Why I love camping, glamping, holidaying in a tent...

I do.
It's just lovely.
This year we went up north a few hours in to the Scottish Highlands, the land of midgies and mouintains.  Our campsite in the Rothiemurchus  Estate (near Aviemore)....let me rephrase that. We got to pitch our tent in the woods which happend to have a (fanatastic, clean, refreshingly unisex) toilet/shower/dishwashing block in it.  We literally found a spot to camp for the piddly price of 152 pounds for seven nights.  Don't let the cheapness fool you, we weren't slumming it.
Now, our tent is massive...

See? Big right?

If I could pass on one tip about tent choosing or buying a tent, is get bigger than the number who sleep in it.  Our tent sleeps six even though we are a family of four.  You need the living space for dodgy (normal UK) weather.  You need to be able to take your outside furniture inside and still have enough room for a cooking area.  As it turns out having a canopy that attaches to the front of our huge tent means we haven't had to move indoors yet as a canopy simply means we can stay seated outdoors and not be exposed to wind and rain.  We can still eat out there and still barbeque.  We have born witness to so many families squeezed into a 'perfect fit' tent in the pouring rain.  Get a bigger tent to 'live' in and if you can a canopy for more of an outdoorsy time of it.  I must admit that I refuse to do any type of camping that does not involve being able to stand up inside a tent.  We used to rent holiday cottages and since downgrading price wise to camping, I still want to be comfortable.  I don't want to have to crawl into spaces and sit on the floor. No way no how.

We pitched next to a burn surrounded by trees. That burn was a lot of fun for my boys and even though there was a couple of falling in incidents (one of which was mine but I still argue I did a ladylike sit down.  Okay I was a bit tipsy and my boys urged me to do the obviously obligatory 'You've been Framed' fall in the burn.  Unfortunately being drunk ( did I mention that?) I was a little eager and 'sat down' before anyone got their camera ready.  My boys were not impressed missing out on 250 smackers!!  I really didn't slip in on purpose but still too soon.  It felt lovely to my drunken bottom!).....but oh my it was a lovely spot.  Running water is a heavenly sound.  We saw loads of red squirrels which I have never seen in my life before even though I have tried and failed on many visits to the Highlands. They are so cute and very fast.  The mister manged to get a photo but you have to be quick.

You can spot the wee beastie in the middle of the shot.

 I love the sound of rain on a tent roof which is just as well as it rained loads but as I said it didn't dampen our outdoor life at the tent. It does get cold at night though.  No sleeping bags for us but duvets and lots of woolly crochet blankets and wool blankets underneath the airbeds.  You really need them.  I know sleeping bags are warm but who wants to sleep in a tube.  I don't.  Even in the height of summer with scorchio days, nights are freezing up north in Scotland.
Here's my Biscuits' bedroom...

Necessary midgie putoff-er.

We used the lidded bbq of an evening to keep warm, sitting out once the boys were cooried up in bed, in the glow of candelight drinking tea and chatting.  It was bliss.

 And just look at this view from up the Cairngorm mountain...

 It was driech but it really wouldn't be a fair representation of Scotland if it wasn't.

We traveled up the funicular (which is one of the best words EVER!) railway which was really cool (even if I still got travel sick on the way down, the shandy lightweight I am).
We loved hanging out at our tent, having scrummy one pot dinners and tasty bbq's.  We had tasty lunches out and about, lovely walks, got soaked, ate scones and drank lots of tea. What gets better than that? Crafting, you say? Well I did some of that too.
I have the camping bug well and truly now and plans are afoot for getting a van next year so we can pop off whenever we like.  One negative thing is the packing of the car, roof and trailer but next year it will all go into one van AND we will manage to take our bikes too.  Heaven or what?

X


You can find me on Twitter and Instagram as jammypudding.

"Ahoy hoy"

How are you all?

It feels like I've been away from my wee blog for an age....lots to show and tell.  I will get to it but I cannot be arsed dealing with photos and the like today (is it OK to admit that?) and really wanted to say a Mr Burns "hullo" to you all.  We've had sun home and away  for a couple of weeks now (well until today and my garden is loving the rain.  It's having a grand old 'sook'.)  It's been lovely.  Hopefully you've been having the same.

Camping was heaven.  I have glorious sunny shots of the West Coast to share; golden beaches, blue skies and sunsets. 

The [endless] granny blanket is finished.  I was going to take a photo in the garden today but, like I said, rain!

I am feeling seriously hardcore because of ache inducing hexagon quilt making [really OUCH!!].  A whole post needed to tell the story about reliving a ten year old Ali's first foray into sewing.  It's a long way from finished but probably the most satisfying project I've ever embarked on.

We are thinking of getting a dog.  It's a BIG BIG decision as we are cat people wondering if a dog is a good idea.   

I have finished the t52mmm challenge and must post about it soon.  I messed up big time though.  It won't be a shock that I  forgot to take essential photos AGAIN.  Luckily I am forever making and most weeks choose the 'make' so replacements can be made but still.....  I am pleased to have completed it and enjoyed it a lot.

.......and breathe.

 A quick catch up then. 

We are three weeks into the summer hols now.  We headed out on our journey, have reached the half way mark and are heading back now.  Adventures still to be had and all; it's a three week journey yet, but heading back to the normal routine, we are. 

I have lots of posts planned and will be back soon.......X

'Possibility' is positively my sort of word.

And why not when you can apply it to a glorious sight like this...

"fa la la la laaaaaaaaa!"

*sigh*

Almost more beautiful than what they can become; these colourful balls.

Part of our memories.

Part of our family story. 

They will transform like magic.

From, as Mr Biscuit says, me wrapping wool around a wee wooden stick really fast.

Possibility...

X

A Neverending Saga - it's a matter of perspective!

Ladies, I have managed to pick up another cold.   As I write I am sniffing and blowing and coughing and sighing.  Hubby Biscuit says it's because I got lots of my hair [as in never had my hair this short, ever!] chopped off on Friday and the cold has found it's way in via an exposed neck.  So having never quite making it to 100% well I've taken a wee baby step back again.  I say a baby step as it is all a matter of perspective.  Yes I feel god awful again but so what, Christmas is on it's way and that means I can justify sitting down sewing and knitting all those gifts I have in mind.  

The washing machine has been showing signs of dying the last few weeks and this morning it would not switch on.  It has obviously lost it's battle.  Ah well, I have a large kitchen sink, a bath and arms with which to scrub.  It'll either get mended or be replaced and in the big scheme of things it's no real biggy.  As I say the approach of the ching-ching of jingle bells can ward off pretty much anything even kitchen appliances dying [my gas oven went on the blink a couple of weeks ago too, luckily I have a second electric one].  

So I say Que Sera Sera!

I admit I am finding it easy to be philosophical as this Friday we are off here...

Auldallan Cottage

 (click for more of a looksee, even a virtual tour if you are curious)

...set in a simply beautiful landscape...

this image and above from cottages4you

...for a couple of nights and it will do me the world of good.  A bit of relaxation before December brings it's usual full steam ahead activity.  A break way from home to take some deep breaths [I hope my nose will allow this] and to look at the stars without the pollution of street lights.  We have holidayed there once before a couple of January's ago and I was stunned by the night sky.  

It'll be difficult not to arrive home feeling rejuvenated and refreshed on Sunday.

It's either the thought of this cottage or there being something to that old adage -  'get a haircut, take a load of your mind'.  Either way I am glad I'm taking it all on the chin.

X

The 52 Marvellous Makes Madness Challenge - Weeks 3 and 4!

This challenge is such a good idea.  I'm really enjoying 'having' to make something every week.  My Week 3 make was something I bake often but it deserves a place for the sheer pleasure it brings in the making/eating/devouring of them.  They are from the delicious Hummingbird Bakery Book and are moistly moreish!  I get to use my KitchenAid too, *sigh*.

Week 4 brought these and...

... it's what I made whist holidaying on the canals of England and Wales therefore my make of that week.  I've still got lots to do!  I am using  Rico Creative Cotton; colours inspired by the Gustav Klimt canvas we have in our bedroom.  I love the Pistachio green!  

Picture me sat at the front of the narrow boat hooking away in between locks and long gazes at firey coloured butterflies and the dazzling blues of dragonflies.  

In the evenings, awaiting a delicious dinner courtesy of my Mother-in-law, my hook was replaced by this for more gazing...

...bliss!!  I could spend a lot of time on a narrow boat.  My gypsy soul yearns for it now I've had a taste of it.  Shame it's so expensive...!

More makes...

Week 1 - the wedding cake

Week 2 - crochet hook pouch
The 52MMMC Flickr group!


X

A quick hello!

Howdy folkaroonies!

I've just managed to get my laptop on for the first time in just under two weeks which just seems mental. Seventy eight e-mails I may add and not one from a real person.  

I wanted to say a quick hello to you all, to say I'm back and hope to be blogging properly soon, why this doesn't count as a proper post I do not know?!?  Our canal boat holiday was wonderful, unbelievably relaxing and gypsy-soul embracing.  I loved it.  This week, this week....Hubby Biscuit and I decided to (stupidly)  have a clear out and sort out cupboards.  Not teeny cupboards either but walk in ones!!!  Aah!!!  You know those jobs that get worse before they get better.  Glad when it's done jobs. Can see/can't see why we put them off jobs.  All consuming.....

Hubby has had an allergic reaction to the hoover, used it more in the last few days than in his whole life.  His body was not happy and made him ill.  I've told him in no uncertain terms I'm not falling for it.  It's akin to making crappy tea to get out of making any at all.  I've tried that one on him and it didn't work.  That's Electricians for you, drink any ol' dishwater/tar tea!  To be fair it was me that brought up the hoover reaction thing, he's just ill but I've got to have a little domestic dig!!

I don't think I've ever posted so late but I had to get my sluttish red toes wet before I got serious withdrawal and I confess I have missed my ickle blog and my bloggy friends! 

X