Size is'nt everything!

The basic pattern for these 'bottle cozys' is very simple; it's just working in a round to the desired height.

However the pattern called for the use of a size 5mm hook, which obviously I didn't have, so I used a 4mm. Thus the first 'cozy' came out a little small! just the right size for the quantity of liquid you are allowed to carry on an airplane OR as mobile phone pouch! So as every mistake is a positive learning experience, my little pink phone is now safe and warm at all times!

I eventually procured a 5mm hook and got busy...

Quit while I'm a head!

I'm afraid the crochet Cookie Monster is a no-goer! basically he's coming out way to big. Used up 50g (of a 200g supply) just doing the top of his head.
I bought the yarn whilst on holiday in Wales and in all my excitement at finding cookie monster looking wool, I failed to adjust the quantity that the pattern required for the quantity I would actually need - to be more precise, the ticket on the yarn recomended using a 7mm hook but the pattern recomended a 3.5mm, I would thus need double the quantity of wool. 
I could always call the shop and get more mailed to me, but frankly is it worth it?  Cookie Monster was meant to be for Rémi, who probably wouldn't play with it anyway, he's kinda past the cuddly toy stage.
That leaves me with 200g of fuzzy blue yarn to use up.  I think i'll try my hand at making 'monster feet' slippers for the boys.  To be continued...
STILL CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW THE SPELL CHECK WORKS AHHH!!!

Been there, done that got the T-shirt (and a medal)

WOW What a weekend! 23, 24 and 25 June.  Friday evening Richard competed in the 'KM Vertical' approximatly 2 km in distance for 1 km of 'up', in 49 mins! not bad at all considering the winner took 36 mins. 

8.30am Saturday morning I began the Cross du Mont Blanc, 23 km, 1454m+ altitude gain, -474m, taking 30 mins longer than I did when I last did the race 10 years ago.  Granted there was an extra uphill added on but seriously the mountains have got steeper!! probably due to global warming or something!
There is definitly 'for' and 'against' running (I won't use the word 'competing' to describe my efforts) a race on terrain that you are familiar with; the for is that you know whats ahead, the against is that you KNOW whats ahead!!



start line photo with Annick




Finish line photo by Papy Tatoo. Don't give up your day job dad!

 Anyway, whilst I was zig-zagging my way slowly up the valley, Rémi was participating, for the 3 year, in the Mini-Cross.  800m to be roughly exact!  Tino, Richard and Papy Tatoo, his biggest fans, were there to cheer him on. Thankfully, Natalie and Papy Bob, my hydration crew/fans, popped up at various points during my run with much need liquids. Warning - powdered energy drink and coca-cola don't mix!  my brain told me they would but my intestins told me they didn't.

And if all that wasn't enought for one day, Rémi then sucessfully passed his 'Biker 1' award during his afternoon mountain biking lesson.
The 'fun' stopped here for the Team Etellin but not for the 1824 brave souls that signed up for the Mont Blanc Marathon (42km, 2511m+, 1490m-) on Sunday 25th.  Endulging in the luxury of a tempory in-house baby-sitter a.k.a Papy Tatoo, Richard and myself went to watch the start of the marathon at 7am and to encourage amongst others Karl, Norma and Thierry, who all 3 sucsessfully completed the race.



it's a finishers medal only!





Papy Bob -mad but happy!


The last two weekends have been competition free but today Richard is doing an MB Race event, 100 km on a mountain bike in the mountains.  If that doesn't sound crazy enough some mad fools are doing the 140 km event.  I've only got one thing to say to them - 'Sadle Sore'!

HOT OFF THE PRESS/SADLE: Richi has just called to say he's stopping his race at 70km due to tiredness!
He's not getting any younger either! mind you he did do 50km of biking on friday and swam 100m (an incredible feat for such a landlover as he) on saturday morning.  I'm glad he knows his limits and when to stop.  Rémi and Tino have not yet aquired this skill  and tend to go until they are tired, bloody, tearfull and snotty (comes hand in hand with crying for some reason).

School's out for summer!

9 weeks to be more precise!  Maybe it's my memory failing me but I seem to remember summer hols being in the region of 5-6 weeks.  2 months, now that's a lot of activities to plan!
7am this morning we mounted an undercover raid on neighbouring rose bushes to make "au-revoir et merci" prezzies for Rémi's two teachers, Christine and Safa.

And this afternoon I made some courgette and jam muffins to 'celebrate' the end of term.  Great recipe that needs no butter or oil.

Earlier this year school organised a recipe book project, where each family was invited to submit one or two family food favorites and photos.  We did 'Cawl' and 'Welsh Cakes'.  The finished product, sold for 10€, is a lovely spiral bound book of scrumptious delights; and a future source of 'rainy' day activities.