off on my hols

I'm away on my holidays from 2nd - 16th August 2010 but have scheduled my DT posts.  Please forgive me though for not coming to visit you on your blogs.

a camping trip in the VWcamper

Here she is, all packed up and ready to go.  We didn't go far on our inaugural trip, and there were just the four of us as Tom is in the US with his Aunt, Uncle and Cousin (lucky Tom!!).  

The hawthorn bushes you can see behind the tent are on the bank of the River Severn, Shropshire.  And on the other side of the field is the steam railway - a perfect spot, and perfect weather (if a little hot!!).

The awning worked out brilliantly.  We ordered it online so hadn't seen it in 'person' as it were but it was very easy to put up, and fitted well to the camper.

I finally, finally gt the curtains made.  This is the van set up for George to sleep.  We all took a turn each to sleep in the van.  I love how the curtains have poppers to hold them in place :)  They need a couple of adjustments but overall I'm really pleased with how they turned out. :)  Here's the view from the back of the van when it's set up as a double bed [with Sophie grinning away there after she sneaked in!

a good storm!

Don't you just love a good storm when you are safe and dry and can just enjoy it?!  I can't say our dog Gyp was impressed, in fact, he can obviously still hear something as he's still in the cellar, even though the sun is out and the blue sky has appeared!  It's AGES since we've had a good storm.  I was sitting, counting 'elephants', as it came nearer and nearer then took myself out to the porch to listen to the thunder rumbling continuously and watch the rain and hail splash down hard.  Whilst there I finally remembered to take a photo of our new campervan!  Sorry Wendy, my memory's not great at the minute!

We bought her a couple of months ago but picked her up on our hols as she lived on the Isle of Wight.  As you can see she needs some work doing to her but she goes, and my husband loves doing projects like this (he has a VW beetle too).  My job's the interior, I've found some ace fabric for the curtains.

http://www.stjudes.co.uk/dandelion.htm

I love Angie Lewin's designs; you may have seen notecards using her prints in Waterstones.  And being a bit of a non-conformist, I'm avoiding the typical retro and surf designs that are common fabrics for these campers.  I adore seed-like images like this and it fits in with meadows and good times.  I've been collecting crockery on Ebay to go in the van too!  

Oh, and look what starts today!  6pm UK time to be precise :) :) :)  I'm sooooo excited, I can't wait!!!  It's what kept me going through a very stressful situation this am.  Right, best get back to sorting out my craft space, I'm having a really, really good clearout!