Every year, as soon as autumn hits we pack up the car and head North. Quite a long way north, to a place in the Lake District that we have been to for 17 autumns. Ever since we had two boys, both babies born within 11 months of each other and my only criteria for a holiday cottage was that it had a washing machine, a tumble drier and a pub for meals close by.
It’s been a place that’s seen us through babies first steps, first fell walks, first map-reading ‘adventures’. So many memories.
But this year for the first time we will be there as a family of 3 rather than a family of 4 - with our eldest boy busy with his new Uni life and not able to join us.
It’s going to be weird, it’s going to be emotional and I’m feeling really nervous and uncertain about the whole thing.
But, life goes on and I’m sure it will be fine. Different but fine.
But please forgive me if I’m a little quiet next week - I suspect there will be a lot of processing and thinking going on.
Heading off on holiday always means holiday knitting - of course. So at present I am packing my travel bag and making the most of the fact that only having 1 boy in the car means more room to pack yarn. I’ll be taking yarn to continue my solid-coloured granny square blanket as well as my GeoGradient MKAL shawl. Clue 3 has just come out and it looks to be a big one, so I think that will keep me occupied.
Paired with some self-striping sock yarn - an absolute travel essential - I think that will be enough to keep me out of mischief.
I’ve packed the knitting, but nothing else so I’m intentionally keeping it brief this week.
Making me smile:
It’s light reading, but fun and entertaining. The Myrtlewood Mysteries series by the delightfully named Iris Beaglehole is proving to be a great addition to my Kindle.
Speaking of books, I love the Book Flight newsletter by
of Pull Up A Chair - and her Spooky Season edition is particularly fabulous. So many great ideas and recommendations for a cosy season ahead.
The Shirin Shawl is a new pattern release from
of While I was Knitting. It’s a simple shape but with really striking detail that definitely caught my eye.
When I get back from holiday I might have to do a little stash dive for this one - it looks perfect for cosy readathons in front of the fire.
With that I’m going to love you and leave you as the waterproof trousers won’t pack themselves - have a lovely week.
PS, if you want to start the day with a real smile check out this video of an armadillo gathering leaves.
Have a lovely week leaf-kicking! I imagine it’ll be tough for your elder son seeing family traditions continue without him - I remember that being an odd feeling.
And thank you for sharing my post ❤️
Say hello to the Lakes for me. Up round Keswick at this time of year was always a favourite of mine but it’s all lovely. Have a great break. I hear there’s likely to be a KAL for the Shirin shawl so I am buying the pattern today.