tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16409288563227760962024-03-15T18:10:11.783-07:00Miss Magpie's musingsAn avid shopper, collector and vintage loving ex-librarian. History and books are a passion, so are clothes, old movies, Snoopy, Gene Kelly and heavy rock. Not the most obvious of combinations but there you go!
I have an ever growing book mountain and always about 5 books and about 55 stitching projects on the go at any one time
Teenage Kicks by The Undertones is my favourite song and The Hound of the Baskervilles is my favourite book.Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.comBlogger440125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-50379941045393789612024-03-07T15:43:00.000-08:002024-03-10T13:45:52.266-07:00The Year so Far. Exhibitions, Frocks and Travel.<p> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">Well I should have known I wouldn’t get the chance to blog in January - February. It’s always a crazy busy time at work and this year we had a bumper application stage, so I spent the majority of those months putting in some long hours which means the last thing I feel like doing in the evening is more screen time. I’m pretty much out the other side now, just one more event in Munich on Saturday and then an open day, before I can head out for a well earned few days off and collapse in a heap at the seaside!</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We started the year with a walk, in between torrential down pours, to our favourite pub. Just like last year they opened until 6pm serving all day breakfasts accompanied by a jam session with local musicians, more and more of whom kept arriving as the afternoon wore on. We left just before they closed and walked home in a torrential downpour, which seemed to be the theme of January.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I have never seen rain quite like that provided by Storm Henk. I ended up going to my pilates class in wellington boots and waterproofs! The main road I walk down has a slight incline and the water was flowing ankle deep like a river with the cars throwing up huge bow waves as they passed by. By the time I got home it turned out the town was cut off, with all three roads into it blocked by flooding, something that has never happened before in its history. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I’m so grateful for hybrid working these days. Having said that I did have to go into the office the next day and as the train station is at the bottom of the hill it often fills with water and this was no exception. I had to cross pallet stepping stones to get to the stairs up to the platform! Thankfully it had all been pumped out by the time I made my return journey.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-up9lpoc8PuDvUNgKzt2ZOtHfKMwOUxsnOwO7IJHTtX8xldk8XE9Q0uY4NLKGGV7KdguZmoFmPfSYnwKECnYFDgzYuY5lDCQGUYySZuf_99QCNAtn9c1GJxXIamMmIhMc5lppcKQVH24zktSaOgbbdcYrE2nwQVBWyFURKSEA937jHR8OlAjj4noQP7J/s373/blog12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-up9lpoc8PuDvUNgKzt2ZOtHfKMwOUxsnOwO7IJHTtX8xldk8XE9Q0uY4NLKGGV7KdguZmoFmPfSYnwKECnYFDgzYuY5lDCQGUYySZuf_99QCNAtn9c1GJxXIamMmIhMc5lppcKQVH24zktSaOgbbdcYrE2nwQVBWyFURKSEA937jHR8OlAjj4noQP7J/s320/blog12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I didn’t do a whole lot in January other than working like a dog. I was garden consultant to my brother on two weekends. They are having their garden landscaped so one Saturday I went down to look at designs and talk about moving plants/shrubs and the next I went down and oversaw the actual moving of said plants and shrubs on a bitterly cold and wet day. Not an ideal thing to do at that time of year but necessary. Fingers crossed they all survive.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On the 27th I had a date in the diary to finally catch up with Charlotte and Alex after we had to postpone a couple of times. I still had Alex’s birthday present from May! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We met at the Tate Gallery for the Women in Revolt – Art and Activism in the UK 1970 -1990 exhibition.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvpLMh6PocIpXgvjqg5QA40ZfnbRiYRxmPOv0uQ8lY-2DPqsPbNv6sTQuwuurm3pC95MOvn0zr0ThVnfgGNZz91EgY3y8SBmCOSuucn0YUgu0VIK_QSSJs6rMRDEPwrME9rHgZd4Deu7hBzVrH0NqnbA8e1vfcaArpMKc3aQL-MM7Ck91AdlrN2gwOJAX/s556/women-in-revolt-exhibition-poster-28928-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvpLMh6PocIpXgvjqg5QA40ZfnbRiYRxmPOv0uQ8lY-2DPqsPbNv6sTQuwuurm3pC95MOvn0zr0ThVnfgGNZz91EgY3y8SBmCOSuucn0YUgu0VIK_QSSJs6rMRDEPwrME9rHgZd4Deu7hBzVrH0NqnbA8e1vfcaArpMKc3aQL-MM7Ck91AdlrN2gwOJAX/s320/women-in-revolt-exhibition-poster-28928-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> It was so lovely to see them both and we headed to the café for a good catch up of news before our ticketed entry to the exhibition. I was firstly blown away by how huge it was! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Room after room of things to take in and digest. It’s interesting how we all resonated with different exhibits. It was an incredibly powerful exhibition though I will admit whilst some things moved me incredibly some left me cold. Let’s just say even when I was an art student I never got the attraction of using actual bodily fluids as a medium to create with.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Once we had seen our fill we decided to try and find somewhere for lunch which proved far more challenging than we expected with one restaurant after another full and queuing out the door. I guess that’s the downside of going to London on the first Saturday after payday! We found a burger place in the end and finally got to sit down and exchange Christmas (and birthday) presents. We decamped to a pub and then went for a wander before heading off for our various trains home.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFtYY8fHEh3R49kfNJ07-ALpsvBkbYNgz2XcbRcBiomwbECOQXaUeodBSGPjeClWKep8Lsk12ZnqRchIWytqJyS0ylcLaO1SxiTFBVZQqhyphenhyphenV0kvZ-cBtccQ5Hu949FWgI-Tun1e3FLGDN7I7iiRAY637FNiYHYK3WORI8ocpIeVrXu_6p24q6wwooXaWo/s1632/london3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFtYY8fHEh3R49kfNJ07-ALpsvBkbYNgz2XcbRcBiomwbECOQXaUeodBSGPjeClWKep8Lsk12ZnqRchIWytqJyS0ylcLaO1SxiTFBVZQqhyphenhyphenV0kvZ-cBtccQ5Hu949FWgI-Tun1e3FLGDN7I7iiRAY637FNiYHYK3WORI8ocpIeVrXu_6p24q6wwooXaWo/s320/london3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"> </span><p></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The first Saturday in February I was working (boo) and the Sunday I went out for lunch with two friends from from my college days. We had a delicious roast dinner and a jolly good catch up as it's been about 4 years since we last saw each other.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The second one Himself had bought tickets to go and see the comedian Matthew Holness, as the horror writer Garth Marenghi, on tour to support his second novel written as that persona. You may remember we went to see the first tour towards the end of last year, but if not the character is a spoof of those late 70’s early 80’s horror writers like Stephen King and Shaun Hutson and there was a comedy show on Channel 4 called Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This time it was at the Town Hall in Reading, and we were in the front row! I wasn’t sure if the format would work for a second time round and in such a big venue, but I shouldn’t have worried. Matthew is such a clever entertainer and can think so quickly on his feet. I found it even more funny this time. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There was the chance of a book signing both times and in November we got him to sign the first book with a quote from the TV series Dark Place about poaching eggs in soup, I don’t know why but it always cracked me up. You do need to hear it in context.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Very randomly there was a line from the second book about boiling eggs too so Himself quickly wrote it out on the post it notes they give you as you queue. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujEyk_2pkq3jbBxdliFppZ2UH_qFwrvm9NAZnsYLe0yxwCBxTF14y9aUDG1TUF4m1IAIrPNySVADdV-TYhqv7VO5seE0_w6M-oh-wFZydNCvCsPdUJHdudfnjiGHGr25kcBKb4TUU5rE5k8tYxRh0T4qsXgRU-FBTGyorTXNM6eCXYPikKr3gXd_WqsT3/s1000/blog2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1000" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujEyk_2pkq3jbBxdliFppZ2UH_qFwrvm9NAZnsYLe0yxwCBxTF14y9aUDG1TUF4m1IAIrPNySVADdV-TYhqv7VO5seE0_w6M-oh-wFZydNCvCsPdUJHdudfnjiGHGr25kcBKb4TUU5rE5k8tYxRh0T4qsXgRU-FBTGyorTXNM6eCXYPikKr3gXd_WqsT3/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Here’s hoping when the final part comes out, it’s a trilogy apparently, there is also an egg quote so we can have a complete set. </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The following Saturday I was off to New York for work. It was a bit of a last minute thing and my first time there since before covid, in fact my first long haul travel since before covid. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I travelled with my colleague Hazel who had never been to NY before and was super excited. Her boyfriend Adam also came and as he was economy, and we were premium economy (a perk we are allowed if the flight is over 7 hours) they tag teamed for the whole flight so they could both experience the more comfortable chair. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There had been thick snow in NY that week, their first in two and a half years! (Explain that to me oh global warming deniers) It was still on the ground when we arrived which was very pretty. Sadly it didn’t last long, it was very cold but thankfully crisp and sunny. Hazel and Adam had a list of things they wanted to do and places/things they wanted to eat so that first night I took them to John’s for pizza. Everyone says you have to go to Joe's pizza but I prefer John's and it didn't let me down. Even though we had a small the pizzas were the size of the table and we ended up with a big take out box too.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On the Sunday we had one free day so after breakfast they headed out with their full itinerary and I waited for my friend Shannon at our hotel. It was so lovely to see her after 5 years and the first thing she did was hand over a vintage bag I had bought online. It could only be delivered to the US so I’d had it delivered to her house fully expecting to pick it up long before now! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0cKW8IaglQLAEC3-l0yQkUw-OL1gMs7vZUlpuigmhLiXWdH9Oyto2KKdsaOhZg4Md4WHjBNas_t7tWi9e1mLS2_4fzseevCVn197M8S9oNMlkg49bW70C3hvoEO6mjDOlm4_DAWP6gePpvG4ud_bU7kXD8V8Il-A30wANRqvQhY6DIuvq5aVfiJHNz83/s1000/blog05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0cKW8IaglQLAEC3-l0yQkUw-OL1gMs7vZUlpuigmhLiXWdH9Oyto2KKdsaOhZg4Md4WHjBNas_t7tWi9e1mLS2_4fzseevCVn197M8S9oNMlkg49bW70C3hvoEO6mjDOlm4_DAWP6gePpvG4ud_bU7kXD8V8Il-A30wANRqvQhY6DIuvq5aVfiJHNz83/s320/blog05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;">I had completely forgotten what it looked like, thankfully I was delighted with the purchase. She also gave me 3 bottles of Bath and Body Works body spray. I had asked her to get me a bottle when they rereleased my favourite scent a few years back on a limited edition. I hadn’t expected 3 bottles, but apparently it was on an offer at the time so I’m good for at least the next 5 years too.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We jumped in a cab over to the Grand Bazaar Flea Market which is one Shannon had never been too. It was ok, not as good as I had hoped and my first indication that the prices in NY have gone up considerably. I was really shocked at some of the prices.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I bought a brooch which was more than I would have liked to pay even at a haggled price. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtn-gDrHXhnShxV_GWiYOiOQecrrzOMy2xBIWZk5BQU1nANGPAV21GVFsZBhEmeSrWtkEriEEf8nwAme6161Qqztnz-rDuaQSqjrEeLM9Z3MjqifGikdRThtDrj_YBwodX_NpxRfbbPU-WBvhBtWKxy5KRapvjJRY1lPIvRx-E97xlyqZzvqfJs7GFpiT/s1000/blog09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1000" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtn-gDrHXhnShxV_GWiYOiOQecrrzOMy2xBIWZk5BQU1nANGPAV21GVFsZBhEmeSrWtkEriEEf8nwAme6161Qqztnz-rDuaQSqjrEeLM9Z3MjqifGikdRThtDrj_YBwodX_NpxRfbbPU-WBvhBtWKxy5KRapvjJRY1lPIvRx-E97xlyqZzvqfJs7GFpiT/s320/blog09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">From there we had a wander then stopped for a hot drink and a good catch up before taking a cab to the Carnegie Diner which was somewhere I had been recommended. Sadly, it was too full so we walked back towards my hotel and another diner nearby that Shannon knew. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We had a long leisurely lunch before I walked her back to her bus stop. As it was not quite 5pm I walked to Grand Central Station and the nearby branch of Bath and Body Works to stock up as you can’t buy their full range in the UK.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd94cciTNQZNIzUH2BhFOFapfQCWBKDOAq5iVT-zB2M6nARZsjKgqo5WLoMvZgp_3hrUI6lfRYuYh_NQvzXEX5ntOH_crR8XHiWQQ6zaGigGrLbhUlw9GqGKzBEfGvXPrbw9E9QwdMy0BOWBUyd1iEbZTcWgVn7zl27ixa3SJTT_6TIY8HLyS0kp-Yw-bW/s4000/New%20York01%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd94cciTNQZNIzUH2BhFOFapfQCWBKDOAq5iVT-zB2M6nARZsjKgqo5WLoMvZgp_3hrUI6lfRYuYh_NQvzXEX5ntOH_crR8XHiWQQ6zaGigGrLbhUlw9GqGKzBEfGvXPrbw9E9QwdMy0BOWBUyd1iEbZTcWgVn7zl27ixa3SJTT_6TIY8HLyS0kp-Yw-bW/s320/New%20York01%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I adore the Chrysler Building!<br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;">I had a blissful browse and couldn’t quite believe my eyes when I saw a buy 3 get 3 free sign. I even checked with a member of staff if it was genuine which she confirmed it was so I ended up getting 2 of each of the 3 things in my basket! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The girl at the till said as a rule people don’t bother with it as 6 items is too many, but for someone out of town like me it was too good to miss. I just had to hope my case wasn’t going to be too heavy going home! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">From there I headed back to 5th Avenue and mooched in the general direction of Uniqlo as I know they tend to have a range of Snoopy clothing in the US we don’t get in the UK, sure enough I found myself a sweatshirt. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQivZD_uyLnEowKSV_3We9qh-KA0xkFrz0cLmDh3bv-JYPr2mDd0efeVmR80rIvnZLtsV7pERXumbGX9zz3YwxZob6KOtDqs8hhpPOBCOA3yrIaOjKitfPOVBB2hlaFatXxH4lJnsV8olfuk5Gi1iPqLqLHIn92JVMKPMGaegbSyPq3hYs_701AdxrfiAA/s1000/blog10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQivZD_uyLnEowKSV_3We9qh-KA0xkFrz0cLmDh3bv-JYPr2mDd0efeVmR80rIvnZLtsV7pERXumbGX9zz3YwxZob6KOtDqs8hhpPOBCOA3yrIaOjKitfPOVBB2hlaFatXxH4lJnsV8olfuk5Gi1iPqLqLHIn92JVMKPMGaegbSyPq3hYs_701AdxrfiAA/s320/blog10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I browsed a few more places and spent a blissful long time in one of the big book stores then headed back towards the hotel at the same time as checking out places to eat as I wasn’t sure what Hazel and Adam were doing that evening.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7NAWVZ0H2K3QqWIZkMev3JQ-bcCq7b9M37rCQCnnvo4OLdml5SdXy3DY31sYjyB1NjN0qiq-BkanG_LwzAdOOS-b-ZRI-_zrzgy7HSR5X3aYZQjdwWjMV8bz6e0aFR5hG0Jc6xADCmMyxOt1ViHiMmR97d9fNS-VvZngjguDUHG-fwglLwY_ZHw4Gy_s/s4000/new%20york23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7NAWVZ0H2K3QqWIZkMev3JQ-bcCq7b9M37rCQCnnvo4OLdml5SdXy3DY31sYjyB1NjN0qiq-BkanG_LwzAdOOS-b-ZRI-_zrzgy7HSR5X3aYZQjdwWjMV8bz6e0aFR5hG0Jc6xADCmMyxOt1ViHiMmR97d9fNS-VvZngjguDUHG-fwglLwY_ZHw4Gy_s/s320/new%20york23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> I was up the top of this very building the next day!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"> As it happened they got back not long after me, and messaged to see if I had eaten yet. The were both very tired and wanting something quick so we found a Five Guys and had burgers.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The next day they had booked to go up the Rockefeller Center at 10am as the rest of the day Hazel and I had to work. Whilst I had been inside the building I had never been to the top so booked a ticket and joined them. The views were very cool and so was the wind! I’m glad I had had the foresight to wrap up warm. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5MYXvJOPGhuP-42aBzN65fipXHK5QvYV8KT0ZVEpW814nT869xuQFIQl5b6AG6aObNc_ehomguzCWFjVMQLG2K7k-RrKIZeQJvT7BwgENR01ioqfcicqvIGOMmwP7iOT405eXkesJhYBt-kLn6YKxatteNWfRIJGkXY7Vuaz5vcul_pxFvvXVSObPHVU/s4000/new%20york21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5MYXvJOPGhuP-42aBzN65fipXHK5QvYV8KT0ZVEpW814nT869xuQFIQl5b6AG6aObNc_ehomguzCWFjVMQLG2K7k-RrKIZeQJvT7BwgENR01ioqfcicqvIGOMmwP7iOT405eXkesJhYBt-kLn6YKxatteNWfRIJGkXY7Vuaz5vcul_pxFvvXVSObPHVU/s320/new%20york21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl0xQH-GDF_EVAA1X9OJfoBKoIotA_Kkq0OcuguAdAmy4VDZcBEyZ0WzpCAMF9kmfxCoNzXz5pQQqWuTXRH_t0-E77Ib-l_RcrJl-GeKnOE76kxphxTNnef3sVvMVNeoABqODbW2LtZC56YTJ3NEYfyw93LU5-LxriNaqRyQ4oCrnpYlKIwzb2vSFJEqJ/s4000/new%20york28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl0xQH-GDF_EVAA1X9OJfoBKoIotA_Kkq0OcuguAdAmy4VDZcBEyZ0WzpCAMF9kmfxCoNzXz5pQQqWuTXRH_t0-E77Ib-l_RcrJl-GeKnOE76kxphxTNnef3sVvMVNeoABqODbW2LtZC56YTJ3NEYfyw93LU5-LxriNaqRyQ4oCrnpYlKIwzb2vSFJEqJ/s320/new%20york28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Adam had been recommended Katz Deli but it was too far away, so we ended up at the Pershing Diner for brunch before he took himself off for some shopping and we went to work. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">That night we had booked the Carnegie Diner for dinner and Adam and I sampled the famous cheesecake!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDzVK5-fZXgfte0cYqowoww7CHJGsZNTMt68iOrSzVE2UmooILm4NRtyCGPb1ybliOrOZkH7hnlYjpuN8ZiQqJfoWOKBihpw1berhEwbbOk6C7Kke-k9wvrfPLrFHHq8KqH1kMM4Aw_n0nhXJ4_otfXWVsTdejRSoNgYNsiVeZvgn-Yvfscy7v-4NxzsJ/s4000/new%20york19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDzVK5-fZXgfte0cYqowoww7CHJGsZNTMt68iOrSzVE2UmooILm4NRtyCGPb1ybliOrOZkH7hnlYjpuN8ZiQqJfoWOKBihpw1berhEwbbOk6C7Kke-k9wvrfPLrFHHq8KqH1kMM4Aw_n0nhXJ4_otfXWVsTdejRSoNgYNsiVeZvgn-Yvfscy7v-4NxzsJ/s320/new%20york19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tuesday Hazel and I were working at the University of Oxford offices and Adam had a couple of trips planned but met us for lunch in between. He was flying home late that night, so we had a fairly early dinner at Sarge’s the second-best place to get a pastrami sandwich after Katz Deli apparently. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It had a pound of meat in it which is obscene, I did not partake. Their fries were amazing though. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">From there it was back to the hotel to write up notes and prep for the next day’s interviews, though we did nip out for a tea from Dunkin’ Donuts as they were the only place we could find serving decaf tea. </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wednesday Hazel and I were back in the offices.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mm5EueSPBjm9ukxhFJhQH7PUavmasBGmt2uAKMhssewC7kwk2C1PFbyuE4cGs0fc7ldTBV5UvfREzuZ6sIAgKIeDsukuX0qFbfB7dl4WCwG9jdX__7Fq_FEjA1eLtbGIplpeqvRqSMptN6OyymCm0p_ly-1asN7VTjRDM46Ddy-iXyHcB1bl55pba8rZ/s4000/new%20york17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mm5EueSPBjm9ukxhFJhQH7PUavmasBGmt2uAKMhssewC7kwk2C1PFbyuE4cGs0fc7ldTBV5UvfREzuZ6sIAgKIeDsukuX0qFbfB7dl4WCwG9jdX__7Fq_FEjA1eLtbGIplpeqvRqSMptN6OyymCm0p_ly-1asN7VTjRDM46Ddy-iXyHcB1bl55pba8rZ/s320/new%20york17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #555555;"> </span>Yes that is the Empire State Building, there are worse views to have from your office window!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We took ourselves to the New York Public Library in our lunch break to look at the free exhibition they always have on. This time it was treasures from their collection which was fascinating and reminded me of my many years at the Bodleian in Oxford and all the random things that ended up in their collections other than books. We grabbed a sandwich lunch in their café and browsed the gift shop.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">After work we headed to Macy’s so Hazel could experience it and had dinner in one of the restaurants there before back to the hotel for more writing up of notes and in my case prepping for another day of interviews as well as packing.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We had breakfast together the next morning before Hazel headed off to the airport to fly to San Francisco, and I went back to the offices for one final day of interviewing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I finished at about 3pm and nipped back to the hotel to collect my case and catch an uber to JFK to fly home. I had a great chat with my driver which ranged from about how expensive everything has got, to Trump, the government in the UK and the state of the world today in general. We also covered the best places to eat in NY, we managed two of them on this trip apparently, as well as in Oxford. It turned out he used to manage a couple of nightclubs in the 80’s and 90’s and as you can imagine had some stories to tell. I told him he should write a book and he said his friends always tell him that too. He now drives an uber just for something to do for 6 months of the year and the other 6 months are spent at his house by the sea!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I landed at 6am the following morning and was home by just gone 9am. It was a full on few days with long hours, stopping only for dinner before getting back to it until 10pm most nights. My sleep was still on UK time at first and then of course on US time for 3-4 days when I got home! I slept like a dream that first night and then was wide awake for the next 3 nights SIGH.</span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I did get home to some lovely post Valentine’s day flowers and Himself took me out for dinner on the Saturday to the new Italian restaurant in town that has opened where Prezzo used to be. It’s a family run restaurant and the atmosphere was bright and buzzy. It was only the second week they have been open so it was lovely and busy, I hope they can keep up the momentum it’s great to have somewhere that is not a big chain. </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sunday, we went for a long walk stopping for a cheeky beer at our favourite pub in the hope it might tire me out and I’d sleep but sadly it didn't. </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p><span face="helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I did do a little sale shopping in January. Sugarhill had a sale and then what they called an 'archive sale' so I might have bought a couple of things… I am trying to be more thoughtful with my buying and avoiding fast fashion. I like thier ethics and their dresses.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoudknKwPRGimMeZjML7nW3nV4Foa_3xmNc65nh0BfcB1SW4BmvloFH-4_VonrL1f_7tTO7QqHpQSAXmw8MSBFbXjlDDyaqTp4QRriKMXrAxNAHvt5rHG_ydXRgnUtUp5ZYEMHcA-c3exCtobsGzL5AktbJC21leON0iG0sUnk3a3dp1vo2RRqrqu0Slt/s1000/blog02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoudknKwPRGimMeZjML7nW3nV4Foa_3xmNc65nh0BfcB1SW4BmvloFH-4_VonrL1f_7tTO7QqHpQSAXmw8MSBFbXjlDDyaqTp4QRriKMXrAxNAHvt5rHG_ydXRgnUtUp5ZYEMHcA-c3exCtobsGzL5AktbJC21leON0iG0sUnk3a3dp1vo2RRqrqu0Slt/s320/blog02.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BSe1Dkomaj3sTggHn7XKFOXQdqc2C9my8heznmWp1Jw9Dc1s1dH8EHK9p1VK_6Je_XaQroRvCvNCAC9V89T2LnQm7Ds_DHk8s0E2Eq78oRjlg_kw-lCSYiLqEG8eJoLboklHBEUkxSYjCGC1BrH8HfsbJ1jm4jc9Or-tkupQ9c8QexbEmffqvAHp8tzZ/s1000/blog03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="493" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BSe1Dkomaj3sTggHn7XKFOXQdqc2C9my8heznmWp1Jw9Dc1s1dH8EHK9p1VK_6Je_XaQroRvCvNCAC9V89T2LnQm7Ds_DHk8s0E2Eq78oRjlg_kw-lCSYiLqEG8eJoLboklHBEUkxSYjCGC1BrH8HfsbJ1jm4jc9Or-tkupQ9c8QexbEmffqvAHp8tzZ/s320/blog03.jpg" width="158" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjGmJH6BTK0lYKnVIAgtyzsrMFrNpzbBIv5j3wkjx_nLL67khQq5MhWaqOOCrJgJLFpb-JCT2RTx4jFZUbx2O3xzpEIb0m-Q_8j9CdACjp-trlfGR-lPI0TzhD9qNrpMQQuWj0ZUXDxytfR7-NBwvvFKWuspNHPJovj2W7xJGFvIE7xY43WGWj35CB_UU/s1000/blog04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjGmJH6BTK0lYKnVIAgtyzsrMFrNpzbBIv5j3wkjx_nLL67khQq5MhWaqOOCrJgJLFpb-JCT2RTx4jFZUbx2O3xzpEIb0m-Q_8j9CdACjp-trlfGR-lPI0TzhD9qNrpMQQuWj0ZUXDxytfR7-NBwvvFKWuspNHPJovj2W7xJGFvIE7xY43WGWj35CB_UU/s320/blog04.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> I also found this lovely dress on All About Audrey website sale.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsFdikNOQlAGsnHRVFo5Pm1dgRSm3Odykw_WnySFjiT9e8DFlOH5uC-f6tIy72CSsKipnkZbdrDnMl6UTqHV5b1fYTFKJcy47yO5I1d3SQ_M9R2oaKBJ1mHsAHs93pghFgqMarpSbzsb6eDCKdfw5EhIpvmcYxfXbOuxtBduEWjtvdLg_NmFdjiwW3k9s/s1000/blog1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsFdikNOQlAGsnHRVFo5Pm1dgRSm3Odykw_WnySFjiT9e8DFlOH5uC-f6tIy72CSsKipnkZbdrDnMl6UTqHV5b1fYTFKJcy47yO5I1d3SQ_M9R2oaKBJ1mHsAHs93pghFgqMarpSbzsb6eDCKdfw5EhIpvmcYxfXbOuxtBduEWjtvdLg_NmFdjiwW3k9s/s320/blog1.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">As long time readers of my blog will know I am a fan of Erswilder brooches and whilst I have resisted buying any from the new ranges whilst all the house chaos was going on I did succumb to the cocktail shaker and then found one of their UK stockists was having a big sale with some at just £10, and well it would have been rude not too</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJXvWmdH4zcJihOOAj_drbb5-xrxn1r54-PhB-kVAxl2N6HnDRtDLN-qUhiMTEg1SoSyu-jh-ehPJbDvck9es8kW_dI1bRiHX50KqL6Dn6WQW14G8Fqzrn_r9REefI3HXYS7wAAx3e7KlsVVeOwXy-vqSdPC03YUKGWGY2jLXXoHWDhXLRIbiNnY9FFNI/s1000/blog08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="792" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJXvWmdH4zcJihOOAj_drbb5-xrxn1r54-PhB-kVAxl2N6HnDRtDLN-qUhiMTEg1SoSyu-jh-ehPJbDvck9es8kW_dI1bRiHX50KqL6Dn6WQW14G8Fqzrn_r9REefI3HXYS7wAAx3e7KlsVVeOwXy-vqSdPC03YUKGWGY2jLXXoHWDhXLRIbiNnY9FFNI/s320/blog08.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"> ahem.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;">My lovely burgandy boots bought in Bournemouth in 2022 died so I was on the hunt for something to replace them and found a lovely pair in the Clarks sale.<span style="color: #555555;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bGTGxAC66HIVE5uHz69Wpf-q7vyPyJwUnEayRaqQvL-n4M8uVlYy-PXYr7_U0F4hBGmcxSUNjrAHr7eK1OOFJ96bc09LVShbwgaI6nBio5FlOKjlVnvSUDtIo55autTCteyWtifXLIcDUfRz9HTYuvGX9e3VZ6woVQGqrG5r0-4DBFcWmSX62QzZSkj9/s1000/blog11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1000" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bGTGxAC66HIVE5uHz69Wpf-q7vyPyJwUnEayRaqQvL-n4M8uVlYy-PXYr7_U0F4hBGmcxSUNjrAHr7eK1OOFJ96bc09LVShbwgaI6nBio5FlOKjlVnvSUDtIo55autTCteyWtifXLIcDUfRz9HTYuvGX9e3VZ6woVQGqrG5r0-4DBFcWmSX62QzZSkj9/s320/blog11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;">They have already had a lot of wear.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;">I'll sign of for now, I need to go to bed before Munich tomorrow, I haven't even packed yet.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"> Lots of fun things lined up for March including Dinner with dinosaurs, Coco Chanel, The Cotswolds, food, the seaside and Bagpuss! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-style: inherit;"><br /></span></p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-65708524970202790182024-01-20T14:06:00.000-08:002024-01-20T14:06:34.312-08:00The Annual Book Round-up<p> This year I set myself the target of 50 books and managed 66. As ever when I am stressed I read avidly, it is an escape mechanism for me, so the end of the year was bumper.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU73V5QtemZ6BrKHFw3XjiV4pxUrVsCcWCnEe05908mBRV0hbLpGttfRoeNhSGkzUxQ5tpRSg7XcambsaJXy3jX1LufCVM1b31wCuqTXth7fkI21pi-tTVc6Gxc0lGjpSbmL7dz_uipEtf27oqVKaxqY7gJYftB06yMYS5z6DBuOlwknmYGens7l25YRjY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="310" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU73V5QtemZ6BrKHFw3XjiV4pxUrVsCcWCnEe05908mBRV0hbLpGttfRoeNhSGkzUxQ5tpRSg7XcambsaJXy3jX1LufCVM1b31wCuqTXth7fkI21pi-tTVc6Gxc0lGjpSbmL7dz_uipEtf27oqVKaxqY7gJYftB06yMYS5z6DBuOlwknmYGens7l25YRjY" width="320" /></a></div>It's been another year of plenty of 'Meh' books from the Had it for ages but never got around to reading it book mountain which I vowed to make a dent in this time last year. To be fair, I did make a dent in it. I also got rid of some unread when I had the cull before we moved because I just knew having put them off this long, I never would get round to them.<p></p><p>My only Janaury resolution for this year (which was actually decided upon in October) is to read my bookshelves. I did toy with saying no buying new books for a year whist I cracked on with this, but realistically I knew I would break the resolution, becasue if nothing else, my favourite author Kate Morton has a new book out. (In fact I've already broken it becasue I bought Judi Dench's book on Shakespeare over the Christmas holidays!) So instead I decided I would endeavour to keep the buying of new books as minimal as possible during 2024...wish me luck. </p><p>In terms of reading my bookshelves. I made the decision for two reasons, one because there were some books I know I will move on, but I wanted some time to either re-read or skim through them before I did, so they moved with me. Second there were books I have kept for years because I read them back when I bought them, loved them then, so kept them but have not looked at them again since. (Some have now moved with me 4 times now.) I decided to see if they deserve to remain.</p><p>I also had sets. My brother and I were discussing this, that we were the generation that if you were into an an author or a band you bought everything they put out, and kept it even if you hated it, becasue you wanted to have the complete set.</p><p>As you will see from the list below that was certainly the case for Denise Robertson! I'm pretty sure I bought 'None to Make You Cry' first, really enjoyed it and bought more, 13 in total! I kept 2.</p><p>I know my tastes have changed because as said above a few of the books on the list I know I kept because I LOVED them when I first read them, but this time round they just left me cold. To the point I was actually questioning my own taste. Case in point 'The Rose Tree'. I can remember enjoying it and indeed bawling my eyes out at the ending. Yet this time round I really struggled, I actually had to force myself to finish it and then thought why on earth did I cry at this?? </p><p>Anyway below is the list including my rating score. I'm already a couple of books into 2024's challenge of 55 books. </p><p>I shall leave you with a tweet that I loved from a publisher who had asked the public for their ideas for a vampire story. The one they quoted was; A woman deliberatly gets bitten by a vampire just so she can live forever and finally get through all the books in her 'to read' pile. </p><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Through the Keyhole: Sex, Scandal and the Secret Life of the Country House</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Susan Law 3</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fire Woman:The Extraordinary Story of Britain's First Female Firefighter<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black;"><a data-qtip="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14976436.Josephine_Reynolds" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14976436.Josephine_Reynolds" style="box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal;">Josephine Reynolds</span></span></a></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: normal;">2</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black;">The Wild Silence</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: normal;"> Raynor Winn 3</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black;">The Haunting Season:Ghostly Tales for Winter Nights</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: normal;"> Various 3</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mrs Benson’s Beetle<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal;"> Rachel Joyce 4</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nöthin' But a Good Time:The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"> </span><a data-qtip="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7635714.Tom_Beaujour" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7635714.Tom_Beaujour" style="box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: normal;">Tom Beaujour</span></a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal;">, </span><a data-qtip="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5107905.Richard_Bienstock" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5107905.Richard_Bienstock" style="box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: normal;">Richard Bienstock</span></a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"> 3</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">Kitted Out: Style and Youth Culture in the Second World War</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"> Caroline Young 4</span></span></h1><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">One more Croissant for the Road</b> Felicity Cloake 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Miranda’s Big Mistake</b> Jill Mansell 1</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">This Much is True</b> Miriam Margolyes 4</span></p></div></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">The Pathfinders: The Elite RAF Force that Turned the Tide of WWII </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;">Will Iredale 3</span></span></h1><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Again Rachel</b></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Marian Keyes 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Watchmen</b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Alan Moore 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Fair Botanists </b>Sara Sheridan 1</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p></div></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">Sisters in Arms:The Women Who Flew in World War II </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;">Helena Page Schrader 4</span></span></h1><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Family Remains</b> Lisa Jewell 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Forever Home</b> Graham Norton 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes</b> Kate Strasdin 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bleeding Heart Yard</b> Elly Griffiths 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Landlines </b>Raynor Winn 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Newcomer</b> Fern Britton 1</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Garden by the Sea</b> Amanda James 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Bullet That Missed </b>Richard Osman 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Under a Cornish Sky</b> Liz Fenwick 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lessons in Chemistry</b> Bonnie Garmus 3</span></p></div></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">Yorkshire Women at War:Story of the Women's Land Army Hostels</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"> Marion Jeffries 2</span></span></h1><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Daisy Jones and The Six</b> Taylor Jenkins Reid 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Spoonful of Murder</b> J M Hall 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Pen Dipped in Poison</b> J M Hall 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">V E day</b> Russell Miller 2</span></p></div></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">Gatsby's Oxford:Scott, Zelda, and the Jazz Age Invasion of Britain:1904-1929 </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;">Christopher Snyder 2</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Art Deco House Styles</b> Trevor Yorke 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Brief History of Tea</b> Roy Moxham 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">London Shopfronts</b> Emma Page 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ravenmaster</b> Christopher Skaife 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Victoria Wood the Authorised Biography</b> Jasper Rees 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pirates and Privateers</b> Tom Bowling 1</span></p></div></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Denim and Leather:The Rise and Fall of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Michael Hann 3</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fred and Eddie</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Jill Dawson 3</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Serpents in Eden: Countryside Crimes</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Martin Edwards 3</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">A Pin to See the Peepshow</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"> F. Tennyson Jesse 3</span></span></h1><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Last Remains</b> Elly Griffiths 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Lost Bookshop</b> Evie Woods 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Murder at the House on the Hill</b><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Victoria Walters 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Murder at the Summer Fete</b> Victoria Walters 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Murder at the Village Church</b> Victoria Walters 2</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The American Airman in Europe</b> Roger Freeman 4</span></p></div></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blood and Fears: How America’s Bomber Boys and Girls in England Won their War</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Kevin Wilson 3</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Anxious Heart</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Denise Robertson 2</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Land of Lost Content</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Denise Robertson 2</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">None to Make You Cry</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Denise Robertson 4</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Irish Girls About Town: An Anthology of Short Stories</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Various 2</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Girl’s Night In</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Various 1</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Twenties Girl</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Sophie Kinsella 2</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Vintage Affair</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Isabel Wolff 3</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Cruellest Month</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Hazel Holt 2</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Rose Tree</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Mary Walkin Keane 1</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Second Wife</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Denise Robertson 3</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Stars Burn On</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Denise Robertson 2</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Remember the Moment</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Denise Robertson 1</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Relative Freedom</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Denise Robertson 2</span></h1><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; margin: 0cm;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Act of Oblivion</b> Denise Robertson 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Daybreak</b> Denise Robertson 2</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wait for the Day</b><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Denise Robertson 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Illusion</b> Denise Robertson 2</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Larksleve</b> Patricia Wendorff 2</span></p></div></h1>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-42592234164923794962024-01-14T14:57:00.000-08:002024-01-15T01:27:08.086-08:00December Round Up - Exhibitions, Friends and a lot of Eating! <p> Hello and a very Happy New Year to you all. </p><p>I had hoped to post a little earlier than this but January is always crazy busy for work and after a day glued to the work laptop I'm only too happy to get away from the screen and spend my evenings knitting/sewing and watching TV! </p><p>For someone who wasn't hugely looking forward to Christmas this year December actually turned out to be a lovely and very busy month. It turns out I started as I meant to go on by meeting my friends Simon, Liz and Carole for lunch. Carole has had some health and mobility issues so Liz kindly hosted us as she lives closest to the station. We had delicious homemade soup and bread, followed by mince pies (also homemade) with clotted cream, all washed down with plenty of prosecco. We also got to meet one of Liz's new rescue dogs Mabel (so called because she has no teeth and is very nosy so Liz felt she needed an old lady curtain twitcher name.) She is an absolute sweetie. The other Sky had to temporarily go back to the animal shelter because it turned out they had missed she was pregnant! They had mixed up her notes with her mother's apparently (she was rescued with almost 100 other dogs from appalling conditions.) At that point she had just given birth, cue much oohing over adorable puppy pictures. Liz will collect her again when the pups are weened and Sky has had the snip. It was lovely to catch up and the afternoon was gone in a flash.</p><p>I got home and finished writing my Christmas cards. I was trying to do them super early as quite a few people were not aware we had moved. I also put up my tree and got some of the snowmen out of hibernation. Himself and I had decided not to do presents this year. Moving had made it only too clear just how much 'stuff' we already have, I saw no reason to add to it all just for the sake of having something to unwrap. </p><p>My proviso was that Himself would still buy me my Rupert annual. I've had one every year since I was born (about 40 years worth are currently stored in my Mother's loft!) Himself took on the tradition from my Dad who took it on from my Nan who bought the first one when I was just 5 months old.</p><p>Of course we both broke our promise, but we didn't go mad. In my case I tried to made sure everything I bought him was either useable/needed like shower gel or edible/drinkable like posh coffee and beer. I did also impulse buy a board game based on St Ives and a lovely limited edition print of St Ives from an artist at the Christmas market in Oxford. </p><p>The 2nd weekend in December saw the annual Christmas tree festival in our neighbouring village.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu4DkheJxiiQbOi-_ZXjZ56eocaJ1UT98gsBgu6tySoDq20osVfMIL66B-5Xw4CmZOcPawdjyqDTwukQr6c7e3r0KMYTBeHaXE103QjnSBhGGOFvIbA6QHodEpNtO_V4huyPy6iNeRjF8NPsihKNjY6wOZv-LcBkmeLhyOBHZLQNtDeKqt_G4yUf81wiB/s1000/chtree02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="775" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu4DkheJxiiQbOi-_ZXjZ56eocaJ1UT98gsBgu6tySoDq20osVfMIL66B-5Xw4CmZOcPawdjyqDTwukQr6c7e3r0KMYTBeHaXE103QjnSBhGGOFvIbA6QHodEpNtO_V4huyPy6iNeRjF8NPsihKNjY6wOZv-LcBkmeLhyOBHZLQNtDeKqt_G4yUf81wiB/s320/chtree02.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkczcthCtQ7osaoJaanh167LdIwRWyjxTqqY5HWmk3WOP6MU9tTdfruu5gMZRgnkVn2PCWM9hVFv15R47UGBazIb0ZWspdu3cA10FoYmOHb62Q7xPFoxNQu-vvs3derYCeOYwgxPmQr9WJe-4EsJThzzsUrtlKBCXQirNiYJMtNhAs_b1iLqUO772EHL9/s1000/chtree06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkczcthCtQ7osaoJaanh167LdIwRWyjxTqqY5HWmk3WOP6MU9tTdfruu5gMZRgnkVn2PCWM9hVFv15R47UGBazIb0ZWspdu3cA10FoYmOHb62Q7xPFoxNQu-vvs3derYCeOYwgxPmQr9WJe-4EsJThzzsUrtlKBCXQirNiYJMtNhAs_b1iLqUO772EHL9/s320/chtree06.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><p> Thankfully the rain paused on the Sunday so we headed out for a walk late afternoon to get there as it started to get dark.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiK6BQg1ZsJuFC7_hV9RLBvnO12zwrcNqbae8PS7q5K0t2CifMHV1Jv-Lue6RZ4EggEXHXe_ycmPRmlRrnsK8UlZQuzn5Yueo4K15ISWPS69JWcpURYXZdQO5rZlhIILHcn1pIpFJob2VKQDaRMGsPkd1Viu_ZwjovUpNa_56wAH8UvaNL0B2vUtVuG0Z/s1000/chtree05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1000" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiK6BQg1ZsJuFC7_hV9RLBvnO12zwrcNqbae8PS7q5K0t2CifMHV1Jv-Lue6RZ4EggEXHXe_ycmPRmlRrnsK8UlZQuzn5Yueo4K15ISWPS69JWcpURYXZdQO5rZlhIILHcn1pIpFJob2VKQDaRMGsPkd1Viu_ZwjovUpNa_56wAH8UvaNL0B2vUtVuG0Z/s320/chtree05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It was beautiful, I love how many people get involved and the advent of solar powered lights meant you came across trees in very random spots, like this one sitting in the middle of a field!</p><p>The 12th December was our team Christmas lunch followed by a quiz. This year we went to the newly opened Cosy Club in Oxford.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCi_qg7ryAmVp1De6OR9K1wQRGYwCoF4jV3GIjGCTwTw46Qn9Q7Q-v4Ohbtl1DgvTSkgWEUAUyxOrmRkvwH777xAE-odC_lBlNCah-Ux8odrei7J1NVNcFPk80Z3wGBssZNswQ1sY4bBDjKR7ktf0LjKLSD3RfJGUhILvDhZ2a1gNRhMSMZX1y9kOQPOk/s1000/christmas5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCi_qg7ryAmVp1De6OR9K1wQRGYwCoF4jV3GIjGCTwTw46Qn9Q7Q-v4Ohbtl1DgvTSkgWEUAUyxOrmRkvwH777xAE-odC_lBlNCah-Ux8odrei7J1NVNcFPk80Z3wGBssZNswQ1sY4bBDjKR7ktf0LjKLSD3RfJGUhILvDhZ2a1gNRhMSMZX1y9kOQPOk/s320/christmas5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I fell in love with the Deco style sunburst chairs. We were greeted by one of the staff who said there were a few parties that day so they hoped we didn't mind but we had been moved to the private dining room.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMAkDv6Mkous0gCdzI9-Rkw0A24fwfQ_kfQ3WVoT0MgxoGEfDd7dFT6Rq-7h1EvUqobTQtNUzikIiJiw0yUBrzhJqq2wXn_Pruf3QqHrG6trVXiGWTwvKut1ytKBbItOUVALsp5FOJ3eWVrQBcKOPA2WqR_Ix-TI8p7_QaogAdsUUxWS2Vu68GSAQrGsk/s1000/christmas9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMAkDv6Mkous0gCdzI9-Rkw0A24fwfQ_kfQ3WVoT0MgxoGEfDd7dFT6Rq-7h1EvUqobTQtNUzikIiJiw0yUBrzhJqq2wXn_Pruf3QqHrG6trVXiGWTwvKut1ytKBbItOUVALsp5FOJ3eWVrQBcKOPA2WqR_Ix-TI8p7_QaogAdsUUxWS2Vu68GSAQrGsk/s320/christmas9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As you can imagine we didn't mind at all! Full of food and drink we headed back to work for the annual Christmas quiz written and hosted by my boss, he's a big fan of both quizzes and Christmas so takes it very seriously. It's great fun though, involving several other departments and lasts most of the afternoon. My team didn't win. I didn't go on to the pub afterwards as the trains had been all over the place with last minute cancellations and services ending early, I wanted to make sure I could get home. </span></div><p>On the 14th I meet my friend Franzi after work for 2 for 1 cocktails and dinner. Franzi and I used to work in the same 'pod' in our team. We had a good bitch about work and caught up on news over Last Mango in Paris cocktails in The Lighthouse and a burger at GBK.</p><p>The 15th was the staff Christmas party at work. I haven't been for quite a few years now, I've never been a fan of enforced jollity, but this year I decided to go for once. I actually had a good time but left before the end, partly because I had had enough by that point and partly as someone mentioned there were yet more issues with the trains. Sure enough I got to the station to a tranch of cancellations and delays so was glad that I had left when I did. </p><p>The 20th December I met my friend Charlotte in London for our long overdue visit to The Fashion and Textile Museum's exhibition The Fabric of Democracy. We were meant to go in October but the move put paid to that. On first glance I thought wow this is a small exhibition, but once you start going round it is exactly the right size. Any more would detract from the power of the message. It was fascinating and thought provoking. I was completely absorbed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqHMhHhXhdraCt9AbOH82fIWjr_GaWl1fN2_P4YkL2XZgi22G_3pMNQ6qBqp5cecDa32XBUgRPpQ-fCa9EbFeNGQV1wnWNSl4_RoZzgvL8jJeZRfSZ54SYMvF8sW2GdCQElcqqeeUj26NY-U8DbFDsUW6CYuBUj2SEE4e6bbHzeuD8CIqUkz6qZ3AMKQs/s1000/dem06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="1000" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqHMhHhXhdraCt9AbOH82fIWjr_GaWl1fN2_P4YkL2XZgi22G_3pMNQ6qBqp5cecDa32XBUgRPpQ-fCa9EbFeNGQV1wnWNSl4_RoZzgvL8jJeZRfSZ54SYMvF8sW2GdCQElcqqeeUj26NY-U8DbFDsUW6CYuBUj2SEE4e6bbHzeuD8CIqUkz6qZ3AMKQs/s320/dem06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We left the Museum and found a little Italian where we tucked into bowls of freshly made pasta with tomato and aubergine sauce - Yum! We were going to mooch along the river to Covent Garden but ran out of time so settled for a browse around Borough Market and a huge cinnamon bun from one of the stalls for dessert.<p></p><p>Himself and I called in on Nephew Number One and his partner on the 21st to drop off presents and have a catch up on news. It was a lovely evening but we didn't stay too late as we were all working the next day.</p><p>On the 23rd Soo came over to have a catch up and exchange pressies. I showed her round the house first as she last saw it full of boxes and muddy footprints! We the headed out for a walk and a pub lunch. Stuffed full we waddled back and had literally just sat down with a cup of tea when my Mum arrived. Himself and I were going to stay with Mum for a couple of days, so once Soo left we jumped in the car to Mum's. As ever we were fed to within an inch of our lives whilst there. </p><p>As we pulled into the drive there was a stunning rainbow or nacreous cloud over the village, so Himself and I both shot out of the car to take a picture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUteGS6blj1pgN3GFDw8oq1HeNheHQtt8DiMHrE4o8b3uR2P_c566OkhhxC8pl9WKcL7rmZ-kv85n91sZYa7hBeXFgoGWfS8HH-Cfdr4WXAqnPS2StbjyqDn1Qitoxc9UsmFFT5EEextPrZiFCWncvCI2lEpd3P2scAsmh0o_lPSMNUBrx2umforjNqf3/s1000/christmas7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="1000" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUteGS6blj1pgN3GFDw8oq1HeNheHQtt8DiMHrE4o8b3uR2P_c566OkhhxC8pl9WKcL7rmZ-kv85n91sZYa7hBeXFgoGWfS8HH-Cfdr4WXAqnPS2StbjyqDn1Qitoxc9UsmFFT5EEextPrZiFCWncvCI2lEpd3P2scAsmh0o_lPSMNUBrx2umforjNqf3/s320/christmas7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>On Christmas Eve we had a lazy start to the day. The weather was pretty miserable but we decided to take a chance and go out for a walk. We started at the church (seen above) so Mum could show us her handiwork, she does church flowers, then took a big circuit around the village. We were at the far end of the village when the rain really started to come down fortuitously The Lamb pub was in sight so we stepped in for a drink or two until it eased enough for us to head home to cook dinner. </p><p>Christmas Day was another lazy start, we weren't due at my brother's until the afternoon. We drove over calling in here first to drop off our bags which would mean Mum could leave when she was ready too and we would walk home later. My brother had cooked a delicious dinner so again we ate and drank our fill. Mum did well and lasted until 8.30pm before she took herself home, we stayed until about 10.30pm before heading home. Himself had imbibed well so disappeared to bed as soon as we got in, but I sat down and let myself remember and miss my Dad at his favourite time of year.</p><p>Boxing Day we just slothed at home as Himself was back to work on the 27th. I on the other hand was off and had plans. On the 27th I jumped on the train to Oxford to meet Soo. We had tickets to see the Colour Revolution exhibition at The Ashmolean Museum.</p><p class="rtecenter" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: small;">Step into a revolution of colour and dispel our monochrome idea of Victorian Britain</strong></p><p class="rtecenter" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: small;"><br /></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-block: initial; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: small;">Rediscover Victorian society as a vibrant colour-filled era – from dazzling dyes used in chic corsets, bold experiments by avant-garde painters, and the flamboyant use of nature's beauty in jewellery.</span></p><div class="layoutmanager" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: small;">As Britain’s industrial revolution gained pace, new scientific breakthroughs allowed the Victorians to become increasingly revolutionary in their use of colour, with new hues greeted with both excitement and suspicion. This explosion of colour was embraced by artists, designers and many others in all walks of 19th-century life.</span></div><div class="layoutmanager" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="layoutmanager" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: small;">The exhibition includes fashion pieces – from Queen Victoria’s monotone mourning dress to the most daringly vivid clothing and accessories – and works by artists including Millais, Ruskin, Rossetti, Turner and Whistler, as well as objects from around the world and some of the earliest colour 'photograms'. It reveals the vital role that colour has played in shaping our art and culture and offers a rare opportunity to see some of these objects on public display.</span></div><div class="layoutmanager" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: small;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHePtmWL6IuhYO4pPKA2gzhUY3vWCOGNkURJRo_RUlQrWtXGWuY_ldxArUZC7lJk2NjBj93BmGBKk7RdNivnsa6sdJB_wukGg49DH0FmwmkANHFReq3fgdjbf_jltQDXdXeQ6TWRuHWMlRpBcUUsJyYi4Bk6YiAf1fFOp0Qkfx7GA1ESBE62xOwQmMsIBU/s1000/colour16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="727" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHePtmWL6IuhYO4pPKA2gzhUY3vWCOGNkURJRo_RUlQrWtXGWuY_ldxArUZC7lJk2NjBj93BmGBKk7RdNivnsa6sdJB_wukGg49DH0FmwmkANHFReq3fgdjbf_jltQDXdXeQ6TWRuHWMlRpBcUUsJyYi4Bk6YiAf1fFOp0Qkfx7GA1ESBE62xOwQmMsIBU/s320/colour16.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMnNY_CXate28kTyHmI_MeEdejkpgTbdcnNqtKvmXe9ouCGyO-7fYvt4KEyuuKXdxXoLE3z9p5_HUdJhcOQLlXF0PWTTWYERAy_aa9lnzOpzhS_v_EQvPZDiLlRkZE1yNdAp0kU-fDxj-xbh01Ci00pKgCC65Yp5XII7RrQtgGUY8QDsruI7kRtA6xZWw/s1000/colour09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="814" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMnNY_CXate28kTyHmI_MeEdejkpgTbdcnNqtKvmXe9ouCGyO-7fYvt4KEyuuKXdxXoLE3z9p5_HUdJhcOQLlXF0PWTTWYERAy_aa9lnzOpzhS_v_EQvPZDiLlRkZE1yNdAp0kU-fDxj-xbh01Ci00pKgCC65Yp5XII7RrQtgGUY8QDsruI7kRtA6xZWw/s320/colour09.jpg" width="260" /></a></div></span></div><p>It was such an interesting and well, colourful exhibition. I loved the mixture of clothing alongside the usual paintings and sculptures I'm used to from the Asmolean. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEaR0VXtHh2Mzy6I-TcEV7KE4OJYG6gqAF9PeZKLwrRHj-S-ih6P1f-nLf17m2FN0Cv4cN4eRfQjdOP5WWh_dxXqwmIGJ-FdzDU4aiHFm7TZnZDXgtKGtM4HtagdlSjdCg_ITyZgkmAmoVm3ihYZ-Fo41E-BdLmRvwgm1uu4p1icbl5nZo7spxf9mfjPo/s1000/colour19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEaR0VXtHh2Mzy6I-TcEV7KE4OJYG6gqAF9PeZKLwrRHj-S-ih6P1f-nLf17m2FN0Cv4cN4eRfQjdOP5WWh_dxXqwmIGJ-FdzDU4aiHFm7TZnZDXgtKGtM4HtagdlSjdCg_ITyZgkmAmoVm3ihYZ-Fo41E-BdLmRvwgm1uu4p1icbl5nZo7spxf9mfjPo/s320/colour19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We all know what this feels like!</p><p>It was pouring with rain when we left the museum so we decided to the Indoor Market and try Georgina's for lunch. I love it there, it's a tiny Greek cafe that has been there for donkeys years and does amazing food so it's always packed, luckily we nabbed the last table. After eating our fill we mooched some of the shops which were doping a brisk trade despite the weather.</p><p>On the 28th I popped down to my brother's house so Caron could give my hair a much needed cut and colour. From there I headed to the station and into Oxford again. This time to have a long overdue reunion drink with some girls I used to work with. Megan has moved to Scotland but was home visiting her parents for Christmas, Daniella and Franzi have both moved to different teams at the Business School but Daniella is also currently on maternity leave. </p><p>I arrived first only to find the pub we had planned to meet in was randomly closed. Thankfully the one around the corner was open so I dashed in there, as ever the weather was terrible, and messaged the others. Where would we be without mobile phones?</p><p>Daniella arrived first but couldn't stay for long as she had to meet her Mum and head home to her baby. Megan got there shortly after but frustratingly Franzi's train was delayed so Daniella had to leave before she arrived. We have been trying to get the 4 of us together on and off all year and every time something conspires against us. Anyway we three had a lovely catch up and took a quick selfie before Daniella left.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilipS5RrOGnNzdqC5GYCLsVBe83nJoLVpK3ydA_EEJhdrqSCCjZixvVfSrdOY1NvkMBrkjNa3E3YoeHKysjSERy9rKgMLGKAzh_Fx5-F22RjEmWk2TUC2oo0elOcp-6NKChqvDgb8kECx4PcaMG_v8jMGvCK4P-Vs7Df6xX6ETRAeKqxURS-gP14lMWNb_/s1600/christmas8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilipS5RrOGnNzdqC5GYCLsVBe83nJoLVpK3ydA_EEJhdrqSCCjZixvVfSrdOY1NvkMBrkjNa3E3YoeHKysjSERy9rKgMLGKAzh_Fx5-F22RjEmWk2TUC2oo0elOcp-6NKChqvDgb8kECx4PcaMG_v8jMGvCK4P-Vs7Df6xX6ETRAeKqxURS-gP14lMWNb_/s320/christmas8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Franzi finally arrived. We were having such a good time we decided to get some dinner so we could carry on. I sent Himself a quick message to fend for himself when it came to dinner and we walked up to Ask Italian. We ended up sitting there chatting until they were ready to close!</p><p>The last few days of the year were spent pottering and doing housework. That's my December. I'll be back with the annual book round up very soon.</p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-45681532865944340722023-12-08T14:55:00.000-08:002023-12-15T14:41:09.297-08:00November Round-up.<p><span face="OpenSans-webfont" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">Thank you for the kind comments to my last post, I do appreciate you. It's good to be more settled and to start feeling like myself again.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrVxDBhmujQDjHe4xKkL8zBT23DPAjcIR1PzRex00HOg2nlP10DsgPnEwqL0C2bttcMCXLvpL6HDVLk5b1O0MPnhWeMzzQ1Yfip2uSqNNjcoGjx_muFl1wfiJs-HTeGpo5Hnuh8kadvwMrex-bA_BT_9sDYgdeMnR-VLZn8G0ml_0gadLljOKieihYCPv/s1000/dec11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrVxDBhmujQDjHe4xKkL8zBT23DPAjcIR1PzRex00HOg2nlP10DsgPnEwqL0C2bttcMCXLvpL6HDVLk5b1O0MPnhWeMzzQ1Yfip2uSqNNjcoGjx_muFl1wfiJs-HTeGpo5Hnuh8kadvwMrex-bA_BT_9sDYgdeMnR-VLZn8G0ml_0gadLljOKieihYCPv/s320/dec11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Anyway <span face="OpenSans-webfont" style="color: #333333;">To jump back slightly to the 31</span><sup style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box;">st</sup><span face="OpenSans-webfont" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span face="OpenSans-webfont" style="color: #333333;">of October and our anniversary. Cleaning our old house was not how I would have planned to spend it but that was what we ended up doing, well for the morning anyway. We had had to hire a carpet cleaner so my Mum popped round with her car so we could drop it back off and also brought lunch as she was fretting about us not eating. </span></p><p></p><p><span face="OpenSans-webfont" style="color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px;">W</span><span face="OpenSans-webfont" style="color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px;">hilst in town she wanted to go to Robert Dyas and pick up some water filters so I nipped to Boots to pick up a prescription and then met her and Himself there. The shopping gods were smiling on us because they had a set of saucepans by Salter with 65% off. We had found out the day before that the new house has an induction hob, which was literally the straw that broke the camel’s back when we got home exhausted, and in my case, craving pasta that night only to find none of our current saucepans are suitable so we couldn’t cook on the hob. </span><span face="OpenSans-webfont" style="color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px;">Himself was livid that nowhere had this been mentioned so I left him to have a shower and calm down whilst I trudged off to the chip shop<span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px;">I could have really done without having to buy a whole new set of pans, especially as the ones I have a really good, but there it was. for our anniversary Mum brought sandwiches, cakes and a bottle of prosecco. It turned out Himself had also booked a table for dinner at our favourite pub. At first I wasn't sure I could face it I was so tired and stressed, but actually it was lovely to put on a dress and make-up and go out for dinner. I had a delicious slow cooked lamb shank with mashed potatoes and seasonal veg whilst Himself had locally sourced sausages and chips. We shared a homemade orange cheesecake for pudding before waddling back home.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">The 8<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> November would have been my Dad’s birthday so I took the day off work and spent it with Mum. I was worried how she would be but in the end we spent the afternoon reminicing rather than being sad. The 11<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> would have been their anniversary, so the family went out for lunch and raised a toast. I still miss him every day.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I also went to a gig on the 10<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup>. A friend of my brother’s is in a band who were supporting the American rock band, Warrior Soul. Back in the day I loved Warrior Soul, and had a major crush on the lead singer Kory Clarke! I have seen them before a couple of times, but not for many, many years so it seemed a no brainer. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I seriously need to spot the flags…the major one being why on earth an American band were playing a teeny tiny venue in Reading.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">When we got there my brother caught up with his friend and the feedback was that Kory had done a great rehearsal so it should be a good show, depending on how much he drank in between then and going on stage!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Let’s just say when he did hit the stage, he had clearly done a fair bit of drinking, not just that night, but in the intervening years since I had last seen them live. His singing voice had gone completely so he just shouted in a hoarse voice for the whole gig, and I know it’s shallow of me, but other than the hair (which was still gorgeous) the once handsome face was unrecognisable. I sometimes think if the powers that be want to put young people off drink and drugs, don’t show them pictures of diseased livers or lungs, show them a before and after shot of a lifelong substance abuser. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I understand why people say you can’t go back and don’t meet you idols, I think a little piece of 20 year old Me’s heart broke that night.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">On the 17<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> I was up early and off to Paris for work. I had only recently been there at the end of June, (when Paris was gripped by a heatwave, and it was still 30 degrees at 8pm at night!) so this time I booked my return straight after the fair I was attending on the Saturday. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I’m quite glad I did because it poured with torrential rain pretty much the whole time!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> The lady I was sat next to on the train going there and I got chatting and ended up having a wonderful conversation for the whole journey. We talked about everything and anything, hugged and kissed cheeks when we parted, and in that typical British fashion didn’t once actually exchange names!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">According to the maps my hotel was a 5-minute walk from a metro stop but when I came up the stairs there were major roadworks which meant to rather than being able to cross the road, I had to head off on a major diversion which meant I got completely lost and even with google maps it took me nearly an hour to finally find my hotel! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcIgTY7tIo1TPzHBD4EwuNYnlKzFx45X55x9lcTnPYy4MZUjyLwSqeFp1qX6jz5JJy80hS4ZF1WwTs9cJvkjLOaRpeLi-5fBEBYQFzj9EpFrPl4u4HTJrcq3jQLX8seq1Silwkg6y5ZOP6uwrRJzeX-0j3gv89m2ysdO8bGVopigmoEWkq_Wcaf9xXBKs/s4000/IMG_20231117_190201_199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcIgTY7tIo1TPzHBD4EwuNYnlKzFx45X55x9lcTnPYy4MZUjyLwSqeFp1qX6jz5JJy80hS4ZF1WwTs9cJvkjLOaRpeLi-5fBEBYQFzj9EpFrPl4u4HTJrcq3jQLX8seq1Silwkg6y5ZOP6uwrRJzeX-0j3gv89m2ysdO8bGVopigmoEWkq_Wcaf9xXBKs/s320/IMG_20231117_190201_199.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I had a wander along the Champs Elysee and then mooched back to a little café/bistro nearby the hotel. Having now done Paris twice and Brussels once, I think I can safely say solo travel is not for me. I find the travel itself incredibly stressful and frankly it’s just bloody lonely to sightsee and eat on your own. Due to budgetary constraints at work it is the new normal now, so I guess I will have to get used to it. Thankfully the journey home was uneventful and by 10.30pm I was in bed with a huge glass of wine watching Strictly on the laptop!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">On the 25<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> I headed to Brimingham. The plan was to meet Charlotte at Banbury station then Alex at New Street in Birmingham, but sadly Alex tested positive for covid a couple of days before so had to cancel. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">As we had already bought our rail tickets Charlotte and I decided to go anyway. Good lord it felt like the world and his dog was in Birmingham that day! I guess it does show the need for high streets is still there, but it was just too busy for me. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I had hideous train journeys on trains wedged full of people so had to stand all the way. Our first stop was a much-needed hot drink at 200 Degrees coffee shop. We both prefer to go with an independent shop rather than a chain, and Alex, who is a bit of a coffee fiend, loves it there. They were doing a brisk trade but we managed to snag a table so we could sit down with our brews and have a good catch up. We then set out for what became a fairly brief look at the Christmas market. It quickly became apparent it was mostly extremely over-priced food and drink, so we quickly headed away from the central streets. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We found a smaller market in the cathedral square which was much more our sort of thing, all local artisans and crafts people. We had a leisurely browse and both made some purchases there before decamping to the wonderful (and conveniently nearby) Damascena for a delicious lunch. It’s always busy there but we thankfully only had to queue for about 15 minutes before we got seated. Very randomly the star of lunch for both of us was the mango Sunshine Shake we had both chosen as a drink, I’m still dreaming about it now!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">It was one of those gloriously sunny but bitterly cold days so after lunch we went for a mooch around the streets of Birmingham trying to avoid all the crowds before grabbing a cup of tea and going our separate ways. Charlotte to Moor Street Station and me to New Street. From where I endured another packed train home, before I could collapse with a 4-cheese pizza and a very large glass of wine!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I finished the month by going out for dinner with Soo and Melissa. Both had come and helped us move house so it was lovely to see them when I was feeling more like myself and not demented with stress. They had decided on Jericho in Oxford and as they were meeting about an hour before I could get out of work. I found them happily ensconced in The Jericho Tavern drinking pints of Tribute, I was definitely ready for a beer after a full-on day at work, and gratefully accepted a pint before we decided on where to go for dinner. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We went to The Old Bookbinders on the of chance and managed to get a table providing we were gone by 8pm. They have a delicious French menu and I was almost swayed by the Coq au Vin but instead tucked into a hearty fish pie. As Himself doesn’t like fish I don’t get to cook and eat something a pungently fishy as fish pie at home. The service was attentive without making us feel rushed and by 7.45pm we were replete ready to go. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We completed our trio if pubs with The Victoria as they always decorate at this time of year with real greenery, which when combined with the open fire and the mulled wine behind the bar, well the smell is pure Christmas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKbOEtqN5yRK_MnOJrixwQHvt1Tgr-hPi_YquweSR5W1VNJJwc3EbueRl6EvYzbkevbDE5R82ZFIcieJ6YRTNNWnZvFZROyHwQ2BJ22yV0StG2tvcy1rSAmUqU5HKYdhwuqEpfG7GLaZcjwAG5pZABMDYuQ6EhAjjWMzoWjkTljoTDCxaUZUWaKqYbH4-/s4000/IMG_20231130_201901_557%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKbOEtqN5yRK_MnOJrixwQHvt1Tgr-hPi_YquweSR5W1VNJJwc3EbueRl6EvYzbkevbDE5R82ZFIcieJ6YRTNNWnZvFZROyHwQ2BJ22yV0StG2tvcy1rSAmUqU5HKYdhwuqEpfG7GLaZcjwAG5pZABMDYuQ6EhAjjWMzoWjkTljoTDCxaUZUWaKqYbH4-/s320/IMG_20231130_201901_557%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">So that was November and now we are galloping towards the end of the year so more anon.</p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-70490532096082112072023-11-19T12:46:00.000-08:002023-11-19T12:46:47.356-08:00Waving or Drowning? - 2023 so far.<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px;">Well back in May when I was blogging about our wonderful trip to Cornwall I didn’t anticipate disappearing until November. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXa-bc1fCTpdVcr-FYDyCFSaTR2Q7Qqk34WLRITQ_PwOlwtyKSqLNiIZmC7dDB-kNr6S53ftmhkLGQcoG5KNQYn2YbohGARfx7FRwDNEFFliBZmRyAluZRw7tDDzoEASWDpB8-I6XCiTRtiNZNBjh7Lmp-7BKTvUEchb7Y6LefgesgpeE96CO9pKUGCA-/s1000/watlington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXa-bc1fCTpdVcr-FYDyCFSaTR2Q7Qqk34WLRITQ_PwOlwtyKSqLNiIZmC7dDB-kNr6S53ftmhkLGQcoG5KNQYn2YbohGARfx7FRwDNEFFliBZmRyAluZRw7tDDzoEASWDpB8-I6XCiTRtiNZNBjh7Lmp-7BKTvUEchb7Y6LefgesgpeE96CO9pKUGCA-/s320/watlington.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px;">Whilst I was still coming to terms with losing Dad and therefore having good and bad days, I had hoped to have a good summer. I already had a few plans in place to catch up with friends, go on some days out, exhibitions etc. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px;">The other big thing was we have also been looking for a house to buy, I was waiting until that was a done deal before sharing some of our crazy mad experiences of house hunting.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We first started looking for a house last year when the mortgage rates were low and it was silly season. We are talking queues outside properties, strict 15-minute viewing slots often with 2-3 couples looking round at the same time and ending in an immediate closed bid if you were interested. It was pretty intense and pressurized particularly when it was somewhere you loved and you were ‘significantly’ outbid, and at times ridiculously funny.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We saw a house so damp it was almost its own water feature, and another so filthy the agent stayed outside and advised us to put a disposable glove on our prominent hand in case we touched anything! I was also subjected to a 15-minute haranguing for being ‘too fussy’ because I didn’t want to make an offer on a house I didn’t like and got very fed-up with all the pushy phone calls.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Moving on to this year and the interest rates went up, up, up. Suddenly there were only about 3 houses on the market that nobody wanted including us. At this point our landlord offered us the house we were renting. He knew our top budget (he works for an estate agency and we were on their books) and was pushing for that full amount. He couched it in terms of doing us a deal because he and his wife, as it turns out mostly his wife, were actually after a great deal more.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We gave it some serious thought as there were pros and cons. The house needs a fair bit doing to it and as it turns out on further investigation, has a major issue, that being Japanese Knotweed in the garden. We made a lower offer mentioning these things and our landlord actually laughed about the knotweed in the garden and said no.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We looked at a couple of other places that came up but they were no good, so we had another serious discussion about our rental. We decided to get the work that needed doing priced up and see where that left us. We also spoke to our mortgage adviser who in a nutshell said don’t touch it with a barge pole as soon as he heard there was knotweed on the property! He said it was unlikely we would get a mortgage and even if we did, it was highly unlikely we would be able to sell again at a later date because future buyers wouldn’t get a mortgage.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Himself was still keen so I contacted a company that removes knotweed and asked for a quote and out of courtesy let our landlord know, we remade our same offer stating again why we were offering that price. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">This time our landlord literally had an egg. Apparently he had thought Himself was joking when he mentioned the knotweed!?! He said he was not prepared to go any lower and if we didn’t want it for that price, he was giving us notice. So suddenly just like that we were looking at trying to find somewhere to rent or buy in 8 weeks or be homeless... </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I think with hindsight he was pissed off about the knotweed which he claims he knew nothing about. We had always assumed he already knew as he would have had a survey done when he bought the place. If nothing else he was originally going to build another house at the bottom of the garden so again we had assumed he knew about the knotweed and would have it dealt with when he built. I guess all the corners he cut and the rock bottom deal he did when he bought the house was not such a bargain after all.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">It's hard to articulate how difficult the last few months have been. We were frantically trying to find somewhere else to rent just when there was nothing, literally nothing. If you follow the news, you will know the rental market also dried up overnight with the interest hikes and there are lists of desperate people all chasing the same places and many others being evicted at an alarming rate.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I can’t begin to tell you what it feels like to start packing when you actually have nowhere to go, to keep working full time and smiling and interacting like usual when you haven’t slept properly in weeks, when you are struggling to concentrate on anything other than this and you can’t eat or drink with the stress and worry. It certainly didn’t help that work is still pretty shit too, but that I was sucking up, I couldn’t be looking for a new job too. I ended up throwing my pride out the window and actually begged our landlord to please not make us homeless. Thankfully, he seemed to have calmed down and remembered that for the last almost 7 years we had been model tenants, so he agreed to give us a little more time. It seems he also spoke to the rental side of his agency because when I rang up about a property that had of course already gone, on hearing who I was the lady said ‘Oh I’m holding a property for you didn’t he tell you?’ me ‘No, no he didn’t.’</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We had a bit of pussyfooting around with the current tenants who were in the process of buying somewhere and didn’t want us to come round for a viewing until they were ‘further along in their house buying process’ but eventually we got to see it once they had exchanged. At this point Himself said unless it’s got swastikas in the brickwork and Rosemary West in the landlord, we are taking it. Thankfully it had neither, so we did on a minimum 12-month lease. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">It is fine, it has a rather quirky and frustratingly impractical layout but it’s a good size and only a few streets away from where we currently lived. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">You would think my stress levels might have started to recede a bit knowing we had somewhere but sadly they didn’t and indeed they peaked to such a point that I managed to scare family members and friends with the state I was in. I swear these things get harder as you get older. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">The move was intense, and I am eternally grateful and in utter awe of the friends and family who rallied round to help us move our epic amount of stuff in just one day, for the most part in the pouring rain too. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">I was and am horrified and a bit ashamed by the sheer volume of ‘stuff’ we have both accumulated. This even after I got rid of bag after bag to various charity shops. Over 100 books went to Oxfam and the depressing thing is looking at my bookcases you would never tell!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">The thing I have found heartening is that this time round I seem to be much more able to let things go and be more subjective. Do I really need it? Will I ever use it, wear it, fit in it again? do I even like it anymore? Which means as I unpack, I am still downsizing, to the point that the lady in the British Heart Foundation shop knows our name and address by heart as I am in there pretty much every other day with a bag or box of donations! We will never be minimalist, and I know I need to be more ruthless, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">So, 3 weeks on and we are getting there. In an ideal world I would have liked to have only moved the once and found our forever home but that clearly wasn’t to be this year. I’m just hoping 2023 is done with us and 2024 might be a kinder year. We will start house hunting again in the new year and hopefully, hopefully, it will happen for us this time. Above all I just want to be happy again because this person I am right now is not me. Having said that I am sleeping better, feeling like eating and also getting out and about again.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">We had our usual long weekend in Bournemouth booked in for September. As it was all paid and we would have lost that all if we didn’t go, we had our trip even though at that point nothing was confirmed. I have to say it did do us the world of good. The weather was glorious and being by the sea, in fact just being away really did help.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO0jHrrdioOhsVCaJpK-j_mh8Mudp0RQR0lMG-QGtEwJdU2DWd-idLu037v1rHsuEVNOT75qEZFH7VQ4gKXy7ItLNTpTTgBGoakO4G8OLOxyIRqrCeQqmiwwGF6vtxjqF68aMZtdkhpsN1tpIG2AGykCJY15od3YDdkrTSlDXat6Y4lfs8v8N2R1xkr4E/s1000/bour11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="1000" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO0jHrrdioOhsVCaJpK-j_mh8Mudp0RQR0lMG-QGtEwJdU2DWd-idLu037v1rHsuEVNOT75qEZFH7VQ4gKXy7ItLNTpTTgBGoakO4G8OLOxyIRqrCeQqmiwwGF6vtxjqF68aMZtdkhpsN1tpIG2AGykCJY15od3YDdkrTSlDXat6Y4lfs8v8N2R1xkr4E/s320/bour11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Packing, moving, unpacking and cleaning the old house from top to bottom has been physically and mentally draining. I have never been more aware that at 55 I’m not capable of the same things I was. Frankly I’m tired. I would love nothing more than whisking away to a little bolthole somewhere by the coast to re-charge but sadly that is not to be before the end of the year so I shall keep on keeping on.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: OpenSans-webfont; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Anyway this has been a longer and more personal post than I planned. Hopefully normal blogging service will be resumed shortly, though with less shopping. I really, really do not need more stuff! </p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-48950655892628390852023-07-10T10:20:00.000-07:002023-07-10T10:20:23.728-07:00A Cornish Adventure Part Three<p> Our final morning in St Ives was another glorious one and saw
us saying a sorry goodbye to the apartment that had been our home for the week.
We took a slow meander down through the town and along the seafront before
heading up to the bus stop where we joined the queue of people waiting for the
bus to Penzance. </p><p>We got chatting to a couple in the queue who were from Sweden.
They had been walking some of the South West Coastal path on one of those
schemes where your luggage is picked up by courier and delivered to the various
hotels you have booked along the way so you can walk the path with just what you
need for the day. They had train tickets booked with the Trainline to travel
from St Ives to London, then on to Gatwick for an evening flight home. They had
not been sent any warnings about the train strikes, so had literally arrived
ready to travel home and found the station shut! They were frantically trying to
figure out what they could do and were hoping they could hire a car in Penzance
with the idea of them driving all the way to Gatwick. I felt so sorry for them,
what a horrid way to end your holiday. We had everything crossed for their
onward journey.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once in Penzance, we hoped off the bus in the town centre and
headed to our B&B which was on the same street we stayed at 5 years ago.
When we thought we were only having to book one extra night we had gone for
somewhere more central, but now we were staying a couple of nights this location
halfway between the town centre and Newlyn was ideal. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s a wide tree lined street full of hotels and B&Bs,
check in was meant to be 4pm but we had arranged to arrive early and drop our
bags off, with the plan to mooch in town and head back for 4pm to check in
properly. As luck would have it our room was ready when we arrived at 12, so we
were able to check in straight away giving us the whole afternoon as a bonus.
Our room was gorgeous, bright and airy at the top of the house with a big bay
window over the road. We did a bit of quick unpacking and headed out into the
sun.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUIgM4q7bqDN897OjItiRAo7IRiSqT9qRKiTELOzBwaDqZiW2I9PLvYDMnc6_yXjcNVDcyOk8r0LaTItV73u518rz0UVyNBQ77_46w2Z68KPncj2ZHXJJFzz0GKw21xDg2mhUVh3_XQeZD4Jq6SWeX8hENJ1fC0Inb2d7OTJIQwzDIDX4PngKU-VDO3Wh/s1000/pen03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUIgM4q7bqDN897OjItiRAo7IRiSqT9qRKiTELOzBwaDqZiW2I9PLvYDMnc6_yXjcNVDcyOk8r0LaTItV73u518rz0UVyNBQ77_46w2Z68KPncj2ZHXJJFzz0GKw21xDg2mhUVh3_XQeZD4Jq6SWeX8hENJ1fC0Inb2d7OTJIQwzDIDX4PngKU-VDO3Wh/s320/pen03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The weather really was lovely, so we decided to walk to
Marizion and St Michael’s Mount. When we arrived, the causeway was just clearing
so we were able to walk right over, however when we got there a member of staff
was greeting people and warning them there were only 15 minutes until the last
entry closed, and only an hour until the island shut. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-a-sn6zULODyxrQHfnUZtpihOUuH3-9up37fgqOPmYTU3M8f72uZ639yqikW_-t22VoF1ePr8ZLgmnVaruItQYUSFI_dXjeDyiLwSYE6BKKKxdK1fL2SGoo9NvQw3ZP62U-50Y3tA1Fk9mkv2Cbv3latDSSoMhOWeExYpzXoofesAlDF12D00xj_ub_C/s1000/pen08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-a-sn6zULODyxrQHfnUZtpihOUuH3-9up37fgqOPmYTU3M8f72uZ639yqikW_-t22VoF1ePr8ZLgmnVaruItQYUSFI_dXjeDyiLwSYE6BKKKxdK1fL2SGoo9NvQw3ZP62U-50Y3tA1Fk9mkv2Cbv3latDSSoMhOWeExYpzXoofesAlDF12D00xj_ub_C/s320/pen08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">We decided to save our
visit for another time. Instead, we pottered around Marizion, finding a craft
fair in the church hall which I dragged Himself into. I couldn’t resist one
enticing looking gift shop where I found a birthday card for my friend and some
amazing earrings made from recycled copper for myself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl45lpBuK2QGEeWRdeQtg9510YiiH3uzLIB3XNu0dW0y1tZxlmlfy68TyVDcXvEsUuQqWQaFJ3kXk5f70yPfmm85KbXWtQX67LSrB3oFGlhu22QsZciBiAp8fBxRShn6b0kSfJJf6FdUfSiQ_PbTXO9c4__2XjvuIsufslYAfAcBmYPx1TM_TxkVRb6jh/s1000/earrings1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl45lpBuK2QGEeWRdeQtg9510YiiH3uzLIB3XNu0dW0y1tZxlmlfy68TyVDcXvEsUuQqWQaFJ3kXk5f70yPfmm85KbXWtQX67LSrB3oFGlhu22QsZciBiAp8fBxRShn6b0kSfJJf6FdUfSiQ_PbTXO9c4__2XjvuIsufslYAfAcBmYPx1TM_TxkVRb6jh/s320/earrings1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"> Final purchase was an ice
cream to eat as we strolled back to Penzance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once we got in, we collapsed on the chairs in the bay window
with a refreshing drink, we had both managed to catch the sun despite sunblock.
The only downside of our room became apparent, the road below was fairly busy so
there was traffic noise (I really must start travelling with earplugs) The other
constant noise was the crows! As mentioned, the street was tree lined, and
literally every one of the many trees had a colony of crows nesting in it. When
they all decided to start cawing at once well, the noise was just incredible.
Anyway, I digress.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXU3zerVJ3AwMI9fUajXtrInLDnGo21o_PHLsXXd28LdmXYHX3MNINqauQRmyy80FixzSmPaJNA7RjiuJI_3UDGfkgWc9JmTMpCCeuowjCPKF83M14aCzXC_pwFLSZZUpD-8L1FPWlfzsP6e4xsFSVQ1h8JVxxibM4cp1Ttc_w6Y3MFA8V1oMalIOXc0K/s1000/mou01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXU3zerVJ3AwMI9fUajXtrInLDnGo21o_PHLsXXd28LdmXYHX3MNINqauQRmyy80FixzSmPaJNA7RjiuJI_3UDGfkgWc9JmTMpCCeuowjCPKF83M14aCzXC_pwFLSZZUpD-8L1FPWlfzsP6e4xsFSVQ1h8JVxxibM4cp1Ttc_w6Y3MFA8V1oMalIOXc0K/s320/mou01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>We had a table booked at The Bridge in Newlyn that evening.
It’s one of several highly recommended restaurants in Newlyn, which seems to be
well on it’s way to being the latest chi-chi area to live by the looks of
things. I’m not sure that is necessarily a good thing. We arrived with a bit of
time to spare so I took Himself to see a little hidden part of the town that I
had randomly seen Michal Portillo visit on a TV show the previous week!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The restaurant was bliss, not too big and with a lovely,
relaxed vibe. The owner seated us and throughout the evening sporadically
wondered through to chat with people and help serve. I chose the aubergine
parmigiana, I love aubergine and as soon as I saw it on the menu that was it for
me. The owner was delighted and was soon waxing lyrical about how every Italian
mama has her own version and how every Italian son would travel continents just
to get home to eat it, how it should be cooked slowly for hours. I think Himself
had glassed over by this point. I have to say when it came the dish was
delicious and so plentiful there was no room for pudding. Replete with good food
and wine we strolled back along the seafront before turning in for the
night.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz1QmgRxawBitKOecCSL0-CYFOmgvNQDeSUxUirLJgEXMsEDT6jKnzojCRB24GZruvHXpV1vjs6qz0vV_mKcx614sUbp9yZJrvK3-SieBvCxk4PC_S1y3ljHOJ5FfqjEdOefeLdV9yNdsgaPjVDob3oe3mFITUFrLQayRK_zEM9lB2mKKM5MWd2wGYTyD/s1000/pen14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz1QmgRxawBitKOecCSL0-CYFOmgvNQDeSUxUirLJgEXMsEDT6jKnzojCRB24GZruvHXpV1vjs6qz0vV_mKcx614sUbp9yZJrvK3-SieBvCxk4PC_S1y3ljHOJ5FfqjEdOefeLdV9yNdsgaPjVDob3oe3mFITUFrLQayRK_zEM9lB2mKKM5MWd2wGYTyD/s320/pen14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYktdVgZAz_3247SQsHL2MpAJBggWkcuRSfyR8o5IkP5oXIEB7DzejIvHb_Ns-0U3CxNJgKweSGKcNyvLD6eQrbyFcEYqLqhVBewGxnAcYvkMLU7ua3H4fDC2TMYjiGhNgf8AyYUesEGyFhel30eUrDX9KqowQ695wvo_4XVKG3jjpWld6tZfkGLNgeZZq/s1000/pen12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYktdVgZAz_3247SQsHL2MpAJBggWkcuRSfyR8o5IkP5oXIEB7DzejIvHb_Ns-0U3CxNJgKweSGKcNyvLD6eQrbyFcEYqLqhVBewGxnAcYvkMLU7ua3H4fDC2TMYjiGhNgf8AyYUesEGyFhel30eUrDX9KqowQ695wvo_4XVKG3jjpWld6tZfkGLNgeZZq/s320/pen12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The next morning was another hot one and after breakfast we
set off for Mousehole, slathered in suncream with my burnt bits from yesterday
covered up! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z4rPtoaE-z0ExLIDoh19e2ATmnD4hv5iyPwk3gPqoQCNml8S4Zy8-AxYdOzK1KNtz3lBmfx4CV58nVrZnSqQ9TFSZdErLiJToOh3asSu5VQe7LHDz_0txVRw2kjDRYKcPbaLUW9I-kTWfUYXuzNhjkmvg5jQ80-ZP1jTF4fTyY2GJhZMRrsltMwSPVr6/s1000/mou08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z4rPtoaE-z0ExLIDoh19e2ATmnD4hv5iyPwk3gPqoQCNml8S4Zy8-AxYdOzK1KNtz3lBmfx4CV58nVrZnSqQ9TFSZdErLiJToOh3asSu5VQe7LHDz_0txVRw2kjDRYKcPbaLUW9I-kTWfUYXuzNhjkmvg5jQ80-ZP1jTF4fTyY2GJhZMRrsltMwSPVr6/s320/mou08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vTpix61W4hXIze7V30j9oZsoKhvMLA4aOtbf-_aWWfWvLzuVwTsmDF0Wuqb08dGoNl-7LmU0SlszBXlTyiqig23naNVB2tpblhIhFHbdFp-MQHjVvFyISPbfs0ZT5qc0ibT7_Z3kNR7qBYsG54cAWA4RDGPvrwXmt534EJpptktdo3kjql_WRP9LILkc/s1000/mou09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vTpix61W4hXIze7V30j9oZsoKhvMLA4aOtbf-_aWWfWvLzuVwTsmDF0Wuqb08dGoNl-7LmU0SlszBXlTyiqig23naNVB2tpblhIhFHbdFp-MQHjVvFyISPbfs0ZT5qc0ibT7_Z3kNR7qBYsG54cAWA4RDGPvrwXmt534EJpptktdo3kjql_WRP9LILkc/s320/mou09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">It was a gorgeous walk and once there we had absolutely no agenda.
We wandered wherever took our fancy, up steep winding streets and down hidden
alleyways, with me popping into a couple of the touristy gift shops that I
couldn’t resist. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVnVbCMJxZAo9baohw7XMh0EBuzLLham7GVj5IqhAzkXqvkDciQSV4l9U-uz0FLSQz59wPjFdI4zidfQCGHFJYJXtyS9FidrE2RP7EV7ffRYct1G4tAAMq_j0XXM10eLJ6TudOqb1alZZRPIO3QPw6lq19tKlL47EU-1urvqNAvQ3eACk557Lm-fRM8PX/s1060/mou14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVnVbCMJxZAo9baohw7XMh0EBuzLLham7GVj5IqhAzkXqvkDciQSV4l9U-uz0FLSQz59wPjFdI4zidfQCGHFJYJXtyS9FidrE2RP7EV7ffRYct1G4tAAMq_j0XXM10eLJ6TudOqb1alZZRPIO3QPw6lq19tKlL47EU-1urvqNAvQ3eACk557Lm-fRM8PX/s320/mou14.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx30TGpI9tHN8RSRSAn9MqU1ninH7U9dUu25lpoI55bQSPZxt8YvRfgIlrgJfwHXmJkbX893XzyMeyDTd5AL2JDh4PNJnHkYc5fW-L8LdLV_5dH1FUc9qD9bWTEM3Dr8dBfNVOit_id7XiD8jz1PX-4g4cXUIjATYXRI6OkSG-1HujJ6HLUj_Mp4Aai68/s1000/mou15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx30TGpI9tHN8RSRSAn9MqU1ninH7U9dUu25lpoI55bQSPZxt8YvRfgIlrgJfwHXmJkbX893XzyMeyDTd5AL2JDh4PNJnHkYc5fW-L8LdLV_5dH1FUc9qD9bWTEM3Dr8dBfNVOit_id7XiD8jz1PX-4g4cXUIjATYXRI6OkSG-1HujJ6HLUj_Mp4Aai68/s320/mou15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I had spotted a pair of sparkly crab earrings in a shop that
was shut with a ‘back in 30 minutes’ sign on the door. We ambled back 40 minutes
later and it was still shut, so we gave it another 15 and nope still shut.
Boo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC529znuc4Ojxli5BRjChArOIkAbYB7NcsaRXNJNAsJ6Vp63Q4fiDLn-phzaINT668pStNVIAH4h73Ip0772xJtVGl94Xwx3YruAzwDIJihFfTIJk7TAi_3OICCu_Qbe45NzgCRdatVROmOodptSZzHVRi-vaqtK2g1-lYAtxMRmOxRXZB1RRyj3QKwNG/s1000/mou13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC529znuc4Ojxli5BRjChArOIkAbYB7NcsaRXNJNAsJ6Vp63Q4fiDLn-phzaINT668pStNVIAH4h73Ip0772xJtVGl94Xwx3YruAzwDIJihFfTIJk7TAi_3OICCu_Qbe45NzgCRdatVROmOodptSZzHVRi-vaqtK2g1-lYAtxMRmOxRXZB1RRyj3QKwNG/s320/mou13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">By now it was lunchtime so Himself suggested a drink, we
headed back towards the harbour and found a pub where we settled in a window
seat to watch the world go by. When it was time to leave Himself suggested
giving the shop one more try and this time it was open! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYcI2eXCuT4x_i8mAJvogzj43xxfxalWlT67Evl51QEV1Lnrtgu3LiA8K_bOucf-qUk0S4pHFI6ICsBNxPtdIwRCVLHKWAFQ96KrInIqprdzxtAhXQJMomLtzNK-aCjuMt0nPSA_XaR9lDXRxh44J-dTR1QG0F3axCGjpD32iC-KMkpEoc_DVpdc246a5/s1000/earrings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1000" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYcI2eXCuT4x_i8mAJvogzj43xxfxalWlT67Evl51QEV1Lnrtgu3LiA8K_bOucf-qUk0S4pHFI6ICsBNxPtdIwRCVLHKWAFQ96KrInIqprdzxtAhXQJMomLtzNK-aCjuMt0nPSA_XaR9lDXRxh44J-dTR1QG0F3axCGjpD32iC-KMkpEoc_DVpdc246a5/s320/earrings2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Earrings purchased we
walked back to Penzance stopping in a couple of junk shops in Newlyn on the way.
We walked the full length of the seafront down to the Jubilee Pool then back
through the town centre looking in any shops that took our fancy before going to
put our feet up for a couple of hours back at the B&B. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We didn’t really have
any plans that night, I had wanted to go back to the Admiral Benbow at some
point because I had loved it’s cluttered madness when we visited 5 years ago,
Himself was not so keen as it had freaked him out then! As we were leaving the
B&B we bumped into the owner who asked us where we were going and then
suggested The Dolphin as we hadn’t booked anywhere and it was a Saturday. We had
eaten there before and knew the food was good so decided to give it a go.
Luckily as it was still early, we were able to get a table for two.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I had
delicious fresh caught fish with samphire and sprouting broccoli whilst Himself,
who as you may recall hates fish, ate chilli. We knew we had an early start the
next day so decided to buy a bottle of wine to take back and drink in our room,
I was secretly delighted because it was Eurovision which I never usually miss.
So armed with wine and some mint chocolate buttons I settled in front of the TV.
Bliss. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next morning we had an early breakfast, settled our bill
and headed to the station to see exactly what trains were running and to where.
Luck was on our side and there was an early train heading to London and calling at
Reading leaving in the next 20 minutes so we jumped aboard. We only had to buy
tickets from Penzance to St Erth as they were honouring strike day tickets. I’m
so glad we caught the train at Penzance, which is the start of the journey and
meant we could get a seat, because it very rapidly became packed full and
standing. I guess there were many other people like us who were now trying to
get home. Thankfully it was an uneventful journey, and we were back in the house
by late afternoon. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Considering when I first found out we were going to have to
book extra days I was not at all happy, we did have a really great time. So
thank you Cornwall as ever, and here’s to next time. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-79837247228326804882023-06-23T13:20:00.001-07:002023-06-23T13:20:38.516-07:00A Cornish Adventure Part Two.<p> Welcome to part two of our Cornish adventure.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I shall pick up where I left off. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The next day was Tuesday
and again the weather was meant to be rainy, though the forecast hadn't explained quite HOW rainy! Like Monday it quickly went from
drizzle to torrential as the morning passed. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The plan had been to mooch the
shops in St Ives before Himself settled on the beach with a book and I went to a
book signing. Here again, it seemed the holiday gods were smiling on us
because prior to setting off on holiday I had spotted a tweet about a talk and
book signing taking place in St Ives for a book I was planning to buy anyway. It
turned out to be not only on a day when we were in St Ives, but also when we
didn’t have other <span class="GramE">plans,</span> so I bought myself a ticket.
<span class="GramE">Sadly</span> the weather gods were most definitely not smiling on us this
day!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>We looked in a few shops but the rain just kept getting
heavier and heavier, again even with waterproofs and umbrellas we were soaked,
particularly my poor boots that had not quite dried out from the day before. So,
we tried to find a pub or café to shelter in but everywhere was packed, clearly
everyone had the same idea.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We finally decamped to a pub and stood until we managed to
snag a table. I left Himself there and battled the elements once again to head
to the St Ives Arts Club where the talk was due to be. It was a very cosy affair
with only about 40 people, and thankfully warm and dry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM8-Op2gjSQywZHwOrMuN-jb3PhUrHXe0FZmmkK4W7FpMPMhAqIFmX75b6wiT9QFM0t1QPMBXuKOfKMf-MOL7tBzdZCFojI9Xr_d5lsmFuqJyZSI-hozJfD-IFv8RC7fhhLbhZoC3eiW_glWMjjBhtIK7hb_lcfTbuhDsZTg9VLf_MHPhOoDxjDiRBHYk/s500/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="351" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM8-Op2gjSQywZHwOrMuN-jb3PhUrHXe0FZmmkK4W7FpMPMhAqIFmX75b6wiT9QFM0t1QPMBXuKOfKMf-MOL7tBzdZCFojI9Xr_d5lsmFuqJyZSI-hozJfD-IFv8RC7fhhLbhZoC3eiW_glWMjjBhtIK7hb_lcfTbuhDsZTg9VLf_MHPhOoDxjDiRBHYk/s320/book.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The book The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes by Kate <span class="SpellE">Strasdin, </span>a fashion historian and lecturer from
Falmouth University. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The talk was <span class="GramE">absolutely
fascinating</span> and took the form of a Q&A session, it was based around
Kate being gifted a notebook by an elderly friend who had worked in costume
design in London in the 60’s. The book was purchased at a flea market there by
one of her apprentices who thought it might make good source material. It was a
Victorian era diary filled with squares of fabrics each with an annotation in
teeny tiny handwriting stating the name of the person the fabric had belonged to
and the garment or piece of furnishing it was from. This started her off on a
research journey with no way of knowing who had written it until one tiny entry
“Mrs Anne Sykes – The dress I wore when we arrived in Singapore.” This was the
one and only time Anne spoke in the first person, and it unlocked the whole
book! I share the publisher’s blurb
<span class="GramE">below;</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
1838, a young woman was given a diary on her wedding day. Collecting snippets of
fabric from a range of garments she carefully annotated each one, creating a
unique record of her life and times. Her name was Mrs Anne Sykes.<br /><br />Nearly
two hundred years later, the diary fell into the hands of Kate <span class="SpellE">Strasdin</span>, a fashion historian and museum curator. <span class="SpellE">Strasdin</span> spent the next six years unravelling the secrets
contained within the album's pages.<br /><br />Piece by piece, she charts Anne's
journey from the mills of Lancashire to the port of Singapore before tracing her
return to England in later years. Fragments of cloth become windows into
Victorian life: pirates in Borneo, the complicated etiquette of mourning,
poisonous dyes, the British Empire in full swing, rioting over working
conditions and the terrible human cost of Britain's cotton industry.<br /><br />This
is life writing that celebrates ordinary people: the hidden figures, the
participants in everyday life. Through the evidence of waistcoats, ball gowns
and mourning outfits, <span class="SpellE">Strasdin</span> lays bare the whole of
human experience in the most intimate of mediums: the clothes we choose to
wear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> Once
the talk
finished I texted Himself to arrange to meet before joining the queue to get my
book signed. I met Himself outside and thankfully the rain had finally started
to ease up, as we were deciding whether to go to the pub for
something to eat or not when we got caught by another seaside occupational
hazard. Yup a passing seagull did a massive dump right over us. Luckily for
me I only got slightly caught, but Himself took a direct hit! Anyone who
has been in that situation will know not only is it plentiful, it also absolutely stinks!! </p><p class="MsoNormal">I dived into Boots
and bought some tissues and anti-bacterial wipes to clean off the most
urgent mess before we hotfooted it back to the apartment which thankfully has a
washing machine. We took it in turns to have a hot shower before I
rinsed the clothes then loaded the machine. That was definitely something
we could have done without and to make matters worse I did crack up
laughing which I don’t think went down very well. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Anyway we spent the rest of
the afternoon and evening lounging around in our
pjs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"></span> The
next day was Himself’s birthday so I made him breakfast in bed and
gave him his card. Our plan had been to finally walk the St Michael’s way
but yet again it was not to be. The torrential rain over the last two days
had made parts of the walk waterlogged and we neither fancied a repeat of the
mudfest hike we had last year in Swanage. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dCbBEhI3uMVhzn4n08a0MJXUIp0pGlM7mhbFNTuGMBtZN-Z_b7_VdwSL23UWnUPrcrg_gGU7XsSrknm1iENsVq3SSMZgwy2Gn52cSGrvZ9IdJYvavLuBLRp4VipjmGmiW9CYRS9NBZghN7IvZPiz_ePrkT-nxWOPIHzNImr4LOLRU8u7X9e1eHQL71WR/s1000/st01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1000" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dCbBEhI3uMVhzn4n08a0MJXUIp0pGlM7mhbFNTuGMBtZN-Z_b7_VdwSL23UWnUPrcrg_gGU7XsSrknm1iENsVq3SSMZgwy2Gn52cSGrvZ9IdJYvavLuBLRp4VipjmGmiW9CYRS9NBZghN7IvZPiz_ePrkT-nxWOPIHzNImr4LOLRU8u7X9e1eHQL71WR/s320/st01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The heavy rain created a mini waterfall on the beach<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKIjHlxfM0V8uH3nVJ4-lgZ7Jv9aaBxB-pm1-QSBVdfSMIQILBabxd9ILiNy0II1sXXTG6EEHg3UmcQE2lXRQGC9Ub9R4IUJ4L5QgcNEPRjvsmt_opNMSg6_27Txx7hlrua-adfVQRMTJF7VFXxI4Z9NEVQkuS6vlz31mhroUpkkrfvcVMklAcq7c79l7/s1000/st03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKIjHlxfM0V8uH3nVJ4-lgZ7Jv9aaBxB-pm1-QSBVdfSMIQILBabxd9ILiNy0II1sXXTG6EEHg3UmcQE2lXRQGC9Ub9R4IUJ4L5QgcNEPRjvsmt_opNMSg6_27Txx7hlrua-adfVQRMTJF7VFXxI4Z9NEVQkuS6vlz31mhroUpkkrfvcVMklAcq7c79l7/s320/st03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Instead we decided to just
wander around the edge of St Ives so to speak, we started on Porthmeor beach before going up and around island and
across all the beaches and headlands. The weather sunny but very windy which made for some impressive waves. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE5_mMAKMhadVDCzxfcXOMqBKClY7Qbq7E5WQmPP8OvWr8b0vIw7kwsOM8y1G1exx4ybhAtx6Xn_9EiXcYIBJcOP2AvalFMP24eNppXUpS3QA9c-PKOIdhYWCltwbdhBau6Aq0rCr021a4Vn3QgN-Vz3B219zdZIsNX01TNY9pFFB3xN08AwGWP3Mkc4t/s1000/st04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE5_mMAKMhadVDCzxfcXOMqBKClY7Qbq7E5WQmPP8OvWr8b0vIw7kwsOM8y1G1exx4ybhAtx6Xn_9EiXcYIBJcOP2AvalFMP24eNppXUpS3QA9c-PKOIdhYWCltwbdhBau6Aq0rCr021a4Vn3QgN-Vz3B219zdZIsNX01TNY9pFFB3xN08AwGWP3Mkc4t/s320/st04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We
headed back to the apartment for lunch as we really needed to get through the
food we had bought. After lunch Himself showed me the
alternative way to get to and fro the station he
had figured out on google maps<span style="color: #011e41;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrgcvjZvPEa4TfQEsMukmpbqH_R6fmoPIS2ozCla57Gie9mOucLA05ZLv4nL0DHERe69fIlArK8txkLM6lawky9n6rQQipTLP7BddCOo0EnawKchX5PAZ1wB8Im6fcqCZmOAz5YGW2afg6Et2Z0NkA5Y5BxMc46mCbW4QeB0LLIGzb1Pmlf4IzZRUugZ4/s1000/346043543_951873456230310_6282833968506539553_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrgcvjZvPEa4TfQEsMukmpbqH_R6fmoPIS2ozCla57Gie9mOucLA05ZLv4nL0DHERe69fIlArK8txkLM6lawky9n6rQQipTLP7BddCOo0EnawKchX5PAZ1wB8Im6fcqCZmOAz5YGW2afg6Et2Z0NkA5Y5BxMc46mCbW4QeB0LLIGzb1Pmlf4IzZRUugZ4/s320/346043543_951873456230310_6282833968506539553_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It
was definitely less hilly, though there were a couple of bits
with no pavement so it might not be ideal pulling cases along as it was
fairy busy with
cars. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">That
night we had a table booked in the best Italian restaurant in
town. We went out for a drink first before a delicious
and leisurely dinner. We walked back to the sun setting over the sea but sadly it was too cloudy to see the moon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBUUH1q4brof2a7vtefraUc-Rg4qkjX77_WucYBtF5OhQiF61uIwxL-1ps2VwCQ5sIp1ytYGL3KGUAg8gM1sFD2iLBI91H0_968SmrhNdafst_P99nwtcojGbsJ3TPY9rCkV-gnOZGSiSL-emTQFA7nQTYt9bFyTmgbX_6PipH2Iqpwv0F29H5s3N4V41/s1000/stives1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBUUH1q4brof2a7vtefraUc-Rg4qkjX77_WucYBtF5OhQiF61uIwxL-1ps2VwCQ5sIp1ytYGL3KGUAg8gM1sFD2iLBI91H0_968SmrhNdafst_P99nwtcojGbsJ3TPY9rCkV-gnOZGSiSL-emTQFA7nQTYt9bFyTmgbX_6PipH2Iqpwv0F29H5s3N4V41/s320/stives1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Thursday,
Fisherman’s Friends day, dawned a lovely sunny day, thank goodness. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">We
had breakfast, made sandwiches then headed out to catch the bus to
Porthcurno. It turned out to be one of those open topped tourist
buses so we sat upstairs at the front to enjoy the
view. Quite frankly it was a white knuckle ride, I take my hat off to the bus
drivers who do that route every day. Parts of the route were single traffic
only so if anything came the other way it meant screeching to a halt and
one or other backing up. Some parts were a combination of
narrow and steep, not always helped by crazy tourist
parking! We arrived in one piece if slightly
shaken. The buses were quite limited with the last
bus back just before 7pm, so it was a good job we did get tickets for the
matinee.<span style="color: #011e41;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZFnNuFgfRb5qx4wy2sgvlq4wFk0WgbMLgEK4TFiTwmFNtX25cO0jltpFqgmrSYELP-PfnJErT1AiRGsERH1B0wuxO9mvEJF0_WKz0Hor8QD8vA59kZZs2fNnQSSSWvbsn8cnXN1rMiFwktOObQtl4o8XgIsbngoc4vM__q-W3B_jkrwAtFJ_Xf2cW7oY/s1000/min02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZFnNuFgfRb5qx4wy2sgvlq4wFk0WgbMLgEK4TFiTwmFNtX25cO0jltpFqgmrSYELP-PfnJErT1AiRGsERH1B0wuxO9mvEJF0_WKz0Hor8QD8vA59kZZs2fNnQSSSWvbsn8cnXN1rMiFwktOObQtl4o8XgIsbngoc4vM__q-W3B_jkrwAtFJ_Xf2cW7oY/s320/min02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We
walked straight down to the beach at Porthcurno and it was
clear why it has such a reputation for being beautiful. I gather it gets
incredibly busy in the tourist season and I must admit it was busier than
I expected for a Thursday in early May. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We found a spot to have our lunch
before mooching slowly back up to the road to walk up the hill to The Minack. We
had thought about climbing the steps carved out of the rocks but we weren’t sure
you could get in that way so didn’t want to go all the way up only to find
we had to go back down and round.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"></span> The
road was in chaos as traffic was starting to build up for the show but
there was a huge lorry trying to come down the hill so the road was
blocked. One poor man was trying to get everyone to back up to the car park at
Porthcurno so the lorry could get through but it
was clear not everyone was prepared to do so. For once we were very
grateful to be on foot, we
squeezed between cars and had a bit of banter with the lorry driver as we passed
him, he seemed to be finding it all very amusing anyway. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We joined a
surprisingly large queue and were soon filing down to find seats. You can’t book
specific seats you just book into an area and then it’s first come first
served. We were further back from the stage than I would have liked,
but kind of in the middle and with a fab view.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSokdLzWT4C33FFBHM-AKmm749VKRMCX4lIuquI1vwb5dSBa54qdM5w-eo5WUE-svLA8Jmd-c_yiM-K_43ZF0d5_TAfMREdz2NU9Ne7TE_7f0QaQQNSzBMsVS_CFLkcYF6Z0Ci1L41EhCFVK-HpJZMiJcd-OwhZOTYLbAiGuuuJsENFW4jk5hIHf3C8ee/s1000/Stives3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1000" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSokdLzWT4C33FFBHM-AKmm749VKRMCX4lIuquI1vwb5dSBa54qdM5w-eo5WUE-svLA8Jmd-c_yiM-K_43ZF0d5_TAfMREdz2NU9Ne7TE_7f0QaQQNSzBMsVS_CFLkcYF6Z0Ci1L41EhCFVK-HpJZMiJcd-OwhZOTYLbAiGuuuJsENFW4jk5hIHf3C8ee/s320/Stives3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTFO9XynEDDYX6lQHeYMWPOG62Y6fXF-6eZiLC_sqAsBgPOz2cNzUX1nx1QXgASqv01kX_AzPfOjmIxJ4Jbpz4pk72uySZJFtLQzxeVvsEa8wYZnFX2Ntu_g7yzz3bHN4XaXgyFp87G4V_QCVAqR7i5XFiW2sQEP08LindsDjYHKtURL4NoIB8dAOyHLq/s1280/IMG_4433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTFO9XynEDDYX6lQHeYMWPOG62Y6fXF-6eZiLC_sqAsBgPOz2cNzUX1nx1QXgASqv01kX_AzPfOjmIxJ4Jbpz4pk72uySZJFtLQzxeVvsEa8wYZnFX2Ntu_g7yzz3bHN4XaXgyFp87G4V_QCVAqR7i5XFiW2sQEP08LindsDjYHKtURL4NoIB8dAOyHLq/s320/IMG_4433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"> We got out our cushions, slathered on sunblock and I whisked out the chilled bottle of prosecco I had popped into my bag before we left. We cracked that open and get comfortable.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7DWn1NrCIL4jHTlB1ClY_VkBhrO-Rdg_G5KFDjrXboFd1yycPDmXZhfsUJ4lKpbY15CiW-nXxQHD4y4zuA_O0SOrZr2Nj2OgLsAf5hOPmiP-ZE9izvMf0bsnyYSrzX0v09I1gw0wjnOH2n2Et62MIww2GzG1uuubrH0yYoSEhgB1_LGCIRwxv_6TCz1I/s1000/min12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1000" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7DWn1NrCIL4jHTlB1ClY_VkBhrO-Rdg_G5KFDjrXboFd1yycPDmXZhfsUJ4lKpbY15CiW-nXxQHD4y4zuA_O0SOrZr2Nj2OgLsAf5hOPmiP-ZE9izvMf0bsnyYSrzX0v09I1gw0wjnOH2n2Et62MIww2GzG1uuubrH0yYoSEhgB1_LGCIRwxv_6TCz1I/s320/min12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jYMk9SQSdkt6hZbPj890KVMRuhFYu8XdMXUjtEYztw7-kgHg7vLISAwClJvGqOhOebcmeHHeIbcP-YJ8NLXbS68jbGGdDlzUFLX5XJSLh5YCefcCiYQTH6F1QVDVdZkcF4BwkvFG-SgMr2ceMy7N3F22ztEsN90CJblp4XUm6IGIt_NAoGQ6P-xHZ4yM/s1000/min14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jYMk9SQSdkt6hZbPj890KVMRuhFYu8XdMXUjtEYztw7-kgHg7vLISAwClJvGqOhOebcmeHHeIbcP-YJ8NLXbS68jbGGdDlzUFLX5XJSLh5YCefcCiYQTH6F1QVDVdZkcF4BwkvFG-SgMr2ceMy7N3F22ztEsN90CJblp4XUm6IGIt_NAoGQ6P-xHZ4yM/s320/min14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">The
show was absolutely incredible. The band were so good,
but add the open air venue and views, well, it just made it
magical. Apparently there had been a pod of dolphins in the area
that as you can imagine had detracted completely from the shows by
swimming past and drawing all attention. They didn’t make an
appearance for us though. I glanced sideways and saw Himself
beaming, so I count that as a birthday treat
win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once
the show was over we filed out only to realise we had missed a bus and the
next one wasn’t for the best part of 2 hours. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQx-FfPzJqMGFj5T0O9ehlUmjuygtIxwJetfhJZJr-uk6WwzF0nHtfIniXDOA1_qDYE2ibyIQVAYE5KmovdyfPdziu6ai_u-Yu-6k6dwPs2Dj09c96bdMVKCWSC-jP2ZIQgfXR0uH4a4d8rHsRuA-G9bVsEOvm8a49z_Xt2BTDLtR_GEuUnXlTqvNrPVW/s1000/min15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1000" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQx-FfPzJqMGFj5T0O9ehlUmjuygtIxwJetfhJZJr-uk6WwzF0nHtfIniXDOA1_qDYE2ibyIQVAYE5KmovdyfPdziu6ai_u-Yu-6k6dwPs2Dj09c96bdMVKCWSC-jP2ZIQgfXR0uH4a4d8rHsRuA-G9bVsEOvm8a49z_Xt2BTDLtR_GEuUnXlTqvNrPVW/s320/min15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2D7coOyUIcLuYN33mbtlq3MnWGZP7vtiYLVXUf3xB23TTWoy09JoH0xCuCXEGK7VBMLDBeVpicJfeRtq8cSb2KCF8wHxU2fKfQ-Ywlfen8xtYBK_Md1g4KlZ_ol_3n4rMwRxxos62ZsQunUp8Om8qhSLMeF2XmCzgjXgvauqWUxEeHX7Oubuzzjjy0ea/s1000/min16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2D7coOyUIcLuYN33mbtlq3MnWGZP7vtiYLVXUf3xB23TTWoy09JoH0xCuCXEGK7VBMLDBeVpicJfeRtq8cSb2KCF8wHxU2fKfQ-Ywlfen8xtYBK_Md1g4KlZ_ol_3n4rMwRxxos62ZsQunUp8Om8qhSLMeF2XmCzgjXgvauqWUxEeHX7Oubuzzjjy0ea/s320/min16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We walked a bit of the cliff top
path before heading back down to Porthcurno beach. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfm5MfeZIUFuZb6z--nlgsbiRYma3K_8WhlYwQki9GBlFBnvEmtKVLYDcjXSjy-qLt_oR9E1jsE6TkH9QiGm0OsruqctbXmVHVJb2i0IfWvIz7UX-LvMxuErRBgyZvHIrixlEetcN_vWr6MWMypyLfRMpLN60xSb-fX4ny5ea1bbpxHeG12BgUisa9Ied/s1000/min20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfm5MfeZIUFuZb6z--nlgsbiRYma3K_8WhlYwQki9GBlFBnvEmtKVLYDcjXSjy-qLt_oR9E1jsE6TkH9QiGm0OsruqctbXmVHVJb2i0IfWvIz7UX-LvMxuErRBgyZvHIrixlEetcN_vWr6MWMypyLfRMpLN60xSb-fX4ny5ea1bbpxHeG12BgUisa9Ied/s320/min20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrBbUvHQJCM14_DnnoQrcJEqXyrlG9pU3RyMMlUQcycffpEMHwB6R7pMfsRX7uzd1TJ9Q5HL8SgGhEchPl23dEX-rMz8zDE60GsgLndRokSb-LyhNUNfBXA2MEd1-kK3JmYvjsTjdP8dyTMC1gi-tl9Yvt_NF-CWo1xEzkIxbNGIgS4cUmWu6GEfXDtkH/s1000/min17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrBbUvHQJCM14_DnnoQrcJEqXyrlG9pU3RyMMlUQcycffpEMHwB6R7pMfsRX7uzd1TJ9Q5HL8SgGhEchPl23dEX-rMz8zDE60GsgLndRokSb-LyhNUNfBXA2MEd1-kK3JmYvjsTjdP8dyTMC1gi-tl9Yvt_NF-CWo1xEzkIxbNGIgS4cUmWu6GEfXDtkH/s320/min17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The glorious sun had
been covered by clouds which got thicker and darker and sure enough it started
to rain. We ambled slowly back to the bus stop and just had to pray the
last bus was actually running. It felt better when a few
other people joined us. Finally the bus did appear and we got to do
that mad journey again only the other way
round. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When
we got back to the apartment we ate as much of the food that
was left in the fridge as we could, before starting
to pack our cases and head to bed before the final part of our
adventure.</p><p class="MsoNormal">My St Ives purchases, an elephant brooch to match the necklace I bought the last time we visited, which I wear constantly. I was thrilled to find the artist who made it was still there. I also couldn't resist the shark earrings so treated myself.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-vuFGw6jwmSHjJBsE4Hywm9bgodD4wPYNz1hiSDPZ4OWjwMkPbwLyxTssVcgF7VJMyqVHtjW4Mtm4aydN-A7vav0rClmvGbKtMV7W8GD0kt3Dl3gk7qdNLzs5Ivi2fH26IcdtGtvSdzXNQRtIQJOK0ehZE_VH8o1q36o982RO6vjE217UHpSsD_0HfGV/s900/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="900" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-vuFGw6jwmSHjJBsE4Hywm9bgodD4wPYNz1hiSDPZ4OWjwMkPbwLyxTssVcgF7VJMyqVHtjW4Mtm4aydN-A7vav0rClmvGbKtMV7W8GD0kt3Dl3gk7qdNLzs5Ivi2fH26IcdtGtvSdzXNQRtIQJOK0ehZE_VH8o1q36o982RO6vjE217UHpSsD_0HfGV/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> A sea horse brooch from one of the little junk shops in an arcade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69O0NNjT0c_FqyS_ON3KwvoDq33D_mbukUET3so8zUZBpsg_y277WKRxQLGnjsMSqcS4NkEJAK1g87lbxNiO1PVm4rM2aUC3FEh4EZ5VRheMamvXEfWmPUXQLc-Af7sw8kpnuC4h9Og9QB2cuSZCJU7gRMScIfQEMLvaUHITTLY4-jeaVjABFg9wlAMMR/s900/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69O0NNjT0c_FqyS_ON3KwvoDq33D_mbukUET3so8zUZBpsg_y277WKRxQLGnjsMSqcS4NkEJAK1g87lbxNiO1PVm4rM2aUC3FEh4EZ5VRheMamvXEfWmPUXQLc-Af7sw8kpnuC4h9Og9QB2cuSZCJU7gRMScIfQEMLvaUHITTLY4-jeaVjABFg9wlAMMR/s320/blog2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #011e41;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">More
in part 3. We end our visit to Kernow with crows, crabs, castles and
Eurovision. </p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-10942809672005026632023-06-09T14:10:00.001-07:002023-06-09T14:10:42.825-07:00A Cornish Adventure Part One. <p> This year marked Himself’s 50<sup>th</sup> birthday, I knew
he wouldn’t want a party but wasn’t sure what he would want to do instead. So in
January we had the following conversation;</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Me: “ What do you want to do for your
birthday?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Him: “Not be here”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Me: “Where would you like to be? Cornwall?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Him: “Yes”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Me: “St Ives?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Him: “Yes”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This led to me trawling through various options before
settling on renting a holiday apartment with a company called Aspect. They are
an independent company based in Cornwall, I liked their ethos, and their
customer service was excellent. I narrowed down a couple of places and was going
to surprise Him.... but then remembered what he is like, so I showed him. </p><p class="MsoNormal">He
declared he would like to be able to lie in bed and look at a sea view if
possible. The lovely Atlantic Heights B&B had spoiled him in that respect! </p><p class="MsoNormal"> So I went back to the drawing board, then I found an option that was on the
Porthmeor side of St Ives that we love, and once he approved, I booked
it.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4W6UeFE51pTdRl-tIvpbimuOmALkK_79bPTDAiL_z0HUxjf0hKGbZKEKfffuzqFr-Reen-e3w3CH4KMqLIVMdvSbtDlUwSxePsmEfjhCZzFB_YnMEqb9G8RGsNhW3q8mI1uIdnhumvD2DnRnXmm9AkKKdaF3lOd_J2g1ZHvLkNBTmSg3DMDSbORFug/s1000/view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4W6UeFE51pTdRl-tIvpbimuOmALkK_79bPTDAiL_z0HUxjf0hKGbZKEKfffuzqFr-Reen-e3w3CH4KMqLIVMdvSbtDlUwSxePsmEfjhCZzFB_YnMEqb9G8RGsNhW3q8mI1uIdnhumvD2DnRnXmm9AkKKdaF3lOd_J2g1ZHvLkNBTmSg3DMDSbORFug/s320/view.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A sea view from the bedroom = tick.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A friend suggested visiting The Minack Theatre so I checked
out what was on and it seemed the gods were smiling on us because Fisherman’s
Friends were playing towards the end of our stay.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Very randomly given his life long love
of loud rock/metal, Himself loves Fisherman’s Friends (as do I) so it was a no
brainer. I logged on to buy tickets only to find they weren’t going on sale for
a few weeks. I stuck a note in my work calendar for the date and when that
popped up at 9am logged onto their website again. The tickets didn’t go on sale
until 10am, so at 10am I logged in again. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Lordy, it was like getting tickets for
Glastonbury or something similar! It was literally seconds past 10am and I couldn't get on, when I did manage to connect I was
64<sup>th</sup> in the queue, by the time I was 1<sup>st</sup> the evening
performance had sold out on the day we wanted. Thankfully, I managed to snag two
tickets for the matinee, which we decided was actually a better option given
that the weather and travel arrangements were uncertain. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>This was all before Dad died so as it turned out the time
away was very much needed by both of us when the beginning of May finally
arrived.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Thursday before we were due to leave, I was at my pilates
class and one of the other ladies was talking about going on holiday the next
week. She said she was having to get her son to drive them because of the train strikes. Eek. I
checked when I got home, and sure enough there was a strike for the day we were
due to travel home. Bollocks. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We couldn’t leave a day
early because that was when we have our Minack tickets, so instead we decided to
book an extra day but in Penzance and leave from there, as it’s where the trains
begin. The Premier Inn by the station was full, so after some hunting I managed
to find a lovely B&B for 1 night.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> They then announced additional strikes.
SIGH.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I rang the B&B to see if we could do an extra night, but
they were fully booked. They very kindly suggested somewhere else, and
thankfully I managed to snag their last room for both nights. Whilst I will say
I support the strikes wholeheartedly; I could have done without them right at
this particular time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Our journey down was painless, the hill up to our apartment
was not! </p><p class="MsoNormal">It being every bit as tough as I remembered from previous visits to St
Ives, but well worth it for the sea views. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We unpacked, had a drink, and
headed out to stretch our legs and reacquaint ourselves with the town. We bought
chips for dinner which we ate sat on a wall watching the sea, before calling in
at the Co-op for a few provisions towards breakfast and a bottle of wine for
that night. They were reducing stock so we also ended up with an apple pie and
tub of custard for less than £2 for both!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbAB1u8_l1JqicN-DG3UQ_2v_WqblZPow0TJ765MIVunCGeMPrrgjf--NYCRgPXV6_zlHe17jsnnTfF4e3Y_Se-Rv9UscO2i_42wB_C8hAmMqYDIM5x1UKHx9T9II-WR21CRVXRFgmyWUbIeFbYclYu3I0R5knf6D1FWUhl01JvMuNVvpovkYyXS7Zg/s1000/view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbAB1u8_l1JqicN-DG3UQ_2v_WqblZPow0TJ765MIVunCGeMPrrgjf--NYCRgPXV6_zlHe17jsnnTfF4e3Y_Se-Rv9UscO2i_42wB_C8hAmMqYDIM5x1UKHx9T9II-WR21CRVXRFgmyWUbIeFbYclYu3I0R5knf6D1FWUhl01JvMuNVvpovkYyXS7Zg/s320/view2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I have to say it was lovely to not have to wake up early for
a hotel breakfast. It was the Coronation that day, so after waking up late we ate
breakfast in bed watching some of it on TV.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We then took the opportunity to
walk to the Tesco on the outskirts of town and do a food shop for the week whilst it was
quiet. It was a glorious morning; they had set up a big screen on the seawall
and people were watching from the beach, all set for the day with picnics and
deckchairs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fVYXJBlGMtxP0-WSV922x2m4Y_7UV-Znn_6Dn2Bu_WBBfWw02C5Hd1YiCj8-xtvFxoALUEgxC1719l3uz0iNI61PrhME0qFwoyWCFgWMp3LurmUR334lDHGlhd2fBaILGjeXdj-sGARvOarhKZvvcI-LGK-O8QgFLdTexEj2h_MgMdn5xu5g2G4QhQ/s1000/corn01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1000" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fVYXJBlGMtxP0-WSV922x2m4Y_7UV-Znn_6Dn2Bu_WBBfWw02C5Hd1YiCj8-xtvFxoALUEgxC1719l3uz0iNI61PrhME0qFwoyWCFgWMp3LurmUR334lDHGlhd2fBaILGjeXdj-sGARvOarhKZvvcI-LGK-O8QgFLdTexEj2h_MgMdn5xu5g2G4QhQ/s320/corn01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">what a view, you can't help but feel your cares lift.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoVTG7wTnTjyqyKy8Y8eaGQOa9KEMEUWdkauRTwnlzVoSm1D7HtiKh-W0kLrfNW3dFSUJxfpIpU1NN1EatvrqJrqvnrU_5cKDoJ5fSzUAbIrd-6mNZDynTfEK95lKCJUK3VT369JviVg21PZV6qp4zcgck1TpJjKs4H6XI4eOsHPw04mYCVoeG0IiKg/s1000/corn02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoVTG7wTnTjyqyKy8Y8eaGQOa9KEMEUWdkauRTwnlzVoSm1D7HtiKh-W0kLrfNW3dFSUJxfpIpU1NN1EatvrqJrqvnrU_5cKDoJ5fSzUAbIrd-6mNZDynTfEK95lKCJUK3VT369JviVg21PZV6qp4zcgck1TpJjKs4H6XI4eOsHPw04mYCVoeG0IiKg/s320/corn02.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY5qk48F6jJ7cfYACGz8K443i33RC-j0a1J5KFhVgBnJlbnr_zT19Ub4GIqjh8tKP3v710-h6eqT3mwRWcjpoaPtuzvyNkz7bNmYb7A8X7SsTDAOrQE1tp8pHbvjiocxZBS1LVZpFGrVlq-Mv-c6IMB-K6VhjRIKQGEKmAmHYxuYCPhSPGvhVRqG_Zg/s1000/corn03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY5qk48F6jJ7cfYACGz8K443i33RC-j0a1J5KFhVgBnJlbnr_zT19Ub4GIqjh8tKP3v710-h6eqT3mwRWcjpoaPtuzvyNkz7bNmYb7A8X7SsTDAOrQE1tp8pHbvjiocxZBS1LVZpFGrVlq-Mv-c6IMB-K6VhjRIKQGEKmAmHYxuYCPhSPGvhVRqG_Zg/s320/corn03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">We did a leisurely food shop and caught a taxi back, as neither of
us could face that hill laden with heavy bags!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By the time we had packed it away and had some lunch, the
weather had made one of the sudden and dramatic changes Cornwall is known for. A
thick sea fog was rolling in blanketing everything in its path. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnznJN-0-B8WZR5RqJI1SkoqKFbD56FUXY4gNVnGPlryRsvagwfVyl0DvpbvaRPdIsXbD_RL8sCgESGf6xJ8g76bksgnRiv9s6SpR3Dgi9Dn0dsykjUA8-zORIWsmdCvM2sHSXXh9T7FEU8cISPWijW8D0vQt-BYDcGKJEAZ-NwM8s7t4XM_lbU0bf0w/s1000/corn04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnznJN-0-B8WZR5RqJI1SkoqKFbD56FUXY4gNVnGPlryRsvagwfVyl0DvpbvaRPdIsXbD_RL8sCgESGf6xJ8g76bksgnRiv9s6SpR3Dgi9Dn0dsykjUA8-zORIWsmdCvM2sHSXXh9T7FEU8cISPWijW8D0vQt-BYDcGKJEAZ-NwM8s7t4XM_lbU0bf0w/s320/corn04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">We had planned
to go for a walk along the clifftop towards Zennor and decided to still go. I’m
so glad we did. It was incredibly atmospheric, feeling at times like you were
literally on the edge of the world.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU3RtCLYOODNh5goLTuoJKQ5oPf_i2YOgZiXOP05ykinmKrPnqtPDHpAvSpU3Z2uANt24wFGHfHDJ_rLBgxLSt1L6u5InmwAOKQGeirz3DVYQyp4N6-QQh02sc7Vi_unlQZ7zGUBnWET9l3F7tatkpl02ukkLSB5NCKXpr5airLoMCbmGceX8V2Q2DA/s1000/corn05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1000" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU3RtCLYOODNh5goLTuoJKQ5oPf_i2YOgZiXOP05ykinmKrPnqtPDHpAvSpU3Z2uANt24wFGHfHDJ_rLBgxLSt1L6u5InmwAOKQGeirz3DVYQyp4N6-QQh02sc7Vi_unlQZ7zGUBnWET9l3F7tatkpl02ukkLSB5NCKXpr5airLoMCbmGceX8V2Q2DA/s320/corn05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm20rkHnaL64xgIcMuxGLDUgPJ-I9TM_T1FViqxbpvvHyxjYlpHDJtFXcGYs_6aHyf0eLXcazFB0xBg6-fTHvr9QmgSMBQz17DVc9TfISBJHqsclYsrctj_ZO2hMvfmo4ZA7kWhYEBmyIX0kXr0giCY0TrSIdGYHvzgSNcg4g-GplKJcKl5GEMpSjAA/s1000/corn09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1000" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm20rkHnaL64xgIcMuxGLDUgPJ-I9TM_T1FViqxbpvvHyxjYlpHDJtFXcGYs_6aHyf0eLXcazFB0xBg6-fTHvr9QmgSMBQz17DVc9TfISBJHqsclYsrctj_ZO2hMvfmo4ZA7kWhYEBmyIX0kXr0giCY0TrSIdGYHvzgSNcg4g-GplKJcKl5GEMpSjAA/s320/corn09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">We cut back inland and came into St Ives via
a route we had never been before.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF8QKJBhmi8r25Sb8vqbNrUd5J0g63EmGyJrxUz3oe8RZlCajvBW_O_ILshGPrZMSINtm247KJf0n4QKXMYfoL0f3SjksU9iaFVgRJi0mPnkk3OBNk0vNHxftBCS2cHhhI1fS29DpGcRLwewDFovOCh_QMMOlTz7QfMBfGBcPVhSzn-7ULaGgqxg7rw/s1000/corn14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF8QKJBhmi8r25Sb8vqbNrUd5J0g63EmGyJrxUz3oe8RZlCajvBW_O_ILshGPrZMSINtm247KJf0n4QKXMYfoL0f3SjksU9iaFVgRJi0mPnkk3OBNk0vNHxftBCS2cHhhI1fS29DpGcRLwewDFovOCh_QMMOlTz7QfMBfGBcPVhSzn-7ULaGgqxg7rw/s320/corn14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>We awoke the following day to glorious sunshine and clear skies, so we decided
to walk the cliffs in the other direction to Lelant. The previous time we did
this route I was not only just getting back into walking but also tackled the walk
with a mammoth hangover to boot. I managed the 4 miles there, but had to catch
the bus back. This time we walked both ways. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCI_bt5KhxAPbRkz6tx2TZd1rvcqvT7Hx06fVwcxX0NnYbx6tjwd__34UQBkgpUYmyYflIN_dEFJdOcrrBsJLugqqf9WGW7GQV3sAurhsXV0q5p9TQL0Jep87afJ4OlnrwK9S1UsmGav078WNq4Sa_F8YOGwtwsjXSkEihGuiMQChYtdiBh8zIOF8LQ/s1000/lelant02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCI_bt5KhxAPbRkz6tx2TZd1rvcqvT7Hx06fVwcxX0NnYbx6tjwd__34UQBkgpUYmyYflIN_dEFJdOcrrBsJLugqqf9WGW7GQV3sAurhsXV0q5p9TQL0Jep87afJ4OlnrwK9S1UsmGav078WNq4Sa_F8YOGwtwsjXSkEihGuiMQChYtdiBh8zIOF8LQ/s320/lelant02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcvVW8LHD5T1yw3m23XwKOTq82XZkEHc0loFYXQ0deUFz6hYINf4ipeaibmpUrnj6f0rFWoNRDFf2-FrcZ0Bn8pT5LiqXHkk2bVEJXfuwc0Q9XDvbbe82tR2r1tnJ-xfsAx-ab8n5R6tReSkYgMiSeWFSdEGKI8f99FnhaA8sFpgIqkZ2hlPYMfmx6w/s1000/lelant10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcvVW8LHD5T1yw3m23XwKOTq82XZkEHc0loFYXQ0deUFz6hYINf4ipeaibmpUrnj6f0rFWoNRDFf2-FrcZ0Bn8pT5LiqXHkk2bVEJXfuwc0Q9XDvbbe82tR2r1tnJ-xfsAx-ab8n5R6tReSkYgMiSeWFSdEGKI8f99FnhaA8sFpgIqkZ2hlPYMfmx6w/s320/lelant10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzWhABLxfiBO8NMI8lndDCv_WM3QuP-8KYWpzbDKXjzxgzT016qmRSfzogFHWOCNvokc_X3p7fEYHakknH_nOII9TZ4FB2mJbgBMwZWYEq6RLupdFwDd6lpaUoV3-z26BaV_yPEz3oSTaWDuyLt7QDpY5PgRVE_LeNDw1QSTC3rzsQcqlYmTxl1knyA/s1000/lelant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzWhABLxfiBO8NMI8lndDCv_WM3QuP-8KYWpzbDKXjzxgzT016qmRSfzogFHWOCNvokc_X3p7fEYHakknH_nOII9TZ4FB2mJbgBMwZWYEq6RLupdFwDd6lpaUoV3-z26BaV_yPEz3oSTaWDuyLt7QDpY5PgRVE_LeNDw1QSTC3rzsQcqlYmTxl1knyA/s320/lelant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">We called into the same pub as we
had then, The Badger Inn in Lelant. Only this time I enjoyed a pint of local
cider rather than nursing a diet coke and wondering if I might throw up. </p><p class="MsoNormal">They
were doing a roaring trade in Sunday lunches but thankfully we managed to find a
table. Whilst coming back from the ladies I spotted one of those racks of
leaflets for local attractions and picked one up called ‘Pirates’. Long term
readers of this blog may remember I am a bit of a fan of a pirate, so it looked
right up my street. The exhibition was at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> We
knew the weather the next day was forecast to be wet so had been thinking about
catching the bus or train to somewhere, that somewhere quickly turned out to be
Falmouth and the Maritime Museum! With me saying I know this is your holiday,
but… I REALLY want to do this. </p><p class="MsoNormal">When we got back to the apartment, google showed
us that you can catch a train to Falmouth, there are a couple of changes but it
still was quite a short journey, so tickets were purchased and I was a happy
bunny. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Monday indeed dawned cold and grey. We walked to the station
and by the time we made it to Falmouth it was drizzling. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW1RuU4JcII0qX1kryfHT_f7QLUgGRz6XrFBZzTabcDO5dQgflvfQpsg7k8vymCCNk3_9NCXQ4FL7WdfHvqzNeouxoPCPdXDMy_VkuPs-z1md2tSq7swcaApMdyr19omabJDvLailpQ1MaWbQSSuJS8IZlyk3gKp6kNziOH8kCQGG302pbSr_utH32Q/s1000/falm02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="541" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW1RuU4JcII0qX1kryfHT_f7QLUgGRz6XrFBZzTabcDO5dQgflvfQpsg7k8vymCCNk3_9NCXQ4FL7WdfHvqzNeouxoPCPdXDMy_VkuPs-z1md2tSq7swcaApMdyr19omabJDvLailpQ1MaWbQSSuJS8IZlyk3gKp6kNziOH8kCQGG302pbSr_utH32Q/s320/falm02.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><div>The museum is smallish
but absolutely fascinating. We mooched until it was out allotted time for
Pirates. </div><div>The exhibition started with famous depictions of pirates from TV and
film , followed by depictions in book, which was fine, but I did find myself
hoping that wasn’t all there was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFku3upElu51DkcY02RdVQkzUCITribvKAw18z7gJeJo7T-iqYv2PFIeuJqmuMP1VkfMy16tdzCNCJnCLzPsFyIyHvXuIYLG5oXxOjDhYnlqfPeC0evx-pLhgG3gXPhI5gfHrFDVbkVehi9iL0wK8CZe-VKW644UOiHKhMDP6MgcbmkyWmIESOCVEXA/s1000/falm09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFku3upElu51DkcY02RdVQkzUCITribvKAw18z7gJeJo7T-iqYv2PFIeuJqmuMP1VkfMy16tdzCNCJnCLzPsFyIyHvXuIYLG5oXxOjDhYnlqfPeC0evx-pLhgG3gXPhI5gfHrFDVbkVehi9iL0wK8CZe-VKW644UOiHKhMDP6MgcbmkyWmIESOCVEXA/s320/falm09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>It was also pretty full of children ( I had
forgotten it was a bank holiday!) Thankfully the second half of the exhibition
was all about real life pirates, this was more like it and I was quickly
engrossed. </div><div>With hindsight it made sense to seize the attention of and entertain the
kids in the first section.</div><div><br /></div><div> Because I always find an elephant!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-9sxrjEDxbMAusMr3zE2DVgUOJtRqFHCjGjD3dRtSTgUdTk90MhsXDunqlRLT1UyywYT_g9ABP3avf4c7htWu2J9qwkQuRZ1ylUXW28pANvFns7UQqlE0bp2Dd6zNtrlkEJLaulrHPEIHhvQnU1fMsmc86XOJxvsEHAEezldQ4RyH-k_hf0tzv_vXA/s1000/falm10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1000" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-9sxrjEDxbMAusMr3zE2DVgUOJtRqFHCjGjD3dRtSTgUdTk90MhsXDunqlRLT1UyywYT_g9ABP3avf4c7htWu2J9qwkQuRZ1ylUXW28pANvFns7UQqlE0bp2Dd6zNtrlkEJLaulrHPEIHhvQnU1fMsmc86XOJxvsEHAEezldQ4RyH-k_hf0tzv_vXA/s320/falm10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I particularly loved the different flags and the history of how they came about. I came out wanting
to sew my own! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1cvz2ShoieccVWp2dGh8rJR-vgQod4N6vowGHJT6Uj3trPqczrnESHvpRnECjZVAiFN3bjS1d-BD1npOiF3j_GBTi7vb0FbWaTg2kWu1SQUyNx0IG9ja9hFqdFFWzCtdOxqJ8KYjjQJC0jSJ36qDePPcO1HZVkMNyBIdhN2gpCpp1r6ApRXzgo0ztw/s1000/falm12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1000" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1cvz2ShoieccVWp2dGh8rJR-vgQod4N6vowGHJT6Uj3trPqczrnESHvpRnECjZVAiFN3bjS1d-BD1npOiF3j_GBTi7vb0FbWaTg2kWu1SQUyNx0IG9ja9hFqdFFWzCtdOxqJ8KYjjQJC0jSJ36qDePPcO1HZVkMNyBIdhN2gpCpp1r6ApRXzgo0ztw/s320/falm12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-5JLYAZKrFaICo1wocQ8foPurDjIW88xrhKUs7MgkzpSDeK9k6Z7lfXK27xWZ8woSrYdflwG9--G37R8pb90UcRqY-8edCx9awbIfppDQfKsfT0ubelFV25mBQg-xCxn5MupwEhj87lTD18K1gX3s7x8_i5qYVI2KuQ84wQ5J5qwb2E3NE0ZIXFx-Q/s1000/falm13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1000" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-5JLYAZKrFaICo1wocQ8foPurDjIW88xrhKUs7MgkzpSDeK9k6Z7lfXK27xWZ8woSrYdflwG9--G37R8pb90UcRqY-8edCx9awbIfppDQfKsfT0ubelFV25mBQg-xCxn5MupwEhj87lTD18K1gX3s7x8_i5qYVI2KuQ84wQ5J5qwb2E3NE0ZIXFx-Q/s320/falm13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>I‘m thinking a teacup with crossed teaspoons for one option. </div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>We mooched the rest of the museum. I found the Tattoo gallery particularly interesting, they had run an exhibition in 2015 that
was so popular they had created a smaller permanent gallery. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0gR4MzUyW24pbq8qgk05VHVHM23b9kKzKmoKM9IJveW0zpQizVv75-KIkLccyyIo_LsSUXxajUIk-iJ0OXAtyPxx8L99DJIPCRtAP40HtNcN0AYNsP06t0dfeXVU7gKYr2mKwwxcyNqFZm_d3Cmorl_vr-C2ZziryhMaxggYW-UK0TCM1F40XGILyg/s1024/Webwallofflash-1024x678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0gR4MzUyW24pbq8qgk05VHVHM23b9kKzKmoKM9IJveW0zpQizVv75-KIkLccyyIo_LsSUXxajUIk-iJ0OXAtyPxx8L99DJIPCRtAP40HtNcN0AYNsP06t0dfeXVU7gKYr2mKwwxcyNqFZm_d3Cmorl_vr-C2ZziryhMaxggYW-UK0TCM1F40XGILyg/s320/Webwallofflash-1024x678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The sculpture of an
Easter Island head made from particles of plastic beach pollution was
particularly sobering.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8N_ud4SkGg32O2Vo1UCK5xbuvLSg5NQGEcEjUEW-YWu6a52sT_ORutE9JCJr9kLbxIn7niq9x1YiJqtAABzZj7c-PPCQVH6exnEvXCupZzj9eqs6tNFrM_MKmHDdle1XbDkZSKyzsrTlbAGdnfAlVibk6uBI3zpxiBIZhxTQGtVIakp6KJBpwtlAvw/s1000/falm15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="878" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8N_ud4SkGg32O2Vo1UCK5xbuvLSg5NQGEcEjUEW-YWu6a52sT_ORutE9JCJr9kLbxIn7niq9x1YiJqtAABzZj7c-PPCQVH6exnEvXCupZzj9eqs6tNFrM_MKmHDdle1XbDkZSKyzsrTlbAGdnfAlVibk6uBI3zpxiBIZhxTQGtVIakp6KJBpwtlAvw/s320/falm15.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Once we had had our fill and both made a purchase in the gift
shop, we decided to have a look in the town, get a drink and maybe something to eat. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Once we got
outside it was clear the weather had got dramatically worse. The rain was coming
down in biblical fashion. It didn't ease up it didn't stop. We looked in a few shops and ended up diving into Costa for a hot drink, absolutely soaked within about 20 minutes despite umbrellas.</p><p class="MsoNormal">It was so miserable we decided to just head home for hot showers and dry clothes. </p><p class="MsoNormal">In fact the rain was so bad it caused areas of severe flooding in Devon and Cornwall and made the national news! When we got to Penzance the owners of the B&B we stayed in said the water was like a river running down their road and in all the years they had lived there they had never seen it like that, climate change is real people.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Anyway we were very grateful to get in, get changed and chill with a glass of wine, our clothes and boots steaming in front of the radiator. </p><p class="MsoNormal">My purchase from the museum was this pilchard on wheels. It just made me laugh and every time I look at it I can't help smiling. In my book that is a keeper when it comes to an ornament. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY3_1qiMt4sf2svotWyudhyyMdFtD4tz0JzNm9KMkamw8g_wgad5wn3Hwk-py3lfsOm0fXhVhcqkPGRNzEmNobwrdEPWu83ESMHzPQIlsYO9E2KP6dUJZ0gpXikZpY9KsYIy9fyj4LStlqudvXLYnqpA82FH_PJHFugqz7dQM8QZLO44L6fVIUgPkgg/s1000/fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="1000" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY3_1qiMt4sf2svotWyudhyyMdFtD4tz0JzNm9KMkamw8g_wgad5wn3Hwk-py3lfsOm0fXhVhcqkPGRNzEmNobwrdEPWu83ESMHzPQIlsYO9E2KP6dUJZ0gpXikZpY9KsYIy9fyj4LStlqudvXLYnqpA82FH_PJHFugqz7dQM8QZLO44L6fVIUgPkgg/s320/fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">My other purchase was this hanging seahorse. Love at first sight, I just need to find the right spot for it....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLgte11WBazHe9F4IiaHGLt6yg3XTRHx3KeKxNdCLWGjqpex6TnfCYq65oa2EgPrgdmgcYrOhwG4XA-I5iPyaFljJunBoGvpapfIHOKZmMusGJ3omA5eRwN__WouV5k2l4EHh-VIVu-Y4m3F6hm55MbOJ-uwjYf1N-pyCteI7GQJDj8oywrA3TEXYxw/s1000/fish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLgte11WBazHe9F4IiaHGLt6yg3XTRHx3KeKxNdCLWGjqpex6TnfCYq65oa2EgPrgdmgcYrOhwG4XA-I5iPyaFljJunBoGvpapfIHOKZmMusGJ3omA5eRwN__WouV5k2l4EHh-VIVu-Y4m3F6hm55MbOJ-uwjYf1N-pyCteI7GQJDj8oywrA3TEXYxw/s320/fish1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">More to follow, including a book signing, epic walks and Fisherman's Friends. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-66743597498179808532023-06-07T14:43:00.000-07:002023-06-07T14:43:42.986-07:00Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue.<p class="MsoNormal">Well, this is not the blog post I had planned to write.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had something all set for the end of January but
unfortunately my Dad’s health took a turn for the worst and he ended up in
hospital. He was in for a week, and other than on the day he went in, we weren't allowed to visit. They couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong and were worried he
was infectious, so he was in isolation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It turned out to be sepsis and to add insult to injury,
literally, the ambulance crew managed to get the trolley stuck trying to load it
into the lift at the care home and accidentally broke his shoulder whilst they
were freeing it. Not good. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Protocol meant Social Services were informed and procedures
had to be gone through, but finally they let Mum visit and eventually Dad was out
of hospital. </p><p class="MsoNormal">He was doing well, eating and refusing to wear his sling (so the
care home had to come up with ingenious ways to keep it on!) but all this on top
of relentless work deadlines meant blogging was low on the list of my
priorities during February. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By the beginning of March Dad’s health unexpectedly went dramatically down
hill again. My Brother and Sister-in-Law were due to go on their lockdown
postponed, 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary cruise, and I was due to be in Munich for
work immediately followed by a trip to Durham for a 50<sup>th</sup> birthday
party.In the end I decided I couldn’t be away at the same time as
them just in case, and cancelled Munich and Durham.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> So instead of talking to prospective
students I sat next to my Dad’s bedside for the day whilst Mum read him Harry
Potter. The next day I decided I was in need of some space and some air to
breathe. I went for a walk to clear my head and as I was heading home Mum called to say Dad was
gone. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My Brother was in the middle of the ocean unreachable, Himself was isolating having tested positive for covid, and my Mum
was in no fit state. Which left me to head home with my Mum and begin all that
hard life admin. For someone who will always shy away from things, or put them
off for as long as possible it was a hell of a baptism.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I have to say Nephew Number One was an absolute star and
helped with some things like clearing Dad’s room at the care home but otherwise
it was an awful week. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was a 5-week delay until we could have the funeral, so
we were in a bit of limbo really. Other than wanting a cremation and saying he
wanted the service to be a short, sweet celebration and choosing 3 pieces of music Dad
hadn’t left any instructions. He had always been a keen advocate of recycling
and sustainability, so we went with a wicker coffin and just one floral display. Asking instead for donations to the local air ambulance, a charity he had always
supported. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Dad had chosen Beethoven’s 6<sup>th</sup> symphony, music from Harry
Potter and Red, Red Wine by Neil Diamond. After much discussion, my brother and I added Endeavour’s
Theme. Dad always loved Morse and Endeavour, and independently to each other it
seems we are both reminded of him when we hear the theme music. We finished with
Barwick Green, or The Archer’s theme tune, another thing Dad enjoyed listening
to and a joyous piece of music that summed him up to a tee. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the way to the crematorium a single spitfire suddenly
appeared and looped the loop in the glorious blue, sun filled sky above us. It felt
like a sign. </p><p class="MsoNormal">My Dad joined the R.A.F at 15 and it was his life. My Nan told the
story of taking Dad as a baby with her when she went hop picking during the war. As the
Battle of Britain raged in the sky above him, my Dad toddled out and stood open
mouthed with wonder watching the dog fights overhead, apparently completely
oblivious as shrapnel rained down around him until someone dashed out from where
they were sheltering and snatched him back to safety. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14oCTxo23xB9-AhV0X-JOMYlJeBNeHiE9HWHn9jRvm_q7lTHn5dsQWNKOtWxprK6SKP5-MJoHgr91zIInzrBEb1xtlT9z_S_otVnMHx3jAn3yRcD4onw3LkODoY5o-PvWNRqfiA3CgJjAk1Of7ZBtLnJXtSZe5qiCRqjmEDoPGN0sJ7PxWf-eFWexGw/s2048/Dad4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14oCTxo23xB9-AhV0X-JOMYlJeBNeHiE9HWHn9jRvm_q7lTHn5dsQWNKOtWxprK6SKP5-MJoHgr91zIInzrBEb1xtlT9z_S_otVnMHx3jAn3yRcD4onw3LkODoY5o-PvWNRqfiA3CgJjAk1Of7ZBtLnJXtSZe5qiCRqjmEDoPGN0sJ7PxWf-eFWexGw/s320/Dad4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> As a teenage apprentice engine fitter <br /><p class="MsoNormal">He joined up as soon as he
could and only left when he had to retire, going straight back to the same job
the next day as a civil servant until he was 65. He started out as an engine fitter before training as a navigator, then further training as special air crew, finishing 'flying a desk' organising flypasts and airshows. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvurWVRa8He-Uh2ml8bl5_5QzSBnMjgWjiDXE3peS9gDTawmIduikmVrX-bGVJFL8DIJTz24ZeaRWFATGNMcWTzfUrWl_HRoKrFUUyLmtQHUkH4SPAAWJojxtKGDJzB71ub-uVOm8KLGPPtInj1vym640b9m3OCZt1vDUK234vlF2Ebjee1Oqe9gAwA/s1189/dad3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1189" data-original-width="921" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvurWVRa8He-Uh2ml8bl5_5QzSBnMjgWjiDXE3peS9gDTawmIduikmVrX-bGVJFL8DIJTz24ZeaRWFATGNMcWTzfUrWl_HRoKrFUUyLmtQHUkH4SPAAWJojxtKGDJzB71ub-uVOm8KLGPPtInj1vym640b9m3OCZt1vDUK234vlF2Ebjee1Oqe9gAwA/s320/dad3.jpg" width="248" /></a></div> On his retirement he was given a flight in the last airworthy Lancaster, the smile says it all.<div> <p class="MsoNormal">It was a beautiful funeral, but I have to say the day broke
me. I think the long wait until the day was part of it, but also I was a self confessed Daddy’s girl as a child. As an adult we stayed extremely close, he was my sounding board, my rock and I miss him dreadfully. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So yes, since then I have had good days and bad days. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Work has been relentlessly shit this year too, but at the
moment I don’t seem to have the energy to do anything about that other than plod
on through that. One thing at atime.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>Anyway, I have been feeling like getting back to blogging, so normal service will be resumed, it might still be sporadic
but then to be fair that has been the case for a while now.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4KvbdTs7gamJhl0a--CN9zmXKTIQMhq5huVI-4RKXIzyEXdilPF9k4xTw5pzezoa_HyhX7Ailv7X1PXGE8mZcBvfs1jcHwnfaTppKLjQxRpfoGIm3IAQQAKRQ4uAyAyOaL8PZMerOeHrQdiu0NSydirRWlWdt7FYR9P6KG4dsCPOuWft5k-Z_IAVPg/s1000/dad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4KvbdTs7gamJhl0a--CN9zmXKTIQMhq5huVI-4RKXIzyEXdilPF9k4xTw5pzezoa_HyhX7Ailv7X1PXGE8mZcBvfs1jcHwnfaTppKLjQxRpfoGIm3IAQQAKRQ4uAyAyOaL8PZMerOeHrQdiu0NSydirRWlWdt7FYR9P6KG4dsCPOuWft5k-Z_IAVPg/s320/dad1.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><br /> My favourite pictures of Dad as a young man.<p></p></div>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-62237601486698288312023-01-16T13:00:00.000-08:002023-01-16T13:00:46.205-08:00December and all that.<p> Firstly, a belated very Happy New Year.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As ever my January is proving to be completely crazy workwise
(and socially too where I am trying to fit in things that had to be rearranged
from December.) so I’m later than I would have liked with this post. I have to
say the ongoing train strikes certainly curtailed my social life in December,
which for some activities was a bit disappointing, but as I support the strikes
100%, well, it was what it was. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I was certainly delighted to be given an excuse
not to have to go to my work Christmas party! I did go to my departmental
Christmas lunch, which was followed by a festive quiz, but otherwise was able to
duck out with a valid excuse from any other forced festivities in the workplace.
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The month started fairly dramatically. I got back from my
Pilates class Thursday evening to numerous missed calls on my phone, I had
literally just spotted this when my phone rang again. It was my brother saying
my Dad had been taken to hospital and that he was just going to get changed and
grab a quick sandwich, he had also been at a (different) Pilates class. He would
then come and collect me before we drove to collect my Mum, who had had a glass
of wine so couldn’t drive.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have to say for all the chaos going on with the National
Health at the moment thanks to our shit show of a government, I have nothing but
praise for how my Dad, and indeed my Mum and I, were looked after. They are still
only allowing 2 visitors at a time so because my brother had been with my Dad at
the care home until the ambulance arrived, he stayed in the car. </p><p class="MsoNormal">A&E was
absolutely ram packed, with people literally wherever there was space, but the
lady at reception still took the time to come out from behind the desk and show
us where we needed to go. It was just like you see on the news reports, there
were ambulances queued up outside and the corridors were full of people on
trolleys either being treated where they were or waiting to be seen. Luckily for
us Dad had been given a bay and had already had an MRI as soon as he arrived.
The care home had thought he was having another stroke, but his scan apparently
showed no signs of this. So, the conclusion of the specialist was he had either
had a mini stroke or more likely his symptoms were due to a virus. </p><p class="MsoNormal">He had the
nasty cough and cold that had been doing the rounds. He was in good spirits when
we saw him, talking coherently and was even able to describe what had
happened. We stayed until the stroke registrar had seen him, done some more
tests and agreed that he could go home. Initially we were going to wait until
the transport had come for him, but in the end, we left at about 12.45am as my
brother and I both had work the next day. As it turns out it was a good job we
didn’t wait because the transport didn’t come until 6am! </p><p class="MsoNormal">I went to see Dad the
next afternoon and he was shattered bless him, but otherwise fine. Himself and
I went to see Dad again on the Sunday too, he was still tired and coughing but
otherwise quite cheerful. We sat eating cake and watched the original Clash of
the Titans film on TV, which we all enjoyed. I remember going to see it at the
cinema with some school friends when it first came out!</p><p class="MsoNormal">On the Saturday I went over to Witney with Soo, to meet our
friend Melissa for a mooch round the shops and a long lazy lunch. We had a lovely
day, it was so good to catch up with Melissa and I finished the last bits of my
Christmas shopping whilst there, so that was a bonus. I also went out for a
lovely long boozy lunch with my friends Simon, Liz and Carole the next week. I
wore the lovely Monsoon black embroidered blouse bought in Birmingham. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I had to
go into the office on the 19<sup>th</sup> to meet some prospective students, so
I took the opportunity to have lunch with Charlotte and give her her Christmas pressie whilst in
Oxford.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Himself had spotted they had re-released The Muppets Christmas
Carol at the cinema. It was a restored version with a song they took out for the original video release back in place it so we had to go. Himself is a huge fan of the film anyway and it’s one of the ones we
always watch over the holidays. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7zGyxreFefHxbTQAR27BScytGeeAi3mz8YI4crgKjIIZ-NICFIc7kg9AC-kXaUuri2N0M1CFGmR4KXsWM5Y243snOc5xhMoaokp3ruIS9qOyieA_s397r9u4vz1HRji6BJy1bEJLo2BpJp0cC0tuLeeoNtHkhFAQpN1Jauayz7fLot8Ar5DUGwyV2Q/s1180/d23-to-host-anniversary-celebration-for-the-muppet-christmas-carol-at-museum-of-the-moving-image-in-new-york.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1180" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7zGyxreFefHxbTQAR27BScytGeeAi3mz8YI4crgKjIIZ-NICFIc7kg9AC-kXaUuri2N0M1CFGmR4KXsWM5Y243snOc5xhMoaokp3ruIS9qOyieA_s397r9u4vz1HRji6BJy1bEJLo2BpJp0cC0tuLeeoNtHkhFAQpN1Jauayz7fLot8Ar5DUGwyV2Q/s320/d23-to-host-anniversary-celebration-for-the-muppet-christmas-carol-at-museum-of-the-moving-image-in-new-york.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">On the 23<sup>rd</sup> we dropped by Nephew Number One’s
house and delivered their Christmas presents, I was meant to be working but we
were unexpectedly given an extra day of leave = Result! I sat at home and
watched It’s a Wonderful Life instead.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We took Dad out for lunch at Prezzo on Christmas Eve, there
were 9 of us so it was a bit chaotic but good fun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtBxqV2jgeSBVzNbP21XN5VtVZOgvNpLbORZrSVj6-RFoP9zeK7B9QLjWELyF7lbWDxjLj_Ruq0cIa080G5wI2gvhTIBExBXKJzqvLdfS-ONFe3h-65VJIe49qHfqFlFINAMf4bpStqO7wn_pgSE6kWZGd2Cmj_6zQbGJfskMMd2SwKdg2boFY0HRrA/s1000/blogd5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtBxqV2jgeSBVzNbP21XN5VtVZOgvNpLbORZrSVj6-RFoP9zeK7B9QLjWELyF7lbWDxjLj_Ruq0cIa080G5wI2gvhTIBExBXKJzqvLdfS-ONFe3h-65VJIe49qHfqFlFINAMf4bpStqO7wn_pgSE6kWZGd2Cmj_6zQbGJfskMMd2SwKdg2boFY0HRrA/s320/blogd5.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>I wore this dress I bought in the sale from Sugarhill boutique. It looks a bit shapeless on the hanger but was a dream to wear. I know I will get a lot of wear out of it.<div>Once we got home, I watched
the George C Scott version of A Christmas Carol (My favourite version) and drank fizz. </div><div>Christmas
morning, we had a lazy start and opened presents before Mum came round. We
headed home with her for a few days but had to come back for the Wednesday as
Himself had to work between Christmas and New Year. My brother and his wife came over on Boxing day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvGVnaTXeNq9GIQDWWUyJpkyJzDeA_Z6dV8Sgm8fyazszBP8CgSPS1rYPhNRF0COdzy49F6Khjk8s1Z1UbhBdwA6Zhte12oicUGcIEj_xG2V6FFKmuq9oxYsTBlzjN6N0L5Uy_xV53lIRBjAtXQGBu8oUoCjYMtpfigtJ0S2GwFg5ODEfm5JcoH3TuA/s1000/blogd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvGVnaTXeNq9GIQDWWUyJpkyJzDeA_Z6dV8Sgm8fyazszBP8CgSPS1rYPhNRF0COdzy49F6Khjk8s1Z1UbhBdwA6Zhte12oicUGcIEj_xG2V6FFKmuq9oxYsTBlzjN6N0L5Uy_xV53lIRBjAtXQGBu8oUoCjYMtpfigtJ0S2GwFg5ODEfm5JcoH3TuA/s320/blogd1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div>I wore this dress from Seasalt, I had a voucher and it was in the sale so how could I resist?</div><div><br /></div><div>I popped into Oxford to meet
my ex-colleague, Megan on the 28th. I was meant to be meeting her on the
23<sup>rd</sup> but train strikes, so we did the 28<sup>th</sup> instead. </div><div>We met
for hot chocolate at <a href="https://knoops.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAiJSeBhCCARIsAHnAzT-XS-MbSRJ9WMX_8RJCfsNQcTwdS8yyUS4ZTqVGNzGBPSlupYDx4ZoaAnFgEALw_wcB">Knoops</a> as neither of us had been there before. It was
AMAZING. I chose a 65% dark Colombian. I do love a hot chocolate in the winter, but never buy it when out because I find generic café hot chocolate way too
sweet. </div><div>The fact that at Knoops you can choose either white, milk or dark, and
then a strength percentage is just inspired, I also love how they describe them
like wines on their menu. </div><div>It’s super busy all the time and quite small but
luckily Megan and her partner Aaron had found a table in a corner as it was
pouring with rain that day. Well let’s face it when hasn’t it been pouring with
rain lately? But I digress. It was so lovely to catch up with them both and
after a couple of hours we went our separate ways. I dived into a couple of
shops I specifically wanted to look in and M&S which I hadn’t planned on, and
where of course I bought a dress and a cardigan in the sales! and then headed home. <p class="MsoNormal">On the 31<sup>st</sup> Himself suggested going over to
Reading to look round the shops. I haven’t been shopping there since well before
lockdown and we had thought of going before Christmas, but, train strikes. The
main place I wanted to go to as I had spotted something in the window when we
went to the Garth Marenghi show last month was shut sadly so we headed into the
main town centre. It hadn’t changed much and we did some browsing. I bought some
bits from the haberdashery department in John Lewis but Himself’s main point of
call was HMV. I wanted to see if they had a Detectorists boxset (they did so I
bought it) I then ambled over to where he was browsing the Metal section in the
CDs. The first thing I saw was an album by a band called TNT which I still have
on vinyl somewhere and I hadn’t seen for over 30 years, good grief there’s a
blast from the past thought I.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I won’t bore you with names of bands you have
likely never heard of but I then spotted another and another, it was honestly
like someone had taken notes of my vinyl collection in the late 80’s. I mean I
was an avid, avid collector back in the day, and some of these were pretty
obscure to say the least! The best bit was the majority of them were £7-£8.
Himself actually left me to it and ambled off to the shopping centre toilets as
I feverishly flipping through from A-Z, and ended up heading to the tills with an
armful of cds! I have to say I have had a blissful couple of weeks playing the
likes of Y&T, King Kobra, Armoured Saint, Helloween and Danny Wilde. On
closer inspection they were all re-mastered rereleases by a company called Rock
Candy. So, I now have their website bookmarked for further updates. My poor wallet. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had planned to go for a walk and a drink at our favourite
pub The Fleur de Leys on New Year’s Eve but it absolutely poured with rain all day, so
instead we pootled about at home. I hate new year anyway so I’m always happy to
stay in. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">New Year’s day it had finally stopped raining, so late
morning we went for our cancelled walk from the day before. Himself suggested we
call in at the Fleur, would it be open I asked? He looked at me like I was
insane and said “Of COURSE it will be open!” I had to point out that back in my
pub going days I used to go out on NY Eve and was invariably in bed dying on NY
Day so didn’t know such things.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Anyway, he was proved right it was open and doing a
roaring trade in late breakfasts. We only planned on having one pint and managed
to nab a table from a group of 4 people with assorted musical instruments who were
moving to a bigger table that had opened up in the corner. As we drank, a steady
trickle of people with some manner of instrument case or another arrived and
sure enough a jam started. It was an eclectic mix of sea shanties and traditional local folk
tunes, mostly without singing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5s2OJU9IZtLlc-JJMkzL0iDOgx5_ENnOQKOkNCPuUn0-QiamKPAZLVTuE1jyKd1DXuqFEbRsv_98tFKBLompqIWhYMa4EgihGsmGL4blnM4ecEM5wXaSZ_ptSonqsBDdXTXR892Ev-CK-izq8-tflOmI0FeE_A1oNpTRRTq6lPt3zJkXZatFMp0hrw/s1000/blogd7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5s2OJU9IZtLlc-JJMkzL0iDOgx5_ENnOQKOkNCPuUn0-QiamKPAZLVTuE1jyKd1DXuqFEbRsv_98tFKBLompqIWhYMa4EgihGsmGL4blnM4ecEM5wXaSZ_ptSonqsBDdXTXR892Ev-CK-izq8-tflOmI0FeE_A1oNpTRRTq6lPt3zJkXZatFMp0hrw/s320/blogd7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4tgc8pdyu1YLtDFnrdxTH1yKi82wNANkFhypXhYqotT_vhFgzXj-Y0sBYFDs5zF1URVYKwxn4KiK7gaCIPR67RFJHwY9bUiiBFeCf06UXt5w7KWuAx7FlU-D0JPRrvrJAmQWzOmd-zaNfe8w8Tr5rpnCraFi51qhguArIOlrPVYxKmVqV2TiIeWRKw/s800/blogd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="800" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4tgc8pdyu1YLtDFnrdxTH1yKi82wNANkFhypXhYqotT_vhFgzXj-Y0sBYFDs5zF1URVYKwxn4KiK7gaCIPR67RFJHwY9bUiiBFeCf06UXt5w7KWuAx7FlU-D0JPRrvrJAmQWzOmd-zaNfe8w8Tr5rpnCraFi51qhguArIOlrPVYxKmVqV2TiIeWRKw/s320/blogd8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">There was something so cosy and uplifting
about it, so, we bought another drink and another and another. We finally headed
home at 6pm and by then they had taken over the whole bottom end of the pub and
some were even in the corridor to the toilets! An unexpected and thoroughly
delightful way to start the new year.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I got some books for Christmas</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWWtewhzhhMFd_m1MuxTCx7bafDKuaF-eDDErySLbkL-_1w8j0RoEwY68m0XRRen3EcZY6I9J0PyRVfVrg-gVUU5Hl0-Knr4dG-V8oTn4xPMnk5alRLc_Z3V2JqPmfoRtL9sdN1BBqIjQ-K-0pnuZxIzpRzImZGk5svz5VmLbUtTd3sVTheO1-_QapQ/s1000/blogd6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWWtewhzhhMFd_m1MuxTCx7bafDKuaF-eDDErySLbkL-_1w8j0RoEwY68m0XRRen3EcZY6I9J0PyRVfVrg-gVUU5Hl0-Knr4dG-V8oTn4xPMnk5alRLc_Z3V2JqPmfoRtL9sdN1BBqIjQ-K-0pnuZxIzpRzImZGk5svz5VmLbUtTd3sVTheO1-_QapQ/s320/blogd6.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">which have already been added to the book mountain by my bed.</p><p class="MsoNormal">As usual I will end the post by sharing my reading list from 2022. As you may recall last year I discovered Elly Griffiths and quickly devoured the whole Ruth Galloway series. I was a bit bereft when done so imagine my delight when I discovered she had written another series! </p><p class="MsoNormal">I had set myself the target of 50 books and as mentioned in previous posts 2022 proved a difficult year for my mental health, so I ended up reading more because it's a way of switching off and blocking out the world. I didn't award any 5/5 ratings but I certainly read more 3's and 4's this year.</p><div>The Dead of Winter – Nicola Upson 3</div><div>The Night She Disappeared - Lisa Jewell 3</div><div>A Beautiful Spy – Rachel Hore 2 </div><div>The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books - Martin Edwards 4</div><div>The Life Changing Art of Tidying Up – Marie Kondo 2</div><div>Home Stretch – Graham Norton 3</div><div>The Call of the Curlew – Elizabeth Brooks 2</div><div>Saving Missy – Beth Morrey 3</div><div>The Devil’s Breath – Tessa Harris 3</div><div>Around the World in 80 Cliches – Laura Lees 3 </div><div>Older and Wider : A Survivors Guide to the Menopause – Jenny Eclair 3</div><div>Because of You – Dawn French 3</div><div>Cheddar Gorge, A Book of English Cheeses – Ernest Sheppard 2</div><div>Old Baggage – Lissa Evans 3</div><div>The Midnight Library – Matt Haigh 4</div><div>The Moving Tot Shop – Edwin Crispin 2</div><div>The Man in the Queue – Josephine Tey 1</div><div>The Two Houses – Fran Cooper 3</div><div>Holding the Home Front: The Women’s Land Army in WW1 - Caroline Scott
3</div><div>The Lamplighters – Emma Stonex 4</div><div>A Kind of Magic : Art Deco Vanity Cases – Sarah Hue-Williams 4</div><div>Maiden Voyages : Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Travelled and
Worked Aboard Them - Sian Evans 4</div><div>The Man Who Died Twice – Richard Osman 4</div><div>The Stranger Diaries – Elly Griffiths 3</div><div>The Postscript Murders – Elly Griffiths 4</div><div>The Zig Zag Girl – Elly Griffiths 3</div><div>Fashion in the 70s : The Definitive Sourcebook Emmanuelle Dirix 3</div><div>Smoke and Mirrors – Elly Griffiths 3</div><div>The Art of Winnie the Pooh :How E H Shepard Illustrated and Icon – James
Campbell 3</div><div>The Blood Card – Elly Griffiths 3</div><div>The Vanishing Box – Elly Griffiths 4</div><div>Now You See Them- Elly Griffiths 3</div><div>The Bone Code – Kathy Reichs 3</div><div>Absolutely – Joanna Lumley 2</div><div>Should I Tell You? – Jill Mansell 3</div><div>Blood Orange – Harriet Tyce 2</div><div>Lily – Rose Tremain 2</div><div>The Strawberry Thief – Joanne Harris 4</div><div>The Summer of the Danes – Ellis Peters</div><div>The Hunting Party – Lucy Foley 3</div><div>The Devil and the Dark Water – Stuart Turton 4</div><div>A is for Arsnic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie – Kathryn Harkup 4</div><div>The Golden Thread : How Fabric Changed History – Kassia St Clair 4</div><div>American Hair Metal – Steven Blush 3</div><div>The Locked Room – Elly Griffiths 3</div><div>Friend Request – Laura Marshall 3</div><div>The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music – Dave Grohl 3</div><div>The Picture of Dorian Grey – Oscar Wilde 2</div><div>The Creek – L J Ross 2</div><div>The Paris Apartment – Lucy Foley 4</div><div>The Beloved Girls – Harriet Evans 4</div><div>Wanderers : A History of Women Walking – Kerri Andrews 4</div><div>Conversations with Friends – Sally Rooney 2</div><div>Apples never Fall – Liane Moriarty 4</div><div>Trick of the Dark – Val McDermid 3</div><div>Magpie Lane – Lucy Atkins 4</div><div>Christmas Traditions: A Celebration of Festive Lore – George Goodwin
3</div><div>One Moonlit Night – Rachel Hore 3</div></div>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-17925254096194889492022-12-20T07:26:00.007-08:002022-12-20T12:22:58.039-08:00Belated November Round-up<p> Well November turned out to be as busy as I expected it to
be. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It started with going to the cinema to see the second Black
Panther film Wakanda Forever. Overall, I did enjoy it, though it was too long. I
have to say the tribute to Chadwick Boseman at the start did have me tearing up.
<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKra4lxS6XQSDcexA8BSQA-iJPE-fCI1R4RmziPSxMo96IRISbtZ5mkHi4WRSWGLGFAGwZWxg-eY8ATm_JJYze1MoRqo397OLXRS97DYHaegTZRA7Z4P1hSk1lWW0BkWeX80gFP8GImFHn7Tzmp0MhnoTtl4_r0h8Y62z9VPkmqvlL5bUK9WpmUcrIQ/s1000/decblog1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKra4lxS6XQSDcexA8BSQA-iJPE-fCI1R4RmziPSxMo96IRISbtZ5mkHi4WRSWGLGFAGwZWxg-eY8ATm_JJYze1MoRqo397OLXRS97DYHaegTZRA7Z4P1hSk1lWW0BkWeX80gFP8GImFHn7Tzmp0MhnoTtl4_r0h8Y62z9VPkmqvlL5bUK9WpmUcrIQ/s320/decblog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">That week was also my Dad’s birthday and my parents
anniversary so on the Sunday we collected Dad from his care home and took the
pair of them out for lunch at a local pub. We had a lovely time and Dad
thoroughly enjoyed himself. I asked him what to drink and he instantly asked for
a large glass of Merlot so that is what he got! We were all absolutely stuffed
afterwards so as my brother was with us too he pushed Dad back to the care home
with Mum and Himself and I went for a long walk to burn off a few of the
calories we had just eaten.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next week I went to the theatre twice. The first time was
at a little arts venue in Reading to see the comedian Matt Holness in his spoof
character, the narcissistic horror writer Garth Marenghi (a tongue in cheek
Stephen King/Shaun Hutson mash-up). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDL90EN74Un0L4RtPt6x1KzS0jued9guYWqdYHJXoRM4uyxXOk17tUFNCrZ7fjMRuTgMbYW_1w66yQ1143bsj5EPfWMcFxeqnG14U8n_KHviV_487ia5ty5uM41Hfp16lujBXpM_RLZzU8Wwy-Tya18yRNn0v1YvDpol7svEZhxqJIu6raikFaiGq7g/s935/decblog2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="935" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDL90EN74Un0L4RtPt6x1KzS0jued9guYWqdYHJXoRM4uyxXOk17tUFNCrZ7fjMRuTgMbYW_1w66yQ1143bsj5EPfWMcFxeqnG14U8n_KHviV_487ia5ty5uM41Hfp16lujBXpM_RLZzU8Wwy-Tya18yRNn0v1YvDpol7svEZhxqJIu6raikFaiGq7g/s320/decblog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">It’s 20 years since he first created the
character and I know it best from the short but hilarious series <b>Garth
Marenghi’s Darkplace</b> which aired on Channel 4 in 2004, which I loved. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Himself
and I sat and re-watched the whole series before we went, and thankfully it has held up well due to it being deliberately made to look cheap and clunky. We went on the first night
of the tour and it started with Garth doing a reading from his new novel
‘Terrortome’ which had the whole place roaring with laughter. If you have ever read a horror
novel from the late 70’s – 80’s they definitely had a certain style and it was a perfect parody. The second half of the
show was very brave as Matt did a Q&A in character with a member of the audience picked out to come on stage with him and field the questions. This relied on members of the audience
knowing his work as 'Garth' very well and also on them being prepared to play along and think up questions, you also risked the chance of getting someone not so great on stage with you. As it was a small sold-out venue packed with fans, and the fact Matt
Holness is incredible at off the cuff quick repartee it did work on this occasion, but I suspect
he may change the format as the tour progressed. </p><p class="MsoNormal">This was followed by a book
signing of Terrortome, again as Garth (though Himself did bring along another book which Garth 'allowed' Matt to sign!) Our copy of Terrortome was dedicated with ‘May all your eggs be poached in soup’
which is a reference to one of my favourite scenes in Dark Place.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Interestingly
the tour was at smaller sized venues around the UK and sold out completely within 48 hours of
the tickets going on sale, so it has now been extended into next year with
a whole new set of dates at large theatres.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLDnCav72ZkLCLE29i9CQHFvPxJ8fn5AF8CPzGvqlU80Y0cDY_JmSr4c47O4JTSEDEAqWrMDERwcmdHB5bZVGEeKplPolhLc5ebjsHf6exsZwOasJ5ODin_H-OnVl99BJFvvgiklbQzjaHymwLkIsMrwQjNq8rtEQbHLupdapyTxR_dlFoD9UOXQc3w/s1200/decblog3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLDnCav72ZkLCLE29i9CQHFvPxJ8fn5AF8CPzGvqlU80Y0cDY_JmSr4c47O4JTSEDEAqWrMDERwcmdHB5bZVGEeKplPolhLc5ebjsHf6exsZwOasJ5ODin_H-OnVl99BJFvvgiklbQzjaHymwLkIsMrwQjNq8rtEQbHLupdapyTxR_dlFoD9UOXQc3w/s320/decblog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The following day I went to see The Mousetrap at the New
Theatre in Oxford with my friend Charlotte. It’s the 3<sup>rd</sup> time I’ve
seen it now, though it has been many years since the last time. It was good,
though this cast did play it too much for laughs for my liking, making it like a
pantomime in a oh no he didn’t oh yes he did vein. The play has comic moments in
it, but should also have a constant level of menace. It was sad to see the theatre was
only about half full. I’m guessing a combination of covid and the cost of living
having an effect. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That weekend I took myself out for a slightly muddier than I
expected walk to test my new walking boots. Yes, I have new walking boots! There is a tale to tell as well.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLUu3khq1A7eV8tLW-az5zXmf5RVqG4ySoOaz1SNqze-gpFxm_f4L6ILvBwddwkwVrvdvjeB4HagJCL1sbOkFh5k6m7Bd6vfZ6HNhKHlpwN77oR-JydXnDjgomuetPzt0vuhOnNjdmaf5-VAwdR_tSKl9UhdlZ_HvRNm1XX-e_MgzChQr1TwT7lZJDQ/s1000/novwalk3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLUu3khq1A7eV8tLW-az5zXmf5RVqG4ySoOaz1SNqze-gpFxm_f4L6ILvBwddwkwVrvdvjeB4HagJCL1sbOkFh5k6m7Bd6vfZ6HNhKHlpwN77oR-JydXnDjgomuetPzt0vuhOnNjdmaf5-VAwdR_tSKl9UhdlZ_HvRNm1XX-e_MgzChQr1TwT7lZJDQ/s320/novwalk3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RhJ-RhZRHZrtuXigpbTKSUhCgHL6w8fXHgzWX3eSIRLIpiOgawEEexP2j-F-PNwYeYy-BMqwajVhjW5CN_EEoCmKLdvFahxAAnLP90w3laFC8Td-oiWlYK4XAhmQE1kmJB89uIo-BcMLXzocCxDriqs9Y95Nd3w5uuZ-eb13qdroTSWqSRTAtAQaJA/s1000/novwalk8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="862" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RhJ-RhZRHZrtuXigpbTKSUhCgHL6w8fXHgzWX3eSIRLIpiOgawEEexP2j-F-PNwYeYy-BMqwajVhjW5CN_EEoCmKLdvFahxAAnLP90w3laFC8Td-oiWlYK4XAhmQE1kmJB89uIo-BcMLXzocCxDriqs9Y95Nd3w5uuZ-eb13qdroTSWqSRTAtAQaJA/s320/novwalk8.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">At the start of the month my brother was going to have his
covid booster at the football stadium in Oxford and decided to call in at one of
those huge outdoor clothing/camping shops on the way, so I cadged a lift. I
tried on several pairs of boots including the ones I finally bought, they
were by far the most comfortable, so they were the ones I went for in the end. I also
picked up a waterproof jacket as I have a lightweight and heavyweight jacket but
nothing in between and it was reduced to £35. When we got to the till my brother
paid because he gets a membership discount and also had another 15% off code. I
put my two things down and the lad scanned them first so we could easily work
out how much I owed my brother later. We were running late at this point, so my
brother quickly paid, and we shot off though I did think at the time it seemed
rather cheap even with the discounts. When we can to work the bill out later it
showed that the walking boots had scanned through as 0.00 on the bill!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So I got a free pair of boots, my brother was livid
though he did say he should take me shopping with him more often. Thankfully,
the boots are extremely comfortable because it’s not like I can really take them
back. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Talking of boosters I also got my flu jab and covid booster
in November thankfully 2 weeks apart, I didn’t fancy having both at the same
time. When I got my covid booster I bumped into someone I used to work with so
we spent our 15 minute sit down afterwards having a good catch
up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwaxvOlqrmkjTBQ7ppRC3DIiIvrby-xvEsZu0KPpTDSuAyuH7tyoM6QPiIWV48jQHk2fxQAwgMIIZ4NTITVkEwB7HVv7PIc0i6dys4eEsTyZjnhT1m8IgM-ZDlIDACI-dqLnm3bxRjQP7UOKWesUyirWvErMWmG1_5gVC6fiaFgYrgh3kPl7a7n_S6A/s350/decblog4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwaxvOlqrmkjTBQ7ppRC3DIiIvrby-xvEsZu0KPpTDSuAyuH7tyoM6QPiIWV48jQHk2fxQAwgMIIZ4NTITVkEwB7HVv7PIc0i6dys4eEsTyZjnhT1m8IgM-ZDlIDACI-dqLnm3bxRjQP7UOKWesUyirWvErMWmG1_5gVC6fiaFgYrgh3kPl7a7n_S6A/s320/decblog4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">On the 24<sup>th</sup> I went to see the Carole King musical
Beautiful with Soo. We had tickets to go and see it with our friend Melissa
during the first lockdown so had been waiting patiently for it to come round
again. Sadly, Melissa was poorly on the night and we weren’t able to find anyone
to take her ticket at such short notice, so it was just Soo and I. We went for a
beer first because I had had ‘A Day’ at work and needed to decompress a bit and
followed this with delicious pizza at Franca Manca. The musical was just as good
as I remembered it but again sadly not a sold-out venue. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Himself and I ended the month going to see the film Living. I
had wanted to see it since I saw the trailer but even more so after Charlotte
said she had been to see it and loved it. Himself is not a huge fan of Bill
Nighy but he thoroughly enjoyed it too.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnbjzLTiTNrSZUxWqQaBvw9CpfaBO-GlhnTUpJKupojmuurOAvYVTQXXBWKUBUEqDuKIvS0k4AHJJo85q49DZxEuKcwn0HnzNc2aKYYpPzqfd9lfWlwsO6Tb3reWtr3QWlrgANyRZ511EWHxqgxqvnHtJif5T05GGWKp50bqcMNp_Wnmtaev_USaKuA/s500/living-poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="500" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnbjzLTiTNrSZUxWqQaBvw9CpfaBO-GlhnTUpJKupojmuurOAvYVTQXXBWKUBUEqDuKIvS0k4AHJJo85q49DZxEuKcwn0HnzNc2aKYYpPzqfd9lfWlwsO6Tb3reWtr3QWlrgANyRZ511EWHxqgxqvnHtJif5T05GGWKp50bqcMNp_Wnmtaev_USaKuA/s320/living-poster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In terms of purchases this month. There may have been a
couple of bags... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsafEML4xGAL6xcay4dRdOiCYAuccrNHNduiU1tCkAUZYmz-ZL095lX01yeD0ixnia_NSKFVZ18Ocs2e3-SQV-hqFrfG3Mt33Az5MQ3V4P5anrqFGedE04731xuNiQCEu3eD0YLU4qE7GPYpoeZ4RwNanDPdfT0-kGfADTD6gxv910BKM395QtqG7AWg/s855/decblog8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsafEML4xGAL6xcay4dRdOiCYAuccrNHNduiU1tCkAUZYmz-ZL095lX01yeD0ixnia_NSKFVZ18Ocs2e3-SQV-hqFrfG3Mt33Az5MQ3V4P5anrqFGedE04731xuNiQCEu3eD0YLU4qE7GPYpoeZ4RwNanDPdfT0-kGfADTD6gxv910BKM395QtqG7AWg/s320/decblog8.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQczrM0hXEmVcd_OQju5D8h-PptyUpz2Q4Rd1InR-FKsC4wl5_vAixmW4NWKBAx59PrrMYja0uwgFFIG_qpUkwvObPFAnWoqWoE5XJXedemyer6_Nqa2N9M3BhlQpftfaHcGsMw3UARl5Q3Hk3Ll1LNAFTPhV5jaSqhaGj136fbP1l9IBfjFrt9ptaQ/s1000/decblog9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1000" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQczrM0hXEmVcd_OQju5D8h-PptyUpz2Q4Rd1InR-FKsC4wl5_vAixmW4NWKBAx59PrrMYja0uwgFFIG_qpUkwvObPFAnWoqWoE5XJXedemyer6_Nqa2N9M3BhlQpftfaHcGsMw3UARl5Q3Hk3Ll1LNAFTPhV5jaSqhaGj136fbP1l9IBfjFrt9ptaQ/s320/decblog9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The tiger print dress I had fallen in love with and ordered to wear for our anniversary arrived sadly too
late, but I love it on so it’s a keeper.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEGKqoEc26LSMJLTEGuQWAD7vTQ_0HIzHbox6MLsWDSVMiFsrDC3rqOjA-QEhsOQGz3DWJTCawoy377EQhvi3Vp3f9ZwUCRbLGKMy-4o5ofXC3ZfjGCQK75T6-Mmg-7a_uTpMKXRdk5qevWCPCmELAoX2FXpFb5ufdMIKq80B6NwUVbnRFmKPnIjeMw/s1000/decblog6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEGKqoEc26LSMJLTEGuQWAD7vTQ_0HIzHbox6MLsWDSVMiFsrDC3rqOjA-QEhsOQGz3DWJTCawoy377EQhvi3Vp3f9ZwUCRbLGKMy-4o5ofXC3ZfjGCQK75T6-Mmg-7a_uTpMKXRdk5qevWCPCmELAoX2FXpFb5ufdMIKq80B6NwUVbnRFmKPnIjeMw/s320/decblog6.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"> I also had a voucher so bought a
couple of dresses from the label Finery. I have a few of their dresses now after
falling in love with a blue star print dress a couple of years ago which has
been a firm favourite every since. I can't show them as one is in the wash and one in the ironing mountain! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also finally found a new camera with good reviews and a
price tag that didn’t give me heart failure.
Himself set it up and charged it but the handbook could be written in double
Dutch for all the sense it makes so I need to look up and see if there is a
video guide on YouTube or something! In fact this is why this blog post is late becuse I couldn't figure out how to take pictures to go with it. I'm such a technophobe!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Talking of new technology, I have been in
complete denial all year that I am going to have to replace my trusted phone. As
of next March, they are turning off the 3G network so it will no longer work.
Sad times indeed. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I have finally accepted that research needs to be done and
think I have identified a replacement. I will finally have to have a smart phone
for my home life (I have one for work) SIGH. As I only make calls, send texts,
take the odd picture here and there, oh and use whatsapp I have no need for an all
singing and dancing phone. I also resent having to pay hundreds of pounds for
something like a phone. Ridiculous. </p><p class="MsoNormal">So at some point I will have to do the deed
and go to the phone store, if nothing else I need a new Sim card as mine is
an old style one that no longer fits 'modern' phones. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-78802373016021886842022-11-10T15:41:00.008-08:002022-11-10T15:41:55.138-08:00Busy October.<p> Well October has been a bumper month. </p><p>It started off with a
long overdue catch up with Soo when we took ourselves off to the university
owned Harcourt Arboretum. We had a lovely day mooching around enjoying the
autumnal sunshine and colours, as well as a good catch up on all our news. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecE9WvZUa83fv4rzM_K9SpJiqw403VRdMl7HvJjr9qRYF3ep1SiTQjZwtiA0qr3kaPn5kap_MryRfMjdsLKiJVlhgkODl-4Z5Dr2YbMoYb_Loa1sBqT1Ikx6qQnrG21BQSqXTbXcxTafAuRZqUJa5AN4DY86cpt6hYj1q9aJZXXlYqlpHgwXZbSyavQ/s1000/blog49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1000" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecE9WvZUa83fv4rzM_K9SpJiqw403VRdMl7HvJjr9qRYF3ep1SiTQjZwtiA0qr3kaPn5kap_MryRfMjdsLKiJVlhgkODl-4Z5Dr2YbMoYb_Loa1sBqT1Ikx6qQnrG21BQSqXTbXcxTafAuRZqUJa5AN4DY86cpt6hYj1q9aJZXXlYqlpHgwXZbSyavQ/s320/blog49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg388qzOE6isVxAnHuHkahyLUFvXnUMFQjE10V2VrkVEPOukYahNmAWU6TxxVtvmx6o0AtWrwcfG0oOb9XU7w5BSttrZBx8cegeJ4yBovTbZxk18qzK6xoTWn6h7Q18wOyV0xNB9tHyPIZFLsNIRvjrs-NKSerH4Fr-54QVm4jcRy_6jPAj_LCHxrtvbQ/s1000/blog50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg388qzOE6isVxAnHuHkahyLUFvXnUMFQjE10V2VrkVEPOukYahNmAWU6TxxVtvmx6o0AtWrwcfG0oOb9XU7w5BSttrZBx8cegeJ4yBovTbZxk18qzK6xoTWn6h7Q18wOyV0xNB9tHyPIZFLsNIRvjrs-NKSerH4Fr-54QVm4jcRy_6jPAj_LCHxrtvbQ/s320/blog50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>From
there we took ourselves off to Notcutts Garden Centre for a late lunch of
delicious homemade soup. They were busy setting up their Christmas wonderland
which seemed just a bit too early for me. I get that some people want to spread
the cost etc but over two months early?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>We met again two days later in Oxford. We were planning to go
to the cinema with our friend Simon to see 'Mrs Harris Goes to Paris'. The idea
was to have dinner first then go to the cinema. I suggested we go to the cinema
and buy the tickets first just in case we ran out of time, as we had chosen to
eat at Cote and they aren’t always the speediest with their service. </p><p class="MsoNormal">So, we walked round to the
cinema and found it was closed due to a power failure! We quickly checked the
other cinemas in Oxford, but none had the film on, disappointed we took
ourselves to the pub instead. We went to White Rabbit which back in the day used
to be a biker pub The Gloucester Arm where I spent many an evening drinking. From there we headed to Cote and had a leisurely dinner with lost of
gossip and laughter. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I then saw Simon again at the end of the week when we went
out for lunch with our friends Liz and Carole. A lovely afternoon that ended with us battling home through torrential rain. I had bought some bits in the Body Shop on my way down and the paper bag had completely disintegrated by the time I got home leaving me clutching wet bottles and papery mush, nice. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The following weekend I was on a work trip to Frankfurt. My
colleague and I decided to fly out on the Friday and home again on the Saturday
evening, right after the recruitment event we were attending. This was mostly because
there were no decent timed flights home on the Sunday, they were either stupid
o’clock in the morning or into the evening, we both had afternoon plans for
Sunday which we preferred not to miss. It did mean I had to get up at
5.30am to factor in a train the Reading then a coach to Heathrow. I’ll be
interested to see what difference the new Elizabeth Line makes once the rest of
it finally opens. I should be able to go directly from Reading the Heathrow on
that. </p><p class="MsoNormal">It felt very strange to be at the airport again and even getting on a
plane again after so long. Thankfully it was a quick and painless process as we
only had hand luggage.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We finally arrived at our hotel at about 3.30pm, it turned
out to be a very chi-chi boutique hotel where you had to take the lift up to the
roof top bar to check-in. Yes, you literally checked-in via an I-Pad embedded
into the bar’s surface whilst people were being served cocktails around you! Once checking in your room card dropped into a little tray at the bottom of the bar, it took a while to figure that one out, I’m seriously too
old for this shit...it was very confusing. Maybe a cocktail would have
helped! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our rooms were tiny but extremely comfortable. I have to say
whoever designed them was inspired, every inch of space was carefully utilized. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpIaVqPhOLu9N2tX8FAQr1ovNZVsn17mOmunf80hW_DlG5Kv9xGsr3SJPxucGcnVBFX_pdR-hNnF0HcpfcNL4HlpV6yDG3gIpfBVK_S8GqG1sdC2scMsJCZtK38y466jDLKBUC5MM5RUyB3E3phZgi2AWZbDDJ67AoAtvBoIIKY3JU2LS3NNFhKY4Eg/s1000/blog51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpIaVqPhOLu9N2tX8FAQr1ovNZVsn17mOmunf80hW_DlG5Kv9xGsr3SJPxucGcnVBFX_pdR-hNnF0HcpfcNL4HlpV6yDG3gIpfBVK_S8GqG1sdC2scMsJCZtK38y466jDLKBUC5MM5RUyB3E3phZgi2AWZbDDJ67AoAtvBoIIKY3JU2LS3NNFhKY4Eg/s320/blog51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"> Having said that, these were not the smallest ones available, we had deliberately
not chosen one of those. I must confess I wouldn’t want to have been in anything
smaller and I’m not sure I would have wanted to stay more than a couple of
nights so limited was the space, but then I’m not exactly a tiny person so that
might have had something to do with it. I was practically hanging out of the window to take the shot above, I love how the clever use of mirrors in the room makes it look like I was miles away!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaVI4LjMFwaOlm6NbY2m4_f1KOjQ3LnX43XVuW-3sg-bqEH-czeyY7QG2nM1sXkAS8YuA95lnLiyBarwJMHawR2EB8Hu3Q9cL9w1ox2sSOQhCQiHcnofxDtg2izqorQ7fxx6D03LEy2AagBuhR-xNr2hLJ5cQEavyTSq6DAV4MAvqfH6qu1Cb6v49Fw/s1000/frank01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaVI4LjMFwaOlm6NbY2m4_f1KOjQ3LnX43XVuW-3sg-bqEH-czeyY7QG2nM1sXkAS8YuA95lnLiyBarwJMHawR2EB8Hu3Q9cL9w1ox2sSOQhCQiHcnofxDtg2izqorQ7fxx6D03LEy2AagBuhR-xNr2hLJ5cQEavyTSq6DAV4MAvqfH6qu1Cb6v49Fw/s320/frank01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">We headed straight out to grab some food as we were both
starving, we hadn’t bothered to eat more than a snack at Heathrow, planning to
have lunch when we arrived but hadn’t anticipated it would take quite so long to
get from the airport to the city centre.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl6kES7lMR18-6kXVAViUymaysu1eTNvvZLGCU9B34ThMkKUTuTDMte1uxXZ_uNUvm1T9j3moVRPSc7phz2g9ZYIDU-DTpxkfCfQNbCNr9QAp4rghOfvoq3gAHKnrXkoq9D8eJTUYlKEm9ZR10qDrxB1ulET3iT_iiOvK0285HDhFLd-QIs4VpA2ICQ/s1000/frank08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1000" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl6kES7lMR18-6kXVAViUymaysu1eTNvvZLGCU9B34ThMkKUTuTDMte1uxXZ_uNUvm1T9j3moVRPSc7phz2g9ZYIDU-DTpxkfCfQNbCNr9QAp4rghOfvoq3gAHKnrXkoq9D8eJTUYlKEm9ZR10qDrxB1ulET3iT_iiOvK0285HDhFLd-QIs4VpA2ICQ/s320/frank08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGmv_hqYS4Z-3S5yQbupMOvR1cbopLoomRvPz_VQpf-7bjej2EurcxzdfPO7mOOw-l3i4X_gHlN1mNdRPoXsOjWBjjumqG5hD06OkfFGtjVyybdVeqAJ9YMVy2wR57109gf90Qf0VRFSEePQnwyBfzK3MSDHyWRhuyDt0lVrVpWkPq56Ch65Szqed4w/s1000/frank17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGmv_hqYS4Z-3S5yQbupMOvR1cbopLoomRvPz_VQpf-7bjej2EurcxzdfPO7mOOw-l3i4X_gHlN1mNdRPoXsOjWBjjumqG5hD06OkfFGtjVyybdVeqAJ9YMVy2wR57109gf90Qf0VRFSEePQnwyBfzK3MSDHyWRhuyDt0lVrVpWkPq56Ch65Szqed4w/s320/frank17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Once we were fed, we spent the next few hours doing some
sightseeing. To be honest there isn’t a lot to see in Frankfurt, the majority is
modern and industrial, so we were able to see what we wanted to in one afternoon
and evening. Sadly, it poured with rain the whole time, but we didn’t let that
put us off.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For dinner we met two of my colleague’s university friends
(she studied in Heidelberg) who both lived near to Frankfurt. They not only
graciously included me in their evening, but spoke English the whole time too so
I didn’t feel left out. The also recommended the most amazing restaurant, it
was like being sat in the middle of a forest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M6NXwPWvoC1QI5XC1N8mc4NIM3M9lrJp2YSOJF11fO3lqRMMta0y7It4qEYTlgT86v2PElON-S-2snPmWjPkRd072WKja83fLguXINx2okrmCPejQ0yl8iYbubf_cpRmrAAuSecwhmdc63t7SJJ0S1OYEsdCzlsNlg_Nk2jE3IzI6EQFXSUT4TH-1g/s550/blog48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M6NXwPWvoC1QI5XC1N8mc4NIM3M9lrJp2YSOJF11fO3lqRMMta0y7It4qEYTlgT86v2PElON-S-2snPmWjPkRd072WKja83fLguXINx2okrmCPejQ0yl8iYbubf_cpRmrAAuSecwhmdc63t7SJJ0S1OYEsdCzlsNlg_Nk2jE3IzI6EQFXSUT4TH-1g/s320/blog48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"> I ate the most delicious vegan
mushroom and caramelised onion burger with sweet potato fries, it came with a
cocktail in a glass the size of a small bucket. I had forgotten the generous
drink sizes you get in Germany! </p><p class="MsoNormal">We had a lovely evening dampened (literally) only
by the fact the rain was absolutely torrential by the time we left. My umbrella
was actually dripping water from inside by the time we got back to the hotel, so
all my clothes were wet and the bottom of my dress was soaked. I ended up
draping stuff wherever I could in the teeny tiny room in the hopes it would be
dry by the morning…it wasn’t.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thankfully we had a late start the next day as we didn’t need
to arrive for set up until 11.30am. We met at 9am and headed out to find some
breakfast. It’s a good job we did go that early as it turns out as we ended up walking round for ages trying to find somewhere to eat. On arrival we found the café we had originally
picked only accepted cash and I was using the company credit card. We ended up going to the food court of a shopping mall where we found a
restaurant that had a serve yourself breakfast buffet. I got to eat
fresh brotchen, which I haven’t had since I was last in Germany as a teenager, scrambled eggs and two flavours of fresh fruit yoghurt. I also just had to
sample the schoko sahne pudding to see if that still tasted the same as I
remembered, happily it did so I went back for seconds! We both pinched a
croissant for later which I wrapped in napkins and stuck in my handbag. I then proceeded to completely forget all about them, so they
were as flat as a pancake when we did finally eat them that evening at the
airport. Flat but still delicious. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We headed back to the hotel in the rain and checked out, did
our event and shot out promptly at 4.30pm to catch the train back to the
airport. The underground system in Frankfurt is the most confusing thing ever, and even with one of us a native German speaker we got hopelessly mixed up. We finally
found the right train and as it turned out our flight was delayed anyway. By the
time we landed at Heathrow I just missed a coach, like literally by 3 minutes,
so frustrating! I had to wait another 40 minutes which meant by the time I got
to Reading I then had to wait 25 for a train home. I finally crawled in at
10.45pm, unpacked all my soggy clothes, had a glass of wine and went to bed.
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I only bought two things whilst in Frankfurt. We had stopped by one shop to comment on all the Christmas decorations when I spotted some Snoppy bits, it's a skill I have and I can from quite some distance. I dived in the door and ended up buying one glass decoration</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfQBdhBxCT46GDmmvg6XObY60KPrZL4V5jMY9Bf1yQcYdQjVsBCzjpdyQy2ycTRzcmrZcjtSikP40f7Mh0YrOeNdOP-AETuBLpAEswQxtrTN03vvswyjzfcsAgprhKs14X_eFhnPpWQZOFJImQ1PC-214Wn6roam2uJ8ZL-35YaNoiiJQIxLFbARuXw/s1000/blog46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfQBdhBxCT46GDmmvg6XObY60KPrZL4V5jMY9Bf1yQcYdQjVsBCzjpdyQy2ycTRzcmrZcjtSikP40f7Mh0YrOeNdOP-AETuBLpAEswQxtrTN03vvswyjzfcsAgprhKs14X_eFhnPpWQZOFJImQ1PC-214Wn6roam2uJ8ZL-35YaNoiiJQIxLFbARuXw/s320/blog46.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>Linus - my favourite character from the Peanuts cartoons. I also bought a postcard with a cartoon red elephant trumpeting on it.<br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The next day my cousin drove my aunt and uncle up to visit my
Dad and 9 of us went out for Sunday lunch at the local pub where they do a
carvery. It was delicious and so lovely to see them all again and catch up on
family news. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The following Saturday I met my friend Alex in Birmingham. It
was a bit last minute so we were both booked onto specific trains that only left us with
about 5 hours. That flew by in what felt like moments. We had coffee and a catch
up before a walk along the canal, then popped into a small vintage fair at the
Custard Factory where I managed to buy a pair of sunglasses and 2 handbags. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-1LlfA6FA8ZX-XQLtJbWUEQC4z1I3K68Hw1I7yRAGenLc6nSUWI6AZ29mD3aJqbXnzarP5nLhUAKf3tLyCUQWbxPAyVz9DG04idFMXKXMBoR_vI4bX28nZtUPkooe_yDRwLtS0_XXVin1QZ0L9lsRGcMcAY-Kx4wQidhFEAWMcDaDC6MgJMpErJj2Q/s1000/blog42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1000" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-1LlfA6FA8ZX-XQLtJbWUEQC4z1I3K68Hw1I7yRAGenLc6nSUWI6AZ29mD3aJqbXnzarP5nLhUAKf3tLyCUQWbxPAyVz9DG04idFMXKXMBoR_vI4bX28nZtUPkooe_yDRwLtS0_XXVin1QZ0L9lsRGcMcAY-Kx4wQidhFEAWMcDaDC6MgJMpErJj2Q/s320/blog42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">From
there we decamped to Comptoir Libanais for lunch, they don’t have one in
Liverpool and Alex was missing their tapas. We were going to go for a drink
afterwards but realised we had completely run out of time. It turned out loads of
trains were cancelled, including my train, so Alex dashed off for hers and I
mooched around the shops upstairs at Birmingham New Street. I found a gorgeous
dress in the Monsoon sale that was too small, a lovely shirt that wasn't, see below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLam8_Q80K5VCkrt_KdY-kQ0dDt8dUzPvG622I_Ooxg_3S1GoHhjZKBYPyrg2J_BJTAjOVkA0R7IJPJw61GtzW41g361gx-474EtfzbIj_7io4UFxUAV062Baion8uRbwFccGx7qfwymsFZEVD612lt1-OAVrQdGIxG-qQbmMc4azldHXl2tr-GyDWDg/s1000/blog43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLam8_Q80K5VCkrt_KdY-kQ0dDt8dUzPvG622I_Ooxg_3S1GoHhjZKBYPyrg2J_BJTAjOVkA0R7IJPJw61GtzW41g361gx-474EtfzbIj_7io4UFxUAV062Baion8uRbwFccGx7qfwymsFZEVD612lt1-OAVrQdGIxG-qQbmMc4azldHXl2tr-GyDWDg/s320/blog43.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I bought a dinosaur Christmas tree
decoration in Flying Tiger and also a scarf with red squirrels on it in Fat Face
that on inspection of the label turned out to be made from recycled plastic bottles. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I then headed back downstairs to
buy a drink in M&S and went to find the next train to Oxford. It was very
delayed, and ram packed with people. Not only was the football on but there had
been something on at the NEC too so I stood in an aisle for a bit then managed to snag a seat. I
had a great book with me so didn’t mind the journey and thankfully only had a
short wait at Oxford for my train home. Himself and I had planned to go out for
dinner at the pub in the next village to us, but thankfully hadn’t booked
anything as I finally got home well after 7pm, so we would never have made it in time.
Instead, we went straight back out to Sainsburys to do the food shop then
cracked open a bottle of wine when we got back.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the Sunday Himself was doing podcast stuff so I took
myself out for a walk and went via my brother’s house to drop in some bits and
pieces and a big bag of windfall cooking apples. I was just thinking about
leaving when there was the most tremendous storm with thunder and lightning and
pouring rain so I stayed for another cup of tea instead and cadged a lift home. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was our 25<sup>th</sup> nonniversay on the 31<sup>st</sup> October, so on the 29<sup>th</sup> we booked dinner at the pub we had planned to go tot the week before. We left the house at
5.30pm to go and do the village's Halloween trail before our dinner reservation at 7.30pm. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We
have been walking the trail for the last few years as it’s usually great fun
with some people properly going to town with their themed decorating. This year
it was much smaller and all a bit meh. There were some good houses but it felt
like it was mostly cheap plastic stuff from Poundland just strewn about with no
real thought, very disappointing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2zDNAh8igrK08bBDg0GfDfWzH3vx8NKMSNsbTxylDbUU2lm-a8kIkoaqCE_eGkM1eyVOOF2k9vRZnOrUyXu2YcQQ9R1-psN29P0JFPwmkINinn7yOKPBzwj3Xde86Y9JqYmDJjGBcsAW5q0J67Jk-yznwEoGGY5s5XOOlGeGIZlnJu_xuaQ9wZ5bDw/s1000/blog52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2zDNAh8igrK08bBDg0GfDfWzH3vx8NKMSNsbTxylDbUU2lm-a8kIkoaqCE_eGkM1eyVOOF2k9vRZnOrUyXu2YcQQ9R1-psN29P0JFPwmkINinn7yOKPBzwj3Xde86Y9JqYmDJjGBcsAW5q0J67Jk-yznwEoGGY5s5XOOlGeGIZlnJu_xuaQ9wZ5bDw/s320/blog52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">This one did make me chuckle though</p><p class="MsoNormal">We ended up at the pub very early, Himself had
suggested tacking a walk along the old railway line and looping back but as it was
very muddy under foot I declined. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQRwTFK03LnqhBhu7xtfL8626YLyUZ-UUaRGSkSrfbzTde8ZY3JALFDNDnGF2-czWD5HHieLtUmLROMzMUuK_WXfSYf2y4Oh7rWX63ZBeEBG6CQOBUi2aIajuYBIgZOkMpsPoGomsj_u8csDJIGmeQGsNlJF7JV9Tiqw3dm-6H_H7LIBhpOU1YGTrOg/s1000/blog53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1000" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQRwTFK03LnqhBhu7xtfL8626YLyUZ-UUaRGSkSrfbzTde8ZY3JALFDNDnGF2-czWD5HHieLtUmLROMzMUuK_WXfSYf2y4Oh7rWX63ZBeEBG6CQOBUi2aIajuYBIgZOkMpsPoGomsj_u8csDJIGmeQGsNlJF7JV9Tiqw3dm-6H_H7LIBhpOU1YGTrOg/s320/blog53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was the pub's contribution to the trail (with my travel companion Malcolm Monkey astride the pumpkin in his undertaker's hat.)<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Luckily our table was ready, and we had a
drink first before eating. I had the most delicious lamb shank with mash
(Himself hates lamb and I love it, so I nearly always order it when we are out.) He contented himself with local sausages with the mash swapped out for chips (because he also hates mash. Remind me again why we have been together 25 years?) The pub is exactly a mile from our house so we got to walk our food off a little
bit heading home. Once in I lit candles and our various Halloweeny lights to
give us an atmosphere whilst we drank wine and watched the Halloween special of
Psychoville and Sherlock Holmes - The Last Vampyre.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkaGaIstMOKGQ757KvgQpl9IgtSO4fRCiF25N0mFFqZGojrvZ5zGLX1HqeTdl6fKvTWUvvVrFoI5wzkKmQtvPjOPlAgFjRcdl3ekWAGqd5DIzRNAQZ_hdgFpgRMlJDNtafuPdrF5MG1gYxnFsi9f1ayqkRoB0OfTweIuBJysAbdFvy5iwfScAXr_4ew/s1000/blog47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="795" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkaGaIstMOKGQ757KvgQpl9IgtSO4fRCiF25N0mFFqZGojrvZ5zGLX1HqeTdl6fKvTWUvvVrFoI5wzkKmQtvPjOPlAgFjRcdl3ekWAGqd5DIzRNAQZ_hdgFpgRMlJDNtafuPdrF5MG1gYxnFsi9f1ayqkRoB0OfTweIuBJysAbdFvy5iwfScAXr_4ew/s320/blog47.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>These light up tins were from M&S, I couldn't resist them. <p class="MsoNormal">I visited my Dad on the Sunday with my Mum. My brother and
his wife arrived whilst we were there so my Dad was in his element surrounded by lots of company. </p><p class="MsoNormal">On our
actual anniversary we both had the day off work and caught the train to London.
First, we headed to Kensington, had a bit of a walk and then visited Leighton
House which has recently reopened after a refurbishment. It was the home of Frederic, Lord Leighton an eminent Victorian artist and is now a museum and art gallery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWkN8A8kLisHL0elOgm9CH52Wh6eX1DKYjnIgrMZ_AcByKYRD_g3vQI6RmaxxiJ1UCt4soxj42bLyQ5ULY8kO7oNM_lOOXgRt4sKyEtxu2BaCJWG2CPRBRkBCVft9mPxxhrs4UPeciw6dBmViTpdFF2QwsEFgZ7lPi_jX-TIEwMM73gl6QfMmmM4ciw/s1000/london05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWkN8A8kLisHL0elOgm9CH52Wh6eX1DKYjnIgrMZ_AcByKYRD_g3vQI6RmaxxiJ1UCt4soxj42bLyQ5ULY8kO7oNM_lOOXgRt4sKyEtxu2BaCJWG2CPRBRkBCVft9mPxxhrs4UPeciw6dBmViTpdFF2QwsEFgZ7lPi_jX-TIEwMM73gl6QfMmmM4ciw/s320/london05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qbBMUyBeDU5eXXScPqvYkTMVhrnkr5OB6-M7-7JW01vCm9ys3EKBYXIX1gq5UC0ySUqT0Ak6IbR-kMnEnQrObrTfuNEXg4v_ah6MsgNPe4pPQuwFYaxQS_fs8lNB0xSsxDSOR_tc8ARSuq_Mz4oUK1ZrSRAE8TtRPm1OrMlnAIua-QRxpAu0iQJjew/s1000/london07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qbBMUyBeDU5eXXScPqvYkTMVhrnkr5OB6-M7-7JW01vCm9ys3EKBYXIX1gq5UC0ySUqT0Ak6IbR-kMnEnQrObrTfuNEXg4v_ah6MsgNPe4pPQuwFYaxQS_fs8lNB0xSsxDSOR_tc8ARSuq_Mz4oUK1ZrSRAE8TtRPm1OrMlnAIua-QRxpAu0iQJjew/s320/london07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">From there we headed to
Hampstead where we walked around the outside of Hampstead Heath to The Old Bull
and Bush for a late lunch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzFxU9sdxip-SGSim81tArR1gbmC-6mquu7-lM7ohpHSd1iuKoRp5qPNIl2l60DDrqJ1y8qmNxFYRarWInOYyCNwaLq9s6R2xiYkojtwDX0nwSgL1Mb-Z32cJlbeJ6OQDpxV7wu7V6R530z9LdOV7DQD4vXhX4OBOegofSEo4cvUgK8Oze1270wB1zQ/s1000/london16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="1000" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzFxU9sdxip-SGSim81tArR1gbmC-6mquu7-lM7ohpHSd1iuKoRp5qPNIl2l60DDrqJ1y8qmNxFYRarWInOYyCNwaLq9s6R2xiYkojtwDX0nwSgL1Mb-Z32cJlbeJ6OQDpxV7wu7V6R530z9LdOV7DQD4vXhX4OBOegofSEo4cvUgK8Oze1270wB1zQ/s320/london16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">After we had finished eating we caught the tube back
into the centre of London and did a quick call in at the Lego store, then it was
back onto the underground to Euston, where Himself tried in vain to find a pub he
wanted to take me too.We walked and walked then ended up doubling back
before he decided it must be a place we had already passed but appeared to have had a complete refurb. It was absolutely pouring with rain by this point,
and we had forgotten an umbrella so I was holding my denim jacket over my head
and still getting soaked. Instead we decamped to Guy Ritchie’s pub Lore of the
Land and had a couple of eye wateringly expensive drinks (and believe me we’re used to
expensive living near Oxford!) before deciding to head home, because it was still
raining and it was a Monday. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We popped into Sainsburys at Paddington and I
bought myself a little bottle of prosecco for the train. Luckily there
was a fast train ready to go so by 9pm we were both showered and drinking prosecco in
our PJs, because we are so rock and roll. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I had ordered myself a new dress with tigers on it for the day. This dress in fact.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6GuDBLPrZOg8RMvXAwNDTCbnjHDXV0ntCfPzGkmAGMptHPYgzhNQ3XNsl_wq90LAmfxuS1GOwgl9IigqEplN_xsHLcax3QLC7n0TjxxkjgsfKXlBunzhnEY494a941s9VYNrECeQoHP58c4icGlHa4IjryydCr-OXiT_2hNZicKp3tgCidaeKuAqvg/s1000/blog44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="552" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6GuDBLPrZOg8RMvXAwNDTCbnjHDXV0ntCfPzGkmAGMptHPYgzhNQ3XNsl_wq90LAmfxuS1GOwgl9IigqEplN_xsHLcax3QLC7n0TjxxkjgsfKXlBunzhnEY494a941s9VYNrECeQoHP58c4icGlHa4IjryydCr-OXiT_2hNZicKp3tgCidaeKuAqvg/s320/blog44.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Seen here hanging up to dry after being washed because when I unpacked it on arrival it smelt nasty. Sadly it didn't arrive in time so I wore an old favourite instead.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I also continued with my Halloweeny purchases. All these are from Erstwilder apart from the black festive tree which is by the ever talented Claire at Dolly Cool. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The pumpkin brooch was a free gift if you spent a certain amount and as I was going to buy stuff anyway it was a no brainer really. I wore the cat earrings to London. The ghost cat brooch glows in the dark.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv7fZchK5oAQJiwtxer_VbX9NPRm3OKAtyJnWdXC3eFdyxu6tp8YlmFL22V4Uj5L4s1BNcL1M5i6lf1Bt40Xl1PDmLV-R3HXONJmSMpX6Vm0_yl9Q_oDTPLl7c_0AkyoctDMNhGTCMBWObq_-rji784o932Nem2kqcOkCjs4gkcZdKD002yc--49YLA/s1000/blog41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv7fZchK5oAQJiwtxer_VbX9NPRm3OKAtyJnWdXC3eFdyxu6tp8YlmFL22V4Uj5L4s1BNcL1M5i6lf1Bt40Xl1PDmLV-R3HXONJmSMpX6Vm0_yl9Q_oDTPLl7c_0AkyoctDMNhGTCMBWObq_-rji784o932Nem2kqcOkCjs4gkcZdKD002yc--49YLA/s320/blog41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">And that's it for October. November is already shaping up busy too, with my Dad's birthday, my parents anniversary, the cinema and 2 theatre trips lined up. My first theatre outings since before covid! </p><p class="MsoNormal">More anon. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-38660212373319191022022-10-08T15:43:00.000-07:002022-10-08T15:43:23.253-07:00September has Come and Gone.<p> So September. The weather finally broke – Huzzah. Being fair
skinned I’ve never been very good in heat, but throw the menopause into the
heady mix, and it’s a one way ticket to meltsville via heat induced spontaneous
combustion! So yes, I’m all about the more bearable weather. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just before we headed to Bournemouth I not only has a recruitment fair in London to attend I also had a work related
drinks reception at the Ashmolean Museum. This was for the out going
class and their families and ended up being over 900 people, it was completely
mental, spread over 4 levels of the museum with drinks and snacks involved. It
was hot, tightly packed and incredibly noisy, with lots of museum staff poised to
pounce due to said drinks and snacks in close proximity to priceless exhibits.
I’ve never really understood the idea of drinks receptions in museums, but I
guess it’s a way to diversify and make money? After getting hemmed in a couple
of times and failing to even get close to scoring a drink, I volunteered to
relieve colleagues on the registration desk, which meant a bit of relative quiet,
a breeze from the open door and more importantly a sit down. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next day I had an extra day off work before we headed off
on holiday, mainly to run errands and pack. I also took the opportunity to sort
out my wardrobe which was back at that point of not being able to fit anything
else in it any more. I’ve gone up a size since lockdown so I was quite brutal
with the things I can no longer fit in, and know realistically I’ll probably
never wear again. There were other things I couldn’t bear to get rid of, so I
just moved them to the back in the hopes I will get my arse in gear and lose
some weight. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The day we headed to Bournemouth the weather was very mixed.
Thankfully it stayed dry for the walk to the train station. There is something
quite nice about being sat inside a speeding train when the rain is hammering
against the windows isn’t there? I had a huge hot tea to drink and a good book
to read = bliss.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whilst we were on the train the guesthouse called to check
when we were arriving. They had also emailed me three times that week to check
when we were arriving, so clearly there was a lack of communication somewhere
along the line! Anyway, I confirmed again we would arrive for the start of
Check-in at 2pm and the voice on the phone said he should be there to meet us in
person, but they would let me know if they were called away. We arrived at about
12.30, the plan being to walk from the station in Bournemouth to the seafront
and eat the sandwiches I had packed for us on the beach. We did manage this, in
the teeth of a howling gale which wasn’t quite what I had envisaged when I had
the plan. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mjxVk0Fd3AGNOreglcp7pbhBMJ6QbcP3mCKlebHbMuNvP6S9AtQKc4AkKvPS-dTDgeoMIyECe6G59WUPTEfy1E87fKHUiI1emz90WO_6DK1PTBvXH1kg-jSmLUwzsVoYGmNrMHzYFLwkmshzf09XCup-W2hsV34f_n35sOy37b8VI3NHBFbYSGst9Q/s1000/a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1000" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mjxVk0Fd3AGNOreglcp7pbhBMJ6QbcP3mCKlebHbMuNvP6S9AtQKc4AkKvPS-dTDgeoMIyECe6G59WUPTEfy1E87fKHUiI1emz90WO_6DK1PTBvXH1kg-jSmLUwzsVoYGmNrMHzYFLwkmshzf09XCup-W2hsV34f_n35sOy37b8VI3NHBFbYSGst9Q/s320/a1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Whilst at the beach my phone rang again and it was the guy
from the guesthouse saying he had been called away, but our room was all ready
and he would send me the details of how to let ourselves in. It started to rain
again at this point so we decided as the room was ready now we would head
straight there.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We arrived and had the fun of me trying to read the
instructions on how to activate the keypad to get in without my glasses, whilst
Himself scanned his palm then typed in numbers. Once inside the front door, our
room turned out to be up 3 flights of stairs at the top of the house. Here we
found the door had a key safe on the outside, so another code gave us the key to
let ourselves into the room and inside was our keycard for the front door. All
very high tech! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The description had said full breakfast included but this
actually turned out to be a room downstairs with a fridge, toaster and kettle
and basic provisions to make your own tea, toast and cereal. So not exactly what
we had expected. In fact, we never actually saw any staff the whole time we were
there, it was quite bizarre. Our room wasn’t serviced, I just got a text 3 days
in to our stay to ask if there was anything we needed!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With hindsight I would not stay there again, not because of
that, but because it was slap bang in the middle of town and on the same street
as a bar and nightclub. I was woken up and then kept awake until daylight by
drunken revellers and taxis with their engines running and frankly I’m too old
for that shit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> The weather on the Thursday was very windy with heavy showers
so we headed into town and mooched the shops, well what’s left of them.
Bournemouth town centre is sadly rundown, even more so than last year. I come to
the conclusion it’s because the majority are huge units which once empty are
hard to fill again. It seems to me that high streets with smaller shop fronts
seem to fair better when it comes to regeneration.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We decamped to the pub. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our first night tradition is to get chips and eat them on the
beach watching the sun go down, but as it was pouring again we decided to go the
Harry Ramsden’s and sit in. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAAHAbP71SDh57BcweVeGq33kokGyOFrCY9E-SCfIUvFv0eEDbARmHwkEicRf9zSDGUG6D6dCWGcS9PHeVmlbK3Hl6MNgFTwHkHSs8CeNBAMqS8NOCUc3fPCTr-zqeUbmNSAolb-eFGnKfZFc5g-aX5tzEr_NhmuEHyrvU6oqRbqTzPJT-VADBPrc-g/s1000/a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAAHAbP71SDh57BcweVeGq33kokGyOFrCY9E-SCfIUvFv0eEDbARmHwkEicRf9zSDGUG6D6dCWGcS9PHeVmlbK3Hl6MNgFTwHkHSs8CeNBAMqS8NOCUc3fPCTr-zqeUbmNSAolb-eFGnKfZFc5g-aX5tzEr_NhmuEHyrvU6oqRbqTzPJT-VADBPrc-g/s320/a2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">From there we could see the pier and it was via
their rolling screen that we read the Queen had died. The sad news kind of
fitted with the weather. I’m neither one way or the other with royalty, but it’s
kind of weird to think a figurehead who has been there my whole life has now
gone. As someone tweeted, James Bond is no longer on her majesty’s secret
service…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> We walked back to the guesthouse via Tesco Metro for a bottle
of wine and encountered this art installation outside the library called Airship Orchestra. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1qxK67wLg4QyJLxEyFck7KXuwF7efA5m6IWTzzUoD6CVnmuJUcBKXT8cAHMNp9LXU1hxiQ_1FclhtLn4OsiCQmgBVfgKDbG5AxN4IfxZaOVVMfsHpQ8vnG7Io5MCK_vhEk06oKNqMUmiY7GW1QU8IBmwglhFYQlJi-3YdXpj1ORKVkjlQfUWXmioDg/s1000/a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1qxK67wLg4QyJLxEyFck7KXuwF7efA5m6IWTzzUoD6CVnmuJUcBKXT8cAHMNp9LXU1hxiQ_1FclhtLn4OsiCQmgBVfgKDbG5AxN4IfxZaOVVMfsHpQ8vnG7Io5MCK_vhEk06oKNqMUmiY7GW1QU8IBmwglhFYQlJi-3YdXpj1ORKVkjlQfUWXmioDg/s320/a3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">It was very
cool. I loved the chilled atmosphere, with changing lights and very chilled
music. A local café had taken the initiative to stay open late serving juice and
hot chocolate to the children, and beer and wine to the adults. As you can
imagine they were doing a roaring trade! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next day we had planned to catch the bus to Swanage and
do a circular walk from the high street to Dancing Ledge, then mooch round
lovely Swanage before our dinner booking at a restaurant in Poole we wanted to
try. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We sat on the top of the open topped bus on the way there so
of course it started raining, but we had wet weather gear and it wasn’t too
heavy so all was good. Unlike the woman in front of us who opened an umbrella
which was instantly mangled the minute the bus picked up speed!<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSQEpplzZDW7akj4kUBUKnZZ7YrheE6R1SB5iqNzXu5Ia8w1YuBo64lp-3QVOsHk48UTdLOZP6CcX-K3Y0AjEPCvhbJ3fvkndJOpDeBi6fETZ9wuKCJwtYJa8fVpNOeDf-ij9vOHfh7S3w2YO4Kle1LGntJBVkOfQz6YKuKtWONUDuxteFm8s4zKKYA/s1000/a5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSQEpplzZDW7akj4kUBUKnZZ7YrheE6R1SB5iqNzXu5Ia8w1YuBo64lp-3QVOsHk48UTdLOZP6CcX-K3Y0AjEPCvhbJ3fvkndJOpDeBi6fETZ9wuKCJwtYJa8fVpNOeDf-ij9vOHfh7S3w2YO4Kle1LGntJBVkOfQz6YKuKtWONUDuxteFm8s4zKKYA/s320/a5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">For the start of the walk it absolutely hammered down for
about 10 minutes then stopped. Half an hour later it did it again, but again
stopped, this was basically the theme for the day. The walk passes through
Dalston Country Park which seemed very beautiful from what we saw of it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ebu7bbvkfpD3UhWimw7Efd8y1OQpAs6K1mbaqpqsNJLE_ce9-gnFSHNdQuZa9neh8dWJsAwkOMo-VTUkZ7oY6V9lNpxYz1iOOB9oKNHeTzLEAuG7x0eCAr4oJvdP9g4ZvnH6lApSVPY4FZAVXMkDKI4UzajdD19UHgqEkyqWKc_5HGQBVlZUkPppZw/s1000/a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ebu7bbvkfpD3UhWimw7Efd8y1OQpAs6K1mbaqpqsNJLE_ce9-gnFSHNdQuZa9neh8dWJsAwkOMo-VTUkZ7oY6V9lNpxYz1iOOB9oKNHeTzLEAuG7x0eCAr4oJvdP9g4ZvnH6lApSVPY4FZAVXMkDKI4UzajdD19UHgqEkyqWKc_5HGQBVlZUkPppZw/s320/a7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Whilst
there I spotted a sign for the South-West Coastal Park which pointed towards
Dancing Ledge so even though it wasn’t our planned route I said let’s go this
way.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Himself demurred but I insisted….<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I said to him later, when it comes to the South-West
Coastal Path that’s twice I’ve done this now with disastrous consequences. I’ve
given him permission that if I ever say it would be a good idea to walk some of
it again, just please tell me to shut the fuck up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> So, it was fine at first other than the wind and occasional
heavy rain. Then the path narrowed and got slightly hilly but was still fine. It
was a couple of miles in that we hit the mud, all kinds of mud. Thick coating
mud that clagged your boots and made them weigh a tonne. Lethal slippery mud
that made it near impossible to stay upright. Cold , wet, oozing mud that soaked
through your boots, you name it we had to pass through it. By this point we had
gone too far to go back.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The going got tough very, very tough, not helped by the
weather. We were covered in mud by this time and as we were too far along to be
able to turn back, we agreed we would have to head to the shops in Poole to buy
clean clothes and change before dinner. Himself was quite rightly livid with me
and stomped off ahead.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I managed to lose my footing trying to climb a slope that was
basically a mud slide and slid all the way back down again on my hands and one
knee. By this point the rain was literally horizontal and frankly I could have
sat down and bawled my eyes out, but I ploughed on. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I caught Himself up and grizzled at him for not even noticing
I had fallen over, so we paused for me to try and clean myself up and to take
stock. We figured we had to be fairly close to our destination after all this
time and effort so gritted our teeth and carried on. I fell over again, this
time sliding onto my backside, but finally there was light at the end of the
tunnel in the shape of a sign post saying we had half a mile to go. With renewed
hope we rounded a corner and were faced with a vertical slope. The water and mud
was pouring down it like a river, there was no way we would get up it and there
was no way we could face trying to go all the way back. In desperation I edged
sideways along the cliff and by chance I spotted a rough track to one side where
the goats & sheep who roam the hillsides had gone before us. We figured it
was that or nothing so cautiously we managed to scramble up by grabbing handfuls
of grass and praying they would take our weight and not send us plummeting back
down, thankfully they did. We made it to Dancing Ledge. I could have cried
again. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTSpDBFYssbx76dk8ItYA9F732pmgkEQTQlWWPo1LU-rdb13890rT-CSUXTOKMHbzuI4dmF4H7pIsP1WlXTOMgj94r4-xHV3xUbBhKH-__E_wYC8zJaoNISN6_noKJnAycrLfU6CAQ1yA3VkeT5SeHCQa7d--4aVh2HAAVl1TGeBwgH3aLLfmxund3A/s1000/a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTSpDBFYssbx76dk8ItYA9F732pmgkEQTQlWWPo1LU-rdb13890rT-CSUXTOKMHbzuI4dmF4H7pIsP1WlXTOMgj94r4-xHV3xUbBhKH-__E_wYC8zJaoNISN6_noKJnAycrLfU6CAQ1yA3VkeT5SeHCQa7d--4aVh2HAAVl1TGeBwgH3aLLfmxund3A/s320/a9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I tried to clean myself up a bit whilst Himself went down to
take a look at it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqbAWFPz8zcshwJC5h_-MgVZq3SyLyvBlnybhbPQt9LhuS_ijkYK4QSkn9EOTRdxzRaPsl0XKPg2yopKG8JD8ZmfDdYxH-0CSl2AJtLUc6VKMXEBFx2xR0Jagh7kYAwFgS9nS794PrDw7QjhgbIhvNR1snbvm_bgDNAS6qPa160UpkJUh6InlZonMoA/s1000/a10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqbAWFPz8zcshwJC5h_-MgVZq3SyLyvBlnybhbPQt9LhuS_ijkYK4QSkn9EOTRdxzRaPsl0XKPg2yopKG8JD8ZmfDdYxH-0CSl2AJtLUc6VKMXEBFx2xR0Jagh7kYAwFgS9nS794PrDw7QjhgbIhvNR1snbvm_bgDNAS6qPa160UpkJUh6InlZonMoA/s320/a10.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We then trudged wearily up the hillside, with plenty of stops
for me and my poor unfit lungs until we got to the summit. </p><p class="MsoNormal">From there we firmly
took the track we were meant to have followed in the first place back to
Swanage. Once there we decamped to some public toilets to clean up a bit. My
poor walking boots, beloved veterans of many adventures, had given up the ghost
part way through. So I was shuffling about with one sole flapping and soaking
wet feet. We bought a drink and an ice cream to celebrate but didn’t really have
the time to do much browsing of shops because the walk had taken so long, also
I’m not sure we would have been very welcome in our filthy state. Having said that I did spy this lovely pendant in the window of a shop called Crystals and it was half price so I did step in there to buy it. It reminded me of stormy seas which seemed quite appropriate Himself also got a couple of bottles of local beer in another shop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUHp-G9WpHvaCcCyjP1GSEaM6BM0wj1W7sUQ-xnFRx00pkGL5xH3DLVh3gf6hhxL3lME4vvjMuW4ndo0HTQws3iHChyaKwuGicS-xUWadlXdQ1AVc9wg76eD-ckPzGHf4QLHsl0YNKPYnG_YQwNSac3USC2if9c8tXtBnz18AlB6vKeK-dlsxIe01Kg/s1000/blogo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="943" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUHp-G9WpHvaCcCyjP1GSEaM6BM0wj1W7sUQ-xnFRx00pkGL5xH3DLVh3gf6hhxL3lME4vvjMuW4ndo0HTQws3iHChyaKwuGicS-xUWadlXdQ1AVc9wg76eD-ckPzGHf4QLHsl0YNKPYnG_YQwNSac3USC2if9c8tXtBnz18AlB6vKeK-dlsxIe01Kg/s320/blogo2.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Back on the
open topped bus we went upstairs again but the rain became torrential so we
quickly headed back downstairs. I have no idea why they run open topped buses in
that weather, the rain was pouring down the stairs in a river and soon the
downstairs was under a few inches of water which sloshed about as the bus went
round corners and poured out of the doors when it stopped to let people on and
off!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we were on the chain-link ferry we looked up how far the
shop in the centre of Poole were from where the bus would stop. Another epic
fail on my part as I hadn’t realised how big Poole is and that where the bus
stops at Poole harbour was actually over 3 miles away from the shops! Neither of
us could face walking another 3 miles in the torrential wind and rain so Himself
suggested we cancel our dinner reservation, head back to the B&B, where we
could get showered and into fresh clothes then find somewhere in Bournemouth to
eat instead. I was only too happy to agree. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtaxB6KJ7b2cm0TTHgezOzKehQFyFhm4QJ6BLIGWQWnnAd4BlKfH0PYGq7Nx0g4kOLhOWqNigeOevA8JQQUIVA4COWyCM_kA77Nc7oCbQnqEQYeKO87DJiMFEzskmEIYHijpsXwewuScWFx_qe5cPZTd6pfLN15Z9Cs75yt88MA9THvH346Me5yWl4w/s1039/a11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtaxB6KJ7b2cm0TTHgezOzKehQFyFhm4QJ6BLIGWQWnnAd4BlKfH0PYGq7Nx0g4kOLhOWqNigeOevA8JQQUIVA4COWyCM_kA77Nc7oCbQnqEQYeKO87DJiMFEzskmEIYHijpsXwewuScWFx_qe5cPZTd6pfLN15Z9Cs75yt88MA9THvH346Me5yWl4w/s320/a11.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">In the end I threw out my poor
boots, my socks and leggings, and Himself threw out his jeans (which were
thankfully an old tatty pair) because they were frankly beyond getting clean
again.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Luckily for us we managed to get a table at a little Italian
restaurant just round the corner from the B&B where we filled up on pasta
and pizza and much wine. What a day. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next day I was due to have my annual catch up with my
friend Alison. She had suggested meeting at Westbourne for a browse of the shops
and some lunch. At last the weather had decided to play ball and was gorgeously
sunny and warm. We went down to make some breakfast and whilst there another
young couple came in, the first other people we had seen at the place so far!
They came in with a Sainsbury’s shopping bag which they unpacked, clearly they
had been out to buy extras to supplement the white bread for toast and only 3
kinds of cereal on offer. Thankfully we had pretty much finished because the
girl wedged some manner of massive bread roll into the toaster and promptly
tripped the electric! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Himself and I took a leisurely stroll to Westbourne and as we
had arrived with time in hand looked at some of the shops. Of course I had to
spot the most amazing pair of boots!, which of course I didn’t need, so of
course I had to try them on, and yes you’ve guessed it, I was instantly smitten.
Himself pointed out that you are allowed to treat yourself when you are on
holiday because he knew there was no way I was not going to buy them, and I
assume wanted to bypass the guilt tripping I would inevitably do afterwards.
<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbOF6VJdxCXF_rrIj2zCsalvybu-agrjGzqdQjRjRL0f3rrFW3tbAI82oGmj3st95VJoA6KVpYX14-aC6-h4mAW4l4T54hy6xQVEF2NecWwF4cKpuqFPJs0TjibLvaduXGlmEOxHvMetp-rLlje-H7UE9YnAEShZzgLDExOsFBCmvZ0LzXuKa_xKtvw/s1000/blogo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1000" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbOF6VJdxCXF_rrIj2zCsalvybu-agrjGzqdQjRjRL0f3rrFW3tbAI82oGmj3st95VJoA6KVpYX14-aC6-h4mAW4l4T54hy6xQVEF2NecWwF4cKpuqFPJs0TjibLvaduXGlmEOxHvMetp-rLlje-H7UE9YnAEShZzgLDExOsFBCmvZ0LzXuKa_xKtvw/s320/blogo6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Dear reader they have my heart because not only do I love the
look of them, but they are so SO damn comfortable (always a big consideration
the older you get.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We met Alison and after a quick catch up Himself went off to
do his thing and we had a blissful browse of charity shops and anything else
that caught our fancy. Westbourne’s main shopping thoroughfare is absolutely
booming. It was lovely to see it so busy with people and full of little
independent shops, like the place I got my boots which were all doing a roaring
trade. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had lunch in the most fabulous little café called <a href="https://delishdeli.co.uk/">Delish</a> that I cannot recommend highly
enough. Run by two ex-British Airways staff who met while working on a flight to
Delhi (hence the name) the food was incredible, as was the free sample of fudge
that came with our drinks. I will definitely go back. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We decided we should probably walk our lunch off so moved the
car before ambling down Branksome Chine, along the seafront, through the formal
gardens and back again. Time flew by and before we knew it, it was time for
Alison to go. I caught up with Himself on the beach where one of the two reasons
I had found it so hard to find a B&B became clear, the national beach
volleyball championships were on!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We headed back to the B&B and because the weather was so
lovely got changed for dinner early before walking along the cliff top to
Boscombe for a drink at the Harvester there which is on the Beach by the pier.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A couple of years ago the council in Bournemouth trialed
using goats to keep the vegetation in check on the cliff face along the seafront
and it worked so well they got a load more. I’d forgotten until we passed one
part and spotted some. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLocEenuYg_pzuGTk-fNP9rMD7p_L1cp7BzXFQ2lc4qwAikrfJRpOn4bDasqjppjdf6m4ohmixLYZEj-DOKQE_8f4Gjh4YxdZifHTOn7h5ge0izaL-qOgpyokW1atiwF72iDIeaJpgysImfVE41HNZ3xjYV5QfNxNJDPU_PEA2QjnXt6l9oblGlsUTkA/s1000/a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1000" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLocEenuYg_pzuGTk-fNP9rMD7p_L1cp7BzXFQ2lc4qwAikrfJRpOn4bDasqjppjdf6m4ohmixLYZEj-DOKQE_8f4Gjh4YxdZifHTOn7h5ge0izaL-qOgpyokW1atiwF72iDIeaJpgysImfVE41HNZ3xjYV5QfNxNJDPU_PEA2QjnXt6l9oblGlsUTkA/s320/a4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">It’s a wonderful idea which I applaud wholeheartedly
apart from one thing. I’m not sure what breed of goat they are, some have the most incredible horns, but dear lord
above they absolutely stink to high heaven in the heat! Definitely not so nice
when you are out for a stroll and the wind happens to be in your direction.
Every so often you would be viciously slapped around the face by the pungent
aroma and sure enough there were some goats munching away on the cliff-side.
Having said that I guess it is a small price to pay against the good work they
do and the lack of wildfires since they have been there. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After our drink we walked back along the beach to the other
Harvester at Alum Chine which is also right on the beach. It happened to be a
full moon that night too so it really was wonderful to sit and watch the sun go
down and the full moon come up over the sea. We had planned to go out for a few
drinks at The Anvil but it was fairly late when we left and I couldn’t be arsed
to walk right to the other side of town after what had been a day full of
walking already. We had wine back at our room anyway so instead we headed back
and drank that. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And just like that our trip was over. Checkout was by 11am.
So we got up early, had our toast and went for a walk up and down Alum and
Branksome chines before heading back and packing. To get there we had to walk through a little park on the cliff top and the second reason I hadn't been able to find many rooms to book became clear, there was a huge Triathlon on! </p><p class="MsoNormal">When we were ready to leave, we just well left. The checkout instructions said
you had to leave the keycard in the room, close and lock the door leaving the
room key in the key safe on the door. So again we left without seeing a soul. </p><p class="MsoNormal">There was a
small Sunday craft market on which we had a look around and bought a couple of
bits including this chain of felt elephants.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFR6ZVcGlBzgaE9xMUCuC0benIxXJ7Ae3VkVdnDga9zeOsdqO16eT_CqJ8LcUk_FMUBLjhC9dXtWFP0hp3NvhA0WTUWEXFl2mx0oWOgPG-bYTNH6U8igXGDaKhbS_MqVht0dbCxnSRMU5gqccZC88ELdYQLGet0IAnbalAbNwxwIDEhuyK8--_3wqhw/s1000/blogo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="987" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFR6ZVcGlBzgaE9xMUCuC0benIxXJ7Ae3VkVdnDga9zeOsdqO16eT_CqJ8LcUk_FMUBLjhC9dXtWFP0hp3NvhA0WTUWEXFl2mx0oWOgPG-bYTNH6U8igXGDaKhbS_MqVht0dbCxnSRMU5gqccZC88ELdYQLGet0IAnbalAbNwxwIDEhuyK8--_3wqhw/s320/blogo1.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Before sitting in the park people watching and eating one last ice cream then walking to the station. Due to Oxford Station being closed, the train
actually terminated at our stop so no need to even change trains going home. I
bought a huge tea and a copy of Dorset Life magazine that came with a free copy
of Coast Magazine included, these kept me fully occupied on the journey home. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">When we walked into town to get groceries the next morning I spotted these bongos for Himself in a charity shop window, well they
did have elephants on them! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M54iDFsMnlhpXj13jQ0O2xHqx-QD4u1eHmU_9tcz8shsc6gQYbWqbyQou5dLSGetSiFQ7Bzw-dGWtKdsYznOZghgkGb6EEbQyzyriZQg-K__0WoWDRMFp8MmYEVpHr1rsq49ZUxMeRoWfmL7vLB2r9vLW1h6syidynIgTQM2rCuF_ebqow1yFecUuw/s800/blogs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="800" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M54iDFsMnlhpXj13jQ0O2xHqx-QD4u1eHmU_9tcz8shsc6gQYbWqbyQou5dLSGetSiFQ7Bzw-dGWtKdsYznOZghgkGb6EEbQyzyriZQg-K__0WoWDRMFp8MmYEVpHr1rsq49ZUxMeRoWfmL7vLB2r9vLW1h6syidynIgTQM2rCuF_ebqow1yFecUuw/s320/blogs1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Himself shot in to see how much they were, at £13
for the pair it was a done deal. We asked if we could pay for
them and collect them later but were told no because if we
didn’t come back technically they can’t re-sell them. Instead the lady said she
would put them aside for 30 minutes which gave us enough time to do our food
shop and buy them on the way
back.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next week went to the cinema to see See How They Run,
which was entertaining enough with some laugh out loud moments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDji_TBBIuZ_4I4PhQMAWolKnndIDa68ycnwCjDXDyF4Ix56RvuNNXWyCR_Txplj2TFoxayY_bblGjqRSfSw6E7Wh6nX8aVci4rliBqN6nZua-ZP3DcrZiBxbaXKnBw0Unn0P-Too0osT9bzDflzb8ujipdqxOv_K9II-khSX7UZZuNKjUR19ik2gxw/s800/FB-TW_SHTR_PAYOFF_WINDOW_1334x2000_FIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDji_TBBIuZ_4I4PhQMAWolKnndIDa68ycnwCjDXDyF4Ix56RvuNNXWyCR_Txplj2TFoxayY_bblGjqRSfSw6E7Wh6nX8aVci4rliBqN6nZua-ZP3DcrZiBxbaXKnBw0Unn0P-Too0osT9bzDflzb8ujipdqxOv_K9II-khSX7UZZuNKjUR19ik2gxw/s320/FB-TW_SHTR_PAYOFF_WINDOW_1334x2000_FIN.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m still working from home 3 days a week and happened to
look up on one day to see a cat sitting staring at me, a bit of a
surprise seeing as we don’t own a cat. I picked him up and popped him out of the front
door before heading to the post office with the sales I had made on Ebay after
my wardrobe tidy. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> I’ve been feeling very autumnal and Halloweeny recently so
bought myself these two tops, in fact I took the skeleton shirt with me to
Bournemouth. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1fmq73T0qtMAr8xSUZFxPmhb8hs6lFj0VvCc7yrAx3H0VtyT8-fq1NDngwGYCDranmu8gX59uhoU4LpLr44JY-27Z6-fZOX7sMb2L008F-0jvz7-kQnvXbCJFwzLECq_DMDqS-F71T9gFazBb2Vy5bJuwEDccaG6UcMAqUIHYAye9PD0XVGE-TDbRg/s800/blogo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1fmq73T0qtMAr8xSUZFxPmhb8hs6lFj0VvCc7yrAx3H0VtyT8-fq1NDngwGYCDranmu8gX59uhoU4LpLr44JY-27Z6-fZOX7sMb2L008F-0jvz7-kQnvXbCJFwzLECq_DMDqS-F71T9gFazBb2Vy5bJuwEDccaG6UcMAqUIHYAye9PD0XVGE-TDbRg/s320/blogo4.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qoTB_j30SjVl3U3ggrUY2wB79PfI4bIZ8PEJ8gM1vn8taXdgRjYKVBnYFfmvAgS9Ijv9ybipWuOmlk-T8PD2jiL9DgFhA-sNOuACmWNyvPSc0F-iAZCIcY6_4FgXtxMBw5NdtK1QKlK94le-U6tuW2HZ6qBqdlIQSU2m4qDaraxxvyORUOTAUSTicA/s800/blogo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="626" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qoTB_j30SjVl3U3ggrUY2wB79PfI4bIZ8PEJ8gM1vn8taXdgRjYKVBnYFfmvAgS9Ijv9ybipWuOmlk-T8PD2jiL9DgFhA-sNOuACmWNyvPSc0F-iAZCIcY6_4FgXtxMBw5NdtK1QKlK94le-U6tuW2HZ6qBqdlIQSU2m4qDaraxxvyORUOTAUSTicA/s320/blogo5.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I spotted these skeleton earrings when I was out with my Mum and
just had to buy them. They are articulated and covered in rhinestones. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTZwjyBwqNR9L9MpF4VcgeWPN0hzmOC5GklJVoLXFbFyqdDRWVCRiumkrmSQ6YU7b4X9Q7abNLh0pPxz47-1MCUGBiQtyTVyFx5a0Kx-V-MkentXPcG5sx54sQDvOvd3aC8a5HAz9vYRZAfjcJE2AdOuxUI0Fh8dkV9WxT_xZTIj-U_e1aemnkThn3g/s800/blogs6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="483" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTZwjyBwqNR9L9MpF4VcgeWPN0hzmOC5GklJVoLXFbFyqdDRWVCRiumkrmSQ6YU7b4X9Q7abNLh0pPxz47-1MCUGBiQtyTVyFx5a0Kx-V-MkentXPcG5sx54sQDvOvd3aC8a5HAz9vYRZAfjcJE2AdOuxUI0Fh8dkV9WxT_xZTIj-U_e1aemnkThn3g/s320/blogs6.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-90302868320839257762022-09-26T12:52:00.000-07:002022-09-26T12:52:31.111-07:00An August Round Up.<p> Hello , hello I’m trying to keep it to at least a monthly
round up, better late than never eh?</p><p> As it goes I didn’t get up to too much in August so this will be a
very brief round up in terms of words but a bit bumper in terms of pics because I did promise to
share some of my more recent purchases. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I started the month meeting some friends for lunch. We were
meeting at Liz’s house and as she is a very keen gardener (with the most stunning
garden that I covert desperately), I decided to buy her a couple of plants
instead of chocolates or some such. It was another super hot day that day, so I
headed out in the morning to incorporate a bit walk around buying plants. Foolishly I wore the sandals I bought last year at the end of the Clarks sale and
had therefore not worn for any length of time in any kind of heat. I'll save you
the gory details, let’s just say by the time I got home, even with the addition
of a plaster, one foot had been rubbed so badly it took many weeks to heal. This scuppered any further sandal wearing plans for this year. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Anyway we had a
fabulous afternoon, lounging in the shade of one of the apple trees in Liz's garden, eating and
drinking far too much. Bliss. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also dragged Himself out for a walk to watch the August
moon come up as it was the last super moon of the year. It was a gorgeous
evening and we had an amazing view from the old railway line to Upton.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0ExBWaC2YTdLAlPGRWB0F431o7_0NHbu_Og4ovlM1AtE9diq5p8V6jROyZlwxQYXRm2__BNm4_FZlVKaNlY6Z_PJjkBDyfWKF5lIc4jTjLAnPERU5tgDR2cdbL32tZkQYftkYbZK9Z6O4ZqP6r00eXd0AQu7jurNejAv3dpe-18-mf6NMvr9j4Cvew/s1000/298945724_10159902991546904_8608191792380377160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0ExBWaC2YTdLAlPGRWB0F431o7_0NHbu_Og4ovlM1AtE9diq5p8V6jROyZlwxQYXRm2__BNm4_FZlVKaNlY6Z_PJjkBDyfWKF5lIc4jTjLAnPERU5tgDR2cdbL32tZkQYftkYbZK9Z6O4ZqP6r00eXd0AQu7jurNejAv3dpe-18-mf6NMvr9j4Cvew/s320/298945724_10159902991546904_8608191792380377160_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNRc0jSJs8fogdwDZ9RKh7GK96ud4Pnyh2d614GaNSRGTU6jB1sezxt3_5EIsobM3-OJ6t21GqMknN5G9FqJXiTGJEukaxwg0VY5qxOmi593OwyGLBm227XfNVlIxzts2oUzAqBc0ftrA8MvntVMDo2k_HLkeqRexGEcMGth6w5B8oN3Lbey-Os5bww/s1000/299191849_10159902991581904_5422084010134331553_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNRc0jSJs8fogdwDZ9RKh7GK96ud4Pnyh2d614GaNSRGTU6jB1sezxt3_5EIsobM3-OJ6t21GqMknN5G9FqJXiTGJEukaxwg0VY5qxOmi593OwyGLBm227XfNVlIxzts2oUzAqBc0ftrA8MvntVMDo2k_HLkeqRexGEcMGth6w5B8oN3Lbey-Os5bww/s320/299191849_10159902991581904_5422084010134331553_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> Sadly my
little camera was not up to the task of taking the kind of pictures that did the view
justice, as not only is it old and well used, it has never been good for night
time pictures. I tried anyway though.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This was followed by another outing with Soo and our mutual
friend Simon. Since Soo retired we three try to get together every 4-6 weeks for
a catch up which usually involves eating and much drinking (we are unashamedly a
bad influence on each other when it comes to the question of buying another
round!) This time it was Simon’s choice of venue and he picked The Medley Bar at
Port Meadow in Oxford. It started as a pop up bar on the banks of the Thames a
couple of years ago and proved to be so popular they ended up making larger and
semi-permanent.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRakszhiXUCWonI1ZbjoSHFI2ugVQQW8Ep9LgDghbKbNuDfZQF6Vf0ch7jt3E-PFOaEbMc0GtUb4qBrRXa7fvY_-AQdLwrUDVxv1BGH5t_lAZuwJtRhTlGIEqrZWv_0SOuAHDPauX7iXZAm_5p3KK0HRB5XOpgGE25KwiTRdx--Jwn1dD5-_92xyIYQ/s1440/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRakszhiXUCWonI1ZbjoSHFI2ugVQQW8Ep9LgDghbKbNuDfZQF6Vf0ch7jt3E-PFOaEbMc0GtUb4qBrRXa7fvY_-AQdLwrUDVxv1BGH5t_lAZuwJtRhTlGIEqrZWv_0SOuAHDPauX7iXZAm_5p3KK0HRB5XOpgGE25KwiTRdx--Jwn1dD5-_92xyIYQ/s320/beer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Of course the day we had chosen to meet was another where the
temperatures were due to hit a ridiculous 37 degrees, so we met in the morning
to walk there before it got too hot. We arrived and found a free table under a
huge tree right on the edge of the river, so we took up residence there for the
next 5 hours. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokH1efWSuGsriRSCEk6V0057Hq8tP3A5bw53D18E7581mAqoqyF8JyEC0IF3-G9Ouc6wfby1BQqZuebeWCqVMAz0G-EHE2pc7ddGfqCCRhgFipapTZlSt_c70aB2O77e7tMaH5DhxpqPi9eazhTmRn0SEoknzmILSonhoBMJfnUSTT8t_SFM6oY38GA/s806/beergarden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="806" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokH1efWSuGsriRSCEk6V0057Hq8tP3A5bw53D18E7581mAqoqyF8JyEC0IF3-G9Ouc6wfby1BQqZuebeWCqVMAz0G-EHE2pc7ddGfqCCRhgFipapTZlSt_c70aB2O77e7tMaH5DhxpqPi9eazhTmRn0SEoknzmILSonhoBMJfnUSTT8t_SFM6oY38GA/s320/beergarden1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Because we are all grown adults, we did intersperse the alcohol
with water and one of the delicious hand-made pizzas they cook on site. It was
steadily busy with dog walkers, cyclists, runners, kayakers and wild water
swimmers. I also loved the fact they were happy for the youngsters busy enjoying
the summer holidays messing about in the river to come and use the toilets or
get drinks of water.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wore one of my birthday dresses. I was ordering some new
undies on the M&S website when this dress caught my eye so I ordered it on
impulse. I absolutely love it and it’s been blissful in the hot weather as it’s
cool and floaty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD5PxtfyhKTLlx8km8_N4nnUhVti3EiEcfweii0iA7CjTaGbrlmy3BZB64I0zZNZsE7Gv0ElTAvBTRwBX0QXXNKm3i-KkIHMpdCLGibyCbuyu7ysmjei_6xpQAUVWpr2F9HsgOxTmYvnA9mHBK3Ey5hktZPa0FNLI6bBP_fROvWlF9M8wYYajumkfZQ/s800/blogs10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD5PxtfyhKTLlx8km8_N4nnUhVti3EiEcfweii0iA7CjTaGbrlmy3BZB64I0zZNZsE7Gv0ElTAvBTRwBX0QXXNKm3i-KkIHMpdCLGibyCbuyu7ysmjei_6xpQAUVWpr2F9HsgOxTmYvnA9mHBK3Ey5hktZPa0FNLI6bBP_fROvWlF9M8wYYajumkfZQ/s320/blogs10.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I have worn it loads and even had a catastrophe when I got it
tangled in the wheel of one of the office chairs at work and managed to rip a
hole. I was gutted. Thankfully some careful mending with a matching coloured
piece of plain cotton fabric and wonderweb means it has seen plenty of action
since. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We went to the cinema once to see the second Fisherman’s
Friends film. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgts6fikuLV-0c4vIu7x48H8Y9wEgWlAvr1043p0Z0zqhGxUsOJ6bqTBYm1KNrke6GuLHlcEwxd0HsF3mHn5W0OTTQNOMjJein3-QsVU8Raz0-NbTBh_m8XXveF7uKM-HXf5wxpKCh1RBwBWVcWn4_DuYYfvYkLXU23ArECXP-YHhybsK44bRT94zkDeQ/s800/band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgts6fikuLV-0c4vIu7x48H8Y9wEgWlAvr1043p0Z0zqhGxUsOJ6bqTBYm1KNrke6GuLHlcEwxd0HsF3mHn5W0OTTQNOMjJein3-QsVU8Raz0-NbTBh_m8XXveF7uKM-HXf5wxpKCh1RBwBWVcWn4_DuYYfvYkLXU23ArECXP-YHhybsK44bRT94zkDeQ/s320/band.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">As a film it has suffered from lockdown, as they started filming
before and then had to try and do bits during and after so it’s quite
disjointed. Having said that it’s still an uplifting feel good film and as ever
Cornwall looks stunning. I tease Himself about how long it took me to get him to
go there and he instantly fell in love, or actually, it seems was just going
back to his roots. According to his family genealogy his ancestors were Cornish
tin miners who headed to the North-East and became coal miners when times got
tough in Cornwall. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The end of August saw me going to Mum’s for the bank holiday
and our annual trip to the Country Craft Fair at Stonor Park. Thankfully the
weather was a little cooler, so we enjoyed sitting outside with a glass of
prosecco planning how to rearrange some of the garden and playing with Bobby the
cat. We got to Stonor at about 10.30am the next day and had a happy couple of
hours browsing. I didn’t buy much; some greetings cards, a printing block, a
little whale for my Christmas tree and some earrings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXxyCvM-_0cscLBc7sswCbqCR7zejC9u5KR5yiUBAkX73R3iDCMPy5PTx4hahV2f2TikrgGyvbmYCb67Jpfaw1c010Hm2g3Qlk-eu5WO9ILnAtBzeyHJOXSgCeLC50WjRpoHqMh8wuf9pS2vWFXNfAr88F0oRq_Hf4E2ydn-O-Qa2MdgAQqntAvE_4A/s819/blogs5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXxyCvM-_0cscLBc7sswCbqCR7zejC9u5KR5yiUBAkX73R3iDCMPy5PTx4hahV2f2TikrgGyvbmYCb67Jpfaw1c010Hm2g3Qlk-eu5WO9ILnAtBzeyHJOXSgCeLC50WjRpoHqMh8wuf9pS2vWFXNfAr88F0oRq_Hf4E2ydn-O-Qa2MdgAQqntAvE_4A/s320/blogs5.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">From Stonor we went to my Mum’s local café for lunch. I had a
jacket potato with tuna which was insanely huge because the ladies know my Mum
and just kept piling on the topping! We then drove to see Dad and I got
home in time to spend a few hours with Himself’s sister and family who had
called in on their way back to Devon from Legoland. It was lovely to see Nephew
Number Two and The Little Miss in the flesh for the first time since lockdown.
They have both got so tall!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmEfxweajYkkNUFzvW7zU45u6Hyms9_e0N4ieiUsW4iQh3cFR-dzB9uFVnexQI0l8xWYPrumbFguD2ZYnURxeOGd9ESLk1MWeowUoiyl-H1ZHaBROFndQg7Funz_hsPxRNG_aSNnro9td0dmo1HX-GukDqemqvIJeHWX6DSO7o3KkDPQTx2EdWnSKbg/s800/blogs9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmEfxweajYkkNUFzvW7zU45u6Hyms9_e0N4ieiUsW4iQh3cFR-dzB9uFVnexQI0l8xWYPrumbFguD2ZYnURxeOGd9ESLk1MWeowUoiyl-H1ZHaBROFndQg7Funz_hsPxRNG_aSNnro9td0dmo1HX-GukDqemqvIJeHWX6DSO7o3KkDPQTx2EdWnSKbg/s320/blogs9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The star earrings are the ones I bought at Stonor, the anchors and palm leaves came from the Collectif summer sale. I also treated myself to a couple of handbags</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvgA5SPDIeo6vNeFDM0uGqWNY4PGvWslC8fDbvGEaPXRgYLL1PZahFxxSbLoRK5mR0EoSTUTmBxfvnQhihNBVbbKDpG0Nq-6xQHH_vnjAkg3dFiGTHStwDzN5ASVSdDIiSX_j8VwRyRTZz0on8X94v9sBJK3aQmrolj_FZODBrzt8mI9lqRhsNqP5mQ/s800/blogs8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvgA5SPDIeo6vNeFDM0uGqWNY4PGvWslC8fDbvGEaPXRgYLL1PZahFxxSbLoRK5mR0EoSTUTmBxfvnQhihNBVbbKDpG0Nq-6xQHH_vnjAkg3dFiGTHStwDzN5ASVSdDIiSX_j8VwRyRTZz0on8X94v9sBJK3aQmrolj_FZODBrzt8mI9lqRhsNqP5mQ/s320/blogs8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVlpz495g87LKdvE-LRlNCQxNpNsAezT6EvcCeB8rLD5CcPDmscHmE5o6dtVH14JoMUwiF-jxEVAXcvUY0UpJpTkSUFW8hrkriGRRTK5_yEA8nANMw1QH385NxOW8fBiHczK5j9nRYSha3rh_-QDeDHIcxlouEEgSC6uP0W_djY4cuF5kd4TdzrD0ew/s800/blog11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVlpz495g87LKdvE-LRlNCQxNpNsAezT6EvcCeB8rLD5CcPDmscHmE5o6dtVH14JoMUwiF-jxEVAXcvUY0UpJpTkSUFW8hrkriGRRTK5_yEA8nANMw1QH385NxOW8fBiHczK5j9nRYSha3rh_-QDeDHIcxlouEEgSC6uP0W_djY4cuF5kd4TdzrD0ew/s320/blog11.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>and a strawberry print dress.<div><br /></div><div>Last post I mentioned handbags didn't I.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLUME1tCvK7rt3XpEBPBqkYelWDVe0NmVyF_ZhJrtkSO3LbBC33KeTbue0ZpWBedJj_Fm8OlueWmi0TEHrRNXJ042R2LZyy-qSwZHvCnWJBbBBImtrpWfCfu5XAnC2BzFf26jdvTLtVzKR1ebiCyiHkAeMcd2BbhNo3DfcRUAm6DDHTrW1Oj3sOVmTw/s1000/blogs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLUME1tCvK7rt3XpEBPBqkYelWDVe0NmVyF_ZhJrtkSO3LbBC33KeTbue0ZpWBedJj_Fm8OlueWmi0TEHrRNXJ042R2LZyy-qSwZHvCnWJBbBBImtrpWfCfu5XAnC2BzFf26jdvTLtVzKR1ebiCyiHkAeMcd2BbhNo3DfcRUAm6DDHTrW1Oj3sOVmTw/s320/blogs2.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJVUzk6GqBTR7RHgGDHaIHIxlDLAXafG0xqh0KbyIPCkVH9wxNWYZO68HYlG0NPnZEgCjg0K2RCzcVhNTO47Z0qKrPKLDjEnsULgnXL8n5mvVQ_sC0w1KVyDCylgnlbfmhVrcCx6Tjnf08j036VzdCuvX4wQo2ebehq7uixvaJKCRPbIwcPBW4qEjZQ/s800/blogs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJVUzk6GqBTR7RHgGDHaIHIxlDLAXafG0xqh0KbyIPCkVH9wxNWYZO68HYlG0NPnZEgCjg0K2RCzcVhNTO47Z0qKrPKLDjEnsULgnXL8n5mvVQ_sC0w1KVyDCylgnlbfmhVrcCx6Tjnf08j036VzdCuvX4wQo2ebehq7uixvaJKCRPbIwcPBW4qEjZQ/s320/blogs3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QZklEUW5hzReOgPGGhhkNfAhIflUpgc0rdSUN7UuaMQZp7OT47OuwWXKvr22jtnVC4YbXtn2rn4HGB251Z0Eo0qw_vwNtxZmaH_qaNF3qHGyooFBhrrHnG17_vJVF0ngtTSJlVNZQDSncaszXNXoH-rNAtEBSqb2K2_GXizI03T-1DtHw2mV1eVe5g/s800/blogs4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="725" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QZklEUW5hzReOgPGGhhkNfAhIflUpgc0rdSUN7UuaMQZp7OT47OuwWXKvr22jtnVC4YbXtn2rn4HGB251Z0Eo0qw_vwNtxZmaH_qaNF3qHGyooFBhrrHnG17_vJVF0ngtTSJlVNZQDSncaszXNXoH-rNAtEBSqb2K2_GXizI03T-1DtHw2mV1eVe5g/s320/blogs4.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br /><div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">These are all vintage purchases but I also bought this in the Accessorize sale because it reminded me of my favourite skirt from the 80's!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC5iMHDxKD5RXMVoy8IPMZ-UlS15vYxcwPvG0G7opaNTXfER4lHKIkcaLrY34AxmoVUeZe8NFvDAIioxvFLPbsHEqObvpU8BZe84pgDpaF5xeFxzdwkVH39wZuETa-SmAYZqivzPJ8UIjJQ1TJmDvc0I0z_E6atvIiFqo-fm2IOp7dxpt5TYNIYvTyg/s1000/aug3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1000" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC5iMHDxKD5RXMVoy8IPMZ-UlS15vYxcwPvG0G7opaNTXfER4lHKIkcaLrY34AxmoVUeZe8NFvDAIioxvFLPbsHEqObvpU8BZe84pgDpaF5xeFxzdwkVH39wZuETa-SmAYZqivzPJ8UIjJQ1TJmDvc0I0z_E6atvIiFqo-fm2IOp7dxpt5TYNIYvTyg/s320/aug3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8sD7-qgxLQR3HryKezh7sPqz3ubeyiyt1P5b2NlIjoER4G3wVa-gFtO45k87-p4cxVJA_lFlIWL7V-vE3RZAiA6tzRXaVlM2QpWYmWQ7SRHEHxzMI1kILQkXy7HdNK0Qk-ijB9NrIC0g4WXM814RaUKFCdHe9TeGWwIFLEgYu2Z_Ugjf8ilNKAtIyg/s622/aug4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="341" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8sD7-qgxLQR3HryKezh7sPqz3ubeyiyt1P5b2NlIjoER4G3wVa-gFtO45k87-p4cxVJA_lFlIWL7V-vE3RZAiA6tzRXaVlM2QpWYmWQ7SRHEHxzMI1kILQkXy7HdNK0Qk-ijB9NrIC0g4WXM814RaUKFCdHe9TeGWwIFLEgYu2Z_Ugjf8ilNKAtIyg/s320/aug4.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>Not the best pic, but I think the only one I have of me wearing it.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJFM6V35NBBBbkIWX1UFrRZtl7Zg_1dP9mcmhhY5VYVGf1Vu4t2eoqeMSFXmSPyhAysrLmJsbdGybrOIhyMFapKE45UEmUc-yaW5gDuDJNst79-Aeivur9mDITo2_TNJH9Vvl0t4yF5WxA032vuq9pY1_s4RDU9S80L-dujNTY9RnHpeGtgb4wPyKGw/s800/blogs7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="800" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJFM6V35NBBBbkIWX1UFrRZtl7Zg_1dP9mcmhhY5VYVGf1Vu4t2eoqeMSFXmSPyhAysrLmJsbdGybrOIhyMFapKE45UEmUc-yaW5gDuDJNst79-Aeivur9mDITo2_TNJH9Vvl0t4yF5WxA032vuq9pY1_s4RDU9S80L-dujNTY9RnHpeGtgb4wPyKGw/s320/blogs7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A few Erstwilder sale purchases...</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally I had to return something to Marks and whilst there I spotted this bedding and couldn't grab it fast enough, I may even have squealed... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpon6gslS48JsLldwDFw-96OuHZm8Bh_J9tFp2W_757tiDcDkUrfe1vyESItF03yk-BckleBShr5urY3jUEnDJb2FC5f7p9e9-sv4q9rC9OYvDUKNIRGWbFK-2knf3KeSWSVnRRX7EEmaVRkZUVeQflcAB_GUouVl9q91pyL_2EknnUk0N01k7zhK1PA/s1000/aug16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="819" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpon6gslS48JsLldwDFw-96OuHZm8Bh_J9tFp2W_757tiDcDkUrfe1vyESItF03yk-BckleBShr5urY3jUEnDJb2FC5f7p9e9-sv4q9rC9OYvDUKNIRGWbFK-2knf3KeSWSVnRRX7EEmaVRkZUVeQflcAB_GUouVl9q91pyL_2EknnUk0N01k7zhK1PA/s320/aug16.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">So that’s August and a few of my recent purchases. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Soon to
follow our annual trip to Bournemouth and the thrills and spills that occurred there this year, and yes there were spills!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More anon.<o:p></o:p></p></div>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-38646146870160377062022-08-07T09:35:00.002-07:002022-08-07T09:35:38.480-07:00A July Round up of Sorts.<p> Well since I last blogged the field I quite often walk through when out for some air, has gone from this</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVKGKdX_bm-uYwfv5logTcXRNfnmwNI2M-TvjmfLv0tHX_i30zehvmq_tWHUZK_YFD7DpaR1EXk49hM903RhG1rdwZluseWmmds5jSRtrWp9JUjbiD_M9lIlpzo0-gVKvr9BMECyt2Voz56AV0ldNu9CX2R7DOwvNo4niNRS2s4oK6WOfM5fh3YUtZQ/s2048/aug10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="2048" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVKGKdX_bm-uYwfv5logTcXRNfnmwNI2M-TvjmfLv0tHX_i30zehvmq_tWHUZK_YFD7DpaR1EXk49hM903RhG1rdwZluseWmmds5jSRtrWp9JUjbiD_M9lIlpzo0-gVKvr9BMECyt2Voz56AV0ldNu9CX2R7DOwvNo4niNRS2s4oK6WOfM5fh3YUtZQ/s320/aug10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>to this<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hNucAmniyvpgcBvT0-uJi1qZ853rSy3-t069_we0spqztydwsnzP0D6GCtQCBuTGzRbVEa3x6d-Q2M4qrS48PwwOoZYW0ooe_c45BslvCd8wmv6iZ5KcX8GMGEzDRIlsMNTjElYH2Ml6Wndyv6_M-Y6sak5UeKTy6y4xxwRFAI0Onz4ef8wZnhE0_g/s1000/aug7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1000" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hNucAmniyvpgcBvT0-uJi1qZ853rSy3-t069_we0spqztydwsnzP0D6GCtQCBuTGzRbVEa3x6d-Q2M4qrS48PwwOoZYW0ooe_c45BslvCd8wmv6iZ5KcX8GMGEzDRIlsMNTjElYH2Ml6Wndyv6_M-Y6sak5UeKTy6y4xxwRFAI0Onz4ef8wZnhE0_g/s320/aug7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>and now this<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHrdxa8yu9UoonElKbGWqO2C-coz-FmOK-bgAgOuKIa3Z-4xbemXl0LU0Hkv5hhA_WN-FjXvP6xuhKqRK9aXxuUXhe1sjx2x8m53Fh9KNZGoRX0HZwggWejF05RYwsAUodbrUcBaJmc0ZrsaWTRz0-ziB-WGh9lrZrkFTXD5ts2oEQp2Q0VUiPXMZAw/s1000/aug9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHrdxa8yu9UoonElKbGWqO2C-coz-FmOK-bgAgOuKIa3Z-4xbemXl0LU0Hkv5hhA_WN-FjXvP6xuhKqRK9aXxuUXhe1sjx2x8m53Fh9KNZGoRX0HZwggWejF05RYwsAUodbrUcBaJmc0ZrsaWTRz0-ziB-WGh9lrZrkFTXD5ts2oEQp2Q0VUiPXMZAw/s320/aug9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have been finding life challenging this year, there has been some pretty stressful stuff going on and my mental health has not been the greatest. Mostly all I manage when it's bad is getting up, dressed and onto my laptop to work. I actually find work a boon, because I have to concentrate on what I'm doing, I don't think about anything else. <div>Either that or I read, again I can lose myself in a book, it has always been a coping mechanism for me. The fact I have already read 42 out of the 50 goal I set myself on Goodreads is another clear indication of the state of things.<div>A far amount of this year I have found it beyond me to do more than the minimum necessary to get through life, so the house is more often than not a tip and the garden going it's own way and things like blogging slip way down the list. </div><div><br /></div><div>This isn't a pity party, I'm not looking for the sympathy vote, I am coping and this to will pass. </div><div>It's more that my blog has always been somewhere I have been my authentic self so I wanted to be honest about the downs as well as the ups and the reason I have been AWOL for most of the year. </div><div><br /></div><div>The vast majority of the time I am a ridiculously positive person, I genuinely am that person on my blog careering through life buying too many dresses and handbags, and despite things, there have been handbags and dresses in 2022. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway today I'm doing ok, I am inside because it's too damn hot. I felt like blogging, so I thought a round up of last month would be a good place to start. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having just said I am generally a positive person, I certainly was at the start of July just not in a way I would have wanted! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkqjaAjhwSCIJxEOzGJsYvdBlJK9Pb4CKnyQxtpXxs47OkiVLI5TJyyjiuS8zGNLp2Tm5LcHZ8TGEBTgd8uO6Ev35V6JdkNB9SIVto5WiqGsASpzUdAzjDrBuO15_T26dowfBeyh0f8nguOtQmuEamD5VQLAPtvBZYFEAlp30tZQ8MaIzTlTbtlPFzQ/s3510/test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3510" data-original-width="2760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkqjaAjhwSCIJxEOzGJsYvdBlJK9Pb4CKnyQxtpXxs47OkiVLI5TJyyjiuS8zGNLp2Tm5LcHZ8TGEBTgd8uO6Ev35V6JdkNB9SIVto5WiqGsASpzUdAzjDrBuO15_T26dowfBeyh0f8nguOtQmuEamD5VQLAPtvBZYFEAlp30tZQ8MaIzTlTbtlPFzQ/s320/test.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div>Like so many other people I know covid finally hit the Magpie household after avoiding it thus far. Himself brought it home from work where it turns out his assistant was positive and kindly carried on coming into the office SIGH. </div><div>I was working from home that day and went out to my Pilates class before he got in. When I got home later that evening he announced he was 'full of cold' I asked if he had done a test and he insisted it was just a cold because he'd tested the day before and was clear. We small debate ensued and he did another test to shut me up, all I heard was 'Oh!' </div><div>Sure enough the second line had appeared. Inevitably I tested positive about a week later. Randomly we had completely different symptoms and time lines. I was negative after 5 days, he was positive for 12. I had a killer headache for a day, then cold symptoms. So a cough and blocked nose but otherwise felt ok. </div><div> </div><div>However for me it turns out covid is the gift that keeps on giving. Having been clear for over a week and feeling absolutely fine I was out in Oxford for cocktails and pizza with some of the girls from work. As the evening progressed my voice started to go, it was so weird. By the end of the night I was properly croaking, I figured I had been talking and laughing a lot and hopefully it would be fine in the morning. </div><div>Nope, next day the voice had totally gone and I was coughing again. I tested several times over the next few days but was clear each time. It took 10 days for my voice to return and over 2 weeks to stop coughing.Annoyingly I'm still not completely back up to full energy levels, though I never stopped working, which with hindsight, maybe I should have rested up a bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway with my poor croak of a voice I headed into Oxford on the 9th July to meet Charlotte and Alex as Alex was down from Liverpool for the weekend. We had a lovely morning that started with coffee and a bit of shopping, then lunch at the food market in Gloucester Green. A blissful browse around Blackwells, where I bought too many books and finished with a drink at The Punter pub in Osney Mead, because by then it was just too hot and we needed to be somewhere in the shade. I do have a picture but it's not the most flattering as we all look very hot and disheveled! Alex said she couldn't get used to seeing me speak but not hearing my voice when I did!</div><div> </div><div>On the Sunday I was up and out, back into Oxford again to catch the bus over to Soo's where I met her and our friend Melissa before headed to Yarnton Nurseries for the day. It's one of those huge garden centres with various clothing and homeware franchises, but as an added bonus it also has an antique centre attached. We spent the whole day browsing clothes, books, bedding and ornaments, followed by plants and finally vintage treasures. The only downside being I still didn't have much of a voice and the heat, lordy it was hot that day, though not as hot as it was due to get the following weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had actually planned this trip way back on what turned out to be the first Saturday of lockdown so it really was overdue. </div><div><br /></div><div>The following Sunday was my birthday and Mum had booked us all in for Sunday lunch in one of the pubs in her village, such a lovely idea before we realised the temperatures were forecast to be in the 40s!! Thankfully on the day it was only in the early 30s!?! So eating a roast dinner was just about bearable. </div><div>I had the Thursday & Friday before and the Monday after off work. Ever since turning 40 I have made it a rule never to work on my birthday. If it falls on the weekend I will take days around it. </div><div><br /></div><div>So on the Thursday Himself and I went to see the latest Thor movie Love and Thunder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Tn7K-N849Oj1dHnywzFHvuf5lB2uGnvLyzbwDxCcNimg0ODzqQM2h1pq8P4vkCV5j-Oe_dyL0n7Tl5o04hfHVbwEWvhRslu_l4HVfUWzLBMk6cMDGSwpQDYp0jXZ_IeIimfInJsupA310dCA-lP4BhfN7BkcJfNsmgbIgKvr5Ap1CgPMoElga7YTvg/s1000/aug18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Tn7K-N849Oj1dHnywzFHvuf5lB2uGnvLyzbwDxCcNimg0ODzqQM2h1pq8P4vkCV5j-Oe_dyL0n7Tl5o04hfHVbwEWvhRslu_l4HVfUWzLBMk6cMDGSwpQDYp0jXZ_IeIimfInJsupA310dCA-lP4BhfN7BkcJfNsmgbIgKvr5Ap1CgPMoElga7YTvg/s320/aug18.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div>I get why some of the Marvel purists weren't keen, it is a bit of a mess but great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cracking soundtrack of mostly 80's metal was an added bonus. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the Friday Mum and I went out to Millets Farm. Another large garden centre, this time one with a pick your own farm, farm shop and petting zoo. Disappointingly the plants stocks were surprisingly poor with many empty shelves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KoU-bI7gcbryvZDgsy_4PzEi646U8hyl1QO45FOdZi09X49r3A9zgwMNvNnh5TON376yDJTDG3NuS1DiEsgaDaz1oibeWkS9Hor2ZWI0DKGb5V2gD8LaxG8EsPNm_17idrn8RTHhEtk2DtkLSO5Oei664xLH9zh6pE07RLgyr0ULUYHE4As0YxqXpA/s440/aug14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KoU-bI7gcbryvZDgsy_4PzEi646U8hyl1QO45FOdZi09X49r3A9zgwMNvNnh5TON376yDJTDG3NuS1DiEsgaDaz1oibeWkS9Hor2ZWI0DKGb5V2gD8LaxG8EsPNm_17idrn8RTHhEtk2DtkLSO5Oei664xLH9zh6pE07RLgyr0ULUYHE4As0YxqXpA/s320/aug14.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div>I bought a bag of ericaceous soil and we both bought an unusual white French lavender but that was it. A bit of a let down really. We had lunch and a wander around the animals who were mostly hiding from the heat, before buying some fresh raspberries and a cake in the farm shop.</div><div>We took these with us to visit Dad on the way back. It was lovely to see him, I hadn't dared go when I was possibly contagious and then ill, but it was killer because despite the 30 degree weather they still had the heating on in the care home!?! </div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday started with a boiled egg, bucks fizz and pressies, very civilized I must say. Among other things Himself bought me a minitures tasting set of a spiced rum I had spotted when we were on holiday in Kent and wanted to try.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HZcghoDMOnvy6LVABsUhnXDmRiHXOsWi43t_cYlpg-ETk_6ffa0uzArju5rmpRC5RlD8mqJqr59SOtlWc2trdGRzD1xbAlju_6MeCfQdC5qRM9Q6fZlhCWf87I252NL5OSej5g1ctnt2CnBu0y-Y0VducAt79pHY4_kG6sV-6LlroxcNz1JJRuZf4g/s1000/aug17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HZcghoDMOnvy6LVABsUhnXDmRiHXOsWi43t_cYlpg-ETk_6ffa0uzArju5rmpRC5RlD8mqJqr59SOtlWc2trdGRzD1xbAlju_6MeCfQdC5qRM9Q6fZlhCWf87I252NL5OSej5g1ctnt2CnBu0y-Y0VducAt79pHY4_kG6sV-6LlroxcNz1JJRuZf4g/s320/aug17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>My brother and Caron came round at 12 to pick us up and over to Mum's we went. Sadly my Sunday roast was not the greatest, it was made worse by being smothered in black pepper which I hate, I do wish kitchens wouldn't season food to their own taste, not everyone likes salt and pepper and once it is on you can't take it off. Far better to let people do it themselves at the table. </div><div><br /></div><div>We went back to Mum's for pudding and prosecco and cuddles of Bobby the cat. I mostly got birthday money and bought a couple of dresses, both in the ironing pile so for a later blog post, as well as 4 silver chains for some pendants I had without chains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaBk23-tb6FtvCbL071-0gp03rMuEvSZxAsXuMJOSgRMI9cii_a6Ryk7OaL9NNtrGxxf8WxXSiN8KQsqWWurcKz6B-UhJ-FD-W5w0WyHYU5qcFa9hz3qAA5ozBn32WNayO1fLNuIwvQJbpPhLODumxoGaaBoD6kfvzBhFtjKpaj-Npp0SPtWu0Gr2dQ/s1000/aug15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1000" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaBk23-tb6FtvCbL071-0gp03rMuEvSZxAsXuMJOSgRMI9cii_a6Ryk7OaL9NNtrGxxf8WxXSiN8KQsqWWurcKz6B-UhJ-FD-W5w0WyHYU5qcFa9hz3qAA5ozBn32WNayO1fLNuIwvQJbpPhLODumxoGaaBoD6kfvzBhFtjKpaj-Npp0SPtWu0Gr2dQ/s320/aug15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div> I had had a big sort out of my necklaces on a grey Sunday a few weeks before. Cleaning, untangling and rehanging them. I had bought a cheap pin board previously that had warped so used some self adhesive cork tiles to reinforce it, unfortunately the weight of the necklaces had made the top tile fall off resulting in a big old necklace mess. Did I use it as a good time to downsize? maybe by one or two necklaces..otherwise I just reinforced things by edging the tile with gorilla tape! So far so good. </div><div><br /></div><div>Monday the 18th Himself was off up North for a week to have a reunion with some of his school and college friends, as well as record some podcast episodes. If you fancy giving it a go you'll find it here <a href="https://www.peggymountpod.com/?fbclid=IwAR0jMi2d3i70Dfna1b1fXZPSgT6qf91w7b08gSYzSuUsNJ8aPMpp05rPjvU"><span style="color: #800180;">The Peggy Mount Calamity Hour</span></a> (he and his friend critique television shows and films from their childhood so it may not mean a lot if you are in your 30's or younger!) </div><div><br /></div><div>Soo was also due to pop in but as it was topping 40 degree that day we postponed it until the evening. She arrived at 7pm when it had cooled to a balmy 32! We stayed inside glued to the fan.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following Monday was Mum's birthday and my Brother & Caron's 30th wedding anniversary. We collected Dad from his care home at noon to find Mum had forgotten the only key to the motor for his wheelchair! Thankfully the mobility shop we bought it from was en route to our lunch venue and downhill so we wheeled Dad there and managed to buy a couple of spares. </div><div>Nephew Number One was also able to come along so we had a lovely family lunch of pizza and ice cream, and a good catch up of all his news. Dad was in his element tucking into a spicy pizza, the food at his care home is not the most adventurous and he has always been a foodie bless him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Himself and I finished the month with a 6 mile walk and dinner at a local pub. I'm frustrated at not being back up to full energy levels after covid, though I suspect the heat doesn't help either. I took myself out for a walk a couple of weeks ago and thankfully stuck to a shorter route because by 4 miles I was suddenly exhausted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie308QXiQDMItAoWyaGRUYruzs4xi5Qc38K1Tiyj-cJJdGPpw8RZudjqZJdE81Hl_IFR0IN3O8T40HuGQnudwnGNMA_fe7iNfiIeVMn-cRDNdoPXCiPDxTqWECSt7dB5kNaTBoYHNBLpPJZYRVhlfYSEU-kCDUsnF-1YX2jEqh0LGMbpXq8qUzbqreg/s1000/aug8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1000" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie308QXiQDMItAoWyaGRUYruzs4xi5Qc38K1Tiyj-cJJdGPpw8RZudjqZJdE81Hl_IFR0IN3O8T40HuGQnudwnGNMA_fe7iNfiIeVMn-cRDNdoPXCiPDxTqWECSt7dB5kNaTBoYHNBLpPJZYRVhlfYSEU-kCDUsnF-1YX2jEqh0LGMbpXq8qUzbqreg/s320/aug8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Everything is so brown right now, we haven't had rain for many many weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are still walking when we can, and as you know I like an incentive. I have just finished a 476 mile challenge called India - The Golden Triangle, chosen because the medal had a tiger on the back! I'm now on a Pirates of The Caribbean trek again for the very cool medal.</div><div><br /></div><div>I shall finish with the compilation of pictures Himself made for me from our recent walks out. He came to realise that I can't possibly pass a cat by without saying hello to it, and after many such occasions he started taking pictures whilst he was waiting for me to finish my feline salutation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTkl4cubpOW9ZWsw-2KGPb1DmW4m-LtETlHPQhEFBSz5Clh-MfvN_KnNQuLcIzNopkH9YnfVO3WpGoClMhAmFaMT5xNYtX1ulKnv81h4wcaQ6N_IwNhojm-xjjrnk5gC2c0ZLCBkS5LLyz4_GS1V2tXmLxDXB-LXgaEanSGeCAtR9zZAuD2RSz2utCw/s1902/Aug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1902" data-original-width="1898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTkl4cubpOW9ZWsw-2KGPb1DmW4m-LtETlHPQhEFBSz5Clh-MfvN_KnNQuLcIzNopkH9YnfVO3WpGoClMhAmFaMT5xNYtX1ulKnv81h4wcaQ6N_IwNhojm-xjjrnk5gC2c0ZLCBkS5LLyz4_GS1V2tXmLxDXB-LXgaEanSGeCAtR9zZAuD2RSz2utCw/s320/Aug1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div>I hopeful more normal service will be resumed blogwise. handbags, frocks and outings to follow. </div></div>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-34894601405627139732022-05-04T15:07:00.000-07:002022-05-04T15:07:01.716-07:00Vikings and Pilgrims or East Kent Coast Holiday Part Two. <p> Tuesday dawned another glorious sunny day so we were down early to have breakfast before taking a stroll down to the harbour as we had a walk planned for the day and Himself wanted to start and end it on a pier. </p><p>We began on the little pier in Broadstairs and walked The Viking Way, which is part of the coastal path, to Margate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvbtFFlUpbs2WeFYIqZYq0E3EGA2X1Gf3-CmPnR_tfi06AP-cweyRRMR1SHAvqmK52IVZL5sLNF7mMHE_tC8J3y647M-wHa_cMNjJkw5wVrKYIUyNegyl5WWMal20WeRvmiEDoUlnUhmQc1ZFBZyecnuvnD1Fb1S7AP39_TG0mMx1cebpXrqnOjJ4WA/s1000/Marg02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1000" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvbtFFlUpbs2WeFYIqZYq0E3EGA2X1Gf3-CmPnR_tfi06AP-cweyRRMR1SHAvqmK52IVZL5sLNF7mMHE_tC8J3y647M-wHa_cMNjJkw5wVrKYIUyNegyl5WWMal20WeRvmiEDoUlnUhmQc1ZFBZyecnuvnD1Fb1S7AP39_TG0mMx1cebpXrqnOjJ4WA/s320/Marg02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We started down on the beach where a random lobster pot had washed up much to the confusion and excitement of the various dogs being walked. It was a lovely gentle beginning and then we reached this deceptively easy looking path up to the clifftop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSaHOyGRxV94wjfPN4Jw4cSEAbg6RS63eJm87V8v8VjSLUE0u7W0Fw1Hh16bmhbQbIEBBMWbfvobZeXA56abO0N2E0brxqQLEeu3NIYkKzyhnKR2GZIFYuVGaiYuUzvU9k8OY095zbI57_Fgt8K25TvKBc05hi5TEp-Q4o3eTpUIYW5abvi3wxwjfzQ/s1000/Marg05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1000" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSaHOyGRxV94wjfPN4Jw4cSEAbg6RS63eJm87V8v8VjSLUE0u7W0Fw1Hh16bmhbQbIEBBMWbfvobZeXA56abO0N2E0brxqQLEeu3NIYkKzyhnKR2GZIFYuVGaiYuUzvU9k8OY095zbI57_Fgt8K25TvKBc05hi5TEp-Q4o3eTpUIYW5abvi3wxwjfzQ/s320/Marg05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Trust me it just kept going and going up and up, my lungs felt like they were going to explode by the time we got there. </p><p>Once on the clifftop you walk for a while through a gated community which for a nosy cow like me was great fun, getting to peer at all these huge houses with their landscaped gardens.</p><p>Who needs Durdle Door when you have Botany Bay at Kingsgate? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2G7jg_M7JttUdEyQ4dlkj3TQ55-Sgt2qEeYmQO1hILCDRuPUo48Mg97p5VwcMDB_K2hd5Vq2VKz5W5vHSr4_GcIu6QRcok6TJtpDp3j5h3G6MiSANYvjgArHzLM2gMATJfrcCVT0BDJunHmBhMZ56UM8z26h5JmBcbQwlH1dOYdFhg2GES1LTvoiqA/s1000/Marg06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2G7jg_M7JttUdEyQ4dlkj3TQ55-Sgt2qEeYmQO1hILCDRuPUo48Mg97p5VwcMDB_K2hd5Vq2VKz5W5vHSr4_GcIu6QRcok6TJtpDp3j5h3G6MiSANYvjgArHzLM2gMATJfrcCVT0BDJunHmBhMZ56UM8z26h5JmBcbQwlH1dOYdFhg2GES1LTvoiqA/s320/Marg06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Apparently it's a great place to find fossils and I really wanted to go down to the beach to hunt for some, but we had timed entry tickets for the Turner Comtemporary in Margate so were against the clock. Maybe next time.</p><p>We entered Margate and passed the now sadly quite derelict Lido. The underground music venue at the Lido was where we first meet when I went to see Himself's band playing, and according to Himself, where I picked him up at the bar!</p><p>It's so sad to see the state it is in and I hope the campaign to save it is as successful as the one that saved Dreamland, Margate's other historic & famous landmark. Hopefully they will bring it back to life in some way, probably not to the degree of the picture below but hopefully something somehow.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4rn99cW1CH4nkQ-eiLWZGU87Ba84s5vZ_sVM6LoxWuAPHdHwibonuBmVRLc4A-1e_viUBiCsY3wgxDvZAWbBcON4cAvNf32WSkiA8E-kGedCDfWGTCEeirp7Lyt0bXhEK9tLLuEgXoOwRCS5o3cuGdr73yeLA_pZMNersHVxIG21TPisSmp7uFM_iw/s1000/ma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1000" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4rn99cW1CH4nkQ-eiLWZGU87Ba84s5vZ_sVM6LoxWuAPHdHwibonuBmVRLc4A-1e_viUBiCsY3wgxDvZAWbBcON4cAvNf32WSkiA8E-kGedCDfWGTCEeirp7Lyt0bXhEK9tLLuEgXoOwRCS5o3cuGdr73yeLA_pZMNersHVxIG21TPisSmp7uFM_iw/s320/ma.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrIkOhv_PcySJxzeMSlezVDYIDOs_DJR1UfCIJ5wq2JEFGDUjzMen4Js4K_XadDj9ur1N23kT18yufBA2UgPGEHvFlGMenLndJie2fvWCslqwwvAxdh2TRVfdQCGUHBA7iwx8yo2A38aMDOxuv6UaXUbDpKykpKZtRzabN8ChCsqbS8goOIC7ZYa5-A/s800/MPMPP078JX94E5VEQ02D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrIkOhv_PcySJxzeMSlezVDYIDOs_DJR1UfCIJ5wq2JEFGDUjzMen4Js4K_XadDj9ur1N23kT18yufBA2UgPGEHvFlGMenLndJie2fvWCslqwwvAxdh2TRVfdQCGUHBA7iwx8yo2A38aMDOxuv6UaXUbDpKykpKZtRzabN8ChCsqbS8goOIC7ZYa5-A/s320/MPMPP078JX94E5VEQ02D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We made it to the end of the pier in Margate with just 5 minutes to spare, but I just had to take a picture of the amazing sculpture of Mrs Booth the artist J M Turner's landlady and mistress.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkztg4OafVIzpItCxBKTFe6Jbn0j2b9LHNAM0aB_85dV9HgDnU9WDe8pcHx_vEQk6DFmRVvzA-vkbjF-nONGXLvTtoMYT78I6rPNAixKDUiV2CwKrlLudsNQl-RVxXbqMRpMtlNM65Di7MtnXLH5R1t98iIv4_6WMn56PeLxoJ4SniZkQIJ1bdwuweBw/s1000/Marg11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkztg4OafVIzpItCxBKTFe6Jbn0j2b9LHNAM0aB_85dV9HgDnU9WDe8pcHx_vEQk6DFmRVvzA-vkbjF-nONGXLvTtoMYT78I6rPNAixKDUiV2CwKrlLudsNQl-RVxXbqMRpMtlNM65Di7MtnXLH5R1t98iIv4_6WMn56PeLxoJ4SniZkQIJ1bdwuweBw/s320/Marg11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p> I was absolutely roasting in my jacket by the time we hared up the steps and into the gallery. Goodness knows what possessed me to wear one on such a sunny day. </p><p>The gallery was much smaller than I thought it would be so it didn't take long to walk around. I was quite disappointed if I'm honest. Once we were done we headed into the old town to our favourite cafe for a much needed drink. </p><p>Margate really is a town of two halves. The Old Town or Market Place is busy and bustling with shops, galleries and cafes. The beaches look great now the sea walls have been renovated and of course Dreamland's rebirth is a triumph. The high street however is heartbreaking to see now, rundown and pretty much completely empty. </p><p>We mooched about a bit reminiscing before heading to the station to catch a train back to Broadstairs as we had an early dinner booking. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgpWoPxIZS2fHZV6kexmL424X1u_sFgwrBRLZJYgVd1JVE3s2nn9w9z0IDmOQClIVTHJMJe0lDLjbppyVxRIv3DeGlTNNlL2OQp_vzOMITjuCLNQgG4tHamNXXe7DEvlVrTTSSj42pKPn9FIgsZbfopgJTobwwoop2DMoNEZazP2R7aX88sO7soLU5Q/s1000/Marg14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgpWoPxIZS2fHZV6kexmL424X1u_sFgwrBRLZJYgVd1JVE3s2nn9w9z0IDmOQClIVTHJMJe0lDLjbppyVxRIv3DeGlTNNlL2OQp_vzOMITjuCLNQgG4tHamNXXe7DEvlVrTTSSj42pKPn9FIgsZbfopgJTobwwoop2DMoNEZazP2R7aX88sO7soLU5Q/s320/Marg14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It turned out they were shooting part of a Sam Mendes film with Colin Firth and Olivia Coleman at Dreamland so it was temporarily renamed The Empire and cordoned off. They have also been filming in Oxford so I will definitely be checking it out when it reaches the cinema.</p><p>Once back at our hotel we freshened up and headed out for dinner at Posillipo a gorgeous little family run Italian restaurant, I had the most delicious gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese. From there we nipped to Tesco to buy some beer and wine and as it was now pouring with rain jumped in a cab to visit our friends Paul and Claire. </p><p>In that mad random way life has it turned out our taxi driver was not only born in Abingdon, the nearest town to us, he went to school in the town where we live! </p><p>It was an early visit because Paul was heading to Belfast in the early hours of the morning so we were back at the hotel before 10pm.</p><p>Our final day we had decided to visit Canterbury, it's a beautiful city and somewhere we often used to go to for the day when we were dating. Indeed it was somewhere we considered moving to when we were first looking to move in together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQVc7dDAsdcsNj20aYW6iCCBv2fnbFvjYN3mqMuxg4FLQi9t-F-zkjcHlscpGYALTfMT3L2K0uBYsMHKiy2agnSM5qGAPw2HUNr---MFcDkqnlGbZhnKzngeHnGEMbgQ8BuNDxqpMC0AlQB7FtA2AYXymzBaUJere4P4AOkVcZp2PAOZ3nUyJY24rDQ/s1000/Cant02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1000" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQVc7dDAsdcsNj20aYW6iCCBv2fnbFvjYN3mqMuxg4FLQi9t-F-zkjcHlscpGYALTfMT3L2K0uBYsMHKiy2agnSM5qGAPw2HUNr---MFcDkqnlGbZhnKzngeHnGEMbgQ8BuNDxqpMC0AlQB7FtA2AYXymzBaUJere4P4AOkVcZp2PAOZ3nUyJY24rDQ/s320/Cant02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Again it was very much about revisiting memories as well as seeing what has changed. One of my favourite shops there Merchant Chandler had sadly gone, but another Siesta was still there. We had a lovely browse I bought myself a carved wooden moon wall hanging, a Mexican wooden day of the dead owl ornament and some earrings. Himself bought a bongo drum. I browsed the charity shops and the vintage shop I used to visit but didn't find anything to buy. </p><p>We had planned to go to the cathedral but half of it was closed for renovation and there was a huge queue outside so we decided to give it a miss.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaVFRirMBgnxrC3cFu4_FQE1aUotmsg6UguvJoy4Tj_XoyIQVOfJAbeilt4GR0CazLGz3mD1A54oaTB2SnXB6oV282K5sdTGtYGMHifkeor5_ZSIIXzFgksc7tg9eTQjlKRjHjhnFO7OYtESmQcFEPvY8INT1hpA8ENiYDCBWOn5xnagfSw355SHRSw/s1000/cant14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaVFRirMBgnxrC3cFu4_FQE1aUotmsg6UguvJoy4Tj_XoyIQVOfJAbeilt4GR0CazLGz3mD1A54oaTB2SnXB6oV282K5sdTGtYGMHifkeor5_ZSIIXzFgksc7tg9eTQjlKRjHjhnFO7OYtESmQcFEPvY8INT1hpA8ENiYDCBWOn5xnagfSw355SHRSw/s320/cant14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We decided to go for a drink instead and found a great little rock pub called The Lady Luck. Refreshed by a bottle or two of Newcastle Brown we had a look in a few more shops and just wandered about in the glorious sunshine before finding somewhere to eat dinner.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAdcaTYvmqFAfyqvtwaY072yDfpdH5Nz0mQgWQbmx3eKrOUWC7E9M3e-bZJxg1OiGaHtILEiNrqnHkhUdsaknKK1RrYOGGa9vPsBeA2asBcsvlCWW28az7fdrDYJOC0V5ltQx3HQSnlGTc7dwNARU0sVEWk--NQ-jJHEbWpCMpK_HtNxgRnGur3KJeA/s1000/cant15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAdcaTYvmqFAfyqvtwaY072yDfpdH5Nz0mQgWQbmx3eKrOUWC7E9M3e-bZJxg1OiGaHtILEiNrqnHkhUdsaknKK1RrYOGGa9vPsBeA2asBcsvlCWW28az7fdrDYJOC0V5ltQx3HQSnlGTc7dwNARU0sVEWk--NQ-jJHEbWpCMpK_HtNxgRnGur3KJeA/s320/cant15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I was so stuffed after eating that instead of finding a pub as he wanted, I made Himself go for a walk along the river. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRId05WLtBmA8VGPlObwEI75oemjB3S_iFR2_dZvg845nHLTloqx20FX2OvXCKtHY1n-C2JLxj6cP_ig3lwwiS158DIgkRSbb4udKK1qO-ZXymZj2qTat_Ey5F_WYc5OXvrPt5u3rbGHEICSrZ9cdndwu_LFQiPJ4gwFILUsRyVBxbVXbhtqU5JZHdA/s1000/cant17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRId05WLtBmA8VGPlObwEI75oemjB3S_iFR2_dZvg845nHLTloqx20FX2OvXCKtHY1n-C2JLxj6cP_ig3lwwiS158DIgkRSbb4udKK1qO-ZXymZj2qTat_Ey5F_WYc5OXvrPt5u3rbGHEICSrZ9cdndwu_LFQiPJ4gwFILUsRyVBxbVXbhtqU5JZHdA/s320/cant17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I thought this tree was incredible in a mad does my bum look big in this kind of way </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4dSDXdr9m2mbjtRzamx1fh_TuyTMRJx0pxrSnmKDN0bTLJGvshU6UGD0EfLQctHLXA-u0sHtVGVAV8F3R6s6H__kqpHCWCmZ2hs1nYbXJ4VZUQbnG_S3TfRZcY28b_dwEnL6lWhGNbNn12KAXgowoKXcklDYKeWOTqu3swwPdSnKhfQ8RLCPhv23yw/s1000/cant19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4dSDXdr9m2mbjtRzamx1fh_TuyTMRJx0pxrSnmKDN0bTLJGvshU6UGD0EfLQctHLXA-u0sHtVGVAV8F3R6s6H__kqpHCWCmZ2hs1nYbXJ4VZUQbnG_S3TfRZcY28b_dwEnL6lWhGNbNn12KAXgowoKXcklDYKeWOTqu3swwPdSnKhfQ8RLCPhv23yw/s320/cant19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>and by chance we found this bull sculpture by the ring road as we headed back towards the station. </p><p>We arrived back in Broadstairs just in time to catch the sun setting and reflecting on the sea bathing pool. We had such a great day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQTR8ubrdoBcs2vn_RSkSTh_tOiToH4kXftWB-dJze-hQb6t4_sx8EojYah8BCxDI42ltHK9PXuiDEE1phsTcrT_gdq_uMNh39wvZV0KaVkbXcQ5DsHLLV51iUrXP0jhm_-tRFq6n0jeI3qN0vNIor5wI1f1cMT6qMaBr2apzha2BiwJgN7tnXgof-Q/s1000/Broads11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="797" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQTR8ubrdoBcs2vn_RSkSTh_tOiToH4kXftWB-dJze-hQb6t4_sx8EojYah8BCxDI42ltHK9PXuiDEE1phsTcrT_gdq_uMNh39wvZV0KaVkbXcQ5DsHLLV51iUrXP0jhm_-tRFq6n0jeI3qN0vNIor5wI1f1cMT6qMaBr2apzha2BiwJgN7tnXgof-Q/s320/Broads11.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><p>We were going to go to a few pubs but after a drink in The Chapel we both realised how tired we were and called it a night.</p><p>So that was our trip down memory lane holiday and I have to say it di the pair of us the power of good. </p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-46487955604096862692022-05-01T16:15:00.000-07:002022-05-01T16:15:11.007-07:00A Good Sea – Fresh Breezes – Fine Sands – and Pleasant Walks.<p> Hello and thank you for sticking with me despite many silent months. Let's just say life has been challenging, especially at work. On top of the insane workload I got a new line manager in January who shall we say turned out to not be so nice. My mental health suffered as a consequence, some days it was all I could do to just get up and get through it. I couldn't even muster the energy for my lunchtime walk, let alone do things like pilates or my shoulder exercises so yeah the waistline has expanded again and I'm definitely stiff and the shoulder less mobile...</p><p>However me deciding I needed to take myself in hand coincided with a long overdue holiday and a very welcome and completely unexpected shift around with the team (meaning I have been moved away from the not so nice team leader) and I finally feel like blogging again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o1TQadZ6aa4jru2LxbQ6fvnykP-oU05NKpsAgxyM8kfTQBJXrxnf1LWz9L88AQG5u4wKzi7LFBEPEv7WuDOPAaWm3uv17N_Eud3PVRMT33QpY2jIhP3aASS2fDdCvYo_vzqqEX-k2sBNvGDALaseZRLmICz8S_zFEwWbarIKxyNSe-ueR0RJu1uMng/s1000/Broad12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o1TQadZ6aa4jru2LxbQ6fvnykP-oU05NKpsAgxyM8kfTQBJXrxnf1LWz9L88AQG5u4wKzi7LFBEPEv7WuDOPAaWm3uv17N_Eud3PVRMT33QpY2jIhP3aASS2fDdCvYo_vzqqEX-k2sBNvGDALaseZRLmICz8S_zFEwWbarIKxyNSe-ueR0RJu1uMng/s320/Broad12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The post title is a quote from Charles Dickens about Broadstairs where we spent the week before Easter. Dickens loved Broadstairs and lived there at one time. There is a Dickens museum, Bleak House and various other shops, restaurants and pubs with themed names as well as the Dickens festival they hold here each year.</p><p> Himself declared a while ago that he would like to go back to Thanet. Preferably staying in Broadstairs, somewhere we both love and he used to work, and do some of the fun things we used to do before his parents ill health made every visit duty or drama. I kept it in mind and found a fab deal on Travelzoo for 3 nights in a very nice B&B to use before March 2022. We decided to ring up and see if we could tack another night on, we could but there were no free weeks in March so I ended up paying an extra £8 to extend the voucher and chose the 1st free dates they had in April. These surprisingly turned out to be the week before Easter when I would have expected them to be busy? </p><p>I had a bit of a problem booking and had to ring back 4 times, the owner was always too busy to speak to me before I finally rang and spoke to the other owner on my 4th attempt. He greeted me with "I don't usually do room bookings but as you've called a few times already I'll pop it in, I suppose you'd like a sea view?" to which I casually replied "Oh well yes if we can?, if there's one free?" and just like that we were booked in to a room with a balcony, a turret and a sea view! </p><p>Now I knew the voucher deal clearly stated it was for a non sea view and so did the first owner who finally called me back only to be told we were all booked in, let's just say he did not sound too pleased and which is why presumably he doesn't usually let his partner loose on the bookings! </p><p>Check in was at 4pm so we got up, had a leisurely breakfast before catching the train to London. We left in the rain but arrived to glorious sunshine. The B&B was up a hill overlooking the sea, and on arrival we were greeted by the owner's utterly adorable and very excitable 14 week old soft haired terrier pup Lula. Who then proceeded to climb all over us and pulled undone the laces on my walking boots 3 times in as many minutes. Check in took some time due to the enthusiastic canine welcome but eventually we escaped to our room right at the top of the house. It turns out room didn't have a turret, it was the turret! So both being tall, we spent the whole 4 days having to duck a lot but the sea view was lovely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgT4KCN_WJx6UGNZA_hFsoPCIkjkm0nl8J5R6zMzbbQNJoX4AzmZKrYexmLwjKOQjjW2SVInRju0rl0GgrY6-iXfRez4kfVjrQrPO3R3k3xbkeuUkXzo6nI72ykID9eaUBK1rshNtm-rxJqq3JSIZEAxXSG6J3e37LQEcfZmALyNdu8D8lDbpw3rgtg/s1000/Broads18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgT4KCN_WJx6UGNZA_hFsoPCIkjkm0nl8J5R6zMzbbQNJoX4AzmZKrYexmLwjKOQjjW2SVInRju0rl0GgrY6-iXfRez4kfVjrQrPO3R3k3xbkeuUkXzo6nI72ykID9eaUBK1rshNtm-rxJqq3JSIZEAxXSG6J3e37LQEcfZmALyNdu8D8lDbpw3rgtg/s320/Broads18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Sadly the balcony turned out to be a Juliet one, ie just bars across some double doors that opened into the room so no chance to sit out </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANsKTWhX0WhCyYHTjHYjN7BQH8jcTQTj8wX2NCDP2kQteis4SXcb1ix81Zi1J0gSap7KZvuJV1pNs2h8bAwV00_nv1jNCWs7bOG3vgccfx8L23TLpdRO_wfKAPOWdgfPWjMUZThtOEUouXo3srU_xF8iTBynd3iVVv9gDm02QtX80DQdnnYXw9El6TA/s1000/broad001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANsKTWhX0WhCyYHTjHYjN7BQH8jcTQTj8wX2NCDP2kQteis4SXcb1ix81Zi1J0gSap7KZvuJV1pNs2h8bAwV00_nv1jNCWs7bOG3vgccfx8L23TLpdRO_wfKAPOWdgfPWjMUZThtOEUouXo3srU_xF8iTBynd3iVVv9gDm02QtX80DQdnnYXw9El6TA/s320/broad001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>but it did give a welcome cool breeze as the turret room got very hot. Indeed the first thing we did once we had put our bags down and taken our coats off was open all the windows as the room was roasting.</p><p>Once we had done a cursory unpack we headed straight into town to walk along the clifftop promenade, calling in at Morelli's Broadstairs famous ice cream parlour on our way. The weather was so gorgeous we just kept going and walked along the clifftop all the way to Ramsgate and back. </p><p>We then got changed and ended up having a very disappointing dinner at Prezzo as we hadn't thought to book anywhere. From there Himself couldn't wait to show me a pub called The Chapel which he had visited with his friend the last time he was down visiting.</p><p>Now back in the day when we used to go for a mooch around Broadstairs for the day, Himself liked to call into the Albion bookshop, he properly loved it. As a librarian I used to hyperventilate just going through the door. Everything was in mad precarious piles and nothing, NOTHING was in order!! Even though there were headings for different sections everything was randomly shoved wherever there was a gap so nothing was where it should be. I'm practically coming out in hives just remembering it! </p><p>Anyway I'm guessing the old guy who owned it either died or gave it up and it clearly got sold as a going concern. Someone very cleverly decided to turn it into a little pub clearing out some of the central bookshelves and putting in a bar and some tables downstairs but leaving the rest just as it was. They left the bookshelves round the walls upstairs and just put more tables between them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8JHMqaxfFxD7-dUrlg9fubP2N6ukgz9LLr5ICsnmehtAswEq7nOOx24jKx9xrf4RiyhrUZM2lXJK1FMwnK5o9g_OFqORh3OwfPoI1zypBlFkSel8Xugsp_wJKrO6AmXk4Munc3q4HQpGdtWdWC6nGP0h5_y5jhct4ls9DNuRf486aDdPfiLwTOtqPw/s1000/Broads14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8JHMqaxfFxD7-dUrlg9fubP2N6ukgz9LLr5ICsnmehtAswEq7nOOx24jKx9xrf4RiyhrUZM2lXJK1FMwnK5o9g_OFqORh3OwfPoI1zypBlFkSel8Xugsp_wJKrO6AmXk4Munc3q4HQpGdtWdWC6nGP0h5_y5jhct4ls9DNuRf486aDdPfiLwTOtqPw/s320/Broads14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZrtEaNPP_3DiEdaWuLNH2Quc021EKShQ-JaBq283rTWHYqB0F61GFBND5BZFN6mHoJKSm84LysDQNsB8WhTtp7_FftiYwZt0fOR16Q7GeGjUe5ssJmO7Rdfnz79qrtFaYiOS_i_hpe3lYyCzR6JD2zFgqu5zrD69z03mCT-xVj8P0YwwODeDLrnulQ/s900/THE-CHAPEL-BAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZrtEaNPP_3DiEdaWuLNH2Quc021EKShQ-JaBq283rTWHYqB0F61GFBND5BZFN6mHoJKSm84LysDQNsB8WhTtp7_FftiYwZt0fOR16Q7GeGjUe5ssJmO7Rdfnz79qrtFaYiOS_i_hpe3lYyCzR6JD2zFgqu5zrD69z03mCT-xVj8P0YwwODeDLrnulQ/s320/THE-CHAPEL-BAR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The very dark picture is mine and the better lit one I've pinched off the internet so you can see it in all it's glory. The choice of beer, cider, spirits and wine was great and you could select random books from the shelves and read. We spent the rest of the evening there drinking and killing ourselves laughing reading random excerpts to each other from such weighty tomes as the one below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-3rqpi8FOsi27SJktSFa3-U70c1txPtUwYGUCMpZynzGLAK94SyfsmhNTBLd99t2ksFo22XOixKi7_J2RbFTzRySX0VQCoQzQMsKu6tPREmt_vd4rnTqF7m7MFbGcyH-JKkwQ9_4n1dEtWLymWsfbMspNDgnb5x3WYl13ZdePVdktIjgCicyJU0Vjw/s1000/Gis%20reading%20Barbara%20Cartland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-3rqpi8FOsi27SJktSFa3-U70c1txPtUwYGUCMpZynzGLAK94SyfsmhNTBLd99t2ksFo22XOixKi7_J2RbFTzRySX0VQCoQzQMsKu6tPREmt_vd4rnTqF7m7MFbGcyH-JKkwQ9_4n1dEtWLymWsfbMspNDgnb5x3WYl13ZdePVdktIjgCicyJU0Vjw/s320/Gis%20reading%20Barbara%20Cartland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The next morning we were up early for breakfast. There had been some confussion as to whether we were going to get breakfast as the Travelzoo voucher said we did but the hotel said we didn't unless booked direct...Anyway I managed to sort that before we arrived so once breakfasted we headed out into another gloriously sunny day to mooch around the shops and see what was still there and what had changed. The old design shop Himself used to work in is now a chiropracters of all things.</p><p> I was delighted to see Arrowsmiths was still there, it's a sort of gift emporium.The first time I ever visited my sister in Ramsgate we went for a browse and I got a t-shirt saying 'Away with the Fairies' from there. I have no idea what happened to it, I'd definitely still wear it now. The only time I can get Himself in a charity shop is when we are on holiday so I took full advantage and made him visit them all, and there are a lot, on our way to the train station.</p><p>Our destination for the day was Whitstable. Himself worked there for many years and I visited him there at the shop a few times as well as having a couple of nights out at The Neptune pub.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzj2bbrGnqYiPgfBdJkptbWLSGmoOSFPui-MRhKB4f7Krj3Z_k2A-O1YgwZghqKwGloUi77zXpV-wzSlHZmTNwaGBccnhzGH4W0gPG6jWcKampzsooUmVXGngBc-mi4CCn84qarUTg0-olhl4XKKs44nIXNFACSFBtu4cBxCNhrQJ6tD5e-8ZoZjNzKw/s1000/Whit01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzj2bbrGnqYiPgfBdJkptbWLSGmoOSFPui-MRhKB4f7Krj3Z_k2A-O1YgwZghqKwGloUi77zXpV-wzSlHZmTNwaGBccnhzGH4W0gPG6jWcKampzsooUmVXGngBc-mi4CCn84qarUTg0-olhl4XKKs44nIXNFACSFBtu4cBxCNhrQJ6tD5e-8ZoZjNzKw/s320/Whit01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvRsYPvJmMUnvfcZBPPvdCPdHFx6gp6PNmA1chJp3-1D0MyqSPRFsfu_NZywCNGBvBocW7STSp5C8F55ADnz9t2fmSnE819VMivDV-4JumS8A_NHBy_NSosjMwSt_po82oYaRkDDcwIjiLyJkLNFDzLYuWXN2iAFAAiViJNaCU6ueS1HWBVlFAI1YZw/s1000/whit02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvRsYPvJmMUnvfcZBPPvdCPdHFx6gp6PNmA1chJp3-1D0MyqSPRFsfu_NZywCNGBvBocW7STSp5C8F55ADnz9t2fmSnE819VMivDV-4JumS8A_NHBy_NSosjMwSt_po82oYaRkDDcwIjiLyJkLNFDzLYuWXN2iAFAAiViJNaCU6ueS1HWBVlFAI1YZw/s320/whit02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Walking from the train station to the town centre you pass this amazing mural commemorating Peter Cushing who lived in Whitstable and adored it there. The local Wetherspoons is even named after him.<p></p><p>We spent a lovely few hours just mooching, again seeing what has changed and what hasn't. It was super busy but then it has been the chi-chi destination for all the DFLs (as the locals call them) for many years now. We browsed whatever shops took our fancy, then bought an ice cream and walked along the seashore which seems to be mostly owned by the local oyster company.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZbGX4KbwnwdEGH20R4OrJ9Tv0vbrGhea61bvGu-PJ5pb4xc6sgnsoCxs9PJskoAqsRw5lzxriFCQDqxicUT130Ou1TU5uTLchJ8aLrc-LvNZ2Z036xAjvzh7bRZF-chU49Ef-r45Vo0aPkq8AEVitMRy6PE6xiwpy95jDHpzYsegKFBizvBFFddx_A/s1000/whit10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZbGX4KbwnwdEGH20R4OrJ9Tv0vbrGhea61bvGu-PJ5pb4xc6sgnsoCxs9PJskoAqsRw5lzxriFCQDqxicUT130Ou1TU5uTLchJ8aLrc-LvNZ2Z036xAjvzh7bRZF-chU49Ef-r45Vo0aPkq8AEVitMRy6PE6xiwpy95jDHpzYsegKFBizvBFFddx_A/s320/whit10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>They have converted some of the single room beach/fishing huts into extremely bijou holiday lets. I dread to think how much they cost.</p><p>We were done by mid-afternoon so we headed back to Broadstairs and as the weather was so gorgeous found an outside table at The Pavillion. </p><p>Is there anything better than drinking crisp cold wine or beer, sitting on a balcony over the beach looking at the sea? My worries were a million miles away that afternoon I can tell you, but as we had evening plans we couldn't stay all evening tempting as it was.</p><p>I was heading out to meet my friend Kay and Himself was catching up with his old boss. So we headed back to our room to freshen up and I caught the bus over to Ramsgate. I can't tell you how lovely it was to catch up with Kay, we have been friends for 30 year's now having met through a friend of my sister one night and just clicked. We only managed to grab a couple of hours when I was last down for Himself's Dad's funeral and otherwise it's been the odd email and letter here and there. Kay works in social care and for a mental health charity, and well, I'm sure you can imagine just how ridiculously busy she has been during the last couple of years. I genuinely do not know how she does what she does, I take my hat off to her. She truly is an incredible and beautiful soul. </p><p>We had a wonderful catch up with dinner and more wine for me and gin for her, in the massive Wetherspoons in Ramsgate It's the biggest in the country and on the ground floor has doors that open right onto the beach. Sadly the time to head back came much to soon.Thankfully Himself met me at the bus stop in Broadstairs which was a good job really otherwise I'd still be trying to figure where I was now!</p><p>I'll share the rest of our holiday in my next post. Thank you again for staying with me.</p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-72275994353948973422022-01-12T14:55:00.001-08:002022-01-12T14:55:26.049-08:00The Rest of 2021<p> So where was I? November. </p><p>November was an odd month, after more than 2 years at home I was back into work for two days a week. We were told one day would be an 'anchor day' when the whole team had to be in together and the other we could choose. Tuesday was the anchor day for our team so I chose either a Monday or Wednesday alongside it, as I figured I'd rather go in on consecutive days and kind of get it out of the way. </p><p>We no longer have a desk, we have been told it's all about flexible working and hot desking. Which is fine for those travelling to work with a car, not so much so for those of us who walk, cycle or use public transport as you end up having to carry everything you might possibly need for the day. </p><p>In my case that was laptop, charger, mouse, mousemat, work phone, own phone, notebooks, paper, pens and other stationary, 2 pairs of glasses, water bottle, tea mug, teabags, lunch, book. All that alongside my handbag. You get the picture! So we are now fighting to have a locker or set of drawers so we can leave things behind like when we used to have a desk. </p><p>Other than that it was lovely to be back with the rest of the team around me, to be able to talk in person and all of that, but also strangely difficult to concentrate and actually get work done after so long working from home without people and phones and just general noise. The early start for the commute to Oxford was a shock to the system too, not going to lie.</p><p>For a bit of fun we had done a Great British Bake Off sweep stake.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEwq3sg5kU32WvuTf0GB-tyCkATV-KGlzHgc5MhkjvhmCIkktMsQBuz9MjrBVXTO7LEu-IkJ7OwUwN_jd5nbeYg1mMNzqwIlLuPCF3HlNzngpVIyDDOuIMO2ETIFHRABc0RnjHx1mer-otie3zsVD4zeV0tCcDhw6Mqn3YlmSfj1luoVn3us7xHIUhOg=s976" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="976" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEwq3sg5kU32WvuTf0GB-tyCkATV-KGlzHgc5MhkjvhmCIkktMsQBuz9MjrBVXTO7LEu-IkJ7OwUwN_jd5nbeYg1mMNzqwIlLuPCF3HlNzngpVIyDDOuIMO2ETIFHRABc0RnjHx1mer-otie3zsVD4zeV0tCcDhw6Mqn3YlmSfj1luoVn3us7xHIUhOg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>We all put in £5 and got a contestant. The week after your contestant went out, you had to make or fake something for the theme of the week they were voted out. I had Amanda and went out on pastry week. So I made mince pies as well as apple or jam turnovers because not everyone likes mince pies, and chocolate whirls with the left over pastry. It was a bit more challenging for us all as like the show itself, one of our team is vegan so we all had to think of a way to make our bakes vegan friendly.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeDfL5WQgwglvgqlBZUwoEmW1KGnCChfWtF4sZArjcZHlqJa7lY0ljWzNRWlNDvbkJA9RVAWmIRheVo0DR1w1dHzeL20BltHn2MOYbsXT6QONCXERJ-v2NBG9Qbie3fauXtvwG7X6ovFb85l-NIC9xOpQeeOPTXHF2rauzdBwvCOoKCW48zu7EdI14gQ=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeDfL5WQgwglvgqlBZUwoEmW1KGnCChfWtF4sZArjcZHlqJa7lY0ljWzNRWlNDvbkJA9RVAWmIRheVo0DR1w1dHzeL20BltHn2MOYbsXT6QONCXERJ-v2NBG9Qbie3fauXtvwG7X6ovFb85l-NIC9xOpQeeOPTXHF2rauzdBwvCOoKCW48zu7EdI14gQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Little did we know that by the time we got to my week that would be the end of us going into work again. Omicron reared it's ugly head and the University of Oxford was identified as a hot spot so that was us back to working from home again, and I have been ever since. <p></p><p>Other than that I did a couple of fun things in November. I met Soo and our friend Melissa in Witney. I haven't seen Melissa for well over 2 years now. In fact we were due to have a day out on that very first Saturday of the 1st lockdown so it was long overdue. We had a fab day catching up on all the gossip (and boy was there some - another friend had eloped!) went to a craft fair, had a long lazy lunch and a little Christmas shopping got done too.</p><p>I also went to the cinema a couple of times with Himself. First to see Ghostbusters Afterlife which was amazing </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyqiliECrGKqyurgOOSEm1coZe67W2If2WgZv2V7xd0p8w4miL2D9vZ1RfP7LIELef41PpJvO9Ve8pADEjQ3F-wemMpUi9mCe53IJ58QCSRvufbwpKYxTPCTqMMjrY2SpXYsjDoUKL_UbbdC152-4b1glViwEx9_Z9RX7WLloxxmgNCa3SRTxjHs02XQ=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyqiliECrGKqyurgOOSEm1coZe67W2If2WgZv2V7xd0p8w4miL2D9vZ1RfP7LIELef41PpJvO9Ve8pADEjQ3F-wemMpUi9mCe53IJ58QCSRvufbwpKYxTPCTqMMjrY2SpXYsjDoUKL_UbbdC152-4b1glViwEx9_Z9RX7WLloxxmgNCa3SRTxjHs02XQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>and later to see Spiderman No Way Home which I did not enjoy so much. It was horribly busy as we went on the first night and full of youngsters, hardly any of whom were wearing a mask. I was particularly edgy because I was well overdue for my booster jab, I just hadn't been able to get a slot booked. </p><p>Thankfully we tested negative after that and I haven't been back to the cinema since.</p><p>I finally managed to get a booster jab booked for the 14th December at Boots in Oxford. I also finally managed to get another face to face physio appointment at the end of November. This time in the nearby town of Wallingford. I took the bus over and mooched about for a bit before walking to the community hospital where luckily for me and the bus timetable, the person before me had cancelled. That meant I got in early and therefore managed to get out in time for an earlier bus rather than having an hour to wait. The physiotherapist was pleased with my progress, he said I am 95% there, though he did also point out the last 5% is the hardest! I came away with some new exercises which he made me practice to make sure I was doing them right and has put me on a 6 month retainer. So if I feel I'm not right, or it gets worse again in the next 6 months, I can book another appointment. Overall very good news.</p><p>On the 18th December I met Alex and Charlotte in Oxford to have a catch up and go to the Christmas market. Due to various reasons none of us were feeling particularly festive but I have to say by the end of the day we all starting to feel it a bit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwBkG6V33s4HHJJclAqDv5cLE835HNRH6JEDZQnUjx1P0FDOuWFMpJkQn4p4ERNBnRx2YmUbv0zVrDMRHCAYMwSeEaHuEOJLoOCrXEh-hnwN5HJ-IqdTSm0aXFxiZxPtfTxKQc7mQvlqXpDNxhVyZhU0MCR-Jx26Br7y-0v2VKDeY5SWeTSU-QuguLbQ=s926" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwBkG6V33s4HHJJclAqDv5cLE835HNRH6JEDZQnUjx1P0FDOuWFMpJkQn4p4ERNBnRx2YmUbv0zVrDMRHCAYMwSeEaHuEOJLoOCrXEh-hnwN5HJ-IqdTSm0aXFxiZxPtfTxKQc7mQvlqXpDNxhVyZhU0MCR-Jx26Br7y-0v2VKDeY5SWeTSU-QuguLbQ=s320" width="161" /></a></div><p>I love this outtake picture, I think somebody walked up behind me?</p><p>We had lunch at the open food market in Gloucester Green before walking to Jericho and stopping at The Victoria pub for mulled wine and prosecco which may or may not have added to the festive spirit. The pub had an open fire, a real Christmas tree as well as loads of real pine swags, it smelt amazing. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqepcFLODwz3MqQ4-ZALgTfU7Fx5jChOLQ4UqnZ4hjLwDUu_93fOdS-yCXrIld6MA27cT1FheXl9OK_Syo2-JhfPbJMCpCfKU0okNmuRE6Puowv8PJu5dZoWZ6v5qr9AXcot3Xvt6lUGhqkp6LrRJP2lSup3wBEUeYKJTCaKQAYGulQak48PB9x4SYuA=s612" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqepcFLODwz3MqQ4-ZALgTfU7Fx5jChOLQ4UqnZ4hjLwDUu_93fOdS-yCXrIld6MA27cT1FheXl9OK_Syo2-JhfPbJMCpCfKU0okNmuRE6Puowv8PJu5dZoWZ6v5qr9AXcot3Xvt6lUGhqkp6LrRJP2lSup3wBEUeYKJTCaKQAYGulQak48PB9x4SYuA=s320" width="278" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was so lovely to see them both. Alex was due to leave Birmingham that week and moved to Liverpool this week so I'm not sure when we will get together again - boo.</p><p>For Christmas the plan was to liberate Dad from his care home on the 24th and take him to my brother's house for a buffet. My sister in law Caron's parents were going to be there too, though sadly Nephew Number One was working so we dropped their presents off on the 21st. My Mum was then going to drive over on Christmas day to have lunch with my brother and his in laws and stay the night there, then on boxing day Himself and I were going to go home with her for a couple of days.</p><p>Unfortunately on the 22nd Caron tested positive so plans were cancelled. Thankfully we hadn't told Dad about it just in case, and luckily we were able to convert to a care home visit. Annoyingly the office hadn't let his floor know so the staff had got him all dressed up and told him about his visit. He was bewildered and really very upset when it didn't happen which was frankly bloody awful. I was so pissed off with yet another fuck up but let's not go there! And breathe.</p><p>Soo popped by for a couple of hours on Christmas eve to exchange pressies and have a quick catch up and Himself had a long zoom call with one of his oldest friends who due to restrictions was stuck in a hotel in Munich with just 4 other guests for company! </p><p>So yes, Christmas plans changed and we ended up going over to Mum's on Christmas day at about 2pm and staying until the 27th. </p><p>Before that we had a lie-in, followed by boiled eggs for breakfast, before cracking open some buck's fizz and opening our pressies. Mum had found a chicken in the freezer so when we got to hers we prepped the veg and opened more fizz and had chicken and roast veggies for Christmas lunch with trifle for pudding. I have to say we were all fine with that as none of us is actually a huge fan of turkey. </p><p>We had a hugely lazy time, sleeping, reading, doing jigsaws and playing with Bobby the cat. He was actually surprisingly friendly this time round and even jumped onto the bed for cuddles by the second morning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMZnYgDFUeqgt9ad9-DJtNITI3D64g8KJz8q-H2ICE8xz11vrXq1_1K-3EFdN2-Tkv8zc35rTzMdqM4vaNuIyIWx6jORlH29c9xBViaMKJZA4vqU_vszmlXmE1_QGjlKJ8rC0yNSflIQbddS8b23WmN_CdwVPoivzmGcrovl12c69fmZid0HnJCrGrWQ=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="978" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMZnYgDFUeqgt9ad9-DJtNITI3D64g8KJz8q-H2ICE8xz11vrXq1_1K-3EFdN2-Tkv8zc35rTzMdqM4vaNuIyIWx6jORlH29c9xBViaMKJZA4vqU_vszmlXmE1_QGjlKJ8rC0yNSflIQbddS8b23WmN_CdwVPoivzmGcrovl12c69fmZid0HnJCrGrWQ=s320" width="313" /></a></div><p>We did go out for a couple of walks but as we got fed to within an inch of our lives I don't think they achieved much other than some fresh air.</p><p>I also crafted. I got given a kit to make 3 felt bauble decorations. Of course me being me, I bought more felt and made loads. In fact I'm still am making some as I cut out a load, I will admit I've loved it, coming up with my own designs has been fun .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3kACXNphPI5N5cH7MhKTjRxi9tC4P3xmfp03VAXyZQudwRvhZZ9froE1f4BUQGGptDhKzayrvdH6oC4Td9F-_C01Sy8ytaXp9YSbHauJLdDXlbH1lRKvPPAq34qBmm5Z7bs-zgzsyrxvSmqJ6bmh632BdDH5WycSPrkMxlXnpqwE8gaxxWnPR7qGirg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1000" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3kACXNphPI5N5cH7MhKTjRxi9tC4P3xmfp03VAXyZQudwRvhZZ9froE1f4BUQGGptDhKzayrvdH6oC4Td9F-_C01Sy8ytaXp9YSbHauJLdDXlbH1lRKvPPAq34qBmm5Z7bs-zgzsyrxvSmqJ6bmh632BdDH5WycSPrkMxlXnpqwE8gaxxWnPR7qGirg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>As ever I got some fab presents.</p><p>can you tell I like Snoopy??</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFG5zFro5tz355nJu-6uhAEdlCuuCoZHZNL7ObrrRaUJcq4gKrlNMNNOhVXqAdthJE4E1bJV5tS8cpLdYZVwhvMaBP5lDHfMSGyNFyP0LxwJQG8SZ1QgNp3ZD-C_OO_CTGQvPq-QrKc35aFEL18vtsl2en4dqFFUcDXPVTifY5rIlW36Y2f4jDA1ap4A=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1000" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFG5zFro5tz355nJu-6uhAEdlCuuCoZHZNL7ObrrRaUJcq4gKrlNMNNOhVXqAdthJE4E1bJV5tS8cpLdYZVwhvMaBP5lDHfMSGyNFyP0LxwJQG8SZ1QgNp3ZD-C_OO_CTGQvPq-QrKc35aFEL18vtsl2en4dqFFUcDXPVTifY5rIlW36Y2f4jDA1ap4A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>More books to add to the book mountain. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihpejVw2QepfxDtfgndEx_KRR5JwxxZonyw5O5Yc1MafFI47Gf0wxjIU2Pcu1y91eP4fQCU5UAmLMfY67p3AF5Tg1n6ZvJ7i5VAZG0sM9Svz9JHDHKnS7qBlGg5UddcBZ4mh2OIOiV8mUyt8HmcBsuzSqucDWLy7J88hNm2yd8DGKHF1BZsCgcQfHAww=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1000" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihpejVw2QepfxDtfgndEx_KRR5JwxxZonyw5O5Yc1MafFI47Gf0wxjIU2Pcu1y91eP4fQCU5UAmLMfY67p3AF5Tg1n6ZvJ7i5VAZG0sM9Svz9JHDHKnS7qBlGg5UddcBZ4mh2OIOiV8mUyt8HmcBsuzSqucDWLy7J88hNm2yd8DGKHF1BZsCgcQfHAww=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Talking of books I'll finish with my Goodreads list of books read in 2021. As you can see there are a couple of sets. I reread A Discovery of Witches and then read the rest of the series. Charlotte had warned me they got worse and worse as the series progressed and sadly she wasn't wrong. The last one was dreadful.</p><p>The Nicola Upson ones were a set of 5 from my book club, I then bought the rest of the set. Weirdly I loved some of them and some were just 'meh'.</p><p>The Elly Griffiths books were due to me buying one for 50p in a charity shop, absolutely loving it and finding it was number seven in a series. So of course I had to buy the rest of the set! </p><p>I loved them all and actually feel a bit bereft now I have finished them. </p><div><b>Tombland- C J Sansom</b></div><div><b>The Peanuts Book – A visual history of the iconic comic strip –Simon
Beecroft</b></div><div><b>The American Boy – Andrew Taylor</b></div><div><b>The Familiars – Stacey Halls</b></div><div><b>Grown Ups – Marian Keyes</b></div><div><b>The Corset – Laura Purcell</b></div><div><b>A Single Thread – Tracey Chevalier</b></div><div><b>The Monogram Murders – Sophie Hannah</b></div><div><b>Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle - Clare
Hunter</b></div><div><b>A Year at the Chateau – Dick Strawbridge</b></div><div><b>The Natural Beauty of Cornwall - Peter Maxted</b></div><div><b>Birds of a Feather – Jacqueline Winspear</b></div><div><b>Art Deco Fashion – Gordon Kerr</b></div><div><b>The Secret History of the Handbag – Meredith Etherington-Smith</b></div><div><b>Liberty & Co in the Fifties and Sixties – Anne Buruma</b></div><div><b>Seeing Things: An Autobiography – Oliver Postgate</b></div><div><b>Amphibious Thing: The Life or Lord Hervey – Lucy Moore</b></div><div><b>Girl Balancing & Other Stories – Helen Dunmore</b></div><div><b>The Kid on Slapton Beach – Felicity Fair Thompson</b></div><div><b>It’s so Easy (and other lies) – Duff McKagan</b></div><div><b>How to be a Man – Duff Mckagan</b></div><div><b>The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman</b></div><div><b>Invisible Girl – Lisa Jewell</b></div><div><b>The Binding – Bridget Collins</b></div><div><b>The Guest List – Lucy Foley</b></div><div><b>The Ghost Fields - Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness</b></div><div><b>Shadow of Night – Deborah Harkness</b></div><div><b>A Book of Life – Deborah Harkness</b></div><div><b>Eight Detectives – Alex Pavesi</b></div><div><b>The Crossing Places – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>Times Convert – Deborah Harkness</b></div><div><b>A Expert in Murder – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>Angel with Two Faces – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>The Janus Stone – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>Two for Sprrow – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>Fear of Sunlight – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>The Death of Lucy Kyte – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>London Rain – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>Nine Lessons – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>Sorry for the Dead – Nicola Upson</b></div><div><b>The House at Sea’s End – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>Bandaging the Blitz – Phyll McDonald- Ross</b></div><div><b>A Room Full of Bones – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>Irrepressible: The Jazz Age Life of Henrietta Bingham – Emily Bingham</b></div><div><b>A Dying Fall – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>The Mistress of Mayfair – Lindsey Spence</b></div><div><b>The Outcast Dead – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>Surviving Tenko: The Story of Margot Turner – Penny Starns</b></div><div><b>The Woman in Blue – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe – Sarah Churchwell</b></div><div><b>The Chalk Pit – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>The Dark Angel – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>The Stone Circle – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>The Lantern Men – Elly Griffiths</b></div><div><b>The Night Hawks – Elly Griffiths</b></div><p>Overall I read more books that I enjoyed this year and ranked lots of them 3 or 4 though surprisingly no 5's at all this year. I was clearly being tough this year. </p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-37338136897862674452021-11-29T10:16:00.000-08:002021-11-29T10:16:06.497-08:00October - Days Out, Walks & The Beautiful People<p> In my excitement writing about the Chelsea Flower show I completely forgot to mention I had my second face to face physio appointment towards the end of September, 2 months after the last with it's scary prognosis. Since then I had been doing my exercises like a crazy woman and it seemed that had paid off! </p><p>Not only was my physiotherapist surprised with my progress she said there was definitely no need to refer me back to the fracture clinic for a procedure, which as you can imagine was fantastic news as far as I was concerned. She also told me she had resigned and would be leaving at the end of October. It seems even the staff are fed up with being forced to do at least 60% of their appointments as phone consultations. She did say if that policy changed she would probably come back. Unfortunately my next appointment was cancelled and then I had to wait for another slot, after 3 weeks of ringing on a Monday to find nothing was available I finally got one on the 24th November! I shan't go over again how farcical I have found all of this...</p><p>Anyway I left with a new set of (why do they have to be so painful) exercises feeling very positive.</p><p>I started October by going to see the new James Bond my first cinema trip since 2019. We deliberately waited a few weeks for the initial rush to die down, I didn't fancy going to a completely packed cinema on my first visit back. We were the only people to wear masks the whole time SIGH. I loved the film though, it was good to be back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWvesBWK9Azrbe5YtzNV8A9PFRaduBXsYbq0maV5CqJxRMmDQmipIvEO7FOQnCmqPTk0_KpjuD93V02fmLTSg-IB_5SmrqdHu_iI4H4F5xvLI-q27Sw8YvTOVExDDjV38Jwv2idZEs-qdre6zr_mrY_nXvEf9d1elDCCONdVvbJHCdMxXdl4JCecvfOw=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWvesBWK9Azrbe5YtzNV8A9PFRaduBXsYbq0maV5CqJxRMmDQmipIvEO7FOQnCmqPTk0_KpjuD93V02fmLTSg-IB_5SmrqdHu_iI4H4F5xvLI-q27Sw8YvTOVExDDjV38Jwv2idZEs-qdre6zr_mrY_nXvEf9d1elDCCONdVvbJHCdMxXdl4JCecvfOw=s320" width="216" /></a></div><p>The following weekend I was off into Oxford to meet my friends Alex and Charlotte to celebrate Charlotte's birthday. We took a slow stroll down to the botanical gardens where we wandered about enjoying the Autumn colours before finding a bench in the sun and having a good catch up. From there we headed to Comptoir Libanais where we had a table booked for lunch, after which we had a browse around Blackwell's bookshop and the indoor market before heading for home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2eQOSlx2ozazyuJjKufpTwTUVZxJ-jOgVltXIdcLglWFhiiwyMKZMxl-d-CCkJHi7E9DHojC2ybflM4vUBAb5j1slTl_g4itDKdcAZtuN7R-U7mZgUfaAtFPuCSQh0WRf3ePfpExCI7EacZr5X4N5-CuFkaguZCTfu5E5McDxLyyuXNUOsf2xDUvllw=s816" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="816" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2eQOSlx2ozazyuJjKufpTwTUVZxJ-jOgVltXIdcLglWFhiiwyMKZMxl-d-CCkJHi7E9DHojC2ybflM4vUBAb5j1slTl_g4itDKdcAZtuN7R-U7mZgUfaAtFPuCSQh0WRf3ePfpExCI7EacZr5X4N5-CuFkaguZCTfu5E5McDxLyyuXNUOsf2xDUvllw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>It was so lovely to see them both. I miss Alex not living in Oxford anymore, and I really miss not working with them both anymore.</p><p>Charlotte and I met again the following Wednesday to head up to London for my first live exhibition since 2019. It was certainly a month of firsts!</p><p>We chose The Fashion and Textile Museum's exhibition Beautiful People: The Boutique in 60's Counterculture and boy was it good to be back. We had timed entry and got there a bit early so had a mooch around the neighbouring streets until it was time to go in. It wasn't very busy and everyone was in masks so you felt quite comfortable browsing at leisure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBg_X1JViz5wC8KN-ZmWAb6Kgj1qPdyOTB1PTfUxQx0ZC3nwaeut923UXX7S30vvIAufR4e33yEjkdx1mj7StQ71klXNeqMuDld19lLAUd6miG9nBaYUqvbFDcnYKtVvXpmGtcAWfgnK3DHYEjfOGb8K6fR-wCElNwrwUjM8L353V5xiSDsnSxHac5UQ=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBg_X1JViz5wC8KN-ZmWAb6Kgj1qPdyOTB1PTfUxQx0ZC3nwaeut923UXX7S30vvIAufR4e33yEjkdx1mj7StQ71klXNeqMuDld19lLAUd6miG9nBaYUqvbFDcnYKtVvXpmGtcAWfgnK3DHYEjfOGb8K6fR-wCElNwrwUjM8L353V5xiSDsnSxHac5UQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVJYUpa8CIlyhthYDT7Qtx4k98cRrdqnEBM_CNsBkQ7lSArsMTJYOTpG5MRcyBCx-Q404LltPTSXOWDVOAJmIqWq92muZ2c6U4tJHmBbJTkSjzUfa0MqswHL8pl1KT1OZGwmuLbL9D_ehHz1dJOwk-oSrohPV1-qSa7QN5qSrSc_C9NFUDUqVN_KXIfQ=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="804" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVJYUpa8CIlyhthYDT7Qtx4k98cRrdqnEBM_CNsBkQ7lSArsMTJYOTpG5MRcyBCx-Q404LltPTSXOWDVOAJmIqWq92muZ2c6U4tJHmBbJTkSjzUfa0MqswHL8pl1KT1OZGwmuLbL9D_ehHz1dJOwk-oSrohPV1-qSa7QN5qSrSc_C9NFUDUqVN_KXIfQ=s320" width="257" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLuKJ3r0Lfn2tD8iMxQ1LTVoD8dIyEgz580RY2bYjDCCCh5Xb1LI48DJ1oL-_2vZahmu7HPgM4-XEiU9m1jUKvrLEcxAcuq6EvKlUymXYGWFJPQMgJJ7W5CrHIETYoeSU6ocXmidt9RZu_JpyQomk9H1e2yefeJF_YVMtTIXr9s4QNgmOsZ-UytyYS6g=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="934" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLuKJ3r0Lfn2tD8iMxQ1LTVoD8dIyEgz580RY2bYjDCCCh5Xb1LI48DJ1oL-_2vZahmu7HPgM4-XEiU9m1jUKvrLEcxAcuq6EvKlUymXYGWFJPQMgJJ7W5CrHIETYoeSU6ocXmidt9RZu_JpyQomk9H1e2yefeJF_YVMtTIXr9s4QNgmOsZ-UytyYS6g=s320" width="299" /></a></div><p>I won't share all my pictures but we had a great time. Charlotte's Mum was clearly quite the fashion plate and there were a couple of the Quant and Biba outfits or prints Charlotte recognised, she can remember her Mum taking her to Biba when she was tiny. </p><p>For me it was more about recognising the styles. My Mum was a seamstress before she married my Dad so made all her own clothes, many from patterns she drafted herself from things she saw in magazines. </p><p>I found myself attracted to several outfits that turned out to be made from either repurposed 1940's dresses like this red outfit</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP07e4VwVrXOhiVuMW51lCC_xu3bPglN_GVnZFmhm9rcShheUX_ibtjd7_NsKPpxS4jUQy61bGlJ4J50IBHn6IsR07CqZzwY-wJW8XDrpePEcqlhIqGTLZkoRMrJxMRSlGnIFldWor3k_nPGn0KeBRRkrfML0BsGLqLOXe2JkUXaZh3iM0G-0Fp_QMsg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP07e4VwVrXOhiVuMW51lCC_xu3bPglN_GVnZFmhm9rcShheUX_ibtjd7_NsKPpxS4jUQy61bGlJ4J50IBHn6IsR07CqZzwY-wJW8XDrpePEcqlhIqGTLZkoRMrJxMRSlGnIFldWor3k_nPGn0KeBRRkrfML0BsGLqLOXe2JkUXaZh3iM0G-0Fp_QMsg=s320" width="217" /></a></div><p>or based on a 1930's pattern like this green and black one, or the floral one below, or reusing genuine 1930's fabric like the jacket next to it.. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYx5SiB5itUWCG4GUQtc438Tt76AwSzOAIIpDybywSDSRunzaorNQSXwcOpN4EK143jW1hb6suQVL_57-mDyIGgulaTjB4BruhLbdSDx_DMIGQ2xWvYqH4yLN4tEldPJkdDa0gaQnmSu9rZm8PJm_aYhvVMmr2nqrkxXAOlS8MuoZHk9apGdMMDvkfeg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYx5SiB5itUWCG4GUQtc438Tt76AwSzOAIIpDybywSDSRunzaorNQSXwcOpN4EK143jW1hb6suQVL_57-mDyIGgulaTjB4BruhLbdSDx_DMIGQ2xWvYqH4yLN4tEldPJkdDa0gaQnmSu9rZm8PJm_aYhvVMmr2nqrkxXAOlS8MuoZHk9apGdMMDvkfeg=s320" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeUJG9vusZBF1C9UCzkgdn2SF_wigH-VnXezAIiVQlvu7QYUY1NQ3O7OVpdfD0GnfQJwAV8qNorgUAFmF50W1WChHadXxO7sNZ0yvr7p_beUxxXM64cMx_7n_wakGcxRXPlv0FCRTTWzs4Dfxrr1qRtfO9YN0iPqvobekBc6nlIY_faA9rD8IGEOBETQ=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="889" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeUJG9vusZBF1C9UCzkgdn2SF_wigH-VnXezAIiVQlvu7QYUY1NQ3O7OVpdfD0GnfQJwAV8qNorgUAFmF50W1WChHadXxO7sNZ0yvr7p_beUxxXM64cMx_7n_wakGcxRXPlv0FCRTTWzs4Dfxrr1qRtfO9YN0iPqvobekBc6nlIY_faA9rD8IGEOBETQ=s320" width="284" /></a></div><p>I really do have my era lol.</p><p>I have to share this outfit which made me I gasp in recognition when I saw it. I have seen several times on a Friday evening when I tend to watch those compilation music shows on BBC4 like 'Glam Rock at the BBC' with a large glass of wine. It was donated by the lead singer of the New York Dolls and he wore it on the Old Grey Whistle Test to sing Jet Boy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiQurpaxsZrg5MxyzR93yOYfQAgzl7UTWPMlPvIWh5PxjJ2iM7PDl-Xz1n3YW6dYj3JttqeLjfJrECDUHqhX90yEdVw_ZD_lc2ptHoy5HO8VW7CCirrfH4Zj7J6YgJ-7LofPppPnoNjzcYMWVrDaWFi_aCk1IE2o3sfcciWJHJP3qEsnYTPNGqrJw26Q=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiQurpaxsZrg5MxyzR93yOYfQAgzl7UTWPMlPvIWh5PxjJ2iM7PDl-Xz1n3YW6dYj3JttqeLjfJrECDUHqhX90yEdVw_ZD_lc2ptHoy5HO8VW7CCirrfH4Zj7J6YgJ-7LofPppPnoNjzcYMWVrDaWFi_aCk1IE2o3sfcciWJHJP3qEsnYTPNGqrJw26Q=s320" width="292" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9YmoSeAE83wy-vK26BPLBHv-mm6mxqPvZaR1vIXRNP1VbagjWLldegz2SwcRJ5tnAHBxmKeor76AAkTvFpAwqbPV4nQVM5q-1p-qShaWCEJEcQA53TmtUCG74uzzyA_5U2aLr6uxzWlrwzS6ENPRSdY7MvRE1t5K-QCgsCzvZpcqHgZfPKTAijhl5mQ=s320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9YmoSeAE83wy-vK26BPLBHv-mm6mxqPvZaR1vIXRNP1VbagjWLldegz2SwcRJ5tnAHBxmKeor76AAkTvFpAwqbPV4nQVM5q-1p-qShaWCEJEcQA53TmtUCG74uzzyA_5U2aLr6uxzWlrwzS6ENPRSdY7MvRE1t5K-QCgsCzvZpcqHgZfPKTAijhl5mQ" width="320" /></a></div><p>After we had had our fill of amazing outfits, we had a browse round the shop and I treated myself to a book, I'd rather buy it full price there where I know the money will go towards the museum itself than cheaper on Amazon or the like.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrm8v43xFXHMU2BG-4kqR0-LrEct-2BbTACFSDPp5UIcASh3tbjVf8LTxucVec1Gy1Ktn0evazwXE4UxFd-imfIzoSJjm9313oexU1MhO7DGWHsv-81Coug8amjIQoJLEQVWv-0wdFbgqqfjJiaVRsHADWlhAUMxC_dKN53XcyZx4aK60TfqYFyoiQNQ=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="327" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrm8v43xFXHMU2BG-4kqR0-LrEct-2BbTACFSDPp5UIcASh3tbjVf8LTxucVec1Gy1Ktn0evazwXE4UxFd-imfIzoSJjm9313oexU1MhO7DGWHsv-81Coug8amjIQoJLEQVWv-0wdFbgqqfjJiaVRsHADWlhAUMxC_dKN53XcyZx4aK60TfqYFyoiQNQ=s320" width="209" /></a></div><p>It's called The Dressmakers of Auschwitz and I really wanted to read it after listening to one of the Museum's fascinating online events given by the author Lucy Adlington. </p><p>I know I've mentioned them before but do check out their website for their <a href="https://ftmlondon.digitickets.co.uk/category/31973"><span style="color: #800180;">on demand events</span></a>, they are amazing, cover so many different subjects and eras, and only cost £5. I've watched loads of them now and thoroughly enjoyed them all.</p><p>We headed to Borough Market for lunch and after we had filled out faces from some of the amazing food stalls we decided to walk along the Thames. We ended up keeping going all the way to Westminster trying to find somewhere to have a drink. We crossed Westminster bridge in the hope of something and finally ended up in the cafe in a branch of Waterstones. </p><p>The day was a little marred when we got back to Padington and I was told by the chap at the information desk I couldn't get a train home until after 7.30pm due to my off peak ticket!?! I was told I could upgrade it and as I didn't fancy hanging around at Padington for 3 hours I duly queued up to upgrade. When I got to the counter I thought I would just check again and thankfully it turned out the information I had been given wasn't strictly true. I could in fact catch a slow train to Reading and then a train home from there - Phew. Luckily I had a good book with me so I bought a drink in M&S and hopped on the slow train. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs0rQ1dlRKI6UX-MDTCNLaX3n5isZQhR4Hqsx557mX57gtuHyNXVcDn5VYQ3ugFkUfdsGTxInRrrCUz0TjhhmQueWPU7kBrars3BA42qBsZWhF_xPdi1kIA1a8N-kcyEhsO7MYJpzUEbR-IhtlUcdjWlzjoqg1cTupEz7kuAXKbn9GDZLUip0YJto17Q=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1000" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs0rQ1dlRKI6UX-MDTCNLaX3n5isZQhR4Hqsx557mX57gtuHyNXVcDn5VYQ3ugFkUfdsGTxInRrrCUz0TjhhmQueWPU7kBrars3BA42qBsZWhF_xPdi1kIA1a8N-kcyEhsO7MYJpzUEbR-IhtlUcdjWlzjoqg1cTupEz7kuAXKbn9GDZLUip0YJto17Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzZck0uhVjW7g9JSlaRpyx37T6cCUorpu3VOANjknIaltqCmO3fEiGOkXxv6NJCwzCFi2guJouOlQGF73p160ohgaZNCF3X6WuXne6YbBTWOxbTlwtagBVp9nm07odeEgP_rnqIb7qzz807y98kE0E4XmmGzru9ljmm755jvLb5Uug81pes3For3JcGg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzZck0uhVjW7g9JSlaRpyx37T6cCUorpu3VOANjknIaltqCmO3fEiGOkXxv6NJCwzCFi2guJouOlQGF73p160ohgaZNCF3X6WuXne6YbBTWOxbTlwtagBVp9nm07odeEgP_rnqIb7qzz807y98kE0E4XmmGzru9ljmm755jvLb5Uug81pes3For3JcGg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>The next weekend as the weather was still mild Himself and I went for a long walk culminating in a large glass of wine for me and a pint for him sitting on a balcony over the Thames in the nearby town of Abingdon. We took a slightly different route this time and I was amazed to come out in a part of the town I didn't know walking alongside the river. I went to college in Abingdon many many moons ago and thought I knew the town well from all the times I was out and about instead of in lectures! </p><p>We also did a Halloween trail in a nearby village which is always great fun, some of the residents really go all out with their decorations</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPOiw-5UI2Fp0oXvoSrhAPjFTFbuBUZZX0u3rzK6W6nGC2iglDF_93QZ6a1MLIxdHMBJuXpAlJAwJlJnAEh1whAY7ZINsKPRzUam7507SVtHy80vyQ2uuGVaBmjQOLJX-7Y3mOTlXdSQ2Ggfw6RCoJ9GSEnPoLF3T7P3cbq639KPC5uBAaQY-xd_febA=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPOiw-5UI2Fp0oXvoSrhAPjFTFbuBUZZX0u3rzK6W6nGC2iglDF_93QZ6a1MLIxdHMBJuXpAlJAwJlJnAEh1whAY7ZINsKPRzUam7507SVtHy80vyQ2uuGVaBmjQOLJX-7Y3mOTlXdSQ2Ggfw6RCoJ9GSEnPoLF3T7P3cbq639KPC5uBAaQY-xd_febA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I took Malcolm Monkey and his funeral director's hat with us</p><p>The month ended with our anniversary or nonniverary as I believe Vix called it (24 year's on we are also not married.) We went to Nephew Number One's house for drinks on the 30th which ended up being very late as well as a rum experimentation so our actual anniversary day was very low key.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbVQ2gArQhfBePVaRyXKJRdCxshmoFxA_zKOLOLndgiWkcfCNcIP04_1aKlAVomaVLrxyxnVcep_zhZzygNrmy8Ykrbeb_TIpKCdGf9H0rk7PM5uaufv1sx71nrUVyGS2p_zir6kadXfr1TxJwmJM__WOVOvuYDBw3UQEQRXp8j5WuNWbizuyeqfs21g=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="569" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbVQ2gArQhfBePVaRyXKJRdCxshmoFxA_zKOLOLndgiWkcfCNcIP04_1aKlAVomaVLrxyxnVcep_zhZzygNrmy8Ykrbeb_TIpKCdGf9H0rk7PM5uaufv1sx71nrUVyGS2p_zir6kadXfr1TxJwmJM__WOVOvuYDBw3UQEQRXp8j5WuNWbizuyeqfs21g=s320" width="182" /></a></div><p>I'll finish up this rather mammoth post with some purchases. I bought another new zip free dress, partly because it was zip free but mostly because I loved the fabric.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheba06ydPcl-j8eftBVxIs4LC3BPNdfGwYEvZXEAVA6M2bRZ6dLBMYrKpUCN_Vi3CcFEcktl4an0wyAblGbZxtB6DLYgA_3RkKdXqTVEo8X0ajtABo5E8lfYLQcFyJm_lfZykfFixW2D4Mk7W_o1ft7RxSQqTUt5JE-jC0BayLD7J5cAYCvR9mHlOgbA=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="800" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheba06ydPcl-j8eftBVxIs4LC3BPNdfGwYEvZXEAVA6M2bRZ6dLBMYrKpUCN_Vi3CcFEcktl4an0wyAblGbZxtB6DLYgA_3RkKdXqTVEo8X0ajtABo5E8lfYLQcFyJm_lfZykfFixW2D4Mk7W_o1ft7RxSQqTUt5JE-jC0BayLD7J5cAYCvR9mHlOgbA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I also bought some Halloween brooches from Erstwider's two seasonal ranges. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-37384570143891765092021-11-28T10:05:00.003-08:002021-11-28T10:05:45.748-08:00The Month of September - Part Two<p> September continued with me returning from holiday and meeting Soo in Oxford for a long overdue catch up. This saw us taking a walk along the canal tow path to Wolvercote, then managing to get slightly lost walking back across Port Meadow. I'd say this is itself was actually something of a feat considering it's basically a huge open space!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAj5Be_1tlPMPO9mnxW5WkKVGwAWI2Vu02tQpslUh2Vh3c36k541WmzfRhjb43TleRUXNJgAwopoAHfcn2xQwB-QdrXGXSLt9MUx0bBIa0vE5B4Xf6uWNj8jFeZ87pY2ijyajKzduaY4dp2cQNU9CD_NuxiQ2fBOxnnPogTD4yz5Wv93GMElqLIpG2FA=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAj5Be_1tlPMPO9mnxW5WkKVGwAWI2Vu02tQpslUh2Vh3c36k541WmzfRhjb43TleRUXNJgAwopoAHfcn2xQwB-QdrXGXSLt9MUx0bBIa0vE5B4Xf6uWNj8jFeZ87pY2ijyajKzduaY4dp2cQNU9CD_NuxiQ2fBOxnnPogTD4yz5Wv93GMElqLIpG2FA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>We also had the life scared out of us by an idiot on a mountain bike who decided to speed up behind and past us with no warning when there was a whole rest of the field to cycle on, including the actual pathway, which we weren't on at the time!</p><p> Anyway once our heart rates had returned to normal we found our way back to Jericho in time to hunt for somewhere to eat. Which turned out to be surprisingly difficult given the number of eateries there are in Jericho! After finding several places were either closed or full we ended up at the Jude the Obscure. Where perched in their walled garden we caught up some more over a bottle of wine and in my case a very tasty three cheese toastie. </p><p>My next adventure was The Chelsea Flower Show. </p><p>Now this has been on my bucket list for years so I was very excited when Charlotte suggested we go 2 years ago. Of course covid happened and it was cancelled, then postponed before being rescheduled for September instead of the spring. I gather it wasn't as big this year, covid & brexit both having an effect so there were less show gardens and the marquee had lots of empty space. </p><p>Not that that stopped the crowds, it was absolutely heaving when we were there. The weather was fabulous all week so pretty much everyone was floating around in floral frocks, both of us included. </p><p>The first thing we saw on entering was a camera and a crowd of people round one of the gardens. It turned out to be Joe Swift doing some filming for Gardener's World.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4eL8_VA2uhOjgOHjEr9Vb4QGnWoZ_6ZhEPgoDyvj9m_qu07P1FvPYZFYERdmjdYAGc0W81XyRVLvg6HAYhK969c5OYSDk6u4mQoF1fugnlR16YE1snQYPZUNnKNkXU4UDgrb2Y2S2iT8AUWNQgxQZ4zZU_nstraWp8Zee23RfmYN55hgNnbaGF7jtig=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="723" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4eL8_VA2uhOjgOHjEr9Vb4QGnWoZ_6ZhEPgoDyvj9m_qu07P1FvPYZFYERdmjdYAGc0W81XyRVLvg6HAYhK969c5OYSDk6u4mQoF1fugnlR16YE1snQYPZUNnKNkXU4UDgrb2Y2S2iT8AUWNQgxQZ4zZU_nstraWp8Zee23RfmYN55hgNnbaGF7jtig=s320" width="289" /></a></div><p>In fact in terms of GW presenters you name them and we saw them at some point during the day. From James Wong and Frances Tophill to Rachel de Thame, . Typically the only person I didn't see was my Mum's favourite Adam Frost!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEYMIErdi2VLfEqQHWU1eJWrRCiano1keV8UTAJO5Z7ShVfIfk4seN2SuS4FXkzr-7nwQ_BQgMMqq-KJfQKjBRiANjjZNxaoTGkjfaipFtophSZia5LKWeepNoWWKVIwccdCDWVnkNijmXdR4bBP-fBwMWUgf2S5YuIqwrIy6x59ORx0jpMdfKujk6Gw=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="754" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEYMIErdi2VLfEqQHWU1eJWrRCiano1keV8UTAJO5Z7ShVfIfk4seN2SuS4FXkzr-7nwQ_BQgMMqq-KJfQKjBRiANjjZNxaoTGkjfaipFtophSZia5LKWeepNoWWKVIwccdCDWVnkNijmXdR4bBP-fBwMWUgf2S5YuIqwrIy6x59ORx0jpMdfKujk6Gw=s320" width="268" /></a></div><p>Couldn't not have a picture of Monty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh39MbYIBl_XwtUFy5LI2KKla0mOLbekmJ8sGSjA0Tfup3KqlsvQzvl_I7uMFSpxqVXZQPA_35zLAzw24WwIq6stxhAwQ1MlbORb9JsV8qHY1H6UPxLj5S6nz9vdkdArO3-NzFtzhDq_n9IhDBrm2Acr8yr479MPXnd-mlqtJz5cEYkmTHL191cZpDgqg=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh39MbYIBl_XwtUFy5LI2KKla0mOLbekmJ8sGSjA0Tfup3KqlsvQzvl_I7uMFSpxqVXZQPA_35zLAzw24WwIq6stxhAwQ1MlbORb9JsV8qHY1H6UPxLj5S6nz9vdkdArO3-NzFtzhDq_n9IhDBrm2Acr8yr479MPXnd-mlqtJz5cEYkmTHL191cZpDgqg=s320" width="262" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNgvoQvjHTj0LAgWROR2fMrGM5idfR6-FFrdMqnFu8zymOtXMiLIYOejNdwxvupjU-Bl_KGKiMJc--UjXy5b6qzZ7TfE_c3AhE8WvlZni01Ciy1NUL3rhEFJzyYQqa0WeiGjGUgguS3rhHFHWDaDGIA5bPuuEhQgP5fKWXnhJKeawgxsQk6UjK7ApGMw=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNgvoQvjHTj0LAgWROR2fMrGM5idfR6-FFrdMqnFu8zymOtXMiLIYOejNdwxvupjU-Bl_KGKiMJc--UjXy5b6qzZ7TfE_c3AhE8WvlZni01Ciy1NUL3rhEFJzyYQqa0WeiGjGUgguS3rhHFHWDaDGIA5bPuuEhQgP5fKWXnhJKeawgxsQk6UjK7ApGMw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuG-svDEzOcjAhGI6Z6PWnX5GiMTTM1gR1VuYp0Q1Lzc8FX9Yl6Ma2KgWNd0OW6zfCdonSjzrqjXFH1hzE7WcX-_Bz-63zC-hLPwZuJ74ZHOr03JLVECreP_daiD27QiZ4j6ch9SJfUMfBKaw9l6Jn7bQ1SkYXfJn-nZtNhqBHOTDgdFg6YCJn2hmhnw=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuG-svDEzOcjAhGI6Z6PWnX5GiMTTM1gR1VuYp0Q1Lzc8FX9Yl6Ma2KgWNd0OW6zfCdonSjzrqjXFH1hzE7WcX-_Bz-63zC-hLPwZuJ74ZHOr03JLVECreP_daiD27QiZ4j6ch9SJfUMfBKaw9l6Jn7bQ1SkYXfJn-nZtNhqBHOTDgdFg6YCJn2hmhnw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>We browsed the show gardens first before doing the main marquee</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo6ECmSGhkGXpVgQyfHn0okvWO_l6u_OsOvNH54fUY54guPKkXGY8dcyR19jRquYPKDMubuQTEaGukbtGiWnG5HYdYwKL_cJKon37e_Spf4ANVFa_AVInnfYGs-r0wR0jQddmjAOEX4zdON1Hr6DXE_AMpMZjVxRUDEW3fEkCH8S-Ly8SZL5ELEOn3Qw=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="900" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo6ECmSGhkGXpVgQyfHn0okvWO_l6u_OsOvNH54fUY54guPKkXGY8dcyR19jRquYPKDMubuQTEaGukbtGiWnG5HYdYwKL_cJKon37e_Spf4ANVFa_AVInnfYGs-r0wR0jQddmjAOEX4zdON1Hr6DXE_AMpMZjVxRUDEW3fEkCH8S-Ly8SZL5ELEOn3Qw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZh8GmLFT1IT52u425BGvN1AuMhcLDNAsf0A2FA_Q4g1fvAFvza-4envQxGwQ8FHLYOqtbRbW5sFwxwzoZVbI5dFN9Mt23se2GhJ-7NBKhrLbUb86W-Z50z1UmU1zSfJnP9w8X4jAbgIFr0zp_3zvae8gEs9n-gs1NvSMI3ImSQsinfqOpVULCYyAD0w=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="900" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZh8GmLFT1IT52u425BGvN1AuMhcLDNAsf0A2FA_Q4g1fvAFvza-4envQxGwQ8FHLYOqtbRbW5sFwxwzoZVbI5dFN9Mt23se2GhJ-7NBKhrLbUb86W-Z50z1UmU1zSfJnP9w8X4jAbgIFr0zp_3zvae8gEs9n-gs1NvSMI3ImSQsinfqOpVULCYyAD0w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>After which we decided it was food time. They had a whole area dedicated to different food vans I plumped for a truffle and parmesan potato dish whilst Charlotte got an amazing vegan street food medley. This is where we encountered my main criticism, considering the amount of people allowed in, and the age of most of them, there were very very few places to sit. We ended up walking round eating which wasn't ideal and eventually just sat down on the pavement when we did need a rest.</p><p>My other disappointment was there were barely any plants for sale. I have since been told by a couple of people the Hampton Court Flower Show is better if you want to buy plants, and funnily enough Charlotte said she was told the same thing, so that one might have to be added to the bucket list. Which will be no hardship at all.as even though it's been a few years since I was last there, it is definitely one of my Happy Places.</p><p>So what did I buy? Well absolutely nothing in the avenue of shopping stalls. They were all high end, money no object stores and not for me. I bought a sky blue perennial salvia from one of the few stands selling plants and </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY6b60VfradC48Pq6Hr7PIxnmLfShT0HFMvN3RvAse0Hu70HGLmY8Zs6BOJkc6Xk3PYif5BvO8JkNr2kh-Jdbjicav2M_j3akXEE1prnULOr6kfLfgTfePA4LGy8u0uQ0ZymZtq84tahQ6ixTffx3KBOVtPjtyL0REeRDbFaYGgmtuxdJYSLbXlycvFg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1000" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY6b60VfradC48Pq6Hr7PIxnmLfShT0HFMvN3RvAse0Hu70HGLmY8Zs6BOJkc6Xk3PYif5BvO8JkNr2kh-Jdbjicav2M_j3akXEE1prnULOr6kfLfgTfePA4LGy8u0uQ0ZymZtq84tahQ6ixTffx3KBOVtPjtyL0REeRDbFaYGgmtuxdJYSLbXlycvFg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>this sort of Nordic metal squirrel, which is meant to hang up outside but is currently in the conservatory.</p><p>By this point we had seen everything we wanted too and were footsore, weary and very much in need of refreshment. We decamped to Peter Jones department store for a pot of tea and a sit down. I also made my purchase of the day in there.</p><p> I spotted something as we went up the escalator which I went for a closer look at on the way back down and</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge3n3fhKZPHGMPCW8gBli-oAFftXKiIFgkqI4TdCceAHWT8oruu_FPiyOQWV83YKjzjgX7Pt5jZTP3sjYZlhM8rL9NX2bOSkHhuWroSoahsjc_hpGxrc628RJ2A81Fw176FZoA8jYZrQrBUjOh6gaIS5_U2_-EccnQHI23t8mXWlTEqlC82CxXXM4YDg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1000" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge3n3fhKZPHGMPCW8gBli-oAFftXKiIFgkqI4TdCceAHWT8oruu_FPiyOQWV83YKjzjgX7Pt5jZTP3sjYZlhM8rL9NX2bOSkHhuWroSoahsjc_hpGxrc628RJ2A81Fw176FZoA8jYZrQrBUjOh6gaIS5_U2_-EccnQHI23t8mXWlTEqlC82CxXXM4YDg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I couldn't resist his face.</p><p>So yes I went to the Chelsea Flower show and came home with a cushion!</p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-72465439513211961852021-11-06T09:25:00.009-07:002021-11-07T06:07:56.492-08:00The Month of September - Part One.<p> So September started with our annual long weekend in Bournemouth. We stayed in a new to us B&B back up on the East Cliff which is our favourite side of the town to stay. The B&B turned out to be a turn of the centuary house and the former home of 50's matinee idol Stewart Granger. It must have had amazing gardens down to the cliff top back in the day but now it sits on a tiny plot dwarfed on all sides by massive modern hotels. It's probably a miracle it hadn't been torn down at some point.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigmzgRgptY41ZcmZ6vT_Nm3KjuB3qkahRbEVGA6yE5Pm7-qNODyPeDyphokt6v84Uy1HwEY3nb9PDWasF0uJTjN5ED-hF-7LkZOhxxDIyNd8-eedu2d-a9znRFmYcYlGbPoCfreqwH7nT6o5XmeH5A2CiktXMXt_7YyMtxmVB888Xni8WOHQC6dSRhUw=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigmzgRgptY41ZcmZ6vT_Nm3KjuB3qkahRbEVGA6yE5Pm7-qNODyPeDyphokt6v84Uy1HwEY3nb9PDWasF0uJTjN5ED-hF-7LkZOhxxDIyNd8-eedu2d-a9znRFmYcYlGbPoCfreqwH7nT6o5XmeH5A2CiktXMXt_7YyMtxmVB888Xni8WOHQC6dSRhUw=s320" width="256" /></a></div><p>It only has about half a dozen rooms which suited us just fine. We were on the second floor, in the only room in use up there as the rest are currently being renovated which suited us even better. It was lovely and surprisingly spacious considering it was under the eaves of the roof. We soon settled in and headed out into the town. </p><p>We have a tradition now of mooching round the gardens and the shops, seeing what's new and sadly what has gone over the year since we were last there. Having a couple of drinks in the 4 Horsemen (which is now a 90's themed pub because of course we all need reminding that the 90's are long enough ago now to be a thing!?!) before going to Harry Ramsden's for take out chips to eat sitting on the beach as the sun goes down, then it's into the Tesco Local to buy a bottle of wine to either drink on the beach, or as it was drizzling and cold this year back at our B&B.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHrxuoSxv7bQwXB7fcKblJnIiWDA3A0QPcjCWgLNHnBBkRWw4jrz1JCwhrqAe-1-IHCWPQAhwA22cDf-CL4gtwRD2lMqa73Gpik9arnpSrvC-x5Io4WL7r5XOhK3wCrJFVNMFSt2d_IwbQ4gd1JGarvGwaFjyfXRD0Fqe5Vpl5m4BxqOPYLmYPvJGZFg=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1000" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHrxuoSxv7bQwXB7fcKblJnIiWDA3A0QPcjCWgLNHnBBkRWw4jrz1JCwhrqAe-1-IHCWPQAhwA22cDf-CL4gtwRD2lMqa73Gpik9arnpSrvC-x5Io4WL7r5XOhK3wCrJFVNMFSt2d_IwbQ4gd1JGarvGwaFjyfXRD0Fqe5Vpl5m4BxqOPYLmYPvJGZFg=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Can you tell we were eating chips? <p></p><p>Friday we had a walk planned. This year we had decided to walk from Shell Bay on Studland to Swanage via Old Harry Rocks. It's about 10 miles and is pretty much all National Trust owned land with some amazing scenery and surprisingly a naturists beach! I loved the fact the literature states "You may be the only person wearing clothes on this stretch of the walk." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIdPru6feXbQC4jHTrloKkv3W6nMnIAzr4lwvYScI1QV9EBwlKWsagsvbDjXTy4gP_e1QXPlduz2x6QNIsAlNKvTHMCnGBuARMQq2Px_WG6kh10OB2P-c6jOgNT8yH9fzXeJvZ_ADkFra_KbhWkzMl2MQLxeA5HwcrmyFYyzXcXYS0hng4J1-4K26s0g=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIdPru6feXbQC4jHTrloKkv3W6nMnIAzr4lwvYScI1QV9EBwlKWsagsvbDjXTy4gP_e1QXPlduz2x6QNIsAlNKvTHMCnGBuARMQq2Px_WG6kh10OB2P-c6jOgNT8yH9fzXeJvZ_ADkFra_KbhWkzMl2MQLxeA5HwcrmyFYyzXcXYS0hng4J1-4K26s0g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>The weather was meant to be drizzly again but as it turns out by the time we got off the chain link ferry it was cloudy but otherwise warm. Perfect walking weather in fact, not too hot and not too sunny. </p><p>There were a surprising amount of people out walking though some of them did quickly turn back the way they came when they reached the signs for the naturists beach and they were greeted by several middle aged men striding about the beach wearing nothing but a smile. Personally I've never understood the attraction of being naked on a beach, I mean sand gets everywhere at the best of times, but each to their own. </p><p>There is an alternative path you can take through the sand dues if you want, but the more hardy/not so easily embarrassed hikers, us included, just kept to the waters edge and were soon on the next part of the walk. It was worth it for a different view of one of my favourite landmarks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLI62feKnmMuOn0yNhxF5pRHK8eJEIGH75NFPAeZ37gpo0leYkwz69j31QJeeJnAPYxb4gah-G8uoIaBmZ2Drbehqidd0Z0jJNIp58rZ5F7iD3qisASBF-6ymsigONFIWXC1bVxPYeO8g34lqrCTPalsErf9BTGUtjrGw1gNodQQiTjnWm-iIlzCJIlg=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLI62feKnmMuOn0yNhxF5pRHK8eJEIGH75NFPAeZ37gpo0leYkwz69j31QJeeJnAPYxb4gah-G8uoIaBmZ2Drbehqidd0Z0jJNIp58rZ5F7iD3qisASBF-6ymsigONFIWXC1bVxPYeO8g34lqrCTPalsErf9BTGUtjrGw1gNodQQiTjnWm-iIlzCJIlg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Old Harry Rocks.</p><p>We got a little bit lost but eventually found our way back onto the right path and started the climb up to the top of the cliff above the rocks. Again there were a lot more people than I had expected. I gather in the summer it was very busy and they had had to post wardens up there to stop all the idiots taking cliff edge selfies after some people fell and were badly injured. There were none there in September but we did watch a few youngsters taking stupid risks just to get a picture. What is it with some people? That seems to be my mantra these days!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnIPu3gIuLWgkhsNdPaYe7Ia_DNtD9r69Tx6d5MEg8iiwFV7T7BS0MAWi54Vfklcgb3bdnPdkqKP-gf8AzW-Ot-X3WJWKevBYpJrEsf3BsVFOj9jSpx3K_czdENZwrU2Y1NApPmCgrLyCYJMUq7TA6PPNnzz7B0gfs9JA9nNqPdZEPP-R0n9rRbjGwzg=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1000" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnIPu3gIuLWgkhsNdPaYe7Ia_DNtD9r69Tx6d5MEg8iiwFV7T7BS0MAWi54Vfklcgb3bdnPdkqKP-gf8AzW-Ot-X3WJWKevBYpJrEsf3BsVFOj9jSpx3K_czdENZwrU2Y1NApPmCgrLyCYJMUq7TA6PPNnzz7B0gfs9JA9nNqPdZEPP-R0n9rRbjGwzg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJyWk2-03KxXZcauzfy9yuVrL3UAVwFxH3ijb81EtS8CubMUsde5ITqj5u4YdDI37sJaYRDP0KzYyXmaejmFrtpMc7aobF2Pw5Tl3OeBBIIV4BtkTgV9OTsGedZwvDaVBruludF4TPFnOvlfj7ZzoVugapn5umMgC2Ra50b1s9uZC0SiX-oBq1wKjRAw=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1000" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJyWk2-03KxXZcauzfy9yuVrL3UAVwFxH3ijb81EtS8CubMUsde5ITqj5u4YdDI37sJaYRDP0KzYyXmaejmFrtpMc7aobF2Pw5Tl3OeBBIIV4BtkTgV9OTsGedZwvDaVBruludF4TPFnOvlfj7ZzoVugapn5umMgC2Ra50b1s9uZC0SiX-oBq1wKjRAw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>We took some safe pictures then carried on climbing up to the summit of the hill that then takes a long, narrow and sometimes hairy route down into Swanage.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSBBokuNBZINJFgpLzW6NfyxDj99Hyw26pdMPRIPs69IQKAGQP8KNU-emBIluB9oUDX9mQj5eQFTkNhSj9szzy4_n9P0VAVm7qZMU6M6P_QN-h4xEDrwv9fDfi9e6Y22KMCXrK_6uSz2wOMhtFliG1AthNQbFsEOBQlRSjszf1IchKtD5UhKESpjCnMg=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1000" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSBBokuNBZINJFgpLzW6NfyxDj99Hyw26pdMPRIPs69IQKAGQP8KNU-emBIluB9oUDX9mQj5eQFTkNhSj9szzy4_n9P0VAVm7qZMU6M6P_QN-h4xEDrwv9fDfi9e6Y22KMCXrK_6uSz2wOMhtFliG1AthNQbFsEOBQlRSjszf1IchKtD5UhKESpjCnMg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I love looking back where I have been. This was us about halfway down and yes we had walked all the way from the very edge of the land in the picture. </p><p>Swanage was as lovely as I remembered and it was so heartening to see a town centre with only 2 empty shop units. It was equally heartening to see so many of them being little independent shops too. We had a drink and some of the best gelato I've ever had in Fortes, a Gelateria opened in 1926. I had a scoop of black cherry & kirsh and one of malt with crushed Maltesers which was to die for. We mooched around the town buying some bottles of local beer in a tiny deli, some homemade fudge for my Dad and an art print of Old Harry Rocks before catching the bus back to Bournemouth. We had ended up setting out a bit later than planned in the morning and the traffic was quite heavy on the way back, meaning we didn't have time to go back to the B&B and change before our table booking at the Harvester at Branksome Chine. I'm not a huge fan of Harvester restaurants as it goes but this one is right on the beach with views across the sea so it's a great place to have a drink. From there we called into Tesco for another bottle of wine before heading back to the B&B for a hot shower. Nothing like lounging in your PJ's drinking wine and watching Gardener's World instead of hitting the town. </p><p>Saturday I went off to meet my friend Alison for a day of antiquing and eating cake whilst Himself went off for a long walk (he was still doing his Route 66 challenge at that point so wanted to clock up a good 15 miles!). Alison and I had a fab day and ended up at a garden centre where I had to resist very hard becasue it's not so easy to take plants home on the train! </p><p>We were booked into an Italian restaurant we hadn't tried before that evening in a bit of the town we don't usually frequent as it's on the main stretch where all the hen & stag parties tend to go. The food was fine but not outstanding. From there we were going to take a taxi to Westbourne for a drink, in these covid times we are all about avoiding super crowded pubs but happened to pass a pub called The Anvil that had it's doors open and some great music playing. I know of The Anvil, Bournemouth's rock and metal venue but had never been in it before. In fact we thought it had closed because we had walked past the empty premises when we arrived, as it turns out it had simply moved down and across the street to a smaller venue. I persuaded Himself to check it out for one drink and of course we ended up staying in there all night. If nothing else they had a bottle of Deadman's Fingers banana rum behind the bar with my name on it!</p><p> At one point we were the only people in there, people seemed to come and go but it was not particularly busy until about midnight when the place suddenly filled to bursting. I'm assuming because it clearly had a late license. We took this as our cue to go and headed back to the B&B. I suspect we will be visiting it again now we know what it's like. If nothing else I need to investigate the jukebox further. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt7cdXHSw7pQWLa1FO8EPv8_gTvRX02eFO3pXqO-GYij_vvUqX_4yPWZ4iDjMEaGQCuasFBrEVn90I_SUomOWLqSxtwvw3noewHDdAgf6LyNDbVU_zRDVLEExaiNKL3XVEcy9Kok-T4sL44y_GkOisUSIWknpn7T5MwKdfi4-86xMUhnFMiSQhZ0Epgw=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt7cdXHSw7pQWLa1FO8EPv8_gTvRX02eFO3pXqO-GYij_vvUqX_4yPWZ4iDjMEaGQCuasFBrEVn90I_SUomOWLqSxtwvw3noewHDdAgf6LyNDbVU_zRDVLEExaiNKL3XVEcy9Kok-T4sL44y_GkOisUSIWknpn7T5MwKdfi4-86xMUhnFMiSQhZ0Epgw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Typically on Sunday the weather was utterly glorious so we ended up wheeling our suitcases along the cliff path into town and sitting outside at the Aquarium cafe people watching until it was time for one last ice cream before the train home. </p><p>I took two new dresses with me as I am still having to avoid back zip fastenings which eliminates most of my wardrobe. I bought both of these online from an independent boutique called Jabba Yard. I can't remember how I first found them now, but I have bought a few things from them over the last couple of years and would definitely recommend the quality and service. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEt2SOiUgt4PQLMTw7eUkmZxEJdOgmz9R_wMjl2qXmVcLrumqMwuxYwfKcrVNhZL3EKWbBRL4Ar1mmosdx3ngIM2nw-Fe0DbN1A-6xXRxjVjl2o9oPIs51J0aWFXqCCP8Og5KxCLrInIouFDLhG9t3qrF79cRR5GWdaUMDk-_ak4G_Ljh0UwMzv8GinQ=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEt2SOiUgt4PQLMTw7eUkmZxEJdOgmz9R_wMjl2qXmVcLrumqMwuxYwfKcrVNhZL3EKWbBRL4Ar1mmosdx3ngIM2nw-Fe0DbN1A-6xXRxjVjl2o9oPIs51J0aWFXqCCP8Og5KxCLrInIouFDLhG9t3qrF79cRR5GWdaUMDk-_ak4G_Ljh0UwMzv8GinQ=s320" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaGbEGKqxC1mQAqmHL2PQBwI6v0HkTopQQ78k2rr9MrV6rLkZ9uSgoVesHFBxrhx86dNrlRKdqkcuU3jzn0PGpwFC1C030joMNo3Bsz7Q259mhDKPfr9dk6pdYO9nt-e8KFhEAZN_RPHH0Yg905t8wPuGd94V4s0g5Hwq-i44pD1IFs9ke2COCdX90Pw=s829" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaGbEGKqxC1mQAqmHL2PQBwI6v0HkTopQQ78k2rr9MrV6rLkZ9uSgoVesHFBxrhx86dNrlRKdqkcuU3jzn0PGpwFC1C030joMNo3Bsz7Q259mhDKPfr9dk6pdYO9nt-e8KFhEAZN_RPHH0Yg905t8wPuGd94V4s0g5Hwq-i44pD1IFs9ke2COCdX90Pw=s320" width="195" /></a></div><p>I've nicked the pictures from their website because it's dark right now so no good for pics at home even if I could be arsed to run upstairs and get them out of the wardrobe! </p><p>I wore the blue dress for my day out with Alison and the red velvet for our night out that evening. The blue one actually does have a back zip but the cut is loose enough that I could easily pull it on over my head and hurrah for pockets.</p><p>So that's September part one. I'll be back anon with The Chelsea Flower show and more.</p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-69914417149831587212021-10-02T09:38:00.002-07:002021-10-02T09:38:46.958-07:00An August Round Up.<p> Well I had hoped to at least blog monthly but here I am in October and 2 months behind, I can't believe I used to blog weekly at one time!</p><p>As usual it's work, we have too many students, like 30 too many. As with many other university courses all over the country and even the world, these unusual times have found us oversubscribed. You always over offer because people go elsewhere, drop out etc but this year has been a strange year in more ways than a pandemic. They tried everything to reduce the numbers, even offering money to defer but nope they all wanted to come. </p><p>So we have been frantically trying to adjust class sizes to fit them all in and ensure they can all be taught. I said we there. This is usually the job of the programmes team, I work in admissions and recruitment so ordinarily once they are here the students are no longer my worry, but the programmes team are drastically short staffed, so I have been seconded to help out. I use the word seconded very loosely here, actually I'm still expected to do my own job as well the extra so to say it's been a crazy time would be an understatement. There was some logic behind me agreeing to do this, but I'm not going to go into that on a public platform or at least not yet...</p><p>Anyway August was a pretty cold and miserable month, I felt sorry for the school kids this year they had such a crap summer break. I met some friends for lunch at the start of the month and we tried sitting outside the restaurant but soon gave up and scuttled inside!</p><p>Mid month I went to Birmingham with my friend Charlotte to visit Alex. She has been working for Birmingham City University and had finally been asked to go into the office in person a couple of months before which meant committing and moving to Birmingham. She had done a couch to 5k urban art run not long before and as none of us wanted to be in the horribly crowded city centre she offered to retrace it as a walk.</p><p>The weather was grey and miserably and turned to rain but it didn't dampen our enjoyment one tiny bit. The art work on the canal paths and streets around them was stunning and I've struggled to narrow this down to just a few pictures for the blog!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufLkRms787Qla8miagTl27M6nJKvQw01Q6r7ImzL2TDRfr3CbTWma82QYPw_Avgszf4cCvhGkwojHigdwHgVrZRJbQLlZwbBw_o3AHVwWyv-xrojP8ySesX-ZRCYNrkQVDvgLSJC-Ik40/s1000/blogsept1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufLkRms787Qla8miagTl27M6nJKvQw01Q6r7ImzL2TDRfr3CbTWma82QYPw_Avgszf4cCvhGkwojHigdwHgVrZRJbQLlZwbBw_o3AHVwWyv-xrojP8ySesX-ZRCYNrkQVDvgLSJC-Ik40/s320/blogsept1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-BBeuEhIXYuVJi6-z7g8xHO0Re1-yI_dcX_JVHKL44U3d_d7cjzuAzEggAGVK9MenDc4yQcwH7_-ziuIsFIDxQQVcTZvB2BPU49vADmblyEy1g_aV3jv2MGT-u9r9zZkkElwILkaAuAk/s1000/blogsept2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="745" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-BBeuEhIXYuVJi6-z7g8xHO0Re1-yI_dcX_JVHKL44U3d_d7cjzuAzEggAGVK9MenDc4yQcwH7_-ziuIsFIDxQQVcTZvB2BPU49vADmblyEy1g_aV3jv2MGT-u9r9zZkkElwILkaAuAk/s320/blogsept2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJGO7XgvIfsIaxCjgn9Igpx1tbfTN0li7aKYC0tTA3notrMkLIzJn0PngTiq3LZ4lCvXEni1fDk8Ri-Q5ABycHP31gFU8k-RKD9WJZBQof6StIKNSGDIhSqZKVFGjLHZBBlwWsyavkPwE/s1000/blogsept3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1000" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJGO7XgvIfsIaxCjgn9Igpx1tbfTN0li7aKYC0tTA3notrMkLIzJn0PngTiq3LZ4lCvXEni1fDk8Ri-Q5ABycHP31gFU8k-RKD9WJZBQof6StIKNSGDIhSqZKVFGjLHZBBlwWsyavkPwE/s320/blogsept3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cWA_cPjXRJjbv3HIkpGgVWikY7Ul0raaL9y3lO9z5vfnkZ-it7xYIP1u1bLtkR5hJuGiCvi0SbIEBxiw4sRuuYf9B1q5b6wqeG9qvKoZgYLPOMnjWkKuNtFFeT0qeOqgFdr1DwuAuISr/s1000/blogsept4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cWA_cPjXRJjbv3HIkpGgVWikY7Ul0raaL9y3lO9z5vfnkZ-it7xYIP1u1bLtkR5hJuGiCvi0SbIEBxiw4sRuuYf9B1q5b6wqeG9qvKoZgYLPOMnjWkKuNtFFeT0qeOqgFdr1DwuAuISr/s320/blogsept4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfM2sk3UppbP2peBNKq5bZv4S_RTMRFe0lXUQZ4nYKKmfoRGQREcxNgg_eSslXoJ3mJw-SgwAkVLw9KP70EHs8W5O5MyvbKiwiOuPqQkUv40J4fw8Fv1tA6_S1A2XyW0EppBSRO7_S7kR/s1000/blogsept6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="1000" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfM2sk3UppbP2peBNKq5bZv4S_RTMRFe0lXUQZ4nYKKmfoRGQREcxNgg_eSslXoJ3mJw-SgwAkVLw9KP70EHs8W5O5MyvbKiwiOuPqQkUv40J4fw8Fv1tA6_S1A2XyW0EppBSRO7_S7kR/s320/blogsept6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCILX9_iTwzR5ep4GqaBcr05nsU4yHMgO63CCGShivD4pp7w0wJ1aBRAJ6Jmb47NeaWpB0g58YyWOkXEQYQhyphenhyphenI5yfRKTtQYrXtl92MXzKNNTIgpm6DbthDFA-4MaM31WxeeX3qvXMeTQi/s1000/blogsept1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCILX9_iTwzR5ep4GqaBcr05nsU4yHMgO63CCGShivD4pp7w0wJ1aBRAJ6Jmb47NeaWpB0g58YyWOkXEQYQhyphenhyphenI5yfRKTtQYrXtl92MXzKNNTIgpm6DbthDFA-4MaM31WxeeX3qvXMeTQi/s320/blogsept1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Weirdly the whole time we were walking round the streets under the railway arches all you could hear was pounding music. Turns out it was from various nightclubs, all open and doing a roaring trade judging by the queues outside. I guess people were making up for lost time? but I can't imagine going clubbing at 11am even if it was a Saturday!<p></p><p>We headed to the Custard Factory for pizza at Baked in Stone. It certainly deserves it's fantastic reputation the food was amazing and I'd highly recommend it if you want great pizza.</p><p>I know it's been a fair while since I was last in this part of Birmingham for a blogger meet up guided by the one and only Vix, but I was sad to see that not a single vintage shop remains at the Custard Factory now. In fact the only one we could find nearby was Cow. </p><p>It was properly raining by now so we decided to try and find somewhere to have a drink but eventually ended up back in the city centre and cutting through the Bullring. It was horrifically busy, like Oxford on the last Saturday before Christmas. People everywhere pushing and shoving and not a soul wearing a face mask! Just horrible. Other than that it was such a fab day out and so lovely to catch up with friends and eat out. I'm happy to slowly start easing back into things but that level of risk was a step too far for me, no wonder the numbers are going up again.</p><p>On the Bank holiday at the end of August Mum and I ventured out to the Stonor Park Craft Fair. Last year was the first time we haven't been in the best part of 30 years, not that it really counts because it was cancelled, but still. The tickets were limited and you had to show either your double vaccination card or a negative lateral flow test and were advised to wear a mask in the tents which we did, we also chose to go on the Friday as we thought it would be quieter. There weren't as many stalls as in past years, in fact there was one whole tent less, and a lot of it seemed to be jewellery, but never the less it was lovely just to go and browse. I bought this crab stamp to go on my nautical themed window sill and a gorgeous labradorite pendant which I will share next time as I have just bought a chain for it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fibyriybyUCYwx78pjD-8zrtVtNOfnnikmBpm28UHAy1thYfyYcsrb8l7_wYx69e7tK7Chf7o3n0allGHBW-ygbIRSp_rfSdvLws1x7tW5Q0CC_FWrJq9c1lmXUymUv7iP2Fh1K4Fcep/s800/blogsep3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="800" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fibyriybyUCYwx78pjD-8zrtVtNOfnnikmBpm28UHAy1thYfyYcsrb8l7_wYx69e7tK7Chf7o3n0allGHBW-ygbIRSp_rfSdvLws1x7tW5Q0CC_FWrJq9c1lmXUymUv7iP2Fh1K4Fcep/s320/blogsep3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After a good browse we headed back over to Mum's village and had lunch at a cafe on the small industrial estate on the outskirts. It's one of those hidden gems that all the locals know about, serving huge portions of delicious homemade British classics like cottage pie. <div>I'd stayed the night with Mum on Thursday and got to sample the joys of her air fryer in the shape of delicious salmon steaks. She is a complete convert after getting one for Christmas and says she never uses her oven any more!</div><div><br /><div>On the way home we detoured towards the town of Abingdon where there was a sunflower field on the outskirts grownfor charity so all proceeds from visitors go to a local hospice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_o-O_rJIH8qd92_Rw2QHbSBcSp8ZuC_t37FDZm1QlF85n1yCPv6BAWp_6_BKua5LB2GdRZ8l2mhife0VnlT8ui03e0v9j72_VaDvn6zYPFcgBVpv-7TJF3BdgklXQ9UOeTe7cDry4Oes/s1000/blogsept7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1000" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_o-O_rJIH8qd92_Rw2QHbSBcSp8ZuC_t37FDZm1QlF85n1yCPv6BAWp_6_BKua5LB2GdRZ8l2mhife0VnlT8ui03e0v9j72_VaDvn6zYPFcgBVpv-7TJF3BdgklXQ9UOeTe7cDry4Oes/s320/blogsept7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKBG01D1IEhMxDrxLegynWGFanCO_i6OFcIPYf-wd9RqrxIfIo5GIVLE49Q-NjENdWvLMpnNrupiT-RuwMG584YPFeweHXRO83gT4yiT_In4ngS8vQf4WgKq_D14wVcUfRLrYseW6hbSu/s1000/blogsept8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1000" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKBG01D1IEhMxDrxLegynWGFanCO_i6OFcIPYf-wd9RqrxIfIo5GIVLE49Q-NjENdWvLMpnNrupiT-RuwMG584YPFeweHXRO83gT4yiT_In4ngS8vQf4WgKq_D14wVcUfRLrYseW6hbSu/s320/blogsept8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a blissful hour or so mooching through and I chose a few stems for a £1 each to pick and take home. </div><div><p>I FINALLY had a face to face physio appointment. Every phonecall since breaking my shoulder has been with a different person which is so frustrating, you constantly have to start again each time and some have definitely been better than others! I had a call at the end of June with a female physiotherapist this time, who actually listened and agreed with what the consultant at the fracture clinic from way back in March that I needed face to face treatment. She booked me a slot for 5 weeks time (which was the earliest one they had) in the neighbouring town to me so I could get there by bus as we don't have a car, in fact she even told me which bus to catch and where from! I know I'm being sexist but I swear often it takes a woman to get things done. </p><p>Anyway I had been feeling quite good about my progress but when I got there the physiotherapist (also a woman huzzah) was shocked at how solid my shoulder joint was and thought it likely I would never gain full range of movement back. She gave me some different exercises to do and booked me in again for the end of September even though ideally she would have wanted to see me within 2 weeks but as ever there were no available slots. She explained I would likely need to be referred back to the fracture clinic for a procedure which she warned would be painful and sadly does not always work as well as they would like. Her plan is to get me to the point where I can dress myself without difficulty and I'd be fine with that.I came out feeling thoroughly deflated and depressed and headed into Oxford for a colleague's leaving do. It felt very strange to be back at work with all the team.</p><p>The next day I decided I'd be damned if I was going to have a painful course of treatment if I could avoid it and started doing my new exercises religiously. Dear god they hurt, so I figured they must be doing some good! The physiotherapist had advised using a traffic light system for the levels of pain. Green and amber is fine but if it gets to red, stop you are doing too much. I gritted my teeth and went amber as much as possible.</p><p>I have carried on walking as much as possible too and started to try and go out at lunch time rather than just sitting on at the kitchen table. I wish I could say it has made a difference to my waistline but annoyingly it hasn't, my stamina levels are better but I remain stubbornly fat. </p><p>The menopause has certainly distributed that fat in different and sometimes unexpected places (armpit fat any one??) I might currently be the same weight as I was a couple of years ago but I'm most certainly a different shape! I never have had curves, I used to be tall and thin. Now I'm tall and solid, kind of rectangular like a wardrobe.</p><p>Talking of wardrobes I did buy a couple of new dresses. Not being able to do up back or side zips means the vast majority of my work dresses were out of the picture for as and when I did start going back into the office. Himself goes to work much earlier than me and I'm not about to sacrifice an extra 2 hours of sleep just to get zipped into something! I was also of the sneaking suspicion they probably wouldn't zip up anyway even if I had asked him, we'll have to see about that at some point I suppose, but now is not that time.</p><p>I bought this black dress with gold embroidered suns and and stars in FatFace. It's not somewhere I usually shop but I walked past when I was mooching in town and noticed they had a sale on. As I say it's not a store I usually go in, it's just not somewhere I shop, but for some reason I felt drawn to go in. In fact I dithered outside so long anybody watching me must have thought I was up to something! In the end I thought sod it and went with the feeling and was delighted to find this dress on the sale rail in my size. I love it and have worn it several times now including to Birmingham for my day out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALNflq7yZH4a728l0ik_TzXvwTfLZPp5YQDkbX35fYtqKQsKMGuiCwEqN4GPowXPQVH2Iwtd_wHa2L9WQ594MRdAjxFnJDuX3akVVlCmfLGn7uRKVFi3hIv7BheDqNyqDTLp4YIw7aef0/s800/blogsep6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="503" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALNflq7yZH4a728l0ik_TzXvwTfLZPp5YQDkbX35fYtqKQsKMGuiCwEqN4GPowXPQVH2Iwtd_wHa2L9WQ594MRdAjxFnJDuX3akVVlCmfLGn7uRKVFi3hIv7BheDqNyqDTLp4YIw7aef0/s320/blogsep6.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><p>I then found this Seasalt dress on Ebay. It's ideal as you just pull it on so not even buttons to fasten.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9k8bTDv0G8c329JYQqHaOrhMAA0POTue9YpEo0ZQSihKeygMQBK5aj6dFea8_jWlf31TtYPnomj2nvpT-qH3wlOuYGtr9LdXrTHEtFyLYp7FPSvW-SHpydgwPYas7ImwxNyqHfiGWPj3/s800/blogsep5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="483" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9k8bTDv0G8c329JYQqHaOrhMAA0POTue9YpEo0ZQSihKeygMQBK5aj6dFea8_jWlf31TtYPnomj2nvpT-qH3wlOuYGtr9LdXrTHEtFyLYp7FPSvW-SHpydgwPYas7ImwxNyqHfiGWPj3/s320/blogsep5.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><p>Finally I treated myself to this lovely dress off the Collectif website and wore it to the first day of the students being in. (It's a much more vibrant turquoise that it looks here.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFZfyeF1m4qHLOF-1uten4m3g7EztWUijUPe5VTeoe-qWi2JLx3uFJV5fvpsXDyfQbf98v_pPAuQa-PeONcN4r7b-DXazxadVYlOLCtg2MG64QH3T09TzkF5YklTHpLFTStPKwIvYSN0J/s800/blogsep4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFZfyeF1m4qHLOF-1uten4m3g7EztWUijUPe5VTeoe-qWi2JLx3uFJV5fvpsXDyfQbf98v_pPAuQa-PeONcN4r7b-DXazxadVYlOLCtg2MG64QH3T09TzkF5YklTHpLFTStPKwIvYSN0J/s320/blogsep4.jpg" width="182" /></a></div><p>I finally got to wear one of my Snoopy Erstwider brooches out in the world too. I bought a couple of handbags in their sale too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC_gRkVld4sNNYVQUKw5H7eQ_tCSYBmkpsNDHc6ZbuNvQE3UF9muou7chzkrnl4oGmLZ78DhvxvZ4L8Q0pJn44tQY7v8RJ8PHyAbxbmIer3Yoollq5XGCVkg6ZQT9ZNMujtV2Fdp1X60q/s800/blogsep1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="800" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC_gRkVld4sNNYVQUKw5H7eQ_tCSYBmkpsNDHc6ZbuNvQE3UF9muou7chzkrnl4oGmLZ78DhvxvZ4L8Q0pJn44tQY7v8RJ8PHyAbxbmIer3Yoollq5XGCVkg6ZQT9ZNMujtV2Fdp1X60q/s320/blogsep1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyB934pUtRAHxPnL9S1zaQTu_QJCZzx9AXBEMedvaItBMUqP7vIvQTbwQvoAMuKe36ooVirtdqQ5E1Z4NqAVe2mK2qz__zRWO45A0NX0LNOPpgB_67qAYL_nDt5AaVGGF5tFEHU-Y_Gs-/s812/blogsep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyB934pUtRAHxPnL9S1zaQTu_QJCZzx9AXBEMedvaItBMUqP7vIvQTbwQvoAMuKe36ooVirtdqQ5E1Z4NqAVe2mK2qz__zRWO45A0NX0LNOPpgB_67qAYL_nDt5AaVGGF5tFEHU-Y_Gs-/s320/blogsep2.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><p>My Mum has finally stopped asking me why I keep buying handbags and instead said thoughtfully "When do you think you might have enough bags?" Now there is the million dollar question! </p><p><br /></p></div></div>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-91132994579138348422021-08-29T11:06:00.002-07:002021-08-29T11:06:31.960-07:00July in all it's Glory.<p> July started with us still in semi-lockdown. Himself had announced earlier in the year it would be a good time to finally clear the conservatory of the boxes that have been in there since we moved in and make it somewhere habitable. I'm sure I've said before we have never bothered to unpack properly because we only planned to be here for a couple of years, apparently it's now 5 years later (I still refuse to believe it's that long even though I've seen calendar proof) So fair play. </p><p>This meant coming up with a plan for all the stuff which was to go through it all, repack and store it in the garage, simple you might think but no... </p><p>The easy bit was to buy clear plastic stacking boxes with lids which would become our new storage solution. Before anything could move though, whilst out on our evening walks we had to locate, and liberate, within easy carrying distance of the house a couple more pallets for them to stand on. That took a bit of time. Himself also had to put some sort of lock onto the garage door as the current one is broken. This also turned out to be more complicated than we had hoped and involved drilling into the brickwork on each side and adding a bar that could be padlocked.Of course none of what was needed for that was easily available in a shop and had to be ordered online, then the battery of the drill wouldn't charge so Himself had to walk down to my brother's house to borrow his but eventually it was done.</p><p>That left me with the task of the actually clearing out and cleaning. </p><p>I have been through the boxes a couple of times since we have been living here, each time a fair bit went to charity or into the bin and we'd have a bit more space. It took a couple of weekends to do that again and some more stuff did head to the charity shop. The rest was cleaned/washed and repacked into the storage boxes before being garaged, all bar two boxes of Christmas bits and some other things we need regularly that is. I also washed down the wall and windows, scrubbed the floor, carried the papasan chair through from the kitchen where it had become a dumping ground rather than a chair to sit in, and moved my plants around a bit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7_gMIJXuY6oow7tKxH4OJ6Ec0uucdd_OpA9qu_vIBlmmTLtAoVnaURArjBwVV2dSS1NidCXozOF_fXFJEhRQO0jShYGKDOch8q25CmMZz0swYaUYR7HTMo5-n7xVq3kpSxRuC8XKqP13/s800/blogaug10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="800" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7_gMIJXuY6oow7tKxH4OJ6Ec0uucdd_OpA9qu_vIBlmmTLtAoVnaURArjBwVV2dSS1NidCXozOF_fXFJEhRQO0jShYGKDOch8q25CmMZz0swYaUYR7HTMo5-n7xVq3kpSxRuC8XKqP13/s320/blogaug10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>That's not even all the plants in there, you can see why Himself calls it the jungle room! The cushion with the monkey was a jumper I knitted myself in the 80's and couldn't bear to get rid of when I stopped wearing it.</p><p>I had a couple of days off work to do some heavy duty gardening which was much needed and also caught up with my train buddies* Liz, Carole and Simon for a long overdue lunch with lots of prosecco. It had been over 2 years and lots had happened in between. (*we all used to work at the library and caught the same train to work each morning.) </p><p>July was flying by and all of a sudden it was my birthday weekend! </p><p>I finished work on the Thursday and we grabbed a quick dinner before walking over to Nephew Number One's house for a drink and a catch up with him and his partner. He and I are both big spiced rum fans so I took over the bottle I bought in St Ives.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwioZ6kMOZ8kEsADBduUiqP3-5QJVSJwYs7VkiTg7SCxanO4KBpnTsoE18bPL9-14-OQRa2_Er6U9MNLFsw6lOcWkEqdao_bvWUhT-uYXgwm35NKw07uoGSenqj-xeqzbau45-UCz4AtWH/s1000/rum11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwioZ6kMOZ8kEsADBduUiqP3-5QJVSJwYs7VkiTg7SCxanO4KBpnTsoE18bPL9-14-OQRa2_Er6U9MNLFsw6lOcWkEqdao_bvWUhT-uYXgwm35NKw07uoGSenqj-xeqzbau45-UCz4AtWH/s320/rum11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It's the second one in from the left and sadly it wasn't great so I won't be in a hurry to get any more. As you can see we did give it a thorough taste test!</p><p>On the Friday my friend Charlotte came over. It had poured with rain up to then but the Friday was glorious so we went for a lovely walk and then had lunch in Prezzo because I had a voucher for a free bottle of birthday prosecco. We sat out on their balcony and ate and ate before waddling back here and collapsing in the garden loungers. It was so lovely to catch up in person, to actually see each other face to face, so we literally talked ourselves hoarse! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwfj496Y1QHLbp4yfYx39d_Hrl08sV1BaVCPR1nRLVq_YszA6KgXmGGiblDG9wdky9sa6N8Nx7lrO9qyaBMPXPSF0yl-JoB-kn0PgY4yzcDviwG3MbHK6PhH-jBMwPZw4jBT1PEtiQNCI/s800/blogaug6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwfj496Y1QHLbp4yfYx39d_Hrl08sV1BaVCPR1nRLVq_YszA6KgXmGGiblDG9wdky9sa6N8Nx7lrO9qyaBMPXPSF0yl-JoB-kn0PgY4yzcDviwG3MbHK6PhH-jBMwPZw4jBT1PEtiQNCI/s320/blogaug6.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><p>She bought be the most awesome Snoopy tea towel which I can't possibly use, and this very cool book.</p><p>Saturday was my birthday so after presents and breakfast in bed, boiled eggs and bucks fizz in case you were wondering. I wore the dress from St Ives complete with this amazing necklace from lovely Mim.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mljXeTR7vbHi1nz7QSCnr1lcRhhz5MZZHgzq8deovMb_fAIe5RqBGp4jG24r8pwU5NxYhT7WVEBIRIkUjQ7S-e8zu-n2xyvgZVZmhLdzwWdWMf1ji7waMFtuGC9qqxQ6mUwSOUpcbKso/s1000/1birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mljXeTR7vbHi1nz7QSCnr1lcRhhz5MZZHgzq8deovMb_fAIe5RqBGp4jG24r8pwU5NxYhT7WVEBIRIkUjQ7S-e8zu-n2xyvgZVZmhLdzwWdWMf1ji7waMFtuGC9qqxQ6mUwSOUpcbKso/s320/1birthday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It was ridiculously hot and due to get even hotter the next week so Himself ordered a new fan and we popped into town to pick it up. Despite leaving the windows and curtains shut in hot weather this house is always like the fiery pits of hell by the evening when the weather is hot, I think it's because it's a really well insulated house and it's south facing. Our bedroom is unbearable to sleep in at night so we have a floor standing fan up there which points across the foot of the bed and aids with sleeping. Working from home has been hard though when the weather is toasty so the new fan was for the kitchen. </p><p>After we got back we just retired to the garden moving our loungers round with the sun to keep in the shade. My Mum called in with prosecco and some birthday pennies,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTt5CK3kxwgmzya8fhw4ed4Q8swTtd01pYqQVDQ0X4ojGP_tVm1i-9RSWBN24kexW3XCEUQtuSeSrMNM9Nu4gq1tey7BWEBU8qgQzK64ZkAh8wG4RdzD-cPkQE4JY1im25JJ5An-FAoV5R/s800/blogaug9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="800" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTt5CK3kxwgmzya8fhw4ed4Q8swTtd01pYqQVDQ0X4ojGP_tVm1i-9RSWBN24kexW3XCEUQtuSeSrMNM9Nu4gq1tey7BWEBU8qgQzK64ZkAh8wG4RdzD-cPkQE4JY1im25JJ5An-FAoV5R/s320/blogaug9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Followed by my brother and then my sister in law after she finished work (they bought me this fab bag!) so more chairs were added and more corks popped. A blissful lazy day.<p></p><p>I was thoroughly spoiled</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Jgdxyn19CmOrcIleXHk0IKRS5CiOgKzGpAtRuhD1op1KYAKRgSsb4H2tgj9ZphB6iO7H1-eVVqQ_uYL7EYw3TrG-_QCc1TE_KgWTIRZulltKb5gNRZGwULsg1U-BwJQHLCZKJddCsyKS/s800/blogaug4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="710" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Jgdxyn19CmOrcIleXHk0IKRS5CiOgKzGpAtRuhD1op1KYAKRgSsb4H2tgj9ZphB6iO7H1-eVVqQ_uYL7EYw3TrG-_QCc1TE_KgWTIRZulltKb5gNRZGwULsg1U-BwJQHLCZKJddCsyKS/s320/blogaug4.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBTSAD5p0_z9quQ_zVi2SJan4VxWsREVOnYwAF_9fDottIbMCtpKj-bMB_ZiR9JMc3d3dmO0RIbyubJuDBUwhUKxCnjdk3FZOeNAPpQzNwvrGMo2f_9nJ0jLNPeWElRgD1rI1oOtUBS3Z/s800/blogaug8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="614" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBTSAD5p0_z9quQ_zVi2SJan4VxWsREVOnYwAF_9fDottIbMCtpKj-bMB_ZiR9JMc3d3dmO0RIbyubJuDBUwhUKxCnjdk3FZOeNAPpQzNwvrGMo2f_9nJ0jLNPeWElRgD1rI1oOtUBS3Z/s320/blogaug8.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><p>among other things with books, a sample above and this lovely necklace.</p><p>The following weekend was my Mum's birthday so we liberated Dad from his care home and headed to Prezzo again for a family dinner. This time there were 8 of us for lunch and a good time was had by all. We wheeled Dad down one side of the shopping precinct and up the other so he could have a look around, his first chance in about 18 months before delivering him back. </p><p>Sunday was Mum's birthday so we headed over to my brother's house before going to pick her up and take her out for Sunday lunch, after which we went back to Mum's for the rest of the afternoon. I was super excited to see Bobby the cat again but he was certainly NOT excited to see us! It has just been him and Mum for so many months now he was outraged at having his house invaded and sulked, though never very far from Mum. Wherever she is he is.</p><p>I'll leave you with some garden pictures. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpazoTXozx8VxLyUcDAhDLQAgHhJwiulcDXffp5FD5N8yW7QCfk23qxDyYXk-9NCyouFJhj0HpepFHrI5NeoQNP4N7pXw3OiqNw0lrCa2Zr68QeiTSv-04IG4FUwS82BXnCOmpMbpEUi6/s1000/bobin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1000" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpazoTXozx8VxLyUcDAhDLQAgHhJwiulcDXffp5FD5N8yW7QCfk23qxDyYXk-9NCyouFJhj0HpepFHrI5NeoQNP4N7pXw3OiqNw0lrCa2Zr68QeiTSv-04IG4FUwS82BXnCOmpMbpEUi6/s320/bobin1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I have been loving all the baby birds, in particular this little fella who has been well trained by his red breasted parents and follows me everywhere when I am out in the certain knowledge he will get treats! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07P0m51aAVXT71x6kVzO4SFAiOKSrioAgLvlTc43iHogykt3Ir4MDM21Dn9SrgzDcaRiD5QgiDVdk_zBnOmOYfRbB89oSfIyGaQ-mdjPNpm4XaWG53gQc-ENinCPCjzCF5cLgWIG7BQwI/s1000/veg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1000" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07P0m51aAVXT71x6kVzO4SFAiOKSrioAgLvlTc43iHogykt3Ir4MDM21Dn9SrgzDcaRiD5QgiDVdk_zBnOmOYfRbB89oSfIyGaQ-mdjPNpm4XaWG53gQc-ENinCPCjzCF5cLgWIG7BQwI/s320/veg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The veggie containers have been going great guns, we have had so many courgettes! Also beans, carrots and radishes. I really must stop growing tomatoes though, they always get blight so I currently have bowls of green tomatoes all over the kitchen which may or may not ripen inside. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWQ_WHWcSh5Pucjroje3kdQVevZWiwM6bnL7GAmGKEFUTJJGMntmU16tXZs1HoUCZ4vGbjwpO4M5Gz6iQDhyphenhyphenJrPGsPpPkhLNJ1SBOvjrgYlNJTnwhsqlFqrqBXXCA2nLAXGkalGl6SRqP/s800/blogaug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="483" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWQ_WHWcSh5Pucjroje3kdQVevZWiwM6bnL7GAmGKEFUTJJGMntmU16tXZs1HoUCZ4vGbjwpO4M5Gz6iQDhyphenhyphenJrPGsPpPkhLNJ1SBOvjrgYlNJTnwhsqlFqrqBXXCA2nLAXGkalGl6SRqP/s320/blogaug1.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><p>I also tried growing dalihas from seed along with Monty from Gardener's World and despite the best efforts of the slugs who chomped them to the point of extinction I finally had my first flower.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxYqyGnN8mtDu9sl5mJW32Djs_uZDu_lPEGtBtjhiF3MPRof1RbQmB07rNTT6DZc2hJMWdeWVE96lhSssUY6-IA-vWdUvFc_vINXMCslJqcNbdEK1VqDgA8elcM9Zaax91MpZgbpv1Weg/s800/blogaug3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxYqyGnN8mtDu9sl5mJW32Djs_uZDu_lPEGtBtjhiF3MPRof1RbQmB07rNTT6DZc2hJMWdeWVE96lhSssUY6-IA-vWdUvFc_vINXMCslJqcNbdEK1VqDgA8elcM9Zaax91MpZgbpv1Weg/s320/blogaug3.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><p>I tidying and re-potted most of my pots and tubs and they have paid me back with a wonderful show. I do keep finding new things to buy, the last time we moved one whole van load was my plants I think it would be more than that now!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFgtACoogRskRSvJa5CG2KMkERV4LWeAfNq1mw8UN2k4SNFKGHnxuHqN6-FexJBq4vTb1-eio4-W_ti-cUKPCJYZwPHKrBhoT0h43Ykke-76YXdFS0arNf8lSrARj2hfAkWTaJTcLj0te/s800/blogaug2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFgtACoogRskRSvJa5CG2KMkERV4LWeAfNq1mw8UN2k4SNFKGHnxuHqN6-FexJBq4vTb1-eio4-W_ti-cUKPCJYZwPHKrBhoT0h43Ykke-76YXdFS0arNf8lSrARj2hfAkWTaJTcLj0te/s320/blogaug2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-54370029908337065572021-08-16T15:11:00.001-07:002021-08-16T15:11:10.104-07:00The Seaside Town with the Most Beautiful Light in Britain. <p> So it's no surprise St Ives gets as busy as it does. We had deliberately chosen to go when the kids were still meant to be in school in the hope it would be quiet so it was disappointing to find it was busier than we had hoped it would be. Mind you by sheer fluke I did manage to miss the G7 summit by a week which was a huge bonus I had no idea that was due to be a skip and a hop down the road when I was looking at St Ives as a holiday destination! </p><p>As it happens that did have a knock on effect for a lot of people because there had been a couple of positive covid cases. Meaning they had had to trace who they had been in touch with, and then where all of those people had been eating. This basically resulted in about two thirds of all the restaurants in St Ives being closed due to staff shortages as they all had to isolate! As it was pre-restrictions being lifted you had to book places to eat in advance so suddenly there were a LOT of people frantically trying to find somewhere else to eat. Ironically we were fine because Himself hates fish, so we had gone for Italian and pub food meaning none of our reservations were cancelled!</p><p>We do want to visit more of Cornwall but as it was still lockdown we decided we would go somewhere we knew, as we had both fallen head over heels for St Ives it was a no brainer. We even went back to the same B&B because despite the downside of being up an insane hill, it was lovely. This time though I booked the room with the sea view, we were not disappointed. </p><p>No Pimms with the landlady this time and no cooked breakfast either, but there was a bigger kettle as well as a toaster in the room, then cereals, milk, bread, butter, fresh fruit, snack bars and biscuits downstairs. You just helped yourself each day. We bought eggs at the Co-op in town as we had brought our electric egg boiler with us so we could have a more substantial breakfast prior to the walks we had planned each day. </p><p>We arrived at about 4.30pm did a hasty unpack and went straight out to reacquaint ourselves with this gorgeous place. Seeing what had changed, which shops had closed and which ones were new and just generally unwinding after a 5 hour train journey. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr4_BMdH1oHeQkBtYdCy2252H6KqY_v4OU2EiRoTHHeaVWwG116E098g6iCC8xeoZfB4IhfMiDyR67GhII1ay7VJ3Zm1Eu9CHukR5OduTKuNhCLaWjRlVqTV7B5WTCzzi3qSc2kDJql2V/s1000/stives04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr4_BMdH1oHeQkBtYdCy2252H6KqY_v4OU2EiRoTHHeaVWwG116E098g6iCC8xeoZfB4IhfMiDyR67GhII1ay7VJ3Zm1Eu9CHukR5OduTKuNhCLaWjRlVqTV7B5WTCzzi3qSc2kDJql2V/s320/stives04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Crazily we had left in a torrential downpour but this was the weather when we arrived. Bliss.</p><p>We had a late dinner reservation so we mooched about the harbour and two of the beaches before going back to sit in the bay window of our room and drink in the view, I swear I felt myself getting lighter by the second as I forgot about work and all that shit. We changed and heading out for dinner which was the first of our two Italian dinners and delicious. We walked back via the beach so</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61PGRsko6SkVIKmNkT592OwyzV6wisTKqK8NlEHwrvdHJyvA224oUymKny9HpsL1HfmbksZFuo60K4N5MhKX8iYEThsxhUl_gJldsoYB8gh-NVgKH7vbAPznzTp3NFGE8Fjl3JhrIMizY/s1280/stives001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61PGRsko6SkVIKmNkT592OwyzV6wisTKqK8NlEHwrvdHJyvA224oUymKny9HpsL1HfmbksZFuo60K4N5MhKX8iYEThsxhUl_gJldsoYB8gh-NVgKH7vbAPznzTp3NFGE8Fjl3JhrIMizY/s320/stives001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>night time beach selfie! </p><p>I took my denim jacket with me which became a bit of a nightmare as I haven't worn it since I broke my shoulder. Denim jackets have no give in them and even with help I had to wrestle myself into it each time we went out, lesson learnt there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGBB241oLckm6hjQYY7Cz4rrxyy0YObI1A0NnfN-GswnKGiaYLjkadkzy3FRV1DGyMvSH9B9Dq_JqR0AEnUH__eKMx9wD0WtG4diFFgOvTG2tW0DDAK3ZLB3YdmMpDAirOXnOu2lYIAnO/s800/window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="800" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGBB241oLckm6hjQYY7Cz4rrxyy0YObI1A0NnfN-GswnKGiaYLjkadkzy3FRV1DGyMvSH9B9Dq_JqR0AEnUH__eKMx9wD0WtG4diFFgOvTG2tW0DDAK3ZLB3YdmMpDAirOXnOu2lYIAnO/s320/window.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Now there is a view I would happily wake up to each morning, minus the iron obvously! </p><p>Our plan for the day was to walk most of the Pilgrim's, or St Michael's Way. We had a leisurely breakfast before walking down into town and out the other side to catch a bus towards Marazion, our idea being to walk the route backwards. It's too long to walk in one day, but our plan was to miss out the bit we had already done between Lelant and St Ives which made it a more manageable 12 mile walk. There is a hill you can climb in the middle which give stunning views in both directions so that was also part of the plan.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDMA0wZg3p4ZPMfvHkyRkpqeDz3cByI2PfCyDQ8wkkUVRYfTviKVU512XsCjiNtkp8CFHbdZh2qGs9oPAv3JNLUIb7_3zq_EEhQJD7m32dcHJDejyCTuB7UDCGVNJn760k0QKDftJUQrP/s1000/stives12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDMA0wZg3p4ZPMfvHkyRkpqeDz3cByI2PfCyDQ8wkkUVRYfTviKVU512XsCjiNtkp8CFHbdZh2qGs9oPAv3JNLUIb7_3zq_EEhQJD7m32dcHJDejyCTuB7UDCGVNJn760k0QKDftJUQrP/s320/stives12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Look at this gorgeous view, it helped make the fact the bus was cancelled and we had to wait 45 minutes for the next one a bit easier to take. As it turns out we should have taken that as a sign for the rest of our day...</p><p>We got off the bus about two miles from Marazion and walked from there down to the beach to start our route from the beginning of the causeway to St Michael's Mount, sadly the sea was in so we couldn't start from the island itself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXsCspUNhP4jgJmcyvVdNegpr0Bq2WUJk2X3PU5taAU0VOG-s2RiUqNXp-WfG4D-ki3vRCOPmdBMpcg61Cwr4Xe-8l4PhymKxnNaUTBuyDXBpzE3m2YoxpRrld9ioqPZIdehAi7QPzvrb/s1000/mari02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="904" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXsCspUNhP4jgJmcyvVdNegpr0Bq2WUJk2X3PU5taAU0VOG-s2RiUqNXp-WfG4D-ki3vRCOPmdBMpcg61Cwr4Xe-8l4PhymKxnNaUTBuyDXBpzE3m2YoxpRrld9ioqPZIdehAi7QPzvrb/s320/mari02.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p>From there we headed to Marazion Marsh, the walk cuts across the marshes but we had a mooch around there first so I could look at the bird and plant life. Weirdly there was a sign on the post next to these steps saying the pathway was closed for construction work, yet there was no other indication anything amiss so we carried on. We tried to find the road where you could join the walk but got lost so we went back to the marsh and followed the path there. </p><p>A little way in there was another sign, one of those big yellow ones you see next to road works, again saying the pathway ahead was closed but as it was just a grass footpath through marshes and woodland we couldn't figure out what they were for. Well we finally found out, two miles into the walk we reached where you have to cross the train tracks and here was where the construction work was clearly taking place! </p><p>There was no one there and you could see from the way one of the barriers had been pulled back and bent someone else had clearly ignored the construction and carried on. We decided it wasn't worth the risk and turned back as in theory there was another place to join the walk in the direction of Penzance so we headed that way. Would you believe it not one, not two but in three places the coastal path that links Penzance and Marazion was closed for some sort of construction work. I couldn't help feeling that they had had the whole of the spring and early summer when everything was in full lockdown to do the work but instead they wait until the holidays are just beginning. By the time we had made it round these closures it was way too late to continue with the walk as we had to get back in time for a dinner reservation and we would complete the 12 miles in time. So we decided to walk into Penzance and have a mooch about but by the time we got to the outskirts by the train and bus stations it was raining. As we passed through the bus station we spotted a bus to St Ives just about to leave so we took it as a sign and dived on it.</p><p>We ended up walking over 6 miles just trying to get started! but as I said to Himself we still had a lovely day out until the weather changed and it's a reason, as if we need one, to come back again and actually complete the walk.</p><p>We got in, got changed and went straight out for dinner as we had a fairly early reservation, our second Italian which was not as nice as the previous night but very entertaining courtesy of the people from the Peak District at the table next to us waxing lyrical about "Not only Mr Tom Cruise but also Mr Harrison Ford" being in town for filming. </p><p>From there we went to the Co-op and bought a bottle of wine which we took back with us to drink sitting in the bay window watching the night fall. Bliss.</p><p>The next day was warm and started bright but slowly became more and more grey and overcast.</p><p>We walked the coastal path towards Zennor, going further this time than before but we still couldn't go all the way. It's a very challenging part of the South West Coastal path, involving scrambling over rocks which I knew I couldn't do with my shoulder.</p><p>I don't know if it was due to the lovely warm early spring weather, followed by all the rain this year but the abundance of flowers on the cliffs was breathtaking. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_nITP1lUipDg7oCZEnNXmtKjnwvVzpKZNB4QrvppR_s3BJNE84LFm1Q-iVz3wT6-oCy79AiOi3peVmRj9NEvgmKMYC6ZRvyYzehOKRphM-V3E7RU0VpJLD1vnS4vcc9xQ-RRX5b9u5r5/s1000/zenor03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_nITP1lUipDg7oCZEnNXmtKjnwvVzpKZNB4QrvppR_s3BJNE84LFm1Q-iVz3wT6-oCy79AiOi3peVmRj9NEvgmKMYC6ZRvyYzehOKRphM-V3E7RU0VpJLD1vnS4vcc9xQ-RRX5b9u5r5/s320/zenor03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IpdELgtc2T84cACwwCFIpCJ62W-EsUlky9J9RhuIPOdeb-q1yGc_N_zZLd03L2r519_4S-_ScNeIbBC8jKUqSzhGLe2n60W7lYvbnN3tDnN6sZqLMnhzFbj3-WGnNTPXfjgkx2afjhoa/s1000/zenor04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IpdELgtc2T84cACwwCFIpCJ62W-EsUlky9J9RhuIPOdeb-q1yGc_N_zZLd03L2r519_4S-_ScNeIbBC8jKUqSzhGLe2n60W7lYvbnN3tDnN6sZqLMnhzFbj3-WGnNTPXfjgkx2afjhoa/s320/zenor04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>There were so many orchids too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_Pf1L3YMKien5YAeIbpvyGwVvYVDyzRxilYpNXch_02qqKvNAWLT9Enhnb1qrNoO2IVt-WHd3MdDMIXGi9oEF5mHl0xmGxVDGSsx8PJcVB0kOUtZJdaGzqTBITp1oQszUIawPfcS9q-W/s1000/zenor21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="835" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_Pf1L3YMKien5YAeIbpvyGwVvYVDyzRxilYpNXch_02qqKvNAWLT9Enhnb1qrNoO2IVt-WHd3MdDMIXGi9oEF5mHl0xmGxVDGSsx8PJcVB0kOUtZJdaGzqTBITp1oQszUIawPfcS9q-W/s320/zenor21.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZNHi4nvub3zScnO4sw7g500stsyl4zBd9TwJDyK4xHP0RO4SYbSLYN9BbFJXHvNjvgfUnqcnQ-hzXn0LVFwxLfiXjLgoBTjzmMJC1dGprhUNVnMnSiTOWYhqFHYjDXRyXLIC7g2SW55J/s1000/zenor23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZNHi4nvub3zScnO4sw7g500stsyl4zBd9TwJDyK4xHP0RO4SYbSLYN9BbFJXHvNjvgfUnqcnQ-hzXn0LVFwxLfiXjLgoBTjzmMJC1dGprhUNVnMnSiTOWYhqFHYjDXRyXLIC7g2SW55J/s320/zenor23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J402BcLUtxTA1gDsLcFGaZC7-tJ_G96sT1-HSDkXPU7MAONtU3so29ms4f2X7XziRZqcEKRHqNTipTMfhcXzOflIE5AH3JVTL_NJaP5-MXyV1A69SW8arHYeB-Xf12uyK6AfBwzyjDI0/s3820/IMG_6726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="3820" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J402BcLUtxTA1gDsLcFGaZC7-tJ_G96sT1-HSDkXPU7MAONtU3so29ms4f2X7XziRZqcEKRHqNTipTMfhcXzOflIE5AH3JVTL_NJaP5-MXyV1A69SW8arHYeB-Xf12uyK6AfBwzyjDI0/s320/IMG_6726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>When it started to get challenging we headed back. First port of call when we got into town were for some chips after which we just mooched round doing some shopping, visiting a craft fair and whatever else took our fancy. </p><p>I bought a new rum to try and a gorgeous handmade elephant necklace, as well as gifts for Mum and Dad. I was also going to buy a dress for myself but Himself whisked it off me and bought for my birthday in July instead.</p><p> We bought an ice cream and took the scenic route through the graveyard by the sea back to our b&b. It was so peaceful and again the flowers here were lovely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzKcC9SaI2lx6VVLgHWdBD5oufP7P1ZIN7FFhnh6DIhDc-3_GX2anJF_396d8q3KdyK3s0Y_t5tlsWIrq641ZlnCDh0zJwUc9PMta3aTeygDdYMn-OIEtC6JT6xVUyYvv8xS_PlITctUT/s1000/stives18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzKcC9SaI2lx6VVLgHWdBD5oufP7P1ZIN7FFhnh6DIhDc-3_GX2anJF_396d8q3KdyK3s0Y_t5tlsWIrq641ZlnCDh0zJwUc9PMta3aTeygDdYMn-OIEtC6JT6xVUyYvv8xS_PlITctUT/s320/stives18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SPPxvzmFmlbP5GtSLqgBR4lvQLPVW8mdCIrRXLneJEtOhkxwYKWzg60pkQeRIVtiDrGJYYZSfmPg0qG8EdIdpO9O9daVhgEjrvMNwFnXmAEcLk_ivXDllA18jo00d0Plfy-qISPLnbFf/s1000/stives22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="614" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SPPxvzmFmlbP5GtSLqgBR4lvQLPVW8mdCIrRXLneJEtOhkxwYKWzg60pkQeRIVtiDrGJYYZSfmPg0qG8EdIdpO9O9daVhgEjrvMNwFnXmAEcLk_ivXDllA18jo00d0Plfy-qISPLnbFf/s320/stives22.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUEnw5AKqMnD4OTdkWv3iCxuzxV7N68Ju5t_U7Uj3_iccAtcIGtQ64LCaaiUThPTqNbZTYXIuVVDWv-Gp8owguvTLNnbVn6x3RTclGzL0atL8Cyk5sHCUCgMtQoSANVSE6L7u_ca_k8It/s1000/stives24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUEnw5AKqMnD4OTdkWv3iCxuzxV7N68Ju5t_U7Uj3_iccAtcIGtQ64LCaaiUThPTqNbZTYXIuVVDWv-Gp8owguvTLNnbVn6x3RTclGzL0atL8Cyk5sHCUCgMtQoSANVSE6L7u_ca_k8It/s320/stives24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>There were even orchids growing all over here too, so beautiful.</p><p>Dinner was at a pub that came with great reviews. I had the most delicious piece of fish with homemade tartar sauce because unlike Himself I adore fish. </p><p>The weather was starting to turn but not enough to stop us walking round to Porthminster beach and back barefoot along the beach and through the harbour as the sea was right out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LGvS2EmPSPbEWfJ9Q5OdiRYMwdvffYCOKlhJkWKQ-aGHVB3JPSbqpvKmlrtmuPwAfG1d25E-S7N-_Jg3w1misCMYEz2o1G8SGJ5KTzySnb3A9IS6l0184oJbcDDaFEPVn2vlAUFrvUwM/s1000/stives0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LGvS2EmPSPbEWfJ9Q5OdiRYMwdvffYCOKlhJkWKQ-aGHVB3JPSbqpvKmlrtmuPwAfG1d25E-S7N-_Jg3w1misCMYEz2o1G8SGJ5KTzySnb3A9IS6l0184oJbcDDaFEPVn2vlAUFrvUwM/s320/stives0023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Over night it started to rain and by morning was pouring so we ended up having to kill time in a couple of cafes before picking some sandwiches and drinks for our train journey home. Not that it dampened our love for the town one tiny bit. It was a blissful break and did us both the world of good.</p>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640928856322776096.post-87651463332595004762021-06-27T15:08:00.001-07:002021-06-27T15:08:45.155-07:00A May Round Up.<p> No idea what happened there but my follow up post didn't happen! I can't believe how quickly time is passing at the moment, I never seem to have 5 minutes let alone an hour to blog. </p><p>Anyway I shall carry on as if it were just the start of May. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTdHpE10L3TcxS26_fZ7jJYB4uXFTK4z9X_WaBTFQ_FQ-FZozU8Ot-2MBd9UjvxaLxhwViuDL2oWmt12Vr5iibOrLt9X4GYLr9ZoYxzUytYoofd9mt_rc7Uc82cmtA4Pu6ubRAyYH0rBd/s800/bloga1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTdHpE10L3TcxS26_fZ7jJYB4uXFTK4z9X_WaBTFQ_FQ-FZozU8Ot-2MBd9UjvxaLxhwViuDL2oWmt12Vr5iibOrLt9X4GYLr9ZoYxzUytYoofd9mt_rc7Uc82cmtA4Pu6ubRAyYH0rBd/s320/bloga1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I did indeed go into Oxford for the 1st time since before Christmas, to meet my friends Charlotte and Alex. Alex had moved back home to Wales last year and I have missed her a lot. Technically she works in Birmingham at the moment, though like many of us she has been working remotely. However she had to go into the office for a day so took the opportunity to visit Oxford too. </p><p>I dropped off some paperbacks at the book stall at the train station on my way into Oxford, and delivered some reference books to the Oxfam bookshop when I got there. The rain was so torrential I actually had to take shelter under some scaffolding with my umbrella up until it eased a little. Charlotte & Alex met me outside the shop and we walked to North Parade and managed to have tea & cake sat outside a cafe between showers, this was back when you could only eat outside at cafes or restaurants. From there we headed to university parks and meandered about having a good catch up. </p><p>For lunch we managed to find a table outside at Vaults the cafe under the university church in Radcliffe Square. Posing for a quick selfie by the Radcliffe Camera after we had stuffed our faces on their delicious food, forgive the demented hair, it was that windy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhbndvYPEEwWkNyAXV-zcaQpyED2J8vVxHTRvkT5cwHOOACqFgRfm3vO6Io7_0xGykb8nNlHJuNjoGpQqzbzxJsaZp7yXPVtuECjSWKJ7GUT0huBV5yXPDphDRUsBfwlZpvzjScq5hvwv/s800/bloga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhbndvYPEEwWkNyAXV-zcaQpyED2J8vVxHTRvkT5cwHOOACqFgRfm3vO6Io7_0xGykb8nNlHJuNjoGpQqzbzxJsaZp7yXPVtuECjSWKJ7GUT0huBV5yXPDphDRUsBfwlZpvzjScq5hvwv/s320/bloga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We also squeezed in a browse around Blackwell's before Alex had to collect her case and head for her train. I needed to nip to Marks for some undies and from there Charlotte and I went for a blissful browse around John Lewis, both spending our pennies in the haberdashery section. </p><p>By the time we left the sun had finally come out and as neither of us was in a hurry to go home we popped into the garden at The Red Lion off George Street and had a drink. I actually ended up getting home later than Himself! Oh to be a lady of leisure. </p><p>The other big excitement was FINALLY being able to visit my Dad again. They had allowed my Mum to visit since April but by the beginning of May they said up to two people could visit. We had to go 30 minutes before to do a lateral flow test, fill out paperwork & have our temperature taken, before being shrouded in PPE. The visit was only 15 minutes at first but I can't begin to tell you have amazing it was to finally be able to see him. Since then we have been visiting weekly, I now do the lateral flow test at home and the visits have increased to 30 minutes but we still have to do all the other checks and wear PPE. We are also allowed up to 5 designated visitors now so my brother and nephew number one can also visit.</p><p> From the end of May we have been allowed to take him out, but only for an outdoor visit. On my brother's birthday we liberated Dad for the whole afternoon and had a family picnic in the park next to the care home. He loved it though I think seeing so many people at once was a bit of sensory overload after being away from us all for so long.</p><p>Himself and I went to nephew number one and his girlfriend's house that night. We had seen it briefly when they moved in in November but that was in full lockdown, so it was lovely to be able to visit properly and get a full guided tour. They have decorated since that visit and really put their stamp on it.</p><p> We had a great night and finally left at 2.30am, with Himself being somewhat worse for wear (I had sensibly stopped drinking. He was good for nothing the next day so I left him snoozing and pottered in the garden.</p><p>I've been quite busy in the garden when I have had some time. I have been taking it steady as I gain strength back in my arm. Actually there has been a big change in the garden, you may remember me grumbling about the huge conifer </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIrC5Taiupei-vfITxgn4qATkrF4tPwbdPvF2FAq12or8jX1GG8rO2WZ3WyAna2Jt_Xxm9ZDqTBsHm0GOieEb1sZ8KS33ebRJxYUPWOxxYjQMLg69mPDilEIDwu3U5QOnHPbapcH-foQ9/s800/blogss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIrC5Taiupei-vfITxgn4qATkrF4tPwbdPvF2FAq12or8jX1GG8rO2WZ3WyAna2Jt_Xxm9ZDqTBsHm0GOieEb1sZ8KS33ebRJxYUPWOxxYjQMLg69mPDilEIDwu3U5QOnHPbapcH-foQ9/s320/blogss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>the one in the middle of this picture to be precise. Well the lady next door popped round to say they were having a tree surgeon out to take the overhanging branches off the conifer, and the tree you can see behind it, on their side. As well as reduce the height of the conifer a bit. I confessed I would happily see the whole thing come down and she got quite excited by that until I pointed out that sadly as we are renting I couldn't approve it. I offered to ring our landlord to see if he was up for it coming down as I know he plans to build at some point. I did ring him and he was amenable so I passed his phone number on for them to sort out particulars. </p><p>It turned out the tree surgeon was a one man outfit and said it was too big a job for him to remove the whole tree but he did reduce the height by 10 foot. </p><p>Well he clearly didn't remove enough height for our neighbour because over the next 2 weeks he got his own chainsaw and did this</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCOWmG-JAyoIBqS0ujSB8Y5ZHDaLVyLBD5yFPA-6B6PaAHARISFfiBGROuCA3RC7dl8o_p9hbjAcQasRwomm_mzHwmClBS-PDNe4shcadMSaE4Q0oypKleZQwRPRiTit9Fy2THHaQ-eqL/s800/bloga2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCOWmG-JAyoIBqS0ujSB8Y5ZHDaLVyLBD5yFPA-6B6PaAHARISFfiBGROuCA3RC7dl8o_p9hbjAcQasRwomm_mzHwmClBS-PDNe4shcadMSaE4Q0oypKleZQwRPRiTit9Fy2THHaQ-eqL/s320/bloga2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>then this</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnTsZUFNcGzjnsk4eUUEgLsfZAKi9_4wXpMmeuVMFD0Z-6aLh7tyAxRsw9vf1Ik21w4QW-GoFQFMDla7QzpRkCetN5FKVu95X3PBbRXxoN_bbriLndpGd11fC9_zd8kI2aEtr0yrP7VHq/s800/bloga4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnTsZUFNcGzjnsk4eUUEgLsfZAKi9_4wXpMmeuVMFD0Z-6aLh7tyAxRsw9vf1Ik21w4QW-GoFQFMDla7QzpRkCetN5FKVu95X3PBbRXxoN_bbriLndpGd11fC9_zd8kI2aEtr0yrP7VHq/s320/bloga4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>and finally this</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTYGQZDynAf509v4anQ3zABqGOiVoKPxP43_gkFlLcTFjuXtIHqS2HkzdS0cq2zubOdb1A-MsXIHu2oSABGlo4_aH-FQoFZ5Go2jzXAWJ2zFFAmLEodvAc-KE9l2SRCaaCtLqFgYeiNlW/s800/bloggar6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTYGQZDynAf509v4anQ3zABqGOiVoKPxP43_gkFlLcTFjuXtIHqS2HkzdS0cq2zubOdb1A-MsXIHu2oSABGlo4_aH-FQoFZ5Go2jzXAWJ2zFFAmLEodvAc-KE9l2SRCaaCtLqFgYeiNlW/s320/bloggar6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I mean fair play he cleared up and disposed of all the tree but it turns out he never even called our landlord who was a bit peeved as you can imagine! Though he did say if we were ok with it then he was ok with it. So yes...</p><p>Anyway now we have a lot more light in the garden!</p><p>I felt obliged to tidy up at bit at the end of the garden and there was a pile of rubble so I decided to build a rockery on a flowerbed near the kitchen that nothing seems to grow in. On the big new housing estate about a mile from us there is a small Asda and they always have plants outside. I have to say I have been blown away by the quality and the price and have been back several times now to stock up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFlM3VeGO-kWCnOAcTb8kLpRJ9_Q-Couc62eqL1KvceuHfcsRL5apr8yfwU_c534Utq6L2yMIvVb1JbVS8PqQ9pYjCFEnZ7avyLXhckclnTCXguxgMzizRvM7nrbEBmyx49WWS81IERce/s800/blogm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFlM3VeGO-kWCnOAcTb8kLpRJ9_Q-Couc62eqL1KvceuHfcsRL5apr8yfwU_c534Utq6L2yMIvVb1JbVS8PqQ9pYjCFEnZ7avyLXhckclnTCXguxgMzizRvM7nrbEBmyx49WWS81IERce/s320/blogm1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here are the alpines I bought at 3 for £5 and a couple of other reduced plants.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHSA9g8iT4WOiwW8wLTOs8Lwofv7xon1IQK3N-TApaYd8QdnmU0ER2sefJQn-NHUUJcdAlYzi8HXr_nIuwFjIkdXj0sj1Bahatxb4p4mZv_iMRJ9pqZWfyAcyf7WehDSKYs0oyWlneLOS/s800/bloggar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHSA9g8iT4WOiwW8wLTOs8Lwofv7xon1IQK3N-TApaYd8QdnmU0ER2sefJQn-NHUUJcdAlYzi8HXr_nIuwFjIkdXj0sj1Bahatxb4p4mZv_iMRJ9pqZWfyAcyf7WehDSKYs0oyWlneLOS/s320/bloggar1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>and here is my new rockery! I've since bought a couple more to fill in the gaps.</p><p>As I am still working from the kitchen table and tend to stand at the window drinking my tea or eating my lunch I have bought some colour for the table outside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPPn7wxZoVz_kGeCHz4bs-9WZfgG0-yg-nPRP8XztROpEGTKDlhTn3WgHcYHAw_ZEqvqdcblVxXKUwhGQIHrhsXBFGA31HnZyoPLw0ysM3Xzk4INEzfRJ0nVKlmQrt0nJ6LGWv1l7HY7E/s800/bloggar7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPPn7wxZoVz_kGeCHz4bs-9WZfgG0-yg-nPRP8XztROpEGTKDlhTn3WgHcYHAw_ZEqvqdcblVxXKUwhGQIHrhsXBFGA31HnZyoPLw0ysM3Xzk4INEzfRJ0nVKlmQrt0nJ6LGWv1l7HY7E/s320/bloggar7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Mostly petunias, from left to right at the back Blue Star, Blackcurrent Sorbet and Velvet. </p><p>I planted all my out of date seeds and most of them sprouted</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H8XJagC7i1xaZOukMy-fpYMjwMCHkE-NnZXhEYoIr9cfuXhrr160BS7HFrz2zqkAEJXnxI4DzujLPkmv5guZchjFNHvXp1-h9iwaSNzoAldddgCAMs9J0hyphenhyphenc-2XKpHMASO0sLXWBx4n7/s800/blogm6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H8XJagC7i1xaZOukMy-fpYMjwMCHkE-NnZXhEYoIr9cfuXhrr160BS7HFrz2zqkAEJXnxI4DzujLPkmv5guZchjFNHvXp1-h9iwaSNzoAldddgCAMs9J0hyphenhyphenc-2XKpHMASO0sLXWBx4n7/s320/blogm6.jpg" /></a></div><p>I also started my container vegetable garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Ntx21nQquyw8QJcfpbhAjUZ8w1-uhxHqtPXzzeiNo-WofyD9bMwxD0qkcBGHccTF8r27M9dxT706uNsnWh-tpEDAq5UVfWHsFOzB68DOkA8eQxPwCfIekfjALjetUjRuM9dZQf3ECy8/s800/blogj4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Ntx21nQquyw8QJcfpbhAjUZ8w1-uhxHqtPXzzeiNo-WofyD9bMwxD0qkcBGHccTF8r27M9dxT706uNsnWh-tpEDAq5UVfWHsFOzB68DOkA8eQxPwCfIekfjALjetUjRuM9dZQf3ECy8/s320/blogj4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I've been doing full on battle with the slugs, they have been relentless this year. Much worse than usual. I go out every evening and pick them off by torchlight. No poison pellets for me with all the bird life and hedgehogs. I have tried the wool pellets,the broken egg shells, the grit to no avail but have found the copper tape quite effective.</p><p>The birds have been an absolute joy, though the juvenile starlings are SO noisy! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CS341YhVofpbGs00CuKTvNBNCqBRCbTUY5lArtNtfQqUvNQYaaoYatXCMlgKkzFCJ6IMIwE1HEA3of4wGcl6F0H56pGyo3Xaxf4pa4kfhOWb8d_6oFIVwhFLhETJAu6VlDyrKUdp6Xhj/s800/blogj3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CS341YhVofpbGs00CuKTvNBNCqBRCbTUY5lArtNtfQqUvNQYaaoYatXCMlgKkzFCJ6IMIwE1HEA3of4wGcl6F0H56pGyo3Xaxf4pa4kfhOWb8d_6oFIVwhFLhETJAu6VlDyrKUdp6Xhj/s320/blogj3.jpg" /></a></div><p>This laburnum tree and honeysuckle are like a bird high rise. It has a blackbird nest at head height, with a collared dove nest above that and goldfinches nesting right at the top! Today there were baby chaffinches, one of my favourite garden birds. It really does the soul good. </p><p>I think this flowerbed in the middle of the lawn was once a pond but it is now a circular alpine bed. It is full of cyclamens so I have to be careful how I dig. I tend to fill the gaps with pansies and the like</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24M7KPxdR5Ok8-EAmM8Pqtllz-VtY-t-2bvOUNtM2wZjWfTUssYN16QXeosjNv88Wv8U0S51TQ2a1elu9tliYa7VD4t_qpNf2EIz0nU5GMRjFcltfnaIez0BWeOAXehwvJfRRgrIj61xS/s800/blogm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24M7KPxdR5Ok8-EAmM8Pqtllz-VtY-t-2bvOUNtM2wZjWfTUssYN16QXeosjNv88Wv8U0S51TQ2a1elu9tliYa7VD4t_qpNf2EIz0nU5GMRjFcltfnaIez0BWeOAXehwvJfRRgrIj61xS/s320/blogm3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>As a rule I leave things where they self seed and this foxglove is no exception. However it is insanely huge and has now dwarfed everything else in the little alpine bed. In fact it's actually as tall as me! Ridiculous but the bees love it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKioW45cJmy1hbfKYTIsurSgX5m5TKWzgMtYoNjYr3-Ns-raoJdlvZESmDTqZ3YahntGk3xyj8kJIjz-l3xvsSqgwOniS8u4268-XhJAC2yw2oCkRnDJcgwsrnH3rikx7-NWxApfQwsAU/s800/bloggar9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="636" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKioW45cJmy1hbfKYTIsurSgX5m5TKWzgMtYoNjYr3-Ns-raoJdlvZESmDTqZ3YahntGk3xyj8kJIjz-l3xvsSqgwOniS8u4268-XhJAC2yw2oCkRnDJcgwsrnH3rikx7-NWxApfQwsAU/s320/bloggar9.jpg" /></a></div><p>For the last bank holiday in May the weather was unusually glorious so we took ourselves out for a walk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmM8gjD_-F2qdV2g54pdfVZP8CQXwtZ2FZ8cH-2HyJabz_I2HONrDGez0KEY8buFkh8c9oGAMKTxxH9hI0eeh6HBNTVZNn6zziNNl4Jr1ZBOvZeYbotp3_xtb4_I9aqa2SoeV2EFrEQqS/s1000/194210344_10159142547141904_1529554593516041496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmM8gjD_-F2qdV2g54pdfVZP8CQXwtZ2FZ8cH-2HyJabz_I2HONrDGez0KEY8buFkh8c9oGAMKTxxH9hI0eeh6HBNTVZNn6zziNNl4Jr1ZBOvZeYbotp3_xtb4_I9aqa2SoeV2EFrEQqS/s320/194210344_10159142547141904_1529554593516041496_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We ended up doing 10 miles and spent 7 of them carrying a box of eggs! We passed a house selling fresh eggs and when we looked they were from heritage breed hens and all sorts of colours like white, blue and green so how could you not? </p><p>It wasn't meant to be 10 miles but we got slightly lost, in countryside like this who cares though? </p><p><br /></p><p>So that was May as ever I will end with my purchases. I was looking for something on Etsy and you know how it suggests things you might like.</p><p>Well</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiiZECrmLAlntcLCrdSkThtMQwvhmEMmXXfqP-8ojKsqpSbhOs_NGm3ACp-PYBNzECpKqsI-vKTUIgJUHVX0cf8G2p06h-w_0wOTkioTq5aAmisdOZQ2Wij3-16YM9HsClCNuS-NFZmbU/s800/blogm8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiiZECrmLAlntcLCrdSkThtMQwvhmEMmXXfqP-8ojKsqpSbhOs_NGm3ACp-PYBNzECpKqsI-vKTUIgJUHVX0cf8G2p06h-w_0wOTkioTq5aAmisdOZQ2Wij3-16YM9HsClCNuS-NFZmbU/s320/blogm8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I fell in love with this glass whale when I clicked on the link, I just had to have it. He now has pride of place at our bedroom window. You can't really see but he has a moon and stars etched on him. I then saw another glass picture listed as 'from a seller near you' I absolutely had to have it. I am obsessed with the full moon, apparently as a cancerian it's in my dna, I'll go with that. </p><p>Anyway after I paid it turned out it was from the US! My heart sank at the thought of the import charge but amazingly enough it arrived without getting stopped by customs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9q8JHhIBbAD8sRcanqmufAkY20hHbiD7vOgmoE05L-rOPcs12vC2PepwGuajSUk2FOOD6kS0_cigNTWbIp8dDMQJYXzx7BYMeg0nzZV00124o1a0urxFaldGQyDHyTMoBviAlYgzWka_/s800/blogm9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="792" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9q8JHhIBbAD8sRcanqmufAkY20hHbiD7vOgmoE05L-rOPcs12vC2PepwGuajSUk2FOOD6kS0_cigNTWbIp8dDMQJYXzx7BYMeg0nzZV00124o1a0urxFaldGQyDHyTMoBviAlYgzWka_/s320/blogm9.jpg" /></a></div><p>I'm afraid this photo doesn't do it justice, it's gorgeous.</p><p>Finally handbags, well there had to be a few!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjABt43Y2LTcYDtm_6uZdm-CXmhlDNuexa7GR4b_EI8ArsMNOuc3f1k5nTziBL5uMg68Mg8fM8aVu_8VyQ2w_AzVlDXZeqk4NF7AHF8nThbCzdBCwhkH3w_SJZKba7h9E_n1zp0Lni5Fg2/s800/blogbag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjABt43Y2LTcYDtm_6uZdm-CXmhlDNuexa7GR4b_EI8ArsMNOuc3f1k5nTziBL5uMg68Mg8fM8aVu_8VyQ2w_AzVlDXZeqk4NF7AHF8nThbCzdBCwhkH3w_SJZKba7h9E_n1zp0Lni5Fg2/s320/blogbag1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The white one is heavily beaded, I have no recollection of buying it or where from!?! It just arrived in the post one day. You know your handbag habit is bad when that happens!<p></p><p>The red leather one has 2 side pockets that someone had decided to super glue shut, I managed to ease them apart again but the glue has left a messy stain.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpAjFWRulXx9pGLlF2yryhgFKMm4Ergk41bY4DLj7z2r1jF9kCAG3dRgi9NPfSSIMhtT_pxq-finxx5Tsp-TbXoFmBYdrEuzkm6qxQguuz6SHmsDlkhKwgQBXmh6KbckbiJnw_wnhcrxg/s800/blogbag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpAjFWRulXx9pGLlF2yryhgFKMm4Ergk41bY4DLj7z2r1jF9kCAG3dRgi9NPfSSIMhtT_pxq-finxx5Tsp-TbXoFmBYdrEuzkm6qxQguuz6SHmsDlkhKwgQBXmh6KbckbiJnw_wnhcrxg/s320/blogbag2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>These two were Ebay purchases. I need to polish them and try and find space for them in my out of control collection. I feel the need for another cull, not that I ever seem to part with more than one or two at most. It's bad, very bad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well that was my gallop through the rest of May. I will *try* to get back very soon with June and our blissful trip to Cornwall. Adieu. </div>Miss Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899889154015378547noreply@blogger.com5