Time Travelling

On our way to Mr. Straw's house the Mr and I popped along to take a look at Clumber Park. It is a 3,800 acre estate set within Sherwood Forest. For over three hundred years it was the country estate of the Dukes of Newcastle, now looked after by The National Trust. Sadly no trace of their house remains, it was taken down in 1938. But the parkland and especially the huge glasshouse were an absolute joy to visit. The weather wasn't being very kind whilst we were there but we will visit again when the sun is shining and picnic in hand we will explore the rest of the parkland. Of course the rain couldn't put a dampener on our visit to Endcliffe Villa, the house of the Straw family. The house itself told the story of the simple and contented lives that were led there through much of the 20th century. It was a strangely moving experience, I could feel deeply the humbleness and quietness of the family that had lived there and may still be there? The family didn't live a 'big' or worldly life but I could feel the richness of their experiences. Simple, hard working and ethical folk who lived their lives well. Wish that we could all say that.

I'm Stepping Back in Time

Tomorrow the Mr and I are stepping back in time to the 1920s with a visit to Mr Straw's house. I've been meaning to visit for years but have never managed to get there. It is owned by the NT and is not open very often, add the fact they only let 4 people in at a time you can understand why. We had planned to go to the Victorian Radicals exhibition in Birmingham, but I couldn't face the journey and the trials of spaghetti junction, so Nottingham it is.

Real People Real Times

Hello blogging chums, it has been a while. A horrible bout of ill health, now under control has prevailed, it mysteriously took my blogging mojo with it. Today though I saw a little film of Steve Harley singing in 1975. It reminded me that I am a very lucky person to have lived through that era, when people were all individuals making their own kind of music and developing their own sense of style. Real people in real times. Sad that he has passed.

Just Saying

New collection gold TWP coat. I had EXACTLY the same coat as this in 1975, I wore it with a rich dark brown Kangol cap. I would put all my hair into the cap and make a big display and flourish when I removed the hat. What it is to be young eh?

House Keeping The Queen Mary Dolls' House Windsor Castle

Very sweet, paid for by the grateful nation.

Love Is All We Need

A Trip To Norfolk

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The Mr and I have just spent a few wonderful days in Norfolk. The sea air was bracing, the nosh delicious and our little rental cottage a delight. We saw many creatures on our travels around the country lanes including a tiny Munjac deer no bigger than a rabbit, peacocks three at once, horses, goats and hundreds of piggies all out in the fresh air. If we ever needed convincing of our next move, we surely don't now. Our house will be on the market in a couple of weeks and we hope to make a move to Norfolk asap. I really can't wait to live by the sea again.