Country diary of a city lady ...

Summer stroll

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 21:51:11 +0100

There’s something special about not knowing where you’re going, until you set off; just going where the fancy takes you or the weather dictates where would be wise. Today was a wonderful walking day blue sky, warm sunshine but just a slight breeze to keep the temperature cool. The woods almost have an Alpine feel, as the path is covered with the debris of conifers on the parched ground but the bluebells are most definitely English, with their long, fluted, dark blue bells - no Spanish invaders here!
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Antiques Roadshow

Thu, 20 May 2010 09:28:51 +0100

It all began fairly calmly, then the gates opened and the queue went back from the house to the car park. It all seems fairly sedate on TV but underneath is a hive of activity and QUEUES! Everyone can see an expert, if they are patient enough to wait and the “experts” are lovely and Eric Knowles and the “glass man” brought a nice light sense of humour and entertainment to the event. But it was a long day, as volunteers we were there at 8:30, given our lilac sash and then spent the rest of the day guiding people towards their experts. Amazed at what was brought in, out of the thousands of items 72 were filmed and will be shown in the Autumn. Now I know the BBC are trying to save money and there was a barbeque the evening before and chilli and rice for lunch but it would have been nice to receive a T shirt or even a keyring, for all our hard work
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Spring at Tatton

Wed, 5 May 2010 12:42:04 +0100

Tatton Park is looking exceptionally beautiful this Spring. The long, cold winter has delayed the early flowers and everything now seems to be blooming at once. Blue skies and warm sunshine have lifted everyone’s spirit and the season has begun in earnest.
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Sunshine all the way!

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:25:35 +0100

Sunshine all day to help cast off those cold winter blues and everything beginning to “green up”. Manchester only 45 minutes away, how lucky are we to have such a wildness on our doorstep ! Marred only by teams of the over, enthusiastic novices scrambling over the fellside in some sponsored Rotary Club “do” - why such large groups? why so noisy?
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Walkden gardens

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 19:12:55 +0100

A delightful little garden which I only seem to visit when I am booked into the garage and have spare time. I always say I must go when the wisteria is out, for the it must look wonderful. There seem to be two gardeners and lots of volunteers who keep the place immaculate, a credit to all concerned.
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Late Spring

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 09:13:58 +0000

Fabulous sunshine, blue skies, snow on the tops and a chill in the air; a perfect walking day! The second week in March and after such a harsh winter the snowdrops have held back and are only just beginning to show. Spring maybe late but I’m sure it’s going to be glorious!
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Japanese Garden, Tatton Park

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:57:39 +0000

No easy matter clearing the overhanging rhododendrons from the side of the lake in the Japanese gardens. Two men, a boat and a saw and some difficult manoeuvres ! It all began in glorious sunshine but by 1:30 ended in a blizzard and a dash for home.
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White Christmas at the Lowry

Sat, 2 Jan 2010 16:13:12 +0000

Well it really was White Christmas at the Lowry, both inside and out! A wonderful show, all the stars made every performance, as they either stayed with relatives or friends nearby, or rented apartments and despite the weather, people braved the elements to see it; travelling from as far afield as the wilds of Cumbria and Wales !
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White Christmas

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:35:12 +0000

Unbelievable! It began snowing on the 20th. of December and stayed around for Christmas week. Moving around was hazardous but nice to be cosy and warm inside and it added a magical touch to the performance of White Christmas at the Lowry!
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Wilsonara Tiger Brew

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:18:48 +0000

Anyone out there help me with my orchids? They start bearing buds just as the weather changes and although this flowered, in December, they were soon hit by a cold spell and the dry central heating. The phalaenopsis bore buds which never really developed. What can I do to encourage them to flower earlier?
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Manchester Morris Men

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 20:29:34 +0000

The Christmas Market just wouldn’t be the same without the Manchester Morris Men. They bring colour and jolly, leaping about in their heavy, Lancashire clogs and remind us of some unfortunately disappearing traditions. Hopefully some younger chaps may be encouraged to join them!!!
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Molly and Holly

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:54:58 +0000

Molly and Holly created to use up some of those odd balls of wool I have accumulated, over the years. Fun to crochet, better at least than making “granny squares”! Molly was the prototype and Holly has just gone on ebay; if she sells there may be some sisters; I’ve got stacks of wool!
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imac

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Mac was misbehaving a little; so it was taken to pieces, cleaned and tested. The photographs were to ensure it was reconnected correctly and it now works perfectly. Phew!
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Keswick flooded

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:18:49 +0000

The Lakes is renowned for it’s rain but Thursday beat all records. Vicky sent these photos and I can’t believe that people are casually walking alongside the wall; the river is normally 12 feet below ! Half an hour later and it flowed over the top ! What devastation, imagine all your treasured possessions soaked in muddy water. But this wasn’t the worst; Cockermouth suffered with the main street totally flooded and even bridges washed away; beautiful, traditional, little shops destroyed, fingers crossed that it is regenerated in the same style.
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Fabulous fuchsia

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:43:50 +0000

A north facing area of the garden brightened by the beauty of the fuchsia; looking so pretty and dainty but in reality quite tough, little flowers. It is a fairly sheltered spot so the flowers have bloomed profusely and lasted into November. Their colourful, brightness a joy in these now short, dull days.
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Golden October in Tatton Park

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:21:00 +0000

Late October has brought lots of Autumn colour and the last rays of sunshine, when it’s warm enough to sit for a while. There’s still a lot of greenery on the trees, so the effect in the Japanese garden isn’t quite so spectacular but the acers as usual are at their best, alongside the beeches and redwoods, casting their deep, rich, reflections in the water.
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Autumn Fairisle

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 15:06:21 +0100

A recreation of a Phildar pattern from the 1990’s The French patterns just seem to have that ageless style - a simple shape - a clear design - good colour. Little change from the original - except the size!! Nice to also note that the Phildar company still survives in France and do an efficient mail order service.
http://www.phildar.com/boutique/modele.aspx#AM
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Last of the Summer

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:05:47 +0100

It’s September and probably the last days of Summer; when it’s warm enough to walk without a jacket and a carry just a little day sack because there’s not a cloud in the sky and a heat haze rising over the far fells. A day for ambling and appreciation and looking across Howden reservoir it’s hard to imagine that Manchester is only 45 minutes away!
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Phaleanopsis

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:20:50 +0100

Stop caring for them, treat them badly and suddenly they will flower! They are strong, sturdy and self willed and I’d actually said that I wouldn’t buy another but when this happens who can resist!
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Heather heaven

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:31:21 +0100

There is something so special, in walking along a pathway, with the gentle sweet perfume of the heather lingering in the warm air. This is heather as it should be seen, that tiny flower, filling the landscape with it’s deep shades of vibrant purple.

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