My bags are packed.....................

and I'm nearly ready to go back to England for the first time in six years! It was never planned that way, it just happened and right now England or the prospect of it feels quite foreign.

I realised that I hadn't used my UK bank card during that time and had forgotten my pin number, when I phoned the bank to explain my predicament I had also forgotten the words "pin number" but we got there in the end.

I am looking forward to seeing family and friends and spending lots of time at the seaside.

First a week in a fisherman's cottage in Whitby where some of my family come from. A beautiful town with narrow streets steeped in history, it was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's "Dracula".

Then Birmingham where there is more family and some of my customers too.
I am looking forward to taking photos of some of the sumptuous things they create from Antique French textiles.
Finally Somerset with my sister, time for long walks, long chats and more seaside visits, this time to beautiful Lyme Regis..........

A totally different kind of seaside.
We have always loved the seaside as you can see here................

That swimming costume was ruched!!!
I don't think I will be needing one this trip which is lucky as I am travelling by train. I'm supposed to be travelling light and dream of the perfect capsule wardrobe that fits neatly in one bag. However there is quite a gap between the dream the reality of needing something for every eventuality and a love of different styles and colours. Part of the preparation has been trying to find books gripping enough to block my terrible claustrophobia as we go through the tunnel. I settled on a selection of 'Nordic Noir' in the end.
I have also had to try and explain the idiosyncrasies of the cats to the neighbour who is going to look after them, it is only when you try and explain them to someone else that you realise that they are quite bonkers.

 Of course I had to make sure that the feral cats are fed regularly too.

The neighbours have been very emotional about it, with last drinks, special home made cake and even a woolly hat! They have also been wonderful with their offers of help, watering the plants, looking after the cats and providing lifts to and from the station.

So.............if you do need to contact me please be aware that it might take a little while longer than usual for me to reply although I shall be logging on fairly regularly.

Oh and I popped out to do some shopping today and called in at the local flea market where I found a pile of utterly beautiful sheets, smothered with embroidery, in perfect condition, so all ready to list when I return.

Au revoir et a bientôt mes amis X