There are also a lot more slugs than we remember seeing in Cumbria. That must be the chickens, and perhaps wrong sort of terrain for slugs. But there have been some big juicey ones slurping their way across the path in the morning.
Bob has had an infection and has been taking antibiotics. He is very good at not taking his pill and spitting it out when we are not looking. but he has taken enough to cure his infection and ws given the all clear today. This entailed us taking a urine sample from him, hence Ian was following Bob around this morning with a little phial, whilst Bob steadfastly refused to go. No wonder Bob was refusing to go, I think it was a bit off putting for him. Not sure what the residents of Saltford thought of Ian eccentric behaviour.
Basil had to go back to the vets today as he has two microchips and as such might bleep twice when he is scanned at the ferry port, so they had to write a note in his passport. I think that Basil is going to be sad to leave here as he feels that at last he is getting the recognition he deserves. Most days he get a comment or two when we are out. But he gets a little annoyed when he is accused of being a mother dog out with ‘her’ puppies.
Yesterday Ian, Viv and myself went to Lacock to have a wander around Watlings (the jeweller www.watlings.co.uk). We were looking for inspiration (which is completely different from looking for ideas to pinch!). Both Viv and I like Jane Watlings work and there was plenty of designs there. Probably just as well that my tools etc are in storage! They also had some exceptional glass beads made into necklaces – they were almost like small paperweights, well the techinique looked the same. We had lunch in Lacock and headed back. Basil spent the lunchtime with Jim and Vivs dogs.
No news on the move front, but we’ve not been pushing as we’re still getting our mortgage sorted. Hopefully we’ll be in a position to get things going the start of November as it would be nice to be settled by Christmas.
We’ve been doing some planning and have a solid business plan – ish for the coming year or two. This is largely based around courses and I have been planning some craft based courses and Ian is still thinking about his build-your-own-website courses which sounds good. My courses are probably better described as workshops and will cover the following;
Hand dying Wools and Yarns
Feltmaking
Crocheted Jewellery
Crocheting / Knitting with beads
Make your own ceramic beads
I’m also thinking about a ‘learn to knit or crochet’ course as knitting and crochet are really popular at the moment and this might lend itself to a good weekend course. Scarfs are the lastest ‘big thing’ and people could quite easily learn to knit or crochet and make a scarf in a weekend.
My other idea is to run ‘Hen craft courses’ for brides and their friends to come along and make things! They could make jewellery, head dresses, table adornments, wedding presents etc over a glass of vinho or two. I think with a bit of imagination we could put something quite good together and a bit different. Ian is very supportive of this one – nothing to do with having a house full of hen party participants he assures me!
We are finding it difficult to come up with the right name for our courses and B&B. Dont think the house has a name (yet), and trying to sum up the right ‘image’ in a name is difficult. We got it right with Mrs Scrub and Munch, and the more we think about it the harder it gets!