Visiting!

Last week I took the opportunity

to visit my mother.

I was only there for a couple of days

but one afternoon

we decided to visit Broadway.

It was a really cold day

but the sun was shining and so……

We wrapped up warm

and wandered along the pavements of

this lovely Cotswold village.

Cotswold stone is such a beautiful mellow colour

and the older villages

look beautiful  with or without sunshine.

We also went into Stratford-upon-Avon.

Such a busy town

so much busier than when I lived here.

Still there's something about

the old houses.

Are you able to see how they spelt chemist

over the old chemist shop

next door to WH Smith.

If you look for it, there are many unusual things

apart from the obvious

in Stratford.

The town hall on the left

and in the distance the guild chapel

where the schoolboys... 

(from the school Shakespeare attended) 

hold special services.

In the afternoon my mother and I

drove through the older

part of Stratford.

Areas where I used to amble with my school friends

on a warm summer's evening.

I felt very nostalgic!!

Especially when we arrived at Holy Trinity Church.

The church where Shakespeare's remains

are buried.

With my friends we would often

one through its grounds.

Sometimes sitting on a handy gravestone

while we chatted.

Those were long warm evenings

and we were in our teens

happy memories!!

I wouldn't normally add this

but the carpet of snowdrops is so beautiful

I felt I had to!

This is the crematorium

where my fathers ashes are buried.

On the way home we drove past

the remains of Raglan Castle.

It's a place I've often wanted to visit

but I'm either in a hurry

to get to my mother,

or in a hurry

to get home to my husband!

It's been very cold here recently. 

One sunny day

last week

we went to a nearby beach called Gellyswick.

It's not a sandy beach...

but small pebbles.

So one cannot say that it's a tourist attraction

and it's mainly just locals

who sit on the step by the wall.

Do you notice the Napoleonic fort?

There are forts all-round the Milford Haven estuary.

In fact my grandfather

was posted in one of the offshore forts...

in the First World War.

It is how he met my grandmother!

While he and others

had been taken ashore....and

were walking in to Milford for R and R...

he met my grandmother,

a farmer's daughter,

sitting outside their house on a wall.

these three photos

make a panoramic view of the bay.

What else have I been doing?

Well, as you know, I have started going to a crafting group

and making albums.

I've actually made three 

and some other notebooks etc.

This is one I made for my mother.

Inside I placed pictures of her father and family...

as well as her close friends...

and the younger members of her family.

I suppose, thinking about it,

I should have taken pictures of the inside too for you to see?

Too late now, I've given it to mum.

I'm pleased to say she was absolutely delighted!

This is another album that I made

the top opens upwards,

and then inside two leaves open like a book.

I've left this one with my mother

and again,

I suppose I should have taken photos of the inside 

to show you.

Sorry!!

What else have I been up to?

Well, I'm still very much enjoying

working with my planners.

These three photos...

show pictures of an absolutely beautiful kit by

@poppywillowco

I love the way she works with foiling!

Recently I have just finished reading a book called

"the Duchess Deal" by Tessa Dare.

It was light and easy to read

and I loved it!!!

The characters were funny and just so believable

and got so tangled up in situations...

I couldn't put it down!

Well that's it for now.

I have to go back to my studying.

Latin awaits!!

Oh Joy!!

#theduchessdeal  #netgalley  #poppywillowco