tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81946999712099151912024-02-18T18:54:05.358-08:00Life at number twenty eightMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-32281714825089532122012-10-24T02:01:00.001-07:002012-10-24T04:48:23.879-07:00Work in Progress: Preparing for WednesdayWhy is it so difficult to blog on Wednesday? Since I made my first WIP Wednesday post I have been planning the second one. I've taken photos. I've finished a few WIPs. I even started something and then finished it - well, it was a hat so not so difficult. I think my WIP pile is diminishing. But I just cannot sit down on a Wednesday and write that blog. So I am starting today, Friday, and maybe on Wednesday I will have something to publish. Maybe!<br /><br />
I'm a slow learner. Over the years I have managed to write a few blogs. I have even managed to find a way to improve my blog - thank you <a href="http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/">MarsEdit</a>. well, thank you Tony - he found it and installed it for me. (What are husbands for, after all, but to sort out one's computer problems!) However, he has yet to find the solution to my next want - how to click on a photo and have it enlarge. I saw that feature on several blogs last week (and at least one of them was Blogger) and I so want to be able to do that. Stop slacking Tony!<br />
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Then my next problem. Commenting on other blogs. Some are easy. Usually they are websites - <a href="http://crochetnirvana.weebly.com/1/post/2012/10/little-wing-grows.html">Crochet Nirvana</a> is one such. Click on comment, add a few details, and voilà, there you have it - comment! I think I managed to register with Wordpress… but then I didn't have an avatar. I want an avatar, I don't like that horrible avatar they give in place of a real one. So I gave up. Blogger is a different problem. Should be easy, shouldn't it. But my Blogger account is under a different name. I don't want to comment under that name. I daresay there is a way. Husband is being remarkable unhelpful on this one.<br /><br />
But I have learned to link. That's progress.<br /><br />
Now to start on the knitting. But where to start? Finished projects or WIPs? Well, I could start with the stash. I have several places where I keep my stash. They are all full. However, the two small cupboards behind the sofa are over-full. Open-the-door-and prepare-to-catch-whatever-falls-out full! When I started thinking of the Wednesday blog a few weeks ago I thought of the stash cupboards and, since it wasn't Wednesday, I thought I would start preparing by tidying the cupboard.<br /><br />
So here is the before:<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6DEnmL9jrvI/UIet6wsMD4I/AAAAAAAABQc/fSNdVFngdFI/DSC02530.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02530" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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After I had hauled out a few things:<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86-rHh0TMRKOgBFkKKRvLoD3MLOxiEwBTO8-jC7qRuXXh4Emtr0-SFXw8tc3LoP5w7IMNdxBCwrQyzk2GXhzhqeyjpYnjbd6Ns1nJXmlJCoou_OjjPne8w7SYy7SxxWSh_-2iGL6no_-B/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02531" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
And then this:<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX97v5iXquti7eB3XDve2hS7los27Ldl1uo7ueCVgoLWy6QNPqWVVXzdcEHGrBtLvP2hVtOGRdp9r6dCj3zQzMaLKnJ03ki2o2ft-bOpr0GQyzphZQhFrQvzAeswdSNus8aXgF9aBp4We/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02537" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
That was a few weeks ago. I only managed the one shelf but at least opening the door is no longer a major catastrophe. And… I frogged a couple of WIPs that were never going to become FOs.<br />
<br />This was the sleeve of a shrug I started to knit for a family friend. I loved the stitch pattern but didn't take into account how I was going to manage shaping. There was more - a second try with a different stitch pattern, sleeves done, body to armholes… and I just ground to a halt. So frogged it was.<br /><br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpLZQ6HXcQL2ohC_cf2B3YahrkGPnbUrrD1l6RBXBs1iy9-CDir8Q0sWCYt2CUOmRes9GufD-rp0iN9mH-eT2JJvV1iInzAHCD51jhxXr3MsPhOR679x18L-exlpixgDLz9CclG4vEbio/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02532" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
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A test knit that didn't happen. Too many problems to overcome. Shame.<br /><br />
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And so to some finishing. This represents the final few days of the 2010 Advent KAL that I was working on. It now sits on the worktop in my new kitchen, adding brightness and colour. Love it. I added an icord edging to give it some strength. <br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vUAJEA47dPg/UIeuI5rP7ZI/AAAAAAAABRM/riWOFVN4wlM/DSC02545.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02545" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
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The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&query=Just%20Right%20socks%20Ravelry">Just Right</a> socks
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Av3Ov2rtkrM/UIeuKz8W5hI/AAAAAAAABRU/ble71KREJx8/DSC02621.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02621" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br /><br />
And a little hat I knitted for my granddaughter:<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_B08YU8yuTObJklas7XC8nwfmKroFOy9BR2I-9IueNzdAqEjTj-oj4NoCZW-VVs0y6VwqBIZDgFX-oKUJ-BJK7gL15kda2A9TKE2Jpo9nfDX9VmCNwlxeXN2gw6xTyzoiaVs7V0TxLCma/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02618" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
She wasn't impressed and I think it will end up on her teddy. I tried to get it back for one of my other granddaughters but that wasn't going to happen.
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As for WIPS, I have finally got the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jubilee-diamonds">Jubilee Diamonds</a> shawl out again, figured out where I was in the pattern and away I go again. I reckon I could get it finished in a couple of weeks if I keep at it.<br /><br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsW1kAxUVvUdJyS-XZnO3CN3eLfIl0awlR-gDKKlmhpX9n5RUQQhNODYrv34u-dz59mIop7Bzwxxl-QXMdWD2uRDVr_gxOutMngiXeOukrkT2q0Jr_lVGqfS33nJbXsNeKpN-yO3A4wUO/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2518" border="0" width="400" height="447" />
<br /> I took that photo some time ago and am much further along than that now - five repeats of the central panel - only 15 more to go…<br />
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Yesterday I started another pair of socks:<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mfa6r4XKgvg/UIeuWz1W_QI/AAAAAAAABR0/4mHn4LHtUVM/IMG_2904.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2904" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
I just couldn't resist when I saw a call for test knitters, especially when the designer was looking for someone to knit a large size. I'm using <a href="http://www.colourmart.com/eng/content/advancedsearch/yarns?SearchText=shetland">Colourmart</a> Shetland for these but… I think the large is still going to be too small for Tony's feet. They'll fit DS3 so, dilemma - should I continue with this yarn and hope that the socks may fit DS1 - who I also want to knit socks for - or should I stop now and change to the <a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/Fyberspates/_244527/1/Fingering%2520%2526%25204ply%2520">Fyberspates</a> navy tweed that I bought with DS3's socks in mind? I'll procrastinate and work on the Jubilee Shawl while I decide.<br />
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I've also started a baby blanket using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/search#sort=best&query=Wendy%20Party">Wendy Party</a>. It isn't the easiest yarn to knit with. Plus, I don't have enough yarn. It will be impossible to frog. Do I continue and hope to find more yarn or do I abandon it as a lost cause. I really don't like lost causes.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Z3KPeC80Hs/UIeudHHKulI/AAAAAAAABSM/5tn4lNgSVmI/IMG_2913.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2913" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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There are some other little secrets hiding in corners but for now, I think that will do… except to say that progress has been made on the shawl and this is the current state of play with the socks<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K9XiE5LggMY/UIeufYVfOVI/AAAAAAAABSU/b9Y4j7ZtXt8/IMG_2915.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2915" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br /><br />I had to have yet another go at Judy's Magic Cast On for these toe-up socks. Thanks to Cat Bordhi and YouTube, I succeeded and am delighted with the outcome. Current plan is to complete the first sock by the weekend. Current plan!!!<br /><br />
Oh, and some good news. The bride I didn't manage to knit the bolero for told me yesterday that she is pregnant. Yippee… another baby blanket. Maybe I shouldn't tell her about it until it is done...
For more WIP Wednesdays don't forget <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/work-in-progress-wednesday-113.html">Tami's Amis</a>.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-67979293537676034252012-10-14T04:50:00.001-07:002012-10-14T05:10:52.679-07:00Banbury Canal DayAutumn has arrived. Here in Banbury the first Sunday in October is always Canal Day. Sometimes it rains. All day. Sometimes, like last year, it is so hot you just want to sit in the shade and enjoy a long, cool drink. But this year was perfect. No need for a coat, the autumn sunshine provided enough warmth.
First stop, the canal. Obviously!<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilj6NodjCt3x4PUFUqcaIzKYitdg_sSae5D5Tjz_tJOSHCZamzkg1LBVsxS70Ue0LCcRkmSOC7XDIg4ev5qaHqo_Vw7P0l9Jy32IJD6Ovv9_C-qCoi-TpC5O1p5Wt5tJ19dXHLOdmbZHhW/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02547" border="0" width="400" height="201" /><br />
Bubbles all round but the dog was unmoved!
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Canal Day is a favourite and the day being fine there were lots of people. This part of the canal is always busy with boats but for today they have been dressed in all their finery.<br />
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We wandered along the canal bank, looking at the boats and soaking up the atmosphere. Our next stop was Spice Ball Park - lovely name for a park, don't you think? One day I may even try to find out why Spice Ball. One day!The easy way round the park?<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc2LMNzCb7ebZFjn-fyf8nKuzUNeYCBymao6CjneCcWBsHhf6eyqr8nSZqBQIf7-MhlMyQHCTonMi9AQPfLvIJJejI_wvPd2jqnMsZCszFosNV3aOBLUC9rrlkYA5ccyPrZL29tMQbxR_/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02556" border="0" width="400" height="260" />
This is where the children came to play. Bouncing was a favourite.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O625LdY_W12hw1KmjmSWy6xs1qCRhBqTwQ6RDllR69CO78oScDzkzBGpRRMJO69L56axeER5snQQbQ1x07k5wvQyf2FBJW9HSqexo6NgDvGF7TIkNkA2myw46_ww6VrFbZ6u408pQFWO/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02559" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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And well over in the far corner, a sign that autumn has arrived. Tony was visiting the Amateur Radio tent when I took this. Somehow, amateur radio just doesn't excite me. I don't know why!
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zmI3rvD7Tqw/UHqk0fN3X7I/AAAAAAAABKo/hao8w_aORAM/DSC02557.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02557" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
These feathered friends were entirely unimpressed by the impression they were making. Fir Tree Falconry is found just outside Banbury on the Warwick Road. It is on a beautiful site, on a hill, surrounded by fields. They also have a lovely campsite. We took Eva and Maia there one day during the summer and they loved it.<br />
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This tiny little one was lovely. Perhaps he was a little awed by the occasion.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-khKC9vp3lxw/UHqmuZDuxnI/AAAAAAAABOw/e_9AoaHNf0g/DSC02562.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02562" border="0" width="400" height="260" />
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From Spice Ball Park we made our way to the car park where we found a number of stalls, some representing local charities, some food and some crafts.
On our way, we passed this unusual hanging basket.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIobHP-65s5U_Dp8MEHRp6jR6JN-4fmGl-sGvc_RdrIfkn2n5ak7JW90DEJNLYg50DKXojdLxWH3W7Gd1N2LZWHa08KQOKLbiWi9uRmVMSN5Hyh3qObZZpY_zwBPsiHEFah85Hh9uAwPqe/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02564" border="0" width="337" height="600" /><br />
And then the first of the food stalls.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IDakAHqZR2g/UHqk9FZsCII/AAAAAAAABLA/UU00kAibJcs/DSC02567.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02567" border="0" width="337" height="600" />
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The Advanced Motorists stall didn't seem too popular. I wonder if that is a reflection of driving skills in Banbury - we are so good we don't need to bother with advanced motoring skills???<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E9tF_vYVp6w/UHqlel1qC2I/AAAAAAAABLI/Z5e0ibT7OlQ/DSC02569.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02569" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
Continuing on through the car park we arrived at the continental market. These two tall gentlemen were having a great time. They talked non-stop and kinda funny and were loved by one and all. In spite of the umbrellas that turned into water pistols when any young person, especially female - they screamed louder - happened to get close enough.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4c-Iwh4LsJ4/UHqm5MKBDjI/AAAAAAAABPA/51nhjUsxoNo/DSC02571.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02571" border="0" width="400" height="544" /><br />
Sadly, we had already eaten. These prawns looked delicious.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazaxYdy97EK3Chq0djzgsdDFlwJSwpoT6dKcaG2XZzIvMjcnoYARO2TkYPRp2bHvO1ZfxYO905U-CJVmy3nlFlfMsaKBSvax31ShU0FueiSEas9l7eAIN_r02vXYNkI0Bl8t8oSarMD8A/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02577" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
Biscuits anyone?<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JlBRFD7fR6s/UHqm7fXRYvI/AAAAAAAABPI/e0RmqiChYpM/DSC02582.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02582" border="0" width="400" height="236" />
Perhaps some salami for later?<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FRRJIjpaxp8/UHqlkUppDFI/AAAAAAAABLg/YQLhJfDPlvQ/DSC02576.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02576" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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I hope these suckling pigs enjoyed their apples.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL82AaUy4Ha-ty1RAlvncG-uV9mjeWbfoyXCZaTV6nFHjy0ZiJ9M4O4dFi9v1Kg7FgXYZj9jWIXxtJtWhA55OpX_cR7dEzg1dzE7UqFjiTDoV3w3xssxm5QilMJZNZnyTdBCESbgUATZE/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02583" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
Waiting for customers and enjoying their day.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDVH40Qz8Na3dbvVmzEZxC8umQtjOlnXFhs9yBguf_TQpjrywPyA95571g4JGBgWsZVMHme3xQQ8004ufXt4n8xEif8aePUh0ETnlWXet7IktJvUTUdK2JxeAMp21oDyr_ulY0QAqoyJQ/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02585" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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This couple came from Brittany. They part-bake the bread before they leave and then freeze it and store it in their van ready for a finally firing before it goes on sale in whatever town they are in that day. (Must be quite a van they have!)
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg3byf7KcP8ZSoNZly_8Ecra42WxdK_kHLUdbgxgB6V8_hDSIDgZL3-0kvQobbC5Hg8oETACzHFLVEqMOQRhF71CzH6tDigBxTVMYh5xfFV80wWe79EEC2iAdlyGSN0u5OCatuZd0-eTx/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02586" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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Selling Creole style food. I wish I had bought some.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPKkRcdr_ne7n0UBe9J5fGLgu5EWbcJGFWwWQvYmUDCRU21MCnsWyZhIcpIcg1yhCmeyU4BMkA-cDCsHWrfQyy1GpS3ervWdCUFkNyj5H2BYOKJHW2vAbF7e9blOUPmIjwe3r9JTB_Wxv/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02587" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
Lots of tinned food specials.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3URe0Ge2X7pTvg-a7cKyuV35O4Lcm40GPKch-_MjXRxwMai9d-Wu4Zrry5eDqNaMdBB_2ffU2lJ-Bhz93paaDlBnTzOGLd4K8JYxLWfMNV_NSGC0nF9ghW7ZqLLnVdlPp-Cj0CUGphyphenhyphen6/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02589" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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And finally, soap from Provence.
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwECJ76_xl40QhCYKGuDZ1SDWs9QS0LfrxkYsXsVANEim6HQzDgXjMFA2PDxlcYQmYxyAsmi6olH7PfcuSCui6ruFQsZJabYKMRL_j-8QY0X2A4_6926wuqCLN4wM5iUStDIPpZsMbECQ/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02588" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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Back along the canal, here's one of my favourites
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCvdihWyVpTQBZkl1KEikQck5N7vZNqQQLDmvZyn0ZrdyhPdUsuIK3x15vfnGFzjjWVrkP1IGmNRiTdQFneco7CgO37wR-X6kBl_EhRBHZUYsoI6BBKCHfcb9zk7IELycw6OY27Z7l6R2/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02574" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
Whoever was working the lifting bridge was having a busy day. This was one of two boats that were giving free 20 minute rides along the canal. The bridge had to be raised and lowered each time one came along. Incidentally, I found out later that there was an hour-long queue to get on!<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XJsed5en2_U/UHql0p-bqYI/AAAAAAAABMg/lCWAqsnYtwo/DSC02591.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02591" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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And then the business of turning the boat in a small space.<br />
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On the other side of the canal, in another car park, was the Craft Fair. It was excellent this year, the quality high and the priced reasonable. I'm afraid I didn't think to take photos until after we had visited. Here is a photo taken from the tow path.<br />
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This was the end of the day and not so many people around.
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BNp-GDshBGo/UHqmBIVVMuI/AAAAAAAABNA/FAFGU0x4KEc/DSC02598.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02598" border="0" width="337" height="600" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dwxUXbKkWhw/UHqmE2pp9oI/AAAAAAAABNQ/qzYFyRyDVM4/DSC02600.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02600" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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Mirrors made from driftwood and the carcasses of dead birds. I don't think many were sold - they had to have been the ugliest things I have ever seen.
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineRJ5qV8Ydr8m6IJVzjL2lOFHuts_aJJj_ozsmnEOdy4w9K9FFMttmKifyaqPXi7Z5LwQx3mC-pj2LI1ah3JKyI3l6DlbX-4u7J-Xbhsx7SCY9xftoMAT3hQnsERCbM554v_Kt-qwuKeI/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02606" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
Another view of the canal, the boats and the tow path. The footbridge in the distance leads from a car park to the shopping centre. I always think it is one of the nicest ways to enter the town. Whatever the weather, whatever the season, there is always something new. In summer there are the most prolific hanging baskets on the bridge. Enough to lighten anyone's spirits.<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPge8eXxHqft553D9CyROyJaWtTL_cXGaZzNN64pzWveLB3dobuKbl_sGK2UbhtnVLXOWIc-v-8nuE6qONMfZqFeQQK9oYKROIKLe7Slsfkpa3R-viFNP6_51wDJN4ZAlYzE_-9kALL6WP/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02611" border="0" width="400" height="563" /><br />
Until finally, to The Mill, our local Arts Centre, where a folk concert was being enjoyed in the courtyard.
<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sY-3qatJpFg/UHqmSUJpuQI/AAAAAAAABN4/7uAcXTvsdEs/DSC02597.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02597" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
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We ended the afternoon at The Mill, with a glass of wine. Canal Day over for another year.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-46913095635983696862012-09-23T04:11:00.001-07:002012-09-23T04:36:54.949-07:00A Visit to the Landscape Gardens at StoweI found details of the short walk round one of the lakes in the gardens on the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/servlet/file/store5/item949126/version1/Stowe%20Lakeside%20Walk%20Map.pdf">National Trust</a> website and decided that after our successful wanders around gardens the previous week, Tony was surely up to this gentle stroll.<br />
<br />
There was total chaos in our kitchen. Well, to be honest, it was more in the other rooms downstairs where the contents of the kitchen cupboards were scattered wherever a home could be found. Added to that the various moveable bits of furniture that were camping here, there and everywhere, plus no water supply in the kitchen… well, no kitchen really. And then, Leigh, the kitchen fitter, preferred to work on his own with no interruptions. It wasn't a difficult decision to make. Today was <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe/things-to-see-and-do/">Stowe</a> day.
Next decision was whether to stop for coffee en route or wait until we got there. Well, it isn't very far, about half an hour, so we decided to wait. The restaurant is in a newly renovated part of the grounds, right by the car park. But it was a little cold, perhaps the air conditioning was a bit too violent. However, there was a lovely, protected courtyard bathed in sunshine. What better way to start a morning stroll. This photo was taken while we were sitting in the courtyard. It shows part of the New Barn, recently renovated.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k8AzcyazzRE/UF7nTMFECDI/AAAAAAAAA-s/IvLRJkPEIu0/IMG_2704.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2704" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
It was at this point that I realised I had forgotten my camera and so all of today's photos were taken on my iPhone. I'm delighted with them. I took far too many and finding a selection to include here isn't going to be easy. I hope you will like them.<br />
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Not wanting to tire Tony out to much, we started our walk by taking the 'little train' to the start of the park. The little train was, in fact, two covered trailers pulled by a large tractor. It was, most definitely, a bumpy ride! Joining us in our 'carriage' was a group of enthusiastic photographers. I hid my iPhone!<br />
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All tours must start at the entrance, shouldn't they? Here is the boundary wall:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdN3PRquhuxeLdB1D1R6EWXProlktFtdLjjYthZ768DG1SduEhpmEeWZjkjd0EcJlc6DTEnp6LHj9RyOcjdtTDzXuMgiQ8o-eVebKT959kQTzNen3OAlMwa0ji96XT7O9Y8NiInh4UVyT/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2708" border="0" width="400" height="298" /
And then an early view of the house:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLMsnLM34MqxqAY0xNiopeKBkzlF7hOjr_ka3_-SteVZFVUikA3uVxNYle7fyjOc4s_dK_YVv1Hudl8cRi_6Dj0-JeDtIjrHAMZJwaEiGIyofsLdiimev2O6TK9dWdKxQ-1VYKRkqz-iZ/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2709" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And so our stroll began. Slowly. I don't do slowly, well, not snail-pace slowly, so this was an exercise in self control. Sometimes I felt like a puppy, rushing backwards and forwards, waiting for the 'master' to catch up!!! As you will see, the day was perfect for taking the most gorgeous photos. (Well, I think they are gorgeous…)
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Looking down to the lake, from the entrance:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PNsyfwmjZ0g/UF7nnNdQq6I/AAAAAAAAA_k/zQa1SeWUPKw/IMG_2713.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2713" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Another view of the house:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vJGe4w_R_EA/UF7nqSUhOzI/AAAAAAAAA_s/Rj0cHxdWTvA/IMG_2712.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2712" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
More lake - how am I ever going to chose which photos so that it isn't house, lake, house lake!
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BcmfzBbyOh8/UF7nsBnpajI/AAAAAAAAA_0/_i72thR3ZSU/IMG_2713.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2713" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Here is a path, just for a change. Oh, and a temple. According to the literature, temples are a feature of the gardens. There are more to come!
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qPvgQswkAyg/UF7nt-nbq4I/AAAAAAAAA_8/58NgB6mJ-vg/IMG_2715.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2715" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
The path led to a funny little arch. I think it may have been a pseudo bridge. Anyway, it was pretty.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1dg7NHrT0VY/UF7nxhGCXlI/AAAAAAAABAE/xFO3oEthoSg/IMG_2723.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2723" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
As I was pointing my phone ready to take a picture of something, there was the most amazing noise of birds on the wing. Amazingly, I had the presence of mind to point the phone upwards and click:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwQ0HKqdjxL3AzzMifcTyV4ZflWsbqD4gUeFlc2Qeufqs1heNVpivrsEnrtXlte9MpHHLX4Fz2ONDmxJVRKmz5fh4nSjmPhDRqLFt7AgH1CG8PbNY5JFUvuY-WrEKtcZy-jV2ujc8d4AC/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2724" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
They landed on the lake and eventually roosted on one of the islands. (Hmmmm, do you call it roosted when they are on the ground?)
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RDIA-Cw1SL4/UF7n0gQrPzI/AAAAAAAABAU/ViLiWas6V_w/IMG_2726.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2726" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
More of that lovely little arch with its sneaky views of the water.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tp40lXpdMCmvSLh-bhb-IWPxBbGfRtA2srQMu4a1iS3TyJH3WfpCW2pSEAZ3VCynKSP0hzTf1cHQJOpRnEI4taxolTIASwpcQttt6z0msE1uoLEbq4DKV7O4DgAQOOdStHXO1eRctOWq/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2729" border="0" width="400" height="298" /<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wSZWNG7Rie8/UF7n9JnJm4I/AAAAAAAABA0/k0zmExKg4PU/IMG_2731.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2731" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And then an intriguing tunnel of trees,
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznZqPxR70x5bSlNL_Mf2E8yTt1cJrVgsMoDgcvIN1nFIGAilXCTs551OWdwqkU6-J6fDacPUy_MuuBJ8jBsC8su0B7Gdx8YIrstANywdgbAOkqEviJeaudiX4VjaE6DzQHDSqAS-u8S-v/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2732" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
that led us to a small bench where Tony could soak up the sun and have a little rest.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aZXfOqTLX-E/UF7oANqI_0I/AAAAAAAABA8/3oXbusbWKzg/IMG_2734.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2734" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
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Then it was on our way again, along another woodland path:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cSk7QmioRU0/UF7oFjOdDqI/AAAAAAAABBU/Oih69Wr2i8g/IMG_2736.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2736" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
There were sneaky views of water:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fp81kNnfl_w/UF7oQDCjarI/AAAAAAAABB0/qxrZ0si3qto/IMG_2739.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2739" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And sudden vistas of temples: (I don't know if it was the angle or me, but I just couldn't get a photo of it looking straight!) <br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3p0gXjlvn9zMMLYJ073PGw_AYuVqmc_kDEZGoQp656yPzDMI-arniddBDDCsy6Fsgt0zMDv89bSruDaDO_rh1RP3ZALo9fAhpt77QbtKyl5-zXqa9b8CVOOg6s5DlrlNyBEbpy1VvAqd/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2750" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
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Are we far enough into this walk to remark on what is missing? I love flowers and colour. The park, a typical Capability Brown park, is a landscape garden. It is based on trees and large open spaces and architectural features such as temples and statues. It does not include flowers!!! But I found one, a lovely hollyhock:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K4rA7DehgXY/UF7oWm0UiEI/AAAAAAAABCM/ia3OMObAZtg/IMG_2744.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2744" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Okay, back to the landscape part. I love this one, the way the light is showing through the trees, the dappled shade.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQTizYAY27l7f0F7uAzz-PrCBuDIMcxQEAmRgU3GKgee-US1f-J6nowaTkaMzJTtyHHP02KsRajEwLT1n2piyEmoDWwED3EfHf-Oo-vpwDN_GeLUtZROojCKm7bavyf1yARFtM1Kk5Tw-/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2747" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And then back to temples. Here is a closeup of the one I showed you earlier:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--PuiwGc9Ra0/UF7oaowSD3I/AAAAAAAABCc/9AU-TxhzT7Q/IMG_2751.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2751" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Really, I should have taken a note of the name of that statue. Perhaps I'll get better at blogging as I go along.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdeh02zMndnkFap7xIpbGxMEaoWx_PjkC0yS0RwFHHGWjnA-HBbLcXAydHvNKjxJAU4RIWZwyaREjyd7L6sLrHAVB4fVIhbxnxW3K2nhmjJm0kLIad54daBcUcWWuH_1XtPWUZTsTxTsv/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2752" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Are you still with me?<br />
<br />
From this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tKNp7-xJ8jQ/UF7oe08EL-I/AAAAAAAABCs/J4iiaSAkgSg/IMG_2754.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2754" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
To this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kvu_YFiCQIo/UF7ogVG1XsI/AAAAAAAABC0/SzyXrcrTMM8/IMG_2755.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2755" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
To this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Iwdux6jSPhY/UF7oijd14vI/AAAAAAAABC8/FRd_Fsyhn0U/IMG_2757.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2757" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
As I said in another post, the theme of the photo club this month is stairs so I took a few here - this is the best I got:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv4NdPqVkB2N66qiNMKjSngIElFXjNJgFAxw9TUlGkntmGDIcLIWfYKH1BryM26QnS2tGEnKBjZkk670ASma8cLO7GtwzhE5qyONfEZ4h8K6H5j6DsxY5icVsqujIcYV9r3ShlGUqP1cZ/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2762" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
But then I climbed those stairs and took this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkg03tDL1tm5xsjRYGEC-tA17qCSMKv2nsbXi7T0RUlySBCm1y2d5l3V3SEGcjbW1K_iLhk80cSK6Ed-z2mNwB5iuJGW98Nfj3mH6tASFQdAv7U5Z45UFzx1R5BJL_5_snzo8xhOaRovy/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2763" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6U_R9hDpdBY/UF7onreTp9I/AAAAAAAABDU/O7qiUX6Kgrc/IMG_2764.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2764" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
Quite a garden, don't you think?<br />
A wing of the house:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xozha4f0uJE/UF7oyXJqnLI/AAAAAAAABD0/czpuhcEgmWM/IMG_2769.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2769" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
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Unfortunately we went in the morning and the house itself didn't open until two o'clock by which time we had gone back to the restaurant for lunch and our walk was over. Next time.<br />
<br />
Another path, another column, another statue:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vNNdlCWMJUw/UF7orovPyYI/AAAAAAAABDk/Ny4q_kIvn1M/IMG_2772.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2772" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And a temple:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttabUpSrXB5smI8Phw0a6uQEhUhaShuXRM78iwSWLBTNjENWMRyqcBaveqAjvxC6kwndMWpHXM7sQ_-uEcQzUQplTIx7Go1u-4wHlQoPPYDOP28mBCR0NA72521y_6_IT8VxVn_xNET5J/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2773" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Eventually, we arrived at the grotto.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zUrd0Nr59g8/UF7o0qAOPeI/AAAAAAAABD8/EVJeN7mYfTE/IMG_2779.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2779" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q5e1qCbbYao/UF7o2t7LaSI/AAAAAAAABEE/rcKWFlJ4Et8/IMG_2780.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2780" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OgSBIAH1gCc/UF7o5ECeBHI/AAAAAAAABEM/klQdgqCG6p4/IMG_2782.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2782" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And out the other side:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZSdaw9f4-yE/UF7o7r7IK4I/AAAAAAAABEU/gD646JC5TAM/IMG_2783.jpg?imgmax=800"
alt="IMG 2783" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Shady there, isn't it. But then it opened out to this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dbjz5Lr06x4/UF7o-Y4qW3I/AAAAAAAABEc/DrS8wMzA-SQ/IMG_2784.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2784" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
On we strolled, camera phones at the ready, through woodland scenes
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0Wxf5h061m6-7BkZbl77544RhUxPGzB4mKe8ddfme7JocfNhaCnk4xFbeV4uh_AyMBJ0GKgDAal8BHC3dI0qcMTTWX7V4ctO8CZyquI8APSNpUuMp7RYebWDqooyaD_OoQVCPo7chG28/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2787" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
to sudden features
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NRNeTjzMrTc/UF7pFfRypxI/AAAAAAAABE0/hDdwB16PkEw/IMG_2789.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2789" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
A place to sit and contemplate
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9pf0TTEVg-A/UF7pIerfXtI/AAAAAAAABE8/cTyv7eiG0Pw/IMG_2797.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2797" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And find views of an old friend - can you see him, there in the distance:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-VZvH1xizgBJX62Ram0TQ8o21L5cqaPqvVYR5liJXTF7VEcabM6k5S4Oyf9XOoEVjrVWZVSNyLhIYMnyLh7GWfRFvjXKmJfLrB3CufljT49hQO0laoyP9LAxe-4Eqso9fjYY9FI-jEFw/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2801" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Or a new one, hidden away on an island. This one was dedicated to Captain Cook.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4zjsbW3-zwM/UF7pMVq6tcI/AAAAAAAABFM/-wLc8iy0zPI/IMG_2802.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2802" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
A pretty little bridge:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ofrRZOG4pdE/UF7pN12JJXI/AAAAAAAABFU/goDSPGKxdT8/IMG_2804.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2804" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Oh, is that the same column… again??? This is definitely a circular walk.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30xIuxk3n0ztvgQtTqjwN64zMBE0iY27pKnN5JJ9E7NfqjeB6IG6LHRmomXO2fOGFrK8iGLBm5HT_VaUb6VfP_MkxkOIOu4qRwxJNPekJs_zMooLc5KFCmbYkC2v4iJ64dbGc6SuL1dZ4/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2806" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Now, I have just made a discovery. We have been walking along named paths. Such as the Path of Vice (leading to that first temple with the statue in the middle. I can now tell you that that statue was dedicated to the Goddess Venus). The path we have most recently been on is the Path of Virtue. It has led us to the Temple of British Worthies. Here you have it: from the left:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG8tTnVzykf7nth3gvhj_H4KGkJbGDAdP6g0GLsAqQpPGFhjy2mbZj40Z7KMt7auoNDb9ALxPYql90668L3qeEBK9cUwZOjLIztYvgBiocIdKQxgfOyJjza4Hh2PkZ4owb9QYWRxSuRyr/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2810" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
and from the right:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EWHY07_l_Ys/UF7pWETWT_I/AAAAAAAABFs/_LYA1Pk_G4k/IMG_2812.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2812" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And another temple:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jx21pPAiFX4/UF7pYF18cAI/AAAAAAAABF0/BbnCYRNJNac/IMG_2813.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2813" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
By the way, have you noticed that this walk is taking in a lot more than just the lake? We ended up covering most of the park.<br />
<br />
I loved this little bridge.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V3vA3OTJ5hI/UF7uUW8hWSI/AAAAAAAABJE/AQwtaSJW0TI/IMG_2816.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2816" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
It looked so pretty I so wanted to cross to the other side. Unfortunately, it was not to be:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_s9dNiS_SWo/UF7peeHqxLI/AAAAAAAABGM/sdh_6DJahdw/IMG_2817.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2817" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Next time!<br />
<br />
A quite different view of the park. More bucolic, there could be sheep there.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tYZiUFvPaIM/UF7pgipWzkI/AAAAAAAABGU/noqm1EPzm3E/IMG_2819.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2819" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
But not today. <br />
<br />
Another temple - and just look at that sky:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFVNTQPaJY6dH6GvPkBnMhr1JecS0HEYOKA_Y7DiruJ-URnENLYLA3LZvxOmBjDKNhylc2cseKdUkCXEe2-DvI2pfEedgml3NS8l5ZvO8IucRsMzz5Lg8Y7YT8qQq0IthR08su8Iunow0/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2824" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Ah, no, it wasn't a temple. It was a bridge! And on the other side of the bridge, tripods at the ready, lesson in progress, were the photographers. I thought we hadn't seen anything of them! Here they were, photographing a bridge. I hid my phone. Only the most surreptitious of photo-taking by me until I am well clear of them. Intimidated? Definitely! <br />
<br />
Here is the bridge:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T0KfIEsVsK8/UF7plFyemuI/AAAAAAAABGk/zjg6-nm7--o/IMG_2829.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2829" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br />
And I just have to include this one. I love it, am so proud of having taken it.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bUBrgxywcBU/UF7sW6o39VI/AAAAAAAABG0/DAHx_wHkX_c/IMG_2830.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2830" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
And this one:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneFV2todr1Go35gpKeKU1N34QmmgRgOhUI4JCuNbzM6iwxcZUZF_Yi1BuGplEvKMNQbgSnm6qPQjkpD_CJBwaRulzFpmrrk0IDK0mmcYbNEPMjCJQDfe7ONVamcIENNj3gAt67TunNgDc/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2831" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
There are others but those two may be my favourites.<br />
<br />
And now to my 'Through the Garden Gate' moment:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V-8VJyjge1A/UF7scsiPfHI/AAAAAAAABHE/D4FC79jz3jc/IMG_2832.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2832" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
It led to this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e-YUWiugwik/UF7seT02iLI/AAAAAAAABHM/dUNaN9AVMpY/IMG_2836.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2836" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
The Chinese House. Isn't it lovely?
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1Xbs9R-bI5E/UF7sgZxUX7I/AAAAAAAABHU/q4T0QUzAXVI/IMG_2839.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2839" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
<br />
<br />
Here are some closeups:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeoZbmCw9qyKvdPnDgiq2yM-_dOe2RvC54coaQP0yEPVgxPQykpgmcsJXuNTXAxb70YRwk8QKmft43eub08m4ax9vU5Bjls6-T7J-hQms8O6jnyCkJIz_EJFBIXx5rHUipWvN8Bfg_-QD/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2841" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62B7agaMyykgnvm16GISjSS8idZTu8vC1sFnCwc-y6iULm6eKdXUYhBXe_It37nmihd4eL4FNTU8MplRUVz00JK_26RDrpjJQEwGlPX87gNmJs4DJzy3Xk6suexBMge7crrX_xCtHPvjy/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2842" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FHvunXUz3iM/UF7smIHY3RI/AAAAAAAABHs/63IeuDq3zJM/IMG_2843.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2843" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d1xcC6fiytc/UF7snkzHcyI/AAAAAAAABH0/G2IS03pwElw/IMG_2844.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2844" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2_AMwKLZ98w/UF7sp-IB1XI/AAAAAAAABH8/mzhZHFrzS-w/IMG_2846.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2846" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br />
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y3bbIHdcTZA/UF7sr0M6AjI/AAAAAAAABIE/w-Qeqv2J8DU/IMG_2847.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2847" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br />
And a final view of the house:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tEGjY5OuXpo/UF7suJfYH5I/AAAAAAAABIM/NTL_PV0-oH0/IMG_2849.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2849" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
<br />
Before heading back along the path… and Through the Garden Gate.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gMGbPW25Fy4/UF7svtqQoMI/AAAAAAAABIU/zTo5KR0EX7U/IMG_2854.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2854" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Are you still with me? It's long, I know, but nearly there.<br />
<br />
Just to show that all is not perfect in these gardens:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vz3scQEcx9QhFzoYuWmPp_tp7i8lVkabXvQEquasZ_yNWyE4-uyWCExeI-3a6IY8wVMjjJQjygH9vRvNm8nHaeb-HfJvGGmNMq_tUEmecVmFfKmChft0mEadQx5vlJZ-C2oiOr5jtz8W/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2855" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Sad but impressive also in that this was the only building of the many that we saw that was not in good condition. There is no money at present to restore it but work has been done to at least stop it from falling down.<br />
<br />
A long, last look back over the park and some of the buildings:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIA5VXVZEicIBftaNCvAcBqpaP5YWjIyz8uHEf2Y9ectpeB33IejZzEsFpYzS4gYDkADhgnKZnQOmzRlW_A-7xpLMVbM5xVInSHhSfqkFCKxoN0r14EEZz8gaLDZzOdjnPOyNO3hoIdOuO/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2856" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
<br />
A perfectly placed bench:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dnwLGQlwjg0/UF7uNLs7r5I/AAAAAAAABI0/3luhYHguIkk/IMG_2857.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2857" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And one last temple, the Pebble Temple (I think that is what it was called!)
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hbz95xMqKprYAs9DrL83GRa-mYSZzlEYnkMXkpuazoyYC9mf4tf73uyVoHA4Sx6eUdKvD5Q4G1f6UhgMH2QLoS5QO0RoIXQs6HKmYYZ9qJi-a2Z9iQPIsCar3rMMwauEMussL-YYwHS4/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2858" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed slowly wandering round, this way and that, enjoying the park, the water, the house and the various temples. And we finished the visit with lunch, sitting in that pretty little courtyard enjoying the September sunshine.
I hope the photography club members were as delighted with their photos as I was with mine.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-78636392882863680862012-09-19T11:33:00.001-07:002012-09-19T14:33:05.251-07:00WIP Wednesday - A BeginningI've been lurking around the WIP Wednesday posts for some time now thinking that I would post about my knitting one of those days. I find it is quite daunting. Daunting to suddenly gatecrash the party, so to speak, and daunting to bare all, to show all those WIPS that have been weighing me down for most of this year. But here goes.<br />
I don't know how it happened. I always have a couple of things that, if I am to be honest, are more abandoned projects than WIPS. I find it very difficult to pick something up again once it has been set aside in favour of another project. But this year has been far worse. Here is an effort to get some perspective on it.<br />
Perhaps I can be permitted to start with a success story. This is more a finished project than a WIP… but I can't wait for FO Friday, I have to do this. Now. Today.
<br />
In January, hmmm, it may have been February, anyway, I started knitting the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/advent-calendar-scarf">2010 Advent Calendar Scarf</a> as part of a KAL.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xXQwecsWuvo/UFoPo8qD0oI/AAAAAAAAA9M/vp_oHZtuso4/IMG_2251.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2251" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
The idea was that we would knit two Days some months, three Days others. It started well and I made a discovery. I do not like Nupps. In fact, I would go so far as to say I do not see what the fuss is all about except, perhaps, for the challenge. But maybe I have changed my mind since finishing the scarf.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uTjOTF27pnM/UFoPuluMchI/AAAAAAAAA9U/JEr1iO70aBk/IMG_2703.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2703" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
I should have said before - it was destined to be a table runner, not a scarf. And that was the finished article. Finished because I was going to run out of yarn, not because the KAL was finished. I still had six Days to go. So, what to do with six Days to finish the KAL. Well, I have some cotton yarn in stash that I bought in Italy some years ago so I decided that I would knit a couple of table mats. That should do the trick.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P4M69vNJVM4/UFoPzOOR9eI/AAAAAAAAA9k/OOnXcVH84sY/IMG_2864.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2864" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
The first three Days are now completed and all that is left is the final border, cast off and block. I should add that this time, instead of slipping the first stitch of the row I slip the last stitch (yf, s1 purlwise). It seems to work better. I was disappointed with the somewhat ragged border on the table runner. And one more thing - I thought that one ball of cotton would easily do two table mats. Wrong!!! So now I will be using the same yarn, different colour, for the second mat. Happily, both colours match my dinner service. We can have his and hers!<br />
Next WIP is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/just-right-socks">Just Right Socks</a> I have just started for Tony. I have added 8 extra stitches as the pattern only gives one size (medium). I'm not expert at knitting socks so will be looking for help when it comes to turning the heel. Here is a first pic:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdoNX4ZhxtKlDKArcrmD4EdoXl-DYxCjckBHTro935dW0QHdFVpY2P8FsrwPKAMHB1Scyf2F_rWQznYBMtPoc_QGUEjM7evYG3ls4IYiIMlg0FOCxQFhL99_tPdJ-L3PafwfR8pO_hfLd/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2860" border="0" width="400" height="422" />
So then I continue on to the Jubilee Diamonds shawl that I started way back in May. It is a lovely pattern, designed my Frances Powell of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/buttercup-miniatures">Buttercup Miniatures</a>. I am much further on than the photo suggests but other knitting got in the way and, well, I need to just sit down and get started again. Of course, I don't take adequate notes as I go along so I have to work out exactly where I was when I left off.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X7pHiboB1Xc/UFoP1loQz-I/AAAAAAAAA9s/ru-FWMB-OeI/IMG_2518.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2518" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
After that, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/advent-calender-scarf-2011">2011 Advent Calendar Scarf</a>. I only managed a few Days - six I think.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-32n0PaMjBP0/UFoP4JNU9OI/AAAAAAAAA90/1SozpOjilrY/DSC01645.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC01645" border="0" width="337" height="600" />
Should I continue? Well, there is one I would like to abandon. It is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lady-of-the-lake">Lady of the Lake Sweater</a>. It is ZZZing at the moment. The yarn is impossible to frog so I do simply need to just bin it. Sad. It was expensive too. It's nearly finished, but I just don't like it and know I will never wear it. The yarn is gorgeous though. Maybe I should let it ZZZ a bit longer.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Q0NQkEyDL8/UFoP6X1X7VI/AAAAAAAAA98/7R9y9uwIe3c/DSC02451.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02451" border="0" width="337" height="600" />
That is probably enough of a confession for a first blog but perhaps one last WIP. This was another test knit, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vintage-love-summer-top">Vintage Love Summer Top</a> and there are only a few hours work to get it completed. I love the pattern, very pretty but this is an example of using the wrong yarn. It is too thick and I have a finer yarn in stash that would be perfect.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wwQJOdW5x38/UFoP-UxlQ7I/AAAAAAAAA-E/1nvfCz0SyfU/DSC02454.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02454" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GWpfhIppEmE/UFoQAPsTdbI/AAAAAAAAA-M/zWL7r91fGWE/DSC02454.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02454" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
That isn't all. Of course it isn't. But it is enough for now. Time to go block that table mat that I have now finished. And then knit socks this evening. Bliss.<br />
Oh, and one final thing - a link back to Tami's Amis and <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/">Work-in-Progress Wednesday</a>.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-62206902609764140712012-09-17T23:38:00.001-07:002012-09-17T23:38:23.458-07:00Making Use of our National Trust MembershipI have long been intending to join the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/">National Trust</a> and finally got round to doing so at the beginning of summer when, with Eva and Maia spending some days with us, the time was right for a visit to Waddesdon Manor and the purchase of the membership. For some reason I didn't take any photos that day but more than made up for it when, the last week of the school holidays, we were spending a few more days with Eva and Maia and visited a couple of National Trust properties in Kent.
The first was <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell/">Chartwell House</a>, family home of Winston Churchill. The house was closed on the day we went but it was the garden we really wanted to visit. Two little girls and one fine mansion just doesn't seem a good combination! And they loved the garden and the freedom to run around.
First, though, we stopped at a pub for coffee and drinks for the girls. Here's Maia
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HmvUSFssoco/UFgVw9lqoPI/AAAAAAAAA48/FfLZCQ25WIc/IMG_2613.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2613" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And Eva
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-72K7QFj_NhY/UFgVywJKfoI/AAAAAAAAA5E/-rmy0PMroVs/IMG_2614.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2614" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
As you can see, the weather was lovely, a gorgeous, end of summer day.
Thirsts quenched, we continued on our way and finally arrived at Chartwell House. And the start of our walk.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KvpqF7SMwJ4/UFgV1Mk2vkI/AAAAAAAAA5M/RpApu_UOdV0/IMG_2629.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2629" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
The first of the many water features.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZhPYr-HSkDc/UFgV3BgYf3I/AAAAAAAAA5U/zU87Gg1ESfE/IMG_2625.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2625" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Fish. Lots of fish
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijY-AhWU6Vve4TzolXqttLvq6RXHnHn29MvmeWU1SVlFefBA_c_4YIUAqvPF4JtNLMgvbwrrzVfSWJMwAxXz1793mQlJeYi55_j63BgU20prOEvXpXU2BSsRFVPSgzCU5AtPWAJ3G61wZ2/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2631" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Playing follow the leader
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoppkxgDZuwlWsIB9dIuUR3y7fGL9FKN-WxZ_bdVW08cQwp2AeeEXxLG3zgukhkFqd7sxzDi09_Pf7cQfU6DZJc53THqGEhOTlKuMs7LrECMe3eu8cppCW7CEbjylcK4U0WoUzkrQegZA/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2635" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
More fish. There were a lot of ponds with a lot of fish in them!
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFVoF5q6KwqSPnjsRWld-rM1I9jHXlpReXI7WeR-DcFs_2Fjmi4dERCVvWQMnMh2RW7MsfhhhHpghiy09je__3i4edti3JU2U54PpUSub0TU95Nhe1iOkm7OP1lvIBAPf9Y5m-bmySQlp/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2639" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And here, a patch of cyclamen, a sign that autumn will soon be with us.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSz8QgZlemfHoUO7eoHBOVNFf7PzKnWfl5bdpvCj_X5bJ9AZsp6wT1vF_mNI5LSD38vQDn6MCMXv4vt_-u3Fcdmly6LMF_BiMkzvqlvKw3tHgUreuOEhz0Zc1tbSaqE1JKqFh3SDqstKJ/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2641" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
A vista of the beautiful Kent countryside.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dU3FqEqtolw/UFgWA4m40FI/AAAAAAAAA58/RITQ-hMiTnU/IMG_2642.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2642" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
A glimpse of the house.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrhdKoeaRcw7folkPZ8Z5jjGQggRCwnB6mrBrlUcoJI0TtPpdjJUrSk4TEMNf9QdekRKIqSoMdPIUcfoVi2TFcFFn0rtEw-CkhNA1hn-BeCxrOtdveyf5pbExW7Q-9BXS32y1fFxeM3Y2/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2643" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And another
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wrfHFNdslsU/UFgWCSTjAUI/AAAAAAAAA6E/vCu4oBqdKKk/IMG_2647.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2647" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
I belong to a small photographic club on Facebook and the theme for this month is stairs. Stairs!!! My initial reaction wasn't good but in fact, having a theme makes me look at things differently and so September is my month for looking at stairs, wondering if they will make a good picture. This was my first attempt:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lMeLuv9lLo4/UFgWH_gopLI/AAAAAAAAA6U/Rxakfo8arW8/IMG_2648.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2648" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
I like it. The temptation was to think of stairs going up but I think this works.
Here is another attempt, This time taken in <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden/">Emmetts Garden</a>, another National Trust property. Maia was determined to get into the picture.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FBbgb-6KbH0/UFgWJx8AG-I/AAAAAAAAA6c/cjYdcM7dl2g/IMG_2650.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2650" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Here she is again, still wearing her favourite hairband! and still determined she is going to get into the photo:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RApuzG-_Fvg/UFgWLpnGsWI/AAAAAAAAA6k/om09OdU-id4/IMG_2651.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2651" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Emmetts Garden was our second National Trust property. Situated in Ide Hill village on the outskirts of Sevenoaks, it hadn't been our first choice. That was <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ighthammote/">Ightham Mote</a> but, having wound our way round innumerable country lanes to get there, the house and gardens were closed - much to the dismay of the many visitors who were arriving in the car park! So, sadly, Ightham Mote awaits another day and, after yet more Kent lanes, we found ourselves in Ide Hill and Emmetts Garden. Eva goes to school in Ide Hill, Maia to pre-school, so they know the village.
After a quiet start the girls were soon making the most of the grounds. The National Trust has a list of 'things to do before you are 11' (well, it's eleven and three quarters really but I can't find a neat way of doing 3/4 - 11 3/4 looks ugly, doesn't it!) Anyway, one of the things is, roll down a hill. Here's Maia, rolling.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtwpRo38pB87MkjyeR4eOM55F9JgDyArcE3sh2dnlFmXAHG2V4uFI0tUC0Abs2ca8U7S-QqA_Wo9FG5g9GlR11jS8dou_s0FuxrNFHiP6suuXMYs0dX2dEh6QSWgRDD1Zr448y8_AfmZA/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2652" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Eva was more circumspect.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hx9fTVnHRMg/UFgWSCQtfRI/AAAAAAAAA68/hj-8TE_pu8A/IMG_2653.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2653" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
But running round the hydrangeas was fun:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H9AtLgy3H0w/UFgWVXX4iLI/AAAAAAAAA7E/a_v49AoLFsw/IMG_2657.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2657" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Isn't that hydrangea magnificent? Maia just couldn't stop running.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-chyjpzo-eLc/UFgWXtj9SvI/AAAAAAAAA7M/OJI6GqCylD4/IMG_2659.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2659" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
The gardens are a lovely venue for a gentle stroll - and, let's face it, gentle strolls are what Tony likes best! Here is a view of the Rose Garden
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaM6IySlbJlqkU6kU5Yv9pm5hk4WR9nGe7x1bW-PfP53GVcyYOUY0TGu6CPkeEONzbP6hCSyBW5QBv8jM5p3UjXabRZE6prboAmMpzigRZUTmhJcL5B1o2OX69CMeSVtFbkCgP2Rbu0uh/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2662" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
I missed the 'tree' theme for the photo club but still try to capture them looking good.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NHtQ85lh7Uc/UFgWdetxfRI/AAAAAAAAA7k/EXOLGASIZNI/IMG_2667.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2667" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
I decapitated this one - must practise more!
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC6Kj0HwOKqyxxYyBojK27sT-YhLaTNxW9g82UmKVujmyypJDH7CnKytvROZjhzDHVD1tl3JtKhXs451uU_eSsg-ItLCcxREF0Y_EXykmg2mtOBYd5rcrX-zHBP8Id_PuctAmyXE33eRt/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2669" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Time for a rest and a drink:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EQsx4dLNlbc/UFgWm9K2ElI/AAAAAAAAA8E/QR0mY5ZpIqY/IMG_2671.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2671" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And a swing on a gate - here's how it's done Maia...
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczZRyPPzzVwMY37SnY7rcKds3Xk42iWvRNiGfHz89C-WHCI1eg2ntDVgqk7t4dK-jjqvMyhd1R4p5dyCS-uvTxenscfZkMrux0pVdauxyPyvJcilk13faiwg_sNSEic6FBhjtYuWqfEoR/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2673" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
But Maia was more interested in clambering over the rocks… I'm not sure that is allowed Maia.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-euh-WYR60pc/UFgWs8-EHTI/AAAAAAAAA8U/Gjh9mNK0eLc/IMG_2674.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2674" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Oh dear.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YQ_67zYbRjc/UFgWuc4G3NI/AAAAAAAAA8c/d11HiLmFi6o/IMG_2675.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2675" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And out the other side.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FmSTow9DeLU/UFgWwSNEjlI/AAAAAAAAA8k/G6g7OKKuUDA/IMG_2678.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2678" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Time to go home.
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-74372417368603625072012-08-19T03:07:00.001-07:002012-08-19T03:28:34.632-07:00The allotmentSo, something else I have been intending to write about: the allotment.
We were able to get one of the allotments in Wardington - it took a couple of visits to find out just what was available. And then Tony and I made a trip to Oxford to meet the letting agents and get it all fixed up.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oY4zqH8_dSA/UDC5P2QU_ZI/AAAAAAAAAy4/HFNsnI8kUQ8/IMG_1222.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1222" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
There were lots of plots seemingly available but the occupiers of some of them were unwilling to accept that they had given up. Shame, because there was one particular plot that I really wanted. And still do - more than a year on it still hasn't been touched.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0MwdpInv3Hg/UDC8XzUFE2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/-wvnfAYeGz0/Allotment%252520Wardinton%252520UK-6.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Allotment Wardinton UK 6" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Lease signed, the weeds were cut down by Brendan and Charlie and our allotment started to look like this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GA_TNdHkOBk/UDC5UX1nd4I/AAAAAAAAAzI/SoUyMc4AhxA/IMG_1772.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1772" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
There were a few picnics and barbecues to be enjoyed as well as hard work.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ubSyTh_xYmg/UDC5YydSK6I/AAAAAAAAAzY/D8ytCfhUqcc/Charles%252520Brendan%252520BBQ%252520allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Charles Brendan BBQ allotment Wardington UK" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
For the next few weeks and months everyone was hard at work, weeding and digging. Again, it was mostly Brendan and Charlie who did most of the hard digging.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B44yngNe8_o/UDC5a4ZoS6I/AAAAAAAAAzg/S3OtrDGpChQ/Brendan%252520Charlie%252520Maggie%252520Frances%252520allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Brendan Charlie Maggie Frances allotment Wardington UK" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
At the same time, it was necessary to think about buying and building a shed.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY8hfgKIa-veU-LVDp8vz_OOm9D6-KE7Euo1oJ6IJmNCYybAYjTjp11xgXJu9GBVQ3UMtZhPm5U_47Vf-0kYDljv63Hded4b9ey7rmU5uD95h3hRp-JDOzmEX9XcuoGpE8jWXQ1pyQkp_/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1771" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Slowly, it took shape.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVbOACinD7ix8h06oXxRF7shwI1nsOv575Qwia1kDjGn-Awh628py7quhRY9xeqPwkfsrYW8SifKdVv4Fmh7rCVZPdGuMAfGSDSW0IIRsH71DYHKhF7jgbSRH9oLgm9vPRFwtqNPJpRyK/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1781" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Until we had this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XSeIhyphenhyphennyhJlgQR8yP4KF9tS5cBtVtfF6pCD0wvOS6z6cKApJgLYtBp4RFXBQdElVUsxUZTSTesP2K5wKSzGQK81j7pbQG5VUkizcl7b6WWe-Nrp_YlcM6E-Z7-HNL_aT4N6lwiI-bUGo/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1779" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Fran took care of the painting.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-itkHBP3qJEk/UDC5iZbjbUI/AAAAAAAAA0A/dQ7AxDs6sGc/Frances%252520paints%252520shed%252520allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK-2.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Frances paints shed allotment Wardington UK 2" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Aided and abetted by Laura - who unfortunately lost interest when she found Tony's iPad.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dZ1CfLlLZew/UDC5or4pY6I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/sQSkA7C8diw/Laura%252520plays%252520iPad%252520allotment%252520Wardintgon%252520UK.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Laura plays iPad allotment Wardintgon UK" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
You are forgiven if you immediately thought 'seaside beach hut'(mea culpa - I chose the paint!).
And Brendan was back to digging. His accomplice has disappeared though.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JlX1958LOhg/UDC5kZJL23I/AAAAAAAAA0I/K27q4xc3qL4/Bredan%252520digs%252520allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Bredan digs allotment Wardington UK" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Painting duties finished, Fran came to the rescue.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVzEn2visatJlUVMdbB01dARoK6mecFjucK8oDl-9uOo2tmbqFQmhK6FQyqcVDYhxsOXedTXtV2TY7-xsQCNDRNxLSiHczdjUh8iGgGaHPSvsrq12cn_eF07cvwb5uDuSXucugoUOeNNk/?imgmax=800" alt="Allotment UK 2" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Now we could think about planting something - but it was too late in the year to think about sowing seeds so I bought a box of goodies from <a href="http://www.rocketgardens.co.uk/">Rocket Gardens</a>.<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e7kQaIFjMa0/UDC5sy6gPVI/AAAAAAAAA0o/OTKi48t5WdE/IMG_1775.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1775" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And in no time at all they were out of the box and throwing their roots down, gasping for sustenance.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yPHEUIyxd4U/UDC5vY6p4sI/AAAAAAAAA0w/aKVE6FuUA2Q/IMG_1777.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1777" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Those little darlings provided us with greens all winter. There were some surprising varieties there and I wondered, what have I done. All that money (these babies were not cheap!). But I needn't have worried. The giant red mustard that looked as though it just wanted to wither and die changed its mind and became the jewel in the crown of many a winter salad. There was pak choi, land cress, cabbage and much much more. Something like 13 different vegetables, mostly unusual varieties.
The red cabbage was interesting. It didn't seem to do much all winter except grow huge, tough leaves. I kept saying, no, it will start to heart up. But instead those cabbages got bigger and bigger, the leaves got tougher, and still no hearting up. We started chopping off some of the lower leaves because those monsters were taking up far more space than was acceptable. This is what those monsters looked like in June of this year:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHEPvzW3bMNbf94iBMv0VBxYFdB1iivrcUNDfPzGf7rA6TDZGaN7dfdeRwpO3u16op-kAXk0NKQbY6fFuS5lPRI3100wq9f6Qgn4kR4lXXPY_I38IrEVqQLjhGiadxJrLsG3KFXZl7DIb/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02337" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
But then, hearts started to form and we picked a few. Here is my effort:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnsGospNYDjItYa26206_CV5RmcwUUGU9a89YJUmuALx11MI_5BkDuJiCGBO0_lCtXsgO2RuEGcD_3kaT1blppgYwOpaRuoKuUKWl40LrAUQqdsSNxR-2XQDyZ0OZFmNTbcyhMMqPcpci/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02438" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
Back to last year. Autumn came and went. There was a huge pile of weeds that had been cut back, roots that had been hauled out, general detritus. It needed to be burnt and eventually some suitable weather arrived.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWlo3DWnbUZEtgiWnUvg4GI49_XwxF0YUeb7slTKUVZ3-qady1j5B8maAfH3MRvqe2dIgRUlQCNThJMpBCgSe5iKQSBXbsGgocrzj1A8e1roqN2xH-K5_RtrwknBLpLliPccW-WzLPMZH/?imgmax=800" alt="Brendan allotment Wardington UK 2" border="0" width="400"
height="298" />
Of course, the children loved to help.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfG7hgIz5Zm-RmErdeWjoRb3j0x414z_Jkgvk0S0Hv1uDCM8bgEEOP_oTLjKgUv1zfZerucP63LKlPpMsmUurqwQLYpNWpA8_Bwa4mMgepBYza08l9nzKWeQsQOOif_aNpYqbr37szlSD/?imgmax=800" alt="Laura Oliver Brendan allotment Wardington UK" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
But with the arrival of winter I wasn't able to go as often. Brendan and Fran did though. All winter long they dug so that by spring it was looking like this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5naWjaUGhV8NlzLqr1Ic9mdA2phckx9o8-4IPhXanljnhXQdvLCiqEyIBQQstwZMuTNA6-kY75iNUWb8Y83VHJQbBpDzhW0nU3N8wODBfNZQfgD1QhzqawcIi7Qcte2CzFaXeb3kIWHF3/?imgmax=800" alt="Allotment Wardinton UK 2" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And I was starting to help again:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H5c4b3eAdhU/UDC5-Tw4OfI/AAAAAAAAA1o/HF2EQeTNwJQ/Allotment%252520Wardinton%252520UK.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Allotment Wardinton UK" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
It's all looking good now, isn't it. Netting has been erected to keep out those pesky pigeons. And the first early potatoes are in.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LpmzGT5ErFk/UDC6AePbr3I/AAAAAAAAA1w/kx5kIDNpA44/Allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK-2.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Allotment Wardington UK 2" border="0" width="400" height="382" /
>
At about this time we discovered that we were only using about half of our allocated plot. Just as Brendan and Fran had finished digging our original 'patch'! Hmmmm!!! They decided that enough digging had been done for the time being. Fran had planted soft fruits all down the edge of our original space. Now we had almost as much on the other side. Brendan made an executive decision. Black plastic was laid on top of the weeds to suppress growth this year. But we were running out of planting space so then Fran cut holes in the black plastic and panted courgettes, squashes, pumpkins, tomatoes and corn - now all growing happily. This pic was taken a few months ago:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fOMTxQRcKjA/UDC6jP0014I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/ZsDQ4lnGpp8/DSC02341.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02341" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
And then this:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YWSE8jbWxPU/UDC6eOtqcdI/AAAAAAAAA3I/2AOA5UX1qgE/DSC02336.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02336" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
Today, the courgettes are taking over, the tomatoes - when they can outgrow the courgettes, are beginning to ripen and Laura is thoroughly enjoying picking baby corn and eating it.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLWWK6b1aST4SE_nfDFVDdr8sQ5wcWPoTnj3Sp9eEiiRLZ9reqju_JTWVaJN_nVLTrSazhA-jRrNE9HSL3MgKe3qYOTHspqVkpsa5Zl19SeKTZgqIvJCdV9tD3BcH-6EUfSS3RAmgSs-T/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2600" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
Totally out of the blue, an offer was made for a greenhouse. We didn't need a second asking! As always, Brendan and Fran did the hardest part, dismantling and cleaning the greenhouse before Brendan and Charlie carried the frame through the village, from the cottage:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3B35VEKDqts/UDC6DDzBG_I/AAAAAAAAA14/JgJ2Ai6AuBw/IMG_2528.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2528" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iOjHDCfNNQM/UDC6KbZZYtI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/EWCykjW5Mf4/IMG_2529.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2529" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
through the village
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iOWlfFWZszGzbd24U5avb4djdz-icrHviUZyvhEvZ30rK2ohmaXBXRjALI_o9afu43lkHR4ldfCGxuN6gv30wG_2cWTh2p317MMggOoEbbqc9M0sd4WSvYAqPG943QBhKMYMzCamlbEE/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2530" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZmKvHPMs5Tu9fwyyydPcwwu3sQxFZcbsypPIdWcEn0usUksfXDacegTVSfO69XxZTOm-DpxJGdqkEH6YlG0FxI0L33ZyneqBwH9AnpMyw7wc6tS9B2PXV8GI0BU5DLg63Is08TOSpWl-/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2534" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38vcvl_HJ4s7RxhuK7uWx3oby-TDQ4-9wqVjhOSCC_FpzRko2o7qAPNHlX8PX0t_9xZcTUaN2R8L7gMO224v1pFPNzNN7xJCB5iEZd6xZ_gPZY4IbSlOyvdXEybtO3UuWHVEnBdvvJOYg/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2531" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
through the churchyard
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofms4qylsljz2E6wQntNihyphenhyphenBBbpFwHzzZYGc7LlU75huvjtj1fEVmgVvjJ49T9NMlkqOQf_EsQcu9tvttQh3Ap_suZtB82xJrR9-VSecNek3Lti4mxwO-7zTkCWUnY6m4Rfx3gyjEehtK/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2539" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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and finally, to the allotment.
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Fran washed all the glass, bought new where necessary and got it all in place. All by herself, she's an independent lass. But sadly, no photos as a result.
I think this is becoming a long post. Should I finish here? Who knows when I may finish if I stop now, so I will press on.
Laura and Oliver enjoy their time at the allotment. There's lots to do but they also have to rest from time to time. (And Laura has to protect her chair, make sure Nonno doesn't steal it!)
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTus4e1SfKgqhqVjUOecHbZ3yrQ2nuDHEUl7sEmWvTy7_kdK4vxor-hMNrP5OOtx9i5dZnpYXHbLQQvJiifCD6E5H6nkt4ww9FqojtOgwb3gLDz4psCTzu99cRSksJWjXQ8NvEi4Cq7vg8/?imgmax=800" alt="Laura Allotment Wardington UK 2" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kZw6lXGA9ag/UDC6oguCahI/AAAAAAAAA3o/gBJZT1sa668/Oliver%252520Allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK-2.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Oliver Allotment Wardington UK 2" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
It's always a hive of industry at the allotment:
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tjcAgstYzMQ/UDC6q0yEa4I/AAAAAAAAA3w/TSeOU2kg9_A/Allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Allotment Wardington UK" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
Fran enjoys pottering in the greenhouse
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz_ah4lWAz7uoJGGhdT2OkppzsKSG1qxF2lnL4NCuuyHLtycf8xWZoj0m9LHKxB-SXW1DEue7xVZzFkPkURTr1CsNGeFd1Qo-Q1oGAqKSwSln64XxmLASFmsgMRX2eg0xNvMWjHp4oyFr/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2595" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And Brendan is enjoying the fruits of everyone's labours - although we are finding that those courgettes are very prolific and extremely good at hiding themselves. (Charlie and Tony are beginning to complain though - not more courgettes…)
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The greenhouse has been a great success and Fran and I are looking forward and planning what we can grow in it over the winter months.
Meanwhile, there are tomatoes
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Peppers (or they may be chillies - our labelling leaves a lot to be desired!)
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And somewhere in there are cucumbers and basil (but I haven't any photos, you'll just have to take my word for it!)
One last photo. I haven't mentioned the tree climbing exploits and I don't have any of Laura and Oliver in their den. But on one of her few visits to the allotment, here is Eva.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8XQU90-smq4/UDC66rFuvdI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/mBSCrdCuBDs/Eva%252520swinging%252520allotment%252520Wardington%252520UK.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Eva swinging allotment Wardington UK" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
I hope to keep more up-to-date with future developments but for now, that's it. Sorry if I seemed to skim over the progress we have made this summer. You should see the crop of potatoes we got!
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-52487837138336410042012-08-15T00:06:00.001-07:002012-08-15T00:06:11.009-07:00Eva and Maia came to stayWe love having Eva and Maia come for a visit. It's exhausting mind you, but nice exhausting. The weather was glorious, too warm if anything, making some of us decidedly grumpy at times and not only the younger ones. In fact, mostly the two oldest!
Icecreams were enjoyed. Here's Eva.
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And here's Maia… oooops, she forgot her clothes.
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We usually visit the National Herb Centre when they come. It's a place to enjoy a drink
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And just sit
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIFEauWeBvTj8RMs8C_Xxn5dsXRLhhBWLcR76nbROA9yz9-RJ0J2_06n6v9NCk-T70mXvTT3Xu2KPevpBT_kJLRMT-6ws9NATvch77PGUMAHaT5a48wnaRjfgxRvZhhwQelbNa5yZFcXI/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2573" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And then there are always the swings
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd8M50_INVR6VHnsbYABA-5HgCuofZ6krHqIG-O-KViT-Zt5aHFjt1e6Gw0T9QpcfQOxb9rJLi7ksmmaVDnzOkAKqeusDz8bJ5JjtATyfXwZFml0gvZ3Toip0Pw1O8yf43GyFHpKRz2Vu/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2576" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And the labyrinth
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Including a lesson on telling the time
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Maia, surveying the lie of the land
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Eva
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When we are tired of the labyrinth it's time for the park again
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And a little bit of shade
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4oCWCg-cdsQ/UCtKU57jfpI/AAAAAAAAAyU/2tpjHB45G8w/IMG_2589.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2589" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
But it got so hot I had to find a cool solution
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Two happy girls
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We did lots more but I forgot to take pics! Typical, don't you think. And all too soon it was time for the girls to go home. We're looking forward to seeing them again next week when they come home from their holiday on Naxos.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-32105311043926857262012-07-11T06:42:00.001-07:002012-07-11T06:42:43.990-07:00The GardenI have been intending to blog about my garden since we moved in here two years ago. All I can say is that my good intentions, while often coming to naught, don't go away easily.
Here is the first picture I can find of the garden after we moved in.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrQWOYtYE2hFmOROcYBZ95L4TIE1hJpatQsBejnuNkPdIZLukyYcegQnLxWzJmU1xwNCUB6Mlzp8ZSIfgytlxrtIleRxBhXWVsn3XX4q0h65zIBlLEBNW9vk1XDus5asW6GhzJIqXj79Q/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0199" border="0" width="400" height="300" />
Not a lot there, as you can see. By this time we had cut back all the long grass.
Slowly, it began to look like this, as I added more and more containers.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMIXq6CQ_NPRR8MvN-Iu6pSfN0Mi9TE_GPLQn8CslcUSDX_8IMmEIbyGC7E3OVQy4CW_v-_mPFBNxfLlPWMXguqzhf2nUukodrAyECQgFEggn38JSeabcdR24rmkkfiyXolrvzZLqpugH/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0339" border="0" width="400" height="300" />
And then a patio was added. And more pots.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMI7ApZ3RCgaHY1DbKou9dpCQgse74KhJyepYZ816KEl21OTLn5Rtcz0EHbIJPasaL6BWgCRrPAwNwxxnqcU0EHQoWOl6GhS-ccraRMNLf5xrr12BjYwHZGQ9PZ7zpuBUoIm30AeDl_il/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0500" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
And pansies. Always pansies.
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Then there was a shed at the bottom. And Wayne came along and finished off the landscaping. (Do you call it landscaping in such a small space, I wonder…)
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZTHyRDU2Rz0/T_2CGwd6UnI/AAAAAAAAAuo/MO51tVayYoc/IMG_1276.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1276" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7QuVrJQTh2wtt2addd_-QNj0sJkklX_qNIdOQEvonc9_ileKPFt8Rd82cJeHeouhw4JQC9F0B0Wx3e1lblVPFu3GT9AbdYAfPw-a4gCiJE-4RvRYGwOYpdYVI4NP735e4Eki_FlKdSl9/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1279" border="0" width="400" height="535" /><br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lTmO9z_vBnZdbpVC4KuCL6gRr5uFdpf-ziuis7AC3v_hrECbJNFDNRL2YieV1BU96ZrD-YthQp4cR6hKsr_HuN7TTY4ATg2_kQTNSang4X-WzJVXioZMo1N6U0P7Hhq7-rgIMbF8Wt1j/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1302" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And there were more plants.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh_VI7a349na_6NpqkddyqU-WJ7LBJSbc7MP6eMErarkpjBxUpv7XQQY_ObfuFpsEJwtxFE5-3aU0liDyGE53ToM2cGihzcTx9SEtWoCLWZwfoCTTO4ozfG4vvY_l-6E0mOSUT5V1FGrD/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1748" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
And courgettes.
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Tomatoes.
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Slowly the garden took shape until today, this is how the pots are looking.
Penstemmons from seeds sown last year and self-seeded nigella. There are also a few violas in there.
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In the garden, this is very striking but it just isn't photogenic.
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There's a fig tree in there somewhere - about a foot high. ;)) Maybe next year it will show itself - these half-price offers in Wilkinsons are not to be missed.
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Chopped the heads off the top ones, but you get the idea.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4E0PZzZvt1D8-ssD0s62BuVcuBYBZl_4ZWLfpyf1A4o5Iza825RgzGkkyG5N16DVCkjXFTnC4nZ6PMVO-EA2QKm60VgQNBffqX1lIgh0YXg3BolQvm8F9xvPoK6ZQnsTs2BhD0D0ZsuZU/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02321" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
Begonias really are show-off plants, aren't they.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIyXa_DnU9kSgpL_mVYd5Rr649wyPuViBHtxvEFyIXbIg1Mn8QwaXFKRWNB1NLvXdK-3YGsd-MiQYfOPV3_Usw6K6WnQha0RLuT6Th-J0M-2r5NRkt9ZLM8j_qMY8j3y8s4R0GqjrZBW1/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02323" border="0" width="400" height="224" /><br />
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This one has suddenly blossomed.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J1Ob3kgBDz05FtpxgsaRNyo6wQkHysK4m_1HiwHgA6_j6MvlQK7jY_yd14P1A3SfqY9Yeboit0rAGghOzqv7ViVGYQ85azSxsIqsqgQBxXN2IQB0MTJ7WJOm3mAGDewBlXAUoxTPZItH/?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02327" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
And these are at the front of the house, more show-off begonias.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rJbjjkibJ08/T_2CyzHpGJI/AAAAAAAAAww/4Rrp_gcoCd4/DSC02330.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="DSC02330" border="0" width="400" height="224" />
And I realise I haven't got a photo of pansies. You will never believe how many pansies I have now - it's like the Forth Bridge, no sooner have I finished dead-heading than I have to start again.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-76849554452020157622012-02-17T02:00:00.001-08:002012-02-17T02:00:26.815-08:00Saying goodbye to GanymedeI didn't take many pics of this part of the adventure. Perhaps I was too sad at the thought of no more Ganymede. Or just too busy, clearing out lockers, deciding what to throw away, what to take home. A lot was thrown away, much more than was stowed in the car. I'd been looking forward to taking our bikes home but in the end decided against - not enough space and little likelihood that we would actually use them. I also left some kitchen equipment that I had planned to take home…
I had wondered how I would feel about saying a final farewell to Ganymede. A final farewell to the adventure. In the end, it was easy. I knew it was time to let go. Had done so some time before in fact. But still…
Just for the memory, here are some photos of Ganymede over the years
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tS-G7UYvouY/Tz4kiUSGFFI/AAAAAAAAAqc/N6PxhFJAnJM/101-0170_IMG_2.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="101 0170 IMG 2" border="0" width="400" height="300" />
Our first winter - Monastir in Tunisia
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpOmzxYvX3FvmEbc2R59enkcfY9ozs_Myv-qWNKv4dNO3bb6u35QDVty0yHuzySsu36OaBHgPDfyvmCIOmhtzSsUyDtKcTohIK2pmIR1wdRJu7O0CiSSFDEOuVEGHLLSXiC4zBJwrutH7/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 3723" border="0" width="400" height="300" />
Cala Portals, Mallorca
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5B8ljP07H-8/Tz4kmYKX7RI/AAAAAAAAAqs/2gGVqBxan_o/IMG_3617.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 3617" border="0" width="400" height="533"
Cala Fornells, Menorca
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YZiPFhkftFFr2KeTUhfEaxXGLlhFu-A1UqPS78hIXVdoVwFUaWh1o00J8pJquw1cc6OqhmVgyeTkNXLfxoapx4_dwQKg_WtZgw4dCqiyfLcuR4c214B5gvS_CLqOTG2SXz4GLYbuqnXV/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 5542" border="0" width="400" height="300" />
Port Atheni on Meganissy Island, Ionian.
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A view of Stromboli, Sicily
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Dolphins in the Ionian Sea off Paxos Island
We stayed only a few days. Long enough to visit
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Vonitsa. We sat outside overlooking the sea, eating lunch at a taverna, very simple, tsatsiki, small fish and red wine. Excellent. And the red wine… to die for. Just as I like red wine to be, smooth, like velvet… oh, I must go back to Vonitsa one day.
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Nidri
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tcjuKlepivk/Tz4k6Nn_5kI/AAAAAAAAAsU/e3ipfB-greQ/Nidri%252520Lefkada%252520Greece.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Nidri Lefkada Greece" border="0" width="400" height="182" />
A memory - at anchor in Tranquil Bay looking over to Nidri
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGyDr4fLP9qJjNhhxq_axXPsGU6lwt1jQAhCALc3kcJNf9yPvqqKh7gIhxL1NuGzu6t5X0Z3dC0czACubL9QFPLztB7pervD9JlIAXxeo2SSEnUErnbLlkUoPAgbD-taUxnp72W71ZlGA/?imgmax=800" alt="Town quay Lefkas Lefkada Greece" border="0" width="400" height="300" />
This is all I can find of Lefkas - a view from Ganymede when we were at anchor on day, looking over to the quay.
And then our time was up, we had to be on our way, but first, there was one last stop, mainland Sivota, a favourite anchorage and one where we had enjoyed a happy holiday with Brendan and Fran, Laura and Oliver.
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From the port, looking over to the anchorage. Wasn't it a gorgeous day!
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Waiting for a coffee… will it never come.
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Another memory - Ganymede at anchor in the bay.
And then it was time to continue on to Igounatmitsa.
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And a beautiful sunset on our last night in Greece
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Before catching the ferry early the next morning.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-36681266589797714672011-11-24T01:26:00.001-08:002011-11-24T01:26:20.417-08:00Tutti i SantiAll Saints Day.
I remember a long weekend many, many years ago, in Venice, with Tony, Brendan and Alistair, and Ella. The weather was much as it has been this weekend but with misty mornings. One of our best visits to Venice.
And here we are again, Venice on All Saints Day. The autostrada was deserted. Oh, the joys of travelling on a public holiday. We arrived in Venice in good time, too early even, but better that than too late.
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The causeway.
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Ferry port. No. that wasn't our ferry.
It took ages to load the ferry. Lorries first, they had to reverse on. Nightmare. Then cars with caravans - usually the caravan was reversed on by one of the dock workers and then the car was re-hooked up. Oh but it was a slow system!!! We mused on how ever they would get a full ferry loaded as this one wasn't even a third full. Finally, we got on board and found our cabin - I had originally booked an inside cabin but changed to an outside one with a reasonable sized window. Not bad. We dumped our things and headed outside ready to enjoy our departure. Hungry, we quickly ate the most unappetising giros, not wanting to miss anything of the start of our journey.
Two hours later:
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Still waiting, even the crew are out watching. Whatever is going on? (Later we discovered that this was the first time this particular boat had been in Venice… so the authorities decided to do a full safety check. Two hours of safety check!!!) And during that time they were still loading lorries.
But eventually we got underway
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eVxEBVXeSCk/Ts4NjhYSRlI/AAAAAAAAAog/rwmYpUTEo34/IMG_2015.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2015" border="0" width="400" height="385" />
and got a bit camera happy
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS6L2XicLWHDTG3wtHh4R1ik2xNJ5WWkqJ3hAin4VJo8K6-00hAIdI6kYNh-A6qJgk9bhV9laAvPKrR-vdVbuM5csPFSJmNqXXEaCFDc6qSdvNUc8xIcmJcxZvyJMrWvueAco_S1BsU03/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2018" border="0" width="400" height="298" />
trying to capture the essence of Venice.
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Canals
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Buildings
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Piazza San Marco, can you make out the crowds? The canal was extra busy there as well.
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More Piazza San Marco
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Yet more.
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More boats, more buildings and, as everywhere, a crane.
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Would that we were travelling on this luxury boat… but a week later it was still there.
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And finally, almost out of Venice now, some autumn colour.
When we were having lunch in Bardolino the day before I noticed an ATM machine and the thought went through my mind, maybe I should get some more cash. Through my mind and out again. I forgot to get the cash. Tony also didn't have any euros. Oh well, I thought, as we boarded the ferry, we can pay for everything by card. Wrong!!! Very wrong!!! We used up the last of our euros paying for the ghastly giros. No… we managed to find enough for a couple of coffees in the afternoon. Something had to be done. Someone suggested the Pursar. First find Pursar. Hmmm. Not so easy. Once we were underway, everything closed. We had at least established that we could use our cards in the Dining Room and in the self-service restaurant so we wouldn't starve and there were a couple of bottles of water in the fridge in our cabin. We wouldn't die of thirst either. Oh, but the need for coffee… Pursar to the rescue. Eventually his office opened and Tony was able to change some £s into €s. Joy, I could have a coffee… but I chose to have a glass of wine instead. After all, we were on an adventure.
Dinner in the Dining Room was good. I chose to have a selection of Greek dips: Tsatsiki, aubergine and spicy cheese. Yummy. And then a traditional Greek stew. Washed down by some more wine, of course. Tony had gnocchi followed by pork. And, as a reward, we received a bottle of Cretan olive oil. Thank you very much. All paid for with our Visa card… it required a visit to the shop with the waiter. They didn't have a machine in the Dining Room. (Am I twittering a bit too much?)
We enjoyed a very peaceful night, a flat calm sea, just the kind I used to hope for when we were making a night crossing. The captain didn't manage to make up time so we were two hours late getting to Igoumenitsa. Back to the Dining Room for lunch. We both chose what turned out to be the strangest dish ever. Ravioli stuffed with pears on a bed of caramelised sun dried tomatoes . Well, it tasted ok. But maybe it would have been better on the dessert menu. It was all so sweet, the ravioli with the pears and the tomatoes, well, they were more like… jam. Interesting.
And finally,
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Land. Albania. Nearly there.
All in all, we had enjoyed our ferry crossing.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-87633550819125179912011-11-23T23:49:00.001-08:002011-11-23T23:49:33.117-08:00And on into ItalyWe had a great drive from Chambery to the Frejus Tunnel. The autumn colours along the route were fabulous, mind blowing. We were going through the mountains, climbing slowly, glimpses of Mont Blanc, snow covered as always, other mountains showing a sprinkling of snow and always, the colours, from palest gold to shimmering russets to brilliant reds. Add to that a clear blue sky and an almost empty road (and no lorries!) and you have a perfect drive.
And then we were through the tunnel and into Italy and going down, down, down until we reached the Turin bypass an the road got busy, cars rushing by, entering and exiting it seemed every few hundred yards. This required attention… and no cruise control. From here onwards the traffic was more dense, more frenetic. We took a wrong turn and ended up on the wrong autostrada but decided it was better than the one the satnav had chosen. Then we were crossing Milan. Bergamo. And finally, signs for Verona. And Lago di Garda.
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This was our hotel. Not a great pic I know, but I thought you might like to see it anyway.
But it was in the middle of nowhere! Or so it seemed - there was an interesting old village that we walked around but no bar, nowhere to have a coffee. So we got back in the car and wound our way downhill, round convoluted hairpin bends and finally to Bardolino. There were cars everywhere and we thought, hmmm, parking is going to be an issue but no, there was an enormous car park and a few empty spaces. Time for a walk. And a cappuccino.
I thought I would insert some pics of Bardolino, but it seems I didn't take any. Brain-dead after all that scary driving.
We decided not to rush on to Venice next day. The thought of finding the car park, getting our bags, walking into town and finding our hotel… much better stay where we were and have a relaxing day around the lake.
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Autumn in Lazise, Lago di Garda
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More autumn colour
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Castles seem to be the norm around Lake Garda, this is a view of Lazise's version.
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Tony and, in the background, one of the ancient 'gates' into the town.
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Okay, so I was trying to be artistic!
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Still in Lazise, the view across the small port towards the row of bars and restaurants. Wasn't it a glorious day!
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The inside of a tiny church on the quay, opposite the restaurants.
From Lazise we took the lake steamer to Sirmione.
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Tony, waiting for cast off
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You wondered whether you would ever get a view of the lake, didn't you!
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And then to Sirmione
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Shops
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Icecream
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Lunch
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Sirmione's castle has a moat.
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And another small church.
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And narrow alleyways.
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A beach.
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And a pretty walk along the shore. The walk was pretty… not Tony!!! He was getting tired. Time for a drink.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk9i02ihXhRUVSYe4oELc7si4253aAnylTqWv3VNlfyZKN3ZNursSGWBgxXaXmrnw4Q3MtFEViQnFaIFmNlDnFnynuzSYyFCUVhSK6RP3nheTtN5JqASA3AeN4nQm7hyphenhyphenKYOjrOZXY5k0r/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1954" border="0" width="400" height="535" />
But not before we passed a grove of gnarled old olive trees.
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And finally, the return trip on the steamer.
And in the evening (Tony reminded me last night) we enjoyed the most delicious pizza. I'm not a pizza fan, give me pasta any day. But this one was seriously good.
Next Greece, and Ganymede, the reason for this trip.
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-52990535968836585002011-11-06T06:17:00.001-08:002011-11-06T06:20:46.937-08:00ChamberyFrom Dijon to Chambery via Lyon. Oh, I so didn't want to go via Lyon, it is always a busy road. Not as bad as the M25 mind you, but lots of lorries. Lots and lots of lorries. But wait, this was Saturday. No lorries. Well, that isn't quite true but there ware certainly fewer than on a weekday. Good for more 'getting used to the new car' practise.
As we approached the Lyon bypass there was a sign that indicated Chambery and Turin but no, the satnav ignored it. Now why, when we know the satnav has 'got it wrong' do we still not take the correct turn? We do it time and again, and still we do it. We did it on Friday evening as we approached Dijon, it gave us one of those vague instructions and we didn't follow our instinct and so added half an hour to our route. This time there was a new road, cutting a corner, and the satnav didn't know about it. So we didn't take it. When will we learn!!!
Eventually we got ourselves on the Chambery/Turin autoroute and enjoyed a more peaceful drive. Here are a couple of photos taken when we stopped at an aire (picnic area) for a short break. I so wished we had bought picnic supplies when we were at the market.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JcsyGxf6XKY/TraW0k9tU7I/AAAAAAAAAjg/6CgLYufS7tA/IMG_1872.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1872" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
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We reached Chambery in time for a late lunch. And if I was ranting about the satnav earlier I have to say that we were glad of it now. We missed a couple of turns (our fault!) as we wound our way through narrow streets and crossed complicated junctions. And then there was no parking to be found at the hotel… ah but what did we spy but an underground car park. Joy!!!
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The joy was short-lived on my part. The entrance was steep, narrow and windy. And the tyres squeaked. And did I mention the turns were sharp. And that this was an automatic car that I was just getting used to? There were no places on the first floor so… onwards and downwards and… a parking place. A very narrow parking place. A bit of shuffling and… we were parked.
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Off to find the hotel, settle in and find some lunch and a glass of wine, I needed it.<br />
There aren't many photos of Chambery. I don't know why. Chambery was buzzing with life. We enjoyed a delicious, traditional French meal at a little brasserie, obviously a favourite with the locals and we were lucky to find a table. The wine slid down a treat. <br />
We spent the afternoon wandering through the town, along narrow streets filled with people buying or just looking or, best of all, sitting at pavement cafés enjoying the late autumn sunshine. I knew I should be taking photos but the buildings are on a grand scale and difficult (for me!) to photograph. Here is a photo that Tony took, of the bell tower.<br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_VZWYYlDiBzHzmnhWKd3gzZKM2IetuSquzZvcnq6usrUWMHamk524toD6suxRIQMUdGYoio1Ds6W9wAlELfSzq_gbz-kUN5hbM91EV4Jr_6eemkZrRqEijqIe87ZiyXOhc9sXz5Tqcdu/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1108" border="0" width="400" height="448" /><br /><br />
I have to tell you that we were sitting at a café when we heard the strangest sounds… maybe an organ we thought. Off we went to investigate. The sounds led us to the bell tower and the most amazing set of chimes. Although the building is obviously old, the chimes were installed in 1996 (or thereabouts). I don't know what nearby residents must think though as the chimes went on for at least ten minutes… I don't know how many times a day or even if we were just lucky to be there on a chime day. Very interesting though.<br />
Light dinner we thought after our delicious lunch. Strangely, the town, so vibrant in the afternoon, was very quiet when we went out for dinner. I think we may have been too early. Anyway, we both chose tartiflette - potatoes, cream, lardons and reblochon cheese. Light!!!
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-25546498702138435092011-11-06T05:43:00.001-08:002011-11-06T05:55:03.695-08:00End of an AdventureWell, I did have good intentions of starting a new blog but… where did the time go? Since that first, and only, blog our new room has been completed, a British winter has been experienced, Tony has had a major heart attack, we have visited France a couple of times, the British summer is over and now, here we are on our way to Greece to clear out Ganymede.<br />
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Ganymede has been sold!!!<br />
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Oh, the relief. I should feel sad, and I do if I am being entirely honest, but the relief is so much greater. With Tony's state of health we were never going to sail in her again and the responsibility of having her just sit there, on the hard, going nowhere but still needing maintenance and loving attention… well, it was just so huge. But perhaps the sadness will hit when we get there and the memories flood in.<br />
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Meanwhile, we are en route. We left Dover on the midday ferry on Friday. A mistake that, bearing in mind we were taking the Dunkirk route, longer than going to Calais and then there is an hour time difference so that by the time we were off the ferry and had made a detour to fill up with diesel, it was almost 4.00pm. By the time we reached Dijon, found a parking spot and got to the hotel, it was gone 9.00. And we were both tired and hungry.<br />
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Did I mention that we bought a new car on Wednesday? Well, not exactly new but new to us. A semi-automatic because I am so fed-up changing gear. Computerised everything. It puts the lights on when it gets dark. It puts the windscreen wipers on when it rains. It has cruise control. Now, if only it could drive itself! But perhaps it wasn't the best time to be driving a car with so much sophistication. Not with having to drive on the right and get used to the French way of driving - which is definitely not the same as the British way.<br />
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So, late dinner after finding hotel and discovering that it was a little more drab than we remembered. Still quaint though. After dinner we searched around and were able to find where we had parked the car, a great relief, we could sleep easily.
Here are some photos of Dijon
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nNqpRiR7NAw/TraO4N3J7pI/AAAAAAAAAho/3sQq6jyowYc/IMG_1865.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1865" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
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Flower stall at entrance to covered market.<br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLkUC6NKEowaTdX57TLZkJkhJAlYlfLScGGcvliwsEjCLV4Dt-o0lgCB8zRz75TcKzUGvuRuUJLYdzLjz1hq2dujcVcyDiwm-gM73hYHQUEIs1yoWILV3Fd-ZalZ_NOhch_9oylFDth60/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1859" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
Perhaps some charcuterie?<br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b4LFKvYiS38/TraRszWd7_I/AAAAAAAAAjU/AXJPt85szxo/IMG_1853.JPG?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1853" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
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Cheese anyone?<br />
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<br />A few vegetables for your five a day<br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOvXOl_npsoWplRBwMS4HBt6wCSeGoAE9NF_Cs3KCapCyD0Mk4Mj_RZCbR-xjwJflilLvF6SDCHmaSzURKobBRhn2EY9F1r4WjG82ETuG5v7utnzCbr8IogLbdeonL8Z5mrd6Ldg5-s1U/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1857" border="0" width="400" height="298"/><br />
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Here's an overview. Note, I forgot to take a pic of one of the butchery counters. Phew!!! I feel you thinking.<br />
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And here are a couple of shots taken as we sipped coffee sitting at one of the nearby cafés.<br />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz-lUJQ-S3OgiRc-9i9OKZ2LKjPbr3osjb2iGaR5d6PP5HSsYjRFic4b4eBDrU-0BRBWVfns1g8LcZ1b4jO_RVoEaedK2Hf8zUyQiWf5UOB-Wtq_kWjQxNaROXHQc1yYslyonr9ObUOuB/?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1868" border="0" width="400" height="298" /><br />
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Sorry about all that food. Hope you weren't hoping for photos of the town. The town is lovely and there are some fantastic buildings, lovely little alleyways, gorgeous shops, but I think that after coffee my mind had moved on to the drive ahead and there are no more photos of Dijon….
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194699971209915191.post-56595448860687559882010-09-22T08:25:00.001-07:002010-09-22T09:38:31.905-07:00StartingYesterday we went for a walk along the canal at Cropredy. Life has been fairly hectic since we moved into number twenty-eight but we are slowly getting there. Work on the new room should start early next month so hopefully all will be ready for Christmas. Then it'll be time to start on the small garden.<br /><br />We thought winter had arrived. August had been stormy and the beginning of September not much better so a few days of sunshine had us ready to get out and enjoy the countryside. Especially since Tony finally seems to be getting stronger, the new medication making a huge difference.<br /><br />Here are a couple photos of the canal:<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bDCkL-xnfbs/TJogsFdUk9I/AAAAAAAAAgg/zjeVXsshlvA/_IMG_0306.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="_IMG_0306.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="533" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bDCkL-xnfbs/TJohG-fhd-I/AAAAAAAAAgk/gBiMuLYK-RE/_IMG_0309.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="_IMG_0309.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="300" /></div><br /><br />And then this morning we went into Banbury:<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bDCkL-xnfbs/TJoivEE3rRI/AAAAAAAAAgs/ZrIsG_onEHg/_DSC01328.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="_DSC01328.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="225" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bDCkL-xnfbs/TJow8D4L2WI/AAAAAAAAAhU/iW-bH9_SW-M/_IMG_0327.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="_IMG_0327.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="511" /></div><br /><br />I also took some photos in the garden:<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujQ82NDGrt79Q-FQDfeFmPFrH3vnUqsJb_YIgC7e64CVV55B475j6moDvsWBIWTcz8tezAVNd8mf8hYsYXmCxrQEydAVUVrKbnC4WdXdyG1D8N3858Fr8ZxKxK7e4OPkcH82ADPOPZhJw/?imgmax=800" alt="_IMG_0316.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="240" /></div><br /><br />The summer season is coming to an end<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bDCkL-xnfbs/TJoleS-djeI/AAAAAAAAAhA/lnIvewvbu2Q/_IMG_0321.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="_IMG_0321.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="525" /></div><br /><br />And most of the plants are looking tired<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bDCkL-xnfbs/TJokzZI-hoI/AAAAAAAAAg8/bj7QxCTmmgY/violas.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="violas.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="306" /></div><br /><br />But this pot of violas has only just been planted, ready to cheer up a cold winter day.<br /><br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960490978474252450noreply@blogger.com0