Wednesday 17 August 2011

Testing...testing...123...

One of the problems with being on holiday is that the days tend to run into each other. As a result, I forgot it was Wednesday today, so this is a WIP Wednesday with no photos.

My main project, however, is not one that I can take pictures of. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was doing a test knit. There is a deadline to it, but it's not for a while, so I've been working on it between other projects and I'm now more than halfway through. The pattern is an enjoyable one - complex enough to keep my interest, but easy enough to be able to watch TV and suddenly realise I've done three repeats, but best of all, I've been able to pick out some errors. Nothing major at all, just something that got missed in a rewrite and a couple of checks over technicalities that may lead to a slight rewording, but it makes me feel like I've actually been useful as a test knitter. I think that maybe if I had just knit the item and it had all been fine I would have been questioning why I was needed as a test knitter at all.

As I said though, the deadline is not for a little while yet, so today I decided I would finally cast something on using my Wollmeise. After a LOT of searching, I finally settled on the Frangipani Shawl. At the moment though, I've only cast on a few stitches.

So my WIPs this week include a project I cannot take photo's of and one that's not worth taking photo's of. Probably a good thing I forgot about taking them then...

For more WIP's, see Tami's Amis.

Saturday 13 August 2011

Had Enough Now

What a rubbish week.

I've already written about my numberplates being stolen on Tuesday while we were out trying to help clean up London. Incidentely, this is a really irritating kind of crime. As I don't typically live in London, am only here on holiday, all my paperwork pertaining to my ownership of the vehicle is 100 miles away, so trying to get replacements has been a nightmare and I'm not allowed to drive because I only have temporary plates. So I went to the DVLA today and I've finally got the paperwork I needed and the plates are on order, but not until I'd been treated like I was the criminal and messed around for over an hour.

On Wednesday morning, I found a massive blob of something nasty looking and black sploged in the middle of my sister's windscreen. Upon cleaning, it was discovered the be a dark purple and smell of Vimto, so we suspect it was fruit. Further investigation showed a patch on the back bumper or my car and my sister's boot no longer stays open when it's unlocked, so we also suspect it was climbed over. We also found a dead pigeon in our front garden. No kidding.

Then on Thursday morning, my mother woke me up early-ish (for a holiday) as on her way to work she had noticed that my front passenger side window had been smashed in. The glove box was open and had been rifled through, but nothing had been taken. Well, my CD player plays CD's, not MP3's, and I doubt I have the same music taste as the young thugs who have taken such a liking to my car.

The police (who I called after the plates went and after the smashed window) have been asking me if I've done something to annoy someone. I've replied that I'd have to be pretty damn annoying to put someone's nose out of joint from 100 miles away. But for whatever reason I've been targeted lately, I'd really like it to stop now.

Tuesday 9 August 2011

London Calling

Whilst I may not live there full time anymore, London is, always has been and always will be my home. I was born here, spent the first eighteen years of my life here and visit regularly. My family live here. It is where I feel most at peace.

For the last three days that peace has been shattered. I'm not going to go into details, because you probably already know. If you don't, check the news.

Today, I went with my sister and niece (Mini-C) to Clapham Junction. We went loaded up with old ski gloves and bin bags and Mini-C took a scoop so she didn't have to touch the broken glass.



We went to join in with the riot clean up. We went to show our solidarity for London and the amazing people who live here. We went to show that no matter what you do to us, our city cannot be destroyed.

Sadly, we weren't allowed to go through the police blockades as Clapham Junction was still a crime scene and still unsafe.



This was as close as we could get - right on the barrier. Behind me as I took this photo stood approximately 200 people, also ready to help out. The strength of London.

More sad news came though when we got home to discover that my car number plates had been removed. I had parked that morning on my parent's driveway, so they have walked onto our property in order to steal them. They will have taken them to fix onto a vehicle of the same model presumably so they can drive to areas of rioting and join in without fears of their car getting done - I will be instead.

Despite this, I am proud to be a Londoner (in spirit, if not always in body) and I am proud to have been here when all this happened. Standing shoulder to shoulder with others, ready and prepared to fix things that people seem so intent on breaking.

But they won't break us.