Throwback to a Weekend In Copenhagen

Back in December C and I headed for a 3 day break in Copenhagen. We normally try and get to a Christmas market and we decided 2016 would be a Danish one. Despite it being rather cold and very grey Copenhagen is a beautiful (if expensive!) city. Here are some of my favourite snaps

My favourite area was Nyhavn, which is the picture postcard area which seems to be 'the' image of Copenhagen. It featured a lot on The Danish Girl with Eddie Redmayne. The houses are lovely and the little habour is full of older boats - it's also where a lot of boat tours depart from.

Apparently there have been a lot of fires in Copenhagen over the years - this is the current town hall but it is relatively 'new' having been inaugurated in 1905. The two previous ones burnt down!

Danish parliament. We did a guided walking tour and our guide told us all about the political system, and also explained about the taxes. Although they're high they seem to have it right in Denmark - social benefits are amazing.

There is a square on which all of the royal palaces sit (about 4 in total I think). The royal family lives in these - they are so open in comparison to Buckingham Palace. We were lucky enough to see some sort of ceremonial changing of the guards complete with marching band.

Another highlight was Tivoli Gardens - the world's first theme park and apparently the inspiration for Disneyland. It was suitably bedecked for Christmas.

On the final day we went back to Nyhavn for a boat-trip.

All in all a beautiful city, I'd highly recommend a trip! It was a bit pricey but definitely worth it :) We are now planning our next getaway, Morocco, Amsterdam, Montenegro... who knows!

Checking In - January 2017

Making: The hexie blanket pictured above - it is so wonky and I don't know why! I've spent ages trying to figure out whether I've gone wrong with a pentagon somewhere... Perhaps blocking will do the trick.

Cooking: Lot's of fish - I got some Body Coach recipe books for Christmas and I have to say his recipes are really tasty - and filling.

Drinking: Lot's of Rooibus tea - I've given up caffeine and I feel much better for it - to my utter amazement I haven't had a 'proper' cup of tea this year

Reading: Wolf Hall. It's taking a long time but I am getting there. Once I get into it I really enjoy it but it doesn't seem to be one I can just pick up and get on with.

Wanting: Less wet weather. Snow is fine but heavy rain is not.

Looking: At lots of gardening books for out allotment, trying to suss out the best breeds of plants

Enjoying: Lots of hard work at the allotment - above shows the progress we have made after one day spent clearing the horrible grass that covers the plot. A long way to go but although I ache all over it's remarkably rewarding.

Wishing: For a happy year ahead

Considering: What sort of soup to make for lunches this week. Broccoli and Stilton or Split Pea and Leek?

Smelling: My beautiful yankee candle

Buying: Seeds for the allotment!

Watching: Sherlock of course, and we are quite enjoying Silent Witness and Oh Dear. Big detective show fans in this house.

Noticing: It doesn't get as dark as early!

Feeling: Settled. It's nice.

Hearing: Monkey sounds - there's a wildlife programme on in the background

Planning: A trip to the states - we are hoping to go for two weeks at the end of April. A big part of the trip will hopefully be to drive through some Canyons - a bit of a life's dream.

Cringing: Trump's inauguration...

Knowing: Spring is on its way :)

Baby Blanket Number 3

I've been busy crocheting for another tiny arrival - this time for one of my closest friends from uni, she was my bridesmaid and I was hers. I obviously wanted to make something really special for her and spent some time looking at different potential blankets. In the end I settled on this one, using the colour recipe by the Patchwork Heart: see here. She doesn't know what sex the baby is so another gender neutral blanket - although to be honest I think I'd do something similar even if the parents knew what they were having. 

I'm really pleased with it, and she was delighted when I gifted it to her last week. Baby is due end of the month, so hopefully it will keep the little one nice and warm. I also made some little booties and a tiny hat to go with it - I'm hoping I'll have some time to make a few more gifts to post when baby is here.

What have you been making recently?

Hello 2017

Hello 2017 - I was very glad to see you. Whilst 2016 was a fantastic year overall the last few months got a bit much. Very excited for a new year, new adventures - the first of which is an allotment! We confirmed the plot today - it's very overgrown currently, but C is very determined and I tend to muck in as needed so I think between us we will manage. I'm very much looking forward to time outside and harvesting our own veggies (hopefully!).

Christmas was lovely. We had a proper tree for the first time in a few years and it was wonderful to see in our 'new' home (nearly a year in Jan!). We travelled around and saw family and friends which was great. We had a quiet new year, just the two of us, which seemed right for this year. We went for a curry (one of the best things about where we live is the proximity to amazing Indian food) and then came home and played some games. Izzy was not particularly helpful.

Having spent most of my crafting time on Christmas and baby related makes (pics to follow) I've taken a step back and dug out some old WIPs, including my old hexie blanket from 2015 - see here.

I've also decided to try and walk more this year - we have some lovely countryside on our doorstep. Here is my favourite picture from 2017 so far, taken on a lovely winter's afternoon stroll.

I hope you are well, and 2017 is all you want it to be