WOYWW461
Hello my friends. Not doing too well this year, am I? Missing again last week – but here today. I’m writing this on Tuesday evening as the sun is setting – well, as it’s getting darker, I assume the sun is setting – somewhere! My landing desk space has seen absolutely no action this past fortnight – what little action has actually taken place is on the dining table. 10 bags now finished, lots more have been given out for others to sew – brilliant!
10 bags ready to be filled with their Bibles for the children in Uganda.
I decided to get out and about a little this past fortnight – the weather was completely crazy, but when it was dry, off I went. The Welsh Highland Railway runs from Caernarfon down to Porthmadog – a glorious 2 hour run pulled by a steam engine. This was taken almost as we were about to set off home. I reckon the driver was showing off somewhat – exhibiting loads of steam!!!
The journey South had been great, but low cloud had obscured all the tops of the mountains. However, on the run back North – suddenly, and only for about two minutes – the cloud base moved. The top of Snowdon – not as much snow as I expected, and the view was interesting(!) as I had to take this through the carriage window, hence the reflections!
Good Friday morning found me in church singing with the worship group, but then in the afternoon three of us went to Bodnant Gardens – a National Trust garden on the side of a hill here in North Wales.
The plants were definitely doing their best to imagine Spring is on the way!
I was thrilled with this bud – although the actual photo is slightly out of focus – oops! Must have moved as I pressed the shutter. May be an azalea bud? Just so soft and velvety. Beautiful.
But the real reason for going to Bodnant on a freezing cold March Day are the daffodil meadows. As you can see, many are not even out yet! Lots of gaps – usually wall to wall flowers here… It has been far too cold for them – even on this somewhat sheltered hillside.
So I’m afraid that’s me this week folks. Not too much artycraftystuff going on at the moment. I’ll do my best to get around everyone in the next couple of days. I’ll link up in the morning and then go shop for Step Inside and make the soup! I will be missing again next week. I’m having a week with my daughters and the families – a late Easter.
Take care everyone. God bless.
Margaret
28 IMPORTED COMMENTS
BJ
Loving the bags and the waterfall. Thanks for the visit. BJ#7
Mon, 09 Apr 2018 21:11:51
Elizabeth
Hi Margaret, sorry I’m so late – it’s been another busy week but so has yours, I see. Shame about the weather but sometimes you just have to get out and where better than where you chose. The daffodils are late here too but are finally opening out. Hope you’ve had another good week. Hugs, Elizabeth xx
Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:30:08
Carmen
Oh Margaret I am so jealous of where you live. I have been to Wales once (Llandudno!) when my eldest was still in nappies (she’s 21 next week) and loved it so much I always said I’d go back but those years have just shot past. I really am tempted by the crop but have promised to go to Scotland for an old school friends wedding, Bristol to watch another friend at Upfest and possibly Yorkshire to go see the amazing Mr Finch exhibit this year… am going to look into prices though. See if I can save. Thank you for stopping by already – sorry I’m late. Carmen x #37
Sun, 08 Apr 2018 18:31:59
Ohhh Snap
Lovely to see spring is arriving somewhere! I have one very tattered crocus in the front, cold and windy the past few days. Happy belated WOYWW!
Fri, 06 Apr 2018 01:53:26
Sharon
Enjoy your time with your daughters! Lovely flowers you saw on your jaunt. Thank you for visiting me when I was so late!
Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:00:31
Lindart
The train ride looks like so much fun! My hubby would love it! Your pictures are wonderful! I love visiting floral gardens in the Spring – the smell of the warming soil and the buds just starting to burst remind me that we are bursting into my favourite season! The bags look lovely, I’m sure the children will be very grateful! Have a lovely Easter Week with your family!
Thu, 05 Apr 2018 14:41:19
Jo
Ooo have a great week with your family Margaret! Your trips out are lovely – especially Bodnant – I have never been but keeping promising that we will come up there one day. Annie forwarded your lovely email about the work in Uganda. Now that I have finished my twiddle mitts for a while, my fingers will be itching to do something so your little dollies may be the perfect thing. Also my fabric stash could do with trimming down so I may even manage a bag or two. xxx Jo
Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:15:50
April
Beautiful pictures. The train ride looks like it was fun. Makes me think of Harry Potter. April #22
Thu, 05 Apr 2018 04:01:40
Stacy
Hi Margaret, Ooh that is amazing that they have a steam train running I am guessing this is a tourist thing right? I love all the shots you shared. ~Stacy #31
Thu, 05 Apr 2018 02:56:06
Jan T
Happy WOYWW & thanks for sharing! xx Jan (36)
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 22:22:26
Angie
Wow, such beautiful pictures and everything is so green. We are in the middle of what is muddy-winter lol. It is supposed to be Spring, but Mother Nature is not behaving. Today we have wind warnings in place for 50+ mph gusts. This weekend another snow ‘event’ and possible lows in the 20’s! It’s a great day to stay inside and blog hop! Angie #28
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 18:39:13
Sue
Hi Margaret, You are doing well with the bags. Nice photos from your train trip and the NT place. Have a nice time with your family. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Happy WOYWW Sue #14
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 17:16:57
Annie
It’s so lovely to see you out and about and what a lovely place to go too. I keep meaning to ask you about your little bags Margaret….is there any specific size and would my little monster bags be of any use to you? Email me if you think they might and I can send you pics/details. Hugs, Annie x #12
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 16:24:16
Debbie Rock
Thank you so much for popping by my blog earlier – having you visit really cheered me up. My hernia is inoperable due to its size so really a case of learning to cope with the changes- have had it for very many years but the cough that came with that dreadful flu bug in January just about finished it off. Fab photos here – one of my nephews did a night climb of Snowdon in the new year & it was so cold he was covered in ice by the time he got to the top & his waterline was frozen! Looking forward to keeping my eye on your blog again real soon. Love Debbie xxx
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:59:33
Carol N
What gorgeous scenery (even when cloudy)!! And look at all those bags!!! Wonderful! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a GREAT rest of the week! Carol N #27
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:37:10
Angela
Beautiful photos Margaret. I think the plants must be quite confused with the weather though it is raining here so typical April weather for us today. Thanks for the visit to mine and happy woyww, Angela x17x
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:04:38
Heather Marshall
Hi Margaret. I love steam trains, something magical about them. We take our grandchildren on them, and they think it is wonderful. The bags look great and I’m sure they will be well received. I hope you have a great time with your daughters and their families. Thanks for stopping by earlier, and your kind words on my cards. Have a lovely week, Heather x #13
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:22:04
Julia
Love all the steam…is that the equivalent of a lot of revving and tyre squealing in a car, do you think?!! I think your train journey was a fab idea, and Bodnant sounds lovely. too my in laws to a local estate that usually has carpets of daffs…the head gardener reckons we are ten days behind. I like his accuracy….made us plan to go back! Love the bags – the tally will be quite large when all the sewers have sewn!
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:52:04
Christine
Beautiful photos…. shame about the daffs but can you blame them? I noticed this morning that my Forsythia has started to bloom so, along with the Ribes, the garden is starting to look a bit more joyful! Have a lovely week with your families. Christine #21
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:40:36
Shaz in oz.x
Hi there Margaret… well I’m not supposed to be on here either but here I am!!!!! Did WOYWW after all… love the Bodnant gardens shots. been there in May with my family.. and it was stunning then too spring was bit more advanced.. my BiL says it is one of the best designed gardens hes seen. The shine on the engine is really quite impressive sounds like a fun time indeedy!!! Must go loads of love and so glad of all those lovley bags for Bibles what a joy indeed! Hugs Shaz in Oz.x #22
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:36:58
shaz
Hi Margaret, lots of lovely scenic photos this week. Love that bud too- maybe as you say, Azalea, or perhaps Rhododendron, I think they look very similar flowers. I did buy a few tags a while ago, then used one to cut a thick card template, and cut out a load of my own. Since then I’ve bought a Tim Holtz Tag die set, so now it’s even easier. I shall be bringing all my dies with me to the crop, so pile up your cardstock and cut to your hearts content! Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #6 XxXx
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:25:58
Anne
Great photos Margaret! I have visited Bodnant gardens – not much happening in our garden yet. It’s raining again here- will it ever stop 🙁 Have a lovely time with your family next week. Anne x 15
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 09:52:05
Sarah Brennan
Hi Margaret, glad to see you’ve been able to get out and about despite the revolting weather that we’ve been having. The sun has actually come out here this morning for the first time in ages. Good luck getting the rest of those fabulous bags made up. Sarah #16
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 09:13:33
LLJ
Well,you do live in a particularly scenic place so it’s good to get out into it occasionally!! G went on that railway last August and really enjoyed it, he went in the observation carriage at the end and said it was a real experience :-D. I haven’t been to Bodnant for years but it is a cracking garden, I saw the laburnham arch in all its yellow glory. I’ve made a few more bags for you, if you’re going away, shall I wait before sending them off? Hugs LLJ 10 xx
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 08:03:30
patsy
What a wonderful idea of sending a Bible in a bag. It makes it extra special! Lovely pictures of God’s creation on your post today.
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:14:14
Vickie Doswell
Awesome post! WOW you are on a roll with those bags and bibles… Love the flower pictures and the ones of Caernarfon! I went to Wales several years ago and visited Carnarfon castle, Snowdon, Electric Mountain, rode the train! I wish I could go back again and visit some more! Doubt I would be able to climb Snowdon but they have a tram don’t they…I had so much fun. Hope you have a great week and thanks for reminding me of my trip! Vickie #8
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:02:19
Neet
You are doing right to be out and about enjoying yourself. The train ride sounds lovely and one I might just try myself when next we are down in your lovely part of the country. Love the steam photo especially and to be honest I don’t find your bud out of focus, it looks lovely. Have a Blessed extended Easter with the girls. Hugs, Neet 3 xx
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 06:47:19
Helen
Wow, that photo of the train in the steam is just fantastic! shame the weather wasn’t perfect for the journey but at least you got a short view of Snowdon! Have a good week -you do know how to keep busy, don’t you?! Helen #2
Wed, 04 Apr 2018 06:19:52