Thursday 15 August 2013

Enjoying The Holidays....

 

 
It busy, busy here at the moment! We are really enjoying the Summer Holidays, the break from routine.....not rushing in the mornings, NO HOMEWORK! I hate how homework eats up so much of our family time.
 
Well I've quickly tidied around, the house continually looks like a bombs dropped during the holidays, but I can live with it, yep, I'm REALLY enjoying our relaxed routines!
 
 
 
On Sunday, once the black clouds passed over, we went to our local National Trust House, Hardwick Hall. It's only a few minutes away, the perfect place to spend a few hours. It was built by Bess of Hardwick in the late 1500's, Queen Elizabeth 1st stayed there too.
 
Some beautiful tapestries, plasterwork....The Long Gallery has such a wobbly floor you feel like you're on a ship!
 
 
 
Now we're BIG, BIG NT fans here, we love their houses, gardens, the attention to detail. How they make their properties accessible and interesting for children.
 
Living on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire boarder, we have our choice of lots of places to visit. In fact, wherever we go on holiday, we try to find a NT property to visit. (I've a couple yet to show you from our holidays!)
 
 
 
I particularly love their gardens, always interesting, inspiring and so well kept, unlike my own which has been sadly neglected over the last few weeks!
 
 
 
Great places for hide and seek too!
 
But our absolute favourite place here is the Old Hall, rejected in favour of the new hall, it was left to fall into ruin.....but what a great ruin it is!
 
 
 
It's quite a scary place, old, dark, and crumbly. Perfect to activate childrens imaginations! We always look out for ghosts! I'm sure we've seen some too.......
 
Steep steps, plenty of places to fall out from, so care needs to be taken! I feel sick at quite a few points on the journey to the top.....but well worth swallowing hard and breathing deeply, fantastic views over the Derbyshire hills!
 
Yes a great place to spend a few hours!
 
 
 
So today the girls have school friends over, and apart from providing tomato soup and crusty French bread, I'm redundant! Hence time to write this!
 
I've been looking through my Vintage Sheet stash, choosing colour combinations.....what a hardship!
 
 
 
Thinking up crochet plans........
 
 
 
There's a zingy green and yellow to add to this stash.....thinking winter blanket!
 
 
 
 
Feeling very, very lucky to have such special friends from all around the world! Thank you sooooo much Ale, this yarn is fantastic! And a lovely little Pin too.....yes, I'm very, very lucky! This will come in very handy as my crochet skills develop!
 

 

 
 
Well I'm off to meet up with some old friends later, some I've not seen for over a year.....there will be lots of chat and laughter, I might not have a voice in the morning!

 

 

 
 
Yep, as I said, I'm enjoying these Summer Holidays.....
 

 

 
 
 
Bye for now.....hope your enjoying yourself too!
 
 
Ada :) xxx

 

37 comments:

  1. I love the National Trust Houses too! When I've been in England I just couldn't get enough of tours. We just don't have the beautiful architecture here in Ontario. How lucky for you to live so close to them. The garden flowers are gorgeous! Enjoy your visit with friends ... my summer holidays are over, and with the weather turned 'crisp' it feels like summer is slipping away! oh no! Wendy x

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  2. Hi Ada, You sure live in a beautiful place!!!I love the history you have all around you!!!And the gardens are just amazing!!!Enjoy the rest of your summer holidays!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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  3. Dear Ada
    I really enjoy going round stately homes/country houses too and Hardwick is one of my favourites. I visited a couple of years ago and then became obsessed with reading about Bess of Hardwick, Arbella Stuart (her granddaughter) and Tudor royalty/life generally. It is a wonderful place and I was very impressed with the gardens too.
    Enjoy the rest of the holidays.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Thanks for popping by Ellie, I've been enjoying The White Queen on BBC. Fascinating time in history :) x

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  4. I love NT homes, we have a super one near us to - something for everybody in the family, perfect! :) And what a lovely time you're having playing with fabric combos and yarn ideas! Nothing beats summer holidays! Chrissie x

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  5. It looks like you're keeping very busy and enjoying yourself. I love reading about these old buildings in your country, it's just fascinating to me. Have fun with your friends and enjoy the fabric and yarn fun. :)

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  6. We adore the National Trust properties and gardens, it's such a worthwhile investment getting a membership. So educational, beautiful, historic... not to mention the lush cakes on offer in the tearooms! Our three year olds love these kinds of trips out :) xx

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    1. We've already paid for our ticket in a few visits, it's so expensive to pay on each visit! :) x

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  7. The whole not having to be out of the house by 8:30am is my favourite bit of the holidays! X

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  8. Lovely Ada
    I haven't been to an NT home for a while now, we used to have annual cards and utilised them loads when Alice was little. We have a couple of castles not to far away which I would love to revisit...you've got me thinking again!
    Gorgeous yarn and fabric shots, hard life with these beauties in isn't it :o) Being "redundant" when Alice has a friend over is one of my favourite things...free time to do Penny things :o) Enjoy your time with special friends and oh, the rest of the hols too xox Penny

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    1. Thanks Penny....just what I'm planning to do! :) x

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  9. Looks like you are all enjoying the holidays very much!
    M x

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  10. We love the NT too ... love all your pretty fabric laid out together ... so pretty ... we're loving the holidays too ... Bee xx

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  11. That looks a fantastic place to visit. I think the NT have improved in recent years, giving more value for money for your days out. xx

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    1. Yes, I think they've really listened to feedback given by families, we've notice lots of improvements especially over the last 7/8 years! :) x

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  12. Happy holidays to you :) So glad you have some creative time. My week off seemed all too short! Just love all that crochet goodness - please keep all the colour coming :)

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  13. Your summer holidays sound amazing so far, a lovely mix of family time and time for yourself. I too love NT properties but sadly my husband would much rather be climbing all over a ruined English Heritage Castle...so my NT days out are few and far between. x

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    1. Well Hardwick has both really! We looked into EH membership but didn't feel it was quite for us....although I do like old castles too! :) x

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  14. Lovely to see the colour and joy that floods your world. :-)

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    1. What a lovely concept Susan, not quite there yet but I'm working on it! :) x

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  15. I was lucky enough to visit the UK in 1999 and stay with relatives in Timperley, Cheshire. I went to 2 National Trust properties there, Tatton Park and Dunham Massey. Both were absolutely beautiful. I'd love to return to the UK again. One day..................

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    1. I've been to Tatton Park, great place. Hopefully you will return! :) x

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  16. forgotten what school holidays were like they were so long ago! Looks like a good visit to NT love the dahalias, no flowers on mine this time, the slugs made sure of that

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    1. Mine too, I think dahlias must be a delicacy! :) x

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  17. We are so blessed in the UK to have such wonderful properties to visit. Love the old hall ruins and such a colourful post too ... that yarn is yummy ~ Sarah x

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  18. What a wonderful holiday you are all having! It's always good to get away from a routine for a few weeks.
    Sarah x

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  19. Glad you're having a fun and creative summer. Reading about 'homework' brings back so many memories! :)

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  20. Couldn't agree more about Hardwick Hall, although it's years since I've been there ... it's a fab place ... good 'ol Bess!

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  21. I am loving our Summer days too my friend...school starts for me in just one short week...eeks! Going to enjoy every minute of it tell then. xo Love your teacups

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  22. Looks like you are having lots of fun:-) lovely photos I love old homes and gardens. Enjoy your time with your friends and happy crafting, dee x

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  23. i so want to join the national trust...hubs is reluctant, says our kids are too young! but look at those pics, buildings and gardens to explore are the stuff of childhood! i will use this post as a stick to beat my husband with, thank you for the fresh ammunition x

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  24. Morning Ada! Ooh I used to LOVE the long holidays when the children were small...Lazy PJ's mornings and late, late brunches! A big change from routine! ~ YOUR day away looks lovely too! LOVE the spooky castles. We used to do the same ghostly stories with our two.Imagination would run wild and free....just how I like it too! Hugs And summer kisses *** Maria x

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  25. Just read your post!!! I'm still jet lagged,as we just arrived yesterday in JK!!!
    I'm happy you liked the yarn and the little pin!
    see you soon, my dear!
    xxxxx Ale

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  26. Thank you everyone for your comments! Sorry I've been a little lax in replying, in in full on holiday mode, ie being very lazy! :) xxx

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  27. Oh my!! I totallt fall in love with those fabrics! If you ever feel like swapping or selling some of them I would be so glad!! :) //pysselpralinen

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