Unravelled

The knitting, that is . . . . 

 I don't think I have ever unpicked a knitting project as many times as I have this one :-((   Both sleeves have been knitted up (and cast off) only for me to discover they needed to be altered, so unpicked several inches.  Goodness, is this proving to be a test of my patience.  

However, I am determined to finish this jumper before I start another project - they are lined up ready and waiting! - so I am taking my time and plodding on.  The sleeves are now done again, and fitting so much better; it was worth all the unravelling.  Only the neckline to pick up and knit, then seams to be sewn to finish off.  I am very thankful N is so patient in waiting for this jumper; I certainly didn't expect it to take this long to knit.  I think the moral of this particular story is, in future, use a pattern!

This week has seen yet more rain and high wind.  Across the country floods and gales have wreaked havoc.  And more on the way.  We try to take advantage of a dry couple of hours to get out and walk, even if it's only into town and back, otherwise I think we might get a little 'stir-crazy'.

We are still waiting for quotes for building work.  I can understand that in this weather tradesmen may not be keen to go and price a job up, or that roofers are probably all busy dealing with loose slates and ridge tiles, but if that's the case, please just tell us.  Don't say 'yes, I'll get back to you in a couple of days' if it's not going to happen; there's only so many times we can chase for quotes.  We feel a bit helpless at the moment, just waiting.  Again, perhaps a lesson in patience.  

The local birds tend to take shelter in the worst of the weather, so we don't tend to see many of them unless there's a break in the rain.  In the high winds even the bigger birds get blown about by the gusts.  

This jackdaw was on the fence earlier this morning, they have very 'beady' eyes: 

 and a little later, this pied wagtail was out and about - it's long tail is constantly 'wagging' up and down as it walks.

One of my tasks this week was to cut my hair.  It lasts for about 6 weeks between cuts and seems to go from 'OK' to 'really not OK' almost overnight!  That's when the scissors have to come out and I spend half an hour in front of the bathroom mirror.  It may not be a professional cut but it's generally not too bad at all.  The only bit I struggle with is at the nape of my neck and thankfully N is usually on hand to tidy that bit up for me ;-).  Job done and a few £s saved, not to mention a little less grey hair for a few weeks!