The Distancing Diaries - 9th & 10th November, 2020

I woke up at 6.30am on Monday morning, threw some washing in the machine, did my Wii Fit session, wrapped the rest of the eBay parcels and joined Jon in the kitchen for breakfast. Once Jon had sorted out a packed lunch we headed off to the neighbouring county of Staffordshire.

 It may be lockdown but, much to our relief, the National Trust are keeping their gardens open and with pre-booking, limited spaces and one way systems in place they're probably a safer option than our public parks if you want some fresh air and exercise. 

Mindful of government advice only to leave home if necessary (although travelling to exercise is permitted) we opted for the Shugborough Estate, a 20 mile drive away. We'd last visited in July (see HERE) so were keen to see how looked in the Autumn.

Whilst Shugborough Hall itself remained as grey, shabby and foreboding as it had when we'd first visited, the grounds were a riot of colour.

Thomas Anson returned from his Grand Tour wanting to make Shugborough's grounds a perfect paradise and on a murky November day they really were. The Chinese House, built in 1747 and the first of its kind ever seen in England, was inspired by Thomas's brother George's sketches made on a visit to the province of Canton in 1742. We loved the perfect reflection in the water.

Between 1748 & 1758, architect Thomas Wright erected the Shepherds Monument (on the left of the collage), inspired by an oil painting by Poussin, Et In Arcadia Ego. Built around 1760 the Doric Temple (in the centre) was designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart and based on the Temple of Hephaistos in Athens. 

Based on the Horologium of Andronikos in Athens and designed by James Stuart, the Tower of the Winds was completed in around 1765. It was originally surrounded by water and accessed by two small bridges, but this was lost when the park was badly damaged by the great flood in 1795.

Despite the grandeur of Shugborough Hall, this tumbledown boathouse pleases me more, the rambling roses still blooming despite the season, clinging on for dear life.

Designed by Thomas Wright in 1750 as a folly and now Grade II Listed, The Ruin (below) was once more extensive, was composed from parts of the original manor house and included a Gothic pigeon house. Much of this has been removed and rest was stabilised in the 1960s.

I love Georgian architecture but I'm afraid that grey exterior leaves me cold. 

WEARING: Vintage Phool jacket (part of a suit, online vintage seller), block printed maxi dress (Anokhi, Jaipur, 2019), Clarks' boots & Reiss hat (eBay), block printed scarf (Gujarat, 2018)

WEARING: Diesel waxed jacket, fleece lined wellies, Levi's black denim skinnies (all charity shopped), leather cap (End of the Road festival, 2014), Gujarati hand woven wool scarf (FabIndia, Jodhpur, 2020)

We sat in the van eating our savoury scones and drinking tea whilst listening to 6Music. Back at home Jon completed the Covid compliance forms ready for the window fitters to start work in the morning whilst I sorted out the bathroom for their exclusive use - a fresh towel, toilet roll, hand sanitiser and replacing the soap with liquid hand wash (thank goodness we've got two loos!) 

Tea was another curry, this time with paneer and served with half a nan bread, eaten whilst watching BoJo address the nation. We spent the evening watching the new two part Channel Four documentary, 24 Hours in Police Custody.

On Tuesday, after my Wii Fit workout, I wrapped my eBay parcels and woke Jon with a mug of tea. He needed to remove the curtain rail in our bedroom before breakfast as the workers were due to make a start in our bedroom at 8.30am. They arrived bang on time and we left them to it. We'd been told that we weren't allowed to offer them a drink, which although makes perfect sense, still feels very wrong when you've got guests.

Masks were worn indoors at all times!

The lads were most disgruntled by the invasion but joined me in the lounge with some crochet and mindless daytime TV. Jon popped out to the post office and joined us shortly afterwards.

It had been an age since I'd done any crochet but after re-watching the You Tube tutorial that I'd originally learnt from (HERE) I soon remembered how to make granny squares. I've no idea what I shall do with them, I shall just carry on until I run out of wool.

After our noodle lunch we had a delivery. We'd decided that fairy lights were missing from our kitchen shelves and ordered a string of kitsch chillies. Jon tore open the packaging and got them up straightaway. Since the last photo we've added a vintage Indian brick mould and the 1960s Portmeiron Greek Key mugs which had been in the sink on Sunday morning.

That's better!

TUESDAY: Vintage Phool jacket & Aldo hat (charity shops), 1970s embroidered Indian velvet maxi dress (eBay)

By now the window fitters had finished for the day so we grabbed our jackets and went for a walk around the block. This jacket fits a lot better now I've washed it. 

I haven't been on Instagram for months. I've met some lovely women on there and reconnected with several ex-bloggers I'd lost contact with but I really struggle with it, it's like being in a busy pub, too many people clamouring for attention and someone always trying to flog me something when I go to the loo. I popped in yesterday as I wanted to see if my hairdresser had shared the photo she'd taken after my visit three weeks ago today. She had. 

I shall look at this photo next time I'm ever tempted to cut my own hair again. Hairdressers do it better!

Tea was a salad with Roquefort, Greek plaka gigantes, olives, grated carrot, tomato,cucumber, my Poor Man's Capers and the last of our home grown Lollo Rosso & peas. There were a few jacket wedges, too although Jon ate most of them. We'll be watching more Spooks after a break from spying last night.

Stay safe and see you soon!