23rd March 2015 - Post on Belfast

A couple of weeks ago I joined a group on Meet Up, that's local in Skerries. Over coffee we decided to do a bit of bigger trip and picked Belfast. A lot of people were interested in the Titanic museum and I was looking forward to a nice day out.

We car-pooled yesterday to get to the museum. There were six spread over two cars. On our way to Belfast I was lucky to get the front seat and took a couple of pictures.

Shortly before getting in Belfast we noticed this constructions just out side on the motorway. Just wondering whether it actually illuminates at night.

The great thing about the museum that you are allowed to take pictures as long as you don't use the flash setting on the camera. I missed a couple of things last time so I was delighted to have the opportunity again. This time, the shipyard trip was also open. Last time I went to the museum, this part of the exhibition was out of order due to repairs.

For anyone interested in the Titanic and its history it's definitely worth going. I didn't notice the amount of detail in the exhibition. They had actual carpet samples reconstructed for people to have a feel of the material used for the furniture. The above shot is one of the better ones. As far as I remember correctly the picture above depicts the reconstruction of the female 2nd Class cabins.

They also reconstructed some of the pieces of the Titanic such as a sample of the actual life boats used during the rescue.

At the end of tour we all had a nice day and I got to meet new people. And most of us were able to spend the remaining British Sterling we had hidden away in money jars. Couldn't resist taking a photograph.

It's always strange to have a different currency to deal with. And Ireland is one of those wonderful country where you just have to pass the border on the same island and you're suddenly in a different country. We all had a laugh about trying out best to identify the pieces when paying for our food bill and at the same time getting rid of all the small change we had. Above is about £45.00 in small notes and coins.

Now for some translation proof-reading.

17th March 2015 - St. Patrick's Parade in Galway

Just returned from the parade in Galway. I left the night before with a friend and stayed the night in the Galway Arms Inn at very decent rate of €79 for the twin room. I'm happy I followed a colleague's advice and left the night before. The driving was exhausting after all.

The next day, St. Patrick's Day, right after breakfast we already saw part of the parade's set-up from our hotel balcony.

After we checked out and brought our bags to the car we picked a good spot in the crowd and watched the parade.

After the town crier this was the first wagon to appear.

A paper version of St. Patrick.

There were a lot of local sports groups that attended and had prepared for the parade. A lot of kids attended from various hurling, dancing and judo clubs.

Somebody drove a nice old car right in the middle of it. I wonder what age it is? Can anyone guess?

 Followed by Bram Stoker's Dracula

The rest the parade consisted of different communities presenting their different events. It was all over almost in a flash. But thinking of parade's I attended this was one of the best. The weather was amazing, sky was blue, not clouds and the sun was already quite warm for early spring.

After the parade we had lovely coffee and cakes in a nearby bakery. Then we went shopping. I bought a lovely scarf in Swamp - I need to check their website. I tried on a lovely coat in teal in their shop but unfortunately the largest size was a little tight. Maybe I'm more lucky online.

I'm finishing this post with a video of Irish dancing I recorded in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre, returning to watch Doctor Who - bad habit, I know ...

Enjoy!

13th March 2015 - First successful pattern translation

A good while ago a found a few free sock patterns written by a German designer, called Susanne Koelling on Ravelry where she's known as Kennasus (I think you need to have Ravelry account to see her details - if you're not on Ravelry yet then hurry up; it's free!!!); you will find her blog here.

I dropped her message when I noticed that her patterns were only available in German. So I offered her to do a translation for one of sock patterns as a test. I really love her designs - loads of cables, a bit of lace and most of patterns are charted which I love. I gave up on ready written patterns instructions a while ago, usually trying to pick a pattern that has a chart. Charts, in my opinion, are so much easier to read. Written instructions make my head spin and once I have a feel for the pattern repeat I do without the instructions (maybe I should start writing out charts once I'm satisfied with the written instructions - could be something ...)

Long story short, she agreed to the translation. So we decided to her Sprossenleiter socks first - more than 150 people added the pattern to their favourite section on Ravelry and I believe that counts for something.

English version isn't up yet but soon to follow.

Busy weekend this week and I decided to drive to Galway Monday evening for the parade on 17th March with a friend from Skerries.

Otherwise, nothing new really - house hunt is still going on!

8th March 2015 - Spring is here ...

It doesn't look like it much today but on Friday afternoon you could see that spring had arrived in Ireland. Yesterday was a lovely day too; today has started off slightly grey but it might change later on.

They always have lovely flower displays and flower projects in St. Stephen's Green so I took the opportunity to take two quick pictures for the blog. It's beautiful to see the crocuses coming out and the daffodils.

I've actually changed my jacket - away with the winter coats, in with the thinner jackets and it's about time. Noticed thought that a button is missing and that I lost my head in Dicey's on Friday.

Here's the pictures:

Not sure what the "R" stands for but I think it's very creative.

Going to the antiquity market later today in Clontarf Castle. Maybe I pick up something nice.

3rd March 2015 - Back to the swimming pool

I decided it was time to go back to the swimming pool it being March and all. Finished work earlier today and headed to the wet. The result: my body aches nows but what can you do. With all the office work you need to do something and I was recommended to go swimming. So there I went, still the pool at Marian College.

Unfortunately the apartment purchase fell through (not getting involved with pyrite) so I'm still looking. Keep fingers crosses something comes up.

In the meantime and after a successful present handover for a newborn, I decided to use my big(gish) yarn stash and knit a blanket on my own - for my bed or future sofa. Wasn't too sure what to with the yarn anyway so I decided to put my own design to the test. Still going through the proof-reading stage of the pattern.

Here a picture of the current project, eight repeats of the blanket done and another two (if not four to follow). I have made a few rearrangements in my head and hope it will work out.

Going out for drinks on Friday and an early-bird dinner on Saturday - busy bee I am. If anyone asks - sheets are Penny's.

2nd February 2015 - Getting there ... eventually

So I've put some work into my pattern over the last days and I have to say I'm about 85 % complete at this stage. I ran my first trial-run of converting the pattern into a PDF and it's looking good so far, even though I'm not quite impressed with the size of the file (4 MB) and it will be even larger once I have the final picture. The blanket itself has been finished and is currently drying after soak in the sink. It looks lovely now and I can't wait now to take a photo of it once it's dry. It has turned out quite beautifully and it worked out exactly as I planned it. Now, I just hope that the recipients will appreciate it.

Had to go to the chiropractor today. I was out last Saturday and I was sitting on a chair without a back so my back was in bits. But he fixed it again. I can feel the side effects of working in an office, especially since I've changed jobs.

Didn't do anything wild over the last couple of days. Met a friend on Saturday and Sunday, went to the cinema on Sunday evening to watch "Big Hero 6" and I was in stitches laughing it was that funny. I can certainly recommend going, especially to those of you who like Walt Disney.

I wish you all a happy Monday and all the best for the week!

My alcohol-free strawberry daiquiri. You wouldn't be believe the amount of ice the bar tender stuffed into the glass.

26th January 2015 - Working the blanket

I've made great progress on the blanket. I'm close to having five repeats of my pattern done and I'm about half-way into my four ball of yarn. There should be plenty to get another repeat done and then work the separate top border. I was also thinking of knitting four leaves separate and sew them on it for a 3D effect.

This is how it looks at the moment (apologies for the bad picture, took it on my bed)

About three-quarters done. Another full-and a half repeats missing.

This is a close-up picture of the side border

Left border of the blanket. It has become a lovely detail on the blanket and the overall project is very quick to knit. Next time I might actually put in a border in the middle to break up the pattern a bit.

I hope to get most done tomorrow so I can start the border soon and have the whole project done for the weekend to give it a wash. Next, I have another pair of socks on the list and I have to find test knitters for the project. I hope to find a few volunteers. I might ask in work if they are interested.

Drove out late tonight to Lusk to help a friend with their car. Very short notice but I got the chance to drive a Nissan Almera. It's a nice car but I can't excuse the motor tax at the moment if I was to buy such a large car. I will stay with the Polo for the time being.

I was asked to cover a colleague's earlier shift tomorrow so I have to be in for 8:00am. Going to switch off the lights soon. A bit more internet stuff and then maybe I will add another line or so to my novel. I finally managed to find my voucher for my Kindle so I got another free book to read.

Yawn ...

22nd January 2015 - It has been a while

Over a year not to say the least. I had too many busy months, getting myself sorted, getting through college and the likes. I have changed cars and careers in the meantime; a very close friend had a baby girl who receives most of knitting now.

I decided today that it was time to revive my blog despite the age of its last post. Friends were already asking me whether anything was ever going to happen again on my blog. So today is the day, a new beginning and the New Year is still young, only 22 days old.

I've planned a couple of things this year:

• Buy my house/apartment - still looking
• Publish at least one knitting pattern that sells at least one copy - in development as the IT world would say
• Loose weight - check! Already lost one size since last November, hehehe
• Knitting up my stash - well, getting there, there are certainly more pairs of socks to be received as presents, all for a good cause - getting rid of stuff
• Publish an e-Book - this is an interesting one. I still have so much crap in my head and the xBox360 has never been fixed, so I spent some of my free time writing and yes, I've managed to start two novels: first one, a science fiction novel, currently about 180 pages long and fantasy novel, about 50 pages long. Depending on the mood I continue writing either of them. I hope to publish via Amazon (by the way: I got a Kindle last year, so I'm reading a lot more than I used to).
• Make new friends! I put this one last cause it's already happening!

My first knitting pattern: I've decided to settle on a baby blanket. I'm pretty creative and had a couple of ideas in my mind. Last weekend I finally settled on pattern. So far I've knitted the border and picked up my stitches for the main part, while at the same time I working on the side borders. It's going to be pretty plain but I like it so far, 100% cotton and it's for my friend's brother who is expecting to become a daddy next month. It's his and his wife's present, so I just hope they like it and I might sell a copy or two. Ravelry will be my platform for this. It has a great community and I may find my test knitters to help me find errors in the pattern. I'm writing out the instructions as I knit the blanket, so far so good.

Right, now I have a novel that calls me and a couple of free knitting patterns left to check out. In the meantime, just have a look at this picture.

Hope to catch you soon again!

By the way: I working from Linux on this little computer and I love it! I also love my Chromecast ... too much stuff to watch on Netflix though, can't make a decision ...

Having a quick read of my old posts. What the f*** ... ?