friends

Yesterday to celebrate a friend's birthday eight of us went for afternoon tea at Luton Hoo. The whole afternoon was just lovely, stunning house, picturesque gardens and the weather perfect. The afternoon tea was delicious served by friendly staff and when we were replete we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the gardens it couldn't have been better. I would highly recommended the experience. www.lutonhoo.co.uk/afternoon-tea-0
 

A couple of weeks a go I spent a very enjoyable afternoon crafting, with my friend Sue. Sue invited me round to her house for a wet felting session! Sue was wet felting but asked if I'd tried dry felting, I haven't but love to try any new craft technique.
Sue produced the tools for the dry felting: a needle felting tool, which has sharp barbed needles inside a plastic sleeve; a needle felting brush, this allows the needles to go through the fibers, without damaging the table; a piece of white felt and I brought my own stash of wool tops (roving).

It was Larks in the Parks yesterday and the theme was 'Seaside'. My friends and I had a stall at the event and the weather was just perfect! I like these community events because they are social and local, a chance to chat and meet old friends

Last weekend we had a girls weekend in Newcastle a bit of shopping, good food, a sprinkling of culture and lots of chatting and laughter. My friend Susie owns a flat in West Jesmond and kindly invited Daryl, Amanda and I to stay. The good food started as soon as we got off the train, a very tasty tapas in a Spanish restaurant. The next day we went to the coast, Tynemouth, and had classic fish and chips. Before our lunch we had browsed around the flea market, held on the Victorian station platform at Tynemouth.

Susie and David held a get together for friends on Bank Holiday Monday. The food was lovely and we christened their new garden feature, the pergola. I took along a pinata I had made, wanting to test the design out. Luckily the scarf used covers the participants faces!

I celebrated my birthday this weekend. On Friday Susie, Kim, Leanne and I went for breakfast at the Waffle House and I saw Daryl in the afternoon for coffee. On Saturday,my actual birthday we had a family meal at home. On Sunday my neighbours celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a party in their garden but the vagaries of the british weather struck. Sunshine, showers, wind, thunder and lightening we expect no less just hope for a little more! Congratulations Sue and Kim on 30 years together you are great hosts even in the face of adversity.

This article is written by my friend Kim, it's an account of her recent trip to Venice, very useful if you are thinking of planning a trip there. The train journey sounds painless and a bit of an adventure, especially if you are not keen on flying.

Chuck, my friend Angie's husband, organised a free all day live music event at the Six Bells Pub in St Michael's Street. Although it was breezy the sun shone and everyone there enjoyed all the different types of music. The bands that played were The Swan Vesta Social Club, The Runaway Boys, The Hornblower Brothers, Coracle, Dan Raza, The Harpenden Pipe Band, The Batford Band and last but not least Angie and Chuck. It marks the start of the St Albans Festival 21 June - 6 July.

I am happy to report, for those concerned, Leanne is on the mend after her knee surgery. I have included a photo of Leanne's knee but it's not for the squeamish, it has the appearance of a classic theatrical scar, so to soften the blow I have  used soft focus and included photos of puppies! Leanne (on crutches), Kim and I took the dogs for a walk, it has to be said all things considered, Leanne was very spritely on those crutches. Kim became slightly alarmed when Gus accidently fell in the water, but it proved he could swim!