Up, up and away!

Last Thursday, 15th September, Henry and Emily set forth on a week long excursion to Germany. What an adventure they had!

Henry enjoyed looking at the planes.

I think he thought we were going on this one, but actually the plane we flew on was the other side, towards the left of where he is standing, but it couldn't really be seen properly.

Up, up and away...take off!

Almost left England...

That's it, wearing their safety belts like all good passengers.

Henry enjoyed looking out the window for the whole trip, however, Emily wasn't quite so brave.

Crossing the channel.

Almost there, just before we started out descent into Stuttgart.

Photographs of Day Two, a visit to Calw can be seen here.

Visiting friends.

Henry and Emily are all buckled in ready for their trip to Cambridge today.

We had lunch with friends and I gave Chris the Jelly Roll Quilt I'd made for her.

Emily was impressed to see these old Singer frames used for the tables.

Henry of course was much more taken by the signs around the pub.

They wanted to stop and climb these wonderful sculptures in someone's front garden, but I didn't think it was really appropriate and we couldn't stop!

Henry is off to Germany tomorrow and possibly Emily as well, we are currently still in discussion over who is coming.

Now if Tate and Henry had been on the ball, they would have organised their adventure abroad together! Still I am sure they will get an opportunity to get up to mischief another time.

Henry's adventures

Thanks to the wonderful kindness of friends all is not lost...so with a camera in hand I was able to photograph some of Henry's antics yesterday.

I don't think you are tall enough to see out the windscreen Henry.

A look of determination

Not one to give up easily...

and Henry succeeds!

Introducing the blondes & brunettes.

I had planned quite a different post for today, but had an unfortunately accident with my beloved camera yesterday. I dropped it onto hard concrete and now it won't work as I bent the lens in its casing and it won't come on properly. So very sad person am I. Fortunately I still had some photos of my Sasha family to post that I took last week when dressing them in warmer clothes.

Sasha, my first ever Sasha doll who is just gorgeous and is Emily's best friend. They are often seen together and out and about with me. Sasha was also lucky enough to go to New Zealand with me at the beginning of the year when I went to visit my parents.

Next we have my beautiful 'Monica' my lovely 1971 Brunette Sasha, (she has falling hair, but I don't care as I think she is lovely, and I probably wouldn't have been able to have her if she hadn't!). Monica is best friends with Charlotte, also from 1971, but blonde ;-)

Pretty girls.

Now for the rest of the brunette girls.

From left to right: Molly, my waif from the early 70s has green oxidised eyes and brows. Fiona is a 'Red dress' Sasha from mid 70s. Melody is in the middle and is from the early 70s, Mona May my short hair waif is late 70s early 80s I am guessing and on the far right is Marina in the outfit she arrived in.

Now for the lovely blondes.

Sophie (late 70s, early 80s) Serena, Sally, my 1972 Blue Gingham WF sweetie who came from Ted Menton in USA, Serena, a 1970 girl in her blue cord dress and an apron, Susan, 1982/83 'Sweater' and lastly Sarah, another later 70s, early 80s girl.

Phew, what a collection! A couple of the girls here are currently being fostered, and will be moving on when they are ready to 'forever' homes. But in the meantime they are enjoying the company of the other girls and boys.

I find it fascinating how different they all are, and how they seem to have different personalities. It is indeed a learning experience to discover what your tastes are, how they change and also perhaps a very important lesson in 'don't rush in'!

I have been very fortunate in all but one of my purchases (where a doll was incorrectly described, despite specific questions being asked) but I was given a refund on return of that doll (less postage costs of course) and for that I am grateful. I'm sure I have sometimes (often?) paid over the odds... mostly in the early days when I was just discovering these wonderful dolls, but I have also managed to get a few bargains, although not perhaps as bargainous as some people have managed! Still to find that beauty in a charity shop, car boot sale etc...

Introducing the boys.

Time for the boys... as introduced by Henry, my 1972 lad. Henry used to live with Steve, but luckily for me needed to move to a new home. He is Tilly Rose's best friend and is often seen by her side.

First up we have three of his brunette friends and as you can see them are all different.

From left to right: the little lad with the 'chopter' jumper is Oliver, because he was a little orphan with none of his original clothes. I think he is probably from 1971 having tan elastic in his legs.

The one in the middle is George, who used to live with Patty, The Sasha Wardrobe and he has been on many adventures from what I have read! He is a 74 -78 Gregor Dark Sport and is very sporty minded as such.

Gregor is on the right and he was my first Gregor lad and came with Sasha, who was my first Sasha girl (hence why both retained their original names) I think he is probably around the mid 70s as well.

Next we have the blonde lads.

From left to right we have Simon in his Mushroom Suit and I am guessing he is from the mid 70s. If you look closely you can see that his lashes have been painted over. In the middle is Thomas in his jumpsuit and on the right is sweet little Peter who is an early 70s lad.

I do have rather a soft spot for the boys. :-)

My Gotz Sasha Family

I thought I would share my Gotz Sasha family today. Again the photos of these were taken on Wednesday which was an extremely dreary day, so the brightness and clarity of the photos is not the best.

First up are my 'modern' Gotz from left to right:

Angela, Michel (a Scout Uniform is on my wish list, unless I get my act into gear and make one), Maria and Ira.

Next up are my two delightful No Nose Gotz children

Marcia and Jack (who came from Jackie Hyatt in USA, hence his name)

These two girls are Liebe who came to me from Germany and Bethany who I purchased from Shelly.

Lastly we have Emily who is often seen out and about with me at quilting group and other places I may visit.

I think she is one of my most photogenic girls.

Dressing my Sasha doll family in warmer (and in most cases original) clothes for Autumn and photographing them all has made me realise why I am now so utterly flat broke! Little did I know that the 'I'll only buy two, a Gregor and a Sasha' words that I spoke to myself at the beginning of the year as I justified spending money on two dolls (more than I'd ever spent on dolls before in the past) would snowball into the collection I now have!

I still have a wish list but I have sworn to my husband that there will be NO MORE LOOKING or BUYING as I have no will power and of course, now, no more money!

If only I could go back to teaching and playing to earn some income... but sadly that is not going to be a possibility for sometime yet I fear.

Still I have plenty to do with sewing and knitting for them. But must finish some other projects first.

Introducing the red heads.

Yesterday after spending the day on pain inducing housework, I spent a pleasurable time dressing my Sasha family in warmer clothes...Brrr...it certainly has been cold here the last few days that is for sure. This meant that most of them were dressed in either their original clothing, or clothing they came in, so I am going to have to get busy with both the sewing machine and knitting needles to make them some more suitable Autumn and Winter wear.

All of my dolls are named...just as all my cavies were/are named when I was breeding & exhibiting them, and even dare I admit it but my cacti that I used to 'collect' as a teenager ...I seem to recall they all had names beginning with 'H'. Yes I really must be a strange one.

From left to right:

Patrick Gregor, wearing his Green cord outfit came all the way from the USA, Judy (a later Sasha), Jane and my adorable little 1968/69 Shorts Gregor, James.

Mustn't forget my lovely Gotz large head, yellow eyed girl 'Amber'.