Days of wool and roses

We've been gripped by a new sport.  Cricket.  It all started with a few lessons at school, then a free taster or two at the local club, and before I knew it I was signing up and buying strange things to put down pants.  It's been an education I can tell you.  We happened to be passing the club today, so we popped in to see how it's done by the big boys.  Of course it's all pretty much a mystery to me.  There was clapping and cheering and it was in no way apparent why.  But the sun was shining and there was tea later on (I've heard rumours of sandwiches with the crusts cut off and scones with jam and cream) and I saw the potential for an afternoon sat knitting and thinking, with just the occasional smattering of light applause required, and I had a bit of a lightbulb moment.  This may just be a sport I can get behind.

My friend Sara at Sara's Crafts very kindly nominated me as one of the two blogs she chose as "Two Good Reads".  It's always lovely to be mentioned, thanks Sara.

In turn I'd like to point you in the direction of Countryside Tales if I may.  Her latest post explains the dangers wildlife is facing as the government and the European Commission explore watering down the legislation currently in place to protect it.  CT's blog is full of fantastic butterfly and moth photos, as well as other wildlife, and her posts are always interesting and informative.  Truly one of my favourite blogs, and very well worth a visit.  There is a petition, organised by Friends of the Earth, that you can add your name to here should you wish.  Protection of our native wildlife is something I feel passionate about.  It will be a disaster if the legal protection is weakened.

The caterpillar and the chrysalis in the pictures are in the garden at the moment.  The chrysalis suddenly appeared on the path.  I think it's an elephant hawk moth that probably fell out of the hedge.  I've put him somewhere safe and hopefully he'll hatch (if that's the right word) and fly off.  We had three or four elephant hawk moth caterpillars in the garden last year, they're really enormous.  I'd love to see the actual moth.  Fingers crossed I'll have the opportunity.

The yarn is a little something I'm working up to knitting for the littlest boy.  A blanket for his bed. He's very keen, as you can imagine.  I'm thinking grey, with little stripes of colour.  It seems slightly unfair that girls have hijacked an entire colour all for themselves.  He's not adverse to the odd splash of pink.  We shall see.  I don't have a huge amount of time for knitting, so it'll probably be a year or two before it's done.  By then he might have been poisoned against pink.

Today was a good weekend day, with a little garden tidying this morning, and some time at the country park this afternoon.  It always surprises me how organised a bit of gardening makes me feel.  I repotted a wisteria, mowed the grass (and daisies), planted some peas and salad leaves and swept up.  And then all was well with the world.  I'm wishing you a good Sunday.