Episode 88 - A visit to Gidleigh Park, Ratty and Mouche

[@sandrachilds7229]

This episode from start to finish was a balm for the soul. Thank you.

[@penelopeschinwag]

How kind, thanks Sandra.xx

[@heatherharris6916]

absolutely I agree x

[@MsPoodlelove]

Thank you for coming into our homes especially when you aren’t feeling 100%. The Wind in the Willows will be a lovely special “me time” read. Loved watching your film. The hotel & grounds are amazing. It was nice to see your daughter wearing the shawl you made for her. It looked good draped over her back. Hope you are soon feeling a lot better. Take care. Dianne 😀

[@penelopeschinwag]

Feeling on the mend thank Dianne. For me the hotel was just gorgeous and a wonderful treat. We didn't take our shawls off as the weather was so changeable. Just kept the chill off. There's so many lessons we can learn from the characters of Wind in the Willows. A lovely read. xx

[@jacquelineknox1977]

Penelope, thank you for sharing your time with us while you are not feeling 100%. I love the scarf you are knitting. So lovely to hear all the birds around you while you are chatting. The scenery and buildings in Exeter look so picturesque and a lovely place to visit and walk around. I hope you are feeling a lot better soon. xx

[@penelopeschinwag]

I'm feeling a lot better thank you. Exeter was bombed a lot in the war and in the 50s they didn't think too much about the buildings they built. However, the streets around the cathedral were very old and quaint and we enjoyed our stroll.

[@angelaholcroft4515]

Hi Pene. Watched today with Rudy. He starts school tomorrow and his mummy was back today. He enjoyed seeing cutie polar bear. Prompted him to get his knitting out. He loves wrapping yarn around his needles and making knots.
Your daughter was born a month before me in 1969. I remember my mum saying my grandad got terry nappies from the pit.
Your holiday looked idyllic. How lovely to spend quality time with your daughter. Reminiscing and making new memories.
Andy's dad is doing really well at home. He looks more like himself every day. We are so thankful for all the care he's received.
Have a lovely week, hope you continue to improve. Xx

[@penelopeschinwag]

How lovely he is being introduced to wool and knitting so young and from you - so special. Nappies from the pit, well I never. My break away was such a treat made all the more special spending time with our daughter and husband and I'm so pleased your father in law is doing well. As moley would say getting home is the thing, and of course all the care made that possible.
Feeling much more like myself today thanks. See you soon xx

[@strawberrypatches8742]

Dear Pene,
Thank you so much for this lovely episode! I was very touched by all your kind words and I'm happy that it brought you some nice memories of when you became a mum. It's a very special time indeed!
What a gorgeous little hotel! It looks very sophisticated with those tiny delicate deserts gentle colours and magnificent view! So lovely to be able to do such trips with your family. I'd have loved to visit there too. Oh and if you are ever in New Zealand (it's a beautiful place!) I would love to meet and chat about ouor passion for knitting and doll making!
very warm hugs from the Land Down Under,
Marina

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks for the hugs, much appreciated! xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Well that was lovely, Pene - I have watched you chatting and sitting in your garden whilst sitting in my own garden, knitting (a jumper for the orangutan, Henri Clement) and enjoying some warm sunshine! I could almost imagine that we were in the same garden! I loved your pondering about Toad and, of course, the “coming home” was especially meaningful to me since I’m just home from some travels. It was lovely to see how PJ is coming on and I think he will look very fine with a belt for his tools! I’m glad you like the stuffing from Lucy Locketland, too. I thoroughly enjoyed your visit to Gidleigh, too. Thank you x

[@penelopeschinwag]

Isn't the weather just gorgeous Helen. Henri will be thrilled with what you are knitting him. I think he is such a character. New fence being fitted here so a bit noisy today, I'll pop up to yours! Of course PJ won't really know how he feels in his skin until he is complete and has a good look at himself in the mirror! What a treat Gidleigh was, glad you enjoyed it. xx

[@epiphany8276]

A lovely chinwag! Mr E and I went up the local mountains today and sat having a picnic by a pond and we were talking about Ratty and Mole, Coot Club and other watery stories! Love Dartmoor, so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your week of two halves! Feel better soon. Jane

[@penelopeschinwag]

Feeling much better thanks Jane. How lovely to have a picnic in the local mountains. We can learn a thing or two from Mole and Ratty! Dartmoor has so many memories for us a lovely place. See you soon. xx

[@mitzikolody4569]

Hi Penny I do hope you feel much better I love your knitting of mooch an love your stories looking forward to your next blog ❤xx

[@penelopeschinwag]

Feeling much better today thanks, see you soon. xx

[@ic7505]

That was delightful, magical. Thank you. You are also delightful and magical. What a lovely trip you had. I enjoyed all your ponderings, I too ponder, overthink really. So many things I want to comment on! PJ is going to be lovely when he’s finished. He has a very handsome face. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, it’s just like having a chat with a friend. I found you through Helen at MousieMakes. Helen makes me feel the same, chatting with a friend. Feel better soon.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thank you so much and welcome. Overthinking can feel too much sometimes but pondering is, well just that, I enjoy it and can stay with the thought for quite a while once I've found it! It's comfortable. I agree Helen feels friendly and comfortable too! See you next time and I do feel a lot better today, thanks. xx

[@pamelahall282]

Hi penny, such a lovely video, thank you, a wonderful trip you had with the family, it looks so green and the garden and paths surroundings.oh those memories of nappies, i know all about them too. The yellow shawl looks amazing, you are such a wonderful knitter. Kind regards pamela hall

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks Pamela, glad you enjoyed my chatter and film. Green is the colour of Devon right enough. I'm loving the yellow shawl as it gets bigger, a happy colour. xx

[@kristinvoss9857]

Finally caught up to your latest post. I am enjoying everything that you share with us. I had the best laugh I have had in ages when you said you dropped the diaper in the fire. If I had a fire at the time I might have done that as well. I had my first in 74 and never once thought about disposable diapers. I have loved seeing all the things you saved from your mom's home. I'm sure you were cheered when a lovely family moved into your mom's house. I never cried a tear after hearing my mom had died (does that make me a bad person? We did not get along.) but I cried buckets when you told us your dear mom had passed. She was just perfect. When she would say bye-bye after your little talks I just did not want her to go. And the time she blew a kiss I was in bits. I just do not meet such lovely people where I live. And you and your family are just the bee's knees. I hope you will continue Chinwag as long as it brings you joy. Thank you so much for your efforts. You are so dear to think about your viewers when you are going through such grief losing your mom. All the best to you and yours.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Ooh what a memory you conjured up there, so thoughtful of you to remember mum's sweet bye-byes. They are so missed. Thanks for sharing with me. xx

[@glendabathgate4036]

That was just lovely thank you dear Penny you re both looking so well hope you get over this hitch

[@penelopeschinwag]

Feeling much better thank you Glenda.

[@marciastreeter5092]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I loved every single minute of this episode. Are you even aware that your productions put anything else on American TV to shame? To hear you retell your adventures and then to see them come to life at the end through your camera lens was very moving. Now that you are enjoying Strawberry Patches so much, you know exactly how I feel about your vlog. What you had to say about your life stage resonated so much with me. Mouche is darling, and your diaper story had me laughing out loud. I was like Marina. My first was born in 1973 and we had disposable diapers, but I was determined to use cloth for the sake of the environment. We were able to puchase a washer and dryer, but still only lasted about 4 months and didn't try it with the second. The only problem with your vlog is that it makes me wish I had spent my life closer to my roots. Your countryside is so beautiful!

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks Marcia, It's a dilemma isn't it - sanity or the environment!
I loved being in Devon again after so long away and can't wait for our next visit even if they are short. There's a romance about the hotel that the river, trees and people conjour up. xx

[@ElaineP49]

Lovely video Pen…and such a wonderful time spent with your family. My eldest daughter was born in June of ’69 and I too had to deal with ‘terry nappies’….I used to soak them in a bucket of something that was called Napisan…and then boil them on the cooker in a metal bucket….ha!! the things we did back then. Lovely to share your memories….hope you’re feeling rested…take care x x x 🥰

[@penelopeschinwag]

Of course, Napisan - what hateful stuff. Boiling them up too. How did we find the time? My idea much better, just keep buying new or cut them in quarters as they would fit four babies they were so big! Don't forget the safety pin on a struggling baby! We were living!

[@heatherharris6916]

such a great episode, loved it - ponder & wander as much as you like, I'll tag along anytime xx

[@penelopeschinwag]

wander and ponder with me

[@lynnyvonnestwo]

Ho Penelope Such A Lovely Video I Enjoyed Every minute Thank You, And A Lovely Reminder Of My Old Home Town Exeter Brought Back Lovely Memories For Me, Such A Lovely Place To Stay To Get Away From It All Gidleigh Park, So Pleased You Are Feeling Well Now Happy Crafting Till Next Time Lynn 🥰❤️

[@penelopeschinwag]

How lovely, happy to give you some reminders of Exeter. Gidleigh Park was such a treat and we loved every minuted. Till next time, hope you find some time for crafting too. xx

[@patriciahackman3637]

I also used Terry towelling nappies. Our village was cut off by snow with no electricity for 4 days. I was on my last nappy & envisaged having to make my own. Thankfully at last we had power, but it was a close call.
Gidleigh Park looked wonderful & the food a work of art.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Oh what fun! No electricity for four days a baby and terry nappies. Happy days! Gidleigh was such a treat and the food tasted as good as it looked. Unbelievable flavours. Such skill. xx

[@traceybeale1761]

Hi Pene Thanks for another lovely video your holiday away with your daughter looked idyllic ❤I love your little notebooks what a great idea to use them for keeping track of your craft projects maybe you could add a photo and keep it in the tuck spots …hope you are feeling better soon

[@penelopeschinwag]

Great idea, thanks. xx

[@sandrataylor6507]

Oh Pene that was delightful. Thank you for taking us along. We've just been away for a long weekend in Dorset - Hardy country with rolling hills. It was absolutely wonderful. Like you say its good to get away but good to get home too 😊

[@penelopeschinwag]

How lovely, I'm sure you enjoyed Dorset. Ratty and Moley knew a thing or two!! xx

[@karenk380]

Pene, your chinwags are always so nice to listen to. I love seeing what you've been up to as well. PJ is looking marvelous, great idea to give him just a belt. He does seem to be confident in his own skin😉. And I also like to have an easy project on the go and one that takes more concentration or is otherwise a challenge.
I really enjoyed your clip at the end. It always tickles me when I watch a video where the person is driving around and come across sheep on the road. Just calmly walking about. We have deer around here(wild animals of course), and they jump out of the ditch and run across the road, usually quickly followed by another. And it isn't a pleasant driving experience as you try to avoid hitting them😯😬.
Thanks for sharing. I hope you are feeling better.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Maybe a few fish hanging from his belt? - We'll see. How lovely to think he is confident in his own skin. I'm putting the projects I'm getting ready for winter in the project bags and am thinking just that, mindless, know how to do, concentrate, new experience. Then however I'm feeling I've something to pick up. I'd certainly worry about something jumping out onto the road, now that is a challenge. I'm feeling much better now thanks. See you next time. xx

[@love-light369]

Thoroughly enjoyed the chinwag... Had a few chuckles with Charlie-boy, PJ talking to us about his thoughts on being all-natural with just a belt & topped off by the burning the nappy & down to 11 😂 Love the green of England (experienced only through distance)... So restful compared to the brown dry of Australia. Not looking forward to Summer here again (40 + of them under my belt, but never liked them!) 😜 Thank you for sharing ❣️

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks for joining me and seeing the funny side of life!

[@lindashields5939]

Hi Penny, thank you for another calming and lovely chat. The Wind in the Willows has always been a huge favorite of mine - thank you for the reference. I agree that it is usually wonderful to discover and try a new craft or experience - but I find that often it is also a great comfort to go back to something that is “tried and true”. The Silver River Shawl is beautiful - I have some of Ellie’s yarn in my stash that would be lovely. (Now to finish the baby sweater before my grand-niece is born - and finish one WIP in my ‘collection’ before I’d feel comfortable starting the shawl. The little getaway to Exeter was stunning. thank you for taking us along. i felt relaxed and rejuvinated just watching the film. Give PJ an extra hug for me. Until the next time. Salam wa sa’aadah

[@penelopeschinwag]

Hi Linda, Glad you enjoyed time spent in the garden with me. Nothing like picking something up and just knowing how to do it and relaxing along with it but also how good it is to learn something new, (as I am with PJ!). I agree, I need to finish what I'm doing before I start something new. A new baby how lovely to knit for. See you soon. xx

[@joyofthings]

The probate came through, the house is under offer so if all goes well it will be over at Christmas.I loved the fact that you showed the illustrations of the books.I love wool that’s multi colours.Glad your feeling better.xxxxx🐝🐝🐝🐝

[@penelopeschinwag]

Hooray, so lovely to get things settled. I managed to get a couple of books with the illustrator of the picture on your wall and will show them next time. Starting to feel much better thanks.

[@joyofthings]

@@penelopeschinwag Thankyou for your kind words.xxx🐝🐝🐝

[@grace333ish]

Great podcast as usual. You have tempted me to to buy the mouths book! Can I ask what length needles you are using. I need to buy some 2mm but not sure what length. Thank you

[@penelopeschinwag]

Well I am using 6" because that is what I have but I would definitely recommend 8" as there are quite a few stitches. So pleased you've been tempted.