Wednesday 2 December 2020

The Distancing Diaries - 1st & 2nd December, 2020

December 1st was the date those of us who are self-employed were able to apply for a third Covid grant and by 7am I'd submitted my claim and already received notification of the amount I was due. Business out of the way I did my Wii Fit workout, put away Sunday's laundry (Jon's jeans had taken an age to dry) then stood outside marveling at the glorious sunrise.


After our breakfast Jon made sandwiches & filled the flask and we headed thirty minutes down the road to the glorious one hundred and thirty-four acre Packwood Estate set in the midst of rural Warwickshire. Bought by the wealthy Birmingham businessman and confirmed city dweller, Alfred Ashe in 1904, when asked about his somewhat impulsive purchase he replied I bought it because the boy wanted it.

The boy was his beloved 16-year-old only son, Graham Baron Ash. Baron, as he preferred to be called, was said to be both reserved & courageous with a party-loving generosity. His work with the family firm, which he never much cared for, came to a halt at the outbreak of the First World War when he volunteered for the medical corps. Before joining up he travelled to, amongst other places, Burma, India and Egypt, where he recorded his encounters with the people he met. In his diary he writes of bribing a priest in China to order to acquire an ancient roof tile. This, it is said, was when a lifetime of haggling over antiques begun. I think Baron & I would have got along well!


Determined never to go back into the family business after leaving the army, Baron dedicated the rest of his life to restoring Packwood House, stripping back the lavish Victorian interior, considered at that time to be hopelessly outdated, and restoring the house to reflect its original Tudor heritage. Due to current restrictions the house is closed to the public but if you want to see it in all its Xmas finery check out my post from December 2016 (HERE). We also visited Packwood in June this year, at the height of the summer (HERE)

Once again the weather gods were on our side. It was a freezing cold but gloriously sunny day with a sky so intensely blue that we could almost have been in the Mediterranean. As we stood and took photos a cyclist slowed down and exclaimed What a day to be alive! We couldn't have agreed more.

WEARING: Vintage Hindu Kush Afghan dress & Mexican tooled leather bag (eBay), Ilse Jacobsen boots and Anokhi riding coat (both retail buys), 1970s Tuscan sheepskin hat & Whistles velvet scarf (charity shopped), Alpaca wrist warmers (End of the Road Festival, 2015)

With more padding than the Michelin Man and grateful that I'd worn my wellies, we had the most fabulous time wandering around the forest, climbing tree stumps, swinging off low hanging branches and splashing in the mud like five year olds.










WEARING: Vintage Swedish army parka, 1960s Norwegian jumper (both charity shopped), Levi 510 jeans (eBay), Clarks walking boots (retail, 2015)





Jon was disappointed that we didn't bring stale bread for the birds like we had when we'd visited Baddesley Clinton, Packwood's near neighbour, a fortnight ago.







Packwood is a house I'd happily live in. I can't wait to see it again in the Spring.



After thawing out our hands on mugs of scalding hot tea, we devoured our sandwiches whilst listening to 6Music's festive party soundtrack, Sleigh Home, Rave Safe! 


 Back at home, after cleaning the mud off my wellies, Jon and I booked ourselves in for our flu jabs (currently free for the Over 50s) then I unraveled yesterday's rainbow beer mittens and remade them to my satisfaction. That's something I've learned about myself over the last eight months....I have patience! I used to race through life, anxious to get stuff done, now I'm happy to take my time.


After a salad we caught up with the final two installments of Grayson Perry's American Road Trip. Jon played in his music room and I went to bed early, keen to crack on with The Lacuna, a book I'm loving but seem to be taking an age to read!


Today (Wednesday 2nd December) marked the end of English lockdown and our first day of living under Tier 3 restrictions. We can't have visitors to our homes and gardens, there's no spectator sports or indoor entertainment allowed and pubs, cafes & restaurants have to remain closed unless they can offer takeaways but all non-essential retail shops, gyms and salons can open. We're also not allowed to visit areas in lower tiers than ours, fortunately we've got some fantastic National Trust properties on our doorstep so no problem there. I'm sure it's of no surprise that I didn't head to Birmingham to visit Primarni which was staying open for 24 hours! I might be tempted to visit the clearance chazza soon but I've scored some cracking bargains on eBay over the last couple of days so I'm in no real rush for a shopping fix.


 I did my Wii Fit workout and woke Jon with the news that the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine had been approved by the regulators. Some good news at last! After breakfast, leaving Jon to paint above the picture rail in the spare bedroom (something he'd been meaning to do since he redecorated last year) I braved the cold to take some stock photos in the garden, just managing to get them done before the heavens opened and I had to scuttle back inside.


After our noodles I wrote descriptions and uploaded my listings to eBay, selling one of the dresses within minutes - I love it when that happens. The postman arrived with some posh wool, now I know what I'm doing I'm planning to crochet Jon a hat in some chunky flecked Aran, which looking at the weather forecast is possibly tomorrow's task.


We try not to put the heating on until the evening so I wore my pom pom hat and beer mittens on all day. I'm wearing my vintage block printed Chelsea Girl dress again (second time in 10 days) with a quilted Phool waistcoat (swapped with a trader friend at a fair last year), my roaring lion tooled leather belt (from out of the three for £1 bin in a charity shop) and my trusty clog boots.


After tidying up the spare room I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with blog reading, making an executive decision against taking a walk around the block due to the inclement weather opting for a beer and watching BoJo's latest update instead. 


Tea was a vegetable jalfrezi with rice and a couple of cocktail sized snacks on the side. It's Wednesday which means rum night at Stonecroft. We're going to start watching Steve McQueen's Small Axe series on catch-up tonight, I've heard great things about it.

Cheers, stay safe and see you very soon! 


62 comments:

  1. I watched the first of the Small Axe films last night. Excellent. Glad you enjoyed the Grayson Perry series. I fell in love with him all over again....he has an incredible way with people, but is not scared to challenge and question either. Arilx

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    1. I almost forgot to watch Grayson on Friday night, such a wonderful human!
      Loved Lover's Rock, the Small Axe we watched over the weekend, it transported me back to the blues parties of my teens! xxx

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  2. Another gorgeous post, Vix, and those outfits are to die for... The purple maxi and jacket, and the fabulous Afghan dress and those dreeeeamy yellow boots!! Wow. Lovely pics of your outing, too, and all the lovely flowers.

    Thanks for your visit - glad you enjoyed seeing all my needle books. Regarding the cat throw, you could say I've been binge searching online and found lots of gorgeous examples of cat throws! This is a really fun project. The kitties are graciously allowing us some time on the new furniture but they have rather taken over, and I fear that in time we shall be reduced to sitting on the floor. Such is life in a house under cat management lol! They absolutely love the new furniture and are convinced that we bought it just for them - I mean even the colour is right!!

    Shoshi x

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    1. Thanks, Shoshi!
      How kind of the kitties to allow you to share their furniture! xxx

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  3. It was a beautiful morning on Tuesday and, much like the cyclist you encountered, I couldn't disguise my joy, leaving my colleague to think I was just a little bit mad :)
    Another wonderful visit, made all the more enjoyable by the gorgeous weather, I'm sure. X

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    1. Wasn't it a perfect day? Such a contrast to all the grey and rain we've had ever since! x

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  4. Thanks for sharing another fabulous excursion!, this is another magnificent building and I love particularly these windows!, and gardens! and ducks! ;DD
    And you look fabulous, wrapped in your quilted coat and cute wellies, such a delightful and colorful outfit!. Looking gorgeous in these photos, smiling in the sunshine in this beautiful landscape!. And I totally agree with the cyclist!.
    So lovely block printed dress and quilted waistcoat, and so lovely that they go nicely with your new colorful set of hat and wrist warmers!. You Totally Rock!.
    besos

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    1. Thanks, Monica! I'm not sure if I'm feeling the cold more these days or that I'm just spending longer outside, my layers seem to be ever increasing! xxx

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  5. Monday was a stunning morning here and I walked part of the coastal path with my friend. It was, as your cyclist said, good to be alive. Another walker stopped to eulogise to us about the weather and the view. Two hours later, it was pissing down!!! I enjoyed another visit to Packwood. Isn't it a privilege to live near somewhere so beautiful and be able to visit at different times of the year? There is a stunning art gallery in the neighbouring town and I sometimes go in to check out just one or two paintings. The joy of being a local! Obviously have to book for that privilege now. Great to have positive vaccine news too.

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    1. You were a day ahead of us with the glorious sunshine then, Catmac. We had a blanket of snow on Friday night, Jon got me out of bed to look at it which was just as well it had all but vanished when I got up on Saturday morning.
      In normal times we go to the VIP preview of the Walsall Society of Artists annual show the Thursday of my birthday week, how I missed it this year, free wine and all! xxx

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  6. The Packwood Estate is beautiful, even if the indoor part of it is closed, it still merits a visit. How wonderful are the birds there! Gorgeous swans and ducks, they seem quite happy at Packwood estate and why wouldn't they be? It was interesting reading about its history and how the original owner bought it because his son Baron wanted it...and his son grew up to be an antique lover who treasured it and restored it to its glory. Some impulse buys make sense. Yes, I think you would get along well with that Baron chap. He seems to have been an interesting figure, like his father.
    Your printed dress is wonderful and I love the coat you paired with it. Fabulous yellow boots as well. Cold but sunny days are great for walks.

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    1. It is such a lovely place, Ivana! The house is wonderful in all it's winter finery with the log fires but the garden has plenty to hold our interest. xxx

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  7. Love your posts so so much!Great one,photos are amazing as always!

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  8. I love letting my inner child come out to jump in puddles and do things my 50+ exterior doesn't approve of! Your expedition looks like a lot of fun! I love seeing the swans, which we used to have at the big park here.

    Glad to hear you are at the end of your restictions-ish?? and happy to hear you're doing a cracking job at finding and selling funky things online. I love that dress with the white trimmed neckline. I'm always a fan of that giant fur hat, and you just look adorable in your toque and matching gloves!

    I have learned that...a slower pace is good for my mental health. My job life has been GO GO GO for most of my 35 year career - this is easily one of the quietest times I've experienced during that span.

    Have a good week, Vix! Hugs to you and the lads, Jon too!

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    1. Isn't it fun just to drop your guard and act like a child? We've been climbing tree-houses and exploring deserted cemeteries in the rain today, it's like going back to being schoolchildren, finding ways to pass the long school holidays!
      The only real change between lockdown and tier 3 restrictions is that non-essential shops are open so it was rather exciting to visit the charity shop on Friday. Still no socialising although we are allowed to meet in a group of up to 6 in a park or public place, things are looking up! xxx

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  9. Thats for the link to the 2016 Christmas at the house.Also the summer post. I really enjoy your photo's accompanied by interesting facts. Its a lovely house and garden . Nice to visit even if you are only allowed to go in the garden at the moment.

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    1. Thanks, Caz! It's beautiful inside and Baron seemed like such an interesting character, years ahead of his time. xxx

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  10. The Spare Room looks so Inviting! And all the Nature shots and beautiful Old Properties were Eye Candy!

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  11. On of my Uncle during WW2 was in Burma, and the ducks look so peaceful.
    Stay Safe and Coffee is on

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    1. How interesting. I bet you'd love to visit Burma. x

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  12. I spent decades eating dhal, and basmati rice, every. single. day. Then one day I stopped. However I realise that I positively drool over your Indian and bean etc dishes.... so it is looking as though Indian food is to be reinstated chez moi. So thank you for all of your delicious looking meal photos. Loving these stately homes that you have been visiting, whilst we virtual visit them .... chuckle.

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    1. Ever since I read your comment I've been craving dhal. I shall make some slow cooker dhal in the week, I love it with wholemeal roti for lunch. xxx

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  13. I love dhal - we are having lentil dhal tonight - Steve makes it better than be to be fair and I make the chicken curry for the men better than him, so it works out! I loved your walk today all that Autumnal beauty and I can imagine in a time slip you and Jon could easily carry it off as outlandishly dressed baron/baroness of Packwood. As always your outfit is fabulous and your wrist warmers/hat go well with your lovely dress too :)

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    1. Since reading Ratnamurti's comment I can think of nothing else, I put ginger on the list when Jon went shopping on Friday and am making some in the week.
      I love Packwood, I could happily live there, it's gorgeous without being overly grand or imposing. xxx

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  14. I love your bundled up outfit at the National Trust, you look fab!

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  15. That place still looks beautiful in the winter, the kids would love to have to two as relatives as it’s only my dad likes tramping about in muddy places . I love it when you put something up and it sells straight away. There is no feeling better. I am missing work. I can only watch so much Netflix and read so many books. I have started to make pom poms again as milo destroyed the curtain that dog will never learn.
    I have asked Paul to go to textile town and get me a knitting Nancy as I like making things with her. Light let milo eat her . I love dhal but I have to eat rice porridge and it’s orrible bland . That’s what they give sick people over here. Take care and keep safe . Love and hugs allie

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    1. Hello Allie! We'd happily borrow the kids, although we'd probably embarrass them with our antics! We've been playing in a treehouse today as well as skulking about in the woods.
      Pompom making is great therapy. Is a Knitting Nancy like corking where you loop wool over nails to form a long sausage?
      I haven't had dhal in months, after reading Ratnamurti's comment I've decided to make some next week! xxx

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  16. sitting by the roaring fire, morning coffee at hand - and enjoying your sunny trip to Packwood Estate.....
    there even was an instrument for jon to play with! and you both looked very stylish and cosy!
    here we have snow already - bit it will warm up tomorrow......
    love your home outfit - wonderful colours! i use to wear a hat or headscarf in the house too (and warm woolies) because we have no central heating at all - its only warm near the tiled oven.......
    stay cosy! xxxxx

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! Packwood is such a magical place and strangely I think we prefer it in the winter to the summer, there's something rather intimate and cosy about it. xxx

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  17. Love all the colourful layers in your first outfit and it's nice the weather was good for yu to get out and explore the forest and gardens on that day! Your rainbow accessories in your stay home outfit look so cute and cosy too! :)

    Hope that you are having a good week :)

    Away From The Blue | Handbag Gift Guide

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    1. Thanks, Mica! We were so lucky with the weather, it's been awful ever since. xxx

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  18. Hi Vix, Packwood is a beautiful place and you got just the day right,weather wise to go on your trip. I went to a talk by two ladies from there earlier in the year pre Covid, at our parish hall, it and they were very interesting, it always fascinated me that the son of the owner was Baron, the same as the U.S president at the time! Yes, get yourselves over to Bilston, masked up, hand sanitised and distanced so no probs. Have you ever been in the lovely wool shop by St Leonard’s church?
    My secret, I went in three local chazzas yesterday, first day of reopening and didn’t buy a thing, but where there’s life there’s hope and always another day. Keep Well and Warm Both. Brummie Sue Xx.

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    1. Hello Sue! I bet that talk was fascinating, Baron sounded like such an interesting chap, ahead of his time in a way with his love for restoration and hunting down antiques at a good price. We giggled at the Baron bit, the only other person we'd heard of with that name was Trump junior, an unfortunate coincidence!
      I was so envious of your trip I insisted Jon took us to the chazza on Friday. I'm hoping a trip to Bilston is imminent, I might have to take my camera!
      Stay safe! xxx

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  19. Hi htere Vix, what a wonderful post full of beauty. I especially loved the pics of the tree and of course the wonderful ducks. I can so see you living in Packwood House! Your photos made me feel the freezing but bright conditions. Your beanie is such a good match for the Chelsea girl dress. It is a really rainy grey day here and I am afraid nothing to report except that our new girl "Amy" is settling in nicely. The charity has already followed up to see how she was (thanks for your lovely reply by the way). Vix I feel unsettled when I speak to relatives who are mixing so I am so glad Christmas is postponed!! I can always escape to blogland for awhile to take a minute and smile again! love Shazxx by the way isn't it great news about the vaccine!

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    1. Hello Shaz (aka new cat mummy!) I'd be happy to offer my services to the National Trust & act as custodian to Packwood, imagine the parties we could have in those grounds - and we'd all be able to socially distance, too!
      That cat charity sound absolutely lovely, I bet they were thrilled to hear how well Amy was doing.
      I'm so pleased about the vaccine. How exciting that the roll out starts tomorrow! xxx

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  20. Packwood Estate looks amazing, and those photos of the birds are fantastic. What a lovely day. I've been known to wear my hat indoors too, Alan thinks I'm mad but I'd rather have a hat on my head than the central heating blaring away making the whole house too hot for comfort.

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    1. Packwood is gorgeous, I love the smaller houses bought by the middle classes far more than the grand estates. From what I've read of Baron he sounded like such a fun loving chap obsessed with beautiful things - my kind of man!
      I grew up without central heating, now we have it I still hear my Dad saying "If you're cold stop moaning and go and put another jumper on!" xxxx

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  21. What suitable-for-magazine-covers photos you've posted here! In a previous life, I'd have snatched at that half-sunken tree reflected in a pond in a minute! Of course, I also sighed in satisfaction at those well nourished geese and your brilliant yellow wellies. Jon looks particularly well outfitted on this expedition -- why do so many men not make the effort?!
    And why do we see so few yellow clothing items? Surely, they don't show soil more readily than white, and "winter white" is everywhere.

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    1. Thanks, Beth! I do get excited when I see a reflection on a pond, hence the profusion of photos on my blog.
      Our National Trust walks are our only social events at the moment, it seems like a wasted opportunity not to wera somethig decent! xxx

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  22. How beautiful is that sunrise! Packwood Estate looks like the perfect place to spend a couple of hours wandering its grounds and woods, including swinging off low hanging branches ;-) I've only read a couple of days ago that it may harm the ducks' health if you feed them bread, recommending defrosted frozen peas or corn kernels! I'm deeply in love with your yellow wellies and I'm sure they would have been far more suitable for the muddy walk we did the other day. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to ruin them! If your outfit contains more padding than the Michelin man, it doesn't look it, you just look your usual fabulous self!
    Your vintage Chelsea Girl dress is not one I'll ever tire of, however many times you're wearing it on the blog! News about a vaccine being approved is trickling in everywhere. That's one step in the right direction, at least, even if it might still take a while until it's our turn! xxx

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    1. It was such a lovely sunrise I insisted on waking Jon up and opening the curtains so her could see it, too - I'm so annoying!
      I'm not sure if I'd fancy carrying sweetcorn and peas in my handbag! Perhaps the National Trust could have a warning notice up and sell suitable food so visitors can feed the ducks responsibly!
      Apparently the vaccinations are starting with the over 80s on 15th December, our turn could come sooner than we think which can only mean one thing - we can travel! xxx

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  23. Yes, we've saved Small Axe as a treat for the future...

    Packwood House looks very liveable in - not too big and ostentatious. Both you and Jon look fab in your outfits and if you can't release your inner child on a day out when can you?

    It is good news about the vaccine. I reckon by the time it gets round to me it will be about Easter; hopefully in time to allow me to go to Ireland and sort the caravan out after the winter...

    I have 'The Lacuna' and might give it a go when I finish my current book. You certainly have the crocheting bug!

    Take care
    xxx

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    1. The first Small Axe was utterly brilliant. We love having a few things saved.
      Packwood House feels like a proper home, we loved the interior when it was open to the public but the garden and surrounding woodlands are such fun.
      Wouldn't it be brilliant if all the vulnerable could be vaccinated by the Spring? I've written off next year's festival season - too late now for the organisers to get anything in place especially with bloody Brexit - so we want to do some travelling instead! xxx

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  24. I saw the queue outside the Birmingham Primark on the BBC news yesterday, I couldn't believe how long it was. We're in tier 2 here but I'm not interested in going shopping so am still avoiding the shops.
    You are way hardier than me, managing without heating during the day, I'm a total wuss, I really feel the cold.
    Your NT visit looks beautiful, such glorious sunshine, we've had leaden skies and rain all day today, definitely an indoors day. xxx

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    1. Wasn't it ridiculous? We've had a Primark in Walsall for 5 years now and I've yet to set foot in it!
      We caved in and went to the big charity shop on the out of town retail park yesterday, in recent months it's neighbours have all closed down - Peacocks, TK Maxx, Argos, Frankie & Benny's...I don't suppose it'll be long before its neighbour TopShop closes up, too. xxx

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  25. Cold but clear days really are the best.
    We're complete opposites-I run the heat during the day but turn it so low overnight that it shouldn't kick on unless it gets to 50 F in the house. I can sleep comfortably under a pile of blankets.

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    1. I can cope with cold when there's sunshine and blue skies, those dark wet days sap all the enthusiasm out of me.
      We do turn the heating right down at night and have the window wide open, I hate getting into a warm bed! xxx

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  26. Thank you for reminding me to claim the self employment grant. Although I am working in some schools I have had three yoga retreats cancelled this year and no working in gyms or face to face. But with the puppy arriving I have been out of my usual routine.
    The photos of those winter berries are just stunning.
    We are lucky to have moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 so there is hope but the vaccination hopefully means this time next year tiers and lockdowns will be a distant memory.
    Enjoy what the next few days have to offer and I look forward to following your adventures.

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    1. I hope you submitted yours and got a response as quickly as I did! I can't see our work returning to normal for a while yet so every little helps!
      Liverpool did so well being able to move down a tier, our infection rate doubled during lockdown! xxx

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  27. ‘Baron’ is such a great name and what a handsome house. I think those are the best wellies I have ever seen. Jon looks like he’s having fun hitting bits of wood. Hopefully that made up for not having bread for the ducks. Your ebay clothes do look really lovely photographed in your garden. My mam’s a big ebayer and she often takes boxes of stuff outside to get the right light. It is not long after breakfast time, but I could eat that curry! Lulu x

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    1. It is a great name, I think it would suit a cat!
      I saw a really cool woman wearing these boots (in blue) at a festival a few years ago and couldn't rest until I'd tracked down a pair, they are absurdly warm and comfy unlike most wellies!
      I could eat curry at any time of the day, I shall miss our early morning pav bhajis in January when we're usually in India, I'll have to make my own! xxx

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  28. Oh! It is wonderful to enjoy such a landscape ... The magnificent building and its pond is really interesting ... Magnificent colors for your wool, yes, now the temperatures are "hot" and it often rains. I'm knitting some crochet hats too ...
    Hugs, Carmela

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    1. I'm looking forward to see your crochet! xxx

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  29. I totally enjoyed your pictures of Packwood Estate. What a beautiful place complete with ducks and swans! What a fantastic outfit too! Love the Tuscan sheepskin hat. Time to get out my yarn and start crocheting. The cats told me they want some new blankets and I need more beer mittens. Your pom pom hat is awesome. I tried to make a hat, but I messed something up and it turned into a crochet bag. Way to big to wear on my head, but pretty hilarious!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed your virtual tour, Cheryene! I had to unravel the hat a few times before I got it right but it felt so good when i did! xxx

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  30. We're in tier 3 too now and I don't want to risk going anywhere much apart from walking with my dogs and the weather is a bit bad anyway but I am enjoying seeing your trips out-thankyou x

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    1. We were really lucky with Tuesday's weather, it's been grim here for days! Stay safe. xxx

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  31. What a wonderful place to visit! I didn't actually realise shops were allowed to open in tier 3 places. You HAVE got some marvellous bits on eBay- love the Chevron top and skirt.
    Your Chelsea girl dress is a marvel- not surprised you've worn it so much!

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    1. It's one of our favourite places - although we do tend to say that a lot!
      Yes, shops, salons and gyms can open but no hospitality venues, sports stadia or indoor entertainment. xxx

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Lots of love, Vix