Thouars

We went to Thouars in the Loire Valley at the weekend for a party to celebrate Natalie & Francois's wedding. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day & we got to explore the town a little before the festivities began.

The Knitting & Stitching Show

After missing last year's show I was really happy to be back just in time to catch this year's Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace. The first picture is the Natural Dye Company & theirs was my favourite stall. As you can see I didn't go home lacking sock yarn.

Chopsticks & Rests

Aren't these beautiful! I got them with the free Liberty voucher that was waiting for me when we got back to the UK. Got to meet up with some lovely friends at the cardholders' evening too.

Not too old just yet!

To celebrate we decide to go to Club NME at Koko in Camden Town.

Moving Day

After 13 months away, on 1st October we finally moved back into our own place. Moving in seemed a lot easier than moving out. I think I might have acquired some new muscles while schlepping my rucksack around the world.

Nha Trang

After Dalat we move on to Nha Trang, a coastal resort. We take a boat trip to the nearby islands & begin to understand the importance of flexibility in the workplace when we realise that the same three guys who between them have driven our bus, been our guide, sailed the boat we're on & served our food are also our afternoon's entertainment. They introduce themselves as the best boy band in the world (two of them are definitely over 50) & with two upturned plastic barrels, a rusty cymbal & a couple of guitars treat us some topnotch if slightly left field versions of Elton John's 'Sacrifice', Four Non-Blondes''What's Going On' & every body's favourite, Wham's 'Last Christmas'.

Can't help noticing that the Booksellers here are also keen to diversify & seem to have established a seamless 'Okay, you don't want a book. How about some marijuana?' routine. Major bookshop chains take note!