tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48680482490494109362024-03-19T08:48:47.579+00:00Vintage VixenVixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comBlogger1945125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-84408523339968850272024-03-18T06:54:00.007+00:002024-03-18T10:49:40.654+00:00Fuerteventura - Natural Beauty With a Pinch of Salt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P9K-O7eRQbKs0ENu_KVMtvWih7B1JI01yJadc91R4Fcqh8jMmKRgWrZl31qgbntyAj5lTeiZG7MYr_SHsNbCoJsv70yB6eqAKr2mW7E7PRoadoANXn3pDxavcSRqjsKyTlsBZ9-BYUj33uwSvuVs_mDmYwuM7bKnunuG2cm5Q0KZNxrI8BhxYeIVjw/s3424/IMG_20240308_103715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="2217" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P9K-O7eRQbKs0ENu_KVMtvWih7B1JI01yJadc91R4Fcqh8jMmKRgWrZl31qgbntyAj5lTeiZG7MYr_SHsNbCoJsv70yB6eqAKr2mW7E7PRoadoANXn3pDxavcSRqjsKyTlsBZ9-BYUj33uwSvuVs_mDmYwuM7bKnunuG2cm5Q0KZNxrI8BhxYeIVjw/w414-h640/IMG_20240308_103715.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>Of all the beaches we visited, <i>Majanicho</i> was the strangest. Known the world over as <i>Popcorn Beach</i>, the white algae fossils which cover the shore bear an uncanny resemblance to the popular puffy snack. </span></span></div><p></p><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/AVvXsEh47suu8d-_qgsPrC5alQdzHy5aAFlA7t-C_HTcNldAvg-Yc4siGu4g7xblfHy62aTyu2ThRXlS1o-JI3ZNUp51hqImihHHu6N5WpRqnv-uBKsPdmGjWgb8jrDrbQ_EgH1FWXhBzJf80LK0bqcgk_IrDvAWIGEK14xcFXyMjb6bEYvKWt-QZ6e4SSQ6fw/s4000/IMG_20240308_104218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47suu8d-_qgsPrC5alQdzHy5aAFlA7t-C_HTcNldAvg-Yc4siGu4g7xblfHy62aTyu2ThRXlS1o-JI3ZNUp51hqImihHHu6N5WpRqnv-uBKsPdmGjWgb8jrDrbQ_EgH1FWXhBzJf80LK0bqcgk_IrDvAWIGEK14xcFXyMjb6bEYvKWt-QZ6e4SSQ6fw/w360-h640/IMG_20240308_104218.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Initially red in colour, these marine algae are called rhodoliths and turn white over time, the waves push them ashore giving them their</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">unique shape</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">. </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiJ7QsCqsaxpNgx5LL4Ot5-v7H3yGBUiAfkT1hk1yBbyEfz5kZTVXeQSMhHy93dAAmg_Kb06N3K50Q0vD-1-enpOeVyVXR4jFrxdc_jzwfUwuDxs9bKAMOFOT24Cun32FzxGsbj6fbpMb7uYzWMi-QscJZX8mEn72rEUivwLc71Holc2R86lP2jdcDQ/s2670/20240308_103503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="1718" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiJ7QsCqsaxpNgx5LL4Ot5-v7H3yGBUiAfkT1hk1yBbyEfz5kZTVXeQSMhHy93dAAmg_Kb06N3K50Q0vD-1-enpOeVyVXR4jFrxdc_jzwfUwuDxs9bKAMOFOT24Cun32FzxGsbj6fbpMb7uYzWMi-QscJZX8mEn72rEUivwLc71Holc2R86lP2jdcDQ/w412-h640/20240308_103503.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite Popcorn Beach apparently being a big thing on Instagram we didn't have to dodge hoards of selfie takers when we combed the shore for sea glass and shells, the only nuisance was the weird electric blue jellyfish washed up by the waves. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GvD9XuIQhI36PhMIA-JJDpxQFazilpi4iI2TWOCvdtsNT1LHaGUShPwydCl-_m5U2883aJsAjJ606kGJunuU9Q-G02Qb0m7CQfg3U6Cr2CfkqtPez8wbdhfjLMBJgqG8hIIoyRM2Loit8CKMesLf3dfueonLub4MLNl-CYDxkdQLl2ft7T9w0Tx6ew/s3264/20240308_103532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GvD9XuIQhI36PhMIA-JJDpxQFazilpi4iI2TWOCvdtsNT1LHaGUShPwydCl-_m5U2883aJsAjJ606kGJunuU9Q-G02Qb0m7CQfg3U6Cr2CfkqtPez8wbdhfjLMBJgqG8hIIoyRM2Loit8CKMesLf3dfueonLub4MLNl-CYDxkdQLl2ft7T9w0Tx6ew/w360-h640/20240308_103532.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My friend Nigel thinks this is actually a Portuguese Man 'O' War (<a href="https://www.wildswimmingcornwall.co.uk/blog/portuguese-man-o-war-the-facts?fbclid=IwAR1Yko-qbVtkTNkV_UJ4NHTqA2SbweLT7gqNgM4xTnNqlcxcElRDQ2P1apo#:~:text=They%20are%20primarily%20found%20in,numbers%20from%20year%20to%20year">HERE</a>) which is a hydrozoan and not a jellyfish. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIZ6sZuFDcjaP3DTz0ITuRQmeNlzdSZe_SulCVNKprm2EET-sQYJp9iQtKpz302LXdOzJZn73sOV3JqfP46jvQC1vE88Aei8bpEjsJc6L5pMlI6ekUOZ1J5j2zz-bGtStZsZcK4RwI_K9wOkn-DmpsC8nqKxxQnFhJd-qetwE8Noa00BYcxOWRGm1fw/s4000/IMG_20240308_103904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIZ6sZuFDcjaP3DTz0ITuRQmeNlzdSZe_SulCVNKprm2EET-sQYJp9iQtKpz302LXdOzJZn73sOV3JqfP46jvQC1vE88Aei8bpEjsJc6L5pMlI6ekUOZ1J5j2zz-bGtStZsZcK4RwI_K9wOkn-DmpsC8nqKxxQnFhJd-qetwE8Noa00BYcxOWRGm1fw/w360-h640/IMG_20240308_103904.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Travel a few kilometres along the coast and you'll reach <i>El</i> <i>Camino Natural,</i> a walking trail running 160 km from Corralejo in the north of the island to Pájara in the south, taking in</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> some diverse and breathtaking landscapes, including the Corralejo dunes, the Tindaya Mountain, Betancuria and the Jandía Nature Reserve. As its accessible by road you can join the trail wherever you fancy although wouldn't a walking holiday, stopping off at little guesthouses along the way, be a lovely way to spend a fortnight?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPYtCam74o0azmcRY30T9phT8q90WUPiaPe13ASp4457lor7o4vNl5mlt9MD5wM-HdVRnLM1G5lY103f8l8ehl-alstp5gdtGblLXV5HwTOdcqlXHQCS6UeiiVF_46My6K56-_vTPutzIeCoxCzc5uJ8Q_9l7laC9Aa-SE7LJ9SZiLAXPtuXVCYiaLQ/s1616/DSC04685.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPYtCam74o0azmcRY30T9phT8q90WUPiaPe13ASp4457lor7o4vNl5mlt9MD5wM-HdVRnLM1G5lY103f8l8ehl-alstp5gdtGblLXV5HwTOdcqlXHQCS6UeiiVF_46My6K56-_vTPutzIeCoxCzc5uJ8Q_9l7laC9Aa-SE7LJ9SZiLAXPtuXVCYiaLQ/w428-h640/DSC04685.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSvd6fx56hpr0aQOwnE90oPTPi5kTlPizt0fS-HIEjvRH3Z57PcNe3cDQ4W4k8YBxpXvSRUCAQjBonoJV5FWPd0Kvu3krYHF1YsV5qkB8oFMi8W7hZ0LuYIjIZj5U6-jlRXncUb7ANYFx7A9NkzrLl0zKja7HwhCuJ2TGqskEdENRADc8i4ZcZEYPww/s1537/DSC04697.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1537" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSvd6fx56hpr0aQOwnE90oPTPi5kTlPizt0fS-HIEjvRH3Z57PcNe3cDQ4W4k8YBxpXvSRUCAQjBonoJV5FWPd0Kvu3krYHF1YsV5qkB8oFMi8W7hZ0LuYIjIZj5U6-jlRXncUb7ANYFx7A9NkzrLl0zKja7HwhCuJ2TGqskEdENRADc8i4ZcZEYPww/w640-h402/DSC04697.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjQN_hzOPc73RVyAN7acbbCtG1QY6A2S-xyzA0w84F6t64zjBJOipfxEEBKJj8d1uEnYDuXyf347nl9UX2iJaGnsn7QbH_tHdHPRGXt0hKAFDULivbUqY9reDMea7K4TzAMH9_WE6_-RUjQqg3LYHnSHwGeja7z0NUCXZpmoqKkpDeAiFBBSI0Db20wKw/s4080/20240311_105830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQN_hzOPc73RVyAN7acbbCtG1QY6A2S-xyzA0w84F6t64zjBJOipfxEEBKJj8d1uEnYDuXyf347nl9UX2iJaGnsn7QbH_tHdHPRGXt0hKAFDULivbUqY9reDMea7K4TzAMH9_WE6_-RUjQqg3LYHnSHwGeja7z0NUCXZpmoqKkpDeAiFBBSI0Db20wKw/w640-h360/20240311_105830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd6fEJyA9_X2LWStIOV2PaW3PKXgP5bGJ1XYu-pb9RA-2_e4yn_cHQFG2Yi5s4t46exzEhj8c9VAX9Di4f76nON1syE8HqS5I9DYymIitdI1smDybKNzxgRht2PnGxzBfEUhiW3rVH3ou6hPmksCEIxjxdgBiWwMObqYfEEoESYWN_oZeRUSoZZzg0g/s4080/20240311_110759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd6fEJyA9_X2LWStIOV2PaW3PKXgP5bGJ1XYu-pb9RA-2_e4yn_cHQFG2Yi5s4t46exzEhj8c9VAX9Di4f76nON1syE8HqS5I9DYymIitdI1smDybKNzxgRht2PnGxzBfEUhiW3rVH3ou6hPmksCEIxjxdgBiWwMObqYfEEoESYWN_oZeRUSoZZzg0g/w640-h360/20240311_110759.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgUJOyELqkE21St5-EqdH_r9mctmKHtPEFpkMXLFpTzERsZaMj7V8RMB5DD1ZbddYSxDA9puzcGxI6dpCcPmRs3gj1um-_2QUOBsKEaUWVDqefqLmhDCBs0d4x4ozIUMNu4KGS3TiEoXOaTpMDxSdBIlRGst1_FiKmwmUXcPDIh296OWmljsZnI2_-Omg/s4080/20240311_110947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJOyELqkE21St5-EqdH_r9mctmKHtPEFpkMXLFpTzERsZaMj7V8RMB5DD1ZbddYSxDA9puzcGxI6dpCcPmRs3gj1um-_2QUOBsKEaUWVDqefqLmhDCBs0d4x4ozIUMNu4KGS3TiEoXOaTpMDxSdBIlRGst1_FiKmwmUXcPDIh296OWmljsZnI2_-Omg/w640-h360/20240311_110947.jpg" width="640" /></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/AVvXsEiIeBeVz21vOnI2nJJ6ITYZq3fZIBR6z9G0PGEscvRJPKWCZ1UmJju2OR2_8ilEJain1Z5aE1ymcMXh9TSChl8D3W2UmSJRTy6Gzq9-4bvDopq5xKAVwXD3Lss1jFmqVSRVoMKkRIOFopdcI4djqhrxffY1pJ59SwX5OwfFpwxuvDoM7l4HEZSpx7-bSQ/s1616/DSC04681.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeBeVz21vOnI2nJJ6ITYZq3fZIBR6z9G0PGEscvRJPKWCZ1UmJju2OR2_8ilEJain1Z5aE1ymcMXh9TSChl8D3W2UmSJRTy6Gzq9-4bvDopq5xKAVwXD3Lss1jFmqVSRVoMKkRIOFopdcI4djqhrxffY1pJ59SwX5OwfFpwxuvDoM7l4HEZSpx7-bSQ/w640-h428/DSC04681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This dry stone wall bisects the length of the island and parts are believed to date back to Pre-Hispanic times when Fuerteventura was divided into two and ruled by Guise and Ayose*, the great Mahos tribal chiefs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Represented by the huge bronze statues Jon was standing by at the viewpoint in my last post (<a href="https://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-fuerteventura-road-trip-say-cheese.html">HERE</a>). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hfrKT5z7Q1IuBtVBHHyys8nOhlwOHZdqoNg_YJIqEE-5jhq0ptKqVaVxCvLWr6npS_gjwUhxD_pDMUC9khTaoNY8xX_lfLQfHlSZuC-TNKnbBT3MvFn3ATX0Fc0XCKlX-HXDyfRfbqnNEmXqUJcsL5cUO8ORXFsnHBx8E3Ajp-Yk2MYjTF28PQB-Rw/s1616/DSC04686.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hfrKT5z7Q1IuBtVBHHyys8nOhlwOHZdqoNg_YJIqEE-5jhq0ptKqVaVxCvLWr6npS_gjwUhxD_pDMUC9khTaoNY8xX_lfLQfHlSZuC-TNKnbBT3MvFn3ATX0Fc0XCKlX-HXDyfRfbqnNEmXqUJcsL5cUO8ORXFsnHBx8E3Ajp-Yk2MYjTF28PQB-Rw/w640-h428/DSC04686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiYoAn4IIzxZnQz7gFQ75_XxhyphenhyphenI9ry-U-WaSp-4CliY6TQXH4EAqXDfRB1FHp1DuNwLFv-Ivtn1QbIT-P5oqcPmeSr1qL_rzLNGFf6vBeeFIedVwjY2phStjBKPwaEbRqBPaS9r4GJgEYrT_czdkkkvAS24Kq6ijx4pIZwmEDzihjhRclE1HChTzG89Mw/s1616/DSC04690.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoAn4IIzxZnQz7gFQ75_XxhyphenhyphenI9ry-U-WaSp-4CliY6TQXH4EAqXDfRB1FHp1DuNwLFv-Ivtn1QbIT-P5oqcPmeSr1qL_rzLNGFf6vBeeFIedVwjY2phStjBKPwaEbRqBPaS9r4GJgEYrT_czdkkkvAS24Kq6ijx4pIZwmEDzihjhRclE1HChTzG89Mw/w428-h640/DSC04690.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEibglf1Mo7L3hCqkIWg463KrWeG0SX9tSmTx4wjDB5RCgudu6AYnsNFwVuLYvbwn2Q6aMzE7ccbOvaDfAmGS7hxiAEqwo1wSSyHdSSBv9-dlkyVkkNjD70v11Uijq1asLRnrQucQSRWfdNwSxvNNJh9jLyKMu_EINbnjEyWffVtw2isPE58ak6u-gnBoQ/s1616/DSC04698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibglf1Mo7L3hCqkIWg463KrWeG0SX9tSmTx4wjDB5RCgudu6AYnsNFwVuLYvbwn2Q6aMzE7ccbOvaDfAmGS7hxiAEqwo1wSSyHdSSBv9-dlkyVkkNjD70v11Uijq1asLRnrQucQSRWfdNwSxvNNJh9jLyKMu_EINbnjEyWffVtw2isPE58ak6u-gnBoQ/w640-h428/DSC04698.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having never ventured further than the beach when we'd visited in the 1990s, we'd left with the impression that Corralejo, the island's largest resort, was a chilled and laid-back town so were disappointed on our return trip to discover an overdeveloped tourist strip offering all day English breakfasts, roast dinners, Bingo and copies of the Daily Mail - not our kind of thing at all, home or away.</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/AVvXsEhp1ACSCThV-M78bpFEhMHjhURPg7zJzilTchQ-PEp2jGk-PYsV3evj-Fjyy_q8tbh5lerxghnSn3Vtt_O5spW8g_eYy6EkhQWiyYBAhlbwF9BFngoy3NzCxjZTsC2g-ECIg9f1aXf9PshCAnX4W1Mf3iaFace8QAWoc6wum4coIcot7imBeyMlOVd9Zg/s2917/20240308_122922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="1716" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1ACSCThV-M78bpFEhMHjhURPg7zJzilTchQ-PEp2jGk-PYsV3evj-Fjyy_q8tbh5lerxghnSn3Vtt_O5spW8g_eYy6EkhQWiyYBAhlbwF9BFngoy3NzCxjZTsC2g-ECIg9f1aXf9PshCAnX4W1Mf3iaFace8QAWoc6wum4coIcot7imBeyMlOVd9Zg/w376-h640/20240308_122922.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">However, away from the main drag, the charming old town with its labyrinthine alleys, quirky street art and crumbling buildings was an absolute delight as was the sleepy harbour with its dazzlingly clear water and pristine boats.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg424NCbrJ7gCh3wtslw523rUdVVr2OQEund612RIpWa3iG4EmMI839v7q1PZbZ6tUbKNqI6WsoVUboIhdjblTQTZuUQC4uCIMqwUeRf4Mv41xvSifoXxA6TxSo4e8aP3jJg1oVcAnjVL4tqZ4dQxoVRlJrocfbQzPWWj7PWplNLoqpOug3R3IZVnRavg/s3264/20240308_122933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg424NCbrJ7gCh3wtslw523rUdVVr2OQEund612RIpWa3iG4EmMI839v7q1PZbZ6tUbKNqI6WsoVUboIhdjblTQTZuUQC4uCIMqwUeRf4Mv41xvSifoXxA6TxSo4e8aP3jJg1oVcAnjVL4tqZ4dQxoVRlJrocfbQzPWWj7PWplNLoqpOug3R3IZVnRavg/w360-h640/20240308_122933.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEihoOciOt1BMkYD64biJ2PNGrBgNMeCvVQ8X-2Vy1GecAcaY2nd24hIAeOB0TWsMoNg3DnwZBlZOjFajxy6fyjhsFsg30WKlZeKOiswSBYDTD88wEQdL4gC4K5h3QVynMq-K1OZzazhZV0vhhiizPw3mu4KoFPB6mBPjxExvbnY5qsmmX4nyCj6OI3MQg/s4080/20240308_123217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoOciOt1BMkYD64biJ2PNGrBgNMeCvVQ8X-2Vy1GecAcaY2nd24hIAeOB0TWsMoNg3DnwZBlZOjFajxy6fyjhsFsg30WKlZeKOiswSBYDTD88wEQdL4gC4K5h3QVynMq-K1OZzazhZV0vhhiizPw3mu4KoFPB6mBPjxExvbnY5qsmmX4nyCj6OI3MQg/w360-h640/20240308_123217.jpg" width="360" /></a></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/AVvXsEjLNQT9CA0HvBEVnH6QgQ7XakBCKK_LhWKo9fQssX2ZBbIS1-7D1yRw0l1WlAvaAXA9lv7imtOGShAVAei4xAM94uTXSCWf4C3Pyv1k2t_ao8Qs-gDqqX2BmSEbsG9nyj6dPWu84pCHNf4a1w6unwgM8MsH6WMLIx-dbi8_pddyyIo-a3pxfJHure87OA/s4080/20240308_123357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNQT9CA0HvBEVnH6QgQ7XakBCKK_LhWKo9fQssX2ZBbIS1-7D1yRw0l1WlAvaAXA9lv7imtOGShAVAei4xAM94uTXSCWf4C3Pyv1k2t_ao8Qs-gDqqX2BmSEbsG9nyj6dPWu84pCHNf4a1w6unwgM8MsH6WMLIx-dbi8_pddyyIo-a3pxfJHure87OA/w640-h360/20240308_123357.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4KPt9orW5RL9SbJWsMeNdQuSPi8PZWkcunK3Doi-hHAtuSLYIoTm8IOlOp23ypC6cJzTnA7qkh03xgITohDprIxgWg6NT7M0b8ytzJGLt19n2rlZTSmdoi_ksqw6WFk6p1OxRNzEaasPUEtNTZeRtmE6xfPdLEtvftElbssJrJr6fYm5Rshnz7v6Vg/s3252/20240308_123518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3252" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4KPt9orW5RL9SbJWsMeNdQuSPi8PZWkcunK3Doi-hHAtuSLYIoTm8IOlOp23ypC6cJzTnA7qkh03xgITohDprIxgWg6NT7M0b8ytzJGLt19n2rlZTSmdoi_ksqw6WFk6p1OxRNzEaasPUEtNTZeRtmE6xfPdLEtvftElbssJrJr6fYm5Rshnz7v6Vg/w452-h640/20240308_123518.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had lunch in Corralejo a couple of times during our stay, once at the fabulous <i>Tapas Oscar</i>, where you normally have to book in advance but got lucky and found a table free.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3Sm_38dYPnaluAvtO2SEumwwD7g07MH37xDMUmNm835Qa8Y4pW1wMPG-Rz_Xzk88M1pfgR8UsNgQyU-Eb9NT86sxkYT5xdIFubQU9EuVzRM3tcmllOJ64OBu6ikW1Mu8VHohaW68PzdUI-bZ3vMUpNqpxc1yNsjMruch9Z5PS6ICXKak0ZDRkw3EEw/s3854/20240308_131318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="3854" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3Sm_38dYPnaluAvtO2SEumwwD7g07MH37xDMUmNm835Qa8Y4pW1wMPG-Rz_Xzk88M1pfgR8UsNgQyU-Eb9NT86sxkYT5xdIFubQU9EuVzRM3tcmllOJ64OBu6ikW1Mu8VHohaW68PzdUI-bZ3vMUpNqpxc1yNsjMruch9Z5PS6ICXKak0ZDRkw3EEw/w640-h318/20240308_131318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Along with a couple of small beers, padron peppers, cheese and spinach croquettes, the ubiquitous <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">papas arrugadas</span></span> with mojo sauce, savoury gofio biscuits and freshly baked bread with aioli we were brought complimentary slices of Iberian ham tortilla (which Jon ate) and shots of Canarian honey rum (which I drank as Jon was driving!) Delicious and great value at less than 25<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">€. Honestly, who on earth would want a stodgy roast dinner when you can can have tapas?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiwgAy92MS1Gva0nZA0Us5GBaPR5FJ_NQhy0RUkzznplcRVatS4V8jz0bcX1H8gnxCWLdXSjvXsBo1Xya1YbHVLbMKMCssSUPxhqs-6U3KbZGJyxVhQKIyOPnMdI8XuMSuVeD48aJwEa5zeIe2wHxf7MLE1fXEUYNB0hJdZht6BU_wZN2j-SGwpLlIw/s3264/coora.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3264" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiwgAy92MS1Gva0nZA0Us5GBaPR5FJ_NQhy0RUkzznplcRVatS4V8jz0bcX1H8gnxCWLdXSjvXsBo1Xya1YbHVLbMKMCssSUPxhqs-6U3KbZGJyxVhQKIyOPnMdI8XuMSuVeD48aJwEa5zeIe2wHxf7MLE1fXEUYNB0hJdZht6BU_wZN2j-SGwpLlIw/w640-h392/coora.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">We also ate at <i>Cofradia de Pescadores, </i>a restaurant on the harbour which, despite the name, had plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes at very good prices.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm-0xgLBJkiFb4YXn_PMW8Ljs_7onfrGejT6IcPHZxgSlkvHbzXw7vPpsH1A_NhiWLnonP-tfyZJ5OgPNC4M6bHXIkgRBzQtIxqAiiHmZTU98o2Mi3NodDS8gHt8Avj9AZ9iNSsCaql3nmvRR6bjlEZtxCMtOWBXvcsZUqIsPQ3HAjvYj0jkzJpGcUQ/s4080/20240311_130812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm-0xgLBJkiFb4YXn_PMW8Ljs_7onfrGejT6IcPHZxgSlkvHbzXw7vPpsH1A_NhiWLnonP-tfyZJ5OgPNC4M6bHXIkgRBzQtIxqAiiHmZTU98o2Mi3NodDS8gHt8Avj9AZ9iNSsCaql3nmvRR6bjlEZtxCMtOWBXvcsZUqIsPQ3HAjvYj0jkzJpGcUQ/w640-h360/20240311_130812.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As well as freshly baked bread and glasses of Tropical beer (again, the non alcoholic version for Jon) we feasted on garlic mushrooms, pan-fried cheese and - of course - <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">papas arrugadas</span></span>! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xhyphenhyphendu99w2LzUah71GeZ66PJglRipXPvve_h5Dwqiu7jN1h1_FYufbppiUyprfNJpS9RcfYAX3WGyCOoPywxOCn98GrZ-eyJhx1FuSZHOlAjP8T4ANCgIAZ-8GY_VAl5ICl-S4YD6eTsUpRsSqB6q4oBx83BvyyGqQTEvLipe4bBM3TdRgud7ipmx-Q/s3264/coora2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="3264" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xhyphenhyphendu99w2LzUah71GeZ66PJglRipXPvve_h5Dwqiu7jN1h1_FYufbppiUyprfNJpS9RcfYAX3WGyCOoPywxOCn98GrZ-eyJhx1FuSZHOlAjP8T4ANCgIAZ-8GY_VAl5ICl-S4YD6eTsUpRsSqB6q4oBx83BvyyGqQTEvLipe4bBM3TdRgud7ipmx-Q/w640-h206/coora2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The best sand dunes in all of the Islas Canarias are to be found at Corralejo National Park which extends for over 10 km along the coast. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QopkFDu9OvkjTGX4J5W6kHYokW1hpC_ABepTJjmawrcscGsUA5VbFBun7Lf2s95wUHiyc-iArKgi2aVXR3S32I7L2MM68cfg4Ve_nV0X-sWHsHGY9Ftt6AyEdnIEUHAa0YPZ1_aeod26l2XWoDsSJJH6WIZ-g8gWTuMWO3IUDTK_lGqxOLXy-EZqRg/s3264/20240308_144105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QopkFDu9OvkjTGX4J5W6kHYokW1hpC_ABepTJjmawrcscGsUA5VbFBun7Lf2s95wUHiyc-iArKgi2aVXR3S32I7L2MM68cfg4Ve_nV0X-sWHsHGY9Ftt6AyEdnIEUHAa0YPZ1_aeod26l2XWoDsSJJH6WIZ-g8gWTuMWO3IUDTK_lGqxOLXy-EZqRg/w640-h360/20240308_144105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the dunes offering some welcome shelter from the wind, you soon felt every bit of those delicious 27°C temperatures.</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/AVvXsEhKLz92iW1Gr731MuHpqAywtkX1yyqXmfzdUCLh6lBFl_TZAr_ssVAjbLqOjp1YJ4WlqvYeAN_ifSg2wn5VHHsiWRrZXPzs-sRus72m4bZAA464Q1iG9RLPttkACFSLb7i_srmTPs9XfZULM0v-NvZluPe7ahix287trQZzGT9a7K95fyUFdUP4ZI4YUg/s4080/20240308_150337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLz92iW1Gr731MuHpqAywtkX1yyqXmfzdUCLh6lBFl_TZAr_ssVAjbLqOjp1YJ4WlqvYeAN_ifSg2wn5VHHsiWRrZXPzs-sRus72m4bZAA464Q1iG9RLPttkACFSLb7i_srmTPs9XfZULM0v-NvZluPe7ahix287trQZzGT9a7K95fyUFdUP4ZI4YUg/w360-h640/20240308_150337.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be warned, even on the cloudy days the UV index in Fuerteventura is very high all year round, do not venture out without smothering yourself in Factor 30. We saw some very lobster-like tourists during our week on the island. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2h6FiPvpd2FsjyA1Cl25nd_9fM6k5jBW1MlovUfcKRfzbK4TmPIxCYLcuJsfEGRvXwdh7Sg6Jd3GA1JkbzRQqWc38reFK9lC3DZXnDxYWkq6YZqQorvu90eV_kf438_OUvyXA81kHPPWMWMWFc2McVJubh6EoSOFDg0-YS9RsIydzcY5NK3PGZEnaQ/s4080/20240309_133339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="4080" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2h6FiPvpd2FsjyA1Cl25nd_9fM6k5jBW1MlovUfcKRfzbK4TmPIxCYLcuJsfEGRvXwdh7Sg6Jd3GA1JkbzRQqWc38reFK9lC3DZXnDxYWkq6YZqQorvu90eV_kf438_OUvyXA81kHPPWMWMWFc2McVJubh6EoSOFDg0-YS9RsIydzcY5NK3PGZEnaQ/w640-h318/20240309_133339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lazing on white sand, gazing out at turquoise waters and basking in 27°C heat in early March....it's hard to believe we were just a four hour flight from Birmingham!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkPL8XZqPGPF4FtUIhf0-E0UznL4AKveev_BBq5b7bSekZzQmIObwCSc8vqIB81PorapRHofNv5N9J10pcrtEXPNdz0YwpUe5DploGzw5gsIxxxmfKEMcvCZcLrQ5TgFNs2mtcOnMIr7tbGOMp72YLtYJFeTxO9J7dwRV5asHnWXkFK-N5BdlrDUQ2g/s4080/20240309_133504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkPL8XZqPGPF4FtUIhf0-E0UznL4AKveev_BBq5b7bSekZzQmIObwCSc8vqIB81PorapRHofNv5N9J10pcrtEXPNdz0YwpUe5DploGzw5gsIxxxmfKEMcvCZcLrQ5TgFNs2mtcOnMIr7tbGOMp72YLtYJFeTxO9J7dwRV5asHnWXkFK-N5BdlrDUQ2g/w640-h360/20240309_133504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ytxMxynVJC_1FesUREXCgv924ACD77F7lr48Ewl9Onv7eAf6csYCarc9Bv8FlhbXiXE6Bwg7eTKcvC3jqvX1FyMU-a5z2e6awI53GTbks6IJvNTeRaDdKTRVMRqXy2RxgsTTdLDIYgPklyREbFTR0tIqhijqBOHT3UNGwgb71yOtr3CMt3GxbPwDJQ/s1563/DSC04635.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1563" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ytxMxynVJC_1FesUREXCgv924ACD77F7lr48Ewl9Onv7eAf6csYCarc9Bv8FlhbXiXE6Bwg7eTKcvC3jqvX1FyMU-a5z2e6awI53GTbks6IJvNTeRaDdKTRVMRqXy2RxgsTTdLDIYgPklyREbFTR0tIqhijqBOHT3UNGwgb71yOtr3CMt3GxbPwDJQ/w640-h418/DSC04635.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgEjFkp4tlCX3pH7W9sA3bBRdHwTnXzjji2vCcjh8UT_v-QoxUHyIy_J6BDd8MbNj2e4ae_5sRoC49zpo4ApHaU2Gq5yrpvdP1IoAqwZ8NE9YsbMzYteszh5u7PJECs6WeMrxbPQZrmCreu8JH-BgOPjhKQ6Zn-4LC5goYXMcusZ4yvMa5-36ithTUNaQ/s1616/DSC04642.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjFkp4tlCX3pH7W9sA3bBRdHwTnXzjji2vCcjh8UT_v-QoxUHyIy_J6BDd8MbNj2e4ae_5sRoC49zpo4ApHaU2Gq5yrpvdP1IoAqwZ8NE9YsbMzYteszh5u7PJECs6WeMrxbPQZrmCreu8JH-BgOPjhKQ6Zn-4LC5goYXMcusZ4yvMa5-36ithTUNaQ/w428-h640/DSC04642.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unlike us, the dunes have scarcely changed in the 27 years we'd been away....</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/AVvXsEjN3qurpP97k7J9RPEFp9Ddpsvh-XWXxVktMPFkp4IXMroGSST6IbOGfCbB_4ODo2e87lgo78uHxjHjRcQPEwPeUNKRaaFGWmdPFF-y8vMiqX_OeEnANuLLAdz8DcQh202oYwyDvXFF_Jeh7TM69qJEt0lkEVDXDlEphpkULYp4UuTgOChMKxivsuRTNQ/s1975/20240316_141722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1975" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3qurpP97k7J9RPEFp9Ddpsvh-XWXxVktMPFkp4IXMroGSST6IbOGfCbB_4ODo2e87lgo78uHxjHjRcQPEwPeUNKRaaFGWmdPFF-y8vMiqX_OeEnANuLLAdz8DcQh202oYwyDvXFF_Jeh7TM69qJEt0lkEVDXDlEphpkULYp4UuTgOChMKxivsuRTNQ/w640-h356/20240316_141722.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pinch of salt in the blog title?<i> Museo de la Sal</i> (The Salt Museum) was the third of the museums that the combi ticket we'd purchased at the cheese museum included. </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/AVvXsEh_lhZZf81KbWyOqcS4LrQORv_osLh4TMPtUIlg3_OMtj8E2aUh23caIxjH2WunAO63vbTeVW_lTY137LX5DW5jXgGkTfNL-eYS-URQjgOM4eUk2tmug4PdRO71yjucfzcoGjRd5S8OQ2YPkKe7c9VriVrB9l1_DqzAAGQ-g-PLcyjMCjjtkJoT5FpT1Q/s3784/20240309_115929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2230" data-original-width="3784" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lhZZf81KbWyOqcS4LrQORv_osLh4TMPtUIlg3_OMtj8E2aUh23caIxjH2WunAO63vbTeVW_lTY137LX5DW5jXgGkTfNL-eYS-URQjgOM4eUk2tmug4PdRO71yjucfzcoGjRd5S8OQ2YPkKe7c9VriVrB9l1_DqzAAGQ-g-PLcyjMCjjtkJoT5FpT1Q/w640-h378/20240309_115929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The salt produced at Fuerteventura's <i>Salina del Carmen</i> comes in a variety of sizes but is always small-grained and bright white. The sodium chloride content is one of the lowest on the market and the trace elements it contains (magnesium, zinc and calcium) make it healthier and tastier than processed table salt. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-VFD6P0RYPkxCv57QA1XoD5Vez17IXm5KhJwUK5HjhQ4_8ZqUBrQ_5Jv3aIlf9U7dtJN5EM3WQ6UNaVAdVQKlClDFCpykgqmB-qWArc0PMdMq3QDX7XTb-0BxY-rDDVIRX442QaULK1rapnS30w6tYasnLuoo-g3LsrJ1B0YUtjfsaVr_Ts_VTw3qA/s1492/DSC04647.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1492" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-VFD6P0RYPkxCv57QA1XoD5Vez17IXm5KhJwUK5HjhQ4_8ZqUBrQ_5Jv3aIlf9U7dtJN5EM3WQ6UNaVAdVQKlClDFCpykgqmB-qWArc0PMdMq3QDX7XTb-0BxY-rDDVIRX442QaULK1rapnS30w6tYasnLuoo-g3LsrJ1B0YUtjfsaVr_Ts_VTw3qA/w640-h382/DSC04647.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.28px;">Unlike other traditional salt flats, production of salt at <i>Salina del Carmen</i> is completely natural, using only the force of the sea, the wind and gravity. The wind pushes the waves against the rocks and due to the impact, a foam is formed which migrates into a natural pool. This is then led by gravity to the "cookers" where it is left to warm in the sun until it reaches the optimum temperature. The artisans (</span><i style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.28px;">salineros</i><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.28px;">) then channel it to the pits where the sun causes it to evaporate slowly leaving the salt deposited at the bottom. The salt crust is then removed carefully & left to drain on the edge of the pit where it is bleached and dried by the sun before being transferred to the warehouse.</span></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/AVvXsEhHl24RH6NcWuq8xi2ujK62uYkoMAdr9fFCwkYctFA3Rqg4bYctT7lh4gGnVUwOA9ASIsF1qIMNU_UQhL5m7kzIusBKwdNDDEvPCR5kXiYwhmJvC0auAdAxxYiqQ7jsWiBoLUxI9pinynsJA29gylyEmQbZ78innozq2iAFEn7Jw3RqEDcQSjGiqWjQgQ/s1616/DSC04650.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl24RH6NcWuq8xi2ujK62uYkoMAdr9fFCwkYctFA3Rqg4bYctT7lh4gGnVUwOA9ASIsF1qIMNU_UQhL5m7kzIusBKwdNDDEvPCR5kXiYwhmJvC0auAdAxxYiqQ7jsWiBoLUxI9pinynsJA29gylyEmQbZ78innozq2iAFEn7Jw3RqEDcQSjGiqWjQgQ/w640-h428/DSC04650.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEhNzlCojZDXSvmLbrLybvtjSR6TpRFTUEcax-YlfHnnd7odQ70kqqmL3xurnNZaCi82t-sjkbKICoS9_jgCtHXWWdzYHsN9M4oYj3QssoB4SvLYtJp_m1zuutnZLvj0uffkSaq-oxcaX6qBx92I8W410hjHdGXBQ4Ct6O7_cKJ_1EiWx-tF88lBmudISA/s1616/DSC04643.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzlCojZDXSvmLbrLybvtjSR6TpRFTUEcax-YlfHnnd7odQ70kqqmL3xurnNZaCi82t-sjkbKICoS9_jgCtHXWWdzYHsN9M4oYj3QssoB4SvLYtJp_m1zuutnZLvj0uffkSaq-oxcaX6qBx92I8W410hjHdGXBQ4Ct6O7_cKJ_1EiWx-tF88lBmudISA/w640-h428/DSC04643.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh hello!</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/AVvXsEjQNnVSW9nxszIln0ezVWXv11HbsUhUhyzQx2MJSsJlv-xF2c0kwWSrrI5Ozq-_KKnxjseiiNdc_1F1NpI7CG28jDn6T5Z76y8ylRMisXjRGyB3CvmJlyfJNRXidpeQnGUxarvks2kfPgalv7has8CSH7APip55drT2jlRG0upCyyyjppk47-3RkZ2_wA/s1616/DSC04653.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNnVSW9nxszIln0ezVWXv11HbsUhUhyzQx2MJSsJlv-xF2c0kwWSrrI5Ozq-_KKnxjseiiNdc_1F1NpI7CG28jDn6T5Z76y8ylRMisXjRGyB3CvmJlyfJNRXidpeQnGUxarvks2kfPgalv7has8CSH7APip55drT2jlRG0upCyyyjppk47-3RkZ2_wA/w640-h428/DSC04653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's another of the real whale skeletons on Fuerteventura's <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #484848; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Path of the Cetaceans</span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #484848; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> (La Senda de los Cetáceos), </em><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #484848; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">an open air exhibition celebrating the diversity of the island's natural environment. </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_npJB73ZIfkyT2Kkokgews3rAIet55d8gmcaVAC_ICqol4BGn-EAQsLg7a7TsyGFRa9KLR4WzrGp1g7MJHDEwE6-Nkzh-lULn1Fh2oyvze-9BFAqLsUEqel7oaJa-9_T1cMSSJElDmpoYJUwp6f09A0rhQvviS_e44lq491GBs2F8MEbDQ6XCOdNTQ/s1616/DSC04655.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_npJB73ZIfkyT2Kkokgews3rAIet55d8gmcaVAC_ICqol4BGn-EAQsLg7a7TsyGFRa9KLR4WzrGp1g7MJHDEwE6-Nkzh-lULn1Fh2oyvze-9BFAqLsUEqel7oaJa-9_T1cMSSJElDmpoYJUwp6f09A0rhQvviS_e44lq491GBs2F8MEbDQ6XCOdNTQ/w428-h640/DSC04655.JPG" width="428" /></a></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/AVvXsEiesUln1nusb_LQqMokipeXm_cBQeGojUXhlv9H2WHy1Vpd-LW5qYx45bcpwjyX2XxdnqGnhPz68B7D6Szq0iBzKHNu54FC6YbyU3ZekIlTCZKNbAzOob5O2DRTTNyxOE9Yngpna4MyK_E-YDn749KcNf-jS9Z9V6XcPfQXnAcl8sS5R9qG-zY8R1WgYA/s1232/DSC04658.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1232" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesUln1nusb_LQqMokipeXm_cBQeGojUXhlv9H2WHy1Vpd-LW5qYx45bcpwjyX2XxdnqGnhPz68B7D6Szq0iBzKHNu54FC6YbyU3ZekIlTCZKNbAzOob5O2DRTTNyxOE9Yngpna4MyK_E-YDn749KcNf-jS9Z9V6XcPfQXnAcl8sS5R9qG-zY8R1WgYA/w640-h494/DSC04658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAK-OpfG7b2Vba4Hw2r4SsPWWAIRP_lhmoSrdifdp4tI-NSAm8NREviyAhi1SshBuhlqOrFhI1e-cotIfLOX8bp4sNjFUm89-sAUNWmhbV0XPq3_1_z8H_owNv4X1BuBbCAegnSaqPXXl609Y9gwpw4Y2ruAQHUDhH-Bo8OBlh-Lr-OPQRQJLpjXD5w/s4080/20240309_110722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAK-OpfG7b2Vba4Hw2r4SsPWWAIRP_lhmoSrdifdp4tI-NSAm8NREviyAhi1SshBuhlqOrFhI1e-cotIfLOX8bp4sNjFUm89-sAUNWmhbV0XPq3_1_z8H_owNv4X1BuBbCAegnSaqPXXl609Y9gwpw4Y2ruAQHUDhH-Bo8OBlh-Lr-OPQRQJLpjXD5w/w360-h640/20240309_110722.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX5voCKSuwbosm2-VD-4P-fYzg0O6pKAHcfB90jr3GFGvpRornVjlvphuIxh8yzpPaxwwHnBrStrWbrXi27tZfWChBnFO2ZbFfE5hwc_Oc8iS2drxKEDCFeDARdaxW0rhkq1jvYuGyubetXbuQxTM5_1V1x-Yi5MBWakuIESPcPXlhvbk3XXtG6xY4w/s3264/20240309_110935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX5voCKSuwbosm2-VD-4P-fYzg0O6pKAHcfB90jr3GFGvpRornVjlvphuIxh8yzpPaxwwHnBrStrWbrXi27tZfWChBnFO2ZbFfE5hwc_Oc8iS2drxKEDCFeDARdaxW0rhkq1jvYuGyubetXbuQxTM5_1V1x-Yi5MBWakuIESPcPXlhvbk3XXtG6xY4w/w360-h640/20240309_110935.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEg74wCiZZ6VLwk-fju5qp-jrjaQ75Baet5589S8QWLtPkd3wMtI882PQXOiawVdAPm6thAAT4Budi-aPG5UMcuj1hEu68FilEeHrSoBxM_Ty9gLEjxrhTFItqvod30V2PIVw4-p1GPPWFMT5XEypjmqw-ypghZs6wfvMPPy3qlRGt5QYyAwWC23t2XkVQ/s3264/20240309_111227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74wCiZZ6VLwk-fju5qp-jrjaQ75Baet5589S8QWLtPkd3wMtI882PQXOiawVdAPm6thAAT4Budi-aPG5UMcuj1hEu68FilEeHrSoBxM_Ty9gLEjxrhTFItqvod30V2PIVw4-p1GPPWFMT5XEypjmqw-ypghZs6wfvMPPy3qlRGt5QYyAwWC23t2XkVQ/w360-h640/20240309_111227.jpg" width="360" /></a></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/AVvXsEg-pufmnuAWSMrT8tZELMcyv-MmI0jdjsmgEAZ9wEvX5uVvHeOYrhR_UItmk6hqiuyNHE4PSioyRf5JafZrCIg_3YJyo1zsXuQOVN5X2Co0V8FvxI3NhzVU1nlTQ1HfCy7s5mpLynXygwDLfAuTpH30a2-p46xugMzPLLSHVFwXlSRw1CLmC6YZrgztow/s3264/20240309_111658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pufmnuAWSMrT8tZELMcyv-MmI0jdjsmgEAZ9wEvX5uVvHeOYrhR_UItmk6hqiuyNHE4PSioyRf5JafZrCIg_3YJyo1zsXuQOVN5X2Co0V8FvxI3NhzVU1nlTQ1HfCy7s5mpLynXygwDLfAuTpH30a2-p46xugMzPLLSHVFwXlSRw1CLmC6YZrgztow/w360-h640/20240309_111658.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These spotty looking buildings are typical of Canarian architecture, aren't they lovely?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwUNMKgE1ezrs653nH717jT-ZTO9VPqvzQ-6pqPckPdnvsxd0RbYamXUu65LyArmXZCbifkNpkl0tVsb9cRD6pfxARvH-qqA9-CDIZwn0yzZxW5sl_HVS3YcldvZxzmPa8BARg-uINfMGiZ-jgiXDrmbDE5-h29pzaQAO8Z4Sd7dfvLJKKCcMQ-LmAA/s3264/20240309_112616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwUNMKgE1ezrs653nH717jT-ZTO9VPqvzQ-6pqPckPdnvsxd0RbYamXUu65LyArmXZCbifkNpkl0tVsb9cRD6pfxARvH-qqA9-CDIZwn0yzZxW5sl_HVS3YcldvZxzmPa8BARg-uINfMGiZ-jgiXDrmbDE5-h29pzaQAO8Z4Sd7dfvLJKKCcMQ-LmAA/w360-h640/20240309_112616.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Inside the museum you get to peep into what the home of <span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.28px; text-align: justify;"><i>Manuel Velázquez Cabrera</i> would have looked like when he took over ownership of the <i>Salinas del Carmen</i> back in 1910. </span></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT36nRxGgTnM6vMGoPsvj1ukr9b0qAWf_QDYcZb1sd8a7L2z1FYcVOCwHTAZ_4NXosqzzIXaEq0vqhVaOK3a_RyehFuH1EXwVyr9sQSUMe-oKNlQ_2v8_Shv-EMu5S1bfVOywaQqy5yBN8K1ExAJ-zed02bX6dknMHXtmGdIsCUQZZR9x__b1ZcijXA/s3264/salt%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1591" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT36nRxGgTnM6vMGoPsvj1ukr9b0qAWf_QDYcZb1sd8a7L2z1FYcVOCwHTAZ_4NXosqzzIXaEq0vqhVaOK3a_RyehFuH1EXwVyr9sQSUMe-oKNlQ_2v8_Shv-EMu5S1bfVOywaQqy5yBN8K1ExAJ-zed02bX6dknMHXtmGdIsCUQZZR9x__b1ZcijXA/w640-h312/salt%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYz4p82ccTgNq5rAePBMkzedRfajsTIIP6nLMxqzwiEpIhCMrNr483J9IvD4maHBeo1WsWlojFxH95uo9qwgOlNen9AJ6L_u0WCMuWpPg1DepWFdew6nvefHfVTK8Baf4hWmEEBjUdMkPEP11PwMS5iy3EnQjp3gatUPP4MP7qUSROe44u2pSqbgS6w/s3264/20240309_110005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYz4p82ccTgNq5rAePBMkzedRfajsTIIP6nLMxqzwiEpIhCMrNr483J9IvD4maHBeo1WsWlojFxH95uo9qwgOlNen9AJ6L_u0WCMuWpPg1DepWFdew6nvefHfVTK8Baf4hWmEEBjUdMkPEP11PwMS5iy3EnQjp3gatUPP4MP7qUSROe44u2pSqbgS6w/w640-h360/20240309_110005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM5R6xl23i2L3xlLlvIWD9v9jQPaqFSc2BDdSw8ORdA9UjCLYMHrjWMNiiMMeS6SYB_YFEBKNavsDwVwTn5ZOJkQ1m95yLPEzGivuLVsFBf9glu8kkrtlynPsKwGEoAiSthgPNSVUQmb6bPyjpn4K3P7yrFFAsSURjRg_vIqSypr9F_RSWMPAGQXt5g/s3264/salt%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="3264" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM5R6xl23i2L3xlLlvIWD9v9jQPaqFSc2BDdSw8ORdA9UjCLYMHrjWMNiiMMeS6SYB_YFEBKNavsDwVwTn5ZOJkQ1m95yLPEzGivuLVsFBf9glu8kkrtlynPsKwGEoAiSthgPNSVUQmb6bPyjpn4K3P7yrFFAsSURjRg_vIqSypr9F_RSWMPAGQXt5g/w640-h282/salt%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Needless to say, we purchase a bag of <i>Salinas Del Carmen</i> salt from the museum shop so we could try and recreate papas arrugadas at home. </div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi7dnAY5ctkhQotbHSl9YDKRL1RFqMSM9IU37FHXXNSebNVbsUNbznet4aLAqIVKcHl5WIqIgdys256ykdglwzH-_n68NqFSHyg9Ep0_-Y_8fPaHBMAT-G0rkyV9V0iDLoBlWO3ce89uKZ65ThyNOCMnNdxiWwSnHqmnFKZYYs-_08J59Xsr7jSNpIQ/s3264/20240309_160029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi7dnAY5ctkhQotbHSl9YDKRL1RFqMSM9IU37FHXXNSebNVbsUNbznet4aLAqIVKcHl5WIqIgdys256ykdglwzH-_n68NqFSHyg9Ep0_-Y_8fPaHBMAT-G0rkyV9V0iDLoBlWO3ce89uKZ65ThyNOCMnNdxiWwSnHqmnFKZYYs-_08J59Xsr7jSNpIQ/w360-h640/20240309_160029.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the final of our picks for sites of natural beauty in the North of Fuerteventura, the remote <i>El Toston Beach</i>, situated 5km from El Cotillo.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP2yfCKFsOKYqD4EKmUAgki9Zm-Z_njT29NISqX9z-UFvgyPIqbq5mqcP_TWfsnXpZvwmpdx2b6-CxYte2BzwKH4ReByM19uv2lF4bNXjmRPr8pYKj25UQc0jAVLvVZag064D0V6j93IslBs9duT293u7VcnQ2TaAL2c59jEMOy8xtndkVGW0JqNx8g/s3705/20240309_160220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3705" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP2yfCKFsOKYqD4EKmUAgki9Zm-Z_njT29NISqX9z-UFvgyPIqbq5mqcP_TWfsnXpZvwmpdx2b6-CxYte2BzwKH4ReByM19uv2lF4bNXjmRPr8pYKj25UQc0jAVLvVZag064D0V6j93IslBs9duT293u7VcnQ2TaAL2c59jEMOy8xtndkVGW0JqNx8g/w640-h342/20240309_160220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Due to the dangerous current, swimming is prohibited on this wild and rocky beach and the sandstone & basalt rocks make lounging impossible. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">On the other side of the lighthouse there is a stretch of coastline formed by lava and fossils, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">the entire area being one of the main palaeontological sites in Fuerteventura.</span></span></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/AVvXsEhiobLs7cj-6Fetke5IXqjUJVmDKFUUOdJ_u08rEeave18IRUw-UhlEn0z36naOwzOcVs67HKFYk98TvTc4BX05PkE6LBR9qIdshmLXQe7US7e0Te7sfwfwE93zowhJN54uZck1kcWlLw6VmAnSc-7G6wcC0HCqiLdsewnYMNI1-8RvHoqORKKMzOIlSg/s3264/20240309_160200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiobLs7cj-6Fetke5IXqjUJVmDKFUUOdJ_u08rEeave18IRUw-UhlEn0z36naOwzOcVs67HKFYk98TvTc4BX05PkE6LBR9qIdshmLXQe7US7e0Te7sfwfwE93zowhJN54uZck1kcWlLw6VmAnSc-7G6wcC0HCqiLdsewnYMNI1-8RvHoqORKKMzOIlSg/w360-h640/20240309_160200.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trip Sans VF", "Trip Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The only plant that can survive in the salty conditions is a variety of succulent that can be seen around the headland.</span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86iQolbLmGU_wwYWHQMi8GcWxJeirToX4sKAK35WJTNIDmJBHZooulwE1zMClXcQgPDVLH09ucldYXfNeaIwYkpKCdrPVOFFNN8rHw9XzFk4NJXVG5_Ct81IP3WULmut4AnoJiC5nnAHWK7-xHBTBZdwH-9I8W-apz2f2RzEP5OSPXp6AxZY6NG0b6g/s2534/20240309_160517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86iQolbLmGU_wwYWHQMi8GcWxJeirToX4sKAK35WJTNIDmJBHZooulwE1zMClXcQgPDVLH09ucldYXfNeaIwYkpKCdrPVOFFNN8rHw9XzFk4NJXVG5_Ct81IP3WULmut4AnoJiC5nnAHWK7-xHBTBZdwH-9I8W-apz2f2RzEP5OSPXp6AxZY6NG0b6g/w464-h640/20240309_160517.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwR-k4Vdl3hyphenhyphenIk4ZGWMI9Zw4pWQBU-0W29VQ6lML79vMf16qxHOgEQ2fbFg8jzAfJ4fm87py2M8MNs8MbaIBRjThvwP1mV_K4pqegHCmgOHMttJLN82NC7vLgev6diwX-tPE4wpDSuOrEW3UYBvjCrEZSx5UjhpCLT7SPq0Regllk1GVYUN93oO0ZKg/s2718/20240309_160724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="1707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwR-k4Vdl3hyphenhyphenIk4ZGWMI9Zw4pWQBU-0W29VQ6lML79vMf16qxHOgEQ2fbFg8jzAfJ4fm87py2M8MNs8MbaIBRjThvwP1mV_K4pqegHCmgOHMttJLN82NC7vLgev6diwX-tPE4wpDSuOrEW3UYBvjCrEZSx5UjhpCLT7SPq0Regllk1GVYUN93oO0ZKg/w402-h640/20240309_160724.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading! I'll be back with my fourth & final travelogue very soon.</div><p></p>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-25179399484571224972024-03-15T17:23:00.013+00:002024-03-18T06:52:13.842+00:00A Fuerteventura Road Trip - Say Cheese!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NRtdXhxCjvcKC6a43PIBTlpmJS5moknZ3vPc9zbSJDiTSltT0WeHIIW-HpVJ_qap5pUo30Z6BzhZvC-3YFqLWSCbONSM1RsvlbKvemFhPmlH6SW06CXN05A3ZDhgXA7tdVpix1ebGttiJFqVKlhIWhI74zn_749FPrJ0JllpJ9Bk5YjJRbxQsK5gjA/s4080/20240307_103753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NRtdXhxCjvcKC6a43PIBTlpmJS5moknZ3vPc9zbSJDiTSltT0WeHIIW-HpVJ_qap5pUo30Z6BzhZvC-3YFqLWSCbONSM1RsvlbKvemFhPmlH6SW06CXN05A3ZDhgXA7tdVpix1ebGttiJFqVKlhIWhI74zn_749FPrJ0JllpJ9Bk5YjJRbxQsK5gjA/w640-h360/20240307_103753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Researching our trip to Fuerteventura I couldn't have been more excited when I discovered that the island had a cheese museum. Never mind the fantastic year-round weather, the stunning landscape and the gorgeous beaches.......cheese!</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/AVvXsEjiMCQqgJTfJlHGKAzq7p1qG3Br157F6LtRUd7EhFwSeXC2Up2KYOSrXW9fXSRUgrGSPmzi-7t3fL_h-5aIBcijGIt11GeEmvv6VkBmIKC1xhyphenhypheny7XhaM-jXBhbj3WUdeJ8H30h-SQNUDUB8n4vT-CPWB2urEvCz5ILLQ-ETG9PM5-peSBpmPlGOpBTeFg/s3147/20240307_103620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3147" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMCQqgJTfJlHGKAzq7p1qG3Br157F6LtRUd7EhFwSeXC2Up2KYOSrXW9fXSRUgrGSPmzi-7t3fL_h-5aIBcijGIt11GeEmvv6VkBmIKC1xhyphenhypheny7XhaM-jXBhbj3WUdeJ8H30h-SQNUDUB8n4vT-CPWB2urEvCz5ILLQ-ETG9PM5-peSBpmPlGOpBTeFg/w466-h640/20240307_103620.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Produced on the island for over a thousand years, <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Majorero cheese is the gastronomic pride of Fuerteventura. In addition to being named as an <i>Asset of Cultural Interest</i> by the European Union, it is the first goats cheese in Spain to hold the </span></span><i style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Denomination of Origin </i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">m</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">eaning that it can only cheese produced in Fuerteventura</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i>can be called Majorero cheese.</span></span></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/AVvXsEjfIME6uPgP6N_ewe7k0-qc5OL-G9rOg0RsecXIJVbaT7s4EscDgBo-elgqpdvnucCfkAqFhBaXP4Te_16bnjZ857nxjdG76yOXitUuzfgonE5_AEB6ktwCtacuwB_0J3rnNnlUtfyFXeP1zXecG7hMM6dCIHc7E0mh_uxEF7X21qnf8yt5hdq_Ev0JrQ/s1501/DSC04592.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1501" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIME6uPgP6N_ewe7k0-qc5OL-G9rOg0RsecXIJVbaT7s4EscDgBo-elgqpdvnucCfkAqFhBaXP4Te_16bnjZ857nxjdG76yOXitUuzfgonE5_AEB6ktwCtacuwB_0J3rnNnlUtfyFXeP1zXecG7hMM6dCIHc7E0mh_uxEF7X21qnf8yt5hdq_Ev0JrQ/w640-h390/DSC04592.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Situated in the town of Antigua, in the North of the island, <i>Museo del Queso Majorero </i>offers a walk through the history of Fuerteventura since its volcanic formation, passing by the aborigines (the Majoreros) and their cattle breeding, the Majorera goat and the cheese. There's even an opportunity to virtually milk a goat, which, of course we couldn't resist.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjMdD8M1CoEcZkfU0gyA4be5PTGdAfFXDF86SI-zsiX1PEt9AISU2Y6wgTjNVdZLIJLOtVGZw2wvF1ubmlkeiS3AgQOTSYCf9MFkQeBvty8GaLjGhugc2X3538KKAPng7X84rqMbbQQnl-cY-oolGe_0c8s1HiNDgvgVlj00Fk0_jl0qUdL-tX_Nabw/s3264/cheese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="3264" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjMdD8M1CoEcZkfU0gyA4be5PTGdAfFXDF86SI-zsiX1PEt9AISU2Y6wgTjNVdZLIJLOtVGZw2wvF1ubmlkeiS3AgQOTSYCf9MFkQeBvty8GaLjGhugc2X3538KKAPng7X84rqMbbQQnl-cY-oolGe_0c8s1HiNDgvgVlj00Fk0_jl0qUdL-tX_Nabw/w640-h182/cheese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiJmGVe0h8howbqXDCt1w_2nN663yZ0SCF3MeODlqwSL4JsvK3L2O-KyQXATtiWS6v9F4DUtkk3xjvd1N5Xadt0jiHPOgf1RRiwUmLkHZn3bTJY9JQpOjZqf5-MzyreRdQde_RclnYqSNXg3LJjOswo_2oxR32IDoHWvdQrcFV4GgfqTM3F-xO3d8Dohg/s3264/20240307_111415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmGVe0h8howbqXDCt1w_2nN663yZ0SCF3MeODlqwSL4JsvK3L2O-KyQXATtiWS6v9F4DUtkk3xjvd1N5Xadt0jiHPOgf1RRiwUmLkHZn3bTJY9JQpOjZqf5-MzyreRdQde_RclnYqSNXg3LJjOswo_2oxR32IDoHWvdQrcFV4GgfqTM3F-xO3d8Dohg/w360-h640/20240307_111415.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4b9U1XBRKjJyPVbdPe02R56NlF97tbOZ4g1QtWbdVQ8CWwIMjyPddSwVEi19QUakjeQ_52eM-GXW6-tTLeAyQd27XGVUg3une9mpKhkWKtgEnlEjSBAYNIZw0_EsE25q1H37t9XzuOEnuvcLaZgtIRajKTgOEg7TJQI_JLIKKRSEqpq0lpNoXYASWg/s3264/20240307_111427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4b9U1XBRKjJyPVbdPe02R56NlF97tbOZ4g1QtWbdVQ8CWwIMjyPddSwVEi19QUakjeQ_52eM-GXW6-tTLeAyQd27XGVUg3une9mpKhkWKtgEnlEjSBAYNIZw0_EsE25q1H37t9XzuOEnuvcLaZgtIRajKTgOEg7TJQI_JLIKKRSEqpq0lpNoXYASWg/w360-h640/20240307_111427.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Once initiated into the art of cheesemaking we could think of little else but of how much we fancied a slice of cheese however, with such a gloriously pretty space to explore, we put our greed to the back of our minds and explored the other attractions.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uCDOzEY_psQr997gbx9-ZXVlTw1KytAgILCy9kU7cUD3QQpws_eporMQb_shQEFTE3rb0a8vKG7LSDx51jW5MO2YlyWLtTYHyIUsO_K36RlU11Y56VFK9-RF0seJFE78LtlJNe-mFNCRMX1Ry6WwQHZgInqpSrYngK9tpAVgVe9RwAJ_hIdBM4zHyg/s3448/IMG_20240307_103554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="2170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uCDOzEY_psQr997gbx9-ZXVlTw1KytAgILCy9kU7cUD3QQpws_eporMQb_shQEFTE3rb0a8vKG7LSDx51jW5MO2YlyWLtTYHyIUsO_K36RlU11Y56VFK9-RF0seJFE78LtlJNe-mFNCRMX1Ry6WwQHZgInqpSrYngK9tpAVgVe9RwAJ_hIdBM4zHyg/w402-h640/IMG_20240307_103554.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Set in the gorgeous museum gardens, this is one of twenty 19th century windmills to be found on the island. Also designated Assets of Cultural Interest, these beautiful buildings were used to grind cereal and to make <i>gofio</i>, another of the leading members of the local traditional gastronomy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9K9aIcFkrePGu8JQhwzqqBWEVpb2kDZaaWI4G3VjY1ne8c_gPp-1KrgxhtbagZhiVqlGoZ892sBeb_4Q_K4P34q__D4d5P59c2svrSujIBnML42flf_nvGUchCNhO_TM08ucQoaTNZmefluIxnyk5DF5vzWEEzYNDSoJWXguZAR9oVIki6q4phvhOg/s3264/windmill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2061" data-original-width="3264" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9K9aIcFkrePGu8JQhwzqqBWEVpb2kDZaaWI4G3VjY1ne8c_gPp-1KrgxhtbagZhiVqlGoZ892sBeb_4Q_K4P34q__D4d5P59c2svrSujIBnML42flf_nvGUchCNhO_TM08ucQoaTNZmefluIxnyk5DF5vzWEEzYNDSoJWXguZAR9oVIki6q4phvhOg/w640-h404/windmill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEiPo6Pw9dB-9Gv_7-7Id8Pvfm2qyejVqJZgRMwqmDaPo_FWBX7Jhm_huat0hhMrASeAkWhxp_46hh-b5sAa0nnmJ7o5xHuzoOJ5zk72WICLBVy4nhS2sTP1qUjc5HONGrJb_Nom0p33j-IEyiYmV38SZ3p7z9pMANpJlxChsxkrtQZB2CR2aQua7bOeZA/s4000/IMG_20240307_103639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPo6Pw9dB-9Gv_7-7Id8Pvfm2qyejVqJZgRMwqmDaPo_FWBX7Jhm_huat0hhMrASeAkWhxp_46hh-b5sAa0nnmJ7o5xHuzoOJ5zk72WICLBVy4nhS2sTP1qUjc5HONGrJb_Nom0p33j-IEyiYmV38SZ3p7z9pMANpJlxChsxkrtQZB2CR2aQua7bOeZA/w640-h360/IMG_20240307_103639.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEicTEUkWcite1lBrAmrgk-PDCbFLM5pbcOHCbxo8zlpp4pHAz_4zBaQgtr7wk1Tl8mPQhVI6PhcsRXOVJI40lsAe1ZX44Zbho5TR3P_h4hkshJ-4L0rauYlassaHOuI7JtvUn05z9JbL7wstO82lz4E8GBfyq6bloxfS1jnHR7j-dhpv4AlWStm9DrZdA/s3554/IMG_20240307_111119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3554" data-original-width="2165" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTEUkWcite1lBrAmrgk-PDCbFLM5pbcOHCbxo8zlpp4pHAz_4zBaQgtr7wk1Tl8mPQhVI6PhcsRXOVJI40lsAe1ZX44Zbho5TR3P_h4hkshJ-4L0rauYlassaHOuI7JtvUn05z9JbL7wstO82lz4E8GBfyq6bloxfS1jnHR7j-dhpv4AlWStm9DrZdA/w390-h640/IMG_20240307_111119.jpg" width="390" /></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/AVvXsEhWOFIEUI77KYxssYkcuTxKgYvGSo10lkwYM0lUuXYyTp_tk0y65QLvzFkAaXmsfjgQCe2VT0WU69utlykflufZI1cdkc7z1tuYMCXLclH5J6ERr9A-VzNZuqAat9SVua77eReiVMlAJKpYXkrjMuNIT1iFlBSVzVSH3lPxv0nS_022agoWq5ewcJ9ycg/s1616/DSC04593.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOFIEUI77KYxssYkcuTxKgYvGSo10lkwYM0lUuXYyTp_tk0y65QLvzFkAaXmsfjgQCe2VT0WU69utlykflufZI1cdkc7z1tuYMCXLclH5J6ERr9A-VzNZuqAat9SVua77eReiVMlAJKpYXkrjMuNIT1iFlBSVzVSH3lPxv0nS_022agoWq5ewcJ9ycg/w640-h428/DSC04593.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cacti thrive in Fuerteventura, the gardens included lots of weird and wonderful species in addition to palm trees.</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/AVvXsEgjO2umVSD8Mj01ScZbCxCnV7seRKDNOrY8Id8CH3d_qzSCod6LF9Hc2gyrwoAw6SbbZxNlvXLAfL0yUazdmNB_jG3UjbyX7x49Qtca406zHnf50gHsykIr60V6NhinZJaW9od2eleX23LwmnULS9U4fpcsNbqG2KE5aFAxiFUoBlUiVFQObna0G3RS8w/s3538/IMG_20240307_103517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3538" data-original-width="2217" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO2umVSD8Mj01ScZbCxCnV7seRKDNOrY8Id8CH3d_qzSCod6LF9Hc2gyrwoAw6SbbZxNlvXLAfL0yUazdmNB_jG3UjbyX7x49Qtca406zHnf50gHsykIr60V6NhinZJaW9od2eleX23LwmnULS9U4fpcsNbqG2KE5aFAxiFUoBlUiVFQObna0G3RS8w/w402-h640/IMG_20240307_103517.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuUgUIHORY5oSU-AsQQ6xkQjKlEN9zX8hBF3v0Y9pbicLMTrOiVUzUv0up4n-dZ2EFppvM7tS9mecDe4uCJxIYiTS23WW06yA6QD_-JsHTTshL636kU_3plaHlfozewVAgEqxjhIRdsfAGkUyHOwsptopMrj5OGbEA9rKaOrc-6Vt8sYroZ3y6CvV1g/s3741/IMG_20240307_103535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3741" data-original-width="2004" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuUgUIHORY5oSU-AsQQ6xkQjKlEN9zX8hBF3v0Y9pbicLMTrOiVUzUv0up4n-dZ2EFppvM7tS9mecDe4uCJxIYiTS23WW06yA6QD_-JsHTTshL636kU_3plaHlfozewVAgEqxjhIRdsfAGkUyHOwsptopMrj5OGbEA9rKaOrc-6Vt8sYroZ3y6CvV1g/w342-h640/IMG_20240307_103535.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwHWCC5ZHAURdyCVtwSsOBvfvONtsWC6NftUpXy0Q1OKg9DMwE2zDG9KdehPBKJlvs2smF6g81TF6rGcP75KW55lp0cXvH71tEufQZVD8fQNaAeU8cialN9whCO6jCMQfSIS6Aybt5SlqX2gk41rE7K_rPZ6-HD5T6sPwxUsAM9YuXU_PC8LQ6xVpoQ/s4000/IMG_20240307_110605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwHWCC5ZHAURdyCVtwSsOBvfvONtsWC6NftUpXy0Q1OKg9DMwE2zDG9KdehPBKJlvs2smF6g81TF6rGcP75KW55lp0cXvH71tEufQZVD8fQNaAeU8cialN9whCO6jCMQfSIS6Aybt5SlqX2gk41rE7K_rPZ6-HD5T6sPwxUsAM9YuXU_PC8LQ6xVpoQ/w360-h640/IMG_20240307_110605.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgooLqHC2BgXwY7X-PU7GwRTeWf6G_jeKg17unM4wcKRNmSkkXRhxmN0WoQMUeuJq6-mMrnUlD_-yD4Vn9c6q6Sk2gRPtN_1pxmLR_s6YtgObimMoexfzFPWhF5uq_OVeRz_WH9j3vbyq3QrV6dW9Niw2QmOl9p2fCs_lcnF-4iRGLkHwk2dbl8Dn5C6A/s4000/IMG_20240307_110621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooLqHC2BgXwY7X-PU7GwRTeWf6G_jeKg17unM4wcKRNmSkkXRhxmN0WoQMUeuJq6-mMrnUlD_-yD4Vn9c6q6Sk2gRPtN_1pxmLR_s6YtgObimMoexfzFPWhF5uq_OVeRz_WH9j3vbyq3QrV6dW9Niw2QmOl9p2fCs_lcnF-4iRGLkHwk2dbl8Dn5C6A/w360-h640/IMG_20240307_110621.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiJPV8xUzvTmsCoGgZrURgeB2JW-Zl4MBk2f7UtybQBqlxBRXbR06fhNheooy5yZXTtb_rplkY6dP30Fp8geHR5L6xkdS3lhzbo-j7dg7OvOejgFFJOArDcgcx2OWmdxJAVrzXXrsm2QVSrD54RDMUvb_Nq_fwpSutwtdfrIWtFVax3yXmLgIMMhimpYw/s4000/IMG_20240307_113326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPV8xUzvTmsCoGgZrURgeB2JW-Zl4MBk2f7UtybQBqlxBRXbR06fhNheooy5yZXTtb_rplkY6dP30Fp8geHR5L6xkdS3lhzbo-j7dg7OvOejgFFJOArDcgcx2OWmdxJAVrzXXrsm2QVSrD54RDMUvb_Nq_fwpSutwtdfrIWtFVax3yXmLgIMMhimpYw/w360-h640/IMG_20240307_113326.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic54z_2YZrUUozet4PGNgz2_RBl5mXtiCphEgDYMSi58W8CQGAH-TogtXB8n_tgnMfFOs7RtUUclpgPV390N0rKq31HnXbWPCMWXsk__xFI5xM4O816cTubFkKltLzb6JBEnvDE7Kph3QOL3yNSRVLPqPj32mHh0LHW0MBxlgj_6EeDBYlAo7i4Otfyw/s4000/IMG_20240307_113453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic54z_2YZrUUozet4PGNgz2_RBl5mXtiCphEgDYMSi58W8CQGAH-TogtXB8n_tgnMfFOs7RtUUclpgPV390N0rKq31HnXbWPCMWXsk__xFI5xM4O816cTubFkKltLzb6JBEnvDE7Kph3QOL3yNSRVLPqPj32mHh0LHW0MBxlgj_6EeDBYlAo7i4Otfyw/w360-h640/IMG_20240307_113453.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhnFgvlnfA-TkfhBpK3KSQmPfbAwmGNpE8yQCiMkcHYon5QcyK6j5HhG1cF9Wr9lI6WfJcE4Dxg25BtAA-wnubQgVK4udIHKRPMluhmFTLahnUnUMR4pLAb1zSFJSSU1rnbcnf-52vV6NPNifxIY-D8_eJ1jbbyGfmvZCIqHPVtw9hLoC7Ml7ywYauAMg/s4000/IMG_20240307_113607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFgvlnfA-TkfhBpK3KSQmPfbAwmGNpE8yQCiMkcHYon5QcyK6j5HhG1cF9Wr9lI6WfJcE4Dxg25BtAA-wnubQgVK4udIHKRPMluhmFTLahnUnUMR4pLAb1zSFJSSU1rnbcnf-52vV6NPNifxIY-D8_eJ1jbbyGfmvZCIqHPVtw9hLoC7Ml7ywYauAMg/w330-h640/IMG_20240307_113607.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-TOlzYGXvt4IGaCnr82JuqCOujaCY_R6ncGHZneGYwJRyslupkbbm02SUWGFHFk0YmG5VNuClB-oq5-WqwhV9NB84ch6eo-mM_BLbU74_g9Z1ehn2esJDYD7GdIMbC8_cgsl19VKCLVSaj9O5XeOaEONNrPHOHNm-9ZXScasa-qikCKowBmw1OJszg/s4000/IMG_20240307_113630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-TOlzYGXvt4IGaCnr82JuqCOujaCY_R6ncGHZneGYwJRyslupkbbm02SUWGFHFk0YmG5VNuClB-oq5-WqwhV9NB84ch6eo-mM_BLbU74_g9Z1ehn2esJDYD7GdIMbC8_cgsl19VKCLVSaj9O5XeOaEONNrPHOHNm-9ZXScasa-qikCKowBmw1OJszg/w360-h640/IMG_20240307_113630.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2yBOk9Efkuz2tSc2NDCJtIPzoI-MF6AIKBzBn3qDBGav6E6CmkBpPmK414dm_C-XU__6Mh6MDSl6-2IhcubZ-jETaVI-bUnqPMxDENuBChE2wMNDio7sXehezhQR3HrU_84tj1FDfgwIh8ogxHaPQLD2xbAMxG9XmMhFBbWSlG9ophAnaUm45wT7Tg/s3810/IMG_20240307_113707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3810" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2yBOk9Efkuz2tSc2NDCJtIPzoI-MF6AIKBzBn3qDBGav6E6CmkBpPmK414dm_C-XU__6Mh6MDSl6-2IhcubZ-jETaVI-bUnqPMxDENuBChE2wMNDio7sXehezhQR3HrU_84tj1FDfgwIh8ogxHaPQLD2xbAMxG9XmMhFBbWSlG9ophAnaUm45wT7Tg/w378-h640/IMG_20240307_113707.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjOIOiAwLOC0YDp8FXMPu78vtacfdg2vP_INFOTBCbdL4GRMJJUI8NgjR-k6luQByFwGE6nZqVnh0ZotrAdkuXn9lDnKum_PhePHF8oPzLr8rrKCUNlLHgDneRf5yFE6GZ7O1kHocTo73ghgs-rT7nrn2lDKtIneIDOUlXzHqY1OkfQx6SuCAm-yhd8iw/s3683/IMG_20240307_113951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3683" data-original-width="2252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIOiAwLOC0YDp8FXMPu78vtacfdg2vP_INFOTBCbdL4GRMJJUI8NgjR-k6luQByFwGE6nZqVnh0ZotrAdkuXn9lDnKum_PhePHF8oPzLr8rrKCUNlLHgDneRf5yFE6GZ7O1kHocTo73ghgs-rT7nrn2lDKtIneIDOUlXzHqY1OkfQx6SuCAm-yhd8iw/w392-h640/IMG_20240307_113951.jpg" width="392" /></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/AVvXsEjvT61sPj5Jvdj4IedU_UXspbD9uxFBpplooa4yAFYZZWdGNgcGqA_9SG9ipdJLZZCDw-Z6usa6_cJc2-G9ftbUUknmiUgAyDirBjvopLuzK72VMUGEA6_ESbNwW5zRm1GYot79ZMnweaVnlEwWmLlwC_p4zxiqt-6U4CU1BjJ2rVphLvd6jy_l0ObA_g/s4080/20240307_113704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT61sPj5Jvdj4IedU_UXspbD9uxFBpplooa4yAFYZZWdGNgcGqA_9SG9ipdJLZZCDw-Z6usa6_cJc2-G9ftbUUknmiUgAyDirBjvopLuzK72VMUGEA6_ESbNwW5zRm1GYot79ZMnweaVnlEwWmLlwC_p4zxiqt-6U4CU1BjJ2rVphLvd6jy_l0ObA_g/w640-h360/20240307_113704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEg_MFFC1AbvjzsLKLl-gdM62FG5FZUZUSrdjUlWy_CsMYh5wDssh_xmZ2aTJe7D7Fq5HR51AYupjCtumBaVz2a8HVVBn85a_QBUjIZztHzpH_w8hcDTpK3pLwXIQeXJI2vxnZMufGXVVcfLuDoReugAT5etJ-aUAcQTleLdzwvUtJRDQPHg2mWweD98dw/s2260/20240307_114242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2260" data-original-width="1821" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MFFC1AbvjzsLKLl-gdM62FG5FZUZUSrdjUlWy_CsMYh5wDssh_xmZ2aTJe7D7Fq5HR51AYupjCtumBaVz2a8HVVBn85a_QBUjIZztHzpH_w8hcDTpK3pLwXIQeXJI2vxnZMufGXVVcfLuDoReugAT5etJ-aUAcQTleLdzwvUtJRDQPHg2mWweD98dw/w516-h640/20240307_114242.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cheese museum is a fabulous & fascinating place to spend a few hours and, if you get here early enough, you'll beat the crowds and have the place to yourself. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Admission is <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">€4.00</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> per adult but, for an additional </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">€7 you can buy a combi ticket which allows you to also visit <i>Los Salinos de Carmen</i> & <i>Los Molinos</i> at your leisure. During the Winter months (1st November until 30th April) the museum opens from 9.30am until 5.30pm and in the Summer (1st May until 31st October) from 10am until 6pm.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOrTA1KUjuUgXrrwJt7YP7_q-S0-_GR66hIddtlQz7JggLRCxd4-1A5z-n65DGJS0Lty5SFqZfZjqBbJHzTx0ZoB3tO3APvdZUoWvTKZlJERLKzWrnYThDMscWsjA5vHtqGKitKH-UsEPLHCWnprX7_pHUWTgsv6kY5SqDH1iYbomAraiesp0ilOt9A/s3264/cac1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="3264" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOrTA1KUjuUgXrrwJt7YP7_q-S0-_GR66hIddtlQz7JggLRCxd4-1A5z-n65DGJS0Lty5SFqZfZjqBbJHzTx0ZoB3tO3APvdZUoWvTKZlJERLKzWrnYThDMscWsjA5vHtqGKitKH-UsEPLHCWnprX7_pHUWTgsv6kY5SqDH1iYbomAraiesp0ilOt9A/w640-h238/cac1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKJU4IpJcJeHhAmNMngtCJEuPnwbq-h_AqXZulg-1PSuS9U7EGH7woZd-sVikAN1tg3H202mGwYLykqt_3ZSFDsNUg-XU1X0pRMUr49tGEQZDNWazTrabxWzs33qKKX22U9RMY-Qhkw_gtGsE8nW-1ScfnRFoabYOprdDT45m-eKosYc67x1E-yBunQ/s1360/DSC04614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="982" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKJU4IpJcJeHhAmNMngtCJEuPnwbq-h_AqXZulg-1PSuS9U7EGH7woZd-sVikAN1tg3H202mGwYLykqt_3ZSFDsNUg-XU1X0pRMUr49tGEQZDNWazTrabxWzs33qKKX22U9RMY-Qhkw_gtGsE8nW-1ScfnRFoabYOprdDT45m-eKosYc67x1E-yBunQ/w462-h640/DSC04614.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">A ten minute drive from Antigua lies picture perfect <i>Betancuria</i>, the former principal town of Fuerteventura. Founded in 1404 by the Norman knight<i> Jean de Bethencourt</i>, the town's location was chosen for its secluded inland position which offered better defence against pirate attacks. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSbfEHYtn_qxWP5VbyJhU_bmKRJG9OlOfEOVoyRXFswQydRfoLKLb8-JTAx_-fBGgen7rtEHMm4ajlCJ9BUX1IF3HdPojef3d_EyjtGk6fHpHMwMLtUdKyTjETWhyphenhyphenLpM3FRwxtSxJfltPqZa-hlv1lfj9eoWVoVyvAqmE_Gsok-npXuNTvayGQriUzg/s998/DSC04615.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="986" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSbfEHYtn_qxWP5VbyJhU_bmKRJG9OlOfEOVoyRXFswQydRfoLKLb8-JTAx_-fBGgen7rtEHMm4ajlCJ9BUX1IF3HdPojef3d_EyjtGk6fHpHMwMLtUdKyTjETWhyphenhyphenLpM3FRwxtSxJfltPqZa-hlv1lfj9eoWVoVyvAqmE_Gsok-npXuNTvayGQriUzg/w632-h640/DSC04615.JPG" width="632" /></a></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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzY89HgWYWV-4Xs8hyphenhyphenveRfOW11TKiR2ViNQsFVZMPvDMfqQUIUlqXUdTa5pWX6f9dnDdckdKrc8oeZAoxs2dqa2qrC3Ia1hPh1HSj7QXudsTTkacbRyrWsDwPx6wlsEKAVXtUSN3k5XAjt6cG3QAr-D__Jx8d4JOdvFXmf3JKymqpl8nodsYQghmb8g/s3029/20240307_123217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3029" data-original-width="1761" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzY89HgWYWV-4Xs8hyphenhyphenveRfOW11TKiR2ViNQsFVZMPvDMfqQUIUlqXUdTa5pWX6f9dnDdckdKrc8oeZAoxs2dqa2qrC3Ia1hPh1HSj7QXudsTTkacbRyrWsDwPx6wlsEKAVXtUSN3k5XAjt6cG3QAr-D__Jx8d4JOdvFXmf3JKymqpl8nodsYQghmb8g/w372-h640/20240307_123217.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB1mapaDWdLVVIwTdsoUaBjuLzJ3-adbGe5mV22znbQMWllzCToiuMAqjiSYs9cQzgw4S00O_IT-Jrga3K0UadnUBsD_p0FnpaYr9Fhkq1d9XZ0bUEws0oy1TQfgkl3ih1fxMs9eAWMIgON4q8tSR_rm1JnrHqbi4JgI1WgcjvsBH-pNyMngDiNcYww/s2837/20240307_124742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2837" data-original-width="1738" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB1mapaDWdLVVIwTdsoUaBjuLzJ3-adbGe5mV22znbQMWllzCToiuMAqjiSYs9cQzgw4S00O_IT-Jrga3K0UadnUBsD_p0FnpaYr9Fhkq1d9XZ0bUEws0oy1TQfgkl3ih1fxMs9eAWMIgON4q8tSR_rm1JnrHqbi4JgI1WgcjvsBH-pNyMngDiNcYww/w392-h640/20240307_124742.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The <i>Church of Santa Maria of Betancuria </i>was originally built in the French Gothic style in 1410 but following an attack led by privateer Xaban Arraez in 1593 the town was destroyed and the church flattened. The church was rebuilt almost a century later.</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/AVvXsEgmmGlfiworDzdzyQ35yYpaZkeaTW7_zLjO-_LU2w9bqru3NAh02MbTQdiouHcdL4lh5mYcvtW6NQ1BaJ4W1_npls0_dAe8DPPHCxEIWoCk3ENRWAfKBGl-pQeDWUjJi-irQ3gp7hy0bHovL8GlCow-_YvC5xkx7Sg8SoY1q_l6trZoL5YqihRSMCIrZA/s3264/20240307_123526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmGlfiworDzdzyQ35yYpaZkeaTW7_zLjO-_LU2w9bqru3NAh02MbTQdiouHcdL4lh5mYcvtW6NQ1BaJ4W1_npls0_dAe8DPPHCxEIWoCk3ENRWAfKBGl-pQeDWUjJi-irQ3gp7hy0bHovL8GlCow-_YvC5xkx7Sg8SoY1q_l6trZoL5YqihRSMCIrZA/w360-h640/20240307_123526.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're rampant atheists but absolutely loved some of the early Spanish Renaissance art and 17th Century frescos on display, there were some particularly goulish scenes of hell (our favourite!)</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/AVvXsEil54WGigdwHNVj97y9Ds3_38FoA8RXTS1Z-c_wTpzqZvYW56jFpiWaqFgQbPkl054h10-kaBGL6MLsb-Fgkd5VMLEUStMeAdp61E41nqFxdESUBlnzcdr5qPAMsG-1sWnuUeVnnjf6YBcM7orekondKrh08Nct5b0kSULYJLdysJoGLFioegHMg68NGg/s4080/20240307_123822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil54WGigdwHNVj97y9Ds3_38FoA8RXTS1Z-c_wTpzqZvYW56jFpiWaqFgQbPkl054h10-kaBGL6MLsb-Fgkd5VMLEUStMeAdp61E41nqFxdESUBlnzcdr5qPAMsG-1sWnuUeVnnjf6YBcM7orekondKrh08Nct5b0kSULYJLdysJoGLFioegHMg68NGg/w640-h360/20240307_123822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEigIWTlU9QhMCM3kE79zFh7_fou_86P_rwjQb5_actWKFi-CfxzktI9JXs0KPBLVv4PwHF1Nvd1hhx2JKGhkve8CB5S6J6X2G2MQTKfymWOwTaZzMxxcUEOm9POW4sUirEQI7rWfwN5DfQSmg9EzRsBzn04mGSts5zvhgb_k51KYonwe2Ony20_JXAHgw/s3209/20240307_124013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3209" data-original-width="2223" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIWTlU9QhMCM3kE79zFh7_fou_86P_rwjQb5_actWKFi-CfxzktI9JXs0KPBLVv4PwHF1Nvd1hhx2JKGhkve8CB5S6J6X2G2MQTKfymWOwTaZzMxxcUEOm9POW4sUirEQI7rWfwN5DfQSmg9EzRsBzn04mGSts5zvhgb_k51KYonwe2Ony20_JXAHgw/w444-h640/20240307_124013.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvii-tJkfURZSOgzcZZRxnj2wqnenQPJQJoNqffdO4BQCnjNOHy11wBpTX2sLGCWvHINtb_flqdz5wRqiSumFPxGBKSxterDG-Vcpow_wQkKQsKzbeiC5FsXfbz8npofYwLZ3ol-3r91ol1uzR3I-HB-s1O7u2pqUecOcWTiw0OJ-j-_ZO-H7m8s5uQ/s4080/20240307_124029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvii-tJkfURZSOgzcZZRxnj2wqnenQPJQJoNqffdO4BQCnjNOHy11wBpTX2sLGCWvHINtb_flqdz5wRqiSumFPxGBKSxterDG-Vcpow_wQkKQsKzbeiC5FsXfbz8npofYwLZ3ol-3r91ol1uzR3I-HB-s1O7u2pqUecOcWTiw0OJ-j-_ZO-H7m8s5uQ/w360-h640/20240307_124029.jpg" width="360" /></a></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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZLKb7Lt9N2RO8MbgFa7nnSGTIx_yQeLqxkWIcSH7Whf4bUFPxyNJw_BgK0dHstaNpxJ8kLKjK6l-_SLod3iyDBxpvs2g0-egR_svz6lMs4d2tpiNpOYEBJBV8gRS24pOQRBRS2GJzC7adzpPeHZd1DbyDkMP3n9MFfj8uIm0Fh0IrO_vbNA-vfAXuw/s3264/church1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="3264" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZLKb7Lt9N2RO8MbgFa7nnSGTIx_yQeLqxkWIcSH7Whf4bUFPxyNJw_BgK0dHstaNpxJ8kLKjK6l-_SLod3iyDBxpvs2g0-egR_svz6lMs4d2tpiNpOYEBJBV8gRS24pOQRBRS2GJzC7adzpPeHZd1DbyDkMP3n9MFfj8uIm0Fh0IrO_vbNA-vfAXuw/w640-h316/church1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Several of the plaster statues, including Jesus in his purple brocade gown, had signs we translated to read "<i>Human hair</i>" leaving us to wonder who on earth would have donated it. I didn't like to hang around for long just in case a crazed priest came after me with a pair of scissors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6DKbPdjRXZmGwAQUV7Vqous5KDiQrZulKtKy3050yNrAadOQ6NZvVYjYS_SPtAkuIrKJSalmX0W70I-DyNlnrGWinIY1GcBrSOUQf3GvCFGnCGT5Ug9bNlBjoouOsm4kTiUtwEkuzbqRTonBANJrzqYokKvEw7-sXotwWwEwwUS-_9uu8I_erMrU9w/s3264/church2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="3264" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6DKbPdjRXZmGwAQUV7Vqous5KDiQrZulKtKy3050yNrAadOQ6NZvVYjYS_SPtAkuIrKJSalmX0W70I-DyNlnrGWinIY1GcBrSOUQf3GvCFGnCGT5Ug9bNlBjoouOsm4kTiUtwEkuzbqRTonBANJrzqYokKvEw7-sXotwWwEwwUS-_9uu8I_erMrU9w/w640-h316/church2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">When we visited <a href="https://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/2023/02/a-town-called-teror.html">Teror</a>, a mountain village in Fuerteventura's neighbour, Gran Canaria last year I'd photographed another statue of the lady with a souvenir tea towel and was informed by several readers that she's actually Saint Veronica and the tea towel is the sacred shroud.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfYEPdXZXxu_6fHLN_3GOBMnxRh7gRyWL9FrgYt5I24dZOdof5nZAJ5-RliSBmfGNz_ls2ej5w3AM_Vr8MElFMOjWDHQdNZ-iuil0e-smtGiQmfZlNklc3oPRuRF4EGkwCtd1u4cuhPDI4IomFvxvYpoV1kCbgwcxylRFMnaO2T6wQsf4c-4NLYMmSg/s3264/church3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfYEPdXZXxu_6fHLN_3GOBMnxRh7gRyWL9FrgYt5I24dZOdof5nZAJ5-RliSBmfGNz_ls2ej5w3AM_Vr8MElFMOjWDHQdNZ-iuil0e-smtGiQmfZlNklc3oPRuRF4EGkwCtd1u4cuhPDI4IomFvxvYpoV1kCbgwcxylRFMnaO2T6wQsf4c-4NLYMmSg/w640-h640/church3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is Jesus on the phone in the tableau below and is that an electronic tag around his ankle? Is he the saviour, is he the son of God, no, he's ASBO Jesus! </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/AVvXsEi9_NSG4D4oWDEdlhQVIIygdwZrtg9jvVroS5W9rN75gAeljctxMnnArk5JdXwNIshc55Me3sk4YKq677u2PJnCIin4a7fVgCkDUnJWeY_K19boCWEA-40WTs2YmOKYKmxEV0YMsBAqTO26O8LEeSYZxsAFm6FCznfxDsImY-rGSS5J4s8mhOBRQr5-bg/s1588/20240307_124341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1588" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_NSG4D4oWDEdlhQVIIygdwZrtg9jvVroS5W9rN75gAeljctxMnnArk5JdXwNIshc55Me3sk4YKq677u2PJnCIin4a7fVgCkDUnJWeY_K19boCWEA-40WTs2YmOKYKmxEV0YMsBAqTO26O8LEeSYZxsAFm6FCznfxDsImY-rGSS5J4s8mhOBRQr5-bg/w640-h522/20240307_124341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhDEMzDOZWUbJCS0IBylXGg4TJbxR8QSk-p14rbsd-nHeTbuj-bDkB3xILWjmPOch6UjvPFWANPvklsf52S3Zq6O2uLBt1gocLxOOQXxSCbhyphenhyphentrClc15B-qXkoUTU6dNn_-XCyHA6nU3tqPwPtoHMFpJcm-yqnZb6R7s1VdHdWGOjq3kgdKcHHNUJHb9g/s3388/20240307_124407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3388" data-original-width="2089" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEMzDOZWUbJCS0IBylXGg4TJbxR8QSk-p14rbsd-nHeTbuj-bDkB3xILWjmPOch6UjvPFWANPvklsf52S3Zq6O2uLBt1gocLxOOQXxSCbhyphenhyphentrClc15B-qXkoUTU6dNn_-XCyHA6nU3tqPwPtoHMFpJcm-yqnZb6R7s1VdHdWGOjq3kgdKcHHNUJHb9g/w394-h640/20240307_124407.jpg" width="394" /></a></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/AVvXsEgdKPDyvuyVNuxHCy7XQNuooKftr3bhO_ZgZGc64um8CbnIPaarBWvX8jADFfGjstu9iQaS2f9uC86wHjyauxPP20OgKZxaMiESGTnmcAkSMW_dPE9Q-07GJXJ4aMYzC1aKMaf12qcNneZ_ENrWVydeyNfBTfF_Hy2O0w1Q8hcpvJD34bErYW04Fzng9Q/s2734/20240307_124634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="1827" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKPDyvuyVNuxHCy7XQNuooKftr3bhO_ZgZGc64um8CbnIPaarBWvX8jADFfGjstu9iQaS2f9uC86wHjyauxPP20OgKZxaMiESGTnmcAkSMW_dPE9Q-07GJXJ4aMYzC1aKMaf12qcNneZ_ENrWVydeyNfBTfF_Hy2O0w1Q8hcpvJD34bErYW04Fzng9Q/w428-h640/20240307_124634.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9eMNUfFHZfG9vk3Ps3mLGtVmdNqCYQU4YDZW70iVYZuHcbVfiMKCnF9QUpygqP-9TSeCSonGoAcggLx1gFIoMAW6IR4ntudBDs8jcuflPBHu9cDHlZzJRTNXvw_AkofHopfX2M0JBqC6lcjW6ts-gQRhtfX3JNIJ-LyYiDzpz09ZzSQSh7JbXoVGLw/s4080/20240307_124803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9eMNUfFHZfG9vk3Ps3mLGtVmdNqCYQU4YDZW70iVYZuHcbVfiMKCnF9QUpygqP-9TSeCSonGoAcggLx1gFIoMAW6IR4ntudBDs8jcuflPBHu9cDHlZzJRTNXvw_AkofHopfX2M0JBqC6lcjW6ts-gQRhtfX3JNIJ-LyYiDzpz09ZzSQSh7JbXoVGLw/w360-h640/20240307_124803.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's some lovely places to eat in Betancuria and despite it being a tourist hotspot, the prices were really good. Our potato tortilla served with a delicious salad of fresh goats cheese, toasted almonds, chopped tomatoes and mint drizzled with palm sap along with two beers (sin alcohol for the driver) came to less than <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">€20.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOmDuR8IjVhVwq_Xl6HdXBY2PBX4Qe0gtmy5mLjwwyILfEY8VvxC5Om-np-zZ52Fq6e9gF19UW-ivumYkLyxbu8g4qrjqKXd_aoKitoULWtYnFw270rVUhHzURP3llGhVNnHPrIHjGF9PSiDOLQA4YvMh7Mbe6OkIEY0R5mMGXu8Mt2QzXkH5VsZtUw/s3522/20240307_134036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3522" data-original-width="2261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOmDuR8IjVhVwq_Xl6HdXBY2PBX4Qe0gtmy5mLjwwyILfEY8VvxC5Om-np-zZ52Fq6e9gF19UW-ivumYkLyxbu8g4qrjqKXd_aoKitoULWtYnFw270rVUhHzURP3llGhVNnHPrIHjGF9PSiDOLQA4YvMh7Mbe6OkIEY0R5mMGXu8Mt2QzXkH5VsZtUw/w410-h640/20240307_134036.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Admission to the town's fascinating <i>Museo Arqueologico</i> (Museum of Archaeology) is free and is well worth a visit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5Nv5DRoqSNHbhSZBhyphenhyphenfgzguUafhjFKocOoKfHgRjUW_JgGkbtFREWqgnPN6FOXKfYiUiQdJDW8VhWhFvQuIjV8LXIwSsMTrxLIBwqN0BnQr8zE8GtZ7n75cEsDEr_56YFwJx22rvysI39gVtdJ1D543YQT5VH6Mq4uc3SspAvaMV7PYi3obm9-EpuQ/s3264/20240307_134426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5Nv5DRoqSNHbhSZBhyphenhyphenfgzguUafhjFKocOoKfHgRjUW_JgGkbtFREWqgnPN6FOXKfYiUiQdJDW8VhWhFvQuIjV8LXIwSsMTrxLIBwqN0BnQr8zE8GtZ7n75cEsDEr_56YFwJx22rvysI39gVtdJ1D543YQT5VH6Mq4uc3SspAvaMV7PYi3obm9-EpuQ/w640-h360/20240307_134426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn9E84J581H84lKWD9WUgmhGAahI7f4vTRM6LtrNXoB_3ZJ2zyJr3TK4KmPOXpJBkqf6wHjIitDiTLXfL-7yoimDz_ecmxvls4DUvxSmk47r2qKd6fdf058roojRP8ICvwG0hH2Fpyr4SwqxvivYUeYDSjVY1sW-j30ijYcj5rP98KoWU0BvnkW96_A/s2085/20240307_140817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="1817" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn9E84J581H84lKWD9WUgmhGAahI7f4vTRM6LtrNXoB_3ZJ2zyJr3TK4KmPOXpJBkqf6wHjIitDiTLXfL-7yoimDz_ecmxvls4DUvxSmk47r2qKd6fdf058roojRP8ICvwG0hH2Fpyr4SwqxvivYUeYDSjVY1sW-j30ijYcj5rP98KoWU0BvnkW96_A/w558-h640/20240307_140817.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28q3Cs6F3vmBYpia2X8cGBzl3S4-Nst6hs8Mnp5UluzC2Qgl0WmyM04_4vCFXrCvl4-7xHRd9Xi7DdQkdrON7smsthuIQ4dBiBI5kcI-8jucOTkRuMort5HEJ9psAPJmqoZe99gIPYUPSjzRkBJgYXD4myQp-jurbeJdTQP96Orh8QtCDdDBnG2_vhQ/s2063/20240307_141151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2063" data-original-width="1823" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28q3Cs6F3vmBYpia2X8cGBzl3S4-Nst6hs8Mnp5UluzC2Qgl0WmyM04_4vCFXrCvl4-7xHRd9Xi7DdQkdrON7smsthuIQ4dBiBI5kcI-8jucOTkRuMort5HEJ9psAPJmqoZe99gIPYUPSjzRkBJgYXD4myQp-jurbeJdTQP96Orh8QtCDdDBnG2_vhQ/w566-h640/20240307_141151.jpg" width="566" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyifbdO-Nn0ZKpMWPIG_iPdOm91mvEZvOwIfwrE43uC2l2kKCEDFMavkqaozuNJQA6_1SOdgRwFLpARKz2jkvr4awDUBS4W5Ese_xsusgDv2g-M6PnAQVbz_64b6RNV02S-Ddv7yQA-TZBxT4o1Z5ozQv_qGzWsSTQRzGbsiXc4sKUtu5B_rKusXkBw/s3167/20240307_141417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="3167" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyifbdO-Nn0ZKpMWPIG_iPdOm91mvEZvOwIfwrE43uC2l2kKCEDFMavkqaozuNJQA6_1SOdgRwFLpARKz2jkvr4awDUBS4W5Ese_xsusgDv2g-M6PnAQVbz_64b6RNV02S-Ddv7yQA-TZBxT4o1Z5ozQv_qGzWsSTQRzGbsiXc4sKUtu5B_rKusXkBw/w640-h448/20240307_141417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qFQx3BaS9z2FjAowikjmB8GnzHZjo0Vz5t0Jb_1pELYQZzHOjn-waZ8tS5zCQzEnta1fnAX-acNC0XVUjA3-9coPLzFYQJNk20G63f2VEq3eBeBwJ1PkpIXl67vKD2ppNHRnUGEjjX7rIGhroaV0qL6ViUft6j2oTO_Ug6sWJuqNp4-hf_gDEKLmug/s4080/20240307_141513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qFQx3BaS9z2FjAowikjmB8GnzHZjo0Vz5t0Jb_1pELYQZzHOjn-waZ8tS5zCQzEnta1fnAX-acNC0XVUjA3-9coPLzFYQJNk20G63f2VEq3eBeBwJ1PkpIXl67vKD2ppNHRnUGEjjX7rIGhroaV0qL6ViUft6j2oTO_Ug6sWJuqNp4-hf_gDEKLmug/w360-h640/20240307_141513.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were happy with how many healthy cats we spotted in Fuerteventura. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzPoOKGa73grdXOGJAmyZKc4_IORb-nNZoZpG_mtdxaQ_vV4UdHRRx-mjO93I8z7Wp6l3Vo_S3iiuykqIyu5ElpXnZAPLlb31i1Za8NxxznXBc4bcP954PyUun3dEykqGWlsfMzBq_w04tzqyTKGF_N6bh_Nptrvr-EXb5q7oQWersGnRX3MgwVGSJA/s2305/20240307_141819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2305" data-original-width="1845" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzPoOKGa73grdXOGJAmyZKc4_IORb-nNZoZpG_mtdxaQ_vV4UdHRRx-mjO93I8z7Wp6l3Vo_S3iiuykqIyu5ElpXnZAPLlb31i1Za8NxxznXBc4bcP954PyUun3dEykqGWlsfMzBq_w04tzqyTKGF_N6bh_Nptrvr-EXb5q7oQWersGnRX3MgwVGSJA/w512-h640/20240307_141819.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSi93dUkAh21bUiEnkY9rjTS3o9lGuXMYgs6l9UXyz3jVFHaL2JwtHd8-mBLQQnXExg43FZcGz6NLFgb5shW6nMAduib2jq1V_Kzc8GRDvZSAvsTGpdgYd0uRmuL3hGdu6eWXa1ICfx2sQ3FPqV-iMTP4FGN4OjvxPx1NdegszHH-956of35JzWQL9Q/s2292/20240307_141828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="2292" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSi93dUkAh21bUiEnkY9rjTS3o9lGuXMYgs6l9UXyz3jVFHaL2JwtHd8-mBLQQnXExg43FZcGz6NLFgb5shW6nMAduib2jq1V_Kzc8GRDvZSAvsTGpdgYd0uRmuL3hGdu6eWXa1ICfx2sQ3FPqV-iMTP4FGN4OjvxPx1NdegszHH-956of35JzWQL9Q/w640-h614/20240307_141828.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEhbUTq8XWnXoIww94OMvHgZZBZixgOIMGVxq1qmFaiX2EM37ekXAcW6CrNuICj5y8Y91itJfoqZ0ZgmCsCA4NLkjgqz_4TDjQ7HNrs3XRv3ZAPikiEzBUt5Z36rdMciYbfp2YsAp7DK7xHLlS58JPp6lSqeZ0XGzkVcrg0H8fMWa-MUdAcS14FxPB9CBA/s3446/20240307_142150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3446" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUTq8XWnXoIww94OMvHgZZBZixgOIMGVxq1qmFaiX2EM37ekXAcW6CrNuICj5y8Y91itJfoqZ0ZgmCsCA4NLkjgqz_4TDjQ7HNrs3XRv3ZAPikiEzBUt5Z36rdMciYbfp2YsAp7DK7xHLlS58JPp6lSqeZ0XGzkVcrg0H8fMWa-MUdAcS14FxPB9CBA/w640-h414/20240307_142150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stopped off at the Morro Velosa Viewport, designed by <i>Caesar Manrique</i>, the Canary Island's most famous artist. Devoid of any tourist areas or sand dunes, the landscape looks almost lunar. I sent a photo to one of my friends and she asked if we were holidaying on Mars.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDhUY6_0sKH6mC1q34gZSSNGQaHiUIJ5N0QXgwu9gnsBtxY5sWLv7d53kX2o4a3QN6nmGIcrKYZ9bA99ZoYSMBGEs27OQUbq-dTlSQptDjutkH7ije65Y8Hwyc9nd70qeDlg8ivVi6SyBgX8T-c21_AkXfhyoYLanFszGZ0QU5N1RuwP-z05LdpQCZQ/s4080/20240307_144415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDhUY6_0sKH6mC1q34gZSSNGQaHiUIJ5N0QXgwu9gnsBtxY5sWLv7d53kX2o4a3QN6nmGIcrKYZ9bA99ZoYSMBGEs27OQUbq-dTlSQptDjutkH7ije65Y8Hwyc9nd70qeDlg8ivVi6SyBgX8T-c21_AkXfhyoYLanFszGZ0QU5N1RuwP-z05LdpQCZQ/w640-h360/20240307_144415.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgxvUOkHrMDXdYu_w-ntVgD_IkEE_yElmvQ_uRsQeni5mclG3s0z2Wh_vb8vU4HqptK5DDXF4kBfiKZ_6ryO-y1SXs1W3uUqMplHHi_g9oAHR8dS-wQRRuuRXxaidYHA6gOYtOr0usaqGIlBKW8SbdmLWT5L6P8sOHUu2nXLyog4R0i2gH6UgByMTFlvQ/s3066/20240307_144642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3066" data-original-width="2190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvUOkHrMDXdYu_w-ntVgD_IkEE_yElmvQ_uRsQeni5mclG3s0z2Wh_vb8vU4HqptK5DDXF4kBfiKZ_6ryO-y1SXs1W3uUqMplHHi_g9oAHR8dS-wQRRuuRXxaidYHA6gOYtOr0usaqGIlBKW8SbdmLWT5L6P8sOHUu2nXLyog4R0i2gH6UgByMTFlvQ/w458-h640/20240307_144642.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO-PpEQ5pN8_I8bR3rsEkPEif1rW7elcTvvlub7ZD_LCgeCPlpxsqk2aIhqnwooOk4TAwuSBsjTYi2aCi4yLxtkjLAOZ14NmzEVt540UFSn_hgwhjCGI6izaq0rl3EBU2CkB6GaIMkiUvvhU8tEZKJvnbov111XAtQYpRsZVYfmWIMJoWzu3m3Mk92w/s3968/20240307_144710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO-PpEQ5pN8_I8bR3rsEkPEif1rW7elcTvvlub7ZD_LCgeCPlpxsqk2aIhqnwooOk4TAwuSBsjTYi2aCi4yLxtkjLAOZ14NmzEVt540UFSn_hgwhjCGI6izaq0rl3EBU2CkB6GaIMkiUvvhU8tEZKJvnbov111XAtQYpRsZVYfmWIMJoWzu3m3Mk92w/w324-h640/20240307_144710.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgeMwtqok1m6UgbtRfQjwnsnxS-wjnVoSumI1ARISsy_J0qS6nDiWkDKCeO6AQIqCh8TqhY1n1cTSt9cj-6n5kjZi4ykuXjGgr_XRoB3rS284IcC3p084hvR4wFYhY3i6-Q7GrFUj0gDGxGtkjSb5aXW6G6JE3s2rTxb-CkZS2HzbsgFwYwAolWU8dJ5A/s1616/DSC04617.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMwtqok1m6UgbtRfQjwnsnxS-wjnVoSumI1ARISsy_J0qS6nDiWkDKCeO6AQIqCh8TqhY1n1cTSt9cj-6n5kjZi4ykuXjGgr_XRoB3rS284IcC3p084hvR4wFYhY3i6-Q7GrFUj0gDGxGtkjSb5aXW6G6JE3s2rTxb-CkZS2HzbsgFwYwAolWU8dJ5A/w640-h428/DSC04617.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEg_ONFQx3bwzLNq1X9Uj8Za0mNuMGqHUwBW2UdGeYBz6GYNL3fHCREYz1tfbIPS7KO0UotTkqzxkOgfM4vmMcaKhRksSsuOUsng3bKz0ukzO9f2g-dk9f_hmwRU1g2Ig49TTTcsOqyVLcs1a-UqODzOMUdiH_HMNpesq0KdfkpUv3j51ZtC1hA61NBbqA/s1616/DSC04620.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ONFQx3bwzLNq1X9Uj8Za0mNuMGqHUwBW2UdGeYBz6GYNL3fHCREYz1tfbIPS7KO0UotTkqzxkOgfM4vmMcaKhRksSsuOUsng3bKz0ukzO9f2g-dk9f_hmwRU1g2Ig49TTTcsOqyVLcs1a-UqODzOMUdiH_HMNpesq0KdfkpUv3j51ZtC1hA61NBbqA/w428-h640/DSC04620.JPG" width="428" /></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/AVvXsEjivb8puBKhabffTrJe_s30Y51WaRquXlDdjV5cKa8X6FAP5lyb9c2y9BMaGz9SEMaCWYQu3NTcPZTMYO1UKAOHTKZGO2VKx9afnan4Dc6tD3NOenxtPrGhnZp4j09Z1OzF3t_59zyKOQboZWaRWsLVRn4ffaOc7y4wNQQADixbCIMW19vM1gR5zAp5sQ/s1616/DSC04626.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivb8puBKhabffTrJe_s30Y51WaRquXlDdjV5cKa8X6FAP5lyb9c2y9BMaGz9SEMaCWYQu3NTcPZTMYO1UKAOHTKZGO2VKx9afnan4Dc6tD3NOenxtPrGhnZp4j09Z1OzF3t_59zyKOQboZWaRWsLVRn4ffaOc7y4wNQQADixbCIMW19vM1gR5zAp5sQ/w640-h428/DSC04626.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Centro de Interpretación Los Molinos</i> (The Windmill Museum) traces the history of the islands windmills, 'used to produce <i>gofio</i>, the Canarian roasted grain used to make everything from bread, soups and stews to ice cream and deserts. Added to paprika it's also used to coat the island's Majorero cheese.</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/AVvXsEhxSIHag78Ri1oxQYVGF2vU4WR8cm7S-HGnrpfJGarGegp738ZH32OucM1AciqsIbzC0W1CcMV5YAEXQ6SDUsPxspOWP8ShJgVx7pBsJ0f5tr6ZeZAXDFfGlDbGU4GQICVdDko4RhC5VCyf42FhCTYKbhbjyUOgm30HUg6oTUPhmxikbXbkNHBJJiAH1g/s2953/20240307_153924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="2953" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSIHag78Ri1oxQYVGF2vU4WR8cm7S-HGnrpfJGarGegp738ZH32OucM1AciqsIbzC0W1CcMV5YAEXQ6SDUsPxspOWP8ShJgVx7pBsJ0f5tr6ZeZAXDFfGlDbGU4GQICVdDko4RhC5VCyf42FhCTYKbhbjyUOgm30HUg6oTUPhmxikbXbkNHBJJiAH1g/w640-h416/20240307_153924.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEiOeGuT9l2aPK5CUvJLON6Ds7dwDyQ_ES-HJxti1HkMX4HyKjC0bfg2w9ahcgEBXGh38aGlCMrDYG4Yt1pvdelnPYyaAWrYr_K55gWz90HCCDFB8-WKitnxVSHUIrcCmcJf25EhlgcsTPnZR6fiUQ2LOPyXEUNHICoqMQeymOeL5Y2ctBSE_N_av6FrzQ/s4080/20240307_153412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeGuT9l2aPK5CUvJLON6Ds7dwDyQ_ES-HJxti1HkMX4HyKjC0bfg2w9ahcgEBXGh38aGlCMrDYG4Yt1pvdelnPYyaAWrYr_K55gWz90HCCDFB8-WKitnxVSHUIrcCmcJf25EhlgcsTPnZR6fiUQ2LOPyXEUNHICoqMQeymOeL5Y2ctBSE_N_av6FrzQ/w360-h640/20240307_153412.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhaeZaC8eKpiiG3L-TOVaXsBFnFq2GpOwR5DjVUGLTVtZ1sQ7NZwT-pbva3jF3ZCexWjaVW5LbYeUk-fwzCuclYwdq8-39RQqQYKx74FNpPRA4lu7IbXm0FaMU84sLuHbBEgkqj1BXclLcm35nuddjwEDSuD3RLX7bVAm0CocppwNPfZCCFziqPojUg/s2730/20240307_153446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2730" data-original-width="1996" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhaeZaC8eKpiiG3L-TOVaXsBFnFq2GpOwR5DjVUGLTVtZ1sQ7NZwT-pbva3jF3ZCexWjaVW5LbYeUk-fwzCuclYwdq8-39RQqQYKx74FNpPRA4lu7IbXm0FaMU84sLuHbBEgkqj1BXclLcm35nuddjwEDSuD3RLX7bVAm0CocppwNPfZCCFziqPojUg/w468-h640/20240307_153446.jpg" width="468" /></a></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/AVvXsEgJ028N6yVtbWfAcDfQeKCPhQlYU5JW45fU-4uyT_x46TuRXFFA63_tjy880j2IyF_bn5AIrOT2qVtzKLmeQ9tkkR0zKstmWHvjQ4Zu1QLjgHYhhaUi14at8lTDgr_zQQ3CDaXUkVZSst6F-enF5hOBjalD2eUXK-pTZ0KjA2h6Mk2XCP23XJPfqBHI9Q/s3593/20240307_153620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3593" data-original-width="2143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ028N6yVtbWfAcDfQeKCPhQlYU5JW45fU-4uyT_x46TuRXFFA63_tjy880j2IyF_bn5AIrOT2qVtzKLmeQ9tkkR0zKstmWHvjQ4Zu1QLjgHYhhaUi14at8lTDgr_zQQ3CDaXUkVZSst6F-enF5hOBjalD2eUXK-pTZ0KjA2h6Mk2XCP23XJPfqBHI9Q/w382-h640/20240307_153620.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">We'd sampled gofio earlier that day, wolfing down some artisan banana biscuits from the Cheese Museum's gift shop as we were ravenous. This time we tried something which resembled fudge (but not as sickly sweet), enjoying it so much that we bought a bag of gofio to take home with us. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlQrat_PkNvV18kQeBIbWVtkh6KYzUqjJEwtROtFVgRG9wS9JLny7F6tCP642urMo83vT-bD1olezw5nN2icYYuwW2QiXC4LMuwI6gB6nw3SAP9Y696C00ThGSY0cecYUwMxZXMpjN4oyVU8kfI6KeqrRy8mshXUa3sbz77MBg4JW7lPfIbcuJJrfQg/s3264/gofio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlQrat_PkNvV18kQeBIbWVtkh6KYzUqjJEwtROtFVgRG9wS9JLny7F6tCP642urMo83vT-bD1olezw5nN2icYYuwW2QiXC4LMuwI6gB6nw3SAP9Y696C00ThGSY0cecYUwMxZXMpjN4oyVU8kfI6KeqrRy8mshXUa3sbz77MBg4JW7lPfIbcuJJrfQg/w640-h150/gofio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the way back to El Cotillo we stopped off at the town of La Oliva to have a look at the <i>Casa del Colones</i>, a grand 18th Century house said to be one of the most photographed buildings on the island. Unfortunately it seemed to be under construction and fenced off so we did a bit of urbexing and explored the derelict buildings surrounding it instead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vqGUtGcCWnUxOgWV9uVeILLw-XZuNzYJpBvZUWCJHVDcUJLVgtLbuaGG0NDxwbWvJivriB8Cq9un3ofwuPvK8KynMB_UeKmVhYfA_VZ_lERqyWtDBR_EDcpT4c6JVwu7lDd-6GHISl-OOrDoBx8ebUOrz7y0zX0DL39iR9pA3Uc85POZ5lQeQByGCg/s3591/20240307_163519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="3591" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vqGUtGcCWnUxOgWV9uVeILLw-XZuNzYJpBvZUWCJHVDcUJLVgtLbuaGG0NDxwbWvJivriB8Cq9un3ofwuPvK8KynMB_UeKmVhYfA_VZ_lERqyWtDBR_EDcpT4c6JVwu7lDd-6GHISl-OOrDoBx8ebUOrz7y0zX0DL39iR9pA3Uc85POZ5lQeQByGCg/w640-h268/20240307_163519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlytxQN9uZ7ZiYSN5B8Swbop8ORU6BbmfbUe7_vQAGvkOfk0_gvwyDa-3e39tckOe2ykWbUMy8whxGWVgRLDKDuZH2vXvl4K6cmGH6HcVRMjcJRlgWp-Le4oDWsQXgsAwlwvsVeBoNH49R4Y3MYJTJgUYAneBlzA4mjuEQkyVwNyb8FwAM8_rXuSLMA/s4080/20240307_163556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlytxQN9uZ7ZiYSN5B8Swbop8ORU6BbmfbUe7_vQAGvkOfk0_gvwyDa-3e39tckOe2ykWbUMy8whxGWVgRLDKDuZH2vXvl4K6cmGH6HcVRMjcJRlgWp-Le4oDWsQXgsAwlwvsVeBoNH49R4Y3MYJTJgUYAneBlzA4mjuEQkyVwNyb8FwAM8_rXuSLMA/w640-h360/20240307_163556.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjU85GvKfK0Gp0mLrUnLOQh4X5t8TgnLWf7QKJdlDusQTTiBG2kZXU3LTpIBHbu8jjRP3-OivxZA7qkDqtbaFFn2FvzKCgufrMYh8kfm18OC2EnlMJDVVmJtiKLy4bitnSup0KPLJuoUsLEbLAq_TUztm-8puVairfjEdobOOuXKo8-fJnwcl1mMHOZiw/s4080/20240307_163621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU85GvKfK0Gp0mLrUnLOQh4X5t8TgnLWf7QKJdlDusQTTiBG2kZXU3LTpIBHbu8jjRP3-OivxZA7qkDqtbaFFn2FvzKCgufrMYh8kfm18OC2EnlMJDVVmJtiKLy4bitnSup0KPLJuoUsLEbLAq_TUztm-8puVairfjEdobOOuXKo8-fJnwcl1mMHOZiw/w640-h360/20240307_163621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5SZwewqDXqR1kJ6siLQK-vkD2-A5E7THflp6tSdCB-d7PDnO_ztMbbU8_bicSmutr8aZDVHL2GIVB_OoXEpFXkbiEeC4NF4U-A7-agOgqja5i75jQjDPYvrTFwaHHlFYGwLbAXOb7csSsJLw8goRcpaqQqvTEvLaeYu4i_TrbzQ-Ewe5GkHmTPrDeQ/s3085/20240307_163632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3085" data-original-width="2141" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5SZwewqDXqR1kJ6siLQK-vkD2-A5E7THflp6tSdCB-d7PDnO_ztMbbU8_bicSmutr8aZDVHL2GIVB_OoXEpFXkbiEeC4NF4U-A7-agOgqja5i75jQjDPYvrTFwaHHlFYGwLbAXOb7csSsJLw8goRcpaqQqvTEvLaeYu4i_TrbzQ-Ewe5GkHmTPrDeQ/w444-h640/20240307_163632.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEge4VqPUG1qfpRotv8ilhk8J-Z6-N4QqHdqiVpEL2aFoH5AD4vMXnQwqquD5VtfaoFj3qqrnWkmEQ2SW5vUdAk0XUF18f9wmoCfJKgA89ja8725wfzmFqZzjRocCaRYnaYTD5gbLZCXMhXeY3bMi7O9PuXnx1ChAURToXUaM2HdinTlvnKY_NK1GbxbmA/s3801/20240307_163758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="3801" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4VqPUG1qfpRotv8ilhk8J-Z6-N4QqHdqiVpEL2aFoH5AD4vMXnQwqquD5VtfaoFj3qqrnWkmEQ2SW5vUdAk0XUF18f9wmoCfJKgA89ja8725wfzmFqZzjRocCaRYnaYTD5gbLZCXMhXeY3bMi7O9PuXnx1ChAURToXUaM2HdinTlvnKY_NK1GbxbmA/w640-h360/20240307_163758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhYOIpk6HuITVKQbjI8TIobVay5etbC7CeGuiHd4gAwmdMy30EUMnbj-9aB_JTtEvfJ-J6DIZY1q5zLMS_E8IEIFhWuL_NPOxNMRKB90JOof9z-dKE4HYYPhogJa4vUunipnzV5CfiCq95YTEjpkiu99u2LqZYNzLlb6Fa93_fgzXegkJXGwdGUg1ie8w/s3088/20240307_163936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOIpk6HuITVKQbjI8TIobVay5etbC7CeGuiHd4gAwmdMy30EUMnbj-9aB_JTtEvfJ-J6DIZY1q5zLMS_E8IEIFhWuL_NPOxNMRKB90JOof9z-dKE4HYYPhogJa4vUunipnzV5CfiCq95YTEjpkiu99u2LqZYNzLlb6Fa93_fgzXegkJXGwdGUg1ie8w/w464-h640/20240307_163936.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">And to think that up until fourteen months ago we'd dismissed the Canary Islands as being a bit of a cultural wasteland. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV63Xf22Nmn_YtfUOeVflbb_6hgjIV4BKSll-Cvj8oJ6ZA95sECLDEbuh_GXCWvimj3RHGtVIpIHMVtBZ80qZPn9ij5cLO7UcS_aBIhuhRDlB4AKt9DHNNJxHLoRlWA-15lxWKAsxwSfZh7lQAOPQaDh6gAhjO9Q_JZUVYAghoEwGvRB1LDQRjiXGagA/s2344/20240307_164017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV63Xf22Nmn_YtfUOeVflbb_6hgjIV4BKSll-Cvj8oJ6ZA95sECLDEbuh_GXCWvimj3RHGtVIpIHMVtBZ80qZPn9ij5cLO7UcS_aBIhuhRDlB4AKt9DHNNJxHLoRlWA-15lxWKAsxwSfZh7lQAOPQaDh6gAhjO9Q_JZUVYAghoEwGvRB1LDQRjiXGagA/w484-h640/20240307_164017.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where next? Stay tuned for more of our travels around Fuerteventura. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-28660448200477972192024-03-13T19:28:00.008+00:002024-03-17T09:57:47.534+00:00Winter Sun - El Cotillo, Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg241WsdRL_QpP0HtJ46aV8u2thI5khdX7eqOWTDfBgnvPWkaM-mFDGekXu2unoZg__-aMgFQvf9Sxadp4zX00_ffpZH8ma3sMXjuWd_wUji3TrrbAfE0QflAXZNfVcoI6N0Bk3dnOAV80xu0wk0Jo2-rVHG52MwQwcWhaekfxxrRx-ZXRylrwTW23WQA/s1616/DSC04624.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg241WsdRL_QpP0HtJ46aV8u2thI5khdX7eqOWTDfBgnvPWkaM-mFDGekXu2unoZg__-aMgFQvf9Sxadp4zX00_ffpZH8ma3sMXjuWd_wUji3TrrbAfE0QflAXZNfVcoI6N0Bk3dnOAV80xu0wk0Jo2-rVHG52MwQwcWhaekfxxrRx-ZXRylrwTW23WQA/w640-h428/DSC04624.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is ruggedly beautiful Fuerteventura where we spent last week, the island we'd last visited almost thirty years ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back in the pre-internet years, travelling abroad was a world away from browsing the Ryanair website over your morning mug of tea and clicking the<i> Book Now</i> button. In August 1997 after already booking time off work and keen for some sun, we popped into the Holiday Hypermarket, Walsall's late night travel superstore, to see if there were any last minute bargains leaving within the next couple of days. With no online travel forums, trip research pre-Y2K consisted of chatting to people in the pub or borrowing an outdated guidebook from the library so most of us relied on the travel agent understanding our needs. When a fortnight on Fuerteventura with the cheapskate option of <i>Allocation on Arrival</i> (AOA) was suggested we handed over our cash and pocketed our tickets. In all the excitement of finding a cheap last minute deal, we left the store thinking we were off to the Balearic island of Formentera, it wasn't until we studied the atlas that we realised we were going to the Canaries!</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/AVvXsEjXpHuDJDta4iBHcBSr78aNXipUvSz2xZufph7LGqrLa8zXA6KlEB3ASWPS1XphMEtJPM709uzKB2352UqowbidCDemwZTDGL25eVu-APrvEF2iW2tumbmbc4TwGhD6ArO8LFWHPlM0ks23hH7SWpdhN7W-2fSAtqshD22m483g1bg5YiXHyj9vupT5Mw/s1456/DSC04575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1456" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpHuDJDta4iBHcBSr78aNXipUvSz2xZufph7LGqrLa8zXA6KlEB3ASWPS1XphMEtJPM709uzKB2352UqowbidCDemwZTDGL25eVu-APrvEF2iW2tumbmbc4TwGhD6ArO8LFWHPlM0ks23hH7SWpdhN7W-2fSAtqshD22m483g1bg5YiXHyj9vupT5Mw/w640-h416/DSC04575.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whilst we loved Fuerteventura on that first visit & had vowed to return one day, it would be the last time we'd ever book an <i>Allocation on Arrival</i> holiday. In the past we'd always been lucky but on this occasion we ended up stranded in the middle of nowhere, in a god-forsaken place called <i>Nouvelle Horizontale</i>. To reach civilisation, the bustling resort of <i>Caleta de Fuste</i>, we had to walk 4km along the edge of a cliff (okay in the day, terrifying post-midnight), the beach, the bars, the restaurants and even the nearest bus stop were there. We'd do two return trips a day so by the time that fortnight was over we'd walked over 140 miles (and that was pre-hip replacement.)</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/AVvXsEj3ZkKCSumx1XPT_QAp8znCJV93Ftd6UUyaZbWKsiAmiV1fbW2VbRxJAkSll8bKwhWVGOOWNlCZEoEqmdiwB_blCUiLqwdheoFMx-_3GPn9CDI5jp3OEzYt43bs3c61oFXhc1_3OJMIf2xCaaEcneV5beUBIIcFUBsAPKed4vcSuR2Z2vHt3nkl-XXsDQ/s1318/DSC04708.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1318" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZkKCSumx1XPT_QAp8znCJV93Ftd6UUyaZbWKsiAmiV1fbW2VbRxJAkSll8bKwhWVGOOWNlCZEoEqmdiwB_blCUiLqwdheoFMx-_3GPn9CDI5jp3OEzYt43bs3c61oFXhc1_3OJMIf2xCaaEcneV5beUBIIcFUBsAPKed4vcSuR2Z2vHt3nkl-XXsDQ/w640-h450/DSC04708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Fast forward 27 years and a last minute trip is a whole lot easier. After booking a Ryanair flight from the comfort of our kitchen table, we read online reviews & blog posts, watched YouTube videos, joined several Facebook fan pages and scrolled through years of trip reports on TripAdvisor to find the right place for us to stay. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj06zRiBGN0l8nCoMp7PeRoQqqkjJhFTfSmqLaK9uybtNCXqCT22JjwzHghi2Wl8Bzmwum6oW37q2zFBudVt-uVHMtd2rutdwwKcV0wyr4ZnWvfjmAQG-bWlvLcvIaXciwZ5qY3_52RBkngKqsH2NL2ABM1pCC8Dg4HcOdD03UFxKHjPSZbA2magtow/s1442/DSC04703.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1442" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj06zRiBGN0l8nCoMp7PeRoQqqkjJhFTfSmqLaK9uybtNCXqCT22JjwzHghi2Wl8Bzmwum6oW37q2zFBudVt-uVHMtd2rutdwwKcV0wyr4ZnWvfjmAQG-bWlvLcvIaXciwZ5qY3_52RBkngKqsH2NL2ABM1pCC8Dg4HcOdD03UFxKHjPSZbA2magtow/w640-h398/DSC04703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We settled on El Cotillo in North Fuerteventura. A laid-back traditional Spanish fishing village with some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, popular with surfers with a low-key Bohemian artsy vibe. </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/AVvXsEiskpBYOy3kcHj4T3AYfNiOuGFy7HI459yfgdJqB6PsnP1eQ8e0rVSVN9sodurQgJKLJ-NF0hyvoUolizdP8OBrnAAm6zRqWd8iHWWUi7EuWn8WdIwvEHMzis-t-0zt_I2JIHAunluBr0ske2RE1D0UUfeZ5kDeyzZrZOqubqtV2aNBpIkfayjHZ7uvsw/s1484/DSC04590.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="1042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskpBYOy3kcHj4T3AYfNiOuGFy7HI459yfgdJqB6PsnP1eQ8e0rVSVN9sodurQgJKLJ-NF0hyvoUolizdP8OBrnAAm6zRqWd8iHWWUi7EuWn8WdIwvEHMzis-t-0zt_I2JIHAunluBr0ske2RE1D0UUfeZ5kDeyzZrZOqubqtV2aNBpIkfayjHZ7uvsw/w450-h640/DSC04590.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">As direct buses from the airport to El Cotillo are infrequent and taxis eye-wateringly expensive, we decided to hire a car for a week. After disembarking our 4 hour flight from Birmingham Airport, we headed to<i> Goldcar</i> in airport arrivals and picked up Lexi, our pewter Citroen C4. After a few wrong turns we eventually pulled up outside <i>Tao</i>, our self-catering apartment, an hour and a half later. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaO7pdIzi7dzmFW0mvFJCC4_GdyPnccEt90tLdxxpB4-zEBFN898LR6t0X5DOY0J53Zrcm9Pr0pX53gMq5AxPXP5DVqQp-5N85JZEJdtX9PLqDdD0438uOQg-PHdU3zafbEmQ5vWjDsW0-Q-XPM3so9eDpTvW6w-wo83NwSpYIyG3uRduZpCwLFKOnA/s1415/DSC04589.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaO7pdIzi7dzmFW0mvFJCC4_GdyPnccEt90tLdxxpB4-zEBFN898LR6t0X5DOY0J53Zrcm9Pr0pX53gMq5AxPXP5DVqQp-5N85JZEJdtX9PLqDdD0438uOQg-PHdU3zafbEmQ5vWjDsW0-Q-XPM3so9eDpTvW6w-wo83NwSpYIyG3uRduZpCwLFKOnA/w310-h640/DSC04589.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">El Cotillo was exactly we'd hoped it would be, traditional and authentically Spanish, with quirky street art and interesting architecture. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGAL_60jD4iI59XYuPqossdCSXnSuo49F28OheFdMv3MPeIXJUHORBTqAaJs57anF42CUFOlrZtohiPWBnNvAgLWYQba-ifXkSFp0PjuubvMrjUQWVqEH4fdg87uvqOyWmdcwApHHvnmsWw0jRSy77HePBTY6-vKxPgHVrmuzu2A3vOH6XljiDO3f3w/s1399/DSC04588.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1399" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGAL_60jD4iI59XYuPqossdCSXnSuo49F28OheFdMv3MPeIXJUHORBTqAaJs57anF42CUFOlrZtohiPWBnNvAgLWYQba-ifXkSFp0PjuubvMrjUQWVqEH4fdg87uvqOyWmdcwApHHvnmsWw0jRSy77HePBTY6-vKxPgHVrmuzu2A3vOH6XljiDO3f3w/w640-h436/DSC04588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rpQCCptcnEJxQ10HVZA45G03XlbvfGl_Yc6ABUDUcIjM-scsZL-h2OSxAaXaMk-Fd_SuWJtHBj2mhQV7vpdTwsac19Q6YUHqN_dfQadsQb2SBHM0_s51F05jw_87qLEdtp337CwQgBXBjPIZj918MmmLp81eJEZKfKVDvAs_gt3fkNfNsMTwc-pT5Q/s1500/DSC04587.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1500" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rpQCCptcnEJxQ10HVZA45G03XlbvfGl_Yc6ABUDUcIjM-scsZL-h2OSxAaXaMk-Fd_SuWJtHBj2mhQV7vpdTwsac19Q6YUHqN_dfQadsQb2SBHM0_s51F05jw_87qLEdtp337CwQgBXBjPIZj918MmmLp81eJEZKfKVDvAs_gt3fkNfNsMTwc-pT5Q/w640-h414/DSC04587.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">The proximity of El Cotillo to Lanzarote meant that Puerto del Toston, the village's old harbour, was an important trading port with the other Canary Islands and to Europe, especially Madeira. The harbour was one of three ports of Fuerteventura allowed to export goods, including livestock, cereals and orchil, a purple dye extracted from lichen growing in the Canaries. In the first half of the nineteenth century several lime kilns were built around the port to produce quicklime for export.</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UtzfsNbUd9UNUfFZARFOeEB_m1y7GPGONCKVPHjaiMo2eRP6aC58MHAgY399669GBCYLPpEtL29iPJaJIBDFNacLs6oh-HKTWmrKlJ89WNPxMOuQ0tUliejOjFle0fQmXYDtjKJMcZ1NrlsTfyxd1ufECBuyK3c1YZOPWNpJN_e8gbbDQB6h5h54kQ/s1519/DSC04586.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="1047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UtzfsNbUd9UNUfFZARFOeEB_m1y7GPGONCKVPHjaiMo2eRP6aC58MHAgY399669GBCYLPpEtL29iPJaJIBDFNacLs6oh-HKTWmrKlJ89WNPxMOuQ0tUliejOjFle0fQmXYDtjKJMcZ1NrlsTfyxd1ufECBuyK3c1YZOPWNpJN_e8gbbDQB6h5h54kQ/w442-h640/DSC04586.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhi4VLPgU0xPxvQV-gE5aqW-xe_bBYCKDcCdLeEmWjlfY276EVX8mhTXjeIdiog9OcGwtnZdaGOIPo5xE0SFLSyf1RGe558mN0QeQY-j6AKZv072aq_izCHZ5r3BmRJgWcBf44OgC04UpwLogHvG6WWnVlQYZfHEcBZgOqVPOvI6CBxwBJYG7hvhuVVdQ/s1358/DSC04583.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1057" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4VLPgU0xPxvQV-gE5aqW-xe_bBYCKDcCdLeEmWjlfY276EVX8mhTXjeIdiog9OcGwtnZdaGOIPo5xE0SFLSyf1RGe558mN0QeQY-j6AKZv072aq_izCHZ5r3BmRJgWcBf44OgC04UpwLogHvG6WWnVlQYZfHEcBZgOqVPOvI6CBxwBJYG7hvhuVVdQ/w498-h640/DSC04583.JPG" width="498" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aG_7Dqonqzz8zUfWOyrCp-M_w3Z5hh3pLAD-HGMwOKsVzztqEPawaXASpB38IZIzloOQttcYIUTGMyQh2vi9OOKioG_5-1OO5PL8UvZAx7FeBu18vZhFSWFL24-PT7i2Vs2vw1LRX8Zxfjh44LX2-ANwyDZbcNDIoHva0urxcaliDoKeAt6McqETLA/s1616/DSC04582.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1616" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aG_7Dqonqzz8zUfWOyrCp-M_w3Z5hh3pLAD-HGMwOKsVzztqEPawaXASpB38IZIzloOQttcYIUTGMyQh2vi9OOKioG_5-1OO5PL8UvZAx7FeBu18vZhFSWFL24-PT7i2Vs2vw1LRX8Zxfjh44LX2-ANwyDZbcNDIoHva0urxcaliDoKeAt6McqETLA/w640-h372/DSC04582.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many of the blogs we read had mentioned El Cotillo's similarity to Greece with its whitewashed walls and blue woodwork. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo59jybpMziZ9mnyN60LaDlCpwlieyKp5qifMTNTjjq3IfHbIuKFgFwaMmZrZNraauL6QefzpyRfZNaobB8qcCEXAGpG21Kg6qJSY8UkQSsFktWicPV09ecCxdrIJKZtoMPXrqpMfY99dX4ctjNcjJPqWj3_h1lQ0kCz511N2_uuN0QPpmyTzob8AoOg/s1405/DSC04578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1405" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo59jybpMziZ9mnyN60LaDlCpwlieyKp5qifMTNTjjq3IfHbIuKFgFwaMmZrZNraauL6QefzpyRfZNaobB8qcCEXAGpG21Kg6qJSY8UkQSsFktWicPV09ecCxdrIJKZtoMPXrqpMfY99dX4ctjNcjJPqWj3_h1lQ0kCz511N2_uuN0QPpmyTzob8AoOg/w640-h380/DSC04578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not being fans of pristine purpose-built soulless resorts, El Cotillo had that slightly faded around the edges feel we love. </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/AVvXsEj5kbREnNFFYFd4LPLvfHokVV1nxI14USJvRUCMv-n7oXCOpLC3FrxF9qGaiCgU421gPauEsIU04oaeWJlLcazQdfzDSfvoI-kma2i8D3e-_7w0HFLi6Ad84aDY3bud1gxf5s3dCCyHDiwouH8jyMUPty8oEaat50Ou6X6CapYBH1Mg-z1hTHrqOfPUog/s1616/DSC04574.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kbREnNFFYFd4LPLvfHokVV1nxI14USJvRUCMv-n7oXCOpLC3FrxF9qGaiCgU421gPauEsIU04oaeWJlLcazQdfzDSfvoI-kma2i8D3e-_7w0HFLi6Ad84aDY3bud1gxf5s3dCCyHDiwouH8jyMUPty8oEaat50Ou6X6CapYBH1Mg-z1hTHrqOfPUog/w640-h428/DSC04574.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiJVaDbCiq7t_c7ik1jo8Ag8nHaGAPsa4LgvAeLp-TNpRRclslSHjjOxCjmp6jHyrcPPUyWe5zN-GiM0OOmmnf-RahvGpBcAa8hfIPhXp69a8Vn-D50LwDe5GEcPatjrXYuQLEnwxe6zrsfYMs7ugXxeZSjNp-rAd4z8DBu9VBAlZVhhxYu4PRnBohoXg/s1616/DSC04570.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVaDbCiq7t_c7ik1jo8Ag8nHaGAPsa4LgvAeLp-TNpRRclslSHjjOxCjmp6jHyrcPPUyWe5zN-GiM0OOmmnf-RahvGpBcAa8hfIPhXp69a8Vn-D50LwDe5GEcPatjrXYuQLEnwxe6zrsfYMs7ugXxeZSjNp-rAd4z8DBu9VBAlZVhhxYu4PRnBohoXg/w640-h428/DSC04570.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjzYKBZaX_CCnktNyTPEjQIHAQ0lmD6fiHj_R1jYsVC7-1zUpdBk8w2NBaIe1bpJYkhnHcbOKGEH3MP23xzTiRyaVJ8ca2MJUEopSCMXeOzfttFpbcjHSiWxEDVib66Iwx0NjMNzjti4y808aJtaKUorDHEfbX4YKMSS5ov2AE77ykAIaufRXznj7BnmQ/s1616/DSC04567.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYKBZaX_CCnktNyTPEjQIHAQ0lmD6fiHj_R1jYsVC7-1zUpdBk8w2NBaIe1bpJYkhnHcbOKGEH3MP23xzTiRyaVJ8ca2MJUEopSCMXeOzfttFpbcjHSiWxEDVib66Iwx0NjMNzjti4y808aJtaKUorDHEfbX4YKMSS5ov2AE77ykAIaufRXznj7BnmQ/w380-h640/DSC04567.JPG" width="380" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beaches were astonishingly lovely; wild, windswept and not a sunbed in sight. Sadly, although I'm not bothered about the cold water, the waves put me off swimming in the sea - Fuerteventura isn't known as the windy island for nothing! </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/AVvXsEh31p22Wpg0BUcjci8AWUNVcQSk2SBqSv4JehRoJhoixmTUGd-G6yKD3bjwyu6hFo_nEzXYy096dU4TOlC5bqIEYMlsck-uocKTFOCxYtgJacPCfRW68CFakLIJ73NBNR-cwoVfzNlOjZZX1tAx9ywG6IhIpD7VrpcPUImkNP3OaPI6bshRa2En_ai2TA/s1400/DSC04560.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1400" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31p22Wpg0BUcjci8AWUNVcQSk2SBqSv4JehRoJhoixmTUGd-G6yKD3bjwyu6hFo_nEzXYy096dU4TOlC5bqIEYMlsck-uocKTFOCxYtgJacPCfRW68CFakLIJ73NBNR-cwoVfzNlOjZZX1tAx9ywG6IhIpD7VrpcPUImkNP3OaPI6bshRa2En_ai2TA/w640-h494/DSC04560.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjlYN09TSM23CCfXFPZwkUXdq9CnboCTARcwLG-nuNrH22imF79k-Y_UHmQf49NDLTPh5556CnN0KQqMBA1hYtpjAZL6rdxZCRLdM4CHHuLQa38S8GSer-jxpa3FFqfAIyeNUl-7a7JHWv-uFkiz8wdlD8dkgqibPYbTAXRVaN6CDI9qgudU_VAfKEs3Q/s1243/DSC04556.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1243" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYN09TSM23CCfXFPZwkUXdq9CnboCTARcwLG-nuNrH22imF79k-Y_UHmQf49NDLTPh5556CnN0KQqMBA1hYtpjAZL6rdxZCRLdM4CHHuLQa38S8GSer-jxpa3FFqfAIyeNUl-7a7JHWv-uFkiz8wdlD8dkgqibPYbTAXRVaN6CDI9qgudU_VAfKEs3Q/w640-h554/DSC04556.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; text-align: start;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: start;">Part of a trail of marine species dotted around the island, this is the real skeleton of a </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Cuvier's beaked whale<span style="text-align: start;"> (</span><i style="animation-delay: -0.01ms; animation-duration: 0.01ms; animation-iteration-count: 1; scroll-behavior: auto; text-align: start; transition-duration: 0ms;">Ziphius cavirostris</i><span style="text-align: start;">) was found beached in El Cotillo in July 2004.</span></span></span></p></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #202122;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu8q9LY_2mu6eA_cyO6pN_iRA1_lnXu3lzKZI50EtyFDVbrPQqfQwkTBKjP651RIP8R3BF4dkf9iuV4JjrxF6NwQ2oNRUfEELOD3nalYe5Vu3AL2V3uzC4sjDnZzlumn4WfBpS5rdhHTKuzJ6zaNQmBqm8AuNHmOCYOyyHPkIiXhGIVl2WW_kVtCGRw/s1200/DSC04541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu8q9LY_2mu6eA_cyO6pN_iRA1_lnXu3lzKZI50EtyFDVbrPQqfQwkTBKjP651RIP8R3BF4dkf9iuV4JjrxF6NwQ2oNRUfEELOD3nalYe5Vu3AL2V3uzC4sjDnZzlumn4WfBpS5rdhHTKuzJ6zaNQmBqm8AuNHmOCYOyyHPkIiXhGIVl2WW_kVtCGRw/w512-h640/DSC04541.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgtb8FyMOCCM3z6wiDHiujM3YVk7R2S2VdWF58_ZGtWjuX88oA70C5-Buv9dNRY4xuaXySpHgRfkBN-UuVZRPxmNLjRrzl4dQr1Qg5rzrcd8RpMMGq41WN1DXPe9tT88PZa3YGpWUpJ2G8L9kaGtOu7nFsM8J17DzzIavBXGDbglorWRhRgzweczYPGWQ/s1616/DSC04530.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb8FyMOCCM3z6wiDHiujM3YVk7R2S2VdWF58_ZGtWjuX88oA70C5-Buv9dNRY4xuaXySpHgRfkBN-UuVZRPxmNLjRrzl4dQr1Qg5rzrcd8RpMMGq41WN1DXPe9tT88PZa3YGpWUpJ2G8L9kaGtOu7nFsM8J17DzzIavBXGDbglorWRhRgzweczYPGWQ/w640-h428/DSC04530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">El Cotillo has four beaches, each one completely different. El Concho, with its white talcum powder sand and turquoise water wouldn't have been out of place in the Caribbean.</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/AVvXsEiGWnp1fccKvSmtO3Ywk9cdMyopurFZow7SaWW4UTLOjhpury3DY5Zm8qhv2xdZHc4GuRNwWLDrbtqjn1jtzAwVBBVVoWWLcHZ-guZ2W73b5YGPAr3jjyBlRdLQ1Kgzm4kNLQqlA0IS52Isw2jYn64LFeTtjYHKxTxhHrxakc_xDveRBDQ8uNiLOvTCXw/s1547/DSC04521.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1547" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWnp1fccKvSmtO3Ywk9cdMyopurFZow7SaWW4UTLOjhpury3DY5Zm8qhv2xdZHc4GuRNwWLDrbtqjn1jtzAwVBBVVoWWLcHZ-guZ2W73b5YGPAr3jjyBlRdLQ1Kgzm4kNLQqlA0IS52Isw2jYn64LFeTtjYHKxTxhHrxakc_xDveRBDQ8uNiLOvTCXw/w640-h406/DSC04521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYD9pzBJ_p8l1Sb_WUJkbZgTdJ8LEgi8wBwsP0PLU-1V7FvZzHFmGR_jBmpTe09BycaQIx4XzhodCCOrfqZ7ilQHPczh6CJc-32h8gbcvIWEWPoipI9bdDtZl3fTxPSVBqmfBSBc0391Us_Jqq5tQiJvn6_ek5ufbWTNZeZvPXlNs7AwuKrE2vo5gsA/s1616/DSC04519.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYD9pzBJ_p8l1Sb_WUJkbZgTdJ8LEgi8wBwsP0PLU-1V7FvZzHFmGR_jBmpTe09BycaQIx4XzhodCCOrfqZ7ilQHPczh6CJc-32h8gbcvIWEWPoipI9bdDtZl3fTxPSVBqmfBSBc0391Us_Jqq5tQiJvn6_ek5ufbWTNZeZvPXlNs7AwuKrE2vo5gsA/w640-h428/DSC04519.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiJ972cQBhxwh-A_KvcZIsOOGDw7ODpibBLqKFo2DoOepdoHrUe_ah4__wykqoN-Tu6kSDJ1kSDOebl1ZRSkKgLdobXBTFt7Uvs9LH1XLgx9uji-HRBThCUW5Z_Ijh6PM6i0rdi7D37tPOQYZ_75xFEZ0IVvcxz8URf3WXmRjHzsKe4rgw_pIQ2EMdw/s1216/DSC04517.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1031" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiJ972cQBhxwh-A_KvcZIsOOGDw7ODpibBLqKFo2DoOepdoHrUe_ah4__wykqoN-Tu6kSDJ1kSDOebl1ZRSkKgLdobXBTFt7Uvs9LH1XLgx9uji-HRBThCUW5Z_Ijh6PM6i0rdi7D37tPOQYZ_75xFEZ0IVvcxz8URf3WXmRjHzsKe4rgw_pIQ2EMdw/w542-h640/DSC04517.JPG" width="542" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS31584qjH8dU5GxL_pjUxF2ktZYvJXVWihPCQRCKWss1IhSn31yEfv2WUSvNwIQcfjvUNaHZJOEYsAVo_BwTBQED3UoPrBfS-AmGEvU2wwGBEofNZx2ZjHuu3MZ6PpiCMu2QKPS3kzlOFJo1I6VwLwsYi3VRnsRnw3VlRts-XXOyR0rEib2QVO1llQ/s1616/DSC04511.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS31584qjH8dU5GxL_pjUxF2ktZYvJXVWihPCQRCKWss1IhSn31yEfv2WUSvNwIQcfjvUNaHZJOEYsAVo_BwTBQED3UoPrBfS-AmGEvU2wwGBEofNZx2ZjHuu3MZ6PpiCMu2QKPS3kzlOFJo1I6VwLwsYi3VRnsRnw3VlRts-XXOyR0rEib2QVO1llQ/w640-h428/DSC04511.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgOsECCEEte-Y9fswkYTaxtrh-3fTUf5c_8XyGDNat-3XGgIyQHbcXkSG0XoNbFWErhq1yJ4KGuXEWRAbJPzcc9E-MAjbZnS6gQCl36xhhUfxdzh3C0vn0sx88EuflVL1MHI-LNmpkzU5S25k5yk_SAkZHL0We68vi8DFxxNE-huuK1rrHwmA1KKCl3yQ/s3359/20240311_214203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3359" data-original-width="2179" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsECCEEte-Y9fswkYTaxtrh-3fTUf5c_8XyGDNat-3XGgIyQHbcXkSG0XoNbFWErhq1yJ4KGuXEWRAbJPzcc9E-MAjbZnS6gQCl36xhhUfxdzh3C0vn0sx88EuflVL1MHI-LNmpkzU5S25k5yk_SAkZHL0We68vi8DFxxNE-huuK1rrHwmA1KKCl3yQ/w416-h640/20240311_214203.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't come to El Cotillo expecting lively nightlife, by 10pm we were often the last to leave the restaurant, walking home along deserted streets, drinking rum and cola on the balcony as quietly as we could, the only guests at Tao still awake.</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/AVvXsEiDfBCGiQy5CxT6v-CV_wx809m5d4xDfACVFQ5stXi2QsB5hmsClD0JnWCrgW_ZNFP0ya3mhMMbNvM7u8xrXBmple-RcDOpMYxuyYsCE4llipb-JApklDKUYtazdQ_n2vDrvNDTT-YWRF1jg78vGaN6PAdWmQ6pXHN27dSHUXVYecKvf1_NE3agm2dQ-g/s4080/20240310_192007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfBCGiQy5CxT6v-CV_wx809m5d4xDfACVFQ5stXi2QsB5hmsClD0JnWCrgW_ZNFP0ya3mhMMbNvM7u8xrXBmple-RcDOpMYxuyYsCE4llipb-JApklDKUYtazdQ_n2vDrvNDTT-YWRF1jg78vGaN6PAdWmQ6pXHN27dSHUXVYecKvf1_NE3agm2dQ-g/w360-h640/20240310_192007.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We didn't discover rock bar, <i>Coyote</i>, run by Swiss musician Axel until our penultimate night. If you love rock, you'll like this place as much as we did.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxvRuU98zDaCA8BESOmMBG231qZqu2V4U8TaWlrBWuWOvoc14bF8syrYWzEozGExo8r1oI740iNUmWxMlsQDrtRR_f9b1ATFanBVqy_wumhS8z376xeEb7wJhfCUHQEzlcL9aZBL3LxOC7ucyTMrjAkCqzZLf7jkFKCgKh5kYa0yK1uWW6TwyVp7gbA/s4080/20240310_190743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxvRuU98zDaCA8BESOmMBG231qZqu2V4U8TaWlrBWuWOvoc14bF8syrYWzEozGExo8r1oI740iNUmWxMlsQDrtRR_f9b1ATFanBVqy_wumhS8z376xeEb7wJhfCUHQEzlcL9aZBL3LxOC7ucyTMrjAkCqzZLf7jkFKCgKh5kYa0yK1uWW6TwyVp7gbA/w640-h360/20240310_190743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another favourite was <i>La Morocha</i>, an Argentinian rock bar (can you see a theme developing?)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ftxCqRWt2X9hFLoWGRJCbkmDQ-cNvyZYlOZBarE2qUO0z20NzBT7ArxcwsLxpnPSRDT4rWPIPqi5KEL209XhgRAP5-HsYKXqkDwT5izvN6uQrj-poFq5pPYsvlCbIeb2FX3zu0mZ8RlZhQxLrg7f_-9rFHBP9G1kU9puO_TGQr5ea6npaaCa9WTVyg/s2492/20240310_154024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="2492" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ftxCqRWt2X9hFLoWGRJCbkmDQ-cNvyZYlOZBarE2qUO0z20NzBT7ArxcwsLxpnPSRDT4rWPIPqi5KEL209XhgRAP5-HsYKXqkDwT5izvN6uQrj-poFq5pPYsvlCbIeb2FX3zu0mZ8RlZhQxLrg7f_-9rFHBP9G1kU9puO_TGQr5ea6npaaCa9WTVyg/w640-h444/20240310_154024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">A great spot for a pre-dinner <i>Dorada</i> or <i>Tropical</i> (the local Canarian beers) or a post-beach glass of Sangria, a drink we'd both not tasted since the 1980s and so good that I'm not sure why we left it so long to try again!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV1G7INZqmyToYbT0rCcmRFp6uHs4iLzXFxk3QhzBE4g32extIzAu65ZZpFADAmC1QTNpVlmeHMQnHIerMoF4qrmkGO8F5dCUVUmYiu-cShqIU4DGkAjN0Z-cO8vJyXFZmqyDtvT63I7oDyZx6xe8ks2wbLpjWchM6j0HjVUIeGdIJxd6UQAR9KLU2g/s3264/20240310_153806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV1G7INZqmyToYbT0rCcmRFp6uHs4iLzXFxk3QhzBE4g32extIzAu65ZZpFADAmC1QTNpVlmeHMQnHIerMoF4qrmkGO8F5dCUVUmYiu-cShqIU4DGkAjN0Z-cO8vJyXFZmqyDtvT63I7oDyZx6xe8ks2wbLpjWchM6j0HjVUIeGdIJxd6UQAR9KLU2g/w360-h640/20240310_153806.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The deserted streets of El Cotillo!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsIpV1jQw9Gkit5EIFwELlwmPJomqJ1dWhbZgKMg5eZilZD3pD4HEZyT7a9ws1jOK-1x_hizltF0j-dq8Cl2-SBKUGS1gsjvPY8cqCLKCmSnCf0d1JK6r03kr2GSQRUMLGphm8Nj3lHoW0PpMVYlYbp0NdtM03LWuben55m9LSnJyJ996_X-t5BDTsQ/s3264/20240309_213007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsIpV1jQw9Gkit5EIFwELlwmPJomqJ1dWhbZgKMg5eZilZD3pD4HEZyT7a9ws1jOK-1x_hizltF0j-dq8Cl2-SBKUGS1gsjvPY8cqCLKCmSnCf0d1JK6r03kr2GSQRUMLGphm8Nj3lHoW0PpMVYlYbp0NdtM03LWuben55m9LSnJyJ996_X-t5BDTsQ/w360-h640/20240309_213007.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEivB8VpKviVGGVXOJedwOckLjoAUoQKrsSWvps7nd_ZZQQFr7DKumFR0l_VDWUac5hE2SCAkUHL32lBKdAjlfwmUXmC_zwWaupxX8bUT74FP52RJR7Nth_i38t5E82oCU-YXEoVjOer8YS1UimC_g__RHWpHYYsjrzOS4YdZ5Amn01PsthBt6qwCsaRrQ/s4080/20240309_190139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB8VpKviVGGVXOJedwOckLjoAUoQKrsSWvps7nd_ZZQQFr7DKumFR0l_VDWUac5hE2SCAkUHL32lBKdAjlfwmUXmC_zwWaupxX8bUT74FP52RJR7Nth_i38t5E82oCU-YXEoVjOer8YS1UimC_g__RHWpHYYsjrzOS4YdZ5Amn01PsthBt6qwCsaRrQ/w640-h360/20240309_190139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">El Cotillo has a reputation for live music and around sunset you'll doubtlessly stumble across a few acoustic sets in the bars dotted around the harbour. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJji-VddmDBNhEGiNgP8dgfsbgYDPrF5DGKkNRlSGdF63xzN7PkvcSwFdRjU81q2O5Mo-2Xni2vUW6ynn8GzWsSrBa0I711trN8tPNE2rrn5zQLRRtVh2mnru3FwVf37QZRLPZeh6j7e83TQ_OlnMJKSdRIfkgdmq2EJBM32lznKlYHpfT8A8dzTXDw/s4080/20240308_202838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJji-VddmDBNhEGiNgP8dgfsbgYDPrF5DGKkNRlSGdF63xzN7PkvcSwFdRjU81q2O5Mo-2Xni2vUW6ynn8GzWsSrBa0I711trN8tPNE2rrn5zQLRRtVh2mnru3FwVf37QZRLPZeh6j7e83TQ_OlnMJKSdRIfkgdmq2EJBM32lznKlYHpfT8A8dzTXDw/w360-h640/20240308_202838.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And on Fridays, in the main square between 5.30 and 9pm, you'll find a buzzing artisan market.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNkapNRuBmFJkw4nv5khjetK1KQ4KWZPBEIaA8wITkjZGC8bGsQMGNdoVjalP2FtEBWgL32EL4iGU8RrOX5yrzL7Ud6sNB_RUtvNbozbJv08kHX1Gz8RwA2HFGVcKvfqDkOWRBNhN4CYTKuhcr1E06jCwxvkEe8LiRpAO9PmePFDE9fAmkmb_hl9chw/s3097/20240308_190809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3097" data-original-width="2259" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNkapNRuBmFJkw4nv5khjetK1KQ4KWZPBEIaA8wITkjZGC8bGsQMGNdoVjalP2FtEBWgL32EL4iGU8RrOX5yrzL7Ud6sNB_RUtvNbozbJv08kHX1Gz8RwA2HFGVcKvfqDkOWRBNhN4CYTKuhcr1E06jCwxvkEe8LiRpAO9PmePFDE9fAmkmb_hl9chw/w466-h640/20240308_190809.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEg4lrrELURZ3zQLybRjfbwPz5cmQBh1JYD5Lo3Wgg9nfF35fjZkQps0tM9j-1TYklSA56xKl0EnLxt4HirpK45lpmiZ797VGkHQ7rYHeT0kjY2GlOcwWAYJ9mBouKNpeacMlU2FxdIxDiPIlo2XTQBhciIUlrBKFuBZrThZ17eApVKvWc5PCA2FkGJl0Q/s3937/20240308_190758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2215" data-original-width="3937" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lrrELURZ3zQLybRjfbwPz5cmQBh1JYD5Lo3Wgg9nfF35fjZkQps0tM9j-1TYklSA56xKl0EnLxt4HirpK45lpmiZ797VGkHQ7rYHeT0kjY2GlOcwWAYJ9mBouKNpeacMlU2FxdIxDiPIlo2XTQBhciIUlrBKFuBZrThZ17eApVKvWc5PCA2FkGJl0Q/w640-h360/20240308_190758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xIIQAyc9X2HQEAXSByirzf3I4YB3YRz6IdO0L4TJBf_7FtKGd_StKzzY7S8n5rdtrJRDT56Y0Usvola0jBe8igOmd91b3t-1qMn1WWXIirmaRUEuhyoT4qEmBbx3zAIyozjyNUtayyzj7mL61048Q30TNoE0A0zJeSkrsZZOS-P7p6aRP1p3k3zD0g/s2881/20240308_190748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xIIQAyc9X2HQEAXSByirzf3I4YB3YRz6IdO0L4TJBf_7FtKGd_StKzzY7S8n5rdtrJRDT56Y0Usvola0jBe8igOmd91b3t-1qMn1WWXIirmaRUEuhyoT4qEmBbx3zAIyozjyNUtayyzj7mL61048Q30TNoE0A0zJeSkrsZZOS-P7p6aRP1p3k3zD0g/w408-h640/20240308_190748.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu8PhdoNrb0oUw-t2Ss32ll9s0ivxivI7jRJOKI3pB2Fq1OLde3Y5FL_lpskaEMk1EU6d1ri0zEhahSB39SLSpjWLYmHLPdNs1PLTZVvfL8y4wATxaVWyACUtXkxBKvUcX1RORcu6tOeUmuWWvKcAbiGj_L8Fp0CbMxqOb4Kp3KkcyG0lQyIrdPvITA/s2786/20240308_190743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2786" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu8PhdoNrb0oUw-t2Ss32ll9s0ivxivI7jRJOKI3pB2Fq1OLde3Y5FL_lpskaEMk1EU6d1ri0zEhahSB39SLSpjWLYmHLPdNs1PLTZVvfL8y4wATxaVWyACUtXkxBKvUcX1RORcu6tOeUmuWWvKcAbiGj_L8Fp0CbMxqOb4Kp3KkcyG0lQyIrdPvITA/w422-h640/20240308_190743.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">All the restaurants in the village offered great quality, authentic and freshly cooked Canarian cuisine with plenty of options for vegetarians. No Chinese buffets, no Indian curries, no burger bars or, our pet hate - laminated menus with photos of the food. <i>Papas Arrugadas</i> - wrinkled potatoes cooked in salt water - featured heavily in our diet as did Fuerteventura's world-famous <i>Majorera</i> cheese (more of that in my next post!)</p><p></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/AVvXsEgl77UBIlw3Xnj0eWHyKAsK6nApDvalu9iECU949XRa8Co0C6gue065LXjfaZmey2biRWfwy9EVL5RYqduzPfJGuKlkd6hfZnz30Jb6EXs_bZyehOO4UZOmTqR5pOrLtG2HsEzGVaHO5ORefAmN5GVJZCP8zuo5AOHSLBXYORSj7V8_IYVhTlGS0VaYFA/s1200/collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl77UBIlw3Xnj0eWHyKAsK6nApDvalu9iECU949XRa8Co0C6gue065LXjfaZmey2biRWfwy9EVL5RYqduzPfJGuKlkd6hfZnz30Jb6EXs_bZyehOO4UZOmTqR5pOrLtG2HsEzGVaHO5ORefAmN5GVJZCP8zuo5AOHSLBXYORSj7V8_IYVhTlGS0VaYFA/w640-h480/collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather in Fuerteventura was mixed, to say the least - we experienced everything from high winds and sharp showers to grey clouds and glorious sunshine. Whilst the temperatures often reached the giddy heights of 27°C by early afternoon, by night they'd plummet to 15°C (but felt much colder with the wind) but despite our minimal packing, we were ready for anything and - thankfully - most bars had heaters and offered cosy blankets so we could eat & drink al fresco.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kLfkIiloYXuxnPfsVkkDxK1bbSMPwBLuyw-o1jN_Sbzj_jhBOHECyzD4AUzCmQlpKfhAhh-2s5sGlRdczjILc35Q2fubgl4wcajivNFkhbuTi52fuvYz11RxFc31nX1KWls3mBe8LbSmeVoNT20fvRWxbtzNDPgT8JvTHPYrI2pysJe8VGaZAXZnYQ/s1024/download.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kLfkIiloYXuxnPfsVkkDxK1bbSMPwBLuyw-o1jN_Sbzj_jhBOHECyzD4AUzCmQlpKfhAhh-2s5sGlRdczjILc35Q2fubgl4wcajivNFkhbuTi52fuvYz11RxFc31nX1KWls3mBe8LbSmeVoNT20fvRWxbtzNDPgT8JvTHPYrI2pysJe8VGaZAXZnYQ/w378-h640/download.png" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bM13966sImY1zsAN21Qn5l8O1E-TvAkU45-nN4lUNPeLEaj9ish6KdhUZRMTAE11D2BbKzQZ2FIIch70e5mhGrcEcPzwtXqr0l5b2OA5xIMG9tS2DxEZ1uWZycua8ciEMIxPGGV57B9beCKVzMl7Z1AmP-tgsBuBXxrpy3biHEWBUNEwnLJjTgje9Q/s1024/download%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="999" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bM13966sImY1zsAN21Qn5l8O1E-TvAkU45-nN4lUNPeLEaj9ish6KdhUZRMTAE11D2BbKzQZ2FIIch70e5mhGrcEcPzwtXqr0l5b2OA5xIMG9tS2DxEZ1uWZycua8ciEMIxPGGV57B9beCKVzMl7Z1AmP-tgsBuBXxrpy3biHEWBUNEwnLJjTgje9Q/w624-h640/download%20(1).png" width="624" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Stay tuned for our next instalment!</div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-67032361043165255042024-03-01T17:15:00.010+00:002024-03-03T11:15:50.301+00:00Travelling Light - Packing For a Winter Sun Week Away with Carry-on Only<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7YuFoLPmihGp6Oju0Azc2B2CWC92UR3THFBjyzRirBv65NIOmVjx4AY4z6U7qL43PyIkNVkNBCpLHbjDriJ9WsIMCiJvkB00ZJSbcJiI6xCTM5ZCDyxGTNDQkrByhWVky286AR7oBj-Z-KBfKsysVlCIF43VEmXulSozOFGIvKBhtF7H-7ThnezQpw/s3828/20240301_140411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3828" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7YuFoLPmihGp6Oju0Azc2B2CWC92UR3THFBjyzRirBv65NIOmVjx4AY4z6U7qL43PyIkNVkNBCpLHbjDriJ9WsIMCiJvkB00ZJSbcJiI6xCTM5ZCDyxGTNDQkrByhWVky286AR7oBj-Z-KBfKsysVlCIF43VEmXulSozOFGIvKBhtF7H-7ThnezQpw/w384-h640/20240301_140411.jpg" width="384" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Hola! Thank you so much for your kind concern. I'm delighted to tell you that, after nearly three weeks, I'm almost back to firing on all cylinders. My vision still isn't perfect but it's much improved and, <i>hallelujah! </i>I'm pain-free. I've got another five and a half weeks on intensive steroids and will be reassessed when the course has finished. It's not the first time I've had <i>Iritis </i>although the last occurrence was over twenty years ago. As I mentioned in my last post, Iritis is an acute inflammation of the eye and thankfully pretty rare. While many sufferers have other health issues<span style="font-family: inherit;"> including <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, sarcoidosis or arthritis, 40% of patients are in good health with no underlying issues (including me, I hope!) </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Big love to the Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary at New Cross Hospital, you're amazing!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH30S7XeXsz6kx7JZ63-5jW3TwaA7JsRMA1GSC9w4C-BXjtLqe4Jx_FNyzxb2Dkuogur8SoO6hC-Qfo62Ej7AHdYRx-I6Lb-X657Oibj-VM7d3F5VVmkLResD8zcUOP606J7j21hAJUeTYtF4tZq_1kvfBNESuvE45q_Nt8bDo4EQdM0C4ucGOYnFBuQ/s2862/20240301_140432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="2076" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH30S7XeXsz6kx7JZ63-5jW3TwaA7JsRMA1GSC9w4C-BXjtLqe4Jx_FNyzxb2Dkuogur8SoO6hC-Qfo62Ej7AHdYRx-I6Lb-X657Oibj-VM7d3F5VVmkLResD8zcUOP606J7j21hAJUeTYtF4tZq_1kvfBNESuvE45q_Nt8bDo4EQdM0C4ucGOYnFBuQ/w464-h640/20240301_140432.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Whilst I've spent most of my days in a darkened room listening to audiobooks, Lord Jon's been cracking on with prepping for the redecoration of the middle room (aka The Sh*t Tip) hence those terrifying plain alcove walls, the step ladder and the propped up pictures. Goodbye wallpaper - vintage <i>Laura Ashley</i> - your days are numbered.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyKoZ1cnLhD29Yi_O7ySf8CNVFLAF1D3PTXJMp-4WDg0Gwj4xZCZj6cFxkegdx5HQlxhPuKAwTxkpzEM5swf3_FvvZKKK6hHVeg-ZFzP5L1KPNuWZsskFtybPWrvdMY8c5nlfc1qVSoddTdtKW91hgFIN5XbKelktO-uohHf4dmh9_ZLrEnOXBrdlag/s2784/20240214_131154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2784" data-original-width="1792" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyKoZ1cnLhD29Yi_O7ySf8CNVFLAF1D3PTXJMp-4WDg0Gwj4xZCZj6cFxkegdx5HQlxhPuKAwTxkpzEM5swf3_FvvZKKK6hHVeg-ZFzP5L1KPNuWZsskFtybPWrvdMY8c5nlfc1qVSoddTdtKW91hgFIN5XbKelktO-uohHf4dmh9_ZLrEnOXBrdlag/w412-h640/20240214_131154.jpg" width="412" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been living in kaftans and the one I'm wearing reminded me of the gown worn by <i>Musica</i> in Katie Bunce's Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece. It's not dissimilar to some of the Frankenfrocks I've made in the past with its eclectic mix of ethnic textiles (a block printed Indian cotton skirt, embroidered silk sleeves and a heavily embellished silk bodice) and cost a whopping £3 from Vinted! </div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0TVAykUYiKLWap4Ck-tyFB3O__XesCVA_7yTnNgl713W27jwETdlWUaTh1LFm0erkcaVjWyPvs292sMT8_X9A49wZ8e1HjCQuC9vUpRfTfki8T-bv6coXzkMVLGv6yC-poBMasm6iaRSwrI61ASp7M7hdl0bceIPgSCebCqAaFriwrgMF2dWjueUlg/s3579/20240301_140417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3579" data-original-width="2265" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0TVAykUYiKLWap4Ck-tyFB3O__XesCVA_7yTnNgl713W27jwETdlWUaTh1LFm0erkcaVjWyPvs292sMT8_X9A49wZ8e1HjCQuC9vUpRfTfki8T-bv6coXzkMVLGv6yC-poBMasm6iaRSwrI61ASp7M7hdl0bceIPgSCebCqAaFriwrgMF2dWjueUlg/w406-h640/20240301_140417.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I think we've earnt a holiday after the trauma of last few weeks so we're off very soon! Our lovely cat sitter Michelle is on standby and we've notified our insurance company of my eye issues increasing our annual policy by £30. In case you're interested we've got Staysure's award winning <a href="https://www.staysure.co.uk/over-50-travel-insurance/?ds_rl=1300312&gad_source=1&ds_rl=1300312&gclid=CjwKCAiAloavBhBOEiwAbtAJO5FsMOdSbozjmQRRcjdq6Q4GWDWTsu8anRi6bc0GOnooiR59hBuQzhoC3bYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">Over 50s Travel Insurance</a>, cracking on a bit has its advantages!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKuXxnjjw9aHB7bEuUZ6Kdrhzp-Wy5fdkkZLxpgaRtJUZ35emxoSkury6NRPb07QsYzgj0CQobgSp6r9w6ujFcX4_KqaBWq2o4EHsBKwUTZ8Vqb0bqsgrdclojEldGjVOwVa3rOpvjE9dyukpSEIbWLKgr_j8jjBYFqI_TOL3gSAb67s6ee4bW9O3-A/s2591/20240204_100358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="2072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKuXxnjjw9aHB7bEuUZ6Kdrhzp-Wy5fdkkZLxpgaRtJUZ35emxoSkury6NRPb07QsYzgj0CQobgSp6r9w6ujFcX4_KqaBWq2o4EHsBKwUTZ8Vqb0bqsgrdclojEldGjVOwVa3rOpvjE9dyukpSEIbWLKgr_j8jjBYFqI_TOL3gSAb67s6ee4bW9O3-A/w512-h640/20240204_100358.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">We're flying with Ryanair and, as usual, to keep the travel costs down, we've opted for carry-on bags only. Ryanair allows passengers a maximum of 10kg, which<u> must be stored in the overhead locker</u> and the bag must not exceed <b>55cm x 40cm x 20cm </b>(including the wheels and the handle) PLUS a small bag which <u>has to be stored under the seat in front</u> and can be no larger than <b>40cm x 20cm x 25cm. </b>My snazzy little (chazza shopped) bag measures 48cm x 35cm x 20cm so even if I stuff it to capacity I'll still be well within my limits!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2F0_NTLasdQDe7AObxEVmCw03HOztBKYO6bf8UcnZPzmPp12N6oX2Lgo7oADJD3kEVKBbhixLtYSgl8Bzf4j9KLF_vNmr4uvO-EcF39o2NBOmpO8bsdBC9PieBGYPKijgvVPMvXP7f8YVNfKOSNuXSQITszgtH8uelQthPe_hZiJvkccJAQW3dEszWg/s1970/plane%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="1092" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2F0_NTLasdQDe7AObxEVmCw03HOztBKYO6bf8UcnZPzmPp12N6oX2Lgo7oADJD3kEVKBbhixLtYSgl8Bzf4j9KLF_vNmr4uvO-EcF39o2NBOmpO8bsdBC9PieBGYPKijgvVPMvXP7f8YVNfKOSNuXSQITszgtH8uelQthPe_hZiJvkccJAQW3dEszWg/w354-h640/plane%202.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">So, without further ado, here's what I'm taking for a week-long Winter Sun holiday. We're off to the Canaries (again!) and staying in what the<i> Lonely Planet </i>describe as a <i>peaceful & traditional fishing village with a laid back vibe</i>. There's a couple of gorgeous beaches (said to be the best on the island) and some chilled out bars and restaurants. Average temperatures for March are usually around 23°C. </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/AVvXsEhc59Yq9cAmDIsxr1SlZvTvS7bwYssl-SBVy58FUpn4uJmswxl6b13B7KHRNXnh13JVHBneDDRU3-FDE8gXw4v3l1Gx9QXOYeuAn0cEV-Vl_z04C2fimgYBrGy40RVMp8QuMxdObMhLqy9GDOPm-4HO5WpzlMCxbNeKzEE7EvhnqqE8j6X-Z1iJANQy0Q/s1024/hols.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1024" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc59Yq9cAmDIsxr1SlZvTvS7bwYssl-SBVy58FUpn4uJmswxl6b13B7KHRNXnh13JVHBneDDRU3-FDE8gXw4v3l1Gx9QXOYeuAn0cEV-Vl_z04C2fimgYBrGy40RVMp8QuMxdObMhLqy9GDOPm-4HO5WpzlMCxbNeKzEE7EvhnqqE8j6X-Z1iJANQy0Q/w640-h486/hols.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm taking four cotton maxi dresses, a quilted jacket, a pair of Teva flatforms and some cowboy boots, a felt fedora, a pair of denim shorts, two Indian cotton blouses, a silk wrap, a straw clutch bag & a quilted cotton tote,one bikini and a cotton kantha scarf.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">All four of my dresses can be worn with sandals by day or cowboy boots at night & with the Anokhi quilted jacket over the top if it gets chilly in the evening (although I didn't need it in Tenerife in December). The silk wrap is primarily for lounging around in but can be worn over my dresses or my bikini if needs be. My Tevas are made for travellers, they are ultra lightweight (a pair weighs in at 241 grammes) and being waterproof I can wear them on land or sea, rain or shine. I spotted the high waisted shorts made from ethically sourced denim in the <i>Fatface</i> sale and worn with one of the two Indian cotton blouses I've packed they'll be perfect for long walks and lazy lunches in seafront cafes. The tote is big enough to accomodate beach stuff, bottles of water and grocery shopping and the straw clutch adds a bit of casual glamour by night. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2llFu8Tc3MNqZR7GAlsutJfDYMDm_vT0v2Rl6KlxocDLyR2PDmp-QgLjvcxIZchcueIabo03W2k-GVTHGOXY8aZBjTKeEek_G4HHoE512vBu0qAPj4gN11uQPL-xRXShdh1Emd5YQHcpeHCAFAwHYr9_YiWTJyi5iauAGIDe8_kdklQGRL2Zh_kLlA/s3182/20240301_113324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3182" data-original-width="2168" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2llFu8Tc3MNqZR7GAlsutJfDYMDm_vT0v2Rl6KlxocDLyR2PDmp-QgLjvcxIZchcueIabo03W2k-GVTHGOXY8aZBjTKeEek_G4HHoE512vBu0qAPj4gN11uQPL-xRXShdh1Emd5YQHcpeHCAFAwHYr9_YiWTJyi5iauAGIDe8_kdklQGRL2Zh_kLlA/w436-h640/20240301_113324.jpg" width="436" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;">I always wear some of my holiday clothes to fly in - no athleisure for this traveller! When I land I'll stuff the jacket, scarf and hat in my bag, pull down the bodice of my <i>Pink City Prints </i>maxi to bare my shoulders, chuck on my sunglasses and I'm ready for the sunshine! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">UPDATE: As we have a 20 minute walk down to the station to catch the train to Birmingham airport I wear my ancient M&S Body Sensor tights under my dress to keep me warm. They do exactly what they say and adjust to the wearer's body temperature so I won't sweat to death when I get off the plane. <a href="https://www.marksandspencer.com/3-pair-pack-60-denier-body-sensor-tights/p/clp22247985">Here's</a> the link. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaFxcv4dXsYFQ5AW5f80RPjN5q-HAOKDliqUt6hdnAHGq2l20VgFUZy9ePRRE-UxjhPgrw6IQ8t6iFdVRvQd8yqsp3WHb91OVtEwySIr9DZ_M4cd-Kxu6Mvbk7mMIX4fk6iCc_bxLuRzVBT5iuk0EdeL3HT7SnlGQVCmMtUWzGzg9tXdf77U6BkgtjA/s1024/hols2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="802" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaFxcv4dXsYFQ5AW5f80RPjN5q-HAOKDliqUt6hdnAHGq2l20VgFUZy9ePRRE-UxjhPgrw6IQ8t6iFdVRvQd8yqsp3WHb91OVtEwySIr9DZ_M4cd-Kxu6Mvbk7mMIX4fk6iCc_bxLuRzVBT5iuk0EdeL3HT7SnlGQVCmMtUWzGzg9tXdf77U6BkgtjA/w502-h640/hols2.png" width="502" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Apart from titchy stud earrings, I don't bother with jewellery until I'm through security - it's bad enough trying to navigate the X-ray machine with a prosthetic hip, a nose ring and a navel piercing without a pile of heavy metal activating the alarms. I'll pop my rings and bangles on once I'm in the airside branch of <i>Wetherspoons</i>. In addition to my six rings and two tribal bangles, I'm taking three pairs of earrings, a belt, my reactolite varifocals and one pair of sunglasses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcznyZqd5sQxHYXgy6JCOurW95Qidh1gmEwJC0lIRqdLEOKkPGceMXiCrJoJ9AqYN2aDzfSVMjg0HEb8rV5FCyckI1XgEwDoDxzwk4vYoKiZJD-q2Ieb29A_Eo13cTc1hbiHj9rwt3RHhyphenhyphenNK3To-yus1F0FZXkT6vN1wb8seiJox3agPF-P11NPxLIA/s1920/thumbnail_20240301_114251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="1920" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcznyZqd5sQxHYXgy6JCOurW95Qidh1gmEwJC0lIRqdLEOKkPGceMXiCrJoJ9AqYN2aDzfSVMjg0HEb8rV5FCyckI1XgEwDoDxzwk4vYoKiZJD-q2Ieb29A_Eo13cTc1hbiHj9rwt3RHhyphenhyphenNK3To-yus1F0FZXkT6vN1wb8seiJox3agPF-P11NPxLIA/w640-h628/thumbnail_20240301_114251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm taking my trusty <i>Nabaiji</i> towel (Decathlon, £7.99), which is two years old and still going strong. The large size is perfect for the beach and rolls up to almost nothing. I try and wash my hair as little as possible so a shower cap is an essential. I'm packing two pairs of socks and two pairs of knickers - one to wash and one to wear - so easy to rinse in the shower in the evening. These amazing "Cognac" <i>Zero Feel Sloggi Tangas</i> were from <a href="https://www.sockshop.co.uk/products/ladies-2-pack-sloggi-zero-feel-seamfree-tanga-knickers?colour=Cognac">Sockshop</a> (reduced from £33.99 to £5.99), I always stock up when they're on sale and because I'm not a "normal" size they almost always are! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYoGEzK-_dVHCsq7KENsIgOz28bimRg6SD7KOs9iPOgK_oGFqu6alBVhIRGMj_sCYJSkQ0f3XXaxVtEorSZfsRHMYWVwbxDJ9KMnwgV_nVzI0S3QfvNs9kX3OwszbAUWbMbw2kJJsNBJQh6lrkzfPLjONtTlt100v23a53Uco9PHYSAJcpLG-KJK0Xw/s2341/thumbnail_20240301_114512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2341" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYoGEzK-_dVHCsq7KENsIgOz28bimRg6SD7KOs9iPOgK_oGFqu6alBVhIRGMj_sCYJSkQ0f3XXaxVtEorSZfsRHMYWVwbxDJ9KMnwgV_nVzI0S3QfvNs9kX3OwszbAUWbMbw2kJJsNBJQh6lrkzfPLjONtTlt100v23a53Uco9PHYSAJcpLG-KJK0Xw/w524-h640/thumbnail_20240301_114512.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Hair stuff!</b> The island we're going to can be windy (although I don't remember it troubling us when we visited in 1998) so I've packed plenty of bands and my hair stick. If, like me, your hair is a law unto itself, invest in a <a href="https://www.tangleteezer.com/">Tangle Teezer</a>, it's a game changer. If all else fails I can fashion my kantha scarf into an turban. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuz251BsS40rX54waVuBFZFTWhzIOHtifmd3sO7NS-FelIdOSedvreeP-o93ySzAYehmILD34YtsGvLr28oFiX_DmZRgvR3YNHCswwYTEXdE4Sj25EEucTBJT4sug6_EAlnBLyVV9Rnep0Vh95nE1iw6lbPlEP_P7sAMNba3OpGge30ubRwmFFD7Xuw/s1920/thumbnail_20240301_111532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuz251BsS40rX54waVuBFZFTWhzIOHtifmd3sO7NS-FelIdOSedvreeP-o93ySzAYehmILD34YtsGvLr28oFiX_DmZRgvR3YNHCswwYTEXdE4Sj25EEucTBJT4sug6_EAlnBLyVV9Rnep0Vh95nE1iw6lbPlEP_P7sAMNba3OpGge30ubRwmFFD7Xuw/w640-h480/thumbnail_20240301_111532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Make-up:</b> 30 x magnifying mirror, <i>Tempting</i> eyeshadow, black waterproof eyeliner, <i>Teal Rush</i> nail paint, black <i>Feature Length</i> mascara, pencil sharpener, light brown eyebrow pencil (all by Barry M), <i>Milani</i> lipstick in <i>Blossom</i>, MUA <i>Watermelon</i> cream blush, mini tweezers and an eyeshadow brush.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqit2eI94MqThmat9nWdEz7g0Pq8RJatkPP3_e-NdYOMl_PpQ2d64qAr258Ahwx3SaeTkYt_9HABJwRK97WYDnsuMsOX-Kwu8DntU0aYRuzTVuJugj3Lt-oY9Moupm5zWy_wT2BRswjDPGMGpAQ4SknzxxqDVM1MSXsg8Kj0n0r3gL2RZZ5qGLrgKfXw/s2470/20240301_110432%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="2221" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqit2eI94MqThmat9nWdEz7g0Pq8RJatkPP3_e-NdYOMl_PpQ2d64qAr258Ahwx3SaeTkYt_9HABJwRK97WYDnsuMsOX-Kwu8DntU0aYRuzTVuJugj3Lt-oY9Moupm5zWy_wT2BRswjDPGMGpAQ4SknzxxqDVM1MSXsg8Kj0n0r3gL2RZZ5qGLrgKfXw/w576-h640/20240301_110432%20(1).jpg" width="576" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Toiletries:</i> Bamboo cotton buds, <i>Barry M </i>reusable makeup remover wipes, <i>Nivea Double Effect</i> eye-makeup remover decanted into a 20ml bottle, razor, <i>Lush</i> shampoo and conditioning bars, <i>Patounis</i> soap (bought in Corfu) and bamboo soap dish, my prescription meds for my eyes, <i>Superdrug</i> hyaluronic hair serum, Lush <i>Karma</i> solid parfum, <i>Superdrug</i> hyaluronic facial booster (an amazing lightweight moisturiser), my bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, Factor 30 facial sun cream (shall buy body stuff when we get there - it's cheaper in the Canaries) and interdentals. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Not pictured - a pack of <a href="https://pestects.co.uk/products/mosquito-repellent-bracelet-12-pack?variant=44128072237339">Pestects mosquito repellent bracelets</a> (now on their third trip and still no bites!), Jon's toothbrush, razor & shaving cream, chargers & leads, plasters, ibuprofen and nail kit. I'm also taking my camera which, unlike other tech, can be taken through security in your carry-on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDz_Ww3LDR1cwIv3El9XqhjdBuzlPn0fEBBY6tppA8g8WbGbMbBKAEduu7LqKXTfs0DhBPvI1rUqfnVN_hAQN7ZjckQKbt73MA_dWl_D4tnwkfzn2c9MCzGGD8brkqtn9ppMWBn1ioWNVRhXm7dFuVsQk3JaOji8Akw2tcCWzSAOeeAEhQWNiVJIawA/s2560/20240301_110923%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="2560" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDz_Ww3LDR1cwIv3El9XqhjdBuzlPn0fEBBY6tppA8g8WbGbMbBKAEduu7LqKXTfs0DhBPvI1rUqfnVN_hAQN7ZjckQKbt73MA_dWl_D4tnwkfzn2c9MCzGGD8brkqtn9ppMWBn1ioWNVRhXm7dFuVsQk3JaOji8Akw2tcCWzSAOeeAEhQWNiVJIawA/w640-h544/20240301_110923%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">The rules:</b><span style="text-align: left;"> the amount of liquids, creams, pastes, gels and sprays are still restricted to containers of 100ml or less. These have to be taken through security in a clear plastic bag measuring no more than 20cm x 20cm and its strictly one bag per person. As soon you you pass through security you can transfer them to your cabin bag.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQKW12K0na1j69VtoXZRbvYLGBH8-vBVUR2dP5t7OL41rRAJflV0SFC4eHK613kdljtOWZl8bKTNLw8gvCpKYhrf7Rb0GRWO2_j-asa_83yoAwJEx6eva_HqFIhsOODbSwFLMVblNGbuhsm1UfuEOaR4m6k_BgJW8_CeNBCknMPpaWn5NFRysFM7ulA/s1920/thumbnail_20240301_111617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="1920" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQKW12K0na1j69VtoXZRbvYLGBH8-vBVUR2dP5t7OL41rRAJflV0SFC4eHK613kdljtOWZl8bKTNLw8gvCpKYhrf7Rb0GRWO2_j-asa_83yoAwJEx6eva_HqFIhsOODbSwFLMVblNGbuhsm1UfuEOaR4m6k_BgJW8_CeNBCknMPpaWn5NFRysFM7ulA/w640-h540/thumbnail_20240301_111617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Both my toilet bags are recent chazza shop finds, I can never have too many! We use the same ziplock food bags for our liquids every time we fly, you can tell how old they are, they're from Wilko.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN92dHbAopdNBdyruOkyLa0NqcM_HhNjAkqBqgifCD9_uL3cxQ5inCuQ-qlMMfC_fZTReu_KR1wThdZQSbiMJ2sGBMceBrbKt47xddB3-7Rrf0etjCwPXCnkPFoSOxFgRwSKLNzPjPErQOvoQA-3iLPrSVNQhPywhsVh27uX_CnqNUBOMnvS1IWBgRRg/s2121/thumbnail_20240301_110752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN92dHbAopdNBdyruOkyLa0NqcM_HhNjAkqBqgifCD9_uL3cxQ5inCuQ-qlMMfC_fZTReu_KR1wThdZQSbiMJ2sGBMceBrbKt47xddB3-7Rrf0etjCwPXCnkPFoSOxFgRwSKLNzPjPErQOvoQA-3iLPrSVNQhPywhsVh27uX_CnqNUBOMnvS1IWBgRRg/w580-h640/thumbnail_20240301_110752.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This bag, which came with one of my <i>Dilli Grey</i> dresses, is small enough for my allocated personal bag. Once I've passed through security and stowed most of my liquids in my carry-on, I'll just need my glasses, eye meds, lipstick, noise cancelling headphones, phone, purse and e-reader. In case of a spectacular tech failure, Jon's got paper copies of our train, plane and accommodation bookings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_bCBZ6nH0i7Tz5sgUTEU72pCpEDxHZv5Dhy0rWOaKnTWWXV0SmRVI2rpgUCukp70_-Rb_X9tWjPDCapX-DdlPMGj00kzBPeEfuXrDM6LXzqGx_x8jGkESnOhtOc-aNuugCAm8T5e2Uaz7SZsUpPuqqF1gynGehAR27ngbzPigb-KUUYGpt2KRUNdJA/s1359/thumbnail_DSC04502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_bCBZ6nH0i7Tz5sgUTEU72pCpEDxHZv5Dhy0rWOaKnTWWXV0SmRVI2rpgUCukp70_-Rb_X9tWjPDCapX-DdlPMGj00kzBPeEfuXrDM6LXzqGx_x8jGkESnOhtOc-aNuugCAm8T5e2Uaz7SZsUpPuqqF1gynGehAR27ngbzPigb-KUUYGpt2KRUNdJA/w462-h640/thumbnail_DSC04502.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the fully packed carry-on bag....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2wRUOGZDPTo48n6bYgIP_WalCkwVrav42bL1lSgcOsHEKvRIljAl9vo01GvkLOdnhURn8_ylCvoTBptOM7qhCj3r91NvIq8Pnk-Ua6S1lw0fHib4iLIRI-negIw2NWbpfkDV3X9UIaP7FSMTZPbSFS7FTjK_RzeZfAEsPLwdLoBJVuUVVIs-2SCwTA/s1722/plane%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1722" data-original-width="1148" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2wRUOGZDPTo48n6bYgIP_WalCkwVrav42bL1lSgcOsHEKvRIljAl9vo01GvkLOdnhURn8_ylCvoTBptOM7qhCj3r91NvIq8Pnk-Ua6S1lw0fHib4iLIRI-negIw2NWbpfkDV3X9UIaP7FSMTZPbSFS7FTjK_RzeZfAEsPLwdLoBJVuUVVIs-2SCwTA/w426-h640/plane%203.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Weighing in at a mere 4kg! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXWkAtuUIia_KDNeepVUfkNcO_GblW8YHjr7DrsKD0tCBEKi906h71CjsWskIGZmuBcoThJgLo_8gL5C4dau5IU-jIzRMVxrHm2h8uwXG0PfE2t6HjELqRb-hj_sxDrTZxdxFcZEk1_NURYTC9P8kdR7yV43GULXRe3h7kggug9ZW0Cl8v1lFmQNvOA/s1805/plane1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="1016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXWkAtuUIia_KDNeepVUfkNcO_GblW8YHjr7DrsKD0tCBEKi906h71CjsWskIGZmuBcoThJgLo_8gL5C4dau5IU-jIzRMVxrHm2h8uwXG0PfE2t6HjELqRb-hj_sxDrTZxdxFcZEk1_NURYTC9P8kdR7yV43GULXRe3h7kggug9ZW0Cl8v1lFmQNvOA/w360-h640/plane1.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not off just yet, I'm just over-excited having been cooped up indoors for what feels like an eternity. Now I can tolerate light again I'll be catching up with all that I've missed in Blogland over the weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loads of love, Vix </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xxx</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-35419538494480221632024-02-20T07:10:00.004+00:002024-02-21T08:23:43.704+00:00I Am The One in Ten (Thousand)<p></p><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/AVvXsEhqyZ3DYCEZQmGgf_si-Kme7qXuNCxSAqt8R_qg_f5j1B-BVvR8YmXC4iOIPRoaWdyahw-VTYqoIYfRliUJYIlKFmRgiyGuYvHxuA2Bfvgxd6vihXSwWAdh3q9qVltRjwQdxaWnfS92U5ZFKcHqZR8qgVSgrEaRMklNov11OeroahyqpW8-HBauCFPQZQ/s1500/blind.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyZ3DYCEZQmGgf_si-Kme7qXuNCxSAqt8R_qg_f5j1B-BVvR8YmXC4iOIPRoaWdyahw-VTYqoIYfRliUJYIlKFmRgiyGuYvHxuA2Bfvgxd6vihXSwWAdh3q9qVltRjwQdxaWnfS92U5ZFKcHqZR8qgVSgrEaRMklNov11OeroahyqpW8-HBauCFPQZQ/w640-h640/blind.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How bloody ironic! Days after admiring the <i>The Blind Girl</i> in Birmingham Art Gallery I've become the subject of the painting. <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/uveitis/">Uveitis</a> is rare eye condition, affecting one in ten thousand of the population and of course, one of those had to be me! I'm hoping that blitzing it with the intensive course of steroids I've been prescribed will help recover the vision in my right eye and normal service will be resumed shortly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-53162218484645249962024-02-16T17:07:00.004+00:002024-02-16T18:50:06.938+00:00Victorian Radicals - A Sight for Sore Eyes<p></p><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/AVvXsEhjOUdkI2Sr_Zd77gsSJW-yQvO-GqbYUJBH2sNbZUr5QjcidEpVnnxsN3-EP-b7-8a4q1GE3s3Rh9ylcwMfowPvyk53Ml6LfOOh4EmphLZQMFVxWk2wGx48sVdiRDqU1oHIcIWsSQuFQXL9cG4-1Wwfgn9f3ILVgDJueKWFfIHf1pO1B9C0FUFtvgj4cQ/s1024/download%20(4).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1019" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOUdkI2Sr_Zd77gsSJW-yQvO-GqbYUJBH2sNbZUr5QjcidEpVnnxsN3-EP-b7-8a4q1GE3s3Rh9ylcwMfowPvyk53Ml6LfOOh4EmphLZQMFVxWk2wGx48sVdiRDqU1oHIcIWsSQuFQXL9cG4-1Wwfgn9f3ILVgDJueKWFfIHf1pO1B9C0FUFtvgj4cQ/w636-h640/download%20(4).png" width="636" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apologies for my absence from Blogland this week, I'm having eye issues and needed to limit my screen time. I had to laugh when I spotted a box of Pop Art occlusion patches in a charity shop earlier today, they might help explain away the reason why I'm stumbling around in sunglasses in the middle of Winter!</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/AVvXsEgg1d9_bLTiF2ZXjfvatTPoZnHvQo8v-DU0d6IugExSGtIcw1Mjpcx7eWwGGlak-oxvFUvOmKCUh3yk3awcVXzjFGY7Uzxtgmfy6UY7Z9yOFXuRqvE6atAUoYUKeK30fSQKYYOYLkgTPMQX0Ik91Vt9HiRzMVDGCKgOx73IGnY7CD8tn3QI4iMvzw9muA/s3264/eye.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2687" data-original-width="3264" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1d9_bLTiF2ZXjfvatTPoZnHvQo8v-DU0d6IugExSGtIcw1Mjpcx7eWwGGlak-oxvFUvOmKCUh3yk3awcVXzjFGY7Uzxtgmfy6UY7Z9yOFXuRqvE6atAUoYUKeK30fSQKYYOYLkgTPMQX0Ik91Vt9HiRzMVDGCKgOx73IGnY7CD8tn3QI4iMvzw9muA/w640-h526/eye.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> Anyway, enough of my woes. On Wednesday I caught the train over to Birmingham to catch up with my pal, Annie, who I'd not seen since Birmingham hosted The Commonwealth Games back in the Summer of 2022. As Annie buses it into town, we met outside The Rotunda and she treated me to a pint in The Old Joint Stock on Temple Street, one of Birmingham's most beautiful Victorian pubs.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttZn0wcnu-jo7QkbTQeYxkxARbM4XySirUzAmffSylezdPfkSmtln9i0Vmo6iG0TEUpfwCkqTk_FHlq7H83J5ocxZQmZl5vQgb9PovJBne-U2z058ZouoC5maynKZPe-UXw_hsBxWfqxaOlq98hcySHWAuUWuUF8ke54VTvpzerBzgNrJVSXQSlAMhQ/s4080/20240214_111025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttZn0wcnu-jo7QkbTQeYxkxARbM4XySirUzAmffSylezdPfkSmtln9i0Vmo6iG0TEUpfwCkqTk_FHlq7H83J5ocxZQmZl5vQgb9PovJBne-U2z058ZouoC5maynKZPe-UXw_hsBxWfqxaOlq98hcySHWAuUWuUF8ke54VTvpzerBzgNrJVSXQSlAMhQ/w360-h640/20240214_111025.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-F2I-V0UZJ8lbM0dgo_gNv_699lk4o4V1m9suxN6J5Mjp2b-WXu2SUfpS1ZitWt8KFRZYPZN_GRJ60osGm3GxqhoFk8IqEBmqwK0qvF2Ius-N_QLyUcu0St-2S9_Bn9WdXN0HgZjOCUuFsfWuVsn_KsgsToao1jF5A4lChajWatlgJi1t-CRmi0X0Q/s1875/brum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="1875" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-F2I-V0UZJ8lbM0dgo_gNv_699lk4o4V1m9suxN6J5Mjp2b-WXu2SUfpS1ZitWt8KFRZYPZN_GRJ60osGm3GxqhoFk8IqEBmqwK0qvF2Ius-N_QLyUcu0St-2S9_Bn9WdXN0HgZjOCUuFsfWuVsn_KsgsToao1jF5A4lChajWatlgJi1t-CRmi0X0Q/w640-h640/brum.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Annie's off to Espana very soon so we celebrated with a Cruzcampo. (I pinched this photo from Annie!) </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rIVvCeVS597J2pAUwKzC6e7iUDkYKCURrnc2e4qnscDasNzYBzuSdXcnYPzauS8qQCp7e4RFw7KAT9I1vGp6PtjoQkJ9Mk_dXJuoUXiPJtmfjh8sjVq7FSvYCJb0jqQ3aq7dG4IIF7Fv6jjIzrlU4IcJyBVJX5cNKOp5R0CMiYRcTntIeuV9tHrfjw/s4080/20240214_111031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rIVvCeVS597J2pAUwKzC6e7iUDkYKCURrnc2e4qnscDasNzYBzuSdXcnYPzauS8qQCp7e4RFw7KAT9I1vGp6PtjoQkJ9Mk_dXJuoUXiPJtmfjh8sjVq7FSvYCJb0jqQ3aq7dG4IIF7Fv6jjIzrlU4IcJyBVJX5cNKOp5R0CMiYRcTntIeuV9tHrfjw/w360-h640/20240214_111031.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, of course, the obligatory toilet selfie. You can tell that the Old Joint Stock is posh, there's hand cream alongside the handwash!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge52mrosCaTLX4q-meyKeM-5wup0H_KvYFOsZIXyYCcukHLbFu2Y24K73n_wQrtgH6WKsCei-tt5oe30xKBVtmC7_CXyPOFnAO1Ab-B_zP_4tkl0qBYI6M06HfYFK4wiIc5Yw77G7Ehv6wz7auPyQPSoaDlsEXu7cBRJr8NZ9gsUXqmaVr2lI99RE8xQ/s2449/20240214_121143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge52mrosCaTLX4q-meyKeM-5wup0H_KvYFOsZIXyYCcukHLbFu2Y24K73n_wQrtgH6WKsCei-tt5oe30xKBVtmC7_CXyPOFnAO1Ab-B_zP_4tkl0qBYI6M06HfYFK4wiIc5Yw77G7Ehv6wz7auPyQPSoaDlsEXu7cBRJr8NZ9gsUXqmaVr2lI99RE8xQ/w280-h640/20240214_121143.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our destination was Victorian Radicals which the Birmingham Art Gallery & Museum's website described a lot better than me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #383838; font-family: Manrope, sans-serif; font-size: clamp(1.0625rem, 2.60417vw, 1.375rem); font-weight: 600; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsY8XOKAJLRKbnJhR5B-L1Ci6cSh9YJG1DpZBRAu0QhaUaL3SE8zW6V34wnGeqmo6d1i1-Bj3H0wbnaiugtRSH_71lnYBInTkcPvUn3gQ0CHl7ggOppG4-7ANcxr80JWLghSBbYV_5gCkqCtqt5dhDlXm4UGw1kObTHmBNWYoX5IJPsoUiGd03Me0cw/s2710/20240214_121741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="1841" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsY8XOKAJLRKbnJhR5B-L1Ci6cSh9YJG1DpZBRAu0QhaUaL3SE8zW6V34wnGeqmo6d1i1-Bj3H0wbnaiugtRSH_71lnYBInTkcPvUn3gQ0CHl7ggOppG4-7ANcxr80JWLghSBbYV_5gCkqCtqt5dhDlXm4UGw1kObTHmBNWYoX5IJPsoUiGd03Me0cw/w434-h640/20240214_121741.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #383838; font-family: Manrope, sans-serif; font-size: clamp(1.0625rem, 2.60417vw, 1.375rem); font-weight: 600; text-align: center;"><span face="Manrope, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-size: clamp(1.0625rem, 2.60417vw, 1.375rem); font-weight: 600; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Three generations of British artists, designers and makers revolutionised the visual arts in the second half of the nineteenth century. The Pre-Raphaelites, William Morris and his circle and the men and women of the Arts and Crafts movement transformed art and design.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: var(--content-space) 0 0 0; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Selected from the city of Birmingham's outstanding collection, Victorian Radicals presents vibrant paintings and exquisite drawings alongside jewellery, glass, textiles and metalwork to explore their radical vision for art and society.</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: var(--content-space) 0 0 0; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: var(--content-space) 0 0 0; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Fresh from an award-winning tour of the US, Victorian Radicals is the first comprehensive showing of the city’s Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts collections in Birmingham for over five years. Discover the story of the Pre-Raphaelites themselves and their influence on artists and makers well into the twentieth century – especially in Birmingham itself. Paintings made by artists including Kate Bunce, Joseph Southall and Arthur Gaskin combined the poetry and intensity of the Pre-Raphaelites’ work with a distinctive identity all their own.</i></span></p><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSISas2JLk6BLinx3v3YLLxUjDw-RpUNBvIFn63PyzSsZyDF3y9UekkkzyHmiluECtY5HIYTZYtB4Qa8yPZ4Wn53qqxMIMO_F2L3-zw9VNPQr4p1s5Tq4uxQ5LwiAOx1vz-r7he0PI41TswXcy6ai-rQcG-Snw22eUkImY3RT4iXT7Hs2cFrz_Rljwg/s3942/20240214_133821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3942" data-original-width="2163" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSISas2JLk6BLinx3v3YLLxUjDw-RpUNBvIFn63PyzSsZyDF3y9UekkkzyHmiluECtY5HIYTZYtB4Qa8yPZ4Wn53qqxMIMO_F2L3-zw9VNPQr4p1s5Tq4uxQ5LwiAOx1vz-r7he0PI41TswXcy6ai-rQcG-Snw22eUkImY3RT4iXT7Hs2cFrz_Rljwg/w352-h640/20240214_133821.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has been temporarily closed since March 2020 but reopened briefly over the duration of the 2022 Commonwealth Games attracting more than 400,000 visitors, including Annie & I. Victorian Radicals is being held in Gas Hall, which adjoins the main museum. </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/AVvXsEg1wLm9seyov4hWhttSKzsPSyNqoVEjREy8PsG3PAyPnTFXFxQ8w6pdlgRLfymmjEG4haGRK5TRUz9w3nmUEXjEzp0iLusy1znNAT7ulRCNqN09Akd49Dl7juLOuI11rK5n5W12-ttzYxRsx-aiPN1Qi53ay7P4s6Wa4DvPLB5VeeElBNpbBjfbxQRwaA/s3638/20240214_123232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="3638" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wLm9seyov4hWhttSKzsPSyNqoVEjREy8PsG3PAyPnTFXFxQ8w6pdlgRLfymmjEG4haGRK5TRUz9w3nmUEXjEzp0iLusy1znNAT7ulRCNqN09Akd49Dl7juLOuI11rK5n5W12-ttzYxRsx-aiPN1Qi53ay7P4s6Wa4DvPLB5VeeElBNpbBjfbxQRwaA/w640-h308/20240214_123232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've visited most of these artworks regularly for most of my life but due to the museum's closure it's been several years since I've seen them and they're still as astonishingly beautiful. I probably took photos of every exhibit on display, it was really hard to choose which to include in my post. </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/AVvXsEgn5NHRQ-LdSeFj8LH9pNSya5lf9UJUKDJbCjPvTu-x31aXPC-NF5h1HtZKu468QIcsg4iRQqcIHsI_sYV8jk_nQSry_UWj-4of4S5tah4ef1HGRFVHfDP_GzE8bNPNsLlpGJCsj6sttPzyoA123SG019xK-eZ8M7h4XMELW1eGx_lIrLSQm_9JMuc82A/s3172/20240214_122710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3172" data-original-width="2261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5NHRQ-LdSeFj8LH9pNSya5lf9UJUKDJbCjPvTu-x31aXPC-NF5h1HtZKu468QIcsg4iRQqcIHsI_sYV8jk_nQSry_UWj-4of4S5tah4ef1HGRFVHfDP_GzE8bNPNsLlpGJCsj6sttPzyoA123SG019xK-eZ8M7h4XMELW1eGx_lIrLSQm_9JMuc82A/w456-h640/20240214_122710.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Portrait of Dante Gabriel Rossetti (c.1882) by William Holman Hunt </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTa1kgENjjedlCAXbUGYpDr-0L2jvqCIIuAb6p0NwhL1uSTrKwy_u_guGNjtG5pVTe7E3aul0vw-5hvri5ImcxK3yrUtw9sVj3Y0u7HE2PHwhfIfRviRgYRigiMKxBUh6zQWV6_PBvseLgiMal0LamOl1k_-IplchZa7vinmIZOomQve8oQKWj4NECw/s3020/20240214_123004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="2291" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTa1kgENjjedlCAXbUGYpDr-0L2jvqCIIuAb6p0NwhL1uSTrKwy_u_guGNjtG5pVTe7E3aul0vw-5hvri5ImcxK3yrUtw9sVj3Y0u7HE2PHwhfIfRviRgYRigiMKxBUh6zQWV6_PBvseLgiMal0LamOl1k_-IplchZa7vinmIZOomQve8oQKWj4NECw/w486-h640/20240214_123004.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Elijah and The Widow's Son by Ford Maddox Brown (1864) </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgNdfCCAf8Mgs_yGK7xQjkxyeWJpvTJjpK-BYAc4ddr0ihDsdX16evySHb9XfE7ZIX53-oHjn4zipsX7hISu1KXkrYB-q_oeKp0r9WOUstzoTNwD8JqvTPNcDBMw5eFW47jfOAUbXrBwBPRbEndLtbxkYHLW2QnarSRCvRZkGm9wGGqazN_927GrTRA/s3351/20240214_123325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3351" data-original-width="2209" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgNdfCCAf8Mgs_yGK7xQjkxyeWJpvTJjpK-BYAc4ddr0ihDsdX16evySHb9XfE7ZIX53-oHjn4zipsX7hISu1KXkrYB-q_oeKp0r9WOUstzoTNwD8JqvTPNcDBMw5eFW47jfOAUbXrBwBPRbEndLtbxkYHLW2QnarSRCvRZkGm9wGGqazN_927GrTRA/w422-h640/20240214_123325.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Annunciation by Arthur Hughes (1858)</i></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/AVvXsEhGRi_2QCBpCyaIjar58cff41V2vH8pdPVdD9-Z3B7DxbtaXzW_7KL85lTqXj5Jw1KfQFUoog-GFMdcfC_GOT0FibI3Rhqvs9FHqv1yi90uvAAUIdSkVqvLH_xFlPLEuFYigyxV2oE2XJJP-_aurpFnRcxZzlq5jA_jvosNlPQQjiFhyphenhyphensdeieIrH6-wuw/s2386/20240214_123404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2386" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRi_2QCBpCyaIjar58cff41V2vH8pdPVdD9-Z3B7DxbtaXzW_7KL85lTqXj5Jw1KfQFUoog-GFMdcfC_GOT0FibI3Rhqvs9FHqv1yi90uvAAUIdSkVqvLH_xFlPLEuFYigyxV2oE2XJJP-_aurpFnRcxZzlq5jA_jvosNlPQQjiFhyphenhyphensdeieIrH6-wuw/w640-h538/20240214_123404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Pretty Baa Lambs by Ford Maddox Brown (1851 - 1859)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc_DkuswQ0H0T_VrIEExdFljd379nzV18PxwCRraCCA4zlYSXg9iEeudBSWNK7RE5zv7r29q-e5rJeWVPJkqvlRKcaWRZMTUQgfVqVvuvJV8ffgt2RW7yYOPPDknceyJCeZ59p-a-s7_CJ49RJcZ4lV1PB6U7f1bb_IynxOhDDBB9oghXg11vU_NQ3w/s2571/20240214_123418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2571" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc_DkuswQ0H0T_VrIEExdFljd379nzV18PxwCRraCCA4zlYSXg9iEeudBSWNK7RE5zv7r29q-e5rJeWVPJkqvlRKcaWRZMTUQgfVqVvuvJV8ffgt2RW7yYOPPDknceyJCeZ59p-a-s7_CJ49RJcZ4lV1PB6U7f1bb_IynxOhDDBB9oghXg11vU_NQ3w/w640-h498/20240214_123418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Holman Hunt ( 1851)</i></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/AVvXsEj0KbiMUrFO_6yLP50m1SFdJfoCmWy2n-jyZaoYmvyOMDJ37ju2tsjPz2Swow9RcMRuGcQf9uCNe3qpoOt0gSHSM06hO1VKpQfzqDWzD3J0gCup0zJmMFsUNVSHq-5g4U2eVxOFy1QL5WJDQxUIasfZQX3VXF8hsYddoSYGRqEdftjqpff_xiAkv3ZUcQ/s2569/20240214_123526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2569" data-original-width="1883" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KbiMUrFO_6yLP50m1SFdJfoCmWy2n-jyZaoYmvyOMDJ37ju2tsjPz2Swow9RcMRuGcQf9uCNe3qpoOt0gSHSM06hO1VKpQfzqDWzD3J0gCup0zJmMFsUNVSHq-5g4U2eVxOFy1QL5WJDQxUIasfZQX3VXF8hsYddoSYGRqEdftjqpff_xiAkv3ZUcQ/w470-h640/20240214_123526.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Blind Girl by John Everett Millais (1854 - 1856)</i></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f5iYVqgOU4lUPhauFtSTxXAd82JSMy74jdS41-sC-ZIofb8QbiaupfMSvCO34-WefYntNn8_UB4m0NgBBeD1lN0wWODKSZ2dcWnUll2HxzM96x-9-AmkFEI3UZZxWLmYp8TzfTOX9AR8uBWJrQHYdyjUtBh9X3w-bkQHYpHeU-o_FFU3SgeawICz7A/s3667/20240214_123603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3667" data-original-width="2155" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f5iYVqgOU4lUPhauFtSTxXAd82JSMy74jdS41-sC-ZIofb8QbiaupfMSvCO34-WefYntNn8_UB4m0NgBBeD1lN0wWODKSZ2dcWnUll2HxzM96x-9-AmkFEI3UZZxWLmYp8TzfTOX9AR8uBWJrQHYdyjUtBh9X3w-bkQHYpHeU-o_FFU3SgeawICz7A/w376-h640/20240214_123603.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Long Engagement by Arthur Hughes (1854 - 1859)</i></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/AVvXsEjQz4UmhuCkYEHHuB1jFvQVUH6sT-0accqTDm2Xp2Z9-32qtYQFtc40bJnLUK3psi_tUFU82N6q3lrG-Nomywx0vw9akAq_Hwa0oyUIS0Bs9WGAyLZ8mBtPYZB0PhMxMixjREnIIt7GzAmpTjysUJ-lzpMDxC0Jkh8Cc75O6YhxPrJdn_E5FoZSETSqNg/s2520/20240214_123629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2520" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz4UmhuCkYEHHuB1jFvQVUH6sT-0accqTDm2Xp2Z9-32qtYQFtc40bJnLUK3psi_tUFU82N6q3lrG-Nomywx0vw9akAq_Hwa0oyUIS0Bs9WGAyLZ8mBtPYZB0PhMxMixjREnIIt7GzAmpTjysUJ-lzpMDxC0Jkh8Cc75O6YhxPrJdn_E5FoZSETSqNg/w640-h514/20240214_123629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On every student's bedroom wall in the 1980s (including mine!) <i>Chatterton (The Death of Chatterton) by Henry Wells (1855 - 56)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1YW2vZ-14bI_1_sudeRMJvWkx9WGaqQxXuWhBM7B1jny3i9uPvlmxyrT61r6dHJ29c6P5tUs7VI5CPzBhsJUKmrOYigCdX2LkIz1PYa-XtOCtE4QrnjNpY-EsXXsyZkHTLTl_99qgxHr2-ZW7Rw8qO6-r2rOdLKxkw7mjwtryrywYPPzAgDpMYEe9w/s4080/20240214_123744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1YW2vZ-14bI_1_sudeRMJvWkx9WGaqQxXuWhBM7B1jny3i9uPvlmxyrT61r6dHJ29c6P5tUs7VI5CPzBhsJUKmrOYigCdX2LkIz1PYa-XtOCtE4QrnjNpY-EsXXsyZkHTLTl_99qgxHr2-ZW7Rw8qO6-r2rOdLKxkw7mjwtryrywYPPzAgDpMYEe9w/w360-h640/20240214_123744.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhscBwnVLVSToIR_zc6jnYBWTkUjv_jVKhyphenhyphenWR4Hd0E8PXAR5bD9l6E_rd-PIOD7St34jUWyDcoiErLhq7X1OIKm1NdwG60TBPNUkxiamUHl-2IJ736FQjj5xkAFCDmGiF58PqyZRlWNnY2VMHoljtuj9kXYD07mw06P8oyYSCzig47kTaDD-_jQFWW-5A/s2113/20240214_123840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="2113" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscBwnVLVSToIR_zc6jnYBWTkUjv_jVKhyphenhyphenWR4Hd0E8PXAR5bD9l6E_rd-PIOD7St34jUWyDcoiErLhq7X1OIKm1NdwG60TBPNUkxiamUHl-2IJ736FQjj5xkAFCDmGiF58PqyZRlWNnY2VMHoljtuj9kXYD07mw06P8oyYSCzig47kTaDD-_jQFWW-5A/w640-h438/20240214_123840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Work by Ford Maddox Brown (1859 - 1863)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7JnqdFoP1gtG1Y8dxPB2ipE5cjFRlRa_PggOzR9UWcQBJgtSW8OtRgXwINKwoGW8CgMeNfTguckZ_7pYeXoNPW80okqcoKjlIfSjwM8PNZlktjW1rBnZL0rilhA80MCNbFiThjCuYMhdkiBWzqo_NldhWjmduz4sNgupRlev0Nq4J0uGr3g9jq5kiQ/s2779/20240214_124130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="2779" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7JnqdFoP1gtG1Y8dxPB2ipE5cjFRlRa_PggOzR9UWcQBJgtSW8OtRgXwINKwoGW8CgMeNfTguckZ_7pYeXoNPW80okqcoKjlIfSjwM8PNZlktjW1rBnZL0rilhA80MCNbFiThjCuYMhdkiBWzqo_NldhWjmduz4sNgupRlev0Nq4J0uGr3g9jq5kiQ/w640-h456/20240214_124130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r9qIOmPjxRHWa0c5c-eFwSoH9rByliNj8rbqjUB9Lkk3Lh1ooqI2rMuj6PDoWLImf28VNfNs_njEizXdsoChfdGWltxT7zdYkMrhnNSs9TAGsymPYKL2uHWKiOBAh6qpa-x4qkATX-jutLxJT6AmffC5UexqlqBjxhye7k_8XjEd11YaXnUYp9XNRA/s2941/20240214_124137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="2237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r9qIOmPjxRHWa0c5c-eFwSoH9rByliNj8rbqjUB9Lkk3Lh1ooqI2rMuj6PDoWLImf28VNfNs_njEizXdsoChfdGWltxT7zdYkMrhnNSs9TAGsymPYKL2uHWKiOBAh6qpa-x4qkATX-jutLxJT6AmffC5UexqlqBjxhye7k_8XjEd11YaXnUYp9XNRA/w486-h640/20240214_124137.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEi2wAczUgSGdom1nLV9X3_fEpqCNFrGTt0bA4gBDoMyr6pRt5cIDOshHU0RSkGYBJvh0BBRvZloKRffbMN7BGWlf22hm3_YIhDrCNY3cT2Ko8eY2o1QDlWzedG8wSQKWUyIhdT4uHkn4ujHVMENer9EnoHvIU2XTqfRyuKHQIqoFipyKxj93A1FLbYB3g/s3487/20240214_124405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3487" data-original-width="1908" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wAczUgSGdom1nLV9X3_fEpqCNFrGTt0bA4gBDoMyr6pRt5cIDOshHU0RSkGYBJvh0BBRvZloKRffbMN7BGWlf22hm3_YIhDrCNY3cT2Ko8eY2o1QDlWzedG8wSQKWUyIhdT4uHkn4ujHVMENer9EnoHvIU2XTqfRyuKHQIqoFipyKxj93A1FLbYB3g/w350-h640/20240214_124405.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Winter (Stained glass panels by William Morris) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaAxW1pxhtkIJ8QLRQK1ujQJSvqRfTxbf0ifi8fveyiGDW9WRWp5SSQp8gOfzJSE65fvrbjz7oUrpk7cxwf-23EviOzWhmcwdcw6d3VseWlw9NkpHPZUZOfK_2rShj7dvMngSUbL49zrRnupQvLN4xk4iPHwfX32N8SWGorqG8XjWcY9iOiq15QtDwQ/s3264/20240214_124452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1361" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaAxW1pxhtkIJ8QLRQK1ujQJSvqRfTxbf0ifi8fveyiGDW9WRWp5SSQp8gOfzJSE65fvrbjz7oUrpk7cxwf-23EviOzWhmcwdcw6d3VseWlw9NkpHPZUZOfK_2rShj7dvMngSUbL49zrRnupQvLN4xk4iPHwfX32N8SWGorqG8XjWcY9iOiq15QtDwQ/w266-h640/20240214_124452.jpg" width="266" /></a></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/AVvXsEhr-22qBuPv0zsWYjYmwM_yhPQa7-6As5yIaxXO_zkRiIC9YvSb7PVjtPihU7Ruv83y9HQYiilT-N9xoMtV347epue67mgBVZf72CrkRvxP-kvX-sY1tjRpgQP2dMUWJQrIFf_JLKJ6b0rY6yiHKRT13XfDvVWssYtpWGOQe70o-EUekhfLSLQCgFkGAA/s1789/20240214_124526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="1241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-22qBuPv0zsWYjYmwM_yhPQa7-6As5yIaxXO_zkRiIC9YvSb7PVjtPihU7Ruv83y9HQYiilT-N9xoMtV347epue67mgBVZf72CrkRvxP-kvX-sY1tjRpgQP2dMUWJQrIFf_JLKJ6b0rY6yiHKRT13XfDvVWssYtpWGOQe70o-EUekhfLSLQCgFkGAA/w444-h640/20240214_124526.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Morgan le Fay by Frederick Sandys (1864)</i></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/AVvXsEjP4J4j0dqq3nO4_6y10wvBZAu-uTXQZkfGSBm8MsqNItUD8Ie0X4kBKCo4Wi4qlOW_Kk2hHaNb_-j1BxkcKuRv2HA8rW4KA6C2jjcGJURRYsv9xDip_r6oJiQzUFuA2A8E4Uo63qymakW7XW2mIWx6nil1AG48dFovI5PmpZr2FnJd9VAGcSvOv7DMTw/s2297/20240214_124605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="2081" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4J4j0dqq3nO4_6y10wvBZAu-uTXQZkfGSBm8MsqNItUD8Ie0X4kBKCo4Wi4qlOW_Kk2hHaNb_-j1BxkcKuRv2HA8rW4KA6C2jjcGJURRYsv9xDip_r6oJiQzUFuA2A8E4Uo63qymakW7XW2mIWx6nil1AG48dFovI5PmpZr2FnJd9VAGcSvOv7DMTw/w580-h640/20240214_124605.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>La Donna della Finestra by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1881)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPPUB8RQqF7zyPHU5l_tzn1XsCPEsLiKYdgHiR8vUisryOcIR0M2PCS8jqyNRaWFcm7G3sF0J7fquxXmEDDU41LIDqzct9l5fSHncKCCIMFLd0bSKqgDWfqJSlxr4Wz5zYBDdx5tlbInQiwWY5Zn_3JC8WHi4lf8pt_QROJOn2GfArIQGi2RKJgedVg/s1716/20240214_124724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="1460" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPPUB8RQqF7zyPHU5l_tzn1XsCPEsLiKYdgHiR8vUisryOcIR0M2PCS8jqyNRaWFcm7G3sF0J7fquxXmEDDU41LIDqzct9l5fSHncKCCIMFLd0bSKqgDWfqJSlxr4Wz5zYBDdx5tlbInQiwWY5Zn_3JC8WHi4lf8pt_QROJOn2GfArIQGi2RKJgedVg/w544-h640/20240214_124724.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Found by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1854 - 55) </i>and a study of Fanny Cornforth's beautiful face especially for my friend Elaine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1ZW4kzu-CRzGQrAmdjY2wDhTbaC3dur2z2Tv_gRRX6pe1TYbWSRcixiZ11m5NBQIvLzXyv3WWsFdeApEK71_P3ydPgtj25sl2_cPeoK1VtC1c-30Wyeinzb5hSeJ13CSM6vy2YEG5UY8sX-To2H6rfUWENlMf-rbpZWpkCi0dQKcwk59Z-jdlDBI9A/s1750/20240214_124734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="1750" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1ZW4kzu-CRzGQrAmdjY2wDhTbaC3dur2z2Tv_gRRX6pe1TYbWSRcixiZ11m5NBQIvLzXyv3WWsFdeApEK71_P3ydPgtj25sl2_cPeoK1VtC1c-30Wyeinzb5hSeJ13CSM6vy2YEG5UY8sX-To2H6rfUWENlMf-rbpZWpkCi0dQKcwk59Z-jdlDBI9A/w640-h582/20240214_124734.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></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/AVvXsEj2wpQ79lOpEH5LsNAyXCQSAqOe5XiCGRW5UltohfFpjYiI7QHujUCfmLtGB-Qn-goUOrQ4u1K3bj1PItILEZY_MA9nDtUmsPnWCkz7SLUiCUVn2T4O3PQNY6zPVlqoI9ljixXT1unxVUgWUqfU6y-gRt9zhyphenhyphens6TOUqWlISGHA8-Hq2dGL5IS7T_wk49A/s3203/20240214_124814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3203" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wpQ79lOpEH5LsNAyXCQSAqOe5XiCGRW5UltohfFpjYiI7QHujUCfmLtGB-Qn-goUOrQ4u1K3bj1PItILEZY_MA9nDtUmsPnWCkz7SLUiCUVn2T4O3PQNY6zPVlqoI9ljixXT1unxVUgWUqfU6y-gRt9zhyphenhyphens6TOUqWlISGHA8-Hq2dGL5IS7T_wk49A/w450-h640/20240214_124814.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bacchus by Simeon Solomon (1867)</i></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgcQnJjvjswOBdxXEMc8qINgtDs3PFUyfZ5ewCGPafvVypALD65fLyls61dzWIHdfTSDoy6TJPBAdqXV1hC7SClgMtaubo75erjkp1dK1kt7hY442JKzkf7snOEPG5b6lbUMzaUGpqwL1ogVyEoCNabOcuuODiM4v5g9jtdQmLKWEGm3-zcUiqiUl0hyw/s2137/20240214_124834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2137" data-original-width="1613" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQnJjvjswOBdxXEMc8qINgtDs3PFUyfZ5ewCGPafvVypALD65fLyls61dzWIHdfTSDoy6TJPBAdqXV1hC7SClgMtaubo75erjkp1dK1kt7hY442JKzkf7snOEPG5b6lbUMzaUGpqwL1ogVyEoCNabOcuuODiM4v5g9jtdQmLKWEGm3-zcUiqiUl0hyw/w484-h640/20240214_124834.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A Young Woman Holding a Rose by Emma Sandys (1870 - 1872)</i></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/AVvXsEgFlWhevy7pptSylkokkZbbfZa14tdxgG5_wo5t21Z9SOJUi09xuZsTLcaSUzm7uvytdsxAVx5sKbf7-N-p7KxpLhY0yqSsUBh4qzyuq-srLyWmvXhl7cnBzqOSaLW9e0P9Kcu3dXN0mF-zjx-5Cv-9QGrR2ystt-Fth1DrlJIa9qgWqz2XbJM4W2IK-w/s3484/20240214_124903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3484" data-original-width="2105" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlWhevy7pptSylkokkZbbfZa14tdxgG5_wo5t21Z9SOJUi09xuZsTLcaSUzm7uvytdsxAVx5sKbf7-N-p7KxpLhY0yqSsUBh4qzyuq-srLyWmvXhl7cnBzqOSaLW9e0P9Kcu3dXN0mF-zjx-5Cv-9QGrR2ystt-Fth1DrlJIa9qgWqz2XbJM4W2IK-w/w386-h640/20240214_124903.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Proserpine by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1881 - 82)</i></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/AVvXsEgXPcaI5UtL-C96xe0nbdmTZ-caBnP-UCwgELmfhOrNN_g-k12sggMoVLhUWb4vK0Bvi9KFLLHSKT0y9U1PbFvD2-1CkDkmKhApnrXsa559tTCoHJlFwT64bgU5ijFCUKbscG2OEt0ffmm9AfOePbItTR9Cb9JwTraCQ3PTBVfLLp-xgJH743gHDMt2VQ/s2487/20240214_124933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="1808" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPcaI5UtL-C96xe0nbdmTZ-caBnP-UCwgELmfhOrNN_g-k12sggMoVLhUWb4vK0Bvi9KFLLHSKT0y9U1PbFvD2-1CkDkmKhApnrXsa559tTCoHJlFwT64bgU5ijFCUKbscG2OEt0ffmm9AfOePbItTR9Cb9JwTraCQ3PTBVfLLp-xgJH743gHDMt2VQ/w466-h640/20240214_124933.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Medea by Frederick Sandys (1866 - 68)</i></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwtCz4nD_cEIsGGfVOzOk3n9HnlKgjtb23PlImV1YdBdFba8kXh8MfaGaaLXpRNd8W0VbnamjZrbs0AzkW_2HEt1WQ-9zttyE6sHCu-32gYEe7zOAyXiy5CggngIKujLB5LpQiCITLicyrfHCvVn8NlRp5L0YhIu9FNuKbjjXj0UabyC1muEymc2IxQ/s1913/20240214_124947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="1455" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwtCz4nD_cEIsGGfVOzOk3n9HnlKgjtb23PlImV1YdBdFba8kXh8MfaGaaLXpRNd8W0VbnamjZrbs0AzkW_2HEt1WQ-9zttyE6sHCu-32gYEe7zOAyXiy5CggngIKujLB5LpQiCITLicyrfHCvVn8NlRp5L0YhIu9FNuKbjjXj0UabyC1muEymc2IxQ/w486-h640/20240214_124947.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Beate Beatrix by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (</i>and completed by Ford Maddox Brown), the painting that piqued my interest in the Pre-Raphaelites. I was shopping in Birmingham's legendary Oasis Market at the age of 16 and was sent to the art gallery to find this painting by one of the stall holders who said I looked just like her. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDc9CfXE5AeQXjpZXEwRxfdzRRCT3MKQD4Q_9WU8FgzbuynFaqDIRcdkCOMM5UQ8qggbJzFaT9IDtVxhNDnzdKYAEgTLUlfJ_dFqHZ1qU72vdzmrIyTIwOBtLxaur9vAHPqi4hdTru4qJ_eYGL2MjL1r5t6Tw9cTglAVdvHwI4KaS94P8buXQ_nsQpw/s3842/20240214_125054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3842" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDc9CfXE5AeQXjpZXEwRxfdzRRCT3MKQD4Q_9WU8FgzbuynFaqDIRcdkCOMM5UQ8qggbJzFaT9IDtVxhNDnzdKYAEgTLUlfJ_dFqHZ1qU72vdzmrIyTIwOBtLxaur9vAHPqi4hdTru4qJ_eYGL2MjL1r5t6Tw9cTglAVdvHwI4KaS94P8buXQ_nsQpw/w640-h382/20240214_125054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Last of England by Ford Maddox Brown (1852)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGeT7DeR2tJM7czIzRNFy5MruPQTEzj9KlubEeVrV9WcUuEruWex5yGqDsSaTTW9tU3dcTHoKnD1MLM8bwWJmXZCm_cKquEY8oeNLeJ7N0YE26oU7PgHf2EChnrFpPi6Ly_R6LlFT12qzb-HlCpwQgsSQYTKkMWaVwUxUY4wUVLacRGPTcr-P-4va2A/s2814/20240214_130137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="2163" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGeT7DeR2tJM7czIzRNFy5MruPQTEzj9KlubEeVrV9WcUuEruWex5yGqDsSaTTW9tU3dcTHoKnD1MLM8bwWJmXZCm_cKquEY8oeNLeJ7N0YE26oU7PgHf2EChnrFpPi6Ly_R6LlFT12qzb-HlCpwQgsSQYTKkMWaVwUxUY4wUVLacRGPTcr-P-4va2A/w492-h640/20240214_130137.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple by William Holman Hunt (1854 - 60). </i>The woman in the foreground is one half of a fascinating and very glamorous couple I got chatting to, she was wearing <a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/art/mixed-media/erte-loves-enchantment-limited-edition-silver-gold-onyx-pearl-diamond-brooch/id-a_10372552/?&currency=gbp&allowUniversalLink=no&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiArLyuBhA7EiwA-qo80Ha_adIgtD7oK8rh8TccCOefGnHv8ygpXnkEBbUjw6EK3Xe0lkvIgBoClksQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">THIS </a> brooch by <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">Erté</span> and they owned a couple of his original artworks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_7vxeDhi8eimqkNlOsPEC6u3tPrqhODsjtQwcrxDv-5gBiCp0WrMftlQ0W65f7BrEYTAS_WfzEHVWu7l1wFHVRIZ5gPucwDQ0sNfYGf_FPv6LWK-v_QPuz5OSxLdkp6njRhRmKgixiFFFMUB-0cQEDHNrH62iljoVtdXEPIzBOmDnlvNBdWTCgMZqQ/s2683/20240214_130306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="2056" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_7vxeDhi8eimqkNlOsPEC6u3tPrqhODsjtQwcrxDv-5gBiCp0WrMftlQ0W65f7BrEYTAS_WfzEHVWu7l1wFHVRIZ5gPucwDQ0sNfYGf_FPv6LWK-v_QPuz5OSxLdkp6njRhRmKgixiFFFMUB-0cQEDHNrH62iljoVtdXEPIzBOmDnlvNBdWTCgMZqQ/w490-h640/20240214_130306.jpg" width="490" /></a></div></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoOCxkocsT3U5C0QUea5kEPia6BOJkhFPVK_J9oA06onW6nRvE_2_SF2Z4nlMoertlNhwWRHitOrMhtSAzqUIaj43i0hdtdtzQL8fV3-3vVmo-aDJ2LRBhnuyCDrA-i5KRxXIfT5dB9JOlpPkXou9few7n33zDUt6PWRad-apCKNmAZidCJRt8CZnDw/s3511/20240214_130420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3511" data-original-width="1604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoOCxkocsT3U5C0QUea5kEPia6BOJkhFPVK_J9oA06onW6nRvE_2_SF2Z4nlMoertlNhwWRHitOrMhtSAzqUIaj43i0hdtdtzQL8fV3-3vVmo-aDJ2LRBhnuyCDrA-i5KRxXIfT5dB9JOlpPkXou9few7n33zDUt6PWRad-apCKNmAZidCJRt8CZnDw/w292-h640/20240214_130420.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Morris & Co. stained glass panel depicting St Mark and designed by Edward Burne-Jones. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1INPfm2p1Fs6Ehdz-D30Q1w0uvMn6Jh6AB9hr6HaiTMqhxB5-xgVxdAw3UNbDg-IYiuEIhbfi21nsfZA8bfanOA_81sT0VvLy-eWm3kBxk84ZfwwW2OYoSKBb2DhtkMbaRPfO4-Qm1XeL_jZsRSxQqax_1RdPoY02_8FUalCjpIChPDWKLFzz8I99Q/s3264/20240214_130431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1INPfm2p1Fs6Ehdz-D30Q1w0uvMn6Jh6AB9hr6HaiTMqhxB5-xgVxdAw3UNbDg-IYiuEIhbfi21nsfZA8bfanOA_81sT0VvLy-eWm3kBxk84ZfwwW2OYoSKBb2DhtkMbaRPfO4-Qm1XeL_jZsRSxQqax_1RdPoY02_8FUalCjpIChPDWKLFzz8I99Q/w360-h640/20240214_130431.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbcCCV8k9JUHwT95syUgw0sMw6zyTC5aVOFNy9p3pXRGaSI3XAjiHYeYgbX6d_FmsGSDcq_oE3XbSMDiiO6kLhIGPghxUrTL8Gvjs8chBf1b4xzjYtq_uoY1r14lhymGxL2RBg50BtpbxoAn5xKJhOlYr3hfi7hWHvHPvmXiVs_g3Bb8_6zjLSPfGsQ/s2674/20240214_130442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2674" data-original-width="1552" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbcCCV8k9JUHwT95syUgw0sMw6zyTC5aVOFNy9p3pXRGaSI3XAjiHYeYgbX6d_FmsGSDcq_oE3XbSMDiiO6kLhIGPghxUrTL8Gvjs8chBf1b4xzjYtq_uoY1r14lhymGxL2RBg50BtpbxoAn5xKJhOlYr3hfi7hWHvHPvmXiVs_g3Bb8_6zjLSPfGsQ/w372-h640/20240214_130442.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Above, The Wizard by Edward Burne-Jones (1891) and below, The Holy Grail Tapestries (11890 - 91), also by Burne-Jones.</i></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/AVvXsEiTJdrc2XRJnGtLqOwiaIh7IJAkt7xAxEexvp2MH7NHOdzsU785LFKQ_W9Cqlpt5MeDUxa2TOPWX3EYU1wzXBJ35XLAJ1UfBQu1cSqeVBMUJLkfLYtqo-eqlcYXd-7moNb6OgyeBrVe7zUKHPCVaFSH1vtuf5envMeoP9h4gcmcDeCXN6kYDlXDTjPEzw/s3202/20240214_130508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="3202" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJdrc2XRJnGtLqOwiaIh7IJAkt7xAxEexvp2MH7NHOdzsU785LFKQ_W9Cqlpt5MeDUxa2TOPWX3EYU1wzXBJ35XLAJ1UfBQu1cSqeVBMUJLkfLYtqo-eqlcYXd-7moNb6OgyeBrVe7zUKHPCVaFSH1vtuf5envMeoP9h4gcmcDeCXN6kYDlXDTjPEzw/w640-h198/20240214_130508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aesthetic movement jewellery, made in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter (swoon!)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZzJhEyAxbEQrMUVWpZw6ty6jNa9ShoDVmm-9xWpX4-3Cn7KP-mc3aIuegBiIAuDN5G4K1rnYOgRPk3XTHSviwD1v_KbzqgKb2SmBot_SjwucSOel8PSxnqjcxBknL0_cq9jIS6ew1Vlw-WfRgdrUw1Ncxj8Z0ezbTjpkkpDiWCb91oJpj7YnZ26liA/s3276/20240214_130553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="2085" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZzJhEyAxbEQrMUVWpZw6ty6jNa9ShoDVmm-9xWpX4-3Cn7KP-mc3aIuegBiIAuDN5G4K1rnYOgRPk3XTHSviwD1v_KbzqgKb2SmBot_SjwucSOel8PSxnqjcxBknL0_cq9jIS6ew1Vlw-WfRgdrUw1Ncxj8Z0ezbTjpkkpDiWCb91oJpj7YnZ26liA/w408-h640/20240214_130553.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0G-qHs3qCAjGUbEZmnf8eXajl-OfWJqrVsQMNv2HNrnsInY710BQOS7kpXRcg5ICcVHgiVRw4Jq4-LUFX660iO-f2lX-Sc3CEjbvtA_Oq83_Xg-GCDDqaCkwHQPC7TKzGsomSJBA6QAan1Ok4eGniGGXOn1uyn3EdCbQaGTfo3EgosQYnd4bigxi3g/s2273/20240214_130604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="2273" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0G-qHs3qCAjGUbEZmnf8eXajl-OfWJqrVsQMNv2HNrnsInY710BQOS7kpXRcg5ICcVHgiVRw4Jq4-LUFX660iO-f2lX-Sc3CEjbvtA_Oq83_Xg-GCDDqaCkwHQPC7TKzGsomSJBA6QAan1Ok4eGniGGXOn1uyn3EdCbQaGTfo3EgosQYnd4bigxi3g/s320/20240214_130604.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lNJT6HUWK75QO18GLIuUuI_XLSrNOm8OwWu-5sh697_a-YMMkThBHhm2Ik7LUV4Mdk293liFNBwVzy_loD2IfwXnl4S9pEpiYsqmPMtwL-GQR2DreHnDxPyaJbKrDVL_c4kcwRu1r0Y7gqduE2F-cFSC6l6jPUaaWRaDX6385Do0JtvQNVIrxM8WXg/s4080/20240214_130652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2197" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lNJT6HUWK75QO18GLIuUuI_XLSrNOm8OwWu-5sh697_a-YMMkThBHhm2Ik7LUV4Mdk293liFNBwVzy_loD2IfwXnl4S9pEpiYsqmPMtwL-GQR2DreHnDxPyaJbKrDVL_c4kcwRu1r0Y7gqduE2F-cFSC6l6jPUaaWRaDX6385Do0JtvQNVIrxM8WXg/w344-h640/20240214_130652.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtB6aFoTWb7TH613nqtsQ4Ugr4-ASug3Jy97l0zL7BaYV7N86G6vDLtGGR-HhiA6Ux232MQcxOCqHjOQOg_7UpjNzKAlQa57MB3eBwNKxpxcgAyRhIo9wWLjBgE-k8iiIXgy3qWiX0XrJXQ0IqI85b9emjwBT98VgHS3ThwCHLId8nHd69S9LL6_12Q/s4080/20240214_130704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtB6aFoTWb7TH613nqtsQ4Ugr4-ASug3Jy97l0zL7BaYV7N86G6vDLtGGR-HhiA6Ux232MQcxOCqHjOQOg_7UpjNzKAlQa57MB3eBwNKxpxcgAyRhIo9wWLjBgE-k8iiIXgy3qWiX0XrJXQ0IqI85b9emjwBT98VgHS3ThwCHLId8nHd69S9LL6_12Q/w360-h640/20240214_130704.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer</i> imprinted by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones for the <i>Kelmscott Chaucer (1896)</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWji0t14T-Fxtej2VzYbhHzOcDXqcTc0mVHTLhDUf2jbR7y1m_omfHKEwxyxExkO9UdiVn1NAyEWZZh07yabtwW95wzFahk7Kb2FL3b9aMBZpqn645jYuHnOh1zn6AAf9Q8gnbb0-lx9_ZAeqwMVm_PE_U6uiEM7BsqKqL4jZ32ha2tZO39R_5lGnOQ/s1716/20240214_131020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="1342" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWji0t14T-Fxtej2VzYbhHzOcDXqcTc0mVHTLhDUf2jbR7y1m_omfHKEwxyxExkO9UdiVn1NAyEWZZh07yabtwW95wzFahk7Kb2FL3b9aMBZpqn645jYuHnOh1zn6AAf9Q8gnbb0-lx9_ZAeqwMVm_PE_U6uiEM7BsqKqL4jZ32ha2tZO39R_5lGnOQ/w500-h640/20240214_131020.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYuiSXcjZ_PAcT2cinZ6naEnCR5Ir3OtHcKo7eb4SlPIdT-XxYzYFSdAQX-wAOtGgTonVYI2rnnwqhaV2bKvliE8EuwS6kouejmOCSauO61bW5V7Hij1b1Sz6YAC814i8xbh-D9gvNVLzup67CqfDg58hMoQt-Jm6CjzIbnsb_Im7GII_bQ6s-6eFVA/s1640/20240214_130947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="1272" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYuiSXcjZ_PAcT2cinZ6naEnCR5Ir3OtHcKo7eb4SlPIdT-XxYzYFSdAQX-wAOtGgTonVYI2rnnwqhaV2bKvliE8EuwS6kouejmOCSauO61bW5V7Hij1b1Sz6YAC814i8xbh-D9gvNVLzup67CqfDg58hMoQt-Jm6CjzIbnsb_Im7GII_bQ6s-6eFVA/w496-h640/20240214_130947.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZbSAxXh6xuAc6pyErTvesjwinJRG-_N154CS6fUqso5eSUVnUUZQwgUd1BQ1641hDaVhBOs4g-Axypem7VtFzgkA5cljczIgKjm63WdDMiT_l_4kVni-t31GN9Sx_8ktLhKLeF8_dVQs8kIZULaY1rbnZDKLz2JMTQg4g4I0Ef8njaS_n6fSNu_meA/s1855/20240214_130930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="1470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZbSAxXh6xuAc6pyErTvesjwinJRG-_N154CS6fUqso5eSUVnUUZQwgUd1BQ1641hDaVhBOs4g-Axypem7VtFzgkA5cljczIgKjm63WdDMiT_l_4kVni-t31GN9Sx_8ktLhKLeF8_dVQs8kIZULaY1rbnZDKLz2JMTQg4g4I0Ef8njaS_n6fSNu_meA/w508-h640/20240214_130930.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6GpemhP-42Id4lPdsSBKyH4IIdI_Dzg4QYy6zK25s2e0M_I7UvG0PCLeidkN3is7NhVnus4tosztQgbBzfYb0g1XVcRyfTJ2ANECn40jXXO5Are66vZMpvPkXlysjgSOswgghIq_3yYg6H-dC2D0QoEpGtMd9kH6U-D4IWHHIyE9F12dfv42jzXb5Q/s1936/20240214_130914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1529" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6GpemhP-42Id4lPdsSBKyH4IIdI_Dzg4QYy6zK25s2e0M_I7UvG0PCLeidkN3is7NhVnus4tosztQgbBzfYb0g1XVcRyfTJ2ANECn40jXXO5Are66vZMpvPkXlysjgSOswgghIq_3yYg6H-dC2D0QoEpGtMd9kH6U-D4IWHHIyE9F12dfv42jzXb5Q/w506-h640/20240214_130914.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Edward Burne-Jones Pygmalion series</i>.</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/AVvXsEjWXJFnwmvgD4KjlaICM5obHDQPcKRCOWuuoyyB6nEXxNYv7-pcrwdfKvVzgJ8c-I79FGqDNSRHMG_2wt3kszc2lFUACJgOqwnMK-CMINK2Ns8d56RjX35XBgXGSJaQuD_Ydylb-WOgOoWRki5B72vownf-oj_XKtU2qQ1m7QHzl2F3pQyWCfMo_BoeGg/s2162/20240214_131108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="1288" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXJFnwmvgD4KjlaICM5obHDQPcKRCOWuuoyyB6nEXxNYv7-pcrwdfKvVzgJ8c-I79FGqDNSRHMG_2wt3kszc2lFUACJgOqwnMK-CMINK2Ns8d56RjX35XBgXGSJaQuD_Ydylb-WOgOoWRki5B72vownf-oj_XKtU2qQ1m7QHzl2F3pQyWCfMo_BoeGg/w382-h640/20240214_131108.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Keepsake by Mary Elizabeth Bunce.</i> I don't know which dress I love more! </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/AVvXsEjiRn8K2HMgRJTza25_Eh4iDdxJSv7mUMajg-jFBjMphs8bXqSZfLqluLynKbDbQbQFb_MoQVQP7khyCNPX6_LeeqHgLr9AAv2r43nSIqZeEhJ-XcE3E1EwA9xDbgo-QV5VPLKWlvTzYatxOhWqEkqaxDBEO4Z9fIBLCxQLUDy_C-UGfLCW8DBreIt9Cw/s2784/20240214_131154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2784" data-original-width="1792" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRn8K2HMgRJTza25_Eh4iDdxJSv7mUMajg-jFBjMphs8bXqSZfLqluLynKbDbQbQFb_MoQVQP7khyCNPX6_LeeqHgLr9AAv2r43nSIqZeEhJ-XcE3E1EwA9xDbgo-QV5VPLKWlvTzYatxOhWqEkqaxDBEO4Z9fIBLCxQLUDy_C-UGfLCW8DBreIt9Cw/w412-h640/20240214_131154.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Musica by Mary Elizabeth Bunce (1895)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl76nT20nhX74ENNptfQG9CNNTfqukfzwVuTMO9FT7kZJ_yYc9FXXguLg1_ZLGRbYxxoq8Rn1fdp5hDXdu7YuSGmmqnT8MPABZX9_ini1PulvlFvMiQWIPrnKvWXCPtXWihlujbWGeYxPBKhz1ozD71RTihYGrC_OecCRb7kKC5SEHl3AH1eiBd7KHw/s3977/20240214_131257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3977" data-original-width="1869" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl76nT20nhX74ENNptfQG9CNNTfqukfzwVuTMO9FT7kZJ_yYc9FXXguLg1_ZLGRbYxxoq8Rn1fdp5hDXdu7YuSGmmqnT8MPABZX9_ini1PulvlFvMiQWIPrnKvWXCPtXWihlujbWGeYxPBKhz1ozD71RTihYGrC_OecCRb7kKC5SEHl3AH1eiBd7KHw/w300-h640/20240214_131257.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhEVNecce-ninJfPiUIwuEB6_7bmU5frne7S6xzHzx4jelTKzEwiD9Acw3knADkEshAYUJmBIVlo3W5B249vXpCmgRXAHFdAodJ0ztgE8yFrjpKDUNkeLwf6OBM6CbFG-o8NRO8Ebi6PYI43qlQ4IsNvhWpK3PwB30ddrr5lQqitdM_74Oq2ckYht7p2w/s2296/20240214_131421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2296" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVNecce-ninJfPiUIwuEB6_7bmU5frne7S6xzHzx4jelTKzEwiD9Acw3knADkEshAYUJmBIVlo3W5B249vXpCmgRXAHFdAodJ0ztgE8yFrjpKDUNkeLwf6OBM6CbFG-o8NRO8Ebi6PYI43qlQ4IsNvhWpK3PwB30ddrr5lQqitdM_74Oq2ckYht7p2w/w640-h616/20240214_131421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANJu75ZB8JRc8Xs4PFJ4OJ2meynLEFoERzlZWYsiH2dHyNXpHiZkrmMPU4LAiYxWxhZ-jYDNsxRcJvkvaAaKplG8SujH6e2xsn2ijbg4GZT80gf9TdcIGFl_p4N3WSFFu249Bqg-p6vkycSIc244-9ihqE5NmdwJsvWkVB3FI4SJddKPiYJ99IlSpNg/s3162/20240214_131509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3162" data-original-width="2078" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANJu75ZB8JRc8Xs4PFJ4OJ2meynLEFoERzlZWYsiH2dHyNXpHiZkrmMPU4LAiYxWxhZ-jYDNsxRcJvkvaAaKplG8SujH6e2xsn2ijbg4GZT80gf9TdcIGFl_p4N3WSFFu249Bqg-p6vkycSIc244-9ihqE5NmdwJsvWkVB3FI4SJddKPiYJ99IlSpNg/w420-h640/20240214_131509.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ti2UCDQGnLpWnc5QRfeeCtXatPNgt04eZznbaXUxC08t__JPlX18Wz5DszN_1QK5JLeBJwfMYLo8XCQfZq7zyZHJjXPInhc9gBHqKHd39Hhj_Wh8Ok6vbPhwGp9tEUv1VGTSyvnKptQ2DsAmcCeEaTJEPNV6zS50Dw-gYPfu00ENj1d5ygB46T5jOg/s2692/20240214_131530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1922" data-original-width="2692" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ti2UCDQGnLpWnc5QRfeeCtXatPNgt04eZznbaXUxC08t__JPlX18Wz5DszN_1QK5JLeBJwfMYLo8XCQfZq7zyZHJjXPInhc9gBHqKHd39Hhj_Wh8Ok6vbPhwGp9tEUv1VGTSyvnKptQ2DsAmcCeEaTJEPNV6zS50Dw-gYPfu00ENj1d5ygB46T5jOg/w640-h456/20240214_131530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED1oMK_eEX2FvG2AtxvSfvBBCi3RfLrsoBdjXvBT8GBFJ3Cz0gmqklykKSc8FK9YNWhbyblEDWG70o__pqlxU2oYQTxd3woLRqyoX6mH-eqrsZWu78jDnNw6QmBrF0AkGhdAvP1rpoj-bMjnL6onbknJjp1oPOQgaYpCOThrWlnuRrnU1s5qreqEHjQ/s4080/20240214_131557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED1oMK_eEX2FvG2AtxvSfvBBCi3RfLrsoBdjXvBT8GBFJ3Cz0gmqklykKSc8FK9YNWhbyblEDWG70o__pqlxU2oYQTxd3woLRqyoX6mH-eqrsZWu78jDnNw6QmBrF0AkGhdAvP1rpoj-bMjnL6onbknJjp1oPOQgaYpCOThrWlnuRrnU1s5qreqEHjQ/w360-h640/20240214_131557.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkWaJ7V1L8xgnfDCKHy7VtdxT6XbkFyk5xDpyHYNE5ET_rXe5UrPLaUKOw4LLyvXF1dw3kM58G_kEWpE6WDRXxPdc5ndAYTaSpR7c8xjYm-NDUWPF4pU2Hf8HJ0vlW6-wJ-Fdf14XjuYJyJXqLjeli6IUGCLHvVtw2iquZCEMMtqtpGJbd8OmHRvmnQ/s3718/20240214_131605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3718" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkWaJ7V1L8xgnfDCKHy7VtdxT6XbkFyk5xDpyHYNE5ET_rXe5UrPLaUKOw4LLyvXF1dw3kM58G_kEWpE6WDRXxPdc5ndAYTaSpR7c8xjYm-NDUWPF4pU2Hf8HJ0vlW6-wJ-Fdf14XjuYJyJXqLjeli6IUGCLHvVtw2iquZCEMMtqtpGJbd8OmHRvmnQ/w396-h640/20240214_131605.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaH7DIcB3IvYrfZgB7eoICN69-1SeHC67DUrm0XQvyU8pBtKT1EWBS139lhOJxj8fD-70nbSSER8y9iLyrunDrylA4AC6nGti6ozHWhmplS7Cg7eMOAuQsDlukDaZ9CyD4V-sR-ZC89GfaXPDBqHZbh8fofI7MpEoyW8hqRXOL3hkkx4t4f4AaQuAug/s1979/20240214_131611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="1522" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaH7DIcB3IvYrfZgB7eoICN69-1SeHC67DUrm0XQvyU8pBtKT1EWBS139lhOJxj8fD-70nbSSER8y9iLyrunDrylA4AC6nGti6ozHWhmplS7Cg7eMOAuQsDlukDaZ9CyD4V-sR-ZC89GfaXPDBqHZbh8fofI7MpEoyW8hqRXOL3hkkx4t4f4AaQuAug/w492-h640/20240214_131611.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Above - Sigismonda (or Gismonda)</i> and below- <i>New Lamps for Old</i> both painted by <i>Joseph Edward Southall</i> and gilded by <i>Anna Elizabeth Baker</i></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/AVvXsEg_-PFVm1f37FC0JBpDNVHhDPBziDzojArRFl8O6n-CWUhMLgYx1MJzFQPtEonY9YaJ6BvU29CG0UEy7ZuyGDp6X-sUP008uPkhgnrJbMfK9Zgpu2yQ728w2bLTK7jkVKPMlZLQd8-4jvBO3-Cq-v-6Xm9KlewSc6-gWdU_qZDy-o0w-S8Ugf-NYsSlLg/s2020/20240214_131622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="1612" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-PFVm1f37FC0JBpDNVHhDPBziDzojArRFl8O6n-CWUhMLgYx1MJzFQPtEonY9YaJ6BvU29CG0UEy7ZuyGDp6X-sUP008uPkhgnrJbMfK9Zgpu2yQ728w2bLTK7jkVKPMlZLQd8-4jvBO3-Cq-v-6Xm9KlewSc6-gWdU_qZDy-o0w-S8Ugf-NYsSlLg/w510-h640/20240214_131622.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiHWA9kEjC4nhBkdE9CL4JOJ7U7Qu3y-o6xq_F92w3uhJXCUiKkWkQiSk3vikBsLFDU-8NYw571OdAPeEIts86F3numKgPvxyWQNWlLmLtQ2XO-Vai_SHf3zK91yqXJQI0Qih0HQfklaXOTcXxKPasaDYwL0tCnw0f8lS4rm4SA1_q5Thy9v2lLFRfcRA/s1425/20240214_131650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1425" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWA9kEjC4nhBkdE9CL4JOJ7U7Qu3y-o6xq_F92w3uhJXCUiKkWkQiSk3vikBsLFDU-8NYw571OdAPeEIts86F3numKgPvxyWQNWlLmLtQ2XO-Vai_SHf3zK91yqXJQI0Qih0HQfklaXOTcXxKPasaDYwL0tCnw0f8lS4rm4SA1_q5Thy9v2lLFRfcRA/w640-h600/20240214_131650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Choosing the Red and White Roses in the Temple Gardens by Henry Albert Payne (1908 - 10)</i></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/AVvXsEgl1KSOhykE1pZRUDo2j1QZaptbqVWY5sYiW08gKEilwcAm80t_wrPMUKnRzoFVDvaDVsDKyql5ZRxHjqasjy37kMrhQeSCAfHQdnugT3rYXNaWQWuUGa1AlVEeDo09AltebN3tTKI3OgZckJRrIBQHUzBMldKYuhLdx1iSJmbH7Z3sn4v4ZjmFNSPhTg/s3264/20240214_131730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1KSOhykE1pZRUDo2j1QZaptbqVWY5sYiW08gKEilwcAm80t_wrPMUKnRzoFVDvaDVsDKyql5ZRxHjqasjy37kMrhQeSCAfHQdnugT3rYXNaWQWuUGa1AlVEeDo09AltebN3tTKI3OgZckJRrIBQHUzBMldKYuhLdx1iSJmbH7Z3sn4v4ZjmFNSPhTg/w640-h360/20240214_131730.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCoruqUOpWTezfVCecEGXiFhbOBbK5Th_-4sKlml_SDoZVtlYBFDrF6UwTkbc2tnVD6dYdR6I0Y2mEruxoZsbmcdMiFB4q9v0VkbRmMQgedOFeMjGT46OcsvXT-smNDofHTq3W5fdXvcaBAmzrW6ACBikCOWWybj6FRmCqpPOF4Hu7PimqgWlIa_y2Q/s3714/20240214_131832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3714" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCoruqUOpWTezfVCecEGXiFhbOBbK5Th_-4sKlml_SDoZVtlYBFDrF6UwTkbc2tnVD6dYdR6I0Y2mEruxoZsbmcdMiFB4q9v0VkbRmMQgedOFeMjGT46OcsvXT-smNDofHTq3W5fdXvcaBAmzrW6ACBikCOWWybj6FRmCqpPOF4Hu7PimqgWlIa_y2Q/w640-h342/20240214_131832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After purchasing a few souvenirs from the museum gift shop (sadly the exhibition catalogue has already sold out) we headed across town for lunch at <i>The Indian Brewery</i> where, as usual, I ordered a Chaart Attack and a pint of their finest Birmingham-brewed ale. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Klvn4bWfDksoWdQxFHjjGVhOF6q7LwHQP7-7h6WZPwxdJ7_-86pViGLmVvoFUVC05K9FuykQsAxoSooC9KxK0kNw4420mOWlYF8uY_5vENW1P1nDSdqkQWxpc2JVJm5JHVZ8DxP8sWy_9MmIoRsOzXZyd7OlE8KbiMOVAD9ErJ0mj6P6nN4nR8P1Aw/s4080/20240214_141112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Klvn4bWfDksoWdQxFHjjGVhOF6q7LwHQP7-7h6WZPwxdJ7_-86pViGLmVvoFUVC05K9FuykQsAxoSooC9KxK0kNw4420mOWlYF8uY_5vENW1P1nDSdqkQWxpc2JVJm5JHVZ8DxP8sWy_9MmIoRsOzXZyd7OlE8KbiMOVAD9ErJ0mj6P6nN4nR8P1Aw/w360-h640/20240214_141112.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for a fabulous day, Annie...let's not leave it so long next time!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH_QsVczIx3yIlKI_vpvJEE53AOC5mykg_LBIH4CPuHvDrkIFv9BUqqaOFYrf8wo_U5rGslJ8iEO5szE_uHtOfFpR04uZgm3fRG85ZnLq3sKcfjLI-tn4zWkDJl45J-pXCZuqyl8IqtZJ4IEi8_v3D76eeL5VE4-zgBSPebE0IFgD0FRYcA07TKZR7g/s4080/20240214_151447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH_QsVczIx3yIlKI_vpvJEE53AOC5mykg_LBIH4CPuHvDrkIFv9BUqqaOFYrf8wo_U5rGslJ8iEO5szE_uHtOfFpR04uZgm3fRG85ZnLq3sKcfjLI-tn4zWkDJl45J-pXCZuqyl8IqtZJ4IEi8_v3D76eeL5VE4-zgBSPebE0IFgD0FRYcA07TKZR7g/w640-h360/20240214_151447.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgLZ2s7A2m2GE_EYkqFs7a-KhPHCvNCuNNepjvTmlfMLHlSXWEfyKGxihEuufHGHs3dUJy0j0XdO2FtIS2d58Sj2YuCPxUTSyNDU4urT7ADmrni-gGSIgJiasYZr72APD5CnbelgmTInfwnmI_-sfiavCw7a1fxr4vE5sRwWClLPWdFfaGvYZ_5KfvvsA/s3264/20240214_160726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZ2s7A2m2GE_EYkqFs7a-KhPHCvNCuNNepjvTmlfMLHlSXWEfyKGxihEuufHGHs3dUJy0j0XdO2FtIS2d58Sj2YuCPxUTSyNDU4urT7ADmrni-gGSIgJiasYZr72APD5CnbelgmTInfwnmI_-sfiavCw7a1fxr4vE5sRwWClLPWdFfaGvYZ_5KfvvsA/w360-h640/20240214_160726.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I treated Jon to a Victorian Radicals lollipop from the gift shop...well, it was Valentine's Day!</div><br /><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/AVvXsEghcFff-vhGdkj3pcQotKZh9wlx_zb5I1agLb1NkFeJacx94zGEA5vpF_FMHr2VaF459AP0M88MJnBuHxr_7nQ6i49Fth0a63-1HU_D7lXIpSETnGE8O8c4RXINaHiGy9TNDYihsfOEc9xYlUkF0QF9Hd-bcf85W-ncpEYqEKCU9GnovG5o5ffpiRqrxQ/s2220/20240214_131838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2220" data-original-width="1849" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcFff-vhGdkj3pcQotKZh9wlx_zb5I1agLb1NkFeJacx94zGEA5vpF_FMHr2VaF459AP0M88MJnBuHxr_7nQ6i49Fth0a63-1HU_D7lXIpSETnGE8O8c4RXINaHiGy9TNDYihsfOEc9xYlUkF0QF9Hd-bcf85W-ncpEYqEKCU9GnovG5o5ffpiRqrxQ/w534-h640/20240214_131838.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Victorian Radicals </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">10th February until 31st October from 10am - 5pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">£11 adults </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book <a href="https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/exhibitions/victorian-radicals">HERE</a> or pay on the door (card payments only)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Victorian Radicals is astonishing and worth every penny of the £11 entrance fee, it certainly won't be my last visit!</div><br />Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-74392463283743466762024-02-12T19:01:00.003+00:002024-02-14T18:56:03.262+00:00The Time Is Now<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu852oY_-8D5AmopWZshUDSwB8HT6Idz0QU1ne1EAW87d222lcEd5MGERlSPFqVne4BJU4hVzonYucMWlvSGY1dUgseJ0ny01p_eCvHCiMM-ty9b9GNc1OQvXTR1d7qslexrR4hwlnWDpdbu-rDuwmYQn1-k8z1KTGSa2lCLFFgWJRabawQfmriK18g/s1024/download%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="660" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu852oY_-8D5AmopWZshUDSwB8HT6Idz0QU1ne1EAW87d222lcEd5MGERlSPFqVne4BJU4hVzonYucMWlvSGY1dUgseJ0ny01p_eCvHCiMM-ty9b9GNc1OQvXTR1d7qslexrR4hwlnWDpdbu-rDuwmYQn1-k8z1KTGSa2lCLFFgWJRabawQfmriK18g/w412-h640/download%20(3).png" width="412" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">It was hard to believe we were still only in February this morning, the glorious sunshine was already dazzling at 7.30am so, rather than save this gorgeous Indian block printed organic cotton dress for the Spring, I decided to seize the moment and wear it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0kSphEepZ_Kpf9M9FRTh4McsQfvjaLqRl9Mn5eCsoC4XrMzEbhTp_uX0rgRsamCqv8gubeW9529jU1H6KJFv-NYBaqeYd8GurLMI9iDDZWvV9FY2VCWxHITzkr06ZontI42mMq0tRJo8Krwm63DsGretPU4UrvLKMLl3wuFp-7avUHnkbc-0z5TP-A/s3369/20240212_115133~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3369" data-original-width="2156" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0kSphEepZ_Kpf9M9FRTh4McsQfvjaLqRl9Mn5eCsoC4XrMzEbhTp_uX0rgRsamCqv8gubeW9529jU1H6KJFv-NYBaqeYd8GurLMI9iDDZWvV9FY2VCWxHITzkr06ZontI42mMq0tRJo8Krwm63DsGretPU4UrvLKMLl3wuFp-7avUHnkbc-0z5TP-A/w410-h640/20240212_115133~3.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spotted on the <i>Pink Lemons</i> website (link <a href="https://pinklemons.boutique/products/maude-seconds">HERE</a>), an independent Cornish boutique specialising in fairly traded & sustainable clothing, the maxi dress was part of an order which failed the quality standards so, rather than consigning the dresses to the rag bag, it offered them at a massively discounted rate. Other than one of the pockets being sewn up (easily rectified with the seam ripper), I've yet to find anything else wrong, it's just as gorgeous as the dress I'd bought from them previously.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmESG458T4nca44jDu-7djW8RZVRINQ476vnjvSEMFcCqiEc_gBhPnK_EReJfh1Usn9bMQP6rc6b5I5ciUwxY_9eHVuFaY3Ba-8wXZbhFL74ArMUt5aqcUs8qAsWwpL4re9f1Be4RuUR0Vbl7DkZoSkJIhTXDTtj57BCTL41IvuTHwXw03TifpHz6dg/s2999/20240212_115059~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2999" data-original-width="1842" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmESG458T4nca44jDu-7djW8RZVRINQ476vnjvSEMFcCqiEc_gBhPnK_EReJfh1Usn9bMQP6rc6b5I5ciUwxY_9eHVuFaY3Ba-8wXZbhFL74ArMUt5aqcUs8qAsWwpL4re9f1Be4RuUR0Vbl7DkZoSkJIhTXDTtj57BCTL41IvuTHwXw03TifpHz6dg/w394-h640/20240212_115059~3.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"> When I sent her a photo of the dress in one of our regular gossipy emails, my friend <a href="https://elderberry-rob.blogspot.com/">Betty</a> described it as being "girly". With my complete lack of interest in weddings, babies, rom-coms, celebrity fashion and chick lit my female workmates used to tell me that I should have been born a man. I might prefer football, rock music, war films and spy novels but when it comes to clothes it's all about the girliness - ruffles, flounces, puffed sleeves, pintucks and prettiness.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EBmJidTKHKBQQWmcoeh92PgG_MYD9CImw2P7F-9hCDBugZNxR5LjwcAQbH6kk79OGCriFWWrXDtYf0wzPFp6Y2tqC9Z43jYPKaff8dj8VEPQG5FJFnbaINjjt3GVb8dioXw6UHGi7bJrl4TAdqTO0DdhGReP6HToy7xpB3g7ipWHUzxoiaMViPt05g/s2899/20240212_115054~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="2090" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EBmJidTKHKBQQWmcoeh92PgG_MYD9CImw2P7F-9hCDBugZNxR5LjwcAQbH6kk79OGCriFWWrXDtYf0wzPFp6Y2tqC9Z43jYPKaff8dj8VEPQG5FJFnbaINjjt3GVb8dioXw6UHGi7bJrl4TAdqTO0DdhGReP6HToy7xpB3g7ipWHUzxoiaMViPt05g/w462-h640/20240212_115054~3.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Has my blog post title given you an earworm? On Saturday, Jon & I had tickets for art-pop goddess <i>Roisin Murphy's </i>gig at Wolves Civic. If you're not familiar with the name you might know her better as being one half of legendary electro-dance duo, <i>Moloko</i> whose third album, <i>Things to Make and Do</i> unleashed absolute bangers such as <i>Pure Pleasure Seeker</i>, <i>Sing it Back</i> and <i>The Time is Now</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6FUDoiZkVmUe_XE1ZuhsXwPi1C6i1_RuYuMjQNkEk4sPQmCfzDixSlcMXN0uuGizrOoisWghaQcnJYVBZNa5WYIoXWgXT-5Lr3n0pr_xRHfQ_cVweMVEPlAek_XQduGGr7GktO-yBTuyw8nRHYuCYbsGEyS-3iCKX9fzw6z_wrfhKOwvS5v4_N190w/s3675/20240212_141015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6FUDoiZkVmUe_XE1ZuhsXwPi1C6i1_RuYuMjQNkEk4sPQmCfzDixSlcMXN0uuGizrOoisWghaQcnJYVBZNa5WYIoXWgXT-5Lr3n0pr_xRHfQ_cVweMVEPlAek_XQduGGr7GktO-yBTuyw8nRHYuCYbsGEyS-3iCKX9fzw6z_wrfhKOwvS5v4_N190w/w640-h400/20240212_141015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Give up yourself unto the moment</span><br aria-hidden="true" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">The time is now</span><br aria-hidden="true" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Give up yourself unto the moment</span><br aria-hidden="true" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Let's make this moment last</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jon & I were in our early thirties when <i>The Time is Now</i> was released and in the blink of an eye we're almost 60. Time waits for no-one, live for the moment! Wear that dress, book that trip, go to that gig. </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/AVvXsEgDJyS4JvLbN3kt8yqLcyX9pThFc7Cq0zkiBAxedXHqcS79prDGDUqlqDFLzMlj8CPI5eLDw1oWDJ1KyYe0DfW_ZoJK8xv7Tav7OHl2oA7UwtHfk7-ZyVm_4FZIQXxC2VOI6sBYT0SA1-bVYc8hdbiN65Kc2HumGhHlp5suxzoqJZLoUavH9hIz9aqJ5A/s3402/20240210_182051~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="2152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJyS4JvLbN3kt8yqLcyX9pThFc7Cq0zkiBAxedXHqcS79prDGDUqlqDFLzMlj8CPI5eLDw1oWDJ1KyYe0DfW_ZoJK8xv7Tav7OHl2oA7UwtHfk7-ZyVm_4FZIQXxC2VOI6sBYT0SA1-bVYc8hdbiN65Kc2HumGhHlp5suxzoqJZLoUavH9hIz9aqJ5A/w404-h640/20240210_182051~2.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The capital of the Black Country, the city of Wolverhampton (or Wolves, as we locals call it), is seven miles away. The direct train from Walsall was phased out in the 1990s so, rather than an hour's journey via Birmingham, we caught the 529 bus and popped into Wolves' city centre branch of Spoons, <i>The Moon Under Water </i>when we alighted 20 minutes later<i>.</i> With it being match day the pub was full of <i>Wolverhampton Wanderers </i>fans fresh from the game and also groups of theatre goers in fancy dress, awaiting the performance of <i>The Rocky Horror Show</i> currently running at the <i>Wolverhampton Grand</i> directly opposite the pub.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdbGiuAcOj5z5N8GdeaIEgJWBxwLAOuvxl1Z_HSir0fpJ958S__2dIdd5U_maBM9_uTE5YElh2GUAUpNmSWsOZl_dYzPwFxRjUQWXhZ6SdpFYti-Me48nuHlqSM5VsZnkKl_jzaYz-TYQimpG84go8rhCz1dMDM1Ur6l-O_NZDgn1aU0HVoAxMjfWdw/s4080/20240210_192945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdbGiuAcOj5z5N8GdeaIEgJWBxwLAOuvxl1Z_HSir0fpJ958S__2dIdd5U_maBM9_uTE5YElh2GUAUpNmSWsOZl_dYzPwFxRjUQWXhZ6SdpFYti-Me48nuHlqSM5VsZnkKl_jzaYz-TYQimpG84go8rhCz1dMDM1Ur6l-O_NZDgn1aU0HVoAxMjfWdw/w360-h640/20240210_192945.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Was there any aggro? Who's gonna argue with a 6 foot 4 inch bloke in leather hot pants, fishnets and a pair of thigh boots? </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/AVvXsEjIspcgWcbIwFD72CcOHRmypsydyZHRnKbp5vvv0gVKn9vITnhRz8NqnScOvGr8dyN9XEbYt1UwGq_NzRlYBZc-ca8YNMWlcE028O0a1IN_SSFFE1K8e7PUHImwv6HeW8kUtz9khem0qqJj5KMFmyfQhplPutyY4noO0CjGo_4ow9KyQ7QFjTlYXd_U_Q/s3691/20240210_185639~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3691" data-original-width="2088" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIspcgWcbIwFD72CcOHRmypsydyZHRnKbp5vvv0gVKn9vITnhRz8NqnScOvGr8dyN9XEbYt1UwGq_NzRlYBZc-ca8YNMWlcE028O0a1IN_SSFFE1K8e7PUHImwv6HeW8kUtz9khem0qqJj5KMFmyfQhplPutyY4noO0CjGo_4ow9KyQ7QFjTlYXd_U_Q/w362-h640/20240210_185639~2.jpg" width="362" /></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/AVvXsEhwLyx-8kIa3jyYAE_3gGakVCZ7-xGcUNj1BfbakHUM5iWdkUccy4XTsF1A6glsSChwFLA6GU68OGPzaGpYOtc4IQ-8aiMiU_kFbbPVbZGcIMzGYERcQpuurgo7k8jrxH8XQaetZZjGVcuRpywDTTIS0KCa_Sfdsw9BEEeiRK8BEIvFwXZymqPf2A4W1Q/s4080/20240210_192942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQTrzYh3bjUBb414C7J5N2uhgkOPRJSVRfp9cZKuX-SnOE902OY52TYzb2iZYiwfX5BrAa_oh3Wi6-1P6nOMsIeA0lXTQMWnD-1qmjDZjJert_QJCKQJKfvAZHU85knM6hAmcwI9fGHWI06e246iJpzzgUBPcNCWhEU4hgJltVZYk6gH9AovEVWK-tw/s3240/IMG_20240210_190236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="2028" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQTrzYh3bjUBb414C7J5N2uhgkOPRJSVRfp9cZKuX-SnOE902OY52TYzb2iZYiwfX5BrAa_oh3Wi6-1P6nOMsIeA0lXTQMWnD-1qmjDZjJert_QJCKQJKfvAZHU85knM6hAmcwI9fGHWI06e246iJpzzgUBPcNCWhEU4hgJltVZYk6gH9AovEVWK-tw/w400-h640/IMG_20240210_190236.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><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/AVvXsEj5DU75RFYFDH6LuTeD-YjaRAcfls1isvC0-J8w8idWhojBTw4HTDfctNanf07s_HrSO2JYy2A3LPkMkr_7k5ZxZaVWfaIhG3Vl2IGo45yuAWYsOrAoIR6E3WXC7DUx4If2UwMucG7CaLNOozinYuFQxvej-mo-L0AZjDjc7MhL7Xok2NiqU_1Op26Ftg/s2964/IMG_20240210_185805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2964" data-original-width="1780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DU75RFYFDH6LuTeD-YjaRAcfls1isvC0-J8w8idWhojBTw4HTDfctNanf07s_HrSO2JYy2A3LPkMkr_7k5ZxZaVWfaIhG3Vl2IGo45yuAWYsOrAoIR6E3WXC7DUx4If2UwMucG7CaLNOozinYuFQxvej-mo-L0AZjDjc7MhL7Xok2NiqU_1Op26Ftg/w384-h640/IMG_20240210_185805.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a couple of pints we walked down to the Civic. Our tickets had been sent via an app and, much to our frustration, we couldn't bloody access it. We chatted to an equally stressed out Amanda who'd travelled up from Brighton especially for the gig and agreed that with the majority of crowd more than likely being 50 or over, the organisers should have kept it old school and enabled us to print off the tickets at home. Our frustration didn't last long, the box office was brilliant, painstakingly looking up everyone's details and issuing us with proper tickets. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZTWIQqrXgDNGYXRfHtVzMmiH-TjJvDj4vH7sUg-nuF0dCTL7VISzza_S28LAA4qgwRyH2VFcgSdD_fphYJbRjDupI_Ms6FuVmSzr61shvIXJOd6_JEZB5v1hT0JGLo4ozp2U-v6qwvwVIuwyaTfE0v9fCK_tcYPWBXPCUmhNaAgX7pRWfGpqEHsshA/s4608/IMG_20240210_203605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZTWIQqrXgDNGYXRfHtVzMmiH-TjJvDj4vH7sUg-nuF0dCTL7VISzza_S28LAA4qgwRyH2VFcgSdD_fphYJbRjDupI_Ms6FuVmSzr61shvIXJOd6_JEZB5v1hT0JGLo4ozp2U-v6qwvwVIuwyaTfE0v9fCK_tcYPWBXPCUmhNaAgX7pRWfGpqEHsshA/w640-h480/IMG_20240210_203605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm glad we had a few beers in 'Spoons, as always the wait at the Civic bar never improves and at £7.50 an effin' pint we decided to make that costly drink last! Whilst waiting to get served Jon chatted to a man from Prague and another bloke from Bradford, both of whom had traveled to Wolves especially to see Roisin. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRXNwxYjIbCdOSalPZwzN9EahSFMX3cNfeaavPCN9u-b3jZ5Y3SKns9C_64O3PbFXuI1NLd6DNXqk7uOjcqYAMYh08UdohqKvbVN8lR4aUStUq2CzP1zYqW-NOElTVmLXxu4ViyX9c9uoNcaD1wS5NnKRx09zlJbzGI-nz0DJKwEqtqj_B0lPmH69vw/s2226/IMG_20240210_201959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2226" data-original-width="1943" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRXNwxYjIbCdOSalPZwzN9EahSFMX3cNfeaavPCN9u-b3jZ5Y3SKns9C_64O3PbFXuI1NLd6DNXqk7uOjcqYAMYh08UdohqKvbVN8lR4aUStUq2CzP1zYqW-NOElTVmLXxu4ViyX9c9uoNcaD1wS5NnKRx09zlJbzGI-nz0DJKwEqtqj_B0lPmH69vw/w558-h640/IMG_20240210_201959.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Funky dance act, Crazy P, was the support.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEhvN3d8Hswl3Uv6TBpSQYE19FaTieUOiDxeTz604IBYL_C8238X-FPvvSbukUFBqvGfh7x44Kw8Zv_w3Sy2y3wuDLjYBslbKbHo8fdyoNazxWKDHPhQ8jAhBY0DJUwZ9kYGtAPTGRIF0N_-z-jSZdYocGteN32ldANKuxK4q91reKKOZ7NYmbfC42rKPw/s4160/IMG_20240210_203509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3337" data-original-width="4160" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvN3d8Hswl3Uv6TBpSQYE19FaTieUOiDxeTz604IBYL_C8238X-FPvvSbukUFBqvGfh7x44Kw8Zv_w3Sy2y3wuDLjYBslbKbHo8fdyoNazxWKDHPhQ8jAhBY0DJUwZ9kYGtAPTGRIF0N_-z-jSZdYocGteN32ldANKuxK4q91reKKOZ7NYmbfC42rKPw/w640-h514/IMG_20240210_203509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We bumped into a fabulous chick we first met during our vintage fair days!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt7fh6RYAeFhV0OvcR6r4DSZdVLdXgsI_FUh_3hWFKVgRsPKSn0fPYrSMghR6ii5b2vxW8de3d25Jr-pyEvNzASI6oXyWgtPEYjBcV_iIunB-L5q_IC07P2Qgaw_6XeSPOrIVFnbQNuH7njugXwOeOTrrtzrMm_tsUUdjOkEEK2a0A1xRjQK36BG2sw/s4080/20240210_201853~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt7fh6RYAeFhV0OvcR6r4DSZdVLdXgsI_FUh_3hWFKVgRsPKSn0fPYrSMghR6ii5b2vxW8de3d25Jr-pyEvNzASI6oXyWgtPEYjBcV_iIunB-L5q_IC07P2Qgaw_6XeSPOrIVFnbQNuH7njugXwOeOTrrtzrMm_tsUUdjOkEEK2a0A1xRjQK36BG2sw/w360-h640/20240210_201853~2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Amanda was right, the crowd was mostly fifty plus and stylish in that cool, non-mainstream, festival-going way (no ath-leisure or beige co-ords here!) Popular amongst the female fans were Docs & metallic boots, dungarees, cropped wide-legged pants, sequinned bomber jackets, black berets and sharp bobs with fringes. The males favoured black framed specs, chores jackets, jeans with turn-ups, Breton tops, Docs & monkey boots. As usual, with my vintage maxi dress and clanking tribal jewellery, I looked like nobody else but got lots of compliments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ktXkXk36dnE?si=D4sbu1rwbVI6yz-9" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ktXkXk36dnE/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Much as we hate people watching a live performance through their mobile phones Jon couldn't resist recording a couple of snippets (standing well away from the crowd!)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVR0RNVv3Fwvkzab3mukzzWDsSm_x46vbt56q6H-YRhkEzuAZdHYfG85TuhZDw_GaWB8XXu9cVn7YJZFux2zRfNUau0wdEbUs_V73uARopuzoWOS6oJgEGYLe6kp-ZJ-Qk9Wn7Anc4THt5uhl2jcIIZOVHhO84P1QTxfb7htiP5B7a-8kHDSSHMOshQ/s2667/IMG_20240210_212216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="2133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVR0RNVv3Fwvkzab3mukzzWDsSm_x46vbt56q6H-YRhkEzuAZdHYfG85TuhZDw_GaWB8XXu9cVn7YJZFux2zRfNUau0wdEbUs_V73uARopuzoWOS6oJgEGYLe6kp-ZJ-Qk9Wn7Anc4THt5uhl2jcIIZOVHhO84P1QTxfb7htiP5B7a-8kHDSSHMOshQ/w512-h640/IMG_20240210_212216.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6UmAI_ECz7VgZvGHjQVLdxDX8mR9DpAywhog23nWOuQBcX1Bq_9s-JmVO1Yee4nBBaejiw6RLJ8TNmA6GyDDr3SvKVE2-cw5H0E9s8TFD-_yjC-L_QB6BGNm-Zs-iS3MSgsDJKaUrauDBdvo1ol9gITBwesDh4XEFspFUhDa8EGXCLysPNKVTtlHNw/s1858/IMG_20240210_212211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1858" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6UmAI_ECz7VgZvGHjQVLdxDX8mR9DpAywhog23nWOuQBcX1Bq_9s-JmVO1Yee4nBBaejiw6RLJ8TNmA6GyDDr3SvKVE2-cw5H0E9s8TFD-_yjC-L_QB6BGNm-Zs-iS3MSgsDJKaUrauDBdvo1ol9gITBwesDh4XEFspFUhDa8EGXCLysPNKVTtlHNw/w640-h562/IMG_20240210_212211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Much as I adore Roisin's back catalogue, I also love her recent stuff. I'm not one of those boring old sods who moans about <i>all modern music being rubbish</i>; brilliant, life-affirming new music is like fabulous clothes, it's out there, you just need to get off your backside and look for it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/2baoh-WfaKs?si=72vTaXYigUAATXMd" width="480"></iframe></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/AVvXsEirXDwaZFRduiYVpsPL8a2Jkw7Iw7xGuQfzbWpZF6XnOMa9LpagvlYTaKD1GyTKsV9hlkkjQ3Qa2VUpAmbrfgRoEZ-NyFL6XfmASf100lZ8hzncS2_ishebjeGiiEcHyfYx3mRfEarE1yN3yzbcw93WPaL_1siAHO4FJHSsprEdY7-6CrIjtJ7uQyNK8Q/s3039/IMG_20240210_212207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3039" data-original-width="2194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXDwaZFRduiYVpsPL8a2Jkw7Iw7xGuQfzbWpZF6XnOMa9LpagvlYTaKD1GyTKsV9hlkkjQ3Qa2VUpAmbrfgRoEZ-NyFL6XfmASf100lZ8hzncS2_ishebjeGiiEcHyfYx3mRfEarE1yN3yzbcw93WPaL_1siAHO4FJHSsprEdY7-6CrIjtJ7uQyNK8Q/w462-h640/IMG_20240210_212207.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyAGeNYYVhqskIRTYPr-tsiSmm6PJy8bIP9Nf8fOq2su-vD6ZHP0162yCsig3Y31-t2ZKYvacHV5dktvxB3MTtOahAKC-I16eiVokALTIPCpQp198zDq9gONP19150e2fU5-NhAcFmjdcgiJbdDOEmPmmDMkKNiuw9bMcnH5eGE6vwphpDevmwwhBxg/s1713/IMG_20240210_211916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1713" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyAGeNYYVhqskIRTYPr-tsiSmm6PJy8bIP9Nf8fOq2su-vD6ZHP0162yCsig3Y31-t2ZKYvacHV5dktvxB3MTtOahAKC-I16eiVokALTIPCpQp198zDq9gONP19150e2fU5-NhAcFmjdcgiJbdDOEmPmmDMkKNiuw9bMcnH5eGE6vwphpDevmwwhBxg/w640-h418/IMG_20240210_211916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What can I say, Roisin blew us away with her mad costume changes, by doing press-ups and side stands on stage (my daily routine minus the adoring crowd) and with her gorgeously pure voice. Who says you can't be a rock god in your 50s? </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/AVvXsEgLSHcr89y0dycTaICJ00Uswy3N1ImxC5FmHDTGgnzpesldYKsilg9xdfnj3uMzu3Tyc0HjysqdU5gclRY_9HIqDISKGcXETHEZJSzRj6BUdt4aXnW1aFVoXvxIeDvD7PaLqush2Yi4MZ5yfS-Asti3mWVHHOoNWztk1XE6hI91G1ez6Zy-hW9CbSygAA/s2487/IMG_20240210_210508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="1897" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSHcr89y0dycTaICJ00Uswy3N1ImxC5FmHDTGgnzpesldYKsilg9xdfnj3uMzu3Tyc0HjysqdU5gclRY_9HIqDISKGcXETHEZJSzRj6BUdt4aXnW1aFVoXvxIeDvD7PaLqush2Yi4MZ5yfS-Asti3mWVHHOoNWztk1XE6hI91G1ez6Zy-hW9CbSygAA/w488-h640/IMG_20240210_210508.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After dancing for four hours we caught the bus home, collapsing into bed in the early hours of Sunday morning, ears ringing and feet throbbing. What a night! </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/AVvXsEigkfYUEECtYTc9LyJ5wH6o_UqFlpS1LGqNqvnl2gcKV5WPe56Ddz-eGsqvBT2ruELe_Q5krqg7mY2W_Kew4H6YLKyktsMAcBsEOMkyzTyTmVNQ9VYDPPVpJv1mzYvGQCgK8Ld_fmL8I8OPtyZFUCwNt0k9lq93dUe2NGI6TJ3Mn_14mS21GQRXrdwneQ/s3602/20240211_170623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3602" data-original-width="2212" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkfYUEECtYTc9LyJ5wH6o_UqFlpS1LGqNqvnl2gcKV5WPe56Ddz-eGsqvBT2ruELe_Q5krqg7mY2W_Kew4H6YLKyktsMAcBsEOMkyzTyTmVNQ9VYDPPVpJv1mzYvGQCgK8Ld_fmL8I8OPtyZFUCwNt0k9lq93dUe2NGI6TJ3Mn_14mS21GQRXrdwneQ/w394-h640/20240211_170623.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, it's not all been <i>pure pleasure seeking</i>. While Jon cracked on with prepping the middle room for its makeover, I rummaged through my fabric stash and made a patchwork panel from scraps of Indian & Afghan textiles, motifs and trims I'd accumulated over the years. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuvbXtSGTY0cJvdXxfEcp4ztPRysh7KzyXnyil7u7oohAScVaYGKqy9L9xLtrbnvlYbFjhwBUXLiaC3fN6q8v1jr_uaChah0_-h66LkCMZv9gMeq3W_k-TKJDRXVEKsQajLIXrHO9BABhFs4hQs8nhldpMTAaYUC3nArbJ2n6ve-oN_2BAiOiNwHCEQ/s4080/20240211_170630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuvbXtSGTY0cJvdXxfEcp4ztPRysh7KzyXnyil7u7oohAScVaYGKqy9L9xLtrbnvlYbFjhwBUXLiaC3fN6q8v1jr_uaChah0_-h66LkCMZv9gMeq3W_k-TKJDRXVEKsQajLIXrHO9BABhFs4hQs8nhldpMTAaYUC3nArbJ2n6ve-oN_2BAiOiNwHCEQ/w360-h640/20240211_170630.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I emptied out my wardrobes, donated an armload of vintage dresses to the Kinky Shed and whilst I was in there nicked the shoe rack and reorganised my boots.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0f3jfgvf0x1KVZf-fNYzbMxcgM-ubN_eX217nGlJL_wVyHsELwVafhAWMjBhr48Hqi-QQjKQFEABvOe0HjDnMRUdXsqoGEt-nXq5sWk6t30cMDANk8ikvpATVdCPuBquYQxeAA-hertO2FSm3c3bqatC0GZceXkBGyrCmAEiQw6ysaTyd3KgBmFrCw/s3793/20240211_170940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3793" data-original-width="2178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0f3jfgvf0x1KVZf-fNYzbMxcgM-ubN_eX217nGlJL_wVyHsELwVafhAWMjBhr48Hqi-QQjKQFEABvOe0HjDnMRUdXsqoGEt-nXq5sWk6t30cMDANk8ikvpATVdCPuBquYQxeAA-hertO2FSm3c3bqatC0GZceXkBGyrCmAEiQw6ysaTyd3KgBmFrCw/w368-h640/20240211_170940.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The craft cupboard got a sort out and the fashion, craft & textile books were dusted.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytl2EA41gRCP8Ht5pwRN3IYfUX6Nd86YGBJAnXgyFqzbxbyeGIT1IUtJOffRJvFurJkd5mR-EpdLDUvHkh45uG-SIoDrkthWmnLJZ7tBVCGclpbCm1MCHfRKfz7jYaXew5B5R9hw0kjogfkt_VrEWyjF2UNMdJCJU2Xlqod817qTuuSl9ZIfecmQVPQ/s3953/20240211_171325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3953" data-original-width="2287" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytl2EA41gRCP8Ht5pwRN3IYfUX6Nd86YGBJAnXgyFqzbxbyeGIT1IUtJOffRJvFurJkd5mR-EpdLDUvHkh45uG-SIoDrkthWmnLJZ7tBVCGclpbCm1MCHfRKfz7jYaXew5B5R9hw0kjogfkt_VrEWyjF2UNMdJCJU2Xlqod817qTuuSl9ZIfecmQVPQ/w370-h640/20240211_171325.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">My two Lundby <i>Gothenburgs</i> and Mum's 1940's <i>Tri-Ang</i> had a spring-clean (and I might have had a little play at the same time!)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsCr_C8k3f7kDAZMQrJdKEymf6FP2yC8vZdfA1TmEDViF6zR8CL_0i0UAwoibY3aLqYHuyhXGYWODOZ2U8SpijIBwB1Fwi5yRZ0baAS7hzi6-rc0N2tREwZUompyL2Ku6Xt3YTC6BPde1dz4l5vrfgapr7pVcAzlCxkEJ4h29WkkN0PoA_meSUSa3zQ/s4080/20240211_171503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsCr_C8k3f7kDAZMQrJdKEymf6FP2yC8vZdfA1TmEDViF6zR8CL_0i0UAwoibY3aLqYHuyhXGYWODOZ2U8SpijIBwB1Fwi5yRZ0baAS7hzi6-rc0N2tREwZUompyL2Ku6Xt3YTC6BPde1dz4l5vrfgapr7pVcAzlCxkEJ4h29WkkN0PoA_meSUSa3zQ/w360-h640/20240211_171503.jpg" width="360" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sick of having to get all my hats out of the wardrobe in order to find the right one, I decided to hang them on the wall. Moving my boots meant that the bricked-up fireplace was exposed so I repurposed an old 1930s dressing table mirror which had been on top of the wardrobe in our bedroom for years. </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/AVvXsEjAgsC3BZ2BbVZo-Bmo-xCowN0dwpZZNcZvdMx0spmJS0RADCKdYhDJQX4qt6pdx6CA23B01cxlILSG9J3RQHsqnWUwMKxRR9pv8C5NGXcFUJ7CphUg7-4W4Z3qJXV-GvXhSqINKs-1hWunUSXSKUqYV62Ztg506AjF8s6m5d4ZlCJpVwIXnYm6XKrlYw/s3775/20240212_135109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3775" data-original-width="2224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgsC3BZ2BbVZo-Bmo-xCowN0dwpZZNcZvdMx0spmJS0RADCKdYhDJQX4qt6pdx6CA23B01cxlILSG9J3RQHsqnWUwMKxRR9pv8C5NGXcFUJ7CphUg7-4W4Z3qJXV-GvXhSqINKs-1hWunUSXSKUqYV62Ztg506AjF8s6m5d4ZlCJpVwIXnYm6XKrlYw/w378-h640/20240212_135109.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The chimney breast is a bit of an odd shape so I hid it behind a string of postcards from my stash.</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/AVvXsEhYQLtgdtNe9zGEI7K6p8nNVv2w_nznz9AmCed1H655pc34dLsFyynSTREoTKPYkMh7m4ehyphenhyphen99FIVDOJA7R_KMkTakeChkB68MgSKMFiEsyQIiDhm23DCt5UFDLNL7jjjTfkGvy-JpmYCP4wO1OnbvsI6xfcT_2XDlmkVQlVHN3i2cqJ7CH9kh3jeN7rg/s3888/20240212_135230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="3888" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQLtgdtNe9zGEI7K6p8nNVv2w_nznz9AmCed1H655pc34dLsFyynSTREoTKPYkMh7m4ehyphenhyphen99FIVDOJA7R_KMkTakeChkB68MgSKMFiEsyQIiDhm23DCt5UFDLNL7jjjTfkGvy-JpmYCP4wO1OnbvsI6xfcT_2XDlmkVQlVHN3i2cqJ7CH9kh3jeN7rg/w640-h148/20240212_135230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah....in keeping with this Victorian papier mache cabinet that we bought for a fiver from a charity shop a couple of years ago....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PcJ0HECv1cY3nsrX3nrv1wXDnFm5dt1egv2z3-4jgo4KDptMWD-dnHszwrkhyveorbb3eOiSByXAXiihcN2WA2DKlXRPdozkCANw3waYcg2-BiuGK7JAotNbzarCvanZIVM4XefmBiB2w76UHPeUGCSqgTFDVw4xgVp-DtBkXJEW39q_BKguxFE-Kw/s3979/20240211_173717~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3979" data-original-width="2082" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PcJ0HECv1cY3nsrX3nrv1wXDnFm5dt1egv2z3-4jgo4KDptMWD-dnHszwrkhyveorbb3eOiSByXAXiihcN2WA2DKlXRPdozkCANw3waYcg2-BiuGK7JAotNbzarCvanZIVM4XefmBiB2w76UHPeUGCSqgTFDVw4xgVp-DtBkXJEW39q_BKguxFE-Kw/w334-h640/20240211_173717~3.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Jon gave the cabinet he'd painted black last weekend the Banksy treatment and spray painted a couple of birds on the doors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx_nHbUQPMZN26Y1bVSqzLCRvsrTcLXZtpZMikHWKVbQkWW8zScjRxOsv_TqEgwkMUZLyJtmtqLmDwCGfVTeAm9vQ3AiwzL7Nle4r-TbJoC5aVumQTVx91HEIFz2sTkQvRRlBWEodpY9iWLahJ1g3-T4aVjf_cC7H5x2AaQo4oteAUKo-ZouMB3bmZA/s4080/20240211_171935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2294" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx_nHbUQPMZN26Y1bVSqzLCRvsrTcLXZtpZMikHWKVbQkWW8zScjRxOsv_TqEgwkMUZLyJtmtqLmDwCGfVTeAm9vQ3AiwzL7Nle4r-TbJoC5aVumQTVx91HEIFz2sTkQvRRlBWEodpY9iWLahJ1g3-T4aVjf_cC7H5x2AaQo4oteAUKo-ZouMB3bmZA/w360-h640/20240211_171935.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book-wise I managed to finish <i>A Crowning Mercy by Bernard Cornwell</i> which I'd started last week but I'm still reading <i>Edith Hamilton's </i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Mythology</i>.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG2NEeXUgiGGBSqObMEZ9Qu_HSyIAgLpKg-e2kr2qywCtC5VxA66MSp-knQ04eqyDRP18hYv4Q-Ub9m7tEQc9_fNuQ762qt7F4BTtGiMe-9ZLFq8tG3Nd8EPku7slsda4J8Eik1XC2XbJEbfmxLaKeoEt8kARrHfMPI3Xo09a2YmhU0fHQgMkbyux2g/s4080/20240212_140929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG2NEeXUgiGGBSqObMEZ9Qu_HSyIAgLpKg-e2kr2qywCtC5VxA66MSp-knQ04eqyDRP18hYv4Q-Ub9m7tEQc9_fNuQ762qt7F4BTtGiMe-9ZLFq8tG3Nd8EPku7slsda4J8Eik1XC2XbJEbfmxLaKeoEt8kARrHfMPI3Xo09a2YmhU0fHQgMkbyux2g/w360-h640/20240212_140929.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've just started <i>Matthew Kneale's English Passengers</i>. I found <i>Chloe Grimshaw's New London Style </i>in a charity shop during the Covid years and although I've leafed through the photos hundreds of times, I finally read the text over the weekend.</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/AVvXsEjCE5ODR6OPqxcGhWHT3XvJzeU8xD1hzdcseS9B5qSjytwKeuTY1tnoMPTeWlvL-sL0KLQ2-EmEZoVo3rQ3G0O59uAG_jGpXli1KIONMFSRPorID0mUT0Ix30-ONbtxYd0-RTFca9Nh9FBzD10y_wcHlKRUttvtMF5eovecNy7Ksu5HlC7R56iaYNNx2A/s3264/book1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="3264" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE5ODR6OPqxcGhWHT3XvJzeU8xD1hzdcseS9B5qSjytwKeuTY1tnoMPTeWlvL-sL0KLQ2-EmEZoVo3rQ3G0O59uAG_jGpXli1KIONMFSRPorID0mUT0Ix30-ONbtxYd0-RTFca9Nh9FBzD10y_wcHlKRUttvtMF5eovecNy7Ksu5HlC7R56iaYNNx2A/w640-h276/book1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These homeowners decorate just like we do - combining inherited pieces with stuff hauled out of skips, found on their travels abroad or bought at a pittance from car boot sales and charity shops. Things are repurposed, painted, distressed or wrapped in fabric - there's no rules or following trends, the interiors reflect who the homeowners are and not what's currently in vogue. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ14b2v8cLIajyc6RsydS6MjmaPNZzWdtaD2uNMLveq9toPkj8WIN2CG8Ul0Tr1_1Im_uuEeCTw7-fWuc5sJb7mRvTbJscVMpT0imiviDV1I-d4EKficKbo7M9E0TE2lkx07QNMLGrgaQUNAscBrB_YE33-0Kgb-3SMkx-XElrF6v6d6KvpcoOKgPOw/s3264/book2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="3264" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ14b2v8cLIajyc6RsydS6MjmaPNZzWdtaD2uNMLveq9toPkj8WIN2CG8Ul0Tr1_1Im_uuEeCTw7-fWuc5sJb7mRvTbJscVMpT0imiviDV1I-d4EKficKbo7M9E0TE2lkx07QNMLGrgaQUNAscBrB_YE33-0Kgb-3SMkx-XElrF6v6d6KvpcoOKgPOw/w640-h276/book2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There's loads of cheap secondhand copies available on Abebooks. (If you need to see more detail, you can click on my photos to enlarge them.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3HKE1pp701z34-1ikvF9ltWeFZGiZlVrl5S8oxvYn5lLG5MD5HXtRgfULphDRzovk64qMJH3kRBkbs-6TSlvME0x9h4czfGTUzrNLLZGmAJZttF_bNkZ1Mh3YwbHX7cBpa1cJ1c-wnY6qqss1gQLaMorkbmGCPsuvRScKRdDnwoFIRSO0ks5xAWyGw/s3264/book3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="3264" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3HKE1pp701z34-1ikvF9ltWeFZGiZlVrl5S8oxvYn5lLG5MD5HXtRgfULphDRzovk64qMJH3kRBkbs-6TSlvME0x9h4czfGTUzrNLLZGmAJZttF_bNkZ1Mh3YwbHX7cBpa1cJ1c-wnY6qqss1gQLaMorkbmGCPsuvRScKRdDnwoFIRSO0ks5xAWyGw/w640-h276/book3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kxyhbpe9RxJnA1mAeO52LsvMzVxFFaMGfeIq0DTSao3d8WLozc-w0YFfWBLBcWvovadz2dC_UVKE0g6QnjRbeLh0O3KE2Clps5_eby6AKmM2Ge73IO5GVWArf83Te4hbC8vTQy7uOGsWcs6ZqGPB_CLmKhzmzhd8RizBbEUwBJcxQgyT9Gg1mEBg1w/s3264/book4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="3264" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kxyhbpe9RxJnA1mAeO52LsvMzVxFFaMGfeIq0DTSao3d8WLozc-w0YFfWBLBcWvovadz2dC_UVKE0g6QnjRbeLh0O3KE2Clps5_eby6AKmM2Ge73IO5GVWArf83Te4hbC8vTQy7uOGsWcs6ZqGPB_CLmKhzmzhd8RizBbEUwBJcxQgyT9Gg1mEBg1w/w640-h270/book4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBfSoONKspN3IzFCyaBkj-b5vWBQNVp318yo-ZDKkeKJTxSlsEzUkiOW2SWoQO0ywrtXR46N8POU0lYwXdhhDyACbRCk22qadOcHPOt_hHwvBzvlIRFFxq8ATIyix0A1Y2TS6cVM30IbUVF1DbT2NWlsuFgQPFXGl5FipzacaGEkV5wcvg3ZOqUi5kA/s3264/book5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1646" data-original-width="3264" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBfSoONKspN3IzFCyaBkj-b5vWBQNVp318yo-ZDKkeKJTxSlsEzUkiOW2SWoQO0ywrtXR46N8POU0lYwXdhhDyACbRCk22qadOcHPOt_hHwvBzvlIRFFxq8ATIyix0A1Y2TS6cVM30IbUVF1DbT2NWlsuFgQPFXGl5FipzacaGEkV5wcvg3ZOqUi5kA/w640-h322/book5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still with me? I'm impressed, I don't half rabbit on sometimes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll be back later this week with tales of art and adventure.....</div><br />Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-15148211946194093792024-02-09T16:52:00.003+00:002024-02-10T10:04:09.163+00:00Going Round The Houses<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiku9V9EiueLw_OW7AkdcYarzAsnL-rTv5W49qsgp3jsDcwhsdx4orbe9FnuhMeCqCSsycP4WH_lKeJ0sEVKumAKgXIWNZt5l680m-FZdew2ao_M5ZpGSpnQ_mDgjJyy4mULBjrV5b7UuZiyLB4GsBAmhfi293A0JdPPPRbs_LhVcs0LVrpE-fx-NbQ/s1024/download%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1024" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiku9V9EiueLw_OW7AkdcYarzAsnL-rTv5W49qsgp3jsDcwhsdx4orbe9FnuhMeCqCSsycP4WH_lKeJ0sEVKumAKgXIWNZt5l680m-FZdew2ao_M5ZpGSpnQ_mDgjJyy4mULBjrV5b7UuZiyLB4GsBAmhfi293A0JdPPPRbs_LhVcs0LVrpE-fx-NbQ/w640-h372/download%20(2).png" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Friday already! Where does the time go?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo9gTRgmvf3YSEiXt4r6Ytm1kOQ6Znuqq8mQdfB27xdAuJLgQmkqlEtXoyaX-yR7ghYVnFLc-X9i3KJWXLEvia1mEjrN5cW6Mh-LHtTj3IR1MJnNR3TeKLN4OP8uZIf_FQwUN2drFCIyRgIf9BC_4oIiL9UaAAJXFEcSsMKWnhwk0MTLicAfoe2__sQ/s3695/20240206_113125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3695" data-original-width="2277" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo9gTRgmvf3YSEiXt4r6Ytm1kOQ6Znuqq8mQdfB27xdAuJLgQmkqlEtXoyaX-yR7ghYVnFLc-X9i3KJWXLEvia1mEjrN5cW6Mh-LHtTj3IR1MJnNR3TeKLN4OP8uZIf_FQwUN2drFCIyRgIf9BC_4oIiL9UaAAJXFEcSsMKWnhwk0MTLicAfoe2__sQ/w394-h640/20240206_113125.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Tuesday morning I wore my £2 Vinted bargain, this midnight blue velvet military dress, originally from <i>Monsoon</i>, for swimming followed by breakfast in 'Spoons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ngerVyFT8Ohfhh9okD14mdmPG9ZG58tHLr_8eXD21IeMbHLRW-3SkjIvS-qZJT-SAiIiVlVi0XpjyjSQs3Bxmb6Z9_7V70sbGwUR1ciseZCrIh9mWEl9GRTW8CZOusYMLR2IkHveEyGuFyItCxOtUuue4fuu8wA1d_-HJ4wgCO_rfexTOm57Lr2p0g/s3264/wed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3104" data-original-width="3264" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ngerVyFT8Ohfhh9okD14mdmPG9ZG58tHLr_8eXD21IeMbHLRW-3SkjIvS-qZJT-SAiIiVlVi0XpjyjSQs3Bxmb6Z9_7V70sbGwUR1ciseZCrIh9mWEl9GRTW8CZOusYMLR2IkHveEyGuFyItCxOtUuue4fuu8wA1d_-HJ4wgCO_rfexTOm57Lr2p0g/w640-h608/wed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On Wednesday, for a morning of charity shopping, I wore a Indian block printed midi dress from Dilli Grey and one of my vintage Afghans (this one was bought by the original owner from a market stall in Bradford in 1975).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6P3iNJlPekyNvEuEJSWs3b3YaVOIE4LvIPGX3rPYS7u6znyyUEF6rN8nmF1f3aJkIEr0IVBQ-3lUcmYrzxcSw3MyRu3TuUqbsMaVwXU-Htjnu3Qs1qoACGB7_T9oPeJZFvS1t4OnwoYI0eExJr0bs7Y4HblnU5GHzfRHvKyxbzvq5Ab3sYbFVC46L4g/s3424/20240208_134512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="2151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6P3iNJlPekyNvEuEJSWs3b3YaVOIE4LvIPGX3rPYS7u6znyyUEF6rN8nmF1f3aJkIEr0IVBQ-3lUcmYrzxcSw3MyRu3TuUqbsMaVwXU-Htjnu3Qs1qoACGB7_T9oPeJZFvS1t4OnwoYI0eExJr0bs7Y4HblnU5GHzfRHvKyxbzvq5Ab3sYbFVC46L4g/w402-h640/20240208_134512.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On Thursday for swimming, Spoons and a trip to Lidl for a £1.50 Waste Not box (pictured below) I wore a <i>Zara</i> maxi dress and <i>Fly,London</i> biker boots (both charity shopped) and my <i>Mascob for Liberty</i> velvet <i>Badim </i>jacket. The weather was absolutely rancid, the rain was relentless and it barely got light all day but at least the forecasted snow never materialised.</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/AVvXsEgjXUc6JUHOwKMRSu8h0tYdyJYIUByWuh6_CrOZPZVZIXes2he-hnLaPPpI0FvMNrqbrJtWLL2gmQZaYqiAG-xMWWL97FIdDI-KKzxDQWkESEu7oL5K8d1SZfjGrLoony8MOn-soqCQlsffP1PqaNbomljkXvb054iuztpjjCJRXEgveFKi0AHW80Z5jQ/s2581/20240208_095011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="2581" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXUc6JUHOwKMRSu8h0tYdyJYIUByWuh6_CrOZPZVZIXes2he-hnLaPPpI0FvMNrqbrJtWLL2gmQZaYqiAG-xMWWL97FIdDI-KKzxDQWkESEu7oL5K8d1SZfjGrLoony8MOn-soqCQlsffP1PqaNbomljkXvb054iuztpjjCJRXEgveFKi0AHW80Z5jQ/w640-h454/20240208_095011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Friday I wore a vintage <i>Shubette of London</i> peacock feather print maxi with my mum's Mongolian curly lamb coat. I was with her when she bought it - at great expense - from the <i>Sheepskin Shop</i> in Walsall back in 1975. Unlike her amazing cream Afghan, this coat narrowly dodged my Dad's manic cull of her stuff after she died and I managed to rescue it from the bin in the nick of time. This was what I wore to drop another sack of donations off at the charity shop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ehawj73RDvA2_XaNPBfkI9sdKOvcfN2Ya8xHOdXPczgXIzkp3hwFS935UEeyxma02J2vJiLCH4A-GQ5tNfs4DOO9w8AeQ-tWeIqtzCe2269nM47hstVxs01yfvLsaSvTng7-hA5FWWz8Moa9_FQ1pjOavpoa_rzNrawg5Q3Xm9cJeyo5RlUFuIp0-w/s3189/20240209_130308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3189" data-original-width="2125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ehawj73RDvA2_XaNPBfkI9sdKOvcfN2Ya8xHOdXPczgXIzkp3hwFS935UEeyxma02J2vJiLCH4A-GQ5tNfs4DOO9w8AeQ-tWeIqtzCe2269nM47hstVxs01yfvLsaSvTng7-hA5FWWz8Moa9_FQ1pjOavpoa_rzNrawg5Q3Xm9cJeyo5RlUFuIp0-w/w426-h640/20240209_130308.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've spent every afternoon this week doing domestic stuff (we've certainly earned tonight's rum!) My dressing table had seen better days what with the drawers constantly coming off their runners so I decided to swap it with the pitch pine Edwardian chest of drawers I'd been lugging around with me since my student days as seen below, buried under<strike> junk </strike>stuff that will come in useful one day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z7bFDVMi37lLW-s-yZlzH5ZUpDtW5aI6LGjiCOA6de61Qge8QBTZgX_zvFN-0csYjtjKj0ovjF4-36vuD9yrvRFhMhyKu_OfoPzDc4dkO88KsjHn097rToWFGR2evS3oCg08eaSAbgXAlrjhaIwNmqaYHqxrey8hflWf0-TCZnJRAc0mIEIxt-q1rA/s4080/20240202_120216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z7bFDVMi37lLW-s-yZlzH5ZUpDtW5aI6LGjiCOA6de61Qge8QBTZgX_zvFN-0csYjtjKj0ovjF4-36vuD9yrvRFhMhyKu_OfoPzDc4dkO88KsjHn097rToWFGR2evS3oCg08eaSAbgXAlrjhaIwNmqaYHqxrey8hflWf0-TCZnJRAc0mIEIxt-q1rA/w360-h640/20240202_120216.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Structurally sound but missing a couple of handles, I remembered a box of 24 Indian ceramic hand painted knobs we'd bought for £4 in a charity shop months ago. </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/AVvXsEhQyxIQclRCv348S3RbFE3tBCKfX50jFRojyqob94L6saaU6uUrKRapIzekyxWjz-gtwYqTa6_Bls7MugOkCrqdDEhv7uHFEvj09NnmyrFMJgYpdSaNdj8JfkZDlbzpTzz7h1sHGhoYyTXNbz8lHlMBgAmuvkb_JRu2CeG-4NDaXVUOPpQkW9q9-6iaKg/s4080/20240206_135018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyxIQclRCv348S3RbFE3tBCKfX50jFRojyqob94L6saaU6uUrKRapIzekyxWjz-gtwYqTa6_Bls7MugOkCrqdDEhv7uHFEvj09NnmyrFMJgYpdSaNdj8JfkZDlbzpTzz7h1sHGhoYyTXNbz8lHlMBgAmuvkb_JRu2CeG-4NDaXVUOPpQkW9q9-6iaKg/w360-h640/20240206_135018.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jon decided that he could repurpose the carcass of the discarded dressing table whilst I came up with a cunning plan to reuse one of the ill-fitting drawers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtNyuMuQwsHqhC7QN_pKtXhy9qpz2YA3rWVHqWZP_e3mT2jovwaO99m-JVioM9oQ9lz6Q6R9MsjxoGC3BL1i6wwvNvjPGTGL_1QFSKbTrnBhbKhcAeJOXzfvuIUnMVc-vnAkrr7kN8qSoIcLxksq-XQfkWOW_Q9oVkJsagt9ZadqS3gD6GQJPAKQyeA/s4080/20240207_150111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtNyuMuQwsHqhC7QN_pKtXhy9qpz2YA3rWVHqWZP_e3mT2jovwaO99m-JVioM9oQ9lz6Q6R9MsjxoGC3BL1i6wwvNvjPGTGL_1QFSKbTrnBhbKhcAeJOXzfvuIUnMVc-vnAkrr7kN8qSoIcLxksq-XQfkWOW_Q9oVkJsagt9ZadqS3gD6GQJPAKQyeA/w360-h640/20240207_150111.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The legs were saved from a mid-century table which had gone to the great scrap heap in the sky a decade ago. That's one of the ceramic knob from the boxful we bought, isn't it pretty?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn40gvUIbKC7NYVGKyN-CuEoLrZvEemIcx-V0cPjpKVVVeTXqIHfER0W3KbsyyCmu0ertFG6SSR5Ziti6zp9TVqpF2O7MyX1nfpHxjmAX8slSXQMMv6vyhK0drRLi-IxeaKKI-1QvBXBByxrHZ1Yp8BI39KIpqYIZJ7e2SF0fcBH5iFl5uoQSmtWvf2w/s4080/20240207_150127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn40gvUIbKC7NYVGKyN-CuEoLrZvEemIcx-V0cPjpKVVVeTXqIHfER0W3KbsyyCmu0ertFG6SSR5Ziti6zp9TVqpF2O7MyX1nfpHxjmAX8slSXQMMv6vyhK0drRLi-IxeaKKI-1QvBXBByxrHZ1Yp8BI39KIpqYIZJ7e2SF0fcBH5iFl5uoQSmtWvf2w/w360-h640/20240207_150127.jpg" width="360" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the chest of drawers and <i>used-to-be-a-drawer </i>table in situ.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4iCr_xBPxPPsmMG_l5Z0FOi-1GmSIngeG77vvuxtjXd5W75AeK009Cx2Eg9Dct_W957MajjQ4tZHARUM612s4cPrsQdb8Z-Ynj23k8oGBrsWDANBcE1cpQCIgxiQcK5V3jxBVP-tXwbGzOGY3xbvvtl5kF1Lj6vgvMsUzcZcwKvpGuRytQd5uwiiCA/s4080/20240207_152156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4iCr_xBPxPPsmMG_l5Z0FOi-1GmSIngeG77vvuxtjXd5W75AeK009Cx2Eg9Dct_W957MajjQ4tZHARUM612s4cPrsQdb8Z-Ynj23k8oGBrsWDANBcE1cpQCIgxiQcK5V3jxBVP-tXwbGzOGY3xbvvtl5kF1Lj6vgvMsUzcZcwKvpGuRytQd5uwiiCA/w360-h640/20240207_152156.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkJ1XSaRdOYMHcBUrLF0vMSFlxvVBH1HbvIoOoqYujE53Uw2NigIxGXY9gq0wqZ8FmV0gFbO_vdsdtyJrO4udyiFI6DRDVwcBpyeuSo2wLEv2dbxSNeuXGy13TU0ycTB9Z98tCS5UgkzJn4eBMumU5_0EjxUX0XESGHeN2EQQnHlVTChD3exOdjuRqg/s4080/20240207_152412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkJ1XSaRdOYMHcBUrLF0vMSFlxvVBH1HbvIoOoqYujE53Uw2NigIxGXY9gq0wqZ8FmV0gFbO_vdsdtyJrO4udyiFI6DRDVwcBpyeuSo2wLEv2dbxSNeuXGy13TU0ycTB9Z98tCS5UgkzJn4eBMumU5_0EjxUX0XESGHeN2EQQnHlVTChD3exOdjuRqg/w360-h640/20240207_152412.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perfect for storing my nail paint and my hair accessories. Much better than the floor, where they usually live!</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/AVvXsEgYqUwD4qtCLpiD-LOkHkx3UQzDBEnJG7tjeT0LOksnxp1HbwWuyuOuMKln5g2dfx_dBsWK_C2CbAKHnM6pZfWpb7uk8ztYTM9Fw0ujZ9OpbfSpZvlbNWcBkBgDpyzQpY04YYER4zoj0DKhoE45esZqWCp526XRuIwe92ix2Ezd-O9ZpRAHQWDH_3lvWA/s4080/20240207_152606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqUwD4qtCLpiD-LOkHkx3UQzDBEnJG7tjeT0LOksnxp1HbwWuyuOuMKln5g2dfx_dBsWK_C2CbAKHnM6pZfWpb7uk8ztYTM9Fw0ujZ9OpbfSpZvlbNWcBkBgDpyzQpY04YYER4zoj0DKhoE45esZqWCp526XRuIwe92ix2Ezd-O9ZpRAHQWDH_3lvWA/w360-h640/20240207_152606.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Charity shop karma is a thing. We've donated some good stuff this week meaning that some even better stuff came our way.</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/AVvXsEgYCMTWyX3FbhIU0l1XtL5VgdWfn-ZcYXgitkyTED1gPlg5aioQDh9EMkQT2aBft4KNn9hQwOjSUoe5NMsofl_O9n5zI6XknobUaLLrxpk75jh3AWZDTS43gHe3IOZDfRJAVUwErsDmlflt8jdBg8dnYH-Ur-FcLUq8CaYwaEYhCPL3_ksmhZVZJPOmJA/s1200/chaz1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCMTWyX3FbhIU0l1XtL5VgdWfn-ZcYXgitkyTED1gPlg5aioQDh9EMkQT2aBft4KNn9hQwOjSUoe5NMsofl_O9n5zI6XknobUaLLrxpk75jh3AWZDTS43gHe3IOZDfRJAVUwErsDmlflt8jdBg8dnYH-Ur-FcLUq8CaYwaEYhCPL3_ksmhZVZJPOmJA/w640-h480/chaz1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These 1960s mini dresses and belted<i> Crimplene </i>jacket must have belonged to the same woman. The orange and purple printed cotton maternity dress is identical to one my Mum wore when she was pregnant with me in 1966. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqoVBL5JNXoVGB8h5YLFMT5muWoi1f4BwgJZ-FhS7uPBNYnq2fEnNvTsX1qrRzyg-qQgc0VQKSnI7XWaMG1kCGUVCMeTg2e1q8Q-9q0KJr7Pyt1qn2tzlHJNZEHO-EURwhMVSL0N6P0uUEAXjPQ2fIb4nuxa7axIwbaZqCgkJeoWfLBXLcslfwJGA0A/s1200/collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqoVBL5JNXoVGB8h5YLFMT5muWoi1f4BwgJZ-FhS7uPBNYnq2fEnNvTsX1qrRzyg-qQgc0VQKSnI7XWaMG1kCGUVCMeTg2e1q8Q-9q0KJr7Pyt1qn2tzlHJNZEHO-EURwhMVSL0N6P0uUEAXjPQ2fIb4nuxa7axIwbaZqCgkJeoWfLBXLcslfwJGA0A/w640-h480/collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's also a <i>West African</i> waxed cotton bomber jacket (with the store tags still attached), a 1980s purple studded jacket, a vintage <i>Frank Usher</i> chiffon maxi dress, a 1960s Welsh tweed coat, a fake fur Cossack hat, a 1980s velvet trimmed pleated smock dress by <i>Parigi</i>, a 1970s Borg-lined sheepskin, a 1960s framed leather bag, a burn-out velvet blazer from an Amsterdam boutique, a vintage Icelandic jumper and a 1990s Italian-made purple leather coat. </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/AVvXsEgHpiOiPa3vi4hONCesd0XZO92m-VdUAV4uoRYPWy1omoQLtz3EJ_l12-HRxVDrt6-StWSzrNHXlMZbDCav986Gp9oPvJFS31-_XZXFXHbeGV8Ph3uzh1zoU6Vx4ZsGiRxI1IF3LBKjulDwaStKc4hZqCkEmcy9vGTC7NjrqOV0DCftb94k8RmGepFuQQ/s640/14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpiOiPa3vi4hONCesd0XZO92m-VdUAV4uoRYPWy1omoQLtz3EJ_l12-HRxVDrt6-StWSzrNHXlMZbDCav986Gp9oPvJFS31-_XZXFXHbeGV8Ph3uzh1zoU6Vx4ZsGiRxI1IF3LBKjulDwaStKc4hZqCkEmcy9vGTC7NjrqOV0DCftb94k8RmGepFuQQ/w480-h640/14.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stonecroft isn't the only house having a tidy-up this week, my<i> Lundby Stockholm,</i> which lives in our bedroom, got a spring clean, too. The Stockholm was introduced in 1975 and, like the more common <i>Gothenburg</i> (of which I've got two), it has an electrical transformer enabling the house to be lit up. The<i> Stockholm</i> is the only dolls house Lundby made with a removable front, making it less of a dust magnet. My model is from 1979, when the lower storey, comprising a stable block (every little girl's' dream!) was introduced. </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/AVvXsEiUtRU1sGNCw_vTtGSszkjLI1McQ7c9teWWevrl_mE1Ih2TxGp8ebRPb_u2u9txUvQjIvT48ITJp-73AZ84u6iLsEnL7YKtGdQimfFM6zrGTF1-1PH-qS1uGW2dY5AJVt_ceQDygTxnT1o5ceEPE9MoIZ3B-TwVDEzBvKLNHMouDzaPw03tbaliNkNSAw/s4080/20240209_143039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtRU1sGNCw_vTtGSszkjLI1McQ7c9teWWevrl_mE1Ih2TxGp8ebRPb_u2u9txUvQjIvT48ITJp-73AZ84u6iLsEnL7YKtGdQimfFM6zrGTF1-1PH-qS1uGW2dY5AJVt_ceQDygTxnT1o5ceEPE9MoIZ3B-TwVDEzBvKLNHMouDzaPw03tbaliNkNSAw/w640-h360/20240209_143039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNlZDz40EnQlktszAWpyx9A73q0XFYauXeeojIk1w6vczCKlR4E3CuVXzXdExJe-6zWggc7gk7SyDDVIyFO5y7GIvgx6uMdc4rwV5675tUHHB8RVbIpblkwYwq-tMSYRqfH-JLM44nLLckewRm0mvJXj6AE-kGwfQB-2HXc0XzPXJnRZoqFf-G1UZcw/s4080/20240209_143058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNlZDz40EnQlktszAWpyx9A73q0XFYauXeeojIk1w6vczCKlR4E3CuVXzXdExJe-6zWggc7gk7SyDDVIyFO5y7GIvgx6uMdc4rwV5675tUHHB8RVbIpblkwYwq-tMSYRqfH-JLM44nLLckewRm0mvJXj6AE-kGwfQB-2HXc0XzPXJnRZoqFf-G1UZcw/w640-h360/20240209_143058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Saga is my alter-ego. She loves a flamboyant frock and invariably has a wine glass close at hand. You're more likely to find her sunning herself on the balcony or curled up with a book in the lounge, rarely venturing into the kitchen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9SK4kodTuI6QyDOAn8O8be7NcNJMSdmAN_Zly0HjqZM8kvnsp_lZDvQ75JnJQ794R1vatsC1Xu640HEfNRPYSq_ivNAZ0VCyiwtfij7QSudc9-rdV2RfKjPdHNTMYpNqlIcKjZoUdtTK8DUkJU6DJZgKLJCSzBnXM0Ak9F1MQS4nryu2IjQdB-tPRg/s3083/20240209_143119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3083" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9SK4kodTuI6QyDOAn8O8be7NcNJMSdmAN_Zly0HjqZM8kvnsp_lZDvQ75JnJQ794R1vatsC1Xu640HEfNRPYSq_ivNAZ0VCyiwtfij7QSudc9-rdV2RfKjPdHNTMYpNqlIcKjZoUdtTK8DUkJU6DJZgKLJCSzBnXM0Ak9F1MQS4nryu2IjQdB-tPRg/w476-h640/20240209_143119.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaPFDfQ35rZpcXIYYbkG0IXL5BFTgpjC8qTGHCk2D8hLHteGpraiWRoTI-gmW-_INdv8CyeJkSS7sDi6RwfODu1t3fc1bVH826UMYbfM9Yb3jx9EijlgbVsekYUlZo2dB5T_R6ttwsO7fyhv8dHagaAJK5zBcy2wOJCu2BNK_P_OKzrinwr-zFwxMVg/s3457/20240209_143137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2074" data-original-width="3457" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaPFDfQ35rZpcXIYYbkG0IXL5BFTgpjC8qTGHCk2D8hLHteGpraiWRoTI-gmW-_INdv8CyeJkSS7sDi6RwfODu1t3fc1bVH826UMYbfM9Yb3jx9EijlgbVsekYUlZo2dB5T_R6ttwsO7fyhv8dHagaAJK5zBcy2wOJCu2BNK_P_OKzrinwr-zFwxMVg/w640-h384/20240209_143137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_P4jAYsIjRf92_1fgOI5rh3F2auxVlRTmw4wC8whXxvuAbptPVi7iuUH80MOP4TIatf1sYhvFgu6GUogQt8e92BwHyclBD2BG8jIRNWlaK1kw8zBUNrdpFCz68SVz6_NWrCGJTuprCXknSLWHjt_z_AqHnCmBt59IVcFgYWBI7CJodkjnXUyzoEf4w/s4080/20240209_143420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_P4jAYsIjRf92_1fgOI5rh3F2auxVlRTmw4wC8whXxvuAbptPVi7iuUH80MOP4TIatf1sYhvFgu6GUogQt8e92BwHyclBD2BG8jIRNWlaK1kw8zBUNrdpFCz68SVz6_NWrCGJTuprCXknSLWHjt_z_AqHnCmBt59IVcFgYWBI7CJodkjnXUyzoEf4w/w640-h360/20240209_143420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgUrrZz3mLrgxDYRFVwA3EmEYOoirr3fg-Z-wzKLhGBwoKXJoEWf1ypIEXt_QX-o47anhr15-_ZfIwuByZGs85jXiH7OMIOHreJ27t22gnU2Y24OwUrrAkcp0s5raeKcI0PPyEP7R61bvIfECFJTJzyS_bjWRKiyXx80GQ3uvseJuA1r7MxzuzhokdDMg/s3525/20240209_143854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3525" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrrZz3mLrgxDYRFVwA3EmEYOoirr3fg-Z-wzKLhGBwoKXJoEWf1ypIEXt_QX-o47anhr15-_ZfIwuByZGs85jXiH7OMIOHreJ27t22gnU2Y24OwUrrAkcp0s5raeKcI0PPyEP7R61bvIfECFJTJzyS_bjWRKiyXx80GQ3uvseJuA1r7MxzuzhokdDMg/w640-h364/20240209_143854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSh3_OBiU-6ryE7ZMp0udSt-eMy1k828PkXbVAUPZhrsPYbI_ZDEvecLWclawcr2g1bRhFCBpZJMbiWZAtj0RWbUXPCGBbfcF334WDptsw0vZqqEgaGAAMDGQoweDT_ieFsfN0Ke6iJ0WvYEGodGgqnFKdn7NHYLXXy3vZOgfzXlLWGC6mftrZeaDCQ/s4080/20240209_143943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSh3_OBiU-6ryE7ZMp0udSt-eMy1k828PkXbVAUPZhrsPYbI_ZDEvecLWclawcr2g1bRhFCBpZJMbiWZAtj0RWbUXPCGBbfcF334WDptsw0vZqqEgaGAAMDGQoweDT_ieFsfN0Ke6iJ0WvYEGodGgqnFKdn7NHYLXXy3vZOgfzXlLWGC6mftrZeaDCQ/w640-h360/20240209_143943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSoLlrMMCsYcWRHusLYCxPdsSbIwUq-2NZPNYK0pTi_uhVbpDCCOoORZY6RexwDNk9_e7Uz8c9YJ_CoXGKwpwIv3iyrUEJ2av_77_-ARD3IYN58wa62Ez0taE0AfE9Z1sbbRtMe6rpCPPd32LX1YEQhBGDbfbtp4e1zCvcwy5MH7VbWal-oiXtsCVXw/s3021/20240209_144307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3021" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSoLlrMMCsYcWRHusLYCxPdsSbIwUq-2NZPNYK0pTi_uhVbpDCCOoORZY6RexwDNk9_e7Uz8c9YJ_CoXGKwpwIv3iyrUEJ2av_77_-ARD3IYN58wa62Ez0taE0AfE9Z1sbbRtMe6rpCPPd32LX1YEQhBGDbfbtp4e1zCvcwy5MH7VbWal-oiXtsCVXw/w640-h486/20240209_144307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dTGCnjs0MIK5oYg2F4FbjV6rsnpTyunApgmVyo2ZTA0KmU_XZy8gcGeuvAxwYjTV7fWh2plnvxzHVUpqscz3_e5SqIuW66cl5sZQf1jnLzAIYLbK9cSFrJ7FZ5aRDKZWCVvI0B5iFN7as8x2cKcCHdh7r7NL1bOkI-oYevRFknan_IxFxbcT54w_jw/s4080/20240209_144317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dTGCnjs0MIK5oYg2F4FbjV6rsnpTyunApgmVyo2ZTA0KmU_XZy8gcGeuvAxwYjTV7fWh2plnvxzHVUpqscz3_e5SqIuW66cl5sZQf1jnLzAIYLbK9cSFrJ7FZ5aRDKZWCVvI0B5iFN7as8x2cKcCHdh7r7NL1bOkI-oYevRFknan_IxFxbcT54w_jw/w640-h360/20240209_144317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjd8SbM1K_5nNNPjfUHyNdJ0QLnjkjMYT4glrgNebViDPoSMmWxCvaYXqwdT87PN8mEhLr5YADFQhBQNmPe81cFUi3qdp9l0IVurPASP6QAj0G8ERmeiR_9NtcQ3e4-Kl-EWQISOpSUruIyxOjrtsDTnA-6sPlJcrO26z8oofdSqwFBUcyUGHdrh5aw/s2006/20240209_160429.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="2006" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjd8SbM1K_5nNNPjfUHyNdJ0QLnjkjMYT4glrgNebViDPoSMmWxCvaYXqwdT87PN8mEhLr5YADFQhBQNmPe81cFUi3qdp9l0IVurPASP6QAj0G8ERmeiR_9NtcQ3e4-Kl-EWQISOpSUruIyxOjrtsDTnA-6sPlJcrO26z8oofdSqwFBUcyUGHdrh5aw/w640-h242/20240209_160429.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the image to enlarge.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't tell you how much pleasure I get from opening up my Stockholm and peeping at the Lundby family enjoying their swanky pad. I recently stumbled upon a basketful of vintage Lundby furniture in a charity shop which, of course, I had to rescue (some of the older furniture is very sought after). Like our real house, my mini houses are crammed to the rafters but I'm sure I can find a way to shoehorn a bit more stuff in. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTSDTw-h0DHuLZb1_4a2QV4fiR4mq-63xtZaFuq4btnLp6XsxnyOCXjWzcknf9aUMCrdnx40Hp-wdw9FOyxJ0hyDk58i0EMukK05VlqeD0-Tt6CaOSIsiGFcqvuLRRFov7H9QVT-XxUH32GJTRddza2o9MMbFh49911rxyWlCGhD5OQs9nxXBPdT4ew/s1841/20240209_160522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="1087" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTSDTw-h0DHuLZb1_4a2QV4fiR4mq-63xtZaFuq4btnLp6XsxnyOCXjWzcknf9aUMCrdnx40Hp-wdw9FOyxJ0hyDk58i0EMukK05VlqeD0-Tt6CaOSIsiGFcqvuLRRFov7H9QVT-XxUH32GJTRddza2o9MMbFh49911rxyWlCGhD5OQs9nxXBPdT4ew/w378-h640/20240209_160522.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">57 years old going on 7, that's me!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdanLDpxrwnlPt73m9qoKzgG5ecTWI3Hyq4scx48GJv_FSQYcjN26tCAMDQaL5PlFbFuuBlp9Uv7G4OI4PdcpR-8wt9cvOUfZXTLUU8uuynFuXsWpeqPIfMS_dzUd-enoD9Tnj2jlCoxC7Pqw1G1qO-F95m9_UFw8qbRT-_h0MfgHe7rjWgji43Q9lQ/s3570/20240209_144412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2227" data-original-width="3570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdanLDpxrwnlPt73m9qoKzgG5ecTWI3Hyq4scx48GJv_FSQYcjN26tCAMDQaL5PlFbFuuBlp9Uv7G4OI4PdcpR-8wt9cvOUfZXTLUU8uuynFuXsWpeqPIfMS_dzUd-enoD9Tnj2jlCoxC7Pqw1G1qO-F95m9_UFw8qbRT-_h0MfgHe7rjWgji43Q9lQ/w640-h400/20240209_144412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading! Have a fab weekend and see you on the other side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-67635149880767013322024-02-05T16:24:00.008+00:002024-02-06T14:35:28.802+00:00Paint It Black<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGshWuqdMwCbI9MkAoR-6Y8OFWgqhyphenhyphenkvRDl1mlK1SN4l_sz3_BQ0-gXxRu4shLjDeJ8zlNiHksVOIT1ea_OSfsthEc8NCp2_XS5p36tNROapwfOAxNGHhg_lMBP478IeaNPqnjgNfByJ3sJr39dFiZxoIKDg5IAzpZ88rea2e3bzTDQFnIBH_kyu9qQ/s1024/download%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="1024" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGshWuqdMwCbI9MkAoR-6Y8OFWgqhyphenhyphenkvRDl1mlK1SN4l_sz3_BQ0-gXxRu4shLjDeJ8zlNiHksVOIT1ea_OSfsthEc8NCp2_XS5p36tNROapwfOAxNGHhg_lMBP478IeaNPqnjgNfByJ3sJr39dFiZxoIKDg5IAzpZ88rea2e3bzTDQFnIBH_kyu9qQ/w640-h358/download%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Monday! I hope you've had a good weekend. Here's what we got up to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwEizT0kBM9PqIk2oAC7CVGS_-k13XFRGH4ab6bEr8GJuBdBv78Iqoetch1k0WTYEl0e9Bfl9LXWz0egA5VLv4Oeesp3CgNocdBNEDPMkxKL9p9suViBs-B1Vg7JwbB9fki0ByZGNAI7SGadWoTa9fDR1jZn4WzSrOlw3zNtFPXPKFHif_WsudzO8Kg/s640/bath3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwEizT0kBM9PqIk2oAC7CVGS_-k13XFRGH4ab6bEr8GJuBdBv78Iqoetch1k0WTYEl0e9Bfl9LXWz0egA5VLv4Oeesp3CgNocdBNEDPMkxKL9p9suViBs-B1Vg7JwbB9fki0ByZGNAI7SGadWoTa9fDR1jZn4WzSrOlw3zNtFPXPKFHif_WsudzO8Kg/w640-h480/bath3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Having plans to makeover a room seems to have a domino effect and we've been looking at other areas of the house with fresh eyes. On Saturday morning Jon decided he'd had enough of the bathroom cabinet, after shuffling around pieces of furniture from elsewhere in the house and nothing looking quite right, it hit me like a thunderbolt...<i>paint it black! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht37bYdE-75avWcLpMHhKAOr6paKHvHq2hdX843-NbAgI_9hJsugz90HqYUrcZx6lzKHr2NlUaQqtMrPT4AgwKG2KS7MorB0t1GUCp8FkXHTWk-zfx5vZs8xSjM-LEoWevsXQaQvP7zN3I9VzAX5ISS5mI1V4TV5gu4wCwJFUX5x2eN7MR03d2W0Q2Uw/s3264/bath1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="3264" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht37bYdE-75avWcLpMHhKAOr6paKHvHq2hdX843-NbAgI_9hJsugz90HqYUrcZx6lzKHr2NlUaQqtMrPT4AgwKG2KS7MorB0t1GUCp8FkXHTWk-zfx5vZs8xSjM-LEoWevsXQaQvP7zN3I9VzAX5ISS5mI1V4TV5gu4wCwJFUX5x2eN7MR03d2W0Q2Uw/w640-h296/bath1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Sorting out the <i>Shit Tip</i> (aka the middle room) we rediscovered the photograph in the brass frame that you can see on the freshly painted cabinet. Back in 2011 at <i>The Big Chill</i>, along with 698 other volunteers, we participated in award-winning American photographer, <i>Spencer Tunick's</i> photoshoot (read more about it <a href="https://solarishealth.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/spencer-tunick-at-the-big-chill-festival-2010/">HERE</a>). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0lgzzidT3tN4TG7nV8MsyRZcPclj9SH4vhb4xvAP4N-98DHyGySf_NlLaZPs8W7rIyiIffA7C9GgQ2PUebslD2gZHhbrQfbivKZJX-S4RXdYNSRijn8OlJfZrp8OZPneEmW39g0aohLPrzONBNyqEa-vpt8O9yNjx0sRElSKOOZpVj1MuA3ucR6KFA/s550/spencer-tunick-big-chill-festival.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="550" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0lgzzidT3tN4TG7nV8MsyRZcPclj9SH4vhb4xvAP4N-98DHyGySf_NlLaZPs8W7rIyiIffA7C9GgQ2PUebslD2gZHhbrQfbivKZJX-S4RXdYNSRijn8OlJfZrp8OZPneEmW39g0aohLPrzONBNyqEa-vpt8O9yNjx0sRElSKOOZpVj1MuA3ucR6KFA/w640-h506/spencer-tunick-big-chill-festival.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jon and I were team yellow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPvVqQdC6on2Hoj1kfLlAuPX1lNnEbdS5sv4yJnfQ8h3BtqV1NDsY-nutSu7j1KeFHcJN2MjfmPZuvE5O4wwI-PaT38NHBU0Bg1HSR0HdGfg5Y6QKTgw4JrLykfmpp10PfgI60Bjled7e8_TtY2ckHkgT1FS40yJPNL8S7YJwgPLL1HvJbquHmnjseQ/s580/_methode_sundaytimes_prodmigration_web_bin_013202fd-674f-4dbf-a89f-54440523c3c4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="580" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPvVqQdC6on2Hoj1kfLlAuPX1lNnEbdS5sv4yJnfQ8h3BtqV1NDsY-nutSu7j1KeFHcJN2MjfmPZuvE5O4wwI-PaT38NHBU0Bg1HSR0HdGfg5Y6QKTgw4JrLykfmpp10PfgI60Bjled7e8_TtY2ckHkgT1FS40yJPNL8S7YJwgPLL1HvJbquHmnjseQ/w640-h386/_methode_sundaytimes_prodmigration_web_bin_013202fd-674f-4dbf-a89f-54440523c3c4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1gxOe5skbZUsj2gnYDS4O2U6Ki4LIZ85c6_eME66D_mTIbpoUc39kSZ6Lu7eiyZV9ufrcBSOplYV_enlT9roNE795X4g23VG0noEvrN6ZuSfO6_1oaTbNTaC43-X-m9afriBP_OBVaGrVB0Jo3cwRZCLQJecVOmvKNQnmngcSP69HXWKeno6Kk2Rvg/s460/Shutterstock_1215340ba.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="460" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1gxOe5skbZUsj2gnYDS4O2U6Ki4LIZ85c6_eME66D_mTIbpoUc39kSZ6Lu7eiyZV9ufrcBSOplYV_enlT9roNE795X4g23VG0noEvrN6ZuSfO6_1oaTbNTaC43-X-m9afriBP_OBVaGrVB0Jo3cwRZCLQJecVOmvKNQnmngcSP69HXWKeno6Kk2Rvg/w640-h264/Shutterstock_1215340ba.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We made the national press (The Sunday Times & The Guardian) and the BBC news. It was such a wonderfully life-affirming experience but man, it took days to wash that body paint off!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSSZvlalYLefY787iCENFhg3osYCQ7YJ_apIuJQORuNrFnkhFvwFtXxWgdc6bC0-477NzbHBVORjqIQqEw3B9tIvVQvCeeSULklaz_h_zSb9XAWaHRVjcYwkbG6RAtmaK4y4NkSTCyzgE2mQKG97jklffICORnR1npahS-4K5oF7TpOkSwYbbSCdZxw/s1024/bath2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1024" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSSZvlalYLefY787iCENFhg3osYCQ7YJ_apIuJQORuNrFnkhFvwFtXxWgdc6bC0-477NzbHBVORjqIQqEw3B9tIvVQvCeeSULklaz_h_zSb9XAWaHRVjcYwkbG6RAtmaK4y4NkSTCyzgE2mQKG97jklffICORnR1npahS-4K5oF7TpOkSwYbbSCdZxw/w640-h568/bath2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We also unearthed this gorgeous Victorian woman's head carved oak shelf, which was my Grandma's. Isn't she gorgeous?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJMTidtIFxuA_fr0j5_A76ZoDlYlchvx0sDyumQladBCDXOtIAYbn68YJgiVwhmry65sRKt3Sb-UJb5sY7efXEq0Qst4-28PYN49nyRlywGaFUtRgfCzExcjVnv85yzp99n0BIXYEGRwt0h63wgjLwfnGWJk_ZbH2BLTOkNG7-Eu27h-8iHx5qiBlAQ/s1024/bath4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1024" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJMTidtIFxuA_fr0j5_A76ZoDlYlchvx0sDyumQladBCDXOtIAYbn68YJgiVwhmry65sRKt3Sb-UJb5sY7efXEq0Qst4-28PYN49nyRlywGaFUtRgfCzExcjVnv85yzp99n0BIXYEGRwt0h63wgjLwfnGWJk_ZbH2BLTOkNG7-Eu27h-8iHx5qiBlAQ/w640-h352/bath4.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving Jon to the painting, I rummaged through my fabric scrap stash and made some scrunchies. Yes, I know all of us long-haired lassies wore them in the 1980s but they've had a huge revival in the last couple of years and I'd forgotten how much better they hold my hair than a bog standard band (no damage or pulling, either).</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/AVvXsEhgEKVQf8KOTD-mBijri5r86XMeXaLE_3Mmy4A4wY7FnL34HZliAfml_GWdXh-BVeoqUzL0CHVMYsHBGF7FHIzkPOP4m4F8qAu8u-dwz2GAG4mnSWdHA6rQgifcsfamXa-jNI94_TyMzsLH3WlN60WGjRFUqGIqkV9MNmNBdEE8ws49oDzBbBaixO8syQ/s4080/20240204_145810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEKVQf8KOTD-mBijri5r86XMeXaLE_3Mmy4A4wY7FnL34HZliAfml_GWdXh-BVeoqUzL0CHVMYsHBGF7FHIzkPOP4m4F8qAu8u-dwz2GAG4mnSWdHA6rQgifcsfamXa-jNI94_TyMzsLH3WlN60WGjRFUqGIqkV9MNmNBdEE8ws49oDzBbBaixO8syQ/w322-h640/20240204_145810.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If I make a few every week I should have plenty for the festival season.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn2MGQlK1f3lhuzeMPJO4X9LhtLJeUngX8sQMrKvEw2pUd88dmmcPtYtWfvxxHw6A2xIn4lDlaoiLuDx1RDpK4MK1YY76playDmcRVfZ-AvCGCgRj7pGxyry7KJGWc__4Hwm4CVi-b0XMdMkS8Zhb3YHGkCIu-xqrdLD9MdQSXeWJqWqalS-5v7UW1A/s3355/20240205_134406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="3355" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn2MGQlK1f3lhuzeMPJO4X9LhtLJeUngX8sQMrKvEw2pUd88dmmcPtYtWfvxxHw6A2xIn4lDlaoiLuDx1RDpK4MK1YY76playDmcRVfZ-AvCGCgRj7pGxyry7KJGWc__4Hwm4CVi-b0XMdMkS8Zhb3YHGkCIu-xqrdLD9MdQSXeWJqWqalS-5v7UW1A/w640-h430/20240205_134406.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The eagle eyed amongst you might spot a William Morris <i>Acanthus</i> print amongst the velvet and West African waxed cotton...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEKGoC3vXx-yJiMWfXhO_tbw2yn91TYS2bf9oResvme5KH-tSVWGnpTB9m78mYYybD2iAOKM16df2FTwrkTDtZZm0U98JbBqKKdQzO_oxhTRaFq9UKsx9ak8bfLWEdLKGNSJ3dck4cuZqSoqoMBrBESe7LcJzCj4min4l5Tc4sEvnc9KUMHUd-eeajA/s3676/20240203_154616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEKGoC3vXx-yJiMWfXhO_tbw2yn91TYS2bf9oResvme5KH-tSVWGnpTB9m78mYYybD2iAOKM16df2FTwrkTDtZZm0U98JbBqKKdQzO_oxhTRaFq9UKsx9ak8bfLWEdLKGNSJ3dck4cuZqSoqoMBrBESe7LcJzCj4min4l5Tc4sEvnc9KUMHUd-eeajA/w400-h640/20240203_154616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">These pyjamas were going for a song in the <i>Next</i> New Year clearance sale (£10 down from £45) but they were miles too long so, rather than waste any of the fabric, the excess became scrunchies. These are for lounging in, I <i>never</i> wear clothes in bed! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_0W1kyXbKLLXutjf5kF5Bm-b5_LpYMstMQlP0ryoP8zpUR5_L30r6kFknMsHNkH9pdYEh6iAB6cMEq_ksanO6NYeOU-4wIzDZNLeUUR-9I0Mb2t2vrScqVvUCeelCETaGdkun-6-lR1g1SsU0CN8QpDtagiFftn_z_X90fHwZoVj12p9iYrkwgJJ8Q/s1200/bca1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_0W1kyXbKLLXutjf5kF5Bm-b5_LpYMstMQlP0ryoP8zpUR5_L30r6kFknMsHNkH9pdYEh6iAB6cMEq_ksanO6NYeOU-4wIzDZNLeUUR-9I0Mb2t2vrScqVvUCeelCETaGdkun-6-lR1g1SsU0CN8QpDtagiFftn_z_X90fHwZoVj12p9iYrkwgJJ8Q/w640-h480/bca1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On Saturday evening we headed to the <a href="http://www.blackcountryarms.co.uk/"><i>Black Country Arms</i></a> (the BCA) on Walsall's High Street to celebrate Tony's birthday. Liz and Al are currently sunning themselves in Tenerife so it was just the six of us.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjUbEllHueZdjSRFUM8NZad5ALyFf7lVBnslKZqNQgKexe0B4ShPoTO57ur5BW3z71S16mPYtFFhzs10hyphenhyphen9tXYjU_6tpNjh3jpcxKqVuSD7EfziDaAPY2yAswcDHsMiEWD1vfd_EviO2ooDNrkH-5iYZiO91x81BmPT6JAATqlLc3OVZErqoSm0GwjA/s3264/sat3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="3264" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjUbEllHueZdjSRFUM8NZad5ALyFf7lVBnslKZqNQgKexe0B4ShPoTO57ur5BW3z71S16mPYtFFhzs10hyphenhyphen9tXYjU_6tpNjh3jpcxKqVuSD7EfziDaAPY2yAswcDHsMiEWD1vfd_EviO2ooDNrkH-5iYZiO91x81BmPT6JAATqlLc3OVZErqoSm0GwjA/w640-h482/sat3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Formerly The Green Dragon, the BCA is the oldest pub in Walsall, dating back to 1627. It has a mind-boggling array of real ales, several of which we sampled on Saturday night. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn_YZVo3lmmRZfopHV9bTsiFVZBbm5B_YS5ig-eEBSTtyy4ir-Z63c6sgpykaPQ1k7a9715gJ3Z2xFaV9QvB8cv-exPjAWT0iDb3E_hW09BaNQ8mM9rcixh-9vhk3ivIRExj_V2B4oXgaJ2uprre4ESveyE4T3VNDYbDeC3m1pxHMXARpRHLQ4vyuNQ/s750/bca2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn_YZVo3lmmRZfopHV9bTsiFVZBbm5B_YS5ig-eEBSTtyy4ir-Z63c6sgpykaPQ1k7a9715gJ3Z2xFaV9QvB8cv-exPjAWT0iDb3E_hW09BaNQ8mM9rcixh-9vhk3ivIRExj_V2B4oXgaJ2uprre4ESveyE4T3VNDYbDeC3m1pxHMXARpRHLQ4vyuNQ/w640-h426/bca2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a couple of hours in the pub we walked around the corner to <a href="https://saltnpepperturkish.com/storemenu">Salt 'n' Pepper</a> on Freer Street (situated next door to what was Boy George's squat back in the 1980s),very accurately described as a <i>Turkish Fine Dining Restaurant</i>, the fare is mighty fine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PaiWo6TYXV9omG-rrmO12LHSURZhYnDMF9PPOiMXY_rqVVhCg3-YtgLazgm4yXTuMlhol_ywjTVBvhzEOjMSK1t2Nby_A-n3r-7akxGaJgcIUorrdH6p967xwH7nyk_2jMX2_ludHHJxnYB_Px-AIy4bNC0idap-D9fpzEluVzSGoSDCUZM7Yx6QLg/s600/bca4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PaiWo6TYXV9omG-rrmO12LHSURZhYnDMF9PPOiMXY_rqVVhCg3-YtgLazgm4yXTuMlhol_ywjTVBvhzEOjMSK1t2Nby_A-n3r-7akxGaJgcIUorrdH6p967xwH7nyk_2jMX2_ludHHJxnYB_Px-AIy4bNC0idap-D9fpzEluVzSGoSDCUZM7Yx6QLg/w640-h426/bca4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We ordered vegetarian moussaka, mixed grill and chicken guvec. We didn't opt for starters knowing how big the portions are and how generous the owner can be and, true to form, we were given flatbreads, olives, dips, various mixed salads and slices of baklava. The staff brought out a birthday cake complete with candles and sung Happy Birthday to Tony.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP9m8Wzd3pqZvaAhY5C-jxUGtbqUAxXMANS2HC54zgQm6viLcWK7eodL5pWrs2guUZ2MXDt8kbo_PV06wwj2VhW9qEe8EsDqveCd8Cktqtz0pQUTti3tbceu6qcuGUxOkBBefK_heRKUsfPANu4rpcUZezkzIRZwSBB-nF6bgCF5DtBaMzWV9SdIjTQ/s3264/sat1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP9m8Wzd3pqZvaAhY5C-jxUGtbqUAxXMANS2HC54zgQm6viLcWK7eodL5pWrs2guUZ2MXDt8kbo_PV06wwj2VhW9qEe8EsDqveCd8Cktqtz0pQUTti3tbceu6qcuGUxOkBBefK_heRKUsfPANu4rpcUZezkzIRZwSBB-nF6bgCF5DtBaMzWV9SdIjTQ/w640-h640/sat1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jgcSd78X0MXc2ksp75daDDiSJdujTfiCzdDZ5PREoYfB4mWoqzhp-FL3weltApiYOshQ2oPDwkQj8hevLnqVwXMRQ70demjgV3kBBmi8SlygkS0DWluipWOMp1yqoanT5aOSRgAYcunQqd0pE8HxH2cZf0pJPwO1XD1YCcBQP5SJFLYDw6Ef5PpYSw/s3264/sat2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="3264" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jgcSd78X0MXc2ksp75daDDiSJdujTfiCzdDZ5PREoYfB4mWoqzhp-FL3weltApiYOshQ2oPDwkQj8hevLnqVwXMRQ70demjgV3kBBmi8SlygkS0DWluipWOMp1yqoanT5aOSRgAYcunQqd0pE8HxH2cZf0pJPwO1XD1YCcBQP5SJFLYDw6Ef5PpYSw/w640-h482/sat2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't recommend Salt 'n' Pepper highly enough but, be warned, it's extremely popular and booking is essential. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO0WAv7_1r5j2qe1eMljmRy8-K2_qUh6hMPruUut6DqrVrtzYzr4VCOGUG5J6egjrkqfoIRt16lAROGm0JTgTL4F6hFjbzXCya_PHd1ET7IyUFGs6RwZ6neTS56KfcPyLMhIWVgX_VSDVHfnSlGH9nWuwgr_qdwQohhfdM5bOhRL-BAJZ-GZEhr-JvQ/s3264/sun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2171" data-original-width="3264" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO0WAv7_1r5j2qe1eMljmRy8-K2_qUh6hMPruUut6DqrVrtzYzr4VCOGUG5J6egjrkqfoIRt16lAROGm0JTgTL4F6hFjbzXCya_PHd1ET7IyUFGs6RwZ6neTS56KfcPyLMhIWVgX_VSDVHfnSlGH9nWuwgr_qdwQohhfdM5bOhRL-BAJZ-GZEhr-JvQ/w640-h426/sun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We didn't wake up till gone 8am on Sunday and that was only due to a very hungry William! We popped round to Tony's with his presents - which included a freshly baked (by me) banana and organic plain chocolate loaf. I wore a vintage tissue silk <i>Treacy Lowe</i> Indian-printed maxi dress and a 1960s suede waistcoat along with Thursday's charity shopped <i>El Naturalista</i> green nubuck boots.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomrmyBWTEV2C_5-HArm8MYdf5ND8yr1A7EKMn87asV4Y3-2xuUrVtEbbCzrUOJNDrLHwKoIlRhsCgn9oZnZAxi9yCesD06QdA4c3wGk61ltg79J4Q0KoXvdsd5kFM22VFv7o9wNaq22KeRqOfud-cm8q4gsuhID8vWvldF-IVmtruzjOBuRm5UcCO8Q/s2591/20240204_100358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="2072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomrmyBWTEV2C_5-HArm8MYdf5ND8yr1A7EKMn87asV4Y3-2xuUrVtEbbCzrUOJNDrLHwKoIlRhsCgn9oZnZAxi9yCesD06QdA4c3wGk61ltg79J4Q0KoXvdsd5kFM22VFv7o9wNaq22KeRqOfud-cm8q4gsuhID8vWvldF-IVmtruzjOBuRm5UcCO8Q/w512-h640/20240204_100358.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">You've seen the dress and waistcoat many times over the ten years plus that I've owned them so here's a close-up of William on the<i> Seat of Judgement</i> instead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgsANKO-RxgFKdJ3_6lj1yACBtUNYgMPws1cAL1dGWwO_zHK77qz3COcC-tKgeFU-OBx9WR5x6RL1GoUBTGivFKn39-Vl0QJAOKmGy85Oulb7bG2l5lkV2_s5LaK_T3QDYc-2vyaTtAgGskZByUOtdIs7EQ_0pnuvT1Ea31Q6eq6HK0SEbqz2MmF26g/s4080/20240205_135611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgsANKO-RxgFKdJ3_6lj1yACBtUNYgMPws1cAL1dGWwO_zHK77qz3COcC-tKgeFU-OBx9WR5x6RL1GoUBTGivFKn39-Vl0QJAOKmGy85Oulb7bG2l5lkV2_s5LaK_T3QDYc-2vyaTtAgGskZByUOtdIs7EQ_0pnuvT1Ea31Q6eq6HK0SEbqz2MmF26g/w360-h640/20240205_135611.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Talking of Thursday's charity shopping, here's the haul of vintage vinyl Jon snaffled....dance classics <i>Let The Music Play </i>and <i>I Thought It was You</i>. <i>Laxton's Superb</i> were a local Brit Pop band (and a bunch of lovely lads), hailed as the next big thing by the Melody Maker back in 1996. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFoMujtulkgkc1qSnMQ8C3sA19lwb58Tm0T2DVEYfbP_i7_vezdH7SAD5IaRxtPQzfRLABzTDhBWtQ49QEdvFRT1-BqHW8JR-N5tTCmq8PlMwwA_lHU111sViQ076Gfoj2nKZI8ymokTfg-NwHaOblqOjTIS8371hOLUa_gB4bO1_N26Ewor3Ce6SBg/s4080/20240205_135652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFoMujtulkgkc1qSnMQ8C3sA19lwb58Tm0T2DVEYfbP_i7_vezdH7SAD5IaRxtPQzfRLABzTDhBWtQ49QEdvFRT1-BqHW8JR-N5tTCmq8PlMwwA_lHU111sViQ076Gfoj2nKZI8ymokTfg-NwHaOblqOjTIS8371hOLUa_gB4bO1_N26Ewor3Ce6SBg/w360-h640/20240205_135652.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Girl Power! Paula Abdul's <i>The Promise of a New Day</i> (still with the free promo poster), Zoe's <i>Sunshine on a Rainy Day </i>and Birmingham's finest, the legendary <i>Fuzzbox</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQfrQgTmkSawDY2YPAbkJgp-HuqHR6heSUN7W3t820_eV1ev_3kcsJ7wP0LGDFEDw9NugxTw8kCXP9blqwZYfxs_Ed2HDmf0oLOn1LeJKYHM4Z9UDZI7npkkcDb6bdGa2PO7s2zpO1usOGzVDe1xNjge-DH3mfQiaGTMjULHDcnHZgdsu1N-cFB551A/s2984/20240205_135743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2984" data-original-width="2196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQfrQgTmkSawDY2YPAbkJgp-HuqHR6heSUN7W3t820_eV1ev_3kcsJ7wP0LGDFEDw9NugxTw8kCXP9blqwZYfxs_Ed2HDmf0oLOn1LeJKYHM4Z9UDZI7npkkcDb6bdGa2PO7s2zpO1usOGzVDe1xNjge-DH3mfQiaGTMjULHDcnHZgdsu1N-cFB551A/w470-h640/20240205_135743.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A limited edition of Spagna's <i>Every Girl & Boy</i> in lime green vinyl!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklmh72MYCm-JqLekHnb07Aha50licdeaGSdtdTBph-Z4jEKCcuMFCZ8yz3oKJ3Fvfkgr5LTu2qYJ0L29M4WdepyqGBg9X3QYNFwRnIgS7HAeCqtyYGGOIfM5cH01p4lRERSY-sldhplJZaojp0wl7aJebtCCcVDFe9pxZrLREszA2-bZgCsuBfid2-Q/s3243/20240205_135856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3243" data-original-width="2142" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklmh72MYCm-JqLekHnb07Aha50licdeaGSdtdTBph-Z4jEKCcuMFCZ8yz3oKJ3Fvfkgr5LTu2qYJ0L29M4WdepyqGBg9X3QYNFwRnIgS7HAeCqtyYGGOIfM5cH01p4lRERSY-sldhplJZaojp0wl7aJebtCCcVDFe9pxZrLREszA2-bZgCsuBfid2-Q/w422-h640/20240205_135856.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the exception of <i>Janet Jackson</i> I'm not sure about this lot, I think they were just too cheap not to buy them! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxmfGuo-6dAEwAK73bsYev50_NBhg4cXHnHHTSETMLw-IrxqkXrw5ERA2kZHADSzZnjP3kLSN0H9oHm27j_93ja2GHFBH81xnhzq1Mvx5WDDIc-RO5B675KL9mlP3hCmYmKwrBmtLIaJA08xd8XmvauVsgMP4-VhxJgQmWb95JF9Pgu8C0YGGXydACw/s3703/20240205_135926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3703" data-original-width="2254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxmfGuo-6dAEwAK73bsYev50_NBhg4cXHnHHTSETMLw-IrxqkXrw5ERA2kZHADSzZnjP3kLSN0H9oHm27j_93ja2GHFBH81xnhzq1Mvx5WDDIc-RO5B675KL9mlP3hCmYmKwrBmtLIaJA08xd8XmvauVsgMP4-VhxJgQmWb95JF9Pgu8C0YGGXydACw/w390-h640/20240205_135926.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone's obviously fallen out with <i>Stevie Nicks</i> as all three of her albums were in the same charity shop. Back in 1985, when <i>Rock a Little</i> (the album in the centre) was released, I had an almost identical dress and was told I looked like her (I wish!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlv6oF8-rSVZXuFGpGwtUojQqC0-NBePwIbDzub6EbDVc98yhMexzuZyhSJe8rj1_UAl4l9t_DzBrEOBFFnoZkpUadDQppRzUTmjd5s9tmmEPm7FaFgiQ64rSVTt6kmR4DZWlt0qMDVGRbj65sFh_zMci3b_ATrMWT_ykIfktvI-ogY3igTxbE4jzpw/s3974/20240205_140011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="3974" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlv6oF8-rSVZXuFGpGwtUojQqC0-NBePwIbDzub6EbDVc98yhMexzuZyhSJe8rj1_UAl4l9t_DzBrEOBFFnoZkpUadDQppRzUTmjd5s9tmmEPm7FaFgiQ64rSVTt6kmR4DZWlt0qMDVGRbj65sFh_zMci3b_ATrMWT_ykIfktvI-ogY3igTxbE4jzpw/w640-h362/20240205_140011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I managed to finish both of the books I'd started last week. Here's this weeks' reads....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpdSWC9yTiUycUnXV9E_u1cfPXeEo8jIetIC01JeEfQHWCpqNm836veSf0skv9pbXT74guW3GrgJpSfdP_49U8QF6iDFNwf4aoFD70cLwPdJlLJEW_VaI5K5kCH_bqg-rpz4QvZPpOXjoDwCvQdygeYG-7DTOukdsBIdmcX6U6_jj0bpFWfE4ws9XgA/s2296/20240205_134659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="2296" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpdSWC9yTiUycUnXV9E_u1cfPXeEo8jIetIC01JeEfQHWCpqNm836veSf0skv9pbXT74guW3GrgJpSfdP_49U8QF6iDFNwf4aoFD70cLwPdJlLJEW_VaI5K5kCH_bqg-rpz4QvZPpOXjoDwCvQdygeYG-7DTOukdsBIdmcX6U6_jj0bpFWfE4ws9XgA/w640-h628/20240205_134659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">More English Civil War intrigue in Bernard (Sharpe) Cornwell's gripping bestseller, <i>A Crowning Mercy</i> and what's been described as the quintessential guide to all things mythological, Edith Hamilton's <i>Mythology: A Guide to Gods and Heroes</i>, which is still in print, 82 years after it was first published.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjz1HRY_AyJqCy3WVCAfl-SZG2Tx076Z6JHPhUONOuHqzunNZOGyByF4jAfvnhTVN2bxci92Y-tMygy1oQ-hfDGycTKHwi7A-ZCRBjXGcPa_6nJJCxcb49GRJ0n7IItD3mBH6E40NfgABRGe4H6wTipRkBvXs6fI3As2W6eWkR_AUKg7yCwB1-SF5XA/s4080/20240205_130739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjz1HRY_AyJqCy3WVCAfl-SZG2Tx076Z6JHPhUONOuHqzunNZOGyByF4jAfvnhTVN2bxci92Y-tMygy1oQ-hfDGycTKHwi7A-ZCRBjXGcPa_6nJJCxcb49GRJ0n7IItD3mBH6E40NfgABRGe4H6wTipRkBvXs6fI3As2W6eWkR_AUKg7yCwB1-SF5XA/w360-h640/20240205_130739.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To mix things up a little we popped down to the clearance charity shop on Monday morning rather than our usual Sunday. I wore my <i>Levi's</i> denim shirt (the sleeves are very <i>Poor Things</i>), a <i>Dilli Grey </i>block printed maxi skirt and Thursday's charity shopped <i>Fly London</i> black leather biker boots. Following our ruthless sort out of the middle room, we had several bags of donations to drop off (mostly books) and, very unusually, I didn't find anything to buy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIHPtKPfJjJtOfAZJohOATgchHCf05KpHOFiDMEmLjrWWAeejtSZc-66DnY2XTnKpN7a6RNPRqqoFaCrWq0swqnhkTZ7EyiPUI5KCq-XARVuWaMpyCr4aCnuaCVWwqktQ5KiNsYlXe6bIshHKouqyImHcD78BPTw-MD1dhb5Py0GZA2UZ9Wp_f8Pwlg/s3740/20240205_160106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3740" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIHPtKPfJjJtOfAZJohOATgchHCf05KpHOFiDMEmLjrWWAeejtSZc-66DnY2XTnKpN7a6RNPRqqoFaCrWq0swqnhkTZ7EyiPUI5KCq-XARVuWaMpyCr4aCnuaCVWwqktQ5KiNsYlXe6bIshHKouqyImHcD78BPTw-MD1dhb5Py0GZA2UZ9Wp_f8Pwlg/w392-h640/20240205_160106.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But never fear, I still managed to add something different to my wardrobe, this navy velvet military dress which I'm sure I was only admiring in Monsoon a couple of months ago, it was inexplicably listed on Vinted as "suede dress", it was mine for £2 (RRP £75!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading, see you soon! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-62485885589002121202024-02-02T16:47:00.007+00:002024-02-02T19:14:27.839+00:00Tales From The City<p></p><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/AVvXsEismUoAseh4P95QYlqC8US2tl4xiZmqSxdaTSyp5uoFw_xVQFvEfW18cx07NYLXoSYYP_7wJrp88thEq4MwgGLBL_rrIcQqj6To1_f8lv7uOewaHhuZ_qu3OVq1youqRTaqqVuGCTC9LL3xpKdHFLCFhj5SrwAgJW_Pod9iHPZvRZ4BGm7KC44o7bgGfQ/s1024/download.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1024" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismUoAseh4P95QYlqC8US2tl4xiZmqSxdaTSyp5uoFw_xVQFvEfW18cx07NYLXoSYYP_7wJrp88thEq4MwgGLBL_rrIcQqj6To1_f8lv7uOewaHhuZ_qu3OVq1youqRTaqqVuGCTC9LL3xpKdHFLCFhj5SrwAgJW_Pod9iHPZvRZ4BGm7KC44o7bgGfQ/w640-h596/download.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Wednesday I caught the train over to Birmingham for my regular play date with Nikki. </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/AVvXsEiqHjxEATV71tp0iQZ8m0sQBJ9-4BPeRsz1IWbIDb6LTXh747Xc5h_c3xg0fOmX9lX_jLFzhXxJqSsLZbYkLSeazKRSn5VaWecTl1Ku5oX11xYpaG3LuFam6lraZruBFi5SHUqSvtEiaCkJeeL-AI2JrzEOLdbFIjCZezJ-iex2D0TOHzmTzOmW_7aa5A/s1220/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1220" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHjxEATV71tp0iQZ8m0sQBJ9-4BPeRsz1IWbIDb6LTXh747Xc5h_c3xg0fOmX9lX_jLFzhXxJqSsLZbYkLSeazKRSn5VaWecTl1Ku5oX11xYpaG3LuFam6lraZruBFi5SHUqSvtEiaCkJeeL-AI2JrzEOLdbFIjCZezJ-iex2D0TOHzmTzOmW_7aa5A/w640-h376/download.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was another of those no plan days where, after a catch-up over fancy pots of tea, Cranberry & Rose Sencha for me and Jasmine Pearl for Nikki, in the legendary <i>Yorks of Stephenson Street </i>we wandered the city streets.</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/AVvXsEhRQkItaEGwnhSYwFCwNzbQTD6RkXWT9wdjsUs6M70RNrIic7jnbwZaIrWxyLJQtC0d53FUae4uFwQwzaXJOj91ouOMUuqiqnsWAqs14f18HTfZIQ1C9NQwo1FE4zKyL5n9x-zYcr4U8SJTqYit-DCFdWbt889u1cIDv1XFxQq-uvvI0Z_OeIyDX_4Hjw/s4080/20240131_103819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQkItaEGwnhSYwFCwNzbQTD6RkXWT9wdjsUs6M70RNrIic7jnbwZaIrWxyLJQtC0d53FUae4uFwQwzaXJOj91ouOMUuqiqnsWAqs14f18HTfZIQ1C9NQwo1FE4zKyL5n9x-zYcr4U8SJTqYit-DCFdWbt889u1cIDv1XFxQq-uvvI0Z_OeIyDX_4Hjw/w360-h640/20240131_103819.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEgIs4xZTTL54LqNGEGQYL-HQiHuw2n58G4-lZ60MwFU9k0GRO6iocMeC-lPVnSVQMpqDLKCED6wmGe1e9enQ4AGOkfZi9sC7DAYDZ63PTkfgzaaDVdNXMHKbxL1sUbe3UATx3YeEaychPPts84tPkuA0fPlM4548FGH8YE5uprH539BPb5IyhzBB4wF5A/s3761/20240131_111623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3761" data-original-width="2019" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs4xZTTL54LqNGEGQYL-HQiHuw2n58G4-lZ60MwFU9k0GRO6iocMeC-lPVnSVQMpqDLKCED6wmGe1e9enQ4AGOkfZi9sC7DAYDZ63PTkfgzaaDVdNXMHKbxL1sUbe3UATx3YeEaychPPts84tPkuA0fPlM4548FGH8YE5uprH539BPb5IyhzBB4wF5A/w344-h640/20240131_111623.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery </i>opened by then then Prince of Wales, Edward VII in 1885. Partially closed since 2020, it is home to a huge array of Pre-Raphaelite art and the world's largest collection of Edward Burne-Jones' work. The museum is due to reopen on 10th February for the eagerly awaited <i><a href="https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/exhibitions/victorian-radicals">Victorian Radicals</a></i> exhibition (I've already got my ticket!)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0u5x7yaPJt3Vxwiq7dJOxmyogJqPuGOv0LP7e1hijXFuGmGnTYHXXJd8iT-gMU853Grrh9XR6Ukyzhbv0DLNmt90tpxrfE8B4LSoCqBIXMelz8zfnBGCDj0SCdkV7itDw519pGOyMqRGLFJtAl2T_Wiqo0ZlpwlKdq6ehwBiVyBJ5me8TyWhPTHRIw/s3844/20240131_111648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3844" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0u5x7yaPJt3Vxwiq7dJOxmyogJqPuGOv0LP7e1hijXFuGmGnTYHXXJd8iT-gMU853Grrh9XR6Ukyzhbv0DLNmt90tpxrfE8B4LSoCqBIXMelz8zfnBGCDj0SCdkV7itDw519pGOyMqRGLFJtAl2T_Wiqo0ZlpwlKdq6ehwBiVyBJ5me8TyWhPTHRIw/w640-h382/20240131_111648.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The clock tower is known as <i>Big Brum</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYnRXcvgeotkRC5E-5-HhAkFGuOq5VWljdzexf_ngidvuIMe7bz53XHxuckJDs69ReBkzSU9GxgRQ_bYl1jKvT742i37_WEailpACjicOmGKiYYhuN4yez2qPMEJuZvhdZVaM1d4NegpJlKKWKNzerAuH4ol71tpWwnV6hU1QmNsSoqscS7fXUTRBSQ/s3031/20240131_111630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3031" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYnRXcvgeotkRC5E-5-HhAkFGuOq5VWljdzexf_ngidvuIMe7bz53XHxuckJDs69ReBkzSU9GxgRQ_bYl1jKvT742i37_WEailpACjicOmGKiYYhuN4yez2qPMEJuZvhdZVaM1d4NegpJlKKWKNzerAuH4ol71tpWwnV6hU1QmNsSoqscS7fXUTRBSQ/w484-h640/20240131_111630.jpg" width="484" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Birmingham Town Hall</i> is the oldest building in Chamberlain Square, it opened in 1834 and remains a popular live music venue (the last gig I saw here was <i>Big Country</i> back in the mid-1990s). The building in the foreground is the <i>Chamberlain Memorial</i>, unveiled in 1880 in honour of the former Liberal mayor, Joseph Chamberlain, whose son, Neville, later became the British PM.</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/AVvXsEiQdv2AXGpGvnQiA5-DsCFmZ_-w0rKvQZHeCTKmWzBS10J2Mw0HntSWEPo5ezveaVFQIiGRo5ZMBBgrDr3aRAQsaVAXkIh_7ddNCf9ckuZS7vYDtknQfepNjcXFcYwTvwABQXejYtsivIWoBbNwAXmn8P2MLUdWxE0odo3HBQ_Ae_nlrsq6fpBtNTUHWg/s4080/20240131_111903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdv2AXGpGvnQiA5-DsCFmZ_-w0rKvQZHeCTKmWzBS10J2Mw0HntSWEPo5ezveaVFQIiGRo5ZMBBgrDr3aRAQsaVAXkIh_7ddNCf9ckuZS7vYDtknQfepNjcXFcYwTvwABQXejYtsivIWoBbNwAXmn8P2MLUdWxE0odo3HBQ_Ae_nlrsq6fpBtNTUHWg/w360-h640/20240131_111903.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Opened in 1925, the <i>Hall of Memory</i> stands as a memorial to the men and women of Birmingham who gave their lives in the First World War, Second World War and in active service since 1945.</span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KtlyKi9pNjxw_cjmd0kXuBrG9HaWgX6JKreiVsSgYKZMsvFVHPXbSowjympzrT_T9GZL0k-WeOEqjsV6J2t1yQmAZmDvXVxPShiLG9p4gxc1r5XibBP1f5mODWjEvRAqwpxRWrFnQjqvrDv_XvdDBJknnoG1e3EtsAX3OkLxjAJZ_JGISa_vS7nOWA/s3704/20240131_111930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3704" data-original-width="2155" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KtlyKi9pNjxw_cjmd0kXuBrG9HaWgX6JKreiVsSgYKZMsvFVHPXbSowjympzrT_T9GZL0k-WeOEqjsV6J2t1yQmAZmDvXVxPShiLG9p4gxc1r5XibBP1f5mODWjEvRAqwpxRWrFnQjqvrDv_XvdDBJknnoG1e3EtsAX3OkLxjAJZ_JGISa_vS7nOWA/w372-h640/20240131_111930.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The <i>Library of Birmingham</i> opened in 2013 and cost approx. £188 million. It is the largest cultural space and largest regional library in Europe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmuAM53lBATlB_p9inUs-rMUB_5HkSPBSNeyQ7bWpvDH-o04CRztlqWmOF2Fjvd1ET7NSl7-dkLWvBIIkMEM23qql5LlqEyujoOjyvJmgyBg4c1M5cswCgbJOWav-7SpTehVOA2wDOr2b042ctKtHKYmDiZDmWkaW8EHIw0imEfk76MT2iZqyMYc2XQ/s3514/20240131_111827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="3514" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmuAM53lBATlB_p9inUs-rMUB_5HkSPBSNeyQ7bWpvDH-o04CRztlqWmOF2Fjvd1ET7NSl7-dkLWvBIIkMEM23qql5LlqEyujoOjyvJmgyBg4c1M5cswCgbJOWav-7SpTehVOA2wDOr2b042ctKtHKYmDiZDmWkaW8EHIw0imEfk76MT2iZqyMYc2XQ/w640-h378/20240131_111827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jmb7Pcn2pTKdhVN-pWCRt_js-UJhZqAs60sJqqteOPpVAeZqhSy3sQfbfMuaPqN4H2w6BmPlwDx_39eKk_VusbWBAGLNH1QKKXrhblnQIn4zgMmW4yzGysDuSTX42trmImpozvWa_5cZsFRIOA87iI7F2jeen2vHz2HPSy6mkUhUIvx64WlkcauK7g/s3390/20240131_111944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3390" data-original-width="2033" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jmb7Pcn2pTKdhVN-pWCRt_js-UJhZqAs60sJqqteOPpVAeZqhSy3sQfbfMuaPqN4H2w6BmPlwDx_39eKk_VusbWBAGLNH1QKKXrhblnQIn4zgMmW4yzGysDuSTX42trmImpozvWa_5cZsFRIOA87iI7F2jeen2vHz2HPSy6mkUhUIvx64WlkcauK7g/w384-h640/20240131_111944.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzEYzeLX5WJFIptDaUwXMjAaR71_m0-xQ7TbKN04KDFrBm5foaPnXds98YHe1Hb9PVp5l2NbVIoMlz1ruv7RLWB92XikaT0Aj32PuKXvah7HS7aDSlxYS_cyl8bIJXURsE4dgLpm1gdpAVeoW7EfWh7uUb9uJhQ6mtDHmF2Vc70PazAVcxcJhbZU2Bg/s1600/West_Midlands_Metro_tracks_in_Birmingham_(geograph_6975888).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzEYzeLX5WJFIptDaUwXMjAaR71_m0-xQ7TbKN04KDFrBm5foaPnXds98YHe1Hb9PVp5l2NbVIoMlz1ruv7RLWB92XikaT0Aj32PuKXvah7HS7aDSlxYS_cyl8bIJXURsE4dgLpm1gdpAVeoW7EfWh7uUb9uJhQ6mtDHmF2Vc70PazAVcxcJhbZU2Bg/w640-h360/West_Midlands_Metro_tracks_in_Birmingham_(geograph_6975888).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Opened by the late queen in 1991, <i>Birmingham Symphony Hall</i> seats 2,262 and is ranked as having the best acoustics in the United Kingdom and the 7th best in the world. I saw Joe Jackson there in 1992.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1ANe5HPjpMaW5TwYXJDYWk7nPdcfVbifZL_4dPOCNejlaPXAnXpx5iJpaDDtJVQFwfTFdwNQIqQGarYbgFGCxjJLuiP5ZP0OF0W9Jb5jCs4fXhhSI3pZ6KLiDOZPmZscDK14bfo48jTwxAJwtjM6hOkHc0O49Pv_dROi3P7DMLvYjx34QN29HiWSgw/s4080/20240131_112258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1ANe5HPjpMaW5TwYXJDYWk7nPdcfVbifZL_4dPOCNejlaPXAnXpx5iJpaDDtJVQFwfTFdwNQIqQGarYbgFGCxjJLuiP5ZP0OF0W9Jb5jCs4fXhhSI3pZ6KLiDOZPmZscDK14bfo48jTwxAJwtjM6hOkHc0O49Pv_dROi3P7DMLvYjx34QN29HiWSgw/w360-h640/20240131_112258.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sculpture, <i>The Battle of Gods and Giants </i>(2009) by Roderick Tye is said to represent the city's struggle to rebuild its centre. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV4YEEC_UtTk9VvmI-N8u95zQ5-V-eq-MrMVzBN0lC7Zq3YptKxDwieAecTRa3OlX_azA5-f4RQWxbEBAm4_qMkevXEBmZtRz5ZzHod-UhZ_01AmJabEgpBk8sXgt0zQbGqRL3ZPw7inKF2vt9vVg8aQd0F4ajd1LNi5M-obauj-kVm2wPZOdNlaybg/s3897/20240131_112426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3897" data-original-width="2193" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV4YEEC_UtTk9VvmI-N8u95zQ5-V-eq-MrMVzBN0lC7Zq3YptKxDwieAecTRa3OlX_azA5-f4RQWxbEBAm4_qMkevXEBmZtRz5ZzHod-UhZ_01AmJabEgpBk8sXgt0zQbGqRL3ZPw7inKF2vt9vVg8aQd0F4ajd1LNi5M-obauj-kVm2wPZOdNlaybg/w360-h640/20240131_112426.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With 35 miles of waterways, Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGstiqyW4JzZOEi4_hu62SwFkC3qVjWWo07Gxoo6mGnXxNp6Hu830kY5PQ6aLsDJqguU13DfawtEqWvyyYErHBTvTLJbeBR8HWHqwICK46iWyLKAtYoa5p3diikIcr5_3m2BRVk5OifiN6a6mzOp2lCmKVMfVNcm9XKq9fHfsBgjjFPUbgpV2ulQ4vA/s3471/20240131_112509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3471" data-original-width="2210" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGstiqyW4JzZOEi4_hu62SwFkC3qVjWWo07Gxoo6mGnXxNp6Hu830kY5PQ6aLsDJqguU13DfawtEqWvyyYErHBTvTLJbeBR8HWHqwICK46iWyLKAtYoa5p3diikIcr5_3m2BRVk5OifiN6a6mzOp2lCmKVMfVNcm9XKq9fHfsBgjjFPUbgpV2ulQ4vA/w408-h640/20240131_112509.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR2XkaGbVMnQ104ebMLSvEpLia8GNXk9kXbjUi6WJctPTCkSSixVqCLRMjLy6dWqnTWZax3Nn1Lc8Cvi111QUH4qgrhugAn4TV9rz-md420vBCcQzfrIgvfz7H5mPwqJ-R3GkXMbol5su6DAH_8T6_okhpAaUT02xqe2pSnqPFTIwVyKscSBPTCVDbw/s4080/20240131_112743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR2XkaGbVMnQ104ebMLSvEpLia8GNXk9kXbjUi6WJctPTCkSSixVqCLRMjLy6dWqnTWZax3Nn1Lc8Cvi111QUH4qgrhugAn4TV9rz-md420vBCcQzfrIgvfz7H5mPwqJ-R3GkXMbol5su6DAH_8T6_okhpAaUT02xqe2pSnqPFTIwVyKscSBPTCVDbw/w360-h640/20240131_112743.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Closed when we walked past on Wednesday, <i>Ikon</i>, is the city's leading contemporary art gallery. Its premises, a glorious Grade II listed Neo-Gothic building unveiled in 1877, was formerly a school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv7By9Rqkh0s-keQTb_mHgt73i4fmv0LUrPOjZuvsDHAiEcoQqE3pNIAESNVWHkWhrcAAvdbJDHV9gqaIy1m2qy-6NT3tbN4HwTiCIed9HEsMI_2G6w2xc4HeFv4EnuEFgEZAo8YLLFNr2hZa2aDCG9s8eoIuiuB1IdXJKvGQZ7lxLonVWh1yxV9qVQ/s850/Black-Sabbath-Bridge-and-bench-Birmingham.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="850" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv7By9Rqkh0s-keQTb_mHgt73i4fmv0LUrPOjZuvsDHAiEcoQqE3pNIAESNVWHkWhrcAAvdbJDHV9gqaIy1m2qy-6NT3tbN4HwTiCIed9HEsMI_2G6w2xc4HeFv4EnuEFgEZAo8YLLFNr2hZa2aDCG9s8eoIuiuB1IdXJKvGQZ7lxLonVWh1yxV9qVQ/w640-h438/Black-Sabbath-Bridge-and-bench-Birmingham.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The <i>Black Sabbath Bridge</i>, opened in 2019 in honour of the legendary Birmingham band formed in 1968. The photo above was taken on a previous visit, that tree was bare on Wednesday! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgJkUuo9dklvxXPVmheMd4lZh2VRVVzoMCH2hPL3r_nskOOQBChlV1vCnA4zHjMCllYqlu4BE6G5DK3LZa9mwhSwHa1ewh8qloJXTy9GxeJWYCiRSbKqn7ZX7esOa-v-y6oIao0a2ew84ckMvNUQQcCpzh9ZhZLbd3-ODH-3lRaG6MCZkxqiIJbJ17g/s3148/20240131_113115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3148" data-original-width="2133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgJkUuo9dklvxXPVmheMd4lZh2VRVVzoMCH2hPL3r_nskOOQBChlV1vCnA4zHjMCllYqlu4BE6G5DK3LZa9mwhSwHa1ewh8qloJXTy9GxeJWYCiRSbKqn7ZX7esOa-v-y6oIao0a2ew84ckMvNUQQcCpzh9ZhZLbd3-ODH-3lRaG6MCZkxqiIJbJ17g/w434-h640/20240131_113115.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't Nikki's vintage carpet bag amazing? £8!! Bargain of the decade!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eHw5kn9oxGTGY6KdGwUTRoI1nGpkndjy1FXjs2dQe-vJDBrY7AGoUXuGVs5UiddB7oy1uq93AoGvnAZYwpGoJhp-LfYulJqzMfZNa9fGCxnHuB1OXrRv2yK-uxava7JcqAHPPbsXkuQAt6xCcIcY5Kgxmn2ouhKrCtZrghjd7i4DAktLw-2JedA_mA/s3095/20240131_113146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3095" data-original-width="2145" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eHw5kn9oxGTGY6KdGwUTRoI1nGpkndjy1FXjs2dQe-vJDBrY7AGoUXuGVs5UiddB7oy1uq93AoGvnAZYwpGoJhp-LfYulJqzMfZNa9fGCxnHuB1OXrRv2yK-uxava7JcqAHPPbsXkuQAt6xCcIcY5Kgxmn2ouhKrCtZrghjd7i4DAktLw-2JedA_mA/w444-h640/20240131_113146.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Golden Boys</span></i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> honours inventors Matthew Boulton (1728-1809), James Watt (1736-1819) and William Murdoch (1754 – 1839). Portrayed studying steam engine plans, the three Brummies revolutionised the steam engine, the technology which drove the Industrial Revolution.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJVncgqpkAjO7rrJ8fIarF3d2VDSh-T5VU8PbpNRTZnvh8lVEaXMyl_m5y8-KgoGuS3B_4HtGTrNEts4ahXYockwIId0A8liHokCWC-rRSzzQ3XCKYltj001v2ANi3QidxXPEMAU74Z6n-9kN3ndTCZwCbuBXlRnlWtFs-8w24bohG45SwozEJHKw6g/s3195/20240131_113423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3195" data-original-width="2281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJVncgqpkAjO7rrJ8fIarF3d2VDSh-T5VU8PbpNRTZnvh8lVEaXMyl_m5y8-KgoGuS3B_4HtGTrNEts4ahXYockwIId0A8liHokCWC-rRSzzQ3XCKYltj001v2ANi3QidxXPEMAU74Z6n-9kN3ndTCZwCbuBXlRnlWtFs-8w24bohG45SwozEJHKw6g/w456-h640/20240131_113423.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a rummage in Cow, a huge vintage clothes shop in the city's Digbeth area, we walked over to Snow Hill for lunch at <i>The Indian Brewery</i> where, as always, we were greeted as long lost friends by beautiful boss, Marni. Nikki had <i>Chilli Paneer</i> and I stuck to my usual <i>Chaart Attack</i> accompanied by pints of the Birmingham-brewed <i>Pekok</i> lager. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihll1i5Uw0DywJO9WoqerUrm4_09Y-XBQk7bBmtXCv_Iy2IYbNCw-FxBoqJs4yRUMQ-tL0UeO9aR1cglSP675IHGh-jFJYHO13th2mUTNzstEIjvKnkQpMNzHVxI7yb3ZTKYk95i90XQOs8Iy3BS3T446LldgLRvobs4yhwyrZTo23QRvflp4TY993Kw/s3107/20240131_132117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3107" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihll1i5Uw0DywJO9WoqerUrm4_09Y-XBQk7bBmtXCv_Iy2IYbNCw-FxBoqJs4yRUMQ-tL0UeO9aR1cglSP675IHGh-jFJYHO13th2mUTNzstEIjvKnkQpMNzHVxI7yb3ZTKYk95i90XQOs8Iy3BS3T446LldgLRvobs4yhwyrZTo23QRvflp4TY993Kw/w472-h640/20240131_132117.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The actual brewery<i> </i>(where the Indian Brewery produce their beer) is currently based in Aston but is in the process of relocating around the corner from the restaurant in Mary Ann Street. By April it should be open as a tapas bar and for brewery tours (we've already put our names down!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcOvkNqOcuTAyko8jKl_yg8ULjtYxzhpinT1SfCUyIP0zfKj52PDU7Ja8rhvzSfQpSI3dtd-nSZ8JI_crIpjal-zb6UaAcKYNQGBUWjIK7S1Q2iaRo0M9JfOWlUU-Z9yrIWsZJc64Qfx2AHfJMc-n422vWRKZ0v83TOgXcCyj-UvynLGGo7B_sDyB-g/s2654/20240131_132143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2654" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcOvkNqOcuTAyko8jKl_yg8ULjtYxzhpinT1SfCUyIP0zfKj52PDU7Ja8rhvzSfQpSI3dtd-nSZ8JI_crIpjal-zb6UaAcKYNQGBUWjIK7S1Q2iaRo0M9JfOWlUU-Z9yrIWsZJc64Qfx2AHfJMc-n422vWRKZ0v83TOgXcCyj-UvynLGGo7B_sDyB-g/w554-h640/20240131_132143.jpg" width="554" /></a></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/AVvXsEhn0nvg1LmQsXuSSnpdiF7flAy9oWdA4DVMVd0-UBwRPLmsHC8qfZHTDQBEPBhon45upcBmF7AqV2uF2hJsCsoIqeYXh5Xqj_REaMfkscGvMaUsI2qXl79QDV1lu16ZK8b1tT7h07gdgFXlZTJebzSjkV-hd2C_SBu0tnN9FFAdNl08pc0NPEbZBMoxlQ/s3316/20240131_143822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3316" data-original-width="2020" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0nvg1LmQsXuSSnpdiF7flAy9oWdA4DVMVd0-UBwRPLmsHC8qfZHTDQBEPBhon45upcBmF7AqV2uF2hJsCsoIqeYXh5Xqj_REaMfkscGvMaUsI2qXl79QDV1lu16ZK8b1tT7h07gdgFXlZTJebzSjkV-hd2C_SBu0tnN9FFAdNl08pc0NPEbZBMoxlQ/w390-h640/20240131_143822.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi-JYYgkl8PBjsJcraB9-ghKDVLa4PJOs24OI4jQDxpKX_RpdgZmH7N3jAufwE4d9dx2cpmt7iRSC99PJrokzush_cZ7MZlUARQLpaZb3yxbrAaD52XgVTv0xUYnL5FWFPcnkFXJAFZTsNll_gCFW_q3PNBFCtPMIOXqWCeKiYZ6cUxjrF-cG7PExRw/s4080/20240131_143830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi-JYYgkl8PBjsJcraB9-ghKDVLa4PJOs24OI4jQDxpKX_RpdgZmH7N3jAufwE4d9dx2cpmt7iRSC99PJrokzush_cZ7MZlUARQLpaZb3yxbrAaD52XgVTv0xUYnL5FWFPcnkFXJAFZTsNll_gCFW_q3PNBFCtPMIOXqWCeKiYZ6cUxjrF-cG7PExRw/w360-h640/20240131_143830.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T0Czgj5vxabF5os9HMkuUzOAxe0N1DDbKhKox9CdHA0w8Mvrh530deVtR2w4Fvvdk1GTvimtWpjzUfwLdDWoVyn3LRpJ4jEaS2El8b8-czosxui5BOlrfhFkjM91M8_Rbf9wNp-UujL926UU1vxCTtfPkqNoY3_VssH3ytqxUpbtwBIh26Oy-hBreA/s4080/20240131_143836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T0Czgj5vxabF5os9HMkuUzOAxe0N1DDbKhKox9CdHA0w8Mvrh530deVtR2w4Fvvdk1GTvimtWpjzUfwLdDWoVyn3LRpJ4jEaS2El8b8-czosxui5BOlrfhFkjM91M8_Rbf9wNp-UujL926UU1vxCTtfPkqNoY3_VssH3ytqxUpbtwBIh26Oy-hBreA/w640-h360/20240131_143836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEifPPlmU3akX6H2IZ51T2CmvA92q7sVeZfzG0Umsv70_Q-LzG0LE2VuS5drRnZjNi7HOmXpeLpted9e4IrX6dorDDDQpemMQzCKmUpCU-ghGool4PCA9D8IJH-oPI1VusnN7BtPfcH8v-o2Th1AF5mICgmmnnOkK2-EKfRfyJf8HrNWOEYsivp5sV2wZA/s3264/20240131_144814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPPlmU3akX6H2IZ51T2CmvA92q7sVeZfzG0Umsv70_Q-LzG0LE2VuS5drRnZjNi7HOmXpeLpted9e4IrX6dorDDDQpemMQzCKmUpCU-ghGool4PCA9D8IJH-oPI1VusnN7BtPfcH8v-o2Th1AF5mICgmmnnOkK2-EKfRfyJf8HrNWOEYsivp5sV2wZA/w640-h360/20240131_144814.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reflected in the glass is the <i>Post Office Tower</i> which, like me, became operational in December 1966. Standing at 152 metres, it's the tallest building in Birmingham.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5hoPOCNJcgxSWL7UIp1LtyByl37aRxP1_h7sMFGqzM83jah41YIAXt9k2y7yjfsJWH7B0pUeamenFvnU09alPWL2GOtEBA6BEYKuqoJAGC1UU8yYbqU1SnFa3r4DEXY2KepfC0vzU4l7Abq1kb2tdDMo8ajdUUn8Lfo11LRAA7G91y9ds9B5PbW1cg/s2440/20240131_144835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="1743" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5hoPOCNJcgxSWL7UIp1LtyByl37aRxP1_h7sMFGqzM83jah41YIAXt9k2y7yjfsJWH7B0pUeamenFvnU09alPWL2GOtEBA6BEYKuqoJAGC1UU8yYbqU1SnFa3r4DEXY2KepfC0vzU4l7Abq1kb2tdDMo8ajdUUn8Lfo11LRAA7G91y9ds9B5PbW1cg/w458-h640/20240131_144835.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a quick whizz round Monsoon in the <i>Bull Ring</i> we hugged goodbye and caught our respective trains home. Thanks for a fab day, bab! See you soon. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dhpbQRCVObmHYGZXnkYO4jBXfZhp0JYmgSCJGxHddeEylM8pqFr4WiuOZDtjYYiOI3CmjeEXKxDP4RVkDx8RL4yToBIjmyn5WKVsDzf8X6LOhOJSyv65MHL7DVUvv5_JbZJe5Mu90qvO3rhna6abx42uSnI3gYuCNMUD0SI27m8OmixXx51-abd_iQ/s2976/20240201_163243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2081" data-original-width="2976" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dhpbQRCVObmHYGZXnkYO4jBXfZhp0JYmgSCJGxHddeEylM8pqFr4WiuOZDtjYYiOI3CmjeEXKxDP4RVkDx8RL4yToBIjmyn5WKVsDzf8X6LOhOJSyv65MHL7DVUvv5_JbZJe5Mu90qvO3rhna6abx42uSnI3gYuCNMUD0SI27m8OmixXx51-abd_iQ/w640-h448/20240201_163243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Thursday consisted of a swim, a 'Spoons breakfast and short drive to one of our favourite Birmingham suburbs for a spot of charity shopping. In addition to some good stuff for the stockroom, a huge haul of vintage vinyl (which I'll share soon), I snaffled myself not one but two pairs of boots. I spotted the green <i>El Naturalista </i>ankle boots a fortnight ago and as they were still there I took it as a sign that they had to be mine. I bought the <i>Fly London</i> biker boots for eBay but made the mistake of trying them on. Not only absurdly comfy but made in Europe, the <i>El Naturalista</i> originally retailed at £143 and the <i>Fly London</i> are still £120 on the website, that's a grand total of £263 but a combined cost to me of just £24! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbuvTuv9fD3ej_9CsE9z13MVeVxjnL_fJIBSGcCC8KB7wt7skvZRoarpKT1UQvsvgbV9VUEqG4Ekp9pjrrvGmQwFUHI8_GIZsPw9nE-YcpWY0CHZ8H_PTcQHDSzp-V9ygraWM_eGVpN_hgCTg2e_BLwbOIUFm4e7yTE8kKX7Ac4uB_wgKVzwglrx3qg/s3784/20240202_113315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3784" data-original-width="2160" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbuvTuv9fD3ej_9CsE9z13MVeVxjnL_fJIBSGcCC8KB7wt7skvZRoarpKT1UQvsvgbV9VUEqG4Ekp9pjrrvGmQwFUHI8_GIZsPw9nE-YcpWY0CHZ8H_PTcQHDSzp-V9ygraWM_eGVpN_hgCTg2e_BLwbOIUFm4e7yTE8kKX7Ac4uB_wgKVzwglrx3qg/w366-h640/20240202_113315.jpg" width="366" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am gathering my strength earlier today. Jon decided that it would be the day we finally tackled the dreaded middle room aka <i>The Shit Tip</i> or <i>The Dumping Ground</i> as he has plans. This is the room where a young man took his own life by hanging himself from the light fitting in the 1920s. It's directly below the bathroom and the ceiling is riddled with water stains from when the bath sprung a leak a decade ago. Although my Dad never knew the history of this room he refused to spend time in it saying it had a <i>malevolent presence</i>. Neither of us get any bad vibes in here although, quite often, we've seen a ghost cat which walks around the room, climbs the stairs and vanishes midway up. We think all of the cats we've ever owned see the ghost cat too, they acted really strangely in this room (and William still does), chasing things that aren't there with their eyes all a-glitter and fur on end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VDarNIlcrUg5eiyn2_YOfDJStjw1uFumBru_ldUXf1jhTmQfH4avlOOhe1cifSrU65j0vNkPxo2hZgYENh2oh6RB6WqQGhKlL_d06R5qmnlERq2r505XDkkGvL6xBOlbDCBXqT3N5_zwHsVsqaYHXYfxpyXs470XNQq4tOdHxR2hUpvUK4eLVBtTsA/s4080/20240202_114950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VDarNIlcrUg5eiyn2_YOfDJStjw1uFumBru_ldUXf1jhTmQfH4avlOOhe1cifSrU65j0vNkPxo2hZgYENh2oh6RB6WqQGhKlL_d06R5qmnlERq2r505XDkkGvL6xBOlbDCBXqT3N5_zwHsVsqaYHXYfxpyXs470XNQq4tOdHxR2hUpvUK4eLVBtTsA/w360-h640/20240202_114950.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As I'm sure you're aware, I'm so not into all that carefully curated Instagram w*nkery, so here it is in all it's cobweb-strewn, stained, dusty (and possibly haunted) glory. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sr1WoY0ZvsGXsfabiv3qQlYfij18IjDwncKyn3C0_nQFjDfTYRqD2wrZWwz2VSWnq-7KkZBPOcaSA05oNtPmZMZvxTMfRUC0ZudSl5cNXA4wnnPZMyhOitsERljU3KNzw0AtRFhoYzFqjcf6wyyKlJ0vXFG8WFwgzgDrLSxtLLRJOJrSPV9mnwxrrA/s4080/20240202_120208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sr1WoY0ZvsGXsfabiv3qQlYfij18IjDwncKyn3C0_nQFjDfTYRqD2wrZWwz2VSWnq-7KkZBPOcaSA05oNtPmZMZvxTMfRUC0ZudSl5cNXA4wnnPZMyhOitsERljU3KNzw0AtRFhoYzFqjcf6wyyKlJ0vXFG8WFwgzgDrLSxtLLRJOJrSPV9mnwxrrA/w360-h640/20240202_120208.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can we fix it? I'll keep you posted! It's a lot less cluttered and cleaner now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlmrf10jRVu33_ODjxWjl8AwxfS8FY10DNC9w15KGsUMmZSRvc1UdDe8pXd2esp0ZdrD-6MXaDapVklmOMp-0WQBcYbfFo4L8WnDM7iezRvJKBZP6G69QlCJZFzjtLuhyphenhyphen75PvX8JKwOnIz-oIMZ7_rFJvbwJoGC6DpoKbJ1IbfIZwtW4P4AULBdQAFA/s4080/20240202_120216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlmrf10jRVu33_ODjxWjl8AwxfS8FY10DNC9w15KGsUMmZSRvc1UdDe8pXd2esp0ZdrD-6MXaDapVklmOMp-0WQBcYbfFo4L8WnDM7iezRvJKBZP6G69QlCJZFzjtLuhyphenhyphen75PvX8JKwOnIz-oIMZ7_rFJvbwJoGC6DpoKbJ1IbfIZwtW4P4AULBdQAFA/w360-h640/20240202_120216.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiEyFjuUbE5sQO5vl9yuKKixmhdhbLjIBgjGs0xTBFnQ6BYYoge_2NMOPzIEQSEx5VbyU1xA9jWE09XMWZt4A9ZcZQMtEKc2oknYI_o2E687l6T839gglEGFeRuE-x7ANBqpKNXaKYN0AL_qsSrcJsCxWxTjZ41H2K19F1D9Nlk9PLNOuewSF8VMKRrkw/s4080/20240202_120234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyFjuUbE5sQO5vl9yuKKixmhdhbLjIBgjGs0xTBFnQ6BYYoge_2NMOPzIEQSEx5VbyU1xA9jWE09XMWZt4A9ZcZQMtEKc2oknYI_o2E687l6T839gglEGFeRuE-x7ANBqpKNXaKYN0AL_qsSrcJsCxWxTjZ41H2K19F1D9Nlk9PLNOuewSF8VMKRrkw/w360-h640/20240202_120234.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzbd6ywduLsKZ-Q-3v_chm8zHcb0ht5UkU1wYZi498Srx67IUjfibCerWh6DSArXUT_YIZQJyIbfoPndN1JHK5dTckiH4St4dSmiJ_MuJ83-jGfaPkxGs2Vnih20Ct_5KCLZE99qal-B8IQjWbHeJHD320tb-9ShQcCNzih43JffZPvzP1p2wA-9Zjg/s4080/20240202_120237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzbd6ywduLsKZ-Q-3v_chm8zHcb0ht5UkU1wYZi498Srx67IUjfibCerWh6DSArXUT_YIZQJyIbfoPndN1JHK5dTckiH4St4dSmiJ_MuJ83-jGfaPkxGs2Vnih20Ct_5KCLZE99qal-B8IQjWbHeJHD320tb-9ShQcCNzih43JffZPvzP1p2wA-9Zjg/w360-h640/20240202_120237.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlXTJl8sMGQ9LKNrF4RWtSRmfqXOIOHniLcS1uuOPOL6X2oM9pI5AtYK4PmGSoUIpg0Wc5T3bHlmwhGKm5-SYs2xaVKliRH4X2wuUX0CsfJSkOEsvtPvKjzBk8Vnu8g8XTY2zcRF8T7s1HyRhyphenhyphenSjYhFs3pXVJCWepIEoXEQdDYuZoakC2btpYNIxxQQ/s4080/20240202_120643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlXTJl8sMGQ9LKNrF4RWtSRmfqXOIOHniLcS1uuOPOL6X2oM9pI5AtYK4PmGSoUIpg0Wc5T3bHlmwhGKm5-SYs2xaVKliRH4X2wuUX0CsfJSkOEsvtPvKjzBk8Vnu8g8XTY2zcRF8T7s1HyRhyphenhyphenSjYhFs3pXVJCWepIEoXEQdDYuZoakC2btpYNIxxQQ/w360-h640/20240202_120643.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a fantastic weekend. We're out on the town tomorrow night celebrating Tony's birthday. I'll be back with photos and gossip very soon!</div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-12985398135666685762024-01-30T16:01:00.004+00:002024-01-31T07:56:51.251+00:00Stars on 45<p></p><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/AVvXsEjWEQ9x6B-81m0tHf7kOSAmiNdJ47i3aPiNha2r2Vy5NEAB6-QKv9tXfpBCYBURU5XLZ9QOhKg9rTKaCzS-1DH9OdpjqDi72A9TIDOy61m4-nbmJNg2hwWsvwDp6ooh4YqCpBeiiT4suy9QTh7pmHmhQP3mibuWUZopE9qgGNt_uQAt48rOr_SJbPXiVQ/s1200/collage%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEQ9x6B-81m0tHf7kOSAmiNdJ47i3aPiNha2r2Vy5NEAB6-QKv9tXfpBCYBURU5XLZ9QOhKg9rTKaCzS-1DH9OdpjqDi72A9TIDOy61m4-nbmJNg2hwWsvwDp6ooh4YqCpBeiiT4suy9QTh7pmHmhQP3mibuWUZopE9qgGNt_uQAt48rOr_SJbPXiVQ/w640-h480/collage%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hola! Our garden might be a bewildering wilderness but it does make a great backdrop for outfit photos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pov0uI4XujeK_7I6TwK1FsHIaxRzwa9nXUBQpKtZ36_k1m4HGvUx8x9kYNibTs9ssz-mdukVp4PeC7GbE29Z2gKG_v3FDU_-_2cORJmBcipfT0sYA7e06J-26U5DsnVWgTNUWaydRQbN4EtWlezRJ9J2vsGvVuDYAyttL_NkXPeWtxpd8_SiCKTMbA/s3528/20240127_142938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3528" data-original-width="2075" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pov0uI4XujeK_7I6TwK1FsHIaxRzwa9nXUBQpKtZ36_k1m4HGvUx8x9kYNibTs9ssz-mdukVp4PeC7GbE29Z2gKG_v3FDU_-_2cORJmBcipfT0sYA7e06J-26U5DsnVWgTNUWaydRQbN4EtWlezRJ9J2vsGvVuDYAyttL_NkXPeWtxpd8_SiCKTMbA/w376-h640/20240127_142938.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On Saturday I messed around with some side plaits and wore a <i>Kharibu</i> block printed maxi skirt with a <i>Monsoon</i> cotton blouse for a day mostly spent reading and doing stuff around the house.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEP8VqZ9T9BJdvB3PzsI61ThtYNajTK8jBrobZPU8NXVHsbNCKi1Wvl9GHVphR2MqLoYMKLaKyXUed1MJ0axHicQwBrIPZvzbg5LEoIhVNMRGObHorrvhBiaV7KqNCg3VhX5RgNsvn5YyuKpT7ODgfg0AWmqzYR8OLtxq2LdMGaEFjRqWsJ90iuPcKA/s3553/20240128_143811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3553" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEP8VqZ9T9BJdvB3PzsI61ThtYNajTK8jBrobZPU8NXVHsbNCKi1Wvl9GHVphR2MqLoYMKLaKyXUed1MJ0axHicQwBrIPZvzbg5LEoIhVNMRGObHorrvhBiaV7KqNCg3VhX5RgNsvn5YyuKpT7ODgfg0AWmqzYR8OLtxq2LdMGaEFjRqWsJ90iuPcKA/w414-h640/20240128_143811.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Sunday I wore my hair in milkmaid braids and donned a <i>Kharibu</i> block printed maxi dress for a trip to the clearance charity shop and coffee round at my brother's. On Monday I wore my hair in side twists accompanied with a <i>Dilli Grey</i> midi dress and <i>Dilli Grey</i> quilted jacket (worn inside out) for an exciting coffee date. With who? Well, seeing as you asked......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaAUBJAjhXYuzbj4cHg7B0h0BDTQVnMKuXz0QyF6rtTKiLVucBUjqrufuCUXg0g3AkHMzGRZiE_7TaxCE9F-f3KRLU4qCT-BWAbTF3_WQOF7tgn0ScoTb0I8p5Zs5V_s-Ga5PJ-5GNiuT5J-bI4kd83fcoMDHxO9gzMCCN_-7_WlAjvtaRwBMvWKyxQ/s2941/20240129_101302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="2177" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaAUBJAjhXYuzbj4cHg7B0h0BDTQVnMKuXz0QyF6rtTKiLVucBUjqrufuCUXg0g3AkHMzGRZiE_7TaxCE9F-f3KRLU4qCT-BWAbTF3_WQOF7tgn0ScoTb0I8p5Zs5V_s-Ga5PJ-5GNiuT5J-bI4kd83fcoMDHxO9gzMCCN_-7_WlAjvtaRwBMvWKyxQ/w474-h640/20240129_101302.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the 10:10, bound for Birmingham International back in December, a beautiful woman boarded the train carrying a travel bag. <i>I bet she's not off to Tenerife</i>, I whispered to Jon but, lo and behold, she ended up on the same flight and even more surprisingly, on the way home we were seated next to each other. She told me that she'd pointed me out to her friend and said, <i>I bet that beautiful woman isn't going to Tenerife </i>and we spent the four hour flight chatting. Upon landing and reunited with Jon, I couldn't stop talking about my new friend. <i>Did you swap numbers?</i> He asked, and of course, me being me, it hadn't occurred to ask. Fast forward ten days later and would you believe it, we bumped into each other in town. <i>As soon as I left the airport I was kicking myself for not getting your number</i>, she told me. On Monday we finally met up and spent almost three hours chatting. It's crazy to think that we've lived a couple of streets away from each other for almost a quarter of a century and never met before! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqO4KqSctVK9JgTzqek5O7rDaI51GsewDh_lq1uPZ8w43cr0lUIx97zlV8AGbI8gNcKet6K2LNRoIK0b4SDZX0PvGuJEKiRJ_RJwYolBKNWB5eOYBfKkQmXc9_VMR2-Vnem8AWAuTJRfW-HbGLYCDBXj7LDrORiX4oGrYL4-noKIipRBTYMwI1LW2MQ/s2718/20240130_113629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="1811" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqO4KqSctVK9JgTzqek5O7rDaI51GsewDh_lq1uPZ8w43cr0lUIx97zlV8AGbI8gNcKet6K2LNRoIK0b4SDZX0PvGuJEKiRJ_RJwYolBKNWB5eOYBfKkQmXc9_VMR2-Vnem8AWAuTJRfW-HbGLYCDBXj7LDrORiX4oGrYL4-noKIipRBTYMwI1LW2MQ/w426-h640/20240130_113629.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On Tuesday (today!) it was the turn of a <i>Naked Generation</i> block printed midi dress and pigtails for swimming, 'Spoons and some charity shopping. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, talking of which, here's a few recent finds....</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/AVvXsEiopiWEgAiT15F5A2dFkwA6GwKx_VOI5xhf8iDh3Wz5kysCbDjR07u-32xxCr7HHdqE7_nQM-DxnkMEWudRQCGcCkbPZQDXEG3itAnsmvzVODDZcDFL-Q9EJFp_TiHXKL3buKHwbBEWLvB3igeSUrZv2S8XNpzudeIVBlKlRWnYJXYfuyTI4SSOABm6IQ/s2781/20240130_121438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="2781" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopiWEgAiT15F5A2dFkwA6GwKx_VOI5xhf8iDh3Wz5kysCbDjR07u-32xxCr7HHdqE7_nQM-DxnkMEWudRQCGcCkbPZQDXEG3itAnsmvzVODDZcDFL-Q9EJFp_TiHXKL3buKHwbBEWLvB3igeSUrZv2S8XNpzudeIVBlKlRWnYJXYfuyTI4SSOABm6IQ/w640-h354/20240130_121438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A job lot of vintage 1980s mohair hand knit jumpers with the original shop tags which had been donated by the owner of a Birmingham boutique which had closed down several decades ago. I'm saving these for the festivals.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sZu4pbThg4uXxdKrM_CzHelT9DvJDf07_Z7O2mtYo5I9Y-3nApbpDNt9VLFVAQ2ww5faZTvSNxk_YxQu7W-xmEnH4hkFkD94W9Cwex_yY77EFSZrItNxSQzFPd3j1pcuZBIBxhgdp_plMGRrZcCJljgNEfoeXRkWeAgtjq8fz2gfU7advcSeZeM-zA/s2465/20240130_122026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="2465" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sZu4pbThg4uXxdKrM_CzHelT9DvJDf07_Z7O2mtYo5I9Y-3nApbpDNt9VLFVAQ2ww5faZTvSNxk_YxQu7W-xmEnH4hkFkD94W9Cwex_yY77EFSZrItNxSQzFPd3j1pcuZBIBxhgdp_plMGRrZcCJljgNEfoeXRkWeAgtjq8fz2gfU7advcSeZeM-zA/w640-h470/20240130_122026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two pairs of earrings (£1.25 and £1.50 respectively). The green glass ones (they look more turquoise in this photo) are in my ears right now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-x7KddkM_8WA97iH5axlRXJ0Rn6pAG9GH1EFDhRCebXeXiq1-gw2Kw8gOLqMJXp-_NIlTHjXVTVLweedmuV-yuBiugc9RTUN4-vW9LQUcoroESqYAlwRUK0Zhu53K7dH_44q4JPRST4sqAS0TAlA_y1rhVuAmZgdx61K-TVdyM90iLJRYBlcmK17dw/s3408/20240130_130112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3408" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-x7KddkM_8WA97iH5axlRXJ0Rn6pAG9GH1EFDhRCebXeXiq1-gw2Kw8gOLqMJXp-_NIlTHjXVTVLweedmuV-yuBiugc9RTUN4-vW9LQUcoroESqYAlwRUK0Zhu53K7dH_44q4JPRST4sqAS0TAlA_y1rhVuAmZgdx61K-TVdyM90iLJRYBlcmK17dw/w432-h640/20240130_130112.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I was mad about <i>Art Deco</i> as a kid but these days lean towards the more fluid lines of <i>Art Nouveau</i>. I couldn't resist this 1930s English-made beehive plant pot I found lurking in the 50p bin. I've no idea where Etsy sellers get their daft prices from, there's an identical one listed on there for £60! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cvtKKQzLEb2I7J_v4rz1TotEZ-SB93mPoqnxwNHwm-cA5GIQBBqDM97r8dj3hU5YQh4TgqV50RTwezsTWCZFURiSmrZJ7JpXJgo-POSEIW3ezNy14n9fiPTG1iaqAD5rwS4u1OEO1hSwXe7NUx3WKr5vZLl6b54dpsxAFIgh2piBK3ycX2hryKM0AQ/s3029/20240130_122739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3029" data-original-width="1962" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cvtKKQzLEb2I7J_v4rz1TotEZ-SB93mPoqnxwNHwm-cA5GIQBBqDM97r8dj3hU5YQh4TgqV50RTwezsTWCZFURiSmrZJ7JpXJgo-POSEIW3ezNy14n9fiPTG1iaqAD5rwS4u1OEO1hSwXe7NUx3WKr5vZLl6b54dpsxAFIgh2piBK3ycX2hryKM0AQ/w414-h640/20240130_122739.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This vintage ceramic pinch jug (£2) is the perfect match with our 1960s <i>Secla, Portugal</i> "owl" mugs found in a charity shop a couple of years ago. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5si0cBF5yV4oS54E3fjZTbW_Jk21J3t3g6wVcRnRMzKfJPkKYg4qeAATUyK27LIp70olAxoZQCi05TNR6awusw-BvzAM3DW_frTkv0x18ajRWC6CMA1qpG2f2M2P-hO-7ZBtg3eG_4orSFxsw1K60M5bSqoiKSEJj3fo8VY9TuaXpaVVYvn6LGgRMg/s3743/20240130_122556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3743" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5si0cBF5yV4oS54E3fjZTbW_Jk21J3t3g6wVcRnRMzKfJPkKYg4qeAATUyK27LIp70olAxoZQCi05TNR6awusw-BvzAM3DW_frTkv0x18ajRWC6CMA1qpG2f2M2P-hO-7ZBtg3eG_4orSFxsw1K60M5bSqoiKSEJj3fo8VY9TuaXpaVVYvn6LGgRMg/w640-h392/20240130_122556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love a wash bag especially when it features the divine <i>Hera</i> print by <i>Liberty</i> and costs less than a £1!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHxkKXtDyOOcM73GLF2puRz7VlsDcWicJS5ytxfhYPNE_xiwprYJGJkwfZVsKZOzaYYB25z3nNxRcZS5FlWfB9x2rBrNacErdOUAqe9mLD7MqMiA_q50rRHf1E3BVzH9eAGk9NK8XJ6jdt7Wk11vh23VbcgJcQgUjTIvOOlEnMnoeZ00MZxuPE4e3uw/s4080/20240130_130341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHxkKXtDyOOcM73GLF2puRz7VlsDcWicJS5ytxfhYPNE_xiwprYJGJkwfZVsKZOzaYYB25z3nNxRcZS5FlWfB9x2rBrNacErdOUAqe9mLD7MqMiA_q50rRHf1E3BVzH9eAGk9NK8XJ6jdt7Wk11vh23VbcgJcQgUjTIvOOlEnMnoeZ00MZxuPE4e3uw/w360-h640/20240130_130341.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA4AGucmVeDtBfvAIUMB0PGMTsmoBV2RMEp9IhVLH5Muxi9rtnjLSqoJMffsE4aKwL_oIADQt4Q1UKqnhGAEiP4OxChcEDZYfNPeVwj23qHDwrJoGbsADyKzoH1kyKNuexttuCzlDe_WoHm67r4n32S8OjiB3oCTaTLr7BzNfQK2RpBE8l1yBTxP6fQ/s4080/20240130_130544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA4AGucmVeDtBfvAIUMB0PGMTsmoBV2RMEp9IhVLH5Muxi9rtnjLSqoJMffsE4aKwL_oIADQt4Q1UKqnhGAEiP4OxChcEDZYfNPeVwj23qHDwrJoGbsADyKzoH1kyKNuexttuCzlDe_WoHm67r4n32S8OjiB3oCTaTLr7BzNfQK2RpBE8l1yBTxP6fQ/w360-h640/20240130_130544.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now taking pride of place in the utility room, these framed 19th Century advertisements were £2 from the clearance charity shop on Sunday. I studied Russian at school & was absolutely useless at it. <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mr Köpke's assessment</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in</span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span>my end of year report read <i>Victoria does not understand this language. </i>The only word I can recognise on those prints is <i>Moscow</i>! </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/AVvXsEjDoe7q-F9kwmYh1Xwyi4THr9td8VS7Dpyr1J1XS792T0lihEou7h3-P9HS5JTLpgHitgWeZQ-Zg7ifHFSCRqQteGyiFbXJwMdZ4Y3f6k3zsCNeQOW8F0cCjNQq7ThdFlsmjDAfc1h1mlLYZewIeHFTEuPcC2x638sU5Sx62qNK67jbQD35ea4XEhBlbQ/s4080/20240128_152128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoe7q-F9kwmYh1Xwyi4THr9td8VS7Dpyr1J1XS792T0lihEou7h3-P9HS5JTLpgHitgWeZQ-Zg7ifHFSCRqQteGyiFbXJwMdZ4Y3f6k3zsCNeQOW8F0cCjNQq7ThdFlsmjDAfc1h1mlLYZewIeHFTEuPcC2x638sU5Sx62qNK67jbQD35ea4XEhBlbQ/w640-h360/20240128_152128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fellow vinyl enthusiast & lifelong collector, Stephanie asked for a peek at our most recently acquired 45s. As I've mentioned before, we still own almost every record we've ever bought but, as loads of them are tucked away in one of the sheds, sometimes it's easier to repurchase a single rather than risk life and limb rummaging for an existing copy. Several of our local chazzas sell 3 singles for £1 so you can't really say no, can you? </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/AVvXsEidXOxfOHk18EASkq7Fq3hrdr_ScD1A4DSzRoghJ-1MYU_Jt7DTCxPrVYkRPeoExGlc9aEAlHwuZEdQo5KNiVjAYFco4It7gVa85wR4SXbrfwDyVLpb7EzL6idvUQwVxh74sfzOwV5xO1iXnOP6GU1fokLX-KFCHOWHhKJprfve9dKYQbqw_rDyvPF9Yg/s2979/DSC04306.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2979" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXOxfOHk18EASkq7Fq3hrdr_ScD1A4DSzRoghJ-1MYU_Jt7DTCxPrVYkRPeoExGlc9aEAlHwuZEdQo5KNiVjAYFco4It7gVa85wR4SXbrfwDyVLpb7EzL6idvUQwVxh74sfzOwV5xO1iXnOP6GU1fokLX-KFCHOWHhKJprfve9dKYQbqw_rDyvPF9Yg/w522-h640/DSC04306.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was obsessed with <i>Haysi Fantayzee</i> back in the day, I've got their one and only album <i>Battle Hymns for Children Singing (1983) </i>somewhere and bumped into Kate Garner (now a photographer) in downtown Mumbai many years ago. <i>Kid Creole & The Coconuts</i> takes me back to our girls' school discos and <i>The Housemartins</i> remind me of my college years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYjziyYo7X3pJff5v4wntkNuk44_T6D3T_aMLnn8ppnkQSOtTRf2hPy5-jm-974jyQjgQgJQrFy87_TBqYCWH2iKy_sc8wmqWTTZ4SHtfgTBzI_R12TTEmkNRYnlAfMsKeqeKwoAAqHjXSSPSiLt6pIVX65XI0xlOMdqcDl2MnGsCwAjaqfof8ncBHA/s3648/DSC04307.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYjziyYo7X3pJff5v4wntkNuk44_T6D3T_aMLnn8ppnkQSOtTRf2hPy5-jm-974jyQjgQgJQrFy87_TBqYCWH2iKy_sc8wmqWTTZ4SHtfgTBzI_R12TTEmkNRYnlAfMsKeqeKwoAAqHjXSSPSiLt6pIVX65XI0xlOMdqcDl2MnGsCwAjaqfof8ncBHA/w426-h640/DSC04307.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7V6yFxATv082XZiPoAp2zZNm2Lf_YYv3GfNeSkfzo1HN99A6BiPIzF75-45IDrKhFZyWWYcqffRxvdAkb75Q_Sz95Cs26ZzhXp5D9iyS_w23gW57cXHE5B9dCVaeZAxz92j-yc-OZl5b2OeRZoBy4dIHynCEWSRjiNyagPcA09Zq_EURRaEpnuh8oQ/s3648/DSC04309.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7V6yFxATv082XZiPoAp2zZNm2Lf_YYv3GfNeSkfzo1HN99A6BiPIzF75-45IDrKhFZyWWYcqffRxvdAkb75Q_Sz95Cs26ZzhXp5D9iyS_w23gW57cXHE5B9dCVaeZAxz92j-yc-OZl5b2OeRZoBy4dIHynCEWSRjiNyagPcA09Zq_EURRaEpnuh8oQ/w426-h640/DSC04309.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnyCeW-lomnR1CcenxsL9GcsdofX8wiAZepU8Bn93n1T5mvh8SaNFmECgJInqgQi3bK1CPxeczG1NH1OYMxqs04VK_HUzbLF9oqAfoiHHPrRH83AfgGOIdW072q3fLiZAoJVkb6soFEVqVhzpkMDHLhIwbl2efQwDWx_Sz1tIbIfYH8KaRjxjMbEPww/s3648/DSC04310.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnyCeW-lomnR1CcenxsL9GcsdofX8wiAZepU8Bn93n1T5mvh8SaNFmECgJInqgQi3bK1CPxeczG1NH1OYMxqs04VK_HUzbLF9oqAfoiHHPrRH83AfgGOIdW072q3fLiZAoJVkb6soFEVqVhzpkMDHLhIwbl2efQwDWx_Sz1tIbIfYH8KaRjxjMbEPww/w426-h640/DSC04310.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Booker T, Mobiles</i> and <i>Haircut One Hundred</i>...more teenage disco memories. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFy8SRB7GusjSEIZbRBFfycQAsPPIv258gN8oOET39JgfuyQLQNsoWbeQi8smg2FUnQG1h0GNj-gC3jk1RCsIl2ojvI_DG74ALHf887rgAbTAd5H-gaMU9qztHUn3Z5b5D6XZ_h9qt-WrgtUFC_Kg8OzeyIFnDJvec16nEB9HFe0Kf9LvLT3UVkmJbw/s3648/DSC04312.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFy8SRB7GusjSEIZbRBFfycQAsPPIv258gN8oOET39JgfuyQLQNsoWbeQi8smg2FUnQG1h0GNj-gC3jk1RCsIl2ojvI_DG74ALHf887rgAbTAd5H-gaMU9qztHUn3Z5b5D6XZ_h9qt-WrgtUFC_Kg8OzeyIFnDJvec16nEB9HFe0Kf9LvLT3UVkmJbw/w426-h640/DSC04312.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Unfinished Sympathy</i> by <i>Massive Attack</i>, choon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhCtd9Ebmb7zMFrNNdI4FQW2b8W_AOv_EMG2ZbukcPJz-CZblJxVKO9Q3SEP1NqnhXybAe4QMBclXm08pl2ZKpn7d7redzxnNUfjOPd1jUbSZ-pdWPMVMeGhyphenhyphenQk_TUVd32Th9mBqwz2WYXK0YuvEihLa8K9nWWynXuI-N8Hl5tZFK6pZ_BIYMw2VbpQ/s3648/DSC04313.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhCtd9Ebmb7zMFrNNdI4FQW2b8W_AOv_EMG2ZbukcPJz-CZblJxVKO9Q3SEP1NqnhXybAe4QMBclXm08pl2ZKpn7d7redzxnNUfjOPd1jUbSZ-pdWPMVMeGhyphenhyphenQk_TUVd32Th9mBqwz2WYXK0YuvEihLa8K9nWWynXuI-N8Hl5tZFK6pZ_BIYMw2VbpQ/w426-h640/DSC04313.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure we've got at least three other copies of <i>Up Town Top Ranking </i>buried in the sheds!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDBcl4CXkKCR-tXHvJJCVVuJ04GTE2PkIQx5bHeP47-EEEcuHzQmmoc0M2KsP_o9DbO_JgC0kr9oAFo3M2YoYDynvcKgujhQD5gUHZXzzof-qJ7-aVS0fR8L6AKdy-GBE83dL84_PaAdshnf5dOv4UUapssWhrjg1M7WGDIWo9kdj5hr7LXUUg7Vkhg/s3648/DSC04314.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDBcl4CXkKCR-tXHvJJCVVuJ04GTE2PkIQx5bHeP47-EEEcuHzQmmoc0M2KsP_o9DbO_JgC0kr9oAFo3M2YoYDynvcKgujhQD5gUHZXzzof-qJ7-aVS0fR8L6AKdy-GBE83dL84_PaAdshnf5dOv4UUapssWhrjg1M7WGDIWo9kdj5hr7LXUUg7Vkhg/w426-h640/DSC04314.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Silly Games</i>, another duplicate (or possibly triplicate!) We both loved it even more after watching Steve McQueen's award winning anthology series <i>Small Axe</i>, where it played continually in the <i>Lovers Rock</i> episode. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3ehleEE4Htry0-d_ABlf3W3Izl4DtqsBPXtO_jYOWoeRcp5z5XnvvaLnNRpX5ZXeXeHtIOf-qejllefXK8Da6JmWc2LVZ8sFIxGM5Udgd2SyhlMjgA1o5x9krZqQueRWe7VDtUpUKoqjB4aW4cfE-9UkqvJrkPjFFEZ9bdeUXRXzSIJu45FqWK4pjg/s3648/DSC04308.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3ehleEE4Htry0-d_ABlf3W3Izl4DtqsBPXtO_jYOWoeRcp5z5XnvvaLnNRpX5ZXeXeHtIOf-qejllefXK8Da6JmWc2LVZ8sFIxGM5Udgd2SyhlMjgA1o5x9krZqQueRWe7VDtUpUKoqjB4aW4cfE-9UkqvJrkPjFFEZ9bdeUXRXzSIJu45FqWK4pjg/w426-h640/DSC04308.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2s2JByG-fLaG_obrJfK6B8_dx9ga12bjKH-XHHKCNuZnmlptPsTzS4jsc5iTmEYqLVVk_gfLcd4q7siePgPsKTv6AS1tK9IkBRpjGNJcgaoPNtWSrAxyLl5sNQB4JdTUQUacxnIUf3jJLNHzs-Xgis_Nv6qQsJxKY12NGBlfwa-k-TnmpY6503_ONg/s3648/DSC04311.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2s2JByG-fLaG_obrJfK6B8_dx9ga12bjKH-XHHKCNuZnmlptPsTzS4jsc5iTmEYqLVVk_gfLcd4q7siePgPsKTv6AS1tK9IkBRpjGNJcgaoPNtWSrAxyLl5sNQB4JdTUQUacxnIUf3jJLNHzs-Xgis_Nv6qQsJxKY12NGBlfwa-k-TnmpY6503_ONg/w426-h640/DSC04311.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Four weeks into 2024 and I'm on to my 9th & 10th reads of this year. I'm had <i>Jan Marsh's</i> Pre-Raphaelite Women for ages but have only gazed upon the beautiful images so far. Like almost everyone I know, I loved the <i>Inspector Montalbano</i> series on BBC4 and the Andrea Camilleri books are true to the show, with intriguing plots and plenty of witty observations.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPZQ8e2XZ_vfRESsHWHLauRWa656hdxWm7GJvdO94VJUfvPpuQFDZCbirzR55hFEdHVmOnRaHzzA7yw84E2pzoDK1moezaI_YWJNOjGeJUf2_zBNHhDUbQCCW149b3-JrVZaZJvVApI4qPYEUCy-GuIXffQ9K2qEf2VhEKS9todj2ZxI34oKEP9bBbQ/s2986/20240129_101912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2986" data-original-width="2285" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPZQ8e2XZ_vfRESsHWHLauRWa656hdxWm7GJvdO94VJUfvPpuQFDZCbirzR55hFEdHVmOnRaHzzA7yw84E2pzoDK1moezaI_YWJNOjGeJUf2_zBNHhDUbQCCW149b3-JrVZaZJvVApI4qPYEUCy-GuIXffQ9K2qEf2VhEKS9todj2ZxI34oKEP9bBbQ/w490-h640/20240129_101912.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This afternoon I completed the fifth and final module of <a href="https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/royal-fashion">The History of Royal Fashion</a>, a free course run by the University of Glasgow. </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/AVvXsEg0zH-B3I89c5Vr_z3n_s3-MmUV84CTO3RJgtj6JHSuyyRwG1xxnui5e7ClsapLHzpIXqQ0PG41fSvnRnweOyKahRcVNbzCXed_k2olaV0VK5De4DfEG2HGvg2ooZ1rq9drwNoJtXF3NlQiMlma_IMkWV9dCuNdJ9ILqbc-ftMs8WnSQZMdkVDKebj25A/s1260/header_7b8fe080-b6c1-4c0e-bd21-3639cc25fb8c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1260" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zH-B3I89c5Vr_z3n_s3-MmUV84CTO3RJgtj6JHSuyyRwG1xxnui5e7ClsapLHzpIXqQ0PG41fSvnRnweOyKahRcVNbzCXed_k2olaV0VK5De4DfEG2HGvg2ooZ1rq9drwNoJtXF3NlQiMlma_IMkWV9dCuNdJ9ILqbc-ftMs8WnSQZMdkVDKebj25A/w640-h540/header_7b8fe080-b6c1-4c0e-bd21-3639cc25fb8c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next week I've enrolled on one of the Open University's free courses, <i>Janis Joplin and The Sexual Revolution. </i>My love of learning makes me a <i>philomath</i> (I'm slightly better with Greek than I was with Russian).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NO1DmJEZV2NbBgJcsMXLsOQlefXEbhWXglgLfQEeYioIjGShANfyzFOMbPT1w57smEozqIuwGg_p3vJhJcSEuhYKps_yKiIFS_1et8LNR0cnKwBi6Jna7d1Hc86RScKHV9YyJuDyWTvnEKxCA81rLAA_Lhe-fffaLOy0r8n76qZdjocwDoKaXeaDfA/s722/a113_4_fig_4.tif.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NO1DmJEZV2NbBgJcsMXLsOQlefXEbhWXglgLfQEeYioIjGShANfyzFOMbPT1w57smEozqIuwGg_p3vJhJcSEuhYKps_yKiIFS_1et8LNR0cnKwBi6Jna7d1Hc86RScKHV9YyJuDyWTvnEKxCA81rLAA_Lhe-fffaLOy0r8n76qZdjocwDoKaXeaDfA/w454-h640/a113_4_fig_4.tif.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Never mind meerkats, meet our beercat! I know we're biased but isn't William a handsome boy?</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/AVvXsEjyeC5kkSX7VNNYZyFQHfCq8uacqWQyQeFeBUxAoKwUuJN37agbPWLcmmGfDaC2nL_DDkek0YkxDptoy7b5zRA66EnV37A50G1i0gDbfch4X4zYLbbuCrrohUtWXo-XBnhbszYFeFopPVESlki5FdJEvKiQOy3xjf8UC1VPeIs6XO2ATMzIfuhApVJ2sA/s1920/IMG-20240130-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeC5kkSX7VNNYZyFQHfCq8uacqWQyQeFeBUxAoKwUuJN37agbPWLcmmGfDaC2nL_DDkek0YkxDptoy7b5zRA66EnV37A50G1i0gDbfch4X4zYLbbuCrrohUtWXo-XBnhbszYFeFopPVESlki5FdJEvKiQOy3xjf8UC1VPeIs6XO2ATMzIfuhApVJ2sA/w360-h640/IMG-20240130-WA0001.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm off on a girls' day out tomorrow, stay tuned for some tales from the city very soon!</div><br />Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-51915960776222113022024-01-28T10:10:00.001+00:002024-01-28T10:10:23.511+00:00Back To The Old House <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSyx8qBKG9NrzBtFN6qZ3F95iMhmEPGES2n5YZmQI_03lasaWE2FYGSpkHX6aGL6L02Ok1Lp2tORb2Wih1egMnXIDE_8N58xSiNgZwtV5qpCcaKvepblwe5nKFuSoklK1B48VN0wMe5K-_c7PyYEFJbajXZ_PbogOU936KLtRBVkQTQMI0tsUQnAc1w/s1288/DSC04225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1288" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSyx8qBKG9NrzBtFN6qZ3F95iMhmEPGES2n5YZmQI_03lasaWE2FYGSpkHX6aGL6L02Ok1Lp2tORb2Wih1egMnXIDE_8N58xSiNgZwtV5qpCcaKvepblwe5nKFuSoklK1B48VN0wMe5K-_c7PyYEFJbajXZ_PbogOU936KLtRBVkQTQMI0tsUQnAc1w/w640-h496/DSC04225.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Our destination on Friday was Packwood House, a forty minute drive from home. Already one of our favourite National Trust properties, when I was researching Jon's family tree during lockdown, we were excited to discover that his 9 x great-grandmother, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Alicia Fetherston(1592 - 1645)</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> was born there, her family being the original owners of Packwood.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3cddHmiskZuHxn9W4vANNWKatMDnOuxlKglEXU_YpudN3sTRmIRTWFfQ_TYhyphenhyphenOqNY2GR8J22VIvCfOeCXSPdXaeuePtgCr_aAQsBwknLWJhlmqOsTnQdI2Z0odC-7qPAkDY8W_NLh9c74K2j0WQVbOMHUhtpPkdLm_rh47__NpqoeVJ8dx9PogvQ5w/s1616/DSC04185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1616" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3cddHmiskZuHxn9W4vANNWKatMDnOuxlKglEXU_YpudN3sTRmIRTWFfQ_TYhyphenhyphenOqNY2GR8J22VIvCfOeCXSPdXaeuePtgCr_aAQsBwknLWJhlmqOsTnQdI2Z0odC-7qPAkDY8W_NLh9c74K2j0WQVbOMHUhtpPkdLm_rh47__NpqoeVJ8dx9PogvQ5w/w640-h262/DSC04185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwuzpXEWwaZ2sUfjfbdlORM3zGHgXKun42eBG7gMgA_axPCpPQTu06tm2VuIxnJAorrb1NlEWfbdqdc6rp_c7hnzBGzJWEaU5PKZkKa8Q8LIXwImvHqzQ6U8cae5Oo0HQuaVTsOigsfvNlC9aYqjzjE7ZQ4labs1iZKkx1OglK_K4zMxR7kEC9inA0Q/s1616/DSC04186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwuzpXEWwaZ2sUfjfbdlORM3zGHgXKun42eBG7gMgA_axPCpPQTu06tm2VuIxnJAorrb1NlEWfbdqdc6rp_c7hnzBGzJWEaU5PKZkKa8Q8LIXwImvHqzQ6U8cae5Oo0HQuaVTsOigsfvNlC9aYqjzjE7ZQ4labs1iZKkx1OglK_K4zMxR7kEC9inA0Q/w428-h640/DSC04186.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7H7q7u_yr-EwGUBHDOJqMhu7VRMmND5z52i3ts_gLbPhVX38IbJwio8FLXd7EauMfp7bte1EW5A_NP2rRvUSxvwIJqcJR1Z530i6OPJ0sVOgBoNOCinOrm8Ordn9SqrBcVaRmrQbVPKHVIi7E89eA3HP7pgD0nJUAPrt5ElkZ6Eh3ilIrvixkNZpeQ/s1616/DSC04187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7H7q7u_yr-EwGUBHDOJqMhu7VRMmND5z52i3ts_gLbPhVX38IbJwio8FLXd7EauMfp7bte1EW5A_NP2rRvUSxvwIJqcJR1Z530i6OPJ0sVOgBoNOCinOrm8Ordn9SqrBcVaRmrQbVPKHVIi7E89eA3HP7pgD0nJUAPrt5ElkZ6Eh3ilIrvixkNZpeQ/w428-h640/DSC04187.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefpub8VSV0b7i-lG7pInwqiWE0BacgoQ8aRKfZ1DwvFiN4_VNulhQWfTjejbtOugWh2ef7lh95YkO-I5ZNaSd6xvWFmVackxj1MgT5zktAeJGVi5B8sx-2hbZKyBmKVaG4NRY_VNPbmDp6W6WYO-GsIHDKc7FNY7o0buNxDTfPqIAEJ8tY7nzcpyEqw/s1616/DSC04188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefpub8VSV0b7i-lG7pInwqiWE0BacgoQ8aRKfZ1DwvFiN4_VNulhQWfTjejbtOugWh2ef7lh95YkO-I5ZNaSd6xvWFmVackxj1MgT5zktAeJGVi5B8sx-2hbZKyBmKVaG4NRY_VNPbmDp6W6WYO-GsIHDKc7FNY7o0buNxDTfPqIAEJ8tY7nzcpyEqw/w428-h640/DSC04188.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRd3sgQR-VgNJ5CFLvkr3R4Ir52lBUYFjyObTYvmsD1Q8YM4Iu2xXzmtbKSCO7XTt9b37Iby62BbMh-fRFYKA85vzNi0y8KoOgypt4tyJhruMmDJFO9eq__eVp7jMoiRgz9f2DgqzZh1M9Unyogb7Bb21qgZuwHeVgxR5clmGmLrNGNUWQ7DWC8YlrQ/s1365/DSC04191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRd3sgQR-VgNJ5CFLvkr3R4Ir52lBUYFjyObTYvmsD1Q8YM4Iu2xXzmtbKSCO7XTt9b37Iby62BbMh-fRFYKA85vzNi0y8KoOgypt4tyJhruMmDJFO9eq__eVp7jMoiRgz9f2DgqzZh1M9Unyogb7Bb21qgZuwHeVgxR5clmGmLrNGNUWQ7DWC8YlrQ/w506-h640/DSC04191.JPG" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3r8iG0GZftbVfvrlsUjetvafuIc2vVroXZE6dUjS2pBDEzsWVJrSB8h2w2WaZrWlPGpt8bz_dNmzxRMO1dAHWE9R1JLEZV-o4hi4amsiq1LcpzKcxQS3w9LiPDAkUT8KB0ZxvnfiQQRBTp04hZI-xcFzIm4PJ3G3aaE3pLq8N8IwzT0H341xpaW07w/s1528/DSC04192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1528" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3r8iG0GZftbVfvrlsUjetvafuIc2vVroXZE6dUjS2pBDEzsWVJrSB8h2w2WaZrWlPGpt8bz_dNmzxRMO1dAHWE9R1JLEZV-o4hi4amsiq1LcpzKcxQS3w9LiPDAkUT8KB0ZxvnfiQQRBTp04hZI-xcFzIm4PJ3G3aaE3pLq8N8IwzT0H341xpaW07w/w640-h428/DSC04192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK84SXLF9tnw7YdxOBXMI40HQlYtV0VykcpFOknGBer_xAsfVol405cYCsIabc6YYB0qQEMf0yqsFtweNRuA7_Pn3eGUUGtvXoKwf-ujS2ZXbXi8ZM2CNqQtWBVQgibh1op0P0CJtrkYEsUqgGxrPrn5w7pWHFZMm61TnZnqfXljy4YQZmnPg7OkdUw/s1616/DSC04193.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK84SXLF9tnw7YdxOBXMI40HQlYtV0VykcpFOknGBer_xAsfVol405cYCsIabc6YYB0qQEMf0yqsFtweNRuA7_Pn3eGUUGtvXoKwf-ujS2ZXbXi8ZM2CNqQtWBVQgibh1op0P0CJtrkYEsUqgGxrPrn5w7pWHFZMm61TnZnqfXljy4YQZmnPg7OkdUw/w428-h640/DSC04193.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBCCH9nqy4Ws0uCrokIKBZmXvi_VGN5rG1UkV4KT-NIaArRR2QeU3RjDDppCB5F5iR1-puQcKBUlLgR8jb-l3L52I_KpjZ7dTJDFadc3NordcyAuxpVXWIDu3YPBRLEZvY3sqfi4EKEqu5i40-A2L2t5EU-IajlFZpyVohIBc1da6wdIBdPlcptr-NA/s1396/DSC04200.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1056" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBCCH9nqy4Ws0uCrokIKBZmXvi_VGN5rG1UkV4KT-NIaArRR2QeU3RjDDppCB5F5iR1-puQcKBUlLgR8jb-l3L52I_KpjZ7dTJDFadc3NordcyAuxpVXWIDu3YPBRLEZvY3sqfi4EKEqu5i40-A2L2t5EU-IajlFZpyVohIBc1da6wdIBdPlcptr-NA/w484-h640/DSC04200.JPG" width="484" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Alicia's father, William, built Packwood in 1570</span><span style="background-color: white;">. The Fetherstons were yeoman farmers with each subsequent generation expanding the estate until it eventually commanded an area of almost 690 acres. In 1714</span><span style="background-color: white;"> upon the death of Thomas Fetherston, the house passed to his sister who was married to a man from Aldridge (the small town in the borough of Walsall where Jon's dad's family came from) and continued down the female line, the last of whom died in comparative poverty (hence the reason Jon's family didn't inherit it!) </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDQQtQNmcSop-aayGh54g9dPlZqJpS2_BOfPG196sRhsntbAUHNIIhIS9j6VWzHQDaYjDtjWQZbidbrRJ3vktsSHhcX55d4p40We73C0rMSAlHR9kIKUwJevrDScCZlLSDI3tVL80H8A3Jx083ZWRyFzMV9D5oHOfbvp5gSvP3FRoex-8Nztt8JZ8zw/s1616/DSC04201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDQQtQNmcSop-aayGh54g9dPlZqJpS2_BOfPG196sRhsntbAUHNIIhIS9j6VWzHQDaYjDtjWQZbidbrRJ3vktsSHhcX55d4p40We73C0rMSAlHR9kIKUwJevrDScCZlLSDI3tVL80H8A3Jx083ZWRyFzMV9D5oHOfbvp5gSvP3FRoex-8Nztt8JZ8zw/w640-h428/DSC04201.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDURRFG7XBRL0enXYHPlPaFQRwH00bJ04Dyoibi5LVbWpre6z7AkCFAZVRsSZ0J3RC4CKPZTRNGiZLCiigCsnxFhRkkPq-oibMRUDDd7vfx2twJ3wdoZy6VqjgCE7Ub0UoNsmlpDt_OZSA49sYM4XekkTVvHVBZ4_Q_k8n0CwN1mw2ZpPGrtaHa-9fg/s1456/DSC04203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDURRFG7XBRL0enXYHPlPaFQRwH00bJ04Dyoibi5LVbWpre6z7AkCFAZVRsSZ0J3RC4CKPZTRNGiZLCiigCsnxFhRkkPq-oibMRUDDd7vfx2twJ3wdoZy6VqjgCE7Ub0UoNsmlpDt_OZSA49sYM4XekkTVvHVBZ4_Q_k8n0CwN1mw2ZpPGrtaHa-9fg/w474-h640/DSC04203.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgsOPLelmJnVzOojyG4Oddg01REHMu-OkYoMXTi3LPeW8oNgFMYm7EspwU0khjJCQLf-cOUEJKOU7CeiaGurhlbKGoa5l1YPvTxFP0KBscZGe-oLin9_7CHUrmDVk_BzzDKlXAVegSz2rVs7BPAdOREX4ppbwoQ_k6nnt7ptgF9JzKw1phhKwSXNhOnEA/s1459/DSC04207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1459" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOPLelmJnVzOojyG4Oddg01REHMu-OkYoMXTi3LPeW8oNgFMYm7EspwU0khjJCQLf-cOUEJKOU7CeiaGurhlbKGoa5l1YPvTxFP0KBscZGe-oLin9_7CHUrmDVk_BzzDKlXAVegSz2rVs7BPAdOREX4ppbwoQ_k6nnt7ptgF9JzKw1phhKwSXNhOnEA/w640-h428/DSC04207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiAYG5bFv_7Zvk1iO-gLUMZbbn92CGCAaphTEe6NbUQzkjoSKKFBTlGQJeYScBaxZCJ46Ch1yorctgkbKarhhwWyWGNwUf75qE56vjiY80FdBHQaQUtzVL6M-xiOfacso7KvycbRCI5ptgujHyClOR70ghcKxteLpxulftt2CLTWME9EQVUzEDaLap7Fw/s1535/DSC04221.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYG5bFv_7Zvk1iO-gLUMZbbn92CGCAaphTEe6NbUQzkjoSKKFBTlGQJeYScBaxZCJ46Ch1yorctgkbKarhhwWyWGNwUf75qE56vjiY80FdBHQaQUtzVL6M-xiOfacso7KvycbRCI5ptgujHyClOR70ghcKxteLpxulftt2CLTWME9EQVUzEDaLap7Fw/w428-h640/DSC04221.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgEGwhSV4R61YmhrYa0igBRo6NNODx5F8sWYtDMW4GuPtRC5lolPN15-cD4s04v-OCeaaJcAOcZpS6zAi0lT0Q36iPG42RPWT6n75JzRMwgfCZpMqT26CC3-X85ZXIQS2ODLFCM1V7KRab3q8ByL7VrIDZ1Jr_YkhyIZn_cHElcjjULarWsBA-Uw4eA_w/s1502/DSC04229.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1502" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGwhSV4R61YmhrYa0igBRo6NNODx5F8sWYtDMW4GuPtRC5lolPN15-cD4s04v-OCeaaJcAOcZpS6zAi0lT0Q36iPG42RPWT6n75JzRMwgfCZpMqT26CC3-X85ZXIQS2ODLFCM1V7KRab3q8ByL7VrIDZ1Jr_YkhyIZn_cHElcjjULarWsBA-Uw4eA_w/w640-h416/DSC04229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In 1904, Alfred Ash, a Birmingham businessman and confirmed city dweller had, somewhat impulsively, bought the 134 acre Packwood Estate in rural Warwickshire at auction for £4,500 and when asked why, he replied, <i>I bought it because the boy wanted it.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQEEa7AubzuCfA43YVzO7Qa9OhjRvmzl8_5SkSxvNxKqvxCrQjWl-B8mPC5zpIwpiWdGSnCkLlmalGDyKkmpmQh7m1Rkq7fJ-WF8h-ARL2qTnA-rc5XKO4ec_1gw1dljRLxAC3QIci1g5hTIt1mcbp5NhLFlDPAf2khXIn_EjdPAhG7kCLSFYZYHGBQ/s4015/20240126_112436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4015" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQEEa7AubzuCfA43YVzO7Qa9OhjRvmzl8_5SkSxvNxKqvxCrQjWl-B8mPC5zpIwpiWdGSnCkLlmalGDyKkmpmQh7m1Rkq7fJ-WF8h-ARL2qTnA-rc5XKO4ec_1gw1dljRLxAC3QIci1g5hTIt1mcbp5NhLFlDPAf2khXIn_EjdPAhG7kCLSFYZYHGBQ/w318-h640/20240126_112436.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Graham Baron Ash (1889 - 1980)</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The boy</i> 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.</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/AVvXsEhnlDeuWvCCthsiJNoL-Sq-cT0tDD1ckFedQPCjdtOcemecusvUN9JCjk60U4dBZh7DigxsgtozaE8FFUm99U6-UdMnOivIqOyg48Q2Y3gqWtyseMc66pppe7Vvfw01SFN5CrHqjl0bqTTK4Ji04SwLo8Sst3S9JhvUl8tpTfidNvbr93Hu300TBkBk_g/s1616/DSC04204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlDeuWvCCthsiJNoL-Sq-cT0tDD1ckFedQPCjdtOcemecusvUN9JCjk60U4dBZh7DigxsgtozaE8FFUm99U6-UdMnOivIqOyg48Q2Y3gqWtyseMc66pppe7Vvfw01SFN5CrHqjl0bqTTK4Ji04SwLo8Sst3S9JhvUl8tpTfidNvbr93Hu300TBkBk_g/w640-h428/DSC04204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Determined never to go back into the family business, after leaving the army Baron dedicated the rest of his life to restoring Packwood, stripping back the lavish Victorian interior, considered at that time to be hopelessly outdated, and restoring the house to reflect its original Tudor heritage.</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/AVvXsEi8Q1iTstB907Ivpe1riepDsSwURAmox1lLgHt-_82aSiHkHgtJuDG4AdsntCufdd8Jj78St1oHN0fjuX00Lfpoiq0QWsMZgiDQDQfJezGMSTlOxocIAxYSxGgUgpcrxB_XDxght6HNn5dzPv4pYd5gFtZZoFlfM2-ngNy-C0j_9IKTZlXwgPSD__YNWQ/s1616/DSC04237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q1iTstB907Ivpe1riepDsSwURAmox1lLgHt-_82aSiHkHgtJuDG4AdsntCufdd8Jj78St1oHN0fjuX00Lfpoiq0QWsMZgiDQDQfJezGMSTlOxocIAxYSxGgUgpcrxB_XDxght6HNn5dzPv4pYd5gFtZZoFlfM2-ngNy-C0j_9IKTZlXwgPSD__YNWQ/w428-h640/DSC04237.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Years ahead of his time, Baron set about acquiring architectural salvage from demolished historical buildings and hunting down antique textiles, furniture and artifacts from around the world to furnish his dream country house. There were some modern comforts included, this was, after all, a young man's party pad and so en-suite bathrooms and a sprung dance floor were added to make 16th Century Packwood House the ultimate in Jazz Age party venues.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG7XLrDgpyvJ6wj7IycYLqzZN35npa24Bb-wm4UgGZBPHUTAYauOBAjrj3rr7kbc18INPMkMN29l61u2xdpmIWTyElgh6-sQa8HQ3_Nczm4xKPs8WE0N8KfY6Kt6OfFGe3vNo8RLVqTzEnPPCJvSU9T1uerHcwhtKZlsEZ_eJ2f6-Tcgeom-tdNm20w/s1616/DSC04238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG7XLrDgpyvJ6wj7IycYLqzZN35npa24Bb-wm4UgGZBPHUTAYauOBAjrj3rr7kbc18INPMkMN29l61u2xdpmIWTyElgh6-sQa8HQ3_Nczm4xKPs8WE0N8KfY6Kt6OfFGe3vNo8RLVqTzEnPPCJvSU9T1uerHcwhtKZlsEZ_eJ2f6-Tcgeom-tdNm20w/w428-h640/DSC04238.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The windows, updated by the Victorian residents, were replaced by salvaged, period-perfect Tudor originals, some bought from as far afield as Belgium. Unfortunately the render, applied in Georgian times, when the original Tudor brickwork was considered to be old fashioned, could not be removed without damaging the exterior.</div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8inEAUHon1Bd03C8q9BogHKvSVhmRzqPcmI6pOqC8b3Q-C4VY-tlCEw8BZv3_ZNhKqoUnsESrqnIaL6iOD_vM40ej6hjKouazLcth2euL4j_hsqr_kJimc8jUu27a-41rGGZhpb-pvu0K8AgZ2nUr0lMQU88hHX2tAd7f0JRKrJS2Ja2kWWN_UjpEw/s1616/DSC04239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8inEAUHon1Bd03C8q9BogHKvSVhmRzqPcmI6pOqC8b3Q-C4VY-tlCEw8BZv3_ZNhKqoUnsESrqnIaL6iOD_vM40ej6hjKouazLcth2euL4j_hsqr_kJimc8jUu27a-41rGGZhpb-pvu0K8AgZ2nUr0lMQU88hHX2tAd7f0JRKrJS2Ja2kWWN_UjpEw/w640-h428/DSC04239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A note left in the 1930's visitors book described as <i>A house to dream of, a garden to dream in.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-M2R6lmunmw7L5fQqIm1M3drZGwO0PNCogqXag8ZSE4rudloRa1eUBGJPrf27pmm-RNrS1opUhV3WprTclZzjRIvxghmsQvvcZ09baAsfdf86O6jXH4VPR6ZQP4bzqBkivBi_QBSvX9ZISznDcTPnNPxu4wZqzhrrsMvf8oWsUH-DIqsfARlFyZbRA/s1396/DSC04175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="994" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-M2R6lmunmw7L5fQqIm1M3drZGwO0PNCogqXag8ZSE4rudloRa1eUBGJPrf27pmm-RNrS1opUhV3WprTclZzjRIvxghmsQvvcZ09baAsfdf86O6jXH4VPR6ZQP4bzqBkivBi_QBSvX9ZISznDcTPnNPxu4wZqzhrrsMvf8oWsUH-DIqsfARlFyZbRA/w456-h640/DSC04175.JPG" width="456" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday was glorious, with skies so blue that if it wasn't cold enough to require multiple layers and woollen gloves you'd be forgiven for thinking it was mid-Summer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWudagRjvYMW7qkF-AehWEPwx_FSLuqH4LAZlZSnf2drpuW9H-x0_-j7bh9xDrnsR1xWv4ioiWCzyOUP74M4c3AuiCQ6kjvZ_NKRlWXclNRJeq56lEYXNuZq0NRWD9FM9BjKbf52K9ajp0USRnfp4ZI6PSS_iFtdV6CRm6Jc-VdRn89RUrJaNOuAudA/s1616/DSC04178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWudagRjvYMW7qkF-AehWEPwx_FSLuqH4LAZlZSnf2drpuW9H-x0_-j7bh9xDrnsR1xWv4ioiWCzyOUP74M4c3AuiCQ6kjvZ_NKRlWXclNRJeq56lEYXNuZq0NRWD9FM9BjKbf52K9ajp0USRnfp4ZI6PSS_iFtdV6CRm6Jc-VdRn89RUrJaNOuAudA/w428-h640/DSC04178.JPG" width="428" /></a></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/AVvXsEhT5EhZzmjd96nddwvJ03aUMvukxeymnpgMhSP47saVX1ToHT2GPyaj1_QisSHcxDG8I_HSkOJ8CHU5W-S9McKkq_vDLjy_vxzqVLjWCw2r3l-J11jvTxm5g2_GFVGkjVPZydIn4axgIoJ-23cqSHYJpsP5gSnanEbAMKMgwTE-3DKjwCioJ3ZwUcqbjQ/s1616/DSC04182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5EhZzmjd96nddwvJ03aUMvukxeymnpgMhSP47saVX1ToHT2GPyaj1_QisSHcxDG8I_HSkOJ8CHU5W-S9McKkq_vDLjy_vxzqVLjWCw2r3l-J11jvTxm5g2_GFVGkjVPZydIn4axgIoJ-23cqSHYJpsP5gSnanEbAMKMgwTE-3DKjwCioJ3ZwUcqbjQ/w640-h428/DSC04182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a stroll through the woods, wading through mud which reached our ankles (and questioning the wisdom of wearing a maxi dress), we arrived at Packwood's front door at 11.15am just in time for our pre-booked admission slot.<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/AVvXsEjVCOEN4yGwmUU_2_14ZpDFQcknPl7Yb9M6q6LXFcsdYVL6LaXesy2uFQVjnvcQKD_HtAoWRG4ji1jAd6i27qa9Mf9a-VVRCO2Uy9Wi4t7Y2J5BhGdk5hRR8F60mBaDfNOFCQwThD0X7ucACSkd-XlbtRy5R9r5mzDq_8PhLYgowabU0_mLxcR8HTB3UQ/s4080/20240126_113416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCOEN4yGwmUU_2_14ZpDFQcknPl7Yb9M6q6LXFcsdYVL6LaXesy2uFQVjnvcQKD_HtAoWRG4ji1jAd6i27qa9Mf9a-VVRCO2Uy9Wi4t7Y2J5BhGdk5hRR8F60mBaDfNOFCQwThD0X7ucACSkd-XlbtRy5R9r5mzDq_8PhLYgowabU0_mLxcR8HTB3UQ/w360-h640/20240126_113416.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U1G4zzWWVcTXBirxnPdwTcddCs36lcXKjKB2zHiDR7N_daaFhCS7cX9tou_rwXqZNL9Qb-0BuBXyqo54gnfZ2pqMIeLc9MZl0VewZpMkwtxK158DM5gcjHcomR6GRaVXhyphenhyphendQQT52veY9-Txfe3lDTjDc99tYajfFsS9enk23eH6_RsySmaoIr9vRRg/s4080/20240126_113404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U1G4zzWWVcTXBirxnPdwTcddCs36lcXKjKB2zHiDR7N_daaFhCS7cX9tou_rwXqZNL9Qb-0BuBXyqo54gnfZ2pqMIeLc9MZl0VewZpMkwtxK158DM5gcjHcomR6GRaVXhyphenhyphendQQT52veY9-Txfe3lDTjDc99tYajfFsS9enk23eH6_RsySmaoIr9vRRg/w360-h640/20240126_113404.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj004RqZC6VhoXF-xk1ig7bsiAdGt8KLUYDoXxhxweclmFuVE9J1pa4c0kuHYUY23vnRKZFY-tlkoNs613q0V6RC86EQdeVSatceBoa8wIGwlO-mGtkBQMhfVGg-sevBXcNA2jHXpMSyB6MlTiLnNvBE7JJjIXuWDQq-0A6ja-XztBfArm49LDF1ixmGw/s4080/20240126_113349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj004RqZC6VhoXF-xk1ig7bsiAdGt8KLUYDoXxhxweclmFuVE9J1pa4c0kuHYUY23vnRKZFY-tlkoNs613q0V6RC86EQdeVSatceBoa8wIGwlO-mGtkBQMhfVGg-sevBXcNA2jHXpMSyB6MlTiLnNvBE7JJjIXuWDQq-0A6ja-XztBfArm49LDF1ixmGw/w360-h640/20240126_113349.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUazH4bhrMRouiCrJw-mwettXa3kbXVZdg6XPtue5Cj191v0XrqRo3AkEVKPchy2i8upbTCgi8LxQXTTZo7VCHxVuwajhwmFVHKIUHGX7F84fcU3onS604VMpKTfTeyENWLOQoLtSa0lbZa1mXvBA1L5GaU1qrJYFEC8fqYkVXIgCEYUwqwAQT9Srpg/s4080/20240126_113319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2073" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUazH4bhrMRouiCrJw-mwettXa3kbXVZdg6XPtue5Cj191v0XrqRo3AkEVKPchy2i8upbTCgi8LxQXTTZo7VCHxVuwajhwmFVHKIUHGX7F84fcU3onS604VMpKTfTeyENWLOQoLtSa0lbZa1mXvBA1L5GaU1qrJYFEC8fqYkVXIgCEYUwqwAQT9Srpg/w326-h640/20240126_113319.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0_MZrrppTcS-I-LPf7_pj-HYRj7FXli73hG_U1_u6Z8c4Dukt1_kLw5VMWr-AueloLkbIuuGNMAVv5MCVo_mJ3YEMHLMMUQDq3JU25jWujVICg1kmVPUpFe6cEQvG1spkoYlKnoty9ZP8VVRlFPP2-TS8uYhRChH4bC4Z94cNEMMvmg-cQhX4JDfwg/s4080/20240126_112805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0_MZrrppTcS-I-LPf7_pj-HYRj7FXli73hG_U1_u6Z8c4Dukt1_kLw5VMWr-AueloLkbIuuGNMAVv5MCVo_mJ3YEMHLMMUQDq3JU25jWujVICg1kmVPUpFe6cEQvG1spkoYlKnoty9ZP8VVRlFPP2-TS8uYhRChH4bC4Z94cNEMMvmg-cQhX4JDfwg/w360-h640/20240126_112805.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5u-J-rwi_1EgU3kExa-2tzhMrxkg4E17I6eEW-fCB5dntwcuKi6HyQeoSNQEddBTX9P68t3OUwWfNAN2qQZsKBTPdbDmgeV6YFNpLOcWgzNFh_HkCaF2xV-52dV5PdbLvSlJG9Hbu5rqYfiUPagi1YZIvxP0w7QtvnYjNM6mIuJx1h90XlGOmWKm_A/s3219/20240126_112749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="3219" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5u-J-rwi_1EgU3kExa-2tzhMrxkg4E17I6eEW-fCB5dntwcuKi6HyQeoSNQEddBTX9P68t3OUwWfNAN2qQZsKBTPdbDmgeV6YFNpLOcWgzNFh_HkCaF2xV-52dV5PdbLvSlJG9Hbu5rqYfiUPagi1YZIvxP0w7QtvnYjNM6mIuJx1h90XlGOmWKm_A/w640-h414/20240126_112749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib6tayA2db911Ne4sYUijMCK3A_zeiXQXRxdwoZnNIXEw6ROXxHG_ST9vayEEmJe7SZ9l9yPQMCAJI6xIz_0-OLUNqOu9OIaQHHa8LcSPE7S2Tq2wnA95G4jK_HAA6EDWuFe-WlBg4xkwydQecOWLVUAZZFL_fTmZSB-HtHgmiwIpSUrjRi45Q0e0aQ/s3418/20240126_112730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3418" data-original-width="2220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib6tayA2db911Ne4sYUijMCK3A_zeiXQXRxdwoZnNIXEw6ROXxHG_ST9vayEEmJe7SZ9l9yPQMCAJI6xIz_0-OLUNqOu9OIaQHHa8LcSPE7S2Tq2wnA95G4jK_HAA6EDWuFe-WlBg4xkwydQecOWLVUAZZFL_fTmZSB-HtHgmiwIpSUrjRi45Q0e0aQ/w416-h640/20240126_112730.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFgE7VjVuRp9GweM9dWSdi31PRJgAKUGBu1PCqQ0JT7WwNL7ZevMe62t9-RrePfS3l6DSK1_qWNmuQxK1ET-HG3Q_4FwhalmuzYvLtpClSKoqilrEYZG02D-Lo5eYEUq_M8-BCz316mtHFe6KK9lHmg7UcWGV-3v54KrPo3_zFkyyg2CpfIGJTncbGg/s3939/20240126_112706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3939" data-original-width="2217" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFgE7VjVuRp9GweM9dWSdi31PRJgAKUGBu1PCqQ0JT7WwNL7ZevMe62t9-RrePfS3l6DSK1_qWNmuQxK1ET-HG3Q_4FwhalmuzYvLtpClSKoqilrEYZG02D-Lo5eYEUq_M8-BCz316mtHFe6KK9lHmg7UcWGV-3v54KrPo3_zFkyyg2CpfIGJTncbGg/w360-h640/20240126_112706.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7tbRji9wh8gQxdWqZu3YuyYKBoTPCd5YGYNgE54o4LYNaEIsigYVS9__RFlcUg3oxcj7H4utEYvddRi7q9M9QpAhElA6n0j8TGt0H3_cIPr8kXytVyVQII2vBVjFbcX8WW-tP_DRs8hR28iemI17UjuBSu5gEi7miMDMeRqUi87SqRAGFH4xiaLLSg/s3904/20240126_112636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3904" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7tbRji9wh8gQxdWqZu3YuyYKBoTPCd5YGYNgE54o4LYNaEIsigYVS9__RFlcUg3oxcj7H4utEYvddRi7q9M9QpAhElA6n0j8TGt0H3_cIPr8kXytVyVQII2vBVjFbcX8WW-tP_DRs8hR28iemI17UjuBSu5gEi7miMDMeRqUi87SqRAGFH4xiaLLSg/w376-h640/20240126_112636.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadFt-QM-eo9Xn-8wawhhDT5CZmbSg2fzykKEuG4RIppiTZtJgfMTfplm9CIAkY_IHmiqurOS2LnMUE2JrFJAQhZZEOG-IFFKcD1Pj-DIpnGiEkANGkULj6eqEkPcXSjd-GJKP6AqJcDhLHVv-sC1-f9S7dSDqgMz-CbrKOk33tcsFhsIDw3Yjk_FJeA/s3422/20240126_112621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3422" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadFt-QM-eo9Xn-8wawhhDT5CZmbSg2fzykKEuG4RIppiTZtJgfMTfplm9CIAkY_IHmiqurOS2LnMUE2JrFJAQhZZEOG-IFFKcD1Pj-DIpnGiEkANGkULj6eqEkPcXSjd-GJKP6AqJcDhLHVv-sC1-f9S7dSDqgMz-CbrKOk33tcsFhsIDw3Yjk_FJeA/w430-h640/20240126_112621.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwoCT6wEsYgmC1U3F0XjEf_1jnnNf0VKux6Jxb6EMKL55jUG9pRRe1gH9kDQ2-F1gjWPMTtSDTxHwTy9mfIrJH3zq0fQy8BabeyZyIQHhlRdF-sSarhvPTdSCpo8mJznN1CHUi7b1H23bg3mEgtHgq7f-xAX36NUgFazfwIvylDfIztG73wSvwOLGfA/s4080/20240126_112533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwoCT6wEsYgmC1U3F0XjEf_1jnnNf0VKux6Jxb6EMKL55jUG9pRRe1gH9kDQ2-F1gjWPMTtSDTxHwTy9mfIrJH3zq0fQy8BabeyZyIQHhlRdF-sSarhvPTdSCpo8mJznN1CHUi7b1H23bg3mEgtHgq7f-xAX36NUgFazfwIvylDfIztG73wSvwOLGfA/w640-h360/20240126_112533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnWW4tKn3ayqGljawWWOXAI2_RLS4IsV5UZFwfWkPnZ1g2vptWm3egKJPAxsXLTFnMfEn5eyKV9pYkDKsNA3SiLGbMi-a4fGdhm5MnVlabMS7jXNdOXAZeJ81hW7KffCBiVuOIVHhF58XxLRgbKrpflTsBykIvYBncYKEfxvRTxDAgwFurNQYz3Y9kA/s3998/20240126_112517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3998" data-original-width="2175" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnWW4tKn3ayqGljawWWOXAI2_RLS4IsV5UZFwfWkPnZ1g2vptWm3egKJPAxsXLTFnMfEn5eyKV9pYkDKsNA3SiLGbMi-a4fGdhm5MnVlabMS7jXNdOXAZeJ81hW7KffCBiVuOIVHhF58XxLRgbKrpflTsBykIvYBncYKEfxvRTxDAgwFurNQYz3Y9kA/w348-h640/20240126_112517.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lzd2PLvJfmFTRtZ-AkiiE_SfE5IbBX_93CbCLl2bts1K52TOBPnG6E8OK5zPMPo0D1C-Or0mzl91JCS6IENkN2fkxrhB4BjZR3oxYp-IfWlbcLFawj4kRpw6g1hRRMkEk_rnlZldyQC6jfJL-RPLS-K6P865dVI38yWdAvVfuoTk3EMSwzkRgF6R-w/s3911/20240126_112512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3911" data-original-width="2104" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lzd2PLvJfmFTRtZ-AkiiE_SfE5IbBX_93CbCLl2bts1K52TOBPnG6E8OK5zPMPo0D1C-Or0mzl91JCS6IENkN2fkxrhB4BjZR3oxYp-IfWlbcLFawj4kRpw6g1hRRMkEk_rnlZldyQC6jfJL-RPLS-K6P865dVI38yWdAvVfuoTk3EMSwzkRgF6R-w/w344-h640/20240126_112512.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeR1h9QyaLnZ7VDTJP3s7VG9RsoRcWnxuBmd7hinBQzfyXuDWebKndNNe1kfR7Wx-s6ZmNPvIV-7WWucYrPF8qZHOcO-hE9HIGb8ooqGKVlImDkgiJ0itCjGODXkx_DaqQh4hQo0ez2db18xxrb-Wnshn9OkCxhg5iDc6bgU7o0H_3lsIZGh5zEt3CQ/s3173/20240126_112450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3173" data-original-width="1779" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeR1h9QyaLnZ7VDTJP3s7VG9RsoRcWnxuBmd7hinBQzfyXuDWebKndNNe1kfR7Wx-s6ZmNPvIV-7WWucYrPF8qZHOcO-hE9HIGb8ooqGKVlImDkgiJ0itCjGODXkx_DaqQh4hQo0ez2db18xxrb-Wnshn9OkCxhg5iDc6bgU7o0H_3lsIZGh5zEt3CQ/w358-h640/20240126_112450.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AJjSKHJBQwyeU2rCbPAbOEMyh0_11R2s_Qip9YrdJ5tsDOMEDS1UDRymWdKJzvpoKL26VxSA34wGAQd0lxwyapWASTSUdiY8Jkd-AbB3iVd147ucQyh1_jdMDDLEOb4OGSa2GX11AaWo7vmjxBsdPNBkH2tkwNti4vqUqjkJ06g2pYN7pATbLBG36w/s3810/20240126_112309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3810" data-original-width="2040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AJjSKHJBQwyeU2rCbPAbOEMyh0_11R2s_Qip9YrdJ5tsDOMEDS1UDRymWdKJzvpoKL26VxSA34wGAQd0lxwyapWASTSUdiY8Jkd-AbB3iVd147ucQyh1_jdMDDLEOb4OGSa2GX11AaWo7vmjxBsdPNBkH2tkwNti4vqUqjkJ06g2pYN7pATbLBG36w/w342-h640/20240126_112309.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGFd3cevTbOyQRNqAF2AsBA27JKBaVpRkT95AO29dSKVcmaO07pGa7o5G_CBP13O5iSow4RMiPEbe6kZDCSqbkTd9Lw9goQjGPgmgVNJC1E8x2PhSqrSqqL-F_HGCOB2gZJ-5Gdj1BVzSfchg6wA-Elon6RX1yez_dQyXXajDYi1siERESJwKVKTueQ/s3417/20240126_112103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3417" data-original-width="2126" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGFd3cevTbOyQRNqAF2AsBA27JKBaVpRkT95AO29dSKVcmaO07pGa7o5G_CBP13O5iSow4RMiPEbe6kZDCSqbkTd9Lw9goQjGPgmgVNJC1E8x2PhSqrSqqL-F_HGCOB2gZJ-5Gdj1BVzSfchg6wA-Elon6RX1yez_dQyXXajDYi1siERESJwKVKTueQ/w398-h640/20240126_112103.jpg" width="398" /></a></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/AVvXsEjXgBI4PFg4Lx42CaSYVB8Vn4Sojffp4VJGhgq3sCF7pfmhOqHNjrh3pTLR0JErrqUinBvEUFvFDbOLr_bTIqXdGUGdiTBFA7q0bocfBAvXkxJTYw-B3IhE7ZCHJDq5gvIN0GDo5OnXpK9u_B29rhwfZXWtRQHpT8caktPZLjVWcywfSTQ5xsUlwpSwtQ/s3264/pack2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="3264" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgBI4PFg4Lx42CaSYVB8Vn4Sojffp4VJGhgq3sCF7pfmhOqHNjrh3pTLR0JErrqUinBvEUFvFDbOLr_bTIqXdGUGdiTBFA7q0bocfBAvXkxJTYw-B3IhE7ZCHJDq5gvIN0GDo5OnXpK9u_B29rhwfZXWtRQHpT8caktPZLjVWcywfSTQ5xsUlwpSwtQ/w640-h310/pack2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjaPolE3AsUGjotwiv9-iUA9mBqMHUxUF6_bDmyxo8om_kBr8YfWVoBK9FOkWS62jxehfRrcUyr_aPApvzpR93qmyULeGDy-krj7jigvWBov0q6okCHmXOjlhKpoHS9wyP5WzhHWMg9kRhmHmg6sGCm81J5zohghRkWqsezH_KkZ3b5_BNqwPxa20txfw/s2270/20240126_111806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2270" data-original-width="1182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPolE3AsUGjotwiv9-iUA9mBqMHUxUF6_bDmyxo8om_kBr8YfWVoBK9FOkWS62jxehfRrcUyr_aPApvzpR93qmyULeGDy-krj7jigvWBov0q6okCHmXOjlhKpoHS9wyP5WzhHWMg9kRhmHmg6sGCm81J5zohghRkWqsezH_KkZ3b5_BNqwPxa20txfw/w334-h640/20240126_111806.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VljAL_buQumWZd4QKURi4TqWCC_zezjkJl5lcmT2q6BsMhDxsELkFJKby2vCPTMb-35-c7bPMPPdatCWeBIngbBy3uQgj_oh8RqgtlWTgZn8_rGhjnwIr6X0AlNZ1QVqmhAohcB_J5LEY5frgmd1rX_k8qr9_YOFC-DlpQwGtexNojRKyTUfIJlG9A/s3003/20240126_111742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3003" data-original-width="2124" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VljAL_buQumWZd4QKURi4TqWCC_zezjkJl5lcmT2q6BsMhDxsELkFJKby2vCPTMb-35-c7bPMPPdatCWeBIngbBy3uQgj_oh8RqgtlWTgZn8_rGhjnwIr6X0AlNZ1QVqmhAohcB_J5LEY5frgmd1rX_k8qr9_YOFC-DlpQwGtexNojRKyTUfIJlG9A/w452-h640/20240126_111742.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkStk53dit438PEmXXbinykcHVyD7VpD3vonc9hT9NCEY_qHyYczovSAbAP5CkTqNcvMjQKk-bR68DVXMoXyt0EbrmCU240ovXECRPlO4zBA9uSjavGBhZjWqZBv4wnofaWIdeFJDHWkOx5uafSr6npNzKYkTC41BUUhLGzJ-RndF9IzvjLGvrV-o8Q/s3104/20240126_111714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3104" data-original-width="2266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkStk53dit438PEmXXbinykcHVyD7VpD3vonc9hT9NCEY_qHyYczovSAbAP5CkTqNcvMjQKk-bR68DVXMoXyt0EbrmCU240ovXECRPlO4zBA9uSjavGBhZjWqZBv4wnofaWIdeFJDHWkOx5uafSr6npNzKYkTC41BUUhLGzJ-RndF9IzvjLGvrV-o8Q/w468-h640/20240126_111714.jpg" width="468" /></a></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/AVvXsEi9mWjPmpip6rpUSNQsPyzjleVeq7daBK1DHqkWgxInyB3Fpk_aeqCbyXjhqJOHcpEemgEEL77h24IwWqoncn-EglH-T3QjEbohruqW0e5Wm0lmlpGvlqcCDskkT7jUlG1Lr1F9UsRh8i1CP_ciCAsxd-enH0Ivw3TP0PGh6_V7iqMmesEwFNGXbQDtdQ/s3264/pack1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="3264" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mWjPmpip6rpUSNQsPyzjleVeq7daBK1DHqkWgxInyB3Fpk_aeqCbyXjhqJOHcpEemgEEL77h24IwWqoncn-EglH-T3QjEbohruqW0e5Wm0lmlpGvlqcCDskkT7jUlG1Lr1F9UsRh8i1CP_ciCAsxd-enH0Ivw3TP0PGh6_V7iqMmesEwFNGXbQDtdQ/w640-h310/pack1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhchDCAuvtKnrv_bnVDN5X7bA_z7tcegSr1-Osf3t6aQYaFAGXX2N-MEaUZbOwCf4fZBbQKJtGj-2o1FxuCNZqhDHNC-CP9jL0mm9uT6ct9mwDgiPVKF8Xt2viwgkidQupVKUVsGSOzWg-GIXmvgRyYLBeI_0MtDAjP_XRLSqjJAwVuiw-1GcYnsodzkw/s2580/20240126_111606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2580" data-original-width="1740" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchDCAuvtKnrv_bnVDN5X7bA_z7tcegSr1-Osf3t6aQYaFAGXX2N-MEaUZbOwCf4fZBbQKJtGj-2o1FxuCNZqhDHNC-CP9jL0mm9uT6ct9mwDgiPVKF8Xt2viwgkidQupVKUVsGSOzWg-GIXmvgRyYLBeI_0MtDAjP_XRLSqjJAwVuiw-1GcYnsodzkw/w432-h640/20240126_111606.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Packwood is a textile lovers dream, layer upon layer of prints, patterns and textures which combine to create one of the cosiest and inviting interiors, although I did overhear a visitor saying how ugly she thought the tapestries were (I bet she was one of those people who paint their walls in that godawful "fashionable grey").</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbRU2F2BsF3vz7ADlRZKgh1bAuhuN19KJH15vZlIlJnSvk-t5A1-5F3gUBGtHk6pkuoP9ULQAl34Z0_QaICmyDLSwKMk99uulqp4lOnbHBibB3Y59qXAkn3XLXz6ARaJagov6fRgHia3egvwCO2sYioeUtZYu_ElSjKI4HFGhp3OUZ8OHSl3kAFid9g/s1616/DSC04195.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbRU2F2BsF3vz7ADlRZKgh1bAuhuN19KJH15vZlIlJnSvk-t5A1-5F3gUBGtHk6pkuoP9ULQAl34Z0_QaICmyDLSwKMk99uulqp4lOnbHBibB3Y59qXAkn3XLXz6ARaJagov6fRgHia3egvwCO2sYioeUtZYu_ElSjKI4HFGhp3OUZ8OHSl3kAFid9g/w640-h428/DSC04195.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back outside we wandered around the garden which, even in the depths of Winter, was still teaming with life, including masses and masses of beautiful snowdrops.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AyuySN8oto-DFkB5ic-qWMeaIoJ8MvOqW-nb91uKx2oOH_JmEOr9LgoH_HYbQst_NJxn4gbivk27cqr-qchGuStfzvzfG728E5oXxQMG7sQHbRcsq8pMT80s3wmMYINg1cLDxz3ElPHSPzjPsFfPLES9UBL8vGsT5jFQEO9mxodj87LEMOxJTBteOg/s1616/DSC04197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AyuySN8oto-DFkB5ic-qWMeaIoJ8MvOqW-nb91uKx2oOH_JmEOr9LgoH_HYbQst_NJxn4gbivk27cqr-qchGuStfzvzfG728E5oXxQMG7sQHbRcsq8pMT80s3wmMYINg1cLDxz3ElPHSPzjPsFfPLES9UBL8vGsT5jFQEO9mxodj87LEMOxJTBteOg/w428-h640/DSC04197.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEj1upylqhuZUsfDUwfb6HGnWywnmqOKoFZws4X_GJmlgYqF7m6yN1ATpwqpuvYUro_n-z-SU77z5FAKqtkpbAd3zzXUCqZyfbK6kQSWINLr8mlgV_TDrO7fY7Fa4jBKUDkeYvXGF4T6xsGtqJw0KkrdAJqwQVDSyaRuZE3aLsjqWlknugXcesKS5Djr9g/s1616/DSC04199.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1upylqhuZUsfDUwfb6HGnWywnmqOKoFZws4X_GJmlgYqF7m6yN1ATpwqpuvYUro_n-z-SU77z5FAKqtkpbAd3zzXUCqZyfbK6kQSWINLr8mlgV_TDrO7fY7Fa4jBKUDkeYvXGF4T6xsGtqJw0KkrdAJqwQVDSyaRuZE3aLsjqWlknugXcesKS5Djr9g/w640-h428/DSC04199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiR_BAwCBXJPHc8iyMDN8Od_EoRrwcf1BqKi39ot7ylu56Mk-m0SWookCye6z58PZNfM1t47MqdzH2gaECQfgEnBkfK-IegqOK9PSl5-V6Gd1BhVy-6Qcg9RI9_2P4qdNCF91robrbHsbChdDXW5LugYhE4CjXsaCIDBxx9LnrJW6y_cX-DQ9GIR8EeGw/s1616/DSC04232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_BAwCBXJPHc8iyMDN8Od_EoRrwcf1BqKi39ot7ylu56Mk-m0SWookCye6z58PZNfM1t47MqdzH2gaECQfgEnBkfK-IegqOK9PSl5-V6Gd1BhVy-6Qcg9RI9_2P4qdNCF91robrbHsbChdDXW5LugYhE4CjXsaCIDBxx9LnrJW6y_cX-DQ9GIR8EeGw/w428-h640/DSC04232.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpczn5Ci75W27hC-22pccFU6pZqzLJ3IiltHX-b8JLPVvPmT4tkBLV1KryjMz_-achTVPYqx8zoIuiqBiuLDyEXyCJM5CAHFiHkD5H3ZH6OGd_FusADwgy1PpCahvPoDbmGtGDfJ-WeO6zx0H-e4phPaxlPjak_K-9Y8P5UIcdjnHnTNCYCEpJOE89Q/s1616/DSC04234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpczn5Ci75W27hC-22pccFU6pZqzLJ3IiltHX-b8JLPVvPmT4tkBLV1KryjMz_-achTVPYqx8zoIuiqBiuLDyEXyCJM5CAHFiHkD5H3ZH6OGd_FusADwgy1PpCahvPoDbmGtGDfJ-WeO6zx0H-e4phPaxlPjak_K-9Y8P5UIcdjnHnTNCYCEpJOE89Q/w640-h428/DSC04234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhgsXBYL1cWtz4NG09jcxONNRKtl6OB30fADKh17q600jDTFR1_xA4gj3rwONJuVGSpX_AjjsvyAi_XJpCHQkMNhNnrvLUR8wRvR7BmUmGsITv6bIueASAKhtscWbNEUevbzu1rO9YmJHrV0D3YdFWRh6lrfx98CB9ZTfQNUZIySlZs-KAQtIs0m4ZdlA/s1473/DSC04244.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1473" data-original-width="985" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsXBYL1cWtz4NG09jcxONNRKtl6OB30fADKh17q600jDTFR1_xA4gj3rwONJuVGSpX_AjjsvyAi_XJpCHQkMNhNnrvLUR8wRvR7BmUmGsITv6bIueASAKhtscWbNEUevbzu1rO9YmJHrV0D3YdFWRh6lrfx98CB9ZTfQNUZIySlZs-KAQtIs0m4ZdlA/w428-h640/DSC04244.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMoXk-fiAYLi29rRxQ81wbB87d-IlK1_n8HwcP1F4hKMVFRrRQRDf4WuKLpWIUSPlbmDaZ6ifyHjFgVIjGk4B4Hp8ODrh2MElYcNvZF12QQMPr_NUuC4MYqC9qe726zmUYTn0Eew9sYxSZKOZjjXClqy9IZQDjmaicpDJQHrwXwAQ9h995musgygbgg/s1616/DSC04248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMoXk-fiAYLi29rRxQ81wbB87d-IlK1_n8HwcP1F4hKMVFRrRQRDf4WuKLpWIUSPlbmDaZ6ifyHjFgVIjGk4B4Hp8ODrh2MElYcNvZF12QQMPr_NUuC4MYqC9qe726zmUYTn0Eew9sYxSZKOZjjXClqy9IZQDjmaicpDJQHrwXwAQ9h995musgygbgg/w428-h640/DSC04248.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiGUvRFI5VUG5hFb8-4b7BAu2xTu5dVRKEXG64RDLLETzgBItQ7iDc5J1tBMUMOJGsDBxGSNWFCefHabLiYpGdwuklt9PWogf4jp6xt_cqCPJqUNTA9cjU1TknaP0pp55Kfqn06rn4reI7OG7ysfFtCn7UOf8_K5Ius-mgOMZTRVYFjIUGw7yq9WqOU8g/s1616/DSC04250.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUvRFI5VUG5hFb8-4b7BAu2xTu5dVRKEXG64RDLLETzgBItQ7iDc5J1tBMUMOJGsDBxGSNWFCefHabLiYpGdwuklt9PWogf4jp6xt_cqCPJqUNTA9cjU1TknaP0pp55Kfqn06rn4reI7OG7ysfFtCn7UOf8_K5Ius-mgOMZTRVYFjIUGw7yq9WqOU8g/w428-h640/DSC04250.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjOJS7mFJePvNAQ7lYPVuyAf5KMvaY8cQA25SjUURymD7SOXEaO8aGvLJenbZmhRKZXm0n7SvSl6IMmH3pvttEF33jYEqwVOP3r-4wAfVupl82I125VsPLxCS4CRMt-eUrBULPu6rgJ4qHI2x_v8tUFxXmeTcDIw-U7XrFJ0tNxzrrv8Qc9nh6xebrtVA/s1616/DSC04252.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJS7mFJePvNAQ7lYPVuyAf5KMvaY8cQA25SjUURymD7SOXEaO8aGvLJenbZmhRKZXm0n7SvSl6IMmH3pvttEF33jYEqwVOP3r-4wAfVupl82I125VsPLxCS4CRMt-eUrBULPu6rgJ4qHI2x_v8tUFxXmeTcDIw-U7XrFJ0tNxzrrv8Qc9nh6xebrtVA/w428-h640/DSC04252.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy1a6Aq2RjQZWc4jVsFMLKu1QfHEdjwVdbVODMCQiRxkPoYy_GFcEVMoMsatAbacGL6Plhwv7yWAkfr3zSlvEmAr06L5ANc_nr3xKZzK4mbhR77ETSg9nSEUfHZm5bQxxXuQQNCOVYdquLhbAyF889Fs_J4mLNHt2ji6UrQ0HMcmi3zs8GdbkXBILGg/s1497/DSC04253.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1041" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy1a6Aq2RjQZWc4jVsFMLKu1QfHEdjwVdbVODMCQiRxkPoYy_GFcEVMoMsatAbacGL6Plhwv7yWAkfr3zSlvEmAr06L5ANc_nr3xKZzK4mbhR77ETSg9nSEUfHZm5bQxxXuQQNCOVYdquLhbAyF889Fs_J4mLNHt2ji6UrQ0HMcmi3zs8GdbkXBILGg/w446-h640/DSC04253.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrTKtks-VzROejGT_Bk3aXcTcu2OwOV_N-4SCIF94IvaW6KqKWPWvOZyS_n74UXTTiYdkIMQOrT_EPI2RAeU5bPeW3QWVz0Ga9GX-JMEJlHcOnXRld4ks5CL1xYRijsTGV7n-yd3wlfOg9isrtpJgQ9SMoHgPcju7o2HlSAvJ-SjsvBWgtt_WdhJf8A/s1616/DSC04255.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrTKtks-VzROejGT_Bk3aXcTcu2OwOV_N-4SCIF94IvaW6KqKWPWvOZyS_n74UXTTiYdkIMQOrT_EPI2RAeU5bPeW3QWVz0Ga9GX-JMEJlHcOnXRld4ks5CL1xYRijsTGV7n-yd3wlfOg9isrtpJgQ9SMoHgPcju7o2HlSAvJ-SjsvBWgtt_WdhJf8A/w428-h640/DSC04255.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In 1941 Baron gave Packwood to the National Trust who were initially not keen on acquiring it, considering it "a fake" because of the <i>Tudorisation</i> of the property but his offer of an additional £30,000 to assist with the upkeep helped change their minds. He also stipulated that fresh flowers from the garden must be supplied to the house every day (which is still evident). </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/AVvXsEgCHrk-SHKwyasbLx5iC93eY9SHtqQlrGKjmceQpVKN7KXSRyOjsDzouk_p829l40KuKfMaj0Hucvfa4Av8keumstkAwHUrtep3MVKdDm6bXpBVaKmbVNMt5UEq3pArhThGlbVe0N1vUAoqMXkwYEXfqzEMcxCn7RvujChoQlsCaKNwZazTiccQ5h4E6w/s995/DSC04196.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="995" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHrk-SHKwyasbLx5iC93eY9SHtqQlrGKjmceQpVKN7KXSRyOjsDzouk_p829l40KuKfMaj0Hucvfa4Av8keumstkAwHUrtep3MVKdDm6bXpBVaKmbVNMt5UEq3pArhThGlbVe0N1vUAoqMXkwYEXfqzEMcxCn7RvujChoQlsCaKNwZazTiccQ5h4E6w/w640-h568/DSC04196.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a shame Lord Jon's ancestors ran out of money, Packwood could have been ours! </span></span></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-33339661162706038712024-01-25T16:28:00.001+00:002024-01-25T16:42:13.308+00:00Magic Carpets<p></p><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/AVvXsEi9EN-K0p5TDh8Ra-74M_sRrkPPI9qbXLpL6JTB6WRZPRQh0sUcjzzWH9OXHqrUH1afKO7BFDHNHxuvlZj_l3ssM096M-eaarhGfLbZgB05fctF4mVJb3QuuzN5jagFPgbPl3AndAv5vZgTNGSLlRvQvCUAcD0Nz28bVu-u6NxVdRiCYcXxlPzJy-FySg/s1024/download%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1024" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EN-K0p5TDh8Ra-74M_sRrkPPI9qbXLpL6JTB6WRZPRQh0sUcjzzWH9OXHqrUH1afKO7BFDHNHxuvlZj_l3ssM096M-eaarhGfLbZgB05fctF4mVJb3QuuzN5jagFPgbPl3AndAv5vZgTNGSLlRvQvCUAcD0Nz28bVu-u6NxVdRiCYcXxlPzJy-FySg/w640-h610/download%20(3).png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How time flies! Looking back at old blog posts I've owned this dress since 2015. I spotted it in a clearance charity shop in Shropshire and paid the grand total of 99p for it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQu5VeZJH3PX1Ci-nb1QizQhS3WuzSKpTUkwCfslSMt8E8e3aSYcgNHJhBD892vidMwzZz9HqJhjYz-JuXDU3ezJPVglYkgIUPXGT_CihEWoxFTXrG3CWBx-Ffkt7f04ll2mesp2jX0sjW0A65LDEGzsq8TXaw081XvBQ56ToLM_t8uRaFbMqEEoU3g/s640/hippy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="640" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQu5VeZJH3PX1Ci-nb1QizQhS3WuzSKpTUkwCfslSMt8E8e3aSYcgNHJhBD892vidMwzZz9HqJhjYz-JuXDU3ezJPVglYkgIUPXGT_CihEWoxFTXrG3CWBx-Ffkt7f04ll2mesp2jX0sjW0A65LDEGzsq8TXaw081XvBQ56ToLM_t8uRaFbMqEEoU3g/w640-h538/hippy2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Throughout the 1970s </span><a href="http://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/beaver-kate/" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Kate Beaver</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"> worked with her partner, artist Robin Rae, from their Dorset home screen printing fabric by hand and creating amazing period-inspired dresses. I've found a few on-line but definitely think this colour combo is my favourite.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwnQhkNOC8uGhzwKRtGPdQXoEq7gXv0gWobtAz1egO5X06Gg4ljBEkCqhIJAFOdUgmkRwJ4j91nXmKK9SXFlzurWfHtAFuGTjESIJD_NOlZmcf0DPtIe6kB_sLjqgtptxuVBH9FHKstZcXmGMIpkwu_UqN7SfwtZcM2fKUIPPvBd9aob2WuI1Gd2ufA/s3264/tuesday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="3264" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwnQhkNOC8uGhzwKRtGPdQXoEq7gXv0gWobtAz1egO5X06Gg4ljBEkCqhIJAFOdUgmkRwJ4j91nXmKK9SXFlzurWfHtAFuGTjESIJD_NOlZmcf0DPtIe6kB_sLjqgtptxuVBH9FHKstZcXmGMIpkwu_UqN7SfwtZcM2fKUIPPvBd9aob2WuI1Gd2ufA/w640-h566/tuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">With its teal trim and rusty-orange lining, my Anokhi riding jacket, purchased at the same time as the dress I wore on Monday, always feels like the perfect thing to wear with it. This was how I was dressed on Tuesday for an early morning swim followed by a Spoons breakfast.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieasesb0Ce7V64vV6c7eN-B03T-CebcbviH7xNFRyHy7dJxb69SYy7iiUONj0Fi8fKfrkDNEhEdGjNxNxFaK3grPOEZkJCQPbw9HK-JPo5KtUoB4FhXkxFxaRKxziZ2tUsOfwIO1R-vPcdvR2UuHH4kM5KIMiOOBAhpSUlZCvX-W9CKv288fw9aDz6WA/s4080/20240123_092335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieasesb0Ce7V64vV6c7eN-B03T-CebcbviH7xNFRyHy7dJxb69SYy7iiUONj0Fi8fKfrkDNEhEdGjNxNxFaK3grPOEZkJCQPbw9HK-JPo5KtUoB4FhXkxFxaRKxziZ2tUsOfwIO1R-vPcdvR2UuHH4kM5KIMiOOBAhpSUlZCvX-W9CKv288fw9aDz6WA/w360-h640/20240123_092335.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>Due to a refurbishment,Walsall's Wetherspoons, <i>St Matthew's Hall</i>, had been closed for almost a fortnight so we were excited to see the changes. The walls in one of the dining rooms have been painted "court room black", to echo the colour of the robes worn by the judges when the building - built in 1830 and formerly a free library - was repurposed as a courthouse in 1847. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa5oUs_WpbWNXMSw7nXSu5TtmhierdWcT3uANYxX77FJuLKatrXb5E8seRfSaqPwQujqS4D_ghCvmPmhlFoWemYmr8qsA7vH9baUbD1JC48H3EnGxhNYfujDk0r8MyaVj1vt24qyRYl1-EMhEGIYXbo6wP7njXCWaZlr-A_CC6uIve4tvdY6ZU0MHkA/s4080/20240123_092343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa5oUs_WpbWNXMSw7nXSu5TtmhierdWcT3uANYxX77FJuLKatrXb5E8seRfSaqPwQujqS4D_ghCvmPmhlFoWemYmr8qsA7vH9baUbD1JC48H3EnGxhNYfujDk0r8MyaVj1vt24qyRYl1-EMhEGIYXbo6wP7njXCWaZlr-A_CC6uIve4tvdY6ZU0MHkA/w360-h640/20240123_092343.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>Until I mentioned them on my blog the other day, a lot of readers weren't aware that </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">each of the chain's 900 pubs has a different carpet reflecting the history of the building or the local area. Each bespoke carpet is worth around £30,000, handmade on an individual loom and crafted in Devon by Axminster Carpets.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DgwcvpgfsMxyeERbAHqDCG2XntuzVwWwecr88ZGVKTpYA44YP8erIM1vI8495NWWweCRdJXC-zjZQyUojme7qmmFHyGBHBPOUswuRFpaKn0hkBgEuB2Xy1vmGohJT_fHxeZ8pL47wP2x7WyFlUFKusIqxQmJQ3UWsEjhNOdMuCLH6g4XRl8tfhAURA/s4080/20240123_092736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DgwcvpgfsMxyeERbAHqDCG2XntuzVwWwecr88ZGVKTpYA44YP8erIM1vI8495NWWweCRdJXC-zjZQyUojme7qmmFHyGBHBPOUswuRFpaKn0hkBgEuB2Xy1vmGohJT_fHxeZ8pL47wP2x7WyFlUFKusIqxQmJQ3UWsEjhNOdMuCLH6g4XRl8tfhAURA/w360-h640/20240123_092736.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Our new one features gavels, another nod to the days of the pub being a courthouse. The rectangles possibly represent the spines of the books from its former incarnation as the town's first free library.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSl6zSHZQ_Hp4orFKgCp2-EXtn6rYvBkaTbYU1kz6EKSAMgT73zgpbCs3tBjwfFmzWh-eUP8k1Ehykij2HjpiEn9zKCiXe_stwt56NJE5oS4lIhu7KYEpULfFpFGJZnkQ7SkyCn_ikBdUc6TjfIM-COMNtcwAzjioywbSjVypvUyjlMOiUDUzl1wM9A/s1920/spoons%20march.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSl6zSHZQ_Hp4orFKgCp2-EXtn6rYvBkaTbYU1kz6EKSAMgT73zgpbCs3tBjwfFmzWh-eUP8k1Ehykij2HjpiEn9zKCiXe_stwt56NJE5oS4lIhu7KYEpULfFpFGJZnkQ7SkyCn_ikBdUc6TjfIM-COMNtcwAzjioywbSjVypvUyjlMOiUDUzl1wM9A/w480-h640/spoons%20march.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">This is my friend Tricia's local branch of Wetherspoons, <i>The Hippodrome</i> in March, Cambridgeshire, formerly a 900 seat cinema which opened in 1929. I've got a bit of a obsession with the designs of Spoons' carpets so if you don't have a blog email me a photo and I'll share it on mine. ``</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EupSaXjUGsOi-tPLwbn6qMuwqLt1yRlHkV0X-HjFdDmc8aWVTpYFKqDm3b2L6vd-lcCGYZWAfEND63USzNkfMFMQftTpVvPM0vY6BnA2NyAQHr-dENvwvOkBun0RdwhYW_OkVXHAh9wiraK520tc_t05zpBS-pPJr288Ob4zuqWm6nuvMNWg9LRtCw/s2773/spoons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EupSaXjUGsOi-tPLwbn6qMuwqLt1yRlHkV0X-HjFdDmc8aWVTpYFKqDm3b2L6vd-lcCGYZWAfEND63USzNkfMFMQftTpVvPM0vY6BnA2NyAQHr-dENvwvOkBun0RdwhYW_OkVXHAh9wiraK520tc_t05zpBS-pPJr288Ob4zuqWm6nuvMNWg9LRtCw/w530-h640/spoons.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Liz and Al bought us this book years ago. When I last looked you couldn't get a second hand copy for less than £45 so I'm obviously not the only person into Spoon's carpets! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBtjjY_PMc5wNgo7M2p4DX6B2FWP8wpExknDlJSbUb9NUjeNV-gnFcPbQLRpESOfCMSBBWv2Bn1T6Lt_ycD6mEssCQD-PE9XQUcfqQSMFs8aqGr0WheBAADnrYbprcOFR1TOgi_dkTYYLH4mL7mj9dDFlfsKfH74ONZKQ26_D3OIXifmu6I0aec2DyA/s3264/Wednesday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="3264" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBtjjY_PMc5wNgo7M2p4DX6B2FWP8wpExknDlJSbUb9NUjeNV-gnFcPbQLRpESOfCMSBBWv2Bn1T6Lt_ycD6mEssCQD-PE9XQUcfqQSMFs8aqGr0WheBAADnrYbprcOFR1TOgi_dkTYYLH4mL7mj9dDFlfsKfH74ONZKQ26_D3OIXifmu6I0aec2DyA/w640-h574/Wednesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was watching this vintage embroidered Indian cotton <i>Phool</i> dress on eBay and the seller sent me an offer I couldn't refuse.The seller had listed the dress as being embroidered with hedgehogs but I think it's more likely to be a peacock, like the label (a Phool label I'm not familiar with). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnb4HWTp29SqM0UvwnuAAWqQvrhJkk0jQU9oM6ONZal25AjPAZ7bd9HodDDoFu0YTQ411sQ5sdFyQOeDGukjdKmHDj4JC279wMq7kih71ImvjD1HA84U_Cfxi8QEEcfaBiZfbRP5ELpiOdaPXCEYRK-RkjmAXXLdI5bPBrss4zH7WrGUlqINbyJYhiQ/s3264/phool2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="3264" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnb4HWTp29SqM0UvwnuAAWqQvrhJkk0jQU9oM6ONZal25AjPAZ7bd9HodDDoFu0YTQ411sQ5sdFyQOeDGukjdKmHDj4JC279wMq7kih71ImvjD1HA84U_Cfxi8QEEcfaBiZfbRP5ELpiOdaPXCEYRK-RkjmAXXLdI5bPBrss4zH7WrGUlqINbyJYhiQ/w640-h288/phool2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wore this for a morning of charity shopping.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wa9ga7Px_hHTFUn3_G7TqXa1Rb01YJdv7aKOud2AQ8JFPd5kKsN4czbplkOeg_UiWHU7q7GXfrNONXxMGTKsQljTRjFyS_xLUkXo8ifLatgXybCjoyiKbni4yebHIBY7wP8UNj2C6Hfp6gz0X9n2dEmtc5thLvELDL9Dq5vCyoF7JtkiLuIgsZgcww/s3633/20240125_133127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3633" data-original-width="2104" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wa9ga7Px_hHTFUn3_G7TqXa1Rb01YJdv7aKOud2AQ8JFPd5kKsN4czbplkOeg_UiWHU7q7GXfrNONXxMGTKsQljTRjFyS_xLUkXo8ifLatgXybCjoyiKbni4yebHIBY7wP8UNj2C6Hfp6gz0X9n2dEmtc5thLvELDL9Dq5vCyoF7JtkiLuIgsZgcww/w370-h640/20240125_133127.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I wore one of my Dilli Grey block printed cotton dresses along with a vintage waistcoat. We've been swimming but eschewed the Spoons breakfast and ate at home instead popping into Lidl on the way back for a £1.50 Waste Not box. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS-wAED_dGwq1FuKVSw_Bs6a34o8fyn5vHpwBgN_aRXuMIcd-N-Ky8FohbeEf_JEKHiTgIqHrDFFSBzBncEKutf8vpFZfcqxg5dQdAa_IMvuvzlRsT-kadE1PBBPZNS1HcdDxWw7APp6O67XvPs-JJqL0XT3N43TyMmqwmGqOxM8dpAy6-16kSF1kYw/s4080/20240125_091912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS-wAED_dGwq1FuKVSw_Bs6a34o8fyn5vHpwBgN_aRXuMIcd-N-Ky8FohbeEf_JEKHiTgIqHrDFFSBzBncEKutf8vpFZfcqxg5dQdAa_IMvuvzlRsT-kadE1PBBPZNS1HcdDxWw7APp6O67XvPs-JJqL0XT3N43TyMmqwmGqOxM8dpAy6-16kSF1kYw/w640-h360/20240125_091912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We've been really lucky this year and managed to snaffle one every week. 2024 has got off to a very healthy start.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib8fjU3REbI6-GNy-VG3VTnXN6ZMyKUIi2t_AYnQeq3ZFb5c5lWDvN3lso9yxauYcbadHa2dIXfxWY9mostyleDGCvfZLIP73Xu4jLJlN67hqoL68V7wg3qiFBK3-zV_loamKK4ufXQNzZEkITbVtl61-3zMwlmS9kFHwY_Hdg5Q3TeW6BodXbuwXoQ/s3264/lidl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="3264" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib8fjU3REbI6-GNy-VG3VTnXN6ZMyKUIi2t_AYnQeq3ZFb5c5lWDvN3lso9yxauYcbadHa2dIXfxWY9mostyleDGCvfZLIP73Xu4jLJlN67hqoL68V7wg3qiFBK3-zV_loamKK4ufXQNzZEkITbVtl61-3zMwlmS9kFHwY_Hdg5Q3TeW6BodXbuwXoQ/w640-h160/lidl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As promised here's just a tiny part of the collection of vintage clothes that our friends Graz & Steve negotiated for on our behalf and dates from the 1940s up until the mid-1980s. A vast majority of it is St Michael, Marks & Spencer's brand until 2000. I love seeing how the font changes over the years and how the vast majority was made in Great Britain, the reason why most people shopped there. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3siylVYXmI8YRGbJiwgTgXVrcbBGfQNWxWrhf6p0ceKVT3pLg3V3hb9oniUgJK9i_fFjFwrrjHYCCleXpadZmMpiUCied1uKILdGbbWHhdzQr6qhiNNblMxo1-f-yyAn3x5qNUpO5ydAlwZOfP_gkm2PZPzHjQaI7BVWX48jJLgI_aU85n0Y6aBQ7g/s1200/mose1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3siylVYXmI8YRGbJiwgTgXVrcbBGfQNWxWrhf6p0ceKVT3pLg3V3hb9oniUgJK9i_fFjFwrrjHYCCleXpadZmMpiUCied1uKILdGbbWHhdzQr6qhiNNblMxo1-f-yyAn3x5qNUpO5ydAlwZOfP_gkm2PZPzHjQaI7BVWX48jJLgI_aU85n0Y6aBQ7g/w640-h480/mose1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKKatYrQVLHumvS_UVkH6nNsjL3NLEujkTcd3UT9SLFo1JDV_rsLR5J4FnrG00ZKNlF30_YnH-b1EL4CCo4NUaxWiS9cnQsAl7AMshuHEtfjT0q983sccMBG9xLt2RDAuI5j_FHF3K_sjsSfagLqVe8WJ7PZNA77AvyUaZEGIljVZ4hRD1vHP0lUp2w/s1024/download%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1024" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKKatYrQVLHumvS_UVkH6nNsjL3NLEujkTcd3UT9SLFo1JDV_rsLR5J4FnrG00ZKNlF30_YnH-b1EL4CCo4NUaxWiS9cnQsAl7AMshuHEtfjT0q983sccMBG9xLt2RDAuI5j_FHF3K_sjsSfagLqVe8WJ7PZNA77AvyUaZEGIljVZ4hRD1vHP0lUp2w/w640-h464/download%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0crLLgXHy1ye-fh7paqAbTWTZsIDx7zcErZD_vCckp58Dc6Rh-md7NH6oGEooPS0LrrMvvH-dJc3AG-tAXeiMRYi92zPZWy98-WPYN5wrooG0qAKDLv9i5-6_lkABR20iKkuWoi8-QiyXMVDItmC3ig2tyXzcAKi5JloUuyg6Jl0iIGDyPWEuCfsHGg/s3264/jl1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2118" data-original-width="3264" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0crLLgXHy1ye-fh7paqAbTWTZsIDx7zcErZD_vCckp58Dc6Rh-md7NH6oGEooPS0LrrMvvH-dJc3AG-tAXeiMRYi92zPZWy98-WPYN5wrooG0qAKDLv9i5-6_lkABR20iKkuWoi8-QiyXMVDItmC3ig2tyXzcAKi5JloUuyg6Jl0iIGDyPWEuCfsHGg/w640-h416/jl1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sKqQXHfqganBF8kFGWa68LL7v0C0X_y9f8YHb1iQE-8CZa0B8jqon4TQviiFOcRLOG3XKKYu51L9XCppQPQiIplQHCrc7vTemkugW32IC7AUg5ZI-y2FqFFNHdPMIct9qk_c8p1JwP1OA3llJbNgBZV5w-4OsQx5HIERn30Pit-Ga9ZIgTSW54Fyvw/s1024/download%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1024" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sKqQXHfqganBF8kFGWa68LL7v0C0X_y9f8YHb1iQE-8CZa0B8jqon4TQviiFOcRLOG3XKKYu51L9XCppQPQiIplQHCrc7vTemkugW32IC7AUg5ZI-y2FqFFNHdPMIct9qk_c8p1JwP1OA3llJbNgBZV5w-4OsQx5HIERn30Pit-Ga9ZIgTSW54Fyvw/w640-h554/download%20(2).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviwohKwuyRfvXmnJHwU-UmsYq0l1B5h_yfXX2Y2fpCjREVW9wu8cLCc2CzsYA8e-01odjJm0PCkqrAOXvUEcmI8ttTeIww9XYC9N8mm3jGRzUm3-F7v7R7_zVSeItcXpaYWO3JnteRNckWzXu0OSvypSwwU5AFoWJiLyyHFdoPW9h_ScTGSax-gHD4g/s3264/jl2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2118" data-original-width="3264" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviwohKwuyRfvXmnJHwU-UmsYq0l1B5h_yfXX2Y2fpCjREVW9wu8cLCc2CzsYA8e-01odjJm0PCkqrAOXvUEcmI8ttTeIww9XYC9N8mm3jGRzUm3-F7v7R7_zVSeItcXpaYWO3JnteRNckWzXu0OSvypSwwU5AFoWJiLyyHFdoPW9h_ScTGSax-gHD4g/w640-h416/jl2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Graz & Steve's shop, <a href="http://www.moseleyvintagehub.com/">Moseley Vintage Hub</a>, is in the Digbeth area of Birmingham and they buy (& sell) anything quirky and interesting from cool Mid-Century furniture to industrial lighting, retro vinyl and architectural antiques. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNCtt_V2gg5jnZP_gn1rAZBy2wLncUEAwlU9lhq88CybwtMteWOhVn7YEA1XVU7zigmf7jwV6mNSHA5LTeUTQNHk2sct9_E7-mFmbDwYMMplRmWgy_olRseyfcVnO-AD2Wea_Ht_mk0d7RMw0Oj48TTOAELbeITefpAbQaWA92jgSuvkSKNP6-Q7LtA/s512/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="512" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNCtt_V2gg5jnZP_gn1rAZBy2wLncUEAwlU9lhq88CybwtMteWOhVn7YEA1XVU7zigmf7jwV6mNSHA5LTeUTQNHk2sct9_E7-mFmbDwYMMplRmWgy_olRseyfcVnO-AD2Wea_Ht_mk0d7RMw0Oj48TTOAELbeITefpAbQaWA92jgSuvkSKNP6-Q7LtA/w640-h424/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jon spotted this chrome radiator when we visited last week thinking that it would be perfect in our bathroom.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nv9yXNTS3RSLHReoSzlH9umbVSxgimt8DCm_s9eTUD2HYaatKhIooGSO8EoGbcBQOegNJqgvhIk01omKhq3w_UGQ8xQcGLtDZv5NGAJh6BbMp59Z-sSLHCQg8TnwdJKcCAy8XZHpO-htPbtUmlTVoWORe6jucekL2wMSs-6c6Gy5QLs3VzrsrvYq9g/s3662/20240125_140443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3662" data-original-width="2220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nv9yXNTS3RSLHReoSzlH9umbVSxgimt8DCm_s9eTUD2HYaatKhIooGSO8EoGbcBQOegNJqgvhIk01omKhq3w_UGQ8xQcGLtDZv5NGAJh6BbMp59Z-sSLHCQg8TnwdJKcCAy8XZHpO-htPbtUmlTVoWORe6jucekL2wMSs-6c6Gy5QLs3VzrsrvYq9g/w388-h640/20240125_140443.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...it is! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eV5d7Yp8gZqJWz0hSQs1Jxy51lyT_U1Mq9SElG8-iv3cqfnLqUd2FD6OzA_w5akqF4HYUCWBIfUW9hdZHO06LeXOtcc_9V3S_i5T51xM64rkCwqoX4_0mlN47Vpy4CdUfOebgWosPWIGK2G5LXEy82aHRMtFLjP0b7sFBxj6D5AEFxwxEYs7wG4Mng/s4080/20240125_140548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eV5d7Yp8gZqJWz0hSQs1Jxy51lyT_U1Mq9SElG8-iv3cqfnLqUd2FD6OzA_w5akqF4HYUCWBIfUW9hdZHO06LeXOtcc_9V3S_i5T51xM64rkCwqoX4_0mlN47Vpy4CdUfOebgWosPWIGK2G5LXEy82aHRMtFLjP0b7sFBxj6D5AEFxwxEYs7wG4Mng/w360-h640/20240125_140548.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Swimming, shopping , stitching and carpet spotting aside, this week we've mainly been bingeing on series 1 of <i>True Detective</i>, Season 2 of <i>The Tourist</i> and the brilliant but utterly bonkers <i>The Lobster</i> from <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Yorgos Lanthimos, the director of <i>Poor Things </i>which incidentally has been nominated for 11 Oscars - I told you it was good.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VpbGNtILhj_blZhZX-OD5zasFz-eGdpgdOJE8fs6jOS2lnhxsTwS_loa4ZwqaGHAzn78Po2kCYsT7Tl47yamxeQE7jBSQvXbZhjU6nKDyNuGDmxDeip5YCPGtHQsnjl0hhCua3KZletBrML426Nwk4mAMYkLcx2tEWnLg1Oqvrzv1fXTjCxneQtScQ/s3264/tv.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="3264" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VpbGNtILhj_blZhZX-OD5zasFz-eGdpgdOJE8fs6jOS2lnhxsTwS_loa4ZwqaGHAzn78Po2kCYsT7Tl47yamxeQE7jBSQvXbZhjU6nKDyNuGDmxDeip5YCPGtHQsnjl0hhCua3KZletBrML426Nwk4mAMYkLcx2tEWnLg1Oqvrzv1fXTjCxneQtScQ/w640-h266/tv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The weather's looking okay for tomorrow - no wind or rain and relatively mild - so we're off National Trusting. I'll be back in a few days with photos!</p><br />Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-21948920143735772872024-01-22T14:50:00.005+00:002024-01-22T16:28:15.295+00:00Anatomy of a Dress<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-NqMVl3XftcN9-aVf0vABPKjXbUplaGfxjm7zTMRVWJUEINLmvakOgFqD0K8AI15mo-T4F8fofCcBDnKGVopUwqWaUm8F6m52qYnF-Z4jidMvCDjGnec7AMkYvXEmCeEcny2b1KRsrlEfxhI3v8XzdVcYCvjzYpOELFGNhFnhM8Ce2yZYnvJgmLhDw/s1024/download.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="861" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-NqMVl3XftcN9-aVf0vABPKjXbUplaGfxjm7zTMRVWJUEINLmvakOgFqD0K8AI15mo-T4F8fofCcBDnKGVopUwqWaUm8F6m52qYnF-Z4jidMvCDjGnec7AMkYvXEmCeEcny2b1KRsrlEfxhI3v8XzdVcYCvjzYpOELFGNhFnhM8Ce2yZYnvJgmLhDw/w538-h640/download.png" width="538" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm all dressed up and nowhere to go!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee this morning but unfortunately her house suffered the wrath of Storm Isha last night so she's awaiting a builder and we've postponed our date until next week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN85mAG669O_3qU5MZINihtW12x2mZB08T_racXSuI1wr8nnVACm1mXgOC4y4eLO9YE4UvdXpcM1GudsngZhagY8JzwXI6KF3LzUo0wI3JI3zfugp9COTDoyXy6uT4HzIi3Jztpi8CzvgcmFwRRH5ZzWiSMo8UcQj2HrFlH2vAtu-OlMLKJOcJPIyzg/s3638/20240122_113559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3638" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN85mAG669O_3qU5MZINihtW12x2mZB08T_racXSuI1wr8nnVACm1mXgOC4y4eLO9YE4UvdXpcM1GudsngZhagY8JzwXI6KF3LzUo0wI3JI3zfugp9COTDoyXy6uT4HzIi3Jztpi8CzvgcmFwRRH5ZzWiSMo8UcQj2HrFlH2vAtu-OlMLKJOcJPIyzg/w360-h640/20240122_113559.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm wearing an old favourite, an <i>Anokhi </i>maxi dress bought from their flagship store in Jaipur, Rajasthan's <i>Pink City,</i> back in January 2019 along with a reversible block printed jacket from <i>Kharibu</i> (from whom I bought my Pre-Raphaelite moss green velvet maxi).</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxLHydaK0aRdJG5hNbEtH3Ut9dDEuPpK_Ifoz160v7f1wTurg3F91DrzJvym9YatX0NxKAYu3XNk8-0jAcySZMffTY3p4zilyIdhvJLRPaZCDCakJayqlYqCbA1LWbOhvMHMPkLXjGmF2jlScK_ku7SIsyOkTbU-HhSnEMWpX17gL6Tfaljuk6Y5eQQ/s3789/20240122_113620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3789" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxLHydaK0aRdJG5hNbEtH3Ut9dDEuPpK_Ifoz160v7f1wTurg3F91DrzJvym9YatX0NxKAYu3XNk8-0jAcySZMffTY3p4zilyIdhvJLRPaZCDCakJayqlYqCbA1LWbOhvMHMPkLXjGmF2jlScK_ku7SIsyOkTbU-HhSnEMWpX17gL6Tfaljuk6Y5eQQ/w388-h640/20240122_113620.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This dress holds so many memories of India, from backpacking around Rajasthan, drinking in swanky bars in downtown Mumbai & staying in Portuguese-era heritage hotels in Goa to our closer-to-home travels in Greece and Spain along with National Trust days out, nights on the town, mornings spent rummaging the rails in the charity shops of the West Midlands and those endless days spent at home during Lockdown.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUTmamx-ZC4gDMlroEbrwttrzUhb4dLubTm8EM7cVIdFT3ctNGu_RPCDC3LHyNwfNCRAhgyTt885WxDrEX4u8DPkgFXVuegwCn-weRYwJReCZTeHBpETAiS6U289x9hutNNuZqCF6KDdsPdg5qM7Uz-eAlpCe2zgSb2iUVPyrUXIy26-g4vIU4iX3eQ/s3264/an1%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="3264" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUTmamx-ZC4gDMlroEbrwttrzUhb4dLubTm8EM7cVIdFT3ctNGu_RPCDC3LHyNwfNCRAhgyTt885WxDrEX4u8DPkgFXVuegwCn-weRYwJReCZTeHBpETAiS6U289x9hutNNuZqCF6KDdsPdg5qM7Uz-eAlpCe2zgSb2iUVPyrUXIy26-g4vIU4iX3eQ/w640-h576/an1%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two of my favourite memories were of risking life and limb to pose on a turret overlooking the 17th Century step well in Jodhpur and of having a chat with the saffron-turbaned sadhu in a remote village in Rajasthan where he asked me if I'd voted for Brexit (the answer, of course, was a resounding, No!)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsRtQVZGMoxfQf1SPJXSoa9HhIs4tPCybQtbGaue5h0wcBBJb3V7TvCGJTLpuqC4_XY5sLv9WtP17c1uURtVnj6ducg7jCLfuj290EHFZHRwMNLRzcQJobaE3-0TmCEPYOtzYlOtQev2xQofW97kUX46hcbHl2Qr9gM-aLAMEqmJ7pvGPkYDSgOBiww/s3264/an2%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="3264" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsRtQVZGMoxfQf1SPJXSoa9HhIs4tPCybQtbGaue5h0wcBBJb3V7TvCGJTLpuqC4_XY5sLv9WtP17c1uURtVnj6ducg7jCLfuj290EHFZHRwMNLRzcQJobaE3-0TmCEPYOtzYlOtQev2xQofW97kUX46hcbHl2Qr9gM-aLAMEqmJ7pvGPkYDSgOBiww/w640-h460/an2%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Around the same time as I bought the dress, Bollywood royalty <i>Sara Ali Khan</i> was snapped by the <i>Times of India</i> wearing it around Mumbai although sadly, our paths never crossed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MROWy1-zJz2gHb5e-T1s5y1ysm5nVAvretF4kT6JsitCvS-bm2HmaxKZNiFiinxClfh8FSxL0gsLXGKdCRXURDaqWjFO5Kw05G7-FbgBioAcYhkaNQM8E0eY7myxKpp8SJmPhAsbVHhV2vhjWmkrxL6LDGHkJmhmu3pk1B-DuPHd8Zyy1eNSLUEjOQ/s600/bollywood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MROWy1-zJz2gHb5e-T1s5y1ysm5nVAvretF4kT6JsitCvS-bm2HmaxKZNiFiinxClfh8FSxL0gsLXGKdCRXURDaqWjFO5Kw05G7-FbgBioAcYhkaNQM8E0eY7myxKpp8SJmPhAsbVHhV2vhjWmkrxL6LDGHkJmhmu3pk1B-DuPHd8Zyy1eNSLUEjOQ/w640-h640/bollywood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKBgiKSGUKM_1z1_AModv67cGiixavQULYhtT3CXTB_TAERnvV-JL8qrIY9pX4x5BCAD_xJzy4E5FpMWAVptg2YeIkRS1PKOj-2pD4Fv_65ENMrWhxisGOZKRX4B9-9oHg4CnjXUZTONiRLHjg-19ykk0PJqHlIIaJYMYxmcuiGJ7nqgaEUPhQiRNrA/s663/sara.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKBgiKSGUKM_1z1_AModv67cGiixavQULYhtT3CXTB_TAERnvV-JL8qrIY9pX4x5BCAD_xJzy4E5FpMWAVptg2YeIkRS1PKOj-2pD4Fv_65ENMrWhxisGOZKRX4B9-9oHg4CnjXUZTONiRLHjg-19ykk0PJqHlIIaJYMYxmcuiGJ7nqgaEUPhQiRNrA/w522-h640/sara.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">I kept the Anokhi tag as, not being used </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">to buying clothes from proper shops, having a fancy cardboard label attached to a garment remains a bit of a novelty and I've kept it in one of my travel journals for posterity. It </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">describes the dress as a </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Cotton Peshwaz,</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"> which was said to be one of the most opulent forms of Moghul clothing for women. Originating in Persia, it was introduced to India during Babur's reign (1483 - 1530) and comprises of a fitted bodice with a full skirt which fastened at the waist (mine has a side zip). Due to the way the dress was cut at the front, women were required to wear a choli (blouse) underneath, my modern version came with a black cotton camisole top.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6BLLFHZLJvPCkcLvIsOuPDJR528NHKUrEejuwbFRCW2CPsCO0PBz8huq7NsPnzoidQaMgmUPmM2SZmd_aeq1KGlKksatvyoYxunkxPEoQhGpNQ4a2-rGuR7MDfbx2fS-y36DicON_d_Wa4bC3V2dfLKRm30FrzKdh0V1kjvvUzSywTCJOI6cYnek_g/s751/5.-httpnationalmuseumindia.gov_.inprodCollections.asppid79id8lkdp8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6BLLFHZLJvPCkcLvIsOuPDJR528NHKUrEejuwbFRCW2CPsCO0PBz8huq7NsPnzoidQaMgmUPmM2SZmd_aeq1KGlKksatvyoYxunkxPEoQhGpNQ4a2-rGuR7MDfbx2fS-y36DicON_d_Wa4bC3V2dfLKRm30FrzKdh0V1kjvvUzSywTCJOI6cYnek_g/w426-h640/5.-httpnationalmuseumindia.gov_.inprodCollections.asppid79id8lkdp8.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 12.32px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An early Twentieth century Peshwaz snapped when we visited in the National Museum of India in New Delhi in 2019</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhifJOSLFuC0NYuSWamgGxyJ8d0PkwUJXWVhLgMFglL-ELIftkjeOSlR42PfaOrYDR3PnKZ6fmrKGX2F94u5Ze8IP-g8jNUHeRk7o2AtMY91WtazlS9jlhlF9lvUEmuZb8upOo2VU5El8jbqeWFcr80cnSok9Ev5Yb-5o4GXh4PWVwBJqnDB7gnGDtXg/s966/peshwaz.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="735" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhifJOSLFuC0NYuSWamgGxyJ8d0PkwUJXWVhLgMFglL-ELIftkjeOSlR42PfaOrYDR3PnKZ6fmrKGX2F94u5Ze8IP-g8jNUHeRk7o2AtMY91WtazlS9jlhlF9lvUEmuZb8upOo2VU5El8jbqeWFcr80cnSok9Ev5Yb-5o4GXh4PWVwBJqnDB7gnGDtXg/w486-h640/peshwaz.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">This 18th Century Peshwaz is on display in the V&A</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3SET-V6HMNO2PnHcr48BZPlGAbsdsXfXpE6NY-xKxC6pZwztvQzdI22S8SMp2RlG4vM0NV3hXDS6434MqkQ56yyIa0WrVriFMicfj_FWYCVtcKzHShghA2yrLCWvl1UukXNaRM0OsYS-zAdazeZPAS6xOGpEtBPPOX0UcrBvQD1Ay2yjFGOyigY5iw/s3264/anokhiiiii.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="3264" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3SET-V6HMNO2PnHcr48BZPlGAbsdsXfXpE6NY-xKxC6pZwztvQzdI22S8SMp2RlG4vM0NV3hXDS6434MqkQ56yyIa0WrVriFMicfj_FWYCVtcKzHShghA2yrLCWvl1UukXNaRM0OsYS-zAdazeZPAS6xOGpEtBPPOX0UcrBvQD1Ay2yjFGOyigY5iw/w640-h492/anokhiiiii.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>My journal tells me that I paid 3350 rupees for my dress (around £35 back in 2019), expensive by Indian standards but to me, it's an absolute bargain for an ethically made, timeless classic and the memories entwined within the fabric are priceless.</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/AVvXsEgYR4xAELyJmAzsHewGKaiPcl80dWFOD8zcF2mmquWjvBaNh3Swe1FYuMmNfrUbx95z3byBSfcyaROX4r55g2RpLWW0lOGnnpN9avrgiPcX1itrmbhX_TCKNKQ8QLgtZNp6SPNi4AKSHVHlsMqkBxpdrD0cCEVkl-qcDHYTs15jR4-IMrcD0IZ8doEQgg/s3063/books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3063" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR4xAELyJmAzsHewGKaiPcl80dWFOD8zcF2mmquWjvBaNh3Swe1FYuMmNfrUbx95z3byBSfcyaROX4r55g2RpLWW0lOGnnpN9avrgiPcX1itrmbhX_TCKNKQ8QLgtZNp6SPNi4AKSHVHlsMqkBxpdrD0cCEVkl-qcDHYTs15jR4-IMrcD0IZ8doEQgg/w480-h640/books.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With temperatures below zero for most of last week, eBay photos took a back seat and, in between swimming, charity shopping and socialising, when we met Liz & Al at the cinema for artisan pizza, red wine & another viewing of Poor Things, I managed to squeeze in some reading - finishing <i>William Morris by Himself </i>and Hilary Mantel's <i>Beyond Black</i> which, once I'd started, realised that I'd already read. On the pile this week are <i>The Final Confession of Mabel Stark</i> and <i>A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digby </i>(which I'm already halfway through).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfywHV2EHXAWnV58KddXlbs1Xpsilr_WE4xaYRyNx9msYrNEY1w5xs1U5iDDtDfp_oflFqSknRXxKfFEjxDDNd8DRPfulfnGFQUFjAcqtYhyphenhyphen5wsBTtLP9swaw7zakqtsMCNr1WWe_ilKx4V_IfCiU3veYngtKg0DHHk1yEH2owLZA_OEzLpk9d_azSg/s639/Jane_Digby,_Lady_Ellenborough,_by_William_Charles_Ross.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="476" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfywHV2EHXAWnV58KddXlbs1Xpsilr_WE4xaYRyNx9msYrNEY1w5xs1U5iDDtDfp_oflFqSknRXxKfFEjxDDNd8DRPfulfnGFQUFjAcqtYhyphenhyphen5wsBTtLP9swaw7zakqtsMCNr1WWe_ilKx4V_IfCiU3veYngtKg0DHHk1yEH2owLZA_OEzLpk9d_azSg/w476-h640/Jane_Digby,_Lady_Ellenborough,_by_William_Charles_Ross.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Lady Jane Digby (1807 - 1881) - William Charles Ross</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">I first heard of </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">Lady Jane Digby</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">, a notorious aristocratic beauty born in Dorset in 1807, when we visited the mountain village of Doukades in Corfu (<a href="https://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/2023/07/another-greek-epic-historical-village.html">HERE</a>) last year. At 17, Lady Jane married </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">Lord Ellenborough</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">, the governor-general of India and scandalised English society by having an torrid affair with her cousin before falling head over heels with an German prince, divorcing her husband and moving to Germany. After enjoying a close relationship</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"> with </span></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">Ludwig I of Bavaria, </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">she married </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">Baron Karl von Venningen</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">of Munich</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;"> before embarking on an affair with the Greek Count, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">Spyridon Theotokis</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">. After a duel between her love rivals she divorced the baron, converted to the Greek Orthodox faith and married Spyridon. The couple moved to his family home in Doukades. After the marriage broke down Lady Jane was rumoured to have had an affair with Greece's </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">King Otto </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">before meeting</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;"> General Christodoulos Hatziperos</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">, hero of the Greek War for Independence, where she acted as his queen, living in caves, riding horses and hunting. Lady Jane then travelled to the Middle East and fell in love with</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;"> </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: start;"><i>Sheik Medjuel el Mezrab</i>, who was twenty years her junior. The couple married under Muslim law and stayed together until her death 28 years later. Lady Jane adopted native dress, lived a nomadic lifestyle in tents in the desert and learned Arabic in addition to the eight languages in which she was already fluent. What a woman!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVLLAO5n1qyWs1S_AwTw8sgJpnQNXv8EXG1va-QuubiwoL0xoVtaw9HCHpwn8bl0wpY2517PqQhxDDNd2-GJNmkJpphRMR_P5sLWfX1Yfy0Bh2S1LWfI7LCWQgFVVKAe4itN3DOBMhEz3Lv5tEvugu0PBvCXATbt-JnvebJK3B5jZBjlUbk_jkRyerg/s1448/900_Jane%20Digby%20In%20Palmyra%201859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVLLAO5n1qyWs1S_AwTw8sgJpnQNXv8EXG1va-QuubiwoL0xoVtaw9HCHpwn8bl0wpY2517PqQhxDDNd2-GJNmkJpphRMR_P5sLWfX1Yfy0Bh2S1LWfI7LCWQgFVVKAe4itN3DOBMhEz3Lv5tEvugu0PBvCXATbt-JnvebJK3B5jZBjlUbk_jkRyerg/w398-h640/900_Jane%20Digby%20In%20Palmyra%201859.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Lady Jane Digby in Palmyra (1859) by Carl </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Haag</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Kinky Shed is full to bursting after our fab friends Graz & Steve from <a href="http://www.moseleyvintagehub.com/">Moseley Vintage Hub</a> did some negotiating on our behalf and acquired a large personal collection of clothing amassed between the 1940s and 1980s and I've spent most of the weekend washing, steaming and sewing on buttons. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRZ51XMeEz__61enQ05T9syMuGu5bYAAshHnXtg7NwKhyxGcZShwcNZuLNE7jZyVv4DaeuYhmwhyJjQtK4XdCa2BWwMoNW7TYjn7SbsCOI_HRla6_MrLaFoKvMXOTlmNY4UoF2vCUqx3FmpPXRHs5qsf8stOHpkb8ZFln-0iFTPJQfRaDhfoLm6lxOA/s3939/20240119_145315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3939" data-original-width="2280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRZ51XMeEz__61enQ05T9syMuGu5bYAAshHnXtg7NwKhyxGcZShwcNZuLNE7jZyVv4DaeuYhmwhyJjQtK4XdCa2BWwMoNW7TYjn7SbsCOI_HRla6_MrLaFoKvMXOTlmNY4UoF2vCUqx3FmpPXRHs5qsf8stOHpkb8ZFln-0iFTPJQfRaDhfoLm6lxOA/w370-h640/20240119_145315.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I couldn't resist snaffling this groovy wool-blend maxi dress, made by <i>Shelana of London</i>, a British Boutique label which ceased to exist sometime in the early '80s. Obviously this is from the 1970s with its<i> have-yer-eye-out</i> dagger collars!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp39YCLCAyaSYu_oeK1s_g1WN7r2IzDerUdn4wvl7frP4xRytXbP8UFMsOlqc8qaxpGxztvPvb1pokPJui13yjzbCxRZft3co4kqzHepV8iTYHZJ1f46ykOHaV5TuZGMqubfRNk7BO7ibzc50QvvE7EXdV10Ri3BlMT44eHQw4Y1DCeolrcWbiGPjuQ/s3840/20240119_145354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp39YCLCAyaSYu_oeK1s_g1WN7r2IzDerUdn4wvl7frP4xRytXbP8UFMsOlqc8qaxpGxztvPvb1pokPJui13yjzbCxRZft3co4kqzHepV8iTYHZJ1f46ykOHaV5TuZGMqubfRNk7BO7ibzc50QvvE7EXdV10Ri3BlMT44eHQw4Y1DCeolrcWbiGPjuQ/w382-h640/20240119_145354.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Along with the job lot, we've managed to find some cool stuff recently, weather permitting I'll try and share a bit of it with you sometime soon. In the meantime I'll leave you with William who, this time last year, was just an occasional visitor to the garden.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu5UHRiXLWiTvswKsY8xlTX95yJn6cWgVnzbgabFqeHqwTo0le5Q-YcQ2Sk3R9p7b2JUNLcOl6lebl2VW2L6PlI6FO4G5V_ceBj1OXkDy6F8HFGVe8PQmLoN81O21Djekw1nPT3OV5i2Kvt3cl6mnNFEuPZ4uF950Vc9e4fd6hvAaofphQqE4xDfQzQ/s2266/20240116_113127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2266" data-original-width="2243" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu5UHRiXLWiTvswKsY8xlTX95yJn6cWgVnzbgabFqeHqwTo0le5Q-YcQ2Sk3R9p7b2JUNLcOl6lebl2VW2L6PlI6FO4G5V_ceBj1OXkDy6F8HFGVe8PQmLoN81O21Djekw1nPT3OV5i2Kvt3cl6mnNFEuPZ4uF950Vc9e4fd6hvAaofphQqE4xDfQzQ/w634-h640/20240116_113127.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spoilt, moi?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-23279450849083608102024-01-18T19:20:00.008+00:002024-01-19T16:51:42.739+00:00Aesthetic Dressing - The Anti-Fashion Arts & Crafts Movement<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyIpNVSCyh8oHtYAIttz8MNuWmOFdb1PsdUHfzjfR-thra2YvHVspTHHH2TbDHqTqUpqT-ekQHV11GgPkO0R3UKLsHnPnID16PYUhPw3SNvng8CH5A1ZuXg8eerX10fEyaYTmp7IXC04twl_fxGHxAV8n3kxM0D8sF-lsm8-fn0Z4tV3RH6lOtBgCBQ/s1200/collage%20(2).jpg" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyIpNVSCyh8oHtYAIttz8MNuWmOFdb1PsdUHfzjfR-thra2YvHVspTHHH2TbDHqTqUpqT-ekQHV11GgPkO0R3UKLsHnPnID16PYUhPw3SNvng8CH5A1ZuXg8eerX10fEyaYTmp7IXC04twl_fxGHxAV8n3kxM0D8sF-lsm8-fn0Z4tV3RH6lOtBgCBQ/w640-h480/collage%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><span>The Arts and Crafts (or Aesthetic) movement was a reaction against the damaging effects of industrialisation and the relatively low status of the decorative arts. A group of like-minded artists and intellectuals, including William Morris, sought to reform the design and manufacture of everything from buildings to jewellery and to encourage an appreciation of art and an understanding of what was beautiful. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16.2px; text-align: left;"><span>They saw the prim and proper Victorian society as rigid and the obsession with a false respectability as foolish. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span>Beauty for the sake of beauty was their motto. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PUiXZkp1JWexyEii8-TGTXeeKkTwORmAEbOcABQv-vgqN6B92_nA-c9enlULeUbI-ZqpS97wMuHW2adfOmdiUSPMeqhS1Fd0SO2JnqkKjW19RjSFe8AYmxZVDvz4ygYRfswOz5dRj69qYGJ1fUd_rKNg4yySO9NhVREn3jqb-LrTjBlyB5f6-_xHNw/s512/3._Laus_Veneris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PUiXZkp1JWexyEii8-TGTXeeKkTwORmAEbOcABQv-vgqN6B92_nA-c9enlULeUbI-ZqpS97wMuHW2adfOmdiUSPMeqhS1Fd0SO2JnqkKjW19RjSFe8AYmxZVDvz4ygYRfswOz5dRj69qYGJ1fUd_rKNg4yySO9NhVREn3jqb-LrTjBlyB5f6-_xHNw/w640-h426/3._Laus_Veneris.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In Praise of Venus by Sir Edward Burne Jones, circa 1873 - 1875 (<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/reviews/the-cult-of-beauty-the-aesthetic-movement-18601900-v-amp-a-museum-london-2264840.html">SOURCE</a>)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><blockquote class="quote__content" style="background-color: white; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1e20; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; quotes: none; text-align: center; top: -0.2em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: none; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.</span></i></p></blockquote><blockquote class="quote__content" style="background-color: white; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1e20; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; quotes: none; text-align: center; top: -0.2em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #70787c; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John Ruskin, 'The Cestus of Aglaia, the Queen of the Air', 1870</span></span></blockquote><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkXKUCVoJsu1rQFVF_DbbqzD-2JP9iqzLmQ9vr3DzKX2-IZn0AZGgZfrvXNaaqqX_mTzjnfLafzyLYc7jocmqgOebr8ftbyh09eVyoB78wZ-V_XfLYW0PRrR2D6pHu_KUDjMPjBTlAnqCjHPE091opixgYo_toLHfrhq7p9X2s1qIvqip-5YqZsorRw/s1200/NOT_NCMG_1956_90-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="749" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkXKUCVoJsu1rQFVF_DbbqzD-2JP9iqzLmQ9vr3DzKX2-IZn0AZGgZfrvXNaaqqX_mTzjnfLafzyLYc7jocmqgOebr8ftbyh09eVyoB78wZ-V_XfLYW0PRrR2D6pHu_KUDjMPjBTlAnqCjHPE091opixgYo_toLHfrhq7p9X2s1qIvqip-5YqZsorRw/w400-h640/NOT_NCMG_1956_90-001.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Marigolds by Gabriel Dante Rossetti (check out that gorgeous black cat!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16.2px;">Aesthetic fashion rejected the stiffly tailored garments of the Victorian era & embraced a more fluid, comfortable way of dressing based on the mediaeval costumes </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 16.2px;">popularised by </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16.2px;">the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites. The Aesthetics viewed corsets and the rigidity of the fashions of the day as unattractive and artificial.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px; text-align: left;">This so-called <i>Cult of Beauty</i>, where designers sought more natural styles & objected to mass production led to a fashion revolution and the movement been compared to the hippy counterculture of the late 1960s.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXQ1dd-wRiqdQfYRY2w8XdDFSUvOGkbLbEskVAjg80hIOdJhoOCZ0VCci8ctixZ2TXo1BCCRuKP23RaK0I-ghwrNJhyphenhyphenpoEdQKaw2tpnBfic78Q4nNxKo5nJzQOgw8cir0Fcl8fi9JsPmum_h39-UheK7fisRHfBp7pIrZFz0hzwBsWhCZwfQm5Gm9wQ/s2852/DSC03875.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2257" data-original-width="2852" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXQ1dd-wRiqdQfYRY2w8XdDFSUvOGkbLbEskVAjg80hIOdJhoOCZ0VCci8ctixZ2TXo1BCCRuKP23RaK0I-ghwrNJhyphenhyphenpoEdQKaw2tpnBfic78Q4nNxKo5nJzQOgw8cir0Fcl8fi9JsPmum_h39-UheK7fisRHfBp7pIrZFz0hzwBsWhCZwfQm5Gm9wQ/w640-h506/DSC03875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Initially ridiculed (as this cartoon by George Du Maurier in an 1879 issue of Punch magazine illustrates), many of the decorative features of the Aesthetic movement were, by the 1890s, absorbed into mainstream fashion.</span><span style="color: #1d1e20; font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJytGgxjS-39GWVcw0biXytsAvMKxNHpXjcuzhUHCt20YiDfMXs4lAalcrZKBnyufbIPgQm_dOLaHmbujuNLe9VStyw8tzBp4hhMwxXYu1kjQSwAqih1zL0xs9xj256Oq_GWItQlH7xx9imRT_mNlaKBA09sbdEYDfxXvb2wwWooN6gtHVVw04JevRA/s672/5-5-mrs-luke-ionides1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="672" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJytGgxjS-39GWVcw0biXytsAvMKxNHpXjcuzhUHCt20YiDfMXs4lAalcrZKBnyufbIPgQm_dOLaHmbujuNLe9VStyw8tzBp4hhMwxXYu1kjQSwAqih1zL0xs9xj256Oq_GWItQlH7xx9imRT_mNlaKBA09sbdEYDfxXvb2wwWooN6gtHVVw04JevRA/w640-h572/5-5-mrs-luke-ionides1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Mrs Luke Ionides’ by William Blake Richmond, London, 1882 (<a href="https://artisticdress.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/5-5-mrs-luke-ionides1.jpg">Source</a>)</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px;">Hating how the textile mills of the 19th century had devalued the importance of skilled weavers and relied upon poorly paid unskilled workers toiling in dreadful conditions, William Morris was inspired to co-found the furnishing and decorative arts company, Morris & Co. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_IffYw7OseM-jgk9PfYzAUHDFRuT2fu9AI5qSUXDsWLPuh_sbXJRlcsDdZrBz55yxsvCdkGHBMQHTiOLW4H1487htkXVWw1QhqmWrSb84E0booTzMHcNzU-qSgdtcupMdIL76vsVPcIIyg3EOVKZI36RuwM8zJ3cvz4NRz2v-RPv4kdIOAnbOeluQw/s3840/1030499-William-Morris-Quote-Nothing-should-be-made-by-man-s-labour-which.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_IffYw7OseM-jgk9PfYzAUHDFRuT2fu9AI5qSUXDsWLPuh_sbXJRlcsDdZrBz55yxsvCdkGHBMQHTiOLW4H1487htkXVWw1QhqmWrSb84E0booTzMHcNzU-qSgdtcupMdIL76vsVPcIIyg3EOVKZI36RuwM8zJ3cvz4NRz2v-RPv4kdIOAnbOeluQw/w640-h360/1030499-William-Morris-Quote-Nothing-should-be-made-by-man-s-labour-which.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.2px;">Morris also objected to the use of the new chemical dyes which by the 1850s had replaced the old, organic dyes, considering these new dyes hideous and gaudy. While the older dyes faded to more subtle hues, he wrote that aniline-dyed fabrics changed into "<i>abominable hues"</i> and experimented tirelessly to produce subtle colours for his fabrics, only using natural dyes. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16.2px;">The colours worn by the Aesthetics were the subdued tones acheived by using these vegetable dyes, with gentle greens, blue and browns and pale golden yellows being most common. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16.2px;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HDhKrh5UhUui5g0p3gUHGxRVSYowz9UaOINhZTBZgys1lZ5kFvzDm0ha-KivXzUun8OUI22ERETzfPpYanFa7lpyD6PC3IwY0iAQq3EzcqI-_iLEnDzK8NWCABpM54xZ4mMAifSqV_MNah0MdvWJ4ZJ600jt8uYgZRz8nPFUwcz34vbYkz4H5AufaQ/s640/william11111.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HDhKrh5UhUui5g0p3gUHGxRVSYowz9UaOINhZTBZgys1lZ5kFvzDm0ha-KivXzUun8OUI22ERETzfPpYanFa7lpyD6PC3IwY0iAQq3EzcqI-_iLEnDzK8NWCABpM54xZ4mMAifSqV_MNah0MdvWJ4ZJ600jt8uYgZRz8nPFUwcz34vbYkz4H5AufaQ/w640-h640/william11111.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Morris & Co. fabric swatches</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Specific fabrics were used to make Aesthetic clothes, softer and lighter than the fashionable taffetas and moire silks of the day with unbleached holland (a coarse linen), fine cottons such as cambric, muslin and poplin, velveteens and lightweight silks being particularly popular. One of the main suppliers was Liberty & Co. some of their fabric, like <i>thetis brocade</i><span style="color: black;"> was especially made in Spitalfields and others, like fine silks, </span><i>Umritza cashmere </i><span style="color: black;">and woollens, were imported from Asia. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; margin: 30px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 16.2px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN9KSYEM_GllLBQ_n6p1Ov1pKyeBU0OEkuba9ty86RZV5hziazR_KPHW4gVN7O78g_8QIoRq5jgUtLS81WwUyWoCONnu2jRF7kQVvpivFAr3xGM752bbW0nee0xIC5s0vplrr308n0g6LqzcNXTmOrG_WLl6WdSKKtlU96O0nkmUUoJaEd24C_08hSA/s600/Liberty__Co_dress.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="429" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN9KSYEM_GllLBQ_n6p1Ov1pKyeBU0OEkuba9ty86RZV5hziazR_KPHW4gVN7O78g_8QIoRq5jgUtLS81WwUyWoCONnu2jRF7kQVvpivFAr3xGM752bbW0nee0xIC5s0vplrr308n0g6LqzcNXTmOrG_WLl6WdSKKtlU96O0nkmUUoJaEd24C_08hSA/w458-h640/Liberty__Co_dress.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Liberty & Co. Dress , 1894 (<a href="https://costumesociety.org.uk/blog/post/costume-in-art-artistic-dress">SOURCE</a>)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 16.2px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XLODUbF7QlCSLqJkNynwW3HRs0pbQyJuagh0nRhTK4bDGWSxmDPBvwC-xR2iVIhjnVC8Mi9wMcs_W5s545hF-Kn7YIqPNTXYNy2M-kXZtiu6LfBqWxIKrdYPijvtRD3v8fQFbsDsL2qAurvKzoQP5zcAB0hmqdSe8Of0p_7fplTDIcJtod0RB8FXtg/s800/Liberty-catalogue-victorian-aesthetics-dress.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="443" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XLODUbF7QlCSLqJkNynwW3HRs0pbQyJuagh0nRhTK4bDGWSxmDPBvwC-xR2iVIhjnVC8Mi9wMcs_W5s545hF-Kn7YIqPNTXYNy2M-kXZtiu6LfBqWxIKrdYPijvtRD3v8fQFbsDsL2qAurvKzoQP5zcAB0hmqdSe8Of0p_7fplTDIcJtod0RB8FXtg/w354-h640/Liberty-catalogue-victorian-aesthetics-dress.jpeg" width="354" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fashion-era.com/fashion-history/victorians/victorian-aesthetic"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Aesthetic dress, from the 1905 Liberty & Co., catalogue</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yCGlX86BWgJ5xQNdi76GaO2zC7jhaLELHbYyggamIUshtKrLlmWKM0tdFtVlsCmxU8oUvs4VMVO2EsHjYWqfjztoFQSwAlJJJkF-alEZNeJAGr3-8Rmok90UEV1Z-7thOKL87IsiZuaQZ-PxyF9RbXmJuaagfsgPA3KbiMKtEZ-Sycm3yT8Hvx2etw/s1113/T.57-1976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yCGlX86BWgJ5xQNdi76GaO2zC7jhaLELHbYyggamIUshtKrLlmWKM0tdFtVlsCmxU8oUvs4VMVO2EsHjYWqfjztoFQSwAlJJJkF-alEZNeJAGr3-8Rmok90UEV1Z-7thOKL87IsiZuaQZ-PxyF9RbXmJuaagfsgPA3KbiMKtEZ-Sycm3yT8Hvx2etw/w552-h640/T.57-1976.jpg" width="552" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Spiller, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1e20; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><a href=" https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/how-arts-and-crafts-influenced-fashion">Robe, Liberty & Co. Ltd., circa 1897</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Phyllis Barron & Dorothy Larcher</i> were two of the leading block printers of the early 20th Century and produced a range of printed & woven dress fabrics as well as some ready made dresses from their premises in Gloucestershire. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDLFWfRaDVS1vSjdaK3VbyTSzRaZbNVgTDqQvSmRiv3GYYvoTv7RdGP5srPwdIiLAnf-Ga6DAE7jSmHfQOPasNyWs8nqgVgQFIFmOFlYA-WFOiq6SGh_CzUdO4vbliYVUb50QNq8-_yqJqt4DARBJ2CzlcmMrR1LlNR_-z8aG9zjBbE-WAvBl9D3MUQ/s600/Barron+and+Larcher's+printing+workshop+at+Hambutts+House,+Painswick.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDLFWfRaDVS1vSjdaK3VbyTSzRaZbNVgTDqQvSmRiv3GYYvoTv7RdGP5srPwdIiLAnf-Ga6DAE7jSmHfQOPasNyWs8nqgVgQFIFmOFlYA-WFOiq6SGh_CzUdO4vbliYVUb50QNq8-_yqJqt4DARBJ2CzlcmMrR1LlNR_-z8aG9zjBbE-WAvBl9D3MUQ/w640-h492/Barron+and+Larcher's+printing+workshop+at+Hambutts+House,+Painswick.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Barron & Larcher at work <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4868048249049410936/2327945084908360810">SOURCE</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEh7Ru6Fm0zFFbZaM_dndnYdHJ5rDFwyvKP-t8aNcMwG3925Bi_bTaeyP-pAV5XikwHUAnk7MDOV_RM1R-RN_cXUkcf3CC1dITJ-iqcUKYbr09_gI2AvppSSquQvmAKLQAgy2ArvZ7UpfwxfXIUkBDFyr83uvbFZj_CGH9hHqZkaZAHlKXylSb1VNknJXA/s3264/barron.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1610" data-original-width="3264" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ru6Fm0zFFbZaM_dndnYdHJ5rDFwyvKP-t8aNcMwG3925Bi_bTaeyP-pAV5XikwHUAnk7MDOV_RM1R-RN_cXUkcf3CC1dITJ-iqcUKYbr09_gI2AvppSSquQvmAKLQAgy2ArvZ7UpfwxfXIUkBDFyr83uvbFZj_CGH9hHqZkaZAHlKXylSb1VNknJXA/w640-h316/barron.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From left: Eve Simmonds (the wife of the Arts & Crafts puppet maker, William) in a Barron & Larcher printed skirt; Two dresses<span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #143223; text-align: left;"> c.1935; </span></span>Barron & Larcher scarf c.1925 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTfntcWDdgoAtCfPavbjqx6QCOVPW6zLIqeLbhHzjWEnuyoDysNkZ-ndy8iApPPVYqC4TV0H1JMRpa6pbTCt1qOmDRjRhHr64DLRB4VS0IsxSDn64BXqaPQOtiYoolL61envN2FkiweFMI7UM8jIjYWLzdN-RVPf1W8FY_yJpDvu7YjXmRLm3ptFjRw/s2972/20240117_152022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2972" data-original-width="2105" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTfntcWDdgoAtCfPavbjqx6QCOVPW6zLIqeLbhHzjWEnuyoDysNkZ-ndy8iApPPVYqC4TV0H1JMRpa6pbTCt1qOmDRjRhHr64DLRB4VS0IsxSDn64BXqaPQOtiYoolL61envN2FkiweFMI7UM8jIjYWLzdN-RVPf1W8FY_yJpDvu7YjXmRLm3ptFjRw/w454-h640/20240117_152022.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Jewellery designer Georgie Gaskin photographed by William Smedley Aston c. 1903</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The traditional crafts of smocking, hand embroidery and applique were revived. As well as being decorative, smocking gave additional movement to the bodice & sleeves. As sewing was an enforced part of a woman's education during the Victorian period, most women who wore aesthetic dress were accomplished seamstresses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA8Ax8B5w3vARbb-HUonnvJeZSXcWGRhTZEA7sTOqVLUl6Ny69rQnLm03HqgktUPuvKngX9Zc1lzv_T1nxDaNRnhHcX_USYY2XVM9l9725EQITfcqlpk_QGKrhdiLCwGX1XyfNi6wUZB9Rl5m5MhCbepngGtBTyhJAe3bCboJvr6wXCO47L3RAi2-uw/s500/ten.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="352" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA8Ax8B5w3vARbb-HUonnvJeZSXcWGRhTZEA7sTOqVLUl6Ny69rQnLm03HqgktUPuvKngX9Zc1lzv_T1nxDaNRnhHcX_USYY2XVM9l9725EQITfcqlpk_QGKrhdiLCwGX1XyfNi6wUZB9Rl5m5MhCbepngGtBTyhJAe3bCboJvr6wXCO47L3RAi2-uw/w450-h640/ten.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Tennant <a href="https://www.mediastorehouse.co.uk/heritage-images/portrait-alice-dieudonne-chase-ca-1906-20170735.html">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">Changes in fashion led to new developments in jewellery and the enthusiasm for the aesthetic colours in dress fabrics led to a demand for soft coloured stones such as tourmaline and peridot. Women who wanted their jewellery less conspicuous wore single strands of amber beads or long chains inspired by mediaeval jewellery and brooches and buckles which were functional as well as decorative. Indian jewellery appealed as it was handmade and, in 1894, Indian silver pieces were available for sale in Liberty. Queen magazine, in 1881, published an article on making jewellery from home-dried and dyed marrow fat peas, melon seeds, berries, lacquer & glass beads and shells. Some women became quite skilled and exhibited their work at the Arts & Crafts Society. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHYzyRVK-tuVrNv-nJb1yLQvUu0PG62MSJ5ctyII8Ton5uVVXKp4g10gnpyUJHCWJDBawXsEsQwm8_XicpK1inu0xkkMfwwhj-l9maacNbvqVuPfTd0saIKBxoP375XVP1ROfvVxCcTappkv0nU68UmfqkDwJLE_wDBDebRjP2YpKKrjpWdDrxftXsg/s1536/dante.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1311" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHYzyRVK-tuVrNv-nJb1yLQvUu0PG62MSJ5ctyII8Ton5uVVXKp4g10gnpyUJHCWJDBawXsEsQwm8_XicpK1inu0xkkMfwwhj-l9maacNbvqVuPfTd0saIKBxoP375XVP1ROfvVxCcTappkv0nU68UmfqkDwJLE_wDBDebRjP2YpKKrjpWdDrxftXsg/w546-h640/dante.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span color="rgba(33, 36, 44, 0.64)" face="Lato, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Dante Gabriel Rossetti, </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(33, 36, 44, 0.64); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Monna Vanna</em><span color="rgba(33, 36, 44, 0.64)" face="Lato, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">, 1866 (<a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/becoming-modern/victorian-art-architecture/pre-raphaelites/a/the-aesthetic-movement">SOURCE</a>)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CvkN-ibXDwwCBBDxj2gZlA-D66ln_eX5VXoJ0cpv8KxNxESqVW00ccc2KX6hFoRuOSO_qEP5q4EO6G3hRrUIu-nhF7yxRgUShAjZgQwlBOjfVwSqVHtX-T7ouohWvpWQBqPrvNfiFdRijtqLzF7tqfyPJKsrlIJmgjXrG65LyySADbKssoonIVkvkw/s588/wpid-510px-Dante_Gabriel_Rossetti_Bocca_Baciata_1859.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CvkN-ibXDwwCBBDxj2gZlA-D66ln_eX5VXoJ0cpv8KxNxESqVW00ccc2KX6hFoRuOSO_qEP5q4EO6G3hRrUIu-nhF7yxRgUShAjZgQwlBOjfVwSqVHtX-T7ouohWvpWQBqPrvNfiFdRijtqLzF7tqfyPJKsrlIJmgjXrG65LyySADbKssoonIVkvkw/w544-h640/wpid-510px-Dante_Gabriel_Rossetti_Bocca_Baciata_1859.png" width="544" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bocca Baciata</em><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #3a3a3a;">, Dante Gabriel Rossetti (<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Regina+Cordium,+Dante+Gabriel+Rossetti&sca_esv=599491907&rlz=1C1VDKB_en-GBGB996GB996&sxsrf=ACQVn0-TOsaJf6gFWUNXUeeojoX8DuSbtw:1705592965564&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&vet=1&fir=4r2lmFphog2-SM%252CUUcpr_w_2Qpc3M%252C%252Fg%252F11c1tklws6%253BmEFcXuEUAsYmzM%252CYFqy2KIZCh57hM%252C_%253BcIDz9_BSFi1kCM%252CryjB3dO4_JFA3M%252C_%253Bu71MM_AMwVvH2M%252Czz6GDyfjdPQbJM%252C_%253BG52LVkTYQNqVyM%252CTnVkom_GWGIccM%252C_%253BBeoatrWKWJLzRM%252CUo0Bd_-bwwhuaM%252C_%253BVWK46MNPk8S8AM%252C2-a2A5hOgq92BM%252C_%253BsdT6hqXd0R8-kM%252Cq0CPC4LOL56IGM%252C_%253BxMxGxPJGROE1rM%252C2YkdQnfRwmpwcM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQOrzDjQrIWM5GGqSLilLKBIdXh3Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih3t_2pOeDAxUiU0EAHbMrAJEQ_B16BAhLEAE#imgrc=VWK46MNPk8S8AM">SOURCE</a>)</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="bggle--block bggle_text margin_vertical--medium margin-top_none" id="1689190154517" section-id="1689190154517" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); direction: ltr; letter-spacing: 0.6px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><p style="box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(var(--color-foreground)); letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Pre-Raphaelite ideal of feminine beauty differed greatly from previous artistic styles. Whilst early Victorian artists praised rosy cheeks, round cherub-like faces, neatly pinned back blonde hair and maternal curves, the Pre-Raphaelites painted women with slim bodies, sharp faces and long, loose, wavy hair. Many critics were repulsed by this radical appreciation of different body types, expressing disapproval of the resulting artworks' deviation from idealised beauty.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(var(--color-foreground)); font-family: editors_noteregular; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6a5R4YZd0OspkT7zs9Ts_yXmrF0ptjhoEk7MHn3Lv9xiggVbnJbgCmN_ICrVNymFiAsf9XPHFhmSRx0jy354_RroQuZi3OwSUazt9yyrLZz9PBxrIuZ74S8H6zoptq8fHz1zq6KNzhuVCGSHvrgTy6NrC1UhgN3W3Q3bjyYEmQHdpyobGfny1qST3g/s4080/20240113_173801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6a5R4YZd0OspkT7zs9Ts_yXmrF0ptjhoEk7MHn3Lv9xiggVbnJbgCmN_ICrVNymFiAsf9XPHFhmSRx0jy354_RroQuZi3OwSUazt9yyrLZz9PBxrIuZ74S8H6zoptq8fHz1zq6KNzhuVCGSHvrgTy6NrC1UhgN3W3Q3bjyYEmQHdpyobGfny1qST3g/w360-h640/20240113_173801.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jane Morris</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(var(--color-foreground)); font-family: editors_noteregular; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(var(--color-foreground)); letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; text-align: justify;">After serving as the Pre-Raphaelite muse, Jane Morris created a new beauty trend. The long, cascading tresses in these paintings were quite revolutionary for the era as loose hair was rarely on display. A young girl could wear her hair down, but as soon as she became a respectable lady, she would pin it up in stiff and intricate styles. A loose-haired woman had erotic undertones, as a lady’s hair was considered to be her glory, the essence of her passion. In a social atmosphere of prudery and stiffness, Pre-Raphaelite hair conveyed a sexual message. Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s</span><i style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-align: justify;"> Lady Lilith </i><span style="color: black; text-align: justify;">, for example, portrays a legendary femme fatale combing her long hair while she seductively exposes a shoulder to a viewer. Lilith appears self-absorbed and inattentive to the world as she admires her long, red locks in a hand mirror. The painting is a testament to the Pre-Raphaelites’ fascination with feminine allure, as Rossetti attached a quotation from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s</span><i style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-align: justify;"> Faust </i><span style="color: black; text-align: justify;">to the original frame:</span><i style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-align: justify;"> “Beware . . . for she excels all women in the magic of her locks, and when she twines them round a young man’s neck, she will not ever set him free again.” (<a href="https://artrkl.com/blogs/news/pre-raphaelite-hair">Source</a>)</i></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(var(--color-foreground)); font-family: editors_noteregular; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit; color: black; text-align: justify;"><br /></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8u8YyjCj2GvxNx2PsprtjlCQO-HmygOJscXa2wtMfW9ghckrvNrVbi1qjqs2O2UrR05IEbHJzWpsu1Fm6QRq_0FzVR2BMcC9nEeRF2gwKiXsnITHrzB3PKuC9sLkG9msvFPqvuVHlPSnfjyAUZvestUWlAu6bbVSihSf_hDwiZr8w-44qwhsFAqf2Bg/s528/Rossetti_lady_lilith_1867.jpg" style="letter-spacing: 0.6px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8u8YyjCj2GvxNx2PsprtjlCQO-HmygOJscXa2wtMfW9ghckrvNrVbi1qjqs2O2UrR05IEbHJzWpsu1Fm6QRq_0FzVR2BMcC9nEeRF2gwKiXsnITHrzB3PKuC9sLkG9msvFPqvuVHlPSnfjyAUZvestUWlAu6bbVSihSf_hDwiZr8w-44qwhsFAqf2Bg/w546-h640/Rossetti_lady_lilith_1867.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lady Lilith - Gabriel Dante Rossetti</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVZfyGeHJN0MB2_FcZYznE2IUE1NWHL9RRxQgL8gL8SurktmYNH8CsdjQX1rXlsrejXIoQjHrqe_3e1SB8-jymNa3CH_KGoyMDtJ56itbm12HkRhlhheW_aukG97g9fkcNfATnX1sBl8AjSI0IZfAXupCKHDJArwV-a1EOPOCZ05zEw6BFDcKsfKrzQ/s3114/20240105_113224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3114" data-original-width="2207" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVZfyGeHJN0MB2_FcZYznE2IUE1NWHL9RRxQgL8gL8SurktmYNH8CsdjQX1rXlsrejXIoQjHrqe_3e1SB8-jymNa3CH_KGoyMDtJ56itbm12HkRhlhheW_aukG97g9fkcNfATnX1sBl8AjSI0IZfAXupCKHDJArwV-a1EOPOCZ05zEw6BFDcKsfKrzQ/w454-h640/20240105_113224.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Study by Evelyn De Morgan - Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">William Morris in <i>The Lesser Arts of Life</i> (1882) shared the opinion of how clothes should echo the natural beauty of the human figure and noted that dress was an integral part of people's lives and an avenue for self expression which was not always appreciated, particularly by victims of fashion. </div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDW_F0zGEekHfZ7ZGzl2PQCeWyxNEAeMG3iBCHQ0W-eNnTiw5PAzAk0_hkj0MmVxVvIo_INvvigPU8q5BRiMxYbnIn0fuReumqVDSV7KHvGsckdmri5XlpyfhURg22VbL8VjH1v661AMl1WWuF9kwI17evP82OFDYQ8yJfT3-lisLUJ0QkP3IzL0LDQ/s3847/fashionvsaesthetic032.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2776" data-original-width="3847" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDW_F0zGEekHfZ7ZGzl2PQCeWyxNEAeMG3iBCHQ0W-eNnTiw5PAzAk0_hkj0MmVxVvIo_INvvigPU8q5BRiMxYbnIn0fuReumqVDSV7KHvGsckdmri5XlpyfhURg22VbL8VjH1v661AMl1WWuF9kwI17evP82OFDYQ8yJfT3-lisLUJ0QkP3IzL0LDQ/w640-h462/fashionvsaesthetic032.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://artisticdress.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/william-morris-and-the-lesser-arts-of-life/">SOURCE</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">…when woman’s dress is or may be on the whole graceful and sensible (please note that I say it may be); for the most hopeful sign of the present period is its freedom: in the two previous periods there was no freedom. In that of grim respectability a lady was positively under well-understood penalties not allowed to dress gracefully, she could not do it; under the reign of [the] crinoline, if she had dressed simply and beautifully, like a lady, in short, she would have been hooted in the streets; but nowadays, and for years past, a lady may dress quite simply and beautifully, and yet not be noticed as having anything peculiar or theatrical in her costume. Extravagances of fashion have not been lacking to us, but no one has been compelled to adopt them; every one might dress herself in the way which her own good sense told her suited her best. Now this, ladies, is the first and greatest necessity of rational and beautiful costume, that you should keep your liberty of choice; so I beg you to battle stoutly for it, or we shall all tumble into exploded follies again.</span></span> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG_6bo7XW7KTRQRMGpvMwEe93MfwbGGp6wc8Xxs7ktmOC26vjbok9_iPUZVA5cSv0y78ZaXrI8WhYsLfOHVYBXgVkM8WGTraLus6c2XcCWK1Yzkgc_0u8LGPFazNuSrkPIbEBrXgvX_9rYvIOc-G4j9Djzid_q5_xIcYrLo4pwkU3pjCDB7whoZcpIw/s640/a3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG_6bo7XW7KTRQRMGpvMwEe93MfwbGGp6wc8Xxs7ktmOC26vjbok9_iPUZVA5cSv0y78ZaXrI8WhYsLfOHVYBXgVkM8WGTraLus6c2XcCWK1Yzkgc_0u8LGPFazNuSrkPIbEBrXgvX_9rYvIOc-G4j9Djzid_q5_xIcYrLo4pwkU3pjCDB7whoZcpIw/w426-h640/a3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because of my masses of hair, I've been (very flatteringly) compared to a Pre-Raphaelite muse since I was a teenager and I've been an artist's model for decades (most frequently sitting for my friend, Liz). If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know I favour long, flowing dresses & statement sleeves and my wardrobe is stuffed with block printed cotton, fine wool & velvet dresses and voluminous kaftans. I'm very partial to embroidery and shirred bodices worn with a tonne of Indian tribal jewellery. In recent years I've ditched the black hair dye, haven't had my hair cut since April 2022 and plait it before bed to give my annoyingly poker-straight hair an Aesthetic wave.</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/AVvXsEhgsyKjikGfGNH9yJjm4LJbqesCjWbm5XMKn9oJn0zNMHjPSNrMpgs4ZGZXl-Fl6zgfqhX-TfjqXkmy5LcInV8xZw5lNe4TutIMQL40xUJGLQJiMnZJWBgNBJhHrBTBVoA23DcrlVTNXW4YVpEcuhyphenhyphend0rQCuvwduS-qY4dknQxHJIntjmDYRTqBk4tyTg/s1239/a11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="842" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsyKjikGfGNH9yJjm4LJbqesCjWbm5XMKn9oJn0zNMHjPSNrMpgs4ZGZXl-Fl6zgfqhX-TfjqXkmy5LcInV8xZw5lNe4TutIMQL40xUJGLQJiMnZJWBgNBJhHrBTBVoA23DcrlVTNXW4YVpEcuhyphenhyphend0rQCuvwduS-qY4dknQxHJIntjmDYRTqBk4tyTg/w434-h640/a11.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a few old favourites....an Anokhi block printed dress with a vintage Medieval inspired, velvet jacket with wizard sleeves, my 1960s Indian cotton, hand embroidered dress which has regularly featured on my blog since 2010, a vintage Afghan dress, my moss green velvet maxi from Kharibu (snapped by Nikki in Coventry last year) and an early 1970s Janet Wood for Monsoon Afghan dress worn with a silk kimono from the 1920s. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZEcTXLVjenO6SiRFA6y4zDrWpG8pMleSdWYlu5QWS1ZoXaOp3Q5PRwwkk2UQ8UjEwQOXPHzNTp3GWqi_CRBlqX4biWMGS67SHDoCkC16TCEi0QZ87hJ_dym10hzRJvvmO_xfS20uG_9FIi3AiXkXiQKWrtpzQO9PpiZdSwowKNbIC2CuX4vFqTMS5A/s640/a7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZEcTXLVjenO6SiRFA6y4zDrWpG8pMleSdWYlu5QWS1ZoXaOp3Q5PRwwkk2UQ8UjEwQOXPHzNTp3GWqi_CRBlqX4biWMGS67SHDoCkC16TCEi0QZ87hJ_dym10hzRJvvmO_xfS20uG_9FIi3AiXkXiQKWrtpzQO9PpiZdSwowKNbIC2CuX4vFqTMS5A/w480-h640/a7.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo4AI2iRoLYM3NUn9DkJkAM45yeZxP1NCwVRCxJ7tK5cR6utT6tL-YAZF49WVYn8utJLwJJALggp-jkqdVxi4j91UgtJJWmlihWBkrgDHF788Q_yxAxoHd66v2HnEg9NKO_BEKGpCoOzdlNecGb_Tmth-z8v37B-cNuXUGxrc6gX8TPsK5EvRq83Dpw/s4080/cov.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo4AI2iRoLYM3NUn9DkJkAM45yeZxP1NCwVRCxJ7tK5cR6utT6tL-YAZF49WVYn8utJLwJJALggp-jkqdVxi4j91UgtJJWmlihWBkrgDHF788Q_yxAxoHd66v2HnEg9NKO_BEKGpCoOzdlNecGb_Tmth-z8v37B-cNuXUGxrc6gX8TPsK5EvRq83Dpw/w480-h640/cov.jpg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEgRUk53nELLI9C1zbNLeqvKsjz6PXZAgHNT7-3B0L8wHzAydek3NugqiV4pOvkNJ4-Gh5spo8ywK60WnMgltIHfU2Zp_J8WsiuFnsEIlkgIQmrT8zwNy8QufMXD0UFn0mkqlEGpG79y6nK69zVDKuhfZxx86UJMbAE2e2_UyHPiyuR9PD163piR6ZTK1Q/s640/a9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUk53nELLI9C1zbNLeqvKsjz6PXZAgHNT7-3B0L8wHzAydek3NugqiV4pOvkNJ4-Gh5spo8ywK60WnMgltIHfU2Zp_J8WsiuFnsEIlkgIQmrT8zwNy8QufMXD0UFn0mkqlEGpG79y6nK69zVDKuhfZxx86UJMbAE2e2_UyHPiyuR9PD163piR6ZTK1Q/w480-h640/a9.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You might recognise this 1960s wool maxi dress, a gift from pals G&T many years ago, the groovy <i>Collier Campbell </i>fabric was sold at <i>Liberty & Co</i>. The jacket is printed in William Morris's <i>Chrysanthemum</i>, an upholstery fabric originally produced in 1877<i> </i>and refashioned into a jacket by <i>Dolly Rockers</i> over a hundred years later.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43vQV7s-wFRbfCF0OlqJPfkTSyaYFQlTzIYMiWySlHfUzCZd_fiPPs8L7pLnWonmUwtbASNnAIiXs_JhYB3BbncEZE-bTdjJ2czGT0pzloqLMdwkRwoRKMUhpNdtxAMzLhAfGeLCJESpOPG_VtuM6fX5wGJdWVWeRhowrnPzzPOXRgoDoPmQWDrZhWw/s3850/20240118_110048~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3850" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43vQV7s-wFRbfCF0OlqJPfkTSyaYFQlTzIYMiWySlHfUzCZd_fiPPs8L7pLnWonmUwtbASNnAIiXs_JhYB3BbncEZE-bTdjJ2czGT0pzloqLMdwkRwoRKMUhpNdtxAMzLhAfGeLCJESpOPG_VtuM6fX5wGJdWVWeRhowrnPzzPOXRgoDoPmQWDrZhWw/w382-h640/20240118_110048~2.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZnX0JpYDtxR0GQCeQ5pahjj_ZVAs6H727v1OXBKtotcvQFMYRBh3fdghmGfkENv2iWBfrcoEfh1lgzyjLyQbr9-q20Ijqogcbi-_WscuhULU2mp5xuVwHHZ42ovAvC6GbaiLbRzU4e0mpR99xe5WthGjOPkJ-nHTpuLvvSfvoGiyLL7bHkERztezbw/s3345/20240118_110130~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3345" data-original-width="2007" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZnX0JpYDtxR0GQCeQ5pahjj_ZVAs6H727v1OXBKtotcvQFMYRBh3fdghmGfkENv2iWBfrcoEfh1lgzyjLyQbr9-q20Ijqogcbi-_WscuhULU2mp5xuVwHHZ42ovAvC6GbaiLbRzU4e0mpR99xe5WthGjOPkJ-nHTpuLvvSfvoGiyLL7bHkERztezbw/w384-h640/20240118_110130~2.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p>But you don't need to have hair down to your bum and a wardrobe full of vintage clobber to introduce a bit of Aesthetic style into 21st Century life.</p><p>1. Don't slavishly follow fashion, wear the clothes you love and not what current trends dictate.</p><p>2. Avoid buying anything made by poorly paid workers in dreadful conditions. Say no to cheap fashion made in Asian sweatshops, buy fair-trade or ethically produced garments if you can afford them and secondhand or homemade if you can't.</p><p>3.Forget about the shapewear, anything uncomfortable and skintight. If you can't run for a bus in it, chuck it out.</p><p> 4. Embrace natural fabrics and dyes which get better and better with age. </p><p><i>5. </i>Teach yourself to sew, to mend or to embroider. Enhance, refashion, repair or alter what you already own.</p><p>6. William Morris's best known words of wisdom can also apply to your wardrobe. Fill it with beautiful things (but leave a tiny bit of room for the not-so-pretty but useful garments that keep your body warm and dry).</p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PDU2OhO6cyTdfpHBDXPE3Pqc2PbtkRCJ2P28nHGRT35V_kNGXd0BfYBAAhaezI6h99TZ5pw2oNFG_67DIkFO4zm5bnrflEIJVTP1c-PS0AxELO8Uzu5bwGBSaFoUhDrY6zDPiI4pqsaIKhO4G_n7H78-2R7RzFBiYWmU-G3sFr72oTLIXRRlZWds0w/s500/d689f5769c2d2db7aff2ab96be9ec32c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="500" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PDU2OhO6cyTdfpHBDXPE3Pqc2PbtkRCJ2P28nHGRT35V_kNGXd0BfYBAAhaezI6h99TZ5pw2oNFG_67DIkFO4zm5bnrflEIJVTP1c-PS0AxELO8Uzu5bwGBSaFoUhDrY6zDPiI4pqsaIKhO4G_n7H78-2R7RzFBiYWmU-G3sFr72oTLIXRRlZWds0w/w640-h432/d689f5769c2d2db7aff2ab96be9ec32c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading!</div><div><br /></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-17452779613395668242024-01-14T18:07:00.007+00:002024-01-15T15:24:31.713+00:00A Bit of Skirt<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji6uG5CT1Din6fys_JMKt4kX0mMHFhTVSPFZhYx3p0R1MgEqbjvDLFUjM2lR9l8cGXWYZb8dVKMobgWKM2MY8zhsztFK65HWQhyymziHrLKZ_kA7kw4lgspeKtTGO-IV0oRDkPGczX1SwY8MokgYuSjuZc2WYAMnLSAq_X6dCD6zESoWK6R7KWsEOSw/s1200/collage%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji6uG5CT1Din6fys_JMKt4kX0mMHFhTVSPFZhYx3p0R1MgEqbjvDLFUjM2lR9l8cGXWYZb8dVKMobgWKM2MY8zhsztFK65HWQhyymziHrLKZ_kA7kw4lgspeKtTGO-IV0oRDkPGczX1SwY8MokgYuSjuZc2WYAMnLSAq_X6dCD6zESoWK6R7KWsEOSw/w640-h480/collage%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chucking on a dress is all too easy so, for the last few days I've challenged myself to try a bit harder and wear one of my many vintage skirts instead.</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/AVvXsEjBnNX8A_z_hYqqk_C38VFqtH8KAeZa1mZLKP0xJoX5KttpbWSA4MT9ihJumJ8IJ9yL7uCJEPe8YY1bRJHi6BB1mEPVDmid9EGsIPt5ur7RKKkG7GWC6tIhJ-UNpu4uYMOL1KbUHJRHZTDpI34SICxjeDsQ1d6ras-VHLeoOcfxy5ZGiiYc7vow0v4PFQ/s3264/Blog1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3264" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnNX8A_z_hYqqk_C38VFqtH8KAeZa1mZLKP0xJoX5KttpbWSA4MT9ihJumJ8IJ9yL7uCJEPe8YY1bRJHi6BB1mEPVDmid9EGsIPt5ur7RKKkG7GWC6tIhJ-UNpu4uYMOL1KbUHJRHZTDpI34SICxjeDsQ1d6ras-VHLeoOcfxy5ZGiiYc7vow0v4PFQ/w640-h520/Blog1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Here's a 1970s<i> Marion Donaldson</i> cotton maxi worn with an Indian block printed gauzy cotton blouse, another purchase from the Vinted seller getting rid of the clothes from her youth. She bought it in 1975 and, I suspect, it probably didn't cost lot more than the £3 I paid for it. I remember my Mum buying Phool dresses from Debenhams in Birmingham for £5 each back in 1976 (yes, I do have a memory like an elephant!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCeVXXAg14bsHlk1PLlK_vog7eCpsHjlfw992I_dPeVekX0nF-EX3Oi6tOLBVuM2KKNBrl-9KOh2A1suFWicw8SEgh90-1SewC8NpNelOPkVwDvk5fVO751lpKx2Gw8sB5RprSWvmqFtFL26qgzCTQIBABwVC7EV2RUYX0bRdFmxsCQZslUnQiZi18Q/s3150/20240114_132007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3150" data-original-width="2279" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCeVXXAg14bsHlk1PLlK_vog7eCpsHjlfw992I_dPeVekX0nF-EX3Oi6tOLBVuM2KKNBrl-9KOh2A1suFWicw8SEgh90-1SewC8NpNelOPkVwDvk5fVO751lpKx2Gw8sB5RprSWvmqFtFL26qgzCTQIBABwVC7EV2RUYX0bRdFmxsCQZslUnQiZi18Q/w464-h640/20240114_132007.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Although this vintage Indian silk bed cover (a present from Liz & Al) is beautiful, it probably wasn't the best choice for a background on which to photograph my jewellery. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF6R6zAvwdMU1NG6ZFXTbakCkL_fAazrPZH93hifM9nGQzH5kNLsBeiDs4TDG6hoAG6wqO2dxq1A9jG3Bar5t_g9OaqNIiJlZGD8avCd2pKF4xi7H8GI6N9dmwH-bCt9oUKCIV6VB-ui8M0KXn6uczIWz9CpEpujvxrYwUj9nsxpEUnzzHzWGsqyJKA/s3264/Blog2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="3264" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF6R6zAvwdMU1NG6ZFXTbakCkL_fAazrPZH93hifM9nGQzH5kNLsBeiDs4TDG6hoAG6wqO2dxq1A9jG3Bar5t_g9OaqNIiJlZGD8avCd2pKF4xi7H8GI6N9dmwH-bCt9oUKCIV6VB-ui8M0KXn6uczIWz9CpEpujvxrYwUj9nsxpEUnzzHzWGsqyJKA/w640-h572/Blog2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This early 1970s <i>Anokhi </i>midi skirt (from the <i>Oxfam</i> stall at last year's <i>Womad </i>festival) is a few sizes too big but nothing a few strategically placed safety pins can't sort out. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">The </span><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">B Young</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"> high-necked, shirred cuffed blouse was £3 from the </span><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Shelter</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"> charity shop in 2022, it was a part of a large donation from a posh boutique which had closed down and originally retailed at £69.99. Jon spotted the 1970s Italian sheepskin hat when we were charity shopping on Friday, a much longed-for black addition to the brown & white ones I already own.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8F-3kHXYC9J0qwBOagrBNq_X_5x9m9emd9yFK_R-9WYigHr3_YF6Ra8-_AUyALCbw_QE53eREoDbcnuAcqx-rxpTFQszEIx6Nzd-AgQ-3KyZTLMpksP0T4nQMvGOrr3zZXzFJm6ATmZ-NqYvFPNhfS9w4r7wI30Qkz0iwgEndND2zeywGlUc0nuVTQ/s2496/20240114_131541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="2496" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8F-3kHXYC9J0qwBOagrBNq_X_5x9m9emd9yFK_R-9WYigHr3_YF6Ra8-_AUyALCbw_QE53eREoDbcnuAcqx-rxpTFQszEIx6Nzd-AgQ-3KyZTLMpksP0T4nQMvGOrr3zZXzFJm6ATmZ-NqYvFPNhfS9w4r7wI30Qkz0iwgEndND2zeywGlUc0nuVTQ/w640-h588/20240114_131541.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">The vintage Anokhi skirt and heavy cotton shirt aren't a set but blend together perfectly. Both were purchased from different sellers from eBay back in 2020.</span></div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdtNAQmRzFqaGv8zvPou8-IMLWf4OH2pM4AtCvtqGFe225jRL18A9Pjium7Px8jZIUV-YIOadsuMXgkz2cplfm_Z6zIX1O1R4I8PzTfKnhWP0-qnIwbnhPEBXuRTTeEMAXRu3fVXhVft_P7YH2hg5kjUiY6hPuo7npS1iTK4X2k1o24UVqEhKK1AlsQ/s3264/Blog3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="3264" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdtNAQmRzFqaGv8zvPou8-IMLWf4OH2pM4AtCvtqGFe225jRL18A9Pjium7Px8jZIUV-YIOadsuMXgkz2cplfm_Z6zIX1O1R4I8PzTfKnhWP0-qnIwbnhPEBXuRTTeEMAXRu3fVXhVft_P7YH2hg5kjUiY6hPuo7npS1iTK4X2k1o24UVqEhKK1AlsQ/w640-h572/Blog3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I spotted the pendant in the clearance charity shop a couple of weeks ago. A girl can never have too much Indian tribal jewellery!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7SomqAmYpz5gLNA1h1Gy0Xq4igOfzQ01slt_mnokAV7oSB2yz5yQjTCEDAMNXK-kA6QFKoP-Y8fjt8WFu7eM0A6LxiwN6ray9UW_YZee_tiyP93Xly_KO_SjaD0-AFu-2-QfYcsvAtsFF8-2gA6ZpPCgamk9IlUwGmYkqDDapbe33zP_SEMkr77SBQ/s4080/20240114_131724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7SomqAmYpz5gLNA1h1Gy0Xq4igOfzQ01slt_mnokAV7oSB2yz5yQjTCEDAMNXK-kA6QFKoP-Y8fjt8WFu7eM0A6LxiwN6ray9UW_YZee_tiyP93Xly_KO_SjaD0-AFu-2-QfYcsvAtsFF8-2gA6ZpPCgamk9IlUwGmYkqDDapbe33zP_SEMkr77SBQ/w360-h640/20240114_131724.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This 1970s <i>Phool</i> skirt is part of a suit I bought from an online seller back in 2019, the embellished plum blouse was a <i>Zara</i> bargain from their 2022 sale (from £45 down to £5!). I spotted this <i>Fatface</i> block printed bag with leather straps (£2.99) in the Compton Hospice shop down the road from Wightwick Manor last week, a souvenir of a lovely day out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8DW1MqhJGjr94rtzMUTtmZSrNIckTuXfmh-o1SK6Hg6mWF4e5PC5Lsl0bpJg-p0wUdTweeb9-M1wog8Cj5YzvE56LM92cwt0sKMMQjDJvShN6t-Xbe5utYiLnzw7Z84VymgWwARfJN03odr0gDIjQHWwH4TtOgsHKIQkrfcC2kDvQ2Evnz1eCKBhkw/s3264/Blog4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="3264" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8DW1MqhJGjr94rtzMUTtmZSrNIckTuXfmh-o1SK6Hg6mWF4e5PC5Lsl0bpJg-p0wUdTweeb9-M1wog8Cj5YzvE56LM92cwt0sKMMQjDJvShN6t-Xbe5utYiLnzw7Z84VymgWwARfJN03odr0gDIjQHWwH4TtOgsHKIQkrfcC2kDvQ2Evnz1eCKBhkw/w640-h572/Blog4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll need very sharp eyes to spot it, but there's a new addition to the antique <i>Charles Horner</i> charm bracelet Lord Jon bought me for my birthday, a vintage sterling silver Bambi, snaffled from the display cabinet in <i>Shelter</i> for a mere 99p!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRCyNMqUMw1ttPHff_02iuwI84o0LDiuyPQhXMQmRQTDVcf7zDcZC8Hj_uYP67jY_JshMdjy1zpvOnNshM9NXKFJUi3GGLrcAXkN18rD16m60NcwebkWqvXutI5T9pbemG0_KVeHJFOvijlQw4nzwLbjwRq278n98AjxSJpwIA00_4Q1Q_cqpYdYZ6Q/s2629/20240114_131910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2629" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRCyNMqUMw1ttPHff_02iuwI84o0LDiuyPQhXMQmRQTDVcf7zDcZC8Hj_uYP67jY_JshMdjy1zpvOnNshM9NXKFJUi3GGLrcAXkN18rD16m60NcwebkWqvXutI5T9pbemG0_KVeHJFOvijlQw4nzwLbjwRq278n98AjxSJpwIA00_4Q1Q_cqpYdYZ6Q/w558-h640/20240114_131910.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Two weeks into 2024 and I've just finished my fourth book. <i>As Meat Loves Salt </i>was astonishing, darkly violent and vengeful, set during the English Civil War, a period in history I've always been fascinated by. Liz's husband Al is currently re-reading <i>The Air Loom Gang</i> and kindly treated me to a copy which I devoured over the weekend, the true story of James Tilly Matthews, the UK's first recorded paranoid schizophrenic; a mind-boggling tale of madness, espionage, counter espionage and conspiracy theories in the 18th Century. It really needs to be made into a film.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZu5ZTe6UDsLi4GKUqapOyiwWR-jnMDuwsKVGv9qnWD2mRv0ZTbw5dKD3ncsiOJ4j4UuDzs1D1mZCIx-atabzTCwy1p-IYeabmZcfyFNMRmTj3jY9z3pOFXXG3A4yVKVzRPUsjQ4tDJBY5m4d1tbBLORBnzLyQk6TmX3y7t21_l15wdAegmTpIOyypg/s3474/20240114_153240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3474" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZu5ZTe6UDsLi4GKUqapOyiwWR-jnMDuwsKVGv9qnWD2mRv0ZTbw5dKD3ncsiOJ4j4UuDzs1D1mZCIx-atabzTCwy1p-IYeabmZcfyFNMRmTj3jY9z3pOFXXG3A4yVKVzRPUsjQ4tDJBY5m4d1tbBLORBnzLyQk6TmX3y7t21_l15wdAegmTpIOyypg/w422-h640/20240114_153240.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been learning about some Arts & Crafts artists previously unknown to me this week. Erika & <a href="https://betweenmeandyoublogs.blogspot.com/">Annie</a> mentioned <i>Phoebe Anna Traquair </i>in their comments on my Wightwick post and Elaine sent me a link to a book on Abebooks, which I promptly purchased. I've been drooling over her astonishingly beautiful work along with the stunning Arts & Crafts creations in <i>Simplicity or Splendour</i> (also from AbeBooks). </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/AVvXsEiSXtV7oHctlu3nUuhq0hWmf1ojkjnLeQU926fLn-k9THt_P9WXRiyfMFB3tO20ffK5s2rJ3GjzRTmoo8XTa-MqGbUS_TGp5qdn8rwrBLeMXDDhcwWo47X2bqf4mxqVtO-TeV-Om00tLvXA06LKNZDOTBWyA5QRWfy4F96vH-T6Ps0X4WZ6eSIUPXLrkg/s4080/20240113_173801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXtV7oHctlu3nUuhq0hWmf1ojkjnLeQU926fLn-k9THt_P9WXRiyfMFB3tO20ffK5s2rJ3GjzRTmoo8XTa-MqGbUS_TGp5qdn8rwrBLeMXDDhcwWo47X2bqf4mxqVtO-TeV-Om00tLvXA06LKNZDOTBWyA5QRWfy4F96vH-T6Ps0X4WZ6eSIUPXLrkg/w360-h640/20240113_173801.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Simplicity or Splendour</i> has a marvellous chapter how the followers of the Aesthetic movement dressed, which I'll share in a future post but, inspired by this picture of stunner, Jane Morris, in said book, I posed on the chaise for a photo before we went out last night.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm_dhsqXJRmIEB0FU116mYRsDsSmMyClVsb6qwQL6A7gCRaEc6depRFzcvWWLO_by3qOnDRzd5TNZMM9pTNkGuwRwWCuuOc94C1hXehjcxi3AOBZG0kafM1uW_MbSFiTk6Gi3y1LrVkPX413D0ScnpUSrVykC6_vKy4CTtnI5utvKR4lBhINyWKWf6g/s3662/jane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3662" data-original-width="2155" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm_dhsqXJRmIEB0FU116mYRsDsSmMyClVsb6qwQL6A7gCRaEc6depRFzcvWWLO_by3qOnDRzd5TNZMM9pTNkGuwRwWCuuOc94C1hXehjcxi3AOBZG0kafM1uW_MbSFiTk6Gi3y1LrVkPX413D0ScnpUSrVykC6_vKy4CTtnI5utvKR4lBhINyWKWf6g/w376-h640/jane.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night we walked over to Liz & Adrian's and caught a taxi to The Avion, Aldridge's branch of Wetherspoons, where we met up with Liz & Al. The pub is a former cinema, which was opened by George Formby in 1938. It's always insanely busy and I don't think we've ever been there and got a table straight away and photographing the bespoke Spoons' carpet in nigh-on impossible.</div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNh966rZysuhpMWROHo9HJh7C-_EnFX0MvfDs_YHsylCCJg1h87i05ZA7vg-hNtiFNeYQI81DmuV8X7bfcXX7M0JdQEQnGyFtC-d6T0ADsCOyjr1SsdLuzdLsUwlmzgv8dXnAG0g-8OfREHelkGkSYuwfBBOt2jIZcY9BAmkVFxYiocTuCA1qCRb_6ww/s4080/20240113_202035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNh966rZysuhpMWROHo9HJh7C-_EnFX0MvfDs_YHsylCCJg1h87i05ZA7vg-hNtiFNeYQI81DmuV8X7bfcXX7M0JdQEQnGyFtC-d6T0ADsCOyjr1SsdLuzdLsUwlmzgv8dXnAG0g-8OfREHelkGkSYuwfBBOt2jIZcY9BAmkVFxYiocTuCA1qCRb_6ww/w360-h640/20240113_202035.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCShF2PKdDkuoMUmyIorphec_aW6VCdxuQTLG_rZS3Qpd52bJur3SUESp2qPxuPkJ7aKcTXJd7A5UdekIpH5kjiZqYtWOxlUUtcOKnzx9I_y0XW0ovT49pv1aIijOUDndNZRjvV9-kd6CALYqJTo1un0KMC4JSDVzfwqofvgh7Sb-8zW1UYhQttQWvQ/s4080/20240113_202133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCShF2PKdDkuoMUmyIorphec_aW6VCdxuQTLG_rZS3Qpd52bJur3SUESp2qPxuPkJ7aKcTXJd7A5UdekIpH5kjiZqYtWOxlUUtcOKnzx9I_y0XW0ovT49pv1aIijOUDndNZRjvV9-kd6CALYqJTo1un0KMC4JSDVzfwqofvgh7Sb-8zW1UYhQttQWvQ/w640-h360/20240113_202133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyDdcED5JqbrU7khkiryDJrNLpR-VYyijmZBYkQdeoK5JRYqQx529_3VCpoClDg7Wf2RsDC5O4PmSGSu4iXqTGRshwOdMnN_x3Ou0IjV89ycLYnpUZgGs2GvKBKsptNotwvmkCdjdNwqhz6HuSOd_DLqzOrFVoGSrOlUy8kp7hh24gQf68MYMcOtj3A/s4080/20240113_202350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyDdcED5JqbrU7khkiryDJrNLpR-VYyijmZBYkQdeoK5JRYqQx529_3VCpoClDg7Wf2RsDC5O4PmSGSu4iXqTGRshwOdMnN_x3Ou0IjV89ycLYnpUZgGs2GvKBKsptNotwvmkCdjdNwqhz6HuSOd_DLqzOrFVoGSrOlUy8kp7hh24gQf68MYMcOtj3A/w640-h360/20240113_202350.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjtuhR83Yw-eHO2LHeOfU02z9F7AVpNCo4ehYlnLUn2CIbRD4TwDcf2kYsEHgd_s-k4co7i_n2YUw-V2Qa6KfAugsm_kJOJIb7UuHpt1ZJaiMBOseXEeb6uCA7K5cUtNnW3Tw-K8sK8kDDEHwyP9l10ZJXXCaJfX6VX6nJN8G-fLeVeJBCzrBl1LDEMaA/s4080/20240113_202543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuhR83Yw-eHO2LHeOfU02z9F7AVpNCo4ehYlnLUn2CIbRD4TwDcf2kYsEHgd_s-k4co7i_n2YUw-V2Qa6KfAugsm_kJOJIb7UuHpt1ZJaiMBOseXEeb6uCA7K5cUtNnW3Tw-K8sK8kDDEHwyP9l10ZJXXCaJfX6VX6nJN8G-fLeVeJBCzrBl1LDEMaA/w360-h640/20240113_202543.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>After a few beers we popped into the offie for some booze before crossing the road to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Laboni-Restaurant-100063709176617/">Laboni</a> (an anagram of Albion, the owner's a West Brom fan) for an Indian feast.<br /><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/AVvXsEisF3M5mu-lNb4rpVYUVu-meEkChili28C7_uZtkmiIE5kC2FVERxttfWjVxZ1OIELzonibUz99XsTuNGuIA0KOOq5DwDFi_A50IZ25ptDJ0ojMzdztZF9gmsZ1mxiWQdDKtAWN1tUgjPoZ2nUYoeNr5QTbQBBNw539mmfARrTIcFHgwlRTc63uZx0cZg/s4080/20240113_203455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF3M5mu-lNb4rpVYUVu-meEkChili28C7_uZtkmiIE5kC2FVERxttfWjVxZ1OIELzonibUz99XsTuNGuIA0KOOq5DwDFi_A50IZ25ptDJ0ojMzdztZF9gmsZ1mxiWQdDKtAWN1tUgjPoZ2nUYoeNr5QTbQBBNw539mmfARrTIcFHgwlRTc63uZx0cZg/w640-h360/20240113_203455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcsTIr8MwO6_xuh2gJcS2vbuAy_pIVHZwDDDgGgp3wdgfs6-s6pauQXtWhHEYqw8bdRCbn2Ao0IjMbK17geuhyQ7Z-dpQjb0_s3Ac1-LeM7hUym_4fSmVbYMEi6jscYvBpRk4fAQcCOACCx9mZJLHkO8LOkK1vGSaYO7uxJOZVNoZVlfzugc35YDc4Q/s1024/curry.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="502" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcsTIr8MwO6_xuh2gJcS2vbuAy_pIVHZwDDDgGgp3wdgfs6-s6pauQXtWhHEYqw8bdRCbn2Ao0IjMbK17geuhyQ7Z-dpQjb0_s3Ac1-LeM7hUym_4fSmVbYMEi6jscYvBpRk4fAQcCOACCx9mZJLHkO8LOkK1vGSaYO7uxJOZVNoZVlfzugc35YDc4Q/w314-h640/curry.png" width="314" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A good night was had by all. Here's to many more nights out this year, they were sadly lacking in 2023.</div><br /><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/AVvXsEiNkaJgUlE10rL_bM0XMrjHoBtio5VWGNjQz7V-GgZhxlvFq7DxklLULd-8-chGxXTnVeO6ghVm2ihscycXV4Vqieou40tpwaw2PO0cvALKwnus_kibOWshw4Ih_UVBqi3d3Z19uH8ox2fSuQfyw-8nS9iJxqnXsfjud1RchRBbGXx6Y7DHEa8RcC-PsA/s3189/20240114_153643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3189" data-original-width="2227" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkaJgUlE10rL_bM0XMrjHoBtio5VWGNjQz7V-GgZhxlvFq7DxklLULd-8-chGxXTnVeO6ghVm2ihscycXV4Vqieou40tpwaw2PO0cvALKwnus_kibOWshw4Ih_UVBqi3d3Z19uH8ox2fSuQfyw-8nS9iJxqnXsfjud1RchRBbGXx6Y7DHEa8RcC-PsA/w446-h640/20240114_153643.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And back to books and other cultural pursuits...here's what I'm planning on reading this week... <i>Beyond Black</i>, a darkly comic ghost story by the much missed <i>Hilary Mantel</i> and <i>William Morris by Himself</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi733sGGHX7Me0ZHrTTReMeARz1fPV4hUa8oK7VcHaKcbsHfuAPDLmmdkdA2gGAMgTgeZ0nUY1lB-kagrZPgHJdDuBW2hHtaf0qsHttXkssxHD5V_713XCE6cuODt2B-damwBBFmxfDY0i7DnfQvAYu7Hmdz79QZTorI1v_w4WFjdaFlwImwWPsT5s7_Q/s1200/Poor_Things-542718060-large.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="839" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi733sGGHX7Me0ZHrTTReMeARz1fPV4hUa8oK7VcHaKcbsHfuAPDLmmdkdA2gGAMgTgeZ0nUY1lB-kagrZPgHJdDuBW2hHtaf0qsHttXkssxHD5V_713XCE6cuODt2B-damwBBFmxfDY0i7DnfQvAYu7Hmdz79QZTorI1v_w4WFjdaFlwImwWPsT5s7_Q/w448-h640/Poor_Things-542718060-large.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week we went to a members only screening of <i>Poor Things</i> at the cinema and loved it so much that we've going back to watch it again this week (although its best avoided if you're not a fan of sex and profanity!) In my opinion it's a far superior tale of female empowerment than the rather lame <i>Barbie</i>. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/muuLGNH3JRQ?si=RHHfEXRcJVJXzp0p" width="480"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading & see you soon!</div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-8746278507435829142024-01-11T15:13:00.009+00:002024-01-11T22:16:00.861+00:00Hippy Anniversary to Me!<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjHWNKzbtZmvBGvj7sRnqp5VRYmBRxdZCOUJ91vkLm-3M4BU85_Y18GnQqKiEda2CFBU22sTUbZVuiRPGoG1cB5gBmRbdpQI4m9y4ifX3aZZqH9htsXZdYCOGqksW_YDDmLtcYbYthyk0j2_Q6_NGAM9PRQvP85o8jqbh1W5Jej-p0YNZkYTCQCfwpQ/s1548/hip%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1548" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjHWNKzbtZmvBGvj7sRnqp5VRYmBRxdZCOUJ91vkLm-3M4BU85_Y18GnQqKiEda2CFBU22sTUbZVuiRPGoG1cB5gBmRbdpQI4m9y4ifX3aZZqH9htsXZdYCOGqksW_YDDmLtcYbYthyk0j2_Q6_NGAM9PRQvP85o8jqbh1W5Jej-p0YNZkYTCQCfwpQ/w640-h466/hip%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'd completely forgotten until today that the 6th January marked the 17th anniversary of the day my life changed forever. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vU_tt65_g0aFAKV6M0ore5ASU4zAHwTvZl4gxyuZxw0GjldQVw2ZiCi5HV6eDrvfGe_DPx7Ev_Xp4ia1ZiNFVWD08lDDwe04ei2UX4EglXG3How9HVKdoFENoLhiM0k6HoX2gQE2rwPnodRN3w2jWWGot7cCWsWtwmQyMOVxFeM7POqh3F6ImrtepA/s3264/hips.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vU_tt65_g0aFAKV6M0ore5ASU4zAHwTvZl4gxyuZxw0GjldQVw2ZiCi5HV6eDrvfGe_DPx7Ev_Xp4ia1ZiNFVWD08lDDwe04ei2UX4EglXG3How9HVKdoFENoLhiM0k6HoX2gQE2rwPnodRN3w2jWWGot7cCWsWtwmQyMOVxFeM7POqh3F6ImrtepA/w640-h640/hips.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">I was born with a shallow acetabulum (hip socket) and dysplasia of the left hip which went undetected throughout childhood. Despite regular trips to the doctor my constant pain and strange gait were dismissed either as growing pains or over-exercising and, in later years, because I wore "stupid" shoes. As I got older I was often embarrassed by strangers asking me why I was limping, offering me lifts, seats on public transport or help with carrying my shopping. It wasn't until I was 38, when I was working at a local chiropractic clinic, that I was finally X-rayed and it was discovered that my ball joint had slipped from the socket and worn away a large part of my pelvis. After being referred an orthopaedic surgeon, I was told that a total hip replacement was the only solution and I went on the waiting list at my local NHS hospital,Walsall Manor.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS87KZ3Li7HnqSyT8-EG2AB_Rde6oTR3_ptIxKwFrIppwG7E5kpYu8R0OcEmaNI372yUjFAPizXB-odu_h0I8NvERUInj-IJTdYuhkjUCsIAFeUp1mkJrzTV-shkNqa3UhHgSsCnHTlQcOZt5X7CU-pInMD9hX7HQYF1juka5oXJ7gugYZeUIsaM_aA/s2988/hip%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="2988" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS87KZ3Li7HnqSyT8-EG2AB_Rde6oTR3_ptIxKwFrIppwG7E5kpYu8R0OcEmaNI372yUjFAPizXB-odu_h0I8NvERUInj-IJTdYuhkjUCsIAFeUp1mkJrzTV-shkNqa3UhHgSsCnHTlQcOZt5X7CU-pInMD9hX7HQYF1juka5oXJ7gugYZeUIsaM_aA/w640-h226/hip%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>She's such an attractive girl, it's such a shame she can't walk properly </i>- what strangers often said to my friends</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">For years I'd had to wear built-up shoes and orthopaedic insoles as there was a two inch difference in my leg length (which probably explains a long-time dread of flat footwear, which I've finally got over). My family and I never questioned why this was the case and no medical professional ever put two and two together. We just assumed I was "odd" and that was that.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnftjfnZmLal9P0hDhTz5H7IjROs0fyDGTS1vrT75pE5tZ0NnSkSHlzSpW4_4FsgSh-3JKdDDuTa4QjMsgYRc9jaRZ3DDo2rOLqq6r26UnQ1ZxJAxz1p1QO_nZlJvaqNAi-tYpsAwxlfkaLQXixKCLiOiY19vCJfSna14MuXT24YN8JNrh9A11JvqZQ/s3138/DSC04751.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3138" data-original-width="2340" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnftjfnZmLal9P0hDhTz5H7IjROs0fyDGTS1vrT75pE5tZ0NnSkSHlzSpW4_4FsgSh-3JKdDDuTa4QjMsgYRc9jaRZ3DDo2rOLqq6r26UnQ1ZxJAxz1p1QO_nZlJvaqNAi-tYpsAwxlfkaLQXixKCLiOiY19vCJfSna14MuXT24YN8JNrh9A11JvqZQ/w478-h640/DSC04751.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me (and my real hair colour) as a 28 year old high-flier posing for a trade magazine shoot in 1994</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Despite my "disability" I never missed a day of work, often working nineteen hour shifts as a hospitality manager. I later found out I would have been entitled to full disability allowance as my range of movement was so limited. My constant pain probably explained my short temper, I was a horrible boss.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1plhPm2F87p1V4avYJyinZsyUaxaK3UrBUAcyNJvkjRZsMmR3rJfWYxLC2gSLNDeHrlsTCFIULir0kP8LCcjdfhhzmJnLFXkPUwxUp8cBb-fWsldB9Fb_zRXa2JeGuWip9tKhRepYHujQlv6vKRX2FJIg0Js4u5uRt8R6FDozETyMCMT-pdkqi8JJg/s483/hip1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="483" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1plhPm2F87p1V4avYJyinZsyUaxaK3UrBUAcyNJvkjRZsMmR3rJfWYxLC2gSLNDeHrlsTCFIULir0kP8LCcjdfhhzmJnLFXkPUwxUp8cBb-fWsldB9Fb_zRXa2JeGuWip9tKhRepYHujQlv6vKRX2FJIg0Js4u5uRt8R6FDozETyMCMT-pdkqi8JJg/w640-h572/hip1.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">I was originally scheduled to have my operation at Walsall Manor Hospital on 12th August, 2005. I nervously spent the night in hospital only for the lady in the next bed, who'd had her op earlier that day, to suffer a fatal heart attack. The next morning, whilst I was with the anaesthetist, the surgeon dashed into my cubicle and ordered her to stop as the correct sized ball joint hadn't been ordered and my operation was cancelled. I was so relieved.</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwsIWyM2Y-ipUAdXMBGoSfz0qSDYDYA08y4WQoG1D74rfnstKgY6j2oeYcTTXba8vhpqB_XLrgUdpt_vDviXlRFUZYyPlUna2ZtPSbplnMT0kHm5s9N71pMHYBwJxYoFHRDiy1g8wa0i3fxEYD04f2zyZALzcTW5mWpJ_EzLxAD-1g8AHjmFtwTjXaA/s1968/hip13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="1386" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwsIWyM2Y-ipUAdXMBGoSfz0qSDYDYA08y4WQoG1D74rfnstKgY6j2oeYcTTXba8vhpqB_XLrgUdpt_vDviXlRFUZYyPlUna2ZtPSbplnMT0kHm5s9N71pMHYBwJxYoFHRDiy1g8wa0i3fxEYD04f2zyZALzcTW5mWpJ_EzLxAD-1g8AHjmFtwTjXaA/w450-h640/hip13.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stupid shoes? Moi?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: start;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">As I mentioned before, despite always having very</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;">physical</span><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"> jobs, I never in my working life missed a day of work through my hip and worked my usual eight hour shift at the chiropractic clinic the day before the operation, scheduled for 6th January, 2006. When I went into hospital for the second time I decided against a general anaesthetic and opted instead for an epidural which would enable me stay awake throughout the procedure. Despite my pain I felt like a fraud being wheeled into theatre, a hip replacement sounded so dramatic and at my age (I'd turned 39 the previous month) was extremely rare. Whilst the surgeons were amputing my femur and drilling and hammering the prosthesis into place I could hear (over the piped-in pop music) them discussing how my hip was one of the worst they'd seen and I was strangely relieved that I wasn't wasting anyone's time. My X rays are still used at the teaching hospital to show medical students how bad a hip can get!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ql_fjTySuXK9J9ae0-psVsqG8mi1iGDNTLOAmwV4EsvxahebrA8YdLj-D8CcXONSOK5Dtz6h93Bns40LWhV4JuBf6UPpGoPygZBTCco0rfukOxFW5oHcoQzZSNsVCKPGaA0A3LzzTKZenwM16eJDgkedBX88Zmu1Gl8fFdgrRvtRJRdUoh9fm-4saQ/s1059/furlong-evolution-without-cup-hi-res1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ql_fjTySuXK9J9ae0-psVsqG8mi1iGDNTLOAmwV4EsvxahebrA8YdLj-D8CcXONSOK5Dtz6h93Bns40LWhV4JuBf6UPpGoPygZBTCco0rfukOxFW5oHcoQzZSNsVCKPGaA0A3LzzTKZenwM16eJDgkedBX88Zmu1Gl8fFdgrRvtRJRdUoh9fm-4saQ/w604-h640/furlong-evolution-without-cup-hi-res1.png" width="604" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jri-ltd.com/our-products/primary-hip-products/furlong-hac"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SOURCE</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">I was drinking coffee and chatting to the nurses within ten minutes of leaving the theatre. I was pain-free for the first time in my life and it was <i>un-freaking-believable</i>. When I saw myself in a mirror a couple of days later I swear I looked ten years younger. I insisted my legs were measured and squealed for joy when I was told that they were both the same length.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfwF4wRVUwVm2-FgyMWH8TQjts5cEK-B9scI9nXALEf8RSTrdK23Y9dZUH7dKfe1CNwRrca15IMW0MZNyb97FI1dm1-ER-qkEn8qqbb8j8UG6zMOLhdb7C0fFpVyr5GsEvkNBbOm_yFVAknC448BSNQAPcFmd9GlkSpXqJhxprASFqoeIV88Je9ZPuA/s1200/hip16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfwF4wRVUwVm2-FgyMWH8TQjts5cEK-B9scI9nXALEf8RSTrdK23Y9dZUH7dKfe1CNwRrca15IMW0MZNyb97FI1dm1-ER-qkEn8qqbb8j8UG6zMOLhdb7C0fFpVyr5GsEvkNBbOm_yFVAknC448BSNQAPcFmd9GlkSpXqJhxprASFqoeIV88Je9ZPuA/w640-h320/hip16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Walsall Manor Hospital</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Recovery wasn't easy, I'd had to have a bone graft and multiple blood transfusions and was sick, depressed and miserable for months, strange as it might sound my pain had become a part of who I was and I didn't feel like me anymore. Because the damage to my hip was so severe I was told I'd probably need a walking stick for the rest of my life. I refused to listen to the experts, handed my stick back, enrolled in Pilates and Hydrotherapy classes and hounded the NHS for physio (not normally offered to hip replacement patients as the aim of the op is to reduce pain rather than make the recipient more mobile).</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uQuuOz2SLwsoTrA3KJ-R0MEYmE7L3VCL1sixi0PxiLdGm3tqVFvgp8i4_5I3iwDIZVcFcmoFTXgQh3QF_hK-3j9vxc_Ta_9uLaqBq92IM7TuxFMI-KnUXzXrTuo2vU-ez28vPaaWUYQoQPceF8rZPNWje4L_Febrp44b7iXE-PNJ58Rt-mA5PYMfZQ/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uQuuOz2SLwsoTrA3KJ-R0MEYmE7L3VCL1sixi0PxiLdGm3tqVFvgp8i4_5I3iwDIZVcFcmoFTXgQh3QF_hK-3j9vxc_Ta_9uLaqBq92IM7TuxFMI-KnUXzXrTuo2vU-ez28vPaaWUYQoQPceF8rZPNWje4L_Febrp44b7iXE-PNJ58Rt-mA5PYMfZQ/w640-h360/maxresdefault.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><br /><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Seventeen years on and there's no stick and no limp, just that tell-tale scar that all of us hip-replacement recipients share. Mine was a state-of-the-art titanium <a href="https://jri-ltd.com/our-products/primary-hip-products/furlong-hac">Furlong </a>Hip (not something generally available on the NHS but I was freakishly young and a "normal" replacement hip only lasts on average 10 years and even less for an active adult, meaning if I live until my mid-70s, I'd have needed it replacing at least 4 times). The Furlong hips have a minimum life expectancy of 20 - 25 years. </span></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/AVvXsEhxO9lRWWuaOfYAgZ7ZnKWIE3ouPKujSRlDwQWKEl_RerIyiWdKF6h8GNkLSNWgL6TDz_HGdjk8iONDsQqTUuYgPbdHrpm6XU_5MvyKqB6UtGXpwCxptLXHQCv_4hqCOwKe3zeTDtX5axEFtzRMGSMcPuwtv8pIjHFX-X6q5f-O3JJsjFnIjPl1k5hlYg/s2638/hip12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2638" data-original-width="2231" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO9lRWWuaOfYAgZ7ZnKWIE3ouPKujSRlDwQWKEl_RerIyiWdKF6h8GNkLSNWgL6TDz_HGdjk8iONDsQqTUuYgPbdHrpm6XU_5MvyKqB6UtGXpwCxptLXHQCv_4hqCOwKe3zeTDtX5axEFtzRMGSMcPuwtv8pIjHFX-X6q5f-O3JJsjFnIjPl1k5hlYg/w542-h640/hip12.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was told that due to my other hip having to bear the weight of both of them for over 39 years, my right side would need replacing within five years of my first hip op. Although the X-rays show that it's a bit knackered I'm pain-free and don't limp so I shan't be going under the knife again just yet (I had an emergency intravenous steroid injection in my right hip at the hospital in 2013 after overdoing it at Glastonbury). My consultant thinks I'm superhuman - I just put it down to maintaining a healthy weight and exercising at least five days a week.</div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><p></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/AVvXsEj4un0m4RCQAS-YAUG2acMrm7OpWQeEGk8gsiHq2a8DDWg8ocWfSFWLl2ej2zRnGpNNdswdXoUpkuYj-BbR_N8xY9uGwy5Jxc15GxMd5I9hCNCFvwQzpqx4JrRdghmvbIvfdC0E7eOeSb-fc3L5fm43IyDLrQYj4AjOXudSjAQQRScke0Opqf9mgyY9GA/s4080/hip15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4un0m4RCQAS-YAUG2acMrm7OpWQeEGk8gsiHq2a8DDWg8ocWfSFWLl2ej2zRnGpNNdswdXoUpkuYj-BbR_N8xY9uGwy5Jxc15GxMd5I9hCNCFvwQzpqx4JrRdghmvbIvfdC0E7eOeSb-fc3L5fm43IyDLrQYj4AjOXudSjAQQRScke0Opqf9mgyY9GA/w360-h640/hip15.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Hippy anniversary to me and long live the NHS.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This is my song!!</p><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/JRfuAukYTKg?si=3TOmhiw7r8BoPeId" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JRfuAukYTKg/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-37986415977298536412024-01-09T14:47:00.003+00:002024-01-09T17:32:13.745+00:00Reader Requests<div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Maison Neue"; font-size: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavNECwpDH7Hrqm4xqcGPOuLkrJ2qokb44eLfnUhgmw3Ww29XG8bRek8vR268WLvkCfOMwhO_uHqVgoharGGNN4lBbZgcGfxPJ_q3X1Y78_HSyvd-Muac8FqoofhBXuejC4YRw2kpZHRpOmkYRJctwND8qiMuUnvgMlziv4Utqq5kqXvUmBm2cKIv0Rg/s1200/shapeCollage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavNECwpDH7Hrqm4xqcGPOuLkrJ2qokb44eLfnUhgmw3Ww29XG8bRek8vR268WLvkCfOMwhO_uHqVgoharGGNN4lBbZgcGfxPJ_q3X1Y78_HSyvd-Muac8FqoofhBXuejC4YRw2kpZHRpOmkYRJctwND8qiMuUnvgMlziv4Utqq5kqXvUmBm2cKIv0Rg/w640-h480/shapeCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've finally waved goodbye to the incessant rain and instead have the kind of Winter conditions I'm happy to live with, bitingly cold but brilliantly sunny. The kind of weather that it's easy to dress for - thermal leggings and Nordic socks hidden under my maxi skirts and stompy boots, polonecks, Indian quilted jackets and bastard massive sheepskin hats. </span></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7iv1a8cea65isZEdfCpsZ7wxqagKinEjw9SdluRoZP9dWtjF6n8e7N4UBBcIxgMpwtfY6gbnmj8puEs683Tym-T1c72wAI5Vjszan6oadxt64cBy8gFekMwQScH9qlT42IITdBKJ48uuce0nM8NQIhuGmoHATsKYArf0GtLIk2mExiRVhbxSr23JCw/s3826/20240109_130018~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3826" data-original-width="2295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7iv1a8cea65isZEdfCpsZ7wxqagKinEjw9SdluRoZP9dWtjF6n8e7N4UBBcIxgMpwtfY6gbnmj8puEs683Tym-T1c72wAI5Vjszan6oadxt64cBy8gFekMwQScH9qlT42IITdBKJ48uuce0nM8NQIhuGmoHATsKYArf0GtLIk2mExiRVhbxSr23JCw/w384-h640/20240109_130018~2.jpg" width="384" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;">Despite the sub-zero temperatures the pavements were ice-free when we walked down to the baths for our twice weekly swim at 7.30am this morning. Under my vintage suede jacket I wore an early 1970s Anokhi partially quilted jacket, my Dilli Grey block printed maxi skirt and one of my trusty sheepskin hats bought for 75p from the Salvation Army over a decade ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hhZwbZfVByrze3tDSRZWM67uqRNnu9HMcenS2546YC_1b0nDufQJmW-MqEwvjemdRi2PFSGoVzmlCSz5bd04QEHXpCnOtZn2v5uYjeGe4r98TS8lL64g5o0Ozv-0sCSkky2KdCMCXrt3w6zfDx0WRhITrRCwgxlEyQXcDk4ow0oKv0hXaPK2F-yi4Q/s3821/20240109_130039~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3821" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hhZwbZfVByrze3tDSRZWM67uqRNnu9HMcenS2546YC_1b0nDufQJmW-MqEwvjemdRi2PFSGoVzmlCSz5bd04QEHXpCnOtZn2v5uYjeGe4r98TS8lL64g5o0Ozv-0sCSkky2KdCMCXrt3w6zfDx0WRhITrRCwgxlEyQXcDk4ow0oKv0hXaPK2F-yi4Q/w384-h640/20240109_130039~2.jpg" width="384" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This silver moss agate (?) pendant was in the tin of tribal treasures Jon bought me for Xmas. The silver snake chain was 200 rupees and bought from a flea market in India about 10 years ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhaPHwzAqJjN0KBgWZroBtpbfzzCLThMHqvwragnesGgJFU4rRwP8NalKH2FrVQJTashCdtHjHkpVUEjDN1WuLOK9ThaEZhjIhp-tMoiSqpq_NF9AXHyVQQ6BcsJadW2EDYxF1VqTYD3MWfteoZOejAy0aefKQW1n_6oL3rvKqwliB2XppGeGE_s0eQ/s1188/20240109_131222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhaPHwzAqJjN0KBgWZroBtpbfzzCLThMHqvwragnesGgJFU4rRwP8NalKH2FrVQJTashCdtHjHkpVUEjDN1WuLOK9ThaEZhjIhp-tMoiSqpq_NF9AXHyVQQ6BcsJadW2EDYxF1VqTYD3MWfteoZOejAy0aefKQW1n_6oL3rvKqwliB2XppGeGE_s0eQ/w484-h640/20240109_131222.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">William's fur goes all static- y, a sure sign the weather's icy cold. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0_t9lx0c6VS1xJHdl7SwA6nCy6DTngoklOn6LltX9p4TlWqJqG8RCRAR0dn7L2o_PJkVgi_RhSuy9B3kKHqxWgdhZwcbM64EYTpzC-ROfKozgtLlUPBnu9p4W_RXYKj528vRhmvMFKlM4PecaZ7ytZpG_IE5GL2G3Kc9VE-R8vqO_XeKT7XLPuuMqg/s3124/20240107_124803~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3124" data-original-width="2246" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0_t9lx0c6VS1xJHdl7SwA6nCy6DTngoklOn6LltX9p4TlWqJqG8RCRAR0dn7L2o_PJkVgi_RhSuy9B3kKHqxWgdhZwcbM64EYTpzC-ROfKozgtLlUPBnu9p4W_RXYKj528vRhmvMFKlM4PecaZ7ytZpG_IE5GL2G3Kc9VE-R8vqO_XeKT7XLPuuMqg/w460-h640/20240107_124803~2.jpg" width="460" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;">This vintage </span><i style="color: #4d4d4d;">Ritu Kumar for Monsoon</i><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"> dress has featured on the blog many times in the four years I've owned it. I wore it on Saturday and Sunday. Yes, I repeat outfits! </span></span></div></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d;"><h2 class="web_ui__Text__text web_ui__Text__title web_ui__Text__left" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: RGBA(var(--greyscale-level-1,1)); display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-break: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h2></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDvB5blmDwuFFuHQbE1E42db5zh4d5p8Li9JxELrkSL4ppkpuY_gqTZ_uQ796d-xAQq745qfeJdMzxD2dXqJbUqAqvw3HcRA8k3Sweu9o7BprIolzUGubsWZVhvd9WCuSmOcqX8DCxjNI_MeOITwqTqNu5_i66kKI70GWdfnDULB6Al8oxgb-fxKauA/s3264/Sun1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="3264" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDvB5blmDwuFFuHQbE1E42db5zh4d5p8Li9JxELrkSL4ppkpuY_gqTZ_uQ796d-xAQq745qfeJdMzxD2dXqJbUqAqvw3HcRA8k3Sweu9o7BprIolzUGubsWZVhvd9WCuSmOcqX8DCxjNI_MeOITwqTqNu5_i66kKI70GWdfnDULB6Al8oxgb-fxKauA/w640-h540/Sun1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another treasure from of Lord Jon's tin of treats this moldavite pendant. I bought the silver Rajasthani hoop earrings from Beautiful Days in 2022.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZEKwj7X2HEVkt5AwET_pDPxdXs5a60hu4gynmKKM1MdKdtURadS7nyxDO8RgsUJSqyDq6it7QhVGxIfm0FAoFyNAr3e7eAvzC3md1otMLWvRMU-7s4m-4jKO0k5H3nPhbHjQ3FWP3lHUHRJqmEtLFywRhLubpi7kd82dFOR9bsdXcRbuzsS-eXjFIQ/s3040/20240108_162226~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3040" data-original-width="2255" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZEKwj7X2HEVkt5AwET_pDPxdXs5a60hu4gynmKKM1MdKdtURadS7nyxDO8RgsUJSqyDq6it7QhVGxIfm0FAoFyNAr3e7eAvzC3md1otMLWvRMU-7s4m-4jKO0k5H3nPhbHjQ3FWP3lHUHRJqmEtLFywRhLubpi7kd82dFOR9bsdXcRbuzsS-eXjFIQ/w474-h640/20240108_162226~2.jpg" width="474" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;">Beth asked for a close-up of my bag....a £2 Vinted bargain!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46C521l9oBl6YkP-PW-ggoXb_yI0T00dnfp_VqzwhN6W66TsE1WFTTYzcpxDlFN9I0Fq7ZjObtuNCWVCjpDjqsN9SaZh3chJ_PcfSYYYgHJeDcGbugDJ6A7Oeib6fx7EjF9EDAgKCqMAiTqdwzLP8DVS5Is6i8p5I6aYl43dxVNbsocJTE5uDieVSsw/s3027/20240109_130912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3027" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46C521l9oBl6YkP-PW-ggoXb_yI0T00dnfp_VqzwhN6W66TsE1WFTTYzcpxDlFN9I0Fq7ZjObtuNCWVCjpDjqsN9SaZh3chJ_PcfSYYYgHJeDcGbugDJ6A7Oeib6fx7EjF9EDAgKCqMAiTqdwzLP8DVS5Is6i8p5I6aYl43dxVNbsocJTE5uDieVSsw/w640-h486/20240109_130912.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /><span style="color: #4d4d4d;">And on the subject of requests, my friend <a href="https://kerenzaallin-garner.blogspot.com/">Kezzie</a> asked for a close-up of the leather and Gore-Tex Clarks' walking boots I wore to Wightwick Manor on Friday. They were £3 from the clearance charity shop just before Xmas. Not the sexiest looking things in the world but warm, waterproof and comfy! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLX9IXVS7LDbDwAkVhF71HGkOuE-4SEprappj-FbqdLx7O5aqAEZ_GpYHmNM0t3RYoXdLBJvU1S7tU5UC49ooWOz2nu36iOJUOFXIOPkqW0OC4WK4BcybXjGtSTJOYxdAvX7cRBrsrAIt3_GY36pU9nTlMoye6S3rnJl-SF0vmq-9QqJLl2_55OtZVw/s3370/20240109_131054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3370" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLX9IXVS7LDbDwAkVhF71HGkOuE-4SEprappj-FbqdLx7O5aqAEZ_GpYHmNM0t3RYoXdLBJvU1S7tU5UC49ooWOz2nu36iOJUOFXIOPkqW0OC4WK4BcybXjGtSTJOYxdAvX7cRBrsrAIt3_GY36pU9nTlMoye6S3rnJl-SF0vmq-9QqJLl2_55OtZVw/w436-h640/20240109_131054.jpg" width="436" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">We found a few bits in the charity shop on Sunday. A vintage mohair & wool newsboy cap; a vintage linen shift dress; a 1990s German-made needlecord blazer; a vintage embroidered tunic; 1970s </span><i style="color: black;">Kangol</i><span style="color: black;"> angora trilby; an organic cotton top by fairtrade brand </span><i style="color: black;">Omnes</i><span style="color: black;"> with the £39 tag still attached (now in my wardrobe); Vintage </span><i style="color: black;">Pola of Finland </i><span style="color: black;">boucle jacket and a 1980s black leather waistcoat. The paper label attached to the Omnes top can be put in soil and it'll grow into a plant - how cool is that? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iTVmhPtoSTTbXZnDt0D9OgTSwp2L4xxWMp_pwKwYgXTpcXxEQi7cXRs1dyD4SvcGgjXZRnQzF4U0gJ7p5jtD0SX6RdTgGxdeESVabYEGKnxFTEMp6yfwZCXcewY1V-M7HlKZW5lfusJw56u7QMou0JUrjkh7a4r4-25vG_tKwfY791MQ4Dz4DSWzmQ/s1200/collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iTVmhPtoSTTbXZnDt0D9OgTSwp2L4xxWMp_pwKwYgXTpcXxEQi7cXRs1dyD4SvcGgjXZRnQzF4U0gJ7p5jtD0SX6RdTgGxdeESVabYEGKnxFTEMp6yfwZCXcewY1V-M7HlKZW5lfusJw56u7QMou0JUrjkh7a4r4-25vG_tKwfY791MQ4Dz4DSWzmQ/w640-h480/collage.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My William Morris radar is always at its most powerful after a visit to Wightwick and I snaffled this <i>Morris & Co</i> makeup bag from the 50p basket.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKKdYE5mxcO6zB5ZMT2vOfiVoxL0a85eV6F8MnlFLS-1fa7XyAdE88jQQ3N_HHR66YbRQdKBV83sUwhQ3uCxHFhzJEN3sj-pB74AGd0_3uNh7YYL31yBQp-tS-kjUqiDho0dnxfocAZEFUvsnjoCqCd5h2u2zwR63ax_y_dtrLacba80luNqfMWuFeQ/s2684/20240107_135710~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="1936" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKKdYE5mxcO6zB5ZMT2vOfiVoxL0a85eV6F8MnlFLS-1fa7XyAdE88jQQ3N_HHR66YbRQdKBV83sUwhQ3uCxHFhzJEN3sj-pB74AGd0_3uNh7YYL31yBQp-tS-kjUqiDho0dnxfocAZEFUvsnjoCqCd5h2u2zwR63ax_y_dtrLacba80luNqfMWuFeQ/w462-h640/20240107_135710~2.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;">As we had a few appointments (the annual boiler service and a tradesman popping round to give us a quote) Monday was a working from home day. The vintage blouse is a new addition to the wardrobe, an under-a-fiver Vinted buy described by the lovely seller as "</span><i style="color: #4d4d4d;">Beautifully embroidered Chinese blouse, This was bought for me by my parents on a trip to Hong Kong in 1976. Sadly I didn't like it at the time and never wore it! But I kept it over the years and now, of course, it's too small." </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5qnD3MI6iHv5i1b9GOYPMWR1QffdFs_etTf0KotvZMfZXHUDzseUmBNnjCr5xzPPfgS9NrGdagbiTiDc3hLvaPk-xU7EZNbovzr7wedKhFyoOE8T8CfC9hZZe7AQKtp3_k96QeOwzUP1OtQrbtEzyT2Pc0-wI9A1du1UnL6i0IkaEnM3PyRrTVAH7A/s3264/mon1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="3264" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5qnD3MI6iHv5i1b9GOYPMWR1QffdFs_etTf0KotvZMfZXHUDzseUmBNnjCr5xzPPfgS9NrGdagbiTiDc3hLvaPk-xU7EZNbovzr7wedKhFyoOE8T8CfC9hZZe7AQKtp3_k96QeOwzUP1OtQrbtEzyT2Pc0-wI9A1du1UnL6i0IkaEnM3PyRrTVAH7A/w640-h540/mon1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unlike the seller, I'm the same size as I was as a teenager so it's perfect for me!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhln5JBVVC7Gi2HHMrOukLy23svQCysdinL7salR0JmaZ1hfpv3uL61JGuLPVTfqKiUYJejhbN-51tmI1Zu1npOa3eSf5WdEUP5FPvOurNV3NrrD__MIkdVrtfy3gaM5SysNa2N9RWG2GTI7MzW1sNV40I1UuPAamSso1DOhhF2mnNSX63Yh2qZjSMmOQ/s800/1704295764.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhln5JBVVC7Gi2HHMrOukLy23svQCysdinL7salR0JmaZ1hfpv3uL61JGuLPVTfqKiUYJejhbN-51tmI1Zu1npOa3eSf5WdEUP5FPvOurNV3NrrD__MIkdVrtfy3gaM5SysNa2N9RWG2GTI7MzW1sNV40I1UuPAamSso1DOhhF2mnNSX63Yh2qZjSMmOQ/w480-h640/1704295764.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The details - Afghan earrings (eBay, 2020), Banjara 1940s dowry belt (bought from Anjuna Flea Market in Goa, 2001), Kuchi hair decoration (Jon's box of delights!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBmS8Kf5AXYZHPYVtyLNp4115BUnQt5mV0Js_jm7nUlZ_ovEKgRj19tSouWcW5XvsUD6yu5zr408262bOwpt5pOFXHYi6PD-I6F5Ko5a9oQEmWdZEKX2uWFcontNF6UvwQgshZJTtaCnjhLxDR4Kiq6PqTXfJGgXLOmdN4l20d0Qqyh3hYMtOPC4uMA/s2906/20240108_161957~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="2906" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBmS8Kf5AXYZHPYVtyLNp4115BUnQt5mV0Js_jm7nUlZ_ovEKgRj19tSouWcW5XvsUD6yu5zr408262bOwpt5pOFXHYi6PD-I6F5Ko5a9oQEmWdZEKX2uWFcontNF6UvwQgshZJTtaCnjhLxDR4Kiq6PqTXfJGgXLOmdN4l20d0Qqyh3hYMtOPC4uMA/w640-h506/20240108_161957~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d;">On the subject of requests, reader Sarah asked if I'd share a photo of our bookshelves. </span><span style="color: black;">The Billy bookcase on the landing is groaning under the weight of both fiction and books about Pre-Raphaelite & Surrealist art, mythology, travel, ceramics, gardening, rock music, vintage cars, tattoos and photography. Despite donating most of the fiction (with the exception of Mick Herron) back to the charity shop after we've read it, most of the shelves are two books deep. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXBl15f4LgUegl0iAZHKtIzj5N4jxwWLadnH6Y196PkhdW3aV2LecCiiCO0TFjZR6YJmNnVT96zSX_jjPltTsO8oryQ2svITzfgiUccfxNNLfLN_c_veoW7lz-5__7Yi5hpEBI8ZRSgBp2WIAhcpu5laOcfytQY0a3ujMgUd8SpZX9nuSiq8s8C5q0w/s3888/20240109_130642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="1672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXBl15f4LgUegl0iAZHKtIzj5N4jxwWLadnH6Y196PkhdW3aV2LecCiiCO0TFjZR6YJmNnVT96zSX_jjPltTsO8oryQ2svITzfgiUccfxNNLfLN_c_veoW7lz-5__7Yi5hpEBI8ZRSgBp2WIAhcpu5laOcfytQY0a3ujMgUd8SpZX9nuSiq8s8C5q0w/w276-h640/20240109_130642.jpg" width="276" /></span></a></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK8i_LvAo0JYC56kG8gMjTNuee6HcvjWRxc5pUy7wBiI0aiwagKm_M9UFazN4m8LabBnsLRjqJtIg-pfbatStlsB42FyyKoWkBHnlOEdxkfQxoLFG76tCe1vX0QSLexwPjtEInFNJjE4KRtpvLVYWB6VwiM0BeFBFalM19phPuNfTjDCFgqFB8ZDKXw/s4080/20240109_130649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK8i_LvAo0JYC56kG8gMjTNuee6HcvjWRxc5pUy7wBiI0aiwagKm_M9UFazN4m8LabBnsLRjqJtIg-pfbatStlsB42FyyKoWkBHnlOEdxkfQxoLFG76tCe1vX0QSLexwPjtEInFNJjE4KRtpvLVYWB6VwiM0BeFBFalM19phPuNfTjDCFgqFB8ZDKXw/w640-h360/20240109_130649.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyfgF7G-TvdJmurLrE1zgigWEnII3H6eiTKqKLe4Nrn_Q-dHOr0XFWju114tXVT0acgiR6xjTuL8gnOiGOQoklaMwHp90Uat_B_JXAYYFmI42rHEcDcr4BcGOOfYI1D3qZbPBxhmxif_pljqfhGbLszJFNxljiDkQIhg5B0p6dlHXKFJg9NNxCt8Wrw/s4080/20240109_130652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="4080" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyfgF7G-TvdJmurLrE1zgigWEnII3H6eiTKqKLe4Nrn_Q-dHOr0XFWju114tXVT0acgiR6xjTuL8gnOiGOQoklaMwHp90Uat_B_JXAYYFmI42rHEcDcr4BcGOOfYI1D3qZbPBxhmxif_pljqfhGbLszJFNxljiDkQIhg5B0p6dlHXKFJg9NNxCt8Wrw/w640-h282/20240109_130652.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewzZz262Gskm4lcjhfs5DoME_nWsHA2BMJKdTtY6IyskOJf5U0i6UsvmSLZdfAcBsp0uZGV8dqcFdXMxZW73UDu8ysQFnHG1y2ewb0OxVlQ0PsV59Q8VIGsPZNt3cGQXc7AQqgjWrHSFQZUo39G7fq1iV3hmBn2ormZJ3zh8ZCRn8t00vDS54PCRdmw/s3864/20240109_130654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="3864" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewzZz262Gskm4lcjhfs5DoME_nWsHA2BMJKdTtY6IyskOJf5U0i6UsvmSLZdfAcBsp0uZGV8dqcFdXMxZW73UDu8ysQFnHG1y2ewb0OxVlQ0PsV59Q8VIGsPZNt3cGQXc7AQqgjWrHSFQZUo39G7fq1iV3hmBn2ormZJ3zh8ZCRn8t00vDS54PCRdmw/w640-h298/20240109_130654.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKdYb41wnB1veq8C04jUdvciMrVuUblTnzm0Gsk2Oby0X7Gh0SXwQ9p74VsbbMnitZTBUGqluUGmAR9uYkS9UVCGDbD-OYyGEHNV-zPLHMCNhjlhyphenhyphen4r-0d3dGoTMuHjQjV9lGLCjso5mSCZxNNxdzWSXnMS8QBpuHvVFMb9uBBvODLEup3TRCmiPgUg/s3879/20240109_130659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2178" data-original-width="3879" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKdYb41wnB1veq8C04jUdvciMrVuUblTnzm0Gsk2Oby0X7Gh0SXwQ9p74VsbbMnitZTBUGqluUGmAR9uYkS9UVCGDbD-OYyGEHNV-zPLHMCNhjlhyphenhyphen4r-0d3dGoTMuHjQjV9lGLCjso5mSCZxNNxdzWSXnMS8QBpuHvVFMb9uBBvODLEup3TRCmiPgUg/w640-h360/20240109_130659.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAjAQHQfJVxqdT-ydiv1HJR6gx22AuzJIDFdqwEar-PAvc8IUVD5a1U-Sz-62ANG-jr8uu19M7zZ_BwuKRGZ62AUomsZjXkiWplmc4ytGOxzyeGlP7AqJnNZeLDEfIBAvGQ6n3Ls5iGD2geYUqAaXDuhbIL6umGkYmnFd6sgj3Udi2FvvGPzjecb6MA/s3876/20240109_130702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1787" data-original-width="3876" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAjAQHQfJVxqdT-ydiv1HJR6gx22AuzJIDFdqwEar-PAvc8IUVD5a1U-Sz-62ANG-jr8uu19M7zZ_BwuKRGZ62AUomsZjXkiWplmc4ytGOxzyeGlP7AqJnNZeLDEfIBAvGQ6n3Ls5iGD2geYUqAaXDuhbIL6umGkYmnFd6sgj3Udi2FvvGPzjecb6MA/w640-h296/20240109_130702.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's my collection of vintage fashion and craft books which live on top of my haberdashery cupboard. I bought those 1930s Art Deco penguin bookends from a Walsall jumble sale when I was 21.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrC39MN23MY3o5UR2RzMvicgVMSp6PVENXQf-vNO7sWCCFnGl1WN9akUNA5H1rARpj2pJaCrGGWjIl82i-r53CAPQnrX5N7TkGNjDnQwm0j1RN0C80kyAZly7Ap_mjn0QlXGDnFj6eVAkaTrkcZNZ4Z9pn-9PTnNQm3rr5tLyWUAk9NoiZl6do2X9Ew/s3750/20240109_130740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3750" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrC39MN23MY3o5UR2RzMvicgVMSp6PVENXQf-vNO7sWCCFnGl1WN9akUNA5H1rARpj2pJaCrGGWjIl82i-r53CAPQnrX5N7TkGNjDnQwm0j1RN0C80kyAZly7Ap_mjn0QlXGDnFj6eVAkaTrkcZNZ4Z9pn-9PTnNQm3rr5tLyWUAk9NoiZl6do2X9Ew/w640-h340/20240109_130740.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu7l6snExLtmIxcA8TXOC146_SFQH8ANZoJASxD7JvGUb0bAE0BU4__LhyphenhyphenZGa7cTcG09H4dEL0EWaBK3p-hqgCE-EW9-ZVoo7galxebYaw0AQGBL2C8Kn_khinnu11mXYtFchP3BJqTX-VcnX_2aGQQYMhVLSxu3YKSSWPQft1c8rpiTpPTjXss5f2g/s640/DSC06888.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="421" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu7l6snExLtmIxcA8TXOC146_SFQH8ANZoJASxD7JvGUb0bAE0BU4__LhyphenhyphenZGa7cTcG09H4dEL0EWaBK3p-hqgCE-EW9-ZVoo7galxebYaw0AQGBL2C8Kn_khinnu11mXYtFchP3BJqTX-VcnX_2aGQQYMhVLSxu3YKSSWPQft1c8rpiTpPTjXss5f2g/w422-h640/DSC06888.JPG" width="422" /></a></div></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've owned most of these 1960s "kitchen sink" novels, Agatha Christie thrillers and James Bond books since we were teenagers. Theses are currently shrouded in cobwebs and piled up in the corner of the middle room, waiting for one of us to do something with them.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0qaL3jOyziPZMX9vbDWKiSyJKN51vR5msvitLb3vC96Yvaw7RG13CbHUTFTefv8d2n1kyyh9E5hIjAPXp4qVLddroroOwJdFSpoWmSPPSNTT6SeO82p5xOjnd6l6txcLZrHRFULqDZNRSSjWwNLjIs8NUVvTJS6E8y41AdIowKIV_so47zQ9pspSbg/s4080/20240109_131503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0qaL3jOyziPZMX9vbDWKiSyJKN51vR5msvitLb3vC96Yvaw7RG13CbHUTFTefv8d2n1kyyh9E5hIjAPXp4qVLddroroOwJdFSpoWmSPPSNTT6SeO82p5xOjnd6l6txcLZrHRFULqDZNRSSjWwNLjIs8NUVvTJS6E8y41AdIowKIV_so47zQ9pspSbg/w360-h640/20240109_131503.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div itemprop="name" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Dad collected these Penguin Classics as a young man (and I've added a few more to the collection). The articulated monkey was made in Germany in the 1930s and was my Mum's as a child. They live in the glazed cupboard in the middle room.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOhEMoDK101EEbk1Tfi_4vO4BvMp4qQGR6a7XSUoiwwJSlLX2bncKmMntYXnkl3PZh4zmKlhxZtEaraXRbnT0Efnvfk9scO5FrusFQKXAb3K4Zj81yDF4ke6r29D2NOFjUGVjaGWAqAHvDeMXrenrTg5A1rloeICt1dcg6EAuZPEFnLl8XhCJjPeALw/s4080/20240109_135632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOhEMoDK101EEbk1Tfi_4vO4BvMp4qQGR6a7XSUoiwwJSlLX2bncKmMntYXnkl3PZh4zmKlhxZtEaraXRbnT0Efnvfk9scO5FrusFQKXAb3K4Zj81yDF4ke6r29D2NOFjUGVjaGWAqAHvDeMXrenrTg5A1rloeICt1dcg6EAuZPEFnLl8XhCJjPeALw/w640-h360/20240109_135632.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Below is what the middle room looks like when its tidy (taken from a photoshoot for Your Home magazine back in 2015 <a href="https://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/2015/03/our-house-in-your-home.html">HERE</a>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4P4LeiXhPpt29wFa7dA-qcykTdUfADWr31hSb3Ft9dpbspfiQqve1_M0YGleJjVaFNViT6B8GF3FrNDNUtoCWiJJ2sNzK94BpTqcg7pq9XBq7wkv-aTmfGcjDiiwJs8vTCpnp_-sgFYIlT2oDIWFl5-rFcT7bDjeauxeqyMPbtJ8j6ImTsD6EkLehQ/s600/yourhome1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4P4LeiXhPpt29wFa7dA-qcykTdUfADWr31hSb3Ft9dpbspfiQqve1_M0YGleJjVaFNViT6B8GF3FrNDNUtoCWiJJ2sNzK94BpTqcg7pq9XBq7wkv-aTmfGcjDiiwJs8vTCpnp_-sgFYIlT2oDIWFl5-rFcT7bDjeauxeqyMPbtJ8j6ImTsD6EkLehQ/w640-h428/yourhome1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the cook books. They live in the glazed cupboard in the kitchen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8_drlvcmCfCqecDJMrBiM_jDs9EwfvT3SUu8Xo6J_sn7qL4gcihzyIbuDdHEocawZkNsTrwAWrdZMLV27aUdLj-5uFU6rzncScE501pTPzwkFe1GTZbhhdW_7_56byQcI2dypldWYOkpaPFSphSy4Apljvv8y0NSgcfojbbuzPggLmi6H8JXuIG7CA/s4080/20240109_140022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8_drlvcmCfCqecDJMrBiM_jDs9EwfvT3SUu8Xo6J_sn7qL4gcihzyIbuDdHEocawZkNsTrwAWrdZMLV27aUdLj-5uFU6rzncScE501pTPzwkFe1GTZbhhdW_7_56byQcI2dypldWYOkpaPFSphSy4Apljvv8y0NSgcfojbbuzPggLmi6H8JXuIG7CA/w640-h360/20240109_140022.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtMI4s7A7CUQYi_xfhefR8WkAP5e4xTmeLlebGJvnfqf3WQikaMdNhFP7EbU3G3fSviUHW06oIGRDa3MNfGScoZkO01-wrjKFk6gIBeCNsMjOQVBa8FyeEOOkvH6qG7Va9E5kpJYGSfPQmi1-4ucVQEx2O7G2PTmM3LPRW3rIXhJ3yLVC0MUw-zJbaQ/s2772/DSC04949.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="2346" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtMI4s7A7CUQYi_xfhefR8WkAP5e4xTmeLlebGJvnfqf3WQikaMdNhFP7EbU3G3fSviUHW06oIGRDa3MNfGScoZkO01-wrjKFk6gIBeCNsMjOQVBa8FyeEOOkvH6qG7Va9E5kpJYGSfPQmi1-4ucVQEx2O7G2PTmM3LPRW3rIXhJ3yLVC0MUw-zJbaQ/w542-h640/DSC04949.JPG" width="542" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div itemprop="name" style="color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's my current read, recommended by <i>We Need To Talk About Kevin</i> author, Lionel Shriver. Set during the English Civil war, its an astonishing tale of violence, madness and forbidden love and, as this week's History of Royal Fashion module is The Stuarts, it couldn't be more apt.</span></div></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span class="web_ui__Text__text web_ui__Text__body web_ui__Text__left web_ui__Text__format" color="RGBA(var(--greyscale-level-2,1))" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><br /></span></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZp7TLD5IQPNzbNfMM4mCWVrGBodnIVctN7Ywa2d4ijMK_oN1ML1NNsLW8ki3B7zo7pC_dapFLcuaB_45GeCoEQwKlcQADDMDq2z5q9FLCT4R7I8amPt4ieaOp-I-f9svFe9tDactf25gUNSoNYopzBdP0QRHdaFakDh_631ZtrjWJd-lB-mf9aT6dQ/s3871/20240108_144733~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3871" data-original-width="2177" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZp7TLD5IQPNzbNfMM4mCWVrGBodnIVctN7Ywa2d4ijMK_oN1ML1NNsLW8ki3B7zo7pC_dapFLcuaB_45GeCoEQwKlcQADDMDq2z5q9FLCT4R7I8amPt4ieaOp-I-f9svFe9tDactf25gUNSoNYopzBdP0QRHdaFakDh_631ZtrjWJd-lB-mf9aT6dQ/w360-h640/20240108_144733~2.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm very excited about snaffling a couple of members only tickets for the premiere of <i>Poor Things</i> this evening at Walsall Light. </span></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsHLDPCTFdUkOfRINqjT8k1YUdKwy4SHShUquEwAyy3FsDminwxdR9NnPeLP7wSNt4lLPD_fVAyEDGZGAxBLpH34MFL8XQHpCcX2tYj2hF1KUGi7u4313jiygoiBUNx0M7Ezq-DTpS91ya7NRXvqH-isstXdPoGpl-AlidtcwG5-ydkzFuGaC12q0xQ/s1200/Poor_Things-542718060-large.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="839" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsHLDPCTFdUkOfRINqjT8k1YUdKwy4SHShUquEwAyy3FsDminwxdR9NnPeLP7wSNt4lLPD_fVAyEDGZGAxBLpH34MFL8XQHpCcX2tYj2hF1KUGi7u4313jiygoiBUNx0M7Ezq-DTpS91ya7NRXvqH-isstXdPoGpl-AlidtcwG5-ydkzFuGaC12q0xQ/w448-h640/Poor_Things-542718060-large.jpg" width="448" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I never read reviews before going to the cinema but I love Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe and the trailer looks brilliantly bonkers. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See you soon!</span></div></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="u-text-wrap" itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Maison Neue"; font-size: 16px; hyphens: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span class="web_ui__Text__text web_ui__Text__body web_ui__Text__left web_ui__Text__format" color="RGBA(var(--greyscale-level-2,1))" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><br /></span></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-83138962294004429382024-01-06T15:38:00.005+00:002024-01-08T12:20:48.600+00:00Impeccable Manors - Arts & Crafts Splendour at Wightwick<p></p><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/AVvXsEjRZCHL_o9BRLmtkTsD9aU-HKiDkxLchSVZRhyphenhyphenDgK6sGalVyicGjyRltH2yhP9DJmQL5y_XTDKi-xcm8RzTd48rYZPTDPH-zFjIye_GS7L_5nxCm6oextRBdhkNzpMV5dPp4L_SZVxkW7m-BciCpVLkljqWakvWUx-ZkmMn4ZOIFDa5Xap1fCkfALRdBQ/s1616/DSC03455.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZCHL_o9BRLmtkTsD9aU-HKiDkxLchSVZRhyphenhyphenDgK6sGalVyicGjyRltH2yhP9DJmQL5y_XTDKi-xcm8RzTd48rYZPTDPH-zFjIye_GS7L_5nxCm6oextRBdhkNzpMV5dPp4L_SZVxkW7m-BciCpVLkljqWakvWUx-ZkmMn4ZOIFDa5Xap1fCkfALRdBQ/w428-h640/DSC03455.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday's destination was another National Trust property, the gorgeous </span><i style="background-color: white;">Wightwick Manor</i><span style="background-color: white;"> (pronounced Witt-ick) which is just outside Wolverhampton city centre and an 11 mile drive from home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LWNvAyBtbT9rDMy2DCAiEcV2Mav-KjzsMrvkUK8uWSnw60Nt-v8fGCAlG2WgVmZmPD6G7KWgK0l1qjzOYIIvISWq8paO2oRww4X8rL5015QnkgIx2aPCRswE8vR69Uvorib9UVdWvP4A5Qt71DfwQPYavkbtyAOufDYeHLRhp-GhpkaCXp8-5X5-1g/s1569/DSC03548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1569" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LWNvAyBtbT9rDMy2DCAiEcV2Mav-KjzsMrvkUK8uWSnw60Nt-v8fGCAlG2WgVmZmPD6G7KWgK0l1qjzOYIIvISWq8paO2oRww4X8rL5015QnkgIx2aPCRswE8vR69Uvorib9UVdWvP4A5Qt71DfwQPYavkbtyAOufDYeHLRhp-GhpkaCXp8-5X5-1g/w640-h356/DSC03548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Wightwick Manor was a survivor of the fickle nature of fashion. Its Aesthetic Movement (Arts & Crafts) interiors, heavy with the designs by William Morris and his associates, had almost been lost in the 1920s but found new life in the 1930s and 40s. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">With its barley twist brick chimneys and oak framed white-washed walls, the design of house looked to be something from five centuries earlier, rather than just five decades old.</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: start;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z_Vnr3-FjN1bPJCejzbmAFzplrQSHHYRSHeQ9AtXyoyKzq3FouE0Z0y_zlXwKI62R2bswCFP3_dm7LtbpoDfdPR-p8x_wIWI9jW48V0caf2BjLBYx3RQEIFgxHqVT-15c2fpSkVriazU_xJv7DgLN9mzpPM9tkpm1aoPvnwy9cb5KM5bIsEJEjBN-w/s1450/DSC03484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1052" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z_Vnr3-FjN1bPJCejzbmAFzplrQSHHYRSHeQ9AtXyoyKzq3FouE0Z0y_zlXwKI62R2bswCFP3_dm7LtbpoDfdPR-p8x_wIWI9jW48V0caf2BjLBYx3RQEIFgxHqVT-15c2fpSkVriazU_xJv7DgLN9mzpPM9tkpm1aoPvnwy9cb5KM5bIsEJEjBN-w/w464-h640/DSC03484.JPG" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>Wightwick Manor was gifted by then owner, Geoffrey Mander, to the National Trust in 1937, the first house given under the <i>country house scheme</i> which had been introduced a few months earlier. Sir Geoffrey continued to live in the house with his wife, Lady Mander, opening the building to the public on Thursday afternoons. As the property got more popular the National Trust provided helpers to welcome guests and offer guided tours.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Rr446J_JlVnE4I4ztjEka1CjR0c4NeTaW6A4rJK-2xaOK09k_AWa2sfBLzPlnndgXUaFaL2MPEQwNIea8xiCkNy3jqbQAPAwL-K6kM-2I4VKU4aTXmOet8COOorfYbeiizv2XAgOH9OQghZaesP9egsbuKbuIBHwWs-JToaqeRGNywAo_LsSVucoA/s1616/DSC03489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Rr446J_JlVnE4I4ztjEka1CjR0c4NeTaW6A4rJK-2xaOK09k_AWa2sfBLzPlnndgXUaFaL2MPEQwNIea8xiCkNy3jqbQAPAwL-K6kM-2I4VKU4aTXmOet8COOorfYbeiizv2XAgOH9OQghZaesP9egsbuKbuIBHwWs-JToaqeRGNywAo_LsSVucoA/w428-h640/DSC03489.JPG" width="428" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFRgcHxOveoegwNla_flj6jKfHOeZeB3FzwjOorfuwUurtLgjx3l5xy8FdESBlr4GfHrWhY73Z12HIyZHOs7rAwUVtaZWrWB61qhlF8yz1H29-uCw6FxEprly7cddRUbRE4syNinJFlY5QFB2WVyvovsFC1FU7UJo0xPIG4ztz-8uQgFDRPKsst28Eg/s1616/DSC03490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFRgcHxOveoegwNla_flj6jKfHOeZeB3FzwjOorfuwUurtLgjx3l5xy8FdESBlr4GfHrWhY73Z12HIyZHOs7rAwUVtaZWrWB61qhlF8yz1H29-uCw6FxEprly7cddRUbRE4syNinJFlY5QFB2WVyvovsFC1FU7UJo0xPIG4ztz-8uQgFDRPKsst28Eg/w428-h640/DSC03490.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">When the wealthy industrialist, Theodore Mander, commissioned the building of a new manor on Wightwick Bank in the Old English style in 1887 he started the Mander family's love for Victorian art & design which would unfold over a century of collecting and preservation. However, his untimely death in 1900 left the care and development of the new home to his eldest son, Geoffrey (1882 - 1962). Educated at Harrow & Cambridge, </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Sir Geoffrey Le Mesurier Mander, served in the Royal Flying Corps in WWI and was a practicing lawyer. He entered the Houses of Parliament as a Liberal MP for Wolverhampton West in 1929. He was chairman for the family firm, Mander Brothers, for a generation, a major manufacturer of paints, inks and varnishes in the British Empire.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfZ08jWAuUqb2VQQf9SZHsHEkT_W5b1p2PMOHM0yMSa1cOp3VohImSPmaOBhimmFuEYlsmvxrwiqchDqJK_TFsPw3ThfO_bj7Ex9hvO1MpuDzUMfG40DHj_Y1EGMBAYR9ZlH42gkEhbeEqnW2cCxrt_Ica5WE7qHItbsWmf3143dMyt3g01MxjDQr9w/s1490/DSC03449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfZ08jWAuUqb2VQQf9SZHsHEkT_W5b1p2PMOHM0yMSa1cOp3VohImSPmaOBhimmFuEYlsmvxrwiqchDqJK_TFsPw3ThfO_bj7Ex9hvO1MpuDzUMfG40DHj_Y1EGMBAYR9ZlH42gkEhbeEqnW2cCxrt_Ica5WE7qHItbsWmf3143dMyt3g01MxjDQr9w/w444-h640/DSC03449.JPG" width="444" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sir Geoffrey Mander remarried in 1930. His new wife Rosalie Glynn Grylls gave up her ambitions to be a Liberal MP and focused her attention on English literature and art. Starting with a biography of Mary Shelley, her surroundings at Wightwick soon inspired her to research the Pre-Raphaelites, especially Rossetti.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhkCl7WtAb9hudT5_qiM_siJ5iiRqwr3H50mxxjWzZ1rMyrUEcAzcJZi4EVkynn2U35YehRgrOwAYe5dPyYCcyB-vs_JfCfQwclUDli3z_4T6eaX7C1Z-Wr8sPWTj6cyiD1FLo0AKT2ipTGv6gjdJIq_Yrl7R4Nvhvq415ae_pmuX9bC9iC72C8oPsg/s1616/DSC03454.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhkCl7WtAb9hudT5_qiM_siJ5iiRqwr3H50mxxjWzZ1rMyrUEcAzcJZi4EVkynn2U35YehRgrOwAYe5dPyYCcyB-vs_JfCfQwclUDli3z_4T6eaX7C1Z-Wr8sPWTj6cyiD1FLo0AKT2ipTGv6gjdJIq_Yrl7R4Nvhvq415ae_pmuX9bC9iC72C8oPsg/w428-h640/DSC03454.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The detail is astonishing, I've lost count of the number of times I've visited Wightwick - and even posed by the front door - yet yesterday was the first time I'd spotted this bat! My friend Lynn tells me that </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">the bat & owl over the front door are guardians of the night to keep the household safe.</span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXHAFPT8E3YJiWmf4O8SR-EPHo2RF2XoIXAxMusFCfwtunVXw8bUDQAZUAMCBevwAJBux3TZn-jWbNWLo5jW8zEBl4dIr6zKXZcTxnulOVDEkVWu3hnxctoXP0m-VEkzlofOi7BHgCLk4Qukleviv929CyBCv568S6kKvUsp5fvJtu7FXLtwWPBUEjw/s3264/W6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="3264" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXHAFPT8E3YJiWmf4O8SR-EPHo2RF2XoIXAxMusFCfwtunVXw8bUDQAZUAMCBevwAJBux3TZn-jWbNWLo5jW8zEBl4dIr6zKXZcTxnulOVDEkVWu3hnxctoXP0m-VEkzlofOi7BHgCLk4Qukleviv929CyBCv568S6kKvUsp5fvJtu7FXLtwWPBUEjw/w640-h234/W6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR4MKDA_OfU5k0z3vNUtZDDCvl_HRsONRypzWeeBmfnUZSJrW9GLWVf1QZJqPRTeU4pM-4mNVcjs0Q7C4QIClO65TXN0ADbX689Szo2FZ25AFJMZb86a7mM_Fr53tZwEtlBZ_2930FX0P3Nu-hkaifm77e1lVyeI4Z_ophyphenhyphenpACoNsoCDms62_4Wxsaw/s3264/W7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="3264" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR4MKDA_OfU5k0z3vNUtZDDCvl_HRsONRypzWeeBmfnUZSJrW9GLWVf1QZJqPRTeU4pM-4mNVcjs0Q7C4QIClO65TXN0ADbX689Szo2FZ25AFJMZb86a7mM_Fr53tZwEtlBZ_2930FX0P3Nu-hkaifm77e1lVyeI4Z_ophyphenhyphenpACoNsoCDms62_4Wxsaw/w640-h194/W7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V9HdNfYMoMuqmLLBaMy0Qo_5yudaJt59T1b9j5HF_OLHthfU-_vQM_tT027GV1wj8aYvdcuKkxDGeWBkr2dYHR1PG72V9aN2Mw-KS6TQpL1GyxCiY5IklE3syzd2UUe7PegByDxO4iUObjUU5qYDvmux3MqhbzG8QdWjvZIE6SM7sGW7c_8UWvVWew/s3264/W8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="3264" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V9HdNfYMoMuqmLLBaMy0Qo_5yudaJt59T1b9j5HF_OLHthfU-_vQM_tT027GV1wj8aYvdcuKkxDGeWBkr2dYHR1PG72V9aN2Mw-KS6TQpL1GyxCiY5IklE3syzd2UUe7PegByDxO4iUObjUU5qYDvmux3MqhbzG8QdWjvZIE6SM7sGW7c_8UWvVWew/w640-h200/W8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">For those with a penchant for grey walls and clutter-free surfaces, look away now. To me, who grew up in an Arts & Crafts house, Wightwick feels like home. Given the choice between simplicity and splendour, the latter knocks the former into a cocked hat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVe4_g-pM9XpFl18w8PTmI1Omy5OL6WYq-rcCecwDlSd-IoSbAh0Uly4SDIjfXdpmU9EtpOQkajgc1GyBqAAOzuZxNQnn5vbBVYRdILB1j-SPXrZbo-Anrj1xdbiS0krgfoZbD5340xtquy4TIC8_UHiTrTFvCd1WIDuLnac18mwr9O_9SXZtQGfpmg/s4080/20240105_110141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVe4_g-pM9XpFl18w8PTmI1Omy5OL6WYq-rcCecwDlSd-IoSbAh0Uly4SDIjfXdpmU9EtpOQkajgc1GyBqAAOzuZxNQnn5vbBVYRdILB1j-SPXrZbo-Anrj1xdbiS0krgfoZbD5340xtquy4TIC8_UHiTrTFvCd1WIDuLnac18mwr9O_9SXZtQGfpmg/w360-h640/20240105_110141.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="text-align: start;">Wightwick had no Pre-Raphaelite art prior to 1937. Once the house put into the care of the National Trust, Sir Geoffrey and Lady Mander started to buy art to put on display for their visitors. The first was a portrait of Jane Morris by Rossetti.</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">Over time a unique collection developed, with some major pieces supplied by the National Trust, and small works and sketches either purchased or donated. The collection has over 70 works by D.G Rossetti; 50 by Edward Burne-Jones; 23 by Evelyn De Morgan and 20 by Millais.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></div><div style="font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqshYR8YH-1uPUTs43CVpI8gsG-Sg2NZc9QoMtuKkQOV1WXa83dcZrl4W997NA_GN75Z2FevOWrytj5_sJ_oRFTCqAvWqIXQAKUHXHQNOBtV0jPiwLH84vPoJhZ6i2_O2wKTJ-d_k_zClypVj0DXb9m0g6rYnHrxfA0crXwVtvcc4vKenbOYAVLR89g/s3901/20240105_110912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3901" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqshYR8YH-1uPUTs43CVpI8gsG-Sg2NZc9QoMtuKkQOV1WXa83dcZrl4W997NA_GN75Z2FevOWrytj5_sJ_oRFTCqAvWqIXQAKUHXHQNOBtV0jPiwLH84vPoJhZ6i2_O2wKTJ-d_k_zClypVj0DXb9m0g6rYnHrxfA0crXwVtvcc4vKenbOYAVLR89g/w376-h640/20240105_110912.jpg" width="376" /></a></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">When Wightwick was built, the house was fitted with electric lighting, cutting edge for 1887. The house was also built with central heating with many of the original radiators still working.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F2HHpibr3bgBSDE8hqyodrdwkyVkKXF7jpCQLUwgLazI7E6psGalgfKrxiUNofKTJ-3SaOBQh56e8n_aRQFya-k7J1XKDWPC9RL380Qq_7beQl-jZu4HL3w9wYnfVrcZZC6LS44GrHY3D1tzlQuy21SLRv-Q2HjXmhLy6OLeZXB-FHafdi6gfOdJwQ/s3263/20240105_105922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3263" data-original-width="2261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F2HHpibr3bgBSDE8hqyodrdwkyVkKXF7jpCQLUwgLazI7E6psGalgfKrxiUNofKTJ-3SaOBQh56e8n_aRQFya-k7J1XKDWPC9RL380Qq_7beQl-jZu4HL3w9wYnfVrcZZC6LS44GrHY3D1tzlQuy21SLRv-Q2HjXmhLy6OLeZXB-FHafdi6gfOdJwQ/w444-h640/20240105_105922.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GYUshA2SXRplxxUWUBg0BHd-oFrCN8Hsa4C5dS1xG1aaNtw9xEryxtnGl3d1leMtOQ4U5hyphenhyphen0Gzlgn-WEr8aozwwVJ3k0KG66hz5ag8QlB96ortY7rIlxdp9qGzJmjDsrfDQjOGGXVkDXVWZhUnfANDoKo_v-KOoU4RHSKeiqmA9gAMx9QiDDyr7GsA/s4080/20240105_105936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GYUshA2SXRplxxUWUBg0BHd-oFrCN8Hsa4C5dS1xG1aaNtw9xEryxtnGl3d1leMtOQ4U5hyphenhyphen0Gzlgn-WEr8aozwwVJ3k0KG66hz5ag8QlB96ortY7rIlxdp9qGzJmjDsrfDQjOGGXVkDXVWZhUnfANDoKo_v-KOoU4RHSKeiqmA9gAMx9QiDDyr7GsA/w360-h640/20240105_105936.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDI5XNAQVbWo1NmbDkGf508DeRgkzMZoRAXoESh2sA5E8VuynRUBl07KCeD9PA60IV1De1MFo7STyuizgYQo4BiJKmgqDPYXPM4zwm0C4OB-q2C9y12BKFp1lv47DAm5BGBvuyjVCcDFxEEhy6wjdvDM05abJhjifl2OprVA1xeuMi9ib-wPADQRouw/s3713/20240105_105948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2190" data-original-width="3713" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDI5XNAQVbWo1NmbDkGf508DeRgkzMZoRAXoESh2sA5E8VuynRUBl07KCeD9PA60IV1De1MFo7STyuizgYQo4BiJKmgqDPYXPM4zwm0C4OB-q2C9y12BKFp1lv47DAm5BGBvuyjVCcDFxEEhy6wjdvDM05abJhjifl2OprVA1xeuMi9ib-wPADQRouw/w640-h378/20240105_105948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vzyneBeC9tEZtKuG2M1kNLVmXoSeNTwp7_WjPcZiC0AWEuJAbo9sCUNR8hFNBZXvmcOjouhBx2Ld7t24YZ8ZxljS3-yrJB6AANOVcBPwpaeUiX0cSYacek4SqeWuqIktWipQwZ6lIgzWy-fDP9Ur_jPQQgRISY9_dX6stPUOlEooKy3kYvmJcQQBow/s3499/20240105_105957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3499" data-original-width="2190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vzyneBeC9tEZtKuG2M1kNLVmXoSeNTwp7_WjPcZiC0AWEuJAbo9sCUNR8hFNBZXvmcOjouhBx2Ld7t24YZ8ZxljS3-yrJB6AANOVcBPwpaeUiX0cSYacek4SqeWuqIktWipQwZ6lIgzWy-fDP9Ur_jPQQgRISY9_dX6stPUOlEooKy3kYvmJcQQBow/w400-h640/20240105_105957.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHHK8eaooklW-YUPkL4_RIYshYxY7ZJRRbbK3Zr0PrfL7WeLfo-YO-6H5Ocb3DjVEMVpRWxOptMNm4J23prdEM7yUc5gqFdHuSandHa6HtTCnbZ3y7IvD1iClVogoSw4_eybCLO4mnlEvEwWKOg8RVByURkmdVPhHC8WcJvje_QwjzHnhUGiRieFpLQ/s3828/20240105_110032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3828" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHHK8eaooklW-YUPkL4_RIYshYxY7ZJRRbbK3Zr0PrfL7WeLfo-YO-6H5Ocb3DjVEMVpRWxOptMNm4J23prdEM7yUc5gqFdHuSandHa6HtTCnbZ3y7IvD1iClVogoSw4_eybCLO4mnlEvEwWKOg8RVByURkmdVPhHC8WcJvje_QwjzHnhUGiRieFpLQ/w384-h640/20240105_110032.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mk3skm5g0OsexTJARzfPOe_Mm836JV3HmCYXlbdC0bRUh-ljItqxf82M_DR64skV0NF5pIWQUoNnKq-img9JkhOZK9uQRaGDarwMu49LRneDBRE2pQlBrCnItACQI5EKI05HenqH4-eqeVHwZGsv-Xp0vM5QYWweD7GSTFZTWwazV3pr-zsw19iq7Q/s4080/20240105_110042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mk3skm5g0OsexTJARzfPOe_Mm836JV3HmCYXlbdC0bRUh-ljItqxf82M_DR64skV0NF5pIWQUoNnKq-img9JkhOZK9uQRaGDarwMu49LRneDBRE2pQlBrCnItACQI5EKI05HenqH4-eqeVHwZGsv-Xp0vM5QYWweD7GSTFZTWwazV3pr-zsw19iq7Q/w360-h640/20240105_110042.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZHZcZWt3WMcmb7okLAnsNRVT-lEgI6rLPaoXc-QL75BtCLMn-1RvG90rWCcfOcEInxZQNl-KMv2-BgeedIfcHH1FHYFbGChW29D7alFIWZctMfjkfWVRbjIQS2CYf5NUwNgTeQ4pXFTbdJdiJTnFDfBiN48EASmIaqSonFp7KoH3sHsV9gyqCwTq8Q/s4080/20240105_110102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZHZcZWt3WMcmb7okLAnsNRVT-lEgI6rLPaoXc-QL75BtCLMn-1RvG90rWCcfOcEInxZQNl-KMv2-BgeedIfcHH1FHYFbGChW29D7alFIWZctMfjkfWVRbjIQS2CYf5NUwNgTeQ4pXFTbdJdiJTnFDfBiN48EASmIaqSonFp7KoH3sHsV9gyqCwTq8Q/w360-h640/20240105_110102.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Unlike the artwork, Morris & Co designs were included in the 1887 and 1893 buildings. However, they were much enhanced after the 1937 saving of the property, when Sir Geoffrey expanded the Manor's Morris collection. This included sketches for Morris designs, as well as large items of furnishings, such as carpets and curtains.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx80jKpy8JMsh-pO61qQU9_6TtXXNzGEr7dvcn7KtqRE4m3OB1SRaWsUWfdBONtyauCjiGDfwv3vVnhPjlkz2uhms8kh2L9l6P0zRo7EtETRVoE1UoxIjtztkM_yVp5-1azx7KDeIvrXzysGq6H9kVfzLOhgvfg5qXr6jnSfyQmfBbzDKAJ23UGV_qRQ/s4080/20240105_110112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx80jKpy8JMsh-pO61qQU9_6TtXXNzGEr7dvcn7KtqRE4m3OB1SRaWsUWfdBONtyauCjiGDfwv3vVnhPjlkz2uhms8kh2L9l6P0zRo7EtETRVoE1UoxIjtztkM_yVp5-1azx7KDeIvrXzysGq6H9kVfzLOhgvfg5qXr6jnSfyQmfBbzDKAJ23UGV_qRQ/w360-h640/20240105_110112.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEgLXGQZmehntZLFXxG5C6cfytCWW05Mr_TL0CFOU_DW0uLA01-HLMK_LUsXrU67JYh7W3rURHKhTBlrt_gdr2c2-bGIAdpfBbpy0OkKnKjFjzg7NAtCJdZFpC7Y6mhtOo8tInPPKczfhs_acYv-Co1wlGhZP8i7f5EDe_v5zbB8u505KHLyV9m_XgO4cA/s4080/20240105_110325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXGQZmehntZLFXxG5C6cfytCWW05Mr_TL0CFOU_DW0uLA01-HLMK_LUsXrU67JYh7W3rURHKhTBlrt_gdr2c2-bGIAdpfBbpy0OkKnKjFjzg7NAtCJdZFpC7Y6mhtOo8tInPPKczfhs_acYv-Co1wlGhZP8i7f5EDe_v5zbB8u505KHLyV9m_XgO4cA/w360-h640/20240105_110325.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpRgsEVUVSJhotUYUQe8-1pPjMTra7ryv5rkRjbCfP52h3kyVvJdpJCdsVnYoWUeDFnB1S7g1k1jcUF8BrxCJN9HrFOdwxO3h0KPAuurTPlaCRD63ULwQlq895rLgryEoZV8Fw-ONMpdXr0vToDilpMc5mhZdCvkfSJCLYyMojDSQZGBkwxVp1czNPw/s3829/20240105_110329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3829" data-original-width="1681" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpRgsEVUVSJhotUYUQe8-1pPjMTra7ryv5rkRjbCfP52h3kyVvJdpJCdsVnYoWUeDFnB1S7g1k1jcUF8BrxCJN9HrFOdwxO3h0KPAuurTPlaCRD63ULwQlq895rLgryEoZV8Fw-ONMpdXr0vToDilpMc5mhZdCvkfSJCLYyMojDSQZGBkwxVp1czNPw/w280-h640/20240105_110329.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLvQ9pK52Ss4AX_o7LCR5OB6WwiTYicvgrz-4itVM08bVmMKyc3qHCccxAgV2bDBEN-LWJz5oPjhQO_w6wGddKItCVWusPW3fk_zxtotgA2VrWT_gvdfnPsYCK5REqzbp85_YOYSEt2XRw7CnTLspHNxY0hoyX7y1wZoUXOVEOhvIbpsT7pfcoDmDEw/s4024/20240105_110343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4024" data-original-width="2291" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLvQ9pK52Ss4AX_o7LCR5OB6WwiTYicvgrz-4itVM08bVmMKyc3qHCccxAgV2bDBEN-LWJz5oPjhQO_w6wGddKItCVWusPW3fk_zxtotgA2VrWT_gvdfnPsYCK5REqzbp85_YOYSEt2XRw7CnTLspHNxY0hoyX7y1wZoUXOVEOhvIbpsT7pfcoDmDEw/w364-h640/20240105_110343.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHUULkqxK2cbAVXOGDliKAji_IRMcgftII4O0kZWvOezEzm5TLQBkCVs8VhPf4vSRZUrAJI9ESlx-CKOA4rc3_nev2CKL6oiWyjSUGoxFBr5g5O3-NiOLQnW5KAycvJR65YT80RYrHI0Uea9Au1N9XV5iDuBoW6MT_ep-cbgYGfxS5eE2PIwBgf6LRA/s3638/20240105_110353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3638" data-original-width="1979" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHUULkqxK2cbAVXOGDliKAji_IRMcgftII4O0kZWvOezEzm5TLQBkCVs8VhPf4vSRZUrAJI9ESlx-CKOA4rc3_nev2CKL6oiWyjSUGoxFBr5g5O3-NiOLQnW5KAycvJR65YT80RYrHI0Uea9Au1N9XV5iDuBoW6MT_ep-cbgYGfxS5eE2PIwBgf6LRA/w348-h640/20240105_110353.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-FV2DATmYatZVHtTK-er4pByd4hUnNuVefM1OCEjZ9TlkMVHxdEADkMg8dNNrZiAm_KMgKEsWbH83gNaWIIjxAKbK4hDF6vvO5L2Ww7k-63FB6ayhx07a6LZp665yVDiFQREymL3_-ifbJE37dM0fvaTQ1H16XGQCNRX3MZgkeUSxO1QWn88gpculA/s4080/20240105_110358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-FV2DATmYatZVHtTK-er4pByd4hUnNuVefM1OCEjZ9TlkMVHxdEADkMg8dNNrZiAm_KMgKEsWbH83gNaWIIjxAKbK4hDF6vvO5L2Ww7k-63FB6ayhx07a6LZp665yVDiFQREymL3_-ifbJE37dM0fvaTQ1H16XGQCNRX3MZgkeUSxO1QWn88gpculA/w360-h640/20240105_110358.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEhlMO5tV1WBOPMbR1jQuIOqGuhEEud_yXth3hOvMouGtcph0aYkercgi_X-FVDJmuiCu7UXQqzIOlbmc7NtzVhLzC7T0cPInJyUN8s6yRwFAocy9zdIrgkOA09HF4_-Q1diJFqlc8ohzZ7jSyKYUgp7WLuJeHBridpL6Y5ZzCr-36ALmPOpeUo7yMMjOQ/s3652/20240105_110519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMO5tV1WBOPMbR1jQuIOqGuhEEud_yXth3hOvMouGtcph0aYkercgi_X-FVDJmuiCu7UXQqzIOlbmc7NtzVhLzC7T0cPInJyUN8s6yRwFAocy9zdIrgkOA09HF4_-Q1diJFqlc8ohzZ7jSyKYUgp7WLuJeHBridpL6Y5ZzCr-36ALmPOpeUo7yMMjOQ/w402-h640/20240105_110519.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XeGKIsfX0PA9yZyX0iITXFzomJ1K5EpQDDvpR47vir4HQs1SylLmzMqTJzrZA0YOUqsL_g1KOZbpxGDnPTVD36AUx5KiOUyHmuTbjF2BjouRqo2EgwiyqCtZx3CHodC1WOFa_nr6VT6ZGdTDeuRJlpitHRUMOj0U4uDpaoYoY4xRi-QTOXLK0PyeBg/s4080/20240105_110633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XeGKIsfX0PA9yZyX0iITXFzomJ1K5EpQDDvpR47vir4HQs1SylLmzMqTJzrZA0YOUqsL_g1KOZbpxGDnPTVD36AUx5KiOUyHmuTbjF2BjouRqo2EgwiyqCtZx3CHodC1WOFa_nr6VT6ZGdTDeuRJlpitHRUMOj0U4uDpaoYoY4xRi-QTOXLK0PyeBg/w360-h640/20240105_110633.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MwWHPPDw42NMMRun2m1gSSN4Y-iVLUBztNtpPSmRBmVkNuPHFS8e2G-JFwn_FeAI8kqfr6e_zN8es7DrHEVZbRECrVBKGek9Xif8kljLcE6oRuq4xGTMEyMKKXKO-ms9rENSqLxQFVENHCkYD623wA05risdHwVmlFx9_wEO2oTVC5AkcvJQ31OF4w/s4080/20240105_110649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MwWHPPDw42NMMRun2m1gSSN4Y-iVLUBztNtpPSmRBmVkNuPHFS8e2G-JFwn_FeAI8kqfr6e_zN8es7DrHEVZbRECrVBKGek9Xif8kljLcE6oRuq4xGTMEyMKKXKO-ms9rENSqLxQFVENHCkYD623wA05risdHwVmlFx9_wEO2oTVC5AkcvJQ31OF4w/w360-h640/20240105_110649.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXx0cBz6S7Y3SD-CQ0-mUgsmxX5ghN7nIN6CEdoX6lYbrvr5UxM3IUPdp59VbfIhyphenhyphenNEP1z3YW-H4c3v0ZJZk-IoMGh_h28MbX_Ybt9GYSP0BDg4EvA52LU-nIOuaJvtoF67Boyw-9FyExziWkm7mFHP53f9EHQScsH1uJbq7vf0J2aTLgjMpmLY-Fpw/s3766/20240105_110658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3766" data-original-width="2185" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXx0cBz6S7Y3SD-CQ0-mUgsmxX5ghN7nIN6CEdoX6lYbrvr5UxM3IUPdp59VbfIhyphenhyphenNEP1z3YW-H4c3v0ZJZk-IoMGh_h28MbX_Ybt9GYSP0BDg4EvA52LU-nIOuaJvtoF67Boyw-9FyExziWkm7mFHP53f9EHQScsH1uJbq7vf0J2aTLgjMpmLY-Fpw/w372-h640/20240105_110658.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83pLOODzIm3OoZ7VxRFV2kx0IzngQWz2R_Sv8ikzOKAAiG160uHY9J5R9vtq_PrI8OL2aCnbpxQTVUL3-FPRF0qJQfjkMT-HGGROgigd-GQEn2c5VzOfqONtHSvgh7Vl_-di_kgaVJ_HQKGYR3zWn-_d-6VMkeKeaMbl_ZX1XlPwAfETpzcSF8SfmEw/s4080/20240105_110715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83pLOODzIm3OoZ7VxRFV2kx0IzngQWz2R_Sv8ikzOKAAiG160uHY9J5R9vtq_PrI8OL2aCnbpxQTVUL3-FPRF0qJQfjkMT-HGGROgigd-GQEn2c5VzOfqONtHSvgh7Vl_-di_kgaVJ_HQKGYR3zWn-_d-6VMkeKeaMbl_ZX1XlPwAfETpzcSF8SfmEw/w360-h640/20240105_110715.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUg-vhHVIJrVWCMrajyUbP3XJyay_RzeNsMzprdlSWDGDlaChkD6GPdXr7xN00NBgvBJNV4G8NV68nM7VcGcT5xKR2lXMWi51LmLcD9UZ7lcpa-7Vpv2CuMkVF4zCUlqS9gjhgRYukl2lUOkZoIfpeTq877ELOdjI8MDKuuZu_AlF7fIFmV713T-j1ZA/s3309/20240105_110742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="1718" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUg-vhHVIJrVWCMrajyUbP3XJyay_RzeNsMzprdlSWDGDlaChkD6GPdXr7xN00NBgvBJNV4G8NV68nM7VcGcT5xKR2lXMWi51LmLcD9UZ7lcpa-7Vpv2CuMkVF4zCUlqS9gjhgRYukl2lUOkZoIfpeTq877ELOdjI8MDKuuZu_AlF7fIFmV713T-j1ZA/w332-h640/20240105_110742.jpg" width="332" /></a></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/AVvXsEhwdFpwFn-q0jf6wzS-GyD-pPEY1cRD6SIe3eYFWgrMFTw71c8sKT9aLzqlSZaL_PvixDKf6DeRZQOkA6Rn7Uh2YSNvsTbdQ3wYtpfpRrwHVIXVNuMoSwbrUBeobBJe0b1PX7G1mvNLW8LkgmQV6KGWM3w9bPBPy0rfIzYmPAhzxLN0orXJ3t4sJBq7rg/s4080/20240105_110811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdFpwFn-q0jf6wzS-GyD-pPEY1cRD6SIe3eYFWgrMFTw71c8sKT9aLzqlSZaL_PvixDKf6DeRZQOkA6Rn7Uh2YSNvsTbdQ3wYtpfpRrwHVIXVNuMoSwbrUBeobBJe0b1PX7G1mvNLW8LkgmQV6KGWM3w9bPBPy0rfIzYmPAhzxLN0orXJ3t4sJBq7rg/w360-h640/20240105_110811.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLBqqL9Xppxcr3G0UbY9-qI_FwvuakzOUzE1mNdPqElcj0FtThZ3hT2VPhzp_1LD3zfbXbeWO63QpIaR-Hibbpth_CNr-NrErniCr2zNJe_AGfwAFM9LWD7sCe8TKUAU2jorXxqZEKy3XDA23O1qDZlutxF9Fck0OWNy1L5sI_2zXN2cA-vf6L3h5ow/s3031/20240105_110838.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="2164" data-original-width="3031" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLBqqL9Xppxcr3G0UbY9-qI_FwvuakzOUzE1mNdPqElcj0FtThZ3hT2VPhzp_1LD3zfbXbeWO63QpIaR-Hibbpth_CNr-NrErniCr2zNJe_AGfwAFM9LWD7sCe8TKUAU2jorXxqZEKy3XDA23O1qDZlutxF9Fck0OWNy1L5sI_2zXN2cA-vf6L3h5ow/w640-h456/20240105_110838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjczrqB4O5fa6DTmCP8tDzUuSdaeDjUTCGzifCt_MRgdDDZrCpqhyphenhyphenQ81MC7oZZ6OK_FZWkgHtcqirmcxfm8r48Pu6wijt-ftrxOXpLTAcWVHucpwp0A6va_kEtJJuUAUtpWXScv-matPIKArlHWKmz30o72JLz1tIuUw4m0nLptAHB_p_YX885A_g2YqQ/s3651/20240105_110948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3651" data-original-width="2100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczrqB4O5fa6DTmCP8tDzUuSdaeDjUTCGzifCt_MRgdDDZrCpqhyphenhyphenQ81MC7oZZ6OK_FZWkgHtcqirmcxfm8r48Pu6wijt-ftrxOXpLTAcWVHucpwp0A6va_kEtJJuUAUtpWXScv-matPIKArlHWKmz30o72JLz1tIuUw4m0nLptAHB_p_YX885A_g2YqQ/w368-h640/20240105_110948.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4EAs8FGPGPW4O9ro2SU-dnw8gctf6QWjjT8-RQTFHhqaSBHhYRVw1qxb19vN91jM_RpKBbqS561UDfAwkceb9XFJr9xG8eqsjthkDtnHRuNRXwUmLN1TRPYYq-zZZsX8uWyre9WPvDPeZ3EeENxAkv_uq-3YROez5qfVmikoYAFM1kGu2rE7j5b8wQ/s4080/20240105_111017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4EAs8FGPGPW4O9ro2SU-dnw8gctf6QWjjT8-RQTFHhqaSBHhYRVw1qxb19vN91jM_RpKBbqS561UDfAwkceb9XFJr9xG8eqsjthkDtnHRuNRXwUmLN1TRPYYq-zZZsX8uWyre9WPvDPeZ3EeENxAkv_uq-3YROez5qfVmikoYAFM1kGu2rE7j5b8wQ/w360-h640/20240105_111017.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxrbmNJ05iQI8_-O6KlIIf8_6-XPnVIo6NavjZ7IrYYRwE33WhmuFx8oTb8-eNZoduDDcxUObS9yqxB65m6EvWbhN7HqxxD7-ZT37p7zaSdCFy_oj8MI_HSEurY4Igh9fhvYhdpBahhl8TPy4tM20GP1M236uq4WKL0X3sW2y9MHYO5Bz9D5mllf6vw/s4080/20240105_111035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxrbmNJ05iQI8_-O6KlIIf8_6-XPnVIo6NavjZ7IrYYRwE33WhmuFx8oTb8-eNZoduDDcxUObS9yqxB65m6EvWbhN7HqxxD7-ZT37p7zaSdCFy_oj8MI_HSEurY4Igh9fhvYhdpBahhl8TPy4tM20GP1M236uq4WKL0X3sW2y9MHYO5Bz9D5mllf6vw/w360-h640/20240105_111035.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEggzG9VcbAE6lkFRTc3j7f1af5NwDeEZG_1i0UTlso_BcyiTj4_bn1u6sFGVZBg4P4HDXjgnhm7ZYAPeNiJhRFAKjuk1C7oXs7JADDNM8wdd8X0movcr_19DQEoOmpNQAIf6iYBkr7Preyi2oygoJkA22breKUpUywP7AIle9Aiv25EU01de7bp7vhxTw/s3766/20240105_111102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2119" data-original-width="3766" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzG9VcbAE6lkFRTc3j7f1af5NwDeEZG_1i0UTlso_BcyiTj4_bn1u6sFGVZBg4P4HDXjgnhm7ZYAPeNiJhRFAKjuk1C7oXs7JADDNM8wdd8X0movcr_19DQEoOmpNQAIf6iYBkr7Preyi2oygoJkA22breKUpUywP7AIle9Aiv25EU01de7bp7vhxTw/w640-h360/20240105_111102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4y3_vufkXz2uVHEf7OcbH7y5qvdGim9g1qLPgBmGrIzGHOwbO3CsaJTR5GKuQPAf2g_-CeYyQRggfpulXHgiI35lgirv6C__srvOK0i9-6qbi7PMK-997UVdMG6qR4K8wj1nweoWlc35mMyk9ksBMIWqg9RwoQtwBBMJ7iaw4fVzxyogsvTxl5mtEQ/s4080/20240105_111125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4y3_vufkXz2uVHEf7OcbH7y5qvdGim9g1qLPgBmGrIzGHOwbO3CsaJTR5GKuQPAf2g_-CeYyQRggfpulXHgiI35lgirv6C__srvOK0i9-6qbi7PMK-997UVdMG6qR4K8wj1nweoWlc35mMyk9ksBMIWqg9RwoQtwBBMJ7iaw4fVzxyogsvTxl5mtEQ/w360-h640/20240105_111125.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckaokd3_GPg1Qtrht9Bq0WoO0IVNVDKZ3fdKlizrbKs0Za3_C4n4_dE-YZzTa75QF6p9i_15uxrLOM5AkAhejo5i760hwNUVJvATiEfX0yYujbnHA7lkSnrBMvoMHoho3VDMBZ-IM_eZmGcnqz1vMKhDPZI4G5LtYC-N7P1MIUKE1lS7_I6RtIuE4pA/s2879/20240105_111209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="1533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckaokd3_GPg1Qtrht9Bq0WoO0IVNVDKZ3fdKlizrbKs0Za3_C4n4_dE-YZzTa75QF6p9i_15uxrLOM5AkAhejo5i760hwNUVJvATiEfX0yYujbnHA7lkSnrBMvoMHoho3VDMBZ-IM_eZmGcnqz1vMKhDPZI4G5LtYC-N7P1MIUKE1lS7_I6RtIuE4pA/w340-h640/20240105_111209.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: start;">Surprisingly</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"> William Morris never came to the house, nor did his company formally design for it. Instead, all the wallpapers, fabric wall coverings and soft furnishings were bought through the Morris & Co shop or catalogue.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsNzD-zJzQ51Iw7v7mW9JNhuY2kceHLH0Zou9v8xSXDWO_5sj1m_-nnqbM3tdcq1egiLfcGUfteOvCi7ZyHfEnpQefkGP-fHbIiScX_KUPQ6a3LQ6vHT_XZum4NKOsJPaM7cGyPyRUGY0WAxy95clgK46MIWnfOKmLoCqJ5wZwYcamgdPGfbl-j4rxQ/s3830/20240105_111325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3830" data-original-width="1971" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsNzD-zJzQ51Iw7v7mW9JNhuY2kceHLH0Zou9v8xSXDWO_5sj1m_-nnqbM3tdcq1egiLfcGUfteOvCi7ZyHfEnpQefkGP-fHbIiScX_KUPQ6a3LQ6vHT_XZum4NKOsJPaM7cGyPyRUGY0WAxy95clgK46MIWnfOKmLoCqJ5wZwYcamgdPGfbl-j4rxQ/w330-h640/20240105_111325.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKD5pjYkytD0EFyDJxdA5CUqLHExrOIWnHLJSdbkeNiaA7tAlwBqFk7Pd5pZi6sfdZhBmP4lAhbTvX2ytImSz5f2YykX7mh5N-PCDFYjAgvULq47M1xKgZS4RI4igDO2yZb5j5ExzgaKKF3SCmXjtRG3tXn0fNgF5sDw8jPAwfCBBwbnsNZkiKMSNdg/s4080/20240105_111350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKD5pjYkytD0EFyDJxdA5CUqLHExrOIWnHLJSdbkeNiaA7tAlwBqFk7Pd5pZi6sfdZhBmP4lAhbTvX2ytImSz5f2YykX7mh5N-PCDFYjAgvULq47M1xKgZS4RI4igDO2yZb5j5ExzgaKKF3SCmXjtRG3tXn0fNgF5sDw8jPAwfCBBwbnsNZkiKMSNdg/w360-h640/20240105_111350.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEh55lH0nwInySD_S-zt_4q5OX8YyJgrRmlTtVyMyAem4janekZrdCajhbzXqNDJYnaWrucXiqcUrfffyDcMJqUdilQIri1aadCDod0faCf39hqk04AY4sCbRRSQGDE7IDvP2VFM-DpQgDOzMK4Fg1NHa_4IAeZiIO_L6IIFc7PTF9GP22Nj3byOJdWlTA/s4080/20240105_111406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55lH0nwInySD_S-zt_4q5OX8YyJgrRmlTtVyMyAem4janekZrdCajhbzXqNDJYnaWrucXiqcUrfffyDcMJqUdilQIri1aadCDod0faCf39hqk04AY4sCbRRSQGDE7IDvP2VFM-DpQgDOzMK4Fg1NHa_4IAeZiIO_L6IIFc7PTF9GP22Nj3byOJdWlTA/w360-h640/20240105_111406.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgooV910I1P3Og6bLG-kQC0PBehRK7SRhP2w08Hz0EGg4CDpms7nd7PpID1j_iozT5thPSc48jVrqiRowsFrOdzxsecCz-2y1ZqGvr_qYvRPfQSplxIZnredkiQ7UVzuhyFej6KNnR9kc5nS-_icz_yPcUXVrDAJqbJ6QGYGbQAkfU7hbUbb-JBbYCz2A/s4080/20240105_110304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooV910I1P3Og6bLG-kQC0PBehRK7SRhP2w08Hz0EGg4CDpms7nd7PpID1j_iozT5thPSc48jVrqiRowsFrOdzxsecCz-2y1ZqGvr_qYvRPfQSplxIZnredkiQ7UVzuhyFej6KNnR9kc5nS-_icz_yPcUXVrDAJqbJ6QGYGbQAkfU7hbUbb-JBbYCz2A/w640-h360/20240105_110304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiIRH8dQ_JjcG5JIdI0OoFk6gWPgN2J_z9Ye9ZDo2tVvGmBhUjq6huHUm3LElQgZg5cT2h2EKXcPYU1VJR3xH6DQH3fXi6nX5gzZGfDMM9hBIcrEsEjy2tqK-dMFV3obCsM-gb06aRx21-PaRwOA2U7DeYeNuX0ciSSlf80l1S_gg4RdyyfjysiyiC4pg/s4080/20240105_111641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRH8dQ_JjcG5JIdI0OoFk6gWPgN2J_z9Ye9ZDo2tVvGmBhUjq6huHUm3LElQgZg5cT2h2EKXcPYU1VJR3xH6DQH3fXi6nX5gzZGfDMM9hBIcrEsEjy2tqK-dMFV3obCsM-gb06aRx21-PaRwOA2U7DeYeNuX0ciSSlf80l1S_gg4RdyyfjysiyiC4pg/w360-h640/20240105_111641.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXWMpwbvtVC50Cn3vUCsmAtcKRV2613Z0Dzexvk89dw5MWLfdTnxUVlFiM87QtV-zhF_2AaO-kjevAyCQ4III2EWK_MZLWhLAWSD_QF3Vi-QgiT99fThkz_YuStsJ2dZaRC2IDBNGih1qLvbf0vdWX98M2gTK_EGDBHZUKKOwhzAoFgPIqeOCSj-8Nw/s4080/20240105_111749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXWMpwbvtVC50Cn3vUCsmAtcKRV2613Z0Dzexvk89dw5MWLfdTnxUVlFiM87QtV-zhF_2AaO-kjevAyCQ4III2EWK_MZLWhLAWSD_QF3Vi-QgiT99fThkz_YuStsJ2dZaRC2IDBNGih1qLvbf0vdWX98M2gTK_EGDBHZUKKOwhzAoFgPIqeOCSj-8Nw/w360-h640/20240105_111749.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjrqTTwEaDCf29VqAebGvfVWrGaJ7Ac_MeARqc6WZiOu-VMcGeFj2kUpucByLasRkffsKES99VuFcTXihMPAqasADjlyWYHjE0VBVCS0jp-5BmlvpkiRT6x44Zyf0XrD6YbngLR4l6rJCskSgBI8ZBVMgISmPks_bN3QOkYCwsbU5L31t9jMUqfkNU06A/s4080/20240105_111815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqTTwEaDCf29VqAebGvfVWrGaJ7Ac_MeARqc6WZiOu-VMcGeFj2kUpucByLasRkffsKES99VuFcTXihMPAqasADjlyWYHjE0VBVCS0jp-5BmlvpkiRT6x44Zyf0XrD6YbngLR4l6rJCskSgBI8ZBVMgISmPks_bN3QOkYCwsbU5L31t9jMUqfkNU06A/w360-h640/20240105_111815.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFW89fsTLIGSRPPGblHKFcPCr_nOdCHNKttFj5tmWblgan5BIggZLwK6mXkM12Fw-UJexx0Cl8UvOI5ctcTTGanr06HMNMeGaygXXZcelv-cJiyGxZuMt48BQa5Erww9iDGmcnO6G3QN4rr0j3k7DzVKUrNGkjw4eEcHyKYRavf9LHG2wUg8WTJPbbw/s4080/20240105_111906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFW89fsTLIGSRPPGblHKFcPCr_nOdCHNKttFj5tmWblgan5BIggZLwK6mXkM12Fw-UJexx0Cl8UvOI5ctcTTGanr06HMNMeGaygXXZcelv-cJiyGxZuMt48BQa5Erww9iDGmcnO6G3QN4rr0j3k7DzVKUrNGkjw4eEcHyKYRavf9LHG2wUg8WTJPbbw/w360-h640/20240105_111906.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_luLoPj8ZE4e5AqrvnIsFfs1hueDSLafb7PE48l3tYguuEsGvvCqQ3x49o-6SkmszoGAtkmfQtwWswwl8VzFFl7cq8q3XINMZsohOEBrEVCcTDLpuCXVtQd_8d4ivsltf7YDemiBx62HgEWzHQ1VxRlnwtqLZkez_DtEQM2D1OnYunU7sOFRAQ8GIQ/s4080/20240105_111916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_luLoPj8ZE4e5AqrvnIsFfs1hueDSLafb7PE48l3tYguuEsGvvCqQ3x49o-6SkmszoGAtkmfQtwWswwl8VzFFl7cq8q3XINMZsohOEBrEVCcTDLpuCXVtQd_8d4ivsltf7YDemiBx62HgEWzHQ1VxRlnwtqLZkez_DtEQM2D1OnYunU7sOFRAQ8GIQ/w360-h640/20240105_111916.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmm0a4z2ZOlMa0UMCt1S39vgzNWZgwP7lzq5v1PdrSsINUfGooHOWLCC96bzlDsZOVpFPHUjeIbnBR7uidWl-z0ZyDt6zb6zAgtfHxCDzJGmliVIoboBMZlG5F2V44sJLXtCgkq5vMwplk0_prarmPgVJI-2ARmssBr2sTD5sZiRYIsxDR5EQtwAxVA/s2890/20240105_110158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2097" data-original-width="2890" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmm0a4z2ZOlMa0UMCt1S39vgzNWZgwP7lzq5v1PdrSsINUfGooHOWLCC96bzlDsZOVpFPHUjeIbnBR7uidWl-z0ZyDt6zb6zAgtfHxCDzJGmliVIoboBMZlG5F2V44sJLXtCgkq5vMwplk0_prarmPgVJI-2ARmssBr2sTD5sZiRYIsxDR5EQtwAxVA/w640-h464/20240105_110158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6D2rR8PIeozJIMsg06zEVhJ6W_Jt_O389OYYKJq5MYKCTwZqShoEYtViH0gV3r3YuM8KfZF591JlL8Pva_myK9pf9JzOkmJCfmlRPchMxaiN8sG9O1Xx0-knX3KJMHNtLHKeq2f_zumVdUSdd-66HcjUVWeZFKEBReJNBAZ3q9Rd_dakg8bJjOB6Tw/s4080/20240105_111931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6D2rR8PIeozJIMsg06zEVhJ6W_Jt_O389OYYKJq5MYKCTwZqShoEYtViH0gV3r3YuM8KfZF591JlL8Pva_myK9pf9JzOkmJCfmlRPchMxaiN8sG9O1Xx0-knX3KJMHNtLHKeq2f_zumVdUSdd-66HcjUVWeZFKEBReJNBAZ3q9Rd_dakg8bJjOB6Tw/w360-h640/20240105_111931.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Dvxk3q5wArgkQ1wpDKwJzrAw2qbfBBwxRYa7gV2Er_B7CPcYGtSTmS0ljUchO6NILbPS130wo-1m275GLA_oxLYmpu9-X5K5rNeJksEldMKQePzm2Ql-CDhDfu7x-FTVEbf-IaF1EXsb8fnw2C3d1Q5URy7WAS4hkLWDUki7Yw-EDryeNf52Chyphenhyphenp4Q/s4080/20240105_111947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Dvxk3q5wArgkQ1wpDKwJzrAw2qbfBBwxRYa7gV2Er_B7CPcYGtSTmS0ljUchO6NILbPS130wo-1m275GLA_oxLYmpu9-X5K5rNeJksEldMKQePzm2Ql-CDhDfu7x-FTVEbf-IaF1EXsb8fnw2C3d1Q5URy7WAS4hkLWDUki7Yw-EDryeNf52Chyphenhyphenp4Q/w360-h640/20240105_111947.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEg2x1ot8V2_ntxV_kam7dHtvy3VGw8jJM4EZnb1X0w_zSKEGxioVpBKRx2hlogHzPxU7VIzmjSjpigESKXQCW8GxmMtBjM26JqsjqJpGVw-_EfKW8TldxiTHq52VkH1z8lhp1RTvaEEsRsiIEFeCrvS9t4ibyywfxR6xJgbN3e5NnOVxcunWk-sH3vTEA/s4080/20240105_112257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2x1ot8V2_ntxV_kam7dHtvy3VGw8jJM4EZnb1X0w_zSKEGxioVpBKRx2hlogHzPxU7VIzmjSjpigESKXQCW8GxmMtBjM26JqsjqJpGVw-_EfKW8TldxiTHq52VkH1z8lhp1RTvaEEsRsiIEFeCrvS9t4ibyywfxR6xJgbN3e5NnOVxcunWk-sH3vTEA/w640-h360/20240105_112257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Currently, in line with the Winter schedule, only the downstairs part of the house is open but there's that much to see it hardly matters. I seem to spot something different every time we visit. </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/AVvXsEgvmHJHn78sDgiwkELJO9TJyCgEgU3LNphxXuyV8wnYtnQZfcz5ImIJ6Ve4cSiLs0b2FW2Jg20eNlF0JErXonNUj3Pr49351t97QhidaYblAb3pudItxM9AtFu4M0Ge31tPVROnyU2QEgGy8EV28Lpe48nJPL5Ncgyp6ByHPHgh220qe99txdYKB-iPow/s4080/20240105_112424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmHJHn78sDgiwkELJO9TJyCgEgU3LNphxXuyV8wnYtnQZfcz5ImIJ6Ve4cSiLs0b2FW2Jg20eNlF0JErXonNUj3Pr49351t97QhidaYblAb3pudItxM9AtFu4M0Ge31tPVROnyU2QEgGy8EV28Lpe48nJPL5Ncgyp6ByHPHgh220qe99txdYKB-iPow/w640-h360/20240105_112424.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEidKCDkXkYX64Ep_hT_nz_QXzl0UaXnWc2G8567FMUOTjDnQg4zi9dxFdwHIh50dZMLHyeIqxj4zULAPsX5u7927CHFZZmeKCBX0yxPp51KY4NEHxcFaQBT_l0TvATzOMJEnPqcCcibHdTntHHS1Fh4tFi7hIAMz-wyMDQv3gP7yWLwHnDTyhHCN47ePA/s1616/DSC03461.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKCDkXkYX64Ep_hT_nz_QXzl0UaXnWc2G8567FMUOTjDnQg4zi9dxFdwHIh50dZMLHyeIqxj4zULAPsX5u7927CHFZZmeKCBX0yxPp51KY4NEHxcFaQBT_l0TvATzOMJEnPqcCcibHdTntHHS1Fh4tFi7hIAMz-wyMDQv3gP7yWLwHnDTyhHCN47ePA/w428-h640/DSC03461.JPG" width="428" /></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/AVvXsEiGO8xD0BEFSH8LEalvhBTSyQpq6DbCo5MJonPZgTpUGjUklGGuUF0iZ1gvBWXG7IuZMco4Io5ZTj7Mm65P-sgl-EE_GMZA104lFEX-dEtO0MJBU4i4ufgzwvnlbwuXX8fyt1o6ce3NG3Iw2XOm3oVh3QQc0hqGBZvmx7QKoFu3cXtvs7LqsNSbn1d81A/s1616/DSC03474.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO8xD0BEFSH8LEalvhBTSyQpq6DbCo5MJonPZgTpUGjUklGGuUF0iZ1gvBWXG7IuZMco4Io5ZTj7Mm65P-sgl-EE_GMZA104lFEX-dEtO0MJBU4i4ufgzwvnlbwuXX8fyt1o6ce3NG3Iw2XOm3oVh3QQc0hqGBZvmx7QKoFu3cXtvs7LqsNSbn1d81A/w428-h640/DSC03474.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFS6Ky-qOucequol82Qu_4QLlSdmBFKQYUXxZHDi3CE3ZJlfsR28_-sT7AzmmaRCucoF7LCYV-Zx2EaoTf8Ggd6Gqcg48InAJsnhhPNSmHQCVHPC5jZRmEcreCVXzzdPY8fSybagfMNfyovJwvGDzFN-y0gjgsKbh0wwaREIeWz0fQnU11LO8CdUwx5Q/s1616/DSC03475.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFS6Ky-qOucequol82Qu_4QLlSdmBFKQYUXxZHDi3CE3ZJlfsR28_-sT7AzmmaRCucoF7LCYV-Zx2EaoTf8Ggd6Gqcg48InAJsnhhPNSmHQCVHPC5jZRmEcreCVXzzdPY8fSybagfMNfyovJwvGDzFN-y0gjgsKbh0wwaREIeWz0fQnU11LO8CdUwx5Q/w428-h640/DSC03475.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYCdTWrxu1lAk77VY5iShZmCgRONF4a-vqTytdVJPMpd94TjnzCrAS4FTuIXvUEpboJP64WyvqDpsDdzR9JGt_uligoRldovCH-JRWdcA4z1evcgBbA3CT6wlTycvxLhQXAbyTThmVt_ckFq-YRfMGbVtMQJ84GZ_g75jyMNH_Wqh_x0PTg10FhHo9Q/s1460/DSC03480.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="1027" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYCdTWrxu1lAk77VY5iShZmCgRONF4a-vqTytdVJPMpd94TjnzCrAS4FTuIXvUEpboJP64WyvqDpsDdzR9JGt_uligoRldovCH-JRWdcA4z1evcgBbA3CT6wlTycvxLhQXAbyTThmVt_ckFq-YRfMGbVtMQJ84GZ_g75jyMNH_Wqh_x0PTg10FhHo9Q/w450-h640/DSC03480.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmCCZFCLoKk4bgU4ICiB5VxILDUTK9bQXgzF-JWCg3viJ2XaxY6y-VBXQSVSlwgQFyG-UajYzZIMzW_JU7ahSptfyHCgP9y2BfnPoprkAyxFJAxFZluCRa9az405_y8wUgJ9lwg-29mEYnPfY3LS_oZebWrvkSs_exFGTIuj4uvJbrWevDFhNoD6Cmg/s892/DSC03491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="892" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmCCZFCLoKk4bgU4ICiB5VxILDUTK9bQXgzF-JWCg3viJ2XaxY6y-VBXQSVSlwgQFyG-UajYzZIMzW_JU7ahSptfyHCgP9y2BfnPoprkAyxFJAxFZluCRa9az405_y8wUgJ9lwg-29mEYnPfY3LS_oZebWrvkSs_exFGTIuj4uvJbrWevDFhNoD6Cmg/w640-h606/DSC03491.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTGTYHDxN97gaHiUuqK0AlPj7vF6daA6_if_eRPnJZWXV8sFLnkc39XdmZAIbkL3orEwZJYwEgUCqZimMLVpFARDlMy0xCPekyXVbE0ZdjtWrXPYOgWdPSFaJEv7t9kEVC-ZulKiO6VfZSwKCprlaDbRsMQ3Wakt9wrhBa5C7U6uITX4Q0Zd2RqTgVA/s1616/DSC03497.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTGTYHDxN97gaHiUuqK0AlPj7vF6daA6_if_eRPnJZWXV8sFLnkc39XdmZAIbkL3orEwZJYwEgUCqZimMLVpFARDlMy0xCPekyXVbE0ZdjtWrXPYOgWdPSFaJEv7t9kEVC-ZulKiO6VfZSwKCprlaDbRsMQ3Wakt9wrhBa5C7U6uITX4Q0Zd2RqTgVA/w428-h640/DSC03497.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRcLRsCWj6vjzA5fOAE8Iz0D-6z0JeZbYj1bOavVbEUvfJl85mMSzXPifFZQDlBqe55HS-beMBQJKD5eHYJIYkHbdcqRhmoaZqilJINYDYFnBB7k82V9BOPYL8A0GXCMjClj-C9ZiEZEN5j9FDSDysGGZD7DgL42l60V68jeDAkWi48CJrCpVT50dug/s1616/DSC03499.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRcLRsCWj6vjzA5fOAE8Iz0D-6z0JeZbYj1bOavVbEUvfJl85mMSzXPifFZQDlBqe55HS-beMBQJKD5eHYJIYkHbdcqRhmoaZqilJINYDYFnBB7k82V9BOPYL8A0GXCMjClj-C9ZiEZEN5j9FDSDysGGZD7DgL42l60V68jeDAkWi48CJrCpVT50dug/w640-h428/DSC03499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgk4l3dDGnrpteRPNz9QuEfVeNF8jrJFpvTguAnTWbSLYDx8JeK0QKDXU6-G3tCpLomW8K8CB8_-PV2aBAsEwBpnVsV_1RFANA0QP5nrLv0oyOmVDHhtpjgYAfQFStKd2XV_w84km5nYhZYTBQR-e16SrhHhjixYledEhsXkAo-5dywD8O7WKBohH_9Tw/s1616/DSC03508.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4l3dDGnrpteRPNz9QuEfVeNF8jrJFpvTguAnTWbSLYDx8JeK0QKDXU6-G3tCpLomW8K8CB8_-PV2aBAsEwBpnVsV_1RFANA0QP5nrLv0oyOmVDHhtpjgYAfQFStKd2XV_w84km5nYhZYTBQR-e16SrhHhjixYledEhsXkAo-5dywD8O7WKBohH_9Tw/w640-h428/DSC03508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaccvD7bCEJNcZqvdxvO6shSOv0ei2I7JeLMYnZmj0ptzHRm4_jS4-RkcS6OHU_MVmVgrE3lPePDWXcwIxCDmxTA9B1rjxNAcG4pYZ2EiULXB477_UHrzXzCbUsqTYK72JxPRDgBMXYGHeTDdc2_RXkfB9juEYmmo0r27LrlyRL8SEA1QDcZtzJTgGg/s1395/DSC03511.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1052" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaccvD7bCEJNcZqvdxvO6shSOv0ei2I7JeLMYnZmj0ptzHRm4_jS4-RkcS6OHU_MVmVgrE3lPePDWXcwIxCDmxTA9B1rjxNAcG4pYZ2EiULXB477_UHrzXzCbUsqTYK72JxPRDgBMXYGHeTDdc2_RXkfB9juEYmmo0r27LrlyRL8SEA1QDcZtzJTgGg/w482-h640/DSC03511.JPG" width="482" /></a></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/AVvXsEgd0G2EJiqPPZhoM7-geGUbQPDK0KZAxnaCATFrJZul3x5WdUAspiq1mExz502XD-9vLogV9jgPl8KhQm0pkj-X4GisUQ2wUUwVde6658GpaY7AqUS_lEaK0WMc2SlBNqZbzICB5ZdqqdANJUPn8PwUniL12CLGZjS9gU5CBKNBqUMsxNlYBJPRqqM1NQ/s1616/DSC03469.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0G2EJiqPPZhoM7-geGUbQPDK0KZAxnaCATFrJZul3x5WdUAspiq1mExz502XD-9vLogV9jgPl8KhQm0pkj-X4GisUQ2wUUwVde6658GpaY7AqUS_lEaK0WMc2SlBNqZbzICB5ZdqqdANJUPn8PwUniL12CLGZjS9gU5CBKNBqUMsxNlYBJPRqqM1NQ/w640-h428/DSC03469.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhxUBBjISArBg6ZvkRU5_cXncwF7l1IG7qCwPB2hWkPS221R9fw790r8Vx1xs6lQhD2a6dYbsVUqAt9gs5OEXX4aZnP30ZT-4r32OWRO2bAa_YehLEntb6veHvw2C7Ue5vhzaSp4PThC5X9irOE7EgxP2_Hl_qf0zZoiHVztgaCBVWk0xRlLYgp53E_-Q/s1616/DSC03476.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUBBjISArBg6ZvkRU5_cXncwF7l1IG7qCwPB2hWkPS221R9fw790r8Vx1xs6lQhD2a6dYbsVUqAt9gs5OEXX4aZnP30ZT-4r32OWRO2bAa_YehLEntb6veHvw2C7Ue5vhzaSp4PThC5X9irOE7EgxP2_Hl_qf0zZoiHVztgaCBVWk0xRlLYgp53E_-Q/w640-h428/DSC03476.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgEDl9BGdH71vovPsZjovtua9GX3VJpgzmJjbYiyefqSONFa5_GCxs69QedIzUNQyO64BiIweGjGYfbsQ7MSx0OuAZLXdE0QYMJjpDDNo3i0CjTbRmZYHJeVFXv3o2_ddUFXyzd6hHFStEPOxeuUjxUVIot8jWmRoOFujQZcxm0UvL1RR8BvZCkUo-j5w/s1616/DSC03494.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDl9BGdH71vovPsZjovtua9GX3VJpgzmJjbYiyefqSONFa5_GCxs69QedIzUNQyO64BiIweGjGYfbsQ7MSx0OuAZLXdE0QYMJjpDDNo3i0CjTbRmZYHJeVFXv3o2_ddUFXyzd6hHFStEPOxeuUjxUVIot8jWmRoOFujQZcxm0UvL1RR8BvZCkUo-j5w/w428-h640/DSC03494.JPG" width="428" /></a></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/AVvXsEiXWJ9XXbkpvAHmbrSYEBz7bJpORXMFm10TyApsUJbGOVJvy6ymCJ8X4tq7Kp14whLjGj4AOep8b2MH4an-BhAklEWlxD7cIOAspNPbziVZ38by6FKfzx9jJ0BYQ3W_Ld4Cnd2PO_DcXOy07oWIYLOVzf0GPHNFHgQFFlgT_5QsTbEGA8fhdHCtiYkcsQ/s1496/DSC03527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="999" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWJ9XXbkpvAHmbrSYEBz7bJpORXMFm10TyApsUJbGOVJvy6ymCJ8X4tq7Kp14whLjGj4AOep8b2MH4an-BhAklEWlxD7cIOAspNPbziVZ38by6FKfzx9jJ0BYQ3W_Ld4Cnd2PO_DcXOy07oWIYLOVzf0GPHNFHgQFFlgT_5QsTbEGA8fhdHCtiYkcsQ/w428-h640/DSC03527.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQuOH0zFDd1kI_wzTOWhjZRK7F0kj91H_JOwwT2joT9Og_JCoo5_vnGdBEnHUcOp7qr-qRvSfa_XaXm6_kBujojjcE1X8lSaZ8qblGzBm70DHyy_dNFXhsOTNcxKs19koUvztBZYHdjxX_7quKdddkVSg2_y8hPNfrULQuhVaDgGA7rfnb20RacYbfg/s1616/DSC03532.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQuOH0zFDd1kI_wzTOWhjZRK7F0kj91H_JOwwT2joT9Og_JCoo5_vnGdBEnHUcOp7qr-qRvSfa_XaXm6_kBujojjcE1X8lSaZ8qblGzBm70DHyy_dNFXhsOTNcxKs19koUvztBZYHdjxX_7quKdddkVSg2_y8hPNfrULQuhVaDgGA7rfnb20RacYbfg/w428-h640/DSC03532.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1NtoeQGDfk10JoqwP4Isnzq15mtnVwH2Us5_yVS1twKzS24RQttt-ilg6LNB-69dKydudT9MsRWRwXtakqt5fOtua1u6pHJs2bkJUY5wsQ4pFQSWk9CIe9VAb8IutWNYjgk3DT_2y4mnZrws95Bdo_PS2GapwFE9_v-o5lQ5dpSLqdn3OVS1TMl6SQ/s3264/W1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="3264" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1NtoeQGDfk10JoqwP4Isnzq15mtnVwH2Us5_yVS1twKzS24RQttt-ilg6LNB-69dKydudT9MsRWRwXtakqt5fOtua1u6pHJs2bkJUY5wsQ4pFQSWk9CIe9VAb8IutWNYjgk3DT_2y4mnZrws95Bdo_PS2GapwFE9_v-o5lQ5dpSLqdn3OVS1TMl6SQ/w640-h328/W1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdcrv9Mimx2wf6cuSCDg7pYA1hWR1dzhC49E79inAx8FYv1APZ4KLV6Bs-aGS46mTOzzIPsx-hyFbl1x03Ye8ZPpBUm7MqVNMwy7RQi3DzEiQVb9hMDBLWRkzGDORNdyNK11KG2ww5uUCjHVqC9NpGTqpAn094pq5moGmB8-k8yKF-E2sH3UxD_dHtw/s3264/W2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="3264" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdcrv9Mimx2wf6cuSCDg7pYA1hWR1dzhC49E79inAx8FYv1APZ4KLV6Bs-aGS46mTOzzIPsx-hyFbl1x03Ye8ZPpBUm7MqVNMwy7RQi3DzEiQVb9hMDBLWRkzGDORNdyNK11KG2ww5uUCjHVqC9NpGTqpAn094pq5moGmB8-k8yKF-E2sH3UxD_dHtw/w640-h210/W2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsvjVVcTtEyaqC2d047jqXpqNfAQk1BWdH7GcGH9aP84JPOYlXXiCHStBiFGrZyxw8YPQaoMEjcXCaJmROKIr4Zw7RoK57FY_K4dPXRKSaksnCJD4x12Nk1dkpSSuHJynYLCaS4u_E3uNgNjQHNurkfc7rSbQkkca8Tzr3Be0mnvoLcr_0ZDeILjVmA/s3264/W4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="3264" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsvjVVcTtEyaqC2d047jqXpqNfAQk1BWdH7GcGH9aP84JPOYlXXiCHStBiFGrZyxw8YPQaoMEjcXCaJmROKIr4Zw7RoK57FY_K4dPXRKSaksnCJD4x12Nk1dkpSSuHJynYLCaS4u_E3uNgNjQHNurkfc7rSbQkkca8Tzr3Be0mnvoLcr_0ZDeILjVmA/w640-h246/W4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskUs0Xj1U0bYOqsY6aO5Rvdqtabz1RlDz_BGJ64JrNEdeSzLHWr7k2UEL3XTDxHag39-YAMks0RweZ2_N9Nb2TotlE1vQrG4ZV3XypJeCcppvTth5w1Q490EwM0-_EAW8DrYcuJtSf-NPFEFodQTZ_VnZREwQTnJwKzYs2wwIBcElY_4x5TpCNv7q-g/s3264/W5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="3264" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskUs0Xj1U0bYOqsY6aO5Rvdqtabz1RlDz_BGJ64JrNEdeSzLHWr7k2UEL3XTDxHag39-YAMks0RweZ2_N9Nb2TotlE1vQrG4ZV3XypJeCcppvTth5w1Q490EwM0-_EAW8DrYcuJtSf-NPFEFodQTZ_VnZREwQTnJwKzYs2wwIBcElY_4x5TpCNv7q-g/w640-h246/W5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsa5x5E0aXNbI5bnxPN7xWsMQZK7IBDCdEwu1mlduMqO81GqsRAK-PzThtLK5FRcLUWr-83-RAt3ftwrw3mUP3VsAC8Cxugaj_vawZ1Gs5HDVS530b6czLIYN6Pl5aCZ0Lldz35GSrz8HkEXw1p4_9-0VSF1-eCiLN8Vn6Ftlny-Hlo9naMd1Xoi3Hw/s3264/W3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="3264" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsa5x5E0aXNbI5bnxPN7xWsMQZK7IBDCdEwu1mlduMqO81GqsRAK-PzThtLK5FRcLUWr-83-RAt3ftwrw3mUP3VsAC8Cxugaj_vawZ1Gs5HDVS530b6czLIYN6Pl5aCZ0Lldz35GSrz8HkEXw1p4_9-0VSF1-eCiLN8Vn6Ftlny-Hlo9naMd1Xoi3Hw/w640-h184/W3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c2c2c; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.1667; margin: 0px 0px 0.67em; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The <strike>purpose-built</strike> Malthouse gallery, which pre-dates the house (thanks again, Lynn!) , run in partnership with the De Morgan Foundation, displays drawings and paintings by the pioneering female artist, Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919), and the creations of her husband, the pre-eminent ceramic designer, William De Morgan (1839-1917).</span></h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aDR2Q_P8Y8FGPzbht28kV7XtMx41H2lEsl1QJdBnzRKqiXHFNBNDoGThELgp5fPSucnQg172ldjFPELCSFOWywO7g1OtV3w6sqIXk1pSIBHxq4-eu_BVmqD9-s5wV0ObJq9TeCgySakrEdGA8B2kqfIN8HUqWNmo0kUKWEZgXxmy78AolUZ8vKvRFg/s1556/DSC03541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="1040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aDR2Q_P8Y8FGPzbht28kV7XtMx41H2lEsl1QJdBnzRKqiXHFNBNDoGThELgp5fPSucnQg172ldjFPELCSFOWywO7g1OtV3w6sqIXk1pSIBHxq4-eu_BVmqD9-s5wV0ObJq9TeCgySakrEdGA8B2kqfIN8HUqWNmo0kUKWEZgXxmy78AolUZ8vKvRFg/w428-h640/DSC03541.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c2c2c; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.1667; margin: 0px 0px 0.67em; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQrD8T3QnfBR-kZCGpR8kZUuE7pJAIJhYeCQxEFThtzEXtDvZH2e8a-CxISxjg7wbLjwOB5siXk6VoL6dNPOKERFyMiA5c6Khw9pXQ_Ugykk81tuJS19Ap_PYDxsuDICD5oXjyenatFk8AHDeiZic91voE0U9crkCAfANxG669n-pxfPhz3QGUzLHMA/s3000/20240105_112736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2270" data-original-width="3000" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQrD8T3QnfBR-kZCGpR8kZUuE7pJAIJhYeCQxEFThtzEXtDvZH2e8a-CxISxjg7wbLjwOB5siXk6VoL6dNPOKERFyMiA5c6Khw9pXQ_Ugykk81tuJS19Ap_PYDxsuDICD5oXjyenatFk8AHDeiZic91voE0U9crkCAfANxG669n-pxfPhz3QGUzLHMA/w640-h484/20240105_112736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAl2ipNROsgehWmUy81BD9pprpWAR5SmQsiYDINmtfe3oH9E2M45lnV_SI_Anzp_DztMOCqdx_KaHYniDEjLPUcWg4mPxhN0EPeAFVrU4IDpXC8owxXA0XQiVqvLXGeFUiYaZE5ZB6f3kCXMR3oo1mpYNyjNFp7aNf2lrefEsYIE4dKAqTDP89ZVnZw/s3959/20240105_112747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="3959" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAl2ipNROsgehWmUy81BD9pprpWAR5SmQsiYDINmtfe3oH9E2M45lnV_SI_Anzp_DztMOCqdx_KaHYniDEjLPUcWg4mPxhN0EPeAFVrU4IDpXC8owxXA0XQiVqvLXGeFUiYaZE5ZB6f3kCXMR3oo1mpYNyjNFp7aNf2lrefEsYIE4dKAqTDP89ZVnZw/w640-h360/20240105_112747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8F9HdMu1RMtpK0k9ePgJAOer3rRUx8oaoFs6NOjBfqQStflqC9RTGaxk8HZmlBDoyUbWi7LLQB1nWtrw-aEpD36kj7LgdDi0mlJbvBeEEx8sZyZbIQiQjpAZOw9y68IPIZZ-h3PH9W8_jaAxCmjoiMENNICpBb0kj3AFSNzceaF0GSIGUTZNwWU3kg/s3412/20240105_112916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3412" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8F9HdMu1RMtpK0k9ePgJAOer3rRUx8oaoFs6NOjBfqQStflqC9RTGaxk8HZmlBDoyUbWi7LLQB1nWtrw-aEpD36kj7LgdDi0mlJbvBeEEx8sZyZbIQiQjpAZOw9y68IPIZZ-h3PH9W8_jaAxCmjoiMENNICpBb0kj3AFSNzceaF0GSIGUTZNwWU3kg/w430-h640/20240105_112916.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwivXBFVFxfnpUvZ3q1tEMqfjV2sk-4OghPFhEnpDCxneN4ZQA7JmiajLQf3xjW61eyVjN7FOClfbIzor_Rv9xmf-LohmTUiPZ0Ijp3WJHyU2reZqtuuJqFwSarDb4l31dIkBBQbwHl-tXM4tnNts7zaxqEsGF4uXv-TFxaxX8vRW_l5T8tNuqHNx2g/s3472/20240105_113002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3472" data-original-width="2069" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwivXBFVFxfnpUvZ3q1tEMqfjV2sk-4OghPFhEnpDCxneN4ZQA7JmiajLQf3xjW61eyVjN7FOClfbIzor_Rv9xmf-LohmTUiPZ0Ijp3WJHyU2reZqtuuJqFwSarDb4l31dIkBBQbwHl-tXM4tnNts7zaxqEsGF4uXv-TFxaxX8vRW_l5T8tNuqHNx2g/w382-h640/20240105_113002.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDJohi7ucjgu24o4UFQ-CwasVB46OoLQjyji2HJTGZA-RWZwMaLfVWkD2qAheBrXQVdVJB15O9CzBNTIQMlAavCTfKQ758CxAqFozHTeafAwU3DVk4dRAJ1oNhJZsQZ2orYCOhD_6eVjqHHMs9mY9FFBpFgkRV77X1_xbZnaVnvgiigrzeEz5zq_sqQ/s3027/20240105_113011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="2270" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDJohi7ucjgu24o4UFQ-CwasVB46OoLQjyji2HJTGZA-RWZwMaLfVWkD2qAheBrXQVdVJB15O9CzBNTIQMlAavCTfKQ758CxAqFozHTeafAwU3DVk4dRAJ1oNhJZsQZ2orYCOhD_6eVjqHHMs9mY9FFBpFgkRV77X1_xbZnaVnvgiigrzeEz5zq_sqQ/w480-h640/20240105_113011.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdMdn0FkRqfxgKv4GqMRw2oyKpQmHTuFQ9S6xA128Zduudlm4oo2tU2Y72_x-kvgLCNi1qojuSTM7TQAz4i3tCPcGG8HOdjM8VK8JmxsJ5LKXwIE8ncJ5QYSuQESTwnNiGZ0bCqZI-EN6tXPzvPeaBdvRi5ith2KxheasSAlaqBO-imeo0Cs5JC4dcw/s3864/20240105_113028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="3864" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdMdn0FkRqfxgKv4GqMRw2oyKpQmHTuFQ9S6xA128Zduudlm4oo2tU2Y72_x-kvgLCNi1qojuSTM7TQAz4i3tCPcGG8HOdjM8VK8JmxsJ5LKXwIE8ncJ5QYSuQESTwnNiGZ0bCqZI-EN6tXPzvPeaBdvRi5ith2KxheasSAlaqBO-imeo0Cs5JC4dcw/w640-h338/20240105_113028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZFgB9sRilnU-ti76HrX-Idizb58yygrdKx20nvXMq1yjDvHt0liS_yHI1i6-MssLaM_pOvnPOAQ5vakLfALcSYlK2jULPBM7Udty8vT-ESGQZDmD-haJDeYVgWHPEewDwSNCmG_luKQThbIFTtz8ZILjacV9YkxSmsUj9LZiPro_i5iuTB0Tum9qgw/s2580/20240105_113041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1829" data-original-width="2580" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZFgB9sRilnU-ti76HrX-Idizb58yygrdKx20nvXMq1yjDvHt0liS_yHI1i6-MssLaM_pOvnPOAQ5vakLfALcSYlK2jULPBM7Udty8vT-ESGQZDmD-haJDeYVgWHPEewDwSNCmG_luKQThbIFTtz8ZILjacV9YkxSmsUj9LZiPro_i5iuTB0Tum9qgw/w640-h454/20240105_113041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMk6sJ68pGqgV6J4R7f3HuH1AuAY0C57jYvtMlJO5wVxePxBnQFp2wxX_ZD6amjqMvWgb9iq0EvXKN7yrt2PYhP2doxD6FNcmPEUALcL_9JlXubofeuFXUOk93RTkcjb3EION7xbRiot_cvA4YDjlAHw7-aOTQBaD-xW_0e70sOwfAy1xzXy5Y9J1_gg/s3168/20240105_113055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="2205" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMk6sJ68pGqgV6J4R7f3HuH1AuAY0C57jYvtMlJO5wVxePxBnQFp2wxX_ZD6amjqMvWgb9iq0EvXKN7yrt2PYhP2doxD6FNcmPEUALcL_9JlXubofeuFXUOk93RTkcjb3EION7xbRiot_cvA4YDjlAHw7-aOTQBaD-xW_0e70sOwfAy1xzXy5Y9J1_gg/w446-h640/20240105_113055.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhYyDEvs1S_7a_YWFtGIeEeOic11AJKsWNLbQzpT1TkMHrz5sgq7gVyhCR_JAkaPQbqXSz5axmnrAakQs2Vf-9RFCc9CO4xguthOt_4abjxo3oH0K9n3BP2SIeot1c1rwY8Zqyk6Pik81TwcFoiErdQD8mvRhmPLrQE5CMSn2NOhJR_9iWTFF21kskn1g/s4080/20240105_113105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyDEvs1S_7a_YWFtGIeEeOic11AJKsWNLbQzpT1TkMHrz5sgq7gVyhCR_JAkaPQbqXSz5axmnrAakQs2Vf-9RFCc9CO4xguthOt_4abjxo3oH0K9n3BP2SIeot1c1rwY8Zqyk6Pik81TwcFoiErdQD8mvRhmPLrQE5CMSn2NOhJR_9iWTFF21kskn1g/w640-h360/20240105_113105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrO70B9kKO_ZmNQMxMs268-khvnbb4EGCkfjvVB2DtP9GwM3h18ZGRfrESgnKF1luyfqBtnTU63I-FJxJ1i_uJOncE-lLYPZVZkZX2vjfkAPKrZIn7qxnxhpFZ2iK_7WIgzxf1KhM9WJjd0qI4I924ijPF-hoT0qgTQWUtyCKZ_sYU3qRDdj0T8GoyQ/s4080/20240105_113108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="4080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrO70B9kKO_ZmNQMxMs268-khvnbb4EGCkfjvVB2DtP9GwM3h18ZGRfrESgnKF1luyfqBtnTU63I-FJxJ1i_uJOncE-lLYPZVZkZX2vjfkAPKrZIn7qxnxhpFZ2iK_7WIgzxf1KhM9WJjd0qI4I924ijPF-hoT0qgTQWUtyCKZ_sYU3qRDdj0T8GoyQ/w640-h320/20240105_113108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the volunteers told us that the attic space has been transformed into a bespoke display space for William De Morgan's tiles, 400 of which have been packed away for decades. From Friday 14th January, these tiles can finally be seen by the public. As a lover of both De Morgan and antique tiles, I'm already excited about our next visit. (More information <a href="https://www.demorgan.org.uk/exhibitions-2/tile-library/?fbclid=IwAR1KIR_Ezpo6dPIzKOVhUTmativBcT9tiA14MNcXshnJg5FEbyCnzflvLkg">HERE</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzA27eHMO8l5cUvFs3XQDVN8M_3oVcBaF_viX-bZZVKKult2zL2ewhDEal0PXOU5IGMOhCC4Vlb2JWi5S8pHCvwNpu34RXcB_Q-sAN1ZNBFENk90db9XTloLvyAk2E-Ifej8c3ZpnA_Vl9VwOHlP3gngQkNT9BqhSge5X02GikrNTasrEHyRKlkNd1Q/s3114/20240105_113224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3114" data-original-width="2207" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzA27eHMO8l5cUvFs3XQDVN8M_3oVcBaF_viX-bZZVKKult2zL2ewhDEal0PXOU5IGMOhCC4Vlb2JWi5S8pHCvwNpu34RXcB_Q-sAN1ZNBFENk90db9XTloLvyAk2E-Ifej8c3ZpnA_Vl9VwOHlP3gngQkNT9BqhSge5X02GikrNTasrEHyRKlkNd1Q/w454-h640/20240105_113224.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've incorporated the Arts & Crafts aesthetic into my outfit - my maxi dress, vintage Afghan jacket (a recent find), Moroccan kilim bag, Tuscan sheepskin hat and Peruvian wrist warmers were all made by hand and, whilst they're not particularly beautiful, my recently chazza-shopped Clarks Gortex-lined leather walking boots are what William Morris would consider useful - they kept my feet dry and warm as we trudged through Wightwick's muddy gardens.</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/AVvXsEhpPBK2FKbpyU_7qYuG_41sOY6o7q1rQuwjrp44suRWq-kA6N7xUssUQa76EBx7MP_F3J6Kw9JmOOsXnYcwp6Q-Hq0RyUL_7BZFks_8vMbsDWtU_5HGL1gZ54NkGEh3MjoBy_4mo04pZQqjFP8oB5CRIMDThabdSQid7fAgOflPmOtJKqlAx2WeOfi4oA/s1616/DSC03456.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPBK2FKbpyU_7qYuG_41sOY6o7q1rQuwjrp44suRWq-kA6N7xUssUQa76EBx7MP_F3J6Kw9JmOOsXnYcwp6Q-Hq0RyUL_7BZFks_8vMbsDWtU_5HGL1gZ54NkGEh3MjoBy_4mo04pZQqjFP8oB5CRIMDThabdSQid7fAgOflPmOtJKqlAx2WeOfi4oA/w428-h640/DSC03456.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wightwick Manor,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; color: #1f1f1f; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wightwick Bank</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; color: #1f1f1f; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Wolverhampton</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; color: #1f1f1f; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">West Midlands</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; color: #1f1f1f; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WV6 8EE </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gardens open daily from 10am - 4pm (House from 11am) </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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading, see you soon!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-57053245175311233212024-01-03T17:05:00.004+00:002024-01-21T18:40:02.820+00:00Stormy Weather<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScmFRdLJFTSX6cEL3mrqd9BXcxwMcog7ujYNF7hfNaP8ucaNLkJswl11RgCk0qxvwMa8YCAGcTTsZKM8hQLGxOYpwVgLL04bcDQ3pGSIyWFy7ery3FEv53W-9RDy_TTMpv62LX5cVddsvETCudvGcZbuCZNB5hXOSSc-RZtnKwiRaeJfFZ5H2wlNS-g/s1200/collage%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScmFRdLJFTSX6cEL3mrqd9BXcxwMcog7ujYNF7hfNaP8ucaNLkJswl11RgCk0qxvwMa8YCAGcTTsZKM8hQLGxOYpwVgLL04bcDQ3pGSIyWFy7ery3FEv53W-9RDy_TTMpv62LX5cVddsvETCudvGcZbuCZNB5hXOSSc-RZtnKwiRaeJfFZ5H2wlNS-g/w640-h480/collage%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello! I can't believe it's the first bin eve of 2024 already, the days are just racing by. Like most of the rest of the UK, we've been battered with the most horrendous weather for days, not that it stopped us going out. If we were worried about getting wet & windswept, we'd probably never leave the house.</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/AVvXsEg9Ezf2BJiJXC1ZIt7BbwAMjiNKiMHb5plLkpBO_4dbQsDYzJYzelQP-04MTOLe67Od2BTc7jrN6xkIQRyOMzk8mCRTMvwf6FshBVzE1kGq_Xy5nTmPSU9Ka5Lug1sj-EGvO0CvY72_wDJcv5N8kFxyMT733J2R7nm72smHDs_t528tX_CMK05McCV1ng/s4080/20231228_123529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2231" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ezf2BJiJXC1ZIt7BbwAMjiNKiMHb5plLkpBO_4dbQsDYzJYzelQP-04MTOLe67Od2BTc7jrN6xkIQRyOMzk8mCRTMvwf6FshBVzE1kGq_Xy5nTmPSU9Ka5Lug1sj-EGvO0CvY72_wDJcv5N8kFxyMT733J2R7nm72smHDs_t528tX_CMK05McCV1ng/w350-h640/20231228_123529.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hold on to your hats! Last Thursday we ignored Storm Gerrit and popped over to Birmingham for a spot of charity shopping. Jon wore one of his many vintage overcoats (this 1960s number was £3 from the charity clearance shop) and I dressed in a vintage <i>Roshafi </i>Indian block printed midi dress and my ancient <i>Suede & Leathercraft Ltd</i> coat. The fringed leather bag is a new addition to my wardrobe, a friend spotted it on <strike>eBay </strike>Vinted for £2 and sent me the link via Whatsapp (mobile phones are a game changer!) when I was in the pub the other day and, needless to say I bought it immediately. For someone who claims not to be into bags I seem to have a ridiculous amount of them! </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/AVvXsEh3YLDpq2BQwUnRwOR5MuzKK3lD_EvJ8MGOcCj7aCHhn4-Gu39asajDmbgHMX6Fu_WqrIl-1z3N1OmATt6iBO59Tla2Q9D39NX7u_bp4a58g_CATfxt7dJn1RqAN9fnE10BMickDomn69tdJ6j5si7eGdLhP8jvAOEoOQXto_SM-lJe1ZonpbVoePYqlg/s2761/20231228_123552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="1934" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YLDpq2BQwUnRwOR5MuzKK3lD_EvJ8MGOcCj7aCHhn4-Gu39asajDmbgHMX6Fu_WqrIl-1z3N1OmATt6iBO59Tla2Q9D39NX7u_bp4a58g_CATfxt7dJn1RqAN9fnE10BMickDomn69tdJ6j5si7eGdLhP8jvAOEoOQXto_SM-lJe1ZonpbVoePYqlg/w448-h640/20231228_123552.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waiting for Banardos to open we popped into the M&S Outlet next door and headed in different directions. Behind me I spotted a man in a really cool jacket and was surprised when he took it off on put it on a rail, I told him how good it looked on him & that it was something my boyfriend would wear, too. His wife piped up, saying that it was absolutely disgusting and that her husband looked vile in it. Minutes later Jon appeared carrying exactly the same jacket, saying it was his New Year's sale treat. The wife walked away shaking her head in horror with her husband trailing after her looking a bit sad. If I was stuck with someone who tried to dictate what clothes I wore they'd soon get the boot (and have done in the past!)</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/AVvXsEguGpBfQB8muRCV3yWHC9cuTYlb-dBO_ZWLjHrLLzhJk24OyTIB6KU2JcQKh8yvyBRxge8ghuzcDVuVKxR_oJ6oV9V5-cdNZPpNCx70mFznWyiiRsUM70za4sDjxbiYl09ZZWNX3mf-loOo8k3Dvm8Cb77wco8VTxtXmabaV3_sLUU_7NvRu4eJ8WMyIQ/s3506/20231230_113157~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3506" data-original-width="2095" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGpBfQB8muRCV3yWHC9cuTYlb-dBO_ZWLjHrLLzhJk24OyTIB6KU2JcQKh8yvyBRxge8ghuzcDVuVKxR_oJ6oV9V5-cdNZPpNCx70mFznWyiiRsUM70za4sDjxbiYl09ZZWNX3mf-loOo8k3Dvm8Cb77wco8VTxtXmabaV3_sLUU_7NvRu4eJ8WMyIQ/w382-h640/20231230_113157~2.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the offending jacket, worn on Saturday to walk down to Lidl and get a few supplies (milk, rum and beer, just the essentials!) It's fleece lined so it's really warm. </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/AVvXsEh6ByyFLpRNvss4CoT1oQwaA4PLmNWhV3zeLq7R_sNr9wYFb1LBptutOKO267-c1E-zCBQSMI98ZY0pSB-B8Bw4ds1rz4yhc3nZR_r0TclSHJaKoYK3ly7KKqtg4pKbuR05daBE0SQmXmnLPd3XEQiexEDLloQqIeAXCnqsiFWLuU338i23ILkOGEW4bQ/s3264/hat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3015" data-original-width="3264" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ByyFLpRNvss4CoT1oQwaA4PLmNWhV3zeLq7R_sNr9wYFb1LBptutOKO267-c1E-zCBQSMI98ZY0pSB-B8Bw4ds1rz4yhc3nZR_r0TclSHJaKoYK3ly7KKqtg4pKbuR05daBE0SQmXmnLPd3XEQiexEDLloQqIeAXCnqsiFWLuU338i23ILkOGEW4bQ/w640-h592/hat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Talking of new jackets, check out mine. It was made by Baily's of Glastonbury, which closed down in the early 1980s after sheepskins fell out of fashion. We sell a lot of sheepskins but I think it's the first black one I've come across. The charity shop it came from has a very inconsistent pricing structure, sometimes I recoil in horror at the crazy prices on mediocre high street tat and other times I can't believe my eyes. This beauty was £10! The satin maxi is Zara via the clearance chazza and Liz made me the hat.</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/AVvXsEjCPPR0oUeOiPrciVa-5Tk6akBULkEeZ08giYhVV_aPzSsKOIaOUAHSnecrIKLKmA1H6deVNU4Lphfxor68qKT6uJ-UdXi45eNNQU0vO8b50YpeF1q0l2ueUM0r5EvLtNLzgB4p4D4jAKztfVPLGYyjG8fsF9PFON6dMPQ87XnhjQ2GCiTYpxSUOnlhvA/s3515/20231229_185300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1825" data-original-width="3515" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPPR0oUeOiPrciVa-5Tk6akBULkEeZ08giYhVV_aPzSsKOIaOUAHSnecrIKLKmA1H6deVNU4Lphfxor68qKT6uJ-UdXi45eNNQU0vO8b50YpeF1q0l2ueUM0r5EvLtNLzgB4p4D4jAKztfVPLGYyjG8fsF9PFON6dMPQ87XnhjQ2GCiTYpxSUOnlhvA/w640-h332/20231229_185300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the Zara nail polish in Whisper which Liz gave me for Xmas, along with three of the rings from Jon's tin of tribal jewellery. I painted my nails with it on Friday (with Barry M top coat and undercoat) and it's not chipped at all, forget the virgin birth, that really is a Xmas miracle. </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/AVvXsEjjnVFoIWgPjUveot44SGnd0TZk62-B0EW1uJSZa3x8VydISBj5AGt7kDmBTqiaR_cY1PbgKaMGwNTXcjIDbmHKojEC-lSOOq99xBET0AW42fbmAlgnyXFjNBHfoKUDUxCF2kawLia2tdPru1nyX2crVv9yJqPs9ksCjrRkZfguEN7DMMCkMiJDo94NMA/s3138/20231231_112924~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3138" data-original-width="2194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnVFoIWgPjUveot44SGnd0TZk62-B0EW1uJSZa3x8VydISBj5AGt7kDmBTqiaR_cY1PbgKaMGwNTXcjIDbmHKojEC-lSOOq99xBET0AW42fbmAlgnyXFjNBHfoKUDUxCF2kawLia2tdPru1nyX2crVv9yJqPs9ksCjrRkZfguEN7DMMCkMiJDo94NMA/w448-h640/20231231_112924~2.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">With new garments entering our wardrobes (I neglected to mention some new boots snaffled from the Clarks Outlet), we needed to create some charity shop karma and dropped off a bin bag of stuff to Cancer UK on Sunday morning. Jon realised he'd got 12 Breton tops so weeded out the best and donated the rest! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO69WK2Yy-umPDZKKpBMOPTPSbo3bz9bBCmRaQWy8bWUbH2Dl7Mt7Hpxvww0ubbcnFT6HM4VOhonDVfvck4-i4TXiO45umiip5FYxyA6zD1ZsOf0VtKCoyNV_AWJmY_C-KIOnLrnzAFuLWbnfUuHhAGTB_Qfggdea3hc5NKKTNDVX3I4dfR2Na226pRQ/s2600/20231231_112946~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="1943" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO69WK2Yy-umPDZKKpBMOPTPSbo3bz9bBCmRaQWy8bWUbH2Dl7Mt7Hpxvww0ubbcnFT6HM4VOhonDVfvck4-i4TXiO45umiip5FYxyA6zD1ZsOf0VtKCoyNV_AWJmY_C-KIOnLrnzAFuLWbnfUuHhAGTB_Qfggdea3hc5NKKTNDVX3I4dfR2Na226pRQ/w478-h640/20231231_112946~2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wore the vintage velvet embroidered kaftan I bought last month topped with a sheepskin gilet that used to belong to a friend.</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/AVvXsEgvXXNpqqE6l8qY4_s3shRp591PMjmOJf6OtOeLMw5K4jV-NbCkBmtjckUA1woJ1VguBuqI-N8E0E2Bm-JONBdR3W22jnjel-Z3tx3CBrOwhvn4mPPPvIsA7zAJFJhiEdkTGjBfQNXf34wGkbu5Wz4aVAqn33lPAdFGGIE4L1JQMlpBdYO194f4YcxqEQ/s2873/20240101_121733~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="1982" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXXNpqqE6l8qY4_s3shRp591PMjmOJf6OtOeLMw5K4jV-NbCkBmtjckUA1woJ1VguBuqI-N8E0E2Bm-JONBdR3W22jnjel-Z3tx3CBrOwhvn4mPPPvIsA7zAJFJhiEdkTGjBfQNXf34wGkbu5Wz4aVAqn33lPAdFGGIE4L1JQMlpBdYO194f4YcxqEQ/w442-h640/20240101_121733~2.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because we're weird we celebrated the New Year on Ist January. Waking up to a new year with a raging hangover just doesn't seem right. Instead we were in bed before midnight on NYE and I was up and on the Wii Fit at 6am the following morning and listing stuff on eBay until the pub beckoned. Jon wore his current favourite vintage coat again whilst I gave the Baily's another outing (the vintage maxi underneath is by Bernshaw, one of my favourite labels for flamboyant 1970s dresses). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eg7YdobSMCTY2yjGeQbLYfD1kTR1PsfAN61WmYgPSBHXCRCfzBx7kFNoBK-oPWtJBxGYLFjbqpfL_3HaY2XXXdcX4L_8vDjiBW_pkccVI6EuUkdII-kasA0UdbmcJgYUneymmKZSnFg3gmvUb9AkemeT46yy3YCFm4G6SbKV8Sp5CpFn5244Kpda2w/s2859/20240101_121836~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2859" data-original-width="1793" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eg7YdobSMCTY2yjGeQbLYfD1kTR1PsfAN61WmYgPSBHXCRCfzBx7kFNoBK-oPWtJBxGYLFjbqpfL_3HaY2XXXdcX4L_8vDjiBW_pkccVI6EuUkdII-kasA0UdbmcJgYUneymmKZSnFg3gmvUb9AkemeT46yy3YCFm4G6SbKV8Sp5CpFn5244Kpda2w/w402-h640/20240101_121836~2.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We met Tony, Liz & Adrian in Spoons. Tony left to watch the Walsall match and the rest of us stayed until just gone 4pm. We left just as Storm Henk hit the Midlands and we were drenched by the time we'd walked home</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtZ8ibQCcNG5gZHz2q4ST5QQtFcnTNSRg5wu0tL4jyxySEozdLZqhcGzYJ21psbEYYvzAF37mEVntWitnXGsnaiEU6eAFhSJVC9bTIVrIvHkMPmrrDtoOb1cUFvyJ-DlOnWg1ueNzbyKxa4vPMQBaSRQY7TE2EG21eAyR2w9-tAsE_FYk9huqyEEfNw/s1606/1200px-Anne_of_Cleves,_by_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtZ8ibQCcNG5gZHz2q4ST5QQtFcnTNSRg5wu0tL4jyxySEozdLZqhcGzYJ21psbEYYvzAF37mEVntWitnXGsnaiEU6eAFhSJVC9bTIVrIvHkMPmrrDtoOb1cUFvyJ-DlOnWg1ueNzbyKxa4vPMQBaSRQY7TE2EG21eAyR2w9-tAsE_FYk9huqyEEfNw/w478-h640/1200px-Anne_of_Cleves,_by_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anne of Cleves by Hans Holbein the Younger</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday (Tuesday) was an absolute washout, we were like drowned rats walking back from our first swim of 2024. With no prospect of taking any stock photos for eBay I followed the link my friend Elaine left in her comment on my last post and enrolled on an online course in a <a href="https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/royal-fashion">History of Royal Fashion</a> - I'm no monarchist but I bloody love clothes - and I spent a joyful afternoon learning about Tudor fashion. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemTtrdAMym6saHy_Ptca6KUcppHogHWQLoREZMEAIB6_S7isBm_CpI1A98iHlL-_XfLhJlsYMN6J4fCfnsYmPWcTgL85RxQF-9UWNWK65STI_aZh1yoIf4bHkiSpxZI6UovN55EMyvLTVBboMUmg_jNmczCq_UqAFBPCYJ0gTPp3X2KKarNB-NNwRLA/s1765/Elizabeth_I_Rainbow_Portrait.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemTtrdAMym6saHy_Ptca6KUcppHogHWQLoREZMEAIB6_S7isBm_CpI1A98iHlL-_XfLhJlsYMN6J4fCfnsYmPWcTgL85RxQF-9UWNWK65STI_aZh1yoIf4bHkiSpxZI6UovN55EMyvLTVBboMUmg_jNmczCq_UqAFBPCYJ0gTPp3X2KKarNB-NNwRLA/w436-h640/Elizabeth_I_Rainbow_Portrait.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Known as The Rainbow Portrait of Elizabeth I attributed to Isaac Oliver</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Next week it's the turn of the Stuarts, I can hardly wait! </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/AVvXsEgvFir4-wKrUgJryIX9cLSyVyIyTlp42YHaKJg032yhZB_bhvBYM4XhxwvLjTEzO1Id3MMNgYArS-18dvR2heF3Uqo9NY9kc-HHBAelTby6nZKOuN2gu4IRnWK_XiRHwhln6M5ED409CXxqBE1RdyQeOe2rYmep2Pov2vPMOuzdHJMwmHwBzZjEqt7N1w/s3251/20240103_113143~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3251" data-original-width="1875" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFir4-wKrUgJryIX9cLSyVyIyTlp42YHaKJg032yhZB_bhvBYM4XhxwvLjTEzO1Id3MMNgYArS-18dvR2heF3Uqo9NY9kc-HHBAelTby6nZKOuN2gu4IRnWK_XiRHwhln6M5ED409CXxqBE1RdyQeOe2rYmep2Pov2vPMOuzdHJMwmHwBzZjEqt7N1w/w370-h640/20240103_113143~2.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today we popped over to our favourite Black Country town for some more charity shopping. I'd admired this block printed cotton midi dress on the East website last Spring and couldn't believe it when I spotted it secondhand! The Rabari necklace came from the clearance charity shop on Sunday morning - well you didn't really think I'd drop a bag of donations off and run, did you? Once a maximalist, always a maximalist!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's this week's finds: </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/AVvXsEiJoudqHBOiNdWhJ_YKIn8fJH_AfrO8gUHu59jGvfaEB_aDoqwvhYdlKos4yJfUumsUzxz1CLNavMrQrtOe9rLhOt7PjNRXIyFhs4_yX5NJLPIE0Pg0yCZXgWddwxPCaPmfqa6zQ_AxX7fnSReiMz1nggAN0bpp1fwNLyYKKNrv2jOOtIQGU6ucQwIfzg/s1200/collage%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoudqHBOiNdWhJ_YKIn8fJH_AfrO8gUHu59jGvfaEB_aDoqwvhYdlKos4yJfUumsUzxz1CLNavMrQrtOe9rLhOt7PjNRXIyFhs4_yX5NJLPIE0Pg0yCZXgWddwxPCaPmfqa6zQ_AxX7fnSReiMz1nggAN0bpp1fwNLyYKKNrv2jOOtIQGU6ucQwIfzg/w640-h480/collage%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: <i>Beyond Skin</i>, handmade in Spain vegan non leather shoes; <i>Woolrich</i>, Italian mohair poncho with the tags still attached (retails at £200); 1980s suede and fur ankle boots; 1970s jumbo cord blazer; 1970s <i>BHS</i> velour V neck; <i>Zara </i>cowgirl shirt; <i>Anthropologie</i> wrap blouse; Jay Z's <i>Roccawear</i> denim blazer;<i> Clarks</i> boots; Fake fur coat; 1970s cottagecore maxi dress; <i>Jasper Conran</i> leather bag; 1970s suede skirt; Vintage<i> Jaeger</i> leather jacket; 1980s <i>Tina </i>sequin waistcoat; 1980s <i>St Michael</i> chenille cardi; 1980s <i>Dorothy Perkins</i> ra-ra dress; 1980s beaded cocktail top; 1970s lace wedding dress.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNN7cVic-5SBsH6trErZOQKsAmkOPSEYZe9mRbCmdi1kzRLjLSlHCZiZL_dOT-PmRDWj0CY374heluvIeFbvLRFafQbfyIX5VNmWfCYo5oucWuzuhXvJ9U08ZyuwjshkStcD0MkSDch36aWRG6Tm9ScayT0dzpef7QCgSpoB5nqiHQKeQ9R29KlJtXg/s4080/20240103_133306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNN7cVic-5SBsH6trErZOQKsAmkOPSEYZe9mRbCmdi1kzRLjLSlHCZiZL_dOT-PmRDWj0CY374heluvIeFbvLRFafQbfyIX5VNmWfCYo5oucWuzuhXvJ9U08ZyuwjshkStcD0MkSDch36aWRG6Tm9ScayT0dzpef7QCgSpoB5nqiHQKeQ9R29KlJtXg/w360-h640/20240103_133306.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Here's today's top find, a merino wool "London Icon" scarf, made in Ireland for hip New York designer Thom Browne, it's still got the Selfridges tags attached - RRP £685!!! An unwanted Xmas present? </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL80NUdZeY8XKPf3g93p91VEJ7Zjso8yM3c_FS10004fdNU6-ArpPdviq1nvWD-xvil3uKlR26eHcSL2VMawrFNePmvz6PP-mLQ_n9vUOR2pjT5ArcTGS0lTKOy-ow85ffbdfXj7gaIYIUkGIwXHAwNUsKFvJA2PxQfxx1sDxIqu0cuBTb0UE4V7-r1w/s1848/Thom-Browne-01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1848" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL80NUdZeY8XKPf3g93p91VEJ7Zjso8yM3c_FS10004fdNU6-ArpPdviq1nvWD-xvil3uKlR26eHcSL2VMawrFNePmvz6PP-mLQ_n9vUOR2pjT5ArcTGS0lTKOy-ow85ffbdfXj7gaIYIUkGIwXHAwNUsKFvJA2PxQfxx1sDxIqu0cuBTb0UE4V7-r1w/w640-h334/Thom-Browne-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://the-talks.com/interview/thom-browne/">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In an interview with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/oct/13/fashion-designer-thom-browne-men-should-be-able-to-wear-anything">The Guardian</a> in October, 2023 Thom Browne said that "Men should be able to wear anything". Try telling that to the grumpy woman in Marks & Spencers!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year I read a total of 99 books (I don't include travel guides), I've only been tracking what I read for the last three years, it's a useful reference point and should help me not to buy the same book twice although it's not infallible! </div><p></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">1. Single & Single - John le Carré</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">2. Machines Like Me - Ian McEwan</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">3. The Land of Decoration - Grace McCleen</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">4. The Wolf Den - Elodie Harper</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">5. The Little House - Philippa Gregory</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">6. Spring Tide - Cilla & Ralf Borjlind</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">7. A Curl of Copper & Pearl - Kirsty Stonell Walker</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">8. Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon - Iris Apfel</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">9. The Queen's Fool - Philippa Gregory</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">10. Pre-Raphaelite Girl Gang - Kirsty Stonell Walker</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">11. Stunner (The Fall and Rise of Fanny Cornforth) - Kirsty Stonell Walker</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">12. Swimming Home - Deborah Levy</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">13. Spook Street - Mick Herron</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">14. Lizzie Siddal :The Tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite Supermodel - Lucinda Hawksley</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">15. The Calling: A John Luther Novel - Neil Cross</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">16. The Penelopiad - Margaret Atwood</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">17. Prospero's Cell - Lawrence Durrell</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">18. Affinity - Sarah Waters</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">19. Weight: The Myth of Atlas & Heracules - Jeanette </span>Winterson<br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">20. A Good Man in Africa - William Boyd</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">21. Where My Heart Used To Beat - Sebastian Faulks</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">22. Toby's Room - Pat Barker</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">23. The Patience of the Spider - Andrea Camilleri</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">24. Fear of the Dark - Walter Mosley</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">25. The Essex Serpent - Sarah Perry</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">26. Boxes - Pascal Garnier</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">27. The Constant Princess - Philippa Gregory</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">28. Sovereign - CJ Samson</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">29. Electra - Jennifer Saint</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">30. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">31. Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague - Geraldine Brooks</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">32. Unsheltered - Barbara Kingsolver</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">33. The Garden of the Gods - Gerald Durrell</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">34. Troy - Stephen Fry</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">35. Their Little Secret - Mark Billingham</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">36. Dancing with the Uninvited Guest - J Wallis Martin</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">37. Bring Up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">38. The Ashes of London - Andrew Taylor</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">39. The Other Queen - Philippa Gregory</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">40. I'll Be There For You - Louise Candlish</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">41. The Mirror and The Light - Hilary Mantel</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">42. The House of Fortune - Jessie Burton</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">43. The Mermaid of Black Conch - Monique Roffey</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">44. Dawnlands - Philippa Gregory</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">45. Ithaca - Claire North</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">46. A Conspiracy of Violence - Susanna Gregory</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">47. For The Most Beautiful - Emily Hauser</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">48. Fingersmith - Sarah Waters</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">49. Daughters of Sparta - Claire Heywood</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">50. The Weather Woman - Sally Gardner</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">51. Seven Days of Friday: Women of Greece - Alex A King</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">52. Paperback Raita - Will Rhode</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">53. An Ancient Guide to Modern Life - Natalie Haynes</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">54. Riccardino - Andrea Camilleri</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">55. No One Home - Tim Weaver</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">56. The Road - Cormac McCarthy</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">57. Rites of Spring - Anders de la Motte</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">58. Scapegallows - Carol Birch</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">59. The Bellini Madonna - Elizabeth Lowry</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">60. Joe Country - Mick Herron</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">61. Perfect - Rachel Joyce</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">62. Savage Lands - Clare Clark</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">63. Educated - Tara Westover</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">64. So The Doves - Heidi James</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">65. The Living Sea of Waking Dreams - Richard Flanagan</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">66. My Name is Red - Orham Pamuk</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">67. The Last Runaway - Tracy Chevalier</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">68. The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley - Sean Lusk</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">69. The Sin Eater - Megan Campisi</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">70. The Unseeing - Anna Mazzola</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">71. The Gifts - Liz Hyder</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">72. The Mad Women's Ball - Victoria Mas, Frank Wynne</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">73. Sanfoka - Chibundu Onuzo</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">74. The Paying Guests - Sarah Waters</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">75. Dominion - CJ Sansom</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">76. The Sanctuary - Andrew Hunter Murray</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">77. Paris Echo - Sebastian Faulks</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">78. Fever - Mary Beth Keane</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">79. The Sea House - Esther Freud</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">80. Spies & Stars - Charlotte Bingham</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">81. Brooklyn - Colm Tóibín</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">82. The Stranger's Child - Alan Hollinghurst</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">83. You Shall Know Our Velocity - Dave Eggers</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">84. The Bullet That Missed - Richard Osman</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">85. Fools' Gold - Philippa Gregory</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">86. Age of Iron - JM Coetzee</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">87. The Journal of Mrs Pepys - Sara George</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">88. V2 - Robert Harris</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">89. Code Name Madeleine: A Sufi Spy in Nazi-Occupied Paris - Arthur J. Magida</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">90. Painter To The King - Amy Sackville</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">91. For Queen & Country - Alan Judd</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">92. The Unwanted Dead - Chris Lloyd</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">93. Last Orders - Graham Swift</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">94. The Graves of Whitechapel - Claire Evans</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">95. The Scandal - Fredrik Backman</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">96. A Perfectly Good Family - Lionel Shriver</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">97. Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">98. Not Another Greek Salad - Ann Rickard</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">99. Regeneration - Pat Barker</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjMjrVoj9oAWqc8LJz2JceT5ouZ9Tn6ud88DWUZK5IrYrg2f-sKeV6sUvNQQyV0sdvjRiJXl9ZwHuglncSAavRnN5AS9zegYttN0Fs5iaZiOqnCZGElJxLC97GVtX62NyFv6xwngkiRYCOQHRMr2Ce1gZ9Nx3c8YukixYGV-L3OZbFSOc34LepoS_gA/s1024/download%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjMjrVoj9oAWqc8LJz2JceT5ouZ9Tn6ud88DWUZK5IrYrg2f-sKeV6sUvNQQyV0sdvjRiJXl9ZwHuglncSAavRnN5AS9zegYttN0Fs5iaZiOqnCZGElJxLC97GVtX62NyFv6xwngkiRYCOQHRMr2Ce1gZ9Nx3c8YukixYGV-L3OZbFSOc34LepoS_gA/w442-h640/download%20(1).png" width="442" /></a></div><div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Viewing-wise, since I last mentioned the films we've watched, we've seen The Last Bus, Sicario, Cyrano and The Triangle of Sadness and, as Jon's never watched Auf Wiedersehen, Pet! (he reckons that he was far to busy being in bands in the 1980s to bother with the telly) I'm in the process of introducing him to Dennis, Neville, Oz, Bomber, Barry, Moxie and Wayne. </span>Just as good today as it was in 1984!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSPvMhKjftIX_vcsuZS9Z6MMV4kIwLVEIoTFSwFZhVYdWh3Gcdq42ZFQ4fUL1o-d8lhozy0fsGZKTfpWyfVDvuoJqVXfDEk9V1XP5uKIWnjd47U6AZFP4bU9VIjND1v6i1Xh4HuNdBwiS1TrfRJE9rlGk3eGzGlVnBWLKFt3zBY0a835kcNYeJI0x6Q/s1470/auf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSPvMhKjftIX_vcsuZS9Z6MMV4kIwLVEIoTFSwFZhVYdWh3Gcdq42ZFQ4fUL1o-d8lhozy0fsGZKTfpWyfVDvuoJqVXfDEk9V1XP5uKIWnjd47U6AZFP4bU9VIjND1v6i1Xh4HuNdBwiS1TrfRJE9rlGk3eGzGlVnBWLKFt3zBY0a835kcNYeJI0x6Q/w436-h640/auf.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The temperatures are forecast to plummet but hopefully we've seen the back of the rain, fingers crossed that we can squeeze in a National Trust outing before the week's out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See you soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-79935986942852053522023-12-31T13:39:00.005+00:002024-01-01T06:50:26.093+00:00A Twixtmas Mosey Around Moseley<p></p><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/AVvXsEhs9mR3n3P1rXEK2mzDHihdNAZfB9Y_9OJM43XyGGSpS5_X85_dfx-nFsmoYrItvVc9_uunRKjVaIxHFIYLLWYOJQa7-1IbMKhojhALfIqClvcHGAMPApWf_l1H9EDD8i9etkLM8wt30DNf3aQdiY-vHbaiyvhF_jEwHdeFcgYElMOwt8Ztpcndfl3V4Q/s4080/20231229_120712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9mR3n3P1rXEK2mzDHihdNAZfB9Y_9OJM43XyGGSpS5_X85_dfx-nFsmoYrItvVc9_uunRKjVaIxHFIYLLWYOJQa7-1IbMKhojhALfIqClvcHGAMPApWf_l1H9EDD8i9etkLM8wt30DNf3aQdiY-vHbaiyvhF_jEwHdeFcgYElMOwt8Ztpcndfl3V4Q/w640-h360/20231229_120712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span>On Friday morning, after days of relentless rain, the endless precipitation had dwindled to a mere drizzle so we hastily knocked up some cheese sandwiches, filled a flask and headed off to Moseley Old Hall which, at just 25 minutes drive away, is the closest National Trust property to home.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuTTJBDQW4Ppr2fOHuvCAUhdOT2Bwv83xGkuJ8hF8mpWV1S3c7dDFP82BVFcsaGbiQcHhq4BvcqJdBiQdz3wkFJm6YqmHIWjbGbTmhGf7oLDJYgYlxrUfM0eTDC6WpMHAvfP6eOV4ut7VdwO2HM8F4FAfhFceiZho45c_ZMzfo8bhoAtjZLYf0GFGLQ/s4080/20231229_115931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuTTJBDQW4Ppr2fOHuvCAUhdOT2Bwv83xGkuJ8hF8mpWV1S3c7dDFP82BVFcsaGbiQcHhq4BvcqJdBiQdz3wkFJm6YqmHIWjbGbTmhGf7oLDJYgYlxrUfM0eTDC6WpMHAvfP6eOV4ut7VdwO2HM8F4FAfhFceiZho45c_ZMzfo8bhoAtjZLYf0GFGLQ/w640-h360/20231229_115931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Built in around 1600, </span><span>Moseley Old Hall </span><span>was originally half-timbered but after falling into disrepair, in 1870 the building received a typically brutal Victorian makeover with the Elizabethan windows replaced and the outer walls cladded in brick although, mercifully, the Tudor chimneys remained intact. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-dfzKu1JJoY57xAT1kIBN7ohnqOHjRsiEwNfQuBUmCW7IquUo77yoXPMs1FkpKa5M5-TtYj_pshj0iitzQxYSkNyikLl2HZgBbLirAbWKCzz5ZhBQVGfJlIbr2I5BSy-g70asibLy3fwkLfBJ6J31kFfJAsYWASoK-1jhRWE3TjfRQDtsoVfMBCktQ/s599/475px-King_Charles_II_(1630%E2%80%931685)_as_a_Young_Man_in_Exile.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="475" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-dfzKu1JJoY57xAT1kIBN7ohnqOHjRsiEwNfQuBUmCW7IquUo77yoXPMs1FkpKa5M5-TtYj_pshj0iitzQxYSkNyikLl2HZgBbLirAbWKCzz5ZhBQVGfJlIbr2I5BSy-g70asibLy3fwkLfBJ6J31kFfJAsYWASoK-1jhRWE3TjfRQDtsoVfMBCktQ/w508-h640/475px-King_Charles_II_(1630%E2%80%931685)_as_a_Young_Man_in_Exile.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">King Charles II by Gerard Von Hondhorst (c.1650)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span>Known as </span><i>The House That Saved A King,</i><span> this compact Elizabethan farmhouse on the outskirts of Wolverhampton famously offered shelter to King Charles II after he fled Cromwell's troops following defeat at The Battle of Worcester in 1651. </span></span>The hall was owned by the Roman Catholic Whitgreave family who were wealthy wool merchants and remained occupied by the same family until 1925. In subsequent years the hall was used as a farmhouse which again fell into disrepair with the owners eventually handing Moseley Old Hall over to the care of the National Trust in 1962. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jyMFBc9Xv724q5DS36zR_IyJ9mAAk7VN9gocD4iYhbBHPdR1DMRrlVlH2rwBJkEgLObSpKmOSy-RWa4IwZvUF_pdZqg3s4VC0lJD3DI9bKkQV3vhrtKCJsDMnGCBlgeK9JcLVVuYS68dnF-rqH3PbSnA7i1qSncA6NqK0DluxtfaGLGhdp0Ax5b6EA/s2000/m9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jyMFBc9Xv724q5DS36zR_IyJ9mAAk7VN9gocD4iYhbBHPdR1DMRrlVlH2rwBJkEgLObSpKmOSy-RWa4IwZvUF_pdZqg3s4VC0lJD3DI9bKkQV3vhrtKCJsDMnGCBlgeK9JcLVVuYS68dnF-rqH3PbSnA7i1qSncA6NqK0DluxtfaGLGhdp0Ax5b6EA/w536-h640/m9.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Charles II by John Michael Wright (1617 - 1694)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I've mentioned before, I was mad about Charles II as a child, even keeping a scrapbook with pictures of the glamorous raven-locked 6' 2" monarch and stories I'd copied out of library books. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RHIqICD5ZOGDVW8x6q81Vesan4qglMJjnhY2vYrJFA-ZnGHwr4c1eA7q0AUB3z53xNqxC5Uj8TOPIyqiuz8Snz1ZS5Evim2txU0GmzdEtdYbfloFpE29PNjhb92n03KhZ94cyrLrSiENX74ST6bpzv72yEp4I8TuQPmWfD_0kAom_7WLAmvtHTQfPQ/s580/img-1-small580.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="580" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RHIqICD5ZOGDVW8x6q81Vesan4qglMJjnhY2vYrJFA-ZnGHwr4c1eA7q0AUB3z53xNqxC5Uj8TOPIyqiuz8Snz1ZS5Evim2txU0GmzdEtdYbfloFpE29PNjhb92n03KhZ94cyrLrSiENX74ST6bpzv72yEp4I8TuQPmWfD_0kAom_7WLAmvtHTQfPQ/w640-h422/img-1-small580.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">Hieronymus Janssens, </span><em style="color: #666666; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">Charles II Dancing at a Ball at Court</em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">, c. 1660</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II decided that he would need to impress the public and therefore his appearance was his first priority. Realising </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">that the French fashion which he'd worn when he lived with Louis XIV during his exile in France would not be popular in Britain he banned <i>French fashion</i> from his court. Instead, the king adopted the "Parisian vest" and wore a suit jacket over the top thus inventing the three-piece suit. He also insisted that all the fabric and other material that made up his clothes must be English, making</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> Charles II the first person in British history to start a fashion revolution (another reason to love him!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5-JyUYkL4UfAOTlawIvIYURUDOKdYnraO0iujnOthPf1QgYnqKJdgm7cIhtNPHfhBK4MUikKR79yQOmKLd1jX2wXfQcFVYkEEyW3eLdwV3sTCYQJqaKKrh1H1Cyyx5C_PskuPW2y9ezLielrE_n5uHmboQWQqKfHbhyphenhyphen3avQYd7_l1q1vfS3BON31OA/s1616/DSC03197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1616" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5-JyUYkL4UfAOTlawIvIYURUDOKdYnraO0iujnOthPf1QgYnqKJdgm7cIhtNPHfhBK4MUikKR79yQOmKLd1jX2wXfQcFVYkEEyW3eLdwV3sTCYQJqaKKrh1H1Cyyx5C_PskuPW2y9ezLielrE_n5uHmboQWQqKfHbhyphenhyphen3avQYd7_l1q1vfS3BON31OA/w640-h428/DSC03197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hear, hear! </span></div><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/AVvXsEgv2VweViVu78I5d_UsA4OUGN1RYuNM6spB2LbU5KjgXbXURrqNPWdIxMU4hG8tW9zzySrCb5yJTKJawoTDh2-Zb50AxABTA2hQ2_UTO1-xE_VGp4wvGomYz5rfKZSunEGNgfa0L7a0yr1cWJxmsfDdSzamAk5m4Ud63fjBjaj1m8ijshLeutJCg3yDEQ/s1591/DSC03199.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1591" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2VweViVu78I5d_UsA4OUGN1RYuNM6spB2LbU5KjgXbXURrqNPWdIxMU4hG8tW9zzySrCb5yJTKJawoTDh2-Zb50AxABTA2hQ2_UTO1-xE_VGp4wvGomYz5rfKZSunEGNgfa0L7a0yr1cWJxmsfDdSzamAk5m4Ud63fjBjaj1m8ijshLeutJCg3yDEQ/w640-h432/DSC03199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wandering the grounds of Moseley Old Hall we were sad not to see the peacock who'd befriended us on previous visits but were rather enamoured by the ginger ducks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dvHV48xAtQiIImes0irxF_WtDxiIr4Rg0ml2Pw5IjUboOTHaoMiw7gPpkCq89EHBwZV0uHxrE3d-lzXBTjfvwDLUdlFNHT6fzbg6t2CXJdX5PgrrMJ1bE0b-WQwja5oehVa9N6Il_Fw0xYYn0HZIiO9pbBmgww_3fngI3q-QQaASZMRx30PHkhLwbA/s3264/m3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="3264" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dvHV48xAtQiIImes0irxF_WtDxiIr4Rg0ml2Pw5IjUboOTHaoMiw7gPpkCq89EHBwZV0uHxrE3d-lzXBTjfvwDLUdlFNHT6fzbg6t2CXJdX5PgrrMJ1bE0b-WQwja5oehVa9N6Il_Fw0xYYn0HZIiO9pbBmgww_3fngI3q-QQaASZMRx30PHkhLwbA/w640-h230/m3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mercifully there weren't many visitors around, always a bonus, nothing spoils a photo more than someone dressed in a day-glo fleece & a Santa hat emerging through a 17th Century topiary arch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNDXvgwaQoxCe5GPh-G9SN15sD__hvBFhxY6xE90z_AKE5gVOEy-X0EECQbByRWYxku0C-rutIsAiGkvtCSF-JGejXTJyeKn81xj7-GAlgQ34uoVgcAKx9S2cDJtHuvTSdKRTGGj0nH7mBKBewQVqWzsWXYU4RNQFWJlMQPrL4NzRWrk-7NC9auXNBA/s1536/DSC03202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1536" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNDXvgwaQoxCe5GPh-G9SN15sD__hvBFhxY6xE90z_AKE5gVOEy-X0EECQbByRWYxku0C-rutIsAiGkvtCSF-JGejXTJyeKn81xj7-GAlgQ34uoVgcAKx9S2cDJtHuvTSdKRTGGj0nH7mBKBewQVqWzsWXYU4RNQFWJlMQPrL4NzRWrk-7NC9auXNBA/w640-h428/DSC03202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJL63B0hn67n2b5P2M1x1dSNOsxw716YJ8gxJ_4uo-H-zthgNJEYB45yBhLH1Td1XZcqSV1p-5z_XOCdKLtNvDXF3F5KPTyjNP15vRJbsvYucPRrmSBBy4fPBoZbgcB30lwUHecfm6ChdK0zO2XfkDOCjcW-6nwAhyphenhyphenDAC71tdPERem7NCOl9XRU6J4A/s3264/m2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="3264" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJL63B0hn67n2b5P2M1x1dSNOsxw716YJ8gxJ_4uo-H-zthgNJEYB45yBhLH1Td1XZcqSV1p-5z_XOCdKLtNvDXF3F5KPTyjNP15vRJbsvYucPRrmSBBy4fPBoZbgcB30lwUHecfm6ChdK0zO2XfkDOCjcW-6nwAhyphenhyphenDAC71tdPERem7NCOl9XRU6J4A/w640-h248/m2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxa635SxSw11zqe_TWSC8oBkqSD04UwCKp_eeTL8sCLjpVrHW9ilb3g0G4ZYrexT8VxjwF75ny4GkhvAI7lOG0YhxTJ6CtpjjjHs8tYR_67FttN_Q5-7vU-If4nefk2yx2sfRoT-mlkqngsyYTwbdk64WLKKz6r-nalBpmRoeUE0V5hJKF4wSZm94Sw/s1616/DSC03213.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxa635SxSw11zqe_TWSC8oBkqSD04UwCKp_eeTL8sCLjpVrHW9ilb3g0G4ZYrexT8VxjwF75ny4GkhvAI7lOG0YhxTJ6CtpjjjHs8tYR_67FttN_Q5-7vU-If4nefk2yx2sfRoT-mlkqngsyYTwbdk64WLKKz6r-nalBpmRoeUE0V5hJKF4wSZm94Sw/w428-h640/DSC03213.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite some rather ominous looking skies, the rain stayed away for the duration of our visit but it was tremendously soggy underfoot and we congratulated ourselves on having the foresight to wear our Docs.</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/AVvXsEjwjwqcYju9Wzku9eCBsNWGG9UzNCWxXEIjY-NGdy1ff2U4R1vw9JWFnT07DeheRbsq4tA60AWTO7IZq_HWoEM_afzEhldwgYfrhSZS9aYBxU-OLV0pL6FkExiQ7QiKYuD1wxIty9BLTYRLqCfJ1QystTC76JS27WaZFjhI33tGrSJlzvfPIuxVzaChvA/s3128/m8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3128" data-original-width="2346" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjwqcYju9Wzku9eCBsNWGG9UzNCWxXEIjY-NGdy1ff2U4R1vw9JWFnT07DeheRbsq4tA60AWTO7IZq_HWoEM_afzEhldwgYfrhSZS9aYBxU-OLV0pL6FkExiQ7QiKYuD1wxIty9BLTYRLqCfJ1QystTC76JS27WaZFjhI33tGrSJlzvfPIuxVzaChvA/w480-h640/m8.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjqdedL5zC0nzxl_YQOAg3v807vANv4-Uh52VcWAVF4rzG4e4kEXyrzVM9_PGObDOtOOwEt7JpPYtV8fCxC3RmO3wCcBB7og6s-ESxlph8RTZgG_Ygx4UoaA0pr7A5dCHnC5TYMQTpxDK9dBWrjBQW5_OHkVo9xW4vANSw0e1lGmkllLdv9jrpQnYhxgw/s3264/m1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="3264" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdedL5zC0nzxl_YQOAg3v807vANv4-Uh52VcWAVF4rzG4e4kEXyrzVM9_PGObDOtOOwEt7JpPYtV8fCxC3RmO3wCcBB7og6s-ESxlph8RTZgG_Ygx4UoaA0pr7A5dCHnC5TYMQTpxDK9dBWrjBQW5_OHkVo9xW4vANSw0e1lGmkllLdv9jrpQnYhxgw/w640-h248/m1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjotk0Y9Bq1n82vAz_pzqeNuYVwBwRlj9o6CqMhr8i3VHpPsJKsp3-yiTdPBPhLEBr6q7j2PWNrVJBpucbiAS7uLcSbqPuffryIZkx6jOUfSQ4-M4-xfdsvlRXUwmwbs4vUB95K48cf-ELjGMcPm5dBSXM1x5xF_qpuW_ozpuHwewZg2kclXtdah_wnDA/s1381/DSC03225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotk0Y9Bq1n82vAz_pzqeNuYVwBwRlj9o6CqMhr8i3VHpPsJKsp3-yiTdPBPhLEBr6q7j2PWNrVJBpucbiAS7uLcSbqPuffryIZkx6jOUfSQ4-M4-xfdsvlRXUwmwbs4vUB95K48cf-ELjGMcPm5dBSXM1x5xF_qpuW_ozpuHwewZg2kclXtdah_wnDA/w500-h640/DSC03225.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc9o0oqQh3WOusfV_yjPfDXyBAaM7699GkfiwtnslYGo8_NnALIzYSVBdxBeRCTH63i1NvKzmndW0qo1RgZ733lKRihU8Pdzo4hYEcEoURla6g8EQ-lFtscjFeNjDKa5gagN-l6mC14FPMaxYeT2HviVNLgGepvfrlzHWhUztr4Kjjs_ydm2I0H9uTQ/s1495/DSC03226.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1495" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc9o0oqQh3WOusfV_yjPfDXyBAaM7699GkfiwtnslYGo8_NnALIzYSVBdxBeRCTH63i1NvKzmndW0qo1RgZ733lKRihU8Pdzo4hYEcEoURla6g8EQ-lFtscjFeNjDKa5gagN-l6mC14FPMaxYeT2HviVNLgGepvfrlzHWhUztr4Kjjs_ydm2I0H9uTQ/w640-h462/DSC03226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgYeP-TJ6bhe_1_jzxaNAwR68p2c8vkKMekuptEN2gs7zgcW9WdIEII-BL0fbmKcwSU77g-RVoiCP3lL91_aRnLeS_lgK174BZbm9VoNHAR-TiGgfNgDeQ_ymUcwZQAUZp8LcsgVTk-qhATtVe080xQV7nCycwrWXCUtgUbji5mDqrl8Fu6hmcQB4tRfA/s1527/DSC03229.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1057" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeP-TJ6bhe_1_jzxaNAwR68p2c8vkKMekuptEN2gs7zgcW9WdIEII-BL0fbmKcwSU77g-RVoiCP3lL91_aRnLeS_lgK174BZbm9VoNHAR-TiGgfNgDeQ_ymUcwZQAUZp8LcsgVTk-qhATtVe080xQV7nCycwrWXCUtgUbji5mDqrl8Fu6hmcQB4tRfA/w444-h640/DSC03229.JPG" width="444" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhrd2CET9fopdvnXCzjNswqQYIbXjB3ifN7_aTxXDlpn9hGdxb2nymsMfv93KUWjxJYPYOTdzFR9AOUQYLkU57OShRIXaVmF5cPitZ7vKTgt1lcWB-nUye3-2mOd-Ztwokz2ZYs0q_MJhVTdWgcvy_u8nCNzIRTS50yB8eFOFMP9J4Ox3iZ6Xu5EKM7zw/s1616/DSC03232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd2CET9fopdvnXCzjNswqQYIbXjB3ifN7_aTxXDlpn9hGdxb2nymsMfv93KUWjxJYPYOTdzFR9AOUQYLkU57OShRIXaVmF5cPitZ7vKTgt1lcWB-nUye3-2mOd-Ztwokz2ZYs0q_MJhVTdWgcvy_u8nCNzIRTS50yB8eFOFMP9J4Ox3iZ6Xu5EKM7zw/w428-h640/DSC03232.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU6O3ZRDvkBj3_f8zA2gzX51dvfUrRY8w9_XyyjLzWKxa8JRHSLMkGLnqPwRhyD7_PxGFRQMMJgg58ZgyTrVz14QR52_uND4xE_n5wMb-kfu1wFVglI5emtgiXRPqA-gHpOaR6ONMUF5ly5RuQFZTu1mIevcHFQyAc-rB1EWPo0XAIOSWEZN2WeH62w/s1616/DSC03234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU6O3ZRDvkBj3_f8zA2gzX51dvfUrRY8w9_XyyjLzWKxa8JRHSLMkGLnqPwRhyD7_PxGFRQMMJgg58ZgyTrVz14QR52_uND4xE_n5wMb-kfu1wFVglI5emtgiXRPqA-gHpOaR6ONMUF5ly5RuQFZTu1mIevcHFQyAc-rB1EWPo0XAIOSWEZN2WeH62w/w428-h640/DSC03234.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL6kLqeywXUEhlGWeueNoTEGxQpumlSskYJ-kYTaJ_YkmxY46lzMKim3Ltse4Ik9MVy3dJ3l-h8Bu8Z1Skmy4mhVQNWSFhF7ddodoVPNJDO6891onF_r7i8HGzVEaFxWwnkIAUhLVjOz6hYEFv06etTKoOdFykq_lk4eW578tikw-13uojzBz2OQJ1w/s1524/DSC03235.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1524" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL6kLqeywXUEhlGWeueNoTEGxQpumlSskYJ-kYTaJ_YkmxY46lzMKim3Ltse4Ik9MVy3dJ3l-h8Bu8Z1Skmy4mhVQNWSFhF7ddodoVPNJDO6891onF_r7i8HGzVEaFxWwnkIAUhLVjOz6hYEFv06etTKoOdFykq_lk4eW578tikw-13uojzBz2OQJ1w/w640-h444/DSC03235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt45AjYsR95P479TbWC9qvPE2m9MiHl8vAkEyGznsC4Jz8QhNMGXdYCd85crjl0Y3RH6YST3P6AHZRwQrHo5ravHzFl_K8lE2TO1ZDqZZsfwhPNaRkMJnr7albEtKKF1CBOYc0S0dV57TynNG2Bu7b8QcQO6obAc_ksZYDDH_3cLUekCP8oIonqSzThw/s1225/DSC03237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt45AjYsR95P479TbWC9qvPE2m9MiHl8vAkEyGznsC4Jz8QhNMGXdYCd85crjl0Y3RH6YST3P6AHZRwQrHo5ravHzFl_K8lE2TO1ZDqZZsfwhPNaRkMJnr7albEtKKF1CBOYc0S0dV57TynNG2Bu7b8QcQO6obAc_ksZYDDH_3cLUekCP8oIonqSzThw/w564-h640/DSC03237.JPG" width="564" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are those blue skies I see?</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/AVvXsEg6NFv-_DgXwKaJPb5uNNEoxYRu44fy4dQHQo3ZNBBXlBZmAv0XvX74eDxZoutR-Bg_fPr9wuvtuA8HTI7QzA1rmKOLCxg-rwf0XNcoUXWtHRMhuhuDoeNLztr8srbIw36pfnZovZ7E8b_7bTjVu5yHtiduJe8wBzCjrCH39athvA6lEv9tjFFfIqXi7A/s4080/20231229_115601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NFv-_DgXwKaJPb5uNNEoxYRu44fy4dQHQo3ZNBBXlBZmAv0XvX74eDxZoutR-Bg_fPr9wuvtuA8HTI7QzA1rmKOLCxg-rwf0XNcoUXWtHRMhuhuDoeNLztr8srbIw36pfnZovZ7E8b_7bTjVu5yHtiduJe8wBzCjrCH39athvA6lEv9tjFFfIqXi7A/w360-h640/20231229_115601.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgJb-80n-zO8a3SCqGjnm3cchj-1USXb1H8F3zXDwHbq31SKHD8t9VQXzjTjGE8kZ_Vl7bOS26cZ040ZQGJRlVEQUvZpwoaJRA4Fw7dYcRPXEKSytotG_OCwOlf1kiq8Ek4YypgsNFslWK9aSa1SQOldicJ3FuR5eSsn62CNQZng8DJD5js1L-7z5CiGA/s3182/20231229_115802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3182" data-original-width="2249" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb-80n-zO8a3SCqGjnm3cchj-1USXb1H8F3zXDwHbq31SKHD8t9VQXzjTjGE8kZ_Vl7bOS26cZ040ZQGJRlVEQUvZpwoaJRA4Fw7dYcRPXEKSytotG_OCwOlf1kiq8Ek4YypgsNFslWK9aSa1SQOldicJ3FuR5eSsn62CNQZng8DJD5js1L-7z5CiGA/w452-h640/20231229_115802.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although the Trust were running guided tours, we'd followed both the 17th Century Christmas and Charles II's flight from Cromwell's New Model Army fairly recently so opted to look around the house under our own steam. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tGldL_LN7GeN48zvTWm-_2ps3WaPhcpPbUXh1S_69UICk2_LPg4_9cQpRg9Okjp-bqSu4IhfPNvLvWWJDVneKwoowmEPYgD7w9p7y3DjQ6mEkXXCagE1UER5HS1InyaCAUO-17Ql9Ivsb8fbBu-X1K-Wbd5asiJ_UFKwog1M2xEAtOxmuKoSQpVkfA/s4080/20231229_115832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tGldL_LN7GeN48zvTWm-_2ps3WaPhcpPbUXh1S_69UICk2_LPg4_9cQpRg9Okjp-bqSu4IhfPNvLvWWJDVneKwoowmEPYgD7w9p7y3DjQ6mEkXXCagE1UER5HS1InyaCAUO-17Ql9Ivsb8fbBu-X1K-Wbd5asiJ_UFKwog1M2xEAtOxmuKoSQpVkfA/w360-h640/20231229_115832.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Upon entering the hall a volunteer told me how much he'd enjoyed the blog post I'd published after our last visit a year ago (that's me, once seen, never forgotten!) and suggested we start upstairs to avoid getting caught up in the tour groups. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dzR3G0cRAZyAiwxtK3z1OA-aFNKOWg8PFTHVeokYuwaiMHVlLTdtjO7Ay_B4KUuF5RRZTbTnvL1MxzW40whP569oHDx-NqTIxhv2tceu9xZsz3pBnv8otolkluEkeD9_Ip3pPx7XLxIWxTsmAlLcz2Ti2ikelOS56BHhOLrQHrBSBE0Nks7UKnsxig/s3264/m4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3052" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dzR3G0cRAZyAiwxtK3z1OA-aFNKOWg8PFTHVeokYuwaiMHVlLTdtjO7Ay_B4KUuF5RRZTbTnvL1MxzW40whP569oHDx-NqTIxhv2tceu9xZsz3pBnv8otolkluEkeD9_Ip3pPx7XLxIWxTsmAlLcz2Ti2ikelOS56BHhOLrQHrBSBE0Nks7UKnsxig/w598-h640/m4.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Charles II slept here!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_L2t3mA620HC6MOyqZUoiONEdzJ4Sa8OyShYycap0wn5aS_VnAMwzsFgDEFa4S2eQ4i7DBMXyYo3smIy75z2xC2_UnVxQQr1PcsonNf7xXx9N0slDJlqhF5wVr8dLK7JwCYRntjFb3vCS4pbsF-a5zwBC9LXjA83UaDO8ueCVlRcvNl7TF8dTA243g/s800/m7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="800" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_L2t3mA620HC6MOyqZUoiONEdzJ4Sa8OyShYycap0wn5aS_VnAMwzsFgDEFa4S2eQ4i7DBMXyYo3smIy75z2xC2_UnVxQQr1PcsonNf7xXx9N0slDJlqhF5wVr8dLK7JwCYRntjFb3vCS4pbsF-a5zwBC9LXjA83UaDO8ueCVlRcvNl7TF8dTA243g/w640-h518/m7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Two of the volunteers were dressed in the 17th Century fashion of the day. The chap in the bedroom told us about the evolution of flatware, why spoons were laid with the bowl facing the table (to avoid the devil leaping inside and being swallowed by an unsuspecting diner) and that it was Cardinal Richelieu who introduced the dinner knife in 1637. He just about managed to tell us that it was Louis XIV who was responsible for the Roman numerals on a clock changing from IIII to IV before the tour group caught up the bedroom and we had to move on.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv5JgFQeoTN9A1xGjvTNMvFbMGuiWFDQiYAuw6fgcoI49Bt5ZFUk0Du76ydLE3gEc8pcHG0ytzh3pYkeabgCLTQcd_dH2uaYflhKZCocdV_amJxsC1xDBsDavkxiAOLK_YRvnzi7aQceG8R8eGB-PZqyRpcm1cVqzWFOy45qZqIJ8sF5nYidVb8LewQ/s3264/m5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3246" data-original-width="3264" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv5JgFQeoTN9A1xGjvTNMvFbMGuiWFDQiYAuw6fgcoI49Bt5ZFUk0Du76ydLE3gEc8pcHG0ytzh3pYkeabgCLTQcd_dH2uaYflhKZCocdV_amJxsC1xDBsDavkxiAOLK_YRvnzi7aQceG8R8eGB-PZqyRpcm1cVqzWFOy45qZqIJ8sF5nYidVb8LewQ/w640-h636/m5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">We peeped at the priest-hole where Charles II had hidden.</span></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/AVvXsEhDzrQOAatSzJJn_zzqEANQh_yNlZc3hrdms37tkrAo2F7CIaLPRN3cQ9pd0apibatJ0iLT-HYQ4WUozwfB_X3Rm2fGQg-XesTHJ3gnZ5OobZHFwfsYq9qCEjc3Wko0Wim66mSk28v1PX0JPrlMT3V7-1Z1YmPH51hLGKa1cF85vFId63M8K3Mf7eFOqw/s2971/20231229_120018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2971" data-original-width="2190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzrQOAatSzJJn_zzqEANQh_yNlZc3hrdms37tkrAo2F7CIaLPRN3cQ9pd0apibatJ0iLT-HYQ4WUozwfB_X3Rm2fGQg-XesTHJ3gnZ5OobZHFwfsYq9qCEjc3Wko0Wim66mSk28v1PX0JPrlMT3V7-1Z1YmPH51hLGKa1cF85vFId63M8K3Mf7eFOqw/w472-h640/20231229_120018.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a wonderful couple of hours of wandering around and not getting soaked to the skin we retreated back to the warmth of Patrice (our elderly Citroen) and enjoyed a car park picnic accompanied by Craig Charles on 6Music and, unusually for us, failing to guess the <i>Time Machine</i> (2002). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6h7QQ00SNcPWcEjVlKY7QA5if3xFuTFeSVjfbdg-jjucqg2nGq0C09QszfMxmFvQpcRvc9v8JxRdiVPUOPJVmbL-CA38H0ASKdxfHD4nD-CTCQIN-10kGRuZ0bZkD8TEUnYw3Rehk4T1pCmv7NPh3qw1JNo6g9QC_GPJLCa-W3EBIXwHdbcnHkQpQuw/s3660/20231229_115850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3660" data-original-width="2211" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6h7QQ00SNcPWcEjVlKY7QA5if3xFuTFeSVjfbdg-jjucqg2nGq0C09QszfMxmFvQpcRvc9v8JxRdiVPUOPJVmbL-CA38H0ASKdxfHD4nD-CTCQIN-10kGRuZ0bZkD8TEUnYw3Rehk4T1pCmv7NPh3qw1JNo6g9QC_GPJLCa-W3EBIXwHdbcnHkQpQuw/w386-h640/20231229_115850.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Moseley Old Hall</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Fordhouses</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Wolverhampton WV10 7HY</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Open daily from 10am (house from 11am)</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRFpoPJWCbUpeO0WDGJVoBLCj5-VlK0d_XCIHr8gaBZ7tGSvjtFShPtEIORuabIywAx1RPStS6Yvmie_E1LXiA5JURTWPYdQ70DVTtgTjqCWlW8umviQNq6Ub-V6-kjWQlX-bo36p6ZMbz-yaA0PanS0DVLvTZPjqJl4QfeX-jMS9Byjhl9YaMz22HA/s4080/20231229_120723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRFpoPJWCbUpeO0WDGJVoBLCj5-VlK0d_XCIHr8gaBZ7tGSvjtFShPtEIORuabIywAx1RPStS6Yvmie_E1LXiA5JURTWPYdQ70DVTtgTjqCWlW8umviQNq6Ub-V6-kjWQlX-bo36p6ZMbz-yaA0PanS0DVLvTZPjqJl4QfeX-jMS9Byjhl9YaMz22HA/w640-h360/20231229_120723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to you all for following my rants, ramblings, roamings and misadventures over the last 14 years and wishing my fellow bloggers, followers, friends (and the shy ones who read but never comment) a very happy & healthy 2024. Needless to say, we'll be celebrating the New Year in our typical, not normal, fashion. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See you on the other side!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vix & Jon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-86131397705574157612023-12-27T16:42:00.007+00:002023-12-27T16:51:34.275+00:00Feliz Navidad!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSjIHm3eyDH4UzbslPSRYAOKaRlEYe9Ciz1kJmbikN606Lj1fyR4Iv_mxrjEAAnUf58cb1tc9EAHOSvbipkfUoo1H1FjdYMSXp8x1UNbtukB_iUi3VoRUIg1rQ7EWFTpHtZ29G5XxeoLDJrIOfSsP-EmgEYpMlfRnDpSVL5hZsUtDJzLfJPmURa6xtw/s1200/collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSjIHm3eyDH4UzbslPSRYAOKaRlEYe9Ciz1kJmbikN606Lj1fyR4Iv_mxrjEAAnUf58cb1tc9EAHOSvbipkfUoo1H1FjdYMSXp8x1UNbtukB_iUi3VoRUIg1rQ7EWFTpHtZ29G5XxeoLDJrIOfSsP-EmgEYpMlfRnDpSVL5hZsUtDJzLfJPmURa6xtw/w640-h480/collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Feliz Navidad!</i> For us, still on a high from our trip to Tenerife, Xmas Day had a Spanish flavour. I wore a vintage navy blue hand-embroidered cotton maxi dress I bought from the charity shop we'd stumbled upon in Puerto de la Cruz (€8!) and enjoyed a glass of chilled <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzanilla_(wine)">Manzanilla</a></i> whilst putting the finishing touches to the dinner table.</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/AVvXsEieFnt9MrUsNT8TUNPqkemNQEIAryGs-lV3jg76KR70S1TVMb5uozrM8rh9hyphenhyphenWCnKezUJxH3K61cZHs_uMsXdrXOKKPNsgnujKQRZleSZ_LBH5uhYOwO9ZFRmQlk2p7w4OnjBpCSVijpBzHcsoikMTfd0WivXJacg-Sm2-gC3HcceJKcudpEYa8EEyeGQ/s3529/20231225_123756~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3529" data-original-width="2193" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFnt9MrUsNT8TUNPqkemNQEIAryGs-lV3jg76KR70S1TVMb5uozrM8rh9hyphenhyphenWCnKezUJxH3K61cZHs_uMsXdrXOKKPNsgnujKQRZleSZ_LBH5uhYOwO9ZFRmQlk2p7w4OnjBpCSVijpBzHcsoikMTfd0WivXJacg-Sm2-gC3HcceJKcudpEYa8EEyeGQ/w398-h640/20231225_123756~2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Lord Jon wore one of his presents from me, a <i>Wrangler</i> denim shirt. Behind him is our concession to Xmas, our Ian Snow globe baubles strung on a log rescued from the wood pile and a 99p handmade woollen deer I felt sorry for in the charity shop, the lights are up all year round.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VeKqAwd4g3cTIiG4d4b8wXoqCb_CI5P__TkB1Zwuu-NXXFKZd3oK55t7pBFdFI2G5OzlY5jakxpUZzM5_rFtF8AMKf6vL8A2snknZZzEAp3njlajxxL8_QFIvr75FebIBEyTPaqyuwxC-51f86vQufXwgGFrgde9sy07Pwufqqb_x0_KDF89U1eSqw/s3777/20231227_120242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3777" data-original-width="1730" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VeKqAwd4g3cTIiG4d4b8wXoqCb_CI5P__TkB1Zwuu-NXXFKZd3oK55t7pBFdFI2G5OzlY5jakxpUZzM5_rFtF8AMKf6vL8A2snknZZzEAp3njlajxxL8_QFIvr75FebIBEyTPaqyuwxC-51f86vQufXwgGFrgde9sy07Pwufqqb_x0_KDF89U1eSqw/w294-h640/20231227_120242.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dinner table is covered with an ancient purple velvet curtain, the centrepiece is a vintage wooden bobbin salvaged from an Indian textile factory and the Santa boxes came from The Works (£2 for four) which I filled with toy cars, jet balls and sweets. I made my own paper crowns from old wrapping paper and hand wrote terrible Xmas jokes on gift tags. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>What does a frog wear on his feet? Open Toad Sandals!</i></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/AVvXsEhNSo_fwrjOfJt0ceiE7N0xZNGu4cyStm91MYD8_w1AaxCCzSnu9dffckqQJXRl7UTr3LOo0RkB-NpvIJ6lHarHG28vgcbKZX2-7uxphDhm4nYISohyphenhyphen58p8ZXIRXi3znDogCXuT-f5OysOLeOmMJl8tOoTnhPIGIXtZQZ-tjvhN84SImh1cOAn8ggI-qg/s3559/20231225_123759~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3559" data-original-width="2145" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSo_fwrjOfJt0ceiE7N0xZNGu4cyStm91MYD8_w1AaxCCzSnu9dffckqQJXRl7UTr3LOo0RkB-NpvIJ6lHarHG28vgcbKZX2-7uxphDhm4nYISohyphenhyphen58p8ZXIRXi3znDogCXuT-f5OysOLeOmMJl8tOoTnhPIGIXtZQZ-tjvhN84SImh1cOAn8ggI-qg/w386-h640/20231225_123759~3.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rather than going out for an Indian, the <i>Dead Relatives Society</i> (which this year consisted of Tony, my brother, Marcus & us) dined chez Kinky. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtZOF6Q3fIYwVh_SeYJaIHmlHVLxXPEqfiYkYf0AzUp_qP5A5ydaIoTAAKbN8t8kcupASbAd51J25RECFtK98Kpc3iLAhT1LrC1IcowBVeOxaWWNkaW0N5b-lzR4nth70gOa2w6BwRWi5YUrAgdJSgptyVjzc1qoRu18vtbPcNvv3JJx1Ktj6RHKSug/s2826/20231225_132800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtZOF6Q3fIYwVh_SeYJaIHmlHVLxXPEqfiYkYf0AzUp_qP5A5ydaIoTAAKbN8t8kcupASbAd51J25RECFtK98Kpc3iLAhT1LrC1IcowBVeOxaWWNkaW0N5b-lzR4nth70gOa2w6BwRWi5YUrAgdJSgptyVjzc1qoRu18vtbPcNvv3JJx1Ktj6RHKSug/w520-h640/20231225_132800.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The lads started with melon drizzled with balsamic vinegar accompanied by Iberian ham (I just had the melon). I spotted these vintage Denby <i>Arabesque</i> plates in the clearance charity shop priced up at £1 last week (I've got the matching coffee service, which was Mum & Dad's wedding present in 1966).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmbVpOD6Z-TyiLOZw2KNb1YxUmo_9c1Sy3UoFjMGQ5Xx1s_yxzb5gBoLB-CPI1wrZmj1iVmNvhjIGTHjKUHnNjgIE_kvdP_cQgnQuaVbmvCcmuy2sLQLUsc0Qsf1IEFsRNuPBTPKj4MVxPh2TeVXTA9smhCNKKrOK4DR94fEX0QtfEsb_BoF5f4zY0g/s2958/20231225_135439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2958" data-original-width="2163" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmbVpOD6Z-TyiLOZw2KNb1YxUmo_9c1Sy3UoFjMGQ5Xx1s_yxzb5gBoLB-CPI1wrZmj1iVmNvhjIGTHjKUHnNjgIE_kvdP_cQgnQuaVbmvCcmuy2sLQLUsc0Qsf1IEFsRNuPBTPKj4MVxPh2TeVXTA9smhCNKKrOK4DR94fEX0QtfEsb_BoF5f4zY0g/w468-h640/20231225_135439.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The carnivores had Spanish chicken (recipe <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-spanish-chicken">HERE</a>) served with patatas bravas, padron peppers, carrots baked with sesame seeds, honey and wholegrain mustard and shredded, roasted Brussels sprouts with chilli flakes and vegan bacon bits. I swapped the chicken for ratatouille (made using a Katy Beskow recipe). In keeping with the Spanish theme, Tony donated a case of <a href="https://www.thegoodwineshop.co.uk/collections/tempranillo">Tempranillo</a>, a gift from a supplier, which Jon and I made short work of. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeJPHCWjmj3rQs1aksyQnNC4z6oZjzg6uWMO1n2DCaTzIGSLNH1eepc0KOk7RBC7SJsW_tDGeWQacxpVAO6nRy0DgQiOAHye9cOkYUfNigGalbTNwHOxLseAn6MxL6fFLvehPG-6YbYjOTf62IcsjMoQUR_Lri6Anurs76J7W1nASPTjHGExmTHDCcg/s3361/20231225_135459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3361" data-original-width="2251" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeJPHCWjmj3rQs1aksyQnNC4z6oZjzg6uWMO1n2DCaTzIGSLNH1eepc0KOk7RBC7SJsW_tDGeWQacxpVAO6nRy0DgQiOAHye9cOkYUfNigGalbTNwHOxLseAn6MxL6fFLvehPG-6YbYjOTf62IcsjMoQUR_Lri6Anurs76J7W1nASPTjHGExmTHDCcg/w428-h640/20231225_135459.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After we'd demolished dinner we spent the rest of the day playing a hilarious booze-fuelled game of <i>Trivial Pursuit</i>. Tony and Marcus bade us farewell at 8pm leaving us to doze in front of the TV with a glass of Limoncello.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj8ve-hEK_varrsGU7XFVEkenHS7FEuqGaxgxI1vUDwqFjXq9HUKLXTjePGhm5Knqg70nBYHNxsFY4Cdet9NIiqGtCSPt_70DUbj5lhOW76GL-ZAkvTdfIls6bOtCaQPAjC-S7xAkxCtuPS9fVgEIC-JWvrZBcJMUkJaDUR6bfQJX56F34aSu78TnAA/s3216/20231222_100059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj8ve-hEK_varrsGU7XFVEkenHS7FEuqGaxgxI1vUDwqFjXq9HUKLXTjePGhm5Knqg70nBYHNxsFY4Cdet9NIiqGtCSPt_70DUbj5lhOW76GL-ZAkvTdfIls6bOtCaQPAjC-S7xAkxCtuPS9fVgEIC-JWvrZBcJMUkJaDUR6bfQJX56F34aSu78TnAA/w456-h640/20231222_100059.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">It was William's first Xmas as a house cat and he behaved impeccably, well, apart from leaping on the table and trying to wrestle Tony's Iberian ham off him. He was spoiled with gifts, a bagful of catnip toys, feathers on sticks and jangly balls, a cat tunnel and Dreamies galore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesW5BxVkh3nxhVWr3juarqN1fKz7TgbSTV7BrqpFwx5WLiIUZGzeNphQymNZn7zIi2XwQbTLoARR-oahN-gE17xHCxcOI1eOAl8o1XYqEPWLJ0WODzpPSAizizTH2TBtXxvCizIniWSjwcu-fXLwqITkDg0uXkmRjOa3QW5_qzM-qkDb8-078dNEwhw/s2373/20231227_122419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2373" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesW5BxVkh3nxhVWr3juarqN1fKz7TgbSTV7BrqpFwx5WLiIUZGzeNphQymNZn7zIi2XwQbTLoARR-oahN-gE17xHCxcOI1eOAl8o1XYqEPWLJ0WODzpPSAizizTH2TBtXxvCizIniWSjwcu-fXLwqITkDg0uXkmRjOa3QW5_qzM-qkDb8-078dNEwhw/s320/20231227_122419.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEilzKfqiNAtENstaF0TOGSfvMC5idutq5OnAZ1C2Cwx_XdJzinSioTsVLtI1eKm8hlkIEDGx05edIOSfL5skQEo_Yie2SvoqGKh0dQBXsvPvVQC1zicN3cGMjHKV7KDNmmcddxZXLiNwdQe35yMposyoMagCGNh9UN1649z11_VTT-Y-i4Xm8rdE6OFJg/s4080/20231225_123541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzKfqiNAtENstaF0TOGSfvMC5idutq5OnAZ1C2Cwx_XdJzinSioTsVLtI1eKm8hlkIEDGx05edIOSfL5skQEo_Yie2SvoqGKh0dQBXsvPvVQC1zicN3cGMjHKV7KDNmmcddxZXLiNwdQe35yMposyoMagCGNh9UN1649z11_VTT-Y-i4Xm8rdE6OFJg/w360-h640/20231225_123541.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">We even treated him to a sparkly new collar from <a href="https://www.coolcatcollars.co.uk/">Cool Cat Collars</a> (linking 'cos we love them!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bBNGsY8vp9IOGyz7fl6sOvFUXNfxrUdYHipPbxDh1Uj2N0XZilBB_zd8QFgjGYZZx0uTBfwmi3UgD3SGwpr78ejz_JspQI2T8Os6GVaPbFk_sbB9rhI68EYt1B1ScbtC_0Nbdns_yvOxkrJX0S9VsYhITTsG98B8YhpRMZmXBa4f03SvmalEtgQ1xA/s4080/20231227_132807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bBNGsY8vp9IOGyz7fl6sOvFUXNfxrUdYHipPbxDh1Uj2N0XZilBB_zd8QFgjGYZZx0uTBfwmi3UgD3SGwpr78ejz_JspQI2T8Os6GVaPbFk_sbB9rhI68EYt1B1ScbtC_0Nbdns_yvOxkrJX0S9VsYhITTsG98B8YhpRMZmXBa4f03SvmalEtgQ1xA/w360-h640/20231227_132807.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it wasn't just William who was spoiled. Here's our gifts to each other and from Tony, Marcus, Liz & Al, Liz's mum Hazel, Liz & Adrian and lovely neighbours, the Aslam Family. </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/AVvXsEh8jjWvmVmwTmh6jNnLwgQc_O27FnaKff2S0JszJ392h840akDgrmAY7OmANyCEgNQLgxB_3LyCqQSHnfcqKX6Y_5rnih1DQCL-okTrhTvlPZGrSaIxXTDVis0-7JwVDjjLW8J9jIOtrS9BzujwPO2aLPz1UDTv8jdQHEgYi9gBqo809VECpyAz2Dt9TA/s3264/pres5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2236" data-original-width="3264" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jjWvmVmwTmh6jNnLwgQc_O27FnaKff2S0JszJ392h840akDgrmAY7OmANyCEgNQLgxB_3LyCqQSHnfcqKX6Y_5rnih1DQCL-okTrhTvlPZGrSaIxXTDVis0-7JwVDjjLW8J9jIOtrS9BzujwPO2aLPz1UDTv8jdQHEgYi9gBqo809VECpyAz2Dt9TA/w640-h438/pres5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Art and baking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhncz4zwWsfZ4R43euz1qk-SVeM1s3bBnkTagCGyLUVcAo_BZDgb9AczWvQYgaeFCx3dImkXNjp6AIhbEDBv-TKVSJUziF8sAZ5YIhhqJwBYCwER3J0VpETDcpbVsoCo1u76_a87wQI61FTfhqyyKkASQIGtvPB2hqAUHGGO2Wv9zcB4yJsD9G_y3HzQ/s3264/pres4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="3264" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhncz4zwWsfZ4R43euz1qk-SVeM1s3bBnkTagCGyLUVcAo_BZDgb9AczWvQYgaeFCx3dImkXNjp6AIhbEDBv-TKVSJUziF8sAZ5YIhhqJwBYCwER3J0VpETDcpbVsoCo1u76_a87wQI61FTfhqyyKkASQIGtvPB2hqAUHGGO2Wv9zcB4yJsD9G_y3HzQ/w640-h412/pres4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Food and drink galore.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUPy0DcT0Ht4R4p6UCyGdqDQ3hmSw_ZABu1d6upqPCgBGOiDnGNSNRyImeKpt9qIds1MmQb9Pj7XwVcxV404xq0ndWRjStd0h5um5Tx4VKMZIeaLhIBzyNJlb0pwWNBoGM1weUMy28czMoQAT7mP706rv_1FvFlbEvIKJdupDa4vFSTNfVoRXby6JUw/s3264/pres3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="3264" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUPy0DcT0Ht4R4p6UCyGdqDQ3hmSw_ZABu1d6upqPCgBGOiDnGNSNRyImeKpt9qIds1MmQb9Pj7XwVcxV404xq0ndWRjStd0h5um5Tx4VKMZIeaLhIBzyNJlb0pwWNBoGM1weUMy28czMoQAT7mP706rv_1FvFlbEvIKJdupDa4vFSTNfVoRXby6JUw/w640-h334/pres3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Secondhand kitsch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fJUWl9TaoS7UaQZkTfQoyIcWnMrrqS2Rw7KTAlmVlWgVqBzs0AesTKUGPm9MgOHoGiNWzgoGLI_-svl-VrYv2hv1kYdIG6jUuuJkqpZ_UMU-ZrLNmxDzWgBoYEiUMCueZEie1siw4UaLSicVv3b3mpP2PzSew_YMb01ZdZK9GK1WBa5esJUVI1exkg/s3264/pres2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="3264" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fJUWl9TaoS7UaQZkTfQoyIcWnMrrqS2Rw7KTAlmVlWgVqBzs0AesTKUGPm9MgOHoGiNWzgoGLI_-svl-VrYv2hv1kYdIG6jUuuJkqpZ_UMU-ZrLNmxDzWgBoYEiUMCueZEie1siw4UaLSicVv3b3mpP2PzSew_YMb01ZdZK9GK1WBa5esJUVI1exkg/w640-h334/pres2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">A bespoke hat and crochet sun top, Mdina glass bottle stopper and Snag tights (the best!)</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEqvKgEffEt9uqmIBl8yjypWhhmaLKS3WkrAOU51aRvvfZYzF9__x9OEjQ5ffXzNQdZ1yM_hFLKAyvWLV9NnEXgKibDzrgm2-HPo7wgqkuXVouup0T6j1VjCWDk3lrXjDaDMz7Zqde4HGbe088jkX92w_LTwbAEqQoqXT8KehDWy2U2ZOIIJjwoVE7A/s3264/pres1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="3264" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEqvKgEffEt9uqmIBl8yjypWhhmaLKS3WkrAOU51aRvvfZYzF9__x9OEjQ5ffXzNQdZ1yM_hFLKAyvWLV9NnEXgKibDzrgm2-HPo7wgqkuXVouup0T6j1VjCWDk3lrXjDaDMz7Zqde4HGbe088jkX92w_LTwbAEqQoqXT8KehDWy2U2ZOIIJjwoVE7A/w640-h334/pres1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A vintage Indian hand woven silk throw & a modern woven shirt, kitschy cushions, colours and scents.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-_v63yDx2acXG102oCgHo_KVeAkbtrh9lrGUD-s1ltmyIIIt34oFkhbI1TIwfCaDXhJb1eYR8p53IDxNfp2h-go8Ga2lehvPJIye2X6MRGdsDkSqx7xOAWTfUw7_QQfWbtT2tep1U34cXgU0E0RvY1HoRNCzQ0esYgKpvdkVLjh5-pioMwiuepGGpg/s2272/20231227_105555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="2272" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-_v63yDx2acXG102oCgHo_KVeAkbtrh9lrGUD-s1ltmyIIIt34oFkhbI1TIwfCaDXhJb1eYR8p53IDxNfp2h-go8Ga2lehvPJIye2X6MRGdsDkSqx7xOAWTfUw7_QQfWbtT2tep1U34cXgU0E0RvY1HoRNCzQ0esYgKpvdkVLjh5-pioMwiuepGGpg/w640-h624/20231227_105555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Lord Jon excelled himself with the jewellery buying (as if he didn't spoil me enough on my birthday) and the vintage Pluto tin in one of the previous collages was crammed with vintage Kuchi gems.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOS5HlRewuXTJd6HZazq9O-LecaOun1wvVUE8cQt9hjSICY6t6q9wUWbWI4e6g1V8SFlzF6qlQzUpyULJ6QjT0LaOJtTKozj0P_9gHXOAOzgYblyj62oyngnqaRO1GQymC4A4JFT8yhzWexnRl8ikAI1qB0sZJ2m_PSM_6iIw8hyphenhyphenYnxwJUoCnUVNqBw/s3657/20231227_133539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3657" data-original-width="2282" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOS5HlRewuXTJd6HZazq9O-LecaOun1wvVUE8cQt9hjSICY6t6q9wUWbWI4e6g1V8SFlzF6qlQzUpyULJ6QjT0LaOJtTKozj0P_9gHXOAOzgYblyj62oyngnqaRO1GQymC4A4JFT8yhzWexnRl8ikAI1qB0sZJ2m_PSM_6iIw8hyphenhyphenYnxwJUoCnUVNqBw/w400-h640/20231227_133539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Here's three of the new old rings in situ.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zqmKHQrC18lFKCZPY9V_fpQjArTepXR80sMCX_K2i32ExwVHkzQBZ5FEDCBpBMnpKpFtGyusxsS54g3yAgcm5KPwDAxn_FHzYDgflgy6pMd2B7wPcWndVZrSN5JKchbmLZjkb-G6AOmiShMgPzGKCv0WhSrcl05w1CT7o6wN9c2IXXotjz87mOD-4A/s3676/20231227_133559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zqmKHQrC18lFKCZPY9V_fpQjArTepXR80sMCX_K2i32ExwVHkzQBZ5FEDCBpBMnpKpFtGyusxsS54g3yAgcm5KPwDAxn_FHzYDgflgy6pMd2B7wPcWndVZrSN5JKchbmLZjkb-G6AOmiShMgPzGKCv0WhSrcl05w1CT7o6wN9c2IXXotjz87mOD-4A/w400-h640/20231227_133559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Liz made me this amazing feather headband, I cannot wait for the festival season!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dgqQiyIS9h8r_5sicSgYuN44JLuXOkWXPuInV7UFX8kweeJohlKpkZfsXlJS2qllgFcgeZc0-5g2DcXFmZPmWVXzjPf_BHJfBI5uur61mWmIsmyhZhNa1-WoxkbYvOkYpL7NYKQQlBi_QC-4h6CS15Vh5wrgVAejEQrIAZZ4bQaJs7svHaEn1aPwnw/s4080/20231227_113418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dgqQiyIS9h8r_5sicSgYuN44JLuXOkWXPuInV7UFX8kweeJohlKpkZfsXlJS2qllgFcgeZc0-5g2DcXFmZPmWVXzjPf_BHJfBI5uur61mWmIsmyhZhNa1-WoxkbYvOkYpL7NYKQQlBi_QC-4h6CS15Vh5wrgVAejEQrIAZZ4bQaJs7svHaEn1aPwnw/w360-h640/20231227_113418.jpg" width="360" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Xmas is very much a one day affair in our house. Each to their own but the thought of lolling about for a week in pyjamas guzzling chocolate makes me feel quite ill. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO8AEaRrISijB2H_aSpLIVuyzJQgqiiYskendir1hyKAu9PaLlPWSRNb_5M_lg7DRy1l3RFrmjMrbyTyO4_k1yUoyEIcA3Ok3CkmP757Ucz3v374YkCtSH4exyrkxlFf1e7B3XwGpkSKIS8wop0Ck70T_LSFhv4M54Y0N-SK0_u1v1OmprsHUuMW84A/s3264/box.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2513" data-original-width="3264" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO8AEaRrISijB2H_aSpLIVuyzJQgqiiYskendir1hyKAu9PaLlPWSRNb_5M_lg7DRy1l3RFrmjMrbyTyO4_k1yUoyEIcA3Ok3CkmP757Ucz3v374YkCtSH4exyrkxlFf1e7B3XwGpkSKIS8wop0Ck70T_LSFhv4M54Y0N-SK0_u1v1OmprsHUuMW84A/w640-h492/box.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boxing Day kicked off with a Wii Fit workout and a brisk walk, we had noodles for lunch and a salad for tea. </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/AVvXsEjOTqJ5R334t20pTBkfW_TTUGuHCVAyuYTlpnzQ7u-hGwpSGPjQ29_ndEcZiPLsQhqpCbzO6__WJ8ka_u71-e28DoJU2SjMmp_-o3st9jVhA-X8RYoVAcGLo_32lbEjOIYNXEhRAKop1zzvo26SDkIIz_9RlyIiD8EkJTJyx2xrMgWrtJfCPjPaoyrhog/s3842/20231227_120707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3842" data-original-width="2106" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTqJ5R334t20pTBkfW_TTUGuHCVAyuYTlpnzQ7u-hGwpSGPjQ29_ndEcZiPLsQhqpCbzO6__WJ8ka_u71-e28DoJU2SjMmp_-o3st9jVhA-X8RYoVAcGLo_32lbEjOIYNXEhRAKop1zzvo26SDkIIz_9RlyIiD8EkJTJyx2xrMgWrtJfCPjPaoyrhog/w350-h640/20231227_120707.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We were hoping to go on a <i>National Trust</i> adventure today (Wednesday) but the weather was atrocious. I got up at 6am, did my Wii Fit workout and went back to bed carrying two mugs of tea and William slung over my shoulder and read for an hour instead. It's been a pottering around type of day - hence the blog post. As you can see from the headdress, I've been playing around with my tin of tribal delights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-C72BNyACzF7EcMMiW3o-Nikfe-TNIiNJyZkidqXxCQJv4V5h00rONGhrb3KvYMWiB73OwMbxFOFQTprQ541N5-fLx31dimKk4xCMtHTB6EBTMHoVzzV8dANWsa2kDb4bXroWyE3Q5c2mpdSQnQyNt_Y5ev06KcjBzIO91tpltrYLAChJusmBvKcJw/s3264/tv.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1554" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-C72BNyACzF7EcMMiW3o-Nikfe-TNIiNJyZkidqXxCQJv4V5h00rONGhrb3KvYMWiB73OwMbxFOFQTprQ541N5-fLx31dimKk4xCMtHTB6EBTMHoVzzV8dANWsa2kDb4bXroWyE3Q5c2mpdSQnQyNt_Y5ev06KcjBzIO91tpltrYLAChJusmBvKcJw/w640-h304/tv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So far this week we've watched <i>House of Gucci</i> (Dec 23rd), <i>Belfast</i> (Xmas Eve) and <i>A Haunting in Venice </i>(Xmas Day). </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/AVvXsEicc_1XKwT0jvyBbvNLOrj2PNJP35Iu7s75Hunhwifr-feGWuTHDa4uxcbChQhCUmwEEHmSIokENVnpq_V2Qj4fAxYx3nYOl6m5x2fhyphenhyphen_Ax0RI4vVSTwMoLLxfteSX9hHeiCSiBLGNrG97HRmdiscOJvrWR1rzh3ronhS2hD9ACNQvmzeLRSwUAbs6W_w/s1500/saltburn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc_1XKwT0jvyBbvNLOrj2PNJP35Iu7s75Hunhwifr-feGWuTHDa4uxcbChQhCUmwEEHmSIokENVnpq_V2Qj4fAxYx3nYOl6m5x2fhyphenhyphen_Ax0RI4vVSTwMoLLxfteSX9hHeiCSiBLGNrG97HRmdiscOJvrWR1rzh3ronhS2hD9ACNQvmzeLRSwUAbs6W_w/w432-h640/saltburn.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favourite film by far was last night's,<i> Saltburn</i>. With some outstanding acting, a darkly comic plot, a banging Brit Pop soundtrack and the most spectacular cinematography, it's gone straight into my top three films of the year. Barry Keoghan was amazing in <i>The Banshees of Inisherin</i> but his performance as the unreliable narrator, <i>Oliver Quick, </i>left me speechless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm glad I stocked up on books, I'm already halfway through my third this week. At this rate I might make it to 100 by the end of the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbI4de7ZlL8OyKcn3eDzo_eyDXIsMQgUYjHXK1KFhRmo0Cnw9RA9YE7hfnd87yrhzaIvMnGXN1XG529cXeWytugD6TE2Jzm_VAu5hw_t14dOGZYAji5wwo7GiXjtNPxhmkrpxDz7bZ0619IGfE71aYkIRcfK2QAlAjr3vzfHhovpHfJpmtnEVt8hjsQ/s3264/books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="3264" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbI4de7ZlL8OyKcn3eDzo_eyDXIsMQgUYjHXK1KFhRmo0Cnw9RA9YE7hfnd87yrhzaIvMnGXN1XG529cXeWytugD6TE2Jzm_VAu5hw_t14dOGZYAji5wwo7GiXjtNPxhmkrpxDz7bZ0619IGfE71aYkIRcfK2QAlAjr3vzfHhovpHfJpmtnEVt8hjsQ/w640-h312/books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks so much for all your kind comments on my Winter Solstice post. I hope Xmas was everything you hoped for (and bearable for those of you dreading it). See you soon!</div><p></p>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-55453472327874234942023-12-22T15:39:00.000+00:002023-12-22T15:39:54.772+00:00Happy Solstice - The Dark Days are Over<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXfxSd1sL4OYthQpL2r_g8g2yYElsXl-y2w3wxk_vcN9rCducbmn58fglp-vlUHDSPCLoQ6BQFaVHyIuYp7Y_hmD1bKkFfdtnnUkvpBcK_LMFm6dArQXBdLpfHZZ7sKapEa2zkXf3MNNkcHJYb1htbsR9TKZX-YylCtw1d-EM680Si4QvL2UNoRzdmw/s3264/xmas2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXfxSd1sL4OYthQpL2r_g8g2yYElsXl-y2w3wxk_vcN9rCducbmn58fglp-vlUHDSPCLoQ6BQFaVHyIuYp7Y_hmD1bKkFfdtnnUkvpBcK_LMFm6dArQXBdLpfHZZ7sKapEa2zkXf3MNNkcHJYb1htbsR9TKZX-YylCtw1d-EM680Si4QvL2UNoRzdmw/w534-h640/xmas2.jpg" width="534" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><i>As I stand here on this celebration of Yule, the sacred wheel of the year has turned once again and it is now midwinter. As my forebears did, I do now, and so may my descendants do in time to come. It is the Solstice, the longest night and shortest day. Today I celebrate the return of the Sun. Since the summer, it has gradually become colder and darker, but from this time forwards, the days shall get longer and lighter and warmer again. The Solar year has run its course and completed its cycle and a new year begins, bringing light, life and hope to the earth.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Winter Solstice ritual (<a href="https://naturalpantheist.wordpress.com/">SOURCE</a>)</span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD28NK4tgDEHwHxelATkFSy3GRHZ236EjrpLaku8pEZW94WcqitnT3wFNLuhhJzbTDlkdVJH0SRV5KR6no2qfkPyKc6sESg3W3DuYpdotkvhwwBpzbyVBDZp5uF3ZaGXmUwzuRtZVMeaQr6dMfTMlZvEpnUgvSGH9r0r1iBYpsHLjnmiwhi5S2P5brng/s3492/DSC03193.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3492" data-original-width="2338" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD28NK4tgDEHwHxelATkFSy3GRHZ236EjrpLaku8pEZW94WcqitnT3wFNLuhhJzbTDlkdVJH0SRV5KR6no2qfkPyKc6sESg3W3DuYpdotkvhwwBpzbyVBDZp5uF3ZaGXmUwzuRtZVMeaQr6dMfTMlZvEpnUgvSGH9r0r1iBYpsHLjnmiwhi5S2P5brng/w428-h640/DSC03193.JPG" width="428" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This morning, I joined with thousands of strangers from across the globe and marked the Winter Solstice by watching English Heritage's live feed from Stonehenge. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoV1vb1Vxl3Wev5g5JSFG15b8k2CY5AurOtlLWX7urbZJch0AN2RYId_vHrP4XuDkBkzNmHF7gE8BaCK55cnhKLETY7vksZgKByPb4PRp6SY6GHhHIeSeyVg6TeRAdDup0t68pIlFdju6U1mli8J2Ax6DVAiyJzp8PpDblGvueXVXW3buts2DPh69g1w/s3648/DSC03186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoV1vb1Vxl3Wev5g5JSFG15b8k2CY5AurOtlLWX7urbZJch0AN2RYId_vHrP4XuDkBkzNmHF7gE8BaCK55cnhKLETY7vksZgKByPb4PRp6SY6GHhHIeSeyVg6TeRAdDup0t68pIlFdju6U1mli8J2Ax6DVAiyJzp8PpDblGvueXVXW3buts2DPh69g1w/w426-h640/DSC03186.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEglxTMKGMU6_uYYFE7sbLHnj7SswAeUnF7bnUUfqcPYrZ7hbzkpSUityk_-q_wUWBvuEeaGocVXjg8sn_0oJwFho8lTbXCU9b-VehDUHMaESsCo3TmN08wrPy6Qx-8NB8GeayWV18lSiFHyvGm1zb8ZOgPd32Esy-ts5jLqBlz8oRTh8IxOIIL-wWx4jQ/s800/214678b22abcf86ed7bd2e931eb8802c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="610" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxTMKGMU6_uYYFE7sbLHnj7SswAeUnF7bnUUfqcPYrZ7hbzkpSUityk_-q_wUWBvuEeaGocVXjg8sn_0oJwFho8lTbXCU9b-VehDUHMaESsCo3TmN08wrPy6Qx-8NB8GeayWV18lSiFHyvGm1zb8ZOgPd32Esy-ts5jLqBlz8oRTh8IxOIIL-wWx4jQ/w488-h640/214678b22abcf86ed7bd2e931eb8802c.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When the sun rose at 8.09am, I did as I've done since I was old enough to wield a pair of secateurs and brought in boughs of evergreen from the garden, festooned our home and put the finishing touches to my Yuletide wreath. This year I didn't bother cutting my Globemaster alliums down after they'd flowered, leaving them to dry where they'd bloomed and, dusted with gold paint and combined with some pine cones I picked up from the beach in Corfu, they bring back happy memories of summer.</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/AVvXsEhXC9obfXqhGK2hxDgo0WnXH9hfdsQ-XR0EPnY1uYQ_Q10ricFT2Dqv1NGoqcZvCxWuTmVgyE63QR8idzW2MvBt9Stq9n4mrPDwgN24ACmYIeuU8K9cSRMpLN825piiZ7gAlaFagPhFhiprn2MOl04ZRvIqujE0cnjFbjEf0Q7oAEkguaXpduWgYXVVBw/s1317/DSC03188~2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="775" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC9obfXqhGK2hxDgo0WnXH9hfdsQ-XR0EPnY1uYQ_Q10ricFT2Dqv1NGoqcZvCxWuTmVgyE63QR8idzW2MvBt9Stq9n4mrPDwgN24ACmYIeuU8K9cSRMpLN825piiZ7gAlaFagPhFhiprn2MOl04ZRvIqujE0cnjFbjEf0Q7oAEkguaXpduWgYXVVBw/w376-h640/DSC03188~2.JPG" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For us Xmas Day will be, as always, a low-key affair, disconnecting from cyberspace and sharing food & good times with friends. Whatever you do - or don't do - enjoy every minute and for those of you grieving, my thoughts are with you. It won't be long till we're dancing barefoot in the grass with the kiss of sunshine on our shoulders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/0fee3GMdq7s?si=gMdV94-b1npXvBus" width="480"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favourite festive tune.</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/AVvXsEgSW7EG1MUGSIZkpJRuTHGfrnGp9ZO_RWru7vIm_812lKe-Q7P9h_-d4PDNmLYCNzbp0o_AWK8CSYQj2glevmW7sB4WM8u8XJWncjqVe_uBg14OLl3MImlEegsFBXfG8fobk6xIvzVrqSnoCrgFAZfuuq-TQkTpsWWMdf_Rmf6cMDeOWLFL9omduhVvwg/s3590/xmas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3590" data-original-width="2369" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW7EG1MUGSIZkpJRuTHGfrnGp9ZO_RWru7vIm_812lKe-Q7P9h_-d4PDNmLYCNzbp0o_AWK8CSYQj2glevmW7sB4WM8u8XJWncjqVe_uBg14OLl3MImlEegsFBXfG8fobk6xIvzVrqSnoCrgFAZfuuq-TQkTpsWWMdf_Rmf6cMDeOWLFL9omduhVvwg/w422-h640/xmas.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a cool Yule! Thanks for your comments, kindness and friendship throughout the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love always, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Vix & Jon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-28693825535816413872023-12-19T18:36:00.003+00:002023-12-19T22:05:38.686+00:00Silly Season<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCu7oZ1Z8-B6fsX1D-0YIUrBF9_Df_yxpqsWyHyJBNh0i3PjFLXEu_E7vo3XW7XN8NZWw8rB_QI9XD1vXNtYvRkjNURfRls4CGBTXXvZHH0-7v7XakWtQeUOw6VhXyBxoczl3NI4wvI5zyvqJw9g4Mi1hzMiXkAS5BuEwL6BKRI1j1pZwaEjXj3nzMg/s1200/collage%20(26).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCu7oZ1Z8-B6fsX1D-0YIUrBF9_Df_yxpqsWyHyJBNh0i3PjFLXEu_E7vo3XW7XN8NZWw8rB_QI9XD1vXNtYvRkjNURfRls4CGBTXXvZHH0-7v7XakWtQeUOw6VhXyBxoczl3NI4wvI5zyvqJw9g4Mi1hzMiXkAS5BuEwL6BKRI1j1pZwaEjXj3nzMg/w640-h480/collage%20(26).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thirty-six hours after arriving home from Tenerife, at 8.30am last Saturday we were back in Wetherspoons, trading at their annual Xmas market, held to help raising funds for the pub chain's adopted charity, <a href="https://donate.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/winter-appeal-search/~my-donation?campaign_id=IAJDCCWPS&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm4WsBhCiARIsAEJIEzVHLypWrHZNlE2gZd-2LUqK_QTQtS_Nv1odXsAu0AdQKiBfVqCxrDAaAo53EALw_wcB">Young Lives Vs Cancer.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvFnqoTWr8f3-JevncgLd4FgssAtufIUfp7bivAnfCHHCYiex4Owj0UMeYRJCIokvAYT5XrnNz8Eiwqe2Vobl0f_4m_Kl6CvM1z7RSTMkrQwZa7aXXUeiHRTiK6RBMI9E5GxGShVnpmPwAqXhlOPLydUhCS5dMfPPbPttK-kKqASm5F3SyuqtYtS76Q/s4080/20231209_133350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvFnqoTWr8f3-JevncgLd4FgssAtufIUfp7bivAnfCHHCYiex4Owj0UMeYRJCIokvAYT5XrnNz8Eiwqe2Vobl0f_4m_Kl6CvM1z7RSTMkrQwZa7aXXUeiHRTiK6RBMI9E5GxGShVnpmPwAqXhlOPLydUhCS5dMfPPbPttK-kKqASm5F3SyuqtYtS76Q/w360-h640/20231209_133350.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">And here's the £35,000 bespoke carpet in Walsall's Spoons, <i>St Matthew's Hall</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWL6ces77h4i8OVQeeqdmBohR5_7o9itTTqiWGXuQlwJuBeBxsy6UQ9KPq7NgQzZ7aDUNI0FeKx7oFWJYA4EQhWPamglc2xA4iYKyoqdCZ0sVoYOj0k0UY9ckJWDvjZJAjVyGybXpvgaSQ3c8TRKuFNpnq_lEmXSox9gHBUtPjDPKNyXOrzudFnl3rw/s4080/20231209_091013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWL6ces77h4i8OVQeeqdmBohR5_7o9itTTqiWGXuQlwJuBeBxsy6UQ9KPq7NgQzZ7aDUNI0FeKx7oFWJYA4EQhWPamglc2xA4iYKyoqdCZ0sVoYOj0k0UY9ckJWDvjZJAjVyGybXpvgaSQ3c8TRKuFNpnq_lEmXSox9gHBUtPjDPKNyXOrzudFnl3rw/w360-h640/20231209_091013.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">With just a tabletop, we left the clothes at home and brought a selection of vintage brooches & scarves, sparkly bags and statement necklaces along with some of my artist friend <a href="https://www.elizabethwhitehouse.co.uk/">Liz's</a> fabulous handmade cards and gift tags.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79CoaaaVsa6e-dZsr4mGfmjnRdVxB8GZZD7h63YQcZjsUDD7MdQz19FbyLHiYPvx5bxpkNXM7VBa7iHUl1bC4dg3_w40WB62HtqPxZ2WFDgDAkj5bXK4r2qvO0MsC8yWWbHPyjIr7Iuh4PEw6reUxFsrwZuth4YK8KhjZvCM5iqDbvjl6NQcUC-eDug/s4080/20231209_090959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79CoaaaVsa6e-dZsr4mGfmjnRdVxB8GZZD7h63YQcZjsUDD7MdQz19FbyLHiYPvx5bxpkNXM7VBa7iHUl1bC4dg3_w40WB62HtqPxZ2WFDgDAkj5bXK4r2qvO0MsC8yWWbHPyjIr7Iuh4PEw6reUxFsrwZuth4YK8KhjZvCM5iqDbvjl6NQcUC-eDug/w360-h640/20231209_090959.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZbeKaTRw6cEyd-wWXiKcXa8ZGEDZ8iIne94oKvTamIXY2rPXAhCw9Yx45dO7NthaihjDlLJXlfOl5LUrYqkmqy9rg2k62DynWnaWCQbZml-mGrZWDzPBkl-5GTIAWvl0rtiZ5Hwo-fOBUXuzMlPWcL8ySwRyVZfkLXXIgPYD3vRCmgREjRR38TuW9Q/s4080/20231209_090950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZbeKaTRw6cEyd-wWXiKcXa8ZGEDZ8iIne94oKvTamIXY2rPXAhCw9Yx45dO7NthaihjDlLJXlfOl5LUrYqkmqy9rg2k62DynWnaWCQbZml-mGrZWDzPBkl-5GTIAWvl0rtiZ5Hwo-fOBUXuzMlPWcL8ySwRyVZfkLXXIgPYD3vRCmgREjRR38TuW9Q/w360-h640/20231209_090950.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUk2PnjRApcjReLhkbvJkBsE6XcuhGpCm5wUmrgseae0X-JTLiUYczfudY6f3lMs7lEE7coPcvFQo_J_sUSnYgh_aopzYYRhPcKWAw9kbTQn_SZL4psyFxhQq7SsUJjRNBMriShc9u_W3XFnfd0Q05FCDWaaFKC8p_sUUrL6QE4jbTgeYXukDZwIGcA/s3317/20231209_090910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3317" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUk2PnjRApcjReLhkbvJkBsE6XcuhGpCm5wUmrgseae0X-JTLiUYczfudY6f3lMs7lEE7coPcvFQo_J_sUSnYgh_aopzYYRhPcKWAw9kbTQn_SZL4psyFxhQq7SsUJjRNBMriShc9u_W3XFnfd0Q05FCDWaaFKC8p_sUUrL6QE4jbTgeYXukDZwIGcA/w444-h640/20231209_090910.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whilst we won't be retiring on the profits, we had a fun four hours, sold a few things and made some new friends and, being the consummate professions that we are, (ha!) didn't even have a drink until we'd packed the stall up!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MP9Z9laslOqcaOCoei2zVnTd4sCXMuHnw3atKmjxWTxaP_OeaOGRP0uquqg0HOJ5Lu2a6xngL21FTrokBb2yXI1lHGIvudNh-k6Un-rNJj0MYoqYy9nsBzubfekFgj-jwlzBri5RkhdXLpBJob8TuHCHcPs5oBeLKBfnsPyliomRWNUT-64YZhq2qQ/s3013/20231209_090306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3013" data-original-width="2151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MP9Z9laslOqcaOCoei2zVnTd4sCXMuHnw3atKmjxWTxaP_OeaOGRP0uquqg0HOJ5Lu2a6xngL21FTrokBb2yXI1lHGIvudNh-k6Un-rNJj0MYoqYy9nsBzubfekFgj-jwlzBri5RkhdXLpBJob8TuHCHcPs5oBeLKBfnsPyliomRWNUT-64YZhq2qQ/w456-h640/20231209_090306.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">My vintage 1960s <i>Victor Costa *Romantica*</i> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">lamé</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> maxi dress (a gift from Joyatri, a lovely American ex-blogger and fellow vintage obsessive I've met up with a few times over the years) matches the carpet. I thought I'd give the patchwork panel I made from knackered vintage clobber from the stockroom a trial run whilst I was at it. Jon scrubbed up rather nicely!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMfT5J_yLKkrFbsDKJR2u-fL0w8Rkn4Hhq5o6cTiDbBHWQ8PNszf_teRLxUpAzD57ndx7j9N_GU3yYFkz0HkKGqdP5vz-IVB2SNqn0AliZYBhEtcVDpOC5yr6_kQSyeT7E-ld7M0BCyaKnHIhN-rGQahE54uGd4tjAYhecIV3sje2punlFZMFAIlkHA/s3417/20231209_090217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3417" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMfT5J_yLKkrFbsDKJR2u-fL0w8Rkn4Hhq5o6cTiDbBHWQ8PNszf_teRLxUpAzD57ndx7j9N_GU3yYFkz0HkKGqdP5vz-IVB2SNqn0AliZYBhEtcVDpOC5yr6_kQSyeT7E-ld7M0BCyaKnHIhN-rGQahE54uGd4tjAYhecIV3sje2punlFZMFAIlkHA/w430-h640/20231209_090217.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since I've been home I've fallen out of the habit of taking daily outfit photos although I do wear clothes every day (honest!) but here's a few of the things I've been wearing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJz1k5rC6U1GWUVge9m8-KveHqqTcnLRpmzJQQl8OlN9ejXM-LNuZuM50nSCu_1BismvrwoyvuNwCH_-EEvsO9ufuXd7fSnYIz2eXJjZPDbbE0XjrsOvK3_xC2ARBpYiRvtSZ3FFrk4ni2wKWZy3YwiJQ_WGUZIclmHxjrf2XvLuT_CEqrdcUUbwxhQ/s3716/20231211_134035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3716" data-original-width="1953" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJz1k5rC6U1GWUVge9m8-KveHqqTcnLRpmzJQQl8OlN9ejXM-LNuZuM50nSCu_1BismvrwoyvuNwCH_-EEvsO9ufuXd7fSnYIz2eXJjZPDbbE0XjrsOvK3_xC2ARBpYiRvtSZ3FFrk4ni2wKWZy3YwiJQ_WGUZIclmHxjrf2XvLuT_CEqrdcUUbwxhQ/w336-h640/20231211_134035.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This 1960s embroidered green crushed velvet kaftan was a birthday treat to myself. I found it on Vinted for a fraction of the crazy prices they currently command. I wore it with one of my Accessorize fedoras and snake Print Kurt Geiger boots (also Vinted) last Monday for a morning of charity shopping in our favourite Black Country town (with my Afghan coat on top).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFGAHQEUm1YxQr0aakYweD5majLfWTqdwkfMy5x9RcAF3sHiyskUvaZJAdag5ADYNvr9raydtF1sYUSc-S57_gS1X755GdiOz6qOWx32wDqyeBCglKev7apqymCyf18ogZd-XA48mNdCnhaH59Voe_6r5g_AeFPgDu-OjzDV-AGVOjzFlGG1nYA3_MA/s3191/20231211_134116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3191" data-original-width="2254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFGAHQEUm1YxQr0aakYweD5majLfWTqdwkfMy5x9RcAF3sHiyskUvaZJAdag5ADYNvr9raydtF1sYUSc-S57_gS1X755GdiOz6qOWx32wDqyeBCglKev7apqymCyf18ogZd-XA48mNdCnhaH59Voe_6r5g_AeFPgDu-OjzDV-AGVOjzFlGG1nYA3_MA/w452-h640/20231211_134116.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As usual Lord Jon did me proud with birthday pressies. Here's a vintage pendant made with horseshoe nails. If you remember I bought a beaded one from a charity shop a few weeks ago and several very helpful readers told me what it was, I'd never heard of them before.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp_HOyjdtvfXwou-_pzntHbW4uthif7OOV8LZaF9s-f_nL-zcPfiibEKI2Uo6Yqy63315xMJRnqDe8Nawny-0DPwb2R9spPncopjI8ooxCpH0VhnZrcxY7ebrngB0m_RWgca2T-cDE7ieSGbvUaoJEUyuQRU51bwh5kldu0DaT5O5zKdRTqWUvIJ2Ng/s1920/thumbnail_20231219_143233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp_HOyjdtvfXwou-_pzntHbW4uthif7OOV8LZaF9s-f_nL-zcPfiibEKI2Uo6Yqy63315xMJRnqDe8Nawny-0DPwb2R9spPncopjI8ooxCpH0VhnZrcxY7ebrngB0m_RWgca2T-cDE7ieSGbvUaoJEUyuQRU51bwh5kldu0DaT5O5zKdRTqWUvIJ2Ng/w360-h640/thumbnail_20231219_143233.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This 1970s ruffle-tastic peacock feather print cotton maxi dress by <i>Shubette of London</i> was another Vinted buy, as was the embellished Indian velvet waistcoat (£3!!!!)</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/AVvXsEh8munAVwx8LmftFkyNFOzK2ka2bUNF4DNKI1l1xPpNHafQGVGWE_hrykMhhj3wvcTLmnC3rHmNGW7foPyFXNKc8-vGnag1vwR-3n9Yqj7j1Q_zT0D0izDDre4RT3MMAr0tuvobh-ocUL2JpMpgm7UUl3QkXSY6XhJhOvoEq4OpcgIW3189W8YZ4_ik8g/s2948/20231213_130036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="2122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8munAVwx8LmftFkyNFOzK2ka2bUNF4DNKI1l1xPpNHafQGVGWE_hrykMhhj3wvcTLmnC3rHmNGW7foPyFXNKc8-vGnag1vwR-3n9Yqj7j1Q_zT0D0izDDre4RT3MMAr0tuvobh-ocUL2JpMpgm7UUl3QkXSY6XhJhOvoEq4OpcgIW3189W8YZ4_ik8g/w460-h640/20231213_130036.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was what I wore last Tuesday when we went to see the wonderful <i>Wonka </i>at the cinema last week. If, like me, this time of year depresses the hell out of you, go and see it, it's such a feel good film! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsbCkQtZaq8HTVpkVQ5XbFzyiso2NXd9up-dfHMP4TDtKSLKHxNviY_gQLy0F2bJEHa68_98PbPBqNCYU3W3G9KGGXXtZZBxV7C79YGEPeRHiYB8U7Rl7JsKoeI0sT0tMi8JeG-1nzAWW1RkdC-cIQ9kylG6qcFLa6K7zyBaRG1R8TJT1g10al1HJsg/s2048/MV5BNDM4NTk0NjktZDJhMi00MmFmLTliMzEtN2RkZDY2OTNiMDgzXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTUzMTg2ODkz._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsbCkQtZaq8HTVpkVQ5XbFzyiso2NXd9up-dfHMP4TDtKSLKHxNviY_gQLy0F2bJEHa68_98PbPBqNCYU3W3G9KGGXXtZZBxV7C79YGEPeRHiYB8U7Rl7JsKoeI0sT0tMi8JeG-1nzAWW1RkdC-cIQ9kylG6qcFLa6K7zyBaRG1R8TJT1g10al1HJsg/s320/MV5BNDM4NTk0NjktZDJhMi00MmFmLTliMzEtN2RkZDY2OTNiMDgzXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTUzMTg2ODkz._V1_.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubnzHoJLeG7izIb7uZyoIge2FB6UX-0TnFKRpCzAmmlwhinHP9gPyXVv_zQHpShVEPZCfg44hvK9ao9xIa8xXT5td_rQ31URuYXHpwDHX8qQ0nGp3W3EyUyNlcON7c-fu2xbwILM8nb0haQbdOSVPTzPPM0_ghpVNWi8Cr-8LoyUppt08l-_ZAf23lw/s2791/20231213_130104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2791" data-original-width="1784" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubnzHoJLeG7izIb7uZyoIge2FB6UX-0TnFKRpCzAmmlwhinHP9gPyXVv_zQHpShVEPZCfg44hvK9ao9xIa8xXT5td_rQ31URuYXHpwDHX8qQ0nGp3W3EyUyNlcON7c-fu2xbwILM8nb0haQbdOSVPTzPPM0_ghpVNWi8Cr-8LoyUppt08l-_ZAf23lw/w410-h640/20231213_130104.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the way home from the swimming baths last Thursday we popped up to see <i><a href="https://www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk/the-knife-angel-official/">The Knife Angel </a></i>in Gallery Square. My friend <i><a href="https://gnatbottomedtowers.blogspot.com/">Aril</a></i> saw her when she visited her part of the UK a few weeks ago and tipped us off that Walsall was next on the list.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqckEnf-xwruGSMQqYAtqFpcu25o3BsEvBKYm_Xn0EtPvGLZUbcbfYpKLz8_0SdXKRcgLTm3ERBeyxKRvEQ7-vYwZiGEvkuVMb35XxpwZ5uqE6dloA7fJ13mTWUMmKRlnzhWZm-4d3FNi5sFV5pGNbJg8e0P-UMKONkgJpIfbeSeFoMfe5OJ0CYf7ovQ/s3701/20231214_093211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3701" data-original-width="2081" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqckEnf-xwruGSMQqYAtqFpcu25o3BsEvBKYm_Xn0EtPvGLZUbcbfYpKLz8_0SdXKRcgLTm3ERBeyxKRvEQ7-vYwZiGEvkuVMb35XxpwZ5uqE6dloA7fJ13mTWUMmKRlnzhWZm-4d3FNi5sFV5pGNbJg8e0P-UMKONkgJpIfbeSeFoMfe5OJ0CYf7ovQ/w360-h640/20231214_093211.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Created up the road in Shropshire, the sculpture is made from over 100,000 seized blades and was created to highlight the negative impact of violent behaviour and the need for social change. Its incredibly moving and although she had been unveiled a few days earlier she'd drawn a sizeable crowd.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs31TJVsbIwVzOpEI92xD-qtS4XwWiMq4r8UQvDCzFkwVUHEcxALp8HQFBMk0nVeujnZzt2mHVwXy-36YUvxz4Fvw04s-WnV1RLxtisvqawSjygQTGuBjT0TG8ZHh9wl2mBsOssCc5nOttoYesdPUCxxJG__muKN_B4e__ksewmOHvRp3sFcb650mz_g/s4080/20231214_093227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs31TJVsbIwVzOpEI92xD-qtS4XwWiMq4r8UQvDCzFkwVUHEcxALp8HQFBMk0nVeujnZzt2mHVwXy-36YUvxz4Fvw04s-WnV1RLxtisvqawSjygQTGuBjT0TG8ZHh9wl2mBsOssCc5nOttoYesdPUCxxJG__muKN_B4e__ksewmOHvRp3sFcb650mz_g/w360-h640/20231214_093227.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DJ4h5Nzpm85x0NEvaie9lCNmuU44KBlsHQln-BtavBKAlaTw_9TH7hkPRtCKNBOW5XJRM6DHKkAMESkYMz42aNXOXd9WH-GortXdP2D8fzl4AEc9cCSY1HVssA-R_bs1LUf8CGe8V3aPu4fLjHsH897TZJoZnCuHTah3iYj03n9EdkaSpizrCTJe0g/s3872/20231214_093240~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2179" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DJ4h5Nzpm85x0NEvaie9lCNmuU44KBlsHQln-BtavBKAlaTw_9TH7hkPRtCKNBOW5XJRM6DHKkAMESkYMz42aNXOXd9WH-GortXdP2D8fzl4AEc9cCSY1HVssA-R_bs1LUf8CGe8V3aPu4fLjHsH897TZJoZnCuHTah3iYj03n9EdkaSpizrCTJe0g/w360-h640/20231214_093240~2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXNHoYbPj9BnUEo-qE2gxNR5J7cU4YzVSKsYWUMiQw3xNpFKENgK3k-7bYc5w9cktzYchDnAXYjcttywh7HU3pwdbBkIUDK6pcKIpz32JVIzvyX5df8XGQUAr7PlGI1zc_9hKdEEJBAE9rV3-x8cd3zf4kZfEFE6O70JEval5PvyA5qQRziJTmTCa6A/s4080/20231214_093257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXNHoYbPj9BnUEo-qE2gxNR5J7cU4YzVSKsYWUMiQw3xNpFKENgK3k-7bYc5w9cktzYchDnAXYjcttywh7HU3pwdbBkIUDK6pcKIpz32JVIzvyX5df8XGQUAr7PlGI1zc_9hKdEEJBAE9rV3-x8cd3zf4kZfEFE6O70JEval5PvyA5qQRziJTmTCa6A/w360-h640/20231214_093257.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Friday we went out for beers and Indian food with Liz and Al. I was too preoccupied to get my camera out but here's the carpet in The Avion, Wetherspoons in Aldridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeN_3yIulwqC3r_jJEPdXz5UARuFDxCU4mFReoJfdBRpInLRX93fzdEtlUVp0_LvkDh_Ycd3-viV52o94_lHnmC-irLf43V9Zz4hk0XE_DLcW8ALa57y37DjCHNwLyy-VV3OG1kC9CG2jowc9HlzUsh6AXvBj0_B0ewMeL3H_nKyvLLE-bIPzneDptg/s3505/20231215_193500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3505" data-original-width="2196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeN_3yIulwqC3r_jJEPdXz5UARuFDxCU4mFReoJfdBRpInLRX93fzdEtlUVp0_LvkDh_Ycd3-viV52o94_lHnmC-irLf43V9Zz4hk0XE_DLcW8ALa57y37DjCHNwLyy-VV3OG1kC9CG2jowc9HlzUsh6AXvBj0_B0ewMeL3H_nKyvLLE-bIPzneDptg/w400-h640/20231215_193500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And that's Liz and I after <i>Clay Pot Vegetables</i> to die for. The weather was so mild I didn't bother putting my jacket on when we left Laboni - unless that was the heat from the chillies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNlKtLuMYbyJOMngT-MfBB-7vNumLrvD-h70Cp2fmKw_5N74wy4QKVZ0fKMJ2P_zrAuEqbvQ8wWnQG59Rthcrqw8-spE3iGKA0LJNtnXJNZllSul_yz3iKv8WLLU5mqfxVj1c1ACXmKKMHEkL4-XQEvLJJleAWxPVYiYP7qFhLxHR3LW_dHXRUb3I8g/s3801/20231215_222844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="3801" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNlKtLuMYbyJOMngT-MfBB-7vNumLrvD-h70Cp2fmKw_5N74wy4QKVZ0fKMJ2P_zrAuEqbvQ8wWnQG59Rthcrqw8-spE3iGKA0LJNtnXJNZllSul_yz3iKv8WLLU5mqfxVj1c1ACXmKKMHEkL4-XQEvLJJleAWxPVYiYP7qFhLxHR3LW_dHXRUb3I8g/w640-h330/20231215_222844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday was one of those days where we'd only meant to meet up with Tony for a couple of drinks and ended up staggering out of Wetherspoons eight hours later. Yeah, 57 going on 17, all three of us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvVbI76pw_n6ZGUUCkM3AQNOJFk30YyM_7BFiMxwZu-xY3Jwr9wMEAn-HqIvB5yTQhNcI9Jyp62-OT0nhQSfxA3mVqroBvM2nH63Trr5y1lTsBhcBQcuCWW9mK3v2NyJyjsRsPjPoEnUT3gZMlKmLZRgqSRnAFcj0q3P_mwO-2dngPy6yxj1EgGQS1Q/s2453/20231217_123122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2453" data-original-width="1851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvVbI76pw_n6ZGUUCkM3AQNOJFk30YyM_7BFiMxwZu-xY3Jwr9wMEAn-HqIvB5yTQhNcI9Jyp62-OT0nhQSfxA3mVqroBvM2nH63Trr5y1lTsBhcBQcuCWW9mK3v2NyJyjsRsPjPoEnUT3gZMlKmLZRgqSRnAFcj0q3P_mwO-2dngPy6yxj1EgGQS1Q/w482-h640/20231217_123122.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wore my green velvet Kharibu dress which makes me feel like a Pre-Raphaelite (and probably makes me behave like one, too!) </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/AVvXsEiBzATofRSWJCE2B6ZV-XCPOyxNUN05FUPsovs0xCNf8eDKjun8nBQg-ksGCFao3BYlwaABwroZVB43EzxnzDw80FoDm2VZz-0TXq3YoxsHeLPsEmNUK3Kb2-aGEwG-9fyVI4Tmn2Mk_pwzNV0nTtD5VRjZI5HLLBgesYOKizkwuleFQp_htRsQi9oppA/s2907/20231217_122911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2907" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzATofRSWJCE2B6ZV-XCPOyxNUN05FUPsovs0xCNf8eDKjun8nBQg-ksGCFao3BYlwaABwroZVB43EzxnzDw80FoDm2VZz-0TXq3YoxsHeLPsEmNUK3Kb2-aGEwG-9fyVI4Tmn2Mk_pwzNV0nTtD5VRjZI5HLLBgesYOKizkwuleFQp_htRsQi9oppA/w506-h640/20231217_122911.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The colour's more like the back view photo in real life, Jon must have pressed something on my phone and changed the settings.</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/AVvXsEjAatf-qI7DO7fS53S_C0vqnEtpKIp69jH4ITnR2Toexk05peyg3FaZ4N9AAq10yu5VLFbAjOo7C_URtx9Vp-TVJ46VyXCYcX9myQWbtfob-1Ip788z9c0fD5uFl5qaF2RVlEt4M_NP5y4KVlP5hEuWNxuNLfy2AolMTANBEMFeEXlUSvuRPU8QdOoEWA/s3264/20231217_195156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAatf-qI7DO7fS53S_C0vqnEtpKIp69jH4ITnR2Toexk05peyg3FaZ4N9AAq10yu5VLFbAjOo7C_URtx9Vp-TVJ46VyXCYcX9myQWbtfob-1Ip788z9c0fD5uFl5qaF2RVlEt4M_NP5y4KVlP5hEuWNxuNLfy2AolMTANBEMFeEXlUSvuRPU8QdOoEWA/w640-h360/20231217_195156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I adorned myself with a couple more of my birthday presents from Jon. The silver bracelet is by renowned Victorian silversmith <i>Charles Horner</i> although the sterling silver charms are vintage '70s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRuj_QgOVweb1h1P7nIhoKf4TLsdIrCXOEyWdczP-ApCLKn-W0modVa5F_eksViKV4psbdFk7CoQi2CHxCoFSVBw7Zct-yQHb-UbIVsWUbwS8hBGHVkDsSOOr3abZUT15W0GdVOJzWykRCevGKlsNS5v1trJmTVpIhSWRfcV_ePE1QuwThyGaRUoVKQ/s2555/20231219_145051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2555" data-original-width="2078" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRuj_QgOVweb1h1P7nIhoKf4TLsdIrCXOEyWdczP-ApCLKn-W0modVa5F_eksViKV4psbdFk7CoQi2CHxCoFSVBw7Zct-yQHb-UbIVsWUbwS8hBGHVkDsSOOr3abZUT15W0GdVOJzWykRCevGKlsNS5v1trJmTVpIhSWRfcV_ePE1QuwThyGaRUoVKQ/w520-h640/20231219_145051.jpg" width="520" /></a></div></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/AVvXsEid942jnLO3F4vEXnCjxbC7E1SfQbW_m1nOYl4lxFM4rN3RnTHoA80H9RUChCcyeT_0M30IMTi4A5TysaGu92EB1WReWSKmOoeouTec2DolkN5RU5-xgPgEkf9JHuf1IR2VE3jW4JRpUZzvJlvyvJF7T4xga6l0xx4b8gtGq0xfjATK421DhZYlOjqboQ/s2040/20231219_144945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1148" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid942jnLO3F4vEXnCjxbC7E1SfQbW_m1nOYl4lxFM4rN3RnTHoA80H9RUChCcyeT_0M30IMTi4A5TysaGu92EB1WReWSKmOoeouTec2DolkN5RU5-xgPgEkf9JHuf1IR2VE3jW4JRpUZzvJlvyvJF7T4xga6l0xx4b8gtGq0xfjATK421DhZYlOjqboQ/w360-h640/20231219_144945.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">And here's another huge Banjara torq coin choker to add to my collection of Indian tribal jewellery</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qiD_uldvqszkHbkb_YRXxOIn4dix42qJtS2ZFN8Jk9C9aO8CenY04sI12orx7APmgp_8fhsKcTfSdh8IGUP-kt0-3rg-gSoNLFcPcCEDxQs9FAQNjwf2Kq24RR78w1iUNh0xerxjETXy8HjVWAG6e6yOlAAD9D46D6tlzQLLowFlED2L5N6K4fqWXQ/s2140/20231219_152044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2140" data-original-width="1820" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qiD_uldvqszkHbkb_YRXxOIn4dix42qJtS2ZFN8Jk9C9aO8CenY04sI12orx7APmgp_8fhsKcTfSdh8IGUP-kt0-3rg-gSoNLFcPcCEDxQs9FAQNjwf2Kq24RR78w1iUNh0xerxjETXy8HjVWAG6e6yOlAAD9D46D6tlzQLLowFlED2L5N6K4fqWXQ/w544-h640/20231219_152044.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Art Nouveau inspired dragonfly cuff was a present from Liz's mum, Hazel.</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/AVvXsEjMcuN3bG9oGLkDitMLzA5K6qEoevcpG4q3mEx5iBgAOQZ_zcFWAG0co5YUbZDzs6JqQ4So9ZIP5wdgJSHpdNZLR0icQ250wX6ptMEbUzQxml0hPszgy8k7B1CJPw3trloguTfUDF3kXNCUdzB-x4pY-EkPRQQ1La7jaQqyD7931SE1DeNwShWUQSnKvQ/s4080/20231218_081020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcuN3bG9oGLkDitMLzA5K6qEoevcpG4q3mEx5iBgAOQZ_zcFWAG0co5YUbZDzs6JqQ4So9ZIP5wdgJSHpdNZLR0icQ250wX6ptMEbUzQxml0hPszgy8k7B1CJPw3trloguTfUDF3kXNCUdzB-x4pY-EkPRQQ1La7jaQqyD7931SE1DeNwShWUQSnKvQ/w360-h640/20231218_081020.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Despite the previous day's antics, a certain gentleman had me up before 6am demanding breakfast and a game of chase the stick.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gVtYyw0bF7aktqCplf7CZQnyOy7dLpmWVvN1-FzIV66AiLC_Bag4Qt63VpX2yG_mbLIf9C4aMZb54XJRmNLTL41HhmtWHOFVR1iW3Cv4g94hyphenhyphenoX0DB54ViEMQ1AVmcOiZI9Ol4-EsZcckJz7ENVPCIiYG-hkwDtmhBYC_kF7x7TDr6FfRA3ydXqhwQ/s3264/afghan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2675" data-original-width="3264" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gVtYyw0bF7aktqCplf7CZQnyOy7dLpmWVvN1-FzIV66AiLC_Bag4Qt63VpX2yG_mbLIf9C4aMZb54XJRmNLTL41HhmtWHOFVR1iW3Cv4g94hyphenhyphenoX0DB54ViEMQ1AVmcOiZI9Ol4-EsZcckJz7ENVPCIiYG-hkwDtmhBYC_kF7x7TDr6FfRA3ydXqhwQ/w640-h524/afghan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We popped over to our second favourite town a charity shopping session. I wore my vintage Afghan dress by <i>Hindu Kush </i>which I bought myself as a birthday treat back in 2018. The fedora was originally Aldo but I bought it from a charity shop back in 2016.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPpfKm2mhxur9I7HSO1wEUvKndBKK_wmpBg4CTMcd2li9vu0nu86c5CZkL7w5RWJYpJyAFrnCCWHY0-OTqJjntPj_C2w2zbk39eAcAMN7sO2t861lFC5qoQRhvBipnSnb1t97G9pbZVZQ0em8ouOO0gr9nAtaURJj1B8I3OJN6M68WjObKa77ZuHkpg/s3264/polly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2675" data-original-width="3264" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPpfKm2mhxur9I7HSO1wEUvKndBKK_wmpBg4CTMcd2li9vu0nu86c5CZkL7w5RWJYpJyAFrnCCWHY0-OTqJjntPj_C2w2zbk39eAcAMN7sO2t861lFC5qoQRhvBipnSnb1t97G9pbZVZQ0em8ouOO0gr9nAtaURJj1B8I3OJN6M68WjObKa77ZuHkpg/w640-h524/polly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today (Tuesday) was our penultimate swim before the baths close for ten days on Saturday. It was miserable & pissing it down when we walked down at 7.30am but swimming and a Spoons breakfast cheered us up no end. I wore this vintage <i>Miss Polly for Polly Peck</i> 1960s maxi dress (British Heart Foundation, 2017) which got loads of love from a hip young volunteer in one of the town centres' charity shops. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Talking of which, here's a few of the things we've found since we got home.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2qAcSAD9pldsu8HOI9IFy3nIykmztyevTbisF6ecoKTbaupbQc3LqT0Ssv73F5k_N8Bd0QRIj-MaBH7aeM1UnbJfXZuGvCgE6R3VIbZoq9r_XppccKHGpTZp4d5xohMgftbWgCu8nzI6NCB3P9jPGcA9fkzTJI3o2BNKawiBRX5I4hoSQsCzjhslmA/s1200/collage%20(21).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2qAcSAD9pldsu8HOI9IFy3nIykmztyevTbisF6ecoKTbaupbQc3LqT0Ssv73F5k_N8Bd0QRIj-MaBH7aeM1UnbJfXZuGvCgE6R3VIbZoq9r_XppccKHGpTZp4d5xohMgftbWgCu8nzI6NCB3P9jPGcA9fkzTJI3o2BNKawiBRX5I4hoSQsCzjhslmA/w640-h480/collage%20(21).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">1970s green velvet blazer; 1970s <i>Owen Barry</i> sheepskin hat; <i>Together!</i> 1980s embellished & tasseled top; 1970s full length dashiki; Vintage 1960s mirror work top; 1970s sequin cocktail dress; <i>Nali, Italy</i> crushed velvet bag; <i>Mango</i> patent PVC raincoat</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nN4jloRgjgFnGEWycVPDEp0cn0GeN11SJrhpcrlh-CJ7cowhEpmRjpSs4Q9ixZwZ8hs41T79FEUZ-znIiKBCBVhSlqr9LyOrF6nYP7Xm_nE2817ie7WZH9GE9qmx7wU2xKDeCKN6YEmUjKjREhbVAswXfxuSAUpTMuPTydFbWYo7ij7z4DxCQBQEVQ/s1200/collage%20(22).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nN4jloRgjgFnGEWycVPDEp0cn0GeN11SJrhpcrlh-CJ7cowhEpmRjpSs4Q9ixZwZ8hs41T79FEUZ-znIiKBCBVhSlqr9LyOrF6nYP7Xm_nE2817ie7WZH9GE9qmx7wU2xKDeCKN6YEmUjKjREhbVAswXfxuSAUpTMuPTydFbWYo7ij7z4DxCQBQEVQ/w640-h480/collage%20(22).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Feather trimmed cape; Tapestry coat; 1960s gold crochet cardi; 1970s <i>Wrangler</i> bomber jacket; <i>Panache, London</i> 1970s cocktail dress; Vintage Italian army jacket; 1960s <i>Antartex</i> sheepskin hat; 1970s tweed fleck jacket</p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDS6oPVPdUazCwb-1teEr9sGDwWQ54hdEnYUTwskYK7EE4dAdDAK-IpP8vTm2iE-WpvVXm8WUC9gkXR8S0izvcLupOgdXEvCVK4zcuhqlFeu3umsPaMWSCTzJ-Q703KanthunY1lFufK4cvVsUFiu_5O1Z0CP1PU6-mrVdfua4CCGT4uflH8zseznpA/s1200/collage%20(23).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDS6oPVPdUazCwb-1teEr9sGDwWQ54hdEnYUTwskYK7EE4dAdDAK-IpP8vTm2iE-WpvVXm8WUC9gkXR8S0izvcLupOgdXEvCVK4zcuhqlFeu3umsPaMWSCTzJ-Q703KanthunY1lFufK4cvVsUFiu_5O1Z0CP1PU6-mrVdfua4CCGT4uflH8zseznpA/w640-h480/collage%20(23).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">1960s <i>Made in Finland</i> gents fake fur coat (now Jon's!); <i>River Island </i>fake fur; 2000s <i>Adidas </i>track top; 1970s <i>John Charles</i> midi dress; 1960s <i>Bagcraft </i>suede handbag (by appointment to HM the Queen); 2000s <i>Adidas</i> off the shoulder track top; Vintage sheepskin hat; 1980s hand knit jumper</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2LdvzBpxDNzWYuJY-24GrzV8FiYTGKURECBsZUXANAJk8QwQXcKUpwuTtZIuhPr-zuu8OpdWViI6bSTVVNuYkudNu1c6bPgTF8YHa47Hch3IbSjOkwaBy1S2KQdnF45YQjNv4PZY6RkpEEL3LEHaB7hnfjjfwBGANYdt89X-Gq1UTq3bJ6OkvB4giw/s1200/collage%20(24).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2LdvzBpxDNzWYuJY-24GrzV8FiYTGKURECBsZUXANAJk8QwQXcKUpwuTtZIuhPr-zuu8OpdWViI6bSTVVNuYkudNu1c6bPgTF8YHa47Hch3IbSjOkwaBy1S2KQdnF45YQjNv4PZY6RkpEEL3LEHaB7hnfjjfwBGANYdt89X-Gq1UTq3bJ6OkvB4giw/w640-h480/collage%20(24).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Betsey Johnson</i> fake fur gilet; Indian block printed midi dress; Fake fur jacket; <i>Per Una</i> leather belt; 1970s English sheepskin hat; 1990s Nepali cap; <i>Per Una</i> belt; <i>Cos</i> dungarees (still £95 on their website)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the keepers....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjXffTg2mBEkAw8TJkRvInol55Q-g2MDdYaiG_CVAKf1u3fSGRLUR5TuG4r_FIqawImNQdWNHcbfCdqKC8rfjbUzHgE5fnRAIh4kXne603NoE0nAnK5zSPQ8fDr0wdJvV0fjcVuVnZaaMm3LXGxT8iTZulKT8A9gfwFKPHQeZ4zRTqDgWcQ4PaazjkA/s3197/20231219_164633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3197" data-original-width="2283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjXffTg2mBEkAw8TJkRvInol55Q-g2MDdYaiG_CVAKf1u3fSGRLUR5TuG4r_FIqawImNQdWNHcbfCdqKC8rfjbUzHgE5fnRAIh4kXne603NoE0nAnK5zSPQ8fDr0wdJvV0fjcVuVnZaaMm3LXGxT8iTZulKT8A9gfwFKPHQeZ4zRTqDgWcQ4PaazjkA/w458-h640/20231219_164633.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Every girl needs a pair of brand new blue velvet thigh-length boots in her life especially when they're only a quid! The £1 charity shop strikes again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3vn9or_oA8gyj11XEvTBxgGZBw_RmdvENgH4REMQlgGeDqo-wsTE9869_Ki3uZHsHbWuSDd1Fa75rlHlfdmov5ICBiiP7o0t8RbQ39QbSuTla1MfZ9xjpwlC0pE9wDI0EV58aAlXtsLPeSMnTxPfsTzfeMDQKAsdzzM-lyqe8IMN2JW_hsPZV05GJQ/s2639/20231219_164809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2639" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3vn9or_oA8gyj11XEvTBxgGZBw_RmdvENgH4REMQlgGeDqo-wsTE9869_Ki3uZHsHbWuSDd1Fa75rlHlfdmov5ICBiiP7o0t8RbQ39QbSuTla1MfZ9xjpwlC0pE9wDI0EV58aAlXtsLPeSMnTxPfsTzfeMDQKAsdzzM-lyqe8IMN2JW_hsPZV05GJQ/w556-h640/20231219_164809.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This pile of books should keep me sane throughout the silly season.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXHEmTgIrmAarRhJ-9w5HE1IK_0awAwIe1shyphenhyphenk7_XEGqxz9NU-tpfSZOeTvo41e08lWtwX1YX8zEbjTUiky3jup-FxExKaREZ7-QiA-dXdVXJDiat7LVKtooWofDYh4MDiXJMo4SPaauNXBW7_UhILcHh_V_DM9v4tbYcEW79iGXpim6w9plT47BiOA/s1024/download.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="1024" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXHEmTgIrmAarRhJ-9w5HE1IK_0awAwIe1shyphenhyphenk7_XEGqxz9NU-tpfSZOeTvo41e08lWtwX1YX8zEbjTUiky3jup-FxExKaREZ7-QiA-dXdVXJDiat7LVKtooWofDYh4MDiXJMo4SPaauNXBW7_UhILcHh_V_DM9v4tbYcEW79iGXpim6w9plT47BiOA/w640-h206/download.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In addition to the marvellous <i>Wonka</i>, we've also watched (and really enjoyed)<i> Midsommar</i> and <i>Killers of the Flower Moon</i>, binged the first series of <i>Vigil </i>and are now on season two.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel-6eyhB6tip4W-38eOfs-IF161jcVBZ8qlluRfh0YKE6-uV6j9sODhxlYF0ddXiHm1or1K-tCTfZMQ6HlUAi4bT6yb0FJoCeKVu2hDmerj81Lhwn4bDW-k-jdyYnakiMWacyWN_gIuhvQ4WCSm7STEKaAFBFqhp_AYQXO5nfV1oMfi2D9gOusxwMrA/s275/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel-6eyhB6tip4W-38eOfs-IF161jcVBZ8qlluRfh0YKE6-uV6j9sODhxlYF0ddXiHm1or1K-tCTfZMQ6HlUAi4bT6yb0FJoCeKVu2hDmerj81Lhwn4bDW-k-jdyYnakiMWacyWN_gIuhvQ4WCSm7STEKaAFBFqhp_AYQXO5nfV1oMfi2D9gOusxwMrA/w266-h400/download.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />As massive fans of the <i>Mick Herron</i> books, we're loving the third season of <i>Slow Horses</i> as much as the others, we don't want it to end. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Right, I've ignored it for long enough, tomorrow's the day I do my Xmas shopping (and I'll try to stay out of Wetherspoons!) Wish me luck!</div><p></p>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-12163395032542414012023-12-16T16:35:00.012+00:002023-12-16T18:55:39.807+00:00My Birthday On La Isla Bonita<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7yBrTcGoabszI-_Dr8x6n_7rSA-2Y3elecN1Rd55LFY7rDv_uDQ9NFjv-hg0OY_l7_P4yq9CUWgtyU2rmnmKJmFYPAyNdoBgkege-owm4SZLk59j2jlUYsFthXGIizJUhUo3naTyMTzdJ43yZROQVdD80tcceZmWfgOtG8w0Q2VU3joQS7vVwUCDVg/s4080/20231206_093446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7yBrTcGoabszI-_Dr8x6n_7rSA-2Y3elecN1Rd55LFY7rDv_uDQ9NFjv-hg0OY_l7_P4yq9CUWgtyU2rmnmKJmFYPAyNdoBgkege-owm4SZLk59j2jlUYsFthXGIizJUhUo3naTyMTzdJ43yZROQVdD80tcceZmWfgOtG8w0Q2VU3joQS7vVwUCDVg/w640-h360/20231206_093446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This 6th December wasn't the first time I'd woken up to heat and sunshine on my birthday, I've celebrated many in India and, last year, a bit closer to home in Malaga. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A</span>fter<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">consecutive</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> birthdays spent in the UK either soaking wet, snowed on or </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">freezing cold, I've promised myself that however many 6th Decembers I have left, they will be spent in the environment that makes me the happiest - warmth!</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-BFpilnHgiVcG172pE4GfGmlC0v-q5k0-QBzjMdBWSBWGIXQ8Vrjbdo6mu211JqIVYanZKcVrHd2HY-e7UzyFRWphv7KM6bfMR9NOhavLhXqotrHzlknAvuqynLsl43z1QlA3pLAcZX9xEO9bQCL1FZnvtips2pYsGPXqaqqeraDzTvRx56twvkphw/s3152/20231206_092931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3152" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-BFpilnHgiVcG172pE4GfGmlC0v-q5k0-QBzjMdBWSBWGIXQ8Vrjbdo6mu211JqIVYanZKcVrHd2HY-e7UzyFRWphv7KM6bfMR9NOhavLhXqotrHzlknAvuqynLsl43z1QlA3pLAcZX9xEO9bQCL1FZnvtips2pYsGPXqaqqeraDzTvRx56twvkphw/w466-h640/20231206_092931.jpg" width="466" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;">After opening my presents -and a card from the hotel staff who must have seen that it was my birthday on their records - we set off in search of churros & coffee and, suitably stuffed, went off to explore more of Puerto de la Cruz.</span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Ofp4hBfKNjf7Xjh78tlqGvGT-P4umD4NVJjARcsaNCvTp0eGx9q9KwzaAq1ADiP3S-SVQrtMVQEZ8ukOuswjZfDqS1aMg3gvjdjXAqw8fespN-WiHcVHntCVveYn4inHDjLZ1DDDVs3mOA0TGm7ciR6kFdjOwp8F0YMjlzpsQZS2a8P9beEiOFRqA/s4080/20231206_093337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Ofp4hBfKNjf7Xjh78tlqGvGT-P4umD4NVJjARcsaNCvTp0eGx9q9KwzaAq1ADiP3S-SVQrtMVQEZ8ukOuswjZfDqS1aMg3gvjdjXAqw8fespN-WiHcVHntCVveYn4inHDjLZ1DDDVs3mOA0TGm7ciR6kFdjOwp8F0YMjlzpsQZS2a8P9beEiOFRqA/w640-h360/20231206_093337.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;">After a sunny start Mount Teide had all but vanished behind the cloud but, as you can see from our Summery attire, it was still a fabulously warm 24°C.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span><span style="color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2p7NV7gkAokFHsItVYrhn_BSvXQbYrwjGjkSTE0mAPoJ193Lpz753FUAK08Ika40wG351wwApltdlF8DZO0AmsHzBfViGsECG9zUUoqn6qSHFc3HWiIgYA7mwK8URpEwE2RmNcY2huji32OI9eGhmCHO9xE_n68qIeKfHyccgduJMMVj-0C0Knhiiw/s4080/20231206_094327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2p7NV7gkAokFHsItVYrhn_BSvXQbYrwjGjkSTE0mAPoJ193Lpz753FUAK08Ika40wG351wwApltdlF8DZO0AmsHzBfViGsECG9zUUoqn6qSHFc3HWiIgYA7mwK8URpEwE2RmNcY2huji32OI9eGhmCHO9xE_n68qIeKfHyccgduJMMVj-0C0Knhiiw/w360-h640/20231206_094327.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>Being the little weirdo that I am, top of the list for birthday adventures was the <i>Cementerio Ingles</i> (The English Cemetery). Long before the mass tourism of the twentieth century, there was already a substantial British population on Tenerife, mostly involved with exporting Canarian wine and the island's sugar, since the early part of the 18th Century. Back then</span><span style="text-align: left;"> the Catholic church was opposed to the Protestant religion but exempted foreign residents, granting permission for a small cemetery for deceased ex-pats to be established. This opened in 1757. </span></div></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgrf5glTWU-VeNy7SEUD7-fXALr3DM1ai9pOFsOfGpc-bbt6FPFc1uF3t7EwKkOT2EpdviL5vN4QRR4CEmTGP-V4R3xNfMxFafB1cXr6E9lFQFqnIeNH_QJuWpGV-EqCLzI0e8MMMkR9mpDo4-iPeJXIBwqJpyjPzKHtqrmnGhD72Zlb9t9EMJdQnTw/s4080/20231206_094624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgrf5glTWU-VeNy7SEUD7-fXALr3DM1ai9pOFsOfGpc-bbt6FPFc1uF3t7EwKkOT2EpdviL5vN4QRR4CEmTGP-V4R3xNfMxFafB1cXr6E9lFQFqnIeNH_QJuWpGV-EqCLzI0e8MMMkR9mpDo4-iPeJXIBwqJpyjPzKHtqrmnGhD72Zlb9t9EMJdQnTw/w360-h640/20231206_094624.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">From the closing years of the nineteenth century, North Tenerife became increasingly popular as a destination for the wealthier members of British society to spend the winter months. The island was known for its mild climate and pure air and, as such, routinely recommended by doctors as a place for those suffering </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">from illness</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> - particularly tuberculosis - to convalesce although, by the number of graves occupied by the young, many must have succumbed. </span></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUERfk61mi0otPK_ss10JzcN-lbcktO32kW6IQYy2K5bSZLYDB4tV06iVmPg8u3aDidCoaa2Mhk5AUEGyHBZGDtP-2iBN1QXYIaAfSoJZP7kbhWNMj7dJ7gjdhFLwFI23Bml7BWW1T5l1flyBZtxttJbnwWQujZW6ATrth9XSDYE7WMuDlxNrY224nQ/s1200/collage%20(19).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUERfk61mi0otPK_ss10JzcN-lbcktO32kW6IQYy2K5bSZLYDB4tV06iVmPg8u3aDidCoaa2Mhk5AUEGyHBZGDtP-2iBN1QXYIaAfSoJZP7kbhWNMj7dJ7gjdhFLwFI23Bml7BWW1T5l1flyBZtxttJbnwWQujZW6ATrth9XSDYE7WMuDlxNrY224nQ/w640-h480/collage%20(19).jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">Although created by British residents, the cemetery was also used by Protestants from other countries. By 1958 it was</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"> almost full so, to utilise the space, the dead were interred in niches in the walls. In recent times, with the preference for cremation and, in many cases, repatriation by air, the number of interments have dropped to around 3 to 4 a year.</span></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/AVvXsEie96t927sMrnr6Q-nD3BnHfB1deBFYetzVIWzqpd2fDj3KaI1yBAmdphhJAlBtbo0ghyphenhyphenY1ZtIt3KUL7Hj_hVdS4t_3boOWFSnr1HeagYCO0bB6t10768ff3UEr3LaAC81MZY3dXrl-PM-lAbqhq5zRQeN8exzQioKW8VsBAC8tDuVVAEqae7xKI2PmCQ/s2613/20231206_101542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie96t927sMrnr6Q-nD3BnHfB1deBFYetzVIWzqpd2fDj3KaI1yBAmdphhJAlBtbo0ghyphenhyphenY1ZtIt3KUL7Hj_hVdS4t_3boOWFSnr1HeagYCO0bB6t10768ff3UEr3LaAC81MZY3dXrl-PM-lAbqhq5zRQeN8exzQioKW8VsBAC8tDuVVAEqae7xKI2PmCQ/w562-h640/20231206_101542.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;">In the bottom left hand corner of the first collage is the grave of <i>Osbert Ward</i>, who died in 1949 at the grand old age of 93 and is famous for writing the first ever guide book to Tenerife back in 1886. I had to smile at the inscription he'd had etched on Mrs Osbert Ward's head stone, <i>The Best of Wives</i>....it sounded like Osbert kept a harem.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WURq3l9QjwD4VKy2PwZZ0VUty_fqLHTPwlTjY55qy4pViDIDcbxYHtgztZdOgPOp8Ctt67BX4hNVHmlACm_X3gaQIc7rTJFoV2d-K7Zjye4tKfkKjUjoj5UEN3flUYP9RFcWnjdyv5ieGtsYvwKSrWmSMlwtgw5eiF7vc9qDlLqT45NLlqe18-F8ng/s1200/collage%20(20).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WURq3l9QjwD4VKy2PwZZ0VUty_fqLHTPwlTjY55qy4pViDIDcbxYHtgztZdOgPOp8Ctt67BX4hNVHmlACm_X3gaQIc7rTJFoV2d-K7Zjye4tKfkKjUjoj5UEN3flUYP9RFcWnjdyv5ieGtsYvwKSrWmSMlwtgw5eiF7vc9qDlLqT45NLlqe18-F8ng/w640-h480/collage%20(20).jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mentioned in my first Tenerife travelogue how Agatha Christie had visited the island in 1927, the year after her infamous 1926 disappearance and subsequent discovery in a hotel with no apparent memory of how she got there. Following successful psychiatric treatment, Christie travelled to Puerto de la Cruz with her daughter Rosamund and her secretary Carlo and was inspired to write several books set in the town during her stay. </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/AVvXsEiC7y0MTJXw9MkSmJy3WKa70l7ExQ9N3SX-uomo5HV6dKDfKyF2z03g4ByBOKTdgFFU8eWYObCzNRP8OcKVloLB7c035nlvZxjmXGF4fX3vJTbOYrQlP99U9fiQcrDReb1S2RNrf_QJQxldqnSQGMiCmgBLyVbV9EiWpHEzGR_NIjG22lfcnC0wps3MAw/s4080/20231206_114028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7y0MTJXw9MkSmJy3WKa70l7ExQ9N3SX-uomo5HV6dKDfKyF2z03g4ByBOKTdgFFU8eWYObCzNRP8OcKVloLB7c035nlvZxjmXGF4fX3vJTbOYrQlP99U9fiQcrDReb1S2RNrf_QJQxldqnSQGMiCmgBLyVbV9EiWpHEzGR_NIjG22lfcnC0wps3MAw/w360-h640/20231206_114028.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: #efefef; color: #1d2127; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Mr. Satterthwaite went on, past the palm trees and the straggling white houses, past the black lava beach where the surf thundered and where once, long ago, a well-known English swimmer had been carried out to sea and drowned, past the rock pools where children and elderly ladies bobbed up and down and called it bathing, along the steep road that winds upwards to the top of the cliff. For there on the edge of the cliff was a house, appropriately named La Paz. A white house with faded green shutters tightly closed, a tangled beautiful garden, and a walk between cypress trees that led to a plateau on the edge of the cliff where you looked down--down--down--to the deep blue sea below.’’ </i><span style="background-color: #efefef; color: #1d2127; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><b>The Mysterious Mr Quin, 1930</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #efefef; color: #1d2127; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span></div></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkbaoilL1nuTwwSIZ8xleBO9ioM3INpmidXmIOh2ouxQ2STQFGuyQNUW783dg40HMrDluKvkJ4CaI0VD_gySKFXK6r0jGWV10ZmB0d2FGIexlS9nEVAKY0LMMnjISfWaIoIGIsuGLY_F_tHiIu5uj9CtqwKOZM8PV0_kgc4OsCyxtc1Hb4LbW7Vzrgg/s4080/20231206_112738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkbaoilL1nuTwwSIZ8xleBO9ioM3INpmidXmIOh2ouxQ2STQFGuyQNUW783dg40HMrDluKvkJ4CaI0VD_gySKFXK6r0jGWV10ZmB0d2FGIexlS9nEVAKY0LMMnjISfWaIoIGIsuGLY_F_tHiIu5uj9CtqwKOZM8PV0_kgc4OsCyxtc1Hb4LbW7Vzrgg/w360-h640/20231206_112738.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The bench we sat on to take this photo is labelled <i>Agatha Christie's Viewpoint.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLp4WTS01DcTdBM86yV0YwTN_bfCAVHrdSJ2PDxKOVBF50OJC6TlqdiIZ0wuCDlWE4LkkhLx5np-YqxV0WHYSzCNtgYu_kI2Ej_B2PG3uJVslnCOe1CADy9GYvnW4UaAcNrfGw4d4Tp5yiBL3HyFqkGVNEKeG2akE9VkdUPuAoR1aWwHL3Z___rom2w/s4080/20231206_113130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLp4WTS01DcTdBM86yV0YwTN_bfCAVHrdSJ2PDxKOVBF50OJC6TlqdiIZ0wuCDlWE4LkkhLx5np-YqxV0WHYSzCNtgYu_kI2Ej_B2PG3uJVslnCOe1CADy9GYvnW4UaAcNrfGw4d4Tp5yiBL3HyFqkGVNEKeG2akE9VkdUPuAoR1aWwHL3Z___rom2w/w360-h640/20231206_113130.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="color: #333333;">The <i>Agatha Christie Stairs</i> on Paseo San Amaro speak for themselves, apparently photographing them is an Instagram thing.</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></div></span></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeiGpYmnIhTFTPvxk9qFzvBOyXdSDSRbyV1hqEs5MxaNPS6M176D2Ja24qX2VAJEVYvexe2QpGjtl55Hz3GNRUAhDiWQiwjpCe5bzgPJvDWqHwCctAPm2TiPvSIpD2PT2hxwhxEHCqVK-BVgFMGAEtXZEUoN9_zBSvPnG_qpRNCQXraWJWKRiwr_2eg/s4080/20231206_113132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeiGpYmnIhTFTPvxk9qFzvBOyXdSDSRbyV1hqEs5MxaNPS6M176D2Ja24qX2VAJEVYvexe2QpGjtl55Hz3GNRUAhDiWQiwjpCe5bzgPJvDWqHwCctAPm2TiPvSIpD2PT2hxwhxEHCqVK-BVgFMGAEtXZEUoN9_zBSvPnG_qpRNCQXraWJWKRiwr_2eg/w360-h640/20231206_113132.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;">Thank goodness I'm no longer on IG, I committed a major faux pas by wearing the same dress I'd worn the previous day!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAoPkqnASy6NlvIyGwYoOeHMaufG2JxEyHS8No6StN8Wb1CYUgqTzgsOA7GfcmhCmPs3EUbzHxLZK2t2F4eOb_end9zA7MH-DdQzlUyOHkGmFRXk0S27CeUzM52s2otcSYdwjcw9aHm4c6j1gKTIgRBn7uVP9vYhaqgz_wos0C5oG98BnBMHuOudUvA/s4080/20231206_113228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAoPkqnASy6NlvIyGwYoOeHMaufG2JxEyHS8No6StN8Wb1CYUgqTzgsOA7GfcmhCmPs3EUbzHxLZK2t2F4eOb_end9zA7MH-DdQzlUyOHkGmFRXk0S27CeUzM52s2otcSYdwjcw9aHm4c6j1gKTIgRBn7uVP9vYhaqgz_wos0C5oG98BnBMHuOudUvA/w360-h640/20231206_113228.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></span></div><span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Puerto de la Cruz is not only the first place in the world to name a street after the author but also hosts an annual Agatha Christie Festival every November. Not quite Glastonbury but I bet it's fun.</div></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPaYs0YqnUSN0iU3Tb-zLMbFc7a300vzD7HfFSU46LJgaruM1Tt1AAFAbb0u39Dx4nje3tEQE8H-23dRMBYD1QhMsRQzJ-lSBwa5CkIZ-GA87H9d9xEuoaajlUIBTvwbgJQPlCLa3K_l9q3CdSRQAJUnb4K7Je7Ld3pIqnm0g601HJaTE4OdAr0UrUw/s4080/20231206_113745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPaYs0YqnUSN0iU3Tb-zLMbFc7a300vzD7HfFSU46LJgaruM1Tt1AAFAbb0u39Dx4nje3tEQE8H-23dRMBYD1QhMsRQzJ-lSBwa5CkIZ-GA87H9d9xEuoaajlUIBTvwbgJQPlCLa3K_l9q3CdSRQAJUnb4K7Je7Ld3pIqnm0g601HJaTE4OdAr0UrUw/w360-h640/20231206_113745.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></span></div><span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNenA3tmE6FNbGSnWJIG55EwDK8O2jySJ1KWUFp44DvwGLS8ZdH8B-utCaePZHJFvTdapS6utkpF3XTQXSGHUOo0f3EtzLlGMC4HA2c8xsVZuPDABqmshwf8q4peb87bR2k893xZ-LieknT8AKS3MmnBf4DKVNuH0Tcy8Kdzjn7ie6Lb4LVPnSMj-xA/s4080/20231206_113934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNenA3tmE6FNbGSnWJIG55EwDK8O2jySJ1KWUFp44DvwGLS8ZdH8B-utCaePZHJFvTdapS6utkpF3XTQXSGHUOo0f3EtzLlGMC4HA2c8xsVZuPDABqmshwf8q4peb87bR2k893xZ-LieknT8AKS3MmnBf4DKVNuH0Tcy8Kdzjn7ie6Lb4LVPnSMj-xA/w640-h360/20231206_113934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There's a great view at the top of those steps. The more eagle-eyed amongst you might notice that the pavement looked a bit wet, we had about five minutes of rain.</div></span></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEboIAEsUNLWyeOKhr2xZhKUVvwe3h2N4byDmFYqBZu9tv77rixGRv-c3bg7wEED7vYSGmeTsoOdw8shA3gGRlR2LqquyvUmIFIy5QnqAyc9o509eeS9wHsUq_7lS-pTIOBfxYYsxafr6cqeuAkapsTtcuR2ks8ux1jH_z9C2e9uR-ztPmjXlUy7ckA/s3264/20231206_121223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEboIAEsUNLWyeOKhr2xZhKUVvwe3h2N4byDmFYqBZu9tv77rixGRv-c3bg7wEED7vYSGmeTsoOdw8shA3gGRlR2LqquyvUmIFIy5QnqAyc9o509eeS9wHsUq_7lS-pTIOBfxYYsxafr6cqeuAkapsTtcuR2ks8ux1jH_z9C2e9uR-ztPmjXlUy7ckA/w360-h640/20231206_121223.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We continued our ascent up through the Orotava Valley and with popping ears finally reached our next destination, <i>The English Library. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F-AJqLzrCoGfDuac_UNYgpHb3v6Wg7osnve1EtdgyfkNr3SPgPobIJ0FZlN3ZTeoQLI9Xkq42fKS6otXTqgI7n0KGIp9MAlVdBh5Ecui91AjoYVncSTqZRY-4d705r2zR0kcTguoPlzQIRiibM7ouYYEYNfkiFuJKbcTumNn9QblzinDcVVSdtS-pA/s3264/20231206_121341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F-AJqLzrCoGfDuac_UNYgpHb3v6Wg7osnve1EtdgyfkNr3SPgPobIJ0FZlN3ZTeoQLI9Xkq42fKS6otXTqgI7n0KGIp9MAlVdBh5Ecui91AjoYVncSTqZRY-4d705r2zR0kcTguoPlzQIRiibM7ouYYEYNfkiFuJKbcTumNn9QblzinDcVVSdtS-pA/w360-h640/20231206_121341.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Set within beautiful subtropical gardens, the library is home to 20,000 English language books covering everything from cookery and the classics to music and gardening with everything else inbetween. There's also over 5,000 DVDs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYocZxlVSL1ay60FbomVjzCG4XE6MpTFjCVLhXqYi-yO7SpR71efVOGSQTmSp7TZmrhQxCYleEylTm6Z7rU1dlIJlzVG4bBoiraO_OJtmMYPjhB7FICLSZfFnU7JIUPbKJudeDRaSXV7LnihPWF4opSSGAvGXxURqPomOyvXYcO-G2PeREncEJ5HOR_w/s3264/20231206_121346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYocZxlVSL1ay60FbomVjzCG4XE6MpTFjCVLhXqYi-yO7SpR71efVOGSQTmSp7TZmrhQxCYleEylTm6Z7rU1dlIJlzVG4bBoiraO_OJtmMYPjhB7FICLSZfFnU7JIUPbKJudeDRaSXV7LnihPWF4opSSGAvGXxURqPomOyvXYcO-G2PeREncEJ5HOR_w/w640-h360/20231206_121346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The library was founded by <i>Mrs Mary Boreham</i> who arrived on Tenerife with her terminally ill husband, Walter. The Borehams possessed a large and eclectic collection of books which they started lending to other British ex-pats living in the Orotava valley. The books were originally housed in the Anglican church down the road but, as the collection grew, the British community were granted permission for a specially constructed building and <i>The Orotava Library</i>, as it was originally known, opened in 1903. The library remained open throughout both World Wars and is available to the public every Wednesday and Saturday between 10am and 1pm. Annual membership is €40 a year and temporary membership (minimum, one month) is €12. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJubKPx_L_YW490Z-3UR3550NxKiqINteTbtYEz6qVeS79LJ1RsWEFWWcu7t7n63wYpOLXkOwlei0G1Zqn9Q4npc-1sROp59FBBjcp2UIHMe_19PIGJWNJRxFC8JExx3mNr2HSeYEjwIOuzj3YwjeQdQQYEkmyAkGL_93Hom7U1-ddd5nqxDknxlLDLw/s3264/20231206_121423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJubKPx_L_YW490Z-3UR3550NxKiqINteTbtYEz6qVeS79LJ1RsWEFWWcu7t7n63wYpOLXkOwlei0G1Zqn9Q4npc-1sROp59FBBjcp2UIHMe_19PIGJWNJRxFC8JExx3mNr2HSeYEjwIOuzj3YwjeQdQQYEkmyAkGL_93Hom7U1-ddd5nqxDknxlLDLw/w640-h360/20231206_121423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When Mrs Boreham died in 1917 her private collection of books was bequeathed to the library, totalling around 4000 volumes. The library's records reveal that it cost 108 pesetas to move the books by horse and cart and another 1169 pesetas to build more shelves to accommodate them all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvl63x0RgJdJFc7vEViiVtmU7Zi4og25sjy-IPzxiksemBWJ58INtRtvh_eUn9-pKsIAmengnwM1u8KbkWQJGMpC_LuuITSmVUPUHRW9t2NwROEd9JxZMJWl2r6rni1XiW6qts_zBZI0NiigQak0FmCRdit8pxzxJudmTt-GtSk1uwOLJ6ALSsjGcHQ/s3264/20231206_121433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvl63x0RgJdJFc7vEViiVtmU7Zi4og25sjy-IPzxiksemBWJ58INtRtvh_eUn9-pKsIAmengnwM1u8KbkWQJGMpC_LuuITSmVUPUHRW9t2NwROEd9JxZMJWl2r6rni1XiW6qts_zBZI0NiigQak0FmCRdit8pxzxJudmTt-GtSk1uwOLJ6ALSsjGcHQ/w360-h640/20231206_121433.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcrQxW43W_3lOQj_cxFfJMrMYGepYgeLQE2DKt-InhRAQh4smDoQQeVX9NVM-A1zPrAyL3bmF424hNkaSB2X1b4vXU_0ouHXtn4X9d7jkFFYFz_pGvYtpDoEND_rJ2d-1zsN5GIz7Kg7S5RWhRbXEUaLwZryiDN_AKCPD1czUiNa2bwsGf-kmA84oWg/s3264/20231206_121457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcrQxW43W_3lOQj_cxFfJMrMYGepYgeLQE2DKt-InhRAQh4smDoQQeVX9NVM-A1zPrAyL3bmF424hNkaSB2X1b4vXU_0ouHXtn4X9d7jkFFYFz_pGvYtpDoEND_rJ2d-1zsN5GIz7Kg7S5RWhRbXEUaLwZryiDN_AKCPD1czUiNa2bwsGf-kmA84oWg/w640-h360/20231206_121457.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGgys4k-D7uYLkAhCr1OYnGDJYFB8TLHHPTVdxMHAvAu_9ouk4GoLLoQ-UYHzW7GYWKcHVtAvGnOV9CPKjd8mwd6zqAHIOjItEhHdEyGhNPRkqA7T8JnQPK81hVXG6z2ykKC1zPSRtieVFmxBntoU7HMXQbOzRBT2olRL88CYl74GzLf24ckcLmmYbQ/s3055/20231206_121512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3055" data-original-width="1718" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGgys4k-D7uYLkAhCr1OYnGDJYFB8TLHHPTVdxMHAvAu_9ouk4GoLLoQ-UYHzW7GYWKcHVtAvGnOV9CPKjd8mwd6zqAHIOjItEhHdEyGhNPRkqA7T8JnQPK81hVXG6z2ykKC1zPSRtieVFmxBntoU7HMXQbOzRBT2olRL88CYl74GzLf24ckcLmmYbQ/w360-h640/20231206_121512.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was such a lovely place, the gardens were exquisite and the volunteers couldn't have been more welcoming as we'd arrived shortly before closing time we didn't take advantage of the tearooms.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KXNL90Pscf076H4_EGR85v7_eMIht3Sm-33VjTHhq3DR0Bt4I_oKXY7SnosP5QgVt8gzW5ifV1vkbxez2loujXADjMoin_ksJ88s4H7g0m689hXpK-26e8G1IgYnfTkHCtIxl1Wz2oAvzQLOok5qcKZB0Td1-NQNoJT58RxHR95aZUXT4DEpKIBXnw/s3264/20231206_121851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KXNL90Pscf076H4_EGR85v7_eMIht3Sm-33VjTHhq3DR0Bt4I_oKXY7SnosP5QgVt8gzW5ifV1vkbxez2loujXADjMoin_ksJ88s4H7g0m689hXpK-26e8G1IgYnfTkHCtIxl1Wz2oAvzQLOok5qcKZB0Td1-NQNoJT58RxHR95aZUXT4DEpKIBXnw/w360-h640/20231206_121851.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRNMCoCYbqy8p-ancG5Vd5vqYE6xyR5f3ON5XAcOuvp9bNZPbu4nPCGyJ9ZMud1yUH5_lvmndTvj3SiZfF808d9F6o9wV0e8r1W36OpM1EtfjAEbFIlvoAPSPuK5ZgFpZWBJqq4vvZaCjmKLf4FMveQ9RA1bxMwxXJUBC8ZtxT5-s41dF0SLwFRgfVg/s4080/20231206_122213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRNMCoCYbqy8p-ancG5Vd5vqYE6xyR5f3ON5XAcOuvp9bNZPbu4nPCGyJ9ZMud1yUH5_lvmndTvj3SiZfF808d9F6o9wV0e8r1W36OpM1EtfjAEbFIlvoAPSPuK5ZgFpZWBJqq4vvZaCjmKLf4FMveQ9RA1bxMwxXJUBC8ZtxT5-s41dF0SLwFRgfVg/w360-h640/20231206_122213.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We passed the 130 year old Anglican church, <i>All Saints</i> on the way back down the hill into town. <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">The gardens are home to a rose garden dedicated to the memory of the 146 passengers and crew who lost their lives when Dan Air charter flight number 1008, inbound from Manchester to the Tenerife North airport of Los Rodeos, crashed in the nearby forest of La Esperanza on 25th April 1980 killing everyone on board.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Raleway, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB4pFJTRHM7kB5LPsi3q1V4JiblKQIPTGaB8qWktOsHZd8OzPx4DSq_3XKrmrvlezA9xqcIq_NtRSl1DO637Vd99V6ViwlM6_HjszoL-BTQyFilF0Wv8VsLEq2nD10hqDvFFWkiNtvdM2_60LW057Oma9MU1SLeWr-sNmSrjr_HkA3zFuwon5MrqCpg/s3452/20231206_122418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3452" data-original-width="2181" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB4pFJTRHM7kB5LPsi3q1V4JiblKQIPTGaB8qWktOsHZd8OzPx4DSq_3XKrmrvlezA9xqcIq_NtRSl1DO637Vd99V6ViwlM6_HjszoL-BTQyFilF0Wv8VsLEq2nD10hqDvFFWkiNtvdM2_60LW057Oma9MU1SLeWr-sNmSrjr_HkA3zFuwon5MrqCpg/w404-h640/20231206_122418.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifqvkbHnI55ETQQBK7JLmBRnc0zkG5QhkxAAYa08crtcIuHMF-4PsMRPhMuTkK6cZoKHllTzIYAI-hfn35V4TW4ASvfLPbvPBScQ4UQsiOz48TJb9g_KtBskD4psCV4gvV8mn6KuHqV3biqy1MMyoVZ8K-rGy-nF69PECEb_WbUxvmQPNllNAUjN0NA/s3264/20231206_123928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifqvkbHnI55ETQQBK7JLmBRnc0zkG5QhkxAAYa08crtcIuHMF-4PsMRPhMuTkK6cZoKHllTzIYAI-hfn35V4TW4ASvfLPbvPBScQ4UQsiOz48TJb9g_KtBskD4psCV4gvV8mn6KuHqV3biqy1MMyoVZ8K-rGy-nF69PECEb_WbUxvmQPNllNAUjN0NA/w360-h640/20231206_123928.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwjlJuxUHTpBIvrEt3A-zj-xplqsCBguvysYIzCjzv0lutM7oIwr3ItVvEAKcKT94okz5xnvq8STVGEiaBb-rVFRoT7ZTlM9MTfqjzopCUaUZophsNJAX0DQ1_zl51MLT4dlVPa_KiQMZ30BF54R2fZgAxx5kpAQnRSJo_I5iCjtLZKRMnz1XzDNUJA/s4080/20231206_124148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwjlJuxUHTpBIvrEt3A-zj-xplqsCBguvysYIzCjzv0lutM7oIwr3ItVvEAKcKT94okz5xnvq8STVGEiaBb-rVFRoT7ZTlM9MTfqjzopCUaUZophsNJAX0DQ1_zl51MLT4dlVPa_KiQMZ30BF54R2fZgAxx5kpAQnRSJo_I5iCjtLZKRMnz1XzDNUJA/w360-h640/20231206_124148.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back down at the port I whipped off my dress and went for a swim....the Atlantic was too cold for Lord Jon (I'm made of sterner stuff!) so he stayed on shore and filmed me for posterity. I would have gone further but a boat was coming in and I didn't fancy being decapitated on my birthday (although I know of a very nice graveyard in the vicinity). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Swimming in the sea is a<i> getting soaking wet on my birthday</i> that I can cope with!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/9g7sLLOPBAE?si=3wPTMJvKJXOwj7mW" width="480"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/G4RCJlcQmes?si=WvPzHIlZ07g4Jv6L" width="480"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By now we were ravenous. I wanted to eat on the pavement outside the fabulous Art Nouveau cafe bar we'd discovered on our first day in Puerto de la Cruz but there was a queue and I don't think stamping my feet and demanding a table just because it was my birthday would have cut it. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMBcr2Owf7ZiyE4Yu7jcBkoVBejY-4B0Yezrh_WYgEm3_jothyjE2umTxm_NLCTRrNqnBojEUnX5KE8RUIBh4TftVv-I6VoH4bFygaReHp891vdL97X8chDRnM9yUTnDYNXSLudGd94f8g9_r7y7vkh98aZU8O98io6ahYbrfa-JJ4eNCaGG62qCdsw/s3264/bd%20dinner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1549" data-original-width="3264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMBcr2Owf7ZiyE4Yu7jcBkoVBejY-4B0Yezrh_WYgEm3_jothyjE2umTxm_NLCTRrNqnBojEUnX5KE8RUIBh4TftVv-I6VoH4bFygaReHp891vdL97X8chDRnM9yUTnDYNXSLudGd94f8g9_r7y7vkh98aZU8O98io6ahYbrfa-JJ4eNCaGG62qCdsw/w640-h304/bd%20dinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Instead we sat outside one of the grand old hotels in the square by the church and enjoyed beer and tapas (tortilla, olives and papas arrugadas with mojo verde and rojo along with a basket of bread) and it turned out that a Danish man on a neighbouring table was - like reader Lynsey - also celebrating a birthday!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDrgTxv-Msk0l8B2xlMsiuk1YRxznTD7MAtA6s_0s8cQMF2kEwPENCgXSpXmxXYxYe9VweT6A_HeMmAXQ4KkwfU9Vy2fELJlcjXMSBXnFpI5Ioa7sWlmgauZT81kWOIPVUWlO2ISfJZRhldaZv2wLahDn1ODS28FFzrgOt2P08sFph5-CWRlqR61AoA/s4080/20231206_150345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDrgTxv-Msk0l8B2xlMsiuk1YRxznTD7MAtA6s_0s8cQMF2kEwPENCgXSpXmxXYxYe9VweT6A_HeMmAXQ4KkwfU9Vy2fELJlcjXMSBXnFpI5Ioa7sWlmgauZT81kWOIPVUWlO2ISfJZRhldaZv2wLahDn1ODS28FFzrgOt2P08sFph5-CWRlqR61AoA/w360-h640/20231206_150345.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We sat on San Telmo beach with a beer and watched the waves for an hour.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JnmVclff4T9inNh_QQKV9eEAaIJfsjSLi8VynZR245dyYDUB5NeA7tbJYSdtkYLFI2mKP5l6672IaslsR_XixCFVbLwK1kG1ZNv56AXTMed49CWYPLoiPBF4IJCI-FoDOkknGSYdY_g7L6HEMc1NH3Pz5vjR-hvSI9wvIM3H6nnYk_phDDoUNfYgnQ/s3873/20231206_150501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3873" data-original-width="2180" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JnmVclff4T9inNh_QQKV9eEAaIJfsjSLi8VynZR245dyYDUB5NeA7tbJYSdtkYLFI2mKP5l6672IaslsR_XixCFVbLwK1kG1ZNv56AXTMed49CWYPLoiPBF4IJCI-FoDOkknGSYdY_g7L6HEMc1NH3Pz5vjR-hvSI9wvIM3H6nnYk_phDDoUNfYgnQ/w360-h640/20231206_150501.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back at the apartment we showered and packed our belongings. You guessed right, Jon wore his new old coat on the journey home and I managed to squeeze my latest second hand maxi dress in my bag. Jet2 flights include 10kg carry-on allowance but my bag only weighed 7kg on the way out and, as we'd used up the toiletries we'd brought with us, I had room to spare.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBDXH16IzQ1nrvcvrBCnRxMw8wbs4o-S8Y-Tny4Gsu_D65xh3H-nJOEgWC3_YufHBs49UiojmVgN9h8gvIiOeBDzJhrDB7OWg8FU5_2HovK2TPDUTyJFkTVSG6NmiqmM5FII3WrQs7J8_Hko6hK_ZnzHwudjZ9HBvtZAEds2HEOKK3060VxDS_FfpNg/s3364/20231206_182344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3364" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBDXH16IzQ1nrvcvrBCnRxMw8wbs4o-S8Y-Tny4Gsu_D65xh3H-nJOEgWC3_YufHBs49UiojmVgN9h8gvIiOeBDzJhrDB7OWg8FU5_2HovK2TPDUTyJFkTVSG6NmiqmM5FII3WrQs7J8_Hko6hK_ZnzHwudjZ9HBvtZAEds2HEOKK3060VxDS_FfpNg/w432-h640/20231206_182344.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although our flight wasn't until lunchtime the following day (Thursday), we'd planned on catching the 6am bus to Tenerife South airport as the next one was two hours later and would have been cutting things a bit too fine. However, as luck would have it, Barry from York, the lovely chap we'd met in our favourite hole-in-the-wall bar a couple of nights ago was having a pint when we popped in and, as a bus enthusiast and a Puerto de la Cruz long-staying regular, told us that we could get a later bus and change at Santa Cruz station, meaning we didn't have to cut the birthday night out too short after all. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Salut, Barry! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpJFu9h_0RXQi3SNanEPN-o2bM5wafPSpLPCbracMNZ65OHgJAeZTn9FMkS5xTn8hiV7CzKNp9xbwFGE7nFtUQSLou-clAJ4sTZxwlz1-LKhFXpgOdTScJeRh21V1J4yVqbhV6TQXfb0gbRU_BVKVJVVISUDQiDLFYPo0tmIvgbSpTKP7Ixet9J57xw/s3836/20231206_182628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3836" data-original-width="2159" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpJFu9h_0RXQi3SNanEPN-o2bM5wafPSpLPCbracMNZ65OHgJAeZTn9FMkS5xTn8hiV7CzKNp9xbwFGE7nFtUQSLou-clAJ4sTZxwlz1-LKhFXpgOdTScJeRh21V1J4yVqbhV6TQXfb0gbRU_BVKVJVVISUDQiDLFYPo0tmIvgbSpTKP7Ixet9J57xw/w360-h640/20231206_182628.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I'd enjoyed it so much before, I had another vegetable paella for dinner....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDREqJM1AYWEYk9cvghIDNwY21ifL3LUJhO4oSHplZhBDqp6NwXzog_R9WugR8-7hVSF8Wu8n23pdNSv57NxQYNwqQ-HwAdKb4eZtnXfoRSxkJL25WP4yhdxtFIvHeoshbLSsbXiX1J_ofP_EmaNTZlJO0LtV9bu7fnJgzFk_2dGRHHUQ0XLe5Fl6erA/s2519/20231206_205119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDREqJM1AYWEYk9cvghIDNwY21ifL3LUJhO4oSHplZhBDqp6NwXzog_R9WugR8-7hVSF8Wu8n23pdNSv57NxQYNwqQ-HwAdKb4eZtnXfoRSxkJL25WP4yhdxtFIvHeoshbLSsbXiX1J_ofP_EmaNTZlJO0LtV9bu7fnJgzFk_2dGRHHUQ0XLe5Fl6erA/w466-h640/20231206_205119.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Jon, who doesn't really like burgers, loved his choice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgNqOhlRdoUZ2sQyHxOapfNuTBQ7zOlTKvMMKDbIgnsXS96u__8kY-jqetvcWFXKIFQFjulsXf-V5H_4eaStGx6QhWHuFt9cVvj2UhI4qa0wYv2oDELCPO1T88dqCOc2pvH2E02uOXwS6J0xkgHztuKuMwhXDzrjuROenEElQokeiSz5SiA4IOMRRSw/s3264/20231206_205132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgNqOhlRdoUZ2sQyHxOapfNuTBQ7zOlTKvMMKDbIgnsXS96u__8kY-jqetvcWFXKIFQFjulsXf-V5H_4eaStGx6QhWHuFt9cVvj2UhI4qa0wYv2oDELCPO1T88dqCOc2pvH2E02uOXwS6J0xkgHztuKuMwhXDzrjuROenEElQokeiSz5SiA4IOMRRSw/w640-h360/20231206_205132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The live entertainment was the same beautiful singer as the previous night and she dedicated her Spanish cover of <i>Dancing Queen</i> to me, I must have made an impression!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCpuQ0uku2kmFS8jwFk6VPS2L2lYjtXF0Xd3INySv89JtXH9rHpF8LSNTCJ4vUtnQS_RJKaTTK3P7EG7ne6-oqe-GSYLUzbf03o7rjXdA3SCX2eKXeVKOyrn1_JTgvJZ-eLzC2d4X_uvUxuXwRbvObaYN-jUrt46lgGrPXkv5_FdEMRpd1jMt3qos9w/s3393/20231206_222032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3393" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCpuQ0uku2kmFS8jwFk6VPS2L2lYjtXF0Xd3INySv89JtXH9rHpF8LSNTCJ4vUtnQS_RJKaTTK3P7EG7ne6-oqe-GSYLUzbf03o7rjXdA3SCX2eKXeVKOyrn1_JTgvJZ-eLzC2d4X_uvUxuXwRbvObaYN-jUrt46lgGrPXkv5_FdEMRpd1jMt3qos9w/w434-h640/20231206_222032.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The following morning we caught the 7.15am guagua to Santa Cruz, hopped on the airport-bound 8am with seconds to spare and disembarked at Tenerife South two hours later. After posing by the Tenerife sign for one last photo, we breakfasted on bocadillos and flew back to Birmingham. Just over four hours later we'd passed through arrivals and were on the train back to Walsall - lunch in Spain, tea in England - short haul travel rocks!</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/AVvXsEiiIKhqJZ8cbeqxTEHAjLRkehyQKBzZxGyMVVgu98fU0MXhELf4HGksk49N0LJ8w2DUY1SrlqO0iHaZPyO6sV1gmPV0dPtTxcHepIcYhI07LYdOTbMuMqIX7yNg6zgCXahw_jIdOB6YEsm64tjsql-4XL9pEf1Ncws10wOzdqs0DFbf-aAOpPj4hFSmNQ/s3883/20231207_095411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="3883" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIKhqJZ8cbeqxTEHAjLRkehyQKBzZxGyMVVgu98fU0MXhELf4HGksk49N0LJ8w2DUY1SrlqO0iHaZPyO6sV1gmPV0dPtTxcHepIcYhI07LYdOTbMuMqIX7yNg6zgCXahw_jIdOB6YEsm64tjsql-4XL9pEf1Ncws10wOzdqs0DFbf-aAOpPj4hFSmNQ/w640-h218/20231207_095411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't expect to love North Tenerife as much as I did. With this trip and our January jaunt to Las Palmas on Gran Canaria I've definitely disproved my previous theory of The Canaries being a purpose-built, soulless, cultural wasteland. In fact, I cannot wait to go back! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WM6veNY7KNppYLcK2jxOivQs3oyqBqS8TTik0fDUUbcqM10yYHp4yEC72aY5VTzyAl25xDipZu7eL0m-Ai-KbZs5WeP0mtIUFnE0nz-FNd3sdPDQ9hGIE9fUXF5DcUMLe2C3ft_jxNSuw82Dl5_26hVazA1SzVDdGI5YFnPq16pJV122_lGaZOVSiQ/s3704/20231207_095434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="3704" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WM6veNY7KNppYLcK2jxOivQs3oyqBqS8TTik0fDUUbcqM10yYHp4yEC72aY5VTzyAl25xDipZu7eL0m-Ai-KbZs5WeP0mtIUFnE0nz-FNd3sdPDQ9hGIE9fUXF5DcUMLe2C3ft_jxNSuw82Dl5_26hVazA1SzVDdGI5YFnPq16pJV122_lGaZOVSiQ/w640-h192/20231207_095434.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxf8FKDohTeEfqZGDOm90nR1_uuFp25AlZagoVNSSShiosm9lW1HJKF-uh2cBVKvjv6M0RVVj2AcUAJ8FzxXluxYFFwlfl7Z94StXf3Sn5BBkgglKZXvWmo8DoYn1vuIjFIENawLz7wMb7KUepTOj6fThJSkd-O1WAn4JYes4EogCTNt9aBA73XoCcg/s1200/shapeCollage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxf8FKDohTeEfqZGDOm90nR1_uuFp25AlZagoVNSSShiosm9lW1HJKF-uh2cBVKvjv6M0RVVj2AcUAJ8FzxXluxYFFwlfl7Z94StXf3Sn5BBkgglKZXvWmo8DoYn1vuIjFIENawLz7wMb7KUepTOj6fThJSkd-O1WAn4JYes4EogCTNt9aBA73XoCcg/w640-h480/shapeCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading! </div><div><br /></div>Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.com44