Burton in miniature

I was chuffed to find this woollen map of Burton, hanging on the wall of the Brewhouse Arts Centre. I love to see yarn bombing which is generally an outdoor creative activity, but seeing the town in miniature is better still. A lot of work has gone into it, a real team effort by many volunteers. If you click on a picture you will get a slide show. 

The church next to the river at Stapenhill.

Stapenhill Gardens with the big swan full of flowers, the terraced flower beds, and swans on the river.

Ooooh look, the football ground.

Difficult to take good photo's because I had to twist myself sideways, then rotate the pictures on the computer. It would be better if it was laid on a flat surface like a big table. Some of the buildings are hanging at an odd angle. Here's a bit of information about it. It looks like it will be staying here permanently.

Here is a link to The Brewhouse. There is a lot going on there. Theatre, Music, Dance, Comedy, with a Café Bar. My Uncle Stan used to go there regularly to show his paintings.

Crafty Club this morning, it was sooooo busy. We're going to need a bigger room soon. I took a load of wool with me, to sell it for a neighbour. The same people who gave me tons of fabric. Their house clearance is taking a long time, there is such a lot of stuff to find homes for. The Crafty ladies were chuffed, the prices were really cheap, I think there will be some more next week.

I'm going to do the yellow sticker run tonight, haven't been for ages, My fridge is empty.
Toodle pip.  ilona

Market Day.

It was Market day on Thursday so I had a wander around. As a teenager I used to come here every Saturday, the market was very big then, the stalls were packed in, and the place was heaving with shoppers. It had a buzz that I liked. Now it is a lot smaller.

The Market Hall is still there. People flocked to get under cover if it rained. There was a lot more stalls then, we shuffled around. Now big empty spaces, but the atmosphere is nice, space and time to linger and have a coffee and chat. The café was busy.

Old brewery buildings are still standing in and around the town, giving it a sense of character and history. 

Old pubs are still there.

The Coopers Tavern was very popular, not very big but people crammed themselves in because of the real ale they served.

The skyline is dominated by the breweries.

There are name changes, this used to be the Midland Hotel.

This was my favourite shop for a while, for outdoor wear and big boots. Now called Springfields, it was the Army and Navy Store. 

I met up with Margaret who I used to work with over 50 years ago. We found each other on Facebook a couple of months ago. We worked at Wesleys in Victoria Crescent, which is no longer there, it is now housing. It was a factory which made toilet rolls, flat pack toilet paper, and Christmas garlands. It was the last job I had before I moved to Blackpool. We had lots to talk about, old photographs to look at, over a cup of coffee. Andy worked at the same place for a while, that's where they met and have been together ever since.

Burton is so much bigger now. I am asked if I would go back and live there, the answer has to be no. Too much traffic, and frequent congestion to get over the two river bridges. I am a country bumpkin.

Sunday morning, it has been raining but the sun is coming out. Countdown time for the walking, and heading for 1000 miles. 

We'll catch up soon. Stomach is asking for food so time for breakfast. Toodle pip.  ilona  

Up the Brewers.

So what did I do when I was in Burton. For a start, I went to a football match, an invitation from the Director, Ben Robinson, to join him and his guests in the Directors box. The hospitality was first class, drinks, waitress service and a nice three course meal. The club mascots paid us a visit.  Notice I have a yellow and black brooch, Burton Albion's colours, which I made the night before. 

I couldn't pin Ben down for a photo this time, but here is one taken three years ago when I was there.

Profiteroles with cream and chocolate sauce, lush.

There was a programme on every chair. A nice souvenir for me.

I haven't been in a box before at a football match, so didn't know what to expect. I didn't think I would need my coat, so I left it in the car. When Ben explained that we would probably be going out onto the terraces to watch the match, I had to go and fetch my coat. Luckily I had a big jacket with a hood, which kept the cold out.

Our seats were just above the tunnel where the players come out onto the pitch. There was quite a lot of press there, with their expensive cameras and long lenses. The match was relayed onto the big screen inside the box, so I could have watched it there, but I wanted to experience the atmosphere in the stadium. The Southend boss was just below us, and he shouted his instructions all the way through the match. I don't know how he kept it up, he must have been hoarse after that.

The first half was a little bit slow, but the pace soon quickened in the second half when the Brewers played flat out to even up that score. At half time we went back into the box where the tables had been cleared of the meal debris, and re-laid for coffee and biscuits.

Back out onto the pitch and some fancy footwork and a lot of hard slog, paid off......

They managed a goal to even it up, and that's how the score ended.

It was an enjoyable experience, good to see the crowds cheering for their teams. There is a dedicated and loyal following for Burton Albion Football Club, and the first class facilities at the stadium makes it a family friendly place to go.

I was in the town centre on Thursday and spotted the club's stand selling memorabilia. People like to buy their gifts for Christmas at this time of the year. A good photo opportunity, whip the camera out.

I can't see me becoming a real footie fan, but it was a great experience, and I met some nice people. Here's the link to their website.

More pics of my Burton visit tomorrow. Toodle pip.  ilona

A short break

Hello. I'm just back from three days away, visiting family and friends in the Midlands. I've had a brilliant time. Been to a football match, met up for coffee with someone I used to work with over 50 years ago, walked dogs and walked three kids home from school, popped in to see Auntie in her new bungalow, chatted with someone I met at the school reunion in August, called in to see a cousin who has a shop, and had a meal with my sister. A busy three days with a two night stay in a hotel in my home town. Pics will be posted, not tonight, it's too late, I am winding down now. I'll catch you tomorrow.  Toodle pip.   ilona

Amazing pics from Harrogate

Here we go, the last of the pics from Harrogate. There was so much to see, one day is not really enough to see everything. It is such a popular event that if you wanted to stay overnight you would need to book a hotel a year in advance. The venue is in the centre of Harrogate and fairly spread out over a large area, so  lot of walking is needed. There are plenty of lifts and ramps to make it accessible for people of limited mobility, wheel chairs and mobility scooters can be used. 

This artists work was fascinating. I like getting up close to figure out what the materials are and how they are put together. For me the techniques used are just as interesting as the overall finished piece. 

To see more of Marian Jazmik's work, check out her web site.  I'll leave it up to you to take a glimpse into the artists background by clicking on the link to her site. 

I'm off now, catch you later. Toodle pip.  ilona

More pics from Harrogate

Photographs do not do the artwork justice. Quilt collage. 

Bet you can't guess what these are. Focus on the coloured spots, the dark spots behind are shadows.

Each one is a small curtain ring, perfectly wrapped with thread. They are suspended Dorset buttons, amazing.

This portrait is suspended from the ceiling. You need to view from a distance to see the facial features.

All hexegans on a lightweight see through fabric.

Another intricate quilt. There is so much in it I couldn't work out what the lettering is saying. 

This was very eye catching, hanging on a fabric stall. Looks like they are squares with two different fabrics, with stiffening, and two corners brought together to form a pocket, then joined in a circle. 

These knitted yurt tops were displayed on inflatable bases. Looked pretty spectacular.

All the Parish Council newsletters were delivered yesterday, I had a helper which made it a lot quicker. She did one side of the street and I did the other. It worked well. 

Thank you to the Walking Group members for checking in yesterday. If you haven't yet done so there is still plenty of time to update your miles. The next one will be on the 1st of January 2020, so let's have one last push for this year. Then we start all over again in the new year. Are you up for it. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Check in for our International Walking Group.

Here we go, Sunday the first of December, and it's time for the International Walking Group to check in with their progress reports. How many miles are you up to? Some of you have been with me the whole way this year. Some of you have hopped on and hopped off the bus, then hopped back on again. Whichever way you have chosen to do it, the message is to do as much as you can, and then push yourself to do a little bit more, because you never know what you can do until you try.

I have kept up a constant average of three miles a day, sometimes less, sometimes more. I have kept a record on my desk calendar, marking each days progress, or putting a big fat X when I haven't done any walking. Don't want too many of those. My total stands today at 922 miles, on track to reach the 1000 by the end of December. Another whole year of walking, my fourth year of doing this challenge.

So how is everyone else doing? Let's hear your stories, what has the weather been like where you are? Has it held you back, stopped anyone from going out? I wouldn't go out in pouring rain, and if it is slippery underfoot I would be very cautious, don't want to break a leg. Have you found it difficult to keep up the motivation, or have you been sailing through it determined to succeed? I want to know. Also, the big question is why are you doing it? What benefits are you getting from it? I know I feel a lot better for getting out in the fresh air, I feel it is good for my body and mind.

Let's find a nice picture for inspiration. This is in Bamford, Derbyshire. I remember it well.

Now I must fly, got lots to do today. Newsletters to deliver, so more walking.
Toodle pip.  ilona