tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44590965350135127632024-03-19T06:49:45.224+00:00Eccentric Amblings and Ramblings From Gnat Bottomed TowersThe life and adventures of a mildly dotty old bird.Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.comBlogger2857125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-42086846684553304652024-03-18T16:35:00.001+00:002024-03-18T16:35:32.951+00:00All work and no plays makes for a very dull day.....<p>Grey Monday and I'm up for a spot of fun...after I'd finished work I carried on driving to the nearby village of Billingshurst. Former corn fields have now been built upon, but many of the trees and hedgerows have been retained as part of the new estate. At the centre of it all is a big green public space with ponds and public works of art by Helena Roden. The triangular one represents one of the types of stooks which would have been seen in the area and all of them are covered in wild plants which are to be found here. There were masses of birds to be seen and a funny little sign which I passed on my way in from the car🐾 </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lu9equ9HPdltBGhsXlvEUK5r_IuYDbe_rx4h3ziE1RZBB2dWOJeQbXPhY-pwLE1Pa3hpsxey9okRMBKP_fNDRHsqP19kThSL9fc9SlhfVEobkyv8vvI5q8HvO6XxfLzm4ljJWD9U2WYT715Du1X5mrAlg_jemF6H3nN8svMIGdu92_gMn8A20RmSWjs/s1024/amblehurst%20green%20(1%20of%209).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lu9equ9HPdltBGhsXlvEUK5r_IuYDbe_rx4h3ziE1RZBB2dWOJeQbXPhY-pwLE1Pa3hpsxey9okRMBKP_fNDRHsqP19kThSL9fc9SlhfVEobkyv8vvI5q8HvO6XxfLzm4ljJWD9U2WYT715Du1X5mrAlg_jemF6H3nN8svMIGdu92_gMn8A20RmSWjs/s320/amblehurst%20green%20(1%20of%209).jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIBonFZfZpa7b9XXYfRbCWZsKNOET46KZbytTue2os0Uidvx6KchAgGnpjfBUE8SC-ZteQF2Fx3vJa7fA7jlwzXw-2_uaVoNenQlOWM5nJef11ulmUhKpbaaTEAOayAZjx8R6PAwtKfRP_VgxHznzoeTHcxnO_sG7GLWGm_81-Odxj8zdC6g1p3NUIaE/s1024/amblehurst%20green%20(2%20of%209).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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We were pressed for time, but not a bad haul all things considered.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAeHYnBzq_e_f6JAQVU_kzucsp2XFXc3jyg6APtQw3ycxSa7SMjGmmnTEd5vGrWpMK-UhXvVQwBAmvvNAL4Pra7CqwZX2gvexoQ5ZcTYvXb63TZ23OMhOVSsDjS0XA0HTaAtzwURmvOPxZZEiU-lyU4PUC7XqwgSES7KP9R5M8TSzzvhtACqWesKD87s/s1024/doors%20(1%20of%205).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="449" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAeHYnBzq_e_f6JAQVU_kzucsp2XFXc3jyg6APtQw3ycxSa7SMjGmmnTEd5vGrWpMK-UhXvVQwBAmvvNAL4Pra7CqwZX2gvexoQ5ZcTYvXb63TZ23OMhOVSsDjS0XA0HTaAtzwURmvOPxZZEiU-lyU4PUC7XqwgSES7KP9R5M8TSzzvhtACqWesKD87s/s320/doors%20(1%20of%205).jpg" width="140" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Zae980s7UZJCXTQkU957Q-3hjgR9x7scwVC9qLfJ6DdI5YButQ-m3ChqJ2qvLGfZIojQWHq7Myq3uGTz44LaAsOBsRmi6tv5zPP3voFbZPk4bjWqqKbEdPpCoUpM7brv9MZY2aYCP-xIyUDM8auDASlf-9cbYAv1hYJjlB1_FvhOXN4qyPkO1UV8trc/s1024/doors%20(2%20of%205).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1FWa5yDe1H70vEnhfKc7GWBdSAKEwdaDzq-SaYZjR-7EV-TunshopJJuL4CvMYx0AZEMCHfFf649wXlTUryAvnAt3G1xfLsPKeI0t1AtjnxheblUI42jPiyJZsXrHWt-yX2l0oyiOjpSOqwfUVxsuk35L3tcjF26mutCri5KCsJukvtJOReSM88fVuo/s1024/doors%20(4%20of%205).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="373" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1FWa5yDe1H70vEnhfKc7GWBdSAKEwdaDzq-SaYZjR-7EV-TunshopJJuL4CvMYx0AZEMCHfFf649wXlTUryAvnAt3G1xfLsPKeI0t1AtjnxheblUI42jPiyJZsXrHWt-yX2l0oyiOjpSOqwfUVxsuk35L3tcjF26mutCri5KCsJukvtJOReSM88fVuo/s320/doors%20(4%20of%205).jpg" width="117" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXZnGuDoOxbBpcj2mBXoPq4TehKgXwRBrN6f_Cdu5JKptqTfEOGr0wIwMhoAk6Bir1oTljXMiPoFeGh0_Yrlcq3DXPGiUgyyLvE6wJ9Y0_WZYlHg2o06aYr4t3wqhS2PyD9Gjq7PHBQ9NrbtOZuNOKD8m-HkWsXG-Fu9gc-lpBt0U7dzKP-ymRomA9ts/s704/doors%20(5%20of%205).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXZnGuDoOxbBpcj2mBXoPq4TehKgXwRBrN6f_Cdu5JKptqTfEOGr0wIwMhoAk6Bir1oTljXMiPoFeGh0_Yrlcq3DXPGiUgyyLvE6wJ9Y0_WZYlHg2o06aYr4t3wqhS2PyD9Gjq7PHBQ9NrbtOZuNOKD8m-HkWsXG-Fu9gc-lpBt0U7dzKP-ymRomA9ts/s320/doors%20(5%20of%205).jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Have a fabulous weekend folks.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Arilx</p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-29560946820527382122024-03-13T15:26:00.000+00:002024-03-13T15:26:04.033+00:00Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qHiGpX4AYB366PjFlL6yEuuHgvy5PlgW7ZojntvMWHvrdteH3GIbDQvQIcnz43S7gHAghlK7iENK0DgQbxoYtQM8eCaVseyLvLxNxR2gIHUb1rB8LtwHyo4rNAu-GODrSTWG5PpEwDmsSS5Sq1YJiJGZqfNonlbrGpImGCJWK3lqfZH9kap9xWTr30w/s1024/mothers%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qHiGpX4AYB366PjFlL6yEuuHgvy5PlgW7ZojntvMWHvrdteH3GIbDQvQIcnz43S7gHAghlK7iENK0DgQbxoYtQM8eCaVseyLvLxNxR2gIHUb1rB8LtwHyo4rNAu-GODrSTWG5PpEwDmsSS5Sq1YJiJGZqfNonlbrGpImGCJWK3lqfZH9kap9xWTr30w/s320/mothers%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Many were celebrating Mother's Day in the UK last Sunday. I wasn't planning to write anything about it [hence the delay], but then I read this on Monday and I changed my mind.<div><br /></div><div>Along with several other books a paperback by Peter James was given to our local Oxfam recently. It was bought last week and the new owner put out an appeal on our local FB to track down the donor. Inside the front cover was a very personal message from a lady to her family [quite rightly not shared]. Social media worked its magic and one of her daughters came forward. She and her sister lost their Mum three years ago and have been sorting out her stuff. They had no idea that the message was there when they dropped the books off and think that their Mum wrote it a couple of hours before she died. They have been reunited with the book and said it was like having a Mother's day message from her💗</div><div><br /></div><div>Arilx</div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-21785546404145176982024-03-10T13:33:00.000+00:002024-03-10T13:33:19.371+00:00Yodelling<p> Yodelling and prog rock....not a combination I ever expected to see in a single phrase, but there I was at a very local gig watching a friend play in the support act. The main band, Epsilon, is another group from the town who do prog rock covers. I didn't think I knew any prog rock songs [I've lived a sheltered life😆], but I actually recognised several tracks much to my surprise. However, I have certainly never encountered this one. Hocus Pocus by Focus. Kind of utterly bonkers, but weirdly compelling and enjoyable. Thought I'd share the joy....it will wake you up sufficiently to reach for the mute button if nothing else!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i00s_m5SOCI" width="320" youtube-src-id="i00s_m5SOCI"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">If this has inspired you to rush off and learn to yodel for yourself I've even unearthed a free course for you all <a href="https://www.yodelcourse.org/">https://www.yodelcourse.org/</a>. I think that I lack the motivation to attempt it😆</p><p style="text-align: left;">Arilx</p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-2254326436556466912024-03-07T20:18:00.000+00:002024-03-07T20:18:05.619+00:00A Piece of TheatreWith Mother's Day fast approaching I like to do my normal thing and go rogue. It will come as no surprise that it's all very low key as I ignore all the commercialism, but am never adverse to having a legitimate excuse for a little treat. We decided to celebrate early and enjoy the theatrical delights of Painshill Park whilst it was quiet and peaceful. Being known as a bit of a weather witch it hurled it down with rain on the journey there and back yet for two glorious hours we had beautiful sunshine and with a gorgeous surprise awaiting us when we got back to the carpark as you'll see in the final photo.<div><br /></div><div>The parkland was was the work of Charles Hamilton between 1738-73 and within it he has created a mystical landscape of water features and follies. Some are tucked away out of sight and it adds to the experience coming across them as you follow the twisted pathways around the estate. It must have been enchanting for those who visited when he first designed it. By 1945 the garden had become derelict, but its restoration has revived its original spirit and it's a joy. I'll just concentrate on photos to give you an idea of what it's like.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Ruined Abbey</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCDD3JZO7qPadA1R015mxRGSJNSfl4z0vXkW8W_leY9sSd1dkmam4SbfmVDncND5YA32ZvxM6iyeIObGalNu8erJEkxNnmrud_Wu58B_fGwAQr_XSo97lF-T8UB3OELEGb8yDvBwNdI-bf8BsYfXIJUZCOrjt51LfgD1aYHKaNSLIu97px8iQUzJetZQ/s1024/painshill%20again%20(2%20of%203).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCDD3JZO7qPadA1R015mxRGSJNSfl4z0vXkW8W_leY9sSd1dkmam4SbfmVDncND5YA32ZvxM6iyeIObGalNu8erJEkxNnmrud_Wu58B_fGwAQr_XSo97lF-T8UB3OELEGb8yDvBwNdI-bf8BsYfXIJUZCOrjt51LfgD1aYHKaNSLIu97px8iQUzJetZQ/s320/painshill%20again%20(2%20of%203).jpg" width="187" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Gothic Temple</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUlUlZu3ap7P_fZjr87qwhG3v0Yyt0upTF3ymK3FdXY-958CNVjHihS70I6IHdSpqrlD_Eh487pfkKDpkIF2ySxtJ5Pqx-MWzwWCfPnb5qELrV1lcm3YmfbE_Ez6-YOiebl5Aqof12H8ni4tMGWbPwvtn9bMpvr5cIVzvMX2SZFnzAyMe-GlNW5FEu7A/s1024/painshill%20one%20(2%20of%207).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="820" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUlUlZu3ap7P_fZjr87qwhG3v0Yyt0upTF3ymK3FdXY-958CNVjHihS70I6IHdSpqrlD_Eh487pfkKDpkIF2ySxtJ5Pqx-MWzwWCfPnb5qELrV1lcm3YmfbE_Ez6-YOiebl5Aqof12H8ni4tMGWbPwvtn9bMpvr5cIVzvMX2SZFnzAyMe-GlNW5FEu7A/s320/painshill%20one%20(2%20of%207).jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wbc8XkiHN172lgwA8iwL1y5Sdu8prADLp4fnEUvBnq_Xr0G3b13Ht1odJvelkdep2Deptj1G1SwU7XzCB2RdOGw0o8q69eVXKDZwJlaBTzqQ3tdQ_ULSkmzOAxyMDKQcOO39_M6cH3mp4LQEthUPFplOGvoareFeGF07kZxWx3S7NimYwEFZVvHvzV8/s1024/painshill%20one%20(3%20of%207).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1024" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wbc8XkiHN172lgwA8iwL1y5Sdu8prADLp4fnEUvBnq_Xr0G3b13Ht1odJvelkdep2Deptj1G1SwU7XzCB2RdOGw0o8q69eVXKDZwJlaBTzqQ3tdQ_ULSkmzOAxyMDKQcOO39_M6cH3mp4LQEthUPFplOGvoareFeGF07kZxWx3S7NimYwEFZVvHvzV8/s320/painshill%20one%20(3%20of%207).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Gothic Tower plus pylon. You get some terrific views from the top of.....wait for it....the M25!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPDuRzkNP_5zkwXtztoN8L346XfIScrbTy5RXZpECuAOcr4_gqQbui55qrCU_TCXGJDBjftEGVgorLH2BC_SGupiJ7pcxJzAM7rpOW-vCQulxAS_DYpwcnD4Qi-iGgeD0ubwW17XWxS4-nD9bkKjTuqV6-9XSYXbweYHKCWdEU_Dx4i3-COfE0edSVro/s1024/painshill%20one%20(4%20of%207).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPDuRzkNP_5zkwXtztoN8L346XfIScrbTy5RXZpECuAOcr4_gqQbui55qrCU_TCXGJDBjftEGVgorLH2BC_SGupiJ7pcxJzAM7rpOW-vCQulxAS_DYpwcnD4Qi-iGgeD0ubwW17XWxS4-nD9bkKjTuqV6-9XSYXbweYHKCWdEU_Dx4i3-COfE0edSVro/s320/painshill%20one%20(4%20of%207).jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Hermitage. The 'hermit' was paid to live within its spartan confines, but got caught in the pub and was sacked after three weeks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkMEyDDcm4Sqf3wvsrVjXJ5a5pXZCTPZYWXkWaDuvn9JvoX9vjAv7u25eCqg0XKj46KIO-DRwbNVrx8oyRU_4D5kUkQGvTwwb3__U8cpADhFikmEqxH7B5mcAKmg2EY-vl33_EcRAxakMFtD-l-TI86-Vy06IxkOvEuXxGQ5YaFrYSD41IZJfLx-VhCI/s1024/painshill%20one%20(5%20of%207).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="943" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkMEyDDcm4Sqf3wvsrVjXJ5a5pXZCTPZYWXkWaDuvn9JvoX9vjAv7u25eCqg0XKj46KIO-DRwbNVrx8oyRU_4D5kUkQGvTwwb3__U8cpADhFikmEqxH7B5mcAKmg2EY-vl33_EcRAxakMFtD-l-TI86-Vy06IxkOvEuXxGQ5YaFrYSD41IZJfLx-VhCI/s320/painshill%20one%20(5%20of%207).jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Temple of Bacchus</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa5r9KDYKT7FZTXVwRrtZnqy32sWK086yuA0IPhKYOgNIMrCg69FwyLbjq_oFnf1Rdj2n_qWE0yOhYpq7HuRMuR1sGw7AAcDk9b6aTqWuz-P-UZtxPd3hhqnlhlm_iJWI8kG0CRuKCm-6GAaVaI64GPxyEptZa-tDWBvD2Cx_KhHVMonpomUasoiQSpc/s1024/painshill%20one%20(6%20of%207).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa5r9KDYKT7FZTXVwRrtZnqy32sWK086yuA0IPhKYOgNIMrCg69FwyLbjq_oFnf1Rdj2n_qWE0yOhYpq7HuRMuR1sGw7AAcDk9b6aTqWuz-P-UZtxPd3hhqnlhlm_iJWI8kG0CRuKCm-6GAaVaI64GPxyEptZa-tDWBvD2Cx_KhHVMonpomUasoiQSpc/s320/painshill%20one%20(6%20of%207).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Turkish Tent [made of metal]</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lpcbeEoPOwP2M3JxqslvsPcRJ9YICFarem03GAphVUz2A3X_gCztjy48mMaEoh3vL2o-Fq4nxI8K7JOBUjAzu15osTS7wSTgg-gKBo1ZrbPfUTucrRl7Em9-Xp4N6ua6MmA3eamxnXVZ2u4miOSa34_hvqCLN_gEqXwcllPLQlQ9jb-PA-TUwuFQ09U/s1024/painshill%20one%20(7%20of%207).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="1024" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lpcbeEoPOwP2M3JxqslvsPcRJ9YICFarem03GAphVUz2A3X_gCztjy48mMaEoh3vL2o-Fq4nxI8K7JOBUjAzu15osTS7wSTgg-gKBo1ZrbPfUTucrRl7Em9-Xp4N6ua6MmA3eamxnXVZ2u4miOSa34_hvqCLN_gEqXwcllPLQlQ9jb-PA-TUwuFQ09U/s320/painshill%20one%20(7%20of%207).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And what drew me here in the first place...the restored crystal grotto.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FkHzwFIj6UgMJeJq9-l5FKVsh6UUBBB-JP0tLLYgcvpewv6Se2yYUXV3Xo_G1RnQ7xf9vwz3oixTGYCsB4Hz2s1Fz3QClzZCoC3-u5T7jSmWw8IklukFN8QdUNVS90JDmBvr-xixEi4jtV8co8Fuh7dLjcTlRhVGpUda0SleUjLXOx22fHNVTDXAexY/s1024/painshill%20again%20(1%20of%203).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1024" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FkHzwFIj6UgMJeJq9-l5FKVsh6UUBBB-JP0tLLYgcvpewv6Se2yYUXV3Xo_G1RnQ7xf9vwz3oixTGYCsB4Hz2s1Fz3QClzZCoC3-u5T7jSmWw8IklukFN8QdUNVS90JDmBvr-xixEi4jtV8co8Fuh7dLjcTlRhVGpUda0SleUjLXOx22fHNVTDXAexY/s320/painshill%20again%20(1%20of%203).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0tS-rDxyevzSd8p_TguRSxqzELBQOkxtzHnyxNXOavw0_Ng0lGykY02DP3DNnYFmNFh-unk3W-p5muUaBltPQLq1lYfMaUM76o_AiDvNKHW4gWO8xeX9kva3f8VRdYgSJtIQ0cKcHlwM_CaFRlGQFPMBg5Dktb7-wQVuoIBnAj7nrdKt1hw7y_MtDPk/s1024/painshill%20again%20(3%20of%203).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1024" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0tS-rDxyevzSd8p_TguRSxqzELBQOkxtzHnyxNXOavw0_Ng0lGykY02DP3DNnYFmNFh-unk3W-p5muUaBltPQLq1lYfMaUM76o_AiDvNKHW4gWO8xeX9kva3f8VRdYgSJtIQ0cKcHlwM_CaFRlGQFPMBg5Dktb7-wQVuoIBnAj7nrdKt1hw7y_MtDPk/s320/painshill%20again%20(3%20of%203).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One we did with our BBC gardens voucher which got one of us in for free and there's a further reduction if you prebook online. Have a fabulous weekend folks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Arilx</div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-63328133719712276392024-03-05T19:40:00.001+00:002024-03-05T19:49:00.886+00:00Rumbled.<p style="text-align: center;">Been gloriously busy these past few days enjoying myself. Now feeling it energy wise, so just a quick drop in with this one which made me and my friend E rather guffaw😸</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7iGo4o_Sha0OlRSfJkqdbFQSjBtBWg69a6DSyg00N1VJdlcpbfAwZKlbhPMLtfy88gKhe72SjIoQteatkY5IplavLYcfDZCt6VgHvAPRp33THvFk3WphXOGqZuvofrOpDSFTV188WBdZvVVUwZEks8NrySyzRCxNjqhcpcTQaOzhw8u_AoIBhrPCXE4/s1024/greedy%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="704" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7iGo4o_Sha0OlRSfJkqdbFQSjBtBWg69a6DSyg00N1VJdlcpbfAwZKlbhPMLtfy88gKhe72SjIoQteatkY5IplavLYcfDZCt6VgHvAPRp33THvFk3WphXOGqZuvofrOpDSFTV188WBdZvVVUwZEks8NrySyzRCxNjqhcpcTQaOzhw8u_AoIBhrPCXE4/s320/greedy%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="220" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Someone's been found out!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Arilx<br /> </p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-10136078754266954912024-02-29T20:15:00.000+00:002024-02-29T20:15:44.475+00:00Ghost Post <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji0P3FjGod9X1x91Lf-b8DsnXIzMfhfLhAWPrChlrfa6FG58gyuKAkXOgYbOBylZLWrczxB55Z4TvkkLI1cBPk5tMVJsKLdlmHtFTHAp94cXTydHiVnwTil1pb99lYg8QW6ylFGirhoQ_2v_CkQuK9NWLFLDOICXjDzLQDREKu_llX2exxA11T634rrs/s2048/wraiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji0P3FjGod9X1x91Lf-b8DsnXIzMfhfLhAWPrChlrfa6FG58gyuKAkXOgYbOBylZLWrczxB55Z4TvkkLI1cBPk5tMVJsKLdlmHtFTHAp94cXTydHiVnwTil1pb99lYg8QW6ylFGirhoQ_2v_CkQuK9NWLFLDOICXjDzLQDREKu_llX2exxA11T634rrs/s320/wraiths.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> [Photo by M Duffy]<br />This is one of the major things which has been taking up my time these past couple of weeks. All those white sheets and shirts a handful of us were sourcing from our local charity shops back in the Autumn have now been made into the Mythago wraiths. I most certainly did not make these all by myself....many members of the side have supported me and worked on different aspects of this project to make it a reality. I have actually done relatively little sewing this time round. Our final push was a very successful kit making day we held recently which broke the back of the masks. It all takes many hours to make these things and Mr GBT and I just finished off the last little bits off. It's been an interesting experience for me organising it all and making it happen....literally a project management, but what seemed almost insurmountable a few months ago I have now achieved. On Wednesday we were able to unite the tatter jackets and masks for the first time....I knew the masks were quite creepy because I've had those empty eye sockets following me around the room at home for several days [no I won't miss them!], but they seemed even more spooky when they were in a group. It might not look like it, but the photo was actually taken in our practice hall carpark😁 They will appear in some of our stories that we perform.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Have a great weekend. Mine will not involve any kind of sewing whatsoever!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Arilx</p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-54335740693983471982024-02-25T21:44:00.000+00:002024-02-25T21:44:21.331+00:00Night Knight<p style="text-align: left;">I know that it's many hundreds of years since these three knights entered the final long sleep, but they do look very peaceful and the one with his head on the cushion really does look like he's merely slumbering. Of the three he's the one who most caught my eye because of the snake which is entwined around his sword. The carving on all of the effigies is very detailed, but unlike the many other examples I've showcased over the years these are not stone. Instead they were made from a complete oak trunk and hollowed out from beneath. Incredibly the first two are thought to be members of the Saint Clere [now Sinclair] family who owned the manor and paid for the now oldest surviving part of St John The Baptist's church in Danbury on the North side. It's thought that originally a chapel stood there built for the soul of William de St Clere in 1290. These two date from between 1272 and 1307. If you look closely the second one hasn't fared so well over the centuries as there's been a lot of beetle damage and there's a big hole near his legs. Hardly surprising given the age of him! The third one's origin is not known, but is a bit later from the style of mail he's wearing. It is entirely possible that the first two might have taken part in the crusades and there are mutterings about possible Templar connections.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8GlihEd5m-5Q6CeZyI2Jh3KQM7TPzP_GXLqFZzii_I7Bz9TtyqJEVsN85sLcCPbFFlpmPDQAOmkrKFwc47qq-zvBf3TzRKfepPrDncLSdV1zlSNNNcUMmlHcz29U7x8ufgVBMUv6j_f_3e2_s4bS3iU-PtL4qrW05YEXxtc1CM-dxT9tj78IA-ejBZk/s1024/knight%20(7%20of%208).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8GlihEd5m-5Q6CeZyI2Jh3KQM7TPzP_GXLqFZzii_I7Bz9TtyqJEVsN85sLcCPbFFlpmPDQAOmkrKFwc47qq-zvBf3TzRKfepPrDncLSdV1zlSNNNcUMmlHcz29U7x8ufgVBMUv6j_f_3e2_s4bS3iU-PtL4qrW05YEXxtc1CM-dxT9tj78IA-ejBZk/s320/knight%20(7%20of%208).jpg" width="253" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcD798hdqwFcfSK6Ouax18EIO1ubh2QAeuzuqGwiZpCIrQRpbAUBzEaRSlt1yklUGlDuHWJEFRWNKj77EPyJ1D-ZM5RZ4MbGX1VAAoZp7kBMSM4hGiBOymRogmf0VM0u2G5JAJdm673JZB-UclyGaL5vT5lywFuzljEgKnuA40pg-JRL-v9gDT3FVu8A/s1024/knight%20(8%20of%208).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="1024" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcD798hdqwFcfSK6Ouax18EIO1ubh2QAeuzuqGwiZpCIrQRpbAUBzEaRSlt1yklUGlDuHWJEFRWNKj77EPyJ1D-ZM5RZ4MbGX1VAAoZp7kBMSM4hGiBOymRogmf0VM0u2G5JAJdm673JZB-UclyGaL5vT5lywFuzljEgKnuA40pg-JRL-v9gDT3FVu8A/s320/knight%20(8%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWM-KHZ0wiE5zUZOytePX-Ij-4PMZJBgkQ-ulsH4rzm5VYDSAffr2qJs4uYUNcxWiZWvB8eDHX5x8Ha87LTUJ50PFEfSablLjc1zzQzHT7fth6kEKyhBT19pBX3X0yH-bm-L9l9bJlpEF_spWwtRTTz3LoaCxB9M1XtUXvd7GTYfVTUZdrBDNoUV6WSI/s1024/knight%20(6%20of%208).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1024" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWM-KHZ0wiE5zUZOytePX-Ij-4PMZJBgkQ-ulsH4rzm5VYDSAffr2qJs4uYUNcxWiZWvB8eDHX5x8Ha87LTUJ50PFEfSablLjc1zzQzHT7fth6kEKyhBT19pBX3X0yH-bm-L9l9bJlpEF_spWwtRTTz3LoaCxB9M1XtUXvd7GTYfVTUZdrBDNoUV6WSI/s320/knight%20(6%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvqoUR28OoBvEGP9BFqlwX8X0TvIXHv2auigSXSGF3twDBYwA_r6n9DYoaxqZSMAqizu6bJYn93Pa81IC7MGU-J6G0YVynpROF1vuqPTXCzTm3HTEJ6TlDR4hpvww5VY_p-TgLyBxEZHSP1lr09qHCy3bc7u9uSpkXoK3bImQn6qZH2gU-SSdfb_MMSA/s1024/knight%20(3%20of%208).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1024" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvqoUR28OoBvEGP9BFqlwX8X0TvIXHv2auigSXSGF3twDBYwA_r6n9DYoaxqZSMAqizu6bJYn93Pa81IC7MGU-J6G0YVynpROF1vuqPTXCzTm3HTEJ6TlDR4hpvww5VY_p-TgLyBxEZHSP1lr09qHCy3bc7u9uSpkXoK3bImQn6qZH2gU-SSdfb_MMSA/s320/knight%20(3%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmK_NLtfmxa7YtAzYG60_dcJFuKwoaaGCi_0lEp3esj0R-tvb25j2fcSWANR6BBxeHyGgOnNTQYE0wZ3OQjQ6VyodaoKu2jzkO8PPdynBPl7W0bHT6uyKh3pBGoCdplix6Z4BDg20Qt2x1P1zdJ_tCPklwrMY4lvk80UV3gVwHu5MuXlBduQ6aEdH95c/s1024/knight%20(4%20of%208).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1024" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmK_NLtfmxa7YtAzYG60_dcJFuKwoaaGCi_0lEp3esj0R-tvb25j2fcSWANR6BBxeHyGgOnNTQYE0wZ3OQjQ6VyodaoKu2jzkO8PPdynBPl7W0bHT6uyKh3pBGoCdplix6Z4BDg20Qt2x1P1zdJ_tCPklwrMY4lvk80UV3gVwHu5MuXlBduQ6aEdH95c/s320/knight%20(4%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvZ2vV5PB0GPfXRVJU-IxjLUmVknmzUQc5gSv9zguLg96sMCOX3FB_nTY997v3BeJAOpIS6gpCE9-79iZtsdvvwts7wIIyLvxXPwbqf-PfM6WxDYaryd1Q2YqXj7W__vmdvVoIvqDtKy8z5VkCrvG7tbu3SoBMQrDXV5uOtgoOoXhfXIo1KwsgZXCmPU/s1024/knight%20(1%20of%208).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="1024" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvZ2vV5PB0GPfXRVJU-IxjLUmVknmzUQc5gSv9zguLg96sMCOX3FB_nTY997v3BeJAOpIS6gpCE9-79iZtsdvvwts7wIIyLvxXPwbqf-PfM6WxDYaryd1Q2YqXj7W__vmdvVoIvqDtKy8z5VkCrvG7tbu3SoBMQrDXV5uOtgoOoXhfXIo1KwsgZXCmPU/s320/knight%20(1%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzFwm-SvpEMCnmYa57BimivvduscHxjKKxaHyN4uk1SAqcHz-c73egRwjkxR686tRyrj5LM3fqc5Q8aqkQsweRsBEgavV6-pXR3GwCzmGzqcj1JxqgBKhVCiOKUF4iyuzAuTdlSmVXOyTqnjuPdS41ejHSrEG4p9dhwlWZLzDj3FKpmWjNwBJC6ymu9Q/s1024/knight%20(2%20of%208).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1024" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzFwm-SvpEMCnmYa57BimivvduscHxjKKxaHyN4uk1SAqcHz-c73egRwjkxR686tRyrj5LM3fqc5Q8aqkQsweRsBEgavV6-pXR3GwCzmGzqcj1JxqgBKhVCiOKUF4iyuzAuTdlSmVXOyTqnjuPdS41ejHSrEG4p9dhwlWZLzDj3FKpmWjNwBJC6ymu9Q/s320/knight%20(2%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Back in 1779 workmen discovered an unmarked lead coffin. The rector and warden decided to open it and found within it another elm coffin containing an embalmed body of a young man still in the liquor which had preserved him. It is quite possible that the cadaver they found could be one of these knights. He was resealed and reburied. I found the report of his discovery in The Gentleman magazine to be very interesting, but can appreciate that not everyone wants to read all the gory details. For those who do the link to the article is here <a href="http://hysterical.foxearth.org.uk/2019/07/the-pickled-corpse-of-danbury-church.html">http://hysterical.foxearth.org.uk/2019/07/the-pickled-corpse-of-danbury-church.html</a> Back in 2017 I wrote about how the hearts of the crusaders were kept and sent home to their loved one <a href="https://gnatbottomedtowers.blogspot.com/2017/10/heart-burial.html">https://gnatbottomedtowers.blogspot.com/2017/10/heart-burial.html</a>, but this latest information does lend itself to the theory that perhaps the crusaders had learnt how to embalm while they were away and some of the bodies did make it back. There is no proof, but it adds an interesting dimension to the discussions about this period of our history.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I've been doing mainly non blogging type activities over the last fortnight or so and generally catching up. One job has been to edit some more of the backlog of photos and thus today's post emanates from our trip away in the Autumn.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Arilx</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-5539677508375629142024-02-23T05:00:00.001+00:002024-02-23T05:00:00.145+00:00Just my cup of tea<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXvvJr-q2n19-bl2cPYbx4OuudzDiOGGSRw4KJeANmR_L2ZKnCljlAQm6k5HAX9hP1xQLsMlFO_ru6Vw0c_oGgZrj6drq1S5W7mQTHjNQ0PuPf01QlV1b7E62UPmindcAvord3U86FFKi_2ySostH2NeGQjLksHzk99bcTiAdLqBLTgHvHrm1OzFB3u4/s1024/tea%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1024" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXvvJr-q2n19-bl2cPYbx4OuudzDiOGGSRw4KJeANmR_L2ZKnCljlAQm6k5HAX9hP1xQLsMlFO_ru6Vw0c_oGgZrj6drq1S5W7mQTHjNQ0PuPf01QlV1b7E62UPmindcAvord3U86FFKi_2ySostH2NeGQjLksHzk99bcTiAdLqBLTgHvHrm1OzFB3u4/s320/tea%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> My only reason for showing this photo today is the utter gorgeousness of this tea cup and saucer. You can see it for yourself at the Wallace Collection in London where my friend Arty L and I paid a visit recently. I say 'paid', but entry is free😁<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Have a fabulous weeknd.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Arilx</p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-6512646825025267432024-02-18T20:32:00.000+00:002024-02-18T20:32:44.937+00:00The Not So New Town<p> If I asked you to name a New Town you might say Welyn Garden City, Milton Keynes or here in Sussex we've got Crawley. Some have fared better than others and many will roll their eyes if you mention Crawley...it would be a lie to pretend it's a pretty place. Its 1950s architecture looks shabby and dated, the town is quite is run down with the rows of vape, nail and tattoo retail outlets and there's poverty. What you don't necessarily appreciate though is that it's got some good facilities, it's very multi cultural [best samosas I've ever had and that's compared to ones I've eaten in Bradford and Leeds] and everyone I met that day was, without exception, really friendly. I hope that the following photos show a more positive side to what can be found if you drill down a bit to find out more.</p><p>There have been people living in this area since Mesolithic times and the museum has a very fine collection of flints and bronze age tools to prove it. As only I would my original motivation for travelling over was to see the Bronze Age sword discovered by drainage workers in 1952 in a stream. It was undamaged and all the signs point to it being deliberately put in the water as an offering to the Gods. I love this sculpture called 'Golden Tree' by Joss Smith as it does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to explaining some of the history of the town.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Az09VCGwHtHLsmJl0X6AzdBX4tKv4IU-BK1FTAihzUhO95_vJe-FMEaVdH10qGKOXswitk3FagrM2bbwtEPYjilAG22TGA1mNnIr0T7ggwE-UeRUOK2TQ2BkScyrFyrDGK6IB5vQROAyybnJR0tlbU121zCHU5tor7YjuxfpKN6PsNNfFVzZw90TcDU/s1024/crawley%20(6%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Az09VCGwHtHLsmJl0X6AzdBX4tKv4IU-BK1FTAihzUhO95_vJe-FMEaVdH10qGKOXswitk3FagrM2bbwtEPYjilAG22TGA1mNnIr0T7ggwE-UeRUOK2TQ2BkScyrFyrDGK6IB5vQROAyybnJR0tlbU121zCHU5tor7YjuxfpKN6PsNNfFVzZw90TcDU/s320/crawley%20(6%20of%2017).jpg" width="147" /></a></p><p>The sandstone bottom represents the Jurassic limestone from when the area was all covered in forest, the granite anvil is the ironworking which was a major industry here, the now verdigris axehead started out a gold colour hence the piece's name and the two crows reference the original Saxon name of Crow Lea. This meant the place of crows and is where the name of Crawley is derived from. It sits in the High Street along with some of the lovely older buildings and an imaginative range of modern street furniture. The first editor of Punch, Mark Lemon, used to hold meetings in the white house and other famous names you might recognise from here include Gareth Southgate, Robert Smith [The Cure's frontman] and Romesh Ranganathan.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqKOj87WpsAvKLw0JR7d5Kp1khWBw5TdV9iUPIHNpW6E-rkAvrQB4cD1dr4EbZ9pJih16GbaXOKP2sCht2gyDP1GL2A78TAuNssyuDac0LSg0vGRKwQZ3XbZTGzJRpkd96yS89CpUrEQfywt5Km0n7E2WQcrode-FXK4e0A8fHY6AoyHxYJs4h5X74Pg/s1024/crawley%20(9%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1024" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqKOj87WpsAvKLw0JR7d5Kp1khWBw5TdV9iUPIHNpW6E-rkAvrQB4cD1dr4EbZ9pJih16GbaXOKP2sCht2gyDP1GL2A78TAuNssyuDac0LSg0vGRKwQZ3XbZTGzJRpkd96yS89CpUrEQfywt5Km0n7E2WQcrode-FXK4e0A8fHY6AoyHxYJs4h5X74Pg/s320/crawley%20(9%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2-6TMO9OOleinN8altv83RwB9raEa4I8t8X30PhsefLnPxDEexIWJv7vB2vCgCfB49XoGrpdMEeAjQfd4fRxo5vgbfX6wgW4yQG_Yy8WRhBi5R-qJbQqjJJ5DNFlFSdwmcEBfeehTLQWu7VSqIKx4bNdGDCW8_56kejmWYkhlNtAslQnhjndxvtJu98/s1024/crawley%20(7%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1024" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2-6TMO9OOleinN8altv83RwB9raEa4I8t8X30PhsefLnPxDEexIWJv7vB2vCgCfB49XoGrpdMEeAjQfd4fRxo5vgbfX6wgW4yQG_Yy8WRhBi5R-qJbQqjJJ5DNFlFSdwmcEBfeehTLQWu7VSqIKx4bNdGDCW8_56kejmWYkhlNtAslQnhjndxvtJu98/s320/crawley%20(7%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZpUkdessgs6edOLz5hcHPr2AR1SW3UBm9PDci81LMddKJ2yzGIXHBze9ggX58B3XNmJuOBNPwkw05EFi1GmTH9IvGO2HAp59YQXkmVGrmXsNIoOeE0Xnesh1RNmmdM5m_14qfFXW_Hdj9KhdXkjN-2h2-KCmroWJaYzp-oY_J6y1fvdJg4OvrifpmIs/s1024/crawley%20(11%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="955" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZpUkdessgs6edOLz5hcHPr2AR1SW3UBm9PDci81LMddKJ2yzGIXHBze9ggX58B3XNmJuOBNPwkw05EFi1GmTH9IvGO2HAp59YQXkmVGrmXsNIoOeE0Xnesh1RNmmdM5m_14qfFXW_Hdj9KhdXkjN-2h2-KCmroWJaYzp-oY_J6y1fvdJg4OvrifpmIs/s320/crawley%20(11%20of%2017).jpg" width="298" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy7rfcUyAUoghWDa5ZNqmiQRviv4WJ9maV7pREy44YJYLtYw1U4Il38O92IJ-KLVlGyXvI4hro0zKSUzR15LCX1bO7TKcni3BhLsFLCkdOrnuxjM3VjjqL0SBFrt00AmQx6D0-j5YV6G_n8W-TTyyjwW7_1AivMpSjojM3IV17zU4XvBFjyubCYyQO6M/s1024/crawley%20(12%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy7rfcUyAUoghWDa5ZNqmiQRviv4WJ9maV7pREy44YJYLtYw1U4Il38O92IJ-KLVlGyXvI4hro0zKSUzR15LCX1bO7TKcni3BhLsFLCkdOrnuxjM3VjjqL0SBFrt00AmQx6D0-j5YV6G_n8W-TTyyjwW7_1AivMpSjojM3IV17zU4XvBFjyubCYyQO6M/s320/crawley%20(12%20of%2017).jpg" width="166" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ckg8vqMCiOggNwER7IKFQv3waybzi7TwhJiTE3MNLM54r4BT1mROT0KzaFitaQH65lsBmtTepat7ye5UiknM2Z4uA5YHRTZlaJcf4wJzFFVkOLlsHFFWdDZmG1pujvMEO3vpuk_ZdrZqhHPIB8Mv1RzNlABrOWfVrd5yOvuheb8xv2XHoIbgfDpfb0M/s1024/crawley%20(5%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ckg8vqMCiOggNwER7IKFQv3waybzi7TwhJiTE3MNLM54r4BT1mROT0KzaFitaQH65lsBmtTepat7ye5UiknM2Z4uA5YHRTZlaJcf4wJzFFVkOLlsHFFWdDZmG1pujvMEO3vpuk_ZdrZqhHPIB8Mv1RzNlABrOWfVrd5yOvuheb8xv2XHoIbgfDpfb0M/s320/crawley%20(5%20of%2017).jpg" width="305" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWAb92lyD_WA_UR84pJP_zEQDoFGMxxUJc2C669MUontL9ZBeAw9BFdKzFy8FSkyN9bkdVBm0E56rmrHsHT4rgbAoknxlzmWBVHjInzpXXaj4H1GXyrofAvid7jU3bfUPKYVJAWElkuwCgMNIfQRyhEyKIyyejR18yrDiGrj7HTuCwZUutphPNSZry04/s1024/crawley%20(10%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="883" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWAb92lyD_WA_UR84pJP_zEQDoFGMxxUJc2C669MUontL9ZBeAw9BFdKzFy8FSkyN9bkdVBm0E56rmrHsHT4rgbAoknxlzmWBVHjInzpXXaj4H1GXyrofAvid7jU3bfUPKYVJAWElkuwCgMNIfQRyhEyKIyyejR18yrDiGrj7HTuCwZUutphPNSZry04/s320/crawley%20(10%20of%2017).jpg" width="276" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJAO8X8N04Eu9NzJFOpmiQFTH8R_DomTDwd0KqC_q6khlBb8MVnyK18_tI2pbCPCO6PxbKcSzgbUJPUl-Ryj9cr-SZaGoyN-0hSLk6sM_CpTlW_s5WUS9VUXxG-41Yvb5OaJNio2G_iRbuq8dKvegcSDs1pLq7qZ0NiAi13gAqi-40EaWp3wWoK8a7oc/s1024/crawley%20(8%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="1024" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJAO8X8N04Eu9NzJFOpmiQFTH8R_DomTDwd0KqC_q6khlBb8MVnyK18_tI2pbCPCO6PxbKcSzgbUJPUl-Ryj9cr-SZaGoyN-0hSLk6sM_CpTlW_s5WUS9VUXxG-41Yvb5OaJNio2G_iRbuq8dKvegcSDs1pLq7qZ0NiAi13gAqi-40EaWp3wWoK8a7oc/s320/crawley%20(8%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Whilst there many not be many public works of art in the centre of the town, what they do have are rather eyecatching. These two images are of the Glacial Boulders by Jane Fordham and David Parfitt. The colourful stone sits at the centre with the 9 smaller ones surrounding it. The patterns on them are based on a series of signatures the artists collected from some of the locals!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qcXV74bTALK7sUJNNuhYvR4sS8VsU67fwMmlt-6mUQI4jUXqu5GARlUwbqTCt0t53KbW_WlvPRGBIOVisHQ5YqonVHPlv6JuDIjgxW1NvYzFIF9wMpwPLY_8rDolYn5jBtZDkv-ydRBFaZkXptamfljQeoxRbL1jMEuczJ5o64cQVPDyWAatUekKPek/s1024/crawley%20(14%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1024" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qcXV74bTALK7sUJNNuhYvR4sS8VsU67fwMmlt-6mUQI4jUXqu5GARlUwbqTCt0t53KbW_WlvPRGBIOVisHQ5YqonVHPlv6JuDIjgxW1NvYzFIF9wMpwPLY_8rDolYn5jBtZDkv-ydRBFaZkXptamfljQeoxRbL1jMEuczJ5o64cQVPDyWAatUekKPek/s320/crawley%20(14%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s4NgcC7_6pPDPjqEDUS4ZwPene3S3o-FJINj4kXuq76fNL2Ed1uloh3ySBMi8Cp0lyHz26rmM9kyQyyNcdCKIrwp5W698ECRphdI0YaEAAZy2yrV26RdEGBzbBJiCXpdhwG3fNvgg9A_uN4oRsWRI8nUP_jfseGZeSHez-Z9MhHB_YEc6RzY4TxVcAE/s1024/crawley%20(15%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1024" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s4NgcC7_6pPDPjqEDUS4ZwPene3S3o-FJINj4kXuq76fNL2Ed1uloh3ySBMi8Cp0lyHz26rmM9kyQyyNcdCKIrwp5W698ECRphdI0YaEAAZy2yrV26RdEGBzbBJiCXpdhwG3fNvgg9A_uN4oRsWRI8nUP_jfseGZeSHez-Z9MhHB_YEc6RzY4TxVcAE/s320/crawley%20(15%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Slap bang in the middle of town sit both the RC church and the parish one. For those with an interest in graves Lord Alfred Douglas is buried along with his mother in the Catholic cemetery. The name might not ring a bell until I tell you that most people knew him as Bosie and he was famous or perhaps infamous depending upon how you look at it as being Oscar Wilde's lover. I did take the obligatory photo for my records, but would rather share with you the stunning windows from St John's. Looking them up now I find that they are by Burne-Jones and am not surprised that I fell in love with them. His work is fabulous. Beneath each angel were the panel of words which I thought rather moving.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYtqtk7TxWGLkGB03g9WyUHWa63eUxR1tidiV-P9x54W9usNTSb1kmM56CLCZtL2SWjnp4wVCGTgM6HmoBznNs3_aSmx87B9bHesp7v1GTkiPSbShs4YckwolieelFlU8Fw4uQafLFnS-Y-r8EDjoqRVotciJlSDTJPRuSl-Gd5pIKSAlpy2nX8sGypI/s1024/crawley%20(1%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="372" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYtqtk7TxWGLkGB03g9WyUHWa63eUxR1tidiV-P9x54W9usNTSb1kmM56CLCZtL2SWjnp4wVCGTgM6HmoBznNs3_aSmx87B9bHesp7v1GTkiPSbShs4YckwolieelFlU8Fw4uQafLFnS-Y-r8EDjoqRVotciJlSDTJPRuSl-Gd5pIKSAlpy2nX8sGypI/s320/crawley%20(1%20of%2017).jpg" width="116" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpcbahwPFiu7hxj7_o8BOqC4dM9r4gJHl_PTgsJ5dq90f-Ls_uoN1lcp4zwlUpAM6qz4Huhf7HmDdE1YoyPfXOkHwcjgm_wHbh_Wc8Eya8JgFuIZciZ4R0rv76TGniX1cbGPhQ0PWDb8XXAUV7uvP7HaUs-EIN_QkcmDRm4G2DbaZ8a4Oy5Nvo-CD6qA/s1024/crawley%20(3%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1024" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpcbahwPFiu7hxj7_o8BOqC4dM9r4gJHl_PTgsJ5dq90f-Ls_uoN1lcp4zwlUpAM6qz4Huhf7HmDdE1YoyPfXOkHwcjgm_wHbh_Wc8Eya8JgFuIZciZ4R0rv76TGniX1cbGPhQ0PWDb8XXAUV7uvP7HaUs-EIN_QkcmDRm4G2DbaZ8a4Oy5Nvo-CD6qA/s320/crawley%20(3%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGsWpxNdglSjg00p8UiJC5w0G8_6JzM_iUAh5c7ZG3yW0CLyRNPJO9eaC7GMuTwzFxeNdI2edW5-3mQPV30ziw_8mgZz2w7n2ek8k5aNxt8KiXmVKGpHbR5EZd3xszZyKgkiujZOnVM1RyeehF4MiNyt4GIDPiUyw25xVHFMGXkdNe1YFe9YcLgQWndI/s1024/crawley%20(2%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGsWpxNdglSjg00p8UiJC5w0G8_6JzM_iUAh5c7ZG3yW0CLyRNPJO9eaC7GMuTwzFxeNdI2edW5-3mQPV30ziw_8mgZz2w7n2ek8k5aNxt8KiXmVKGpHbR5EZd3xszZyKgkiujZOnVM1RyeehF4MiNyt4GIDPiUyw25xVHFMGXkdNe1YFe9YcLgQWndI/s320/crawley%20(2%20of%2017).jpg" width="141" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigifCrEF4ygz7jaP69w6hzVrikXUJsKmGZsqiHsuSGv-sWmrW-0UFj9YEw_qoaxumY_Q_vD2lRRsur1SsnYT5hqMzzrwO5lIKR8xnLL93d1YpfzQ01Nl4YO7GcQaiCWOiIdVr1iJpbYaQAnpHFaEj_ja4Qy_oV5_D8_Qw8vHeU5VmwiUCeHZUdvJJrXD4/s1024/crawley%20(4%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1024" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigifCrEF4ygz7jaP69w6hzVrikXUJsKmGZsqiHsuSGv-sWmrW-0UFj9YEw_qoaxumY_Q_vD2lRRsur1SsnYT5hqMzzrwO5lIKR8xnLL93d1YpfzQ01Nl4YO7GcQaiCWOiIdVr1iJpbYaQAnpHFaEj_ja4Qy_oV5_D8_Qw8vHeU5VmwiUCeHZUdvJJrXD4/s320/crawley%20(4%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After my bimble around the museum [as that was what I was supposedly there for!] I decided to reacquaint myself with the Victorian bandstand which sits in the middle of the main shopping area of Queen's Square...except it wasn't there. I know it's been a fair few years since I last visited, but I was a tad confused. Am pleased to say though that in the intervening period a piece of land bought in 1921 in memory of the lives lost in the Great War has now been transformed into a well thought out Memorial garden and public green space. The bandstand has undergone an impressive refurb and has been in its new home since 2018. The backstory to this is quite interesting because this is not its first move. When it was first made in 1891 it was to be found at Gatwick. Back then Gatwick was not an airport, but a major racecourse and sufficiently important to have held the Grand National [sorry not a fan] on three occasions during WWII when Liverpool was the target of German bombers and deemed too unsafe. The Crawley Development Corporation bought it in 1948. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F7Ck0xQkLrTQgFxbL-aTlXPKyg8H6ULhqZbEPrpVZ0P1F6f6_jnWznGpWoWYzFbyy5sjbX8fY6H2ilX4Z97q6r7vdr37CAWlDKcgsvxMb6AqV5l6KGGIhCo0_AEtlJ9RVVem-5t-1sKVH-jyJiyQpt38MiIv0VDyPbFVbbb4SgluypVhNMNI-Iwfk9A/s1024/crawley%20(16%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1024" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F7Ck0xQkLrTQgFxbL-aTlXPKyg8H6ULhqZbEPrpVZ0P1F6f6_jnWznGpWoWYzFbyy5sjbX8fY6H2ilX4Z97q6r7vdr37CAWlDKcgsvxMb6AqV5l6KGGIhCo0_AEtlJ9RVVem-5t-1sKVH-jyJiyQpt38MiIv0VDyPbFVbbb4SgluypVhNMNI-Iwfk9A/s320/crawley%20(16%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Indeed this is not the only item which has transferred from its home in Queen Square. To be honest I don't remember this mosaic, but it was made in the 1950s by Len Baker who worked for Carter Tiles. It was inspired by Lewis Carroll. After it was removed it disappeared until someone put up a photo of it lurking in a pile of rubbish unloved in one of the country parks. The adverse publicity led to a change of heart and I am glad to say that it too was restored and is now back on display for all to enjoy!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYrm-yX0CWlNhSekzgVOHIM1iB41Ra74rWTFLPnXkTxmc_Be0sF09K3A6iS__r72Objtdlm-3qN8N6Xt7mzUzYAlHVq0cTFHQoaeu7Xeb6N0QP6t-pPvE2BnqJClVUcOAMI9eHim16PCwL4hwfWZf19jmGcVq6wNxNxWoHfvB08a6747Pe3-8vzbFPjQ/s1024/crawley%20(17%20of%2017).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1024" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYrm-yX0CWlNhSekzgVOHIM1iB41Ra74rWTFLPnXkTxmc_Be0sF09K3A6iS__r72Objtdlm-3qN8N6Xt7mzUzYAlHVq0cTFHQoaeu7Xeb6N0QP6t-pPvE2BnqJClVUcOAMI9eHim16PCwL4hwfWZf19jmGcVq6wNxNxWoHfvB08a6747Pe3-8vzbFPjQ/s320/crawley%20(17%20of%2017).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So in amongst some of the negative reviews this "New Town" receives there are most definitely some good things to see and celebrate🎈🎈<div><br /></div><div>Arilx</div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-27414030621794919792024-02-15T20:01:00.001+00:002024-02-15T20:01:08.719+00:00The non chocolate lover<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UTAk_LsqTnXOCak4yREOv1JgjZffVmiz_r5gwhvP4z7dcVikgWIrUBFv67gwxlvx-BHChbPLcY1VU0khE9QxsdeDxBG6X87KFZ3Y19znaHW2r3CFzM5YXgX5X6XEN6E4PHtE_Spq5e3FZTUGaHAzz7Ey16jeDR0rQjdAT0TUB3w4CNhLH76gqrobbiU/s1024/valentine%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1024" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UTAk_LsqTnXOCak4yREOv1JgjZffVmiz_r5gwhvP4z7dcVikgWIrUBFv67gwxlvx-BHChbPLcY1VU0khE9QxsdeDxBG6X87KFZ3Y19znaHW2r3CFzM5YXgX5X6XEN6E4PHtE_Spq5e3FZTUGaHAzz7Ey16jeDR0rQjdAT0TUB3w4CNhLH76gqrobbiU/s320/valentine%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> So I started writing a Valentine's Day post yesterday, but beyond stopping to snap this in passing [Valentine is the patron saint of bees] I found my heart wasn't in it so I scrapped it. The older I get the more rebellious I am about rampant commercialism and the more I dig my heels in about conforming. I understand that for many it's a day they hold dear and thus I hope that those who celebrated had a jolly good time. I'm not completely hard hearted as I did my usual and bought Mr GBT a packet of his favourite chocolate biscuits. It's always a win in his book as there's no need to share as I'd already got myself crisps. Unlike himself I quite like chocolate, but crisps will always win out. Even Mr GBT's love of the stuff might be challenged by this little delight I found lurking in the cabinet of our town's newest gallery.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM42XWZqvPVGcsIm-MIZZOnAsWRzJK2xLZgmASnaz7otVS6sORyrSmHwpsC9lA_VColOQ25KCgjoe-nY1hFzRuZG5uassE7Xai_AqxBrR4tk3_maTX0pQmQ79itLJZu-7g9ziIMEZ7FjoZam84XYadj5kcJJ4z7tHNtLvxkyNckGFwPNczRKwpEAqBykk/s1024/worms%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1024" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM42XWZqvPVGcsIm-MIZZOnAsWRzJK2xLZgmASnaz7otVS6sORyrSmHwpsC9lA_VColOQ25KCgjoe-nY1hFzRuZG5uassE7Xai_AqxBrR4tk3_maTX0pQmQ79itLJZu-7g9ziIMEZ7FjoZam84XYadj5kcJJ4z7tHNtLvxkyNckGFwPNczRKwpEAqBykk/s320/worms%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first thing to be said about this rather curious combination is that this little packet of tablets neither contain chocolate nor worms for that matter! This 'medicine' was made by Robert Gibson and Sons. I use the term 'medicine' lightly because we're entering the wild west territory of unregulated Victorian/Edwardian treatments. This particular remedy might have sorted out your intestinal worms, but I'm not so sure that the mercury listed on the ingredients would have done you a whole heap of good. Weirdly they were cinnamon tasting too? This company also made liquorice lozenges which contained chloroform. Whilst it smacks of quackery to us such things were the common antidotes to various medical issues. Give me this type of social history over that of Kings and Queens [I accept this too has its place] any day of the week! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arilx</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-6538573007806601692024-02-12T20:39:00.000+00:002024-02-12T20:39:27.119+00:00True Colours I had a cold last week.... 🎻. Not exactly exciting news, but in between working I spend far more time sitting on my ample rump watching the year by year greatest hits of Top of the Tops than I normally would. Dull though it is resting is what leads to a faster recovery....a lesson which has taken many years for me to learn! The cat was delighted by this new regime....a near permanent lap and actually I enjoyed reliving the songs of my youth. It starts from 1980 which was the first year I listened to the charts properly.<div><br /></div><div>One song which hadn't really been on the radar when it originally came out was 'True Colours' by Cyndi Lauper....at that time I was heavily into the likes of the Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen etc, but now I suddenly heard the lyrics and all of a sudden it seems like an anthem for our times as conversations around what constitutes inclusivity are beginning to become far more common. Within 24 hours of viewing it I then stumbled upon a short documentary about a lady who left the Amish aged 19 in 2004 and was then shunned. It caught my attention because I couldn't fathom why I was seeing a brightly coloured Amish style dress being worn. Her story is one of pain, betrayal, but ultimately triumph as she has reclaimed her Amish identity and recast it in her own rainbow hue. Only Mary can tell her story and she does with dignity, honesty and light humour. The lyrics of 'True Colours' could have been written for her. I've put up the links below for both in case it's of interest.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ecaYj14z3M" width="320" youtube-src-id="2ecaYj14z3M"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pyCX5Y9wia0" width="320" youtube-src-id="pyCX5Y9wia0"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arilx</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-8021745753076949692024-02-08T20:34:00.000+00:002024-02-08T20:34:04.171+00:00On the buses<p> Sometimes people ask me how I know so many odd things or where to see things. Besides having a brain which retains trivia that interests me reasonably well I read [and note things down] all sorts....not just books, but social media posts, plaques, random notices.....you name it I read it in case there's a juicy titbit of information. This plan is not always foolproof mind you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ZclwtG-4Xm5_izZ7gXTLmLM3wy49CuQV2JGiOd29ZeTEdv4a4Ha42A9ZmIPanliMy7U-HFp8dk1nr64akITLK_t04RKQce3iqSSSAR0rnJCDac853dUuojR9WytVPxBhcsYk5dmX5hB3SgayXOW9fZDkT37jcryQA1rDAqBq4YLiCsWNyiiX4tc_p0/s320/bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="320" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ZclwtG-4Xm5_izZ7gXTLmLM3wy49CuQV2JGiOd29ZeTEdv4a4Ha42A9ZmIPanliMy7U-HFp8dk1nr64akITLK_t04RKQce3iqSSSAR0rnJCDac853dUuojR9WytVPxBhcsYk5dmX5hB3SgayXOW9fZDkT37jcryQA1rDAqBq4YLiCsWNyiiX4tc_p0/s1600/bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">Last Friday's client was having her new woodburner fitted and having me in at the same time cleaning would never have worked so I booked it out to myself as a day trip on my tod...those occasional days where I enjoy my own company and do what I please. Did I have a plan...course I did.....there's a local museum near here with a Bronze age sword awaiting my attention. Usually I'd go on the train, but it was a day of working to rule and I try to avoid those days where possible or find alternative means. Wanting to stick with public transport and knowing how low the current fares are for this year I thought I'd take the bus. The route is direct from our bus station to the one in the centre of my chosen destination. Two buses an hour how difficult could that be? Except yours truly never travels by bus on her own....I might be 57, but great chance to learn and have a new mini experience. I arrived in good time and waited patiently in bay D for the No23.....except the No 23 went from Bay C and I only realised when I saw it glide away up the road. That notice attached to the glass partition which I hadn't so much as glanced at warned me that the bus might need to leave from a different bay if the original one was already occupied [which it was]....</p><p style="text-align: left;">Lesson learned. Once upon a time such a situation would have triggered a panic attack and I would have given up and gone home. Nowadays I chuckle at myself. I sent Mr GBT a text saying that I was still very much wearing my novice bus catching L plates, but that the extra time had given me a chance to chat to a German gentleman with magnificent grey hair down to his waist who was wearing stylish grey glasses and a pair of very memorable banana yellow jeans. He boarded the bus to Brighton where I am quite sure he would have blended in seamlessly. 'Silver Linings' was my husband's brief reply. Am pleased to say that I safely boarded the next bus and even mastered the modern tap on and off payment method....I am now eyeing up the Brighton bus in case I find myself with another work free day anytime soon!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Have a great weekend folks....after all the dashing about of the past few weeks and then slowed down by a cold this week I have made no definite plans. We'll see how it rolls out🎉🥳</p><p style="text-align: left;">Arilx</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-52053652350433828802024-02-07T16:45:00.002+00:002024-02-07T16:53:06.766+00:00Reliving My Youth<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HKdNMU2ah5l37crn7q4wKC8Fjf9CNYV6TnWzfBTU2Msr0zlElroelAL4SBt6_7EjfH1h444oTz-J20oTN0z0WcgP-2uBSo7lj9WUIQJ-jQGRN2I_5y2-eCMX3LkOb3esSS6_kkWs1ch0rrbRXv-5ohDCpTmEV4XTQUxAqWsnnpCTIaCP0HBn51tI87w/s1024/narnia%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HKdNMU2ah5l37crn7q4wKC8Fjf9CNYV6TnWzfBTU2Msr0zlElroelAL4SBt6_7EjfH1h444oTz-J20oTN0z0WcgP-2uBSo7lj9WUIQJ-jQGRN2I_5y2-eCMX3LkOb3esSS6_kkWs1ch0rrbRXv-5ohDCpTmEV4XTQUxAqWsnnpCTIaCP0HBn51tI87w/s320/narnia%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /> 'Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.' </p><p style="text-align: center;">C.S.Lewis</p><p style="text-align: center;">I think I must now be old enough. As I sat waiting for my friend Arty L at Victoria on Saturday, I quietly read my library copy of 'The Magician's Nephew'. I only read 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' as a child, but Lewis suggests that you start with this one even though he wrote it later. I now understand why the children were able to get to Narnia through the back of the wardrobe and I have eaten a box of Turkish Delight [sadly I couldn't find any mint flavoured ones] over the past week to make the experience more authentic. Volume two has now been reserved and the revisiting of this author's work was inspired mainly by my recent trip to the 'Fantasy Realms of Imagination' exhibition which I took in at the British Library with my friend Elena earlier this month. This is his map of Narnia which was on display there.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Arilx </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-27914387997967013762024-02-05T17:36:00.002+00:002024-02-05T19:59:22.859+00:00Tie a yellow ribbon.....<p> My dear friend Arty L is not a fan of Winter. The fact that we were meeting up this early in the year is indeed most unusual, but we've had a big gap due to a horrible situation she has had to deal with in her personal life which I am glad to say is now thankfully resolved. Her advice for getting through this time of year is a regular top up of seeing colour and/or beauty. On our wander back to the tube after our time spend elsewhere she reminded me that I'd mentioned a desire to see the haberdashers V V Rouleaux many years ago. I had forgotten, but it is never too late to realise an ambition is it now and it was all the better for it being an unplanned surprise. Unlike the lyrics of the song from which I've pinched today's blog title, you could tie a ribbon of any colour you could imagine if you bought it from this retail outlet!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkliEEkBtBR556ge-kRU6ILLclLtwuGWOP40UW2NDA2UzCqz_npwWEwJ__NAuBC5DgNIfbvDT_-oSG4iU5C2q18FKTJMM_ws9H4KY2m2fc_XODdjDbk0NHzsnMpSnu4uIC61gTyEFyGmEI4iaNIdAdpaDYbwGA8Oxo34LiH3rr9bCf-fFyrK-nnkze4vw/s1024/v%20v%20(1%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1024" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkliEEkBtBR556ge-kRU6ILLclLtwuGWOP40UW2NDA2UzCqz_npwWEwJ__NAuBC5DgNIfbvDT_-oSG4iU5C2q18FKTJMM_ws9H4KY2m2fc_XODdjDbk0NHzsnMpSnu4uIC61gTyEFyGmEI4iaNIdAdpaDYbwGA8Oxo34LiH3rr9bCf-fFyrK-nnkze4vw/s320/v%20v%20(1%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="879" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyLAtLtrdTqHnwTBGGCOPBFxGJbyQYwaudU1UOn6XT2-B7-wrYbw4NCg2ZRL6X5GkfrKNNs-4Pi0GMbr0XsDb3k1LZ4gU08PtxULIlXj88pEInmurB3g77EqkRCdozj-b008vDn8BKLrvfgqogC1mMgkMDbzhzIQ3mWvd6AbAQCpj_-0i6jBJ1VhVWwI/s320/v%20v%20(3%20of%208).jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4HIy3okW4QY_x8IOL9Ua6iZyqzvQ884wO2omvMEl4149GjpyilVV7zLPKnfAKaJVxr-gIOp8Ibbgq5eMgGr4wsziFu_Txy9nn-tUXq90vl_il5lYKW3xe0Fq5S2bWQNYlWByozCqKfN9vT2fY4UqhfoBxhl_KqglkviXv7ztd51RzazH0R1cT31c8G4/s1024/v%20v%20(4%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="922" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4HIy3okW4QY_x8IOL9Ua6iZyqzvQ884wO2omvMEl4149GjpyilVV7zLPKnfAKaJVxr-gIOp8Ibbgq5eMgGr4wsziFu_Txy9nn-tUXq90vl_il5lYKW3xe0Fq5S2bWQNYlWByozCqKfN9vT2fY4UqhfoBxhl_KqglkviXv7ztd51RzazH0R1cT31c8G4/s320/v%20v%20(4%20of%208).jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZjXyi_v1zpIg-_euW25BGCjfEy4mMXKimfXwEV5Epgm8s71kzC02QvxBLAyC3pFEgEpvsj-_vuWjSdMLykcJIs9XQlRUur0Ab0jl8NTwhZOPigXGRKMnGfe-Gg3ZxVkSz9CkMJ97pWOTqfjfYjhkPRlA9Zu8ds6wSV3aUlONIjYJ1lO_20UnXNHfe0k/s320/v%20v%20(6%20of%208).jpg" width="195" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s7d4wiQFnCJstN_uXiY4neuoRSlf6vUmJc-JtNfJxHfUJBuqe1wJcbhU7O4HBy4qlr71BVDPITFJANEkatQPNtiLUOchP1vdIIhc04lp-LVREwigTqgsYtJO7dEkdFXxDg9cUJcOYebh-lcTQEDnKxUMUjZAao33Kew5EYYSXr8EKVrIvhCjkuwTnEU/s1024/v%20v%20(7%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s7d4wiQFnCJstN_uXiY4neuoRSlf6vUmJc-JtNfJxHfUJBuqe1wJcbhU7O4HBy4qlr71BVDPITFJANEkatQPNtiLUOchP1vdIIhc04lp-LVREwigTqgsYtJO7dEkdFXxDg9cUJcOYebh-lcTQEDnKxUMUjZAao33Kew5EYYSXr8EKVrIvhCjkuwTnEU/s320/v%20v%20(7%20of%208).jpg" width="166" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2mX1yQLsBHKVvg8uxyjlgj9Z-EWMmN5XRczGvCtLMsfFW6vsuVZkc-EQlzaW_XxSZ8WRnGD7fAmH23b88kw7pGoQ6nv6UFMTn7O4YmZksNZJWFNRawzJ8_V5ZLTLZgpIsk5Zy08FEvGSNzNGMEnGGHzDgRLRoHQZjK5eQuKYowHGWwSxgCB6aCaIhHQ/s1024/v%20v%20(8%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="874" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2mX1yQLsBHKVvg8uxyjlgj9Z-EWMmN5XRczGvCtLMsfFW6vsuVZkc-EQlzaW_XxSZ8WRnGD7fAmH23b88kw7pGoQ6nv6UFMTn7O4YmZksNZJWFNRawzJ8_V5ZLTLZgpIsk5Zy08FEvGSNzNGMEnGGHzDgRLRoHQZjK5eQuKYowHGWwSxgCB6aCaIhHQ/s320/v%20v%20(8%20of%208).jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I just admired the contents of the shelves. Anywhere that is trading on a road in London with the word Marylebone in it and is sited near Oxford Street is going to have prices to match their high end rent!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Arilx</p><p style="text-align: left;">PS Sorry Blogger issues again. Have tried signing in another way. It's having none of it!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-40766981236201062222024-02-01T21:12:00.001+00:002024-02-01T21:12:53.455+00:00The Black Madonna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZGGjCUi0fpObJMr9WkGse87ZuQa8YWXGakLJ7O9M4oydNrnxsLkHlLrVOTu88rYl7dN1cnVhaYyOmRN7mwy1hGwOic2NByQqPkGu7moR2AAg-uwvy8WHp9p8iOeYwLMTrWUNTbRj3FqMdRPCt1zMyM5C_vJaGgVwPKich7fqs_gbOEFXLXy4eUBbws/s1024/madonna%20(1%20of%201).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="725" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZGGjCUi0fpObJMr9WkGse87ZuQa8YWXGakLJ7O9M4oydNrnxsLkHlLrVOTu88rYl7dN1cnVhaYyOmRN7mwy1hGwOic2NByQqPkGu7moR2AAg-uwvy8WHp9p8iOeYwLMTrWUNTbRj3FqMdRPCt1zMyM5C_vJaGgVwPKich7fqs_gbOEFXLXy4eUBbws/s320/madonna%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This painting represents 'Our Virgin of Guadalupe' [artist u/k] and is one of a number of so called Black Madonnas. Perhaps this is the first time you've encountered Mary shown in this way. Although she's far less common than her more familiar caucasian counterpart, it's not a new concept. Madonnas with differing skin hues stretch back at least to the Medieval period and there are many examples in Europe especially in the more Southern countries like Spain. Some were made of wood and the argument has been put forward that it's simply a case of the timber being darkened by candle soot and time. However, this hasn't happened to the Jesus carvings who share the same skin tone, so all the pointers are that it's a deliberate decision.</div><div>'The Black Virgin' as she's sometimes called has her own legion of fans, whilst others find her to be controversial. One theory is that she may link back to pre Christian worship and the veneration of female deities from our African ancestors. Interestingly many are sited near sacred features in the landscape like mountains or water. London's Lady of Willesden in St Mary's Church has a holy well and the name means 'spring at the foot of the hill'. In 1249 there were reports that there were two Virgin Marys, but the black one was worshipped for her miraculous powers to such a degree that pilgrims travelled from afar to visit her shrine. It was this one along with the statues from other major Marian shrines like Walsingham which were destroyed by the King's commissioners at the behest of Thomas Cromwell in 1538. Nowadays both the Catholic and the Anglican churches in the area have their own Black Madonna once again.</div><div>To my eyes perhaps we are simply overthinking the whole issue and it's just the case that people simply wanted to see somebody that looked like them who they could venerate in their places of worship? Whatever the reason it's a fascinating topic beyond any religious discussions. This particular picture is currently on display at the Wellcome Collection in their free 'Cult of Beauty' exhibition which was one of the events I went to with my friend on Saturday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a great weekend....I am off to London once again!</div><div><br /></div><div>Arilx</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-50550559853797759622024-01-29T16:32:00.002+00:002024-01-29T20:16:59.315+00:00Horsham's Secret Paradise<p> Slightly further out from GBT [25 minute walk max] we have a rather splendid 90 acre wildlife site. It's on land once belonging to one of King Harold's brothers....as you know things didn't go well for the Saxons during the Battle of Hastings and the upshot was that it fell forcibly into William the Conqueror's lap. Like a hot potato he flung this particular acreage into the ownership of one of his faithful Dukes, William De Braose. There it remained until the story moves onto the Tudor times and by now it's in the mitts of the Howard family...Catherine, fourth wife of Henry VIII, lived here in the Chesworth Farmhouse in her earlier years before her ill fated marriage and execution. The house is still in private hands and sold for the knock down price [it had to be reduced] of £3million back in 2018. However, despite its impressive lineage and claim to fame it wasn't the first farm on the site nor were the Saxons the first occupants. Research suggests that there was an Iron Age farmstead here and the Romans have done their fair share of poking about too. Now this green haven is owned by the district council and is managed by a mixed team of rangers and enthusiastic volunteers. It's open access for all and specific projects have been introduced to engage with members of the public so that us folks can learn important stuff about our native flora and fauna. The thinking goes that if we are familiar and feel connected to our local environment then we will value it. I've wanted to see the wildlife garden which was launched last year for a while now....that combined with the usually shut visitor centre and free cake....yes I was in there like a shot!</p><p>Space wise it's not very big. Impact wise it packs a punch. There right before you are a series of simple ideas that you can take away with you and recreate elsewhere. The big plus is that it's all been done for a very small outlay. You've got a series of small ponds [one has been made from an old bath some helpful soul had chucked in the local river], log piles, a dead hedge to attract invertebrates. a stag beetle stack and even a bee rocket. The bug hotel has come over from the nature reserve near us [featured here often] which has had a recent makeover and the arched concrete used to be a bench in one of the shopping areas in the town centre. Careful planting to bring in the pollinators and five fruit trees including the rather lovely sounding apple called 'Green Custard' and six months later after many hours of toil it's done. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aTWA1Eu1ic4ENoND50v-Nfkj6OMoxUxbD1b3MNe5WNstbsjibpbi-KooBimUAZpKEAUq9YHr_Pa1VcE3B7P62WBX1nanATuFeohZzfBn4bldo8pLYvj6262BhpZyyu3_kWDImjQM7hGLMPGNzewxxOXeCu4sFjZnHlHDcmBOiq44XgMCUnuwGYQEgaA/s1024/chesworth%20(8%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1024" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aTWA1Eu1ic4ENoND50v-Nfkj6OMoxUxbD1b3MNe5WNstbsjibpbi-KooBimUAZpKEAUq9YHr_Pa1VcE3B7P62WBX1nanATuFeohZzfBn4bldo8pLYvj6262BhpZyyu3_kWDImjQM7hGLMPGNzewxxOXeCu4sFjZnHlHDcmBOiq44XgMCUnuwGYQEgaA/s320/chesworth%20(8%20of%209).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D10jhKjYIk3prZz1RJNqJfP-3EiJsQRwAvcav2NMCR59QUUT4B-Zj83SSm2dC-c1ACh7XKA9AyPOEFeELMFhHiz1tBBmJkFytk4pnmOLRj31bHb_30-TXPT50K5ey4WJLLwzxN4SuiCUHDOM6T8SHPgVxYx3wjb0VH0C3JGAjqzpFvaOm14si-aehz8/s1024/chesworth%20(1%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1024" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D10jhKjYIk3prZz1RJNqJfP-3EiJsQRwAvcav2NMCR59QUUT4B-Zj83SSm2dC-c1ACh7XKA9AyPOEFeELMFhHiz1tBBmJkFytk4pnmOLRj31bHb_30-TXPT50K5ey4WJLLwzxN4SuiCUHDOM6T8SHPgVxYx3wjb0VH0C3JGAjqzpFvaOm14si-aehz8/s320/chesworth%20(1%20of%209).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmaT0J3ibRRsXghLe4JLBN_HjiJbNisxreUavxWyKpTE6nUoHso_LiU_in_MMwhDtrG2AOhZ9yxpyOqsSNrX2x-QbiKBUcahP9ceBDwU5RDBiAycKBtPhT6JTzSkCcOZndsr3NHpE9lfMK8EYYhk90nFWdqyfqdNDtIO0NcfJpoye-ZHysdpu3CoVId8/s1024/chesworth%20(2%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1024" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmaT0J3ibRRsXghLe4JLBN_HjiJbNisxreUavxWyKpTE6nUoHso_LiU_in_MMwhDtrG2AOhZ9yxpyOqsSNrX2x-QbiKBUcahP9ceBDwU5RDBiAycKBtPhT6JTzSkCcOZndsr3NHpE9lfMK8EYYhk90nFWdqyfqdNDtIO0NcfJpoye-ZHysdpu3CoVId8/s320/chesworth%20(2%20of%209).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RgbvI9XHkeMTUEA6xrTqGVeVxkyULx8xvRFovzdb_g5dGfVEdH3to15lI_gRRmJApptshFv6ZrdYcTsfn-7nUuVAMxBzu_OCM9VcMzgTTja2668ad2M3lZweYk-GvnU4Zkx7UNhJ9aJ5pfMVJ2Ae8ZE5yuBqUHCRSpK6qN3VQTwGh_l4KDZb6ZoA9uw/s1024/chesworth%20(3%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RgbvI9XHkeMTUEA6xrTqGVeVxkyULx8xvRFovzdb_g5dGfVEdH3to15lI_gRRmJApptshFv6ZrdYcTsfn-7nUuVAMxBzu_OCM9VcMzgTTja2668ad2M3lZweYk-GvnU4Zkx7UNhJ9aJ5pfMVJ2Ae8ZE5yuBqUHCRSpK6qN3VQTwGh_l4KDZb6ZoA9uw/s320/chesworth%20(3%20of%209).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oP-pUcK43NxGO30ql3GkUK7ewxj95VXbreO6aapPK9TB7pr5QIkkTvjz7C9uJXn2fVPoq3nt4R6-M890QCvSoaqbimPGXRSFECee11yfwYE78e8Pm4j5qWY0nxg0hOE4TfWGStxAp0YeBwTrZzaWG1KhD8nJko4iJbkll3xPuBq5BqQct2p9fY4zkGI/s1024/chesworth%20(4%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oP-pUcK43NxGO30ql3GkUK7ewxj95VXbreO6aapPK9TB7pr5QIkkTvjz7C9uJXn2fVPoq3nt4R6-M890QCvSoaqbimPGXRSFECee11yfwYE78e8Pm4j5qWY0nxg0hOE4TfWGStxAp0YeBwTrZzaWG1KhD8nJko4iJbkll3xPuBq5BqQct2p9fY4zkGI/s320/chesworth%20(4%20of%209).jpg" width="163" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mfuCwd8i9PuEYqlfa_MtgL8yimH-CjtfB8e91xTy9P6F364S2z_VvE4DbPBHTZUdleIRnP6FpbBU6RlpV2MhGBcPOBnBqcGtFUdWxB1JPpBlxyuhfQTRYccIsGoW1AP62fEePjxvMzsmptktD5UrGz80Mtb3T4Pg0pia6DeTO1-F41IW2uz6-n_5ypo/s1024/chesworth%20(5%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1024" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mfuCwd8i9PuEYqlfa_MtgL8yimH-CjtfB8e91xTy9P6F364S2z_VvE4DbPBHTZUdleIRnP6FpbBU6RlpV2MhGBcPOBnBqcGtFUdWxB1JPpBlxyuhfQTRYccIsGoW1AP62fEePjxvMzsmptktD5UrGz80Mtb3T4Pg0pia6DeTO1-F41IW2uz6-n_5ypo/s320/chesworth%20(5%20of%209).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfwIjJmKON2-J4sSYS8PagvSwKAkT0L4cQaqMV0oyXzI-3nw1R8Yqr5MNyJPRDocPhQMA3g_HQHdpl1DP5zWVD5mCu8eIrmXOTO3x361inavbbvExpArCDcQwrWme0Tenq45C4VSzydedi8nJ0CqJv_pG0aWvUVznuu_mg9ETM4pz_jVWQEyzkpKrtiU/s1024/chesworth%20(6%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="1024" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfwIjJmKON2-J4sSYS8PagvSwKAkT0L4cQaqMV0oyXzI-3nw1R8Yqr5MNyJPRDocPhQMA3g_HQHdpl1DP5zWVD5mCu8eIrmXOTO3x361inavbbvExpArCDcQwrWme0Tenq45C4VSzydedi8nJ0CqJv_pG0aWvUVznuu_mg9ETM4pz_jVWQEyzkpKrtiU/s320/chesworth%20(6%20of%209).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwj7jo4Azv5omWCDrJatDb9DN7AfRjO1ZBOTBMabwXkmd6vXTLT6tgZlMbkoPMWh2_Y2sVGZxKAdvOM6k48j-L017HbTuN96lAsMbQkSx9itm0TPa_GP9N7ixp1zeH0LdCRJ67KWLeFbmVppoZafPPxxhGocWWQpISBdvdTtW4GF_X0FsXArrzyp_EGg/s1024/chesworth%20(7%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="1024" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwj7jo4Azv5omWCDrJatDb9DN7AfRjO1ZBOTBMabwXkmd6vXTLT6tgZlMbkoPMWh2_Y2sVGZxKAdvOM6k48j-L017HbTuN96lAsMbQkSx9itm0TPa_GP9N7ixp1zeH0LdCRJ67KWLeFbmVppoZafPPxxhGocWWQpISBdvdTtW4GF_X0FsXArrzyp_EGg/s320/chesworth%20(7%20of%209).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Volunteer Centre [possibly called Spring Barn] has been retained from the original farm buildings and shortly the Friends of Chesworth Farm will be sharing the space with the Men in Sheds as they've outgrown where they currently are. All excellent community based groups coming together and combining their skills. There's a monthly litter pick which we think we'll do [I've been doing an occasional one round my road on my own for a few years now] and as we near retirement I expect we'll get more involved on the practical side. Mr GBT and I met doing conservation work [unpaid] for the National Trust originally, so it will be like returning to where we started!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5Cz2mgva_ZEtxtq_owmDGpVfcXKuCb4qr9ZrVfaOgrxKCMfbe3ruooESIJOixqo43AWYKh-Con31OIaPizQXe4MXZEU7n40cMzdxZh43r3bI8Tl8zC_06RLTxKbHPkvoJ2Qc42MaeHRi8klqKscw1PK8fgdS7Le0cqsnNi1DL8_suOWmX4JNTNxUwjk/s1024/chesworth%20(9%20of%209).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1024" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5Cz2mgva_ZEtxtq_owmDGpVfcXKuCb4qr9ZrVfaOgrxKCMfbe3ruooESIJOixqo43AWYKh-Con31OIaPizQXe4MXZEU7n40cMzdxZh43r3bI8Tl8zC_06RLTxKbHPkvoJ2Qc42MaeHRi8klqKscw1PK8fgdS7Le0cqsnNi1DL8_suOWmX4JNTNxUwjk/s320/chesworth%20(9%20of%209).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had planned to blog about my trip up into the Big Smoke with my friend Elena....you can see I haven't got as far as working out what I want to write as yet. Keep you posted!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arilx</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-67698557799386790672024-01-25T20:19:00.000+00:002024-01-25T20:19:16.603+00:00Two for the price of one.<p> It was drizzly on my way home between clients earlier, but I made myself park up and take a photo of these two...yup the first of the 2024 toppers. Partly motivated by the fact I wanted to see something colourful to brighten today, but I'd also been caught napping. There weren't supposed to be any new woolly wonders until next month yet the ladies have got ahead of themselves and these two have unexpectedly sprung up. Yes I'm on familiar ground and I could pretend that I was repentant for repeating blog material, but clearly I'm not...instead I am delighted on this rather dreary January day. With that may I wish you all a marvellous weekend. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGssqAZu-kdvaFAZ5DcWb1rGNZp4F7qPLa10iNpSurPaP7xEM7DVWx0Kt-7Fib80OE7qKkl23Clm7idlqfZaAW4HMmuhDnJ1GQvUMsOCbiIKAAw41hG-T5oNfrqaosIVgbfaCgxQ04oGjzuuHZN2Hr_e7Y2XLFBAcW38NJg2X3SkbhAxTp61U2yKU7FU/s1024/wallace%20(1%20of%202).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1024" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGssqAZu-kdvaFAZ5DcWb1rGNZp4F7qPLa10iNpSurPaP7xEM7DVWx0Kt-7Fib80OE7qKkl23Clm7idlqfZaAW4HMmuhDnJ1GQvUMsOCbiIKAAw41hG-T5oNfrqaosIVgbfaCgxQ04oGjzuuHZN2Hr_e7Y2XLFBAcW38NJg2X3SkbhAxTp61U2yKU7FU/s320/wallace%20(1%20of%202).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOprv9SdHSb0yKbSjb6ezCd2kuMF0Aiwn3Rcx2BSIoaqi7E9SEv8zYsKL26CWQWEytC5oPZSFAEVkDXM6SmzapO7bBI-KQeoGk_67UT2s7gtdTirB28Ut55arWu-p1Thm2MObmW92dCe6rq26wfjfTwKJZiqJRU73LSFS1PFmr02yDYKSo2GvIjPs0V8/s1024/wallace%20(2%20of%202).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1024" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOprv9SdHSb0yKbSjb6ezCd2kuMF0Aiwn3Rcx2BSIoaqi7E9SEv8zYsKL26CWQWEytC5oPZSFAEVkDXM6SmzapO7bBI-KQeoGk_67UT2s7gtdTirB28Ut55arWu-p1Thm2MObmW92dCe6rq26wfjfTwKJZiqJRU73LSFS1PFmr02yDYKSo2GvIjPs0V8/s320/wallace%20(2%20of%202).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arilx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PS I can now comment on others blogs, but on here I remain nameless and it sends any replies I make into my own inbox rather than publishing them. I will keep trying!</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-41953705856297899062024-01-22T20:16:00.003+00:002024-01-28T16:11:38.526+00:00The Early Bird Catches The....<p>This early bird thankfully caught the first beautiful colours of the day and is grateful that she didn't catch the worm! Yup it's the weekly delight from the weekly shop...this time I hadn't even got as far as the trolley park before I was reaching for my phone.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbigabYYknQRnpVXxPOFLKMMDVgKD7Bd8fIWclAp_AS9mMrEHhyphenhyphenWD5a8YLrBy18NE6sc-HkQqQMWaEdjTznSCsUEFd0d5zIVcbQQ6hbkOYrjD-iVv5k-JSRhh178EYwYJICfDXYUdrwe3CdVF9uvfLK03tIt3KFlQlmQIPc1N5dd3ICCA4f8c6HVKlKaY/s1024/dawn%20(1%20of%201).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1024" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbigabYYknQRnpVXxPOFLKMMDVgKD7Bd8fIWclAp_AS9mMrEHhyphenhyphenWD5a8YLrBy18NE6sc-HkQqQMWaEdjTznSCsUEFd0d5zIVcbQQ6hbkOYrjD-iVv5k-JSRhh178EYwYJICfDXYUdrwe3CdVF9uvfLK03tIt3KFlQlmQIPc1N5dd3ICCA4f8c6HVKlKaY/s320/dawn%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">'Twas a busy, but exciting weekend [well from my perspective anyway!] Another apple howling.....I'll not dwell on it except to say that when we performed at this particular one a few years ago there was about 100 people there [it's only a small orchard], but we were up to over 200 this time around. The audience were really throwing themselves into the proceedings and at one point I took a moment just to listen to people singing their hearts out and watch them dancing away. We're a buttoned up lot us Brits yet if it's dark and there's some music playing we lose our inhibitions. As a thank you the organisers booked the back room of the local pub for us and bought us all a drink. The musos played a few tunes whilst the rest of us gossiped swapping tales from the evening....there was the little brown dog who caused much mirth as it very quietly sneaked round the base of the fruit tree tidying up all the bits of cider soaked toast which had been dropped or hung from low branches it could reach [I wonder if the cider had any effect?] or the friends saying farewell in the carpark at the end who were shouting waes hael/drinc hael at each other rather than the usual goodbye, but my favourite was the little laddie who wore his saucepan on his head with the handle sticking out on the side and with great gusto clonked the pan with his wooden spoon whenever it took his fancy!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Having spend a goodly chunk of my Saturday with the side four of us met on Sunday morning for a reccie on private land. We are hoping to run a completely new event which will see the revival of some Sussex folk traditions and the invention of some completely new, but needed to see if the offered site would be suitable. It looks to be so and although it's early days the prospects are exciting. Whilst I can't say where it is within the county we met the landowner who gave us a guided tour. From my point of view one mention of neolithic burials [including one which has never been excavated] and you've got my attention. The mounds themselves have long since been ploughed out. Across on the next hill [Cissbury] one of the archaeological digs found a female skeleton who was buried upside down. This is what's termed a deviant burial when it veers away from the usual death related practices of the period. An examination of the bones have shown that this individual had abnormally short arms and the thinking is that she was venerated. We obviously can't tell whether this would have been during her lifetime or post her passing, but it's all fascinating stuff. Currently the results of the radio carbon dating of her remains are awaited. Meanwhile in the field next door there is the footprint of a Roman temple at which lots of models of legs have been found. It's thought that those with damaged limbs were leaving these offerings to their Gods in the hope that they would be healed. A thousand plus years later archaeologists have found wax model legs left as votive offerings at saints shrines in places like Exeter Cathedral. Those they were worshipping may have changed, but the human behaviours remain the same. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I have booked tickets for an upcoming adventure with a friend in a few days time so am looking forwards to being able to share some new material with you. Unfortunately Blogger is up to its devilish tricks again so my attempts to reply to comments have fallen at the first hurdle!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Arilx </p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-51743490929426062882024-01-18T20:20:00.000+00:002024-01-18T20:20:08.923+00:00It's a real bugbear of mine.<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJyI3qr56kRJk6D-zXMWofNRogj6oSQW2z35-lsCyzs3OnRBSZ4vTs70pbxkej3xVwP25Nq1mAzCT3dL-26gDV-b7gH9VC-2qanHN0vXGWCaHxDX2Q4Y51qlN-p5hJY9ttl13BY2bbbJpnhR5DuVXTdmvDwFYyXm_vZddRIjifa1jqoYMC84OFgVqFX4/s1024/oakly%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJyI3qr56kRJk6D-zXMWofNRogj6oSQW2z35-lsCyzs3OnRBSZ4vTs70pbxkej3xVwP25Nq1mAzCT3dL-26gDV-b7gH9VC-2qanHN0vXGWCaHxDX2Q4Y51qlN-p5hJY9ttl13BY2bbbJpnhR5DuVXTdmvDwFYyXm_vZddRIjifa1jqoYMC84OFgVqFX4/s320/oakly%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I met this Mari Lywd at the Dorking Community Orchard wassail [a great event and turnout] last Saturday. Traditionally these beasts are female, but its owner/creator in the photo wasn't so sure about this one. I think she said its name was 'Oakley' or maybe it was 'Oakleaf'. I took on board that the skull was bought on Fleabay, it now has one gold tooth and one made of oak and this was it's first outing all the way from up from North Devon. It makes more sense when you know that Kitty the maker used to dance with the Morris side who had invited us along so it's was fabulous to catch up with her again after a few years since her move down to the South West. That all said it's a real bugbear of mine that I've already forgotten the correct name and I like to get my details correct. In an article I read recently it became apparent that even 'bugbear' can be a bit of weasel word at times....despite being pretty confident that I knew what it meant I couldn't fathom what the writer meant in my latest encounter with it. It just didn't make an iota of sense to me. Usually with a reasonable working vocabulary I can make a decent stab deciphering what's intended from the context in which things are used....bugbear only had me stumped until I discovered that in its archaic form it was an imaginary hobgoblin which supposedly ate children! I find it fascinating how far it has meandered from its original use to its modern day definition. With all that said it just leaves me to wish you all a most excellent weekend and please do enjoy the sunshine. I am delighted that it is due to be dry again when I am out chasing more evil spirits from the apple trees in this weekend's wassail related doings🍎🍏</p><p style="text-align: center;">Arilx</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-21687805863026933282024-01-16T11:25:00.001+00:002024-01-16T11:25:39.402+00:00Parky<p>You don't need me to tell you that it's bleeding parky out there, but even in a parky park there was much to be admired and swooned over this morning.</p><p>This fellow is our park's resident shepherd who is doing a sterling job of minding his flock. Until a few months ago he was missing an arm, but I am glad to see that he's now sporting a new limb and he's properly wrapped up for the conditions. Via the recent publicity about him I gleaned that his dog is called Treacle. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5czkG7jkjSz6ntEfZwciQUsGf0FkF7tZRr1kBK4zCIFBeq1UIy_C4sQgN2YDdTrrFZY2iI8zpKfVA9nsf_FcnqxgCULtQFUsurKTnQ8pknI9h6NskEBOo35oWanV8ZYcgKr-ZBxkF-rRXmC4RSnrvIm2k2xwC4p6voOj-JxqcOR0G-O_MFoqcMxIN88/s1024/parky%20(10%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1024" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5czkG7jkjSz6ntEfZwciQUsGf0FkF7tZRr1kBK4zCIFBeq1UIy_C4sQgN2YDdTrrFZY2iI8zpKfVA9nsf_FcnqxgCULtQFUsurKTnQ8pknI9h6NskEBOo35oWanV8ZYcgKr-ZBxkF-rRXmC4RSnrvIm2k2xwC4p6voOj-JxqcOR0G-O_MFoqcMxIN88/s320/parky%20(10%20of%2014).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiKlQpAxg8foLfhV_wywYfiyoj9Kg9CKiRLzm2_ns-Kdj7ZppranJVa23E7yxI8e5Sc1HnJR_wsVlCkGNkDd75GFIt28zsR6i1grsyR7xNMt6tDCi-oNGXMzyD6R5eKpjQEAtXYChOhF8z-_btKJliTOjyi2Yu-CFbmdntQR3FTGzK_Aw2CEQXgqtDLM/s1024/parky%20(4%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="951" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiKlQpAxg8foLfhV_wywYfiyoj9Kg9CKiRLzm2_ns-Kdj7ZppranJVa23E7yxI8e5Sc1HnJR_wsVlCkGNkDd75GFIt28zsR6i1grsyR7xNMt6tDCi-oNGXMzyD6R5eKpjQEAtXYChOhF8z-_btKJliTOjyi2Yu-CFbmdntQR3FTGzK_Aw2CEQXgqtDLM/s320/parky%20(4%20of%2014).jpg" width="297" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSc8WrW3H5hkNgS1XuoVzuP43F8HBaItSIGbx_QldZYm6gIXUsf5lbrNU76rc67m1ykT6qNDcqL485_AfkeCK1Sy272IfGItTMOLfFw-P9FOH_MeAaOGLCHqnj5svJ_4SvbsWd_Bl4lMjZmlDpG_C6akTUd5hLeH8tEYLPbQj2xzFTqZPmRsKtMTm-pQ/s1024/parky%20(6%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSc8WrW3H5hkNgS1XuoVzuP43F8HBaItSIGbx_QldZYm6gIXUsf5lbrNU76rc67m1ykT6qNDcqL485_AfkeCK1Sy272IfGItTMOLfFw-P9FOH_MeAaOGLCHqnj5svJ_4SvbsWd_Bl4lMjZmlDpG_C6akTUd5hLeH8tEYLPbQj2xzFTqZPmRsKtMTm-pQ/s320/parky%20(6%20of%2014).jpg" width="281" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEIh10BptdiNjzKEq9u1c_zxarrg0yy7mTvJvmMOMU1GBF5NGW1OfU0EJzuuVs5PtEML9BLXeZ0DzeEvpS0mPpOnb1_pPjsloEpDqxwl6kT4WZcE7tEkqGdz-b-TCBZogicO3o3UhpydIrmz7_XfAjTnEYxq74ir566kSGMrYKIs69c-1UArugFeS_mU/s1024/parky%20(11%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEIh10BptdiNjzKEq9u1c_zxarrg0yy7mTvJvmMOMU1GBF5NGW1OfU0EJzuuVs5PtEML9BLXeZ0DzeEvpS0mPpOnb1_pPjsloEpDqxwl6kT4WZcE7tEkqGdz-b-TCBZogicO3o3UhpydIrmz7_XfAjTnEYxq74ir566kSGMrYKIs69c-1UArugFeS_mU/s320/parky%20(11%20of%2014).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTgBQBz_khdEXvbuGDl6hav2rsfB0JbL4osK3ivBflsFj_IQRKk3a81rp3pTQ5CKxRVF1iuIsJr9IZJeskHQx4__F6Wpx_074QZGtdVNLhlvXjryiRzl15PJNVNS32Qm2GDHlnacePeBAe0JbILsl6J1-3W2JplG1uBpwSWkg14GuD2LjkhjChhvdeGg/s1024/parky%20(7%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1024" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTgBQBz_khdEXvbuGDl6hav2rsfB0JbL4osK3ivBflsFj_IQRKk3a81rp3pTQ5CKxRVF1iuIsJr9IZJeskHQx4__F6Wpx_074QZGtdVNLhlvXjryiRzl15PJNVNS32Qm2GDHlnacePeBAe0JbILsl6J1-3W2JplG1uBpwSWkg14GuD2LjkhjChhvdeGg/s320/parky%20(7%20of%2014).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">My primary motivation for choosing this route was to go and see the new living willow sculpture that's just appeared. However, for randomness alone this set of traffic lights lined and idling by the wall amused me. I have a similar reaction whenever I see lorries without their loads zipping along and once even we passed a fire engine on the back of breakdown lorry. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakCwPJcA_A0HRt8TxKsK29vb4seXAAeRgJM01L3zFODVxQ-4I_RWvVekajCpxu3T6J_eTVvJ8Bu181jM11P0YpEIyG8eY7i13M0YCALkPRNVvQlPX5FIDIr0jzQJrNj1BAij35k5ucNaa7ekYiQKOM2tef_DnWTufzBzfd-9Z6RNEV3uxgu82ofVe1FA/s1024/parky%20(2%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1024" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakCwPJcA_A0HRt8TxKsK29vb4seXAAeRgJM01L3zFODVxQ-4I_RWvVekajCpxu3T6J_eTVvJ8Bu181jM11P0YpEIyG8eY7i13M0YCALkPRNVvQlPX5FIDIr0jzQJrNj1BAij35k5ucNaa7ekYiQKOM2tef_DnWTufzBzfd-9Z6RNEV3uxgu82ofVe1FA/s320/parky%20(2%20of%2014).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPdwpooczI8Hj9eYLN28hPtM3ploCeA1GK3jpBGqlRgHUTNMeuF_OIie4KQpfbjyKMuTW35zgE8FWBKhik3XtrvRWPa_qoaacvemrruVCiAtFTYEQ3H5QXkYaQVMaMyWhyphenhyphen4y0B-GylxkAOJTOEpuMwvHYWLWtxzW1uMiVksQ-IFzcHAlOIgYb5nnWqHs/s1024/parky%20(12%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPdwpooczI8Hj9eYLN28hPtM3ploCeA1GK3jpBGqlRgHUTNMeuF_OIie4KQpfbjyKMuTW35zgE8FWBKhik3XtrvRWPa_qoaacvemrruVCiAtFTYEQ3H5QXkYaQVMaMyWhyphenhyphen4y0B-GylxkAOJTOEpuMwvHYWLWtxzW1uMiVksQ-IFzcHAlOIgYb5nnWqHs/s320/parky%20(12%20of%2014).jpg" width="216" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Domestic cats who are much loved pets naturally have no truck with weather such as this. Ours has taken it as a personal insult that there is frost out there and is hugging the radiator for all his worth. Suddenly he's very keen on having a lap....he's fairly approving of the window display in the local bookshop, but think they've missed a trick by not having a black cat in that chair! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiONn0q395MOSkcNPkTs8X4tqtquvuVv5fj8e6kpLlo-WLKyzzRC0z2-XCZDW1daYjrpJ42cNRAorNfo0HopHx1Syjtq55dkkaip4wGV7nsTn0xMkSnE4KdW_Jlz2v4aQlpQMnm-gZM1jCG2YYgQM0Wm0VcKy-a59mhtXnYaEB1n82QMKgurDY9VpcHzU/s1024/parky%20(1%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="906" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiONn0q395MOSkcNPkTs8X4tqtquvuVv5fj8e6kpLlo-WLKyzzRC0z2-XCZDW1daYjrpJ42cNRAorNfo0HopHx1Syjtq55dkkaip4wGV7nsTn0xMkSnE4KdW_Jlz2v4aQlpQMnm-gZM1jCG2YYgQM0Wm0VcKy-a59mhtXnYaEB1n82QMKgurDY9VpcHzU/s320/parky%20(1%20of%2014).jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just before home the sunlight caught the frost patterns in the bus stop....it looks like someone has come and decorated it. Beauty even in the 'ordinary'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRlzlP7I-W-rPM1AlYleuIK2qPNAQXWyG47gfPVRFmXRLHDyFr9fdZpe1n5GC-nH82a0fxhXnXT9J7eScEOqVEsiRtSCIxEpyu5wme-pJO3Y564GHQSSq5WFNVNvYxwJhZ3gK1vMlKlL7GRNjD-MBcrCY5dkdc8iNHVEgO3fRqp1A72WHWbYHaGGcbe8/s1024/parky%20(14%20of%2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRlzlP7I-W-rPM1AlYleuIK2qPNAQXWyG47gfPVRFmXRLHDyFr9fdZpe1n5GC-nH82a0fxhXnXT9J7eScEOqVEsiRtSCIxEpyu5wme-pJO3Y564GHQSSq5WFNVNvYxwJhZ3gK1vMlKlL7GRNjD-MBcrCY5dkdc8iNHVEgO3fRqp1A72WHWbYHaGGcbe8/s320/parky%20(14%20of%2014).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a week or so I shall be all wassailed out [until March, but that's a whole different story] and different adventures await.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arilx</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-52428852566478934632024-01-11T20:14:00.001+00:002024-01-11T20:14:46.368+00:00Muted<p>For reasons I know not, Blogger is currently showing me as anonymous every time I try to reply to all of your lovely comments, so for now thank you again. Having addressed that let's press on with an actual post....well I say 'post' that's probably a rather bold claim....more like a cobbled together jobbie sweeping up the crumbs of a quieter week. </p><p>The pace of January is rather sslllloooww after the mad dash which is December😅 However, all it not lost though because it means that I have started and finished a little teeny sewing project already this year. I've wanted my own Mari Lwyd [if you're scratching your head about the name the explanation is here <a href="https://gnatbottomedtowers.blogspot.com/search?q=mari+lwyd">https://gnatbottomedtowers.blogspot.com/search?q=mari+lwyd</a>] for some time now. Aside from the distinct lack of space and oh the fact that Mr GBT might not be very keen on sharing our home with a horse's skull [I haven't asked him so could be wrong], these little obstacles aren't going to deter a stubborn dame. When I set my mind to it....one rummage in my craft stash and I've made this. Imperfect, but has filled the gap nicely without parting with a single penny.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBTobaAJqKtXJhZxxMHIPoWcqk4cvIV8DBmvvYly0XE-US2WKQClqyVUURRnJ95t9rAO-EAJ8-YfyEjivFcyvOkbu7hp8qGoNtsnqjf5JU0ex4ByHjPByRiaQmmEyTprC7Hh3h2-E0yf6MGwGbVERc7sjVOPmrdUYtHtYhVcHc0x0NMk_dBjX3aVgZz0/s2048/mari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1923" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBTobaAJqKtXJhZxxMHIPoWcqk4cvIV8DBmvvYly0XE-US2WKQClqyVUURRnJ95t9rAO-EAJ8-YfyEjivFcyvOkbu7hp8qGoNtsnqjf5JU0ex4ByHjPByRiaQmmEyTprC7Hh3h2-E0yf6MGwGbVERc7sjVOPmrdUYtHtYhVcHc0x0NMk_dBjX3aVgZz0/s320/mari.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the past couple of years I have really begun to realise how much I enjoy injecting a bit of so called 'children's fiction' [I use the term loosely as these books have many different layers to them] into my reading mix once in a while. Next on the list is the Narnia series as I only ever read 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' and I suspect that I have missed out by doing so. Currently I am rereading the entire HP lot and speaking of which...we have just booked tickets for the Dark Arts Studio Tour. It's not until the Autumn so I am going to have to sit on my hands, but am far more excited than a 57 year old should be😂</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQop01ph4IcK-wFqb9TPU92cZfe54BzQrNHBK822fZ-KWCgKY6fVXw56CwC4Lw9-KnyAfajB58bGszpY0UFPhZXnUnC8Mf7HmFvcop0n53txeTRu2yAWNj-C6jqrZE1T0rjimxXp19feoW3fAbVB-CCvsIyaA-MkbIRqMYtNpcP83CaLN8ZlPxiIXJ7M8/s1280/harry-potter-5819942_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQop01ph4IcK-wFqb9TPU92cZfe54BzQrNHBK822fZ-KWCgKY6fVXw56CwC4Lw9-KnyAfajB58bGszpY0UFPhZXnUnC8Mf7HmFvcop0n53txeTRu2yAWNj-C6jqrZE1T0rjimxXp19feoW3fAbVB-CCvsIyaA-MkbIRqMYtNpcP83CaLN8ZlPxiIXJ7M8/s320/harry-potter-5819942_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This however, is by far my favourite snippet of news this week. I took this slightly blurred photo of the three swans when we went to Knowle Community Park last Sunday. It wasn't that exciting so I didn't bother to share it, but I was pleased to see that the wildlife is already beginning to colonise the newly dug lake.....<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmk7fYnlGyu8V7FtPanD50LaTc1v2WCD3rZNau7iQRUcNAZf8C7GOUsZeD3RVNJ_H7ddQTVGBbiSOFsCdkaE5rJc4Riw1qtjkyOBvoeZOXN2BRtp-N-yDN7AnbcQ0tlegbwKiON6nRR91K3xylcZxSFe9DvXimeluNopMD0QzNsjvLuh7MzeLXn2uWOzg/s1024/unmuted%20(1%20of%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="1024" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmk7fYnlGyu8V7FtPanD50LaTc1v2WCD3rZNau7iQRUcNAZf8C7GOUsZeD3RVNJ_H7ddQTVGBbiSOFsCdkaE5rJc4Riw1qtjkyOBvoeZOXN2BRtp-N-yDN7AnbcQ0tlegbwKiON6nRR91K3xylcZxSFe9DvXimeluNopMD0QzNsjvLuh7MzeLXn2uWOzg/s320/unmuted%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It turns out that this was not a small thing, but a rather bigger thing than I had realised. When I got home I found that a notification had been put up that same day to say that these three mute swans had literally turned up over the weekend and thus there was nothing muted about the joy at their arrival🦢🦢</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope everyone has a lovely weekend....mine is going to involve a lot of standing outside in the cold. Don't feel sorry for me it's my choice!</div><div><br /></div><div>Arilx</div><div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div></div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-74238799514814568232024-01-07T20:25:00.002+00:002024-01-07T20:25:55.919+00:00'Every Adventure Requires a First Step'<p>Irrespective of the flooding, the grey days and often challenging driving conditions I am continuing doggedly with my one woman campaign to rebrand January and February as enjoyable months and make them count. When it's horrible outside I've been reading, researching, scheming and doing a little sewing for the first time in many months.</p><p> Yesterday I joined my friend Ice Badger for a final brunch before she moves away to the Midlands next week [there's a trip to Birmingham now on the cards!] and today Mr GBT and I have been out on our first adventuring of the New Year to the country's largest village [apparently] of Cranleigh, Surrey. I had to snap the sign below...it just seemed so perfect for blogging content! The quote in this post's title is from 'Alice in Wonderland' and emanates from this carved cat within the church. It's claimed that it was the inspiration for the Cheshire Cat [Lewis Carroll spent a lot of time in nearby Guildford with his sisters and is buried there after he unexpectedly died on one of his visits]. However, there are other contenders in this category! It's certainly inspired the art work on one of a series of painted bollards outside the Art Centre.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aReydn15LYEw0hA33Xv96q2QkPEFRkZCHdaF8ne_E08KB_8-OMIhRbxSELnvWXnGpEu1emKabyhQe9erI3A5yPJVg3mU3TifHk4doKLtL0R9Q7gCrP06NzPkJGPnLmiPNVR4IWdeGIbk4uZj-AR8AN-4qEjMZQ14XD5x281CXh1zm5v7PM85eJZEA00/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20again%20(3%20of%204).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="1024" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aReydn15LYEw0hA33Xv96q2QkPEFRkZCHdaF8ne_E08KB_8-OMIhRbxSELnvWXnGpEu1emKabyhQe9erI3A5yPJVg3mU3TifHk4doKLtL0R9Q7gCrP06NzPkJGPnLmiPNVR4IWdeGIbk4uZj-AR8AN-4qEjMZQ14XD5x281CXh1zm5v7PM85eJZEA00/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20again%20(3%20of%204).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnr-Lx3AbkuJ5sjxNynl8j2n41eeQU6Qvw7-0SfFVRG4e70EtRi8_4MnBHZLeZvYMd7k6Z82Mn8UaluG4RHrbaHyxEbEqcCT300ZfEBR0Rff6dREAvYcvcIRgQO6wxiSZ6b5kHGDEtM4z9NYnqmDdQkTh_wm-kJt9v6oGXkya3cYMRqUT2FJ8XdtfUYE/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(7%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1024" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnr-Lx3AbkuJ5sjxNynl8j2n41eeQU6Qvw7-0SfFVRG4e70EtRi8_4MnBHZLeZvYMd7k6Z82Mn8UaluG4RHrbaHyxEbEqcCT300ZfEBR0Rff6dREAvYcvcIRgQO6wxiSZ6b5kHGDEtM4z9NYnqmDdQkTh_wm-kJt9v6oGXkya3cYMRqUT2FJ8XdtfUYE/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(7%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn5MS_Mxyd6OrmqirobF0JED9oCMk0EKKpPKaxi80l4yVSMZtfzWGte7wNHUUdVfFk4NNLyFaY6gKcKmsdqFndTwrQIxYfxdaKE85qdDInQIz6w3cfhCqz-33ndT3AcNc0rwCoddhAMzyxOpD7pd9kJWp14egGe7zM2NuRxnvyLMdSRAREgbjfDxhFmI/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(6%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="393" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn5MS_Mxyd6OrmqirobF0JED9oCMk0EKKpPKaxi80l4yVSMZtfzWGte7wNHUUdVfFk4NNLyFaY6gKcKmsdqFndTwrQIxYfxdaKE85qdDInQIz6w3cfhCqz-33ndT3AcNc0rwCoddhAMzyxOpD7pd9kJWp14egGe7zM2NuRxnvyLMdSRAREgbjfDxhFmI/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(6%20of%208).jpg" width="123" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The name Cranleigh derives from a woodland clearing used by cranes. There are several references to the bird sprinkled around the centre, but I just captured my favourite one for here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x9D-ovmQew_F_Kg-2_lGzGhGZyd2CFKAh4zOXxOPdqEkGzDtoCUoTpCUnVDGpJ7eX75yjHpcWQ6JDL0HC0ENnLA3tbf_W-0i9jvgpJjWcG6UKHl11e74aXMZbcgyuu5AUw69Ogbj_IC0t-b6JhyIFcgitPXlipe-4WflU1Rew9FX_8NJcXWlarQJuR8/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20again%20(2%20of%204).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1024" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x9D-ovmQew_F_Kg-2_lGzGhGZyd2CFKAh4zOXxOPdqEkGzDtoCUoTpCUnVDGpJ7eX75yjHpcWQ6JDL0HC0ENnLA3tbf_W-0i9jvgpJjWcG6UKHl11e74aXMZbcgyuu5AUw69Ogbj_IC0t-b6JhyIFcgitPXlipe-4WflU1Rew9FX_8NJcXWlarQJuR8/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20again%20(2%20of%204).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On an otherwise very unremarkable low modern redbrick building this little brick detail really pinged. It bore a passing resemblance to musical notes which when I turned the corner made more sense as it's on the exterior of the band hall. I liked the fact that someone had thought to include a small, but relevant detail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnTPLTa3fRFOIwvrChXTuoCChGQMLh95SBxOrydVKs4JBuR2QqeBrcttExO9hDQNpgy8JrfCBY1x_gtdHY1hvLJBV-YTiEwR6tzj5FV5KtErbt5cjMETeBRxePSYyVKwunWfZM9Ahz5_iJPRbKfPy-GMO683-TciaxTygCXNPlHVf8sIa2qgQc6GYjek/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20again%20(1%20of%204).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="875" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnTPLTa3fRFOIwvrChXTuoCChGQMLh95SBxOrydVKs4JBuR2QqeBrcttExO9hDQNpgy8JrfCBY1x_gtdHY1hvLJBV-YTiEwR6tzj5FV5KtErbt5cjMETeBRxePSYyVKwunWfZM9Ahz5_iJPRbKfPy-GMO683-TciaxTygCXNPlHVf8sIa2qgQc6GYjek/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20again%20(1%20of%204).jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a bright sunny day the colours in this Jubilee window really popped. A local parishioner asked me if I wanted her to put the lights on. I thanked her for offering, but politely declined as I think it would have taken some of the impact away. It's almost ten years to the day since I was last inside St Nicolas's church [I looked it up on the blog out of interest] and I didn't spot it that time. Perhaps my powers of observation have sharpened in the intervening decade!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxVEkHXIVW3VzZE4hSyrWaqaYtoG3p4cIm-3Uord6kc7_h1SzQRdXOIEb6IOQk4ip0sF2E2U5D4KFHM6AStHpWLf4gkr4fdWApuxv0gFHOPXE2zasIKd1zS2RcvY75d2tJUflhJdcQjoKk5qgLq2bDOlkDsTdThVd2Tr-ALQJsKF-AUlmoUkhdcXNRas/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(8%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="631" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxVEkHXIVW3VzZE4hSyrWaqaYtoG3p4cIm-3Uord6kc7_h1SzQRdXOIEb6IOQk4ip0sF2E2U5D4KFHM6AStHpWLf4gkr4fdWApuxv0gFHOPXE2zasIKd1zS2RcvY75d2tJUflhJdcQjoKk5qgLq2bDOlkDsTdThVd2Tr-ALQJsKF-AUlmoUkhdcXNRas/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(8%20of%208).jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Should I admit that this little notice on a nearby bench made me chuckle. I do like to be active and on the go, but ooh I do enjoy a good sit down when I've been busy. My job requires several hours of being on my feet during an average week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RUR6YffUR2L7CNy15fKo27tzIcLkzWftoPjmKHWoV3AG3ru_F68A67RxZ-25WQhMJbyUozYGajU2Y2zggcX2Lyb8I75hqrseC-jIiTbLa_9U69GS6V2SMNi-w-EFs-qhKlYsrJ7W0GpZwFnjbQ-iYmGNa8oIQS5B-4o46Y34yYbURdTR_eLrkGq1WTQ/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(3%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="1024" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RUR6YffUR2L7CNy15fKo27tzIcLkzWftoPjmKHWoV3AG3ru_F68A67RxZ-25WQhMJbyUozYGajU2Y2zggcX2Lyb8I75hqrseC-jIiTbLa_9U69GS6V2SMNi-w-EFs-qhKlYsrJ7W0GpZwFnjbQ-iYmGNa8oIQS5B-4o46Y34yYbURdTR_eLrkGq1WTQ/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(3%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This rather impressive obelisk first came to be in 1794 and started out life as a watering place, but within a few years its use had changed as it was displaying road signs made by the local blacksmith [J Champion Foundry] and it came to commemorate the new turnpike road. I'm not sure whether everyone would have been quite so jubilant at then having to pay to use it. Every side lists different destinations so Horsham it had to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvR4hCFH2r8e4PDCBxDFaT3TTQTpx0Lq2LjiR2gcokE7iP_1i_vrsWbKnoremtUGQH8vbOSDuE5xTM5R1MFuaGOECIOVrMB_7BjL5OpzDsjiB-Om_CN8Hl7X6zpN_wXUoJsQn5ksJkldLrcyqS3EIEu9iKaQCe8pfRAnkRYmpsHWJFrrUKoJdZXqJdDpw/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(4%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="562" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvR4hCFH2r8e4PDCBxDFaT3TTQTpx0Lq2LjiR2gcokE7iP_1i_vrsWbKnoremtUGQH8vbOSDuE5xTM5R1MFuaGOECIOVrMB_7BjL5OpzDsjiB-Om_CN8Hl7X6zpN_wXUoJsQn5ksJkldLrcyqS3EIEu9iKaQCe8pfRAnkRYmpsHWJFrrUKoJdZXqJdDpw/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(4%20of%208).jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cranleigh doesn't take long to see so it seemed a good idea to nip into the recently opened Knowle Community Park. It's a space for everyone and is to be maintained as a nature reserve. Many different bodies have been consulted so that the development plans meet as many different needs as possible with careful consideration given to encouraging and supporting the fauna and flora. Volunteers have undertaken lots of tree planting, removal of invasive species and wildflower sowing. The swans are already on the new lake and dogs are kept on leads [swimming is not permitted] so that the spot on flea treatments can't enter the water and kill insects. There is a performance area and the weekly parkrun is now held there. Although it's a rather blank canvas at the moment it will be fascinating to see how it evolves over the coming years. I'm sure that it will become a sanctuary for many.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a10NSpgts2x9SIoCKrT5F2e2eoagOCsj6FXQDHPoAek3XPIV6QSAni1X5I52NCCknwCeLhFLsCH9JQ2HcmyYgxreRGQzxid_aE9hrL9fjhj-YXM-ptFvLS1NOR2g_Sja6eEp_hfHWuTo5c802xRTUk8dztVHX-OjsPpD6OSWGuXHqbZnA0-v2hJh6KY/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(1%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1024" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a10NSpgts2x9SIoCKrT5F2e2eoagOCsj6FXQDHPoAek3XPIV6QSAni1X5I52NCCknwCeLhFLsCH9JQ2HcmyYgxreRGQzxid_aE9hrL9fjhj-YXM-ptFvLS1NOR2g_Sja6eEp_hfHWuTo5c802xRTUk8dztVHX-OjsPpD6OSWGuXHqbZnA0-v2hJh6KY/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(1%20of%208).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIQqUAgN4m5G_WFgLgoQdzNTsiOCGeQQsBYyKUItFEBq4LrIu9AIH-F_UlTKP4ohaScdGZ1TV5NjpdA6p5E8akecr1LFQ5yvLKUvUsH-TnS7ypyUyfmlto50UklbVBN21bJ1k6R1meX1qRMcnv-sBNqwJT8hyphenhyphenQplO3uye64ynyr1riUSI9Myt6WXPFpI/s1024/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(2%20of%208).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIQqUAgN4m5G_WFgLgoQdzNTsiOCGeQQsBYyKUItFEBq4LrIu9AIH-F_UlTKP4ohaScdGZ1TV5NjpdA6p5E8akecr1LFQ5yvLKUvUsH-TnS7ypyUyfmlto50UklbVBN21bJ1k6R1meX1qRMcnv-sBNqwJT8hyphenhyphenQplO3uye64ynyr1riUSI9Myt6WXPFpI/s320/cheshire%20cat%20again%20(2%20of%208).jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arilx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PS Sorry can't reply to comments at present because Blogger is playing up!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-88666898748791677692024-01-04T05:00:00.002+00:002024-01-07T16:42:40.477+00:00Peppering Roads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvlqmNqrEbwcFPTlyJFe7X_jtQBwBIayqG8xgnpgLsG956bDoH2eYwO6ljVY6XzTBVBUS708XoWlagfwMO0gAy3WX4KvQ8kQPt6r7efPtpBQwEgmPCnO935GeSL33sqvKAymdKPPIAg0sWAyKUj0gQ-u_robAQUo6xhVbUXgudJS7yiBalDEVSkkXxvk/s1280/pothole.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvlqmNqrEbwcFPTlyJFe7X_jtQBwBIayqG8xgnpgLsG956bDoH2eYwO6ljVY6XzTBVBUS708XoWlagfwMO0gAy3WX4KvQ8kQPt6r7efPtpBQwEgmPCnO935GeSL33sqvKAymdKPPIAg0sWAyKUj0gQ-u_robAQUo6xhVbUXgudJS7yiBalDEVSkkXxvk/s320/pothole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">[Image from Pixabay]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Potholes predate the car as the potters used to dig holes in the roads in the search for easily accessible clay. Other road users had to learn to look out for them even back then. Now Winter is upon us once again the little blighters have woken from their summer slumber. For many months they have snoozed beneath the tarmac blankets the council roadmenders popped over them, but now they've cast off their layers and have emerged hungrily smacking their lips at the prospect of their first taste of car tyre. How do I know this....my social media feed is full of those who have fallen foul of their night time antics when they fill up with water and pretend to be puddles, now desperately in search of those who can replace their shredded rubber wheels at short notice. To avoid the same pitfall I must be mindful when driving over the next few months then. <div><br /></div><div>However, bad road conditions in Sussex are not a new thing. Thick clay can be challenging when wet and the county was infamous for its oft impassable routes. Edward Lear visited the county in 1829 and whilst staying at Peppering House he recorded his experiences in this witty poem below😄 <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Peppering Roads</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you wish to see roads in perfection</div><div style="text-align: center;">A climax of cart-ruts and stones</div><div style="text-align: center;">Or if you've the least predilection </div><div style="text-align: center;">For breaking your neck or your bones</div><div style="text-align: center;">If descents and ascents are inviting</div><div style="text-align: center;">If your ankles are strangers to sprains</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you'd ever a penchant for sliding</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, to Peppering go, by all means.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take a coach some dark night in November</div><div style="text-align: center;">A party of four with inside</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah! I once had that jaunt, I remember</div><div style="text-align: center;">And really I pretty near died!</div><div style="text-align: center;">First across to my neighbour I tumbled</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then into the next lady's lap</div><div style="text-align: center;">For at ev'ry fresh rut we were jumbled</div><div style="text-align: center;">And jolted at ev'ry new gap!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So that when we had finished our journey</div><div style="text-align: center;">The coachman who opened the door</div><div style="text-align: center;">Found us tangled so very topturvy</div><div style="text-align: center;">We rolled out all in one bundle all four</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then we were so whisped together</div><div style="text-align: center;">Legs dresses caps arms blacks and whites</div><div style="text-align: center;">That some minutes elapsed before ever</div><div style="text-align: center;">They got us completely to rights!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you go in a gig you are sure to</div><div style="text-align: center;">Get lost in a mist on the hills</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a gibbeted thief on the moor too</div><div style="text-align: center;">Your mem'ry with murder that fills</div><div style="text-align: center;">And besides if you ride in what fashion</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will you are sure to get splashed</div><div style="text-align: center;">Till you get quite incensed in a passion</div><div style="text-align: center;">And peppery like mutton that's hashed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or if on some fine frosty morning</div><div style="text-align: center;">You make up your mind for a walk</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh! ere such be your project take warning</div><div style="text-align: center;">For sunbeams will liquify chalk</div><div style="text-align: center;">Step by step you get clogged so for sartin</div><div style="text-align: center;">With chalk round your shoes like a rope</div><div style="text-align: center;">For to comfort eke Day and Martin</div><div style="text-align: center;">You might as well walk upon soap!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From one end of the walk to the other</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's one awful bootjack to feel</div><div style="text-align: center;">One mighty pedestrial slither</div><div style="text-align: center;">For Christian like progress unmeet!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh! The peppering roads! Sure 'tis fit there</div><div style="text-align: center;">Should be some requital at last</div><div style="text-align: center;">So the inmates you find when you get there</div><div style="text-align: center;">Amply pay you for all you have passed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great weekend folks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Arilx</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459096535013512763.post-46704459519746646592024-01-01T14:38:00.001+00:002024-01-01T20:12:06.126+00:00A Rubbish New Year<p>No not literally...just an attention grabbing sort of blog title! Litter picking is what has going round my bonce today. There have been a couple of posts about people having been on or about to do beach cleans. That really appeals to me, but then I have to remember that I am well inland so it would be quite a drive to get to one so instead I started thinking about whether there are any locally organised ones. No sooner had the question been asked then I had my answer when I got chatting to a lovely lady on the free organised walk round the nature walk we were on. The second Saturday at 2pm for an hour at another local green space. I rather like tidying up and doing this is not dissimilar. I can't remember if I showed you this seal made from the beach pickings at Naze in Essex. Even though she's made from rubbish the makers have upcycled it all brilliantly. It gets the message across visually without the need to spell it out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDialBIMWNfuqQDzQsaGZNEHolaRyelonL_CbAqqxpUuBrvytJL0bdqT8nsKW9t4ekKpJoDVQhdCs46nOa8HsoLS4333c2fq4_1uQeJI17nadapxzbqVyBsoLkk3K9Xz9RIsKS3l8gEBn5jp78zHUf0SIGRwIkAJkaK8kaYGTHbkwc1O99-NX6nJBkYo/s1024/Kevin%20again%20(1%20of%203).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1024" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDialBIMWNfuqQDzQsaGZNEHolaRyelonL_CbAqqxpUuBrvytJL0bdqT8nsKW9t4ekKpJoDVQhdCs46nOa8HsoLS4333c2fq4_1uQeJI17nadapxzbqVyBsoLkk3K9Xz9RIsKS3l8gEBn5jp78zHUf0SIGRwIkAJkaK8kaYGTHbkwc1O99-NX6nJBkYo/s320/Kevin%20again%20(1%20of%203).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTmt595drgZEH52ccPjhbeYqwN0BfAaE-FOPcaN8uwV8lVuJyLCIKFvNGpS0TCvnvW4pS6rEMAg8QBhmajoQ2LMWNkaxzAyajKyM-qE1UgD2UOK7TD31vby4GpqZ7ON7caJcypXtHXs3tlSdgtwvjjqq-C_deDzLkhh8Sz3tzvoPxYpRH1ToxrVF2UDY/s1024/Kevin%20again%20(2%20of%203).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="1024" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTmt595drgZEH52ccPjhbeYqwN0BfAaE-FOPcaN8uwV8lVuJyLCIKFvNGpS0TCvnvW4pS6rEMAg8QBhmajoQ2LMWNkaxzAyajKyM-qE1UgD2UOK7TD31vby4GpqZ7ON7caJcypXtHXs3tlSdgtwvjjqq-C_deDzLkhh8Sz3tzvoPxYpRH1ToxrVF2UDY/s320/Kevin%20again%20(2%20of%203).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY9mqcTGhGIU5BZnZ2J2CWWttO38v6fYHYYK6od7rwgZNCKUEaQtRZPxTehyphenhyphenH6c4VGNwGeS9XDTp6pP3ndK6E1TKu9LlHYr8sAaMxGlFPsfRe3eMis-8Ti2olgMKzvkmMPrw7GHEQAX2S2POmqnTN-BfFqiaV_AWL4q4cUBcotvJnhX6FJz74JjGxjwY/s1024/Kevin%20again%20(3%20of%203).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="589" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY9mqcTGhGIU5BZnZ2J2CWWttO38v6fYHYYK6od7rwgZNCKUEaQtRZPxTehyphenhyphenH6c4VGNwGeS9XDTp6pP3ndK6E1TKu9LlHYr8sAaMxGlFPsfRe3eMis-8Ti2olgMKzvkmMPrw7GHEQAX2S2POmqnTN-BfFqiaV_AWL4q4cUBcotvJnhX6FJz74JjGxjwY/s320/Kevin%20again%20(3%20of%203).jpg" width="184" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We really did enjoy our truffle around the reserve. It's been featured here on many occasions so all I have to show for it is Kevin the Pigeon. He's the one with the rather impressive fan tail and one of his offspring. What doesn't show up is the beautiful iridescence around his neck and the depth of brown shading on his plumage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYMxf-6z33K1PLl_cUh27n_dfPKL0uFmUSPkBv5q3iJ6LhGQiYb4XmR6slcrfZ0moLcVJ0vbt_fBJiFqQW5RmuT9Hk2teeOwLtXiKdwvioSKcYLnQK9aFiprNEDyunkSZP7_ydrvlD4uGx7fIHrGZp2co_yzbVIhGJ1hOJ331eNdXT4w-_CesWxXuYmk/s1024/Kevin%20(4%20of%204).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1024" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYMxf-6z33K1PLl_cUh27n_dfPKL0uFmUSPkBv5q3iJ6LhGQiYb4XmR6slcrfZ0moLcVJ0vbt_fBJiFqQW5RmuT9Hk2teeOwLtXiKdwvioSKcYLnQK9aFiprNEDyunkSZP7_ydrvlD4uGx7fIHrGZp2co_yzbVIhGJ1hOJ331eNdXT4w-_CesWxXuYmk/s320/Kevin%20(4%20of%204).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7dpre45Ihc22pyXUu5Jh7l6fOhJKs-l81DxHqvIwnXGntbLSc63wGaLNT5hONEWoyny5C2QHdNMlNx1H6sykgoKkZlTjIBquOOCpSx44bL2neGzmjLG4o6OSGSqo-5XubNOXRWZIKFaL8-SQXELZRt3Uuiy1tuPKz5zVxKQQGd3cFQjshy6v0vEmRBQ/s1024/Kevin%20(3%20of%204).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1024" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7dpre45Ihc22pyXUu5Jh7l6fOhJKs-l81DxHqvIwnXGntbLSc63wGaLNT5hONEWoyny5C2QHdNMlNx1H6sykgoKkZlTjIBquOOCpSx44bL2neGzmjLG4o6OSGSqo-5XubNOXRWZIKFaL8-SQXELZRt3Uuiy1tuPKz5zVxKQQGd3cFQjshy6v0vEmRBQ/s320/Kevin%20(3%20of%204).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Before I depart I learnt today that lichen is a type of algae. First day of 2024 and first new fact.<div><br /></div><div>Arilx<br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Arilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447764056767139963noreply@blogger.com4