Category: Buildings

Bulb planting

Didn’t happen.

When I looked more carefully there were not 200-odd bulbs left. More like 400 plus – which makes not far off 1000 in total. So I ran away, daunted. I will have to discipline myself to 50 or so a day this week. And I very much doubt I will be ordering on such an industrial scale next year, even if it is way cheaper to buy in bulk, in 20+ kilo bags.

We escaped to my lovely sister in law’s instead. Officially to help move some furniture (not me!) and to go through some paperwork after a death in the family. That turned into a bit of a family history hunt – some interesting documents, one dating back to 1804.

She lives in an interesting house, too. I especially love that heavy external door and the face on the letter box. The house is old – there is part of an Elizabethan staircase and a beautiful window in the (seriously spooky) bat filled attic that is reputed to have come from Lewes Priory, presumably at the dissolution in 1536.

Much more fun than daffodils.

Well, that didn’t last….

No excuses, just too much else going on. And I’m sure I’ll struggle with WP even more now – it used to be dead straightforward, before it got clever and sophisticated, with so many options…

But I’ve been enjoying Blogtober, following a couple of people I admire who have posted on a daily basis all through the month. And then I thought, what about Blogvember? Typically late to the party….but it might be a fun challenge! And easier now I’m just back from France, from the fourth trip this year. Fighting the internet with a severely outdated laptop and no wifi.

Some slightly gloomy pictures of Beaune on the way back on Sunday. We mostly avoided motorways this time – takes forever but so much more interesting.

Next stop, Troyes, where many (many!) years ago I was a research assistant, ploughing through information about the Bibliothèque Bleue – hunting for mediaeval woodcuts reused in early 17th century peasants’ chapbooks printed in the town.

No work this time – just strolling along these extraordinary streets that seem to go on for ever (and eating rather well, still definitely possible in France!)

Well, that is Blogvember Day 1. Chances of keeping this going?

France, Summer 2021, after all.

Discovering splendid municipal architecture in Évreux, and castles in Lapalisse and Châteldon (the home town of Pierre Laval, though that doesn’t get much of a mention in the tourist office!)

I am also quite a fan of the N7, but I think this rather large sign in Lapalisse is new:

Likewise this rather alarming roadside cross that has appeared right outside the front gate… I think over the last year European money has restored several of these 19th century calvaires which had disappeared during the late 20th century.

We’ll get used to it!

Reading, walking, eating….and several sessions with the dye pots, mostly sock yarn this time.

I also took some pictures of a corridor my daughter decided to decorate some years ago:

We are holding a memorial event to celebrate her life on Sunday. This is necessary, but not easy. I think I will take my late September tree pictures on the same day – still a really useful prop!

Hic sunt dracones….

And plenty of them…

Half term fun. Dragon hunting with a five year old in Brighton Pavilion.

She was less keen on this:

She refused to believe anyone had ever eaten it. In fact, I think we may be heading towards more vegetarian choices quite soon….

The most interesting thing in the Pavilion apparently has nothing to do with poor old Prinny. It is Queen Victoria’s bed – with SEVEN mattresses, carefully counted!