I never realised Croquet was such a ruthless sport! The sun was shining the birdswere singing, kites were flying and my new sparkly shoes were being worn in on thesoft green grass of Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. I even think the Queen was in herresidence about to entertain a few hundred guests too at the Garden Party. Anyway,as I was saying Croquet you think the sport of the old days on the lawn with some Pimms laughing the time away and generally being dapper.

Let me tell you this is all an illusion. The games started off very polite with the balls being gently hit through the hoops. Then the tactics started and to be honest with you, I don't want you to think of me as a competitive freak or anything but when you play with tactics and try and knock your opponents out of the way it's so much more fun.I have always been slightly competitive, but I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Competition follows you throughout your life, motivating, and inspiring you to improve, develop and grow. Blimey listen to me!

So other than hitting hard balls round Holyrood Park we have been Pony Trekking which was great, Tim's first time on a horse, Ryan the old grey Clydesdale took very good care of him as he plodded way behind everyone else dragging the horse away from all the tasty vegetation that hung over the path.There's a place in Cumbria that you can go and ride Clydesdales along the beach which looks fantastic and I am currently dropping hints for future Birthday and Christmas presents, so watch this space.

So stripykat has only been a little neglected over the last month I have been on a photo shoot which I have to admit was a little embarrassing, but luckily not many people were about as I was prancing about the fields….all will be revealed shortly.

We had a visit from our good friend Stephan at the weekend as he was on his epic journey from John O'Groats to Lands End. It's a fantastic achievement and he's doing it all on his own which I find incredible. Having to get up each morning knowing you have about 60-70 miles of cycling ahead of you and let's be honest not in the nicest of weathers either. We fed him up and gave him a comfy bed for the night.

There are lots of new stock appearing on the site each week, new mp3 cases and scarves and I have a few bags cut out and ready to sew together.

I also found some brilliant fabric that is currently winging it's way to me from a Japanese designer and they are soooo cool.

Anyway I shall away and get on with more sewing.

Until next time be good and take care.

Katie
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