Tans Shiny Things

21/05/2026

This arrived today, so I've only had time for a quick glance through. It looks great though, and I'm sure it will be really useful to help me remember what I've already learned,l with Scott, plus give me inspiration to try some new ideas. 😁

20/05/2026

A three part post today.

Gardening at Mum and Dad's I heard this little guy singing at the top of his/her voice. We think there may be a nest in the nearbye tree.

This foxglove was from the seed of a peach coloured one. We think it may have hybridised to get this lovely, bright pink.

Dad found a load of my old school reports recently. They form interesting reading, particularly as we're now pretty sure I have adhd. There were a lot of 'Tania has a tendancy to daydream' type comments - folks didn't know much about it back then.

The report I've shown here must have been from before I 'got' Maths. I went on to love the subject, gaining a degree in Civil Engineering and after 20 years working in that field (sometimes literally 😆), teaching secondary school Maths. I still felt a bit of 'oops' when I read it this afternoon though 🤭

Tania xx

# hildhood

19/05/2026

I really enjoyed making this little scotty dog. This one is already sold, but I think I'll have to make another one to put in the shop.

I found soldering the hinge for the locket really difficult on Sunday, and it knocked my confidence a bit. This little doggy has made me feel better though. I learned a lot on the course and think I can sort out the hinge problem so that I can finish the locket off. I'm not giving up!

Tania xx

18/05/2026

I know someone else out there must also have done this. 😆

16/05/2026

A few of us are learning how to make a locket this weekend. The course is being taught by the talented and fun Scott McIntyre of at

It's been a great day. We've learned a lot and had chuckles. The really fiddly stuff is tomorrow. I'm kind of a bit nervous, but also excited at the same time. It's good learning new stuff.

Tania 😁

15/05/2026

Just sharing some of today's moments of joy 😁

14/05/2026

Donald Campbell was a racing car driver. In his lifetime he broke 8 world speed records for water and land. He is still the only person to have broken both land and water speed world records in the same year (1964). Bluebird K7 was his.

K7 is a jet powered hydroplane. In 1967 Donald Campbell attempted to break his own water speed world record on Coniston in the Lake District UK. He reached 285mph at the start of the measured mile and left it at 310mph, giving an average of 297.6mph.

On his return, his maximum speed was measured at 328mph. Tragically, K7 did not make it and Donald died in the accident. It is still not certain what the cause was.

For many years both K7 and Donald body remained at the bottom of Coniston. Both have since been recovered and K7 has now been rebuilt. This week's Blue bird festival is about getting it back on the water.

This time it is being piloted by Australian Dave Warby, son of the current water speed world record holder, Ken Warby (317.59 mph)

The first video clip is of us watching K7 on Coniston. Intellectually, I knew K7 was powered by a jet engine - but it's wasn't until I heard it that I realised it's not a small model jet - it's a bloody great big one!

Tests are still ongoing, but it's been such a privilage to see it back in the water.

If anyone else wants to watch K7 progress, type 'Coniston Bluebird Festival' into YouTube and the live feed will come up. The second video clip is off that this morning.

The last clip is just me sharing an 'OMG!', as the weather driving home this afternoon, especially after all the glorious sunshine, was just horrible. We're home safe now, so you can have a chuckle at our expense. 😆

Cheers,

Tania and John xx

13/05/2026

This is part two, following on from yesterday's reel. These minerals are a small part of the collection of over 2,000 which were collected by John Ruskin and can be seen (they are so much better in person) at Brantwood, where he spent his later years.

If any of you folks who love minerals get the opportunity to visit Brantwood, (which is in the Lake District) I highly recommend that you do so. (The house and its art works are interesting too.)

Tania xx

13/05/2026

This is part one of a two part reel. There was too much to fit in just one reel.

I realise mineral collections are not everyone's cup of tea. - but I got excited and I can't be the only one. 😆

12/05/2026

10/05/2026

We're enjoying the good weather together today 🥰