Rustic Holidaying in Nottinghamshire!

So, happy holidays been had by all in Robin Hood's old haunt of Nottinghamshire. Hired a lovely log cabin in a deep dark forest with a spa bath and 4 poster bed. Had to choose the central heating option due to the toddler, so no log fires for us but it was lovely, spotlessly clean and just perfect.

Despite the immaculate condition of the cabin, my dad had got me so worried about the hygene of the spa bath and gave me specific instructions on how to clean it, that I packed my soda crystals, and the very first thing I did when I walked in was clean the bath - just to be on the safe side.

I couldn't have rested til it was done!!

I paid an extra tenner for the 4 poster bed, simply as I had never slept in one before. Bargain price for the amusement it provided as my other half is 2 inches taller than the beam that runs across the top, so a frequent thud preceeded a cloud of blue air, closely followed by a muffled chuckle from myself! Occasionally he scored a double whammy thanks to a rather badly postioned shelving unit; which I managed to avoid the whole time, (a miracle as I am constantly covered in bruises from bumping into eveything else!). Cue, another little giggle!

Plenty of open spaces to walk around and we went to see the Major Oak at Sherwood forest, a 600 year old tree being propped up by scaffolding. One could not help thinking 'Let it die'. My first thought as I walked round the corner to be faced by this relic was that is seemed like an elderly, wrinkled old pensioner on life support. The branches were literally about to drop off were it not for its' crutches. It just was not natural. I suppose as its the major tourist attraction of the forest they have a vested interest to keep it hanging on. Definately worth the visit a richly informative exhibition about the legend of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. Robbing from the rich to give to the poor, my, how things have changed...

On site there was a pool as warm as a bath - really toasty and relaxing, and you cannot go to Nottinghamshire without trying archery, so we did - I have bruises! It was fun despite me being rubbish. On a drive through the city we saw some school boys practicising their archery in the playing fields - only in Nottingham??

Of course I enjoyed some creative thinking, hard not to with the absence of the internet and all the usual paraphenalia that crowd my mind daily. Took some lovely pictures and sketched my next creations for my shop for which I have made a pattern this evening. Eager to get back to it and await the return of my poorly Singer hopefully this week. Dog feeds mended and nursed back to good health.

I had to show this example of tree bark taken in Sherwood Forest, what a fabulous contrast in natures colour and quite inspiring for the designer in me!!

Big up holidays in Nottinghamshire! 



Our Re-United Kingdom.

The Big Day!

I am soooo excited; finally the big day is almost here. No, not mine – my other half would have a heart attack at the thought, but Will and Kate’s. The nations, no, the worlds new BFF.

Our Nation, Our Re-United Kingdom.

Monarchist or Republican, we’ve taken sides.

The Scottish, who are independent England haters much of the time are seeing Union Jack earrings sell out in Glasgow! While the flags fly in Fife, the bunting is brandished in Bute. We have Royal Fever!!

Households are divided, cries of God Save the Queen gush out of the most unlikely mouths while Republicans throw cold water on the festivities.

Daytime TV is embracing the theme and I am relishing every moment. This morning I have had elocution lessons, been shown how to get into and out of a car as Royalty would and that Royal wave. I am ready.

As they must be, all those hours of preparation, rehearsals, fittings, sleepless nights, exhausting days all culminate on Friday with the walk down the aisle and the words ‘I Do’.

Of course there are the cynics giving them, 6 months, 2 years, 7 years. SHUT UP! This one’s forever, true love exists and we can revel in it. The world can revel in it. And no sooner will they have that famous balcony kiss than; as with any newly married couple, the speculation of increasing the numbers in the Royal household will come.

I shall not be blogging the big day; I am immersing myself in it with family and friends. Twitter has updates, You Tube is screening it on its’ Royal Channel. It is modern and symbolic of the time that such interaction will occur. 

When they return from honeymoon, they will start married life living with another member of the family. Not the greatest beginning for them as they will be lodgers to Prince Harry. Oh, but it is in Clarence House, and they have their own wing so I think they may just get away with that, and privacy will probably be no issue for them.

So with a much improved HOW NOW BROWN COW, a wonderful roll to my R’s and distinguished Royal wave, its toodle ooh for now daarhling, tatty bye and see you post RW.

Enjoy the big day!!

 

For further reading follow the below links.

http://youtubeukblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel

I am now tweeting - follow me here - https://twitter.com/#!/justolganna

The Royal Bunting

In line with current UK temperatures, there is Royal Wedding fever in the air. With 8 days to go London is a riot of red, white and blue and the shops are on their final push to get rid of the commemorative product, as in 9 days time it will no longer be relevant.


With today being the 85th birthday of The Queen - curtsey and say 'Happy Birthday Your Majesty', it is appropriate for Kate to pause for thought about her life as a future Queen. She will have to become accustomed to waking up next to a prince and living in a palace, the stuff dreams are made of. Well no more, as Disney have said that they will be making no more Disney Princess movies as it does not reflect current times and is unappealing for boys. Ha! Tell that to our Kate! The commoner who got her Prince.

She must be getting so excited right now and so far has managed to keep the dress a secret, of course it will be televised and all over the media before she walks down the aisle so William will be holed up in a chapel next door to the church so there is no chance he will see it before her grand entrance.


And rightly so, its their wedding day and its only proper that  tradition is followed, that intake of breath as he first sees his stunning bride is a moment which cannot be recreated. 

Today must be a slow news day as the tabloids are reporting her weight loss 'issues', front page news - it's called stress of organising a wedding. What bride doesn't shed a few pounds in the lead up to the nuptials? Shame on you red tops.


And just like any other wedding the florist and cake maker will be counting down to the big day but 10 times more fraught as the world is watching, and with the highly distingushed guest list a lot rides on this gig. The horses and guards who will be parading down The Mall all have to be groomed, and the armour requiring polishing of the highest order will be underway. It can take 9 hours to get ready for parade and can take up to 50 hours of polishing to get a brand new pair of shoes ready with that see your face in them shine (I suppose it depends on your wrist action). And what of the Royal Corgi's??  - Ring bearers??


So as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our newest Royal, HRH Catherine of Wales, we enjoy the record temperatures, the extra bank holiday, Easter weekend, our street parties and for those couples sharing their big day with Royalty, they can make a few bob out of it by selling their stories to the press, everyone's a winner.

Ale Prince William!

No, its not poor grammar, its my latest Royal Wedding find.

Everywhere I go the flags of red, white and blue are flying, crowns adorn obscure product, there is bunting for sale in anticipation of the street parties and in my local supermarket they are commemorating the occasion in real ale style, with Kiss me Kate ale.

Out shopping today I saw deely boppers with Will on 1 side and Kate on the other, and some rather suspect printed badges. Yes, there is tons of disposible tat ready for landfill on April 30th.


But some lovely things too. I saw some great mugs, cake boxes and cake stands, a nod to the traditional English garden party. Pretty and practical, cake stands pose problems for the symmetrically minded among us and the ONLY solution is to eat 1 from each side. I know its a difficult compromise, but got to keep the harmony on the cake stand.

With speculation rife, a plethora of Wills and Kate websites have emerged and people love it! These are celebs actually worthy of their 'celeb status'. Although having to share space in 'Reveel!' magazine with Kerry and Katie demeans it somewhat.

Without even looking, this week I have found out that William does not plan to wear a wedding ring. He will wear his military uniform - but which one?? And with Harry in charge of the stag do the media lay in wait of the aftermath.

So cucumber sandwiches at the ready - crusts off of course, a few chilled Royal ales, fingers crossed for some sunshine, kick back watching a right Royal do. Whatever your views, there is something for everyone and in any case it's an extra day off work, now how can that be bad. 

New Design! UNION JACK.

Think what you will about the Royal family and the impending ROYAL WEDDING but for me its an excuse to work with our UNION JACK. The flag of the United Kingdom.

Its red, white and blue colourway give ample opportunity for design development and here at olganna its gone raw. Raw edged that is - the designs are made up of raw edged jersey designed to give soft edges, taming the bold colours.

So even if you don't give a jack, you can enjoy the new designs coming through in celebration of the big day!