out on the balcony

The narrow wooden walkway that is our balcony has become one of my favourite spots during these early spring, sun-drenched days. The sun's rays are arriving earlier and earlier every morning. Which is a welcomed change after the long winter months  spent deep in the bowels of the valley.

From my vantage points, I can see cats frolicking in the surrounding gardens.  I've observed the neighbour's pear-tree come into bud, then blossom then bloom. Amourous kestrels chase one another overhead, shrieking as they dash and dive through the cloudless sky.

I love it out here, wrapped up in the warm breeze and sunshine, a knitting project on my needles, and my eyes and ears open wide.

solace

Somehow, spring seems such a hopeful time of year.

Somehow, against all the odds, we have made it through the winter.
Perhaps we'll make it through this blip after all?

As the days lengthen once more, the buds turn to blossom then leaves and the song thrush sings late into the dusk, I find solace in nature, in this season of renewal.

baby steps

It was very difficult at first, getting to know the wheel, how to turn the peddle, adjusting the tension. But one evening last week sat beside the fire, everything just seemed to click. I stopped thinking and let my fingers do the work, teasing out the fibres, twisting them with my fingers, guiding them onto the bobbin.

And all of a sudden I was spinning, actually making my own yarn!

Next step...plying - eek! 

stashing

Going for a rummage at the recyclerie naturally means I come back with a heap of useless junk treasures that need sorting and laundering and organising. 

Coming home with a crate of old sheets, curtains, bedspreads and pillowcases naturally means that I'm aching to get started on a heap of new projects right away. 

I started by doing the laundry....

19 mars

This is what an immigrant looks like, grinning from ear to ear and full of wide-eyed wonder and hope, having just set foot in the country she has longed for from afar for so very long.

That was me back in 2009, at the start of my year abroad. The 19th of March 2009 will forever be a day engraved in my memory.

It was the day I was first woken by the bells of L’Eglise des Templiers, the day I took my first steps as an English Language Assistant in Esquièze School, the day I began my life here in the Pyrenees.

We visited the school, we went to Lourdes, I drove in the gorges for the first time. My Pa was with me every step of the way, getting me ready for the inevitable separation, which at the time was heartbreaking.

Apart from the smiling face, I can hardly recognise myself in that photo above, hardly believe I had the courage, aged only 21, to take the plunge and start up life abroad. As I think back to my first few weeks out here, it is wonderful to realise just how far I have come, how much I have grown and learnt during my time here. And how attached I have become to this place.

little sheep

This is a gift for a good friend whose first baby is due mid-April. She is Scottish and the wee bairn's papa is French and a cheese seller. So I thought a little sheep was quite appropriate, and perfect for tiny hands to clutch at. 

The improvised pattern turned out better than expected, although I might make a few adjustments to the shaping. Once I've done some more fiddlying with it, I might put it up here. 

I suspect I'll be making plenty more of these little lambs as having a baby seems to be pretty contagious round these parts at the moment...

Pattern: My own improvisation

Needles: 4mm

Yarn: Unidentified recycled acrylic

doing the laundry

Of all the household tasks, washing and pegging out laundry has to be the least mundane for me. The washing, the pegs, the basket: it's timeless, homely and an oddly cheering sight.

If only I found ironing just as satisfying....

bear # 5

My niece will be eleven years old in April. I hope that's not too old to be given a hand-knitted teddy? I enjoyed testing a new bear pattern for this ted - complete with contrast paw pads and a stripey sweater.

Pattern : "Annie and George" from the excellent book "The Knitted Teddy Bear"
Knitted for the first time

Materials: 
Knitting needles: Size n° 3 mm
Yarn: Unknown, recycled yarn, around 100g for the bear, 30g for the sweater
Stuffing: Laine cardée récupérée


Technique : ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Result : ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Overall cost: around 1€50 for the recycled materials

This is the first time knitting a bear from a different pattern, the main difference being each side of the head and body are knitted up in one piece, with a central seam down the body. I'd like to try this pattern again, this time finishing it in stocking stitch (rather than reverse stocking stitch). I'd also like to try using beads for the eyes as once again, I found the embroidery a little difficult. This bear's face ended up being a little on the wonky side for my liking, but he still passed quality control of both Nico and my brother!

big brother

My brother has been visiting for a few days. The men folk went out ski-touring every day. I mostly stayed at home on the balcony, knocked out by a chest infection, but knitting to my heart's content in the sunshine.

It's hard to describe how wonderful it is when a family member or close friend comes out to visit. Walking to the boulangerie to buy the morning croissants. Cooking dinner for him. Flopping on his bed and talking like when he was still living at home. Sharing with them little aspects of my life out here.  

I treasure these intense moments spent together. Even the most mundane task becomes special simply because for a short time, we are doing it together. 


When they go back again, it can be hard. But to know they've been here, walked through these village streets and along these valley paths is enough.
 

hello, sunshine

The past few days have been just glorious. Warm breezes, cloudless skies, sunshine on our faces. Trees, flowers and hedgerows bursting into bloom. White blossoms against swathes of blue sky. Delighted cries of "It feels like spring summer!" when bare legs and bare toes get their first outing of the year.

We're halfway through the new month and I've decided to take a break from work. I need a bit of breathing space. To slow down. To gather my thoughts. To listen to the rythms of my body. To find a place for healing.  

It's not been an easy decision to make, and we certainly haven't taken it lightly. Right now, I'm a little afraid of what this is actually gonna mean for me, for us. But as the anxiety and tension gradually melt away, I'll gradually be able to appreciate the decision. This slower life is exactly what I need right now. Knowing that I have nothing to do but to listen to my body, to pace myself, to finally find balance. I'll have time for siestas. Time to slowly walk around the village, leaning heavily on Nico's arm. I'll have time. Time to sit out in the warming sun and do....absoloutly nothing.

As we step into this newness, as we slow down, I say with a joyful heart: "Hello, sunshine. You are so very welcome."