A Visit To The Royal Armourers?

The family in Holland all went to a theme park. Rosie rode the carousel, and Jess explained to the fairy that Grandma had made her fairy dress. 

There appears to have been a medieval knights component to the experience. Steph sent a photo of tabard, shield and sword. "Knight's Tabard? How difficult?" I replied [perhaps a little too quickly] "Easy. Is Grandad required to make the shield?" George would like a shield please. With fire on it. And a sword too. So, having finished Shed Aprons and other tasks, Bob and I set to work to produce items for George and Jacob, done in time for our trip north.

He inserted old "ship" halfpennies into the pommels, polished to a shiny copper, and whipped the hilts. The shields were laser etched, painted and waxed.

I turned some scraps and a green cord skirt into two tabards. They are reversible to plain green if the boys want to play Robin Hood or something. Having learned at the castle the other week that bright colours were authentic, I went to town with these

Peregrination

So yesterday was our wedding anniversary - Liz, Steph and families are now all in Holland - so it was a day by ourselves. We began early with a celebratory breakfast at The Goat Shed

That was really good, then we filled up the car with fuel, and bought an M&S Dine In Meal for the evening. [We had a cool bag with ice packs in the car all ready]

 

Bob said he'd like to go to Cromer...so off we went. Peregrination means wandering and comes from the same root as pilgrims. Being good pilgrims, we parked in a blue badge space behind the big Parish Church.

And discovered we were right next to the Peregrine Project which is a well-supported local charity

A team of enthusiastic volunteers have three telescopes focussed on the church tower, and I was able to watch Poppy, the mother bird, perching on one of the buttresses. They also have a live stream and youtube videos available to watch - this pair have been here since 2019. Utterly fascinating

This little one is just about ready to leave the nest now. The PP volunteers talked about the territorial nature of these birds - and how there is another pair living on top of Norwich Cathedral. After a good chat, we had elevenses at Art House Café , our favourite place for a good coffee in Cromer.

We strolled down the Pier in the sunshine.

My new dress was cool and comfortable but its cute pearl buttons are a little bit too small, and whenever I put my bag across my body, the strap pushed them open. I shall have to add a couple more hook&eyes at bust level. We shared a portion of chips, mooched round a few CS and then drove home. What a lovely day!

The family have arrived safely in The Netherlands too. All is good!

 

How Can I Say Thank You?

In the past two weeks, I've have met up in person with three people who read this blog. One was an old friend who I knew before blogging, and she called in whilst on holiday on Norfolk.
The second was someone I met in the early days of blogging, also on holiday locally, so I met her for a cuppa where she was staying.
The third was someone I didn't really know at all. But she heard me talking about my blog at a Women's Day in Norfolk ten years ago and has been reading ever since. She introduced herself to me at an event the other Saturday, and we met up in Dereham for coffee. I hope we will become really good friends. She is a lovely person, and really encouraged me to keep on blogging.
Then I looked at my stats this week [something I try not to do too often] I passed seven million hits last week!

I really cannot get my head round this figure. 
In the past, when I have hit milestones, I have done some sort of thank you for you lovely readers. Usually a small giveaway, to show my gratitude to you for being my blogfriends, for your thoughtful comments and messages, and generosity over the past 17+ years. 

After a wonderful weekend with my granddaughters, enjoying meals together, playing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain, I know my family has so much to be grateful for. I have been moved to tears by the news reports of the little children starving in Gaza. So, my friends, I hope you won't mind that this milestone will not be marked by some item posted randomly to a reader- but instead I am marking 7,000,000 views by sending a gift to help those who really need it, to make a small but positive impact in our sad world.  I am donating £70 to help feed these little children and their families.

I hope you will understand my decision
UNWFP details are here

Thank you all

Back To The Middle Ages

 

It was really splendid to see so many people coming together for this fantastic community event [info here]

I stood near the start of the route, outside  St Peter's Methodist Church [whilst Bob sat inside feeling unwell]

Hundreds of people, from the very young, to the elderly, in an array of costumes- some professional, others homemade. And everyone so cheerful. There were school children in the tabards they ad decorated, proudly carrying their colourful banners. Huge models of Chaucer's Characters. Lots of music, and laughter. A guy walking on stilts, juggling at the same time [I couldn't  do either skill - to do both at once is amazing imho] It was lovely and the atmosphere was really good.

Such a delightful morning - so much to see and do and learn...

A Short, Short Break

We had hoped for a short break after the Kitchen Project was completed. Bob wanted to return to the Canterbury area where he grew up. Things kept getting in the way. Last Wednesday we decided if we didn't book it soon, it would be the school holidays...So we investigated possible accommodation. Airbnbs seemed quite expensive for what was offered. But Keynes College, part of Kent Uni, offer a really good b&b deal. 

Double room, with ensuite. Use of kitchen and lounge, full breakfast menu, free parking. So we booked Friday - Wednesday. And planned our schedule. Whitstable, walk by the sea. Canterbury and see the sites, and be nostalgic. Return to Littlebourne where Bob grew up, and the Churchyard where his dad is buried. Deal Beach Parlours [once owned by Bob's Italian godmother] for an ice cream. Stroll through picturesque Rye. Eat a sandwich in Sandwich...It didn't happen as planned 

Friday drove down, over Dartford Bridge, stopped at Bluewater for lunch in Leon. Got to uni at 3. Checked in [2nd floor room] Bob had back pain, so I walked to nearby Campus Co-op, got a couple of microwave ready meals for tea. He felt better after food, so at 7pm we drove to Whitstable for dessert.

Saturday into city centre for 9.45. The Medieval Pageant was due to start at 11. We pootled along, visited his Mum's church [not been there since his sister's wedding nearly 44 years ago] looked at people in costume setting up stalls, and displays in the Library, had a coffee. 10.55 we were in the Methodist Church, and Bob said he needed to sit for a bit. I went outside for 10 minutes to watch the procession pass by. Returned to find him feeling really unwell, The kind church ladies looked after him whilst I fetched the car and was able to drive it round to side entrance. Back to Uni. Arranged to change to a ground floor room. It was Really Hot. Bob slept. I took the car to big supermarket for more food. 

Sunday after a disturbed night, Bob said he still wanted to go to Littlebourne. The sun was shining brightly. We had coffee in the local pub, visited the lovely old church [no service this week] and stood quietly at Dad's grave under the trees. Onto Sandwich, for a sandwich

The Folk and Ale Festival was in full swing, great music and Morris Dancers everywhere. Excellent sandwiches. Onto to Dover, to the Ancient Maison Dieu. Then the heavens opened, we were soaked to the skin. Bob felt ill again, acute pain, nausea and more. Back at Uni he phoned 111, we ended up in Ashford Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre. Kidney infection, antibiotics. Monday He slept all day.

Tuesday we came home a day early, it was a long drive - and I managed it ok [but 8 miles from home, we stopped for petrol, and he kindly took over for the last bit]. 

I did manage to get a few good pictures, and will post them later. Right now I'm concentrating on nursing duties. Happy to say that Bob is getting better, slowly

Moderate Or Fair, Occasionally Rough At First!

Today marks the centenary of the Shipping Forecast, first broadcast on the BBC  on 4th July 1925. It is a much treasured feature of our national radio service. 

I am not a sailor, and have never needed to listen, but I find it comforting to know that those who do need to know what weather is coming their way can rely on this amazing service.

There are currently three broadcasts a day, 00:48, 5:34, and 17:54.  It's the teatime one that we landlubbers are most familiar with I guess. But sometimes, when insomnia has driven me to seek solace in late night radio I listen to the Shipping Forecast, always preceded by Ronald Binge's "Sailing By " Theme. [and if there are gales forecast, I will snuggle into my warm bed gratefully, and pray "for those in peril on the sea"]
I hadn't realised that the tune was chosen because it is repetitive, and so sailors are alerted to the fact it is almost time for the forecast, and it acts as a "filler" between the final programme of the night and the forecast, so it can be trimmed to end at 00:48 precisely. According to HM Coastguard is a legal requirement for the Forecast to be provided, as part of the Mariners' Safety Information.

There are really strict rules about the forecast, so that sailors in the 31 areas can easily understand the data which affects them..

• A strict 370 word limit [at 00:48, an extra 10 allowed, to include Trafalgar
• Gale warnings are always mentioned first to alert mariners
• Then there is a general synopsis, followed by specific areas in strict order [wind, sea state, weather, visibility]
• The words imminent, soon, and later have definite meanings, within 6 hours, 6-12 hours, 12-24 hours
• There are standard terms and abbreviations.

These set phrases have become part of Radio4 fanspeak. jokes which appear on birthday cards and teeshirts. Such as

• light icing
• veering slowly, losing identity
• moderate or good, very poor
• new low expected, south east

Many famous actors have voiced the Forecast, some better than others, to be honest. Samuel West has declared this honour to be a lifelong ambition. He has read it on other programmes, but not read an actual live forecast. Please BBC, let this man do it! Acting as Siegfried Farnon, he is well on the way to becoming a National Treasure. Quick, while his dear Mum Prunella is still around. 

Find out more about the special BBC programmes here

We are having a few days away - I shall pack my copy of One Summer's Grace, a favourite holiday read. We are an island race, and seafaring is an important part of our history.

Don't Throw In The Towel!

To throw in the towel means to give up, to accept defeat. It comes from the world of boxing - when a fighter cannot go on, he [or his second] throws a towel into the ring to signal the end of the bout.
I was beginning to feel a bit snowed under with sewing tasks, because I didn't have the time or energy to sew any of my own projects. But as the slime and prom dress took less time than |I thought, I was able to get the machine out for myself on Thursday. I wanted to work on a Beach Towel. 

My rules for the ideal beach towel

• big enough to wrap right round you and cover yourself when getting changed in/out of cossie
• not so big it won't fit easily in the beach bag
• thick enough to dry you quickly, and keep you warm
• long enough to cover a sunlounger
• not shabby, but not so precious you'd be upset if an irreversible oil stain meant it had to be discarded or if it somehow got left behind on the sand
• easy to find when you are packing for a day out

I have such a towel. Rather old, and much washed, but it meets all my criteria except I often have to sort through a stack of white towels to identify it. I spent a happy half hour on Thursday sewing two strips of pretty blue cotton from the Great Stash. I cut them and pressed the hems, then sewed them along the non-terry stripes. A simple modification, but one which will make the towel stand out among its plainer neighbours, and save time later.

Do you have a 'dedicated' beach towel?
Are you as organised as my Liz? She always keeps a "Beach Go Bag" ready, with towels, cossies, sun cream, wipes, buckets and spades etc.

Aftermath

Half Term Holiday week was fabulous - thirteen different family visitors - the girls and their families, Julian, my bro and SIL, and Bob's sister and BIL. They liked the kitchen  "Calm and tranquil" said Gaz. "Surprisingly tidy" said Steph. Steph, Liz and Julian quickly learned the new locations for stuff, and helped out with meal prep. The children were bright and cheerful - crafts and science with Grandma, stories and steam engines with Grandad...

Jess was eager to make floating flowers again. She explained it all to Bob. But 17 seconds is an awful long time for a three year old to wait...

Last September, when we were putting away the patio parasol, I noticed it was very ripped and holey round its top section. I made a new piece "So I will not have to repair it when we get it our again."

But when we got it out two weeks ago, the top was OK - but the rest was completely perished along its fold-lines where it had been packed away! 

See the holes marked in green. Steph brought us a new cover from Manchester IKEA and all was well again. We were grateful for the shade on the very sunny days.

Now all bedding and towels have been laundered, in the bathroom the little step stool has been folded and tucked away, and the pirate ship and ducks moved to the end of the bath [so they won't impede laundry on the drying rack]And we are eating p meals made of random leftovers.

The June calendar is surprisingly full - but for a few days I shall really miss them all. Their presence makes such an impact

Resting My Legs...

Some books are definitely ones for reading in the summer - ideally in the garden, with a floppy straw hat and a long cool drink. Two of my favourites are One Summer's Grace- the story of a  family summer holiday spent sailing round the coast of Britain [by broadcaster Libby Purves] published in 1989 - and Three Men in a Boat, a fictional account of a holiday boating down the Thames [by Jerome K Jerome] which was published exactly a century earlier.

I read Libby's book the year it came out - my girls were at primary school, and much of it really resonated [not the sailing bit, I can feel queasy on a 4 foot deep boating lake] The JKJ one just makes me fall about laughing. The opening of the tin of pineapple in chapter 12 brings tears to my eyes. I was reminded of the older book this week, because the narrator tells how he once read a medical book, and was convinced he had every malady listed - except Housemaid's Knee.

This week I have had dreadful HK. I know exactly why - I spent Friday afternoon on my knees, scrubbing the tiles of the Futility Room. They are hard and cold. But they were filthy, having seen a lot of traffic [and food prep] during the ongoing Kitchen Project. I've had it before, and know all the correct actions to ameliorate the symptoms. It will pass. 

I have been doing quite a bit of housework. The spare bed is completely clear now [OK there is a cupboard in this picture but that is temporary] All the kitchen stuff is stacked in boxes in the corners. It is not all going back!

But there is at least somewhere for Julian to sleep when he arrives later today. It will be so good to have him with us for a few days.

I will go on resting my knee, using ice packs and taking ibuprofen. It is a good excuse to sit and read!

By the way, the K in JKJ stands for Klapka. He was named for General K, hero of the 1849 Hungarian War of Independence. His father was called Jerome Clapp Jerome, and was allegedly a very funny vicar. They called him Parson Clapp. What a crazy family!

Speaking of crazy families. I have recently realised how many J's there are in our family. On our Sapphire Anniversary photo, we have Julian, plus Jessica, Jacob and Jon [and Rosie's second name is Jean] Almost as bad as the K-Kardashians!

I need to sit down with my knee on an icepack for a bit...

The Jersey Boys

From 1981-1991, I loved watching Bergerac with John Nettles. It was set in the Channel Islands, and I dreamed of going to Jersey one day. Jim Bergerac was a smart young detective -with a failed marriage and a drink problem, and a millionaire father-in-law who was a good mate, with dodgy friends. Played by a slim John Nettles- before his waistline thickened and he moved to Midsomer!

Last month a new Bergerac launched on U channel with Damien Molony in the title role - and Charlie Hungerford is now feisty female [Zoe Wanamaker] whereas the original urbane Charlie was male [Terence Hungerford]

First time round, episodes were mostly stand alone stories - this time they take a whole series [six shows] to tell the tale. We binged watched it over two evenings!

I have to say we both enjoyed it, the fresh approach worked well, but there was enough of a nod to thirty years ago to justify it being called Bergerac. A good reboot, we thought. And he is driving the exact same classic Triumph Roadster

If you liked Nettles, I hope you will like Molony too. And I hope they make a few more series. 

They offered John Nettles a cameo role, but he turned it down, citing his age [he is 81, after all] However he has made very generous comments about the new show and Damien's performance, saying he is very happy with the new guy. There's a great interview here between the pair of them, discussing their different approaches to Bergerac[and that fantastic car] It is short, and well worth watching.

And if you have time, try the new series, still available on U. I rate it *****

[yes we did get to Jersey eventually, for a minibreak, about 20 years ago]

Dyeing For A Living

We left Flatford at 10.40 Sunday and drove on through the beautiful countryside to Dedham. More spring blooms here than we had seen in Norfolk last week, but I expect our village will catch up very soon, with all this sunshine. Beautiful blue skies. I need to look up Alice Lee - I am embarrassed that I had not heard of her before. The properties, from different centuries, appeared well maintained. An attractive place. That's the house of Alfred Munnings, painter, bottom left. My great grandparents were his housekeeper and handyman for a while. But I'm not sure if they lived in that house!

On to Lavenham, a fantastic place, full of amazing half timbered Tudor houses. Including the Guildhall, another NT property. We enjoyed delicious red pepper and tomato soup in the garden, then looked round the house. Many relatively wealthy people lived here through the centuries, including dyers and weavers. There were lots of examples of their crafts displayed in the upstairs rooms. Look at the gorgeous smocking on this garment!

During lockdown, one of the NT volunteers spent her time researching the dyeing methods which might have been used by the previous residents. She produced a lovely sample book listing all the dyes used, and knitted triangles of bunting in all these various colours. Onion skin, turmeric, carrot tops, woad, ivy leaves, copper, iron, walnut shells...Quote fascinating. I said to the chap on reception "perhaps I should try growing woad..." But he warned me off, apparently it's very invasive!

We walked slowly back to car and drove home. It had been a brilliant break together, and the glitches at the hotel didn't spoil that.  We were home by 5pm. Early to bed, a busy week ahead.

Neither King Arthur, Nor King Cole, But Definitely King Charles [And Some Other Little Stars]

We had a fabulous mini-break in Essex, with a few little hiccups, but a lot of laughs. We knew we needed a couple of days 'away from it all', so at the start of January, I booked two nights b&b in a Hotel on the edge of Colchester. Following our Airbed Adventures in 2019, the girls suggested maybe we ought to relax the thriftiness a bit, and pay for a proper bed to sleep in. I chose a hotel which not only had decent looking bedrooms, but also a swimming pool and sauna on site - which I thought would be excellent relaxation for us both. "I may not leave the site" I said beforehand, "I will just swim, sauna, sleep, eat and lie on my bed with a book all weekend" 

Unfortunately this was not to be. The pool was out of order, and had been for more than a week. I suggested to the receptionist that had we been informed of this, we would have cancelled and gone elsewhere as the pool was the main reason we chose them. She said that a lot of the families who were booked in for half term had said the same thing!

Meanwhile Bob was trying to establish where the blue badge parking spaces were. There were three - this is the one with the clearest marking. The others just had vague yellow splashes. Despite the website saying "There is a hotel carpark" it did not make it clear that there was a daily charge for this. The two receptionists decided to waive the parking fees because of our disappointment re the pool.

But we decided not to let these things get us down. We settled in on Friday night and found the bed very comfortable, and the shower was lovely.  Saturday morning we set off to explore the Colchester, using our bus passes to get us right into the centre without worrying about parking.

Lots of history - the Romans came in 20BC, and Camulodonum is the oldest recorded town in the UK. Despite some people's hopeful theories, there is no evidence that Camulodonum has anything to do with Camelot, or that Colchester gets its name from Old King Cole. But Queen Elizabeth did grant the place city status as part of the Platinum Jubilee Honours, signing the letters patent on 5th September 2022, just days before her death - and King Charles III visited on 7th March 2023.

Colchester has a long and intriguing history. The High Street is full of some splendid architecture, and behind it is the Castle Museum. And an intriguing statue of two sisters, Anne and Jane Taylor, who wrote a lullaby in 1806 which is known and loved the world over - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. 

We strolled slowly in the sunshine, visiting bookshops and charity shops, and a delightful coffee shop opposite the Castle. In the afternoon we relaxed at the hotel - briefly using the gym, then having a sauna. In the evening we went out to a Carvery.

On Sunday, after another delightful breakfast, we checked out* and drove up to Constable Country. I have always wanted to go to Flatford Mill, and was not disappointed.

It is managed by the National Trust - and we sat by the water chatting to a pair of kayakkers [is that a word?] The young woman offered to take our photo. Then we went to look round the Bridge Cottage museum. I loved the little family on the mantelpiece, and wondered how the mice are doing in Dereham Museum

But the ceilings in the back room were awfully low - Bob really had to bend over to walk through. I picked up a few gifts in the shop.

It was only 10.30, and the NT coffeeshop had been open since 10 - but the queue was already round the block! We returned to the car to continue our journey. Part Two tomorrow...

* I am sorry to report that as well as the pool and the parking, there were a number of other things we felt unhappy about. We mentioned them at the time. I am not naming the hotel here, but I have emailed my concerns to them.