Sunday 24 January 2021

The Distancing Diairies - 23rd & 24th January, 2021

 It was Jon's turn to get up first on what was a very frosty Saturday morning, he saw to The Lads, who kept their outdoor adventures to the bare minimum, anxious to get back to the warmth of the house. We drank tea in bed and read till 9am. I stripped and changed the bed, loaded the washing machine and joined Jon for a breakfast of veggie sausage, mushroom and egg sandwich.

Once dressed we walked past the Guru Nanak Gurdwara at the bottom of the road into the area of Walsall known as Palfrey. A rural settlement until the mid-1800s, the name Palfrey is derived from the Latin Paraveredus, meaning a well-bred, light horse and is so called as horses were kept here. Like its neighbour Caldmore, Palfrey is a tangle of Victorian terraces and corner shops and, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the area, there's halal butchers, Indian sweet centres and Afro-Caribbean fruit & veg shops.


Our main mission was to visit Palfrey Park, the first park in the borough to be awarded a national Green Flag Award. Somewhere that, despite living in Walsall my entire life, I'm ashamed to say that I'd never visited until Saturday. When I asked Jon if he had he revealed that, as a 17-year-old, he worked for the Parks Department and used to mow the grass there. One morning he'd been first to arrive at work and had found the dead body of an elderly man. Not something that would have you rushing back to visit.

The park, then known as St George's Recreation Ground, was established in 1886 and, after a local newspaper campaign for the addition of bandstands in several of Walsall's public parks, the council commissioned George Smith & Sons of the Sun Foundry, Glasgow to build three for a combined cost of £90. The bandstand, erected in 1890, soon became a popular fixture with concerts being performed regularly however, the demand for live events had waned by 1948 and the bandstand was removed. 

Palfrey Park underwent a regeneration programme in 2000 and heritage and lottery funding paid for a reproduction to be built. The colours used replicated Walsall's 16th Century Coat of Arms.





In 2005, John McKenna, a renowned sculptor, was commissioned to design and fabricate the structure of the Palfrey Horse, which was made using small sections of locally produced stainless steel.








The park has a kids' playground, a bowling green, a full size basketball court, a multi-use games area and an outdoor gym, currently closed due to Covid restrictions.


 A dad was trying to teach his three young children the rules of cricket and told us that it wasn't going well whilst generations of ladies dressed in Punjabi suits, saris, Puffa coats & trainers greeted us warmly as we strolled along. In fact everyone we encountered, of all ages, genders and ethnicity returned our hellos and smiles, no wonder the park has won an award for being a welcoming place. 


We've always suspected that Frank originated from Palfrey, close enough to our house but far enough for a cat to get confused and lose his bearings - here's the evidence, a twin!


We were amazed - and impressed - with this informal conservation area. Who'd have thought such a thing existed ten minutes walk away from our front door?



Walking through this wooded glade we could almost have been in the grounds of a grand National Trust estate, not a corner of a post-industrial urban sprawl of Walsall. I still can't believe I'd never been to Palfrey Park before, talk about being a tourist in my own backyard.



Just across the road from the park entrance stands The Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God. The church follows the traditional Byzantine chant on worships and, in line with Walsall's diverse population, conducts services in English, Greek, Romanian and Slavonic languages.  


They used to have fantastic jumble sales here back in the 1980s. I once kitted out an Indie rock band in an array of 1970s novelty printed tab collar shirts, all still in their original shop wrappers!








Back at home I just managed to pose for an outfit photo before the snow started.



My Wear:Sleep:Repeat challenge continued. Friday's Phool midi dress got a second outing, this time worn with the vintage Indian block printed waistcoat Liz & Al bought me for Xmas and my Tuscan sheepskin hat (75p from the Salvation Army in 2011).



The details: A selection of tribal cuffs (from friends); Afghan headpiece worn as a necklace (eBay), Pewter leather boots (La Redoute, 2017), Indian earrings (inherited from Mum)


It was an afternoon of snow flurries, answering ebay questions, editing photos and catching up with Blogland. Tea was cheese, crackers, tapenade, olives, fig & balsamic chutney (a year past the sell-by date but still very tasty!) and pickled onions eaten in front of the TV as a change from the kitchen table.



The previous evening we'd discovered All The Sins, a crime drama from Finland, on Walter Presents and watched three episodes back-to-back. Accompanied by rum & cola we watched the rest of the series.


On Sunday morning I was up at 7.30am, making tea and bringing it back to bed where we lay and read for an hour. I dyed my eyebrows and lashes & epilated my legs before joining Jon in the kitchen for toast and mugs of coffee and, as usual, I painted my nails whilst watching The Andrew Marr Show. Originally we'd intended to walk down to Wilkos for bird food, soda crystals and light bulbs but it started to snow heavily and showed no signs of stopping so the plans were shelved. The Hill of Doom is a scary enough prospect on a dry day.


The previous day I'd received my accounts back so I paid the accountant's bill online, signed everything off and, with the snowfall slowing down, we took our chances and walked around the corner to pop them through the accountant's letterbox.


The snow was deep and fluffy and squeaked like icing sugar as we walked along. 



Back at home I stripped my coat & mittens off and posed for an outfit photo. 


Wear:Sleep:Repeat continues.


Exactly a year to the day I was wearing this Anokhi dress in Goa with nothing else except a pair of chappals and a shedload of jewellery. Today I'm wearing it with Saturday's vintage block printed waistcoat, the Armor Lux Breton I scored from eBay last weekend, my me-made hat and my wellies not to mention my thermal leggings and Nordic socks.


The details: Indian sponge coral beads (vintage fair, 2018), Carnelian earrings (Afghan refugee charity via ebay) and freshly painted The Way You Make Me Teal nails by Barry M.


After listing the menswear I'd photographed on Friday, I put my wellies back on, trudged outside to the Kinky Shed to put everything away, collected the weekend sales and wrapped them up ready for the twice weekly Post Office run tomorrow. 


A poke around upstairs revealed my stash of vintage Banjara dowry coin necklaces so, having recently won a couple of fabulous tribal pieces of jewellery on eBay & in-keeping with my one in, three out rule, I photographed and listed them along with a photo of Laxmi, who I've bought many pieces of tribal jewellery from over the years.


It might be past his belly but Stephen loves the snow!


Tea was a naan bread pizza, Jon's way of using up any scraps. 


While Jon relives his childhood and watches Ski Sunday, I'm having a blog comment catch-up before we settle down for the evening's viewing. After all the murder, religious fanaticism and gore we're planning on watching a film, a Finnish comedy (Heavy Trip) about the adventures of a hapless heavy metal band. 

Source

Goodness me...it's STILL snowing! 

Stay safe, warm, healthy and happy and I'll see you very soon.....

64 comments:

  1. I’m amazed myself that you’ve missed Palfrey Park, it’s looks a lovely place and we definitely need a visit next time we are down. I’d love to see that Horse. The only time I’ve seen one anything like that was at a factory I went to where Philip was doing some work. Theirs was made of old car parts and was magnificent.
    Your outfit photos are fantastic. That’s a great challenge you’ve given yourself.
    Keep the snow down there will you we’ve had our share thanks xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, it's shocking that I've lived within walking distance of palfrey park my entire life and never visited. The horse is gorgeous, it reminded me of that angel made from reclaimed knives they had on display in Birmingham a few years ago. xxx

      Delete
  2. Good to see that I'm not the only one with things tucked away in the pantry that got forgotten about. Currently using two year out of date pickled onions, lol.

    It's -20C today, the snow is powdery and we've got nowhere to go this February.

    Stay war, Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We always reckon that if it isn't pulsating or green it's safe to eat!
      I don't envy you -20°C one little bi, we're whingeing that it's -5°. xxx

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful park and I really love the Palfrey Horse. It is funny how we often don't go to the places closet to our homes. We should all play tourists in our own areas more often. Beautiful outfits and accessories as always, and yummy meals too. Stay bundled up and warm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Martha. I probably know Mumbai better than my own town. It is good (and often surprising) to be a tourist at home. As we're not allowed to travel we're looking at everything in a new way! x

      Delete
  4. Loving your outfits this weekend. Its snowing here too in the north of Ireland. Was the Finnish movie Heavy trip any good?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Martina! We loved Heavy Trip, a combination of The Blues Brothers and Wayne's World. Made us giggle! x

      Delete
  5. I miss that sound snow makes when you walk on it. That's all I miss.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not usually a fan of snow but I'm enjoying the novelty of it at the moment, anything for a change! x

      Delete
  6. Hello Vix, thank you so much for the Dharavi link, so interesting! (I have since posted a link that may be of interest in my comments section). Looks like your Walsall is just as interesting as Mumbai. Good council for re-instating the lovely park bandstand! (I wonder if any drunk students try to ride the horse sculpture?) So great to have things like this on your doorstep. Beautiful Anokhi & Breton top outfit and I love the snowy setting. Please let us know if the film was good. Lulu xXx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We were sober (for once) but I must admit I was tempted to have a go on the horse (54 going on 5!)
      The film was brilliant, I think you and your chap would really enjoy it, ridiculously silly, a pleasant change from all the murders we usually entertain ourselves with! xxx

      Delete
  7. Amazing the local treasures that one finds, like your park. There are lots of parks in west Auckland, New Zealand, and I assume it's the same throughout the rest of the city. Our local big park also has gym equipment. Your jewellery - it's making me think it's time to bedeck myself again. I seem to have been absent from myself for many years and somewhat "naked" in that area. You've inspired me xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those outdoor gyms seem like such a good idea especially when the parks open so early. It's a shame they've had to close them due to Covid restrictions.
      You need to get your jewellery out again. xxx

      Delete
  8. What a terrific adventure in your backyard! I love that your cat likes the snow. Our neighbors cat Robbie was the first to make tracks and pup was awfully suspicious when he went out. I like naan for pizza crust. No waste and delicious- so well done Jon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robbie! That's a great name for a cat. Stephen absolutely loves the snow, frank not so much, rather like your pup.
      I love naan bread, it does make a great pizza base as well as the perfect accompaniment to a curry. xxx

      Delete
  9. Always fun to discover someplace new in your neighbourhood, especially now. We are expecting a large snowfall tomorrow and predictably people are already panicking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet your snow is a lot heavier than ours. If the country wasn't already at a standstill yesterday's 4" would have shut it down. xxx

      Delete
  10. I love your tales of Walsall. I'm all for exploring locally and Droitwich Lido Park is a nice place for a stroll. There's the tame bit with a bandstand, the lido, a children's play area and various sports facilities like the tennis courts but the areas I like best are the ponds and the more open spaces. I also take a look around the graveyard at St Peter's Church. The church saw the baptism of Edward Winslow who became a Mayflower Pilgrim. (It's also free parking up that end!) Covid hit events last year so I hope that the Food and Drink Festival will take place as planned at the end of June and that Covid won't stop it again. I'm thinking of truffled French cheese ........ Roll on your next post Vix. I'm one of the many who love you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, Ruth! You're lovely words made me smile when I read them this morning as well as the thought of truffled French cheese...yum! I hope your food and drink festival go ahead, with the possibility of no music festivals this year it sounds like a grand day out!
      Its been years since I visited Droitwich, I'd love a mooch around St. Peter's Church. Take care and stay safe! xxx

      Delete
  11. Brrrr thats far too cold for us. I'm in shorts and birkenstocks today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know how to make a girl jealous! xxx

      Delete
  12. It’s trying hard here to snow the kids want it to but I don’t as it makes my joints sore
    . I have finally given in and made an appointment to see a female doctor as Paul seems to think I am starting to go through the change! As I keep biting his head off and then going in a mope the next moment !! I hope not! I’m only sodding 45 !! And we still want one more!! Plus he has condemned to the spare room as I was having really bad sweats though the night. I miss his cuddles but he doesn’t want to be bathed in sweat!
    My mum and dads local park is like that, it went a bit downhill and then they revived it there was rumours of a killer pike in the lake but when they drained a couple of years ago there was no sign of one. I even learned how to canoe on that lake!! They have bandstand and local bands play on it. But not since covid sadly. They do a lot of events there. And they have a cafe . But I haven’t been in years . I might when I get home.
    We’re like you we are always making up meals out of scraps Paul made me a pizza out of a wrap the other day and it was Very nice to. Take care and keep safe you too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I drag Jon out to walk in the snow, his joints ache in the cold, too but I tell him that the best remedy is to keep moving and he likes it really, honest!
      Good plan with the lady doctor, hope you get a few answers and she can help with the night sweats. A few of my friends swear by herbal remedies, I think it's passed me by, thank goodness.
      Killer pike?! Our main park, Walsall Arboretum, has a boating lake, a bandstand and live gigs. It's a lovely place but is absolutely rammed at the moment. I've been desperate to ride one of their swan pedalos since it had a refurb a few years ago but Jon refuses point blank!
      Paul and Jon are good lads in the kitchen, aren't they?
      stay safe! xxx

      Delete
    2. They are magic!! When I was sick in the summer he took care of everything. He even cooks things he doesn’t like. Plus he loves experimenting with food and baking and making bread like Jon. I think we are blessed!!

      Delete
  13. Goodness, the difference in weather between Saturday and Sunday . . . you are welcome to the snow which thankfully has missed us completely.

    Sounds like you really enjoyed Palfrey and will be going back - especially as there is no clear end in sight for our current lockdown 😞

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really unusual for us to have extremes of weather and lovely to see kids on sledges on the deserted main road to Birmingham, like we'd been transported into a Scandi Noir (minus the serial killers, hopefully!)
      We shall be incorporating a circuit around the park into our daily routine as the days get longer, it's very exciting to discover such a lovely space on our doorstep! xxx

      Delete
  14. The Palfrey Horse is quite beautiful - I rarely like structures and statues - so many are ugly and depressing and covered in bird do but your horse is really something - the lookee likee cat is funny, they say we all have a doppledanger - maybe even cats! Your latest outfit combi is just so pretty, I envy your dress! and it was very clever to get the Breton top in the combo as the colours work so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the Palfrey Horse, so lovely to have a statue like that rather than some sour faced privileged Victorian squire.
      I did a double take when we saw Frank's twin. I'm tempted to go back and leave a trail of Whiskas Temptations.
      Stripes and block print, who'd have thought it? I bet tartan would look good with it too if you could find similar colours! xxx

      Delete
  15. Oooh thank you for another fab walk, Vix. I do envy your Palfrey Park - our town park is pretty - but has been taken over by local ne'er do wells. We still have other green spaces - but it's a real shame. Moving on .... that Breton looks FAB with the Anokhi - I know you'd probably love to be somewhere hot - but at least, at this time of year you can do layers lol.

    We've had more snow overnight and it has been icy too - we have loads of gorgeous, frosted cobwebs and icicles! The sun is on it's way and it looks like its going to be a beautiful morning.

    Right - I'm off to browse your shop! Take care and be safe all - and Maryland - big love to you xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a shame about your park being overtaken by the unsavoury element. There's a few green spaces where the Walsall n'er do wells used to hang out but since lockdown they seem to have moved into the town centre, easier to ransack the booze shelves in Tesco.
      I really fancied some striped with my block prints and loved the bizarre mix. It is fun to layers and experiment with my clothes, I'm not used to being at home for so long during winter so all manner of stuff is seeing the light of day that hasn't for years.
      IT's been glorious here, it was light at 8am and didn't start going dark till after 4.30pm, it felt so good!
      Loads of love and happy shopping! xxx

      Delete
  16. Can't believe you've never been to Palfrey Park, it being so close to your gaff! We had some snow here yesterday but I braved it as I needed some seeds from Poundland (you got me on those too) Jesus, I was confronted by a whole shelf of dildos.... whatever next? By the time I got home an hour later the snow was almost gone.
    Armor Lux is a really good French brand, I'd love one of their Breton jumpers but they are so pricy. I finished watching Spiral last night, sad there'll be no more but going to start watching the first few series as I was late to the party. Have a good week and stay warm. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Fiona! It's ridiculous, I know parts of India better than I do Walsall.
      Dildos in Poundland? Well, I never did!
      I am so impressed with the quality of that Armor Lux Breton, I'm not surprised they cost so much. Have a look on ebay, as it's not a well known label here there's bargaisn to be had. I'm watching a few tops for Jon.
      Stay safe and sane! xxx

      Delete
  17. So many wonderful things to comment on in this post, as always, Vix: the clothes, the food, the views. I got goosebumps when seeing the orthodox church!! **swoon** How I would love to attend a service there. I'm sure it would be breathtaking! ~Andrea xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Andrea! Aren't those Greek icons gorgeous? I'd love to look inside. xxx

      Delete
  18. Another great blog post, Vix. I can't wait for the jumblies to start up again! Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Heather! Jumbles and car boots, bring on the jab so we can rummage again! xxx

      Delete
  19. Both your outfits are marvels of matching patterns, Vix. There are young ladies of infant-school age in my family who would adore being gifted line drawings of you in your wardrobe, along with a giant box of Crayons. (So would some adults. You might mention this to Liz.)
    Again, I'm admiring how well those metallic boots suit both your fabrics and your jewelry. When one finds a particularly useful garment, buy two! Excellent advice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Beth! When Liz tires of nature I'll have to suggest that interesting concept. I'm so glad I'm well stocked with metallic boots, the trend seems to have passed on so it would have been a long wait until I got more. xxx

      Delete
  20. I love that Palfrey horse. I don't know how you kept from climbing on it! There's a horse sized Dala horse in Stockholm and I had to get on, along with lots of others, admittedly it was encouraged there!
    Your breton top is such a good match for your outfit, an unexpected match that works so well. I love the colour.
    One thing about the last year, we've all become intimately familiar with our own backyards! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I wasn't so focused on not touching anything I'd have been on that horse! We are such kids at heart, aren't we?
      I'm so impressed with that Breton, the colour seems to goes with most of my wardrobe. xxx

      Delete
  21. I love a park with a bandstand, it reminds me of the park where I lived during the summer holidays. Our local radio station, Piccadilly Radio in Manchester used t o do roadshows there and I remember interviewing Mike Sweeney there for the local paper!
    Thank you for your book list on your last post. I bought The Erotic Stories of Punjabi Widows - I think that was the title and I am loving it. I finished Patchwork and another NIcci French so was looking for something completely different.
    Thank you once again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny, we always visit parks in cities we visit in India and there's loads of photos of me posing in Raj-era bandstands yet I didn't know about the one in my own backyard!
      Mike Sweeney! I bet he was a nice cahp.
      I'm so glad you're enjoying Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, I was intrigued by the title and gripped by the storyline. xxx

      Delete
  22. We have five parks (all built by the Victorians who were huge park builders) in Bedford; but it was only in 2019 that I visited the fifth and final one (Jubilee Park) despite having lived here for almost 40 years! You are not alone...


    I loved your new dress in the second outfit post and all the accessories; and the first outfit was fab, too. We had snow all day yesterday, too. It's frozen solid today and very slippery underfoot.

    We finished watching 'Spiral' (boo hoo) last night and will start 'All the Sins' tonight.

    Hope the snow pi--es off soon - I am not a fan...
    Take care
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I looked up the parks and green spaces on the Walsall MBC website and discovered we'd got 45! Not all in walking distance but there's enough to keep us entertained for weeks.
      It's lethal underfoot today, I'm bracing myself to go outside and search the Kinky Shed. wellies at the ready!
      I'm bereft over Spiral but was really satisfied about the ending. All The Sins is fab, Finland looks so pretty (and no snow!) xxx

      Delete
  23. Palfrey Park looks absolutely lovely, no wonder it got a Green Flag Award. I love the reproduction bandstand and those gorgeous benches, and the John McKenna sculpture is stunning. And fancy meeting Frank's twin ;-) I can't believe you never visited before, although I can understand Jon's reluctance. What a horrible experience!
    The Orthodox Church is quite a forbidding looking building.
    Your Phool midi dress looks amazing worn with Liz's waistcoat and those pewter boots.
    Look at that all that snow! Ours didn't stick, and was gone by next morning, so that we weren't even able to go for a little walk in it. Stephen's having the time of his life, so it seems. Phoebe used to do that the first year she was with us. Now she can't get back inside fast enough ...
    I love how you layered your new Breton top under that Anokhi dress, and I'm swooning over those Indian sponge coral beads.
    That Finnish hard rock band comedy sounds hilarious! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a lovely park and hopefully we'll be incorporating it into our daily block walks as the days get a bit longer. Everything's better when there's cats!
      Our snow is clinging on for dear life, it's very pretty but lethal underfoot. I'm hoping I'll wake up tomorrow and it'll be all gone, I want to go on a longer walk!
      The film was hilarious, we loved it! xxx

      Delete
  24. i do not wonder that you´ve never visited that park - you never had so much time at your hands like now..... sounds like a very freindly neighborhood.
    and you have snow again!
    the breton top looks like it was always in your wardrobe.... perfect match. and like ann i´m swooning over the coral beads necklace!
    love the pic of stephen playing in the snow :-D
    must try the naan pizza - is the naan homemade?
    xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's true. If we're not working or preparing for it then we're away travelling. The park was a lovely surprise, I wonder what other treasures will be revealed before the end of lockdown?
      When I wear those beads in India the Indian ladies always go mad over them, too - I have to keep taking them off so they can try them on and take selfies!
      Naan bread is cheap and plentiful here - more common than bread in our local shops. I have suggested Jon makes an oil drum tandoori oven for the garden so we can make our own! xxx

      Delete
  25. How fun that you found that park right in your back-yard, practically, and what a shocker that Jon found a body there when he was a teen! The only body I've seen was my grandad's (I arrived before the coroner).

    Frank is such a swinger! No doubt that cat is some relation of his, perhaps the shiftless cousin! That gazebo is wonderful - you should do a photo shoot there one day! I adore that horse sculpture.

    The snow looks so amazing! We have had a bit at higher elevations (in the mountains on Vancouver Island), but it very rarely snows down here at sea level. It's sunny right now (~noon on Monday), but only 4 degrees. Brr.

    Love your outfits, as always! Stay safe and snug!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's crazy to think I'd never visited that park. Jon's found a few dead bodies in his time, not a nice thing to happen at all for you or him.
      Frank is terrible, he doesn't half get about, I'm glad we grabbed him and got him neutered before he could get into any more trouble.
      Lucky you with sunshine, it dipped to -7°C last night, we're having some challenging weather right now (in addition to all the other challenges!) xxx

      Delete
  26. What a fabulous post, Vix, and another aspect to Walsall. Great park but no wonder Jon was hesitant. How traumatic for him. I love bandstands though rarely, do I see actual bands playing on them. Today is Burn's Day so I've just had my haggis, neeps and tatties. It was my dad's birthday so had a toast to absent friends. Took a present to a friend for his birthday today - stood well away in the garden, social distancing observed. He's just had a fall and then followed it up with another fall. His wife, who is also a dear friend, answered the door. She is recovering from a brain aneurism. Troubles to seek??? Just a reminder to enjoy life, lockdown or no lockdown, it's so precious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Burn's Day and sending much love to you on your dad's birthday, dear Catmac!
      Back in the olden days of corporate hospitality I used to have to organise a sit-down Burn's Night supper for 200. I loved the poetry and the kilts but I was exhausted for at least a week afterwards.
      Your poor friends going through so much, I bet they appreciated your kindness & friendship even though it had to be done at a distance.
      Those gentile outdoor concerts in bandstands up and down the Uk ought o be brought back when we're finally let out of lockdown and are safe to mingle again. Would it be lovely? xxxx

      Delete
  27. late today but good morning Vix, wow that park is a gem it is always the way we do not visit what is on our doorstep. The Palfrey horse is amazing! So nice that your fellow walkers were friendly and said hello. Although cold keep looking for signs of spring we have lots of bulbs shooting up! I so enjoy "reading" your blog and as I have said before I learn so much from you. Loving the history.that was one eerie looking pic your mannequin peering through the snowy branches lol but I liked it. Vix so much too comment on the clothes, the gorgeous jewellery will just say FAB as usual. Been cleaning like a banshee at the mo what's gotten into me?? Shazxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Evening, Shaz! I loved that horse and how everyone shouted hello to us, even teenage boys.
      These signs of Spring are just so encouraging, aren't they? We're on the home strait now, bulbs and bubs and birds getting frisky! It's been light before 8am the last couple of days, too - I wonder if that's got something to do with your enthusiasm for cleaning, Spring is round the corner - we can do this! xxx

      Delete
  28. I love the palfrey horse and your pictures of the snow. Here in Devon we had the smallest of sprinkles much to my Daughters disappointment. Always love seeing where you've been walking and what you're watching on Tv and eating!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Devon Mum! I shall keep my fingers crossed that your daughter gets a bit more snow very soon. I hope it's thawed by tomorrow, I need to get out and walk. Thanks so much for visiting! xxx

      Delete
  29. Late to the party this week but what a treat. Love the Palfrey Horse. You've heard of our 'Kelpies', if not you should Google for info. They're spectacular, especially at night when they're all lit up. Love all your jewellery. I have discovered a shop in Edinburgh (online Galerie Mirages) which sells Indian jewellery but it's rather expensive. Who was 'Dandy's Walk' named after, I wonder?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! The Kelpies are on my must see list now, they look amazingly beautiful!
      I've found some online jewelelry shops selling pieces I've picked up for £20 for over £1000! There's some good stuff to be had on ebay but there's a lot of dross and fakery to wade through.
      There's Dandy's Walk and Lawyer's Walk, two alleyways connecting what were once Walsall's posh Regency houses (now offices) to the main Birmingham road, I think they must have been named after the residents! xxx

      Delete
  30. We have no restriction on how far we can travel but they've asked us not to "travel" so as soon as I feel better I think a little exploring is in order. Snowing here too. Buddy doesn't love it - I am surprised your cat does. Perhaps it is just something different. Lovely park nearby your house, so glad towns and cities still seem to invest in them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exploring is so good for the soul, normally we'd be exploring india but discovering things in our own backyard is keeping us amused.
      Hope you're up to exploring soon and Buddy is spared any more snow! xxx

      Delete
  31. The Banjara Dowry Coin Necklaces are lovely... and that Naan Bread scraps Pizza looks Sublime!

    ReplyDelete
  32. It's amazing how your midi dress matches perfectly with the block printed waistcoat. The prints on them are so complementary, like they were made one for another. I also love your sheepskin hat. It must be warm too. That orthodox church is beautiful. The snow covered streets look wonderful but I know snow can get boring after a while.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix