Back Again

It has been so long since I last posted and I have been sadly lacking in the 'leaving comments on other people's blogs' department too. I think we all have phases like this when life is just so busy and blogging comes way down the list.

One excuse is that we have been on holiday to France. Our first stop was at a the Mont Royal Chateau, Chantilly which was just wonderful. Our room was the top one on the left of the photo with a balcony.

We visited Chantilly Castle which had so many treasures to look at.

Did you know Chantilly lace is always black?

We also stayed with friends near Toulouse and relatives in Brittany. I did manage to do some buying, mostly linens but couldn't believe the high prices of everything - higher than we actually sell on the website! I was thrilled to find a monogrammed sheet with my initials 'RT'. But I shall have to completely redecorate the bedroom to match it!

On the way back to the ferry at Le Havre we visited Omaha beach, the museum and cemetery. Sadly we didn't have enough time and plan to revisit very soon. There are 9387 graves here, row upon row upon row of white crosses and stars of David. 3881 soldiers died at Omaha beach. Some graves had pebbles on them - does anyone know why? My guess is that each pebble represents a relative who has visited a particular grave.

Days Out

Last weekend we spent a lovely day on the Isle of Wight. I have always wanted to visit Osborne House where Queen Victoria holidayed but have just never got round to it. It was a beautiful day and the sea was very calm (I suffer from sea sickness just standing on a jetty waiting for the ferry usually!)

Our local pub where we live is called the Osborne View (because you can see Osborne House from it) so this is the view back to where we live on the mainland.

This is the bathing machine which the queen used when swimming. She was carried out into the sea in this so that she could keep her modesty and not been seen in her swimming apparel.

Because no cameras are allowed in any of the buildings I could only take photos of these which were in the restaurant. I love these shoes and the garden implements used by the children.

The gardens were beautiful. I particularly liked these foxgloves in the walled garden and these geraniums in the greenhouses.

We also went to Freshwater Bay and walked to this monument to Tennyson. Apparently he lived here and used to walk up to the top of this hill every day.

He was obviously very fit - it was a long walk up there!

The monument was erected by the British and American people. Towards evening we went to Yarmouth and came across a festival there with lots of stalls and a real carnival atmosphere. All the boats were decorated with lots of flags.

On Friday I went to Stansted Garden show which was fantastic. There was so much to look at (and buy). Apart from almost every plant you can think of (and at very reasonable prices) there was lots of gardenalia to look at and stalls selling other vintage items. I am definitely considering having a pitch there next year.

This was my favourite stall and I bought this plant support from them.

I bought a vintage fork and spade from this lady though there was a lot more I'd have like to have bought from her.

I also wanted this dovecote and this bronze water feature.

Here's a novel plant container!

I particularly like these driftwood 'bullrushes' too.

Baby Dresses

These two dresses were mine when I was a baby. I even have a photo of me wearing this one on my 1st birthday. So, having to give my age away now, they are almost 55 years old.

I also have my father's christening gown (which must be about 82 years old) and two of his nightgowns.
This beautiful pram pillowcase was given to me by my paternal grandmother when I was expecting my daughter in 1984. It had belonged to her grandmother (my great great grandmother). I had it framed over black velvet to show all the detail.

This handpainted plate is from a Coalport teaset which was a wedding gift to my great great aunt

who is pictured here.

Many years ago when I inherited it (and when pretty china was more in vogue) I took it to an auctioneer to have it valued. He dismissed it as being worth only about £25 and said I could find equally nice ones in Timothy Whites! (For you younger readers Timothy Whites was a shop which was taken over by Boots in the 70s). This auctioneer is still in business which I find surprising!

Garden, pt II

My camera battery is now recharged but I think the photos of my garden prove that I ought to be outside tending it rather than indoors on the computer!

Are these purple flowers weeds? I like them though.

We have a lot of roses in this garden but most are completely out of control and should have had severe pruning. These are the first ones to be flowering.

This peony doesn't look too healthy but it is the only one and I love its rich colour.

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I love the effect of this fungus on the tree trunk.

This is our air raid shelter. (Excuse the black plastic pot - I am trying to find a terracotta one large enough.) The entrance is beside the tree and it is very small inside.

The first of the arum lilies to flower, right by the front gate. I know the valerian beside it is a weed but I don't like to get rid of anything that flowers!

To be continued....

I thought I would take some pictures of flowers in the garden but the battery ran out after one photo!

Thought I would post it anyway as it is sooooo long since I have written on my blog.

And The Winner Is......

I had to think long and hard about who to choose to pull the winning ticket out of the 'hat'. But as I was on my own at the time it had to be someone I trusted not to cheat. So I chose my faithful old teddy - after all he has been with me for over 50 years! Even though he now has no eyes I still thought it best to blindfold him.

He dipped his paw into the box and selected...... Lynn .

Thankyou to all who left a message, I'm sorry you can't all be winners but I have enjoyed doing this give away so much I intend to have another soon.

I hope you are all enjoying the Bank Holiday. I was so excited to find that our local car boot sale was now running again after over a year's absence. I got up early armed with lots of plastic carriers for my booty and lots of change. Sadly I can't post photos of what I bought because I bought ...... NOTHING AT ALL! Never mind, there's always next week.

I will leave you with photos of a rhododendron flowering in the back garden and a rose in the front.

Give Away

Having been the recipient of three give aways I have decided to have one myself. Just leave a comment on my blog and the winner will receive a white on white embroidered cloth, pretty candlestick, a heart with vintage button, a linen and lace lavender sachet and a guest soap.

I will draw names out of a hat on Monday May 4th.