My August

I had an important birthday this month and was thoroughly spoiled. By friends who gave me this delicious cake. (None left to share - sorry). And from friends and colleagues at work these wonderful flowers and a large sum of cash, so that I can spoil myself.

My birthday week was spent in Cornwall, so I suppose a few shots of coastal prettiness wouldn't go amiss. This year I didn't really look forward to my holiday as Teenage Boy refused to come. Teenage Boy said that he wanted to stay at home and would be quite capable of looking after himself. EEK! Usually he can't throw his quilt back on his bed and he is totally incapable of bringing a glass or mug downstairs.If he uses the toaster there is usually a trail of breadcrumbs across the worktop, not to mention smears of butter everywhere.Dirty clothes breed on the bedroom floor and never find their way into the laundry bin. No, you have to come I said. No, we can trust him said Mr. F. So I went on holiday without Teenage Boy.

Below is the cottage where Antonia Barber, author of the 'Mousehole Cat' lived. The cottage features in the illustrations of the book and really doesn't look any different from Mowzer the cat's home. Mousehole pronounced 'Mowzel' has to be one of the prettiest fishing villages, although now it relies heavily on visits from tourists to earn its keep.

From August 2012

There are many hidden lanes and courtyards here.

Plenty of prettiness to keep my camera busy.

I also love Cornwall for it's boats. The sailing boat below in dry dock for some restoration.

And those in the harbour ready to put out to sea, as day boats I expect, leaving the safety of the harbour each day to catch fresh fish that is sold on inland. A hard life for the fishermen who do it and not much profit either.

This one is on its way home. I hope it was a successful trip.

We hadn't visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan for many years, so decided that it was about time we re-visited.

Still as lovely as ever, with a surprise around every corner.

And how did I spend my birthday? Wave watching of course. Followed by a meal at the pub in the evening. What else could any glamorous fifty year old want or need?

And what about Teenage Boy? Was there carnage when I got home? Had the house been trashed by six foot boys? Were there smears of lipstick left on mugs?

I'm pleased to say that both Teenage Boy and the house survived the week. I did find cigarette butts in the bin(I don't think that they belonged to him) and there were plenty of crumbs on the worktops but overall he didn't do too badly really. And bless him - he got the results needed from his GCSE's to do his college courses. Not a bad August really.

Upton Cressett

Come with me for a trip into the lush green countryside that is my beloved Shropshire, to visit a little gem that has been hidng from the world for hundreds of years. Upton Cressett Hall snugglescomfortably into the landscape, not a huge house, but beautiful, cherished and another reason for me to love this wonderful county.The house is owned by MP Bill Cash, although his son now looks after and lives in the house and has continued its restoration.

From June 2012 Can you see the Gatehouse in this photograph?  What a wonderful place for the in-laws to stay at Christmas. No-one would get under your feet in there would they? The Gatehouse is now used as an upmarket holiday let, although if your name is Margaret Thatcher or Liz Hurley you get invited to stay as a guest of the familly. During the English Civil War Prince Rupert of the Rhine also took shelter here from those despicable Roundheads.

From June 2012 Not bad for guest wing is it?

From June 2012 It even has its own courtyard garden

From June 2012 And the attention to detail even in this small garden is wonderful.

From June 2012 As I said, the main house isn't huge, there are no roped  off areas, no teasels on chairs to prevent you sitting down and you take tea in the dining room around the family's table. There is a warm welcome from the guide and a wonderful afternoon of peace and quiet if you decide to visit.

From June 2012 I loved the way this lion's head was placed casdually on the garden wall

From June 2012 and the chimneys showing off the skills of the master builders.

From June 2012 At the end of your visit you can visit the tiny church

From June 2012

From June 2012 before leaving through the gate into the winding lanes of the prettiest county in England.

From June 2012 Make sure you click the link above for some interior shots of this house and do visit if you can. Let me know if you're going - I'll join you if I can.

A Trip to Ledbury

A few weeks ago we had a trip to the lovely old market town of Ledbury. Full of lovley old buildings (and lovely old shops) it's right up my street as far as a day out is concerned.

Firstly, a walk up this famous cobbbled lane to the town's church.On the way resisting locally made delicacies

 

and dragging Mr. F. past this very traditional old English pub.


I
Into the church




where I notice this set of rules for bell ringers in the tower.



 Then it's off to do serious shopping and am delighted at how the old






 

 sits in with the new


 

 Ledbury also has a very good independent bookshop.Amazon is great, but there's nothing like holding and browsing a book before you buy it.



 I couldn't resist taking a photo of these dear little tins sat in the window of the delicatessesn. It's not the best picture in the world, but I'm sure you'll let me off. I'm sure they would look wonderful in my kitchen. Tins - they are my one weakness you know.

 

 All being well we will venture out somewhere this weekend. What will you be doing? Will you be locking all the doors to keep out the rain and wind that has been rattling my sash windows? Or will you be venturing out and braving the weather, come what may? I'd love to  know.

By the way, can I say a big thank you to everyone who took time to send their best wishes on our recent wedding anniversary. I had a lovely morning out at some wonderful gardens. Sadly, the batteries in my camera only lasted the first five minutes of my visit. I shall just have to re-visit in the near future, so that I can share them with you.

2nd May 1987

Today is our silver wedding anniversary. The local florist has just delivered this bouquet from Mr. F.. Mr F. is at work today, so I'm off to visit Whitlenge Gardens with the in-laws - and no it isn't raining (yet). There's a luxury weekend away planned, but not until September, when hopefully, the sun might be shining.

Now, excuse me whilst I nip off to arrange my flowers in an artistic fashion.

Cosy

I don't intend going anywhere today. The gate is firmly shut, the back door locked and the only weather I'm going to experience is throught the kitchen window. The kettle's on. there are chocolate cornflake cakes in my new Bridgewater tin and the heating is keeping that biting, vicious wind at bay. Only the jug of flowers in the kitchen window looks cheery and spring like.

I've decorated the Easter tree this morning, even though the weather feels  more like Christmas as the sleet and rain lashes coldly against the window. It looks worse than it is, as the blossom from a neighbour's gorgeous cherry tree is being ripped from the branches. For all the world it looks as though it's snowing.

The last few decorations are up, just Teenage Boy's egg to buy now.....not today though. I'm staying in by the fire

I might find time to begin this book. 'Mariana' by Monica Dickens, set around the time of WWII it has been compared to Dodie Smith's 'I capture the castle'.

I'll certainly get the chance to finish reading this one. Written by   Miranda Dickinson, who lives in my town and who uses the local area as a base for some of her stories. Comfort reading for me as I know there will be a happy ending and we all need one of those don't we?

Maybe I'll find something comforting to eat from these pages. One of my presents for Mothering Sunday. I hope you are warm and cosy where you are. What's the weather doing with you today?

Perfick

From FEB2012

Oh yes. Perfick! Perfick sunshine, blue skies and yes, even warmth. Time for hibernation to end and for Mr F. and I to down the wallpaper paste and scissors  and to get out and enjoy the beginning of spring.

From FEB2012

Stourport came into being because of the construction of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal built by James Brindley to meet the River Severn and provide good transport links in the 18th century. Shortly after it was built, Stourport became the busiest port after London. During the 20th century it became somewhere to spend a traditional day out for families from the Black Country as it was so near. It still has a funfair and amusement arcades, as well as tacky gift shops. But just a short stroll away from all that noise and awfulness you can still see the beauty of this Georgian town. Its river and canal basins are full of brightly coloured, imaginitively named narrowboats still traditionally painted with roses and castles.

From FEB2012 Elegant Georgian properties are everywhere in the town and it is easy to imagine the merchants and tradesmen who might have lived and worked here during its heyday as a port.

From FEB2012 Today, we took a walk along the canal rather than the river. This was a stretch of towpath that we had never walked before and I was intrigues to see a graveyard across the canal. It was easy to see that the graves were at least a hundred years old and I was intrigued because I couldn't see a church. Then suddenly a bridge labellled Mitton Chapel Bridge came into view and I just had to investigate.

From FEB2012

So it was across the bridge and through a wrought iron gate and a steep climb up these well worn steps

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and into the churchyard itself.

From FEB2012 Imagine our surprise when we saw not a church but a ruin.

From FEB2012

It looked beautiful with the sunlight warming the stone

From FEB2012

and we intend to find out how the church fell into ruin. Happily, there is a new church built within the ruins of the old  one, although I haven't pictured it here. It was certainly an unexpected find on my canal walk.Churches and graveyards fascinate me and I can spend ages wandering through reading the ancient names on the stones, imagining what those people's lives might have been like.

From FEB2012

After our  little detour we decided it must be time to turn back and retrace our route along the towpath
I loved this little Georgian house and quite fancy the idea of canalside living.

From FEB2012 Of course, I'm never one to miss a tea room,

From FEB2012  so it was carefully over the lock

From FEB2012

for a lovely cup of tea. It was so warm, we were able to sit outside next to the lock, but let me tell you I was torn. Inside, the tea shop was full of Cath Kidstonesque fabrics and vintage pieces and I did fancy having a nose around but the sunshine won out today.

From FEB2012