Baby Quilt

The daughter of some friends of ours has just given birth to her first child so I made this baby quilt for her. I decided to use up fabric that I had already, some of which I have had for years.

Nebworth Classic Car Show

With today being August Bank holiday here in the UK we went with friends to visit the Classic Car Show at Nebworth House http://www.classicmotorshow.com/knebworth-classic-motor-show.htm

The weather was good, after the wet and windy days we have been experiencing and the cars were great to look around. I wouldnt know what make most of cars are that I have photographed, without my husbands help but I thought the pictures were worth posting. The bottom photo is of clouds reflected in the bonnet of a car

Twins

We have been looking after these two for a day and a night while our daughter and son in law went into London to celebrate their 11th anniversary. We have had a great time, visiting the children's farm and taking a walk in Ashridge.

African Fabric

While away in South Africa I bought some fabric, they have beautifully designed fabric over there. The first photo is of Shwe Shwe I have added a link to a blog which shows the history of this fabric. It is stiff to feel and requires soaking in salk water before use. I would have liked to have brought back lots of pieces, they look lovely made up into quilts.

http://awesomefabricsfromsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2009/03/history-of-shwe-shwe.html

The second fabric is called Khanga. Khangas originate on the East African coast, they are found throughout the region and contribute to the richness of the Swahili culture. They are a vibrant expression of style, as well as a medium for conveying messages in numerous cultural and social settings.

Shwe Shwe

Khanga

I am spending a few days in Devon with my grandaughters....pretty busy but lots of fun!

Trip to the beach

Some serious play

and a pottery class, after painting our bowls from last week we made leaf plates

A visit to some pretty gardens in Cornwall

Waddesdon Manor

Today is our day off so we went to Waddesdon Manor, this is a National Trust property which was was built between 1874 and 1889 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world. if you would like to read some of the history of this property you can see it here
http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/plan_your_visit/history.htm

It is certainly a beautiful place, I have been there once before at Christmas when the main rooms are all decorated in different styles for season, with beautifully dressed trees and table settings.

Walking around the rooms today we did feel a little uncomfortable after having just returned from South Africa and seeing such poverty there and comparing it with the luxurious self-indulgence of this place. It is quite hard to get the balance and be able to enjoy the amazing design of this property and its beautiful gardens.

The School Route

When we were visiting our family in South Africa I did the 'school run' most days with my daughter to take and collect our grandsons. These photo's were taken along the route, the orange flowers in the bottom photo grew on trees in this Indian community, I cant remember the name of them so Vashti if you read this perhaps you could put the name in the comment box (she knows everything!)

Mcetshwa Primary School, Kwazulunatal

We have arrived home from South Africa now but I have a few more photo's to post. The community where our daughter and son in law work with orphans has this school. A business man from the UK sponsors their charity to carry out a breakfast feeding program in the school. Often children, especially those with no parents at home, will arrive at school not having eaten so this program is vital for them children to carry on their school day. They also take their volunteers to the school to help with English lessons and games with the children. While we were there the children sang and danced Zulu dances for us. When I figure out how, I will post a video clip!

Teachers

Some of what this trip is all about

'Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.'

James 1:27

Yesterday we took a trip to a valley in Kwa Zulu Natal, to see the Project O house,

www.project-o.org.za this has been built for orphans to live in and a familyof 5 brothers and their GoGo (grandmother) have moved in. It was an amazing drive and great to see the house finally finished and lived in. Later we drove to what seemed like the top of the world, up a dirt road driving up and up into the hills to see where the next house will be built together with a pre school. Some of the team went out on the quad bikes to deliver food to orphans living in other huts and shacks in the community. We also visited a local school and I will post photos of those another day.