Mid trip post

We had a lovely time in France - I haven't had time to blog it all yet but I did blog about our weekend in London prior to going. You can read all about it in my other blog Aimetu's http://aimetus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/saints-bar-london.html

Last weekend was our fourth round in the scout wine tasting and that's in Aimetu's too http://aimetus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/wine-challenge-round-4.html

We are off to the caravan this weekend and will be closing it for the summer - a little early this year but the reason my blog title is 'mid trip' is because next Monday Hubby and I are off to Turkey for a week of doing nothing !! Not our usual style of holiday but we both just want a complete rest. So with going away and a busy autumn I doubt we'll visit Wales again until 2015.

I received my Holiday Exchange from Dusty this week - it's stunning. Thank you Dusty for my beautiful biscornu, threads and chart. Dusty stitched a Chatelaine design - so lovely and perfect colours which match my tablecloth.

Holiday Exchange from Dusty

Dusty (http://dustysdailydoings.blogspot.co.uk/) sent Little House Needleworks 'Hands to Work' chart and two Crescent Colours threads; Joshua Tree and Tennesse Red Clay. Also in my parcel was a pack of iron on embroidery transfers, two lovely butterfly postcards and a brochure about Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens (www.MagicWings.com)

Dusty is coming to visit us in November, a whole week which will include the Needlecraft Haven Autumn Meet Up. I'm so excited to be able to meet and spend time together after so many years corresponding online across cyber space. I did wonder if Dusty's brochure was a hint for a return visit.

My gorgeous exchange

On Wednesday I went to Warwick to the Lord Leycester Hospital http://lordleycester.com/ to a talk by Jo Baker (http://www.jobakerwriter.com/) the author of Longbourn. It's a brilliant story that I discovered thanks to Ursh's nomination early this year for the Needlecraft Haven Reading Challenge. It's the story of 'below stairs' in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Jo's novel matches Jane's and is a delight to read following the activities of the big house and how it relates to the servants. Jo said her inspiration came from reading P&P (many times) and wondering who the other characters were who appeared with carriages, posies for shoes and other items. She began to think about their life and Longbourn was written.

It was a lovely talk, with coffee and cake from the Historic Tea Room. Jo very kindly signed my well read, well used book.

Well I had best go and pack for the weekend - stitching will be a priority as I am looking forward to some stitching time - it's been missing for a few weeks.

Have a good weekend everyone, thank you for calling by and reading my news :)