritual objects from ancient Egypt and North America are displayed in harmony with medieval European art and Indian miniatures. Look one way and you see Degas' 'Little Dancer'; turn around and there is Giacometti's 'Standing Woman'. Lunch is available here (not included).

    We round off the afternoon with a visit to Norwich Castle Museum. Housed in a 900 year old Norman Royal Palace, the museum has outstanding collections of fine art, archaeology and natural history. Of particular interest are the Colman Art Galleries, which display the museum’s world-famous collection of Norwich School paintings. The ‘British Masters’ gallery showcases the work of the two leading figures of the Norwich School, John Crome and John Sell Cotman, displaying their greatest masterpieces side by side for the first time. This extensive museum also covers such diverse subjects as the decorative arts,natural history, Egyptians and Vikings.
    Have a good day! A x

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    1. This is brilliant, thank you very much indeed.
      xx

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