There's No Place Like Home

This Christmas has felt different somehow.  The years seem to roll seamlessly and speedily; one into another.  Perhaps that's the reason why this year, I didn't feel particularly festive...last year's still being fresh in my memory.  That's not to say I was in a melancholy or "down with Christmas" frame of mind; I just didn't feel that frisson of magic in the air.

With rain and wind dominating the forecast, our Christmas has been a quiet family affair, bookended by walks. 

We're all aware of the phrase "when life imitates art."  Well this festive period has certainly played its part.  The title of this blog no doubt gives the game away, but first rewinding to Christmas Eve and our first notable excursion, we headed into the Wyre forest in neighbouring Worcestershire, for an unseasonably warm walk.

The forest floor was saturated after heavy rain, but the waterlogged land beautifully reflected the mid afternoon sun.

We visited the creepy cabin built by the Cadbury family and still in use today, although, as you can see from the metal shutters (which are padlocked to boot), we and other members of the riff raff are only permitted to enjoy the view from the veranda.  Fine by me!  I do always think of Dorothy's Kansas home when I see this cabin.  

Oaks are amongst the last to shed their leaves in winter and contributed to the landscape's distinctly orange hue.

I loved these tree branches reaching for the dying light.

I added a copper infusion to this trippy forest photo.

The Wyre Forest is a very special place, but there's no place like home, as Dorothy would say.  I'm not sure I necessarily subscribe to this, but, nonetheless, the weather gods conspired to keep us there for the festive period.  

I cut some holly from the garden (only a little so as not to deprive the birds of berries or the woodland spirits of refuge before the trees regain their leaves)...

...and we lived by candlelight.

Gareth and I never go crazy with gifts at Christmas (kind thoughts and treats shouldn't be reserved for just one or two days of the year) and this year was no exception.  But, I am in love with my vintage Jaeger coat...here's a glimpse..

...and total bargain Monet print which now adorns the hallway.  I love its shabby frame and I'm sure it was destined for the skip had Gareth not rescued it on my behalf.

So, as usual, we lit the Christmas pudding...

...and watched some old classics on TV - me through a crystal ball like the Wicked Witch of the West.

The Christmas Day showing of The Wizard of Oz turned out to be somewhat prophetic as Storm Gerrit delivered a hooley shortly afterwards, including a mini tornado which descended on Manchester.

We spent the time well - reading, cooking, listening to music and enjoying some other old classics, including Hitchcock's Suspicion and Witness for the Prosecution, as well as House of Gucci, Saltburn (surely the most bizarre ending to a film in recent years?) and my old favourite and Christmas staple, A Christmassy Ted, the Father Ted Christmas special which sees the priests trying to escape from a department store women's lingerie department in true war film style.

In other news, the houseplants have been re-potted and are looking appreciative and the hyacinths have bloomed.  I'm almost certain their scent has reached you by now!

After the storm and pudding had settled, we headed back outside, blinking like moles after days of darkness, being sure to take in some hills and fill our lungs with clean air.  Here's our favourite Sheepwalks tree and glimpses of a rainbow sky.  

I never bother with New Year's resolutions, so I've started early on my recent pledge to use my Nordic walking poles more often.  I have too often forsaken them for walks with my camera this past year, but am determined to get myself more organised and designate days for photo walks and days for Nordic walks.  

The evidence is clear that Nordic walking increases calorie burn by 20%, boosts heart health and upper body strength.  Having been forced to lay off forms of exercise I used to love thanks to a particularly symptomatic back problem, including yoga, swimming and running, Nordic walking really seems to suit me and even gives me that "runner's high" release of endorphins.  Judging by my aching muscles (in all the right places) this morning, I'm already experiencing the benefits.

We've made up for lost time over the last couple of days and racked up a fair few miles.  However, I did pause briefly to take some video clips for you, which I've knitted together in a little homage to our Christmas Day viewing.  Please forgive the ending.  When I find a way to fade out the music, my conclusions won't be so jarring.

Brace yourselves!  Here comes 2024!

Betwixtmas Walk and Rainbow (youtube.com)

Captain Kirk, Wombling Free and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I'm shamelessly pilfering Lulu's recent blog post title (read it here: Wombling & tidying (longmizzle.blogspot.com) having struggled to come up with a title for this record of the last week or so of random encounters and events.  But it sort of fits, as you will see.

First up Captain Kirk as I've christened him.  My visit to local artist Kirk Andrews' studio went hand in hand with an outing to the Red House Glass Cone, less than half an hour's walk from my house.  I've blogged before about our proud glass making heritage (Winter Peach Photography: Pet Cemetery and the Great Glass Mood Elevator), but my last visit coincided with a rare day off for Kirk, so I could only window shop.

This time he was around and we were able to chat about his creative endeavours, share stories about local musicians and gigs attended and look at leisure at the art for sale; familiar faces from the music world immortalised in Kirk's signature style.  Kirk works predominantly with charcoal and for his recent works, he's used subject specific stamps to create portraits of famous musicians.  Think Black Sabbath in tiny gothic crosses, Keith Flint in tiny ants and, as captured here by yours truly, David Bowie in black stars hanging proudly next to the artist himself.  Wonderful!  You can also see Kirk's drum kit in this photo and if you happen to be passing the cone as the sun goes down and listen carefully, you may just get to hear some percussive practise!

Did I make a purchase?  Naturally.  I opted for 4 coasters for £12.00, choosing Keith Flint, Debbie Harry, Jimi Hendrix and the aforementioned Bowie.

Elsewhere on site, another artist was at work next to the Red House Glass Cone, a Wordsley landmark, built between 1788 and 1794.

As per usual, rarely a week passes without a little charity shopping, or "wombling" as it's referred to by fellow blogger Lulu.  It also conveniently fits my somewhat tenuous 80s childhood title theme.

In this hastily taken photo, half of my outfit is second hand (the Free People khaki trousers and punk inspired mohair jumper).  The camel coat is old, it's buttons removed and replaced with vintage ones and the tough girl tractor sole Clarks boots were a sale purchase, replacing my now cracked and aging DMs.  (The DMs are still good for a few more years, but will be reserved for bimbling around and muddy walks).  You may also see me admiring the new elephant door mat - another charity shop find.

Failing to live up to my promise to get better outfit photos (I just don't have the gift and always feel awkward that side of the lens), here's an attempt to capture my new hat on the windiest of days.  I had coveted and decided to order a slouch beret, but this peaked affair arrived instead.  I was offered and accepted a refund, so it was free to me!  I've grown to like it. Here I'm wearing it with a vintage jumper and army jacket.

I also scored a trio of vintage square scarves at a very purse-friendly 50p each....

...and became ridiculously excited by this vintage magenta honeycomb blanket and it's mid century companion.  This is a sure sign of getting old.

This vintage Irish linen Brooke Bond OXO tea towel will never be used, but brings hippy cheer to the kitchen.

I love mirrors, but rarely see one I like for the right price.  This 50s/60s mirror immediately called out to me and I know just the place - not on the floor!

This pretty sage green cotton top from Topshop also came home with me, although with temperatures plummeting yet again, it will be a while before it sees the light of day.

At the weekend we headed out to find a very special place hidden deep within the Wyre Forest with an unlikely connection to the Cadbury family.  A confession, it's not really a chocolate factory, but a hunting lodge erected by and still in the ownership of the renowned chocolate making family.  If you're wondering, the Charlie was me, who, in spite of having very specific directions, still almost managed to take a wrong turn and completely miss this hauntingly beautiful building.

As we arrived, we could hear laughter and chatter.  Whilst the lodge is securely locked up, walkers can easily access the veranda and an extended family was making good use of it.  I caught a glimpse of some floor tiles just visible beneath the door (an enhanced iphone photo).  Sadly there were no other peep holes to be found.  

Feeling as though we were intruding, we decided to continue on our wander through the forest as it was such a beautiful day... 

....looking back longingly and hoping that soon we could claim the lodge for ourselves for a little while.

After an energetic walk down into the valley and back up the hill, our wish was finally granted.  The snowdrops were out.  The sun was shining - dipping slightly in the sky at this point and sprinkling gold light onto the tree canopy.  We sat on the veranda, taking in the incredible views offered up by the largest woodland National Nature Reserve in the country, feeling a little warmth from the sun on our faces and enjoying the bird song.  Bliss.

Take a tour with me.  Isn't it beautiful?  Pure cabincore.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMYjhUwsW/

Beauty and the Beast

Peculiar and somewhat prophetic, captured exactly four days before the Ukrainian Invasion, we stumbled across this abandoned shooting range - a relic of the second World War.  Unbelievably, this austere wartime relic is a short walk away from the centre of Carding Mill Valley, the National Trust managed Shropshire beauty spot.

Abandoned buildings always have unsettling atmospheres...

...a feeling of time suspended...

...a sense of unfinished business...a tug of war between past and present, for the building's heart and soul.

However, at times like this, it is vital to remind ourselves that there is still beauty in this world and wide angle, black and white landscapes can help do just that.

Here is St Laurence's Church (Grade I listed) in Church Stretton with its Norman nave, Victorian aisles and 13 grade II listed structures within its churchyard.  

A frequent failure on my part, I tend to do my research later (usually because we don't plan in minute detail our activities in advance) and then regret it when I discover key elements I wish I had captured for posterity.  In this case, I later discovered that the Church bears a rare Sheela-na-gig above its Norman doorway.  If you don't already know what this is, you might want to Google it to spare my blushes.  Apparently, a stone has been strategically placed to protect the modesty of this one.

When the news became too much to bear, we headed deep into Worcestershire's Wyre Forest (the largest woodland National Nature Reserve in England) to experience nothing but the sound of the gentle spring breeze rustling the trees and the melodic, blissfully ignorant bird song.  The forest dates back to at least the year 900 and covers the equivalent area of 1700 football pitches.  

This week has been a conveyor belt of uniquely varied meetings, notably with a local celebrant, the National Trust (to agree some student work experience) and a representative of the shiny new Glass Museum, ahead of its opening.  I'm also checking and charging camera equipment in readiness for an Islamic house wedding photo shoot next weekend.

In the meantime, a couple of purchases to share with you - some light relief.  First up, an immaculate Broiderie Anglais white dress, purchased by its original owner in 1969 and worn once for a garden party in the same year.  I had envisaged using this for a photo shoot with a willing model (which I still plan to do), but I'm thinking it may find its way into my summer wardrobe with a little "toughening up" styling.

Lastly, I can't remember the last time I bought a pair of earrings.  I tend to wear the same little silver sleepers on repeat.  I never seem to find any second hand earrings I like and fancied a departure from my usual preferred precious metal, silver.  After a little research, I came across the Parisienne Agape Studio, creators of contemporary, affordable pieces, inspired by ancient culture.  Even better, Agape pieces are coated using sustainable, recycled batches of 24 carat gold.  

Here's the link.  https://agape-studio.com/pages/about

My belated Birthday treat arrived on Friday, beautifully presented in a little vegan leather pouch and were exactly what I was looking for.  I chose the Alba earrings, inspired by the ancient Persian civilisation and symbols of sensuality and charm.  I'm hoping some of this might rub off on me.  

And so another Saturday rolls around.  I'm now making some headway into my latest read, The Mercies...

...and eagerly awaiting the second episode of season 6 of Peaky Blinders.  I can't bring myself to binge watch this.  I want to savour its artistry and performances.

I've made a conscious decision to watch the news during daylight hours and avoid the late bulletin.  It's just too much.  I made some headway into getting together a package to donate to one of the local collection points, a Polish Church in Dudley.  However, after hearing stories of some collection points being overwhelmed, I'm wondering whether a cash donation might be a better option...?

Having recently produced a set of postcards which includes this jaded sunflower, some of its beauty is now lost to me, given its symbolic link to Ukraine.  This photograph now seems to reflect the country's current desperate situation.

I much prefer to keep these sunflowers in mind (photographed in a field near Sarlat, France) and like us all, try and somehow will this war to end.

As I type, the sun has retreated behind a blanket of white cloud and the wind is quickening.  Not that it matters today, for this afternoon we're off to unleash an afternoon with the Evanses on our friends, Bob and Caroline.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!  Sending positive vibes in return for your news!