I am on a week-long holiday. Usually I would be rejoicing at the lack of work, at being able to do the things I once had time to do, but no – this week has turned out rather differently. It saw me yesterday going back into work and feeling like I’d rather be there with friends than home alone! Mr. VP is sat at work busily beavering away, so it means it is just me, which is usually not a problem but yesterday with the rain pouring down outside I would’ve rather been anywhere else.

Frenchy my long-time (well, 18 months) side-kick and confidant has left England to live in Montreal and has left a loud, Frenchy-shaped hole where my friend used to be. I’ll miss him terribly but I don’t suppose it’ll be long before we turn up in Canada – and he’s very kindly offered his flat at our disposal. It’s nice to have friends in far-flung places!

In other, happier news, Mr. VP bought me on one of his trips, a Lomography camera.  I’ve been rather obsessed with these cameras since I first saw them a year or so ago.  They make many different cameras, all producing different types of photos, some use only Medium-Format film (hard to find anywhere to process it, sadly), some use 35mm and some use both!  Mr. VP got me an Oktomat camera which has 8 lenses and takes a serial shot over 2 seconds for some amazing effects.

I got my first film developed and the man at my preferred photo-processor said he’d never seen anything like it before.  He had to do it all backwards, because he didn’t know where one shot stopped and the next began!  Not all of the shots came out – it was my first go, and you need to have a LOT of light, but some were amazing.

So to stop myself going insane today, I have to things I plan to do.  Firstly, is get out with a roll of film and my Oktomat and enjoy the bright sunshine.  Hopefully whilst listening to a lot of lovely music (a post will come shortly with a lot of that in it!) and rejoicing in some of nature’s more wonderful colours.  Secondly, I plan on knitting some socks.  I bought the wool whilst in York last weekend and plan on finishing the pair I started on honeymoon (yes, 3 years ago).  I got as far as the first sock and didn’t ever continue.  I think this has something to do with the fact that my pattern (it came as a kit with the sock wool) is the only one I’ve seen to talk you step-by-step through everything you’re doing.  When it comes to knitting on any more than 2 needles I need that sort of guidance.  Yet I still managed to fudge the grafting for the toe.  Anyone who can explain that better will get a hug from me.

And I’m working on my Pay It forward gifts.  I am only a year-and-a-bit late.  But it will happen, hopefully before Christmas! ;)

OK, I’m off to knit and listen to Kelly Joe Phelps and Lucy Ann Sale.  Today is going to be better than yesterday.