Flowers, packing, opera

Did you all have a nice relaxing Easter weekend?

I've been VERY busy, but I've really enjoyed it and now have that great feeling of satisfaction after a really productive few days. Shame I had to go back to work today though!

Regular readers will know that we're intending to move this year, so we've spent the Bank Holiday weekend looking at houses and decluttering our own. The garage is looking a lot tidier now that I've boxed up all of my plastic pots and gardening paraphernalia and taken it to my Mam's house; the patio has been cleared of my little nursery plants (cuttings and divisions taken last year with a view to a possible move to a new garden!) and they're now in foster care in Mam's garden; and you can actually see the floor in my workroom now that I've packed away lots of my crafting bits and bobs - now in storage in Mam's garage - can you see a theme here?!!!

I also took the time to have a potter in the garden; it's looking really pretty at the minute now that the lovely delicate spring flowers are in full bloom (and of course I had to take a few photos for you!)

We also managed to find the time to fit in a trip to The Sage. It's right on our doorstep and we do go quite often, but hubby is far more appreciative of classical music than I am - I just like a good tune! We saw the Orchestra of Opera North and the Huddersfield Choral Society, and their version of 'Carmina Burana' was absolutely fantastic! The 'O Fortuna' movement was amazing! Here's a version that I found on YouTube.

How did you spend your Easter?

Blog on the Tyne

I had a lovely afternoon off work on Wednesday last week. Mam and I did a bit of shopping in Newcastle - she bought loads of yarn for baby knits (new great grand-daughter due at the end of October), and I bought a few small zips (going to crochet some pretty little purses).

Then we had a lovely lunch and chat at the Eye on the Tyne, and a walk along Newcastle Quayside. The weather was lovely - really warm and sunny.

We walked over the Millennium Bridge...

...and posed for a slightly windy photo at Baltic Square (standing in front of HMS Calliope, the Royal Naval Reserves base where Dad used to work).

Then we walked up to The Sage...

...and admired the views from the Gateshead side of the river.

All of the bridges have a 'special something' about them. My favourite is probably the High Level Bridge (my avatar is a photo of me on the HL; seen inbetween the Tyne Bridge and Swing Bridge here). But if I've been away for any length of time, I always know I'm back home when I see the Tyne Bridge; it brings a lump to your throat, it's such an iconic structure.

We finished off a lovely afternoon with a hot chocolate in The Sage. It was great to spend some time alone with Mam. She is such a lovely, kind and thoughtful person; I hope she realises how much she is loved and respected by the whole family; we often think it, but probably don't say it enough do we? So I'll say it now - Mam, you are so special. Love you lots! And thanks for a great day out. xxx