Far from the Madding Crowd…

Far from the Madding Crowd…

Hi there.

Thanks for popping in. 
Had an absolutely radio rental day at the festival yesterday, watching some epic musicians, and culminating in a headbanging session to Muse on the Pyramid Stage last thing.
So we decided to kick back today and give the mud and chaos a miss. There’s only so much of that noise and crowd level a sane and sober person can take!!
Walked across the fields into Glastonbury to clear the heads. Happened upon a magical underground spring quite by chance, called the White Spring, where we lit a candle and said a prayer.
Had a late lunch at Knights, a 5th generation family run fish n chip shop. Best fish n chips I have eaten in years! And then headed for Glastonbury Abbey, a huge old relic of what was once clearly a very important place. Apparently King Arthur and Lady Guinevere were buried there, but were also dug up and relocated. So no bones, just the plaque where they should have been laid to rest.
Sat in the grounds, and watched the young children playing hide and seek in the gardens. Ah the innocence!
Walked back to the campsite in the mid summer’s evening, and am very happy to have avoided the festival noise for a day. Happy to be going back in for another pounding of the senses tomorrow, but today was just the ticket. 
Actually, I have really enjoyed the crafty intermezzos at the show too! The first day, I made a basket, and yesterday Dave and I whittled spoons! 
The internet is a bit iffy here, but I will see if I can show you the basket being born….

Amazing what we humans can make with our hands, with a little guidance and the right materials.
The spoons? Well, they will take a bit more practice and time. But it’s ok!! we bought the knives to try at home! Yep, we got the starter kit!!!
I look forward to making spoons and giving them to friends….
Love, peace and happiness,
Barb xxx

94 thoughts on “Far from the Madding Crowd…

  1. Lovely for you to be the pupil I bet and a lovely keepsake. A good holder for pens, pencils or something crafty. Enjoy the rest of Glasto xx

    1. Hello everyone. Life is a bit busy at the moment Dad is very up and down but I managed to get to Maria's class today which was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We had such a laugh and I decided I was her "D stream" pupil!! We did the "more advanced" technique first and the "easier" one second. Guess which everyone found the challenge! Maria is so patient and good-humoured which is very fortunate.
      I hope you are all as well as you can be. I am reading the blog but not always getting time to comment at the moment, hugs xx

    2. Hi Chris – glad to hear that you were able to get to Maria's class and that you had fun. That must be the teacher is you, giving yourself a grade! Were you being a bit hard on yourself? Hope that your Dad makes some good progress – it's a worrying time for you. I understand some of what you are going through, as we had that with my Mum, bless her! Love and hugs, Gilly xx

    3. Evening Chris wonderful that you mannaged Maria's class you need that break away it is so tough looking after parents when they become ill me and Tom have both been there so heartfelt thoughts go with you xxx

    4. Hi Chris,
      Pleased that you got to Maria's class and that you had a good time. It will have done you good I'm sure. Hope your Dad makes some good progress as Gilly says. Love and hugs Alison xxx

    5. Hi Chris, lovely that you had the class with Maria, gave you a little respite from worrying about your Dad. Hope things will improve for you and your Dad soon. Love & hugs Pam xxx

  2. Hi Barbara & ladies. Well the basket looks great it is lovley to try some different things. It looks great for a first timer. Have a good day tomorrow. Hi ladies hope blog today finds you all well. Wish the weather would make its mind up what it is doing, hoping for a better day tomorrow. Hope you are a little better today Morag hugs to all. Lynn xx

  3. Fab basket Barb. I can see you really enjoyed yourself. Sometimes it's good to switch off and just make. Hope you enjoy the rest of your time there. It sure looks amazing. Xx

  4. Good idea to rest your ears 😀 Thought Muse were great from the TV. Glastonbury Abbey grounds have a kind of magician feeling. Enjoy tomorrow x

  5. Hi bloggy friends, horrible wet and thunder rolling round all day. Managed to get some crafting done this afternoon so I'm now giving Phoebe some cuddles and watching Madness on the Glastonbury stage. Xx

    1. Hi Donna – our weather has been a mixture of sunshine and showers, but really quite warm! I was also watching Madness – I can never quite get over just how many people go to Glastonbury, amazing! Give Phoebe some cuddles from you too – hugs Gilly xx

    2. Hi Donna,
      We've had a bit of thunder today and some really heavy rain on and off, I'm sat watching Glastonbury at the moment waiting for Casualty. Give Phoebe a cuddle from me. Love and hugs to you, Alison xx

    3. Hi Donna what are we all like, I was watching madness too – can't believe they've got great grandchildren!! Like Alison I'm waiting for casualty to start. We've had thunder and lightening and torrential rain too, we must be in summer!! Hugs for you and Phoebe xxx

    4. Hi Donna, what dreadful weather, definitely summer. Great weather for fetes. Glad you did some crafting and had some cuddles with Pheobe. I accidentally stepped on my Daughters cats paw, poor thing and got bit in the process this morning. So we both had a shock. She was ok though.xx

  6. Barb you have become an off the grid spoon whittler! Well nearly off the grid anyway. There's still a lot of life in the old girl yet I see. Well not so much of the old I don't think your energy would put a younger person to shame. Glad you are both having such a great time. Much love Jayne

  7. Hi Barbara – it looks like you did really well and that your were in your element, learning a new craft! Love your comment about buying 'The Starter Kit' too! Sounds like you've had a great day today, of total contrast! Have fun in the mud tomorrow – hugs Gilly x

    1. Hi to all of my lovely bloggy friends! Our weather has been a real mixture of sunshine and showers and warm. We went into Fowey today – which is just 8 miles away. Reason being, I had looked on line last night for a replacement waterproof jacket, and spotted one that I liked – by a Cornish company – Seasalt. So, instead of ordering on line, Neill took me to the shop so that I could try some on, which I did. I chose a VERY bright flowery one – which will cheer us up in the rain! Neill treated me and then he also spotted a jumper and bought that too! I am truly blessed! There was also 50% off both, in their sale! Win, win – and we are supporting our local economy too! Love and hugs to you all, Gilly xxx

    2. Hi Morag – I hope that you are feeling a little better today. Hi Brenda, I hope that you are coping with the thought of all the changes, which will be happening – please keep discussing them on here, as so many people want to try to give you some form of support. Hi Dot – so sorry to hear about your Mum and the difficulties that you are trying to come to terms with. Sheila, I hope that you have been able to cope with the pain today. Pam, I'm pleased to hear that you are staying with your daughter, it will do you good. Love and hugs to you all, Gilly xxx

    3. Hi Gilly,
      Great that you've been to Fowey and got your waterproof – and one that you really like too! How lovely of Neil to treat you. Take care, love and hugs Alison xx

    4. Evening gilly wow a brilliant shopping day for you and Neil and a nice run out too .ive had a mixed day today like the weather I've just mannaged a little colouring in bed tonight with my Tim holtz distress markers I love them for colouring with, it was the large clarity best wishes stamp that Tom stamped for me today twice Incase I made a mess of one . I have the thank you large stamp set also they are so lovley .
      My friend rang me from Cornwall today as they are there on holiday for 2 weeks this is the start of there second week they love Cornwall i mentioned you lived there hugs xxx

    5. Hi Gilly oh Fowey, that brings back memories, we stayed in a cottage there when Emma was little, it was by the slipway just up from the Bodonic Ferry. Oh I love it there. I know the shop you mean, they sell lovely clothes. What great bargains you got. Have a lovely evening. Xxx

    6. Hi Gilly, that was a nice treat for you, bet your waterproof coat is lovely, cheer you up on a wet day. Years since we went to Fowey. My daughter loves Seasalt. Had a good soaking today at the village fete and sports day. Haven't long got back, they had a steel band and several groups playing this evening and we had picnic under gazebos, okay til the rain came, torrential it was so it all came through the gazebos, quite a laugh though, running like a river along the ground sheets. Glad you enjoyed your day. Love and hugs Pam xxx

    7. I would love to go to the Seasalt shop, we have the brand in some stores locally but not big ranges and I am always reluctant to buy clothes online. Enjoy your new clothes xx

  8. Sounds like an idyllic way to spend a Saturday. Fish and chips sound perfect too. Loving that little basket Barb – something most satisfying about making stuff from scratch and so nice for you to be the pupil for a change. Can't wait to see you master the spoons – which you obviously will cos you are Barbara Gray. 😊😊😊

  9. We might have known you could not keep away from some kind of crafting while you were away. That looks very satisfying to do and a decorative but useful end result. Looking forward to seeing Clarity spoons on sale at the Retreats. Enjoy the rest of your well-deserved break. xxx Maggie

  10. What a great basket – something I would love to learn how to do, as well as whittling spoons – my Dad wes good at that sort of thing. Glad you are having fun. Am with you in spirit, watching Glasto on TV.

  11. Hi Barb,
    Seems as though you've had a lovely day. You did really well with the basket – you can keep all of your Groovi tools in it Hope you did better with the spoons than the woman on one of the adverts on telly ( can't remember which one but have to so she's not very good! ) I'm just a bit worried that you're going to be selling a new starter kit for a new craft from Clarity – don't think my bank manager would be pleased! Enjoy yourselves, love and hugs Alison xx

    1. Hi to my lovely blog friends,
      Hope you're all ok. Weather here has been a tight mixture, heavy rain, thunder, sunshine, cloudy. Don't think it can make its mind up. Had a really lazy day today , been really tired, think it's the weather. Morag hope you're feeling better, Sheila hope your pain has been better today, love and hugs to you all, Alison xx

    2. Hi Alison wooden spoon starter kits- don't give Barbara ideas, we will all be penniless but with lovely spoons!!! I know what you mean about the weather, awful isn't it. Xxx

  12. Sounds like a perfect day. We met up with old friends for lunch in Salisbury and went to see the Magna Carta in the magnificent Cathedral. It was so interesting. Drove home in torrential rain, the M40 was a bit like driving through a river most of the way. Settling down to watch the highlights of the England Australia rugby match so a good day for us too.

    1. Evening to all my dear family of blog friends sending you all lots of crafting hugs and hugs to all on the blog I've had a mixed day today like the weather I've mannaged a little colouring tonight with my Tim holtz distress markers they are so good to craft with even though I only did a little it felt good to craft Tom stamped the clarity large best wishes ribbon stamp twice for me today just Incase I made a mess of one . Yippie did both xxx

    2. Hi Sheila, glad you managed some colouring after Tom did the stamping for you. They are large stamps and need a lot of pressure don't they. I have them and the Christmas one too, love them, also couldn't resist the groovy ones. Hope you get some relief from the pain Sheila, you must be at the end of your tether. Keep your chin up. Love and hugs Pam xxx

    3. Hi Sheila – I'm so glad that you have been able to do a little bit of colouring today – bless Tom, for being head of stamping! Do you use the Tim Holtz distress markers for your Groovi too? Take care and keep resting, my lovely blog friend – more special caring hugs and love, Gilly xx

  13. Seems as if you are having a great time. My mother still has the basketweave tray and bread basket that I made at school when I was in the last year of Junior School 40 years ago. We had a really forward thinking teacher!

  14. Seems as if you are having a great time. My mother still has the basketweave tray and bread basket that I made at school when I was in the last year of Junior School 40 years ago. We had a really forward thinking teacher!

  15. I love your basket, I hope you are proud of it, I would be. It sounds like you have had an interesting day. I was watching Muse on TV last night and they were brilliant, so I've changed my mind…I could put up with the mud. I saw a lot of open air concerts when I was younger, usually at football pitches so watching Muse last might took me right back to watching Prince at Celtic Park in Glasgow and U2 at Hampden Park. Brilliant times.

    I've been awol for the last couple of days as I've got an old fashioned, stinker of a cold. I managed to go to work but not much else. Starting to feel better now. I hope I've not missed any gossip.

  16. Hi Barbara, what a lovely basket you have made, it's perfect. Hope your proud of it. I'm sure all your friends will love their spoons too, they'll be made with such love. Glad you've managed to see some of the sights and have a bit of a spiritual day away from all the madness, and not just the festival madness. You'll have loads of all kind of special memories to cherish from this week. Thank you for sharing.

    I'm still all out of sorts with all this referendum aftermath, the scale of it just grows and grows with each new development. I'm not even managing to do anything becausebof what its doing in my head. Wish I could escape to somewhere tranquil in the middle of no where.

    Hope you and Dave have a great last day at Glastonbury.
    Love Brenda xx

    1. Dear Brenda cuddle up with daisy and your groovi bits as I know daisy likes your blue mat and you have the baby one now stay in your little groovi bubble as nothing is going to happen in the referendum over night or tomorrow either thinking of you xxx

    2. Brenda my sweetheart, turn off the news and turn on to one of the craft channels and don't listen to all the comments. You are not alone in feeling worried, it's a natural reaction but I know it seems more so for you. Take care my lovely and don't forget we are here for you. Sending hugs xxx

    3. Easier said than done Brenda but try to stop worrying, it won't change anything. So do as Sheila and Diane say or put on some music that you love maybe from your teenage years that will give you some nice memories to take away your worries. I think everyone is sick of hearing about the referendum, things will pan out, in a week or so they'll be on about something else. It's not worth making yourself ill over. If you need to talk about it we're all here for you. Love and hugs Pam xx

  17. Sounds as if you have had a lovely restful day. Just about to watch Adele, only on TV for me though. I have had a mad day shopping in Birmingham with daughters and future daughter-in-law. Looking for wedding outfits. Lots of laughter as we tried on hats etc, fab lunch and very aching legs tonight. Enjoy your last day tomorrow. x PS brilliant basket.

  18. Hi Barbara
    What a fabulous basket, I can see your brushes sat in there. You look so relaxed sat there making it. Your walk today sounds perfect, just been watching Glastonbury on to and I get what you mean about the noise and mud. Today's bit of tranquility will recharge you for tomorrow. Have a lovely evening.
    Love Diane xxx

    1. Hello my lovely blog friends
      Hope you've all had a lovely day. I've been to a charity card making day, we raised £176.50 for juvenile diabetes research type 1 so my cousin was really pleased. It was great fun with lots of laughter and fun and great food. Morag sorry to hear things aren't good sending you a hug. Pam have a lovely time at your daughters. Sending hugs all round xxx

    2. Hi Diane, thank you,it's been a nice change of scene being at Melanies even though I stood on the poor cats paw and got bitten, then got soaked through tonight. Back home tomorrow will seem mundane ha ha. Lovely raising all that sum for diabetes. That's what my daughter specialises in. Love and hugs Pam xx

  19. Hi Barbara,and Dave. Agree only so much noise and crowds one can take. Good to have a day for yourselves. Lots of legends have been connected to Glastonbury, including religious ones. Joseph of Arimathea was supposedly to have been buried under the Tor. Enjoy your day tomorrow at the festival, hope the mud has dried up a bit. We're up in the East Midlands and have had a day of heavy storms, got soaked at the fete & sports races that we attended along with our Grandchildren and their parents. Picniced under gazebos and the rain was so heavy it just poured through. Still a lot of fun though. Just got back having dried off and changed enjoying a nice hot cuppa. Love and hugs Pam xx

    1. Hi Pam – I am so pleased to hear that you have had a very enjoyable – if wet – day with your family. Much needed I'm sure – take care, love and hugs Gilly xx

  20. Hi Barbara! It sounds like you're having a wonderful time going with the flow!
    Love that little basket and can't wait to see it full of whittled spoons!
    Enjoy tomorrow!
    Love and hugs! Xxx

  21. Hi Barbara! It sounds like you're having a wonderful time going with the flow!
    Love that little basket and can't wait to see it full of whittled spoons!
    Enjoy tomorrow!
    Love and hugs! Xxx

  22. Brilliant. Nothing like a bit of basket weaving… Next we will have you weaving a frame for a mirror!!! Great to see you both enjoying yourselves. We need to see the spoons!!! Hugs xxx

  23. Hi to all my lovely blog friends that I've not spoken too above. Hope you've had a good day.
    Morag hope you are feeling better and coping with whatever has been bothering you that you can't yet talk about, we're here for you when you need to talk, thinking of you and sending some hugs to hopefully help you through this.
    Hi Dot, hope things get easier for you soon. Sending you hug, Love and hugs to you all and everyone on this blog. Pam xxx

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