Narnia or Duncarron?

It's time for the big reveal! 

Once again a Travelling Through Time event at Duncarron Medieval Village and once again it was sewing to the wire as I got over ambitious with my idea. 

I tell a lie! It's not my fault for getting over ambitious, I can 100% blame my sister Roxy on this one!

So, when Duncarron announced that they were doing another Travelling in Time event, my sister was determined to come and have her kids finish thier school holidays on an absolute high. She had initially outlined a family set of viking costumes for it, but once the full event details were outlined, she realised that vikings were omitted from the day. It was my hubby who came up with the winning answer - dress the kids as evacuees and we grown ups could be home guard. And that was what we decided upon. 

Except that Missy needed a costume. How about a mercy dog? WW2 British Red Cross, to be specific. I plunged down a rabbit hole and, in an inspired afternoon, modified her Julius K9 harness to a medic vest with pockets. Well I'd have to match, so I made myself a medic armband for my Rosie outfit. 

Hubby joked I should do the propaganda poster for the British Red Cross (in the same way my Rosie outfit is a propaganda costume). I jested about it to my sister who said I should make the apron and then arms and legs grew. 

Was it overkill? Absolutely. Was it fun? 100 %

My hubby wasn't left out as I embroidered him a boiler suit with "ARP" so he could join in as an air raid warden and I made "LDV" armband for my sister and hubby. She went last-project mad too, and, after ensuring the kids were kitted out in hand knitted sweater vests, knitted herself an amazing cardie (more details here). 

Missy had been unwell the night before with an upset tummy and, after privately debating with the hubby about taking her, we decided that leaving her home alone was a greater cruelty. We waited until the last moment to be sure it was a 24h thing and that she was OK before popping her in the car. We'd always planned on taking two cars, so hubby and I agreed that one of us would just take her home if she wasn't happy.

Panic aside, we arrived. Big sis and the older neice and nephew arrived at the same time and there was much fawning of costumes. It took more than an hour to reach the Fort as all the WW2 stuff was on the path up. The kids were in their element getting to handle real the guns and ask a billion questions, all of which were enthusiastically answered, and my sister had to be literally dragged away from the WW2 knitting display. I swear she shed a tear glancing back at the knitted balaclavas, swimming costumes and drawers.

After Wee Ben greeted a centurion, we entered the Fort and our little evacuees ran ahead to be amongst medieval knights, tents and pavilions. We unanimously laughed - we hadn't travelled in time, we'd stepped into Narnia: my niece and nephew the new Peter and Susan as Missy diligently followed - Alsan or Mr Tumnus? Who knows.

It was hot at this point. A picnic was had and Missy was freed of her costume. The kids were too excited to eat and soon they off to quiz anyone who smiled at them about the differences between each sword, why a helmet was shaped as it was and a thousand other things. Arrows were shot, axes were thrown and knights bravely fought for thier honour. One particularly brave Knight fought against the children, and was defeated time and again - even cheating and bringing an axe out to dual with my youngest nephew. He took the battle very seriously whilst every adult was weeping in hysterics.

Missy was getting tired at this point. She was being offered water and her pillow at every stop. The kids too were flagging, so we unanimously called it a day. 

An epic day by far, and one I'm sure my neices and nephews will recall in future summers. 

I didn't bother with getting a lot of photos of Missy, so here is a rare one of myself with her and our matching ensembles. 

And don't worry about Missy, who had clearly decided that she was gonna play and ravel in the extra attention - we got home and she insisted on a 40 minute walk, trotting ahead and scouting for bunnies. Today she is 100% back to herself. 

Truly, a weekend well spent! 

A Belated Birthday post

Back to busy weekends! And this one marked the kick off of the birthday run!

Saturday was spent furiously working on crafts (big reveal next weekend, I promise!) before meeting up with the BIL for a birthday dinner.

Sunday was the main event, my birthday, and as hubby had decided to move his birthday from next weekend to share with me, it was almost like a Mini-Christmas. Tea and biscuits in bed, enjoying cuddles with Missy as we swapped gifts - the perfect start to a birthday.

Then we were off to give blood (I did legitimately try to book for the Saturday, but the vampires were unavailable at any time that suited me). That went well - iron came in at a whopping 134 (fail rate is 125), so I was delighted to cruise through to give blood without the malarkey of trying to get a better iron result intravenously. Even the nurse admitted she saw my history of iron fails and was nervous for me! 

And then we were off to Cammo Estate for a charity dog show with Lewis Leap (a bereavement charity for families that have lost children). Missy went in for Golden Oldie and Musical Sit, but placed in neither. I managed to win all the sweets at the "nail in a bale" stall and hubby won us some Irn Bru at the tombola. In addition to the doggy goodie bags, we did very well. 

Missy even felt up for a run and play afterwards, which was a delight to see. 

Not a bad start to the big birthday run! 

A Quick Update

Well, it was only a matter of time really. Between Covid, seeing family, seeing friends and the summer show schedule, a quiet weekend had to be had. In the end, it was the borders trip that got me - between all the driving, caring for the two dogs and doing everything at the cottage, I'd basically burned out. Even though Maisie was off home, we had every evening booked, so by the weekend I called time out and took a quiet day. 

Dont get me wrong, there was serious FOMO, the Perth Show was on. The advertising looked amazing. But it will be there next year. So instead Missy and I enjoyed a quiet day in, paws up on the sofa and me at the sewing machine.

I won't give much away, except to say that the end of the month holds a really big treat. 

Hubby has also been busy with crafts, so if you were wondering about todays photos, then yes, they are "product" shots. He made the lead and collar and wanted some nice photos to go with them. 

Missy will never say no to bribery and posing! 

Today the hubby and I did the Tartan Titan: The World's Longest Inflatable Assault Course. (Another reason to rest Saturday!) After nearly killing myself at its predecessor in Murrayfield 5 years ago (OK, OK, I just badly winded myself and gave hubby and myself a bad fright), I was a bit more careful with this one. It still took 90 minutes to complete, and we were exhausted at the end, but it was good fun. Missy has no sympathy for us - I suspect we won't get away with giving her shorter walks for the next day or so whilst our old bones recover!

And that's us this weekend! 

OK, OK, one quick tease of our plotting:

Until next time! 

Following the Stars

It's been a quick one! For Maisies last weekend with us, she went on her first ever holiday! (Something that was meant to have happened sooner, but Covid kinda got in the way).

This was a mixed week with Maisie. In some regards it was more successful (no barking during video calls, I was able to work upstairs in my study rather than the living room and she was eating both her breakfast and dinner with great enthusiasm), but at the same time we hit a real low when she had a moment of absolute petulance and went missing for 45 minutes. 

Petulant? How? Well, she ran around and past hubby as he tried to pop her on lead at a point in the walk she kept vanishing on, bounced over the stream, stopped, looked at him and casually strolled off. Tail sashaying along behind her. 

I got a panicked call. My number was given to everyone in the park and, after almost an hour, she reappeared proud as punch. 

And subsequently lost all right to be off the lead! 

So I won't lie, I was a little anxious about the weekend. Hubby had planned a boys weekend at a friend's, so I kidnapped my mum and we did a girls weekend away to the borders. Why the borders? Well, honestly, our number 1 option of the lakes was sold out and way over budget! 

We got lucky though as that was the weekend of the Jousting at Caerlaverock. 

Yes. More jousting. Am I sick of it? Nope, not at all! 

This event was much quieter than Linlithgow, despite being the exact same scale of show. I won't lie, as I bounced about the little jousting course astride my hobby horse, I was really pleased that we adults could have fun too without elbowing small kids out the way. The dogs got a lot more attention too from the re-enactment crew. 

We also got super close to the action. Missy is an old hand at this. She lay down atop my feet and power-napped during the show. Maisie, not so. We knew that she really disliked gunpowder, so had thought this a safe option, but it was quickly apparent when she refused to return to the Jousting arena for the falconry that she did not like the noise. Crowds seem fine as she was happy trotting about the stalls, but she wasn't happy  around the speakers. 

Not a problem. We explorered around the castle and the older ruins and called it a successful day at that. 

It was misty mountains this morning on the dog walk before we got a pleasant surprise when my Uncle decided to join us on our last little excursion to the Crawick Multiverse. 

It was a good way to end the holiday, getting to catch up whilst wondering about the giant art exhibits. Maisie seemed to have a good time too,much preferring the quiet of the multiverse to the crowds at the castle. A learning curve for us all. 

Although she was genuinely at her happiest when, arriving home, she spotted her daddy and bounced right up into his arms for a cuddle. 

Honestly, it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside to see.

We caught up on our respective trips, my brother in Spain and my hubby with his boys weekend and us at the borders and then everyone headed home, leaving Missy, hubby and I in what was suddenly a very quiet house. Missy quickly settled down to sleep whilst I caught up with hubby and now a bath is run and I plan on a long quiet soak! 

A good way to finish a weekend.

Although I am gonna miss that cheeky wee face! 

Living it up at Lowther

So, firstly, no post last week. I took a weekend social media detox, partly because it was a challenge with Dog Furiendly, and secondly, because I really felt I needed a quiet weekend of down time. Hubby, whilst technically covid free, wasn't as up for his mother's visit as he expected. We all had a great time at the Van Gogh Live exhibition, but it completely wiped him out. 

And then on Tuesday, this little ragamuffin arrived:

Yep! Cousin Maisie is here on her holidays whilst my brother is away. Whilst there's been a few naughty moments, she's been on the whole pretty good. 

Then my oldest nephew came for the weekend. 

So of course it was only logical that we would drive 2 hours to Lowther Castle to catch up with Sis and the little cousins. 

We never do anything by half's! 

It was an amazing visit. Oldest nephew is now 13 and really coming into his own as his own person. And the young cousins adore him. 

Maisie and Missy got plenty of attention too. I had to laugh at the following exchange:

13 YO (after a whole day of pandering and playing and carrying the kids): Who's your favourite cousin? 

9 YO (without a skipped beat): Missy! 

I love the lot them to bits. 

We've previously done Lowther Castle, so I shan't go into too much detail, except to say that it's amazing. 

Below is a sneak peek of my latest craft project. The scrapbook of our June trip for my sisters birthday. This is part of my second favourite page to sketch. 

That's all this week. It's been a long and satisfying weekend playing video games, pokemon cards and watching anime. Most importantly, seeing family bonds form and grow. 

Hold tight your family, those born to us, those we have found through love and those who have found us. 

Horsing around at the Dalkeith Show

Well, it's been a funny old week. With covid being rife, I shouldn't have been surprised that my mum has come down with it and (owing to her visiting) my husband too. 

So I was in an absolute pickle this weekend. We'd won tickets to the Dalkeith Show. I was negative (and had been for a few days) and feeling 100%. Technically if I was in the office I would have had to go in, and yet I still felt massively guilty to be considering going out to have fun.

Hubby told me to go. I offered the ticket to my friend and explained the whole sad story and she encouraged me to go as well.

And so we went. And we had an amazing time. 

I joke that the Dalkeith show is the less touristy version of the Highland Show. Its got livestock. Its got vintage tractors. There's horses and stalls and competitions and shows. 

We arrived for opening and started with the Clydesdales. it was a good chance to catch up on life, the universe and all the happenings and it was swiftly lunchtime. 

As it was so hot, I got Missy in the paddling pool and splashed her down a few times. She wasn't pleased, but didn't overheat, so mission accomplished! 

The Dalkeith Show tends to get a novelty act in for the kids, and this year was the "Drakes of Hazard", a comedy act with a sheepdog herding ducks. 

We all ooh'd and ahh'd in the right places as the ducks completed the obstacle course (including a tiny helter skelter). Definitely a fun addition to the day! 

We finished the day doing the Braid Vets dog show, and Missy placed this year and won Best Crossbreed. I was initially surprised when they made a point that they were looking for dogs with three or more breeds in them, and then realised that this was to combat the rise of the "oodle". Over half of the dogs in the general "best puppy" or "golden oldie" were labradoodles, cockapoodles, sproodles, goldendoodles or a varient thereof, so they were clearly trying to get "true mutts" and not designer Crossbreeds in the competition.

Symantics and breed politics aside, Missy was in absolute tart mode with the judges. We had to walk in a circle and, midway round, she decided enough was enough and snuggled up to them and demanded all the cuddles. And won. Was it cheating? Did she bribe the judges with kisses?

Who's to say. Who's to say.

So an excellent day all round.

Today has been too hot for adventures (and even though I am still 100% and testing negative I don't want to push my luck too far. Technically I'm out of the window to have caught it from my mum, so I have until Wednesday to see if I catch it from hubby). So it's been a pottering about day for Missy and I. I got a load of the garden sorted. Been pushing on with crafts and we've been avoiding the heat by doing a very early walk and have planned a late one. Hubby, bless him, took an hour to cut the fresh grown onions and then had to lie down for a bit. He's doing well, but is just exhausted. I'm letting him help, but not expecting any, if that makes sense.

Talking of crafts, I managed to photograph last week's big project. 

I know what your thinking, but trust me, hop over to my Instagram @missdaisysewing and you'll see the fun and quirky design element on this one.

Stay safe, everyone! 

Bring Forth the Thunderous Hooves

OK, OK, the title is a little bit dramatic, but I needed something with more punch than the last time we did the Jousting in 2017.

Yes, it's been 5 years since we did the Jousting! After a forced 2 year hiatus, they really pulled out all the stops for this year. We had sword and archery demonstrations on horseback in addition to the Jousting. There was medieval music and a village with re-enactors. There was falconry and jesters. Something for everyone. 

So, the jousting.This year featured everyone's favourite villain; Sir Checkmate:

Battling it out with three other contestants for the brave maidens hand. This year we had a twist in the tail as our fair maiden, upon Sir Checkmate (dubiously and with a lot of cheating) winning, revealed she too, could joust:

Always a win in my books!

It was just hubby, Missy and I out for the day, and it was really nice to take it at our own pace and just enjoy the show with no distractions. Well, except for the 6 month old springer spaniel sat next to us (or more honestly, kept trying to sit between us, to which Missy was very unimpressed as she did not want to share her picnic blanket), but hubby loves giving dogs kisses and cuddles, so that doesn't really count!

The falconry was good. Sadly, due to the seagulls, they couldn't really fly the birds, but we got to watch them go from post to handler and see a little flying. 

And then it was round two of the jousting. True love prevailed, the evil Sir Checkmate was thwarted once more. At least until the next jousting event! We're hoping to see it in Caerlaverock this year, so I wonder if the script will be the same or not! 

In other news, Missy went on her first PAT visit this week, out to a care home. It went really well - at first I was unsure as the first few residents were a bit non-plussed at her being there, and then we met a lady who was completely deaf who grew up in a farm. My goodness. The kisses. The cuddles. The woman seemed to come to life seeing her. And then we had a few more really good encounters after that - so I can totally see why people volunteer at these places.

She's booked in next week for a hospital visit, so based on what is better for her, we're hoping to get something semi regular organised.

I also managed a big sewing project this week, but haven't had time to photograph it, so I'll save that for next week!