Tamara Way - Kelly to Lifton

Our final part of this stage, and this time I had my son, daughter and dog for company. My husband tells me that each section we walk less distance, but I say we are trying to maximise the enjoyment. He is right though, and I think it is partly because we are getting very close to where we live. At the start where we had quite a long journey to the walk, it felt like we should do the maximum amount of walking we could. After this section we are north of our home, and hopefully we will start to have that mind set again.

Setting off from Kelly we passed through fields of sheep. When we got near the woodland, which was very beautiful, but the path was extremely muddy.

More fields and sheep, and we found the snack hut at Turchington, which was very welcome. From here we could look across the valley, and although we couldn't see our house which is in trees, we could spot all the fields around it.

 

The walk down hill to the River Lyd was very welcome. Here is a view as we crossed Lifton Bridge, and another of St. Mary's Church.

My husband was waiting for us at the car park of the Arundell Arms. I had the idea that we could stop there for coffee, but we were in quite a muddy state, so we headed home.

Mosaic Hot Water Bottle Cover and Cat Model

Another bit of getting my family to model. This time it was my elderly cat. As you can probably tell she was not delighted. That is definitely the look of a cat saying "why on earth have you put me here?". I forgive her though, as she is an old lady of 18. Eventually though with another strategically placed hot water bottle under her basket she settled down for a bit more of the photo I was aiming for.

Looking at other photos on Ravelry of hot water bottle covers, I decided my favourites were of people heading of to bed, so I also feature myself in the one below.

This crochet pattern was designed by Rebecca Anaspure, and is available as a project kit on Blacker Yarns website - Mosaic Crochet Hot Water Bottle Cover. It is a really clever design, with a handy split at the back to insert the hot water bottle through.  Made from Samite silk-blend in DK, it is not only really soft and snuggly, it will keep your bottle’s warmth until you are fast asleep.

Now can I work out a way to get my dog into a photograph for Blacker Yarns.

Ridgeway Gansey Cardigan and Hoveton Sweater

 

Last time my daughter was home I managed to persuade her to do some modelling for two new patterns and project kits, which are now available from my work at Blacker Yarns. She really liked both garments, and I had to explain to her that they had to go back to work. Both are designed by Rita Taylor, and you can find other designs by her on Ravelry and Lovecrafts. You can follow links to The Ridgeway Gansey Cardigan, and the Hoveton Sweater to find the project kits at Blacker Yarns. What I think appeals about both patterns is that there is some fancy work, but also a bit of straight stocking stitch. Best of both worlds!

 

Tamara Way - Horsebridge to Kelly

 

A nice day, so we decided to do the next section of the Tamara Way walk. We seem to be walking shorter distances, but feel by doing it in short sections we are maximising the enjoyment. Setting off from Horsebridge, we were mostly on country lanes, and heading away from the River Tamar. There was a lovely view back across the valley towards Kit Hill.

 

We passed the entrance to the Endsleigh House Hotel, and also to the Endsleigh Garden Centre, which has closed recently. It was a lovely place to poke around for plants, so we are sad it has gone.

 

I am slightly obsessed with lambs, and also with the idea of photographing one mid-leap. We passed through a field of very friendly sheep and lambs, but I still did not manage to get the photo I want.

 

We then got to Milton Abbot, which we frequently drive through, but have never approached from this angle. It is a really interesting village, with much of it designed by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in the arts and crafts style. (He also built much of New Delhi, The Cenotaph, Castle Drogo and Lindisfarne Castle.) We sat and ate our picnic lunch in a playground next to the church, and then on our way.

House designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens

Continuing up the hill we passed through a field with some cows. I am a little nervous of cows, just because of their size, and these ones seemed very interested in us. So some speedy walking across the field, but another lovely view of Kit Hill looking back.

 

Not much further on, and just one more field of cows passed through, and we arrived at Kelly. I think I would describe Kelly as a hidden gem. We visited the weekend before, as I wanted to have a look around the Poison in the Garden. I may have a dark sense of humour, but found the labels on the plants so funny. A few plants would cause skin irritation, but so many ending up with coma or death. Of course there are the obvious plants, like yew, laburnum and lords and ladies, that most people know as poisonous, but who knew that so many other plants could cause you harm. So however peckish you are, just don't be tempted by the daffodils or bluebells. Last weekend we finished our visit with a lovely cup of tea with cake in the garden, and it really felt like Spring had come.

Seedpod Cowl

I have been knitting the second part of the BFF Cowl. What you are meant to do is link your two cowls, a bit like a friendship bracelet. But I have decided to keep mine separate, so you can see the beautiful stitches.

I love this one - The Seedpod Cowl - designed by Ysolda Teague. I just love this stitch, it is fairly simple after the first few pods, but I think is so beautiful. I knitted the cowl twice the width in the pattern for extra cosiness.

Once again I have used some Ewe-nique Merino DK from Blacker Yarns, and these projescts were to illustrate how lovely this yarn knits up. Still a bit left on the cone, and I have an idea for one more project. But I have been a bit distracted by a jumper for my husband, so this one may have to wait a while.