Showing posts with label National Trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Trust. Show all posts

Friday, 19 July 2013

Friday Finds ~ Summer Scavenger Hunt 2013 #4

Today I have a couple more shots taken on our recent visit to Stourhead.

P1020758

Ariadne in the grotto. ‘Nymph of the grot, these sacred springs I keep, and to the murmur of these waters sleep. Ah, spare my slumbers, gently tread the cave, and drink in silence or in silence lave.’

P1020775

A mallard beside the lake. Contenders for somebody or something taking a nap.

Short and sweet this week. There has not been much getting out and about, with the pollen levels being so very high at the moment. In the house, with the windows shut, is the best place for my boy right now. I’m hoping for a trip out next week.

Have a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing.

Thursday, 4 July 2013

My Month in Numbers ~ June 2013

I didn’t do much counting in April and May, but June proved to be a very good month for numbers so I’m joining in again. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then go check out Julie’s blog, where you’ll find all the information you need.

It began on the very first day of the month, when I drove 45 miles to meet up with a group of 17 lovely ladies (and a couple of chaps) in Burbage. The drive was a bit nerve wracking, with an intermittent fault light flashing at me. I’d stopped to check the manual, before I was too far from home, and rung The Mechanic. His response? Just keep driving and if you break down, call the AA. Thanks then!

I made it there in one piece, if a little frazzled. I had a brilliant day with wonderful company and the most amazing lunch laid on by Jan. They don’t call her Lunch Lady for nothing. It was fun matching people up with their blogs and deciding if their real life personality matched how they came across on line. I don’t know about you (if you’ve ever met any blog friends) but it’s all about the voices for me. So often people sound totally unexpected and I always ‘hear’ blog posts in their owner’s accents for ever afterwards.

P1020688

As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one weekend, there was more to come. The following day I drove (5 miles) to Shaftesbury, to meet up with these 6 lovely boys. We met for coffee in King Alfred’s Kitchen, a favourite hang out when we were sixth formers. Back in the day, they’d have spare tea bags in their pockets and ask for an extra jug of hot water, to eke out the stay as long as possible!

P1020712

We spent almost 7 hours together and the conversation and laughter flowed, with barely a pause. The casual observer would never have guessed that it had been 26 years since we were last all together. We’ll not leave it so long next time.

P1020760

There were 13 days between my boy’s last exam and the end of the month and we went out on 2 mini expeditions. One of them took us to Stourhead, which we are extremely lucky to have virtually on our doorstep. We spent 2 hours there and I took 59 photos. 5 of them featured in my Scavenger Hunt round up on Friday.

P1020797

These 3 little ducks dashed out from the undergrowth and crossed our path as we walked past.

P1020790

We spied this group of Canada Geese, but all attempts to count them failed and even with a photograph in front of me I’m still not sure. I’ll leave it to you to decide.

P1020728

I taught my card class on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. We made 5 cards and a Post-It note holder between the 2 classes and I now have a total of 8 lovely ladies who come along each week. Next Wednesday we are moving into a bigger room, because we have outgrown our current home.

This may seem like a bit of a random selection, but I did have a vague idea of a theme in mind when I chose them. You may remember, way back at the beginning of February, I posted about my word for the year and haven’t mentioned it since. These numbers are a good illustration, I think, of how I have been connecting and reconnecting with people in my every day life.

The final batch of numbers for this month are all related to my blog, another great way of connecting. I managed 13 posts, a record number compared to other months this year. I gained 7 new followers, having been stuck at 122 for an age. A warm welcome to you all. I reached my 300th post and had a little giveaway, inspired by Sian’s Great Big Swap of Little Things and the 3 winners are:

  • Twinkle Star
  • Scrappy Jacky
  • Ladykis

If you are a winner, please could you get in touch, with your address and a preferred colour scheme eg bright, neutral, subtle. Thank you.

My email is angelfishcrafts{at}gmail{dot}com.

We’re planning on another little foray tomorrow, to tick off a few more items on the Scavenger Hunt list. I hope to share them in the evening. See you then.

PS My blog visiting/commenting has ground to a halt this week. I’m mourning the loss of Google Reader and not really feeling the love for Bloglovin’. What are you using now and are you happy with it? I think I need an alternative. Something more like Google Reader, if such a thing exists. All suggestions gratefully received.

Friday, 28 June 2013

Friday Finds ~ Summer Scavenger Hunt 2013

I’m here with the first round up of shots taken for Rinda’s Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt. We made a start yesterday, my boy and me. We dragged my Mum along with us, for a morning of wandering at beautiful Stourhead. We even had some hazy sunshine. You might have almost believed it was Summer.

P1020804

10. A bench that is outside.

P1020806

There were plenty of these to be seen….

P1020807

….although very few were actually occupied.

P1020799

13. A fence

A very simple wooden one (you’ll be pleased to see Jacky!) bordering the path down to the Spread Eagle Inn.

P1020802

8. A tower.

I’d forgotten about these either side of the entrance to the house. We tend to stick to the gardens when we visit and don’t venture out across the road. I had another tower in mind, not far from this one, which we’ll go to another day.

We’ve made a few plans for the next four weeks, while my girl is still at school. I have a good idea where we’ll find most of them, but there are a couple that may prove tricky. To see the whole list and join in the fun, go visit Rinda.

I’ll be back tomorrow with Stampin’ Up Saturday. My give away is still open if you’d like to enter. Have a great weekend.

Monday, 8 October 2012

Damp in Derbyshire

I had a post all prepared for the August Month in Numbers and when my laptop went down I never got to hit publish. I also took part in Rinda’s Photo Scavenger Hunt during the Summer and missed the deadline for that for the same reason.

I’m sharing a few photos from each today.

P1020167

Seven nights spent sleeping under the stars in a cosy yurt…..

P1020172

…..with these guys/gals for neighbours.

P1020178

Enjoying beautiful houses like those at Biddulph Grange Garden…..

P1020243

…..and Lyme Park.

P1020228

Making the most of the sunshine…..

P1020183

…..and laughing off the rain (on Alexa’s bridge).

P1020190

Exploring deep underground…..

P1020218

…..and high on hilltops.

P1020252

Stopping to smell the roses…..

P1020257

…..and being grateful for that woodburner!

Thankyou Derbyshire for a wonderful week, despite all the weather threw at us.

Sunday, 16 October 2011

It was seven years ago today

Well not exactly, but these are a couple of shots from a Sunday in October 2004.

102_0242_r1

102_0243_r1

They were taken at Barrington Court, near Ilminster in Somerset. We had a great day kicking up the leaves and taking part in a fun Autumn trail and quiz.