tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52865013921691212132024-02-07T11:08:39.919-08:00A few of Amy's favourite things...Sewing, crafts, baking and all things home made!Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-48974176103723569602013-04-19T19:15:00.001-07:002013-04-19T19:15:20.924-07:00Northern Thailand We arrived in Bangkok in the evening, and had unknowingly booked a hotel room right on khaosan road, so we arrived in the midst of the craziness that is the khaosan road night markets! What an introduction to south east Asia! We spent a total of three nights in Bangkok, slightly longer than intended because the trains were fully booked. I had heard such mixed things about bangkok so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed our time there. We saw all the main tourist sights; grand palace, wat Pho and the huge reclining Buddha, anatasamakhom throne hall, chitrala palace park and golden mount temple amongst others. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2138.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2138.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2139.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2139.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2142.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2142.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My favourite thing about the city though was just watching the busy daily life buzz around you, markets lining every street, the tiny cramped shops of china town, women selling flowers on the pavements, zipping up and down the river on water taxis and of course the continuous buzz of scooters and tuk tuks that I have come to associate with Asia! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2143.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2143.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2144.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2144.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2145.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2145.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2146.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2146.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After 4 days in Bangkok we caught the night train to Chiang Mai. We loved this city, both the city itself as well as the stunning surrounding area. The old walled city was beautiful and had a lovely small town feel about it, with great night markets and hundreds of temples. Mike won't forgive me if I don't mention breakfast world (the highlight of his holiday!) a breakfast restaurant set in a pretty little garden serving over 65 different breakfasts, we even got given cheesecake with our morning croissants and fruit, amazing but enough food for a whole day! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2147.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2147.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2148.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2148.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2149.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2149.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The second day we hired a scooter and drove up to the mountains into the Doi Suthep-Pui national park. The views of the city from the mountain were stunning and there were several waterfalls along the way that we stopped to hike around and even have a little waterfall shower! We continued on up the mountain to the hill tribe villages, where many different tribes live rural and traditional lives. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2150.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2150.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2151.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2151.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2152.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2152.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The next day we kept the scooter and visited a local lake where we could chill out on the lake in a tube, go for a swim and relax in the lake side huts. Although I did discover my vegetarian cucumber salad was full of tiny fish heads after I took a few huge mouthfuls! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2153.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2153.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We also got close up to some amazing animals whilst in Chiang Mai. We spent a day at a local elephant park learning the skills of an elephant handler, including feeding, cleaning and riding... It's much easier getting our puppy to sit than a few ton elephant!! Washing them was my favourite part of the day as the elephants seemed to love it just as much as us, and seemed to delight in spraying us with their trunks! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2154.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2154.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2155.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2155.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2156.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2156.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I also visited the baby tigers at tiger kingdom, which was amazing. I had done a lot of research trying to find a park where the animals are well treated, both with the elephant and tiger park. It was great to see how well the elephants were cared for and the relationships they had with their trainers. The baby tigers also seemed very happy and healthy, had an adequate amount of space and were very lively. They obviously were treated well by their keepers as they repeatedly went to the keepers for cuddles and fuss. Both parks claimed that the animals were all rescued from poachers and poor conditions, and that any babies born were kept as part of their breeding program or sold to zoos around the world for breeding. I really hope that this was the case, It does seem a little exploitative to allow people in to pet them, but without the tourists money they couldn't afford to feed them and keep them, so it's a bit of a catch 22. And I have to say I did enjoy the experience! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2157.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2157.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2158.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2158.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='533' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/19/2159.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/19/s_2159.jpg' border='0' width='533' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We spent a total of ten days in northern Thailand, with the plan of spending a similar amount of time in the south at the end of our trip before flying home. From Chiang Mai we traveled to Chang Khong to get a boat across the border to Laos. <br />Xxx <br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-54005182733438416312013-04-18T18:02:00.001-07:002013-04-18T18:02:04.315-07:00The Gili isles and last few days in Bali. After our stay on Lombok we caught a very crowded local ferry to Gili Air; people And produce we're crammed in until the boat was so heavy the water lapped at the rim! It was a great local experience, although I am glad weren't on the boat with the live animals! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2410.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2410.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2411.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2411.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The sun came out just as we arrived on the island and we found a nice little cabin near the beach. The first thing we did was hire some snorkelling gear and head out for a swim. The sea was crystal clear and there were beautiful fish everywhere. After a while Mike signalled to me to look to the right just as a huge sea turtle swam right past me, close enough to touch! The sea was only about 1.5 meters deep and the turtle spent the next ten minutes or so feeding around the rocks right underneath us. We had seen lots of turtles in Sri Lanka when we were surfing but every time I put a snorkel on they Disappeared. It was amazing to see this one so close up and to watch for such a long time in its natural habitat. <br /><br />Later that afternoon we hired bikes as we had heard it was the best way to get around and see the whole of the small island. The island is only a few km long, but the short cycle takes a surprisingly long time when the path is made of sand!! It was like trying to cycle through treacle, hard work in the heat, but very funny. The scenery was beautiful though, the whole island is fringed with white sand beaches and the sea is turquoise and clear. Every time you round a corner the colour of it changes due to the currents and depth of etc, you really are spoilt for choice with beaches here. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2412.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2412.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2413.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2413.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2414.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2414.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> After a night on Gili Air we caught a ferry to Gili Trawangan where we stayed for 2 more nights. This island is livelier with more bars and restaurants, although was a bit quieter because we were there out of season. Again we spend our day snorkelling and cycling and generally chilling out on the beaches. There are no cars or scooters allowed on the islands, which makes it even more relaxing, especially after the buzz of Bali's traffic! The only vehicle is a horse and cart, even the police on the island use one to get around. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2415.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2415.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2416.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2416.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The next day we visited Gili Meno which is the smallest and quietest of the three islands, with just a couple of restaurants and guesthouses. We walked around this small island instead of cycling, and also visited the salt water lake at its centre. The beaches were stunning, and mostly deserted, and the sea was the bluest I have ever seen. It really is a paradise island... I could definitely come back for an extended holiday. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2417.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2417.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2418.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2418.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2419.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2419.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We had a very stormy trip back to Bali the next day, the boats hadn't been running for days due to a storm, which we caught the end of. But we did see a small pod of dolphins from the boat, which made up for the bumpy, delayed journey! During our last few days in Bali we headed to the West coast to Balian. The scenery here was stunning, miles of beautiful coast on one side of the road, and green rice paddies on the other. The beach here was black volcanic sand but the hotel had a lovely beachside pool where I could watch the boys surf, and keep a look out for sharks! This beach has has had numerous shark attacks recently and Mike and Sean spent most of their time here winding each other up about the sharks... Which made for a rather nerve wrecking surf, especially when they glimpsed something grey as soon as they got in the water! Every evening we ate at the local markets, where they did a great selection of local foods, and the best pancakes we have ever eaten... More like a cake than a pancake!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2420.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2420.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2421.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2421.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/18/2422.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/18/s_2422.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Our time in Indonesia was nearly over, just time for a couple more nights at SukaBeach, our trusty guest house in Kuta, and a trip to beautiful Uluwatu, one of our favourite beaches on the island. Next we were moving on to Thailand and our trip around south east Asia. <br />Xxx<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-59890364709575155282013-03-27T07:47:00.001-07:002013-03-27T07:56:37.569-07:00LombokAfter spending a few days in Ubud, mike and I caught a shuttle bus/boat to Lombok and then another bus to Kuta in the south... Very different to Kuta in Bali! This Kuta was a tiny, quiet beach town where most of the tourists were surfers. We stayed in lovely guesthouse run by a very sweet girl who called me sister and mike was "brother Max" (she couldn't master 'mike' so she stuck with calling him max!). <br />
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On the first evening we went for a walk on the beach and at the far end were mangrove trees growing straight out of the water at the sea edge. As we watched a family of monkeys ran out of the forest and sat in the mangrove trees grooming each other. <br />
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The following day we hired a scooter and went to Gerupuk, a village along the coast so that Mike could surf. The breaks here are off shore so we got in a boat and drove out to the inside break. The scenery here was absolutely stunning, green hills and blue sea. Mike surfed and I read my book on the boat surrounded by the scenery. <br />
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Unfortunately on the second day Mike was surfing when someone fell off their board and put their elbow through the rail of his brand new board, resulting in an unhappy Mike and the board being in the shop being fixed for a couple of days. To add to this I was unwell for a few days, so we had a quiet relaxing couple of days. We went to a lovely cafe/restaurant called Astari, right on top of the hill with views overlooking the whole bay. It did amazing cakes and healthy, fresh food. <br />
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We also spent some time driving around on the scooter, on the very bumpy potholed roads, and seeing the scenery. I love the scooter now and it's a great way to see country. <br />
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After a couple of days the board was fixed and I was feeling better so after one last quick surf it was time to move on to the Gili Isles. <br />
With love from Amy and Mike xx <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwosAY93UPo407AHAJQTPO4t0BlxLD85CbH5WHGiinUDKzaTl-yCX8GRW6AWu-Ps3Q6YU8zvfKgGK8F1p8ZL735GSRMzDYrsHP0qcbpGLP0UB0du2OVUz_5IXgyDL7ZJP6uk5fDne2xw/s640/blogger-image--99900525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwosAY93UPo407AHAJQTPO4t0BlxLD85CbH5WHGiinUDKzaTl-yCX8GRW6AWu-Ps3Q6YU8zvfKgGK8F1p8ZL735GSRMzDYrsHP0qcbpGLP0UB0du2OVUz_5IXgyDL7ZJP6uk5fDne2xw/s640/blogger-image--99900525.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz1GioVvuvO1XVCt8fF_lD0nrQ1suDreExqH_fCCJWD2MRjeW6yG5ldw0NXziMwnZ1ddRgRu2fV1QcgsY1h17uirljPzdRMWI_8_QZCfpvjGlHuPdzA6ir6O50d2J7akQLWDxLC-yLgg/s640/blogger-image-93668090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBap8nnZvd5D849hiJfquFcGbPGtV3LNqXeI0ZmpQHS41lEYF4TfpsUNRktFcq0aoxSdIm3FvQp5VLwd40y-oTDpC-EuZB9rZEoM4C5vjTgtcq5ar5JQ51Hi-T5IehbNl1tO-oS02Tafk/s640/blogger-image-324112155.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_bTXwgmSSwkxpB3-IuyJyOCoVAQXYvsOqHohd1ECrQI84tG7rZdhu172rCuPz33J2K53vtjdkkn43vRAZ4V3OsNay3RKZd5vt8reF9XcHbHgeXyg3d7OEY5m9mSsO8Ugz1xBIqVAa_M/s640/blogger-image-565481669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_bTXwgmSSwkxpB3-IuyJyOCoVAQXYvsOqHohd1ECrQI84tG7rZdhu172rCuPz33J2K53vtjdkkn43vRAZ4V3OsNay3RKZd5vt8reF9XcHbHgeXyg3d7OEY5m9mSsO8Ugz1xBIqVAa_M/s640/blogger-image-565481669.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlt3ICbPqNUOxY8quu4lgCzlDmBNesuQx_P3XDGaa2Aq3_1wFKQNFyldV9ZKf7DTVsB14vYk6n5r8nO4reF6aiOBImPyfdrjm7N5AV-gLbsydH0ufOMN0QUwxghnJgPhEMcPHyVgC_ZQ/s640/blogger-image-2140563453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlt3ICbPqNUOxY8quu4lgCzlDmBNesuQx_P3XDGaa2Aq3_1wFKQNFyldV9ZKf7DTVsB14vYk6n5r8nO4reF6aiOBImPyfdrjm7N5AV-gLbsydH0ufOMN0QUwxghnJgPhEMcPHyVgC_ZQ/s640/blogger-image-2140563453.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-91646014605258652642013-03-04T16:56:00.001-08:002013-03-04T16:56:23.665-08:00Bali: Ubud and Mount Batur After 2 weeks at the beach of sun, surfing and pancakes, Mike and I move inland to the small town of Ubud. The town is incredibly green and covered in blankets of rice paddies. Apparently there was such an abundance of rice that the farmers had time to work on crafts, and as a result the town is the centre for crafts in Bali. Some of these crafts include, Batik, watercolour, wood carving and jewellery and kite making. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2351.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2351.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I had signed up to do a Batik course and when I arrived at the studio I was the only student there, when usually there are 6-8 people, which meant I got brilliant 1:1 tuition and lots of attention! The teacher talked me through the steps and the techniques and I chose a very simple flower pattern from a book on Balinese arts and used this to make my design. I had tried batik once at school about 10 years ago, so I was very much a novice! But the teacher was great and took a lot of time to help me with the various stages and try out different techniques. For the purpose of the course he only makes up bright dyes so the piece is a little bit loud to hang in our house but i was very pleased with it nonetheless and it will make a great souvenir! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2352.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2352.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2394.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2394.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After the batik course we went for a walk through the rice paddies, which are so, so green! Ubud is a busy, quite touristy town due to its craft reputation so it was amazing to find the rice paddies just behind the main road and stretching up through the hills. It is a nice opportunity to escape the hustle and to see the Balinese farmers at work in the peace of the fields. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2395.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2395.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2396.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2396.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Like many Balinese towns there were many temples and stunning buildings in Ubud, all hand painted and gold leafed. We visited one temple that stood in the grounds of a beautiful lotus garden. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2397.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2397.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The following morning (or should I say middle of the night!!) we got up at 2am to leave for our trip to Mt Batur, which is an active volcano. We arrived at about 3am and after a very early breakfast and coffee tasting session, which was great for waking us up, we set off on the trek in a small group with our local guides and our torches. The patch quickly became steep and challenging because you climb over the loose, uneven rocks created by the lava. After climbing/walking for about an hour and a half we reached the viewpoint at the top, where we wrapped up warmly and were treated to our second breakfast, including special volcano cooked boiled eggs. After breakfast we climbed another half an hour to the rim of the crater. From here, now that the sun was up, the views were incredible! The volcano is surrounded by other mountains and volcanos, with a 9km lake at the bottom. At the top you could see the steam rising from gaps in the rock, reminding us that it wasn't just a mountain, but an active volcano!! <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2398.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2398.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2399.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2399.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2400.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2400.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/04/2401.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/04/s_2401.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After walking around the rim of the volcano, We climbed back down, the much easier route down the side of the volcano covered with black volcanic sand. It was another amazing trip and a great walk. The treks we have done, such as Adams peak, Hortons plain and Mt Batur seem to have been the highlights of the trip... Well worth the early start and the tough climbs! We are off to Lombok and the Gilli isles next. <br /><br />Lots of love, Amy and Mike xxx<br /><br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-34676528004899304262013-02-18T04:49:00.001-08:002013-02-18T04:49:14.225-08:00Bali: Kuta, Bingin and Uluwatu. We arrived in Bali on the 3rd of February and met up with Sean and Joel in Kuta. The guesthouse we were staying in had a lovely garden and swimming pool and felt quite secluded, considering outside the walls of the hotel was crazy Kuta! It seems to be where the Aussies come for a party holiday, with restaurants, pubs and clubs lining every street. We went out on the first night and it was good fun, and definitely different from our month in Sri Lanka! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/410.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_410.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/411.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_411.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We visited canggu beach, where I had intended to rent a board but unfortunately the police stopped us and took all of our money as a fine! The police are quite corrupt here and most westeners on bikes get stopped frequently and regardless of any wrongdoing there is usually something they can find to fine you for! So no money to rent a surfboard, but the boys managed to get in for a surf while I went to look around a temple at the beach. We also visited Uluwatu on the southern peninsula where the surf has been good most days. The reef is shallow here and the currents are strong... not Amy surfing conditions!! But Sean, Joel and Mike have had some good surfs. The coastline here is rugged and to get to the beach you follow the steps down through the warungs and finally down through a cave to get to the beach. At low tide you can climb through the cave to a beautiful little beach cove. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/412.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_412.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/413.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_413.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/415.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_415.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/416.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_416.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />A few days in Kuta of shopping, surfing and lots of good food were fun but long enough... and it was quite a long drive to the other surfing beaches so after Joel had gone home the three of us moved down the coast to Binging. There is a long beach here, with several good breaks, impossibles, bingin and dreamlands, which is a bit more mellow and I managed to get in for a few good surfs here. We are staying in a little bamboo, thatch roofed warung at the bottom of the cliff, right on the beach. We have our own wooden balcony between us that hangs right out over the beach just a few meters from the sea. The beach is beautiful and the water is crystal clear, especially as the tide is getting lower and the reef is visible through the water. <br /><br />The view from the balcony...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/417.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_417.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Our warung on the beach...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/418.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_418.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/419.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_419.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/420.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_420.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/18/421.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/18/s_421.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We stayed at Bingin for 6 days, chilling out, surfing and eating lots of pancakes! Best pancakes so far on the banana pancake trail... We will keep sampling them all though, just in case there is a better one out there!! Haha. We are moving onto Ubud next to do a little bit of sight seeing and to sample a bit of Balinese culture. <br /><br />Love Amy and mike xx<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Bali&z=10'>Bali</a></p>Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-16015964674911411342013-02-11T20:50:00.001-08:002013-02-11T20:50:28.009-08:00A few of our favourite beaches: midigama, Mirissa and kabalanaOur last week in Sri Lanka was spent at our favourite beach in Midigama. We stayed at Ram's guesthouse during our first few weeks and liked it so much we made time to return at the end. The guesthouse is right on the beach so Mike loved rolling out of bed straight onto the beach for a surf before breakfast everyday. The beach curved around the cove to the right where there was another, more mellow wave, lazy left. On this beach there was another guest house that did huge, cheap breakfasts with mountains of banana pancakes and fresh fruit! The week basically revolved around swimming, surfing, sunbathing and food!! <br /><br />Chilling out at Rams...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3012.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3012.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Lazy left...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3013.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3013.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3014.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3014.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Yummy breakfast, cost about £1...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3015.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3015.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The next beach if you head south down the coast was called plantations, which you could also surf, but Rams was bigger and on the doorstep so we only went there once. This was also a beautiful beach, the whole of the west coast is just miles and miles of white sand and turquoise water! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3016.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3016.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />One morning we rented a scooter and drove a few miles north to a beach called Kabalana. There was a beautiful hotel here (well outside our budget) that did a huge buffet breakfast and then let you use their facilities and pool all day. It's hotel was also right on the beach and it picked up a bit more swell here so Mike had a couple of good surfs in the morning. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3017.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3017.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3018.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3018.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We also saw lots of stick fishermen on our way to Kabalana but I couldn't take photos while we we driving along on the bike and unfortunately when we got to Kabalana the sticks were empty, but it is amazing to see men perched precariously on sticks in the water whilst concentrating on fishing! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3019.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3019.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />At the end of the week we took the bus down the coast to a Mirissa, a seaside town with a little bit more of a tourist vibe. It is another beautiful beach, with a long beach on one side of the cove dotted with hotels and cafes, and on the other side a tiny quiet beach filled with traditional fishing boats. There is also a little island you can walk our to, with good views of the whole beach. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3020.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3020.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3021.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3021.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3022.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3022.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3023.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3023.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Finally, considering mike managed to cram in 3 surfs a day the post wouldn't be complete without some surfing photos... <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3024.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3024.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3025.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3025.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3026.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3026.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/11/3027.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/11/s_3027.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We were really sad to leave Sri Lanka, it's an amazing country with a wonderful mix of beaches, mountains, rice paddies and tea plantations, coconut trees and surf. The people have been friendly and the food has been great. We will definitely come back. But we are also looking forward to moving onto Bali and the adventures that will bring. <br /><br />Love Amy and Mike xxx<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sri%20Lanka%20&z=10'>Sri Lanka </a></p>Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-8495205241459601252013-02-07T01:04:00.001-08:002013-02-07T01:04:58.016-08:00Week 4: the cultural triangle. On the 22nd we left Dolhouse after climbing Adam's peak, with aching legs and got off to a bit of a bumpy start when our first bus broke down! We followed the advice of the locals and started to walk to the next town, with our sore legs and heavy bags... And luckily another bus collected us a couple of km down the road! So we were back on our way. 3 buses later we arrived in Kandy. We were staying 10 minutes out of the centre in a lovely hotel with views out over the knuckle mountains. The weather was beautiful on the day we arrived and we went for a walk around the lake. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/05/818.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/05/s_818.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/05/820.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/05/s_820.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Unfortunately the heavens opened the next day and the monsoon rains continued without a break for the next 48 hours. The lake wasn't quite so beautiful in the rain, but I got to put my wet weather clothes to good use and there was still plenty to do and see in the rain. We went to the temple of the tooth where Budda's tooth is supposed be kept. The guards are quite strict about keeping people moving so you only get to look at the casket with the tooth inside for about 15 seconds. The temple is beautiful though, with lots of shrines and hand painting on the walls. There is also a room where paintings tell the story of Budda and how the tooth was captured and passed hands over the years. Lots of locals were also visiting the temple to give flower offerings and to have their babies blessed, which was lovely to see. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/05/821.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/05/s_821.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/05/822.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/05/s_822.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/71.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_71.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/72.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_72.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />In the afternoon we visited the botanical gardens. The highlight was seeing the hundreds and hundreds of fruit bats that hang from the trees and lazily swap trees and branches every few minutes. They also had a orchid house with many beautiful varieties of orchids. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/73.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_73.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The following day we moved further north to Sigiriya, which makes up part of the cultural triangle. The land is flatter here with miles and miles of forest and rice paddies, lots of monkeys and wild elephants that sneak into the villages to eat the rice! The next morning we climbed Sigiriya rock, the iconic 200m rock sticking up out of the otherwise flat landscape (add another 200 steps to the tally!). A 5th century king created a city on and surrounding the rock. At the top there are the foundations of the ancient buildings, although there is some dispute about whether it was a castle, a fort or a temple. From the top there were good views of the walled gardens surrounding the rock and views out over the forests. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/74.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_74.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/75.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_75.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/76.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_76.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />About half way up the rock you climb a spiral staircase on the outside of the rock up to a cave with 7th century paintings and a mirror wall where thousands of poems and messages written by visitors between the 7-14th century have been preserved. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/77.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_77.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/78.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_78.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Whilst in Sigiriya we also visited a local temple with a 30m high Budda statue and about 100 other statues lining the temple. We met a local couple who had each made one of the statues. The are thousands of temples across Sri Lanka, and they are incredibly elaborate, even in tiny villages. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/80.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_80.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/07/81.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/07/s_81.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After Sigiriya we moved back to Midigama, our favourite beach on the west coast. The sea is crystal clear with good surfing and snorkelling and beautiful beaches. This is where we spent our last week in Sri Lanka. There are so many beautiful places there that I will put them in a separate post. Love to all at home. Amy and mike xxx<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-36308890473562526112013-01-29T04:24:00.001-08:002013-01-29T04:24:22.066-08:00Week three: hiking in the Hill Country. This post is a little bit late because in the last hotel we were staying in the monkeys had eaten the wifi box! Now, I know that sounds like the old "dog ate my homework excuse" but its true! Haha. There were monkeys everywhere in the hill country, frequently swinging through the garden of the hotel, mostly on the look out for food! And to think a couple of weeks ago I was jealous because mike saw a monkey from the bus window and I missed it! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/297.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_297.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Anyway, we have had another really busy week. After we left Ella we took an observation carriage on the train to Nuwara Eliya. The train was really slow, about 15km an hour, but wound through the mountains of the hill country so it is the best way to see the scenery. We saw miles and miles of tea plantations stretching as far as the eye could see in every direction. They often grow on very steep hills and picking the leaves must be an exhausting job. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/298.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_298.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Nuwara Eliya is also known as little England because it was where the British colonist settled and it did still have a hint of England about it. The climate here was cooler because it was about 2000m above sea level, therefore the vegetables and fruit they grow is similar to England. They also still have remnants of British input, for example the design of the houses and the park behind our hotel, one of the few parks in Sri Lanka. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/299.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_299.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />From Nuwara Eliya we organised a trip to Horton plains national park. Because its at 2500m above sea level We had to leave at 5am so that we could see the views before the clouds came in. We arrived before sunrise and it was eerily misty and there was even frost on the ground, luckily we were prepared with our fleeces and hats!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/300.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_300.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We walked a 9km route that led us to two view points. The first was little world's end. A view point looking out over a 300m cliff. The second was world's end, which was 3 times higher at 900m high. It was still a little cloudy but the views were amazing, and apparently on a clear day you can see all the way to the coast. The views were amazing, but the walk through the national park was just as beautiful, with Moor land that reminded us of dartmoor, but with monkeys! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/301.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_301.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/302.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_302.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Don't worry...He's not really sitting on the edge! Just a clever camera angle! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/303.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_303.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After visiting Nuwara Eliya we moved on to Dolhouse, a little town that would serve as our base for climbing Adam's peak. We stayed in a sweet little guest house by a river, in a little log cabin on stilts with a balcony that looked over the garden (although mike thought it looked more like a shed!! Haha). At the top of the mountain is the sacred footprint; Christians believe that Adam's peak is the place where Adam first set foot on earth, Buddhists believe that the footprint was left by Buddha, and Hindus believe it was Shiva. Therefore the climb has become a pilgrimage for various religions. We got up at 2am to begin our climb. Because it is pilgrimage season the path is lit the whole way and there are tea shops lining the route. There are between 5200 and 6000 steps to the top. The final 2000 or so are a very steep continuous climb and when a man near the top told me there were 300 to go they seemed like the longest 300 of the whole climb!! We managed the climb in about 2 hours, which is quite quick, and after ringing the bell at the top to signify completing the pilgrimage, we treated ourselves to a well earned biscuit while we kept warm and waited for the sunrise. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/304.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_304.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/305.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_305.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The sunrise was incredible, and very bizarre to watch the sun come up from above the clouds! It was only when it was light and we started to make our way down that we could appreciate the views and just how high up we were. It was an amazing experience and definitely one of the highlights of the trip so far (even if I could barely move for 3 days after!). <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/306.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_306.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/307.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_307.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/308.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_308.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/309.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_309.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/29/310.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/29/s_310.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We had a busy week in the hill country, with lots of travelling and lots of walking. But we had a few more stops before we could rest on the beach again, I will write about them next week. Love to all at home. Amy and mike xxx<br /><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-87971877484410537132013-01-19T04:06:00.001-08:002013-01-19T04:06:55.368-08:00Week two: From the coast to The Hill country. We have had a busy week. On our last day at the coast we headed a few miles by bus to the town of Weligama. While we were strolling along the beach some fishermen asked us to help push their boat into the sea. It took about 15 of us to haul the boat down the sand into the water. Their fishing boats are beautiful traditional wooden boats that they like to individualise by painting them. They often go out late at nights and early in the morning so the sea is usually scattered with the tiny lights of fishing boats. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/273.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_273.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/275.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_275.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/276.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_276.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />At the beginning of the week we left the beaches behind and headed for the Hill country. Our first stop was the small town Embilipitiya. From here we organised a trip to Uda Walawe national park. The park is home to about 800 elephants as well as many other birds and animals. We left the hotel at 5.30am, while it was still dark, and arrived shortly before sunrise. We spends about 3 hours in the park and saw about 80 elephants including some tiny babies! We also saw buffalo, jackals, parrots, kingfishers, bee catchers, 3 types of eagles as well as many other birds. The hotel even packed us a little picnic so we were able to have breakfast whilst watching the sunrise and the elephants! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/277.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_277.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/278.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_278.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/279.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_279.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/280.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_280.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The next day we travelled to Ella, this was a bit of a long journey... Not so much due to distance but because the old buses have to wind up through the mountains. We had to get three different buses in total and one was so busy Mike and I ended up sitting on a luggage rack at the front of the bus for 3 hours! But the public transport here is frequent so we have never had to wait for a bus for more than a few minutes, and its very cheap, about £1 each to travel 5 hours across the country! It's also one of the best ways to see the country side, and the views were amazing. During our stay in Ella we did a few walks and hikes. The first was to little Adams peak (a much smaller version of the real mountain we are going to climb next week!). The views from here were stunning, miles and miles of mountains and tea plantations! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/281.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_281.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/282.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_282.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Mike even did a bit of meditating... <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/390.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_390.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />In the afternoon we did a longer, higher climb to Ella's rock. You can see the mountain in the background of the view from our guest house.. We climbed to the top, guided by a very nice local farmer. He wasn't wearing any shoes and he was nearly 60 and yet he shot up that mountain like a goat and laughed at me when I needed to stop for a rest!! <br /><br />This is the peak we climbed... <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/391.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_391.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The view from the top... <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/392.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_392.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/19/393.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/19/s_393.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We have moved further into the hill country now and have more walks and treks planned for the coming week. I'm excited and a little scared at the prospect of climbing Adam's peak, a pilgrimage before dawn to the top of a mountain involving climbing almost 6000 steps! I will let you know how it goes. Love Amy and mike xxx<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-81934451219028459472013-01-14T23:55:00.001-08:002013-01-14T23:55:19.420-08:00The end of week one in Sri Lanka. So we are at the end of the first week of our travels and it has gone really quickly. I suppose at the moment it still feels like we are on a little holiday and I'm expecting to pack up and go home soon but of course we have lots more to come. We started the week in Hikkaduwa, on the west coast. The plan was just to stay 1 or 2 days but the surf was good and we moved to a guest house right on the beach so we ended up staying here for 3 nights. The beach here was beautiful and mike managed 3 surfs a day, just resurfacing long enough to eat in one of the lovely restaurants on the beach before heading back into the sea! However it was more touristy than I expected... I thought Sri Lanka was just being discovered by tourists but apparently not!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/12/2122.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/12/s_2122.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After three days in Hikkaduwa we moved on to Galle, a fort town, further down the west coast. We only stayed here one night as it was more expensive and the town is quite small, but really interesting to walk around and very beautiful. The town is also more upmarket and "trendy", with lots of shops and some pretty vintage shops and art cafes. We went to some local fruit markets and sampled some of the local fresh fruit and a few of the the 32 types of bananas that grow in Sri Lanka! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/12/2123.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/12/s_2123.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Whilst in Galle we also went in a tuk tuk to a local turtle sanctuary where they take in and rehabilitate injured turtles and release newly hatched baby turtles into the sea. It turned out to be an expensive journey as the sanctuary was actually miles away... Closer to the next town we visited! But it was lovely to see the baby turtles! Mike has seen some sea turtles while he's been surfing and I'm hoping i'l see some in the wild while we are here! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/12/2124.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/12/s_2124.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Finally we have spent the last two days in Unawatuna, which has a picture postcard beach with white sands, blue sea and stunning sunsets. Because the beach is so beautiful, again it is quite touristy and the beach restaurants here are a bit more commercial than in Hikkaduwa and more pricey! However it has been lovely swimming in the sea and relaxing on the beach. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/12/2125.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/12/s_2125.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/12/2126.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/12/s_2126.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/12/2128.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/12/s_2128.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />From Unawatuna we organised a whale watching tour as many species of whale migrate past the south coast of Sri Lanka from dec-march. This has been my highlight so far and we got to see about 5 or 6 blue whales and sperm whales (although as they are so huge you can only see a bit of the whale at a time, hump or tail, so we had to rely on the guide to tell us which species it was!) the photos didn't come out brilliantly as the whales move so quickly and the sea was quite rough so the boat was lurching all over the place (resulting in a poorly feeling mike). Apparently people often see huge pods of upto 2000 porpoise and dolphins but they were elusive today and the sea was quite chopping making any dolphins difficult to spot. I'm really happy to have seen the whales though as seeing these gigantic creatures in the wild is a once in a lifetime experience! <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/14/3250.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/14/s_3250.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/14/3251.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/14/s_3251.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/14/3252.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/14/s_3252.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />We are going to spend the next week moving south down the coast before making our way up to the national parks and hill country. Love to all at home. Amy and Mike xxx<br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-42901463411015197052013-01-04T08:22:00.001-08:002013-01-04T08:22:02.258-08:00Temporarily becoming a travel blog... Greetings and happy new year from Sri Lanka! I think I mentioned a few months ago that we were going travelling... Well here we are! I haven't posted much on the blog recently because we have been so busy with Christmas, moving house, finishing work etc. I had planned to start a new blog for the travelling posts because I'm aware that most of the people who read this (if anyone reads this!) are here for the crafts... But time ran away with me and I didn't get around to it. So for ease, and so that our families can keep up with what we are up to I'm going to continue posting here and I hope a few of you enjoy reading what we are up to. <br /><br />We arrived in colombo early this morning after two long plane journeys. After a further hour in a taxi to the train station and a three hour train journey on a very slow (but cheap and comfortable) train we arrived in our first destination, Hikkaduwa. The hostel is on a very long, busy road that runs parallel to an equally long, but quieter beach. This town is fairly touristy as it is the base for surfers. Unfortunately the surf is fairly small at the moment so at the plan is just to stay for a day or two and then head down the coast. We went straight to bed when we got here at 9am local time (4am British time) as we had been up and travelling for 24 hours. We did go out for a long stroll along the beach this evening though and had a very nice dinner on the beach. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/04/876.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/04/s_876.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Hopefully up early for a morning surf if our body clocks are up to it and then plan the next stage of the journey. Xx<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sri%20Lanka%20&z=10'>Sri Lanka </a></p>Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-91181604844721747192012-11-30T13:14:00.000-08:002012-11-30T13:14:57.550-08:00The colours of Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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So Autumn is coming to an end and winter is on its way. Although it seems to have mostly rained for the last few months, the sun in some of these photos reminds me that we have had some beautiful crisp Autumn days and I have been on some lovely walks, bike rides and blackberry picking trips. The colours have been especially beautiful this year so I have put together a few of my favourite Autumn snaps to share with you. </div>
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I am looking forward to some cold sunny days in Winter... Most people hate winter but I really enjoy it until Christmas is over and then I get excited about summer again... Which is good because this year I am off to warmer climates in January to go travelling for 4 months! More on our travel plans later xxxAmy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-11962531432030744652012-11-20T08:22:00.002-08:002012-11-20T08:22:50.062-08:00Craft Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In my last post I mentioned that I was doing my first fair on Saturday. I made a few sales and we raised some money for children in need. It was good practice and I'm looking into a few more fairs I can do before christmas. Here are some photos of my table and my crafts</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:</span></div>
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Mike also contributed with his Pudsey Bear biscuits, which looked great, unfortunately I didn't get a photo of them after they had been decorated... which is a shame because I'm not sure Mike will ever be baking again. I could hear little exclamations coming from the kitchen during the baking, my favourite of which was "you stupid bear" followed by "oh, his head fell off". Not all of the biscuits made it to the fair (headless pudseys might scare children) but the ones that did were very cute and yummy:<br />
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<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-38512388877590859312012-11-16T11:56:00.001-08:002012-11-16T13:29:14.742-08:00Christmas stockings and last minute jobs for tomorrow's fair. I have been making more patchwork stockings this week to sell at tomorrow's fair. Each stocking is individual, and whilst they are all embellished with ribbons, each has something different to make it special and unique, including freestyle machine embroidery, beads, buttons and one has a felt machine stitched Robbin. I have been debating for days on how much to charge, I usually only make things for family and friends so I have never sold any thing before. From a bit of online research there seems to be a huge variety in what people charge for handmade stockings, from £8-£30! I have settled on £12.50 which is probably realistic and reasonable, although because I am a bit slow and "faffy" when I sew these take a few hours to make so I'm probably only paying myself about £3 for each hours work. I do enjoy it though so it's not really work. Does anyone else have this dilemma? <br />
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I have also been finishing off some Christmas bunting for tomorrow's fair. I made some last year for my own flat and I like it so much it has been there all year... Luckily the fabric was less obviously Christmassy! <br />
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I am going to finish up a few last things for the fair tonight, I will let you know how it goes next week. And I apologise for the small pictures, when I upload them on the blogger app there seems to be no way to control the size...and the quality is a bit pants on my iPad... I must remember to take my camera to the fair!! Have a nice weekend everyone xxxAmy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-89054857807624061362012-10-29T03:36:00.000-07:002012-10-29T03:36:34.199-07:00More Christmas Tree Decorations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been making more decorations this week. I had said in my last post that I would try making the robins using fabric father than just the embroidery...<br />
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... I actually quite like both designs, but these felt robins are very sweet! I have been working on some other designs this week as well; including christmas trees, holly and stars...</div>
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I have realised it would actually be much more time efficient if I picked a design and made lots of one design before starting on the next because I waste so much time changing the foot on my machine and the tread etc! But I just can't seem to work that way, either I get bored, or the opposite happens and a new idea pops into my head and I get excited and start sewing. Often I don't know what Im actually going to make until its finished, for example, with the decoration above I cut out a star and started sewing, but I didn't pre plan the design, or the words... It just happens and I add bits until it looks finished. This doesn't always work out for the best... as those of you who have seen the fat robin on my facebook page will know <a href="http://www.facebook.com/afewofmyfavouritethings?ref=hl">www.facebook.com/afewofmyfavouritethings?ref=hl</a> !! The first star decoration I made ended up as a Christmas card because the writing was so close to the edge there was no room for seam allowance! So I have come to the conclusion that I am a scatty sewer!! This doesn't make for time or cost effective creations but as I mainly sew for my own enjoyment I don't care, so I on that note, I appologise for the gap between posts, but like I said... disorganised sewer!! </div>
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Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-80155847180359338302012-10-17T12:45:00.001-07:002012-10-17T12:45:17.860-07:00Christmas tree decorations. New Christmas tree decorations or hanging decorations for anywhere in the home! I'm hoping to make lots of these to sell at a craft fair in November. I have been playing around with designs, not sure if this is a little plain. Might try using some brown fabric for the robin's body so that not so much of the white linen is on show. Il share some more photos of other designs soon. The Christmas present list is coming along very slowly... The first one was almost completely finished in record time, and I had just the finishing touches to add.... But that was about 3 weeks ago and I still haven't done it! It's only October and I'm losing momentum, good job I started early! What has everyone else been up to? <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/17/1834.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/17/s_1834.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Xxx<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-32144986598798303512012-10-06T13:41:00.001-07:002012-10-06T22:28:26.792-07:00Christmas CardsI Made some new Christmas cards today. I'm doing my first fair in November and I'm hoping this will be the perfect time to sell some of my crafts and get some feedback. I'm a bit worried my stockings in the first card look more like socks or floral golf clubs! Haha. I tested the design using old scraps of fabric but I think I will need to use Christmas fabric for the real cards, and maybe play around with the shape. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/06/2051.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/06/s_2051.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I like the holly designs, although I have run out of red buttons now so I'm going to have to wait for new stock before I can make more of these. I really like the "Merry Christmas" in freestyle machine embroidery. I did play around with ink and stamps but I think the embroidery looks less messy and is just as quick to do. What do you think? <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/06/2052.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/06/s_2052.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/06/3141.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/06/s_3141.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/06/3142.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/06/s_3142.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Xxx<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-65811848154446889422012-09-18T15:00:00.000-07:002012-09-18T15:41:07.300-07:00iPad and Christmas cards! Hi everyone,<br />This blog post comes to you from by brand new, shiny, lovely iPad! I'm not usually one to fall for expensive gadgets; although I do love apple products, I'm not one for upgrading every time something new comes out (my iPod is 8 years old and still going strong, and my MacBook is 6 years old... But slowing dying!). My MacBook charger gave up this week (the wires have been visible for months) so instead of replacing the charger at a cost of £30ish... I spent £479 on an iPad! Lol. Actually, that wasn't the only reason, I have been considering getting an iPad for when we go travelling anyway, although I was worried it would be a tad big to cart around... But now I have it I love it!! Expect lots more posts, and more photo collages etc! Exciting.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/18/2539.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/18/s_2539.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='373' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Anyway, enough of that. Today I have been working on some Christmas cards. I'm trying to be organised this year. I stuck to my usual style of machine sewn cards on a background of white linen and mounted on my favourite "natural" card. The fabric used are all scraps left over from other projects.. You might recognise some of the fabric from my last post. Even tiny tiny bits don't get wasted, see the teeny tiny bunting? No two cards are the same and I like to make each one individual with buttons and lace.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/18/2541.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/18/s_2541.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='668' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/18/2543.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/18/s_2543.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='668' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/18/2545.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/18/s_2545.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/18/2546.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/18/s_2546.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='373' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I hope the layout looks ok, I'm uploading the pics using an app so it's difficult to see how it will turn out! <br /><br />I think I have tried out a good range of Christmas tree designs so I will be experimenting with other designs in the week. We are going on a bike ride tomorrow and collecting blackberries... I do love autumn! Will be time to get the woollies and knitted jumpers out soon :) xxx<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-9753597087504525812012-09-13T01:57:00.000-07:002012-09-13T06:11:48.842-07:00A sneaky peek... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Its that time of year again to start thinking about christmas! I know, I know... no one wants to hear about christmas in september, but when it comes to the lengthy task of making your own xmas pressies you have to get started way in advance otherwise you have a manic December (and a not particularly relaxing xmas)! </div>
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So on that note, I have been busy sewing... but I can't show you what I have been making otherwise it will ruin the surprise... which doesn't make for very easy blogging! I will have to get a few smaller non-christmassy projects on the go just so I've got something to share with you guys. </div>
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So here is just a little sneak preview of something I've been working on this week... look at all these yummy fabrics! I love mixing pinks and greens; it has that beautiful country cottage, shabby chic effect.</div>
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hmmm, what will they be... a cushion, a wall hanging, a table runner, shabby chic christmas cards...<br />
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... You will just have to wait and see.<br />
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Im on night shifts as of tonight for the whole weekend, so I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I'l post again in the week.<br />
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xxxAmy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-48373605816224062682012-09-09T13:31:00.000-07:002012-09-09T13:32:15.770-07:00Garden Parties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went home to Devon this weekend for my mum's garden party. After a very wet summer the sun thankfully decided to come out for the party and we had glorious sunshine all weekend. Everyone had a very busy day on friday preparing for the party; putting up and decorating the marquee, making curry and buffet food for 50 people and getting the garden ready. The party was lovely and everyone had a great time, possibly too good a time based on how I felt the following day!! Unfortunately there aren't many photos from the party as I had forgotten to charge my camera battery. Oops! I did manage a couple of quick snaps before it died though. I hope the people in the photo don't mind being on the blog but it was the only photo I got of the marquee...</div>
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The following morning we had breakfast in the garden for the people who had stayed over. The sun was shining and the garden table looked beautiful with all the flowers the guests had brought the night before. I love this garden table, with its reclaimed look and lovely blue picnic benches. And I love love love the wicker basket... and even the big fruit bowl looks pretty with its different colours.<br />
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The adults couldn't resist a bounce on the bouncy castle before it went back the next morning! Although we all quickly realised that bouncing with a hangover is not the greatest feeling, especially after I had shown off with a few somersaults! haha.<br />
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And finally, although it's completely unrelated, I couldn't resist showing you these photos! One of our friends is hand rearing four, 12 day old kittens, and because they need round the clock care and feeding she had to bring them along to the party, where they ended up being the main attraction!! How cute is this little kitty having its breakfast!!<br />
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I hope everyone else had a good weekend and managed to enjoy the sunshine! hopefully some more sewing posts coming this week before I go back to work. xxx</div>
<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-84387841366021805942012-09-01T01:24:00.000-07:002012-09-01T01:24:08.370-07:00Red Velvet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi everyone, </div>
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It seems that my blog posts seem to go in phases, its either all about the baking, or I'm so busy sewing that I bake nothing at all! Now that the quilt is finished it seemed like a good time to get the recipe books out again. Im still working my way through the Hummingbird Bakery book and this time I tried the red velvet cupcakes. Once again the recipe was brilliant and the cakes turned out just as the book described, light but velvety. And they look very cute when they are decorated. Another bonus of this recipe is that you don't need to buy anything extra to decorate, you simply crumble one of the cupcakes into fine crumbs and sprinkle this on the iced cupcake for a simple but stunning finish! </div>
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I am on holiday (YAY!!) for the next week and a half so I'm hoping to get lots of sewing done and I know the blog post have been few and far between recently so it will be nice to have a chance to catch up and share some of the other things I've been working on. Hope everyone has a good weekend. xx<br />
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P.s. When I took these cupcakes to work someone asked me "why are they red?"... "hmmmm, I have no idea"... and it's true, they are a chocolate based sponge, and since food colouring doesn't affect the taste, why bother??! But they look so cute, why not! Does anyone know who first thought up red velvet cupcakes? ...<br />
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xxx</div>
<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-35843370675800260032012-08-24T11:05:00.000-07:002012-08-24T11:05:12.226-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>I come bearing good news... The quilt is finished! done, complete, finito! I absolutely loved hand sewing the binding, which I thought I was going to hate, so that was a nice surprise! I actually found it really therapeutic, and it was nice to do some slow sewing rather than my usual whizz it through the machine approach! Putting it on the bed was a great feeling!! I can still see the little wobbles in the lines and where I've had to tweak the quilting because the squares were all very slightly different sizes. I know this is because I cut them out with scissors, but now that I have my trusty rotary cutter this shouldn't happen in the future. Thats right, I said it... The future... I thought when I finished this quilt I would never want to quilt again, but I cant wait to start a new one. I'v got lots of ideas and don't really know where to start, definitely a more complicated patchwork pattern next time now that I have had a practice with the basics! but for now here are some photos of the finished quilt... </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Have a good weekend! xxx</b></span>Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-48304346844226903262012-08-15T06:34:00.000-07:002012-08-15T06:39:52.179-07:00Making the binding for my quilt! I'm sorry for the lack of posts recently, I've been sewing! This week I have made the binding for my quilt. As this is my first quilt I have never made binding before, so I am quite happy with this as a first attempt! I took some advice from various books and other blogs, and made a few bits up as I went along! Typical Amy style! I made a little practice square first and found that the recommended binding width was a bit too narrow so I made mine a little wider.<br />
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The good news is I have finally purchased a rotary cutter and board!! I am very excited about it and I cannot believe how much easier it is!! I also can't believe I cut out all of the squares for my quilt by hand!! </div>
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Anyway, I have decided that I'm not going to do a tutorial as this was my first attempt and therefore there are many more experienced quilters out there with brilliant binding tutorials on their blogs! I will post my step by step photos though so you can see what I did. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zxLihMNnWoxnpZdL6Ra4sewUDslXA76SeYbJRQWTBz9iPDZ6qbyfaXNf0YxBLz7hqH-xfXXLfe6oK3DrtODz5Bfn054EpZc12epCW002Wok3kMvMAE-FlkbXNA6UfJ5I3XU8aHaes5I/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zxLihMNnWoxnpZdL6Ra4sewUDslXA76SeYbJRQWTBz9iPDZ6qbyfaXNf0YxBLz7hqH-xfXXLfe6oK3DrtODz5Bfn054EpZc12epCW002Wok3kMvMAE-FlkbXNA6UfJ5I3XU8aHaes5I/s320/IMG_0864.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I cut out strips of fabric 2 3/4 inches wide. I needed nearly 9 meters of binding so I had a lot of strips to cut! </div>
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I pinned the strips right-side together at right angles to each other to attach the strips and make one long piece of fabric! </div>
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Using a straight stitch I sewed along the line I had marked out. I reduced the stitch length on my machine for this stage to make the seam stronger. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-ojN98XHmeqDSZcdDlN8rZORidnAgZKhk6XxwzaK4-RZQtFZxrihhT5gZZOa97u_2Ct6fHN9z5B8Bp7Zbw4T6-huMmXHQMe8OG924u2TawPf5ZwnJH8yk_1qY0XrZSW9ZAkUipR2xz0/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-ojN98XHmeqDSZcdDlN8rZORidnAgZKhk6XxwzaK4-RZQtFZxrihhT5gZZOa97u_2Ct6fHN9z5B8Bp7Zbw4T6-huMmXHQMe8OG924u2TawPf5ZwnJH8yk_1qY0XrZSW9ZAkUipR2xz0/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I Opened the fabric and pressed each seam using my iron. I Repeated this with each of the strips until I had enough binding length to go around the outside of my quilt + about 10 inches to allow you to overlap the binding to make the final seam, which in my case was about 9 meters!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGXTTSH2bdJnCHBfZLLp83F8IjCHYfsDXD5YLIg1kjGQrnXAllPeHdTDdBHvo03RkWCxQVIpII4nrG97OrCEI3Ip_dN96QQ9A5madju5y43DTqH7C4XJ815MqiyEqb1W9PDHSUlfdcFw/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGXTTSH2bdJnCHBfZLLp83F8IjCHYfsDXD5YLIg1kjGQrnXAllPeHdTDdBHvo03RkWCxQVIpII4nrG97OrCEI3Ip_dN96QQ9A5madju5y43DTqH7C4XJ815MqiyEqb1W9PDHSUlfdcFw/s400/IMG_0873.JPG" width="300" /></a> I then needed to prepare my quilt, which until now had been left with extra backing fabric and wadding. Using the rotary cutter and board I trimmed the edges of my quilt to make clean straight edges to which I will attach my binding. (look at those lovely clean, straight edges all thanks to my lovely new rotary cutter!)<br />
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I used a technique called mitered corners on my quilt. When I reached the first corner I stopped exactly the length of the seam allowance from the end, 8mm. Taking the quilt out of the machine and I folded the fabric back on itself at a right angle.<br />
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I then folded the fabric back on itself in line with the corner and pinned.<br />
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I started sewing the next seam 8mm from the end, again using the pin to mark the starting point. I continued to sew along the length of each end and using the sam technique at each corner. When I reached my starting point I joined the start and finish of the binding together with a separate seam. <br />
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Finished!! Well, almost! I dont have any pictures for this part but the next stage was to fold the binding over the rough edge of the quilt and hand stitch it to the backing fabric. I did this using a whip stitch which is practically invisible and very strong. I really though I would hate hand-stitching because I am such a huge fan of machine sewing and I'm also incredibly impatient!! I even read up on machine stitching methods for attaching the binding but the finished results just didn't look as professional. So I took a deep breath and threaded my needle....AND, I loved it! It was so satisfying seeing the quilt come together and the invisible stitches give the quilt such a lovely finish. I have been on night shifts so I have been cramming in a few minutes of sewing per night before work, but its nearly finished. I will post some photos of the finished quilt later in the week. xxx</div>
<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-17463247593271174582012-07-25T06:05:00.001-07:002012-07-25T06:38:30.096-07:00Yarn bombing is coming to a town near you...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yarn bombing, guerilla knitting, graffiti knitting...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ever heard of these terms? I have to admit I hadn't until I started seeing knitting cropping up in random areas around bristol! I was in St Andrews park recently, enjoying an afternoon in the sunshine, when I saw a tree covered in colourful knitting, like a tree wooly jumper! This was the second time I had spotted what looked like graffiti knitting in bristol. The first time I thought it was cute and quirky but a one off. But after seeing the tree I had a look online and it seems to be a huge new craze; already popular in london and other big cities. T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">he internet research I did suggests it started as early as 2004 in Europe and became popular in America around 2009 and has slowly been spreading ever since! There is even an international Yarn Bombing day, june 11th! The knitting often crops up over night, much like a knitted Banksy, surprising locals who wake up to a colourful new knitted object! I <b>LOVE</b> the idea of a city covered in knitting!! What a great way to cheer people up, it definitely made me smile! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So keep your eyes peeled for yarn bombing near you!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I certainly will, and note to self... must keep my camera on me at all times... only had my rubbish camera phone in the park so I appologise for the rubbish photos! Enjoy the sunshine everyone xxx</span><br />
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<br />Amy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5286501392169121213.post-84162564772157716492012-07-17T14:00:00.002-07:002012-07-17T14:01:09.300-07:00The quilt is out of the cupboard again!!I finally bought some backing fabric for my quilt yesterday. I had been struggling to decide on the backing and had even been to the fabric shop a few times and left empty handed. The front is such an eclectic mix of bright and patterned fabrics that I wanted to go for something quite mellow but not completely plain.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">Hhhhmmmmm, this photo makes my lines look quite wonky, don't look too closely! haha</span></td></tr>
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Yesterday I managed to find some very cute cream cotton with tiny tiny white flowers on it. So I got the never-ending quilt back out today and made good progress. I have ummed and ahhhed for a week or so as to which quilting technique I should use. With it being my first quilt, and the fact that it is the size of a queen size duvet (in retrospect a bit ambitious for a 1st attempt!) I was worried that the quilt would be too big to fit through my machine. After speaking to my friends at folksy I decided to quilt in straight lines but avoid stitching "in the ditch" as my seams were a tiny (teeny, tiny) bit wonky! So I went for the double lines, sewing one line a presser foot width away from the seam on each side. This worked well, and although my lines are a tad squiffy (a knock on effect of following my slight wonky seams!!) I love it... it looks like a quilt now!<br />
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I did have a bit of trouble trying to haul the sheer weight of the quilt around, and I found that it was so heavy it would pull to the side, making sewing in a straight line very tricky! I experimented with propping the material on chairs, and pinning the rolled up fabric so it wouldn't slip. However the thing I found worked the best was having the rolled up quilt over my shoulder... however this technique should come with a WARNING.... I nearly re-pierced my ear with a stray pin!! I also spent most of the day buried beneath reams of quilt, sadly I was home alone so I dont have any action shots, but I did take some mid seam shots to demonstrate my set-up.<br />
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Pins sticking in my head and wonky lines aside I managed to complete the quilting stage today, which I'm really pleased about! Although now that I'm finished I'm almost tempted to freestyle quilt a flower on every other square. There are two things putting me off: 1. If I freestyle applique them using the machine I wont be able to regulate the size, shape so they will all be slightly different and I'm worried it might look messy. and 2. If I do one I will have to do them all and I'm not sure I'm prepared to applique 50 flowers!! haha. What do you think??<br />
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Now just to learn how to bind the edges... better get the books out!! Any one know any good websites with easy to follow tutorials? xxxAmy Uptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571143302834650925noreply@blogger.com2