True Blue

I have it bad. I have it bad for a bike. The blue Pashley Poppy bike. I'm obsessed this week. You may remember I wanted that bike last spring? (I can't find the post from last year, but I think I did post about it.) Well, I told myself if I didn't find it used, I'd buy it new this spring. So I about jumped when I finally saw it for sale online used. The seller said we could meet on Sunday, last Sunday, and sounded very reliable, but then he didn't return my call or email after I wrote regarding a time and meeting place. I've been checking my phone and email obsessively since. Drat! I think the size was a little big anyway. Now I'm eyeing it new again. I just love it! And I figure if you're going to invest in something like a bike, you should really love it. We shall see! Here she is below (picture it with a wicker basket on the front). And here's a cute video of it. What a beauty! These other images were found on Pinterest--see my bike board for sources.

Yurt Birthday

This past weekend we went to the Isle of Wight to celebrate Lois's 2nd birthday. We stayed in a yurt in an apple orchard. I thought, hmm, fancy camping, an apple orchard--that sounds like a fun birthday weekend! The Really Green Holiday Company owns and maintains the yurts on the Afton Park orchard, and they did a great job making us feel at home. I had never stayed in a yurt before, but it was great--ideal for someone who likes the idea of camping, but prefers the comforts of home (like me). The yurt was really large, with a big bed, a little kitchen nook, a stove that kept the yurt nice and toasty, and a futon for lounging. There was also an outdoor bathroom. (See, fancy camping!) When we weren't relaxing in the yurt we were exploring the island. We rented bikes on Saturday and Sunday and also hiked a bit of the coastal path. Here's a peek at our yurt-birthday weekend. 

Our comfortable yurt!

Breakfast and dinner, yum. They provided breakfast and Andrew cooked delicious dinner for us on the BBQ.

I wish I could say we slept in, but Lois wakes up very early. We slept comfortably though. 

It was neat just to lie back and look at the yurt. It looks really cool when you look up. 

We left the orchard and went out on a bike ride. 

We passed quite a few thatched roof houses. 

Then Saturday afternoon we celebrated a birthday. 

The birthday girl! I made her hat and top from some vintage carnival print curtains that bought on etsy a while back. I made these a while back, but I thought the theme was cute with the yurts because there are a few carnival tents in the print. 

I think she liked her little orchard party. 

On Sunday we walked along the coastal path. We made our way to the path through a pasture. Lois said "moo" a lot on the way. 

The coast!

The ocean. 

Wildflowers. 

Then it was time to head back to the orchard and pack up. 

Tour Guide Duty

My friend Caroline is in town, and we've been so busy the last few days that I've neglected to blog about it! We've been out and about quite a bit the last few days, and today was spent on the east side of town in Shoreditch. We had a great time strolling around the Columbia Road Flower Market, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields Market. Our favorite places were the shops Labour and Wait and Caravan. We also loved Vintage Heaven, where we had wonderful cream tea. A few pictures from our fun day out!

Seaside

Last weekend we went to check out the English seaside in Brighton. I think every Londoner had the same idea! It was soooo packed (though you can't really tell from these pictures). It was a little too packed to be comfortable for us, but it made for a few pretty pictures. I'd like to go back and check it out again, but maybe during a different time of year or on a not so beautiful day. (That might sound strange, but of course it was the great weather that drove everyone to the beach last weekend.) A carousel, great beach chairs, interesting pebble beach (no sand!), fish and chips--all nice beach treats.

Picnic Dreams

It's another rainy weekend in London. We were hoping to go to Brighton to have a beach picnic--same with last weekend, but it was icky then too. So, we're nestled in the house, thinking of other things to do . . .  maybe a museum or a visit to the library? I'd rather just stay indoors in my PJs all day, fooling around with my new (used) sewing machine.  Ah, well, regardless of what we end up doing today, we'll get our picnic one day soon.  Picture from Love in the Afternoon.

Spring Pretties

Earlier this week I walked around the neighborhood and the park and snapped some pretty pictures of spring in bloom.  Everything looks so colorful and bright these last few days.  Here's a bit of what I saw.