Saturday 17 July 2010

Out of Steam

Around this time of year, every year, I hit the buffers. It's as if there's no fuel left in the tank and I feel like the engine has almost come to a stop. The end of term is almost here, the garden looks exhausted and my two little men (and the bigger one too come to think of it) are worn out.

Thankfully our holiday is almost, almost here. In six short days we will be listening to the seagulls call and the waves crash in at our most favourite little holiday place in the world. Yippee!
Funny how everything seems to have been winding down, a bit like the slow motion button has been pressed and we won't gear up again until September. And a good thing too. Never fear though, my thrifting continues unabated! I've gathered up a few special little treats in the past few weeks, all in my usual vein though and not exactly revolutionary but I'm too whacked for much beyond the obvious.
I work for the NHS and as you might have heard we're going through a pretty radical and scary time so there's something comforting about familiar things and I think you can see that from my pictures. Pretty flowers from the garden, lovely old ladybirds, a fab and zingy coffee pot, a rather pretty and indulgent dress, some soothing reading matter and gorgeous bargain fabric for making cosy autumn curtains. All very me.
Who knows what things will look like in the next few months and if I'll even have a job? But I refuse to panic, (not much point really), and I am working very, very hard trying to get an alternative sorted instead.
So the holiday has come at the perfect time. Hopefully the weather will sort itself out while we're down south. This week has been dreadful for July (although pretty typical for the Julys we've been having recently); chilly, lashing rain and gales. The garden and the allotment really need the downpours to be honest but a week's plenty, really, I've had enough now!
So I'm off to pack and plan and will be back soon with tales of cliff top views and beach picnics. Can't wait.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I know completely what you mean. My youngest leaves primary school on Wednesday and I just want time to stand still for a minute so I can be in the moment. Hope you have a lovely time in Cornwall we go to Fowey every year. Friends of ours actually have a house in Passage Street that we are lucky enough to stay in, backing onto the water, just can't wait til October! Sorry to go on but Cornwall does that to a girl.

bellaboo said...

Oh,I feel so excited for you all!Cornwall is my favourite place too...I had so many wonderful holidays there as a child.I was in the North though and we are planning to visit the South this September so I'll have to look at your post from last year to get some tips on the best places to visit.I loved Doc martin because it brought back lovely memories of Port Isaac.Can't wait for the new series!

Bellaboo :0)

Jacquie said...

Hi Steph
Gorgeous images to accompany this post.I love your dress and your miss Read books.Have a great holiday,Cornwall is indeed special.
Jacquie x

Garden Girl said...

ah, a week of reading reflection and relaxation, just what you need!Have a lovely chilled out time, and enjoy every minute of it. Send Cornwall my love!
Everything will work out just as it's meant to in the end
xxx

Rebecca said...

I hope you have a lovely holiday, Cornwall is the most wonderful place on earth and I love every single trip I have taken there!

It seems to be a very worrying time at the moment, you never really know what is going to happen next!

My husband works for the NHS within a PCT and he was told last week that by the beginning of next year no-one is going to have a job there anymore. At least we have a few months to prepare for it but still!
Good luck securing an alternative, I know how hard it is out there x

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

I love Miss Read too. Just the thing for a happy afternoon.
Hope your vacation is perfect.

Mitzi said...

I have a collection of Miss Read books. Love,love,love her writings.Have a great holiday.

Katy Noelle said...

Ooooooo! Miss Read! I've been thinking about her lately. I've been thinking that I need to dig out my first book and, then, find some of the sequels. you know, I'm from Pasadena, California, originally. It's really Los Angeles. I just happened to purchase my first Miss Read just before I move to this small town in Vermont. Actually, it was a little scary how similar the characters and situations were. If I remember right - endearing, too.

It's been DREADFULLY - HORRIFICALLY - AWFUL hot here - and dry! Let's switch places.

I hope that you have a lovely, just perfect time away at the seaside!!!!

Love, Katy

KC'sCourt! said...

Have a wonderful holiday
Julie xxxxx

Funkymonkey said...

I know just how you feel Steph. Our garden is past its best and it feels like a real effort to get out there and keep it tidy now. As for work - I work for a local council and we know that there are job lossses on the way and feel in limbo. Have a great holiday, we're off to Cornwall in August. BTW I love the new dress. Just right to cheer you up a little.

Tracey

loveandlilac said...

I work in the NHS too. These are anxious times. I consoled myself with cream teas in Somerset last week and I'm sure Cornwall will offer similar comforts!

Serenata said...

Perfect books to read to sooth a tired mind :-) hope you have a really lovely holiday and look forward to hearing all your exploits when you get back.

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Ah Steph, just got back from the joy of Kernow myself. Have a wonderous time...............

Love Sarah x

Pipany said...

Hi steph. You really sound as though you need that break lovely. Hope Cornwall turns sunny for you - the weather has been much the same here as you have had for the last few weeks. too wet for me by far. have fun x

...Nina Nixon... said...

Hi Steph,

I know exactly how you're feeling - we are all so worn out and I just can't wait...just one more week to go.

I do hope all will be OK with your job - it's very worring times at the moment. Mr T was redundant for most of last year - fortunately he found something else and I'm sure you will too. Infact he was quite relieved to have been put in that situation. It really made him re-evaluate everything.

take care and enjoy the rest of you're weekend,

Nina xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Steph,
I loved your blog today. I hope you have a restful holiday & don`t worry too much. I, too love love Miss Read books. I`m working my way through them all from the library, they are just so sweet and lovely.
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxx

topchelseagirl said...

I work for the NHS too. Worrying times for everyone. Just try to completely forget about it all for the duration of your holiday and have fun.

melanie said...

have a fab time :) Love the Miss Read books, I am currently re-reading all my Fairacre novels and loving them :) xxx

GardenOfDaisies said...

I can see why that is your favorite vacation spot in the entire world. It's absolutely charming and beautiful! Cornwall is now on my "must visit" list.

periwinkle said...

I think everyone seems to be hitting the buffers at the minute , hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday and I love your orange pot.

marĂ­a cecilia said...

Hola, I´m so happy browsing through your wonderful blog, every detail at your home, every vintage find and your garden is all so beautiful!!!
Have a great holidays at Cornwall, such a lovely place I saw in the link you put here. Hope you get the time to visit me.
Greetings from Chile,
maria cecilia

Anonymous said...

well that is a lovely place. I have lived here 19 years and still never been to Cronwall. must get there very soon i think. Have a super time!

The Curious Cat said...

What is happening with the NHS? Being in France I've clearly missed the news? Doesn't sound good... Still, at least you have a lovely holiday to look forward to. Enjoy each day as it comes. xxx

Lucy said...

I hope you have a great holiday and the weather is on your side, I was already hoping that as my brother is down in Polzeath right now. We used to spend lots of holidays in Mevagissey and also in Port Quinn, we were in a little cottage by the beach which I think was called Captain's Cottage or something...

It is out of this world there, isn't it? Hope you have a fabulous time and get to wear that gorgeous dress! All your familiar things look very comforting to me! Love that abacus!

Hil said...

The end of summer term is certainly a killer.....we are escaping to the South of France as we speak! Have a lovely holiday xxx

Two Little Birds Vintage Boutique said...

Wow, what beautiful photography, I love all your pictures and adore the red coffee pot! I have a little vintage boutique in Falmouth if your heading down this way. Hope the weather stays lovely for your holiday, its been a beautiful day in Cornwall today x

Emma x http://twolittlebirdsboutique.blogspot.com/

Jo said...

Have a wonderful holiday. Looking forward to seeing your lovely pics!