Seaside in Rothbury

We have a seaside theme in the window of Coccuveda this week, " Beauty from the Beach"
There is more than just the seaglass jewellery that I have made, although that is most prominent! Pretty stained glass mermaid, seahorse and small boats and a light house, all made by a very clever lady, Juline Batchelor. Juline also makes some fabulous fused glass pendants that are "best sellers" in Coccuveda.
Completing the seaside theme is the beautiful artwork of local artist Viv Dykes of Riverside Studio from Alnmouth. Viv captures our Northumberland coast sometimes with vibrant atmospheric skies and other times with a calm serenity that completely draws you in to almost feeling the sand between your toes http://www.theriversidestudio.co.uk/  We are very lucky here in Coccuveda to be able to offer our customers such individual and cleverly created things all made in Northumberland.

Abandoned Post and Family Fun!

Now I am used to working bank holidays so don't really think too much about it, after all I am more than happy to be spending time in my world of Coccuveda, I am quite content to be in my creative zone, even if there is beautiful sunshine outside. Today, however I felt an urge to abandon my post at 2.30pm, more than half a days work done (I am justifying it!)
With having three grown up working daughters, opportunities for us all being off work and free to partake in a family outing are few and far between, there was the opportunity today so as quality family time is important and precious Coccuveda had to take second place!

We all congregated at a pub(surprise surprise!) for an alfresco refreshing drink before heading for some award winning Ice cream at http://www.spurreli.com/  We sat on top of a hill while we all devoured it, there was a warm gentle breeze, enough of a breeze to make long hair get in the way of melting Ice Cream cones.
I had the Arabica Coffee ice cream, it was so nice!

The beach at Warkworth was our destination, one of the many beautiful Northumberland beaches. A spot of beach combing was the task. As I am using a lot of seaglass and beach finds in my mosaic pendants
http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheSeaGlassShop?ref=l2-shopheader-name  I need to replenish my booty. So we all had a good  wander along the beach and filled a few bags of shells, glass and pottery.

It is thirsty work all that beach combing, so it was back to the pub for more refreshment!!!! A good day!

Apostrophes!

I have to admit I am one of those people who do like good grammar and spelling. I am not going to suggest though that everything I write is never without an error here and there.
Part of my work this week was making an owl picture with a bit of an embroidered message on it.

It took quite a bit of time designing, cutting, sewing etc, so when I had finished it i displayed it in the shop window as I normally do with new products. 

 At 5 o'clock, while locking up the shop I glanced over in the window direction, there it was, like a ruler over my knuckles (just like at school!) my picture with a severe lack of an apostrophe!! How could I have been so silly! I just couldn't stop cringing at it, not sure if everybody else would have been that bothered , but I had to make sure that my first job the next day(after kettle on) was to get that apostrophe embroidered!

A picture paints 1000 words!

Since we no longer have a networked TIC in Rothbury I have been combining Coccuveda with providing visitors with an informayion service. I have found that recently the visitors are asking questions as to the landslide on the road, why the road  is closed and when will it re-open as well as a few saying it is a long diversion. I hope I have always managed to answer the questions in a positive informative matter. I have now put a couple of pictures in the shop window so that folk can see the extent of the landslide for themselves.......... I have heard a few gasps of horror!

I apologise for this!!!!

Yes, I am aware that it is August and we have been enjoying one of the sunniest, warmest summers for a good few years. I am also aware that yuletide festivities are not in the forefront of the minds of very many people yet...........but when you handcraft things for sale that take a bit of time and effort you have to get started early!
Here is my first festive offering to get you all smiling or indeed gringing at the cheek of daring to mention Christmas so soon.

shopping bag to help carry your Christmas shopping, from Coccuveda I hope!

Stitched and embroidered by hand!

Roving Rothbury Reporter It's Restaurant Week!

It is Restaurant week in Newcastle so this country bumpkin and two girls decided that we should take advantage of this and head to the big city and get a taste of how the city slickers do lunch!
We are normally tea and cake customers rather than fine diners, but that is not to say that we don't like fine food it is just a fact of life that our purses don't stretch to it. What better excuse than restaurant week to go out and sample the best without breaking the bank!
Cafe 21 down at the Quayside was where we decided to go, with two courses for £15 we thought this would make a special treat for us!
Wow, I think I have just got a taste for this fine dining thing!
We decided that we would opt for a starter and a main course. The menu was very tempting but not an easy choice as everything sounded delicious. I ordered the Cheddar cheese souffle to start with then followed that with Fishcakes with buttered spinach and parsley cream.
When the cheese souffle arrived I thought" How on earth am I going to manage this then my main course" I needn't have worried because as soon as I took my first mouthful I realised it was so light and fluffy and oozing a lovely cheesy flavour, it was soon devoured and thoroughly enjoyed.
Then on to the main course,  the Fishcakes were golden crispy balls with a soft delicately flavoured centre served in a pool of the parsley cream which complimented the fish perfectly. Again that was enjoyed immensely.
The restaurant has modern elegant decor and had a relaxed atmosphere so we were able to take our time and just enjoy our "Restaurant Week" treat!
So if you have the chance there are many places offering good deals for Restaurant week, so it is well worth taking advantage of it.

Would you describe this as Quaint now?

I wonder how often, this once vital piece of community life, is actually now used. 

Most people these days have access to a mobile telephone and mostly there is good reception for a lot of networks. 

Looking at the condition of the telephone box it doesn't seem too be proudly maintained anymore, the windows look as if they have a dusty curtain that sends out a message of "come in if you dare". I would like to think that it was still in working order and could be put to use as it was originally intended, should it be needed.

I am sure, that if it the bright red icon, from days of less technology, were to suddenly disappear from our characterful village we would all be sorry. we would miss it's quaintness I reckon rather than it's usefulness!