Congratulations Mr Sunflower Swifts!!!

My DH has won a prize for his wood-turning!!! Am I proud - you bet LOL

Not just any competition either. This is the Woodex 08 national competition. DH entered in the 'novice' category as he has only been turning for 18 months. He came 3rd!!!! He won a gift voucher to spend on more wood and got a certificate. By the way, the man presenting it isn't a midget, DH is a giant.

The prize-winning article - a bowl in Olive Ash embellished with Celtic Knot work in various woods.

PS Yes, I knitted the jumper DH is wearing : )

Tunisia - the final installment

While we were travelling around we came across this baby camel - isnt he beautiful : )
Of course, we had to stop at the village where they filmed some of Star Wars and take the obligatory photo.

The tour of the date palm plantation was interesting. They had banana plants there too. Our guide climbed up the date palm to show us how the dates are harvested.

The view from our balcony on the second day. When we arrived there were no construction works going on - 48 hours later the crane and concrete mixers arrive, not to mention the pneumatic drills - nuff said I think : (

Thats all folks - goodbye from Tunisia. Tomorrow we have exciting news about Mr Sunflower Swifts plus photo's!!!

Sunrise and camels

On the 3rd day of our desert trip we got up at 4.30am and travelled to a salt lake to see the sunrise. It was beautiful - so still and quiet and dark, then this happened:


Of course we had to go on camels too : ) Well, DS and I did. DH has back trouble so he went on horseback instead.

It was one of lifes great experiences. I wanted to do it again. Getting on and off was a bit scary because of the way you get thrown forward by the camel, but the actual ride was very soothing : )

Tunisia 2: Colosseum

As promised yesterday, here are the photo's of the Roman Colosseum. This is the walkway which goes all the way round the inside of the structure - very tall and impressive!!

These 2 pictures are a panorama of the view seen from the top tier of the seating, taken by my DH.
And this is DS standing in the cavity under the arena. This is where the gladiators, wild animals and slaves etc waited until it was their turn to fight.

Tomorrow is the Sunrise over the Salt Lake and the Troglogyt caves.

Tunisia part 1

I have so many lovely photos from Tunisia that I thought I would post just a few a day over the next 4 or 5 days. We stayed in Sousse and this is a lady weaving in the local Souk or market. DS was very interested. Despite the language barrier they found they could converse well in french and she kindly let him sit with her for a while and watch what she was doing. I found that all the Tunisians we met loved children and had endless patience with them.

A view of the entrance to the souk.

One of a number of beautiful mosaics on the walls of the souk.

Proof that it sometimes rains. This was the beginning of a spectacular thunderstorm!!!

Thats all for today - tomorrow it will be the photos of the Collusium.

That Sinking Feeling

I came back on Sunday night from a week holiday in Tunisia with DH and DS. As I walked into the lounge/dining room I got this sensation that something wasnt quite right. The computer desk seemed to be sloping!!!!! I walked a bit further and the earth moved.........one of the floorboards was definately bending. and there was an ominous creaking sound.


We quickly put down our suitcases and investigated. Of course, I did the mature thing.......put the kettle on and called to DH for his toolbox : ). It turns out that one of the sleeper walls which the joists rest on had cracked, causing the joist to move and all the floorboards at that end were sloping downwards. Not good in the snow etc!!! I now have plastic on my floor and a 2" gap between my kitchen and living room with a howling gale going through it - I've stuffed it with newspaper but my cats seem to see my efforts as a challenge for them to investigate LOL

Heigh-ho - normal service re: sunflower swifts will NOT be resumed for a week or two. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer floorboard in the right place and an even floor even more than I like making yarny tools.