A Mermaid's Tale

10 Years Old!

2011-11-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

This week back in November 2001 was the week I first opened the door of my little shop, The Sea Garden; first in rented premises in Gerrans Square, and then in 2003 down to my present location at the bottom of River Street in Portscatho. 10 years does seem like quite a long time; I'm just pleased that I've managed to stay open, and that's all been down to the many varied, wonderful, incredibly loyal and supportive customers who have passed through the door over these last ten years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, one and all!

When we have a brisk Easterly wind blowing into Gerrans Bay everything gets coated in seasalt, and it had got to the point where you could hardly see in or out of my little shop windows, so a thorough cleaning was the order of the day. By the time I'd finished, dusk was just beginning to fall, and I switched on the Christmas lights for the first time and took a few pics to share with you.

Gertie and Jane have organised the first 'Christmas Homespun Fair', coming up this Sunday, 27th November, at Portscatho Memorial Hall. There are 18 different stallholders coming from all over the southwest of England, with a whole treasure trove of vintage and handmade goodies on offer, perfect for finding Christmas pressies which don't cost the earth ( in more ways than one when you consider that buying vintage and antique is recycling! ) and pieces that are original, unique and different.

The Sea Garden will also be open from 12.30 - 4.30pm, so I do hope to say hello to lots of you on Sunday,

Happy Christmas Shopping!

Love, Christine x x x

Sun Day

2011-11-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

These November days seem particularly gloomy at the moment, so it was a breath of fresh air to have a bright, clear day on Sunday. Not a cloud in the sky. Watergate Bay looked stunning in the late afternoon sun; long shadows and dark silhouettes against a glowing peachy horizon.

A few surfers braving the cold.

A real tonic!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last post; I feel very fortunate that I have the means to be able to make a choice in how to bring about change in my life. Plenty of people don't get to choose how they live.

x x x

Heart and Home

2011-11-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

I feel as though I have been living in a state of limbo for most of this year, and that is why I have not done much blogging lately. My cottage has been on the market again since June, and although my first buyers pulled out a couple of weeks ago, in a stroke of luck a new buyer has come along and I am hopeful this time it will go through (fingers crossed).

For a while now I have been restless (in my New Year post I wrote about needing change and that I was the only person who could make it happen). My shop will celebrate it's tenth anniversary in two weeks time, and although the experience of starting up and running my own business has been rewarding in so many ways, especially in the meeting of so many wonderful people who have walked through my shop door, the experience has also been challenging and draining. I need to break away for a while and assess what the future holds for me, and the first step I am taking is to sell my home.

On the 22nd of October I attended the evening wedding reception of one of my belly dancing friends, Sarah ( this is the heart I made for her and her husband to remember their special day), and it got me thinking about 'Home' and what it means. She and David have just bought their first home together. My little cottage has been my home for the past 12 years; my first home after leaving my parents and the house where I was brought up.

So what will it be like to walk out of this front door knowing that I will never return? Well, I am quite philosophical about it really. Essentially I have lived alone here for the last 12 years. There are no memories of children running about the place for me to hold dear. Having two old buildings to constantly maintain has been a challenge and expense. The cottage is actually, now I realise, bigger than I really need it to be, so why pay a mortgage on this house when I could downsize to a smaller one? And, quite radically you may think, I am seriously considering not living in a house at all for the next year or so. My plan is to rent somewhere this winter, and then in the spring when the weather warms up, set off in a camper van and live on the road!

I know that I am the kind of person who feels at home wherever I happen to be, and just because my home will be a mobile one will in no way make it less of a home to me. I am very excited at the prospect of breaking free from the responsibilities of mortgage and bills (although I will still have the responsibility of maintaining the shop). The other reason I feel the need to break free is in order to develop my own creativity, which has necessarily become somewhat stifled with the need to make things which are (hopefully) guaranteed to sell. My mind is buzzing with ideas all the time, but time is the one thing you don't get much of when running your own business. To not feel the pressure to constantly earn a living will be a luxury which will allow me to pursue those avenues I have been thinking about: going back to painting and drawing, creating more ambitious stitched pieces, photographing gardens and exploring this beautiful country of ours.

But before all that happens, I have the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury to think about! ( Saturday 3rd December ) So here's what I'm making at the moment.....

Decorations to hang made from an assortment of chandelier drops, glass beads and pearls, mother-of-pearl buttons, and vintage metal and diamante bits

Some of the drops have been backed with vintage fabric and old handwritten documents, and these are the tiny offcuts left over....

I have an idea to convert them into another sort of decoration, but that will have to wait for another posting......

I hope that you, my Blogger friends, haven't minded me sharing some quite personal thoughts in this posting; your support and friendship means a lot to me. Perhaps on my travels roaming the countryside I will be able to meet some of you in person! I hope so!

x x x

Autumnal bliss

2011-10-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after I'd closed up at the shop I went picking blackberries above Percuil River, and the hush of the evening was such perfection I wanted to commit it to memory forever.

Today I spent lazing on the beach, perfect blue sky and hot but not searing sunshine; listening to the sound of happy carefree children at play. I swam in the sea too but not for long, it was colder than a few months ago.

Has anyone else got a plague of flies? I've just spent the last half-hour swotting and catching sixteen flies in my bedroom alone, all zipping round my lamp in that frenzied drugged state.... aarrggghhhhh!

Sorry to do a retrospective bit of blogging now, but a couple of weeks ago Angela and I found ourselves at the second annual Hat Festival in Bridport, Dorset.

There were lots of street stalls, the weather was kind to us on the whole, and the atmosphere was very jovial. I think it was a great way to get the whole town involved; anyone could participate simply by wearing a hat!

There were some weird and wonderful hats on show, but I think Angela should take the prize for being the most stylish - what do you think?

A very daring South American red felt trilby, and Angela carried it off with panache!

I love this great second-hand bookshop in Bridport, I never leave empty handed!

Cheery-bye blogger friends! I look forward to reading what you have been doing in the sunshine this week x x x

2011-09-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Angela and I decided to have a day out. It was typical Cornish weather - mizzly but warm - and I thought the perfect day to take the coast road between St. Ives and St. Just on the north Cornish coast. The mist was rolling off the hills and stoney outcrops, and the derelict engine houses loomed out of the whiteness, so atmospheric. Our first stop was Zennor, a tiny hamlet which has become famous for two reasons. During the war D.H.Lawrence and his German wife retreated here for peace and security. And have you heard of the legend of the Mermaid of Zennor?

Inside the ancient granite church dedicated to St. Senara is the 'Mermaid Chair', a simple wooden seat with the carving of a mermaid on one end, holding a mirror.

Legend has it that a local lad heard strange and beautiful singing whilst attending service in the church, and so intoxicated was he by this otherworldly voice that one day he followed the sound down to the cove and walked down underneath the waves, for it was a mermaid who lured him to his death.

From the church we walked down the track leading to the cove, passing this farmyard with its ancient granite posts.

Spiky gorse, moss and ivy, typical of the granite walls in this part of wild Cornwall

So bleak, no trees; but the landscape has a raw beauty all of its own

Then the cove, quite a precipitous drop, and no beach at high tide

Angela is a textile addict like myself, and since I had my camera with me I asked if I could take some pictures round her home.

This is one of her oil paintings, a work in progress. Aren't the colours beautiful? It is definitely an interior, but I love the way everything remains in soft focus.

On her living room floor, about six work baskets overflowing with fabric snippets, including a lot of gorgeous vintage Liberty Tana lawn.

Upstairs on the landing, a veritable cascade of vintage clothing that Angela wears on a regular basis

This skirt has the most divine print and colouring

On her bedroom wardrobe doors hang yet more delicious vintageness; some of the clothes she made for her daughter when she was small

A Liberty lawn summer dress, very faded at the top,

and a knitted cardi with little stitched flowers and this divine Julie Arkell brooch pinned to the hem!

A raspberry red velvet bias-cut evening dress with petals decorating the neckline

Oh so glamorous!

And this wee jacket that Angela made for her baby daughter,

such a pretty fabric and quilted with a contrasting pinky-red stitch.

Going down the stairs, which I have done many times before, only this time I spot the little shelf

with its little family of cuties! Just look at that darling velour elephant!

Thanks Angela, it's always a joy coming to your home x x x

Fun Fair!

2011-08-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Just thought I'd share with you some photos of our Homespun Fair which took place last Sunday in Portscatho. Go to the Homespun Fair blog here for more pictures!

I thought the standard of goods on display was exceptional and everyone put so much effort into making their stalls look so beautiful. A huge thank you to all the exhibitors for taking part and also to everyone who helped on the day behind the scenes: Moira and Sara, Ian and Hardi, my mum! x x x

A Favourite Spot

2011-07-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

When Mr.T came to meet me off the ferry 'Scillonian' from my trip to St. Martin's, we drove to one of my favourite Cornish spots to spend a couple of nights in his camper van. A wonderfully quiet field at Treen became our home, and the following day we set off bright and early to walk the coast path from Penberth to Porthcurno.

The cove is now owned by The National Trust and so protected from unsightly development. A cluster of traditional Cornish cottages (some of which can be rented for holidays), a babbling brook and a granite slipway with working fishing boats are all that you'll find here.

The PZ stands for Penzance and the white cross on a black background is the Cornish flag.

Continuing our walk we climb up the cliff, and are rewarded with a bird's eye view down onto the Cove

We watch as one of the two fishermen lands his boat. I wonder what he's caught today?

Soon the famous 'Logan Rock' is in sight, a huge granite boulder balanced on this rocky outcrop which it is said can be 'rocked' to and fro if pushed in just the right place.

Then, oh what a beach comes in to view.....there cannot be many more beautiful pieces of coastline anywhere in the world!

In the distance, Porthcurno Beach and the incredible Minack Theatre above, carved out of the cliff face by the remarkable woman Rowena Cade. (sorry it's not really visible from my photograph)

Pednavadn beach is only accessible by a rather precipitous cliff path, and as such you can be sure there won't be too many other people down there.

Looking down onto Porthcurno beach you could see the sand beneath the water so clean and clear

It was an idyllic summer's day spent with one I love, a day to remember.

Impressions of Scilly

2011-07-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Yes I know it's been a while....well a long while, so thanks for being patient with me! Mid - June saw my annual trip to The Scilly Isles, always a treat, and it didn't matter that the wind blew and the rain came down, I just put on my hiking boots and waterproof trousers and took a brolly and got out into the (very) fresh air! The sun did shine too, and so I was able to take some photos to share with you.........

The harbour on St. Mary's

Boards advertising boat trips to all the 'off' islands

' The Island Rover ' takes you on a rather fun tour of St. Mary's

Sub-tropical plants grow wild here

Hard knuckles of flecked ancient granite, sun-baked and with a lichen crust......

Pure granite sand; grainy granules at the water's edge, graduating to white powdery softness where the marram grass erupts from the dunes.......

the sea is so clean and clear

putting out the lobster pots

Johnathon's organic fruit and veg stall. I sampled some mixed lettuce leaves - delicious!

everywhere strange succulents grow out of the walls

The pace of life on St. Martin's is so slow and this is what makes it such a perfect place to relax...........

Hope you too have managed to grab some summer sunshine and relaxation over the past few weeks. x

Trevoole Garden Open Days

2011-05-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you that remember my posting of last July 2010 about the amazing Garden at Trevoole Farm, I have just received an email from Beth with the great news that the Garden will once again be open for charity under The National Gardens Scheme for three dates: Sunday 29th May, Sunday 19th June and Sunday 3rd July. I URGE you to go if you get the chance, you will be enchanted and inspired!

To get to the Garden: Follow the A30 west down the spine of Cornwall. Take the Camborne East/Pool turning, drive through Camborne town in a westerly direction and then take the B3303 towards Helston. Trevoole is on the left-hand side about a mile. If you reach the village of Praze-an-beeble you've gone too far!

I love Paris in the Springtime...

2011-04-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Doing the Country Living Fair was such a draining experience I really felt the need to get away for a while, so Mr.T. and I decided on a whim to book a little hotel in Paris! This wonderful statue of the poet Sir John Betjamin stands on the upper level of St. Pancras International, where we caught the Eurostar train to the Gare du Nord, a journey of just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The hotel in Montmartre was just perfect, small and intimate, in a cobbled square with trees and benches and a fountain, and right next door to the building known as 'Le Bateau Lavoir', where Picasso amongst others had his studio back in the early 1900's.

A pavement cafe on the corner was a popular spot for visitors to take their ease and admire the fine view over the rooftops of Paris.

A few flights of steps up from the hotel and you enter the Place du Tertre with more wonderful pavement eateries, particularly atmospheric at night.

No trip to Paris would be complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower, again great to view after dark when it's all lit up....

Suffice to say we both had a blissful time - just what the doctor ordered - and we hope to make a return trip very soon......

Back to the shop.... and things are looking more springlike for Easter....

These delightful bunnies....

and mice are handmade by Chloe Cyphus using antique French linen and other gorgeous fabrics.

Some more views of the shop....

A close-up of a necklace by Louise Taylor-Bowen, made up of vintage crochet lace and other recycled bits, truly one-of-a-kind.

Victorian silver-plated Berry spoons

This mermaid is made from pure sheep's wool by Jane Eyers from Totnes, and embellished with beautiful ribbons on the tail and a beaded necklace

Two of Angela's vintage Liberty fabric Suffolk puff corsages

and one of Jane's Victorian girl butterfly fairies

Jane, Gertie and I hope to welcome lots of you to our second Homespun Easter Fair on Bank Holiday Monday, 10.30am - 3.30pm at Portscatho Memorial Hall, (there will be signposts in the village), where there will be loads of gorgeous vintage goodies on offer plus oodles of delicious cake! The shop will also be open all day, 10.30 - 5.30, so come and enjoy a fun day out at the seaside!

Exhausted, but elated!

2011-03-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

So, Gertie and I are back from the Country Living Fair, almost fainting from sheer exhaustion, but was it worth all the effort? Well.......see that plaque in the top left-hand corner? Every year at the Fair Susy Smith, the editor of Country Living Magazine, goes around and chooses her favourite stand, and this year she chose us!!!! Gertie and I were quite overcome with emotion when they came with the news, and promptly burst into tears! I think it was just a feeling of overwhelming relief that all the hard work we'd put into making everything had paid off. The prize was a bottle of champagne and best of all, a FREE 6m2 stand at next year's Spring Fair!! So yes, of course it was all worth it. I've already started planning more ideas for the backdrop....

I could only afford to book a small stand this year so at times it was very difficult to actually know where to position yourself so that customers could see the work on display.

Gertie and I (with the help of my good old Mum) took everything with us on the train in suitcases (a bit mad). I'd designed the stand so that almost everything for sale was hung on hooks to maximise floor space. This limited us to taking certain things which were not too big and didn't weigh too much, and not items like pictures and cushions.

I made the backdrop for the stand out of a whole range of original old documents, letters, botanical prints from books, and some of my drawings. I glued and stitched the papers into position in easily manageable sections, which were then assembled in situ like a jigsaw. And at the end of the fair we were able to take it down again to be re-used.

In the collage I included some pressed plants from my garden, favourite cuttings from magazines, dried petals, leaves and honesty seed cases, and snippets of beautiful vintage fabric.

Two of Jane's butterfly fairy girls standing on old cotton reels, taken from real photographs of Victorian children. Beside them are some of my handmade notebooks that I showed in progress in one of my previous posts.....

Some of Gertie's beautiful cosmetic/washbags, all made from beautiful vintage fabrics with zip fastening, lined and with silk trim.

In both corners I hung an old lepidopterist's (butterfly) collecting box, and pinned my 'specimen' vintage button hair grips and button cards into the cork backing

A few close-ups of the hair grips

And on the shelf beneath, Gertie's tiny crocheted pebbles like sugared almonds....

On a row of hooks in the middle of the stand, a selection of my little vintage fabric bags, some with old letters and photographs printed in panels on the front,

and below, a washing line of see-through bags containing delicious bits of vintage handmade lace, ribbon, trim, old buttons, snippets of fabric and some with old documents, designed to get you inspired to create something like........

this for instance; a little vintage fabric 'sac' hanging from an old French bag handle, and filled with Gertie's home-grown lavender (she let me buy some of it from her and it really is the best).

Gertie's new range of cards feature pieces of vintage fabric and tiny Suffolk puffs, with even tinier Mother-of-pearl buttons

A selection of her recycled pin jars and button jars, alongside her hand-crocheted mobile phone 'pockets'

and her gorgeous vintage lace bejewelled lavender bags.

I so enjoy making up these button cards....

Some of my heart and butterfly decorations, wired with vintage buttons, old chandelier drops and coloured beads.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of our stand and thank you for letting me do this rather self-indulgent post! It was so nice to meet all of you who came to the fair and those of you who are fellow bloggers, special mention to Marie, Gemma and Gill, and also to meet again customers who have been down to The Sea Garden in Portscatho and recognised the name. I hope to see you once more either in Cornwall or at the Spring Fair when we do it all again next year!

Come to the Fair!

2011-03-09T05:43:00.000-08:00

To celebrate 20 years of Country Living Magazine this year the Fair will showcase the work of 400 independent UK designers, makers and small producers.

If you would like to come and view the very best in British craft and design for yourself then I have two pairs of tickets to give away for the Gala Evening on Wednesday 23rd March, 6.30pm -9pm.

The Fair takes place at The Business Design Centre in Islington, London (nearest tube is Angel)

To enter the draw just leave a comment.

I will pick the winners on Sunday 13th March. Good luck!

Spring!

2011-03-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

Some glorious Spring weather this week........decided to head down to St. Mawes on the Roseland peninsula

It was an ideal day to catch the ferry across to Falmouth

But the ferry wasn't leaving for another 45 minutes so I had a mooch around the sea front. This old garage with its classic petrol pumps is now the gig club and houses the Roseland gig (traditional Cornish wooden boat which was rowed out to ships to guide them safely into harbour)

The St. Mawes Bakery is justly famed for its Cornish pasties

the sign is wonderfully aged!

Here comes the ferry!

drawing up quayside.......

I spent most of the journey across to Falmouth lying down on the cushioned seat at the back of the boat, gazing straight up at the bluest of blue skies with the occasional gull wheeling through the void.

Later in the week, a lovely walk through Trewince woods revealed a carpet of brilliant yellow daffodills

Strolling down the track to the pink cottage rewards you with this wonderful view of St. Mawes from the creek side

The air was crisp and still, hazy looking towards the sun but summer-blue looking landward.......

At the end of the track........the water's edge and a little slipway to launch your boat. I sat and soaked in the hot sun. A blackbird serenaded me from somewhere close by, the seaweed gently lulled back and forth with the unseen tidal swell.........

It's blissful moments like these that refresh your soul.

Work in progress....

2011-02-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

I quite enjoy hibernating........

Jane made me this adorable 'primitive' doll for my birthday using scraps from an old quilt.

I've decided to call her 'Lotte', and thought that she would be most comfortable sitting in an old sewing thread box with a little Suffolk puff coverlet to keep her toes warm!

There's nothing I like better than waking in the morning knowing that I have not got to get up and rush out to work. I lie curled up snug and toasty warm under a mountainous feather duvet, and think...and plan....and doze again....until I find another hour has passed unnoticed. I am certainly not an early bird. I am a night owl, preferring to work late into the night when I am at my most creative and productive.

I have been immersed in my sewing studio these last few weeks making things for the Fair; here are some images of work in progress.

Jane and I got together today to photograph the image for our publicity cards for the Homespun Easter Fair, hope you like the result!

If you go to our Homespun Fair blog here I have put up a list of who's going to be there (the list is by no means complete, we still have room so if you are interested in exhibiting, please get in touch asap). We have some lovely newcomers as well as old favourites (not so much of the 'old' I here you cry!) coming along to sell their wares. It promises to be a delightful day out!
(P.S. it will help us immensely to publicise the event if you click and drag the picture onto your desktop and then insert it onto your side bar if you have a blog. Thanks so much!)

Tour de Force

2011-02-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

All this blustery weather has put me in the mood for some Seth Lakeman; I was lucky enough to see him play live in Falmouth a few years ago, and all I can say is he was electrifying. Enjoy the following clip!

Seth Lakeman - Kitty Jay

2011-02-06T15:59:00.000-08:00

A love of books

2011-01-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

In the last couple of years I have built up a little collection of beautiful, interesting old books. Some are battered with pages falling out, which only goes to prove how much they have been loved and appreciated in their lifetime.

It all started with the purchase of this book, 'The Garden That I Love', from Niki's stand at the Shepton Mallet Antiques Fair.

Since then I have found several more in the same series, published by A&C Black during the early years of the 1900's.

The main appeal of these books to me are the illustrations - the finest, most exquisitely delicate watercolours and oils

picturing a bygone England of flowering orchards, cottage garden idylls

and the pastural landscape of quiet country life.

The embossed leather covers and gold leaf lettering are beautiful in themselves, tempting the reader to delve within.

A personal dedication to a loved one in the top right hand corner and a date just adds to the sense that you are only a part-time guardian in this book's history. How many different hands have leafed through these same pages that inform and delight?

Helen Allingham was the artist we most associate now with depicting the romantic, nostalgic 'chocolate box' image of idyllic country life that we all aspire to, when of course in reality the hard lives of the rural poor and the run-down cottages they lived in were far from cosy.

She also illustrated this book on Tennyson's Homes; they truly are exquisite watercolours, and it is nice to know that she was a very well- loved and successful artist in her lifetime. Please tell me that meadows of wildflowers like this can still be found somewhere in our ravaged, over-populated countryside?

Every time I visit a new village or town I always seek out any second-hand bookshops. There is a certain delight in entering that often dusty, old-fashioned environment and scouring the shelves hoping to find unexpected treasure. Poetry books are high on the list of favourites, especially if they combine a well-loved poet and wonderful engravings as in the case below.

Poems by Frances Cornford and engravings by Gwen Ravarat.

Little illustrated guides to English counties and towns are very nostalgic.

I was lucky enough to acquire three volumes of Shakespeare's plays dating from around 1735. How wonderful to have the name inscribed on the first page of one of the early owners - 1763!

I am fascinated by all the little printed engravings which embellish many of the pages, and the varying typefaces which change the emphasis of the text, and the quality of the paper itself.

Books on Natural History and Botany are other favourites, such as this lovely one on The Sea Shore.....

and British Butterflies....

'Four Hedges', written and illustrated with strong engravings by Clare Leighton, tells of a year in the life of her own garden. Below is the opening page...

This amazing depiction of an adder comes from 'Fresh Woods' by Ian Niall, with wood engravings by Barbara Greg.

Two lovely illustrations from 'Country Craftsmen'. How many of these traditional rural skills have already died out? (And made us the poorer for it, I think.)

Such wonderful pencil drawings...

I don't know the exact age of this delightful child's cloth book, but it is evidently Victorian. I love the claim, 'Indestructible Calico' on the front!

The rather simplified animal illustrations have the definite appearance of being made of wood; in fact my grandparents had in their possession a Victorian Noah's Ark which had very similar wooden figures.

Throughout my life I have created little handmade books of my own, and the last few days I've spent making some notebooks to sell at the Country Living Fair.

The pages are made up of all different offcuts of paper, envelopes, an old calendar, even pieces of drawing and designs saved from my days at art college (18 years ago! Yikes, I thought it was about time I cleared out my cupboards a bit!)

Each section of between 5-7 pages is stitched together up the middle...

and then the sections themselves are sewn together up the spine and glued into position.

Here is one I made earlier (!) with a hardback cover....

I have seen the first daffodils of the year at the roadside, such a cheery sight, and so in celebration I have started making cards with some of my photographs of Spring flowers (it's not far off now, hurrah!) I think primroses are so pretty, one of my favourites. The hedgerows of Cornwall in Springtime really are a beautiful sight.

I've realised that it's a whole year since I bought this laptop and started my blog - what a journey and so rewarding - I feel part of a wonderful extended family of like-minded women who are passionate about the things that I love too!

Country Living Article!

2011-01-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

I got a lovely surprise today when I opened my post box to see the February issue of Country Living Magazine, featuring the article about our little creative co-operative! We hadn't been expecting it to be out until Tuesday, but maybe we've been sent a copy in advance.

Anyway, here it is - a great picture of Jane's barn studio, and that close-up of the scones, cream and jam, well, it's enough to make your mouth water!

As you will read when you see the article, Jane, Gertie, Angelica and myself will be exhibiting our work at the Country Living Spring Fair in London in March (more details to follow in later posts), so we are all busy making goodies to take up with us. Unfortunately Angelica broke her arm badly on 30th November and has not been able to do a stitch yet - here's hoping she will improve enough to get creating again, as the frustration is driving her potty!

Needless to say we are all getting together on Tuesday to celebrate the article with a tea party!

Not got time to do much more of a post today, but a huge thank you to Brent the photographer who made the whole photo shoot day such fun, and also to Ruth who wrote the piece, and came all the way down from London on the train to interview us and got plied with cake and non-stop chatter from the four of us! If it isn't out in the shops yet, it soon will be, so enjoy!

A new year!

2010-12-31T15:57:00.000-08:00

So here it is......2011! Happy New Year everyone!

The turning of a new year is a time to reflect on what has passed and look forward to what is yet to come.......

Nothing really significant happened in my life in 2010, it seemed to be a year of just buckling down and getting on with it....but then nothing terrible happened either so I can only be grateful for that. Hearing the news last night about the knife-edge political situation currently playing out in the West African country of Ivory Coast has brought back lots of memories for me, because when I was 6 years old I went with my family to live in that country's capital, Abidjan. My father was employed by ICI and had just acquired a job out there. We remained for two years, and they proved to be the most formative years of my childhood. I looked in the suitcase under the bed where I keep my photograph albums and found my old school photo of the first class I was in at 'The American International School':

Here I am kneeling on the grass at the far right, and on the far left in the front row was my best friend Alexia. Our class was truly international, with fellow pupils from Ghana, Senegal, United States, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Haiti, Ethiopia. There was one other English girl, my friend Nicole. Alexia and I were inseparable for those two years, but on my return to England we lost touch with each other, as her father was an ambassador and they moved from country to country. Alexia was from Haiti, and I recently typed her name into Facebook to see if perchance she was there... but no. I do hope she is safe and well.

2010 has been a year of devastating natural disasters - the Haiti earthquake and the Pakistan floods - and much human suffering. I just hope and pray that the Ivory Coast situation does not develop into another genocide. History is littered with rulers who have become so intoxicated with power that they refuse to stand down when a new leader has been democratically elected by the people, and it is the common people who end up suffering.

As I look forward to the year ahead, I can feel a change in my life coming......I have been feeling restless for a few years now, not quite knowing what to do, just letting things drift along. But life is what we make it, and if I need change then I must make it happen!

2010-12-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry I didn't get a chance to blog again before Christmas, but I hope you have all had a lovely festive few days. I really appreciated spending two days just relaxing with Mum and Dad, with no pressure to do anything but help cook the dinner and then eat it!

Mum had gone for a white, silver and glass theme on her tree this year, with white candles

and these traditional German straw stars.

There's nothing nicer than sitting by a real log fire is there?

Portscatho is looking very festive at the moment, so one bitterly cold evening last week after I'd closed the shop I took a wander round the village to show you the Christmas lights......

This tiny cottage on the Lugger always goes to town with loads of flashing lights in all colours and designs!

The winking snowman!

Just opposite my shop are two lovely galleries: The Harbour Gallery and Spindrift Gallery.

Cynthia Greenslade who runs Spindrift is herself a practising artist and always has a beautiful selection of jewellery, ceramics, glassware and paintings on display.

This is the view down the road leading to The Sea Garden.......

and the shop itself.

Here's a random selection of what's on sale at the moment............

An amazing doll from the 1870's with moveable wooden joints, and several recycled notebooks fashioned from vintage hardback books, with original illustrations retained.

These gorgeous hand-made porcelain buttons are by Amanda Mercer.

I put flower lights up round my bed-head last Christmas, and then couldn't bear to take them down again, so they remain up all year long now. It makes going to bed even more of a pleasure. Go on, put some lights up round your bed - you feel like a princess!

Best wishes to all of you friends for a very happy and fulfilling year ahead; your company as I have progressed on my journey as a new blogger has been inspirational - thank you!

Candlelight

2010-12-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time to celebrate our relationships with family and friends. Tonight I think of all those whose Christmas will be tinged with sadness with the remembrance of a dear loved one who is lost or missing from their lives this year.

I light a candle for you. x

sarah mclachlan - wintersong

2010-12-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

Winter Walks

2010-12-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

I managed to grab two lovely walks in the winter sunshine this week. On Monday I did a circuit round the Trewithen estate which I am lucky enough to have right on my doorstep. There are some truly magnificent trees in the grounds, beautifully silhouetted against the sky at this time of year.

The lichen on this rough hewn branch fence is always something I stop to look at when I pass.

Like tiny miniature forests....

When I return home I pick up a parcel from the post office - it's come all the way from California! I will show you what was inside later...

Then on Wednesday a walk to Ladock down winding country lanes,

Underneath the railway bridge that serves the Penzance - London mainline,

To the beautiful old church at Ladock.

This window is one of the loveliest I know, I love to sit and look at it.

I particularly adore the roses and lilies in this ladies lap and on her headdress

The main window above the altar was designed by the two great Pre-Raphaelite painters Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

Can you spot the little shepherds and kings at the sides of the altar below?

The window above the side altar is also by William Morris.

We were just about to leave when there was a scuffling of footsteps and a chatter of voices outside, and in came the children from the school next door to decorate the tree!

Lots of tinsel and handmade baubles,

and these adorably sweet angels!

On the way to Ladock I had spotted a large Hawthorn branch which had fallen onto the hedge not too far from home, so when we passed it on the return journey I retrieved it and hoisted it onto my shoulder, and carried it triumphantly back to the cottage. It felt like I had an enormous pair of antlers growing out of my head. My friend thought me quite mad!

But I knew it would make a wonderful twiggy Christmas tree!

This wooly shepherd and his cute sheep always has to be part of my Christmas tableau!

I have kept the decoration of my tree to a minimum, hanging little glass holders with tealights inside, a few baubles and wooden hearts and stars, some tiny red ceramic hearts, and three stitched fabric heart hangings by Lynn of 'Sea Angels'.

This is what was in the California parcel - two little ceramic cups that I won from the very talented Julie Whitmore when I came runner-up in her giveaway recently. Aren't they so sweet!

Snowman and robins on their little frozen pond....

I will post again when I light the candles for the first time and take some pics. Hope you are all loving decorating your homes too!

Christmas Wishlist

2010-12-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

I realise I should have told you all about this website a little earlier, but perhaps it's not too late....

The website I speak of was set up a few years ago by an acquaintance of mine, Lynne Bothamley, in response to the appalling statistics showing just how much wastage occurred over unwanted presents at Christmas. 'What I'd Love' is a wishlist website; the idea being that anyone can set up their own personal wishlist of gifts that they would be happy to receive, be it for Christmas or birthday, anniversary, wedding, Bar Mitzvah etc. etc. Each personal list is given a unique number code, so that when friends or family begin to ask,

"Have you thought about what you would like for Christmas?"

you can respond by giving them that unique code and invite them to select something from your list. They will be happy safe in the knowledge that they will be buying a gift that you genuinely want, and it will still be a nice surprise for you on the day as you will not know exactly which of your wishlist items you will receive.

And the best thing about this website is that it's ABSOLUTELY FREE to use!

There is a selection of hand-picked shops and mail order companies on the site itself (click on the header 'BOUTIQUE'), which offer quality goods not generally found on the high street, but you do not have to be restricted to choosing items from these shops - oh no - in fact you can put ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU LIKE ON YOUR WISHLIST! This can include a donation to your favourite charity for example, or a book from Amazon, a handmade necklace on ETSY, or a bunch a fresh flowers from your local florist!

Start thinking out of the box;

for instance you could easily put things on your list which don't cost the giver a penny, only their time....

maybe the promise of a lovely massage once a month for a whole year. Make your promise special by handwriting it onto a beautiful card and the recipient can then present this to you as a kind of credit note as and when they are most in need of your thoughtful gift.

My own wishlist will include:

A jar of Mum's homemade chutney, mmmmmm! (by the way, have you ever tried eating chutney with a Cornish pasty? It has always been a tradition in our family to eat chutneys and pickled onions with our pasties, and I can promise you it's the perfect combo!)

The promise of a special day out with friends to a surprise location,

The Three Colours Red Trilogy on DVD (always wanted to see these films)

Some of Jane's homemade chocolate brownies (she gave me some last Christmas - truly memorable!)

When a gift on your list has been chosen, it is removed so that there's no danger of more than one person giving you the same thing. There is also an option of making contributions towards a larger single gift; for example, if you were getting married and instead of requesting individual items, your guests could each contribute towards one special gift such as a dream holiday for your honeymoon.

It's a simple but effective way of reducing all that waste, Just click here to get yourself started, and spread the word!

Christine x

Kate Rusby - Who Will Sing Me Lullabies (With Lyrics in Description)

2010-12-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas Fair!

2010-11-30T10:16:00.000-08:00

Phew, what a weekend! Despite snow and freezing conditions (ice on the inside of the van windscreen and doors completely frozen solid) we all made it to the annual Vintage and Handmade Christmas Fair in Chipping Sodbury on Sunday to put on an amazing display of gorgeous goodies for the public to savour and buy. As always it was a delight to catch up with fellow bloggers and regular customers, my only disappointment was not having enough time to chat properly, as selling was full-on right from the word go. Only when the children's choir started singing carols in the afternoon did I manage to grab a few moments to take some pictures.

Here are just a small selection of the stall displays......

Niki from 'Nostalgia at the Stonehouse'

Viv from 'Hen's Teeth'

Louise Taylor-Bowen (and Mum)

There was just so much to see I went a bit do-lally because I simply couldn't take in all the visual beauty and inventiveness and creativity of the makers there.

Gertie from 'Treutmade'

And lastly my own stand

I confess I was so shattered after getting home yesterday that I stayed in bed until 1 O'clock this afternoon! Shocking!

2010-11-20T13:18:00.000-08:00

Apologies for rather sporadic posting of late, I have been busy making stuff for the Vintage and Handmade Fair on the 28th (hope you're coming!). Some 'Jars of Inspiration', full of fabric, lace, ribbon, buttons and thread, everything you need to create something unique!

Also wreaths made out of lichen-covered twigs that I collected from the coastal path at St. Anthony Head. Lucky for me the hedges had just been trimmed so there were lots of nice twiggy bits to collect. The pine cones I've been picking up throughout the year whilst out on country walks.

'Twas a bit blustery at the seaside today! An easterly wind and lots of white horses. I have no running water and therefore no facilities at the shop, so a call of nature has to be answered with a quick nip round the corner, to the public conveniences. Dressing up warm and holding on to your hat is often the order of the day, but with a view like this who can complain!

This week I've been re-arranging the shop to make it feel more Christmassy, though I'm not going the whole hog just yet.

Pure lambswool scarves (£29) by Hannah Housham are new for this Autumn; she came into the shop in the summer whilst on holiday and asked whether I'd be interested in selling her range, as she was just starting out in business and looking for a few outlets in Cornwall. After seeing some samples I had no hesitation in placing an order; I love the ripple wavy edges and the beautiful shades of pink, lilac, jade, soft grey and pale blue.

These wonderful hot water bottle covers (£30) and tea cosies (£21) are designed, knitted and felted by Stephanie Wooster, again in the most pretty (and sometimes striking!) colour combinations.

Gertie has sourced some wonderful old traditional sewing boxes from her native Germany; if you go to her website here you can view more.

I quite like it when I'm in the shop after dark with all the lights and lamps on, it feels very cosy!

Keep yourselves warm my blogger friends, till next time x

2010-11-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today I went down to Marazion to visit Shevie and deliver (at last!) her prize for winning my giveaway last month. The sun was shining and warm and St. Michael's Mount looked quite a picture.

I parked up and walked along the beach.........the sea was sparkling

In a side street I spied the entrance to Shevie's shop, "Fine and Dandy'

oh what a scene of candy-coloured delight greets your eyes as you walk in.....

As Shevie unwrapped the giveaway I wandered around and took more photos, stopping to chat and share experiences of running a shop. We have so many mutual friends it's surprising that we hadn't met sooner!

Everything is so beautifully presented, just look at those hand-stamped price tags!

(I love the blue colour of the floor - it's a brave decision to go for a colour but boy does it enhance the harmonious look of the decor)

So did I succumb? of course........but I can't show you what I bought because that will spoil the surprise for certain individuals

It was so lovely to meet you Shevie, another like-minded vintage fanatic!

I bought a pasty and sat in the sun out of the wind and just gazed upon this marvellous view. The mount appeared dark and foreboding with the sun so bright behind. Shevie has the good fortune to actually live on this fairytale isle.

As I reach the car again I take one last look back at the mount with its castle atop and little harbour and cluster of houses beneath. The tide has covered the causeway..... Shevie will be taking her children home from school on the ferry by now.......

Get dancing yeah!

2010-11-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

Something you probably don't know about me is that I am learning to bellydance! Once a week I go to an evening class and I'm absolutely loving it. I have tried various types of dancing in the past: ballet, tango, Bollywood, but I can safely say bellydancing is the most enjoyable for me. You do not have to be very fit or super supple (neither of which am I) to be able to do the moves and anyone of any size, shape or age can do it. Also you don't need a dancing partner to fully participate; it is great dancing in the class, but you can equally well put on a CD and dance away at home completely on your own. After learning the basic moves you start to improvise your own dance sequences. Our teacher is a great choreographer and is teaching us new dances all the time. Trying to remember which order the different moves come in is good exercise for the brain too! I think the general resurgence of interest in dancing since 'Strictly' came onto our screens is fantastic. Dancing keeps you fit and is such fun; why not find out if there's a dance class near you? You won't regret it; you can't help but smile when you're dancing!

The following Youtube clip shows an American bellydancer called Sadie doing her stuff; the muscle control she has is just awesome! (I have a looooooong way to go yet!)

Sadie BellyDance

2010-11-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

2010-11-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

Recently I have started making up what I call 'Inspiration Packs' to sell in the shop and on my stall at fairs. They've proved to be quite popular, mainly because there is such a revival in home crafting and scrapbooking at the moment. They are a mixture of original old documents/pages/pieces and also papers and stickers that I have printed out myself directly from vintage fabrics, letters etc. Nicky over at The Vintage Magpie bought a pack from me at the last fair, and spent some time with her daughter today making lovely labels from the bits in the pack, go take a look!

If there's anyone out there interested in buying an Inspiration Pack, I have put together two very different ones that you can buy; just send me an email!

Pack No.1 is called 'Roses', pictured above, and consists of the following:

Two original illustrated pages from a book on botany,

An original handwritten page from an old book,

3 x A4 printed papers,

5 round printed stickers,

and 2 original Victorian flower scraps.

The cost of the Roses pack is £6.50 + £1 p+p

Pack No. 2 is called 'Airmail' and consists of the following:

An original page from an 1814 book on Cornwall,

An original handwritten page,

An original bank receipt,

2 x A4 and 1 x A5 printed papers,

a sheet of 9 printed stickers,

Two original old stamps,

a luggage label and four blank cards (with envelopes) of two different sizes for you to decorate.

The cost of the Airmail pack is £8.00 + £1 p+p

Last week I had a phone call from a charity called World Vision, asking me whether I might consider sponsoring a child in the developing world. It's something I have been meaning to do for some years now, but I'm ashamed to say had just never got round to doing. So I said yes, and two days ago I received notification of the child I am now sponsoring. He's a 10 year-old boy called Kou, and lives in a very mountainous region of Laos, a land-locked country in South East Asia, next to Vietnam. (You can choose whether to sponsor a girl or a boy if you wish, and also which part of the world). This is the card that they provide you with to send to your child as the first point of contact. You are encouraged to write, and send small simple gifts (such as pencils and notebooks) for birthdays and at Christmas, and in return your child will write to you. The money that you give monthly goes to a community project where your child lives, and so benefits the whole community; such as access to clean drinking water, essential healthcare, agricultural assistance etc. The projects are chosen and run by the people of the community, overseen and assisted by a World Vision Project manager. Once all the goals of the project have been reached, the project ends and a new one begins elsewhere, and you are invited to start sponsoring a new child.

I know that I am very fortunate, and I find it incredibly humbling to know that my life is now in some small way connected to this little boy on the other side of the world, who is growing up in a harsh and difficult environment, quite unlike my own childhood in every respect.

Perhaps some of you reading this are already child sponsors; I would love to hear your experiences. If you are interested in finding out more about World Vision, then visit their website: www.worldvision.org.uk

If I have encouraged even one more person to take the decision to sponsor a child then this post will have been worthwhile.

"We will not rest until every child in every part of the world enjoys the right to life, dignity, justice and hope so that they can fulfil their God-given potential and, one day, see their own children grow up to experience the same."

Ooooh, what's in the box?

2010-11-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

Today I received my box of 40 mystery goodies from the lovely Lizzie over at The Pea Pod after winning her giveaway last week. Each item was neatly wrapped in an old French map and tied with red and white string, which must have taken ages. Lizzie celebrated her big '40' recently, hence the number of gifts, but it certainly felt like my birthday today!

One pile of map wrappings and string later..............

Here is the veritable cornucopia of wonderful gifts from Lizzie!

Items included numerous papier mache and felt decorations made by Lizzie herself. Sherbet Fountain, Refreshers and Cadbury's Fudge: wow I haven't had those since I was at school!

A little peg angel, a wind-up tin chicken (it pecks as it walks along!) a colourful felt garland and some cute badges,

two edelweiss brooches and a felt embroidered brooch,

a vintage mini sewing kit, retro dish, green bead necklace and a wonderful book on 'How To Draw Birds'

two toy wooden houses and a horse, and , my favourite pressie: this vintage diamante choker necklace!

I am such a lucky girl! Thank you so much Lizzie, you've been very generous in your lovely gifts!

2010-10-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ah, such glorious weather this week......

On Tuesday I drove to one of my favourite beaches, Polly Joke near Crantock.

As soon as I had learnt to drive when I was 17 this was somewhere I loved to go to be alone, sometimes with a good book or sketchbook and pencils in hand. There are no buildings in sight from this beach, no cafe, no toilets, only a small car park a five minute walk away but hidden in the valley. All the surrounding land is owned by The National Trust and so will thankfully remain unspoiled, hopefully forever. It was this particular stretch of the north Cornish coast, from West Pentire to Polly Joke, that the author Winston Graham most frequented when writing his Poldark novels, and where he imagined Nampara, the home of Ross and Demelza, to be located. I was so homesick for Cornwall when studying my Textiles degree at Winchester School of Art that I read all 11 Poldark novels back to back. They transported me back to the places I loved so much.

Today - Sunday lunch at Halwyn!

The hot chocolate is to die for - choose either plain choc or mint choc chip, with whipped cream and a malteser on top!

Organic bacon and cheese in a granary bap, with lovely crisps and a salad full of berry fruits (Strawberries, blueberries, grapes, raspberries) and home-grown salad leaves and cherry tomatoes. Yum! Have I mentioned the three different kinds of salad dressing and two varieties of fruity pickle?

The lovely couple who run Halwyn Tea Garden completely renovated the old farmhouse they now live in. It really is a blissful spot at the end of a dead-end track (deemed 'Not Suitable for Motors'), with the most wonderful views over the River Fal and the only occasional sound: the chugg chugg of a boat engine as it glides along far below.

Walking back after lunch through the woods the dappled sunlight was beautiful; glimpses of sparkling water through the trees, the shrieks of children actually swimming in the river!

I promised you some pictures of the creek with the tide (almost) in......

Sublime stillness

Do hope the sun has been shining on you too today and it has recharged your batteries for the week ahead. x

Giveaway Time!

2010-10-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, a winner has been picked!

This is the goody bag that the winner will receive - one of my 'Inspiration Packs' of printed papers and stickers, a selection of handmade cards, two little handmade heart decorations on ribbon, two button cards, a piece of vintage fabric, some vintage lace bits, two embroidered quilt patches, a diamante buckle and a sprig of little fabric flowers.

All followers' names were written down and put into a box, I closed my eyes and picked out a piece of paper at random and the name was.............

paperdolly!

So congratulations Shevie! We have never met; now I have the perfect excuse to come down and meet you and see your little shop in Marazion, and deliver your goodies in person. Looking forward to it already!

On our way up to Totnes on Friday Gertie and I stopped off for half an hour at the beautiful village of Altarnun on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The lovely old stone bridge is just wide enough for a horse, and this row of cottages have their very own slate bridges crossing to their front doors.

On one of the garden walls sits this charming nest of mossy stones with three little birds

The 15th Century Church dedicated to St. Nonna is known as the Cathedral of the Moors, and replaced an earlier 12th Century building.

On the end of each pew are these wonderful carvings, some with symbolic decorative motifs and others with figures, including this dancing jester and musician

medieval bagpipes

and some wonderful sheep!

The huge granite font is the only part of the original 12th Century church still remaining

Now onto Totnes! A bit of a rush to set up on time ready for doors open at 10 O'Clock; here is my stand

and Gertie's

Right from the word go the hall was full of eager customers looking for vintage inspiration, and it was great to catch up with fellow bloggers and stallholders. Thanks Lesley for organising such a well attended event, I hope there will be more such fairs in Totnes next year!

What a difference a day makes!

2010-10-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

This was the tranquil scene that greeted me on arriving in Portscatho yesterday. The harbour looked so inviting I just had to take my camera down for a while and soak in the sun.

There wasn't a breath of wind in the shelter of the bay and it was actually hot!

Here I am standing outside the village post office; now compare this view with the one below, taken on the same spot at 5.30pm today!

Combine a strong easterly wind and a very high tide and this is the result: waves surging up the slipway and crashing against the sea wall, sending up huge plumes of spray

Fortunately there's a building between my little shop and the sea so it doesn't get the full force of nature thrown at it

You can see in the picture above where the sea wall had to be rebuilt after being washed away by a storm three years ago

Waves are breaking right over the harbour

It's so invigorating to watch, and you get buffeted by the wind and covered in sea spray, and the sound of the sea in all its wildness - I LOVE it! I'm afraid still photographs don't do it justice.......

Playtime with buttons!

2010-10-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Ooooohhhh I love buttons! And by the frequency with which they appear in other people's blogs, I know I'm not the only one!

Give me a load of buttons and I'll be happy for hours............

I love to co-ordinate colours together; it's all about balance too with the positioning of each button...

I've made up these button cards to take with me to Totnes on Saturday

More special Mother-of-Pearl, glass and metal buttons............

Okay, I'm done with the buttons now.........

My first ever giveaway! Yey!

I said to myself that as soon as I reached 100 followers I would have a giveaway, and so here it is! No need to do anything - all your names will be automatically entered into the draw, and if you're reading this and you're not already a follower, then it's not too late: as I'm going up to Devon on Friday I haven't really got time to organise it before I go, so just add your name asap and I will do the draw when I get back on Sunday, I'll also post up what you're gonna win!

Bonne chance a tous!

The Streets of Derry - Cara Dillon with Paul Brady

2010-09-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

I play music in the shop all day long ( yes, I do hold a music licence), and Irish folk singer Cara Dillon is an artist that I frequently play. This song is so beautifully sung I just had to share it with you. Paul Brady duets, and Cara's husband Sam Lakeman plays piano, Enjoy.........

Autumn Delights

2010-09-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

We have been blessed with some truly glorious late September weather; still, sunny and warm, with just a hint of chill in the soft breeze and that wonderful damp Autumn smell in the air..........

One of my favourite walks is to a tiny hamlet nestled on the edge of a tidal inlet, only five minutes drive out of Truro city centre and yet a world away from bustling modern life........

Across a couple of fields, through a gate and then another field and a stile, takes you down to this pathway bordered on both sides by apple orchards and wild plum trees... in fact a variety of plum that is unique to this one tiny creek. My grandmother used to come here to pick the 'Kea' plums to make jam and jelly, and the locals still do, you can buy it from little stalls at the side of the footpaths.

There are some wonderful sheds nestled amongst the apple trees

At the bottom of the path you pass tightly betwixt two cottages, and then suddenly the estuary opens out before you in all its muddy glory

(I'll have to take some more pictures when the tide is in so that you can see how beautiful it looks then). On either side of the creek the footpath is lined with overhanging oaks and more wild plums, the sunlight filtering through and the leaves underfoot beginning to crunch.

I love picking blackberries, and this is one of the hedges where I harvest them. As well as being low enough that you can reach all the brambles, it also has the advantage of having the most wonderful view! A grove of hawthorn trees grows just below the hedge, branches positively bristling with lichen.........

The combination of red berries and lichen always gets me thinking forward to Christmas.....

Fancy a peep in at the window?

Gertie and I will be heading off to Devon on Friday ready for the first 'Nostalgic Mix Fair' in Totnes on Saturday 9th October, hope to see some of you there!

Desert island discs!

2010-09-14T16:16:00.001-07:00

I got rid of my television five years ago and I have not missed it one bit. I have always been more of a radio person anyway, switching between Radio 2 and Radio 4 as the fancy takes me. My favourite time to listen is Sunday morning on Radio 4, which includes Desert Island Discs. Each week a person in the public eye gets to choose his or her top 8 records, pieces of music that they could not live without were they to be marooned on a desert island.

Listening to the programme I have often pondered what my choice of eight records would be.....

so as a bit of fun I am going to share with you my favourite pieces of music.

Believe me, if you have ever tried doing this yourself, you'll know just how difficult it can be to narrow the choice down to just eight........

Of course, my list may change over time......

but this is how it stands at the moment.........just click on the following youtube clips to listen to my choices

Muse - Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 __ fanvideo

2010-09-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

'Muse' is a band that I have really got into lately, I love the way they infuse their work with classical musical influences. This piece makes my hair stand on end. Listen to it very loud and with your eyes closed!