Eccentric Amblings and Ramblings From Gnat Bottomed Towers

Once upon a time I bought a multipack of Walkers crisps on offer [naturally squeak squeak]. All was well until I got to the last packet which was full but sadly only full of air. Hardly important on a world stage but they had a freefone number on the back so I decided to just cheekily give them a ring and let them know. I thought it would be difficult to prove that the packet was empty but apparently every once in a while one of their packing machines goes into overdrive and zealously seals the odd empty packet. From the codes on the back that I read out to the lady from Walkers she was able to tell not only which factory had produced them but also which line and the specific machine. Normally they hoick them out but occasionally one slips through. I received a very pleasant letter from them and vouchers and they meanwhile were able to run a check on said faulty machine. Last night I was chatting to a gentleman who in a similar vein made a light hearted observation. When he goes to t

Lemonade scones made from this recipe here  http://growing-in-the-fens.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/thinking-of-others-today.html  Mine took about 15 mins to cook at 200C. They are very light but I think taste wise they would benefit from a small pinch of salt. A first for me because I've never managed to make round scones before as I overhandle the dough- all previous attempts have been done as a big round and cut into pieces. Rather chuffed at my little personal success! Arilx

As a self confessed sticky beak with a reputation to maintain old signs fascinate me both for the information they contain and the glimpse they give me back into yesteryear. On Saturday we travelled over to Alton to catch up with my bridesmaid chum and after lunch a quick stroll was in order. I snapped these as we were out and about. A good old fashioned copper plate script. Makes the sign very attractive and rather quaint. Only a fiver....sounds like a bargain to me! Wonder what the going rate is if you get caught? Anything up to £500 smackers good old Google informs me! Recycling at its best....new sign need...nope just paint over the defunct letters. Indeed the whole sign is now out of date....it's the Watercress line these days. Arilx

One from the book of the face. Just lovely. Thanks to K for highlighting it last week. Arilx

Mompesson House built for Charles Mompesson in 1701- glorious Queen Anne interiors and my adored style of furniture which Mr GBT creates for me in glorious miniature for my dollshouse. Another of our quarries seen during our recent time spent in Salisbury and National Trust so free entry. Even better! Colourful borders with people enjoying the sunshine and playing croquet. Views from the dining room. The 18th century drinking glasses are from the Turnbull collection. My kind of cupboard..... Stumpwork pictures. The hours it must have taken and the skill required to produce these beautiful items is mind blowing. This piece is known as the Rudd's toilet table and opens out with mirrors on either side [as shown in the link]. Designed by Hepplewhite the Rudd to whom it refers may be Margaret Caroline Rudd who was a famous courtesan of the time. I have my eye on this as a potential piece for my dollshouse. Mr GBT looked a little startled but he

Last Saturday saw sunshine and us meeting Mr GBT's bro and wife for a jolly- the date had already been booked in our diaries weeks ago but it was good to catch up under more normal circumstances on the back of the recent funeral. Now when one says Salisbury chances are the first thing you think of is the cathedral so we broke with tradition and wandered round the cloisters but didn't go in this time.  I liked the sentiment of this piece. More shots from inside St Thomas's [the church with the amazing doom picture]. It's only a stone's throw away from the cathedral. It has three well preserved Medieval paintings on the North wall. This wooden panel was made by Humphrey Beckham. He was a Master Joiner and several examples of his carvings survive. As he tells us this is all "his own worke". Rather liked the juxtaposition of old and new in this shot. I can heartily recommend a visit to the church to see its wonders but I must

I read an article earlier this week, which made reference to the artist Andy Goldsworthy's view that if you want to see differences you should travel, but if you want to see change you should stay in the same place. It made a good point I thought and seemed appropriate with seeing our little apple tree, which we planted last November, come into bloom this week. I've never had a fruit tree before so, for me, this is one of those thrilling moments that make up the patchwork of my everyday life. Others might be fatigued by the familiar but not me because if you really look even the most mundane is always in flux. Then And now Arilx

Happy St George's Day In true Morris dancer style I am off to jangle some bells and slake my thirst with a pint of good English ale at a local inn. The window is in St Mary's at Capel-Le-Ferne and was seen on our recent trip away to Kent. I've got some piccies from our day out to Salisbury to put up but life is busy right now so please bear with me whilst I attempt to get myself organised. Arilx

What do you get if you cross a 16 year old boy [nearly 17] with a party and a whole stack of booze?....why a raging Mother reading the riot act at 1.30 am at a still very drunk teenager who's issuing slurred apologies just having technicoloured yawned across his bedding. Now there's a reason why I know the words to this particular Parental Act as my own Mother read the self same one to me following a similar incident at a similar age. Walloping hypocrite moi?!! That was a few days ago and despite me threatening that he was going to work the next morning hangover or no hangover he has inherited my genes in that respect and woke up bright as a button having apparently suffered no ill effects. As for me I would like to shake the hand of the washing machine inventor- pure genius. Fast forward to earlier this week and we were chatting about this particular "incident" whilst he was helping me with the drying up. Now I am fully aware that he will no doubt down the od

You may be vaguely aware that there is going to be a General Election on 7th May....the media has made the odd mention of it in passing these past few weeks. This rather acerbic yet amusing quote therefore seems particularly apt and of the moment. "Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxis and cutting hair." George Burns Arilx

In the words of Private Frazer "We're all doomed" but turning to Lance Corporal Jones "Don't Panic" for we're not talking any end of the world scenarios here [leave that for the more pessimisstic souls elsewhere...no place for gloom on this blog!] instead I am talking about this.....the doom painting in St Thomas's Salisbury. Finished in 1475 it was in thanksgiving for the safe return of a pilgrim. They were a common feature of the time but it was whitewashed over to hide it and protect it from Henry VIII's vandals who destroyed everything of a "papist" nature. It was rediscovered in 1814 and then fully restored in 1953. The message is clear on the Day of Judgement anyone irrespective of rank can go to Hell. I have to say the Bishop looks quite cheery at the prospect! Look for the faces on the devil's knees.....I love the Medieval mind and how they portrayed the religious messages through art. Arilx

This is the new dance that Mythago have been learning for the last few months. We already have a fairly extensive repertoire so it has been really exciting to have been in at the beginning of something new. Set to the tune Orinoco composed by Georgia Nettleton, it is a very measured dance for us...steady and silent. We are renowned for our mad dancing and shouting. Stepped to a slow drum beat it still takes my breath away...it has a spine tingling feel to it. It had its first dance out at the Weald and Downland museum on Easter Monday [I watched as I'd only decided at the last minute that I was going] Mr GBT kindly took the shots. The masks and cowls are designed specially for it and add to the spooky feel. I think danced on a gloomy day or even at night time will only serve to increase its atmosphere. Arilx

After yesterday's more thoughtful post I think it's high time to return with a spot of fun! Seen on the Book of the Face. And for those who grew up in the 1970s here's a trip down Memory Lane. We always watched The Wombles just before we had our tea. Eating school lunches tea was always a sandwiches and cake affair. I hold them entirely responsible for my addiction to recycling! Arilx

These past few weeks have been unsettling for us. We have had a bereavement within Mr GBT's family which has brought many difficult things to the surface for him and it's been an odd period of waiting in limbo until the funeral happened last week. The whole affair has raised a whole gamut of emotions for him without any of the usual mourning for the damage stretched back many years and the point of conciliation has long since past. The burial was a perfunctory affair with due dignity shown. I think that there will be a reaction for him and his siblings but a grieving for what should have been but never was. It has left me in a reflective mood these past few days. Tuesday was my day off and I was badly in need of somewhere quiet to ponder. My anxiety ever lurking in the wings has returned recently but I am being proactive in returning to my CBT basics to help me as it passes. It may mean a return to a low dosage of the meds...I don't know I shall watch how things pan out o