Wonderful wet weekend

We had our annual Jolie weekend in Southwold. Starting off with breakfast at Cafe Clare in Clare, Suffolk, we spent all day getting there taking the scenic route through the villages and stopping wherever the fancy took us.

We had cream teas at The Weavers Tea Room in Peasenhall, just as Donna had a text from Slimming World wishing her a great weekend. Ooops!

Stopped at Yoxford Antiques Emporium where we met Hinge and Bracket.

Spotted a great crochet swimsuit. Pity the weather wasn't up to it.

Linda found some nice fabric, a dodgy housecoat, neglige thing (she didn't buy it) and a great beehive style hat (which she should have bought).

We stayed at The Swan in Southwold.

Trish and Julie came too. Julie somehow managed to avoid the camera.

We were joined by Sinjit and Minjeeta for the room party on Sunday night.

It was a blustery, windy, rainy, wet weekend in July. For goodness sake, what happened to the weather this summer?

Sailor Bill obliged by taking a picture of us .....and a liking to Linda too.

Found a little bit of colour by the seaside.

and Southwold's lighthouse is so pretty.

We loved the homage to Southwold crochet curtain.

We did see the sea - but this was about as close as we got.

Dany shared her big Toasty cardi with Karen.

Windy windmills.

We managed plenty of shopping, of course. Donna bought new Fit Flops.

Tea, again, down at Susie's kiosk, by the seafront.

Hellie purchased a charity shop raincoat - more out of necessity than style we felt.

Coffee this time in Woodbridge on the way home. There was an incredible downpour while we were drinking our coffee and we couldn't get out because the street flooded. We had to leave through the back kitchen door of Caffe Nero.

Aah, but it was great inspite of the weather. A happy laugh-a-minute good time was had by all. To top it all we finished up at The Angel in Lavenham for a truly delicious meal. Unbeknown to us Marco Pierre White took over about 10 days previously - we thought it was good and by golly the food was amazing and not too expensive. Definitely worth a revisit.

The calm before the storm

Hellie arrived at Jolie Friday afternoon, all the way from Paris, with her beautiful crocheted shawl modelled by Linda.

Scarlett helped Donna find some rose intarsia patterns for knitted cushions (there are two in Rowan's Classic Home) for her next project.

Robbie Dobs couldn't come this time, but sent Champagne in beautiful bottles and lovely souvenir tins of French biscuits.

Tres chic

The bed of wool in the shop has gone and been replaced by a lovely sideboard with overmantle and mirror. Painted in a pale grey - our new favourite colour. Good looking and good storage. (£425.00)

Karen Titchmarsh?

Ooh, how pretty! Karen (Sgt.) brought beautiful flowers home grown on her allotment for us to enjoy at Knit and Chat.

Gorgeous sweet peas nestling in there too.

Charmed life

It was Paula 's birthday last Thursday. Mmm, chocolate fudge cake and an intriguing black and white bag from Thomas Sabo.

Three charms. We chose a cocktail (had to be didn't it?), a ruby heart and a delectable pearl and crown. How charming!

Show off and tell

We had 'show off and tell' at Tuesday Knit and Chat this week. Jennifer brought in her wonderful crocheted rug.

Betty brought in her lovely cashmere scarf and crocheted cushion for her new house.

Naomi's brilliant jumper, knitted for nephew Leon in Rowan Cocoon.

Linda's pretty throw knitted in softest baby alpaca squares with beautiful embroidery. (Actually this pic doesn't do it justice - we need to photograph it on a bed.)

Dany's rabbit sized cricket jumper and trews.

Not forgetting Mary. Expert embroiderer as well as knitter! She embroidered this many years ago and hadn't got round to doing anything with it. We have had it made into a cushion for her so at last it gets seen.

Knit and wine

Tuesday 19th July, 7.30 - 10pm @ Jolie. Hope you can join us.

The next Knit and Wine will be post our weekend trip to Southwold - will this be us on the beach? Where did we put those crochet bikinis we made?