And back again.

 Nymans I simply cannot resist you....I took my friend IceBadger there for her first visit. She's lived in the area for a long time and been an NT member for some considerable period yet never got here. It's got all the elements she loves...a ruin, old doors, gates, beautiful ironwork. Despite it being our closest property it turns out that she had convinced herself it was another garden quite a distance away so had never made it here. I am guessing she was rather taken with it as she was already planning a return visit😁 If you are wondering why she's holding up a Mog onesie they're currently running a delightful themed display for the children....it's only a shame that the outfit didn't come in an adult size😸

The garden always delivers on its promise of something new and at the moment it does seem that its plantings are in their blue and shades of yellow/orange phase. I have never seen a peony that apricot colour and rarely do I see the brown iris which I adore. The shade makes me think of old velvet. It's six months since I was last here. Where does the time go?!!

Arilx

One Enchanted Day

A beautiful day of nomadic folkloric wanderings within a very small patch of West Sussex. I hope that you enjoy a little of the magic my friend and I experienced on our wanderings on Saturday as I showed her a few of my special places. We travelled between the Sussex villages of Shipley and Storrington. Many of the places I have shared here before, but the Moon Bridge is a new one for me. It's tiny and is part of a series of three Fairy Bridges in Sandgate Park. They were once part of the ornamental grounds of Sandgate House [now demolished]

Sunshine, a pub lunch and some free books outside a cottage on a sleepy country lane and there you have my perfect day. This is the first time I've met this delightful lady for a spot of adventuring. We "met" via Insta and for real at a couple of Mythago events she's come to. She's on her own personal folkloric journey and takes the most stunning photos of her travels. She's at Elena of the Ways over on IG if you want to see where she's been so far.

Arilx

Lego bricks

Hot after finishing our final set of dancing in Winchester, Mr GBT and I set off in pursuit of a cold drink. This is up one of the side streets in Winchester and is by the anonymous street artist Hendog. I love it.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Arilx

An interesting interview technique!

 

[Image from Pixabay]

Last week TYM went for an internal job, which if successful, would see him move across from the two year graduate scheme he's currently on over to the permanent [as permanent as anything is in this day and age] management team. The interviewers were spread between London and beyond so it was an online version from his room where he now lives. For reasons I'm not party to he has never had a chair, so in lieu he sat on a plastic box covered with a duvet. All was going well until the box broke and he disappeared from view. He said there were two rather worried faces looking at him from his laptop screen when he popped up again, but he assured them there was no damage done and went on to complete his interview kneeling down. Apparently it worked in his favour because he gave the perfect example of how he reacts under pressure and I'm pleased to say that he has got his promotion. I might suggest that he asks his landlord if he can have a chair now though!

Arilx

Dancing on the tables

Two weekends of dancing in different places combined with two very old tables. Firstly Rochester http://gnatbottomedtowers.blogspot.com/2023/05/a-table-for-nation.html and then this one in Winchester....

Legend has it that it was King Arthur's Round Table. Alas that is but mere fable, but the idea of equality for all those who sat round it being brought in by its circular form filtered down into the ideals of the Medieval chivalric code. Such was the popularity of the Arthurian legacy that Round Table Tournaments were held round the country at which the participants would have enjoyed feasting and jousting. This table is 5.5m across and is made of oak. Dendrochronology dates it to the mid to late 13th century and one theory is that it was made for Edward I's celebration of his daughter's bethrothal on 20th April 1290. He was known to have held this near Winchester and to have attended five Round Table tournaments such was his level of enthusiasm for all things King Arthur.

During its early years it was plain, but a certain Henry VIII [always known for his modesty😏] had it painted for his visit to the city in 1516. Surprise, surprise that's the Tudor Rose in the centre and a depiction of himself above it. I first saw this as a newly arrived student back in 1985 and my first thought was that it bore more than a passing resemblance to a darts board. Here I am many years later with exactly the same thought. What a philistine. For anyone wanting to see this gem for themselves it's housed in the Great Hall. There is an entry fee, but we got in for free because we were dancing beneath it not on it!

Arilx

Hands Up

 These two from the church in Winchcombe immediately reminded me of 'Hands up baby hands up' by Ottawan. My brain does make some bizarre connections sometimes, but hey it's Friday so let's just go with it shall we. Have a great weekend!

Arilx

Away from the hubbub

 Kensington High Street on a Saturday morning is a noisy place...sirens wailing, horns blaring, crowds of people. I've always been quite sensitive to loud noises and the busyness of those around me and to stop myself becoming overwhelmed I need to be able to escape for a few minutes to recalibrate. London is an amazing city for this with all its quiet side street and intimate green spaces. 10 steps away from the main thoroughfare and I came across all this...two small public gardens, a row of very exclusive real shops where one could purchase a beautiful bridal tiara or a new handmade cravat and a row of imagined shops with a black cat. For ten minutes I was able to sit and then gently explore where I was before rejoining the throngs and making my way up to Kensington Gardens in pursuit of the Elfin Oak.

It is often the unexpected discoveries I make between my planned finds which bring me the greatest pleasure.

Arilx

PS The artwork was commissioned by a resident who lived in the street in the 1960s. That's his daughter at the window and his pet cat!