Using my studio

This morning I have been working in my studio for the first time and I think it'll take some getting used to! Don't get me wrong, it's great and I am enjoying having so much room to work. But until I get everything settled in, know where stuff is and, perhaps most important, have the things I use most frequently to hand, it means a lot of walking around!

I made a couple of small books for friends. I can't show you them now, but in due course, I'll post pictures.

In the grand clearout which preceded the arrival of the builders, I came across this Xyron 500 adhesive "machine" - a bit like an old fashioned mangle. I'd forgotten about it and like so many gadgets, it had been relegated to the back of a cupboard. I remembered it to be a good way of achieving a good even coverage of glue and decided to use it for my books yesterday. Trouble is, I had to fit a refill - and the photograph above shows the empty cartridge which needs to be disposed of.

My conscience won't let me use something which creates such a huge amount of (?unrecyclable?) waste to stick two pieces of paper together. Bring back the Pritt stick!!

Incidentally, have you registered for the WI Carbon Challenge yet?

Wednesday, 7am

Can't believe it. We just opened the blinds to see a blue sky!

A lovely day with friends

We woke to a brighter, more settled day, thank goodness and were surprised to see fresh snow on the mountains opposite. But the 11.50 hydrofoil was bringing more sunshine for us, in the form of dear Swiss friends Tonie, Peter and Kathy.

We settled down for an aperitivo in the bar opposite the boat-station, whilst Peter ran round the town to do a recce for a lunch venue. He was soon back and we followed him to a small restaurant in a quiet corner we'd not found before. All home-cooking, served by "Mama", which was good. Sadly, too cold to sit outside, so after lunch we did a spot of window-shopping and finally settled ourselves back in the bar where we had started, for afternoon tea.

All too soon, it was time to say bye and we waved them off onto the hydrofoil again for their journey home. Hope to see you all again soon!

We gave up

Waking to another dreary day, we nevertheless decided to make the best of it but take a taxi to the next village rather than battle through the wind and rain to the boat.

Two coffees later, the rain hadn't let up, so we made our way to the boat and went over to the Isola Superiore where we had seen some promising restaurants.

The world often looks better through the bottom of a wine glass, and we enjoyed our lunch of grilled fish, but even though we persuaded them to light the patio heater under the awning, we were too cold to linger. We took the next boat back to Stresa, I grabbed a passing taxi and we decided to spend the afternoon back in the hotel, with dry clothes and warm feet. Much more comfortable.

At least the weather today suited some...

(they tell us the sun will shine tomorrow)

To Switzerland

We took a boat along the lake to Switzerland today, had lunch and came back again. We imagined ourselves on a wood-panelled steamer, chugging away as we sat in comfort gazing at the beautiful scenery through the windows.

 

We did not expect an old car ferry! Throughout most of the journey, this vessel was crammed with what seemed like the population of France and Italy combined, but eventually we found our niche in the diesel-scented air under the canopy at the stern of the ship, from where we watched the weather go by.

 

 

Don't you love it when it rains bubbles?