A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

July 26, 2016

England Grand Tour, Leg V ~ Birmingham Hop-Off

Greetings, stamplers!

I'm back with another chapter of The Darnell Roadshow as Kathy called it! But, first, how are you? I hope you had a lovely fresh start to the new week yesterday and that it continues apace!

Wait. What? No, not apace. Apace means whooshing and the last thing we all want is to hope that weeks go apace-ing by; it already does that without any encouragement!

Birmingham

It seems like the further along I get, the heavier my suitcase and backpack are becoming. Fortunately, I have very kind friends. Kathy K. and her dear husband Steve came up to the train platform with me on Sunday morning and Steve carried my heavy suitcase on board. At Birmingham, I had to trip asked a young man if he would carry it off the train.

When I departed, my friends Ang and Kusum carried it back on and in Macclesfield, David carried it off. Phew. Next time I am bringing one outfit and washing it every night! And one pair of shoes, considering I'm mostly wearing the same pair everyday anyway!

At the Handmade Burger Co restaurant, we commandeered several small tables and had a grand time once everyone was able to find the place! Here's my "Brum" gang of friends:
Left to right around the large table:
Maggie (Marg/Margaret) Craner of Silvercrafter, Shaz of Silverwolf Cards
Ang (Mrs. Duck) of The Duck's Doodahs, Donna of Room in a Cupboard,
Anne of Copper Beech Crafts, Kusum, Ang's friend, 
Christine of Cardius Bloggus (Bishopsmate), and me

It was so amazing to meet this group of crafty friends! After four hours (not enough!), we had to say goodbye and I journeyed on to Knutsford, or Kah-nutsford as I like to say. Yesterday was another incredible day, but I'll have to save that for the next post as my friend is here to whisk me off to new and beciting places I've never seen!

I'll leave you with this iconic snack I had on route by English train:
It's my absolute favourite biscuit! (Did you see how I said that in my best British?!)

To be continued ...

~~~

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62 comments:

Julie B said...

Enjoy Liverpool Darnell, sorry I can't be there but it my birthumday and I'm off across the Pennines chauffeured by hubster to God's own county (Yorkshire) to celebrate the big 6 0 with my son, as my daughter (Wilmslow) is still teaching until Thursday. See you Friday!

ike said...

Fabulous - I am so pleased you are enjoying this and I am also insanely jealous !!!! ( or maybe just insane.... who knows ???!!! LoL )

Huggies

IKE xxxxx

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Carole Pollard said...

Another wonderful day with your lovely friends Keep on enjoying Love and hugs Carole x

Stamps and Paper said...

Darnell I think you need a holiday when you get home after all your 'adventures'..lol.lol So pleased you are having great time and look forward to seeing more pictures of your crafty buddies...

Anne x

Pat said...

So glad you reached your destination safety Darnell and met up with a few more lovely ladies. Enjoy seeing Liverpool. x

Kathyk said...

Sorry about the disappointing iconic snack!! - but it does rather sound as though the Darnell Roadshow is gathering pace as it rolls inexorably towards Swindon on Friday - can't wait to catch up with you and many other blog buddys at the retreat - enjoy your week

Kathyk

Kath said...

Glad to see you're enjoying your travels - I hope you gave the young man on the train an 'old lady' glare!!
Kath x

Cat Craig said...

Each time I read your travels posts I get a smile thinking of you enjoying this adventure. Hope you are well past the jet lag and that you are enjoying every minute.

Lisa said...

It looks like another wonderful day on your trip!! The pictures are fabulous!! I always end up overpacking and basically wearing one pair of shoes, too!! Enjoy the rest of your journey!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

cuilliesocks said...

Another fantastic meet up with your crafty pals, and lovely to see Ang and Kusum in amongst them, Kate x

Cathy said...

I'm enjoying your grand journey tales Darnell! Sounds like so much fun, Cathy x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

You rock!!! :D Fabulous travel full of crafty friends!!

Di said...

Happy dance here - I keep checking your blog for updates my dear Darnell! You certainly are leaving a trail of sparkle and happiness on your travels. So lovely to see many bloggers who were previously just names. Keep posting and entertaining us all please.

Love

Di xx

KT Fit Kitty said...

What an awesome trip you are having, Darnell! I need to go back and see your other posts! Great photos!

Nan G said...

I wholeheartedly agree with Di...so nice to see faces to names I recognize from years of stalking each other! Sounds like you and Hammy ( where is Hammy?) will need a long winters nap after the Darnell Roadshow swooshes home. Take care. Enjoy. Crafty hugs from Nan and the Girls to everyone!

Betty said...

i'm enjoying your trip right along with you - have been to england many times as i have family there - love to ride the english trains - i know what you mean about the suitcase - the older i get the lighter my suitcase becomes.

!neke said...

I see you are still having fun !!!!!
Enjoy !

Ineke X

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

You always look so lovely in every photo Darnell and your smile just lights up my day! Wish we could have had longer together! Hope your visit continues to give you plenty of good memories to take back with you to the US and have a safe and trouble free journey back home! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Sounds like you are having a super time, enjoy! xxx

Marianne said...

My oh my, I bet you will need a looooong nap after this roadshow is over and the adrenaline of meeting so many blogging buddies in the flesh is wearing off. I already feel tired reading about your trip ... or wait ... maybe I am tired because I've been working so hard. One more job to finish this week and then 2 weeks of (hopefully) lazing about and doing only things I want to do...
Enjoy your trip and the company of friends!
Marianne x

Becca Cruger said...

I had so much fun scrolling through your tour postings! And then fits of jealousy ensued. They are tamped down now... :) Enjoy your crafty tour!

Unknown said...

Glad you are getting help with your luggage on and off the trains - hope you managed to sort out the tickets without any trouble. Ian loves Shortbread biscuits - hope you enjoyed them too.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, You sure are getting around and it's lovely you are meeting blogging friends at every stop.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Take care. Sue

Liz said...

Lovely to read about the next stage of your UK tour and to see all the lovely bloggers you are meeting along the way. Looking forward to seeing photos of the next part of your Roadshow. xx

Petra Swart said...

What a feast it must be to meet all of these lovely crafters, Darnell!!! Have to say - I love your B&W sweater!!!! Donate all the unused outfits and shoes to charity so that you've got more space in your suitcase for crafting goodies to take home!!!! Enjoy, enjoy!!!
Hugz

conil said...

OMG! I love that shortbread. And what an array of happy crafters you're rounding up. Hope you had some time to look around in Birmingham but, if not, you got to see people with whom you correspond. This really is a trip of a lifetime, isn't it? As for your bags, isn't it always the way...you always come home with much more than what you left with. Then wonder why you took so many clothes with you when you could have saved space to be filled with souvenirs and other stuff you accumulate along the way.

Greta said...

Best snack ever! Oh how I wish I was with you, my friend! One outfit is the way to go--haha! You look great, by the way--trust the meds are still working. Big hugs, Greta

stampingbowd said...

Looks like a wonderful trip!!!! The iconic snack is my husband's favorite treat! :) Have fun!!!!

Redanne said...

Great photos of your Brummy friends, I am so thrilled to be party of the Darnell Roadshow, or as I prefer to call it - Lady Darnell's Roadshow! You must always find some nice young man to carry that heavy case, we don't want you going home with a bad back.... Looking forward to tomorrow very much! Hugs, Annie xxx

Brenda in IN said...

You look like you are having fun with everyone and they are all so kind to help you out. Poor Kevin will probably get a hernia lifting your suitcase when you get home. Is Hammy having a good time, I've heard nothing. I hope he is getting to meet all these fun ladies too. Keep on posting, I love seeing everyone and where you are.

Jean said...

Looks like such fun!

Anne said...

Hi Darnell. It was so lovely to meet you. wish it could have been longer but enjoyed it all so much. Anne x

Julia Dunnit said...

We wear the same diamonds and we favour the name biscuits.......I cannot resist shortbread! Birmingham looks like a great chat, lovely to see faces to names!

Geri said...

I get soooooo be-cited when I see that you've stopped by my mailbox! Sounds like you are having 'a jolly good time'. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Where do we go next?

MWAH

Sarah said...

Another fab "episode". So pleased that you are enjoying your visit here and meeting all those lovely ladies xx

KandA said...

Sounds like you are having the greatest of times on your travels. I'm so sorry I missed out on the Brummy trip and meeting up with you and all the others. Enjoy the rest of your travels and keep your eye on Hammy... we don't him getting up to mischief xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Darnell - your English is perfect - keep it up :-)!! I hope Hammy is taking notice so he can help you retain it when you get home, and that you have not left him behind anywhere....?????
I am so enjoying seeing your joy at meeting up with folks you have befriended online.
Blessings
Maxine

Verna Angerhofer said...

It looks like you are having so much fun. Thanks for all the updates too!

Loll said...

Looks like you are having fun everywhere you go ... and so are your friends. So great to see so many crafter's able to meet up with you. Safe travels ... Lolly xx

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, The only thing than munching on wonderful shortbread is munching on it while in the company of good friends. So glad the trip continues to go well. :)

Nora Noll said...

I LOVE those kind of "biscuits" or cookies as we call them. You trip sounds so fun. I wish I could have come with you!

Cheryl W. said...

It brightens my day to see your lovely smile in these photos. It's pretty obvious that you are having a great time. Continued safe travels and fun with friends.

Helen said...

just found all these gorgeous posts from your trip so far, have to rush off to work now but will come back later and linger.

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Darnell, was lovely meeting you and the others. I have to admit that those shortbread fingers are top of my most loved biscuit list too. Well maybe joint top with Bourbons! lol. Lovely how everyone is being so helpful, hope the suitcase isn't getting too heavy! Lots of love & hugs, Shaz xxx

Marybeth said...

Looks like you are having a great time with all those fun ladies ! How wonderful to meet them all in person! I love that pure butter cookie too! Enjoy ! Hugs from home!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Sorry I'm late commenting, but I was busy preparing to see you! I'll say more about that on your next post. Grin
Hugs,
Em

oldpunca said...

I enjoy reading your trip diary. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Brenda said...

This trip certainly agrees with you Auntie because you look FABULOUS! I love all the crafty friends you are meeting up with, you all look awesome and so happy so I know good times are being had. I guess Hammy isn't any help with the luggage but that is ok since you have had friends to help you out with it. Can't wait to see your next adventures and friends that you meet up with! Big hugs, Brenda

MaryH said...

It's been lovely sharing your fantastic adventures with you, and seeing some familiar faces pop in the photos. I'm so delighted you're having a grand time, hopefully getting to enjoy some sights as well as good food with beloved blog friends. Hang in there, and hope you're getting some rest at night. TFS the journey with us. Hugs

Neet said...

Nice to see all the Brummie friends you have - a few of whom I recognise from my woyww'ing. Good also to see that you have sampled the delights of shortbread - now had I known, and had I had a cooker (remember I am in the throes of a kitchen renovation) I would have made you some. Nothing quite like buttery home made shortbread.
Was brill to finally meet yesterday, just sorry I could not stay longer.
Hugs, Neet xx

I Card Everyone said...

My favorite biscuit, too, :D I learned by experience that less is truly more when one is a traveling broad! Another wonderful group of crafters, and loads of fun - carry on!!! xx
=]

Happy Dance said...

Oh girly girl. The excitement continues for you! By now you've probably met all the crafters in England; I can see them just lining up by the hundreds, "Darnell's coming, Darnell's coming!!!" You sure look like you're having a great time. Me, I'd bring a pretty much empty suitcase, maybe some clean knickers, and my toothbrush, but otherwise, empty. You can always buy new clothes when they start to stink, lol!! And I LOVE those little bikkies. Shortbread is one of my most faves... Can't wait to hear more. Miss you, but have an exceptional time. Bev

ionabunny said...

Hmmmmmmm shortbread......... Hugz

Cara said...

Glad you had a fab time in Brum, love the biscuits! Cara x

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Sorry I'm a little behind (well, not that little as you may have noticed as I sat next to you lol!).
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you, Hammy and the gals and a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
My goodness, that case was sooooo heavy, I thought you had snuck Kevin in there lol!
Thank you for the laughs and your generosity.
Look forward to seeing what else you get up to on your travels.
Take care.
Ang x

Mrs A. said...

How spooky wooky.I have just this very minute helped myself to a shortbread finger from the jar I keep on my desk!! Glad you had a fab time. Hugs Mrs A.

Donna said...

The food and people sound awesome. You know everyone in blogland is talking about your trip, you have become quite famous my dear.

Craftychris said...

It looks like Birmingham was fab fun! I am soooooo glad you are having such an awesome time my friend! xxx

TK said...

Positively wondrful! First, I can't believe you know so many people, and second, you are just the greatest to follow along on Google Maps!!!

Shona Chambers said...

Your British Accent is getting better and better, and no wonder surrounded by all these wonderful women and their husbands. Your seeing so many things, bet the Mister is missing you like crazy!!!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

How fitting - Darnells roadshow! Having a blast reading about your adventures! As for luggage- I only travel with handluggage, no matter how long my trip is. Can highly recommend it. Who needs all that shtuff....just a burden......

Lisa T said...

Aaah, it wouldn't be a trip to the UK without eating some of the lovely shortbread - one of my favourites! Your blog posts are reminding me of something my mum said to me after I returned from a year's travelling many years ago.... she had kept all the letters that I had sent home (no email back then ha ha), and she said "there was an awful lot of references to drinking in your letters Lisa!"... and when I read them, she was right! You of course, just need to substitute drinking for eating :)... onto the next part of your journey now...