A Very Special Place

The eagle eyed among you may have noticed that I have a photo of a "very special place" in my sidebar. It's been there since I started my blog, and it remains very special. It's the Sofitel Taba Heights, on Egypt's Red Sea coast, and it's my favourite place ever. Quiet, peaceful, undeveloped and surrounded by history, I will never tire of visiting Taba Heights.

Taba Heights is a small development of five hotels and nearby golf course. From the jetty, if you look straight ahead of you, you see Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turn to face the hotel again, you see not only Egypt, but Israel too. It's situated in the Sinai region of Egypt, and last year we visited Petra, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, and St Catherine's Monastry, home to the Burning Bush.

This year, we turned to more ancient wonders. But firstly, who couldn't fail to relax here? And, I ask you, what better colour for a hotel than pink?!

The first three days were spent basking in temperatures of up to 25C, sipping Daiquiris and Gin Fizzes. Mr A and I also walked a lot, typically before breakfast as we continued to wake at 7:00. It was 5km to the marina and back, so I put in plenty of practice for the Race for Life.

On the fourth day we went on a day trip to Cairo. This involved going back to Taba Airport and flying to Cairo. We flew in a little 50 seat plane called a Dash 7 and the flight took just under an hour. Then on to our coach and our excellent guide for the day to the madness that is Cairo.

Cairo is home to some 20 million souls. It appears to have a permanent rush hour, the roads are chos. It's a mix of new, old, rich, poor, people living in unfinished buildings - conditions unheard of here. It's noisy, smelly, vibrant, colourful and alive and I found it fascinating. This is our first view of Cairo through the window of the coach.

The view from the Citadel. There is a haze of smog over Cairo, but you can, if you click on the photo, make out the pyramids in the distance.



This is the Great Pyramid, built for the Pharaoh Kufu, and it is this pyramid in particular, as opposed to "the pyramids" in general, thet is the last remaining wonder of the ancient world. Our guide was at pains to tell us that it was built by salaried workers and not by slaves at all. I am keeping an open mind! Isn't it magnificent.


This is the second pyramid, slightly smaller. We had a bit of fun with perspective here!



A word of warning though. They tell you on the coach to beware of hawkers, pickpockets, Bedouin, offers of camel rides and offers of free photos with camels. They don't however warn you about the tourist police! We are probably on "wanted" posters all over Cairo for refusing to pay them - "surely you don't expect us to pay a policeman for taking a photograph?" was my shocked response to a request for money! Seemingly they did, and we beat a hasty retreat!







Isn't the Sphynx amazing too. His beard is in the British Museum - well it shouldn't be in my opinion, it should be here here it belongs. According to our guide book both the Turks and the French took pot shots at the Sphynx which is why he lost his nose and beard. Our Guide however, said that Napoleon was a man of culture and would never allow such a thing!



And finally, isn't it sad! The only outlet that isn't here is Burger King. Fortunately, you can't quite see this from the pyramids, but Giza is gtting ever closer to this once vast expanse of desert.



From here, on to a papyrus manufacturers. Fascinating stuff.

And then, a late lunch on a riverboat resturant on the Nile. Introducing "Joy's Boys"!


Finally, a visit to the Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Sadly, no photos to show you, but we came full circle and saw the death mask of Tutankhamun and so many wonderful things. There are some 120,000 in the museum, to see each one would take three months!




Then back for another couple of days of doing very little!


And here I am on our patio, gtting on with my FCS. I have three more repeats to do, hopefully it will make an appearance here at the weekend.
Here I am at the top of the pink tower.


And here's the view from the tower. I will never tire of this view!


The view of the hotel from the jetty.



And finally, here I am with my lovely boys on our last night.


Our daughter was unable to come with us, originally she and her boyfriend were coming with us but she had presentation to do at University. I missed her so much. She got an A- for her presentation - I am so pleased for her. She is now in her third year, and she is going to be a wonderful nurse.

So, there we have it, I am back from holiday relaxed and rejuvinated. Now it's back to reality, with a night shift tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday and a pile of ironing that doesn't bear thinking about! And thank you all so far this month. £20 worth of comments - brilliant!

Kolsva

Here I am again, shamelessly blogging away to relieve you all of your virtual 50p's! This is Kolsva from Noro Revisited by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton. I am so pleased with it. I bought the yarn in July 2006 when I visited a "cake day" at Angel Yarns and it lay forgotten for months until Pictish knitted hers and I was reminded I had the yarn too.

The pattern - well it's more "guidelines" than pattern as Captain Barbosa would say - was a test of skill and ingenuity in parts, especially the sleeve shapings, but well worth the effort. It's also a very quick knit too.

I though it was time for a modelled photo - even though I had worked a night shift the night before it was taken and had had about four hours sleep. And if you click the photo you can see the lovely earrings I had for Christmas from an equally lovely cyber friend.

Kolsva

Yarn: Noro Kochoran #14

Needles: 6mm Millwards

Size: large to fit 40"

Thanks again for all your comments so far this month, I am very appreciative of you all.

Awards and Dishcloths!

What can I say? A staggering 18 posts so far in very short order, thank you all very much. More of the same please!!!!!!!!!

It's been dishcloth swap time this month on CTNY. Earlier this week I received this lovely dishcloth from the equally lovely Linz along wth a dear little ladybird - what else! - and a miniature Forest Canopy which is so delicate. Recently I received a little teddy from Linz wearing it's own hand-made scarf, which I nearly lost to mum when I showed it to her. Linz is looking for another teddy, and the little FCS is for that so that mum can have her own. Isn't that lovely? The cloth is a Colinette one, Banyan in # Popsicle.

Here is the dishcloth that I sent to my partner Hanne - along with some chocolate, and some sugar mice for her two little boys. I can show you now because she received it yesterday. Posted in the UK Tuesday, it arrived in Finland on Friday I think is pretty good!

It's this pattern which I've used couple of times now, and it was made using Rowan Handknit Cotton. I have made three of these so far this month, one for Mr A and one for someone else! Mr A is very pleased with both of his new dishcloths and says thank you to Linz Too btw! It's his birthday tomorrow - shall I give him a night off washing up do you think?

And now then, to awards. I love blogs and blogland, there are some wonderful people out here, and every now and then you get a lovely surprise when you visit. Gilraen's Knits is one of my favourite places to visit - a real riot of colour, inspirational socks, and yarn pron Friday which is lways a treat.

Gilraen gave me an award the other day which is now safely in my sidebar - the You Make my Day Award. Not quite what Clint Eastwood had in mind I don't think!!!!!!!! I was thrilled to receive it Gilraen, thank you very much.

In true blogland style I have to now award this award to other bloggers. Most of the bloggy people who come to mind appear to have had one already, so I am going to start by sharing this one with two newcomers to Blogland, Sandra and Pictish. They are both members of CTNY and have always made my day with their wonderful knitting. Sandra has been an inspiration in other ways recently, and let me tell you a Pictish yarn sale is worth camping out all night for. So there we are, two new bloggers who make my day! Why not visit Sandra's Place and Pictish Yarns for yourselves?

And finally, an award for the Ladybird at Linz's Knitting Spot who always makes my day!

Bloggiversary and Race For Life - Competition Time!

You may have noticed the little widget in my sidebar. Wednesday July 2nd will see me taking part in this year's Race for Life at Malvern. Don't let the word "race" fool you though, I shall be walking as sadly running is now beyond me - where to start, dropped foot, sciatica, dodgy hip, alas I couldn't run for the bus these days but happily the lovely people at Race for Life encourage walkers too, so I can still take part.

February is my bloggiversay month. I really can't believe I have been blogging for a year. I love my little blog, even though it was sadly neglected in the run up to Christmas.

I have decided to have a little competition to help me celebrate this auspicious occasion. So as well as the obligatory prize draw, I have decided to donate 50p for every comment made this month. At the end of February I will count up all the comments and add one gift aided donation to Race for Life via my widget on behalf of you all. This month for example I have had 23 comments on my blog which would see me donating £11:50. I hope to double, treble or even better this, so I'm going to try to make my blog as interesting as possible.

I know from my counter that I have visitors - so may I ask that if you are someone who just pops in and looks from time to time, can you also leave a comment for me. It won't cost you anything, but you will be making a difference, and a comment will give you automatic entry to my prize draw.

The prize will be a Forest Canopy shawl. I have some smooshy yarn from Socktopus I make no apologies for this - I need some holiday knitting and this will fit the bill perfectly. And for the draw purposes, it will be one entry per comment, so if, for example, you make 7 comments you will have seven chances.

So come on folks - help me to start off my fundraising, it won't cost you a penny and you will be making a real difference.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

First of all thank you all very much for your good wishes for my visit to mum. I found her well, if a little muddled, but quite alright in her own home where she knows where everything is and what does what. As long as she can watch golf or tennis and her soaps she's quite happy. She may not know what day it is or who Gordon Brown is but she can identify the entire cast of Neighbours, Home and Away, Emmerdale, Eastenders, Corrie........... an if I'm still living on my own at 89, albeit with some support, I'll be quite happy. And thank you linz, there is no hurry, but I do know she will be thrilled, I nearly lost the monkey off my Kipling bag on Friday!

Now then, how was Joseph? Joseph was wonderful, thank you. I don't know what it is about Joseph, I always feel as if I'm at the best party ever when I go to watch it. This time was no exception, the cast was energetic and obviously having a whale of a time. Not quite as glossy as the West End production I saw recently, but no worse for that. Craig sent shivers down my spine when he sang "Close Every Door" and that will do for me!

Now as you can see, the Aknita family has been out and about again! January 23rd saw DS's 16th birthday. he didn't want a party, he wanted to go to London to see Spamalot, so that's where we went on Saturday. Setting musical theatre back 1,000 years and full of politically incorrect references to the French it was hilarious. Who knew, for example, that Sir Galahad was called Dennis, or that Lancelot married a young man by the name of Herbert!!!!!!!!! We even had Knights that went Ni and a killer rabbit! I haven't laughed so much for yonks. And of course we all sang "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"

It was a lovely day so we went for pre-lunch wonder round Trafalgar Square being all touristy. Lunch was a two hour long affair at an Italian restaurant. And yes, I did fall asleep on the train home! Here are a few photos of DS, Mr A and me. I have my new coat and my Kipling bag on show - and very pleased I am with them too.

I do knit sometimes though! Over on Crafty Treads 'n' Yarns we are having a Round Robin Gift Bag Exchange and I am pleased to say that I have finished my bag. Made with oddments of Opal Elemente, it's a little longer than suggested in the pattern that I used, mostly because of what I want to fit into it! It will hold a jar of jam quite comfortably too. Now it isn't perfect by any means, dpn's are not my forte and there are ladders I know. However I appear to have successfully negotiated a picot cast on so I have learned a new trick.

Here's the reverse side of the picot edge - I was quite pleased with it though it was fiddly

And the base, blocking away over an inverted tin. I have used thin ribbon to thread through the eyelets, as I couldn't face a 2 stitch i-cord!

And finally here it is all filled and waiting to pop in the post to it's first recipient.



I though you might like to see my DAB digital radio, which was my Christmas present. I can listen to The Goon Show, Hancock's Half Hour, and loads of wonderful vintage comedy radio on BBC Radio 7 to pass the time while ironing. I love it!

And finally, I must go. Simply Knitting and Yarn Forward have just arrived in the post. I have heard good things about Yarn Forward again this month, and I'm so pleased for Kerrie that finally it seems to be working out for her.

This is my last post for January. February will see my first bloggiversary, so please tune in on Friday for news of my plans to mark this auspicious occasion!!!!!!!!!!

Vanessa

Here is Vanessa, all completed. Eventually! Honestly, I knitted the back in Tunisia in August, and didn't pick it up again till the New Year. When will I learn. I'm going for the Mastermind approach to knitting this year - I've started so I'll finish! It's the only way!

I am pleased with it overall, the yarn had a tendency to be "splitty" but has a lovely sheen and produces quite a neat even stitch.

Vanessa

Rowan Classic Art Book 10

Needles: Aero straights in UK size 10 and 8

Yarn: RYC Cashsoft DK Shade 00502 Bella Donna

I am off out again this evening. Eight of us from work are going to see Joseph at Malvern Theatres. Yes, I know I only saw Joseph in November, you can't see Joseph too many times in my opinion. This version stars Craig, who came third in the "Any Dream Will Do" show, my favourite overall, so it will be an interesting comparison between him and Lee Mead. I'll let you know what I think next time.

We are off to the Indian first, I hope they are ready for us!

I'm off to see mum tomorrow. I'm getting more concerned about her, and am wondering how much longer she can live on her own. She gets quite aggressive on the phone on a regular basis, and I've taken to mostly letting her phone me so that her mind is focussed on what she wants to ask me rather than me take her by surprise. Usually she's ok in her own environment, but she is definitely more muddled of late.

Spice Up Your Life!

Somebody pinch me! Was I really really there? Yes, I really really was, and it was really really brilliant too!

What am I on about? The Spice Girls of course! I travelled down to London on Tuesday evening and spent a very pleasant evening with my son, with whom I went to stay. He is 25 tomorrow, how my baby came to be 25 is a mystery to me, I simply do not know where time has gone. Twenty five years ago I was 26, in another twenty five years I shall be 76 which simply does not bear thinking about. I'm still only 27 in my head though and I hope I always will be!

I had a lot to do in London. Wednesday morning saw me in Knightsbridge sorting out the visas for our Egypt holiday next month. I had three hours to spare in between handing in the forms and passports and collecting them. It was a little trip down memory lane. My Auntie Bea ( who incidentally is 97 tomorrow too ) used to work in Harrods and I used to spend a lot of time there when I was younger. I had a lovely mooch round, and just HAD to visit the luxury loos, and then I went bargain hunting.

This is my first bargain - this lovely coat from Laura Ashley which was £33:00 reduced from £110:00. I love it! It's not the best picture in the world, the light being what it is, but it's 3/4 length and as warm as toast.






And then there's this fabulous Kipling bag and purse half price in the Kipling shop! How I didn't buy two I shall never know, I have spent my Christmas money on my coat, bag and purse and am chuffed to bits with them.




I met DS at the O2 at around 6:00 pm and we went for a meal at the Sausage and Mash cafe there, sat outside under a patio heater with a nice glass ( or two ) of wine. Then time to go in - oh how fab were those Spice Girls? people ask me how I can go and see Queen and The Who and the like and still like pop. I am lucky I suppose to have an eclectic taste in music, I can listen to ( almost ) anything, and back in the 70's was as happy to listen to Mud or Slade as I was to listen to Yes or Zepellin.

I can't tell you how fantastic they were though, and the dancers, well, such vitality and energy.

And as if that's not enough excitement yesterday I went to see Hairspray. Oh my oh my, how much fun is that show? It is a rare occasion when a theatre audience stands as one at the end of a show, but let me tell you this show is two and a half hours of pure magic. The sight of Michael Ball and Mel Smith sharing an intimate moment on stage will live with me for a very long time! Oh and Noo, if you are reading this, I took myself to Savoir Faire for a pre-theatre lunch and lovely it was too.

And finally - a Forest Canopy! Begun in November as a Christmas knit but postponed when I hurt my wrist, I shall pack this away carefully for SIL for Christmas 2008. I finished it on Monday evening and it's been blocking while I was away.

Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl

Yarn: Fyberspates Silk/Alpaca

Needles: 4mm Pony Straights

The light is dreadful, but I am sure you get the idea. There are four extra pattern repeats and could possibly have managed another. You live and learn though, and if I were to use this yarn again I would bind off with a larger needle, the yarn is 90% silk and 10% alpaca so doesn't lend itself to blocking easily.

And finally - Happy Birthday for tomorrow Rob. I have no idea where the years have gone, I am more proud of you than you will never know, and I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!

A Happy New Year!

Well now, as ever I am all up to date and starting with Christmas! I hope I am back in the bloggy swing of things, I have visited all my usual haunts this morning and made my apologies for being so lax of late. In my defence, I was proper poorly for a while, and things are still a bit of an effort. But I am almost better, my wrist is all mended, all I need to do now is shift this cough and I'll be grand.

So many lovely things happened before Christmas that I can't not include them in my blog! I really cannot recommend both The First Emperor and the The Tutankhamun exhibitions, currently in London, highly enough. Do catch them if you can, I feel so privileged to have seen them both in the run up to Christmas.

We like our swaps on Crafty Threads'n'Yarns and the recent Christmas Decoration swap was great fun. Isn't this lovely!

As you can see, it had pride of place on the tree. Thank you Linz

And now to knitterly things. I have decided I don't like WIPS. Well, not more than one at a time anyway ;-) so I have resolved to finish my WIPS before I start the year afresh. So I started by tackling Shony with gusto. I had started this way back, around July I think, and had got as far as the back and the left front.

Suffice to say I have pooling issues with Shony ( scroll down ) the back and sleeves are fine, but not the fronts. Irl there are real blocks of colour change.

Now, if I were to just wear this at home in artificial light, I might JUST live with it. But it is to be frogged, washed and reskeined, I shall take it to Egypt with me next month as my holiday knitting, and I will blend the yarn carefully. To be fair, I have no pooling of colour on either the back or the sleeves, two skeins of this Giotto were distinctly different to the other six! But we live and learn!

On a happier note, Kolsva is coming long beautifully, I have two sleeves of this finished too. I am finding Kochoran a lovely yarn to knit with, it undergoes total transformation from skein to needle!

And finally Vanessa (scroll down ) all ready to be assembled. I haven't made a wrap / crossover style knit before, I just hope it doesn't look silly on me!

I do like the shaping of this knit!

I also have FCS otn, it was intended as a Christmas present but I didn't finish it due to my wrist. It will be my first Christmas knit of 2008!

I can't go without showing you all these beautiful stitchmarkers. The first ones are from Jacquie and were part of my Autumn Secret Santa Swap present - aren't they just beautiful!

Next, these arrived completely unexpectedly, a lovely present from Holly Burnham and made by Holly herself. Holly sent them to me after my fall in November, and I was thrilled to receive them. Holly, you hide your talents away under a bushel, and thank you again.

These beautiful Christmassy markers were from Mogiebear, sadly blogless, but were part of another swap and they arrived with a beautiful homemade card.

And finally, from the lovely Franney again with beautiful card, these lovely stitchmarkers.

I feel truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful on-line community! Thank you everyone. I wish you all a happy, peaceful, productive and frogless New Year with lots of mojo!

We are having computer issues Chez Aknita btw. Last weekend it went off for an MOT and had a new CD drive or writer or something done, anyway we've had it back a couple of days and it's not working, go to make a CD and the PC shuts itself down. So I'm losing the PC again at the weekend. I shall have limited access at work, but have decided we are going wireless (again ) and I am going to have a laptop of my very own!

If I'm not back before next week, well I have an exciting time coming up! I am off to see The Spice Girls next Wednesday and instead of catching the train straight home on Thursday morning I am staying in London for a matinee performance of Hairspray! Lots to tell you next week then!