After Disastrous Devon last May (involving an ambulance, a gallbladder and an early return home), we were holding out for Cornwall, in October. We aren't extravagant vacationers - we've had our fair share of adventures (and are planning a few more). But for now, a cottage, a view, a pile of books, is all really. … Continue reading To have and to hold?
Category: Beauty
Slowly, then all at once
Lately, to add to my other foibles, I've been staring at trees. I've always been a bit of a tree freak but in these STRANGE TIMES (sorry), I'm becoming a bit obsessed (in my defence, I am shielding, but not for much longer!). The fruit trees are fat with buds and every day their baby … Continue reading Slowly, then all at once
A Trusting Place
The 'Egg Station', with its one pack of gorgeous eggs, was literally in the middle of nowhere. Down a lane, behind the church where two footpaths crossed...
Looking the part
I read somewhere that there's been a dramatic increase in the sale of eye make-up since Covid, and a decrease in sales of lipstick. I wear both and haven't changed much, though I wear less lipstick. Reusing a lip stick-smudged mask tends to produce the cold-sore-effect, Not a good look. Most of us probably make … Continue reading Looking the part
Lifting the heart on a grey day
I don't know what it is about daffodils but they're such HAPPY flowers. The colour of a smile. Not that yellow is the actual colour of a smile (unless you have bad teeth) but it should be. I'm not going out much at present, but my husband came back from the supermarket again with a … Continue reading Lifting the heart on a grey day
Mud and compost, Sussex-style
I found out the other day that there are over thirty words for mud in Sussex. Although the local dialect is rarely used now, some of these beautifully descriptive words still occasionally pop up. Ike - a mess or area of mud Clodgy - muddy and wet, like a field path after heavy rain Gubber … Continue reading Mud and compost, Sussex-style
Christmas lights
I've always wanted twinkly trees but in London we didn't have trees to twink. So when we moved to this house in Sussex, the fruit trees by the front door filled me with quiet joy. At Christmas, we would have twists of tiny lights and their delicate glow would lift the hearts of passers-by with … Continue reading Christmas lights
Digging up daisies
So many questions: - What are social distancing procedures on pavements? Should I tint my own eyebrows? Shall I grow a beard? As far as pavements are concerned, I think there should be a very clear rule that the person on the outside steps into/across the road (if it's quiet) or onto the kerb, while … Continue reading Digging up daisies
The eye (and ear) of the beholder
"...If you listen carefully, the earth is singing." I swung round sharply. The two girls nearly crashed into me, their hands cradling petri-dishes filled with wood lice, ants and a fat snail with a shell crisis. I had one of those rare moments of tenderness. "That's beautiful," I said, "Really beautiful!" They looked up at … Continue reading The eye (and ear) of the beholder
Smug Painted Toes and the Smile of God
Now I know I am a skinflint. I can't help it. Actually I didn't used to be before I was married. I was the kind of person who would put unopened bank statements in the cupboard just in case there was bad news. One day my then-fiance opened the cupboard and they all fell out. … Continue reading Smug Painted Toes and the Smile of God