"Gone from our lives but not from our hearts"
Uncle Alan xx
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Monday, 9 December 2013
Hever Castle
Childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle in Kent is a mix of Tudor ideal and Italianate folly. The oldest part of the castle dates back to 1270 but the changes made by William Astor when he owned the castle from 1903 are most noticeable.
Unfortunately there is no photography allowed inside the castle so I made the most of being allows to snap away outside.
The approach to the castle from the ticket office
The Italian Garden, complete with obligatory statues and grape vines
The Lake Loggia which looks onto the 38 acre lake
The moat surrounding the castle walls
The portcullis entrance to the castle
The second moat, just incase the first one wasn't enough of a deterrent!
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Christmas Twii
No Christmas tree this year. Sentimental fool that I am, I cannot bear to put anything in the space that Elfs bed shared so we have gone for a Christmas Twii (my made up name to make the fact that we scavenged some twigs from the woods sound trendy - these had already been cut down by the Woodland Management Team I hasten to add!) Have stood the resulting arrangement in the window and stuck with all glass ornaments using a very light dewdrop style string of lights to decorate. Two packets of value salt have been added to the vase as it's rather top heavy and this provides the added bonus of readily available seasoning on Christmas Day!
Not sure if you noticed the light coming through the window in previous shots but our decorating coincided with a beautiful sunset.
Wakehurst Place
Caught the last of the autumn colours a couple of weeks ago at Wakehurst Place near East Grinstead.
Friday, 1 November 2013
If I Was A Rich (Wo)Man
I sometimes wonder wether it's not such a bad thing that I have limited funds. Given free rein and a few years I would probably become the subject of a 'My Hoarding Addiction' documentary - I'd cut a tragic figure, barely able to scramble from room to room, slowly suffocating under a landslide of brooches, ribbons and vintage fabrics.
So, (sorry, that got a bit morbd!) mostly I settle with adding items to 'my favourites' on t'internert and I thought I'd share a few gems that are lurking in the bottom of my 'virtual basket'. (No mum, these aren't hints for Christmas - most of them have been sold!!)
Vintage Scandinavian Sterling Silver Enamelled Brooch
14k Opal 'Pip' Ring
Hand stitched Clamshell Book
OOAK Paperclay Art Doll
Porcelain Sea Urchin & Sea Horse Teacup
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Watchet,
LAST NIGHT IN SOMERSET
Having arrived late at Watchet we checked in and really only had time for an hours stroll around the harbour before freshening up and heading our for yet more food!
'The Ancient Mariner' - a statute to commemorate the time Samuel Coleridge spent in the area.
Not a bad note to end our stay on!
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Dunster Village
We dodged the heavy showers that now swept in from the channel and enjoyed a stroll along Dunster Village High Street. Scattered with plenty of independent shops I was a happy bunny and dragged himself in and out if several before we realised it was time to leave and check in to the B&B I had booked in Watchet.
One end of the High Street looks to the folly on the hill...
...whilst the other looks to the castle.
Dunster Castle Gardens
The sub-tropical gardens at Dunster Castle were standing up fairly well considering it was mid October and the views from the terrace across to the Bristol Channel were stunning even on this rather changeable day.
View from the 'Dream Garden' across to the Priory Chuch of St. George's in Dunster village.
An added bonus to the castles location is that you can wander down the hill to the picturesque and medieval Dunster Village...which we did!
Monday, 28 October 2013
Dunster Castle Grounds
The following are a few photos taken in what I'd call the informal area of the grounds which involved a fairly steep descent to a stream ending at a working water mill.
Sorry if you were expecting a photo of the mill at this point, I...errr...forgot to take one!
Dunster Castle
We were lucky to be near enough to Dunster Castle, near Minehead, to warrant a visit on the way to our third and final nights stay in Somerset. Now a National Trust property, it was inhabited by the same family for 600 years before falling on hard times. It has the most fantastic views from nearly every window, some to the sea and others across the rolling hills. As I took so many photos I've broken the posts up into indoor and outdoor highlights.
The interior of the castle is probably one of the best NT properties I've been to in terms of providing a genuine experience. The atmosphere does not feel re-created and this is partly due, I suspect, to the last owners having left significant possessions in situ.
I hate to sound unimaginative but I really did feel like I could be on the set of Downton Abbey and had a sudden and inexplicable urge to dress for dinner!
Even the bathroom had wonderful views.
Amazing murals cover four walls of this room. The technique comprises of layering silver leaf over leather before applying the paint, creating a scene which appears lit from within.
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