dressmaking course

Farewell old friend….

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The Rock of Gibraltar painted my me at one of my watercolour lessons

Way back in the summer of 2015, I set off on a blogging adventure. Inspired by the likes of Lucy at Attic24 and several other craft bloggers, I decided that I would have a go at sharing a few snap shots of my life on the Rock. At the time, I had a the unique selling point that I was based in Gibraltar, and at that time, there were no other craft bloggers active on the Rock. I thought that even if no one was interested in what I was making, at least I could share beautiful photos of my sunny surroundings way down in the south of Europe.

The Upper Rock Nature Reserve

I felt compelled to share some of the quirks and beauty of where I was living at the time – a much misunderstood place from the outside. There is so much more to Gibraltar than the day trips from cruise ships and bus tours from along the Costa would have you believe. There’s much more than red phone boxes and fish & chips, British bobbies and Marks and Spencer in the sun. It’s home to a diverse group of people with origins from far and wide, the fortunate byproduct of it’s geographical location at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsular and just a short distance across the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco and the African continent beyond.

The Europa Point lighthouse with the Strait of Gibraltar beyond

Soon I began sharing a series of blog posts called ‘A stroll around Gibraltar’ as I took my camera and later my phone along on walks around the narrow streets and back alleys of Upper Town and into the Nature Reserve of the Upper Rock – in fact my post about the ‘facts and figures of the Med Steps’ remains my most read post to date. I posted more than 200 Sunday Sevens posts and hosted a Friday Photo Challenge on Instagram one year as well.

The view northwards from part way up the Med Steps

I also used Postcard from Gibraltar to share what I was making, from the dressmaking and watercolour classes which I was able to attend once all three Little Postcards (my three sons) were old enough to all go to school, as well as a number of community crochet projects I joined in with from Yarndale worldwide appeals for crocheted bunting and mandalas to Eleonora from Coastal Crochet‘s Seaside Stashbusting blanket and Changing Tides blanket crochet-alongs.

My Seaside Stashbusting blanket inspired by Sandy Bay in Gibraltar

As our family went on trips around the place I would blog about our travels in my ‘A Postcard from…’ posts which included Rome, The Algarve, Carcassonne, and skiing in the Dolomites, as well as UK destinations like Manchester, Cheshire, and Suffolk.

A few photos from one of our holidays in Suffolk as I worked on an Eleonora Tully design from Little Box of Crochet for that year’s Summer Craft Challenge

Postcard from Gibraltar also opened doors for me and I began writing for an online parenting magazine in Gibraltar which now no longer exists sadly, I also got articles published in print for the Calentita! Gibraltarian food festival magazine. In short, Postcard from Gibraltar gave me the confidence to venture back out of my domestic set-up after many years being a stay-at-home Mum.

My Attic24 cosy stripe blanket at Europa Point

In 2020, along with everything else which was happening in the world, close to home for us, change was afoot. We found ourselves moving back to the UK after 11 very happy years in Gibraltar. It was a big adjustment, which wasn’t made any easier by the pandemic, but we survived! At the time, I wondered whether I should continue with Postcard from Gibraltar as it would no longer be ‘from Gibraltar’. I had begun my new podcast project ‘Making Stitches Podcast’ by then, and whilst it brought me very welcome creative distraction – especially during lockdown, I felt I would miss Postcard too much if I just finished it, so I kept it going in a slightly less regular, less sunny and blue skies kind of a way!

I may be in the north of England now but we do still get occasional blue skies!
(Photo taken at Dunham Massey this week)

More than 2 years on from our move though, I think the time is right to say goodbye to Postcard from Gibraltar. I won’t be saying goodbye to it completely though. This blog and all of the previous posts will still be available to read and if you should search for Postcard from Gibraltar online, it will still lead you here. Postcard from Gibraltar is evolving, just as I have, and from now on, will be known as Making Stitches.

It felt right to adapt what I’m already doing to compliment what I have been working on with Making Stitches Podcast. In the last two years, that has gone from strength to strength and is now in it’s 6th Series with more than 50 episodes featuring interviews with creative people from many different disciplines including crochet and knitting (including my old friend Eleonora Tully from Coastal Crochet), dressmaking, embroidery, textile art, weaving, yarn dying and more. In addition to this, I have made a foray into crochet design myself with the launch of my amigurumi crochet patterns. My life has changed quite a bit from what I was doing back in Gibraltar and it’s time this blog caught up with me.

Looking south towards the Rock – photo taken on Alcaidesa beach

I will still post my monthly Postcards (because I would miss writing them too much) although I can’t guarantee I’ll be any more prompt with posting them (!) and I’m pretty sure I will have another go at a Summer Craft Challenge again next year, so in a way nothing has changed, just the name.

View of Gibraltar from La Linea

Thank you to everyone who has read my posts, liked them or commented through the years and a special thank you to those of you who have become friends through this medium too. Your support, although virtual, has been very much appreciated over the years and it’s that which has kept me going. Who knows what lies ahead?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lindsay x

Sunday Sevens #226 14.6.20

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So it’s one of those weeks when Sunday Sevens appears on a Monday (a Bank Holiday Monday as a matter of fact – in honour of the Queen’s birthday), it’s a busy old time Chez Postcard at the moment behind the scenes and boring stuff has been getting in the way of blogging, so please excuse the delay! Without further ado, here’s this week’s edition:

Back to sewing class

As I am a little camera shy on the blog I never imagined that I’d be sharing a full-frontal top of the head to knees photo of myself. But there you go, complete with my slightly wonky home made face mask!

The reason for the photo is that last Monday I got back to my lovely sewing teacher; Dorcas Hammond’s workshop for my first sewing lesson post lockdown. It was a real treat and was a one off stand-alone workshop to make a fleecy hooded body warmer. This was actually scheduled to happen in March – fleecy body warmers are a little bit on the toasty side for Gibraltar in June!

Anyway, the three of us students were sitting spaced out with sanitized hands and face masks but it was great to be back in the saddle even if it was a brief one. Thank you Dorcas x

Clear skies across the Strait

Tuesday brought the delights of a trip to the tip / recycling dump. What joy! However on the return journey I stopped for a look at the view across to Morocco which seems so clear these days – one positive of the lockdown has been a reduction in pollution in these parts – let’s hope that continues.

Peony perfection

I have never seen peonies for sale as cut flowers in the supermarket before but these beauties caught my eye this week along with the deep pink stocks. They have been an absolute delight in a vase on the sideboard. They didn’t last long in the summer heat but they were a joy for a few days.

International Yarnbombing Day 2020

So Thursday was International Yarnbombing Day and this year instead of Yarnbombing public places, knitters and crocheters were encouraged to yarnbomb something closer to home. I chose my favourite crochet spot, a bench on our balcony and recycled my yarnbomb from the Alameda Gardens bicentenary year of 2016. A few Postcard from Gibraltar favourites made it out there too like Llanita the Yarndale Sheep from 2016 and Europa the Unicorn who came on our European adventure with us in the summer of 2017 and my first ever crochet blanket; the Granny Stripe designed by Lucy at Attic 24.

Blue skies

How about that for a blue sky? What a belter. We’ve had some lovely weather this past week, a day and a half of blustery grey cloud and showers on Thursday/Friday but apart from that, some lovely sunshine! The pinks of the St Joseph’s school building showed off the blue to great effect I thought as I walked past.

Blocking time

Doesn’t everyone have their ironing board up on their balcony? I’m not sure what passers by might have thought when I was blocking my Entrelac purse on Saturday – but hey, what does it matter. It’s almost finished…

A stunning sunset

Saturday night’s sunset was an absolute stunner. The sky was on fire!

Podcast update

My guest this week on Making Stitches was Phil from The Twisted Yarn

This week episode 8 of Making Stitches went out and this week the theme was stranded knitting. The hugely talented Phil from The Twisted Yarn was my guest and spoke all about her passion for intricate knitted motifs, her famous crocheted chair and Robyn the Robin who visits her garden.

If you fancy a listen, just search for ‘Making Stitches Podcast’ on your favourite podcast app.

That’s all for this week, I’ll be back next Sunday, all being well. Have a good week!

Sunday Sevens was first created by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

Sunday Sevens #221 10.5.20

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Hello and how are you? I hope you are safe and well wherever you are reading this. We’ve just completed week 7 of lockdown here in Gibraltar but things are slowly relaxing in terms of restrictions and that feels good.

It’s been a week of crochet, walks and a fun podcast about quilting! Here’s this week’s Sunday Sevens:

Gibraltar plumbing…

So last Sunday afternoon our walk was cut short by a phone call from a neighbour to say one of our pipes had sprung a leak. Can you see the jet of water spray shooting upwards? Well that was our salt water pipe which fills the cistern to flush our loo.

The pipe’s only a couple of years old but because it gets direct sunlight in the mornings it’s perished the plastic. Plumbers are a bit thin on the ground in Gib at the moment as many trades people who work in Gibraltar come in from Spain. I found one eventually, but it took him 4 days to source a ladder tall enough to reach the pipe.

I know we speak a lot these days about the things we once took for granted before lockdown began, but there’s nothing like constantly filling your cistern with a bucket in order to flush that makes you reckon you’ll never take a flushing toilet for granted again!!

Thank heavens it was fixed on Thursday…

Sunset

I spied this lovely sunset one evening as I walked past the open front door. It’s nice just to take a moment to appreciate them when they come along.

Hat making workshop

I’ve been missing my weekly dressmaking lessons with my sewing teacher Dorcas lately. She hasn’t been idle during lockdown though, she’s been uploading video tutorials and selling patterns online. On Tuesday I took part in one of her online classes – and made a hat! It was upcycled from an old pair of trousers and turned out rather well.

If you fancy taking one of Dorcas’ classes online just visit Dorcas Fashion Academy on YouTube.

Paint job

While clearing out the shed, I found some paint, so decided to give our gate a facelift. One day for undercoating and another for gloss. I’m pleased with my work. FYI the paint splatters were on cardboard I put down – not the floor (I’m a messy decorator).

Lily in bloom

This beautiful lily, which lives beside our front door, came into bloom this week. I love it when it comes to life like this.

5K walk

There’s an appeal underway in Gibraltar to raise money for the Covid fund for the local health service. They are asking people to walk, run or cycle 5 km and donate £5. We did our 5k on Friday, the VE Day bank holiday.

It was a super, sunny afternoon and even Littlest did very well, in spite of his legs being a lot shorter than the rest of ours!

#finishedforfriday

A few weeks ago, Black Sheep Wools issued a call to action to help us work through our WIP piles (work-in-progress) I have one or two (ish) projects on the go including this jumper which has been in my WIP pile for about 18 months.

I didn’t manage to get it finished for that Friday but I got it finished for this Friday instead! I’m really pleased with it – it’s the first item of clothing (which I’d be happy to be seen in public wearing) that I have crocheted.

It was made from a Simply Crochet Magazine pattern using Stylecraft Linen Drape in Cranberry. I love it! Shame it’s not really jumper weather in Gibraltar at the moment!

It has the nice heart detail in filet on the sleeves too

Making Stitches Podcast

Also on Friday I published the latest episode of Making Stitches Podcast. This one is about a community quilt being made in lockdown inspired by a quilt made by female prisoners of war in Changi in Singapore during WWII. You can find it on podcast apps by searching for ‘Making Stitches’ or here.

That’s Sunday Sevens done for another week, I hope you are ok and managing with whatever restrictions you have had imposed upon you. I hope the week to come is a good one for you…

Sunday Sevens was first created by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

Sunday Sevens #207 27.10.19

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Hello there welcome to this week’s Sunday Sevens. You find us on midterm here in Gibraltar – and we are enjoying the prospect of not having an early alarm tomorrow morning!

Trafalgar Memorial

It was the 214th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on Tuesday. Every year, on a Sunday near to the anniversary, a special ceremony takes place at Trafalgar Cemetery in Gibraltar. This year’s remembrance happened last Sunday.

The men who lost their lives in the battle are remembered and wreaths are laid on the graves of two men who came to Gibraltar immediately afterwards for treatment, but who died from their wounds.

There is always a Royal Navy vessel in port for this ceremony and the sailors attend in their uniforms. It’s a really special time.

Med Steps on a Monday

It was a beautifully clear, sunny morning on Monday and I headed off up the Med Steps. I spied these two big black birds overhead which were circling above the Rock and causing a great deal of excitement amongst the seagull population. I spoke to one of the wardens about them, and I’m reliably told they are a pair of ravens, and it’s hoped that they will breed next year.

Dressmaking class

So my second pair of trial run trousers were sewn this week and although my problematic large calves were adequately accommodated, elsewhere they were a bit on the large side this week! Darts are the order of the day in my next class!

Sunset alert

Sunday sevens wouldn’t be Sunday sevens without a sunset pic would it? Here’s this week’s one.

Framing my paintings

I finally got round to framing a few of my watercolour paintings this week. I bought some frames a few weeks back and wanted to hang them in the hall. My seashells from two years ago we’re just the right size.

A catch-up with a lovely friend

A lovely friend of mine came round for a visit this week – the first time I’ve seen her in months – and she brought these beautiful flowers. They look glorious in their vase and are a lovely reminder of a fab chat over lunch.

A prickly situation

This little chap/lady got him/herself into a bit of a tangle this week in my parents’ garden in Manchester. (So this isn’t one of my photos – thanks Dad). The last time I remember seeing a hedgehog in their garden I was about 10 – so it’s not a common occurrence, or if it is, they are very stealthy!

He/she had a rest in a box in their porch before heading off for a wander…

And that brings this week’s Sunday Sevens to a close for another week. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Sevens was first created by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

Sunday Sevens #204 6.10.19

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Hello there! We’re basking in some beautiful autumnal sunshine here at the moment in Gibraltar. If the weather where you are isn’t too great I’ll have a word and see if we can share some of ours with you! Here’s this week’s Sunday Sevens:

A new skill to start the week

On Monday I went to an extra skills workshop with my Dressmaking teacher Dorcas Hammond to learn how to do shirring and make a shirring dress. I saw some of the work produced by my fellow Dressmaking students on the last workshop and it was beautiful. Shirring is such a useful technique, not only can you make pretty dresses, but also tops, waistbands and sleeves.

I can’t wait to find the time in my busy weeks to actually put my new found skills to the test! I have bought fabric and am raring to go! Now this little dress is ready to go to a young lady I know….

The end of an era

There has been much debate and regret on local social media and in the press about the demolition of the Queen’s Cinema. When we first arrived in Gibraltar we lived very close by and I loved the architectural style of it from the outside. On the two occasions I was able to attend events inside, it was so reminiscent of the old cinema in the town where I grew up, it felt so homely straight away.

It had closed as a cinema by the time we arrived here to live, as the new purpose built leisure complex at Kings Bastion had a couple of brand new screens, so I didn’t see it in its heyday. I think it’s such a shame that a developer or the Government didn’t turn it into a facility for the community. Perhaps showing old films or for local productions? Anyway, that won’t happen now, just the bottom of the walls and the skeleton of the balcony remain. So sad…

Mantis!

Whilst visiting the home of a friend this week I spied this mantis on the window of the stair well. It rather took me by surprise! They are fascinating creatures to see up close!

Sewing in the dark…

Whilst at my regular Dressmaking class this week we had a power cut. It was so frustrating as I was on a roll seaming my trial run trousers. I had just one inside leg left to sew, so I had to finish it off cranking the wheel by hand by the light of my phone torch! It didn’t half make my shoulder ache! A handle or even better, a treadle would have been much easier! There’s a lot to be said for manual power, or pedal power – it won’t let you down in a power cut!!

Stunning sunset

We have had some truly beautiful sunsets this week because we’ve had clear skies and whispy clouds. This is the gorgeous one we enjoyed on Wednesday.

Blue skies

Those clear skies I mentioned… just check out these on Friday. It was absolutely glorious. I went for a very boring trip into town on an admin mission and bumped into Mr Postcard. We had an impromptu lunch in Ocean Village with this lovely view (below):

Guess where we went shopping?

Many months ago I promised Eldest that I would take him to Ikea. (He had his eye on a new desk lamp). We have an affection for all things Scandinavian, you may remember we made a special trip to Stockholm earlier this year. Anyway yesterday was the day we went back to Ikea. We were able to stock up on a few sweet Swedish treats!

We’re into October already, which hardly seems possible. Here’s a few of my September highlights:

That’s all from Sunday Sevens for another week. I hope you have a great week ahead…

Sunday Sevens was first created by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

Sunday Sevens #203 29.9.19

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Hello! It’s Sunday again, and it’s been another busy week at this end with lots going on! Here’s what I’ve been up to this week:

Med Steps on a Monday

It feels good to be able to say that! It’s been such a long time since I had last made the climb. I think it was back in May just after the Med Steps 5 challenge actually, so this walk was well over due! It was hot but glorious up there and took me 46 minutes to get to the top (when I’m on form I can make it in less than 30 so there’s some training required!). I stopped aching yesterday… 🤣

Nocturnal visitors

When we got our new windows put in recently I was hoping our gecko friends wouldn’t abandon us. I am pleased to report that they came back with the warmer summer weather and they are still with us now. They don’t come onto the clear glass windows – just the frosted ones and lie in wait for moths.

Dressmaking class

My made-to-measure paper pattern is finished and the fabric has been cut ready for my trial run at making trousers. Sewing will begin this week.

An evening with friends

This week the book club I belong to had its first meeting since before the summer break. We met on Queensway Quay and it was lovely to catch up on everyone’s news and hear how everyone was getting on. Our book over the summer was Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman which I read when we were away in Portugal on holiday – it was so long ago I had trouble remembering the story! Must be my age!!

Upper Town walk

One morning I found myself in town and had a bit of free time (which doesn’t happen often enough!) so I took a wander up into Upper Town. There was a time a few years ago when I would regularly end up in these streets and alleyways but life doesn’t bring me up here often these days – it’s funny how your life’s geography changes over time.

Down by the water

On Friday evening I found myself at the Park just by the water at sunset. Normally I see the sun going down from our balcony but it was nice to see it from close to the water for a change…

Seamist at sunset

Last night though, I was back at home and saw this great weather as the sea mist swept into the Bay from the Strait of Gibraltar just as the sun was going down.

Eldest spotted it first looking out the window and commenting that it was like being on a plane and being above the clouds! It was quite beautiful. Less so though for those who were actually on planes and had to be diverted to Malaga because the reduced visibility meant they couldn’t land in Gibraltar.

I did manage to grab my crochet hook yesterday for a while in solidarity with all my yarny friends who are at Yarndale this weekend. Each year I hope I will be able to return to this great friendly festival, maybe next year? You can read all about my first, and so far, only trip to Yarndale in 2016 here.

And that brings this week’s Sunday Sevens to an end. I hope you have had a good week and that next week is kind to you.

Sunday Sevens was first created by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

Sunday Sevens #181 31.3.19

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Hello there! It’s Mothering Sunday here today, I hope it’s been a good day for you. Here’s this week’s Sunday Sevens.

Sunday wander

Last Sunday we took a wander into the Alameda Gardens. It was such a grey day, but the gardens still looked beautiful. A true oasis which we are so fortunate to have on our doorstep.

Au revoir

On Monday morning I waved goodbye to one of the Little Postcards, who was off on a residential school trip. It was his first time away from home, and I have to admit to having a bit of a wobble, I really missed him. (He had a good time and made it home in one piece I’m pleased to report).

Housebound crochet

I was housebound for a couple of days this week as a nasty bug struck the household. Thankfully just two succumbed, a Little Postcard and me… while I was looking after him, I got my hook out and did a spot of granny square making, so every cloud and all that!

Finished!

It’s been an awfully long time in the making, but this week, amazingly, I finished my jacket at Dressmaking class. It’s been worn already!

Floral bathroom

We’ve been suffering a few gale force gusts this week, so we had to bring some of our balcony pots and boxes in to stop them being blown to bits. We ran out of spaces to put them, so these ended up in the bathroom. Eldest said it looked like a posh public loo!

Stormy seas

The aftermath of the storms was evident in Camp Bay afterwards. Mr Postcard took these photos while out on a walk on Thursday. The waves must have had some force to throw those rocks so far! I’m glad we brought the plants in!!

Grey skies again

The grey skies which have been a feature for a lot of the week were with us again yesterday- and we had that lovely drizzly rain too. Delightful!

Here’s to a brighter, less windy and germ-free week next week. Fingers crossed!

As always I’m linking with Natalie from Threads and Bobbins for this weekly blog series.

Sunday Sevens #178 10.3.19

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Hello and greetings from Manchester! I’m over for a flying visit to celebrate my parents’ Golden Wedding Anniversary. Here’s this week’s Sunday Sevens!

Sunday stroll up the Rock

Last Sunday it was a beautiful warm spring day and we opted to take a wander up the Rock with the Little Postcards. It was rather busy with tourists, but we found little pockets of solitude and enjoyed our mosey through the nature reserve and then dropped down into town via Castle Steps and were about the admire the Octopus House and the new street art paying homage to Gibraltarian artist Gustavo Bacarisas.

Monday morning walk

I was out pounding the streets again on Monday morning, I had an appointment to speak to someone who lives in Upper Town and rather than catch the bus, I walked there. It’s nice sometimes to just wander, don’t you think?

Pancake Day

I don’t know about you, but I’m a traditionalist when it comes to pancakes, lemon & sugar is the winner for me. We had all sorts going on pancakes in our house on Tuesday!

Dressmaking class

The sleeves are on my jacket, and so are the linings…. hemming time now!

Leaving on a jet plane

On Thursday I left Mr P and the Little Postcards to Head home on my own to see my parents for their Golden Wedding Anniversary. I’ve been looking forward to this trip so much, to see long time family friends and family. We had such a lovely celebration dinner on Friday evening.

Ta-dah!

Last week, I could only show you a little bit of my freesia painting in Sunday Sevens, because I was painting it to give to my Mum & Dad and didn’t want them to see it before it was given to them. Here it is, finished. I can’t claim credit for the design (I used a Pinterest image for inspiration – the artist is TwoYShop). I really wanted to do a freesia wreath as they are one of my Mum’s favourite flowers and she had them in her wedding bouquet.

Time for crochet

I have a bit of a backlog of Little Boxes of Crochet to work on, and I thought this weekend away was the perfect opportunity to begin one while I’m away from all my usual distractions! Here goes, my first attempt at Entrelac!

That’s all for Sunday Sevens this week, I hope it’s been a good one for you. As always I’m joining with Natalie from Threads and Bobbins for this weekly blog series.

Sunday Sevens #175 17.2.19

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Hello there, I hope this finds you well and that you’ve had a good week. Mine has been full of jobs and not much that’s been worthy of photos…. I promise next week’s will be more interesting! 😉

An early evening stroll

Last Sunday was spent pretty much at home doing housework and lots of washing. We are in the midst of a kitchen renovation at the moment and I have only had limited access to the washing machine. That meant a frenzied washing session for a family of five!

By the time early evening came, I was craving a walk so headed out with Eldest to enjoy a golden hour stroll…

Dressmaking class

Do you remember that jacket sleeve from last week? It came off, went back on again and came off again at this week’s lesson…. I’ll get it right eventually!

Submariners visit

We were visited by another Royal Navy submarine this week. It always facinates me watching come into port. Not sure I’d like to go in one though…

It’s finished…

At my watercolour class this week I finished my watercolour painting of the ceiling at Sacred Heart Church in Gibraltar. It’s been a fun project, started way back in November! Got there in the end!!

We have fruit!

Our citrus trees are doing well at the moment – I don’t want to tempt fate, but for the past couple of years we’ve lost our fruit before it was ready to pick. Fingers crossed we’ll get to enjoy these in a G&T before too much longer…

Kitchen update

Progress has been made in our kitchen… we have a floor, plaster on the walls and even the beginnings of cupboards. I’m so looking forward to washing up in a sink rather than a bath!!

That’s it from Sunday Sevens this week. I hope the week ahead is a good one for you!

As always I’m linking with Natalie from Threads and Bobbins for this weekly blog series.

Sunday Sevens #167 16.12.18

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The sixteenth of December already?! Just 9 days to go to the big day – crumbs. Christmas has been looming but at last it’s just around the corner. We have had yet another busy week with end of term excitement, I’m hoping things start to calm down soon!

Visitors arriving

Last Sunday, my Mum and Dad arrived on the Rock for a couple of weeks. As I went to pick them up from the airport, the traffic came to a standstill to allow a plane to take off. It may be a bit of a pain at times but I still find it rather dramatic….

Birthday celebrations

My Dad arrived just in time to celebrate his birthday. Any excuse for a thickly laden chocolate cake! Crazy end of term madness meant no time for a home-baked cake, but this one was rather tasty.

Last dressmaking class of 2018

The jacket I’ve been working on has progressed as far as it can for this year. It’s hanging up now waiting patiently for sleeves…

That’ll be why it was busy in town…

Town has been swarming with people this week, Christmas shoppers, visitors from across the border and one day, two rather large cruise ships paid us a visit too. The one on the left was gigantic!

Double rainbow

We have been blessed with lovely weather this week, Sod’s Law meant that Thursday morning brought rain and strong winds just in time for my long-booked hair appointment! Still at least we had a gorgeous rainbow (and faint double rainbow) in the Bay. That’s always got to lift your spirits. A pair of bunkering ships were the pot of gold at the end.

Bye bye HMS Astute

On Friday the visiting nuclear submarine HMS Astute left Gibraltar. You may have seen it feature in last weekend’s Sunday Sevens as it arrived. I missed seeing it moving away from its moorings but caught a glimpse of it out in the Bay. Never a dull moment in Gibraltar – there’s always something going on!

And relax…

Yesterday evening I found myself on the Eastside of the Rock. It was so peaceful and the sky was changing colour as the sun went down behind me. That’s another week done, just one week left of school term craziness before we can all relax and enjoy our festive celebrations. Things have been at fever pitch in our house just lately with all the extracurricular goings on in the lead up to the big day – I’m ready to stop the ride and get off!

I do hope that you have had a good week and that this week is a good one for you too.

As always I’m linking with Natalie from Threads and Bobbins for this weekly blog series.

Before I go though, I have to recommend a YouTube video. Gibraltar vlogger Ninja Monkey has just posted a fab video showing him climbing the Med Steps. It gives a great idea of what it’s like for anyone who hasn’t walked up them themselves and if you are thinking about tackling them yourself, you’ll see what you’re in for. Do give it a watch – you won’t be disappointed. The link for it is here.