Llandudno 2018

We travelled to the Crop on the Friday, dropping the chickens off at their 'hotel' first.  The 'hotel' is out at Edgehill, a beautiful drive out into historical country where the folks who run it are very welcoming.
Afterwards we travelled onwards to Wales and to our B & B for the stay.  We booked into our groundfloor room, and after unpacking our cases, set out to find somewhere to eat.  When at the seaside I love to have Fish & Chips so off we went to find a restaurant.  

Just around the corner, quite literally, we found a small place to eat.

The food tasted superb, reasonably priced and the staff were really friendly.  
It was starting to rain as we left, a quick run back to the Iris and we were warm and dry!
Next morning the rain was making itself known but, as I still had my waterproof from Thomas land in my bag, it wasn't a problem for me. 

The Ladies of the Crop

We arrived at the Church where the WOYWW Crop was being held.... 

Shaz from Oz

...and ......

had another wonderful day with friends old and new!

Some had travelled much further than us, would you believe Australia.

Crop in Action

We spent a very productive day, the rain stopped and, at the end of the day, we said our goodbyes and returned to the hotel.

We unpacked our suitcases, we had placed our Crop goodies in the suitcase to keep them dry, then went back to our new favourite eating place for an action replay!
On the Sunday we went to Margaret's Church for the morning Service, what a welcome, and it was good to Praise the Lord.
Afterwards we went for a stroll around the town and found that Alice (of Wonderland fame) was a celebrated former resident. 
They celebrate this fact with an Alice Trail......well, I had to didn't I?

 On the Sunday we went off to find a few more carved characters.
We found the Rabbit down among the shops ......

The Mad hatter was sitting on the Prom......

such a cute Dormouse.......

This is the view that the mad Hatter looks at.......



.....to the left......

 ...... to the right ......

What a great place Llandudno is .... we shall have to come back again and, hopefuly, stay a little longer....

WOYWW #486

This is What'sOnYourWorkdeskWednesday - checkout the tab at the top of the page for further info - and our thanks go to Julia for hosting again.

Safely back home after an eventful week.  No time to rest though as I have to catch up on all my swaps and ..... there's an Open Weekend coming up at Tyseley Loco Works.  

My desk this week ....

I am in the middle of making some backgrounds for a swap - I'm not very good at this but I will keep trying!!  

We have spent two days down at the Loco Works - Vintage Trains - getting the garden into shape so that it is neat and tidy for the visitors.  We always have lots of photographers, so we have the extra job of cutting down the bushes and then they have a clear view down the track when we run the Cavalcade - three engines of the Castle class pulling the carriages along the track.  It's quite awesome!!
This year we are celebrating 50years of running steam engines so there are lots of extra interests - the Carousel from Vanity Fair television show is there, we have watched it arriving.  We also have a steam Musical Organ and several Traction Engines - that's without the Miniature Railways!!  Such a lot of steam energy that there will be no room for cars to park (except disabled) so PJ will have his work cut out trying to placate motorists who haven't read the small print requesting that folk come by bus or train!!
Me?  I hope to be sitting in the garden selling Lavender Bags and chatting to folk......
I am a bit excited!!!

PS - from the newsletter.....
A host of additional attractions will include historic miniature railway locomotives rarely seen in public. Sutton Flyer, from the now defunct Sutton (Park) Miniature Railway, will return to Birmingham for the first time in 56 years.

On Saturday 29th, Eagle will be commissioned following its televised restoration and The Transport Trust will present its Red Wheel award to Tyseley for its work in steam preservation.

Attractions for all the family from young to old will include an 1893 built steam powered fairground with a 34 horse (and 2 cockerel) carousel, complete with the historic sounds of its Gavioli organ, as seen in the ITV period drama Vanity Fair. A children’s carousel dating from 1910 and the obligatory candy floss stall will complete the picture. Children (and adults should they wish) are encouraged to enter the spirit of the event and dress in 1960’s fashion.

Traction engines, classic cars and preservation society stands will be exhibiting and of course, catering will be available. 

WOYWW #485

If you would like to share your mess desk with like minded friends, please link up with us at Chez Julia (Stamping Ground).  There's lots of us over there, sharing all our little (or not so little) hobbies.  Come on over and join in............

My desk today is completely different today!!

I am in Brixham again and, although in a different chalet, looking out over the sea ..... beyond the bushes!!  I am completing some September swaps, the weather forecast is not good so we brought some crafting to do ...... guess what PJ brought!!!
We have spent today (Tuesday) wandering round Brixham harbour having some retail therapy as well as a Cream Tea lunch and Fish & Chips dinner...... we know how to holiday!
Short and sweet today, thank you to all my visitors .... whatever time of the week you came.  I love you all.
Update!
For the first time we have been without internet .... never happened before and I hope it won't happen again!!!  
I am sneaking in through the cat flap in the hope that no-one has missed me and thinks I've been here all along.....

WOYWW #484

This is What'sOnYourWorkdeskWednesday - checkout the tab at the top of the page for further info - and our thanks go to Julia for hosting again.

So it's over ...... for another year!!!

So many photos from last Saturday ...... bored yet?  Here's a few more......

The Guys - we had trouble with these ........

Sarah the Photographer

I hope I can give you a different view of the day ......

This was demolished during the day ....

Such wonderful food was provided, cakes with morning coffee, for lunch we had Soup, delicious Chicken with baked potatoes and salad

The Prizes - Thank you to everyone who donated

Wonderful prizes to be chosen, one small + one large - Thank you Jan for sorting and making it such fun.





  



Donations table was full to overflowing.  I was encouraged at the end of the day to take some for my Craft Group, I thank you all on their behalf.

Then there was the Steam Engineer ..... he had a lovely day.  

Thoroughly enjoyed himself and hopes to bring the finished steam engine to show you all next year ........Flying and Pigs come to mind!!!  lol

But wait!
That's not what you're here for ........
The desk!!
 It still has Crop Day on it ...... you're having a full length shot (if Julia can .... so can I!)  
Tidy people look away now!



Now I look at it, I am seeing that C word looming large upon the horizon......




Today we fetched home the chickens, they have been to Worcester while we have been in Llandudno ....

..... fetching them home was supposed to take my mind off the main event .....

First Day at Nursery School








Where have the years gone by .....






Little Soldier is now Soldato Grande - not direct Italian but you get the idea!

WOYWW #483 - the pre Crop one

This is What'sOnYourWorkdeskWednesday - checkout the tab at the top of the page for further info - and our thanks go to Julia for hosting again.

3 Days to go ........

Sooo looking forward to the Crop.

Sorry I am late to the meet up - I have had the most hectic two days for ages.  Did I say 'hectic' ....... worrying more like!

You know that saying - Babies make your arms ache and then they grow up and make your heart ache ...... that's been me these last few days.   
My little baby has been poorly, struggled on (she's her Mother's daughter!) and in the end had to have some bedrest.  
It's so awful when you see your babies struggling and you want to pick them up and kiss them better .... but it doesn't work when they're all grown up and think they are grown up ..... so I have helped out as best I could, Little Soldier has spent a lot of time with the Grandees, did he complain?  Nah!  Just got on with it .....
But she's all better now and back to 'normal', getting ready to take her two boys to Thomas Land ........ plus the Grandees of course!

Anyhoooos, the desk ........,

Covered with 'in the making' ATCs....all the best laid plans went out of the window so today is catching up day ....... may still be catching up at the Crop!!!
Who cares so long as we're all together....... having a super catch up and chatting and creating and eating cake and drinking tea/coffee ...... you get the picture.
I am sooo looking forward to the Crop.......