Monday 30 November 2020

The Distancing Diaries - 29th & 30th November, 2020

 

On Sunday morning I was first up, seeing to the lads and bringing mugs of tea back to bed where we read until 8.30am. We had toast for breakfast and watched The Andrew Marr Show. I painted my nails with Barry M's Black Cherry.

It was another dull and dreary day. Jon popped out on a grocery run before doing some measuring up for our next DIY adventure. I hand-washed the me-made crochet blanket we keep in the shelter, spritzed a few of the house plants, caught up with Blogland and cracked on with some more crochet.

After our noodles we went for a walk around the block via the derelict Highgate Brewery at the end of the avenue. 

Opening in 1898, at its peak Highgate brewery employed over sixty staff and, by the 1970s, produced over 2,500 barrels of mild a week. After unsuccessful mergers with the Bass and Davenports breweries it closed in 2010 and has remained empty ever since.


The grade II listed building failed to sell when it went up for auction a few years ago. Although trendy apartments seem like a great option, the brewery is sited at the end of a narrow lane in the middle of a conservation area so vehicular access would be a problem. Its so sad to see it deteriorating and I expect, like many of Walsall's historical buildings, it will mysteriously burn down one night. 


How cute is this Sikh musician, one of a pair that flanks the gates of a huge new built down a track off our usual route? Walsall has a large Punjabi Sikh community, hence the reason we've had a guruwada at the end of the street since 1964. November 30th marks Guru Nanak's birthday and normally there's a big procession through the town but sadly not this year.

WEARING: Vintage India Imports of Rhode Island maxi, 1970s suede jacket (both eBay), pom pom hat (made by me)
 

When we got back Jon set to work tuning a couple of guitars for a friend whilst I, finding a couple of episodes of Money for Nothing on the i Player to have on in the background, continued with my crochet.


I bought a couple of balls of this wonderfully lurid Aran wool for 99p in a charity shop last year, I used one ball to make another hat, topping it off with a bastard massive pompom made from the leftover yarn from Jon's beer mittens.

After a tea of baked beans, vegetarian sausages & jacket wedges topped with grated cheese I did a load of washing, hung it up in the utility room and joined Jon in the lounge for a few episodes of The Antiques Road Trip whilst restitching the crochet blanket I'd washed earlier.


Earlier in the day I'd put a snipe bid in for a vintage dress I was watching on Ebay but as there were thirteen other bidders I didn't fancy my chances but, when I went to turn my PC off before going bed, I was excited to discover that I'd won it for significantly less than my maximum bid. My rivals must have been distracted by something on the TV.

On Monday after the first Wii Fit session of the week I wrapped up the weekend eBay sales before joining Jon in the kitchen for fruit & yogurt. After breakfast Jon whizzed the parcels round to the Post Office. My Superdrug order arrived with our friendly MyHermes driver and we had a chat on the doorstep before I unpacked the parcel, giving the contents a wipe over before putting everything away. 


It was another wet, drab and grey day and, with no need to leave the house, I settled into my next project determined that by teatime I'd master the dark art of double crochet.


In the olden days BC (before Covid) Jon & I mostly spent Mondays either tazzing round the chazzas or indulging in a boozy all-dayer down the pub but there's no point in whingeing that we can't do either of them any more. I'm confident that life will eventually return to normal but in the meantime I'm loving having the time to learn a new skill.

 
I'm wearing the 1970s Dagina Indian block printed maxi dress whose zip I'd replaced last week. I've winterised it by adding a recycled sari silk wrap top. 

After our noodles Jon tucked himself away in the music room for the afternoon while I made myself a pair of wrist warmers/beer mittens with the rest of the charity shopped rainbow Aran wool in double crochet! I would have given them a trial run with a walk around the block but it was pissing  down and Jon was in a creative world of his own.


Wool and hooks packed away, I took myself off upstairs for some self-care. Meanwhile Jon prepared halloumi, roasted vegetables and potato lattices for tea remembering to take some bread out of the freezer for our sandwiches - it's National Trust day tomorrow, the highlight of our week.

Stay safe and see you soon!

56 comments:

  1. Happy Monday evening Vix! IThe maxi you had on for your walk is one of my favourites. I love the close up shot of your beer mittens as it showcased your beautiful jewellery too. You are certainly getting on with the crochet. I think it is so sad that the old brewery does not have a new life. I forgot how cute your outdoor entertaining area is. Well good news this end Christmas with the extended in -law family is postponed as it is just too risky . I am so glad and look forward to the day at home (gee there's a change lol). The better news is we received our new adopted cat today!! She is only 18 moths old. The woman that had her took her to the charity (RAIN) they are excellent. She said she did not want her as she was pregnant! So the kittens were born and mum needed a home of her own The couple that brought her to us were so nice and refused a donation! It is so nice to know that world does have nice people in it beside blogland of course! hugs Shazxx

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    1. Hello Shaz! I'm pleased to hear that you've postponed Xmas, it makes perfect sense and having a celebration in the spring seems a much better option, at least you can do it outside.
      I'm so excited about your new cat! That's so sad that her previous owner got rid of her as she was pregnant, the poor girl needs love and I know she'll get it from you. It sounds like the people who brought her knew that you were the perfect parents and it does warm your heart to know that there's kind folk in the world (you included!) xxx

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  2. I so admire people who can make things!! Like being a good cook, artist, knitter, crotcher, gardener, etc. And music? I can play an Indian harmonium and lead people in a sort of rock'n'roll yoga chant - but otherwise? Not a musical bone in my body - but I often wistfully think how lovely it would be to have a muso around.

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    1. I never used to consider myself someone who could make things but I'm excited that I can! Jon's got one of those harmoniums somewhere, they are lovely things to look at and creating a tune from one is quite a skill! I haven't a musical bone in my body. xxx

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  3. I love your hat and beer mittens - so happy, I am sure you could sell those on ebay and have people snapping them up if you got a large supply of very colorful wool. People need color these days. My brains not working right or I might actually take up crochet. Instead I make our home cozy and now that I have my last treatment for 2 months behind me want to cook more. After a massive storm last night we took Buddy for a walk in the sunshine which was unexpected but welcome, I haven't taken him for a walk in weeks so it was a treat for both of us. Ah for the days of a day spent in a pub!

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    1. Thanks, Tammy! I'm not sure my crochet would bear close inspection but maybe when life returns to normal and festivals are a thing again I could make a few for chilly revellers!
      I'm delighted that you're having a break from the treatment. Crochet might be an option when you're convalescing after Xmas. I follow a Canadian lady on YouTube, she explains everything so well and her accent is lovely. xxx

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  4. Hi Vix, how's it going? Have been meaning to comment for a while but have been so busy at work,... mustn't complain!! Loved the photos of the finished kitchen!! You look great in the Rhode Island maxi and matching pom pom hat, beautiful colours, you really are so talented! What a pity about Highgate Brewery, so sad to see these places ending up like this. Reading a wonderful book you'd love, I'm sure, winner of the Pulitzer Prize a couple of years ago, "The Overstory" by Richard Powers, a love letter to nature and trees! You really brighten up my day with your posts!! Keep safe, lots of love from Barcelona! xxx

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    1. Hello Diana! How lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your compliments and kind words.
      I've made a note of The Overstory, I know we share similar taste in books so I shall see if I can track a copy down.
      Sending you much love back from a very soggy Walsall! xxx

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  5. My eldest lad and his wife had a burglary at their house a few years back and amongst other things the barstewards who did the dirty deed carted off was his beloved Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, in a gorgeous shade of kingfisher blue and which he'd just paid 450 quid to have repaired and restrung, alongwith the acoustic guitar which I'd given him for his 21st. He was devastated at their loss, as was his wife who lost her beloved grandmother's art deco earrings which my daughter-in-law had just worn to her wedding, among other beautiful bit and pieces of jewellery. I'm glad you're getting into your crochet groove. It's so soothing and satisfying. Love your new fingerless mitts. Did you work into the back loop only, hence the ridge? Have a good day out tomorrow. xxx

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    1. Your son and his wife have our sympathies, we've had a few burglaries in our time and the parental home was ransacked weeks after Dad had to go into a home. I bet they sold the guitars and earrings for hardly anything, too, all that for a fix. Bastards.
      I've since unraveled the wrist warmers and had another go. You're right, it's a lovely relaxing way to spend a wet afternoon (or all day if today's icy rain continues!) xxx

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  6. That brewery would be an incredible arts space. I'm surprised teenagers haven't been having covert raves or something in there.
    You've learned to crochet quickly. I only know one stitch and the only thing I make are dishcloths. I'm envious of your gorgeous hats and gloves.
    I really should re-string my guitar, even if it hasn't been played in years. Maybe I can order strings online.

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    1. The brewery would make a great arts space but it was built in the days of horses and carts and being a mile from the town centre the parking issue would probably drive the people in the neighbouring houses mad.
      I love how quickly crochet grows. I wouldn't mid tackling a h, there's only so many hats and beer mittens a woman can have!
      Jon buys his strings online. xxx

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  7. What a shame about the brewery-it looks magnificent! I HATE it the way things 'mysteriously' burn down- bloomin insurance jobs.
    Your crocheting looks amazing- super impressive!!! I can't wait to see what else you do with these new found skills!!!

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    1. There's been so many of Walsall's heritage buildings that mysteriously burn down in the right, paving the way for hideous executive flats or breeze block McDonalds drive throughs, it makes me mad.
      It's crochet day today, I think. Hopefully Jon might have a new hat but tonight! xxx

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  8. Ooh, and now you have a set of toque and gloves! How marvelous! Well done on mastering the double-crochet - now you can make pretty much anything! I only know chain, single- and double-crochet, along with a fancy backwards-crocheting edging that I learned when I was a kid, and I've made an entire Barbie doll wardrobe from crochet!

    That is sad about the brewery - I like the idea of an arts space, like a school, like what Goody above mentioned.

    Your silk sari top is so pretty! I love the pattern. We have a huge Indian population here in Victoria too. I'd say about a quarter of my coworkers are from India, a mix of Sikh and Hindu.

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    1. I bet your Barbie had the most fabulous wardrobe!
      An arts space with maybe a small cinema and a bar would be wonderful and two minutes away from our front door.
      I'd love Victoria! xxx

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  9. I love the beer mittens-could you say why they are called that? I think we would just call them fingerless gloves. I'll look forward to your next post as I love to tag along on your trust visits. Well done mastering a new skill.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! It's our name for them, we made it up - they're idea when we're partying late into the night at festivals, we can grip our drinks! xxx

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  10. It’s sad when you say that wonderful buildings like that will be burnt down eventually you think they would turn it into creative work shops or something.
    There was a story a while ago how houses in rural Japan were just being left to wreck and ruin as people moved into big cities and no longer had the desire to live in a small community. I am glad to say it is now starting to turn the tide. I would love to live in a rural community but direct links to the city are not the best.
    Mum told me her Hermes driver got robbed last week when the PS5 was released, they nicked his van and broke his wrist, he was back to it two days later. The joys of having a zero hours contract shocking!!
    You are looking fab as always. I am still in the medical mystery I am they did another set of tests and my arthritic factor is high, I could have told them that!! I wore my fingerless gloves to bed last night to bed. I was that cold. I have read 3 books so far. And one on bread making and Indian curries. Which I cannot wait to dig into. Paul put the twig up that’s our Xmas tree about 60cms high and about as Xmas as well not I suppose. The kids love it though. Take care and keep safe you to love and hugs allie

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    1. Hello Allie! In an ideal world the brewery would be a wonderful arts space or like you suggest, workshops, sadly this is Walsall, the town where a large majority of the residents want to shop at Primark and eat at MacDonalds. I'm amazed that we've got a world class art gallery despite most people in town having never set foot in the place!
      The poor MyHermes driver. As if that job wasn't stressful enough. Jon did courier work for a few years.
      All those tests to be told something you already know. I suppose no news is good news. You're going to be a whizz in that kitchen once you're back on your feet. I like the sound of your festive twig! Stay safe! xxx

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  11. OMG that yarn is flipping gorgeous. I would be sitting in a pool of drool if that was in my stash. A thought popped into my head the other day... does Jon write music?... cos I write poetry... We might have a world wide smash hit... :-) Couldn't hold a note to save my life so hoping you can sing Vix :-)

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    1. Isn't it pretty? I was very excited to spot that, the Black Country grannies usually beat everyone to the wool!
      Cherie and Lord Jon, the new Lockdown sensation! xxx

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  12. Love the hat and gloves - you will be the NT belle on your visit (again!!!). That is sad about the brewery, once these places are gone, a piece of history goes with them. Surely the council could think of some way of utilising such a beautiful building? Goody is right, it would be perfect for an Arts and Culture Centre. Unfortunately, it is unlikely there will be much in the way of spare cash when all this is over. . .

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    1. Thanks, Catmac! I went for the trusty sheepskin in the end. I think my bobble hats are more block walking attire, I need a different one for each day!
      I'd love for the brewery to be an arts centre, it would be perfect for us - sadly the town lost our last arts centre due to funding cuts. xxx

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  13. "....or indulging in a boozy all-dayer down the pub." Ya know, this is what my husband and I miss the most too. Jumping on the motorcycle and spending the afternoon hitting up a couple biker bars, where we'd play pool and laugh with our biker acquaintances. I can see you & Jon miss the same sort of comradery too. And oh, those beautiful but abandoned buildings... their emptiness breaks my heart as well. We have a few construction friends and all of them say it costs far more to rehab a building than it does to simply tear it down & start over, so I can understand no one wanting to tackle old buildings such as the brewery you pictured here. My brothers owned a printing company and they bought an old brewery years and years ago, and rehabbed it. When they sold it years later, a brewery bought it and now it's a restaurant/brewery once again. But there's not enough people in the world who are able to do things like that, unfortunately. I hope someone buys the building close to you and rehabs it into magnificence once again. ~Andrea XOXO

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    1. Yay! I love that we have similar interests. I do miss the socialising but keep telling myself that this time next year....
      I've read that restoration often costs more than tearing something to the ground and starting from scratch. Kudos to your brothers for saving that brewery, I hope someone does something similar with ours before it vanishes for ever. xxx

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  14. After weeks of lockdown I realised I needed to do something to keep my brain - at least - ticking over! My son and his family live in France and although I can speak 'okay' French I decided to spend the time improving'. I allow myself a certain amount of money for art courses and it was just sitting there so I found a teacher in France and started lessons through Skype. I now have three Skype pals each week speaking half French half English. So pleased I started doing it - and there is still money in my course stash to see me into the new year!

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    1. Well done, Maureen! What a brilliant use of your time. I bet you cannot wait to go to France and see your son & the family again. xxx

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  15. What a beautiful spot of color your blanket brings to the patio shelter! Must say this new (?) addition to your outdoor living space appears even more inviting with the prospect of curling up in a wrap with a mug and a book. Have you some form of heat out there? A brazier from the Indian market? And do the lads find this a comfy outpost for monitoring birds & mice?

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    1. You can spot the blanket as soon as you walk through the gates, it's lurid but marvelously cheerful. If it wasn't trying to snow I'd be out there now with my coffee!
      We do have a brazier but Jon's a bit worried about lighting it so close to all that plastic. Frank's learning to sit in there and observing the birds, Stephen isn't convinced. xxx

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  16. I love the colours on that crochet blanket and all your fab dresses as usual.
    There is an old brewery near us in Liverpool called Cain's Brewery which was converted into small units for artists and just across the road from the trendy Baltic Quarter.
    I went to a yoga event there a few years ago which was hosted by one of my yoga pals but the units looked like they needed a lot of work and I suspect it will be snapped up by developers as the plans for an arts village seemed to have gone by the wayside.
    I hope you have a lovely trip out this week. I look forward to seeing the photos.
    Jane X

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    1. Thanks, Jane! Marriners make some wonderfully bright wool, it's a joy to crochet with it.
      Liverpool has done a fantastic job with preserving their old buildings and breathing new life into them, sadly Walsall council has neither the cash or the inclination do do either! xxx

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  17. I'm loving all this crochet! Also all those rings you're wearing with your hand warmers.
    It seems a shame that the old brewery buildings won't be used and restored. They could be a really interesting project as you say.
    Funny how this lockdown is giving us all the chance to flex our creative muscle, something good to come out of it at least. xxx

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    1. I'm loving this crochet obsession. I was almost glad when I woke up to this horrible weather this morning, it's given me the perfect excuse to stay in and make Jon a hat! xxx

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  18. the photo of you - reading on the recamiere in the window - is looking like a pre-raphaelite painting!
    wonderful!
    love the hat and mittens you crocheted from that colourful flamed yarn. perfect to cheer one up on a cold and gray day of early winter......
    speaking of - we had the first snow today - just a little bit. but it was fun to throw the curtains in the morning to a garden with an icing of white powdered sugar :-D
    stay warm! xxxxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Beate!
      That wool made me smile as soon as i spotted it, the lady in the charity shop was keen to know what my plans were for it, I can't wait to go back and show her, it's been 8 months since I was last in that particular shop.
      I don't think we're far behind you with the snow, we have it forecast for tomorrow! xxx

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  19. We used to have a couple of breweries in our town as well, but as far as I know only one of them has been saved from the sledgehammer. It was converted into an architect's office and private dwelling back in the 80s, and although it has obviously been modernized, most of its original features remain. It would be an utter shame if the buildings of Highgate Brewery weren't to survive!
    How fabulous is that multi-coloured yarn, and so are the woolly hat and beer mittens you've fashioned from it. Congratulations on mastering double crochet!
    You look stunning in both your Rhode Island maxi and Dagina block printed maxi are stunning, and the sari silk wrap top is seriously drool-worthy. We might be spending the majority of our time at home, but that doesn't mean we have to succumb to lounge wear, do we? xxx

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    1. There must be loads of breweries in Belgium. They are such lovely buildings, its such a shame when they fall into rack and ruin.
      Wool is usually quite hard in find in charity shops as the grannies always beat me to it, I think they must have been a bit scared of the rainbow wool and given it a wide berth.
      Lounge wear and ath-leisure! They are as bad as minimalism! xxx

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  20. Interesting to see Highgate Brewery Vix, I remember the bottles. Wow, the dark arts of double crochet! That sounds very complicated, but looks absolutely wonderful. I hope you had a good NT day and look forward to seeing your pics. Lulu x

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    1. Highgate Mild became a bit of a hipster drink down that London for a few years which used to make me laugh, it was always a proper old man's drink here! xxx

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  21. Matching bobble hat and mittens - get you! Well done that woman. I could have done with those mittens today; it was brass monkey weather and the warehouse was freezing...

    I love your new dress and congratulations on winning yet another eBay bargain! I love the new nail varnish in fact I've yet to see one of your colours that I don't like.

    The brewery looks fabulous; I do hope someone can come up with a plan to rejuvenate it soon.

    Take care and enjoy your day out tomorrow,
    xxx

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    1. I think I've found your missing crochet mojo, Vronni! Those mittens are absurdly warm, I wore mine in the house all day yesterday only shedding them when i went in the shower!
      Stay safe! xxx

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  22. I'm feeling even more ashamed at how dull my wristwarmer is compared to yours, and yes, there's still only one of them. :)

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    1. You'll be needing them this week, it's freezing! xxx

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  23. What a waste of a fabulous building that brewery is - it would be amazing as a farmers market for local produce, a gym even ...anything rather than lying empty like that I hope it gets put to good use before it begins to deteriorate, it's part of your local history and heritage - in fact could it even become a listed building? your local authority really should be seeing its value. Your dress is beautiful - you have so many that I like (lucky I'm not your size or you would be at risk of a burglary!). Well done on EBay I had a minor unexpected snipe myself yesterday - don't dare boast until I see what condition it arrives in :) Betty x

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    1. It is a listed building, probably another reason why it didn't manage to sell at auction with all the restrictions associated with it.
      I'm looking forward to seeing your eBay find, there's always that worry that it will live up to expectations but in a way it adds to the excitement, doesn't it? xxx

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  24. Hope the old brewery building can somehow be saved , it is always so sad when buildings with history simply are left to decline.
    I am in aw of your clever crochet skills , those multi colour mittens and beanie are quite something. Great shot of you in that dress and sari silk top on your chaise longue. Take care, have a good week. xx

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    1. It is sad to see our heritage fading away, I used to love the smell of hops when the brewery was operational.
      I'm loving my crochet, its very addictive. xxx

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  25. Oh Vix I can’t see anything wonky about your crochet goodies! I love them. Don’t think my claim to fame goes any further to being born and bred in Small Heath, my Mom also, she never mentioned any connections to the Peaky Blinders, but I’m sure, like me she would have loved the series. I spent my youth hanging about in the park opposite the Garrison pub and of course still have a soft spot for my birth place though changed a lot. Love the look of the Highgate brewery, really should be saved before it is too late. We have a place called Highgate in Brum Another fireside afternoon, keep cheerful! Brummie Sue Xx.






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    1. Thanks, Sue! I ended up unraveling the mittens and having another go, they're less wonky now!
      My Mum would have loved Peaky Blinders, too - especially Cillian Murphy.
      I know Highgate in Brum, we used to drive through it when we traded at Moseley Vintage Fair and I worked with a couple of girls who lived there. Stay warm today, it's horrid out there! xxx

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  26. Happy start of the week and December! I'm sorry to hear about the historical brewery going to waste like that , I hope it won't go down in flames as some other historical buildings. That would really be a shame, I hope it will be preserved.
    So great you're learning double crochet, I'm sure you'll do great. I like the cap you made from that colourful yarn. The wrist warmers are fabulous as well. The printed maxi dresses you're wearing suit you really well. Stay safe and fabulous!

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    1. Thanks so much, Ivana and a happy December to you, too!
      It's sad that the brewery is fading away before our very eyes, it was a huge part of our town's history. xxx

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  27. Lovely to see you looking so fab in your walk through the neighbourhood, love your hat and your suede coat!, and sorry to read that this amazing brewery is not going to be restored in the future, what a waste of fabulousness!
    You look particularly adorable posing in the patchwork corner, reading your crochet book!, and I'm in love with your silk top sleeves!, and beautiful green colors!.
    Your new and colorful hat and wrist warmers are stunning!, you're mastering the art of crochet!.
    Love to see what's in your daily menu, it's really inspiring!
    besos

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    1. It's so sad to see lovely old buildings falling into disrepair, isn't it?
      Patchwork corner, I like that! It's a great place to sit and crochet during the day as it gets so much natural light in the winter now all the leaves have fallen from the tress. xxx

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  28. Excellent job on the double-crochet fingerless gloves. That yarn pattern is so cheerful. It's sad to see buildings like that old brewery go to waste. I realize the location isn't convenient to turn it into living quarters for people with cars, but you would think there would be something useful to purpose it for.

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    1. Thanks, Shelley! It was fun to work with, I never knew what colour would be on my hook next! xxx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix