Hello QuiltE, I've got plenty of real thistles too, but I'm past caring this summer, we've had nothing but rain.
Glad you and Jenniky have enjoyed the cavalry. The Youtube channel, menintallboots, is completely amazing and addictive. There are three videos altogether of the Household Cavalry at their show at their own camp, I only gave the link to Part 2. In Part 1 one horse is naughty and won't lie down, and in Part 3 a standard bearer gets so seriously wrapped up in the Welsh flag it's almost scary. That channel also has a video of the French Garde Republicaine. You should watch it, and compare with the British. Hilarious. You cross a narrow stretch of water and you are in a different world.
Anyway, back to sewing, I use 4 strands for the blanket stitch. I haven't started on the flax flower yet - it's that mid-project lull, must get going again... tomorrow...