debris4spike | Entries tagged with christine

Last week I drove Christine and myself to Stourhead and we had a great time ... hard to capture the place, but here is a taster -

We stopped off at King Alfreds Tower, a folly built in 1762. Sadly it is only open on Saturdays, so we didn't get to see the view from the top.

We walked through the gardens & stables ...

( Wander round the house )

As I said, on Thursday Christine and I had a great trip out to Dyrham Park ... a really lovely place. There is so much to see, I think we could have gone back the following day and still there would be plenty to keep us focussed.

Anyway - here are some tasters -

( Through the gardens to St Peter's Church )

( Let's potter round the house, now )

Yes, well worth (another) visit.

.... the phrase continues "Come again another day" ... but it would be even nicer if it just rained overnight. I think it's Camelot where it only rains overnight, wouldn't that be good.

I had Christine pop over for lunch. We were going to have a walk, but no point in getting soaked for the sake of having a walk. She collected her birthday pressies (for tomorrow). so it was good to see her, and just catch up face to face, rather than as we usually do, over the phone. She is coming up next week, weather permitting, and we are going out for the day.

So looks like I shall be staying in, and reading a book, or working on some icons, instead.

So, before I get side-tracked -

21. Are you worried about climate change? Have there been noticeable changes to the weather where you live over recent years?
Not that I know of.
Ironical to have this question, when I have spent the last couple of days moaning about the weather.

Now I shall catch up with some of your comments x

Christine and I had a great trip to Coleton Fshacre last week. We have both been a few times, but this time there was the added advantage of Royal Geographical Society: Earth Photo 2024 display in the grounds. We were also so lucky with the weather ... so all in all a lovely day out.

( In the gardens and grounds )

Some of the photos ...

The grounds lead down to the sea

( And, round the house )

As I said ... I had a great tour of part of my city -

Willaim I ... apparently Medieval statues of Kings have their legs crossed to show that they held power

( Round and round the city )

As I said, once we had walked round A La Ronde, we walked into the town of Exmouth -

Seen a lot of the post-box toppers, but never seen a tree hugger

War Memorial

In the town square

As I said, on Tuesday, I went with Christine to the 16 sided house , A La Ronde ... it was built in the 18th century by two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter.

The shape means that you can follow the sun around as the day progresses. The two ladies did "the grand tour" and brought back some amazing things ... and designed the upper area as a "Shell Gallery". Over the last couple of years National Trust have been preserving this gallery ... Not that you can go up there, but you can now spy it here and there.

Anyway - enjoy

Love the triangular windows ... with their collapsable blinds/curtains

Great at filling up the random odd shaped spaces

This is an 18th century representation of Moses in the Bullrushes .... you see the baby being placed in, then being found, then taken to Pharoah

The central room

Some more of the ladies work ... the feather border

Looking up to the Shell gallery

They have set up a copy of the gallery down in the lower floor

There's not much garden, but Christine & I loved this tree

Yesterday I had a lovely time as I went with Christine to Forde Abbey, which had been started in the 12th century, and is still live in now. Sadly as it's privately owned no photography was allowed indoors, and my camera finger itched, but I was a good girl.

However as you can see, we were allowed to walk and enjoy the gardens -

169ft fountain

I do like this laberynth

This is on the memorial to a past owner

Those babies are getting big, aren't they?

The cafe ... showing some of the original building

As I said, on Tuesday I went to Saltram House with Christine ... the main couple of rooms are not open yet, but it was still lovely to see the rest of it ... even joined in a couple of the children's games that were set up for the Easter holidays -

As I have just posted, we had aimed to go to a different property, but in the end we went to Montacute House ... sadly only the lower level is open at present as they are doing some renovation work on the staircase, so it looks as if it will be some time before we can visit the full house.

However it was great to see the house, and to chat to a couple of the guides to learn some more about the property.

We also enjoyed the displays of daffodils ... and then walked round the village, and had a great look at the church there (on a second post)

Enjoy ...

Jean de Daillon, who was a friend of King Louis XI, had this tapestry made & completed in 1480. The original tapestry was 215 square metres, so this is only about 5% of the original.

Sir Edward Phelips (died 1614), the maker of Montacute

Sir Robert Phelips 1586 - 1638

Christine and I had a great, but wet, visit to Dyrham Park last week .... because it was set for Christmas through the generations we need to go back on a better day in the summer.

As I said, Christine and I had a great time at Coleton Fishacre ... an Art Deco house, built, and owned, by the D'Oyly Carte family.

We had sunshine, then torrential rain when we were at the furthest point from the house (of course) ... and then the sun came out again.

Still some colour in the garden, and not just our bright clothes ... enjoy

I do love these tiles

There was live music ... this is a snatch of Cole Porter

Catching rain drops

As I said I went to Cotehele ... it was started in 1458, although built around an earlier chapel, and used as a second home to a local family ... although it was their show-house, and hosted a Royal Visit in 1788. During WWII the primary home was destroyed during bombing, and about the same time the son of the family was killed in action. The house was then the primary home until the early 1950's when it was gifted to The National Trust as death duties.

Dining Room

Chapel

That chair looks so, so, so uncomfortable

King's Bedroom

Queen's Bedroom

Enjoying the sunshine

Christine

I am posting this that I wrote a couple of days ago that I couldn't post then ... and will finish with a final catch-up ...

What an odd day … and LiveJournal doesn’t want to load. Oh well, hopefully I will get this posted today, if not it will be ASAP!

Many of you know I am a member (& co-mod) on

photo_scavenger and thought I would share a couple of my recent entries. They are Tin & Chaos and I took these photos this morning especially for the 2 challenges and the 2 sets are in honour of Mum & Dad.

TIN
Mum was born in the late 1920’s and one of her Christmas presents was this tin, and as you can see she has a collection of tin toys/figures. A very special collection –

CHAOS
I did wonder what I could do for this photo when I realized that I could share something of Dad this time. He was a teenager as WWII started and working in East London …. Here are some pictures he drew. Both of which are labeled as local to him. The one in landscape mode is of a shop, so all in all remembering the chaos that Dad lived through –

So, it was lovely to re-look at Mum’s tin of toys, as well as Dad’s pictures. And even nicer to have the excuse to share them.

I have other photos to share, as well. When I posted yesterday I shared photos of Arlington Court and as I said then there is a carriage museum, so here are a few photos …

The Chichester Family Carriage made in 1840

A Barouche made in 1860

Standing in frint of a couple of hearses

A Postillion Landau made in the mid 19th century

A Punch Carriage

A Park Drag

A State Chariot made in 1850

Hansom Cab made in 1900

A Victoria made in 1903

Right. LJ is still not loading, so this will get posted on Saturday … so until then I will do the questions and save this document

10 – Duran Duran Appreciation Day: Do you appreciate Duran Duran – a band who pushed the limits of acceptable music video content and helped change the face of new wave music in the 1980s? Do you have a fave Duran Duran song or album?
I like some stuff from the 1980’s but not as a fan, just to enjoy in the background.

11 – Play in the Sand Day: As a child, did you enjoy playing in the sand – either at the beach, or in a sandbox? Did you build sandcastles? As an adult, is this something that still appeals to you?
I love sand castles … Dad used to make us a boat, while mum built the castles. When I went with Ana & Lily last month I built her a sand castle. So, yes, I love sandy beaches.

Right, will post this on Saturday, and then post Saturday’s on Saturday … I hope.

So, yes I can post. I have been at work this morning, and it's been another long, slow 6 hours. Still I got some reading done and di an update email to both brothers about Auntie Joyce. I then had a look at some dresses on eBay ... so all in all a very positive shift after all.

Now all I need is to catch up with the questions -

12 – Garage Sale Day (or Boot Sale, in the UK): Do you regularly, or occasionally, check out garage sales in your area? Have you ever organized one yourself, or in conjunction with some neighbours?
Never been to one

13 – International Lefthanders Day: Are you, or is anyone close to you lefthanded? Do you know anyone who, as a natural leftie, was forced to learn to use their right hand, either by their parents, or at school?
I am pretty ambi-dextrous. In fact when I worked it tended to be left-handed. I did judo left handed, but could fence with either hand. I do write right-handed ... although can use crayons with either hand.

Right, that's me till Monday

I am working today, but not until 4.30, so it was nice to not set the alarm, and have a lazy breakfast. Still washing is on the line, and I hope to get it in before I head off later.

I am hoping to get out this afternoon for a walk, so today is partly a day for just unwinding. See, I do listen to what my consultant told me ... and maybe even listen to my body occasionally!

Well, as I said, last week Christine and I headed up to North Devon to go to Arlington Court ... the family home, and Church, of the Chichester family. )Most of us have heard of Sir Francis Chichester who was a famous sailor.) So, here are a few photos from the day ....

The Church -

The family coat-of-arms -

In honour of the coronation -

(Sorry, but I don't like the wallpaper)

Vision of the Circle of Life - William Blake 1821

There is also a Carriage Museum as part of the collection, but I haven't yet sorted those photos, so they will come soon.

Now, before I post this -

9 – Book Lovers Day: Do you love books? Have you always been a reader? Did your parents read to you when you were young? What were some of your favourite books or authors as a child? How has your taste in books evolved over time?
I love books, although I suppose I read within a fairly settled set of genres. I have loads of history and travel books, that I love ... but also read WWI & WWII fiction, as well as the light Regency Romance (like Georgette Heyer). And, my Kindle is always busy with fan-fic ... thanks AO3.
However I read Anne of Green Gables (the full set of 8) for the first time, when I was 10, and re-read the full set last year. So there are some things that will never change.

Right, let's get on - see you tomorrow x

This set of icons is made for Round 24 of

gen10in30 with a theme of games -

1	2	3	4	5

6	7	8	9	10

As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. All of the photographs, except the one of me, were taken by myself and all other credits are available over at my icon journal -

d4s_icons

As I said yesterday I am here for a short time to try to catch up, post these photos, and generally try to sort a few things out .... my car insurance needs to be sorted out this morning ...

And I am looking into booking a holiday for next autumn (2024). The Church I attend is doing a trip to Israel, and it's a place I have wanted to visit. The itinerary covers all the locations that I want to see, and going with a Church group means that we will look at the specific Bible readings at the historic locations. It was a location that Mum & Dad had hoped to visit, but when they were looking into it was at a time when the political situation was at a very bad stage. So, hopefully in 18 months time I will have photos to share!!

As I started I have photos to share .... Christine and I went to the edge of Dawlish and she bought me lunch (a carvery, yum) as an early birthday pressie. We then walked down to Teignmouth and had a stroll, before getting some tea and cake, and then home. We had come up my bus, so nice to have a restful trip back, rather than having to drive.

They are just getting round to putting up new art installations ... made from pollution found locally -

Right, as I have another long day tomorrow I will post a couple of days ....

22 – Onion Ring Day: Onion rings or fries?
I do like onion rings, but if I could only have the one it would be chips/fries

23 – Typewriter Day: Are you old enough that you remember using typewriters in school/university/for work? Is there anything about typewriters that you kind of miss?
Oh yes, I did my first typing on a typewriter ... and I miss the click/clack sound. When I was a teenager, dad did an MSc and then a PhD ... all of which he typed himself. So it brings back memories of him, as well. (Dad learnt how to touch type before he started the MSc, and never lost that skill, even with the dementia he struggled with in his last few years)

Right, let's try and catch up x

Sorry I didn't turn up on Saturday. However I did a 6 hour shift at work, which was fine, but as it was so un-busy (in a hospital, as a member of staff, you don't say the "Q" word! Otherwise you jinx the shift), I thus spent a lot of time reading, etc, on a computer monitor so decided my eyes/brain could do with a rest. So other than popping to the shops for some salad stuff, and strawberries, I had a lazy afternoon/evening.

Sunday was good ... nice service at Church, then another lazy day, other than chatting to a couple of people on the phone. One, Christine, was to make plans for today. She is arriving soon and then we are going on a bus to Dawlish for lunch, before walking to Teignmouth (where I went with Ana & Lily last week).

And as I am working for a long day tomorrow it will be Wednesday before I get a chance to return, so ...

17 – Eat Your Vegetables Day: Do you love veggies? Do you have favourites? Do you have a favourite veggie recipe -- either main meal or side dish? Will you share it?
I don't eat vegetarian food as such, but I do love my veggies ... and adore salads. However I am "old school" so prefer very boring traditional food.

18 – International Panic Day: Contrary to what it sounds like, this is a day dedicated to reducing panic and stress in your daily life, not celebrating it! How to you go about reducing the stresses, anxiety and yes, panic, in your life?
Prayer, reading my Bible, going for a walk, visiting a museum (in that order)

19 – Watch Day: Do you still wear a watch (assuming you ever did wear one)? Is it just a regular time telling watch, or is a smartwatch or fitness/health device that also tells you the time?
Always - a boring wristwatch (or nurses watch if in clinic) ... although I have both Mum's gold watches that I wear at special events. Te last time I wore one was the one that Dad bought her for their 1st wedding anniversary in 1953. She always wore it for years, and so was actually wearing it when in the crowds watching the coronation procession ... so I wore it when I went to the family get-together to celebrate King Charles ... it seemed right.

20 – World Productivity Day: What did you do today (or are you planning to do) that was particularly productive?
I shall be at work from 9am to 7.30pm ... is that productive enough?

Right let's get camera & water sorted so I am ready for my day out ... see you Wednesday x

As I said, on Monday Christine & I went to
Knightshayes Court ... it is fairly local, but a fascinating place and always worth a visit ... enjoy

As we got back to the car we spotted some "locals" -

As I said I did have a lovely day out on Monday at Lanhydrock House with Christine. I have been before, but so many of these houses have so much to take in they are always worth another visit.

The Gatehouse ... and view from the windows -

Looking down on the house, and parish Church -

Taxidermied Choughs - the Cornish bird, which is a very endandereg species-

The Long Gallery - it is due to be restored and cleaned last year. The ceiling has images taken from the book of Genesis (the first book of the Bible)