Problem solved

Ever since our garden room was finished, there has been an empty space above the double doors which lead into our sitting room. In direct sun for much of the day, this was not a place to put textiles or anything precious - in fact, we struggled to think of what to put there at all. But a large gable end is a big space and we always felt the need for something there.

We once saw a quirky wire sculpture in Brewery Arts, Cirencester, but we dithered and dallied and it was gone before we had made up our minds and of course, we've never really seen anything we liked as much. so, the wall has stayed empty.

Until now.

Whilst in Basel, at the Vitra Design museum, we spotted this Algae and fell for it immediately. It's made of individual components which fasten together with pegs and can be arranged in whatever shape suits. It's simply plastic and could be used indoors or out - in fact, since we've been home and done a google of it, we rather wish we had bought more...but of course, we had to limit ourselves to what we could carry.

Now, I think we might rather like more and wish it would grow a bit, though maybe not quite as fast as its living counterpart in our pond. Perhaps we'll just have to make another purchase.

Weird but gorgeous

It's been raining on and off all day, but in between the showers, the sun has come out and a little fresh air was called for. Wandering around the garden, in search of a 365 photo for today, I spotted two or three little clumps of tulips amongst some rather bigger shrubs. These were planted the year before last and I'm fairly sure they were pink when they came up last year.

This year, however, they are rather strange. Some parts are more leaf than petal, and the structure of each flower doesn't seem quite how it ought to be.

But I don't really care, for the overall effect is pretty gorgeous, and the colour is fantastic - my favourite rhubarby combination.

I think I need to get the Inktense crayons out!

Confession time

Opening my suitcase revealed a nice little "pie" of knitting yarn, because Switzerland is a great place to find sock yarn - nothing out of the ordinary but simple, good quality wool at good prices.
 
I was also pleased to find some silly coloured cotton for a couple of dishcloths, all in the Coop in Basel Marktplatz.

They all fitted nicely into this fun "soft" cake mould - spotted in a really comprehensive kitchen shop just off the Marktplatz and perfect for making a cake in portions to suit all-comers!

Then of course, there was the airport shopping. I don't think we could possibly leave Zürich without leaving a few CHF in Sprüngli in return for a Zuger Kirschtorte and some Luxemburgerli! Putting a carrier bag like this through the X-ray machine always raises a smile from the security people, who often threaten to make it disappear before it comes through the other end of the machine.

Yes, Swiss Airport Security people even have a sense of humour!

On the menu tonight with a couple of friends will be Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with Rösti, followed by Kirschtorte and maybe a Luxemburgerli or two. The Baseler Läckerli will keep for tomorrow!