Duck!

Just thought I would share some pictures from the Easter holidays when we walked along Exeter canal.

It is quite rare these days to get Scary to come with us anywhere!  She is off with her own friends or the boyfriend so much, we hardly see her.  It was lovely to spend the day all four of us together.

It was really cold that day and we weren't quite sure which side of the canal we should be walking, but as it turned out, it didn't matter.  Both sides get you to the Double Locks Hotel, which is where we were headed.

There were loads of swans picking up bits of twig, starting to make their nests.

We were glad to get to the Double Locks.  I used to go there a lot and have very fond memories of (drunken!) nights spent there.  However, although the food was OK, I fancy the cleanliness left a lot to be desired.  And the boy serving me probably wasn't even born the last time I was there!!!!

Poor ducks!  It was bloody cold!

Skulls and Basil The Bat

I have been a bit out of sorts this week and so have not felt like putting fingers to keyboard I'm afraid, but hopefully I am back in the swing now!  Bloggy giveaway scarf is finished, the sun is shining and all is well with the world!

Do you remember that jigsaw puzzle Marathon Runner started way back in January?  And I jokingly said it wouldn't be finished until Easter!  Well, he finished it two days ago!  I have been walking around that flippin' table for three and a half months!!

Mind you, it was quite challenging!

And a bit creepy.

With lots of skulls

and Basil the Bat

Marathon Runner wants me to point out that he has done it HIMSELF.  "None of this we've done it" he said.

I think I shall enjoy breaking this up on Monday when he's bogged off to work!

PS  I did do 9 pieces when he was out one day and I was bored!!!  Shhh!

And The Winner Is.......

Thank you girls for entering the giveaway!

I have been a very bad blogger and have somehow lost the last two days.  Don't know where they went but if anyone finds them, make good use of them!

Well, drum roll, da da da da da daaaaaaaaaa

Vintage Vicki you have won!  Please let me know your address so that I can send your prize.  However, it has to be said that I am still knitting it!

There will also be a very small consolation prize going to:

Claire, a little something will wing it's way to you if you care to send me your address.

I really hope you like your prizes!

See you all soon!

Bits and Pieces

Fancy a bun?

Not sure where this week has gone but spring has definitely sprung!

Poor Scary went to the Orthodontist this week and has to have four teeth out AND a brace to get her teeth straight!  I've heard that once they get the braces, it is quite 'cool' but at the moment she is very slowly coming to terms with it.  I think she is wondering what The Boyfriend will think about it.

What did you think of the new Dr Who then?  We thought he was excellent!  Mad Child really liked the comment "Get a girlfriend Geoff!"  Of course, we also had Ashes to Ashes and Jonathan Creek over the weekend so for us it was top notch televisual entertainment.  About time something decent was on though.

Anyway, still haven't shown you my birthday presents but it's getting a bit late now so will try and do that tomorrow.

Many thanks for all your lovely comments and I'm still working on the scarf so that hopefully it will be ready to post next Monday (have had to start it again, bah!).

See you soon.  Gotta finish my birthday chocolate before the gannets get home!  Go on, have another bun!

Sneaky Peak

Knit, knit, knit

Three Things and A Giveaway

First of all, Happy Easter and I hope that you are having a lovely weekend.

Anyone fancy an egg before they all disappear?

Secondly, this is my 100th post!  Way hey!  I've seen lots of other people do giveaways on landmark anniversaries and I really would like to try this.  However, a little part of me wonders if I should.  Do I have enough people following/reading/caring? 

Well, here goes, let's do it.

If you comment on this post, or you join/have joined my followers, then I will enter you into a draw which I will do next Sunday 11th April at 12 noon British Summer Time.  Not exactly sure what you will get but it might be something woolly that you wear around your neck!  It will definitely include this postcard though:-

and I am happy to send overseas.

Thirdly, it's my birthday today.  The weather has been lovely, I've had some gorgeous presents and a really lazy day.  More on this in another post.

And fourthly (is that a word?) surprise surprise, my mantelpiece is up!!!

After over two years mantelpieceless, I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to happen.  But now I've got one, With Knobs On!

Literally!

Happy Easter!

PS  Happy Easter!

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Duck!

PLEASE NOTE:  There are some rather rude words in this post!

Round about now, my collection of ducks usually makes an appearance.

My favourite is Digby

and he is the archetype of a concept that really irritates me

faux swearing

It did make me laugh when Marathon Runner gave him to me a few years ago, though.

This concept was quite cleverly summarized in a book, also given to me by Marathon Runner last year, called "Is It Just Me or is Everything Shit?"

"Strolling past The Shop Formerly Known As French Connection, have you ever been driven to splutter, giggle, tap your companion's shoulder and exclaim, 'Look, look - it almost says FUCK'?  I rather think you haven't.

Similarly, when you hear a panel show called Stupid Punts, there is unlikely to be a mass gasp of shock.  Maybe some old people would be shocked - but they're unlikely to be watching BBC3.  (Actually, most people are unlikely to be watching BBC3, but you take my point.)  During the fox-hunting debate, there wasn't a news source in the land that could resist a cheeky play on the word 'fox'.

There is nothing big or clever about pretending to swear.  If you want to be big and clever you need to call your shop Spunky Fucking Tit-Monkey's Arsing Cockarama and Co.  Now that's swearing."

Some people swear.  Some people swear a lot and some people don't swear at all.  That's life.  We have a choice.

Do you think he's saying: "Shit, there's a sodding ladybird on my conk!"

Or: "Oh look, a Coccinnella 7-punctata has landed on my rostrum!"

I swear.  My husband doesn't much.  One of my children does, the other doesn't.  They are just words; an amalgamation of letters in a particular order.

However, I wouldn't dream of using the word 'ginormous'!