I haven’t written a proper post for ages and the longer I leave it, the more difficult it is to get going again. It’s not that I don’t have anything to write – quite the opposite. The real problem is deciding what to write about… soap dishes or lovely British wool, clothes pegs or plants, knitting or crochet, a new home or hens on holiday… I seem to have been so busy the past few weeks. Eventually, I’m sure I’ll get round to telling you about some or all of these things, but in the mean time, here’s a little collection of photographs…
My busy weeks ended on a sad note. Quite a significant part of Saturday was spent remembering our lost knitting friend, Pauline Bambrey. The funeral was held at the crematorium in Aberystwyth. If anyone ever writes a ‘good crematorium guide’, this must come out as one of the most beautiful settings. The room where the celebrations are held has a huge window at the end, so those gathering to remember their loved ones look out over the most beautiful view. I don’t think I’ve ever been when there wasn’t a red kite swooping over the wooded valley, and Saturday was no exception. The sheer beauty of the place is always poignant:
And this was the music that the family had chosen to close proceedings…
The Snail of Happiness 
Wild Daffodil
/ March 19, 2018What a beautiful song the family chose to play in memory of your friend. I’d never listened properly to the words before, it gives me a sense of Pauline. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018The song felt like a lovely tribute. I think perhaps the saddest thing about the day was meeting her mum – it always seems wrong when a child dies before their parent.
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Born To Organize
/ March 25, 2018Oh, Jan. I’m so sorry. I agree: for a child to go before a parent feels terribly wrong. Pauline must have died so young. Arms around you.
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Nice Piece of Work
/ March 19, 2018I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. What a lovely song to choose.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018She was such a lovely smiley person… I still expect to see her at knit night each Thursday.
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Nice Piece of Work
/ March 20, 2018She’ll be there in spirit x
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tialys
/ March 19, 2018That is a beautiful shawl – just my sort of colours.
I love that song – a wonderful choice and such a beautiful setting in which to say goodbye.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018I made the shawl as something that didn’t require much thought when I wanted to do something with my hands but not my mind! I think I might put it in my etsy shop since I really don’t need another one myself!
The song seemed perfect for Pauline.
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Patricia Collins
/ March 19, 2018Soap dishes, please.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018… I just need to take some photos!
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nanacathy2
/ March 19, 2018I vote for clothes pegs and new home please! Lovely music for your friend. As it happens I have just bought a funeral plan and chosen my own music and readings! Aberystwyth is stunning with the views from the cliff. I only went twice when my son was there, once to deliver him and once for graduation. As it happens my husband was working in Wales and Bristol while he was there which meant he was much closer tha the rest of us living in Oxfordshire as we were then.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018The crematorium overlooks the valley with Clarach in it, but has been cleverly positioned so that you can’t see the caravan sites.
What did your son study? I used to lecture at the university.
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Jennifer Giaccai
/ March 19, 2018It took me a long time to realize that was a picture of your new clothes pins and not an abstract painting!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018They really don’t look like you’d expect, do they? They are fantastically strong and I’ll write more about them when I’ve got time.
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Ann Pole
/ March 19, 2018A beautiful way to remember your friend.
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thecontentedcrafter
/ March 19, 2018That shawl is beautiful – you have such a good eye for colour! And the rest of your photographs are excellent lead-ins to future posts 🙂 Your friend would have been delighted with her funeral by the sounds – though you are right a parent should never have to bury a child! That goes against the right progression of things doesn’t it. Sending hugs and love to you xoxo
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018I can’t claim too much credit for the colours in the shawl… I just decided which of the graded balls to use to give it balance.
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thecontentedcrafter
/ March 20, 2018Well, it’s lovely. I’m waiting for my yarn order to come then you will hear and see what I’ve chosen 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 20, 2018Yay – I’m so excited to see your choices… and to know there will be woolly loveliness being created
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katechiconi
/ March 19, 2018I’m so very sorry about Pauline. I hope she will continue to smile over your shoulder while you knit. And I’m pretty sure she’d be as totally wowed about those socks as I am! I’m looking forward to a riveting series of posts on all those subjects.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 19, 2018I’ve just done the first part of the second sock… the pair will be complete in time for summer, when I (hopefully) won’t need them!! Mind you, it’s very cold here – winter is keeping a firm grip on us!
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katechiconi
/ March 19, 2018They are absolutely splendid.
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Laurie Graves
/ March 20, 2018Those pictures tell a lovely story. So sorry about the death of your friend. What a great song!
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KerryCan
/ March 20, 2018The shawl is nice but it was the sock that really caught my attention! That looks amazing! I’m glad you have your handwork and cozy world to comfort you right now. Your house, too, is a very, very, very fine house . . .
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 20, 2018The sock was slow-going, but I have started the second one now. The pattern is a bit of a challenge, but it’s good for the brain!
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TammieLP
/ March 20, 2018Sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. I am curious about Hens on Holiday thought (sounds like a movie by the Wallace & Gromit team).
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 20, 2018I’ll be writing about their adventures very soon!
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TammieLP
/ March 22, 2018Yay!
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sewchet
/ March 21, 2018Oh, those socks, and the lavender coloured yarn – both heavenly! So sorry that you lost a knitting friend. X
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 21, 2018I am really looking forward to casting on that new yarn, but I want to finish the socks first… I’m trying to avoid an ever-increasing number of WIPs!
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sewchet
/ March 21, 2018All the most creative people have several WIPs on the go to keep motivated, don’t they? I know I do, although, I also know that starting too many get get out of hand…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ March 21, 2018I am trying very hard to maintain a bit of focus at the moment, but all that colourwork does require concentration as do all my current WIPs, so I’m hankering after something a bit more straightforward. There’s also a shawl pattern I’d really like to have a go at, but I so don’t need a shawl!
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tinaor
/ March 22, 2018Sorry to hear about your friend.
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Joni
/ April 28, 2018Stumbled on your post. Beautiful pictures. So sorry for your loss.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 28, 2018Thank you.
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