Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Stage Eight: Le Grand-Bornand - Tignes

You've guessed it, I am tinking again! Lifeline? Moi? Mais non mes amis, je n'avez pas un Lifeline. And what do I advise anyone when knitting lace? Oh yes, that's it - use a lifeline!

"I'm counting" are the two most feared words in the Aknita household.

I may only be knitting along with these cyclists but by God I feel their pain! There will be SERIOUS REPURCUSSIONS chez Aknita should I have to tink one more row! I am bad tempered and nowty, and poor Mr A is a quivering wreck!

I don't understand why I keep on getting row 3 wrong. This isn't my first FC, but I am making very heavy weather of it at the moment! I really hate it when my knitting goes to pot!

I have to admit to an injury too - I was so nowty when I left for work that I attempted to slam the front door - only to find I had left my foot in the way.

Perhaps I too should have a rest day today too along with the rest of the pelaton! And follow my own advice and use a lifeline!

Conratulations to those who stayed the course yesterday, and commiserations to those who didin't! And well done too to Rasmusson on the chicken run, and well done to Christina who can really pick a winner.

It's such great fun taking part in the Tour de France KAL what I really like is that we are all doing our own "thing" and not all knitting the same thing at the same time. Each to their own strengths. A bit like the riders - some climbers, some sprinters and some good all-rounders, and it's great seeing everyones progress photos. What I've not been good at though is visiting blogs, so I shall remedy that very soon.

Stage 6: Semur-en-Auxois - Bourg-en-Bresse

Poor Bradley Wiggins - how must it have felt to look over his shoulder and see the pelaton aproaching and getting nearer and nearer. When I started watching yesterday he was some seventeen minutes ahead - and he finished last!


At one point I remember wondering whether the pelaton would catch him at all, but they gradually pegged him back and the chase had an air of invariability about it. The hare and the tortoise all right. The question is, was he very brave or remarkably foolish? Today will tell I think, but it takes courage of a sort to ride the way he did yesterday.

Stage 7 today will sort the men from the boys methinks. Will Mark Cavendish have his day of glory? Bourg-en-Bresse - Le Grand Bornand is 197.5 km and the going for some will get tough.

I know how they feel. It has been a manic busy week, culminating in an unsuccessful job interview. Not to worry - at least there has been some progress with my Canapé. Nine and half pattern repeats completed now, but could someone please explain to me why I still have as much yarn left as when I started. I just don't understand. I am so enjoying the Tour de France KAL as it has rekindled my interest in the Tour - I haven't enjoyed a Tour so much for years.

Crash Bang Wallop

Forest Canapé

At last I am up and running with my knitting. As I said yesterday, for the duration of Le Tour the Forest Canopy Shawl has been renamed Forest Canapé. Knitting with a French flavour. And thank you Susan, how nice of you to visit my blog! And not to mind! I think I am going to enjoy this KAL

I am knitting this in a lovely sock yarn which I purchased from Natalie at this year's Woolfest - I'm afraid the label didn't have a colour, but as is always the way with Natalie's yarns it is a joy to knit with. I started last night, and have done the sixteen set up lace pattern rows and four pattern repeats.

I am going to Knit and Natter tonight with my friend Hilary, which usually entails more natter than knit, so don't expect progress any time soon! Oh and it's not a 6mm needle by the way it's an "old" size 6 which is the same as a 5mm needle, very few of my needles are metric and most of them are older than me! I'll be transferring to a circular soon.

Wasn't yesterday's stage dramatic! I shall leave you with a photo of my man to watch, Geraint Thomas the Welsh Wizard from Cardiff.

Le Tour de France

Le Prologue

Isn't summer wonderful! So much to keep me entertained now I have no football to watch. There's England's mixed fortunes against the Windies, (cricket for the uninitiated) The Grass Court season culminating in Wimbledon - did you Rafa glisten yesterday - and now, to entertain and inspire us all, the Tour de France. Oh, how fabulous. I just love the tour, we were even lucky enought to see a stage in France one year while on holiday.

This year The Tour kicked off in London which was marvellous. Natalie alerted us on the Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns board to the existance of the Tour de France KAL and I just HAD to join in. I may not have (Super) Mario Cipollini or Abdoujaparov ( what a sad end to a career ) to cheer on any more, but there are BRITS though who knows for how long.

I have a Maillot Vert in the KAL, competing for fastest "finisher". Well that's a laugh, I seem to have been at work ALL weekend, and due to staff sickness this included both a morning shift then a night shift Sunday so maybe slowest starter would be more appropriate.

With Many apologies to Susan Pierce Lawrence I am knitting a Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl which for the duration of the Tour I shall be referring to as a Forest Canapé. Watch this space, who knows I may actually start something! Bon chance mes amies! There will be much "Ah non, je me suis lache une maille" which roughly translated means "oh buggrit I have dropped a stitch"

Here are some photos that DS1 took on Saturday, He was on the edge of Hyde Park, and had a fab day.

And now, as someone once said, for something completely different. I can kill a flowering plant just by looking at it! So what is so special about this phalaenopsis? I'll tell you what - it's last years!!!!! And for the very first time I have a phalaenopsis flowering for a second time. It's a miracle! It was a Silver Wedding present last year and I am thrilled that it it flowering again.