spring growth

I've been busy enjoying the spring weather here. It's not anything like what I'm used to (near 80F, 27C), but it's a lot better than clouds and rain. My parents are coming over to visit this weekend, so I'm really glad all the airports are open again. It's funny that the whole time the ash cloud was overhead, we hadn't had sunnier skies. We spent lots of time outside at the weekend, including sitting out near the Royal Naval College and teaching ourselves cribbage.


I also did a quick project this weekend. I spotted it in my Lion Brand email update, and I had some yarn from a Secret Santa swap. It's called Island Shawl, and it only took me two leisurely days to make. I didn't have as much yarn as the project asks for, but I only wanted a short shawl. I also did 3 repeats of the lace pattern instead of 4, since my yarn is bulky.



And finally, I want to show you my garden progress. I spray painted our bench, and my mother-in-law helped me clear out a load of overgrowth. I had 8 bags of garden waste picked up (thanks Lewisham council!), and I've gotten another full bag together today.


There is a sad box hedge and some kind of palm leafed plant that are in pretty sad shape. They were completely covered by a shrub that is now gone. But the box already has some new growth and will hopefully continue to recover.

I think the springtime has made me leave my brain somewhere else. I feel like my house is full of half finished things, least of all my knitting projects. Here's a peak at a new one I started.
 
I've also been out working in the garden during the few bits of sunshine we've had. It's terribly overgrown. It's funny how you can be out there for a few hours, and it doesn't look like you've done a thing. I'm putting this photo here, so hopefully by the end of spring I can show you something far more manicured.

This bench was almost black with dirt before. I have plans to paint it, and move more into the sunny bit.