tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83087156191052488332023-11-16T13:27:38.678+00:00Curlew CountryCurlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.comBlogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-65000177635364687222015-03-10T22:53:00.001+00:002015-03-10T22:53:51.916+00:00A Fresh Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBdlhOi_QAIuntY_inxWe0FkODuEeLn2sYHR3tBb_m91sAqcmIAALB8L0OLgvcgK1Pk8gXz3ksTq5wtfCrrd7XAXUuIHha456es-kAj0DOyPvPGzyfdnz43WL6HwCuTv_MfeVkWOzSDQ/s640/blogger-image--466592515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBdlhOi_QAIuntY_inxWe0FkODuEeLn2sYHR3tBb_m91sAqcmIAALB8L0OLgvcgK1Pk8gXz3ksTq5wtfCrrd7XAXUuIHha456es-kAj0DOyPvPGzyfdnz43WL6HwCuTv_MfeVkWOzSDQ/s640/blogger-image--466592515.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our year so far has been rather fantastic I have to say. New opportunities and big changes have been the flavour of these first few snowy, chilly months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For me it's meant goodbye to great colleagues but hello to a wonderful new job (you might guess where from the picture...) I'm based in a historic working pottery, promoting the amazing products manufactured there as well as the skills and craftsmanship that create them, plus wonderful events and partnerships too. There is a lot of pinching myself going on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is my very first week and there's a huge amount to learn. All my energies are going into it as well as family life so unfortunately, just for the time being, my blogging may be even more sporadic than my regular weekly post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope you can bear with me because I still enjoy this blogging lark as much as ever and appreciate all your thoughtful and supportive visits and comments so much. Thanks especially for the huge response to my recent posts (especially the dresser one!) which really seemed to strike a chord. So sorry I've not been able to respond very much but the past few weeks have been so full of applications, CVs and interview preparations as you can imagine. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can follow me on Instagram (CurlewSteph) and Twitter (@CurlewSteph) if you use those platforms which I'll carry on posting to in the meantime. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back very soon .... Xxx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl4Z8XrOQRqz_DSFLB44SIs1g4yV_Y0ro2bEQFJaFWAHQ8j_N-GCwxCnwd5rdoRzfhVk-Fv1vQKGKuDCtubhtHeZF3UeEvwaJdB05NBo-rMA00CeLjgz1NKkQ7_68RNtQDfy5VfHgP_8/s640/blogger-image-167936489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl4Z8XrOQRqz_DSFLB44SIs1g4yV_Y0ro2bEQFJaFWAHQ8j_N-GCwxCnwd5rdoRzfhVk-Fv1vQKGKuDCtubhtHeZF3UeEvwaJdB05NBo-rMA00CeLjgz1NKkQ7_68RNtQDfy5VfHgP_8/s640/blogger-image-167936489.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-54225097585756810832015-02-15T14:55:00.001+00:002015-02-18T14:22:49.514+00:00Hill Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRY9wTbZ2TcV66UPXuZmIAT4OJU1eXZw0tR2zMoqXVbyAt458x8cQM8G4PPAYyo0BbNQ-XgAsyxNFan1jz-jRMvLzcM5S_nRYW6m9OzMKREfkpGPjswmFByebQinU72tpke8W0eXp1sE/s640/blogger-image-712081191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ejOFVLkifaiM450zQtcQmtUGO1rVZmZL72OS-lpLIf5c2AXy1LPxoXIMuTZOjRM-3khqc6Uc9YrS16J83Lifo5ui5Y1pL_4JD6wdM6gQhEps7LLAbExTLLxUfqAuy9ExrQsPrMpEP8k/s640/blogger-image-430386475.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVnYUWzBLAndpo0TlHeF2EGin6lN_21L10YtnmWtnVvfV4RcSbFDOkFY3xSdfLkd9l7qFQaEIfGTFYSSJye3JMIYsiyH-1pciCTYNRVU8YZqvRmI1mrWGpJ8dy2AQZJR9jutFVwzbgwY/s640/blogger-image--1847101059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVnYUWzBLAndpo0TlHeF2EGin6lN_21L10YtnmWtnVvfV4RcSbFDOkFY3xSdfLkd9l7qFQaEIfGTFYSSJye3JMIYsiyH-1pciCTYNRVU8YZqvRmI1mrWGpJ8dy2AQZJR9jutFVwzbgwY/s640/blogger-image--1847101059.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpM583z2uhFU2Z8i6WbbQyP4BkJGaUEVW3AVXsL0L_ln_nXMkZBFcIQG5nfkdy9GA72xXrfH5vVOOEEfcoei8FT_7_gxGvsifi3hyXiC2U859vUm04pcXMmwAI_NcyfIIe_fzNXTdCAU/s640/blogger-image-464563679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpM583z2uhFU2Z8i6WbbQyP4BkJGaUEVW3AVXsL0L_ln_nXMkZBFcIQG5nfkdy9GA72xXrfH5vVOOEEfcoei8FT_7_gxGvsifi3hyXiC2U859vUm04pcXMmwAI_NcyfIIe_fzNXTdCAU/s640/blogger-image-464563679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you get up to Flash, the highest village in Britain, drop over the hilltops and go down on to the ancient packhorse trails, you are in for a treat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's wild and rugged country, a place where three counties meet in the hills, once the hangout of all sorts of thieves, rouges and vagabonds. Today it was us there, with hikers, pony trekkers<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and a few motorbike scramblers for company (who soon cleared off).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Three Shires Head is a very special place to us. Fourteen years ago Woody asked me to marry him as we stood on that little bridge over the dark, peaty, tumbling river. Standing there today with our two chaps laughing and whooping and skimming stones into the depths, felt incredibly precious. We've come a long way and I feel luckier than I could have ever imagined. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy Valentine's weekend one and all xxx</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-55036836456960729842015-01-31T14:59:00.003+00:002015-01-31T15:08:55.092+00:00A Beautiful Mess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My dresser is especially dear to me. It was the very first piece of furniture I bought. I'd scoured the local classifieds for a pine dresser for my first house and could just afford to stretch to this.</div>
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It was horridly orange when I saw it in a dark little bungalow with my dad. The chap selling it was very shaken up after two previous people ended up scrapping over it in the street!? He was quite glad that dad and I spent just five minutes in his house, handed over the dosh and took it off his hands.</div>
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I painted it white quite swiftly and it desperately needs re-doing, but part of me is quite attached to the scuffs and dinks that family life have wrought upon it. <span style="text-align: center;">Over time I've moved on from displaying pale and chintzy china to bolder, chunkier pottery that I much prefer and suits our home much better. The whole thing is a moving, growing display of memories and day to day life which is what I love about it so very much.</span></div>
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The Liberty bunting was a decoration at my 40th party, there are photos of cherished nephews, endless piles of correspondence from school, junk shop and flea market pottery, holiday postcards and pretty cards, presents for wrapping, uniforms needing mending, sewing kits, a colourful tea cosy, favourite mugs and teapots, a pleasingly shaped jug from Lyme Regis, chargers, a cheese dish, sellotape, glue and crafty mess in the drawers - a beautiful, much treasured mess. Home xxx </div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-31430970608987505952015-01-11T17:00:00.001+00:002015-01-11T18:37:02.882+00:00A Refreshing Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Look! There's life outside despite it being so dank and dark. Not that I'm minding much. Seasons are what keep me going, they mark and celebrate the year, so darkness and chill during January are really just how things should be. Seeing the bulbs peep through though is massive cause for celebration.</div>
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I'm not one for giving things up in January, it's a time for comfort and cosiness but I do rather like to try something new. My concession to the New Year health kick is to try and knock back my sugary coffees and teas (I'm surely the only person left who still takes it!) - but gosh it's hard. </div>
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Instead of total abstinence I'm reducing my number of mugs and replacing them with a new found friendship with fruit and herbal teas. <a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Dorset Tea Company</a> kindly offered me a chance to sample some of their delicious range of <a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/tea-shop/" target="_blank">teas and fruit infusions</a> which was quite timely for me and I've been making some lovely discoveries. </div>
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(note - teapot not required but I wanted to show off my bargain, charity shop Saddler pot. I love it!)</div>
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Based in beautiful Dorset where we've had such lovely holidays, the Dorset Tea Company has recently created this new range of fruit and herbal infusions and green teas inspired by the some of England's most gentle and beautiful scenery. Its also good to read they're a producer member of <a href="http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/" target="_blank">The Rain Forest Alliance</a>.</div>
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So, my new regime features a morning boost of <a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/tea-shop/herbal-infusions/wild-about-mint/" target="_blank">Wild About </a><a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/tea-shop/herbal-infusions/wild-about-mint/" target="_blank">Mint</a>, without doubt my favourite; a mix of peppermint and spearmint (and tingling nettle apparently) that I'm finding a totally different experience and very refreshing. <a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/tea-shop/green-tea/" target="_blank">Green tea </a>is a completely new drink to me and one I've looked at with trepidation if I'm honest - <a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/tea-shop/green-tea/green-tea-with-sunshine-lemon/" target="_blank">but with added lemon</a> it's rather uplifting and relaxing; if that's a possible combination?! </div>
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Woody's sweet tooth has been captured by <a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/tea-shop/fruit-infusions/strawberries-and-cream/" target="_blank">Strawberries and Cream</a> as an afternoon pick me up. For a fella he can be a bit refined and the special <a href="https://www.dorsettea.co.uk/tea-shop/herbal-infusions/earl-of-dorset/" target="_blank">Earl of Dorset blend</a> is disappearing fast. </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A handy flask is making my herbal habit very easy to keep up too. When I'm busy in the borders I like to top up my brew </span>and I found today this trick works even better with herbal teas (lack of milk) and means you're not faced with that lukewarm disappointment that's the curse of the gardener's cuppa.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've also taken to popping a few bags and a couple of flasks in the back of the car and </span>a warm fruity or herbal choice was very popular after our blustery New Year's Day walk with this lovely bunch. They just reminded me that I really need to remember biscuits too next time - not quite so good for my sugar detox!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLieQ9JtrG0GDVVlMP-csLmF_ClFpa93kN_2_nDtZba4DS9f-q0butXLJx6676XNY7BJGo7iiHNVLarPPNcw5qNiA82VHqPdvF-BDIhqfeMKaSYbMtIhB5SJVudL4wZOC-J3o41P_Xfo/s640/blogger-image--1250337981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLieQ9JtrG0GDVVlMP-csLmF_ClFpa93kN_2_nDtZba4DS9f-q0butXLJx6676XNY7BJGo7iiHNVLarPPNcw5qNiA82VHqPdvF-BDIhqfeMKaSYbMtIhB5SJVudL4wZOC-J3o41P_Xfo/s640/blogger-image--1250337981.jpg" /></a>So <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">have you picked up a new habit for the year to come? I'd love to know xx</span></div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-31084845287133126412014-12-29T20:26:00.001+00:002014-12-29T20:29:43.859+00:00Frozen Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPwR6xzgTSr8cQFqjIPgS0AW3D8Xx3uFo5rc25XdK5sieHsOfrA1YxKgD-b_vyS0X_-B8_y1SEP86yaTj4UEdm7poJWW9oEEI5UtHnqogqDHQKhKFqJnCxGqa9Dgrr7BcDgBdVx_1RVk/s640/blogger-image--1028690899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPwR6xzgTSr8cQFqjIPgS0AW3D8Xx3uFo5rc25XdK5sieHsOfrA1YxKgD-b_vyS0X_-B8_y1SEP86yaTj4UEdm7poJWW9oEEI5UtHnqogqDHQKhKFqJnCxGqa9Dgrr7BcDgBdVx_1RVk/s640/blogger-image--1028690899.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This time last year I couldn't run for a bus. The idea of stepping out in sub-zero temperatures - to exercise! - was an alien concept. If you follow this blog frequently you'll know that things for me in this regard have changed quite a bit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today felt like a reminder of what I enjoy most about getting out running. Nature in all her glory. And a ok a bit cold but you soon get over that. I enjoyed every step x </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgKeULmj46QjAMd5WFwB8-izqT1ULtmyqKq7NyAZjOLB0uimb9XIi_LC52nS699OkUk_AlthYcvFEadJD3Cpnmw0tUsaa3wUD08gP8fNEG1MQvYjGDoVKtNb1YBimPwNnqwLnqVKgJW4/s640/blogger-image--1552342129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgKeULmj46QjAMd5WFwB8-izqT1ULtmyqKq7NyAZjOLB0uimb9XIi_LC52nS699OkUk_AlthYcvFEadJD3Cpnmw0tUsaa3wUD08gP8fNEG1MQvYjGDoVKtNb1YBimPwNnqwLnqVKgJW4/s640/blogger-image--1552342129.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtiX_DHiEEB_BOijALMFUAvNDW0KY9PpNgQSD9Af6GeBl28zeUKJNxErs6shY8wXIrIChwj2m5s8fAhhnjMiZ65buAPZdsy6ojdm8ahei1zbMNVGcGpMPYKos63ezwQAcej4XeiTYLlA/s640/blogger-image--316360347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtiX_DHiEEB_BOijALMFUAvNDW0KY9PpNgQSD9Af6GeBl28zeUKJNxErs6shY8wXIrIChwj2m5s8fAhhnjMiZ65buAPZdsy6ojdm8ahei1zbMNVGcGpMPYKos63ezwQAcej4XeiTYLlA/s640/blogger-image--316360347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjrNu2eH-ODgte3s93Al5PIBmIQaWTV53-RN54RFoWGZXhyphenhyphen_HsfhIu_sBR4d_eOwH7Eg_aqFLaksrtUXZr4lXCSmTvYAdCA6siq8n7pCs1Hwl65cHPCw1oe1I3H21rmI7WafjbWRla-A/s640/blogger-image--1133378216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjrNu2eH-ODgte3s93Al5PIBmIQaWTV53-RN54RFoWGZXhyphenhyphen_HsfhIu_sBR4d_eOwH7Eg_aqFLaksrtUXZr4lXCSmTvYAdCA6siq8n7pCs1Hwl65cHPCw1oe1I3H21rmI7WafjbWRla-A/s640/blogger-image--1133378216.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IuLl_Ss4btBBuyoiuVhfbKie6eaPp67HCk95H9VoNpBCwT35cuj_AMeHoBhQY1f90W9Pz_VZPao5dFX3GRk8iApJfKcLxzLKnKpQ41u2cLapJ3T-1a0uKh1CAaxUWnSgsrxigfzV5f0/s640/blogger-image-1499473302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IuLl_Ss4btBBuyoiuVhfbKie6eaPp67HCk95H9VoNpBCwT35cuj_AMeHoBhQY1f90W9Pz_VZPao5dFX3GRk8iApJfKcLxzLKnKpQ41u2cLapJ3T-1a0uKh1CAaxUWnSgsrxigfzV5f0/s640/blogger-image-1499473302.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5hpFUq-sWmMyYl_ia-jbjJFHCmDT1zDho4KqIe1JZRkGtyCA_q4S9PQsN_WTxJEKHUrHaL-3qN9ykzj0BGhdtkOVZVQX0btqYaVxVLPaAByPcZKsmKeMCq6_NZJYr_Ha3iMHncV8w88/s640/blogger-image--1582723206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5hpFUq-sWmMyYl_ia-jbjJFHCmDT1zDho4KqIe1JZRkGtyCA_q4S9PQsN_WTxJEKHUrHaL-3qN9ykzj0BGhdtkOVZVQX0btqYaVxVLPaAByPcZKsmKeMCq6_NZJYr_Ha3iMHncV8w88/s640/blogger-image--1582723206.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-62072315657223135572014-12-27T15:56:00.001+00:002014-12-27T16:05:45.600+00:00They Said There'd Be Snow at Christmas ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Late on Boxing Night it came. Great feathery flakes, the size of the golden coins in the boys stockings. Quickly settling and blanketing the village, our Boxing Day get together came to a swift end with family bundling back into the cars to get back over the hills. </div>
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My sister has often been stuck trying to get back to Buxton and thankfully they made it over the treacherous Axe Edge just in time before the roads were closed. </div>
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Mum and Dad live only four miles away but the last mile up the hill was too much for their car and they had to hike up together in the dark. Luckily they're made of sturdy stuff. This morning, knowing that everyone had made it back home safely, meant I could revel in our wintry, festive landscape.</div>
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Snow at Christmas time is something I cross my fingers for every year, never imagining it might come. A couple of inches dusted our valley but a mile or two away in Leek there's been a huge dump and pictures from friends in Buxton make it look like Narnia!</div>
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I know its nothing like in Europe or the States, but this dusting, when we have our Christmas trees and fairy lights up and have time to sledge and build snowmen, is precious. Christmas snow; the very best type there is. xxx</div>
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Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-79861221804126034262014-12-27T15:39:00.001+00:002015-01-01T10:30:43.466+00:00A Homely Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cosying in with close family, good food and time together to laugh and chat is all we could have wished for at Christmas and we were so lucky to have that.</div>
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Thanks for all your lovely Christmas wishes and I hope if you've been marking the festive season you've had a smashing time too. </div>
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Its truly been a merry and bright time for us, which sort of puts into perspective how for many, many people it isn't and I think that moved us all too. We're a very lucky family and I shall be thankful all year - especially for our extra Christmas present that arrived on Boxing Night. More in the next post. xx</div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-39485642039009732472014-12-21T17:49:00.003+00:002014-12-21T23:03:06.179+00:00A Solstice Wander<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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We'd made a little a plan while ago, my lovely middle sister Rachel and me, that on the shortest day we'd grab ourselves a little free time to walk the lanes and gather some greenery to decorate our homes.</div>
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So we set off this dank and blustery morning (perfect!) to wander around Bagnall, the village where we grew up. I only live a couple of miles away but Rach lives over the hills in Buxton and although she's often here visiting us or our folks, I can't remember the last time we had the chance to saunter about together with no time pressure or small people needing our attention.</div>
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Both of us were keen to see if we could still remember where all the footpaths went, so first of all we headed down towards to old mill pools and then onto the Salt Track where merchants brought the mineral over from Nantwich to the monks at Hulton Abbey centuries ago. I remember this cosy cottage in a really tucked away spot, as a tumbled down farm for a long time and it was great to see that its being lovingly restored</div>
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The wooded end of the Salt Track proved to be a treasure trove for the wreaths we wanted to make and we found wispy seed heads, berried holly and rosehips to snip (leaving plenty for the birds and the rest of the village.)</div>
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The little brick building is the parish hall where we went to Sunday School, playgroup and lots of village barn dances and things. There's a more modern village hall too that's much better suited to parties and events, but I have really fond memories of the church hall, the glorious view out of the back door and tea from Woods Ware crockery. Its been closed for years and I harbour a little dream that I might turn it into a family home one day (the wooden floors were wonderful!)</div>
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So this is what we made. Rachel's is a rather elegant effort, lots of ivy and some discreet rosehips that she's hoping won't get blown away in the windy part of Buxton where she lives. Mine's a bit more of a rustic affair with a little of everything we found including holly, yew, and ivy berries.</div>
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I had such a great time, it was treat for us to chat and put the world to rights together and I think just maybe we've invented a new family tradition. Happy winter solstice everyone xx</div>
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Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-81423315228677134002014-12-12T18:20:00.001+00:002014-12-12T18:20:06.253+00:00Advent Adventures #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6AJxuAWhSTJL-JtRG6TVqCmOttWO6qlKkcvvphFL0UQTDFP17BqDyG1npWIjUrV0e1xE5zIZPQ7ZZcgDW-uMTdGe6_fLTQTWXo1nmGkXs75pS6pXG9llJaRkYmJXm2-AzNDpeDe94zo/s640/blogger-image--225234323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6AJxuAWhSTJL-JtRG6TVqCmOttWO6qlKkcvvphFL0UQTDFP17BqDyG1npWIjUrV0e1xE5zIZPQ7ZZcgDW-uMTdGe6_fLTQTWXo1nmGkXs75pS6pXG9llJaRkYmJXm2-AzNDpeDe94zo/s640/blogger-image--225234323.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexlDfsriGyJRSqOD6mcbp8SKcFUeuhxchMLidOe8SafiGF2TpJTJsSYXde2Q4q6f1LicJAp126CIeW4AlSc0E6ZrlROiURYBEov8yVP2tBWQXSKKwWtZq2nV_Dt0hCHN0UV96gW7LuNw/s640/blogger-image--630834161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexlDfsriGyJRSqOD6mcbp8SKcFUeuhxchMLidOe8SafiGF2TpJTJsSYXde2Q4q6f1LicJAp126CIeW4AlSc0E6ZrlROiURYBEov8yVP2tBWQXSKKwWtZq2nV_Dt0hCHN0UV96gW7LuNw/s640/blogger-image--630834161.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1TzSFwzNek_6UAbCA72kW_TJh7vSdHl2hOGIlDzwLwYrugSn1z0puBzUXajg8P023aA9E2LkvMzwouviZTW6_uHQ8qImOJq3KF5jqXHDNF3di5fPgYtMcR5EZYfkfYmEdWyOQxxl1N4/s640/blogger-image-1447791253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1TzSFwzNek_6UAbCA72kW_TJh7vSdHl2hOGIlDzwLwYrugSn1z0puBzUXajg8P023aA9E2LkvMzwouviZTW6_uHQ8qImOJq3KF5jqXHDNF3di5fPgYtMcR5EZYfkfYmEdWyOQxxl1N4/s640/blogger-image-1447791253.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjubAtlyygkS96z6hBdajEzbPyBwmtFrIE5ZWg-oxwSiyS53onnpUXxAvw6sYKowIfITIY9FpRH7YZ9MLj5At-u38CToVSyg_HSnj0w5h6VxHJ-NotpIPCfdRCbjd5H-pMC8C33yLo0wI/s640/blogger-image-1172543694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjubAtlyygkS96z6hBdajEzbPyBwmtFrIE5ZWg-oxwSiyS53onnpUXxAvw6sYKowIfITIY9FpRH7YZ9MLj5At-u38CToVSyg_HSnj0w5h6VxHJ-NotpIPCfdRCbjd5H-pMC8C33yLo0wI/s640/blogger-image-1172543694.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqbUXl9tA6oHNl8fGhTmBXnSPcSKOubSzPcZ6uXy5l_oaDQY1uTLTfrqsb2xWHt29UKKeprt30HPdHEfDTYNdPXlhq3JHMiLXyssc1i59H3IMDAT7B2hhVUtE9oSUu88yRB9VilGiQZQ/s640/blogger-image-116439377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqbUXl9tA6oHNl8fGhTmBXnSPcSKOubSzPcZ6uXy5l_oaDQY1uTLTfrqsb2xWHt29UKKeprt30HPdHEfDTYNdPXlhq3JHMiLXyssc1i59H3IMDAT7B2hhVUtE9oSUu88yRB9VilGiQZQ/s640/blogger-image-116439377.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrYaTskuYnbllvQzRRL6Aue-Wh0qZykbo1SHa4rM2bpPrIAzQHT_akadamhM2ARmsM7l1v4FAYLfz1IgzEXl0MJ0ogT9oTqRA_JxCwoiQT0P6wE6xpivbKnF4HvxVnxiPMI2V8Bvutno/s640/blogger-image--1076580070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrYaTskuYnbllvQzRRL6Aue-Wh0qZykbo1SHa4rM2bpPrIAzQHT_akadamhM2ARmsM7l1v4FAYLfz1IgzEXl0MJ0ogT9oTqRA_JxCwoiQT0P6wE6xpivbKnF4HvxVnxiPMI2V8Bvutno/s640/blogger-image--1076580070.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Apologies if you follow me on Instagram and have seen these pictures all before! My camera is gathering dust at the moment with a fault so my trusty phone is tracking my seasonal wanderings and will have to do for now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Advent is marching on isn't it. Life is getting busier but it feels exciting and full of anticipation. The steam railway at the end of our road is doing a roaring trade with its Santa Express and looks magnificent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This year I have a ten day break from the office, precious days to spend with special friends and lovely family. I feel very fortunate to be in that position and it means an awful a lot to me x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So as you can imagine there are rather a few things on the wish list and a few achieved already:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: visiting the man himself at our local National Trust estate at Ilam Park near Dovedale. It was a foul winter's day with snow in the air and mobbed by field fares and red wings. I adored it! Father Christmas was very jovial despite being so busy and even our 11 year old was transfixed. Joyous!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: we discovered a new local pub in a neighbouring village that was total perfection. Roaring fire, friendly welcome and a delicious roast dinner. I can't imagine anything much better :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now I'm looking forward to;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: feeding carrots to my lovely friend Helen's new pony </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: a walk with my middle sister on the winter solstice to gather our greenery for wreath making and, a flying visit from my younger sister to swap presents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: the village carol service</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: a visit to the pantomime</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: a festive feast with our Buxton friends and a New Year's Day walk with all the kids, if the weather obliges.</div><br></div>Preparations beckon now though, wrapping and cleaning mostly! Hope yours are going well if you are too x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">P.s hello to my new follower from just down the road *waves to Milton*. (where I went to school :) </div></div></div></div></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-48987923960177467432014-12-08T12:49:00.001+00:002014-12-08T15:27:38.204+00:00Advent Adventures #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvVIroEHDhp8sBWhjpdfyJ3oe8zYCYSs0m_qgrQyk-Fjg-06KIWoEKx1DtppS64ji_M8gH0VipFg_NSBjgxZUCwQRcSjO4wthKFJAHso0MijG4NOlIqo3f_4O9hZHWcaBW7Xa8RwYv2I/s640/blogger-image-1977050755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvVIroEHDhp8sBWhjpdfyJ3oe8zYCYSs0m_qgrQyk-Fjg-06KIWoEKx1DtppS64ji_M8gH0VipFg_NSBjgxZUCwQRcSjO4wthKFJAHso0MijG4NOlIqo3f_4O9hZHWcaBW7Xa8RwYv2I/s640/blogger-image-1977050755.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">took a trip north last week to kick off the festive season with my sister in her adopted home city of York. It was impossibly festive; full of shoppers , fabulous lights and a lovely atmosphere.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mum and dad joined us too which was really lovely. Just us girls and our folks doesn't happen all that often and was such a treat. They spoilt us rotten too with a delicious lunch in a very cosy pub close to the minster and later we had tea and cakes in a rather good bookshop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLO8NQuRCGe-lLrrEkQTBcV648vB476rd4CjrHQvBxNxbBW7l47-bWP88_saLzuEXuONyj6v3RDLwuaskMdHaI29btyZLis2vjWN5EaF8RIeUELOnMPyvHAcETnqIMuUNyr1XE6U_dWBo/s640/blogger-image--1187867059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLO8NQuRCGe-lLrrEkQTBcV648vB476rd4CjrHQvBxNxbBW7l47-bWP88_saLzuEXuONyj6v3RDLwuaskMdHaI29btyZLis2vjWN5EaF8RIeUELOnMPyvHAcETnqIMuUNyr1XE6U_dWBo/s640/blogger-image--1187867059.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We're very similar in our tastes in our family, history and art definitely being our main shared interests, so when Susie ducked down one of York's many curious alleyways and lead us to the breathtaking Holy Trinity Church, we were all very thrilled. (Inside pics = Holy Trinity, external pic = York Minster).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Decked for Yuletide with greenery and candles we history geeks enjoyed a break from the hustle and bustle admiring box pews, Lancet arches and ancient stained glass windows. Talk about memorable x </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8OaaSIZ_u_84zGfTdsy8ur-Yzp2hgTHAYBhrAmRg0Ok02yJfoPPW2JNj-dvPmbaOJUj3rtCjimYVX5J4CQqzZWmLb_PUBq2fZZfjnNVvq8fmlvgp5JBjCMNXSEjr8JJxtZV38oMqOtY/s640/blogger-image--1123906433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8OaaSIZ_u_84zGfTdsy8ur-Yzp2hgTHAYBhrAmRg0Ok02yJfoPPW2JNj-dvPmbaOJUj3rtCjimYVX5J4CQqzZWmLb_PUBq2fZZfjnNVvq8fmlvgp5JBjCMNXSEjr8JJxtZV38oMqOtY/s640/blogger-image--1123906433.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Later we couldn't resist the lure of the marvellous medieval fayre at Barley Hall (one of my favourite buildings in the world). The shopping was wonderful and I bought handmade pottery, divine chocolates and wooden instruments to the backdrop of medieval carols and the aroma of mulled wine. Heaven.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD7R_5QR-MCCMA3aY2x9NuTzSGTx1M8BcgbqPJi4zlHOwHKJwCwe5dB4vnLdZTpNQB5EmqlEXkLqrMdxaXt82ypjKcfLysKvoDKpet2uDqejOsSviYlZrq4Cn6VpPUVTyx1mGmIwMfc0/s640/blogger-image-1478161104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD7R_5QR-MCCMA3aY2x9NuTzSGTx1M8BcgbqPJi4zlHOwHKJwCwe5dB4vnLdZTpNQB5EmqlEXkLqrMdxaXt82ypjKcfLysKvoDKpet2uDqejOsSviYlZrq4Cn6VpPUVTyx1mGmIwMfc0/s640/blogger-image-1478161104.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So all in all a delicious family day that's got my Christmas off to a wonderful start. How is your Advent going so far?</div></div></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-56194881602874280792014-11-25T18:32:00.001+00:002014-11-25T18:32:01.148+00:00Instagram Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-TglfN19n8EBzFLe-ZhO1BcUuAhkAy0CoSC1WetFIXrkIKJpvny0KteUh9Mofnk39gjEoBRNxwkfxAo5lpPUcycQhgc3P5axhU5lYbwv7BKqFp_u0z8ebnGeVZB9ysLPSL83Yo77zvQ/s640/blogger-image--1770382383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-TglfN19n8EBzFLe-ZhO1BcUuAhkAy0CoSC1WetFIXrkIKJpvny0KteUh9Mofnk39gjEoBRNxwkfxAo5lpPUcycQhgc3P5axhU5lYbwv7BKqFp_u0z8ebnGeVZB9ysLPSL83Yo77zvQ/s640/blogger-image--1770382383.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH09Xu3rEHmQZvODE53wS7e6wf9Zm9tr2gizTuxQXZncQJczJAO3K-N6yKwKdxYdlbDMabOWW8ZFfr4WsQ_fypGJidqOkxg0UwElgO0urOLUdd6IuChmVvwP78a0UXODyA4-UusQX3ZLQ/s640/blogger-image--1335738412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH09Xu3rEHmQZvODE53wS7e6wf9Zm9tr2gizTuxQXZncQJczJAO3K-N6yKwKdxYdlbDMabOWW8ZFfr4WsQ_fypGJidqOkxg0UwElgO0urOLUdd6IuChmVvwP78a0UXODyA4-UusQX3ZLQ/s640/blogger-image--1335738412.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgKS0L9SNzUFtDlrepGkcZ6N7FXHq-DHwH1nCGr4TQaTuQi7_KRV7pN8d_pWieSmXv0z3SAtA5_i6Q6XepI86_sVm3ReiiJnP0ri6ETdGenz4zHRbkU7ry6bexMMXLnbAmQjCkxOft-g/s640/blogger-image--814886975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgKS0L9SNzUFtDlrepGkcZ6N7FXHq-DHwH1nCGr4TQaTuQi7_KRV7pN8d_pWieSmXv0z3SAtA5_i6Q6XepI86_sVm3ReiiJnP0ri6ETdGenz4zHRbkU7ry6bexMMXLnbAmQjCkxOft-g/s640/blogger-image--814886975.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAchXOabChfMfm57zmwAxmWGRHbiYuIvWFy4sVfxzJxSBgO-M6UmLNK0Jq7mRfdC_afLbTp-jWX6wCJz6I7VY55JRSxUa3ZG9tzyEqdMuXDgRHFp2D8-dqVNMQeS7qfEIJ8-grNxVcnu0/s640/blogger-image-668469065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAchXOabChfMfm57zmwAxmWGRHbiYuIvWFy4sVfxzJxSBgO-M6UmLNK0Jq7mRfdC_afLbTp-jWX6wCJz6I7VY55JRSxUa3ZG9tzyEqdMuXDgRHFp2D8-dqVNMQeS7qfEIJ8-grNxVcnu0/s640/blogger-image-668469065.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wor1oXVw1FibM06hiuf7jYqkmwRlyl4eBDCXXSL55G_BdTjMiYIqoWg0jXpCae5eKqQDHRDEIvXEb4lQ81ZThyfdhGwDuawx8THC6gkvXGtWx7TgZWSTmnJFpNDgx3QbMMk39-ZoYEg/s640/blogger-image--363636044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wor1oXVw1FibM06hiuf7jYqkmwRlyl4eBDCXXSL55G_BdTjMiYIqoWg0jXpCae5eKqQDHRDEIvXEb4lQ81ZThyfdhGwDuawx8THC6gkvXGtWx7TgZWSTmnJFpNDgx3QbMMk39-ZoYEg/s640/blogger-image--363636044.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpSEq45MQ331XjwW8m1N33Pj0p_DHIxf-ozoVWbVcpY7bIn-4jAraF-vXqpaABgMgV-ef01TNGmoXwQLdEmSiNVKFmZfZgCbbMc1TmdrZRzYZB-fvx371LScWup4I92kCShsabuW2RQI/s640/blogger-image-103289530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpSEq45MQ331XjwW8m1N33Pj0p_DHIxf-ozoVWbVcpY7bIn-4jAraF-vXqpaABgMgV-ef01TNGmoXwQLdEmSiNVKFmZfZgCbbMc1TmdrZRzYZB-fvx371LScWup4I92kCShsabuW2RQI/s640/blogger-image-103289530.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As the light leaves us earlier everyday now I've been looking back through my Instagram feed at my favourite autumnal moments:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: I love the blazing beeches along the lane I take from town to home. Full of jays, pheasants scuttling in the undergrowth and acrobatic squirrels, it's a breathtaking place that's very precious to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: potting up tulips and narcissi for a spring show. There's a lovely atmosphere in the garden late in the year; the scent of damp compost, leaf litter and woodsmoke takes me back to busy garden days with my parents when I was little. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: I've had some lovely autumnal runs this season. The canal side was especially beautiful in our mild October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">:: my last #weekendposy of the year. Every weekend I've gathered a few blooms from the garden and gathered them together on Instagram with this hashtag. I'll be starting again in the spring and it would be great if you'd like to join in!</div><br></div>:: fun in the woods. We joined the lovely Nina and her smashing family (www.ninanixon.blogspot.co.uk) for a haunting afternoon of spookiness, scavenging, potion making and campfire fun. It was a fantastic, gloriously muddy afternoon - thanks so much! </div><br></div>And now winter is creeping in and I'm enjoying every moment. The air turns colder, sparkle and twinkle lights the night sky and we're making preparations for celebrations to come. Thank you autumn for another glorious season, see you next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_Ph9vB8vWTdsZcvNzeKUuZhCObMmJlfyXS-I1QuTmkxlkx_zsUQm5fnFrM3I2OPiG5d2xqL7ITOl-S2oYgUG-6ZzCtWAk4ddnMdxYaKaz-CBKjm595UNpYAY2xQkG0P9ZyFN9X-7HSU/s640/blogger-image-1477460113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_Ph9vB8vWTdsZcvNzeKUuZhCObMmJlfyXS-I1QuTmkxlkx_zsUQm5fnFrM3I2OPiG5d2xqL7ITOl-S2oYgUG-6ZzCtWAk4ddnMdxYaKaz-CBKjm595UNpYAY2xQkG0P9ZyFN9X-7HSU/s640/blogger-image-1477460113.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><br></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-51031991995605844782014-11-22T21:12:00.001+00:002014-11-22T21:23:51.271+00:00A Bit of a Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTxbiMZEwo0ZQPCHID7kF4qUXKznnS9NnDlKWAf5WVLRbAXENrcsqDaVgZHGx4cY2f_EMpUQov6AO477JcKjO3rSq6u8liTiC5STsBQL2fsGcRL7P0EiztTsgKTlAH7K3tcdIVf_BLic/s640/blogger-image-521531704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTxbiMZEwo0ZQPCHID7kF4qUXKznnS9NnDlKWAf5WVLRbAXENrcsqDaVgZHGx4cY2f_EMpUQov6AO477JcKjO3rSq6u8liTiC5STsBQL2fsGcRL7P0EiztTsgKTlAH7K3tcdIVf_BLic/s640/blogger-image-521531704.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fVa2bRJ97G2eUCuYblWTmt8Tjpcmcgk7WjFld4Uy3HXjsoKl6hM7t7gioDevP3u8DdjFjKRWoNjGcToVw4yC36RtR5CNDgKx20AGTVKvrTYRkHcia1PhKPu1sdxEj6bhlkmdf2IKQ_8/s640/blogger-image-1547997518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fVa2bRJ97G2eUCuYblWTmt8Tjpcmcgk7WjFld4Uy3HXjsoKl6hM7t7gioDevP3u8DdjFjKRWoNjGcToVw4yC36RtR5CNDgKx20AGTVKvrTYRkHcia1PhKPu1sdxEj6bhlkmdf2IKQ_8/s640/blogger-image-1547997518.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Thanks ever so much for all the wonderful support and comments on mine and Archie's little run the other weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">When this running lark started I had in the back of my mind that I definitely wanted to be in better shape by the time I was 40.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Well the weekend before last, just after Bonfire Night, I hit that landmark feeling so much better about all sorts things in life. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGJBG9yBoXX1wG64A_8hd6d9lBTOaaMYW_ECCka025daTN2yBBRB5l52ThH4xidK7fI2b1Pm0rLdTsPhsT5Y_-VHEgreU6wPHUqNGPVwuuAEFIMGfNVX_tU6TvjuD5hCMd8HzXajr9ow/s640/blogger-image--500124878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGJBG9yBoXX1wG64A_8hd6d9lBTOaaMYW_ECCka025daTN2yBBRB5l52ThH4xidK7fI2b1Pm0rLdTsPhsT5Y_-VHEgreU6wPHUqNGPVwuuAEFIMGfNVX_tU6TvjuD5hCMd8HzXajr9ow/s640/blogger-image--500124878.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_E3Kdk51gtvKfX5LuOHjUQB2bfp5la7KEWY4J_7-26qn22WMKVpfyFCq-i-ryvHRZ1x7Enyl2eX7v7XME9MRhyphenhyphenU3ZlPQRT-XnnhmtUBmZB-IhH54EpmauP3RbqE85uIpfCRmCCDNI9w/s640/blogger-image--609274729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_E3Kdk51gtvKfX5LuOHjUQB2bfp5la7KEWY4J_7-26qn22WMKVpfyFCq-i-ryvHRZ1x7Enyl2eX7v7XME9MRhyphenhyphenU3ZlPQRT-XnnhmtUBmZB-IhH54EpmauP3RbqE85uIpfCRmCCDNI9w/s640/blogger-image--609274729.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hadn't ever thought I'd have a party but once we thought about it, it seemed just the best thing to do. So we gathered together the loveliest bunch of family and friends at the Foxlowe Arts Centre in town, turned on the fairy lights, ate hearty food and let off fireworks and danced into the night.</div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">What a fantastic time. I laughed and</div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and talked so much I went hoarse and only took a few quick snaps on my phone. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was so lovely to have everyone there who helped us to have such fun. I feel really lucky to be here, at 40, with a fantastic family and smashing friends. Life is very good so here's to the next decade! Xx</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN57zV76ObjUXfq5GV249Tl-JwOiyghqVsVsFY0e_7y9hlnJqFzVeiBqrsQ7el4ojtrEBzsgmNKRQ2jjI4zhPhyIp0tpqRclWUs6dghJHWsViaTUMFkZmcVg4h67V5BqPPwOL30GG8i4I/s640/blogger-image-1801736556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN57zV76ObjUXfq5GV249Tl-JwOiyghqVsVsFY0e_7y9hlnJqFzVeiBqrsQ7el4ojtrEBzsgmNKRQ2jjI4zhPhyIp0tpqRclWUs6dghJHWsViaTUMFkZmcVg4h67V5BqPPwOL30GG8i4I/s640/blogger-image-1801736556.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-10314425128439347382014-11-13T15:04:00.001+00:002014-11-13T20:06:04.724+00:00Running up that hill - or hills!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I crossed the rubicon a couple of weeks ago and did something I never thought I could ever do. I was in a race! Well race in the loosest sense, more of an amble with a thousand other people - and I didn't actually come last!</div>
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Our littlest man is growing to love running so we looked for a cross country thing he might be able to do and a friend suggested the Dovedale Dash, just over the hills from home. But the thing is, there is an adults race too, all around the beautiful dale and the pretty estate village of Ilam. </div>
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Before I knew what I was doing I could hear myself saying I would do it too to give Archie some encouragement and support. Blimey how things have changed! </div>
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Look at his face! He absolutely cantered around, hurtling up the hellish ascent that is Lin Dale to the finish as pleased as punch. I was totally overcome with emotion for him, it's a hard run and I was just bursting with pride.</div>
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My run? Well I chickened out of splashing through the freezing River Dove (bit worried I might lose a shoe in the first 1/2 mile!) and took the stepping stones instead. </div>
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Our course plodded along the riverside, over steep, rutty fields then through the village, back over fields, through the thickest mud I HAVE EVER SEEN, skittered back along the river below Thorpe Cloud and eventually back up the ridiculous Lin Dale (admittedly I walked most of that).</div>
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4 & 3/4 strenuous Peak District miles I will never forget. I got a lovely certificate, a pounding head and eventually a very nice feeling of proving myself wrong. </div>
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Here's a shocking picture (excuse the spare tyre - ugh Lycra) but proof I did it and showed my boys that their mum can move, something last year they may have questioned. And that change is enough for me x</div>
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Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-7552516131537112552014-10-26T18:49:00.001+00:002014-10-27T14:30:09.737+00:00Down by the Dove<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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We headed over the Weaver Hills late this Sunday afternoon to buy pumpkins at the farm shop and stroll along the river bank.</div>
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It's an afternoon that will stay with me for such a long time. A stiff breeze, tumbling rooks, the boys wheeling and whirling and the light fading fast (hence the not brilliant quality photos). I could taste the atmosphere, if only I could have bottled it. Autumn texture and faded colour all around us.</div>
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There was a fly fishing match on and we chatted to a couple of happy fishermen, wending their way home after a successful day.</div>
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The fields of stubble were showing a hint of green and bordered by skeletons of hogweed, some have come home with us to sit in a huge jug on the mantelpiece. </div>
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I'm joining in with <a href="http://www.ninanixon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nina's</a> (www.ninanixon.blogspot.com) #wanderandgather link. The perfect join up if you too are the type never to come home without an empty pocket, always stuffed with nature's treasures!</div>
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Quicker than we thought the light slipped away on this afternoon after our clocks have fallen back. There couldn't have been a more perfect couple of hours I don't think and the only way to finish it off was to scurry home, stick on a roast and prepare to slump! </div>
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<br>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-73775775443412406682014-10-25T10:57:00.001+01:002014-10-25T11:37:52.019+01:00Goodbye Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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It's that moment of the year when the garden begins to retreat and now it's becoming all about the view instead.</div>
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It could feel a bit melancholic but there's a richness and beauty about late October that I just can't get enough of. I'm lucky that I adore all the seasons and don't mind the slide into winter one bit. The drama of fierce weather and wildlife visitors will soon be here. </div>
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There's s solitary dahlia left flowering in my old dolly tub but instead of flowers now there's foliage setting the garden ablaze. The leaves of the perennial sunflower are shining as brightly as the flowers did throughout September and the ivy that cloaks our fence is one of those variegated varieties that glows on a gloomy day.</div>
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A few late bees are making the most of the nectar bar that the traditional green ivy hosts and I've seen a tiny wren flitting in and out making a shelter for winter. Geese are flying into the valley again and I'm really enjoying seeing the songbirds flocking back into the garden.</div>
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Everything leans now, lots of plants with elegant seedheads I'll leave standing, however lopsidedly, to catch the frosts and give another show. After Bonfire Night I'll tidy away the spent fireworks and have a look at what is really past its best in the border. Structure, where I have it is, good but soggy, raggy, blackened hankies of leaves, rotting on the stems, look quite sad so they'll come out and feed the compost heap.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The hawthorn hedge is looking ragged now and the rowan tree is already stripped of it's fruit and bare of leaves. Now we can see across the fields to the farm and the russet beech wood that calls to us to explore again before winter steals all colour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've still got tulip bulbs to plant but narcissi, crocus and miniature iris are already snug in their pots. I garden very little in the winter months, our patch is so small there's not all that much to do other than feed the birds. So I'll enjoy this last blaze of colour until it's time to say goodby for now to the garden and thank you for a glorious year x</span>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-18441368118268696872014-10-13T18:09:00.001+01:002014-10-13T19:30:58.721+01:00Keeping Going<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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This season of my dreams is settling rather nicely around our valley. This morning I got up while the fog still shrouded our village with the idea of getting in a long run (well long for me!), so that I can try and keep my fitness levels up now that it's too dark for me to get out before work. But mostly I wanted to enjoy the landscape.</div>
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I work in an office all week, overlooking town centre rooftops with a view of a church, two trees and if I'm really lucky, the occasional sight of a peregrine falcon who roosts on the clock tower. Now this, undoubtedly, is brilliant but I feel cooped up, claustrophobic and hemmed in - I need to see the horizon! </div>
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Running is just brilliant for that. I get to enjoy the scenery in a way I can't by walking on my own; why is it such a wierd thing, as a woman, to go for a walk on your own, without a dog? Or is that just me? </div>
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Heavy fog cloaked everything this morning and I wondered if I'd see a thing. But once I climbed up towards the village on the ridge, the sun broke through in the most beautiful golden shafts.</div>
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It was fantastic to be out, listening to the jays and jackdaws call, enjoying that damp scent of the woodland and the misty lanes. It was an eventful run too. A nice couple walking their dogs helped me rescue a young bullock that had strayed onto the road and we shooed him back into a field before there was a crash!<br />
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Seven miles, up hill and down the lanes, and an hour or so that will keep me topped up all week xx</div>
<br />Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-59619552476412838702014-10-07T18:23:00.001+01:002014-10-07T19:06:45.305+01:00Autumn Hurrah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's here! At last after the most glorious and languid of summers the air again is crisp, damp, scented by woodsmoke and filled with the calls of the rook and the robin's winter song.<br />
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October so far has been for family time, catching up with school about the start of a new year, visiting relations and cooking a Sunday feast to share with family closer at hand.</div>
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I'm running for longer at the weekends now that it's too dark in the mornings before work. I take my phone with me every time to catch moments of the season as it begins to move on. (Pics via my Instagram feed - CurlewSteph).</div>
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The next few weeks are all about celebrations and new things (we got to review this lovely Italian restaurant in town last night.) My big birthday approaches in just a few weeks so I'm starting to make a few plans and look forward to lots of fun.</div>
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I hope that your spring or autumnal October is shaping up nicely too xx</div>
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<br />Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-56832657509505833192014-09-20T17:56:00.001+01:002014-09-20T18:00:47.314+01:00Wild Afternoon - Coombes Valley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About a mile or so from home we're really lucky to have the most fabulous <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/c/coombeschurnet/about.aspx" target="_blank">RSPB nature reserve nestled in the gorgeous Coombes Valley</a>, part of the bigger Churnet Valley landscape that we call home. Today was the reserve's annual open day so when the rain had cleared and the mist had lifted, we popped over to have a look at some of the exciting new things we heard had been happening.</div>
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It was the most brilliant afternoon of discovery and exploration. A new trail has been laid, opening up access to some of the younger woodland that the RSPB manages, as well as new footpaths to make the site more wheelchair, pushchair and family friendly. It's quite a small reserve with tons of different habitats including meadows and native woodlands that cling to the hillsides.</div>
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Today it was great to get involved in all the extra activities so we pond dipped, finding water boatman, pond skaters and mayfly larvae as well as a lovely whirlygig beetle, before heading into the brilliant new yurt where the Staffordshire Bat Group had the tiniest pipestelle bat to show us. There was lots to learn as well from the woodland team at the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership who are working really hard to take care for this special valley.</div>
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Then we strolled around the woodland where you can make dens to your heart's content, search for bugs, explore the storytelling circle and see where, very soon, a new aerial walkway will give you the chance to get a bird's eye view of the woodland from the treetops! There's a certain eight year old who just can't wait for that!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I got quite over excited about these marvellous little fairy houses the volunteers have worked so hard to create. </span><span style="text-align: left;">They're completely magical and I was totally absorbed in the detail of doorways, window frames, roof tiles and even lanterns and garden swings they'd made. Come nightfall there'll be a wonderful little party going on here!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We could really feel autumn upon us this afternoon, especially with the mist lingering and that dampness in the air that heralds the change of the season. My most favourite moment was when a huge flock of sixty or more goldfinches flew above our heads.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/c/coombeschurnet/about.aspx" target="_blank">Coombes Valley</a> is a truly special place and free to visit. The <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/" target="_blank">RSPB</a> are doing terrific work improving the site and managing the landscape for wildlife and visitors to all get the most out of it. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers we met today who were really friendly and welcoming and helped us find out so much more about our lovely local reserve. We'll be back again really soon,</div>
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Where's your favourite wild place to visit?</div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-53389375996323478592014-09-06T16:03:00.001+01:002014-09-06T16:24:27.717+01:00Restoring Order<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It really has felt rather nice to get back into the swing of things over the past week. The boys have been really keen to see their friends some more and for us that back to school feeling has prompted sorting, tidying and planning on a major scale. I quite like it.</div>
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The final week of the holidays was wonderful and we spent it walking with friends in the woods, cooking up some autumnal dishes for the freezer and planning for some big occasions on their way over the next few weeks.</div>
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All this glorious late summer weather, there is apparently about, is giving the Moorlands a pretty wide berth. Here its muggy and very grey, has been for days, and I'm craving either a last blaze of glory or a good old downpour or two to keep the garden fresh. So we might go off for a look at the sea tomorrow and chase the sun while we've still got the chance.</div>
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Have a smashing weekend. xx</div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-19042327479537209372014-08-30T20:20:00.003+01:002014-08-30T23:03:37.960+01:00Bordering on Perfection<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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For years I've been meaning to get to Arley Hall to see the legendary long borders in all their glory. When we decided to visit today I did think that maybe we might have missed them past their best. I needn't have worried.</div>
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They are truly magnificent; deep, double borders of sumptuous planting that weave tapestries of perennials into a splendid display.</div>
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The atmosphere on this grey, late summer's afternoon was languid and precious. Swallows swooped all around us, low to the ground, while giant blue and green dragonflies chased about. </div>
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There's still much more colour to come in the long borders, plenty of asters coming into bloom which I completely love so I might just have to pop back again soon.</div>
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Late summer colour can be a real challenge in the garden but at Arley Hall they know keep the colour going right through the year. It's a style of planting I really love, late summer might just be my favourite time for flowers, and there was so much to inspire today. </div>
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Do you love a late summer garden?</div>
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And finally a huge thank you for all the lovely comments lately. I hugely appreciate them and Archie was chuffed to bits with all the kind birthday wishes. I'm trying to reply as often as I can via the comments form so if you click "notify" I think that means you get my reply by email. Hope so. Its great catching up on and discovering some beautiful blogs too. xxx<br>
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<i>(*iphone pics today as my camera battery died. It was very breezy too so apologies for some blurriness! You can see more pics on my Instagram feed. Click the camera icon above my profile pic.)</i><br>
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<i>p..s I'm finding that viewing my blog on ipad in mobile mode makes the pictures do very strange things! If that's happening to you, try viewing in web version and that seems to fix it?</i></div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-67286969517097493852014-08-25T22:20:00.001+01:002014-08-25T22:20:33.500+01:00Climbing High<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We made it then. Dodging the showers and donning the old waterproofs, the birthday boy achieved his wish and "climbed up a really big hill". Ten minutes out of town the gritstone edge that marks the beginnings of the Peak District, rears darkly, and a little forebodingly, skywards from the mossy fields.</div>
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From The Roaches, on a clear day, you can see right across the Cheshire Plain and catch the twinkle of the sea at Liverpool, miles and miles away from landlocked Staffordshire. In another direction the curious hill of The Wrekin marks a path to the Black Mountains beyond but in looking a different way, the heather clad Morridge (the moor ridge) fills your view to the horizon.</div>
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Our busy boy was in his element, leading the way up the epic crags, gasping with amazement at just how far he could see, peering into the peaty depths of the ridge top pool and wondering if the legendary mermaid might appear to lure him and his brother into the gloom. (Luckily she was otherwise engaged today so we ate our picnic in a sheltered spot and took in the view.</div>
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Mum and dad joined us for what turned out to be one of the best family outings ever. Not a cent spent, aside from birthday ice creams from the doting grandparents, and plenty of time to watch, chat, wonder and exclaim at this beautiful place we've known all our lives and still find awe-inspiring.</div>
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I don't think we will ever forget this special, simple birthday. Being eight was the "best birthday ever" apparently. Brilliant. xx</div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-70456610067338886922014-08-24T10:20:00.001+01:002014-08-24T10:33:29.477+01:00Magical & Marvellous - Just So<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think we must have fallen down a rabbit-hole when we arrived at the <a href="http://www.justsofestival.org.uk/" target="_blank">Just So Festival</a> in Cheshire last weekend. We entered a magical wonderland, full of fun, taking us to some terrific places where you could easily forget the real world existed for a while.</div>
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From the thrill of the circus to the enchantment of the woodland, a vast area of the Rode Hall Estate near Congleton, so not far from home at all, was transformed into an outdoor playground for young families looking for a festival experience that definitely puts children right at the heart of the adventure. </div>
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And what a brilliant job they did! With so much choice the real challenge is not to miss anything out at Just So. From battling pirates on the High Seas, listening to magical tales and creating wonderful natural creations in the Spellbound Wood, grooving and moving at the Jitterbug, watching creative tales on stage at the Woodland Theatre, chilling in the Games tent, enjoying something a little gentler at Lazy Days, to joining in the partying at Footlights stage - Just So is crammed full of entertainment and adventure for all the family. The decoration and creativity across the site is completely marvellous and there's something spectacular to see at every turn.</div>
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Our boys were, at ten and seven, were a little older than the core festival audience which is obviously a massive hit with the toddler and infant school gang, but they absolutely loved every minute of their magical camping-festival weekend just the same. They may have sped through some of the activities a little quicker than smaller people, but they were just as utterly transfixed by the spell-binding atmosphere that abounds. </div>
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Particular highlights were the very well-mannered and "bumbling" Bathing Jugglers with their fiery tricks, boogeying to the brilliant Lazlo Baby on the Living Room Stage and Saturday night's fantastic entertainment at Footlights. Our two are woodland boys through and through and the chance to build tunnels, create clay faces to adorn the trees and enjoy the campfire tales was a proper treat.</div>
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From a practical, parental point of view, Just So made everything so brilliantly do-able. Busy but not packed so there's camping space for eveyone, mercifully short queues for showers, loos, coffee etc and there's a wonderful array of really enjoyable and delicious food based mainly at the Social Area where there's an airy barn with high chairs, microwaves for warming food and bottles etc, which all makes the canvas life that bit more enjoyable (there's even a baby tent for baths and massage before bedtime).</div>
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We feasted on paella, fish and chips and wood-fired pizza before bedding down beneath the trees. Night-time was a quiet, peaceful event and, despite a heavy thunderstorm at dawn, we woke up refreshed and ready for another day of adventure and exploration.</div>
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If you're looking for a festival to let down your hair, let the whole family's imagination run wild and lose yourself to the power of magic and fairyland for a while, get along to Just So and prepare for wonderment! </div>
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*** We were asked to review the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_992485165"></span>Just So Festival<span id="goog_992485166"></span></a> for <a href="http://www.thisisyourkingdom.co.uk/" target="_blank">This Is Your Kingdom</a> and were kindly given a complimentary family ticket.***</div>
Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-58760111371164313892014-08-18T21:57:00.000+01:002014-08-18T22:01:21.696+01:00Hill and Dale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On a warm summer's afternoon there can't be many more lovelier places in England than Dovedale to wander a while, dip your toes in the water and breathe. Coming here is all about the stepping stones, crossing the Dove, forwards and back, if they're not underwater.</div>
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It does mean it can be a pretty busy place to be, something I always forget. But you can see why. It must be a favourite place for so many people for miles around. We all share it, this magical dale. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-SxF6-AL33Mkeoxgg7QQJr6Z0C1dvddWSddn6dQY1NA2wAtHyD5tMZwGSBM-7i6JTcQ3g135GjKgJLltnnXgGoFwqggBA2FMQTA0u3MmymR2csP8woV8KaK8yf-EHd7UXYI6pjquf0g/s1600/DSCF7721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-SxF6-AL33Mkeoxgg7QQJr6Z0C1dvddWSddn6dQY1NA2wAtHyD5tMZwGSBM-7i6JTcQ3g135GjKgJLltnnXgGoFwqggBA2FMQTA0u3MmymR2csP8woV8KaK8yf-EHd7UXYI6pjquf0g/s1600/DSCF7721.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our smallest boy is fast becoming an adventurer. There he is, scrabbling halfway up the hillside with his dad. "On my birthday can I climb a really, big hill?" he asked. Living here almost everything is uphill so at the weekend we'll be celebrating our exploring eight year old''s special day, somewhere up high, having fun. x</div>
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Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-76280902315591216462014-08-09T10:39:00.001+01:002014-08-09T10:39:11.660+01:00On the Turn<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkDuUxy39Hi6TuAHouESw0dK4k58ZWUrfDzck982HP4LSWG1P26b6WJVaXoRT5-BKSdUPJbeI3i9RiAvjHGyR7As0z4gtUNnaYiaj4syvNTD7R2OS7yCDbsxZ8W-Oaaxuj4v3Jg0RLUM/s640/blogger-image--203791865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkDuUxy39Hi6TuAHouESw0dK4k58ZWUrfDzck982HP4LSWG1P26b6WJVaXoRT5-BKSdUPJbeI3i9RiAvjHGyR7As0z4gtUNnaYiaj4syvNTD7R2OS7yCDbsxZ8W-Oaaxuj4v3Jg0RLUM/s640/blogger-image--203791865.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbKycuyxkQt7eUT8GyjCSh7EpRC2YoeSY-OYJ9bRJNZnfIjAHdgJh13QUjuNcDBpGd_T0_jOoXYkXY2jl2lUa9oE7Ho-2Ur0V3YO4TNixtjHrIU6ZYF9Wy_rP3Ih1hwrjSgotk00UESs/s640/blogger-image--593658527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbKycuyxkQt7eUT8GyjCSh7EpRC2YoeSY-OYJ9bRJNZnfIjAHdgJh13QUjuNcDBpGd_T0_jOoXYkXY2jl2lUa9oE7Ho-2Ur0V3YO4TNixtjHrIU6ZYF9Wy_rP3Ih1hwrjSgotk00UESs/s640/blogger-image--593658527.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pyI0zOQhyphenhypheneAWZoPxQB-4wTsovQEQ-Z1nX4DrCgzaOjz85FnKQFWvq9NpGW2GxA06M3t0XodVWKuadTHbQQjJFlLiKK0LJimSOQKaqdzQdRt1hxDv0Ob4_Wsk_mS6gl-QGAF05OQkAY0/s640/blogger-image-1907427799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pyI0zOQhyphenhypheneAWZoPxQB-4wTsovQEQ-Z1nX4DrCgzaOjz85FnKQFWvq9NpGW2GxA06M3t0XodVWKuadTHbQQjJFlLiKK0LJimSOQKaqdzQdRt1hxDv0Ob4_Wsk_mS6gl-QGAF05OQkAY0/s640/blogger-image-1907427799.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLzIKY3WJbRUICKVVQ0MR9vT4imV8_YcFIpLzf7RyV1wTElykqShpJN6AUr55zHw3EuYX6LIQL4_AazLp3GqrxJD1VHY2jFj1Y5KwKA1vZJNMY9EUvOJ7NqSQ4MJr2s8miqqjsRGMknY/s640/blogger-image--586062734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLzIKY3WJbRUICKVVQ0MR9vT4imV8_YcFIpLzf7RyV1wTElykqShpJN6AUr55zHw3EuYX6LIQL4_AazLp3GqrxJD1VHY2jFj1Y5KwKA1vZJNMY9EUvOJ7NqSQ4MJr2s8miqqjsRGMknY/s640/blogger-image--586062734.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnXI3AE2ep0d6WnP8x-hQiK4fK_WdNdwrFPKqrtUvDFgw6c-64R83boU8PI1W02xUL2IKWIXCuMBFgI9kMt1u8_Koe22_fw0YhA5CiGZTcZ6D5xDQJ9DTx3ZycE_WXBrAZlyr8WLPd_c/s640/blogger-image-1269546165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnXI3AE2ep0d6WnP8x-hQiK4fK_WdNdwrFPKqrtUvDFgw6c-64R83boU8PI1W02xUL2IKWIXCuMBFgI9kMt1u8_Koe22_fw0YhA5CiGZTcZ6D5xDQJ9DTx3ZycE_WXBrAZlyr8WLPd_c/s640/blogger-image-1269546165.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gUxAkwkpsEvvItMd3ITjhKqpl_EBnaS5V-P0wKK6yna18aXStccgRTwRygicg8qfwoPtHX2jmM4zD0KLMpUdseeayuptUIfxmAocHp-p6GKVjzwEUF97mOPb28cVFS_86q0p9-N9K8s/s640/blogger-image--1624579812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gUxAkwkpsEvvItMd3ITjhKqpl_EBnaS5V-P0wKK6yna18aXStccgRTwRygicg8qfwoPtHX2jmM4zD0KLMpUdseeayuptUIfxmAocHp-p6GKVjzwEUF97mOPb28cVFS_86q0p9-N9K8s/s640/blogger-image--1624579812.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5dpwyyQl7TMGHgw1X4a55pSGGFRmRsZsbcf7r7BxHNIFBewyUGOXSptntEIQCSYzx43nCesKRlmys0AkSDmITai1EmPh6y1jSwa1JgYNRPoc5ZX9tU0X_ONs_vT6h6xy1EBuiwIp_Ik/s640/blogger-image--1590405440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5dpwyyQl7TMGHgw1X4a55pSGGFRmRsZsbcf7r7BxHNIFBewyUGOXSptntEIQCSYzx43nCesKRlmys0AkSDmITai1EmPh6y1jSwa1JgYNRPoc5ZX9tU0X_ONs_vT6h6xy1EBuiwIp_Ik/s640/blogger-image--1590405440.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRsXg9b1vc14dwsEQf9OBr-BIpNIPsZQfCuUws3M0wdUnPmxZ0VXJrBDLOahStGFEbu3phkrSre-_uJoO1Z8D2WZAI2lW2hGf8VZqu_V9_m2hVfAeFzSVRgFfEL9sWEfIRpbyaAfYwnA/s640/blogger-image-1419832367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRsXg9b1vc14dwsEQf9OBr-BIpNIPsZQfCuUws3M0wdUnPmxZ0VXJrBDLOahStGFEbu3phkrSre-_uJoO1Z8D2WZAI2lW2hGf8VZqu_V9_m2hVfAeFzSVRgFfEL9sWEfIRpbyaAfYwnA/s640/blogger-image-1419832367.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's that moment in the garden now when you can sense everything tipping over from high summer into late.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love the languid feel of August when hot colours fill the pots, everything has reached for the skies and our view is seen now through a swaying, elegant trellis swamped by butterflies and bees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't use any pesticides in my garden so what gets lost to slugs and snails, is made up for by the whole range of wildlife visitors from our little ecosystem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are insects galore, frogs and toads, a snuffling hedgehog, Mr Mole, house martins nesting above the bedroom window, all sorts of bird life, bats that flit around the birch tree at dusk, a buzzard family soar high overhead and a glorious, menacing sparrowhawk swoops low on occasion.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a precious space to us and I'm enjoying watching the changes day by day as we slide into summer's end and wait for Autum's glory to come x</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308715619105248833.post-81220243078429512852014-08-05T18:45:00.001+01:002014-08-05T18:45:23.902+01:00A tangle of memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OSJKOqc-R8ElivvN-UlaLF31likjl93E1cfhKvsyYJilG1Syctb9yPgP8fBGTuwZnrne7nXsdo_gj4vGVYytQ4yoQn2NqzonoO8BzsqV84Uo2ztCqDTE8jx-OM9O6Okqjc4GDnm6imA/s640/blogger-image--1574639671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdYYIy6jrr7TMwyb3_M3F17D8lQWG8HdWWZ1UhaXlGwS9VxuVZQLQ7ZIpCIIi7zqXEL6sOwRCe0Z0OTN0rJ-kbbETD6M1ssoBMeHpqL_13w_f2eW9RXTJcKcrVfTWKTSUHnSLALfns4M/s640/blogger-image-1640555281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdYYIy6jrr7TMwyb3_M3F17D8lQWG8HdWWZ1UhaXlGwS9VxuVZQLQ7ZIpCIIi7zqXEL6sOwRCe0Z0OTN0rJ-kbbETD6M1ssoBMeHpqL_13w_f2eW9RXTJcKcrVfTWKTSUHnSLALfns4M/s640/blogger-image-1640555281.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes you come across a treasure hidden in a junk shop, at a flea market or on a charity stall that really speaks to you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I popped into town at lunchtime today, dodging the showers to catch some fresh air, not really intending to shop when I came across such a thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hanging on a tangled stand in a charity shop was this beauty. Weighty, gloriously tactile with a carved wooden hook (although it looks like bone it isn't) to fasten it and the colour of deepest coral I knew this lovely necklace would be mine as soon as I saw it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksPlIpl73iz4tjPT66OPyd7TA4QJPaqjDvqGGYDZj1j8eQvaU09F7LwK4tP8_547hHhMHvozucE2Ymr7cQLKA9iTjD2dptfpQaPdLQzwESOV-0UchGlrhbsmEBxaF9UOiTnit4tYR7HY/s640/blogger-image--686392385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksPlIpl73iz4tjPT66OPyd7TA4QJPaqjDvqGGYDZj1j8eQvaU09F7LwK4tP8_547hHhMHvozucE2Ymr7cQLKA9iTjD2dptfpQaPdLQzwESOV-0UchGlrhbsmEBxaF9UOiTnit4tYR7HY/s640/blogger-image--686392385.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Just £3 and it is a wonderful thing. The type of jewellery that as a young girl I thought I might wear when I got to *almost* forty. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's what I'd call "art teacher" jewellery, worn by the type of creative, inspiring teachers I had at school. The sort of woman confident wearing prints, with a colourful home full of trailing plants, great art and interesting conversation. I wonder if a woman like that really did wear it once? (Maybe she hated it though and that's why it's in a charity shop!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGa0-Lw1xa5RUi5NyKhO8GubZpSEOA7JKSDKnbfNU6nIjaaMJIENFn6c8bG2-AO_ejwaYxt3x4_11EHyG8xqa9Bn65PjXq95vrcuushipmVaStzxTu5eXlWNqaw62MHbKW6i3T5jiIbEs/s640/blogger-image--1859475064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGa0-Lw1xa5RUi5NyKhO8GubZpSEOA7JKSDKnbfNU6nIjaaMJIENFn6c8bG2-AO_ejwaYxt3x4_11EHyG8xqa9Bn65PjXq95vrcuushipmVaStzxTu5eXlWNqaw62MHbKW6i3T5jiIbEs/s640/blogger-image--1859475064.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Uni63qp88PIDc8aLaZ66gd3dNveHECAIqsnphGSxVLBrUYhcKHZaum7j9EU8BiAR-WyrGdizVwTwYq7lioQlSyJEYcYukIDpS9fxZAwrKudGu_SXxL6sbEHK3PuPhffc_yh_DlEIotU/s640/blogger-image--1876769510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Uni63qp88PIDc8aLaZ66gd3dNveHECAIqsnphGSxVLBrUYhcKHZaum7j9EU8BiAR-WyrGdizVwTwYq7lioQlSyJEYcYukIDpS9fxZAwrKudGu_SXxL6sbEHK3PuPhffc_yh_DlEIotU/s640/blogger-image--1876769510.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm no art teacher and I'm not wholly sure why I identified with people like that rather than the fashionistas etc, but i did and I love my new/old necklace. Wearing it reminds me of the aspirations I had as a teenager, reminds me to try and be happy in my own skin and despite the daily grind, to enjoy being creative whenever I can x</div></div></div></div></div></div>Curlew Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05743251099471763243noreply@blogger.com24