An Expotition

It all started, I suppose, with a bear. 

Since the days before hubby and I were even BF and I, back when we were casual acquaintances playing wingman to my sister and her future hubby, he had one peculiar thing on his bucket list:

To play Pooh Sticks on the actual Pooh Sticks bridge. 

I was not a Winnie the Pooh kid. I liked the cartoons enough, viewing myself, like most in their late-teens-breaching-on-twenties, as a bit of an Eeyore, but had never read the books. Well. That would not do. So as we moved from acquaintance to BF and GF, hubby read them to me. He insisted that they were books best read to you, and so, we worked our way through not just the books, but all of A. A. Milnes children's poetry too. 

I begrudgingly accepted that I was not an Eeyore, but really, I was most definitely Rabbit. He was, and still is, a Pooh bear. Able to see good in every awful situation, and always with a random hum to hand. 

So it seemed fitting, as we moved from BF and GF to something more official, that we would include that bear of little brain there too, and had an extract from House at Pooh Corner read on our wedding day. If you think hard, you can probably guess which part. 

So I think it's clear to see that we are quite personally attached to that little rag tag collection of stuffed animals, which is why, having learned our lesson from losing two years of our lives, we chose to make East Sussex, home of the 100 Aker woods and the all important Pooh Sticks Bridge our next big holiday. 

The plans for our Expotition were rather simple: stay near Hartfield and wing it from there. We had two goals: the Pooh Sticks Bridge and Pooh Corner. 

A lot of people were confused that we would go so far to somewhere without much to do, but in the end, we ran out of time to do all the things we had discovered close by. 

We broke the journey up and down with a break in Manchester and staying at my sisters (a huge thank you again!). We arrived a little early for check in and so investigated some of the nearby walks in the Ashdown Forest. The land is primarily heathland, which is protected in its own right, and it goes on and on for as far as the eye can see. The landscape is a rolling sort, very different to our Scottish hills and peaks back home. Thankfully, heathland is also the kind of place Missys like best. We spent two hours rambling about, keeping an eye on the distant Friendship Clump so as not to get lost, and simply marvelled at out good fortune. March is a dangerous time for holidays, and we had packed jumpers and coats, fleeces and hot water bottles, and here it was, bright and sunny and warmer than a Scottish Summer day. That perfect rose tinted summer of youth, warm and pleasant but not hot and sticky - which was ideal as I always worry about Missy in hot weather! 

Perhaps I am a little like Kanga in my old age. 

Tuesday was the day. We had on our Big Boots, which are required for an Adventure to happen. We had packed our teddies: Pooh, Piglet and my very sad and well travelled Eeyore, and set off on the Winnie the Pooh Walk. We saw the enchanted place, and lost count of the trees, found the heffalump pit and Eeyores Gloomy Place. Photos were taken at the North Pole and lastly, the 100 Aker woods.

Piglet had a bit of an adventure himself, sneaking out of my bag. We realised he was missing and retreated back to the 100 Aker woods, where someone had kindly placed him atop a fence post. A heart stopping moment, but really, it fitted in perfectly with the theme of the day. 

Next was Pooh Corner. This fabulous teashop and "Pooh-seum" used to be the old sweet shop Christopher Robin visited. The website said dogs outside only, which we were quite happy to do, only to be told when we arrived that it was the discretion of the staff - being clean and we'll behaved, Missy was more than welcome inside. We did sit out for lunch and marvelled at the adorable teapots and crockery before I simply sat back and watched my husband become completely overwhelmed in the museum. 

Then came the moment. The Pooh Sticks Bridge. We walked from Pooh Corner (they kindly gave us a map) and found our way safely to the bridge. There was almost a sense of a pilgrimage as sticks were gathered and we dropped them into the water, as Eeyore describes, in a twitchy kind of way. 

I had always been under the impression that those from the South weren't the sort to chat (having "Northerners" as in laws is to blame for that impression), but that was not the experience we had on our trip at all. As we hunted down Poohs house (and Piglets and Owls), a passer by filled us in on what it was like to live by the bridge and told us all about the little houses and the area. 

Truly, a wonderful day. 

Wednesday was a "let's see what else there is" kinda day. I had scoped out a dozen options for the key part of the day before we settled on Battle Abbey. Firstly, it was the most dog friendly option, and secondly, it would be rude not to learn some English history. It was another beautiful day and, opting for the tour which was fascinating (so much so it overran the 1 hour it was meant to be and lasted two), we spent far longer than we expected. Really, we could have spent the whole day there, but I had done a Rabbit and organised a list to get through. 

Camber Sands was the next stop (we were out with the bathing season, so no restrictions). We had originally planned to do Rye first, but had overrun at Battle Abbey, so decided to do the walk first. It's a huge beach, some 5 miles in length (don't worry, we didn't walk all of it), and Missy preferred the sand dunes to the water. Still, it was beautiful and she had the chance to run and shake off the cobwebs from her history lessons. We shared a fish and chips between the three of us before setting off to Rye. 

I was excited to see Rye as its a medieval town with one of the most photographed streets in the UK (Mermaid Street). We arrived, found a great wee petshop and then as we left, realised everywhere had shut. Unperturbed, we found Mermaid Street to find it....closed off with a giant JCB on the middle. Hubby just laughed, it would make a good story to tell, really, and I should take a photo of the JCB instead. I did, then found another street of medieval buildings and got Missys photo there. It wasn't a wasted trip, it was nice to look about at the oddly named buildings (such as "the house with two front doors" and "the house with the seat") before we found a dog friendly pub for our dinner.

I had come up with all sorts of ideas for Thursday and then Hubby suggested that, since we had come so far for the purposes of seeing the world of Winnie the Pooh, that we should revisit it all again. I couldn't fault the logic and happily agreed, so long as we got to see the Sheffield Park and Gardens which was only 15 minutes away. I'm always a bit wary of repeating a day exactly!

Missy had woken up rather stiff that morning. At 9, whilst she would like to go all day, she doesn't know her own limits anymore and had clearly overdone things chasing Rabbits friends and Relations at the beach the day previous. I scrapped her morning walk to just a bathroom break and insisted on a quiet morning until the Gardens opened at 10. It was oddly charming sitting in the sun, hearing birds sing as we listened to the first Winnie the Pooh book.

Missy was raring to go come 10am. Her long morning sleep had re-energised her and she happily hopped into the car. The Sheffield Park and Gardens are like a Botanic Garden - lots of beautifully organised trees and plants. There were bridges and ponds and trees you could barely make out the top of, they were so large. Its short leads only for dogs going about the Garden, which suited us well as I had decided we were going to keep Missys walks to a minimum for the day.

Hubby had tried to book us an afternoon tea at Pooh Corner, but sadly they needed 48 hours notice for that, so we decided we would have a normal lunch there instead. He also wanted to eat inside this time and, even though the sun was shining and it was glorious, I agreed to humour him and sit indoors. I am so glad we did. At first I thought our luck had finally begun to fail as we were relegated to the smaller side room owing to all the folk having their afternoon teas being in the main room. We were recognised by the staff (as the couple who had brought their teddies with them and the really calm dog) and they chatted away with us, clearly realising that we were just happy to be there.

Then the owner got chatting to us. At first it was polite chatter. Then it was long stories about how we'd fallen in love with Winnie the Pooh. Then it was discussing Disney. We learned that they were putting together an exhibition about AA Milnes and Christopher Milnes military service and from there we just kept chatting. One thing led to another and we found ourselves getting to hold an original alpha bear in the collection - a vintage teddy the same type and age as the original Winnie the Pooh. 

I was impressed that Hubby didn't start crying from happiness on the spot.

After that, I felt we'd had enough excitement for the day and insisted we save the main Winnie the Pooh walk for the Friday morning before going home, and that we just walk Missy to the Pooh Sticks Bridge and back again.

Quite the perfect way to end the day.

Friday rolled round too quickly. We packed the car, said goodbye to the barn we'd been staying at, and went once more to Gills Lap (or Galleons Leap, as it is referred to in the books). Our aim, having just relistened to the book, was to look at the lone pine more closely before having a proper explore in the 100 Aker woods. We did try to find Owl, who lives there, but sadly couldn't. Missy did find some more of Rabbits friends and Relations, but thankfully they came to no harm. 

And then we were on our way to Manchester again, to good company and good food, and a long promised walk at the Quarry Bank Mill, before the last leg home.

Its been a the kind of holiday which was exactly what we needed. Warm, almost summer, weather. Stunning scenery and dog walks. A relaxed pace - we'll get there when we get there. And a very large dose of whimsy.

And tea rooms. Is it really an adventure without tea and cake?

This has rambled on long enough. So I will part with what I my favourite line from Winnie the Pooh:

"So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."

Bringing in the Sun

A fine frost coats the dew. The rhubarb is sprouting. My greenhouse is full of little carpets of tiny green plants. The buzz of lawnmowers fills the air.

That's it. It's officially spring in my books!

I will wait a few more weeks for the frost to pass before letting loose the seedlings, but so far it's been a great start on the garden. In the planters I already have garlic shooting up, there's onions peeping out thier tips of thier shoots and the potatoes are slowly figuring themselves out, as they are want to do.

Very excited for the garden this year. 

With the good weather, we had my mum and brother visit, as well as our favourite fur-neice, Maisie. Little miss pouty was in fine form, careering about the garden and bouncing on the tables.

I showed my mum the progress on the dress for my aunt and we're both optimistic that she'll like it. Then it was lunch and a dog walk. 

It was surprisingly warm today, and both the dogs were in thier element. Missy flushed a handful of squirrels before watching, bemused, on the riverbank whilst Maisie enjoyed a paddle in the water. 

So it was warm, but not hot enough in Missys books to risk getting her paws wet!

Some things will never change...

After the walk, I carried on with my potting as we continued to catch up. I was genuinely sorry to see them go, but I will confess that I'm still pretty beat from my dance with covid. I think they picked up on my fatigue and said thier cheerios.

In final news, Missy was selected to try out the @burnspet Senior dog food. As you can see she was very pleased with the trial pack we received in the post (I swear, these days she gets more mail than me!)

That's all for today. Tomorrow is set to be a busy one - will fill you all in next week! 

Escaping the Plague House

So it was bound to happen at some time, but the Covid has come and gone (fingers crossed). It started with a sniffle and then a cough and, following best practice, tested. 

I have never been so upset to pass a test. 

I was meant to be having my eldest neice and nephew visit last weekend so my elder sister could have a romantic anniversary weekend with her husband. So I felt absolutely awful when I rang to cancel the weekend.

And then I subsequently slept though and basically lost the weekend. 

As I work from home, I was back in the "office" on Tuesday, more out of boredom than due to feeling 100%. Boredom was perhaps my key symptom - I was too tired to focus on anything like a book for very long, but too pent up to sleep anymore.

So I plodded along between various projects in a zombie like stupor. Missy, as always, was helpful in her own way. She tested all the fabrics softness. Sorted my cross stitch threads for me and would choose the quietest moments of my podcasts to start woofing and chasing squirrels in her sleep. 

Much needed company. Hubby was in spare room (more to do with my caught than a worry of catching anything) and had a busy week with work and magic, so I was left be a lot more than I'm used to. 

I tested positive on day 5. I had hoped beyond hope that I would get my two negatives by day six. And so we had to cancel all of this weekends plans too. 

Frustrations were taken out in the garden. The planters have been upgraded and the first round of seeds are in the greenhouse. And finally, on Saturday, I got my first negative. The line had been slowly growing fainter, so I knew it would be soon. So today, with my second negative test, we went to Beecraigs for a proper dog walk. 

And then Dobbies, for some strawberry plants. This year's new experiment. I'll need to get a net over them when they grow a little more - Missy eats all of our wild strawberries, so I need to keep her away from the big ones! 

Fingers crossed that's us and adventures will resume again! 

When Will Spring Arrive?

I had hoped we would avoid it, but alas, winter has had a good bash at us. We've had Dudley, Eunice, Franklin and Gladys swing by bringing rain, snow, hail and high winds.

Thankfully they haven't been as bad as the earlier storms, but the weather has worn us down. 

MIL popped by midweek to see her friend in town, and we all joked about being used as a B&B. It's always fun to have her round, she loves crafts so we compare current projects and coo over each others very different crafts. 

We discovered that the carvery around us allows dogs, so as a thank you for hosting, we had a wee midweek treat there. 

And then the snow came. Mils train was cancelled, but we managed to coordinate an action plan and she was home safe and on time. Not the best way to end a visit, but oh well. 

The snow brought other problems too for poor Missy. After a slip in the snow and a slight limp appearing, she has been on strict short walks on pavement. Thankfully after three days the limp is gone, but we'll be careful a bit longer, just in case.

With Missy out of action, and my local based friend recovering from a broken toe, the monthly Perth get together (well, we try for once a month!) was without Missy and very slow paced. It was still good getting to catch up with friends, but we all agreed it was strange without Missy along with us.

I then had a different friend pop round for some girl time doing some jewellery making, which went very well! Bit of a late night though... 

Today was a quick brunch with our Liverpool friends who have been doing the obligation tour with Bear, showing him off to the family. Missy came along for this one and was pleased to join us in the pub where she was much fawned over. 

And then it was over to my mums to measure up my aunt for a dress. There will be more on that later, but long story short, her son is getting married and cancer treatment has left her feeling very upset with her appearance. My first real commission and its gonna be a doozy!

And that's it! A full spectrum of weather, a real mix of get togethers and friends, and overall a good weekend.

Thank goodness for the weekdays to rest up for the next one! 

A belated Valentines

It's been a week! First Dudley, then Eunice - the weather has been all over place. Whilst Missy enjoys most weather's, high winds and driving rain are her least favourite...

Which summed up the week, with some snow for good measure!

So it's been a good week for cuddles on the sofa, puzzle games (both for Missy and us), quiet hobbies and refining the art of gauging for a break in the weather. 

The last point, I apologise profusely to Missy, I'm not very good at! 

This weekend was our date weekend. The theatre production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks was finally going ahead, meaning that the tickets I bought 9 months ago were finally going to use. Missy was pampered through the day, a lazy start with cuddles in bed, a variety of toys and puzzles to play with, and two (relatively) well timed walks. 

And yes. Bedknobs and Broomsticks was most definitely worth the wait. 

Todays walk was not so well timed. So it was day 2 of quiet games and distractions. Which I think all three of us needed. Hubby and I got to play some games that have literally been awaiting us for months, and Missy alternated between sunbathing and choosing who to cuddle next. A good weekend! 

I also finished a quick sewing project (procrastination from my main one) with this rock and roll vintage inspired thrift flip:

Thrift flip? It's another form of upcycling, changing one outfit into another. You can see the original on my Instagram post @missdaisysewing 

And that's it for now. It's National Love Your Pet Day, so I'd best get back to cuddling Missy. 

It's a hard life, honest! 

Overdue Catch ups

This weekend was a reschedule of a cancelled Christmas get together. Our friend from Dundee came down to stay with us, and then we all visited our mutual Bonnyrigg based friends.

I've previously mentioned that this is our friend with the twins who is suffering from long covid. Almost 2 years after catching the plague, he still has the same energy levels as a new born kitten, and his covid booster prior to Christmas really set him back a step. 

Because of this, we have to think outside the box a bit in how to get the most boxes ticked per visit, without him overdoing things. We decided to divide and conquer; mum and I took the kids to soft play (weather has been appalling) and we left the boys to catch up whilst Missy snoozed off her extra long morning walk. 

Once we got back, dad went for a nap, the boys played with the kids and I dashed out with Missy for her afternoon walk. On return I joined in the drawing whilst mum cooked the dinner.

Once the kids were in bed, we all chatted and had a catch up together. Board games was the only box we missed, but I think it was a very successful day from there. 

Not a lot to say from there. I have a half dozen projects lined up and in the works now after my disastrous at knitting again (turns out I have some kinda wool allergy, I absolutely do not recommend ignoring it)

My stitching is a bit slow going owing to slightly swollen knuckles and my thumb degloving, so I've been using the energy to prep things instead. In addition to the pirate map Missy was helping with at the top of the page, I'm going to try a thrift flip with a rather unloved dress that deserves a second chance!

Not a lot more to say, we've all been rather tired today and getting everything put back in order for the week ahead!

Armaments, Munitions and Pancakes

This weekend marks 8 years since Missy decided that she was going to come and live with us. I'm officially at that strange point with her were it feels like she's always been a part of my little family, but at the same time, how can it be 8 years?

Things are not as bad as last year with the plague (whilst there are still restrictions on mask wearing, we aren't in a lockdown again), but we decided against a big party for her. The main reason for this was that my sister was making a sneaky trip up north to come play nerf against some zombies in Foam Dart Thunders Terminal Infection. Owing to a covid outbreak, BIL couldn't make it, but I was still glad to see my sister and her friend.

It was a rapid fire weekend. I had taken the Friday off and spent it sewing and playing in the greenhouse tidying up the house in preparation for our guests. Once they arrived, we managed a quick dog walk before the worst of the snow and spent the evening catching up and nibbling on tea and cake.

Saturday did not go to plan. Well, Missy getting her presents went well, but it was the main part of the day that we were stumped with. We had discussed dog walk ideas. A sneaky dash to the zoo to see the sloths and pandas and...it was trying to snow. And the wind was howling. Even Missy looked affronted at the thought of a walk. Then I remembered, the Military Museum Scotland. I had messaged these guys back in the summer last year to confirm they allowed dogs and, other events, seasonal closures and general forgetfulness meant that it was still on our to-do list. 

With night time plans of battle and a war against the rising tide of the undead, it seemed very appropriate and we decided to pop along. Very much a hidden gem.

Its not a museum in the most common sense, more an eclectic collection of all things military in a space that, even after three laps of the room, we kept spotting new things. Missy was welcome to look anywhere she pleased and, whilst she wasn't keen on the mini trench, she very much enjoyed sniffing every corner and nook and cranny. We had a quick look outside at the much larger trench mock up and military vehicles before deciding that a stout cup of tea was calling and heading home.

I suspect we'll be back a few times. I saw a lot of things my dad would be interested in, and the in laws love these odd little museums too. The fact that Missy was welcome, even though she was not inclined to listen to the special exhibition on the Royal Observer Corps, is a bonus as it makes these little days out much easier.

Then it was home, dinner, relaxing and...zombies. This was our first Terminal Infection as players (last time we were volunteer zombies) and it was an absolute scream. It was really nice to be back at a nerf event and just run about and play games with people again. It was als our debut as Nerfys Law, and we got so many comments on the matching gear. My sister was certainly happy to hear well deserved praise on the knitting - we looked ridiculous, we knew it and we rocked it and it was tremendous fun. 

Definitely good for the soul. 

Despite much stretching when we got home, I still woke up stiff and sore, but a brisk walk with Missy saw that off. Sister is determined that she wants to be a zombie next time, so fingers crossed! We did have a chat with the event organisers about it and they were happy with the idea, so hopefully it does happen. I have grand plans for costumes, so fingers crossed!

Then it was off out to Stack and Still for a birthday brunch for Missy. The plan was for my sister and her friend to have brunch and set off back south before the weather got too gnarly. We got the usual surprised remarks from the other patrons on arrival (they really need to advertise that they allow dogs more) and a passing remark from the adjacent table had us laughing;

"Oh, look at the dog! Its so cute!"

"Is that a ribbon on her collar?"

Half beat.

"Its her birthday!"

Yes, I'd put a Birthday Girl ribbon on her. Because I officially dont care about being seen as a crazy dog mum any more. The staff were great as always, and we got Missy got a pancake all for herself - she was clearly delighted with such a rare treat!

Then it was home. Sister headed off. We tidied up. A bath is running and all is well in the world. Its funny what things make us feel like all is well again; getting out to a museum with Missy, shooting zombies with my friends and family and the mutual joy of indulgent food.

It was a slow start, but it feels like the year is getting on the right track.

February is set to be a busy month, so lets hope there's plenty more adventures to share!