Big Tops

 Last week, my friend Vix and I got together not once, but twice!

First up, a long promised visit to the Black Country's Glass Quarter, specifically the Red House Glass Cone (built in 1788-1794 and standing tall at 100 feet high) and Stourbridge Glass Museum.  I've blogged about our local glass making heritage and visit to the Red House Glass Cone before here Winter Peach Photography: Pet Cemetery and the Great Glass Mood Elevator but it was nice to see it through someone else's eyes.  For more info, read Vix's extensively researched blog here: Vintage Vixen (vintagevixon.blogspot.com)

After lunch at Wetherspoons in Kingswinford (also the original location of Broadfield House Glass Museum, which sadly closed in 2015), we headed to Stourbridge Glass Museum, which only opened last year and as such, marked my first visit too.  There were some rare and beautiful pieces on display from 17th century Ravenscroft...

...to this tribute to the former museum.

I was quite taken with this little 19th century glass swan's head perfume bottle by Thomas Webb..

...and a beautifully executed bowl (circa 1905) depicting a fish above water. 

They say every day is a school day.  I was surprised to discover that many glassmakers from overseas settled in the Black Country, bringing with them their skills and knowledge.  The rich coal seams and fire clay around Stourbridge made the area an ideal place for the glassmakers (including French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution) to settle.  I had no idea that records of my home town show the Tyzack family of glassmakers arrived here from Lorraine and settled in Kingswinford in 1612 before Paul Tyzack built the first recorded glasshouse in nearby Lye two years later.  Paul's first son was baptised at St Mary's Church in Kingswinford.

We chatted to the workshop artists, who have unsurprisingly been faced with a staggering energy bill running into thousands.  

Back in August, the decision was taken to switch to electricity provided by solar panels.  It's taken until now to jump through all of the administrative hoops in order to make that a reality.

In need of refreshments, we headed across the road to The Bird in Hand, a typical "Black Country Boozer" dating back to 1886 and frequented regularly by certain members of my family (although weirdly another first for me).  

Upon entering the winner of the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Dudley and South Staffordshire Pub of the Year Award 2022, the saying "Men are from Mars, women  from Venus" sprang to mind.  We were treated like curiosities and pursued into the beer garden by a Black Country philosopher, fisherman and another who just seemed happy to sit and stare at us.  A memorable visit for all concerned!

I drove Vix back to Dudley Bus Station and gifts were exchanged. 

Vix passed to me a couple of books she knows I'll like - a Luther story by Neil Cross (we're a bit late to the party with Luther and have been gradually working through the entire 5 series every night for the last few weeks), a Philippa Gregory novel, some gem stones which are now surrounding my Aloe Vera..

and the quilted cotton bag containing said gifts thrown in for good measure.

Forty eight hours later and the four of us (Jon and Gareth included) would be meeting up in a field in the Cotswolds.  It's becoming a bit of a habit.

Rewinding a little to Saturday, we spent some time absorbed in nature on a walk in local woodland.  The bluebells were out and I was so happy to see this little beauty - a female Orange Tip butterfly.

I don't think I've ever seen these Yellow Archangel wild flowers before, but they're growing in abundance.

Google lens failed to identify this plant carpeting the raised beds outside the Roe Deer pub....Lulu can you help?

On a recent visit to the National Trust property, Dudmaston, we were surprised to see that the Gunnera had succumbed to the late frosts.  Gareth has been monitoring ours closely and wrapping them up if the forecast hovered anywhere close to zero.  As a result, our potted ones are thriving.  Look at this beast of a flower spike!

On Sunday, we met up in the idyllic setting of Frampton Court's parkland in Frampton-on-Severn.  Another day, another big top.  This time, the purpose of our visit was to see the matinee performance of Les Enfants Du Paradis, the 2023 production of Giffords Circus.

This year we had torrential rain and the scheduled 3 pm UK Government emergency alert test to contend with.  The circus had planned to work around this and in the event, I only heard my phone and a handful of others actually sound the alarm.  A damp squib indeed.  As for the rain outside, it mattered not.  We were warm and dry, cocooned in the magical atmosphere of this vintage circus.  I'll let the photos do the talking.

Vix in her gorgeous Dolly Rockers vintage dress.

Jon and Gareth

Aberdeen born Tweedy Clown, MBE

A fond farewell!  Tweedy is taking time out next year, although he will remain a consultant on the show.

Outside, I took this final shot of the circus tent

and Vix and I posed for a photo, before the heavens opened again.

I'm wearing a Dilly Grey dress with the longest raincoat I could find, giving off Victorian explorer vibes.

And if you were in any doubt as to the inclement weather, here's the dreariest window photo I took of some punters sheltering beneath their estate car doors.  The rivulets of rain on the car window and 5 mph motion of the car provided some interesting image blurring.

Eventually getting off site, we caught up with Vix and Jon at The Bell Inn in Frampton and enjoyed a Sunday roast (turkey, beef and pork for Jon, Gareth and I) and a roasted veggie pie for Vix.  Cotswold cider was consumed by me, making the journey home fuzzy but somehow speedier.

Thanks for the generous Sunday gifts and vintage clothing alterations Vix!  I will endeavour to show them all off next time.  

Now I think that's enough excitement for one week!  See you soon. x

A Spa Day and Dress Down Friday

Gareth's eBay purchase of another Gunnera Manicata, took us on a road trip to Royal Leamington Spa, last weekend, just over an hour away in Shakespeare's County of Warwickshire.  I have been a little worried about his obsession with this giant rhubarb, believing it to be invasive, but after further research, it turns out that it is the Gunnera Tinctoria that is the horticultural equivalent of the black sheep of the family, due to the ease with which it spreads through the thousands of seeds contained within its flower spikes (80,000-250,000 per plant allegedly), distributed easily by water courses and birds.  In any event, we have another fibre glass pond in mind.  The plan is to submerge it and develop it into a bog garden with the Gunnera being the star of the show...but more the spiky beast later.

Royal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or Leamington, is a spa town and civil parish which grew from a small village into a spa town in the 18th century, following the popularisation of its water, reputed to have medicinal qualities.  The town, named after the River Leam, which flows through the centre, underwent a period of rapid expansion in the 19th century.  With its impressive church, stunning Georgian architecture, parks and extensive independent shops (plus a few eye-wateringly expensive charity shops), I couldn't believe we hadn't visited before.

This exquisitely decorated Tea Room caught my eye.  Unfortunately, it was closed for a private function...a "princess" on a mic, serenading a party of children was just visible through the elaborately dressed windows.

Fancy a hair cut?  You might get more than you bargained for!

I indulged in a spot of doorway photography.  Check out these beauties.

The weather was sublime, so we grabbed a couple of toasted paninis (Pesto chicken for me and Coronation chicken with jalapenos for Gareth) and headed past the Grade II listed Pump House Gardens (laid between 1844 and 1903), clocking the bandstand for the BBAS (Blogger's Bandstand Appreciation Society)...

...to the immaculate and historic Jephson Gardens, established 200 years ago and boasting a subtropical glass house, which naturally was closed for the day.  We were on a roll!

Another glimpse of the glass house, the sun kissing the beautiful bark of a Eucalyptus tree in the foreground.

The garden was voted "Best Garden in England" in 2004 and it's of little surprise.  Thanks to extensive regeneration in the 90s, the park has regained its original status as the place to be seen.

Here's a glimpse of the Jephson Memorial.  We couldn't get near it thanks to the sea of visitors posing for photos.  Yes, it's a notable building, erected in 1848-1849; a domed temple with a marble statue of Dr Henry Jephson (surgeon-apothecary and local philanthropist) at its centre (read more about him here. Dr Henry Jephson | Leamington History Group), 

but many music lovers might be more familiar with the memorial courtesy of the cover of the Moseley Shoals album by Solihull rock band Ocean Colour Scene.

Continuing our walk and escaping the attentions of a bearded male photographer who seemed intent on discussing kit with me, we were wowed by the beauty of this green space.  The tree canopies had a seemingly endless reach...

and we were also rewarded with views of Mill Gardens, a 4-acre grassy area with a boathouse just across the river.

Ink Cap Fungi

The dreamy garden vista above is East Lodge Garden's Chelsea Flower Show gazebo from 2014, designed by Sarah Horne and Debbie Cooke, featuring a handmade Regency style arbour crafted by sculptor Clive Sanderson.  The insect friendly garden won a silver medal and in 2015, was gifted to the town.  

With the parking meter calling, we headed out of the greenery, over the ironwork Mill Bridge crossing the weir...

...and after the briefest of visits to the impressive All Saints Church (Dr Jephson's wedding venue)

...back into the less loved side of Leamington...

....leaving Dickens to his day dreams.  (Dickens visited Leamington in 1838 on his tour of the Midlands and Wales and the town features in his novel Dombey & Son).

Back at home, the Gunnera is flourishing.

Other than the Green Giant, the garden is looking increasingly autumnal as the leaves have started falling in earnest.

Lotte is an Autumn cat, using her camouflage to deadly effect.

Fungi is plentiful this year, including the alien like jelly ear fungus that really looks like it belongs in a specimen jar in a museum.

With the golden hue of Autumn and the dipping evening temperatures ushering in the eight-legged invaders, I'm embracing the season and have made a few acquisitions to supplement my winter wardrobe (all second-hand buys).  I'll show you a few, for "Dress Down Friday."  First up, after living in my East denim jumpsuit last year, I spotted these Free People denim dungarees (originally retailing at £88.00 and snaffled by me for a fraction of the price).

Pink is the colour of Autumn/Winter 2022 and I happen to like it.  I've tired of skinny jeans and have, of late, been adopting a more grown up, relaxed fit, which I'm quite liking.  Here are my Zara jeans, teamed with a vintage belt, unstructured vintage jacket and second-hand pink crew neck jumper.

A Jaegar Breton top made from a warming heavy cotton was another recent find...

and finally, the luxe item - a pale grey, pink trimmed cashmere jumper.

I'm not sure why I look so tired in these photos.  It's been a pretty chilled out day all things considering, courtesy of a mother/daughter stroll and coffee and cake (mulled apple) at Archie's Attic run by my lovely namesake Claire, close to the Enville Estate.

Have a good weekend!