Mouisonniere

I wanted to show you a project I did last winter, we live in an old house and so draft excluders are very useful!  But I wanted to make ours abit more personal

and so needle pointed it with the name of our house 'Mouisonniere'

An unusual name I know, but there is logic I promise.......

From our bedroom we look out over the north of Herm, the beach that runs along the north coast is called Mouisonniere (Moo-son-i-air) as is the little islet that is just off it. 

 And in my heart of heart I believe we can see it! 

Its our favourite beach over there as it is usually so much emptier than its neighbour 'Shell' so plenty of scope of private picnics, with the odd glass of rose.

And at low tide there are the most amazing rock pools to explore.

That's Mouisonniere islet in the back ground.



And the islet and beach from the boat when we were Puffin watching

Which is rather apt as I have discovered that Mouison is Guernsey French for bird and the Mouisonniere comes from when tax was paid to the land owner in wheat and it was the word for what was accepted would have been eaten by the birds of the crop.

Well who knew that!!!!!

Could let all that hard work fall to pieces

A few weeks ago an antiques dealer in Mill Street, Sue Le Cras,

asked me if I knew any one who could mount an antique sampler.

Now I knew the principles, but hadnt done it before.

Well theres no time like the present, so I volunteered,

letting Sue know it was my first time, and she was fine with that.

So here goes!

First get a piece of acid free mount board cut larger that the sampler.

Stretch a piece of curtain inter lining over it, this will give alittle cushioning to the piece.

Then wash a piece of calico (to remove any chemicals) and stretch that over the inter linning.

Then place the sampler in position and slowly slip stitch it down.  The idea is that you ARNT stretching the antique fabric and that the whole thing can be undone with out causing it any damage.

Can you believe that an eleven year old did this?

Quite remarkable

The piece wasnt in the best condition, but Sue and I felt it was part of its history,

so I just slip stitched these parts down, so no further damage could happen.

Just a quick one demonstrating the tiny slip stitches, you really dont want to be able to see them

ta da! the finished piece.
Sue was going to then get it framed (making sure that the glass did not touch the stitching)

But it sold before she could!

Now thats what I call a result!!!!!

The clowns and dogs of the sea

Feel so lucky today.

Julia and David invited us out on their boat to go Puffin watching!

I had seen them from a distance before, but once we were off the South Coast of Herm in aptly named Puffin Beach, we were surrounded by 8 of them.

You can totally understand why they are called 'the clowns of the sea'! Especially when they start to fly, so un-aerodynamic, flapping wildly to try and start airborne!

This one on the left was having a good old wing shake, not the easiest things to photograph!

They are moving, the boat is moving, and you have the take into account the tide!

So did end up with a fair few photos with beaks or tails disappearing out the side of the shot....



 And they are surprisingly tiny!

 So gorgeous, I could have watched them all day, they just make you smile, as they circle the boat.

 Then we headed to a rocky outcrop north of the islands.

 Cant tell the difference between shags or cormorant?

and look what we found, SEALS!

 they were definitely checking us out,

What a fantastic way to end a beautiful day.  Thank you Julia and David



Operation Hanging Basket

Over night St Peter Port bloomed!

It turned out that over 1000 hanging baskets and window boxes were being put up.

They must have started early this morning as by the time I

 headed down at 9 they were up Mill street and nearly done!

 Think there will be alot of sore arms and legs after that job!

 But I do think it looks beautiful, definitely worth it.

But good luck with all that watering ;-)

Food Glorious Farmers Markets!

A gorgeous sunny Saturday morning,

So we decided to pop in to the Farmers Market at Sausmarez Manor before I headed in to work.

I love going up here, its a beautiful setting and always full of tempting things,

and being Guernsey you are always going to bump into a friend to have a natter with!

huge bushy strawberry plants

Ray Watts from Meadow Court Farm with his local meat, definately recomend it.

this is a first, Bean Jar Pasties, had to try one

 They are Rachel's brain child, and we were also tempted by scotch quails eggs,

some how doesn't feel as naughty as the full sized ones!

Local honey and jams

Still early in the morning,

but can promise you it will be packed by 11,

 we prefer to get in there first!



I love this stall, its run by 'The Caritas' a local charity that helps young people have hit tough times, by getting them back in touch with the land, growing and making their own food, which they then sell on to the public, I think its great, and never need an excuse to buy a slice of beetroot and chocolate cake

Rainbow Chard, have just planted my seedlings out,

but think it will be a few more weeks before they look as splendid as these

 Old Ormer shells, brought 2,

no idea what I am going to do with them yet......

My brother-in-law James selling his delicious local Rocquettes cider,

can never say no to a chilled glass of that either.

Sausmarez Manor, the back drop to the Market.

Am now sitting here in hailing the beetroot and chocolate cake,

that just smells delicious, really it is lucky its only once a week!