tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16048732526356041262024-03-13T15:45:42.232+00:00Sweetbriar DreamsSo where shall we go on our journey today?sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.comBlogger395125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-71912153339477716052017-05-28T15:55:00.001+01:002017-06-05T17:51:56.896+01:00Time to Say Goodbye<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Five years ago, I ventured into the Blogosphere, tentative steps at first and then gaining confidence along with changing directions as I went, from crafts, day to day life, recipes etc. Then as my photography gathered pace and trips to various places were enjoyed (especially my very much missed home town of London), my blog's journey changed again.</div>
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My little corner of blogland began to gain momentum in followers, comments, emails and was incredibly rewarding and a joy to get to know those who were reading me, asking questions and giving support. Bless you all for that.</div>
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My writing and photography helped me through the stressed years of parenting with mid teenage angst and exams and Sweetbriar Dreams was my escape from the negativity that surrounded that time. Now, all that angst is behind us and both Miss Teen and Mr Teen are venturing out into the big bad world themselves and making me proud.</div>
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In these five years I have rediscovered my love of photography that I had many years ago and the confidence to go out with the camera and see the world rather than just look at it along with my writing, to write the book rather than just read it.</div>
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I have made some wonderful friends along the way who share my interest in historical places, the pressures and loves of blogging, photography and the weekly catch up with each other.<br />
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And so after months and months of fighting with my thoughts, it is finally time to say goodbye to Sweetbriar Dreams. It has been a wonderful journey and one that has made me look at things in a different way.</div>
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Believe me, it wasn't an easy decision and it will be something in my life that I will miss, but as bloggers know, to write a post, insert links and relevant content and edit photos takes up a huge chunk of time, which with a very busy and demanding job, along with being a parent and running a house, is time that I have less and less of unfortunately.</div>
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And so, I would like to say...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">T </span><span style="color: blue;">H </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">A </span><span style="color: #b45f06;">N </span><span style="color: blue;">K </span><span style="color: orange;">Y </span><span style="color: purple;">O </span><span style="color: magenta;">U</span></b></span></div>
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Thank you all for your support, encouragement, comments and emails over the years! Thank you for making me laugh and cry! Thank you for being that virtual shoulder to rest on. Thank you for being there!<br />
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It is now time to say goodbye and please take good care of yourselves!<br />
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<i>ps. Thank you all for your amazing comments and emails. I will be carrying on microblogging through Instagram for a little while but I thoroughly recommend a truly inspirational blog by Mike at A Bit About Britain. Another blogger who loves to visit places and tell the story behind the site. You can visit him <a href="http://bitaboutbritain.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>here</b></span></a>!</i><br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com83tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-5762002238151231332017-05-27T21:38:00.001+01:002017-05-27T21:38:06.930+01:00Call the Midwife<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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NO, I haven't got some special news but I bet the title got your attention! No, this post is a continuation from my latest visit to Kent and a wonderful place to see indeed... <a href="http://thedockyard.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Chatham Dockyard</span></i></a>. This informative and huge site has been used for many TV series, such as <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0118t80" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Call the Midwife</span></i></a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2310212/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Mr Selfridge</span></i></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS-GB" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">SS-GB</span></i></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Halcyon" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">The Halcyon</span></i></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_to_the_Enemy" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Close to the Enemy</span></i></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crown_(TV_series)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">The Crown</span></i></a> and many more.<br />
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And so, a picture heavy post once again dear Readers, but there was a lot to capture and a lot to experience. Have you got your cup of tea and fruit cake in hand? Here we go...<br />
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First and foremost, this is a dockyard and is full of all that you would expect. Ropes in all shapes and sizes...<br />
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Metal from tools of the trade...<br />
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... chains...<br />
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... and more chains (I seem to like capturing metal work!)...<br />
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Chatham Dockyard certainly was a feast for my eyes and I loved capturing all manner of different artefacts, patterns and textures. None more so than in the <a href="http://www.master-ropemakers.co.uk/history-i-28.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">The Victorian Ropery</span></i></a> <br />
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The Ropery is ENORMOUS! Half a mile long to enable enormous ropes to be manufactured. This is still in operation today and the size will take your breath away.<br />
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The workers even ride bikes to get from end to end to carry out their work.<br />
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Now ladies, when visiting an historic dockyard, please take heed of your apparel! Believe me, I love to wear jeans and a top but for some stupid reason (top very creased), I decided to wear a dress. BAD DECISION... HUGE! As well as negotiating ladder like stairs on boats, there is the problem of climbing through cramped holes while taking a tour of a submarine! Some couldn't get through and gave up on the tour, however me being me, one leg through and then hoist into the next section. The result, four enormous bruises on left leg. The things I do for you lot! However <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ocelot_(S17)" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>HMS Ocelot</i></span></a> is well worth a visit to experience the cramped conditions inside. If you would like to look inside the submarine (whose operations are still covered under the Official Secrets Act) without the risk of bruises then take a look at the link from Google Maps <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@51.3955025,0.5266715,3a,41.1y,256.06h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1so-ATnN1ZcE0AAAQJOMm46g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">here</span></i></a>.<br />
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Next door is <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Gannet_(1878)" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HMS Gannet</span></a></i> which is part of the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Historic_Fleet" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">National Historic Fleet</span></a></i> (of course my beloved <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutty_Sark" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Cutty Sark </span></i></a>is on this list too).<br />
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But let's just have a look around the Dockyard and see the buildings that have been used as backdrop to the programmes, especially Call the Midwife...<br />
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If I had enough time I would have walked around with the tour but you do need a full day to see everything here. If you are in the area I would recommend that you visit this place and definitely go on this tour to get the exact locations for the different scenes used. The tickets for the dockyard can be used for a year which is always an added bonus in my book.<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend (especially those enjoying a Bank Holiday... always lovely to have that extra time to relax).<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF3pHWHVMXqEEWBbMuN5VN8dcXwtzu-VHHY96jbnTFawXjIeaSXPKG_jV4c9XWGS0mpWe3dG04MygBL3YjbZUe43C-oytZbJJYBag6C3HzdyYMAO89YK23hJPNtTsyJgIu78yG5WZsHk/s1600/signature.png" /></div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com6Church Ln, Chatham ME4 4TE, UK51.3922392 0.5269779999999855125.8702047 -40.781616000000014 76.9142737 41.835571999999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-19726163975671793632017-05-14T14:34:00.002+01:002017-05-28T13:39:19.578+01:00The Gardens of Hever Castle - Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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And now are you ready for part 2 of my posts on Hever Castle in Kent? A grey day to begin with, but the sun was kind to us all by the end giving us a chance to see Hever Castle with blue sky behind it and warm sunshine on our faces. Once again, a cup of English Breakfast Tea and let's see what's in the cupboard... a couple of Rich Tea Biscuits! Let me take you by the hand around the stunning gardens of Hever Castle...<br />
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The gardens expand 125 acres and have <i><a href="http://www.biography.com/people/william-waldorf-astor-9191240" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">William Waldorf Astor</span></a></i> to thank for his amazing legacy on their creation and collections held within. The views from the windows of the Castle an ever changing painting as the gardens flourish through the seasons.<br />
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The walk under the gate house and the oldest working <i><a href="https://www.castles-of-britain.com/portcullis.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">portcullis</span></a></i> in England inviting you to explore these beautiful well kept gardens.<br />
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Then over the bridge, filling the eyes with amazing late spring/early summer rich, lush greens.<br />
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The stone walls acting as bones for the living skin of the newly bloomed wisteria. The colours so easy on the eye.<br />
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Of course, I have to capture old parts of architecture, so obviously <a href="http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/public_health/rainwater_heads/rainwater_heads-2.pdf" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">hopper heads </span></i></a>and down pipes need to be etched on my camera card!<br />
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I know blogs everywhere are full of the gorgeous wisteria blooms, but here's one more and I only wish you could smell the incredible scent that this is paired with.<br />
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The Astor Wing which I touched on in part 1, sits in the grounds, no doubt full of very lucky Bed and Breakfast guests. What a beautiful place to stay in.</div>
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The decoration, the chimney pots, the windows! An incredibly romantic place and perfect for a Charles Dickens novel!<br />
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<a href="https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/gardens/in-the-garden/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>The Italian Garden</i></span></a> with its perfect lawns and beautiful sculptures was somewhere that you could get lost in. In fact, I did lose myself at one point!<br />
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The Pergola Walk with its grottos was my favourite part of the gardens, a little grey but little alcoves on the right with running water over ferns was so calming and peaceful. A place to really stand quietly with your thoughts.<br />
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In the grottos, many carvings with worn out faces, but the ones where the features are very much plain to see are more up to date. These are faces of gardeners who have worked for years here. Casts are made to give a good likeness and once the gargoyles are placed in the grottos, the ferns will gradually cover their faces and the water will corrode. What a beautiful way to leave your mark!<br />
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The day was especially grey until later and a little chilly, so when we got to the lake it was blowing a gale. 38 acres of water adding more of a chill factor to the wind! Again, part of the reconstructive works ordered by William Waldorf Astor and created by 800 men who were told to work on this every day and night when ordered, apart from a Sunday. It took them two years and finished in 1906.<br />
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The Nymph's Fountain was constructed in 1908 and was inspired by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevi_Fountain" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Trevi Fountain in Rome</i></span></a>. I really felt for this stone carving as the wind blew in from across the lake!<br />
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The Blue Garden, for obvious reasons was another area of the garden which was just divine! So perfectly manicured and a delight to walk slowly up through the levels.<br />
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Throughout the gardens there were pockets that took our imagination, one of the grey barked trees made me smile with the pink blossom surrounding it (I think the blossom is from a Judas Tree, correct me if I'm wrong).<br />
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But of course, the carvings produced even bigger smiles. I could sit and look at these for hours!<br />
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The last throes of Spring apparent around the gardens, what a shame spring has to be so short lived.<br />
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The famous <a href="http://www.inex-online.com/archive/ex-rated/item/1952-maintaining-the-yew-maze-at-hever-castle" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Hever Castle Maze</span></i></a> of course had to be visited. When I came here (last century!), my Nan thought it would be too scary for me. Well, I've been in worse, so off we set and did really well and only reached three dead ends!<br />
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It could have been a whole lot quicker and just gone into the 'Exit' to walk straight to the centre, but where's the fun in that!!<br />
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And so, the beautiful and stunning visit to Hever Castle was at an end and more travelling beckoned our group. Smiles and laughter proving that the trip was perfect for all.<br />
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And... the sun eventually came out. Perfection!<br />
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Have a wonderful Sunday and week ahead!<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com9Hever Castle & Gardens, High Weald AONB, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG, UK51.1868837 0.1138679000000593125.531812200000005 -41.370507099999941 76.8419552 41.598242900000059tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-50157963572605289082017-05-12T20:59:00.003+01:002017-05-12T21:22:06.315+01:00The Exquisite Hever Castle, Kent - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The trouble with having a blog break is the problem of how to start writing again. I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last post and yes, I relaxed and enjoyed a very impatiently awaited trip to Kent again. With my camera card full to brimming with these latest trips it is time to start writing once more and gather my thoughts for this little corner of blogland along with showing you the amazing history I have captured. So, let's start with a beautiful gem, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hever_Castle" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Hever Castl</span>e</span></i></a>. The usual drill dear Readers, cup of good old English tea and a milk chocolate digestive, this is a picture heavy post, so maybe two biscuits as a treat! Ready? Let me take you by the hand to a place so important to the ill fated <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/tudors/anne_boleyn_01.shtml" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Anne Boleyn</span></i></a> and of course, <i><a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/discover-the-palaces/monarchs/henry-viii/#gs.4K_daUU" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Henry VIII</span></a></i>.</div>
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This was a place I visited when I was knee high to a grasshopper and certain parts made my memory jump into life with things that I thought were long lost. The camera clicked with satisfaction once again and questions were raised in my mind of the history that surrounded me. So, if you're ready, let's start inside.<br />
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Hever Castle was borne in the 13th century and the instantly recognisable family name of Boleyn lived in the house from 1462 to 1539. In her early life, Anne Boleyn, the famous second wife of Henry VIII who was Queen for just 1000 days, lived in the Castle with her father and later, after Anne met her barbaric end and <a href="http://www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/janeseymour.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Jane Seymour</span></i></a> (the third wife) had died, the castle passed to Henry's fourth wife, <a href="https://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/anne-of-cleves/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Anne of Cleves</span></i> </a>after Anne Boleyn's father died in 1539 and was used as part of the settlement to annul the marriage to Anne of Cleves.</div>
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The gatehouse is the oldest part of the castle and dates back to 1270 and looking through the mullioned and transomed windows filled me with the romance of whether the lady herself had looked through this glass. Probably not, but still filled my exploratory mind with these thoughts.<br />
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In one of the upstairs rooms, a room is described as Anne Boleyn's bedroom. I felt it was maybe a little small, but maybe because this part of her bed was HUGE!<br />
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The carvings so tactile and the date... 1520. Stunning but after trawling for more information it is thought that this is in fact 1600, but I like to think they have this wrong!<br />
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Another bedroom and we enter what could possible be Henry VIII's bedchamber where he stayed while courting Anne Boleyn. The wood panelling again ancient and the bed itself dates from 1540. This is a '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-poster_bed" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">tester</span></i></a>' bed due to the wooden canopy above it.</div>
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The ceiling above us is the oldest in the whole Castle and is reported to date from 1462. Simple, unassuming, clean lines, historical and a place that makes my mind work overtime with the centuries of people that have walked and slept beneath it.</div>
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A recently discovered Panel stood proudly on display in one of the rooms. The <a href="https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/32451-2/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Anne of Cleves panel</span></i></a>. This is one of two that still exist with the other in the Museum of London and dates around 1544. It is also seen to be the inspiration for her tomb in Westminster Abbey. </div>
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Each room was full of incredible history and walking through each door made us feel comfortable. Each room felt homely and calmly enriched our minds with our love of history. The Dining Hall with its mid-17th century walnut chairs and 16th century oak table, the full set of armour and place settings all ready for a dinner party in stunning surroundings.</div>
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The Long Gallery was used in the 16th century to entertain the many and honoured guests, however the ceiling is 20th century due to the magnificent reconstructive work by <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Hitch" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Nathaniel Hitch</span></a></i>.</div>
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Above the entrance hall is this beautiful gallery, the Staircase Gallery, which was by <i><a href="https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/sir-thomas-boleyn-father-of-anne-boleyn/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Thomas Boleyn</span></a></i>. It spans between the two wings of the Castle and is full of beautiful paintings and furniture. Can you imagine the exquisite dresses sweeping across this wooden floor.</div>
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The patterned windows and the thickness of the stone walls keeping everything warm and weather tight.</div>
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In 1903 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Waldorf_Astor" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">William Waldorf Astor</span></i></a> (who was the richest man in America) started the restoration of the Castle and created the Astor Wing along with the lake and gardens. This is now used as luxury <a href="https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/stay/bed-breakfast/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">bed and breakfast bedrooms</span></i></a>!<br />
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The Astors' spent so much on the restoration, so it's only right that they had their own luxuries, something that we can only dream about, but for those who have been reading me for a while will know how much I love a booked lined room with comfort and calmness personified. Imagine my absolute joy when walking into a room with my favourite coloured blooms and tidy lines of books adorning the sides.</div>
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The bookcases are taken from a design by those that adorned the home of <a href="http://www.pepysdiary.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Samuel Pepys</span></i></a>. I tell you what, just leave us here, curled up on the sofa, books, cup of tea, marmite on toast. Sigh!</div>
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A close second in rooms that I adored was the Drawing Room where the oak panelling is bog oak and holly. Beautiful!</div>
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And then, for you <i><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Winston Churchill</span></a> </span></i>buffs, a letter from the great man himself to John Astor. Churchill loved painting and clearly wanted to use his time at Hever with the Astor's to pursue his hobby.</div>
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And so, that's the inside of the Castle and next time I will take you outside into the beautiful gardens, the last flush of tulips and the incredible displays.</div>
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This was one of those days that will remain in my mind forever, a perfect day, beautiful surroundings, incredible history and amazing, knowledgeable company.</div>
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Have a wonderful weekend everyone and enjoy that history surrounding you.</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com10Hever Castle & Gardens, High Weald AONB, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG, UK51.1868837 0.1138679000000593125.531812200000005 -41.370507099999941 76.8419552 41.598242900000059tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-8289710817098733362017-04-16T13:07:00.001+01:002017-04-16T13:07:11.106+01:00R E L A X<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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People say to me you need to <span style="color: red;">R</span><span style="color: blue;">E</span><span style="color: purple;">L</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">A</span><span style="color: #38761d;">X</span>, it's an easy word to say isn't it? Everything will be fine, just relax. For me to do this I need <span style="color: #0b5394;">TIME</span>, a luxury that I just don't have, but when I become snappy, over tired and feel as though my knuckles are dragging behind me as I walk, it's time to book time off and...</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>R E L A X</b></span></div>
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A week booked off after an exhausting time and deciding what to do sends my mind into a whirl. With older teenagers that blissfully do not need me hanging around while they're both doing their own things, I have the luxury of having my own time off. No offspring to entertain, just selfish me!</div>
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Long walks, catching up with old and new friends (bang goes the diet!) and retail therapy. Things that make me happy along with planning to see historical buildings at the beginning of next month with incredible company.</div>
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Reading, photography, my pace.</div>
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Crossing bridges in my mind, some scary with no safety net.</div>
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This new found time in my life sees a new chapter, I was that feather in the wind that settled down and created a nest and now I'm rewarded with time that I can enjoy.</div>
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Don't get me wrong, I am a mother first and foremost and that will be my priority throughout my life, but I get reminded that "<i>oh you have a BIG birthday coming up</i>" again and again and then met with surprise when I say that I am REALLY looking forward to it. Life is to be embraced no matter how young or old, we have one life and that should be full of colour, humour, positivity and company of people we really care for with the same outlook.</div>
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Yes life's not perfect, it can sting at times, but since the New Year I made a decision that from then, no matter what comes my way, I will embrace it, look at things as I always do, positively and with humour. I am who I am, I will not change, not now. </div>
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And so, this week I'm RELAXING, doing what I want to do, selfishly, happily, no stress. Surrounded by positive people. laughter and things I enjoy. I think I've earned it! I'm also taking a mini blog break for a couple of weeks and come back with a few more trips. Trips that are going to fill my mind with history, photography, humour, knowledge. PERFECT!</div>
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Until then, have a wonderful Easter break along with capturing the growth of Spring or the onset of Autumn wherever you are in the world.</div>
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And remember...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">R</span> <span style="color: blue;">E</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">L</span> <span style="color: #741b47;">A</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">X</span></span></div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-15851335506486692292017-04-08T17:30:00.002+01:002017-04-08T17:30:56.735+01:00Spring in a Bottle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Looking across the Fen in the morning, it is evident that spring has sprung. The Rape Seed fields swaying their pungent perfume to fill my nostrils and the inevitable hearty sneeze to expel the heady pollen. Today, I kept away from those fields and took a potter around the garden to fill up my vases with far more local produce that had grown pockets of colour around the house. Spring showing off its splendour to be displayed in a bottle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpT-FrLixPuBJ-nai2O6d7UUEP57KErjVS5ti7zx-CLlDjuVV1Pb3NB1IQfzFkxCSm2QmqwEm5f3WugFNl9rsOT6E5BsZFlKztMkOo3sIGRJOOvKvItrTw6T7p9gbZqHCXs3on1ZWzTY/s1600/Bottle+of+Spring+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpT-FrLixPuBJ-nai2O6d7UUEP57KErjVS5ti7zx-CLlDjuVV1Pb3NB1IQfzFkxCSm2QmqwEm5f3WugFNl9rsOT6E5BsZFlKztMkOo3sIGRJOOvKvItrTw6T7p9gbZqHCXs3on1ZWzTY/s640/Bottle+of+Spring+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Blossom circling the house like fireworks popping all around and attracting the smaller wildlife for pollination .</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcKTASSw6tIHptmotOemqss_O-p2n0Xcq7N0ndGW9GWnPJJTgrg_Zg6tyOFuTEojV3N_bj-M3YLPKA5QuB7tqXPuEJiIBgrEE3s4PVtvs7WM70fj2NhI3srHSbHJ_LBn1ZOSIBGXAvv8/s1600/Cherry+Blossom+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcKTASSw6tIHptmotOemqss_O-p2n0Xcq7N0ndGW9GWnPJJTgrg_Zg6tyOFuTEojV3N_bj-M3YLPKA5QuB7tqXPuEJiIBgrEE3s4PVtvs7WM70fj2NhI3srHSbHJ_LBn1ZOSIBGXAvv8/s640/Cherry+Blossom+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The garden has suddenly sprung into life, some plants a little stubborn, but most waking up and entertaining with their show.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrgW-60_0Xl1tQ68xlN72YQ9CwIVDzcqmJbxHAxrUqJaeFZRXDFhIMMw_CwbQqqNvHjZMzgSjGksBc5fCOmxbycuwu1KC_wTYV2452eiaTKtqyntTu_2Z2x_WAYctpnItBruKZP9ED4s/s1600/Blossom+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrgW-60_0Xl1tQ68xlN72YQ9CwIVDzcqmJbxHAxrUqJaeFZRXDFhIMMw_CwbQqqNvHjZMzgSjGksBc5fCOmxbycuwu1KC_wTYV2452eiaTKtqyntTu_2Z2x_WAYctpnItBruKZP9ED4s/s640/Blossom+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The eight legged monsters that scare me to death have even produced their own art work, some obviously had alcohol last night and got a little lost with their webs, but producing a natural stained glass effect with the various colours in the background.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv2m2R4gVoaWFvTlwwA_AEcpu3-oo7KKgDA3peRalqvBsTTVnENEU9o6X3X1gbR6wEtlRQSdLubOJVDufGPh3Zq3PIXZ5pYP-vwOOB53nB5wv1EhhuiWBc0FrLLkRIcjuQaitllU4gwI/s1600/Spider+Stained+Glass+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv2m2R4gVoaWFvTlwwA_AEcpu3-oo7KKgDA3peRalqvBsTTVnENEU9o6X3X1gbR6wEtlRQSdLubOJVDufGPh3Zq3PIXZ5pYP-vwOOB53nB5wv1EhhuiWBc0FrLLkRIcjuQaitllU4gwI/s640/Spider+Stained+Glass+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Blues...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wC2dF57mi-xq9psZHnZz5JorTCmuhXsxubfvLaKMelCMsLEoSvORFSIZ5oeo3-I28HVfOSxyPaR8NOUB5EcY15GRDj4duaYSIRp6wtlEzFFR9u0pIAOqvSsfHqT2pphRJ8lWr67gWVw/s1600/Blue+and+Green+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wC2dF57mi-xq9psZHnZz5JorTCmuhXsxubfvLaKMelCMsLEoSvORFSIZ5oeo3-I28HVfOSxyPaR8NOUB5EcY15GRDj4duaYSIRp6wtlEzFFR9u0pIAOqvSsfHqT2pphRJ8lWr67gWVw/s640/Blue+and+Green+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Reds...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_b_DXcxkYMgMm-gvXFjsJMYxq6EA5hc8NtWYuHuklwUeeyhqKizv5Ujwz9uCV4nQ_5CzziU8P2CcZjy0d7cfbNTr-Mqgs8DOHlfYZl-7ZXm0nbQ6mqGREybOa-nQLiMSdsB6aM9WEd0/s1600/Tulips+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_b_DXcxkYMgMm-gvXFjsJMYxq6EA5hc8NtWYuHuklwUeeyhqKizv5Ujwz9uCV4nQ_5CzziU8P2CcZjy0d7cfbNTr-Mqgs8DOHlfYZl-7ZXm0nbQ6mqGREybOa-nQLiMSdsB6aM9WEd0/s640/Tulips+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Vintage...</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOcKQFMGttTAsuH08ZBrnAIaATYKCsqPk2-d15X5UQj9q-ytvUYwHwE66l4DkVmM1V8-pROnQjbSPgdwUsI8TvCdwfwHj6yL2sTlJxgU4yGXoheOhZjNsdmwpSwpGMM0lQLmJBgetno0/s1600/Hydrangea+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOcKQFMGttTAsuH08ZBrnAIaATYKCsqPk2-d15X5UQj9q-ytvUYwHwE66l4DkVmM1V8-pROnQjbSPgdwUsI8TvCdwfwHj6yL2sTlJxgU4yGXoheOhZjNsdmwpSwpGMM0lQLmJBgetno0/s640/Hydrangea+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fresh white and green...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgQG3A6KcoNS3C4r3sLn64hceA8EzOFKjxEtdweXKVps23IPg0iCoq2I7amOHBvANMLqQRSbLWpGmG1m8Q66f_cTDrn8DTVQhHe3zcb1rHyPYDEX45-z9mtJlkskWuFcErbzHGLviyrk/s1600/Daisy+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgQG3A6KcoNS3C4r3sLn64hceA8EzOFKjxEtdweXKVps23IPg0iCoq2I7amOHBvANMLqQRSbLWpGmG1m8Q66f_cTDrn8DTVQhHe3zcb1rHyPYDEX45-z9mtJlkskWuFcErbzHGLviyrk/s640/Daisy+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdd8VRqI5_s6-u7r_qH57QdfTKknXlptlF1KhvfD6afC_WB41LbUpoMT5P668QiS7DdHCkxx5_vuvss9m8lTOsbfIOmaVAZUNvYuuT4ZOocZAvHbkqGcFQzuxwuOxo97BNEC1oRnB5UQ/s1600/Narcissus+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdd8VRqI5_s6-u7r_qH57QdfTKknXlptlF1KhvfD6afC_WB41LbUpoMT5P668QiS7DdHCkxx5_vuvss9m8lTOsbfIOmaVAZUNvYuuT4ZOocZAvHbkqGcFQzuxwuOxo97BNEC1oRnB5UQ/s640/Narcissus+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The fragrances sensual and heady.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jxVYvKaY3ryYonKbco-TIKJVlQ1LiYBe7PJyjEALLn2olPfURm_OE5WTUYm2XDgnHZ4JybHqcATwuOOs9GjuaMpWGfdvHbZsonIbzmgm5one17AbfDNPbbfAogylitd296WnSUNB7cU/s1600/Pink+Blossom+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jxVYvKaY3ryYonKbco-TIKJVlQ1LiYBe7PJyjEALLn2olPfURm_OE5WTUYm2XDgnHZ4JybHqcATwuOOs9GjuaMpWGfdvHbZsonIbzmgm5one17AbfDNPbbfAogylitd296WnSUNB7cU/s640/Pink+Blossom+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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More trips are planned over the next few weeks and my camera eye will be very busy, but for the time being, sitting down and relaxing the produce of my garden is enough...but keeping away from those eight legged monsters!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGeUK2YmIHAsr4rxXTFvsr1_dlTISugYadj6hxOjls9jCmhxtBynnGSjQ-tEHBRWNSm40CBCim-XEd5Z28JhyphenhyphengfOwzXmnskr6kpZ9mdYjDGEC0HlPi0U-KLYz89o5qgosQX76ljE7Wa8/s1600/Spiders+Web+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGeUK2YmIHAsr4rxXTFvsr1_dlTISugYadj6hxOjls9jCmhxtBynnGSjQ-tEHBRWNSm40CBCim-XEd5Z28JhyphenhyphengfOwzXmnskr6kpZ9mdYjDGEC0HlPi0U-KLYz89o5qgosQX76ljE7Wa8/s640/Spiders+Web+-+Sweetbriar+Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-75916856610549784872017-03-25T17:34:00.001+00:002017-03-27T07:29:55.642+01:00My London Pride<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Due to the terrible events that unfolded on Wednesday at Westminster, I wasn't going to post this week. Too upset and angry that my home town had become vulnerable in a brief moment, a mindless act of violence taking the lives of innocent people, and a devoted policeman at the first line of defence.</div>
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Anyone who knows Westminster Bridge, or indeed has been a tourist there, will know just how frustratingly busy the bridge and the pavements are along here. Tourists, workers, street entertainers, artists, as well as London traffic both on the bridge and the Thames boats beneath.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbb0SDUrOec/WNanqsZvpkI/AAAAAAAAiwg/URa2Ae2oTzUwKZr7KRoBRIGCX4_PBeqkwCLcB/s1600/Westminster%2BBridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbb0SDUrOec/WNanqsZvpkI/AAAAAAAAiwg/URa2Ae2oTzUwKZr7KRoBRIGCX4_PBeqkwCLcB/s640/Westminster%2BBridge.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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Within moments this iconic area of London was dealing with the aftermath, all races, all faiths pulling together to help those who were dying and injured. My friends who work in the area were in lockdown, kept in their buildings, but safe.</div>
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My Grandparents lived through the Blitz, my parents and I lived through the IRA bombings, and now my children are growing up in an era of uncertainty of randomness of terrorist targets. There is nothing more incredible than the resilience of Londoners. Yes we get tarnished for being unfriendly, just worried about ourselves as we dash around the City, but that's because we're busy, we have places to get to and try and fight our way through the crowds. But, when the going gets tough, we pull together, dust ourselves down and just get on with it, helping, talking, taking time to make sure everything that can be done is done.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yT_JZpp7DM/WNan3A49v5I/AAAAAAAAiwk/HLKLS1vdoP45vChfsx3ADcaqyMZhNt27wCLcB/s1600/big%2Bben%2Band%2Bthe%2Blondon%2Beye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yT_JZpp7DM/WNan3A49v5I/AAAAAAAAiwk/HLKLS1vdoP45vChfsx3ADcaqyMZhNt27wCLcB/s640/big%2Bben%2Band%2Bthe%2Blondon%2Beye.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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As I watched events unfold, as well as being in shock, I was proud. Proud of the strangers who helped each other and the emergency services carrying out their numerous drills of such an eventuality.</div>
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I am a proud Londoner, and always will be. No matter how often others try to beat us down, we just get stronger.</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-83758842622148349382017-03-19T20:37:00.001+00:002017-03-19T20:37:46.533+00:00A Chocolate Box Assortment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As someone who gave up chocolate for my New Year's Resolution, a trip to Cadbury World in Bournville, Birmingham, was not one of my best ideas! However, off we went and I discovered an alternative chocolate box assortment. So, dear Readers, grab yourself a bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk, a cup of tea, and let me take you on a blog journey in two halves ("a glass and a half"). The first being my own version of a chocolate box full of different loves of mine, and the second being the real chocolate part!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYWsiBZ0-eo/WM6eh_fs1-I/AAAAAAAAipg/14DfZuFbpgMKfjihSBSGf-95GsTfKibFACLcB/s1600/Blossom%2Bin%2BBournville%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYWsiBZ0-eo/WM6eh_fs1-I/AAAAAAAAipg/14DfZuFbpgMKfjihSBSGf-95GsTfKibFACLcB/s640/Blossom%2Bin%2BBournville%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cadbury's was formed in 1824 by <a href="http://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/16/John-Cadbury" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">John</span></i></a> and Benjamin Cadbury by selling tea, coffee and drinking chocolate. With the success of the business, John's sons, <a href="http://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/269/Richard-Cadbury" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Richard</i></span></a> and <span style="color: red;"><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cadbury" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">George</span></a> </i></span>went in search of a bigger place to produce their newly found product of <a href="https://www.cadbury.co.uk/products/dairy-milk-2360?p=2360" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Cadbury's Dairy Milk</span></i></a>. They found a large piece of land with the river <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bournbrook" target="_blank">Bourn</a> nearby and a railway. Once bought the area was called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bournville" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Bournville</span></i></a>, Bourn after the river and Ville to make it sound more French! The sons then set about designing and constructing a model village, but I'll go into that a bit later in this post. In the meantime, one of buildings in Bournville I was instantly drawn to is called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selly_Manor" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Selly Manor</i></span></a>. This beautiful building built in 1327 originally occupied a space in Bournbrook in Worcestershire! </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3wmZ5abWzA/WM6e6MD4C7I/AAAAAAAAiqo/kV1QyYEiCpEp5BDjsb7lMtZRhN_kV8_qgCLcB/s1600/Selly%2BHouse%2BFront%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3wmZ5abWzA/WM6e6MD4C7I/AAAAAAAAiqo/kV1QyYEiCpEp5BDjsb7lMtZRhN_kV8_qgCLcB/s640/Selly%2BHouse%2BFront%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The building was in an awful state of disrepair and was going to be destroyed until George Cadbury saved it for the new model village that he was creating in Bournville. Each part was numbered, dismantled and then rebuilt as a centrepiece to the village in 1914.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQxhWt9ExuM/WM6e9MufqgI/AAAAAAAAiq4/59N4U2G4FEUTYdV-JcW6XUzLYnsP3ADcgCLcB/s1600/Side%2Bof%2BSelly%2BManor%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQxhWt9ExuM/WM6e9MufqgI/AAAAAAAAiq4/59N4U2G4FEUTYdV-JcW6XUzLYnsP3ADcgCLcB/s640/Side%2Bof%2BSelly%2BManor%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Unfortunately, and I mean really unfortunately, the Manor wasn't open due to a book fair, so my own 'box of chocolates' was to look around the grounds. Not disappointed though! I have put a link <span style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.sellymanormuseum.org.uk/explore-visit-us/guided-tour/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> </span>so that you can see inside.</div>
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As some Readers will know, I get very excited about old windows, doors, beams, roofs... The Manor was everything I love to capture and my camera once again became very busy with recording the beautiful old architecture. The hand blown glass reflecting its surroundings in fish eye form.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKRiHcWpS5I/WM6eyrFS6SI/AAAAAAAAiqM/kX6VO7KFALM6AtoOUbv4hn0lL3mFD8wBQCLcB/s1600/Glass%2BReflections%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKRiHcWpS5I/WM6eyrFS6SI/AAAAAAAAiqM/kX6VO7KFALM6AtoOUbv4hn0lL3mFD8wBQCLcB/s640/Glass%2BReflections%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... door furniture, rusty, decayed, exquisite!...</div>
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... herringbone brick work against the old blackened timbers and leaded light windows...</div>
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...even seed heads looked incredible with the building as a backdrop...</div>
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With spring now well and truly singing in the fading light, the Manor provides the most exquisite backdrop.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OCIJAh704U/WM6esFJjSyI/AAAAAAAAip8/R4dK8A3qmqM9xq8C_iOi0sN6nELLd8snACLcB/s1600/Daffodils%2Bat%2BSelly%2BManor%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OCIJAh704U/WM6esFJjSyI/AAAAAAAAip8/R4dK8A3qmqM9xq8C_iOi0sN6nELLd8snACLcB/s640/Daffodils%2Bat%2BSelly%2BManor%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To think that this historical building could have been raised to the ground and the beams etc used elsewhere made me very grateful to George Cadbury.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SSHfhW2bSw/WM6e7e6R1vI/AAAAAAAAiqw/gQvgLMosQZcJd_zT2E1W_sO81DwkmZP0wCLcB/s1600/Selly%2BManor%2BFront%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SSHfhW2bSw/WM6e7e6R1vI/AAAAAAAAiqw/gQvgLMosQZcJd_zT2E1W_sO81DwkmZP0wCLcB/s640/Selly%2BManor%2BFront%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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New growth surrounds each corner of the Manor, the old and new perfectly mixed, as the Manor did back in 1916 when the rebuilding was completed.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgZog6DKxJw/WM6e2is9S5I/AAAAAAAAiqY/kQ-0zzpJXs8eoBxMyD0LiGt5M5zBZb4oACLcB/s1600/New%2BGrowth%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgZog6DKxJw/WM6e2is9S5I/AAAAAAAAiqY/kQ-0zzpJXs8eoBxMyD0LiGt5M5zBZb4oACLcB/s640/New%2BGrowth%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Also in the grounds is another saved building, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minworth_Greaves" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Minworth Greaves</i></span></a>, a medieval hall building, which was saved in 1932. Again, painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt in the grounds of the Manor at Bournville, this time by Laurence Cadbury.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jh4msgCcpmY/WM6e-h30dmI/AAAAAAAAirA/Z0HZpe5jhlQ0_LTm7kKb03Onhe3p1KOjgCLcB/s1600/The%2BHall%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jh4msgCcpmY/WM6e-h30dmI/AAAAAAAAirA/Z0HZpe5jhlQ0_LTm7kKb03Onhe3p1KOjgCLcB/s640/The%2BHall%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Inside the hall with it's incredible beams and vaulted ceiling ooze history.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIps6_1aYf8/WM6e6pgQLZI/AAAAAAAAiqs/Wr-Zrp-Kb1M1IlIvJ8sAAYXETpAKQ3boQCLcB/s1600/Selly%2BManor%2BBeams%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIps6_1aYf8/WM6e6pgQLZI/AAAAAAAAiqs/Wr-Zrp-Kb1M1IlIvJ8sAAYXETpAKQ3boQCLcB/s640/Selly%2BManor%2BBeams%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Two incredible buildings, two pioneering members of the Cadbury family who saved these two gems of history.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni87EDNF6so/WM6eqnEN_hI/AAAAAAAAip0/ZvDTMEFq0N8HCLPjB0iT4XDcIghG2InUgCLcB/s1600/Chopping%2BBoard%2Bat%2BSelly%2BManor%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni87EDNF6so/WM6eqnEN_hI/AAAAAAAAip0/ZvDTMEFq0N8HCLPjB0iT4XDcIghG2InUgCLcB/s640/Chopping%2BBoard%2Bat%2BSelly%2BManor%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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One part of the garden that I felt I had to show you had to be this hedging. Henry VIII and his six wives... seven topiary creations, two without heads!!<br />
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Bournville was full of beautiful architecture, including these mock tudor row of shops by the Village Green built at the beginning of the last century.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZtSUUousF4/WM6e5aSJjiI/AAAAAAAAiqk/o9KQj6HQpQgRl4AyHMTpOg1K_BC9tQ0TgCLcB/s1600/Row%2Bof%2BShops%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZtSUUousF4/WM6e5aSJjiI/AAAAAAAAiqk/o9KQj6HQpQgRl4AyHMTpOg1K_BC9tQ0TgCLcB/s640/Row%2Bof%2BShops%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Of course the red telephone box has to make an appearance.<br />
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As promised at the beginning of this post, the Cadbury family decided to provide a decent environment for their workers, creating a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/23/george-cadbury-model-village-bournville-birmingham" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>model village</i></span></a> with a hospital, housing, large open spaces for exercise and of course, work at the factory. A scaled model can be found at the <i><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/experience/bournville-experience" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Bournville Experience</span></a> </span></i>within <a href="https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Cadbury World</span></i></a>.<br />
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And so, to Cadbury World, set just next to the factory. <br />
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Luckily the smell of chocolate was virtually non existent for this abstainer! However, freebies are given!! Along with a little pot of melted chocolate and a choice of treats to go in with this (three teaspoons of oily melted chocolate doesn't count in my book... I didn't EAT any!).</div>
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The shop however didn't escape some purchases!!</div>
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Photography isn't allowed within this place, so I haven't much to show you but one of my pet hates is to be shut into rooms while on a tour until the next part of the tour is ready...</div>
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... I'm afraid this happened along with long queues where we didn't want to go into that part of the tour or the tour itself took you on long walks of empty corridors. </div>
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Personally, if I came here again, I would go to the shop and then spend the rest of my time in the beautiful village along with admiring the distinctive purple lamp posts (be careful of the directional signs in the village though, they get turned by mischievous fingers!).</div>
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So I survived my demons! Before my New Year's Resolution I would have probably bought up the shop and complained about the lack of melted chocolate in the free pot at the end. I'm proud of myself!</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com12Bournville, Birmingham B30, UK52.4244044 -1.93389739999997852.4146694 -1.9541533999999781 52.4341394 -1.913641399999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-40326569697935557812017-03-14T21:06:00.000+00:002017-03-14T21:06:33.442+00:00Tales of Kent (Part 4 - St Margaret's Bay)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was the 1 March, and the first day of Spring. Steely grey skies above us, the wind forcing the tide high onto the shore with the salty water resting on our faces as the waves crashed nearby. <a href="http://www.stmargaretspc.co.uk/history/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>St Margaret's Bay</i></span></a> in Kent faces France in the distance but today there was no tempting glimpse of its shores, but in a way, I didn't want anything to interrupt my love for this place.<br />
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St Margaret's Bay first appeared in the <i><a href="http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Domesday Book</span></a></i> and much later became retreats for <a href="http://www.ianfleming.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Ian Fleming</i></span></a> (he of <a href="http://www.007.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>James Bond</i></span></a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitty_Chitty_Bang_Bang" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Chitty Chitty Bang Bang</span></i></a> fame), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Ustinov" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Peter Ustinov</i></span></a> (one of my favourite actors) and <a href="http://www.noelcoward.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Noel Coward</span></i></a> (the famous, flamboyant playwright) along with many others. I can perfectly understand their reasoning as the environment was incredibly inspirational.<br />
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The white cliffs, even though grey today, the beach, the sound of the crashing waves. A place to lose yourself, to just walk and think, quiet in human form, noisy in nature.<br />
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To walk alongside the beach with the hiss of the water against the pebbles was satisfying beyond imagination. Re-living the places that I had seen in Kent. Kent, the place that my Great Grandparents retreated to themselves, my mum and my Uncle spending their summer holidays in the area. I can understand why they love to reminisce about this beautiful county.<br />
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Next time I visit this Bay I hope to capture its beauty in the sunshine, its romance in calmer waters and a tempting view of another country in the distance. A walk along the cliffs to capture its majestic outline from above.</div>
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A truly inspirational place, perfect with friends of similar minds and outlook. A brief visit, but enough to capture my heart completely.<br />
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Kent, I will be back to visit soon, VERY soon!<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com8St Margaret's at Cliffe, Dover CT15, UK51.1536 1.371399999999994225.4985285 -40.112975000000006 76.8086715 42.855774999999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-90612586250872572512017-03-11T18:42:00.001+00:002017-03-11T18:42:30.202+00:00Tales of Kent (Part 3 - Dover Castle)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There are some places that I visit where I wonder why on earth I have never been before. <a href="http://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/dover-castle/9149" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Dover Castle</span></a> is one of them. If you are ever in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Kent</span></a> you MUST visit this place but make sure you have a whole day spare to go around at your leisure, take advantage of the tours and thoroughly enjoy every step you take! The weather was grey but I love this as it makes the experience more atmospheric, the company was colourful, intelligent and inspirational, so are you ready to follow in our steps? Let's start our journey with showing you just how thick a castle's walls should be! In some places they are 21ft thick (6.5m), a fortress indeed.<br />
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This place has it all, centuries of history, with each room a history lover's treasure chest and walking within a fortress that was originally built as a <a href="http://www.lordsandladies.org/motte-and-bailey-castle.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Motte and Bailey</span></a> Castle. The Motte was a man made hill which the castle would sit on as the final fighting area. The Bailey was the area that was occupied by people and animals in peacetime. Dover's Motte and Bailey castle was built in eight days with around 500 men working on this and a wooden 'castle' built at the top with removable ladders for defence. From 1180 - 89 <a href="http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Henry II</span></a> wanted the Castle rebuilt and it was continued to be built during <a href="http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_3.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">King John's</span></a> reign and completed during <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_4.htm" target="_blank">Henry III's</a> </span>reign c. 1217. From the shot I took below, you will see just one of the many rings of defence that surrounded part of these magnificent buildings.<br />
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Looking through Coltons Gateway, a Saxon work first, and the <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/things-to-see-and-do/mighty-great-tower/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Great Tower</span></a> beckons you in to explore its walls. Can you imagine the centuries of people walking under this arch?<br />
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Once through the gateway, the Tower stands, foreboding, oozing history and willing you to explore. <br />
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King Henry II, who was father to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I_of_England" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Richard the Lionheart</span></a> and the tyrant that was King John, would entertain his court here, showing off his wealth and power. I loved the burst of colour in these rooms which the historians have kept true to the time.<br />
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The kitchen, certainly the heart of the Tower, would have been alive with servants constantly running to and fro with chargers full of the food of that time and plenty of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mead" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">mead</span></a> I daresay!<br />
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All running to keep the man who was waiting here, happy!<br />
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In one little side room I was intrigued by the simplicity of it and the rope that hung over a step. Sitting on the step and looking down, I realised that this was a very deep well, one that actually had mist rising from the bottom! A penny was dropped in and the chinking of it hitting the sides went on and on and on. It turns out that this well was built by 12th century builders into the chalk and sunk over 122m deep. It is as deep as Salisbury Cathedral's spire is high and may have been envisaged as being used as a refuge if the Castle fell.</div>
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We continued upwards through side rooms, worn stairways that had been trodden down over the centuries (a favourite thing of mine when visiting older properties), and eventually reached the turrets. Windy, chilly, grey, but still a wonderful view...<br />
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As well as high above, you can travel back in time down below too. One tour we took was to see the tunnels which were originally burrowed and finished in 1803 with around 2000 officers and troops using them as barracks for a Napoleonic invasion. This never happened but they were used again for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_evacuation" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Operation Dynamo</span></a> (unfortunately photos are not allowed here), if you visit the Castle, this is a must see. <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/things-to-do/#Section3" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">This tour</span></a> took you to the tunnels that were reused to plan Dunkirk and the final leg of the tour takes you to a tunnel where the evacuation of the troops is displayed on the walls, reflected planes flying over you and showing the explosions to the left and right of you. Very well done and as my Grandpa was one of the fortunate troops who managed to escape this, very humbling to see what he went through.<br />
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As well as this tunnel, there are the medieval tunnels which were burrowed under the Castle during the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barons'_War" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Siege in 1216</span></a>. You descend around 26m as you go into the tunnels, and the atmosphere is incredible!<br />
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You come out to see Cannon pointing out to defend the castle. An avenue of them, and you can imagine the energy of those ready to defend the castle.<br />
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Once outside, we came across this church and Roman lighthouse. The lighthouse is the oldest still standing in England. It was used to guide the Romans to England from France with fires burnt from the top. Another stood at the other side of the port so that the ships could navigate their way through. Amazing that after all these centuries it still stands and now has a neighbour in the Anglo Saxon Church of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_in_Castro,_Dover" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">St Mary in Castro</span></a>.<br />
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Inside the lighthouse the only activity now was the chatter and cry of seabirds, but to look up at this incredible history, breathtaking!<br />
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The Church has had many makeovers over the years, the last being <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Butterfield" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">William Butterfield</span></a>. But, I'm sorry to say, the tiles on the wall did feel a bit public toilet, you know the ones that used to be underground?! </div>
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Once again, the stained glass, as in Canterbury Cathedral, was stunning.<br />
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And so there you have it, Dover Castle, another one that I will definitely be back on a sunny day to admire more of its beauty.<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com8Castle Hill Rd, Dover CT16 1HU, UK51.128771 1.323391000000015125.473699500000002 -40.160983999999985 76.783842499999992 42.807766000000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-4311958445032765582017-03-09T11:59:00.001+00:002017-03-09T11:59:29.107+00:00Tales of Kent (Part 2 - The Black Prince)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Thank you for your comments and emails last week on Part 1 of my Canterbury Tales! So, we are now at Part 2. One of the things that I really wanted to see while at Canterbury Cathedral was <a href="http://www.history.ac.uk/richardII/black_prince.html" target="_blank">The Black Prince's tomb</a>. Its bronze cast of chain mail, helmet and gauntlets beautifully designed pulled me to it, you can imagine my excitement of standing right next to this and at last seeing this for myself.</div>
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The Black Prince aka, <a href="http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/black_prince.htm" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red;">Edward, Prince of Wales</span></em></a> (Edward of Woodstock, Earl of Chester and Duke of Cornwall - the first English Duke) was born in 1330 and the oldest son of <a href="http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_7.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><em>Edward III</em></span></a> and <a href="http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_35.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Philippa of Hainault</span></a> (an outstanding woman!). He never made it to the throne but was remembered as a great warrior and if the records are true, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Wales%27s_feathers" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red;">Prince of Wales feathers</span></em></a> were acquired after the Prince discovered the body of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Bohemia" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><em>King John I of Bohemia</em></span></a> after battle. He took his helmet which was lined with ostrich feathers and also took the King John's motto 'Ich dien' (I serve). The ostrich feathers and motto have been continued by each <em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Wales" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Prince of Wales</span></a></em> since that time.<br />
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Edward continued his numerous campaigns and in 1367 was victorious at the <a href="http://www.medievaltimes.info/medieval-battles/battle-of-najera-1367/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><em>Battle of Najera</em></span></a> in Northern Castile and declared the deposed <a href="http://www.nndb.com/people/583/000095298/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><em>King Pedro of Castile</em></span></a> as once again in power. Pedro, in thanks and gratitude gave him a huge ruby which today adorns the <a href="https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/31701/the-imperial-state-crown" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red;">Imperial State Crown</span></em></a>. Unfortunately for Edward, due to the Spanish summer, he began to show a fatal disease which is possibly amoebic dysentery although there are other theories of the type of disease he may have caught.<br />
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He returned to England when he realised that he was dying and at 45 he passed away at Westminster. He wanted to be buried in the crypt at Canterbury Cathedral but this was overruled and instead he was buried by the shrine of Thomas Becket.<br />
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It would seem that the name "Black Prince" was never used during his lifetime and probably took hold either by his black shield, his black armour or his reputation which was more than likely brutal. Above his tomb are replicas of his achievements and nearby, shortly, the actual garments, shield etc will be reinstated after being on loan in London.<br />
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Unfortunately, light for my camera was against me, so not that many photos of his tomb, but I will be back to look once again at this beautiful area of the Cathedral.<br />
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Now sifting through my Dover Castle captures, so until next time dear Readers!<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com5Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH, UK51.2797971 1.082799799999975225.757762600000003 -40.225794200000024 76.8018316 42.391393799999975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-75024142035725269232017-03-03T21:35:00.001+00:002017-03-04T18:55:40.994+00:00Tales of Kent (Part 1 - Canterbury Cathedral)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sometimes it's really difficult to start off a post. The words are flowing in your head but actually to begin writing them down takes real time and effort. So, let's just say I have had the most amazing and brain filling two days, absolutely full of historical structures, amazing scenery and excellent intelligent company. A memory maker indeed. Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting about my visit to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Kent</span></i></a> and even though my camera decided to die on me for some strange reason (now working normally again!), there will be four posts to cover my brief time there. The time I spent in <i><a href="http://www.visitkent.co.uk/destinations/canterbury-herne-bay-and-whitstable/6466" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Canterbury</span></a></i> and surrounding areas has fuelled my love of history even more and this beautiful county has captured my heart and what truly makes me happy and inspired. So, are you ready to visit yet another Cathedral? Grab yourself a hearty cup of tea and a <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobnob_biscuit" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">chocolate hob nob</span></a></i>, and I'll begin.</div>
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Now, I know many of you who have been reading me for a while will go "not again! ... more scaffolding!". Well, yes, there it was, the steel outer shell being carefully constructed as another Cathedral has its necessary <a href="https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/heritage/the-canterbury-journey/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>repairs</i></span></a> to ensure that it lasts for more centuries. I envy those who will be able to go up there and see things that not all of us can see from the ground, so after climbing the scaffolding at <a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Peterborough Cathedral</span></i></a>, I know what delights await those who will be lucky enough to see the Cathedral up close and personal, disappearing behind turrets to look at stonework not seen for centuries.</div>
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Canterbury Cathedral is the Mother Church of the <a href="http://www.anglicancommunion.org/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Anglican Communion</span></i></a>, the seat of the <i><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Archbishop of Canterbury</span></a> </span></i>and has been a place of worship for more than 1,400 years!</div>
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Until the 10th century the people who lived in and around this building would have been the household of the Archbishop but after this it became a community of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Saint_Benedict" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Benedictine monks</span></i></a> until the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_Monasteries" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Dissolution of the Monasteries</span></i></a> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_of_England" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>King Henry VIII</i></span></a> in 1540. The original building of St Augustine (the first Archbishop of Canterbury) lies beneath the floor of the nave. Inside the Cathedral it is vast, the carvings exquisite, the Cathedral's structure awe inspiring and the guides are a real asset to this Cathedral, their knowledge and friendliness really made the visit welcoming (<i>it may be worth the canons noting this before being rude to them in front of the general public!... a little complaint here!).</i></div>
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I really wanted to see where <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/becket_thomas.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Thomas Becket</i></span></a>'s shrine was and it didn't disappoint. Simplicity is sometimes key, and with the discovery of his shirt being infected by lice after his death, it would make you believe that he was a humble man but it is written that he lived in a more luxurious manner than<a href="http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet.htm" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;"><i>King Henry II</i></span></a> before he became Archbishop. He then experienced a religious conversion and would wear a sackcloth shirt which reached his knees. The King made Thomas the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 and he remained so for eight years. The reasoning for this was so that the King could control him more but this didn't work, so a passing comment of "Is there no one who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" fell on the ears of four knights, <a href="http://www.barham-kent.org.uk/history_sir_reginald_fitzurse.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Reginald Fitzurse</span></i></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_de_Morville,_Lord_of_Westmorland" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Hugh de Moreville</span></i></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_de_Tracy" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>William de Tracy</i></span></a> and<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_le_Breton" target="_blank"> <i><span style="color: red;">Richard le Breton</span></i></a><i><span style="color: red;">,</span></i> and the rest as they say is history!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Beckett was murdered at the entry of the Quire at the Cathedral in 1170 by the four knights and a clerk. It was a brutal murder with Thomas remaining strong to his faith until the last fourth blow, the clerk not inflicting a fifth blow but scattering Thomas' brain and blood on the pavement to say that he will rise no more.</span></div>
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In 1220, his remains were moved from his first tomb to a shrine in the <a href="https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/whats-on/news/attraction/trinity-chapel/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Trinity Chapel</i></span></a>. His tomb which became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in England, was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries from 1538-1541 and now the pavement where the shrine stood is now marked today with a lighted candle, which to me was more respectful than the ornate carvings of most.</div>
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Another amazing feature of this beautiful building is the stained glass. Some pieces take your breath away with the richness and brightness of colour. There are over 1,200 square metres of stained glass in the Cathedral with an estimated cost of £3m for urgent attention.</div>
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The Cathedral charges for your visit £12 per person, but ask if you can make your ticket an annual pass which costs no extra and allows you to visit as many times as you want over a twelve month period.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SC_0KtX3tRw/WLnZg_EGKXI/AAAAAAAAiVI/a1UfMCx5oNccZewXjdrRD3N5f0kTfyfegCEw/s1600/Canterbury%2BCathedral%2Bby%2BNight%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SC_0KtX3tRw/WLnZg_EGKXI/AAAAAAAAiVI/a1UfMCx5oNccZewXjdrRD3N5f0kTfyfegCEw/s640/Canterbury%2BCathedral%2Bby%2BNight%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, that's the Cathedral as a whole and next time I'll show the Black Prince, then Dover Castle and then a beautiful atmospheric place, especially with the wind blowing up a storm, called St Margaret's Bay.</div>
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Until next time!</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com13Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH, UK51.2797971 1.082799799999975225.624725600000005 -40.401575200000025 76.9348686 42.567174799999975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-30751955513407301202017-02-18T16:19:00.000+00:002017-02-18T16:19:13.411+00:00The Love of the Tudors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sometimes information jumps out of a page and makes your heart skip. Information that you never thought would come out of a regular document and hit a note with you. As regular readers know, I love capturing history, being close and personal to buildings with incredible architecture, and standing near last resting places of people whose historical lives are well read and inspiring. As I read a document at work, the words of "the final resting place of Oliver Cromwell's wife, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cromwell" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Elizabeth</span></i></a>, are buried here" jumped out at me and I knew I had to arrange to see this. It took a while for me to continue reading the remaining pages. So, are you ready for a history lesson and some visual proof of where she lays? ... and an incredible look at where a certain Queen lost her head towards the end of this post? Well, let me take you by the hand and let's start our journey through history...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4EcCK8CpPc/WKgpmt4RlPI/AAAAAAAAiLo/2py87xSLphE4bz0UjG0uwGfDu-7SDnW3gCLcB/s1600/Elizabeth%2BCromwell%2BPlaque%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4EcCK8CpPc/WKgpmt4RlPI/AAAAAAAAiLo/2py87xSLphE4bz0UjG0uwGfDu-7SDnW3gCLcB/s640/Elizabeth%2BCromwell%2BPlaque%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.olivercromwell.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Oliver Cromwell</span></a></i>, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Protector" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Lord Protector</span></a></i>, used to visit his daughter Elizabeth and son in law, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Claypole_of_Northborough" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">John Claypole</span></a></i>, at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northborough_Manor_House" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Northborough Manor</span></i></a> for his Christmas. After Oliver's death in 1659, John Claypole provided shelter for his mother in Law, also named Elizabeth, until she died in 1665. She was buried at St Andrews Church in <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northborough,_Cambridgeshire" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Northborough,</span></a></i> which is just across the road to the Manor <i>(currently for sale and if you have £1.5 million to spare, the link to this amazing Manor is <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63115580.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>). </i><a href="https://www.achurchnearyou.com/northborough-st-andrew/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">St Andrew's Church</span></i> </a>was originally erected at the end of the 12 century and measured around 22 feet square with a lofty double bell-cote which is one of the only three surviving local churches with this feature (others at<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.peakirkvillage.co.uk/new/?q=node/15" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Peakirk</span></i></a> </span>and <a href="http://www.werringtonparish.org.uk/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Werrington</span></i></a>). The original Norman West Wall can be seen both inside and outside the building and the church has had additions throughout the centuries with the South Porch added in Tudor times and the two bells, the treble bell dated 1611 and the tenor bell c. 1360.</div>
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Once inside, we were taken to Elizabeth's stone that marks her tomb, which is in the centre of the floor of the Chantry. Its words worn away over time but a feast to our eyes that a few letters were still visible such as the two 'l's' for I presume 'Cromwell'.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oa0T6FqCfE/WKgwQ1DUmtI/AAAAAAAAiME/u-sgDLugR0cCJj9WYMitDHXdwAnzxB3_gCLcB/s1600/Elizabeth%2BCromwell%2527s%2BTomb%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oa0T6FqCfE/WKgwQ1DUmtI/AAAAAAAAiME/u-sgDLugR0cCJj9WYMitDHXdwAnzxB3_gCLcB/s640/Elizabeth%2BCromwell%2527s%2BTomb%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Her slab is set into the walkway, and obviously so many people over the years have walked over her not realising her importance to such a notable man of British history. However, this is what I love about the tactile side of history and rediscovering things that are just the ordinary to others.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhKPx0U3keQ/WKgyBR8MbKI/AAAAAAAAiMQ/1F1aJtOkjCUiUkpfVRo1HC96ozsUGGNdwCLcB/s1600/Elizabeth%2BCromwell%2527s%2BSlab%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhKPx0U3keQ/WKgyBR8MbKI/AAAAAAAAiMQ/1F1aJtOkjCUiUkpfVRo1HC96ozsUGGNdwCLcB/s640/Elizabeth%2BCromwell%2527s%2BSlab%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Above the plaque to Elizabeth Cromwell are two wall Canopies of Caen stone with pedestals beneath which may have been for statues. The Canopies were used as a design for the Choir Stalls in Peterborough Cathedral.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHqPNOs6Izg/WKg7AVA06iI/AAAAAAAAiMg/oG6Bl4_bid0ROGBcIqlzGbGD56VdgIYoACLcB/s1600/Northborough%2BCanopies%2Bof%2BCaen%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHqPNOs6Izg/WKg7AVA06iI/AAAAAAAAiMg/oG6Bl4_bid0ROGBcIqlzGbGD56VdgIYoACLcB/s640/Northborough%2BCanopies%2Bof%2BCaen%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhphqF3Pgz8/WKg79Y6EteI/AAAAAAAAiMo/EfYXr4X3c_gXhFV3OgGNqaJdMxPFZyHGwCLcB/s1600/Peterborough%2BCathedral%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peterborough Cathedral Choir Stalls @ Sweetbriar Dreams" border="0" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhphqF3Pgz8/WKg79Y6EteI/AAAAAAAAiMo/EfYXr4X3c_gXhFV3OgGNqaJdMxPFZyHGwCLcB/s640/Peterborough%2BCathedral%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="The Peterborough Cathedral Choir Stalls - Sweetbriar Dreams" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also within the Chantry against the wall is the tomb of Martha Claypole, the grandaughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Cromwell <i>(interesting document on the Claypoles <a href="http://www.northamptonshirerecordsociety.org.uk/eNpp/NppNo4_c.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>)</i>. The church has monuments to the Claypole family who were passed the Manor of Northborough through James Claypole (Cleypole) who bought this for the sum of £500. The estate was passed down the line of the family through the years and eventually most of the family emigrated to America and many Claypool or Claypoole's living in America today are descended from James Claypole. Cornelius and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Claypoole_Vanderbilt" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Reginald Vanderbilt</span></i></a> were descendants of Alice Claypoole and Reginald married Gloria Morgan and their daughter was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Vanderbilt" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Gloria Vanderbilt</span></i></a>.</div>
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One of the churchwardens that were kindly giving us this tour was also the organist, so we were treated to admiring the rare organ that was built by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Avery_(organ_builder)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">John Avery</span></i></a> in 1783. 1783!! This was obtained for the Church from <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/apethorpe-palace/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">Apethorpe Hall</span></i></a> which is in the vicinity.</div>
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Looking up (as I do) the wood above us, so old, so telling, the heads that it has protected over the centuries.</div>
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A beautiful and friendly church with two churchwardens who were incredibly knowledgeable and patient with us and our thirst for history.</div>
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Outside and more history lover treasures... the gravestones of some of the family of the poet <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/apethorpe-palace/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">John Clare</span></i>.</a> Clare was a troubled poet who eventually died in an asylum. He was born in nearby Helpston and his wife, Martha (Patty), is buried here, who died accidentally in a house fire.</div>
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AND NOW... after lunch in Stamford at the London Inn (very apt for me!), a nice surprise of a drive to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fotheringhay" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Fotheringhay</i></span></a>... the place where <a href="http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/maryqueenofscots.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>Mary Queen of Scots</i></span></a> was beheaded!!</div>
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It would be very easy to miss, and we did at first, but if you ever go to the village, as you approach the bridge over the river, look to your right and you will see a mound. Park up in the village and then it will be a little walk to this site that was Fotheringhay Castle.</div>
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Only this mound remains of the castle grounds along with the earthworks and some protected masonry which is a monument to the execution of Mary. More information is written <a href="http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/maryqueenofscots.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>here</i></span></a> which is fascinating. Stone from the Castle was used to build<i><span style="color: red;"> <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.thetalbot-oundle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Talbot-Hotel-History.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Talbot Inn in Oundle</span></a>.</span></span></i></div>
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I always find it heartwarming when a monument still has people leaving flowers and this place, desolate, peaceful next to the River Nene was incredibly atmospheric.</div>
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This masonry, marking a specific spot, somewhere that history lovers read about, a significant moment in history. Mind blowing, incredible, tactile. A quiet atmospheric place. The extraordinary in the ordinary.</div>
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The memorial showing just how deep the walls were to this Castle/Prison.</div>
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Imagining her last moments before she gave her life.</div>
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This beautiful, tranquil place, the River Nene lapping against the bridge...</div>
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Fotheringhay Church beginning to reflect the impending sunset...</div>
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The landscape so calming and incredible.</div>
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A beautiful and inspiring place and one that was just perfect to watch the sunset take place before our eyes and reflect on the day and the history we had seen and experienced.</div>
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A wonderful, wonderful day, and gone far too quickly!!</div>
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I hope that you have enjoyed this history lesson as much as I did capturing the moments and writing them for you.</div>
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Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead dear Readers.</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com20Fotheringhay, Peterborough PE8 5JF, UK52.526409 -0.4375250000000505727.0043745 -41.74611900000005 78.0484435 40.871068999999949tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-64916258470162678742017-02-11T20:29:00.001+00:002017-02-12T08:48:42.227+00:00Night Time at the Cathedral<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Now, before I start this post properly, I need to say "don't shoot the messenger". This post is about an event held at<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/history.aspx" target="_blank"> <i><span style="color: red;">Peterborough Cathedral</span></i></a> </span>and after posting a couple of my shots on social media there were a couple of negative comments because the Cathedral hosted an event that was show casing cars. I can understand if some find this a bit uncomfortable, however how I saw this was that the Cathedral was absolutely full of different faiths, ages, races etc all in awe of their surroundings. The Cathedral was alive! And, as a personal opinion, it was a wonderful sight to see. So, please view this post through my eyes... someone who loves to see history up close and personal, not in books, someone who loves meeting people from all walks of life and enjoying their story, someone who will capture positivity and life that makes her smile. So, to stop any debate on a negative front, I have decided not to have comments this week, my blog is a positive one, one about my photography and not one to bring my readers down. A bit radical I know, but there is enough negativity in this world and I personally don't like to read about it. So, if you are still with me, come along with me and let me take you by the hand to an event in Peterborough Cathedral, an event that was presented so well and very well attended...<br />
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My goal was to be on one of the Tower Tours, to climb the centuries old circular stairs while the events took place below me. Mr Teen was going to drool over the cars which were currently shrouded, just giving a tempting glimpse of what was underneath.<br />
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It was heartwarming to see so many people descend on the Cathedral and to hear it filled with life.<br />
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The exquisite<span style="color: red;"> <i><a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/home/musichome/worship-and-music/choir.aspx" target="_blank">choir</a></i> </span>in their red robes getting ready for the main event. I can't tell you how beautiful it was to hear them from above.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/newsarticle.aspx/41/tower-tour" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Tower Tour</span></a> </span></i>is not for the lighthearted, it is a climb, it is very narrow in places and some negotiating will need to be conquered. If you are tall it may feel as though you are in Alice in Wonderland with the small doorways and unforgiving stone archways where you may bang your head (I'm 5' 2 .5" and I did!!), but the view from the top is breathtaking!<br />
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Let's make a start up some stairs (around 156 altogether) and look at this magnificent building from above. The centuries of different footwear treading these stairs as they circled around and around, feeling as though they are never ending. Common sense not Health and Safety overkill reigns while treading in the steps of our forefathers.<br />
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Halfway up and a little breather, I took full advantage of looking at the event from up high at the triforium and wasn't disappointed with the nave full and the choir in full song.<br />
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While going around the different levels, you come across various beautiful pieces of history, such as some huge templates for the different piers...<br />
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The views below are stunning, simply stunning! The architecture is awe inspiring. Almost 900 years of tactile history.<br />
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More stairs, hand rails helping, difficult negotiations and then onto the Crossing Tower! Are you ready for a test of heights?... the shrouds ready to be removed for the reveal of the new BMW 5 Series and Mini Countryman...<br />
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But, the reason I was here was the view that you get from this level. The Crossing Tower along with its beautiful ceiling was built in the 14th Century and then again by the Victorians.<br />
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In 1643 the Cathedral suffered as part of the Civil War and in 1883 restoration work began with the High Altar and mosaic floor being added.<br />
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And then, some more stairs, a small door... the main reason I came on the tour this evening... the top of the Cathedral, outside! Peterborough in the evening!! Stunning!!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krczB2uyDJc/WJ8aFKaBmTI/AAAAAAAAiDY/ol6F5dp5Wc8yjS86ZzVKRoFTA6mWZo3CQCLcB/s1600/Peterborough%2BCathedral%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BTower%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krczB2uyDJc/WJ8aFKaBmTI/AAAAAAAAiDY/ol6F5dp5Wc8yjS86ZzVKRoFTA6mWZo3CQCLcB/s640/Peterborough%2BCathedral%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BTower%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I stood here for longer than I should really but I wanted to see this, to experience the beauty of this centuries old building knowing that I had walked around those turrets at the front (post <a href="http://sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/what-did-i-do-at-work-this-week-i.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">here</span></i></a> and <a href="http://sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/i-climbed-cathedral-again.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">here</span></i></a>). Sharing the moment with those who would really appreciate it.<br />
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Below us, the Cathedral was buzzing, cameras were busy and, amazingly, today two of my photos were used in The Times as part of a report on the Cathedral and the bold decision to host this event (the link is <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/god-and-mammon-collide-in-cathedral-2wcr73tg2" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">here</span></i></a>)! A very happy blogger!<br />
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The Tower Tour is £10. Money very well spent!<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF3pHWHVMXqEEWBbMuN5VN8dcXwtzu-VHHY96jbnTFawXjIeaSXPKG_jV4c9XWGS0mpWe3dG04MygBL3YjbZUe43C-oytZbJJYBag6C3HzdyYMAO89YK23hJPNtTsyJgIu78yG5WZsHk/s1600/signature.png" /></div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com0Peterborough PE1 1XS, UK52.5724835 -0.2392101000000366227.050448999999997 -41.547804100000036 78.094518 41.069383899999963tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-72607699977396593212017-02-04T21:15:00.001+00:002017-02-04T21:15:53.280+00:00The Flirtation of Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As I type this post, the sun is streaming in, something that I haven't seen for days! The sap has been rising, the birds are starting their dawn chorus again and the morning's light greets me a little earlier. Spring is making an appearance after a very dark and damp winter however, winter's bony fingers still clutch for a little longer making me impatient for that magical turn of the month.</div>
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The camera has been quiet again this week with the greyness of the season which is never a good thing to capture. How I wish there could be two doses of Autumn rather than the plain and emptiness of the last throes of Winter.</div>
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Winter's veil is slowly rising, the mist gradually revealing the light brown sap in the established trees branches. The wildlife opening one eye very gingerly, then pressing the snooze button for a little longer.<br />
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Spring is deliciously close, flirting with me and less than a handful of weeks away. The camera card will need to be emptied and a new season to capture with new places and experiences to explore!<br />
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If you are in the Peterborough area next week, the Cathedral have an event that you may be interested in (the link is <a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/143/section.aspx/142/bmw" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>here</i></span></a>). This is the launch of the latest BMW 5 Series and the new Mini Countryman. For car lovers this will be a fantastic event with the portico doors being opened earlier in the day for the cars to drive into the Cathedral. There will also be a rooftop tour if you have a head for heights!! One for my camera I feel!<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend.<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-41648757762302131242017-01-29T20:15:00.001+00:002017-01-29T20:15:43.550+00:00An Audience with Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been quite a while since I last blogged about the wonders of <i><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Peterborough Cathedral</span></a>,</span></i> and I apologise. This weekend marks an important date in the Cathedral's diary, the date of Henry VIII's first wife's burial. Katherine of Aragon was <a href="http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/29-january-1536-the-burial-of-catherine-of-aragon/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: red;">buried on the 29 January 1536</span></i></a> and the Cathedral celebrates this with various activities and events. With the new <i><a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/home/visitor-centre.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Visitor Centre</span></a></i> now open, part of this Festival was to attend an audience with the Royal couple. So, hold on to you heads, let's be careful how we tread around him, grab your flask of ale and let's go on a historical tour of this beautiful place.</div>
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If you visit Peterborough Cathedral, I would suggest that you visit the Visitor and Learning Centre first. As you go through the Norman Arch from Cathedral Square and the magnificent Cathedral is set in front of you, walk towards it and you will see the Centre to your right. Entrance is free, however with the amount of history you are about to see, don't forget a donation on your way out!</div>
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The reason I suggest to see this new gem on the Cathedral grounds, is because it sets you up to understand the history of the Cathedral, along with the story of<i><a href="http://tudorhistory.org/aragon/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">Catherine of Aragon</span></a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/story.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Mary Queen of Scots</span></a></i>, and the timeline of this area of Peterborough. One amazing document behind one of the panels of glass is this, the original<i><span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/home/visitor-centre.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">letter</span></a></span></i><span style="color: red;"> </span>from King James I requesting that his mother, Mary of Queen of Scots, be exhumed so that he could bury her at Westminster Abbey. I can only make out certain words, but there it is, a historical document that blows my mind!</div>
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As a result of this letter, his mother was exhumed and the grave in the Cathedral now lays empty.</div>
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Do you see now why I say to visit the Visitor Centre first? </div>
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We were here for Katherine of Aragon though and one of the rooms in the Centre has a reproduction of a dress that she would have worn, handstitched in the same way that would have been created back in her day. The room was plain, but excellently presented, the walls adorned with information on her life timeline, all surrounding the dress with its intricate detail.</div>
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Catherine of Aragon's grave lays proudly below her standard. She was after all, Queen of England. Her grave is usually adorned with one or two pomegranates which are depicted on her coat of arms, however, with the significance of this anniversary, candles were lit, many pomegranates and flowers had adorned her tomb stone. Unlike Mary, Katherine is still here, below this marble slab which was placed over her grave in 1895 after donations were made to reinstate this (the original destroyed and by Oliver Cromwell's men and used in the Dean's summerhouse!).</div>
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Either side of the tomb were placed candles depicting the pomegranate, her heraldic symbol.<br />
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However, we had come for the main event, the Audience with King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon which was set in the Knights Chamber, built around 1220 and a place where the Knights Templar used to meet. Once again the pomegranates were on show.<br />
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The audience was informative and the Q&A was incredibly interesting, varying from the shapes of the bonnets, the amount of clothes they wore from one outfit, how they whitened their shirts with urine and the lack of bathtimes they had! The three of them, Henry VIII, Katharine of Aragon and the Lady in Waiting were asked questions and without a bat of an eyelid they gave the most interesting and detailed answers. A really fantastic half an hour finishing off with a chance to photograph the pair of them.<br />
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Once finished here we headed down the stairs and across to the Cathedral, almost 900 years old!<br />
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This building is a kaleidoscope of wonders. So enough of the commentary, the shots I took hopefully will give you their own story...<br />
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I leave you with a shot I took that made me smile! The choir stalls, Old Scarlett's painting on the wall (the gravedigger who buried three Queens, Catherine of Aragon, Mary Queen of Scots and ... his wife!, and then can you make out the monks?!! <br />
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If you are in the Peterborough area please take some time to visit this amazing place, oozing history from every piece of stone and, if you don't mind heights, book a place on a tower tour, you won't be disappointed!<br />
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Have a wonderful week ahead.<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com13Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew, United Kingdom52.572520399999988 -0.2395347000000356352.571313899999986 -0.24205620000003564 52.57372689999999 -0.23701320000003562tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-83207196853311868032017-01-21T21:47:00.000+00:002017-01-21T21:47:00.652+00:00Waiting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As much as I absolutely adore the Autumn and Winter, during the last days of January I begin to long for a change in season. The days slowly start to lengthen again which means more of an opportunity to finish work and capture sunsets once more, my favourite part of the day.</div>
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Old Man Winter still has a little bit of time with us and no doubt he will be pinching our fingers, noses and toes on occasion, but Mother Nature has started to show her colours and orchestrates the slow bird song in the mornings.</div>
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With the busy week I have just had at work and the damp cold days, my camera has not been out with me unfortunately, hence the very short post this week. Instead I have been planning some of my trips for the year as I do. So where shall we go on our journeys this year?...</div>
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No doubt there will be other places to add to my list as the year grows older, but for now, the planning is in full swing and keeping me busy for the last month of <a href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/how-weather-works/seasons/winter/when-does-winter-start" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i>official winter.</i></span></a> Spring is knocking on the door and I am embracing that light on the horizon. I'm hoping me and my camera will be out and about once more next week, weather permitting!</div>
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Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-81314532657635997682017-01-14T22:21:00.001+00:002017-01-15T14:13:54.521+00:00So, What's Your Favourite Museum?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am one of those people who just loves a good museum. The anticipation of going into one for the first time and exploring all they have to offer. My favourite by far will be no surprise to you, the <a href="https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Museum of London</span></a> and I try to visit each time I am in the area, if only to see a couple of the exhibitions. So, do you want a glimpse of my favourite museum? Grab yourself a custard cream (or maybe the packet, it's a long post!) and a delicious cup of rosie lea and let's go and see this little corner of London... </div>
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Just a hop, skip and jump from St Paul's Cathedral and you come across this little gem...</div>
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Full of history and beautifully presented, so let's start with the wall... <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Wall" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">London Wall.</span></a>..</div>
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This is a very small part of the remains of the original Roman London wall built between the 2nd and 3rd century, a defense built to protect Londonium. It blows my mind how old this wall is, and the hands that built this never knowing that their craft would still be standing today. The Museum can be found down the road called 'London Wall' and this shot was taken from the glazed viewpoint within the Museum.</div>
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With the London Museum you need a day to visit, unless you want to just concentrate on one era of this magnificent city's history. There is so much to see and read, including entering a room containing the Lord Mayor's Coach. The opulence of this exquisite coach and the six horses (fake when on exhibition) that pull the coach through the crowds each year is certainly a feast for the eyes (even though a little bit over the top!). The Museum have special doors that allow them to remove the coach when needed or if the Museum caught fire, without going through the building itself. <br />
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Now, if you follow the Museum all the way around, you will start with the very earliest history of Londinium right through to the present day. Your visit to me today will just have some snippets so I have included just a finger nail of incredible history that this time capsule of a building contains.<br />
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100 - 50BC... yes, that's right! <a href="http://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/1949_BNJ_26_17.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Sunbury Hoard</span></a>. The largest find of high tin bronze coins ever found and made, they think, in north Kent. This kind of exhibit has me looking for far too long. The hands that have touched these, the things they have bought. Mind blowing, and to be found while building a new housing estate in 1950, so incredibly lucky.<br />
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Do you want earlier history? How about 3640 - 3100BC? This is the <a href="http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art360727" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Shepperton Woman</span></a>...<br />
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... and with a little reconstruction...<br />
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The exhibit on the Romans is vast and incredibly interesting to see rooms set out as they were. It's as though you are walking in their shoes, and surrounded by so many items.<br />
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Thank goodness for the progression on grooming through the centuries. Modern day soft make up brushes, hair curling tongs and straighteners! A whole different affair back in Roman times!<br />
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Now, what is your vision of <a href="https://www.stpauls.co.uk/history-collections/history" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">St Paul's Cathedral</span></a>? I'm guessing you are thinking of the dome. Well, this is the previous version...<br />
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Not a dome in sight. Four Cathedrals have stood at Ludgate Hill for 1,400 years and this particular building was completed in the 1320's with a spire of 400 feet high. This beautiful piece of gothic architecture was destroyed during the <a href="https://www.stpauls.co.uk/history-collections/history/cathedral-history-timeline/15601711" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Great Fire of London in 1666</span></a>, and then it was the turn of the current Cathedral to be constructed with the vision of <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Wren" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sir Christopher Wren</span></a> </span>(and the help of the stonemasons having a drink in the <a href="http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/london/theoldbelltavernfleetstreetlondon" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Old Bell Tavern in Fleet Street!</span></a>)<br />
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From large models to the smaller exhibits. This badge was one of many that would have been brought back from a pilgrimage to see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Becket" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sir Thomas Beckett</span></a>'s tomb at <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Canterbury Cathedral</span></a>.</span> It shows his tomb, the sword that killed him and also the ship that brought him to England in 1170.<br />
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And now onto Oliver Cromwell. A man who even now can divide a room on whether he was a good or bad man, either way I wouldn't want to cross, or maybe not even be in the presence of for fear of saying the wrong thing, but to lay my eyes on <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://englishhistory.net/tudor/thomas-cromwell/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Oliver Cromwell's</span></a> </span>death mask was something that I was fascinated by. Actually looking at something that was placed on his lifeless face after his death. A true likeness, the beard, the closed eyes, the nooks and crannies created by his life. Things like this are macabre but this is history at its finest. Oliver Cromwell, his face, right there, which is lucky in a way as after his death he was posthumously executed and his head severed and displayed at Tyburn. This type of exhibit cries out to me with its immense importance. And there I am, just a couple of feet away from a true image of him. A friend of mine who's love of history is incredibly infectious, sent me the following link which for those who are equally passionate about this time, might like to read. The link is<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.olivercromwell.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.</span><br />
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Moving on and you come to other fascinating exhibits. The <a href="http://www.mernick.org.uk/thhol/wellclose1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Wellclose Square Prison</span></a> Cell c1750. Walking into this 'box' surrounded by the scratchings of those who were held in this Cell was incredibly powerful. The prison was to the east of the Tower of London and was used for insolvent debtors.<br />
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The writing of the debtors so beautiful, and I have to say, Edward Burk featured quite a few times in this cell.<br />
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Sometimes as I go around this museum, something new catches my eye. I can't remember which section this was in, but the sentiments on this plate really sung out to me. Simple but romantic words. 1661 and a gentle saying from one to another. I wonder if it was from her to him and as he ate his dinner, the words appeared? <i>However</i>, after researching this, I found that its discovery was not as romantic! It was excavated from a London sewer!<br />
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One of the exhibitions that I love to walk around is the Victorian Street, my favourite era. Various shops within this corner of the Museum which I need to revisit and write a blog post in its own right (for another day!).<br />
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... and then onto <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfridges" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Selfridges</span></a>, or rather just the lift. The splendour of that shop is beautiful, especially as you enter the front revolving doors, but can you imagine how beautiful it would have been at the beginning and requesting one of the tempting floors in one of these lifts?<br />
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So, that's a little taster of this amazing piece of London. My favourite Museum? It's this one. My favourite exhibit? The one where my Grandad speaks about the Blitz and St Pauls. A truly magnificent <i>and free</i> Museum. <i>(if you would like to see more, please click on the link in my side bar).</i><br />
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I'll leave you with the coat of arms of the City of London - Domine Dirige Nos which translates to Lord Guide Us. The cross is St George with the sword of St Paul in the top left corner.<br />
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The only guidance I needed was to get on the train again, unfortunately! We'll be back again soon for another visit<br />
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I hope you are keeping warm in this colder weather wherever you are. Have a lovely weekend and week ahead.<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com17London Wall, London, UK51.5174984 -0.09027809999997771251.5076174 -0.11044809999997771 51.5273794 -0.070108099999977719tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-52538147299410886062017-01-08T14:17:00.001+00:002017-01-08T14:17:22.019+00:00Back into the Swing and Beware of Scammers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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And so the year has started in full swing and the daily routine starts again. The alarm sounds and gradually I hear lights being switched on in bedrooms and the stirring of teenagers along with the usual 'life is so unfair'. Those precious moments of getting myself ready before everyone else is up and wanting things from me (they'll find their own brains one day!). Each day a bridge to conquer and to live it with a smile on my face.<br />
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Now, last week was a bit of a wash out if I'm brutally honest. My dreaded lurgy came back to haunt me and my third chest infection decided it liked the previous two stays and to revisit again. I tried everything but now think I have the formula! Buttercup syrup, BIG spoonful of honey and a vitamin C and zinc dis-solvable tablet with some water. I really do think that did the trick... or was it that I was coming to the end of this hell?... personally I like to think I found the cure. This meant that I was fortunate to almost be myself at a meeting as planned, and able to show what I truly feel passionate about.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sT5E9YWQSQ/WHI9v8-7H1I/AAAAAAAAhpc/HfaU7YpqQ14_GMCmKvUQ9af3IWFZXoO4wCLcB/s1600/Cold%2Bremedy%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chest infection remedy - Sweetbriar Dreams" border="0" height="504" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sT5E9YWQSQ/WHI9v8-7H1I/AAAAAAAAhpc/HfaU7YpqQ14_GMCmKvUQ9af3IWFZXoO4wCLcB/s640/Cold%2Bremedy%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="Tried to make my chest infection remedy more arty... failed!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, enough of this woe is me, <span style="color: blue;">the January blues</span>, <span style="color: #274e13;">the can't wait for pay day</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">the impatience for the year to really get started</span>. Let me bore you with the story of my camera dilemas last month...</div>
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It started with the sudden and snap decision to buy a Canon. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digital-Camera-3-5-5-6-Sensor/dp/B00BYOY9AS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">A Canon 700D</span>. </a>My ever faithful <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-HS50-Digital-Camera/dp/B00AX12ZJU" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Fujifilm Finepix HS50 EXR</span></a> was sent away and the new Canon arrived. Now, I know there are MILLIONS of Canon lovers out there, and yes it is a sensational camera, but you know when you pick something up and you think 'No, this isn't me', that was exactly how I felt. I lifted it to my eye and was so disappointed. With the hole in my retina, the view finding lens is an essential part of the camera, and with a floater in the way when I am that close to something, very annoying. I need brightness with this piece of kit and found it dark, I couldn't focus, and when I did (and that was in auto too), it was blurry. So, I cut my losses and sold it within two days. <br />
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After losing on Ebay on the two Fujifilm Finepix HS50's that were in the country, I then found a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-SL1000-Digital-Camera/dp/B00AX12ZMC" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Fujifilm Finepix SL1000</span></a>, again, high expectations. But once again, No! This did not have the field of vision, the sound of the auto zoom was incredibly annoying. No, back on Ebay.</div>
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I soon received an email saying that someone wanted to buy it overseas for the full price and £36 postage. Well, I said yes of course. I put the invoice through on Paypal and waited for the payment along with packaging the camera up for overseas travel. In the morning I checked my Paypal account, no payment but there was an email from Paypal saying that the payment was ready to go into my account all I had to do was type in the reference number on the proof of posting and the money would be sent to me.</div>
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Now, as I have never had this happen to me before, and a seasoned Ebayer, I continued reading. I don't know why, but I was looking for a spelling mistake, was this a scam? Then, right at the very bottom, an email address... paypa.lcom@outlook.com. Alarm bells rang, Paypal had an outlook account??? Straight away I sent a copy to Paypal asking if they had sent this and received back an automated email saying the usual 'thank you for your email, we will investigate and get back to you in 5 - 7 days', well, it took them five minutes. This was indeed a phishing scam where I would have put the details in the scammers system and they would be able to get into the account. Everything was cancelled within an instant and I was then subjected to a number of emails from the scammers saying that the money was in my account and why hadn't I sent it - ignored of course apart from the first email when I told them that Paypal was on to them.</div>
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And so, the camera went back on Ebay and in the meantime, my Fujifilm Finepix HS50 was coming back to me, happy days! The SL1000 was bought in the end by someone in the next town and everything is now back to normal. I just need the decent weather and trips to London et al to get it working at its full potential again. So be warned, check those emails and the spelling mistakes.</div>
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So, with my right hand 'man' attached to me again (as you can see from my new profile picture), here's to an exceptional new week, keep positive and keep those New Years Resolutions forefront in your mind. To those of you giving up smoking, chocolate, drink, losing weight etc etc, keep going! You're amazing individuals and I know you can do it!! Be proud of yourselves! <i>(I personally think the lack of chocolate is the reason why I have had my third chest infection though! Really, I truly do, but I'm soldiering on!!). </i>The box of Thorntons is still intact (and yes, that's both layers!).</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQtyfLsyu5I/WHI3XDCDa4I/AAAAAAAAhpE/2rzOoYS84XwQ7UxCXiJrbXGzf3NfRj7zACLcB/s1600/Untouched%2BChocolate%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Back into the Swing - Sweetbriar Dreams" border="0" height="452" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQtyfLsyu5I/WHI3XDCDa4I/AAAAAAAAhpE/2rzOoYS84XwQ7UxCXiJrbXGzf3NfRj7zACLcB/s640/Untouched%2BChocolate%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="The chocolate remains untouched, the weight starts to recede!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Chel xx</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-24422902813751171182017-01-02T12:00:00.000+00:002017-01-02T12:00:17.320+00:00My Word for 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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2017 is going to be a year that I want to remember. A year that I rediscover and push myself to the limit. It's a tall order, but as the countdown begins to that day when I turn 50, I want to enjoy every moment. I am looking forward to this phase of my life and have a lot more confidence to hit that day hard with a beaming smile on my face saying 'I made it'!! Time to embrace life and be comfortable and confident enough to enjoy everything around me. There will be challenges, things that take me out of my comfort zone, times when I will not be my usual self while I rediscover who I am, how I used to be before becoming a mother, connecting with friends again who are so far away, and those who I am so so grateful who are a lot closer. <span style="color: #38761d;"><i>So what would be my word?</i> </span> It's been so hard this year to think of something appropriate. New Year's Eve had me all of a tizz, words were spinning around in my head, enough to keep me awake well into the small hours, and then going onto the fen mid morning to listen to the rain pounding my car windows while I jotted down word after word after word. </div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">T I M E, </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M E</span>, </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S E L F I S H</span><span style="font-size: large;">, </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">R E D I S C O V E R</span></i>, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">C H A N G E</span><span style="font-size: large;">, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">H A P P I N E S S</span></span></div>
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As I wrote words in my book, they had a common theme - ME. With my two teens fully independant it's MY turn to think about what is important to ME. Am I being selfish? Well, yes I suppose I am, and that's something that takes me out of my comfort zone, but as a couple of close friends said to me on New Years Day, it's about ****** time! You see, I look for the good in people and get let down (a lot), this is what I want to get away from. I want to be the person I once was and not be afraid to do that. Believe me, the last 24 hours have been quite an eyeopener and nerve wracking as my mind tackles <i><span style="color: #0b5394;">'the word'</span></i>. So, what word have I settled on?...</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>I D E N T I T Y</b></span></div>
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This word encompasses all the others, rediscovering who I am, changing parts of my life that I no longer want to live, learn to be ME again , learn to be selfish in a self preserving way and enjoying any happiness that comes across my path, which I am hoping will be in abundance this year.</div>
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Have you discovered your word yet?</div>
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Take care.</div>
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Chel</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-62207957459564112442016-12-30T12:00:00.000+00:002016-12-30T12:00:03.120+00:00A Visit from Jack Frost<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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And so I come to the last blog post of 2016. With<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/digital-cameras/bridge-cameras/52963/fujifilm-finepix-hs50exr-review" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">camera</span></a> </span>fully charged, Tia sitting in the back of the car, and me with fingerless gloves ready to keep warm but able to press the shutter, it was time to escape the house that had been my 'prison' for the Christmas period (I love the lead up, but the actual day itself? Not so keen!). While preparing my butternut squash and parsnips for home made soup later on and the bread maker in full kneading stage, I looked out of the window and saw that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Frost" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Jack Frost</span></a> had been for a visit. The ice glistening on every remaining leaf, the roof tiles rippled like an icy lake. I was not going to waste this morning. </div>
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Tia hadn't been on the Fen for such a long time, instead I have been taking her on dark walks on her lead around the quiet village we live in. This depresses her, so as she sat in the back of the car, she wasn't sure what we were doing or where she was going. We stopped at a junction and then the familiar view of the Fen met her eyes and her excitement was a joy to hear.</div>
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I couldn't wait to start walking on the firm, icy ground and, as I turned around after locking up the car, Tia was gone, choosing the path to the river. Walking fast but still within reachable range, running back to me for a hug and rushing off again, so incredibly happy, just like me as I blew away the cobwebs!</div>
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Freezing fog lay in the distance, the tree with the broken limb that I focus on each time I come here was now bare but beautifully silhouetted against the grey backdrop.</div>
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The metal gate posts frozen with pin point precision as the frost coated every inch. The metal almost looking like fur.</div>
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My familiar camera worked its magic as I continued along the walk, up close and personal to the ice crystals...</div>
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... and picking up the laden grasses in the distance by the river. My equilibrium restored!</div>
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The horses that have been walked here for winter, capturing the strong sun that had decided to peek through.</div>
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Enjoying the fresh hay from their owners and then trotting around the field, following the sun's warm rays while they could.</div>
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I couldn't get enough of my macro shots. The ice crystals too tactile not to capture. The seed heads taking on a whole new beauty from their delicious brown autumn shells.</div>
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The landscape so fresh and enjoying its slumber before the intensive months ahead.</div>
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With fingers, toes and paws numb, it was time to head back and give a sigh of satisfaction. A week ago I enjoyed my walk in London, and this week I was back on the Fen with Tia and the camera. It's selfish to say, but I am enjoying my little spaces of personal time, alone with my thoughts and embracing any time I have to just be me again.</div>
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And so, the 2016 candle is nearly out. Some will say they will be glad this year is over, but I have enjoyed some parts of it especially rediscovering who I am now that the Teens are independent. I have scared myself at times with feelings, changing jobs, having to be accepting to those who have failed me, but I have come out of this year a stronger person and more myself than I have been for years.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YakfvYrLYHQ/WGP3BD6w2pI/AAAAAAAAhec/02y6Vqjmr0oZsDQ8UmL8gQKoehY74pcagCLcB/s1600/The%2BLast%2BCandle%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YakfvYrLYHQ/WGP3BD6w2pI/AAAAAAAAhec/02y6Vqjmr0oZsDQ8UmL8gQKoehY74pcagCLcB/s640/The%2BLast%2BCandle%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's time now to start thinking of a word for 2017. I have so many floating around my head, and they are all a little bit selfish, but still have a couple of days to make the final decision.</div>
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Wishing all my dear Readers...</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-72859276085689326892016-12-28T12:00:00.000+00:002016-12-28T12:00:11.618+00:00Seasons Greetings from London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I must apologise for being a little absent over the festive period. I made the terrible mistake of changing my camera which drained my inspiration, my patience, my love of seeing things differently. For such a small piece of technology, it surprised me how much the sap was washed away from my limbs. So, to cut a very long story very short, my tried and tested Big Bertha is now back with me and my sense of rhythm has been restored!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLu4zKMi6w4/WGK191CsFAI/AAAAAAAAhbc/oPLlLQ2Am_UPgvtYps5xlt--sPxLXLvOwCLcB/s1600/Trafalgar%2BSquare%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLu4zKMi6w4/WGK191CsFAI/AAAAAAAAhbc/oPLlLQ2Am_UPgvtYps5xlt--sPxLXLvOwCLcB/s640/Trafalgar%2BSquare%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree - a present from the people of Oslo since 1947 with thanks for the British Support during the Second World War." width="640" /></a></div>
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So, how were your holidays? Did all your weeks (or months) of planning work out for you? Have you come out the other side unscathed? I have decided to change my outlook on this festive season now that the teens are older, and make things a little easier. How? I don't know yet, but I have plenty of time to rethink over the next few months!<br />
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Now, enough of the talking, let's get to some shots I took with my mobile phone on the 23 December in London! Am I mad? <b> <i><span style="color: #38761d;">Yes</span></i></b>, said my friends, and <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>No</i> </b><i><b>we won't be joining you!</b> </i></span> Well, let me tell you, the best time to visit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regent_Street" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Regent Street</span></a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piccadilly_Circus" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Piccadilly Circus</span></a> in December is the last office working day! I kept thinking that it was a bad idea to book theatre tickets for Miss Teen and Miss B so close to Christmas, but it really was the best thing in the end. Once they were safely inside, I then took off on my own, stopping off at places, sitting down on the steps of Trafalgar Square, drinking coffee, shopping, watching street entertainers... it was absolute bliss! So, here we go, a visual festive treat for you...<i> (just hover over the photo for the description)</i><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nF8_PecUZjU/WGK6XtwRHII/AAAAAAAAhbo/jIUlG-XpLI4S_r1DgiNO9ytfpuwFHXY4wCLcB/s1600/M%2526M%2BBus%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nF8_PecUZjU/WGK6XtwRHII/AAAAAAAAhbo/jIUlG-XpLI4S_r1DgiNO9ytfpuwFHXY4wCLcB/s640/M%2526M%2BBus%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="The M&M Store is HUGE! The chocolate fragrance pulls you in through the door and you are greeted by the routemaster bus. Heavenly!" width="464" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfoEbmT-0_s/WGK7zdaAvNI/AAAAAAAAhb0/yrIpyvzco3EXfOdukDIVZl2DDbb-P6bdwCLcB/s1600/M%2526M%2BWall%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="586" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfoEbmT-0_s/WGK7zdaAvNI/AAAAAAAAhb0/yrIpyvzco3EXfOdukDIVZl2DDbb-P6bdwCLcB/s640/M%2526M%2BWall%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="A wall of M&M's that stretches throughout the store. Different colours, flavours, contents." width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxEcCIDEgeU/WGK918YAPuI/AAAAAAAAhcA/Gx70unhFFYgp9QbSlsb6-undXtyChEz6gCLcB/s1600/China%2BTown%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxEcCIDEgeU/WGK918YAPuI/AAAAAAAAhcA/Gx70unhFFYgp9QbSlsb6-undXtyChEz6gCLcB/s640/China%2BTown%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="By the side of the M&M Store you can see the current China Town. A nice leisurely walk along here, breathing in the gorgeous spices and listening to the Christmas carols." width="584" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vf4OeWbqViI/WGLAHOhb2kI/AAAAAAAAhcM/V3iN5c6ajL8ISCU_c4mvJLAYP3THe8ikQCLcB/s1600/Les%2BMiserables%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vf4OeWbqViI/WGLAHOhb2kI/AAAAAAAAhcM/V3iN5c6ajL8ISCU_c4mvJLAYP3THe8ikQCLcB/s640/Les%2BMiserables%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="Maybe next year!" width="570" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtKovvV7vPc/WGLBB8utMPI/AAAAAAAAhcU/ocjZKVn0-RUDiUrphxHYneesvuMzsk2kACLcB/s1600/Leicester%2BSquare%2BChristmas%2BMarket%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="388" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtKovvV7vPc/WGLBB8utMPI/AAAAAAAAhcU/ocjZKVn0-RUDiUrphxHYneesvuMzsk2kACLcB/s640/Leicester%2BSquare%2BChristmas%2BMarket%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="Leicester Square Christmas Market, full of beautiful crafts, food and of course wonderful beers and mulled wine!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3izNte1Mzu4/WGLCRYTY1PI/AAAAAAAAhcg/eQuPe1kEHccBg_uCZJsiM6KR7c7pMv0RACLcB/s1600/Fortnum%2Band%2BMason%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3izNte1Mzu4/WGLCRYTY1PI/AAAAAAAAhcg/eQuPe1kEHccBg_uCZJsiM6KR7c7pMv0RACLcB/s640/Fortnum%2Band%2BMason%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="Since 1707 Fortnum and Mason has been the most luxurious shop in the world. Their hampers are renowned and produce exquisite." width="530" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYRzkhPUydY/WGLDnD_RyNI/AAAAAAAAhco/AgB8Po-55_8Mkilk5v0HEtJR902UE1D5ACLcB/s1600/Fortnum%2Band%2BMason%2BBag%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYRzkhPUydY/WGLDnD_RyNI/AAAAAAAAhco/AgB8Po-55_8Mkilk5v0HEtJR902UE1D5ACLcB/s640/Fortnum%2Band%2BMason%2BBag%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="Well, it would have been rude not to get a couple of presents from here (and to get a bag!)" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9mMxrKTWvA/WGLFLN6v3QI/AAAAAAAAhc0/FXaNNAG2PfcoUEor6bjXJELBNsq3qPhvgCLcB/s1600/Piccadilly%2BCircus%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="386" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9mMxrKTWvA/WGLFLN6v3QI/AAAAAAAAhc0/FXaNNAG2PfcoUEor6bjXJELBNsq3qPhvgCLcB/s640/Piccadilly%2BCircus%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="Since 1819 Piccadilly Circus has connected Regent Street to Piccadilly. To be honest with you, I can't see why this is such a tourist attraction as it is just neon advertising. Even the statue of Eros is now encased in bill boards." width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3keSBw0vYeM/WGLHS-mN0LI/AAAAAAAAhdA/P-yTMkGFb48YaEKKoNw0HX-XVT7L_EfNACLcB/s1600/Lights%2Bat%2BRegent%2BStreet%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3keSBw0vYeM/WGLHS-mN0LI/AAAAAAAAhdA/P-yTMkGFb48YaEKKoNw0HX-XVT7L_EfNACLcB/s640/Lights%2Bat%2BRegent%2BStreet%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="This year's Christmas lights in Regent Street were a regeneration of the original 1954 lights. Each year I try to get down to see the lights, if only to stand right here and not venture further due to the crowds having to walk on the road itself. This year, no where near as busy on this day!" width="550" /></a></div>
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Once the girls were out of the theatre, we decided to leave early for the Tube as we thought it would be an absolute nightmare down there. I was more than pleasantly surprised...the carriages were half empty! Empty carriages at 6pm?! Kings Cross, busy but still plenty of seats on the train home and in plenty of time!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Eugp5RJ1B0/WGLI-d-ou8I/AAAAAAAAhdM/AgkzKmy7wIssjStEQXkHuH_2igj4UhAMwCLcB/s1600/The%2BBook%2Bof%2BMormon%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk" border="0" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Eugp5RJ1B0/WGLI-d-ou8I/AAAAAAAAhdM/AgkzKmy7wIssjStEQXkHuH_2igj4UhAMwCLcB/s640/The%2BBook%2Bof%2BMormon%2B-%2BSweetbriar%2BDreams.jpg" title="My daughter's birthday present was to see the Book of Mormon, a show that she has been waiting to see for a long time. Thoroughly enjoyed!" width="640" /></a></div>
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The moral to my madness?... We're doing it again next year!! To have those three hours of 'me' time was incredibly satisfying and a little Christmas treat to myself.<br />
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Sorry again for taking so long to post, hopefully life will calm down a little now that I have been reinstated with my camera, and I can now soak up the inspiration from those special and cherished people who surround me.<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com18Regent St, London, UK51.5121281 -0.1396913999999469551.5021926 -0.15994739999994695 51.522063599999996 -0.11943539999994696tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-34738596922102608912016-12-07T12:00:00.000+00:002016-12-07T12:00:00.160+00:00Revisiting Camden Town and Santacon in London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Saturday 10 December, something special will be happening iaround the world in towns and cities... </div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">S</span><span style="color: #38761d;">a</span><span style="color: red;">n</span><span style="color: #38761d;">t</span><span style="color: red;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">c</span><span style="color: red;">o</span><span style="color: #38761d;">n</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: red;">2</span><span style="color: #38761d;">0</span><span style="color: red;">1</span><span style="color: #38761d;">6</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;">(you can find out more </span><a href="http://www.santacon.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">)</span></i></div>
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An event organised by the power of social media and one that I loved coming across a couple of years ago in 2014. So, my blog today is going back in time and revisiting December 2014, when we were pleasantly surprised by the fun and festive feeling of Camden Town and Trafalgar Square in London. Full santa outfits have to be worn (not just a hat or Christmas jumper!) and details of where the events being held are only told the night before. Unfortunately I can't get down to London for a couple of weeks but reliving this day from 2014 was still as fun as it was then. So, mince pie and a glass of sherry my dear readers... here we go again...</div>
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Well the year is nearly over and this would be my last trip to London for now. A little bit of Christmas shopping was to be embarked upon, along with some sight seeing in the City to see the Christmas decorations sparkling in the night time. What we were not expecting to see along the way were Santas. Many, many, many Santas. Now, if your little ones are reading this with you, can I explain that these are being interviewed to work in the North Pole next year in the real Father Christmas' workshops! To the adults- this was one massive pub crawl!!!! So as I take you around our visit this time, you may see quite a lot of Santas' in different shapes and guises along the way!</div>
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Just a quick hop onto the tube to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden_Town" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Camden Town</a> from Kings Cross and we joined the crowds. Yes, people were saying that we were mad to go Christmas shopping in London, so seeing the Mad Hatter as we came out of the tube station really didn't help!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UzPWg7XDlFMKJsphLRnbkBx1nVED-Kq4Pkt97FMz1B29wA5TzZ6YIADfHSDW04aerLjqyq8xCnfoI9iZU3r0VaqaEk4pi2zC1HdGLG0MGmrPw6GrnVxZkOjupZQUOw2l0r3ftOrBZtc/s1600/mad+hatter+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UzPWg7XDlFMKJsphLRnbkBx1nVED-Kq4Pkt97FMz1B29wA5TzZ6YIADfHSDW04aerLjqyq8xCnfoI9iZU3r0VaqaEk4pi2zC1HdGLG0MGmrPw6GrnVxZkOjupZQUOw2l0r3ftOrBZtc/s1600/mad+hatter+1.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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Camden Town is full of markets, individual unique shops and friendly staff - unrushed and very happy to please. Yes, it was full of shoppers but we didn't feel as though we were being pushed along, instead we were able to take our time and handle things at our leisure. What is also so different is that the signs for the shops are accompanied by huge examples of the wares they are selling inside. So instead of seeing a typical barber shop red and white column, you can see boots...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqQdHRs7MHfGfFfkwh6GoDTz9lhuu8uM_rh3ORMfrZdNbqYkdZo-7AipJ-beKT95bqJMnsG4JnBSTV05yx69qtuTCkksIdttT52IqmlwL9FagTMSDLiUf2DK_qMGhUng4krwVIeJ9fmk/s1600/shoe+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqQdHRs7MHfGfFfkwh6GoDTz9lhuu8uM_rh3ORMfrZdNbqYkdZo-7AipJ-beKT95bqJMnsG4JnBSTV05yx69qtuTCkksIdttT52IqmlwL9FagTMSDLiUf2DK_qMGhUng4krwVIeJ9fmk/s1600/shoe+shop.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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...clothes...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKce-nmeZQIdiduBIfO2gzk7Tv-kVx_z0zkCpqpT21FUDIPVBRmnUHzcgOfW1W_q0i5dw0e64tyvlWM6mlQGXyTULa13sOAedojHDkfWVBi3Id-pur82-3N-3h_Tj-UknWJad7Bw3X5Ag/s1600/shops+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKce-nmeZQIdiduBIfO2gzk7Tv-kVx_z0zkCpqpT21FUDIPVBRmnUHzcgOfW1W_q0i5dw0e64tyvlWM6mlQGXyTULa13sOAedojHDkfWVBi3Id-pur82-3N-3h_Tj-UknWJad7Bw3X5Ag/s1600/shops+1.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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in fact anything from a distance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrcXaxsPqS3B0yPKdxAR_cfUr47kTOolIsmCWP72_QU0GayxInM27lwGoRXVVwf0YZ1RbwEJEqNnBuvN6tJVb7Qz-aD3wJcBsA5kY6-KzzWEWLNnfB_2Eg02xBX0xCkXlLZHjrZDcFlI/s1600/camden+town++crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrcXaxsPqS3B0yPKdxAR_cfUr47kTOolIsmCWP72_QU0GayxInM27lwGoRXVVwf0YZ1RbwEJEqNnBuvN6tJVb7Qz-aD3wJcBsA5kY6-KzzWEWLNnfB_2Eg02xBX0xCkXlLZHjrZDcFlI/s1600/camden+town++crowd.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we walked along there were more and more Santas walking along to <a href="http://www.camdenlock.net/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Camden Lock</a>. <a href="https://www.santacon.info/London/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Santacon</a> was obviously in full swing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfV75Jd_TA7p-_nvAjdOKxdXhQbWqLexwA6O0K6b_nddz3oJQB-Pel8nhHoP_5RXQeghWoXsjs3IToqJ3CVOXhYPsBVJI5XHnWRvqBp_v_n4CtMtgDvwqnyjk4XNHyJLGM-PlRdjW8Bg/s1600/camden+market+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfV75Jd_TA7p-_nvAjdOKxdXhQbWqLexwA6O0K6b_nddz3oJQB-Pel8nhHoP_5RXQeghWoXsjs3IToqJ3CVOXhYPsBVJI5XHnWRvqBp_v_n4CtMtgDvwqnyjk4XNHyJLGM-PlRdjW8Bg/s1600/camden+market+4.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now to some I suppose Camden Town can look a little shabby with its individual style, so if you are into sleek and shiny High Streets then Camden is not for you. However, if you like things that are a little different and especially if you have teenage kids, then this is a MUST see. Miss Teen and her friend Miss B felt totally at home and were happily soaking up the young, vibrant atmosphere and were surprised at just how long the stallholders spoke to them and let them try things on without getting all huffy. It was a new experience for them.</div>
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My happy places though were capturing the ghost signs on the sides of old shops...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhADueuY_QohxW7-QAlZL10TV-azx8QM93RyxxfCG1uCQcAVq5cd5YwqIHr7UUVLFS-Ppfne-6WVGAjylHDoLFBHGGjjnrFx8CD6s8Xil3P5Kt5ksWs1-6yaoZB8jg60jJOda-Nph3AI/s1600/camden+town+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhADueuY_QohxW7-QAlZL10TV-azx8QM93RyxxfCG1uCQcAVq5cd5YwqIHr7UUVLFS-Ppfne-6WVGAjylHDoLFBHGGjjnrFx8CD6s8Xil3P5Kt5ksWs1-6yaoZB8jg60jJOda-Nph3AI/s1600/camden+town+1.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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... taxi cabs outside good old fashioned fish and chip shops...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CJMxqR78y60-z_gae16M4iLIfT0v4BwiBnw5AGAu0lA7BcXmEYHUnk-EWdEDSXcZdGJKOVLRSsNkN4ZEPE1Cdh5NPnM2eTuQiHVnqPkoySZ9UBeIRWfxfOoRyG6_Q-6gmLdN98aHQIo/s1600/taxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CJMxqR78y60-z_gae16M4iLIfT0v4BwiBnw5AGAu0lA7BcXmEYHUnk-EWdEDSXcZdGJKOVLRSsNkN4ZEPE1Cdh5NPnM2eTuQiHVnqPkoySZ9UBeIRWfxfOoRyG6_Q-6gmLdN98aHQIo/s1600/taxi.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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... lamp shops...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTe6iOwj1e9cHMCBId_E3NFt2t1vPyTIBKYkUkyBzMLypawJRCFAEGinnaS1z7MuRjDXCYLcNe8SEvN9e6cFZkad6jq56NDJAt0JEVp__azZuVLt_6n7PX6Z2Vayn1I0VNhbEWZuwqcGk/s1600/lamps+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTe6iOwj1e9cHMCBId_E3NFt2t1vPyTIBKYkUkyBzMLypawJRCFAEGinnaS1z7MuRjDXCYLcNe8SEvN9e6cFZkad6jq56NDJAt0JEVp__azZuVLt_6n7PX6Z2Vayn1I0VNhbEWZuwqcGk/s1600/lamps+2.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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... boots...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq8FztqZ1GKoT3NOPfCgUeYVXDfc3nm0bMYnDqZK3C_9HiANEv7QT1fP1votM7qf7vFW5Vd2JHG8ktanoAtCJB9LTc3-Xo8VTFa5kUEf1Firb7bljPy3yhrM3JqDylxb8Lz5JiXTUaC8/s1600/boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq8FztqZ1GKoT3NOPfCgUeYVXDfc3nm0bMYnDqZK3C_9HiANEv7QT1fP1votM7qf7vFW5Vd2JHG8ktanoAtCJB9LTc3-Xo8VTFa5kUEf1Firb7bljPy3yhrM3JqDylxb8Lz5JiXTUaC8/s1600/boots.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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... dresses...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HWwF_nOlfQ5Jb2vTbrizJI5F2jFnObbqBNefOcZ2MY2Zs5eNqSDfvzxAzWqbSl2m7fyndATn9Mi9Zzk752UfjlDi_M6A1aOvpzq52fWGYuFV6ex6SW_dGKegUez35AXlCRwyhxa4M-s/s1600/dresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HWwF_nOlfQ5Jb2vTbrizJI5F2jFnObbqBNefOcZ2MY2Zs5eNqSDfvzxAzWqbSl2m7fyndATn9Mi9Zzk752UfjlDi_M6A1aOvpzq52fWGYuFV6ex6SW_dGKegUez35AXlCRwyhxa4M-s/s1600/dresses.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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... candles...</div>
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... necklaces... (a favourite for Miss Teen and Miss B - the stallholder was amazing with his knowledge of TV shows and film).</div>
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Then there was the food, and what a huge choice there was. All freshly prepared and cooked. Yes there are the typical fast food places, but most people head to the stall holders where cocktail sticks are handed out to try the different flavours of the world. Even Octopus is freshly cooked and served.</div>
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We went for the Turkish option with succulent chargrilled chicken, perfectly cooked rice, fresh salad and a flat bread! Perfect! For dessert we went along to some more stalls and spotted this one with oozing cakes.</div>
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I truly wanted that sticky toffee cake but passed, however Miss Teen and Miss B enjoyed the brownie pops. I was allowed a little taster and they were heavenly!</div>
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Lunchtime here is very busy but again we didn't feel that we were being rushed along, everyone just taking their time.</div>
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But hey, do you want to see where all the Santas went? They were at Camden Lock...</div>
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Streams of them, all very merry.</div>
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One had obviously already been down a chimney!</div>
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Another had already been to one of the corset shops.</div>
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The atmosphere was fantastic and the girls were so happy to be part of it.</div>
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But to keep on track we needed to get back over the bridge.</div>
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Passing this great looking shop called All Saints where you can just see all the antique sewing machines in the windows</div>
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Can you make them out?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_2XLAHjmyvDcXtddtplxHVCfmIkLALVswY_uBxPK3abP7fLYBs8T_ipMV1GV3G0eboWRb2SLkvsDkZPdGAjZZkxdWhY8wKrO7E1VSFoSTKrzemQ3E2v7rEO_WXhczuVPFE-6BNYpKmE/s1600/reflection1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_2XLAHjmyvDcXtddtplxHVCfmIkLALVswY_uBxPK3abP7fLYBs8T_ipMV1GV3G0eboWRb2SLkvsDkZPdGAjZZkxdWhY8wKrO7E1VSFoSTKrzemQ3E2v7rEO_WXhczuVPFE-6BNYpKmE/s1600/reflection1.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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Time was knocking on so we needed to say a reluctant goodbye to Camden Town. I feel that this will be a regular trip for my daughter now!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHpGypqSnCyb56T8igE77-Xq-AwCjLjXyeNTDglIdkc7PUw5VOfetrbGO4wkEDacwbpP0uA1Bs-s4oPmIvQg8CW14q2CsUiJbO46CHc-Wf6LICcRCm4SYcC064PFWEOHb84Dr_lZ5uSY/s1600/camden+lock+village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHpGypqSnCyb56T8igE77-Xq-AwCjLjXyeNTDglIdkc7PUw5VOfetrbGO4wkEDacwbpP0uA1Bs-s4oPmIvQg8CW14q2CsUiJbO46CHc-Wf6LICcRCm4SYcC064PFWEOHb84Dr_lZ5uSY/s1600/camden+lock+village.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another tube journey to Charing Cross and a short walk to Trafalgar Square next.</div>
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When I was younger I used to have a regular Christmas trip here with my Nan and Grandpa, just to see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafalgar_Square_Christmas_tree" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Christmas Tree which is a gift from Norway.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_3lt3HWK9LJkk2vvQMOjfcx7jL-uETjbdTKm0Nz76EmSHr8El1lFsgKk7sTXLwNQa9-XVVfr_fkM31lvpOhTor6286QwiWRPKGJdyJK62xrpNUe1DdhxhEjLovqYE8I58gyb8lMFj9Y/s1600/trafalgar+tree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_3lt3HWK9LJkk2vvQMOjfcx7jL-uETjbdTKm0Nz76EmSHr8El1lFsgKk7sTXLwNQa9-XVVfr_fkM31lvpOhTor6286QwiWRPKGJdyJK62xrpNUe1DdhxhEjLovqYE8I58gyb8lMFj9Y/s1600/trafalgar+tree2.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lights were on as the sun began to set over London town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisISpL6OjU97OHJzmgFTDkwG3AiXlRZXuAzFe41y6U25A2kwkB49z0L2U9HHtyAky-eTnCcMIJj_Z7nn9_aJOJwktyiYHdvPkvqRazFtsd2yF75VDM61naekBhDx0kH3xhniOJIJPjGPM/s1600/trafalgar+tree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisISpL6OjU97OHJzmgFTDkwG3AiXlRZXuAzFe41y6U25A2kwkB49z0L2U9HHtyAky-eTnCcMIJj_Z7nn9_aJOJwktyiYHdvPkvqRazFtsd2yF75VDM61naekBhDx0kH3xhniOJIJPjGPM/s1600/trafalgar+tree1.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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Including the star at the top!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm5i8Hcpb7zBhzRmgHO_vipCVAer97_T2gCXCRN6HTEnt1jhUmWBtGmYUe9RAaS4FH4erM82Z7eDZLZP7-quygOwrryQgfvYnoyXy_8_XtMNyNHJej2ppQ-cy6j_YMey73fsKalKVTBU/s1600/trafalgar3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm5i8Hcpb7zBhzRmgHO_vipCVAer97_T2gCXCRN6HTEnt1jhUmWBtGmYUe9RAaS4FH4erM82Z7eDZLZP7-quygOwrryQgfvYnoyXy_8_XtMNyNHJej2ppQ-cy6j_YMey73fsKalKVTBU/s1600/trafalgar3.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -1em !important; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, you guessed it. Santacon was here too!</div>
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If I was prepared I think we would have stayed to see the whole square full of Santas, which is what happened later on. But we needed to walk to Westminster before our train back.</div>
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We walked past <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/prime-ministers-office-10-downing-street" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Downing Street</a> on the way. Long gone are the days when you could stand next to the famous front door with a policeman!</div>
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Westminster was full but we managed to get near the railings of the Houses of Parliament.</div>
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Then along to Westminster Bridge to see the London Eye at night.</div>
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County Hall looks beautiful when it is lit up.</div>
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London at night is my favourite time to see this magical place.</div>
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Everyone dashing here, there and everywhere!</div>
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It was now time to say goodbye to the Thames...</div>
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And let the ghostly carriages pass us by!</div>
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Sorry, couldn't resist, the photo could have come out A LOT better but it was a quick turn round to see them going past me.</div>
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Back to 2016 and my last London trip of the year will be coming up in a couple of weeks when I hope to capture the tree at Trafalgar Square while Miss Teen and Miss B enjoy a West End Show. I can't wait to get down to my old home town and breathe in that air again and have a couple of hours of selfish 'me' time.</div>
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com14London, UK51.5073509 -0.1277582999999822351.1895294 -0.77595179999998221 51.8251724 0.52043520000001775tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-68524653783485161392016-11-30T12:00:00.000+00:002016-11-30T12:00:13.416+00:00... and so it begins!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have my own little tradition in our house, the last weekend of November is the tree weekend! <i>Stop groaning, it has to be done.</i> The closer it is to the big day, the more stressful the jobs become, so this little tradition eases me in gently and helps me enjoy the month's preparations ahead.</div>
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I like to open up the boxes and bags full of last year's decorations and think back to what frame of mind I was in when I put them away in January ...<br />
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<em><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">obviously I wasn't in a good place!</span></em> <br />
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Oh yes, I remember now, full of painkillers and unable to stand... yes I remember that time well (post double bunion removal, arthritis removal and both toes broken and pinned in three places... oh yes, yes, I remember it only too well!!).</div>
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I love unwrapping the ornaments that have been with me since pre-children days...</div>
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Along with those ornaments that were my mild threat to my little darlings <i>"this is special santa who is here to watch and make sure you have been good!"</i>. This little santa had such amazing powers as soon as he was put on a shelf!<br />
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The main tree has to be decorated a certain way otherwise I am met with <i>"Mum, it doesn't feel right!". </i>Dried oranges, apples and cinnamon sticks fill vessels and jars around the house, filling the house with a Christmas fragrance that gladdens the nostrils.<br />
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One year I changed the tree to a thinner version to be told when I took it down on New Year's Day, that they didn't like to say at the time, but Christmas was just not Christmas without the shorter fat one (they meant the normal tree!! Don't be rude!). So the tall thin tree has now been banished to the hall. Another new tradition!</div>
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The next thing is the obligatory Christmas lists. The food list, the present list, the Christmas card list, the social calendar list. Yes, I'm a Virgo, in control, calm in a crisis, organised and methodical (well that's the theory).</div>
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The main items on the Christmas food list... Baileys, Ham, Turkey, Maple Syrup, Chipolatas, Sweet Chilli Sauce. Why? Turkey obviously (even though I prefer not to eat it) ready for the Nigella recipe (<a href="https://www.nigella.com/recipes/spiced-and-superjuicy-roast-turkey" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>), Maple Syrup for the <a href="https://www.nigella.com/recipes/maple-roast-parsnips" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Christmas parsnips</span></a>, Chipolatas and Sweet Chilli Sauce for the sticky sausages I make for the Boxing Day buffet (usually half have disappeared before I've got to the table! Seriously good and I've found an online recipe <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2852816/Nigella-s-star-Christmas-2-Cranberry-soy-glazed-cocktail-sausages.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span></a> for you) and ham for my <a href="https://www.lifestylefood.com.au/recipes/3261/aromatic-christmas-ham" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">boxing day ham</span></a>. Yes, my best friend on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is Nigella!!<br />
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Without these elements and the smells that the recipes give the house, Christmas Eve <i>'<span style="color: #cc0000;">doesn't</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">feel</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">or</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">smell</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">right</span>'</i> according to my darling Teens! Oh, and the <a href="http://www.baileys.com/en-us/home.html" target="_blank">Baileys?</a> Well, Christmas morning as I prepare to stuff, flavour, and wrap acres of tin foil around my nemesis (the turkey), I take the occasional snifter of Baileys to get me through it. The Baileys will be strategically placed in the kitchen with a crystal glass and will be the first thing I see when I come down bleary eyed at the crack of dawn.</div>
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A newer tradition, to save me my sanity on the big day, is the big breakfast! Now that the Teens are grown up and not up with me at the crack of dawn, I cook a full English, complete with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pudding" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">black pudding</span></a>!! <i>(don't knock it until you've tried it).</i> I make sure the aromas waft upstairs and before long I hear the stirring on the landing and down they come. This new tradition keeps us full until 4 in the afternoon, when the turkey has finally finished its roasting, the <a href="https://www.nigella.com/recipes/perfect-roast-potatoes" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">potatoes</span></a> are crisp, the Yorkshire puddings have raised, the parsnips have started to caramelize with the maple syrup, the Brussels sprouts have been mixed with crispy bacon and chestnuts, the carrots have taken on the dill they have been paired with, the stuffing is just starting to harden on the outside but gooey in the middle, the pigs in blankets are beginning to snore, the <a href="https://www.nigella.com/recipes/my-mothers-bread-sauce" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">bread sauce</span></a> has been prepared (and mostly eaten already by Miss Teen), the beef is cooked to perfection and the cauliflower cheese is bubbling and taken on a satisfying tan. Yes, my Christmas dinner is notorious as a girdle buster and no one in the family will have it any other way, but we skip lunch for this feast by candlelight and it allows me to cook in peace (and finish the Baileys!!).</div>
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The lead up to the big day is one that I do love getting on the conveyor belt for. I love planning and the satisfaction of giving everyone a wonderful Christmas. The Christmas Eve presents under the tree which are usually a new pair of pyjamas for everyone and slippers so that we can then have our baths and showers and slip into these with the last takeaway meal for the year and snuggle down in front of the TV until everyone goes to bed. Then, my last look around the house while it is quiet and I have some time alone, taking out those last little surprise presents and putting them around the tree. A little stocking of goodies for Tia (another new tradition)... times like these I am grateful for a <u>deaf</u> furry friend! Some text messages to those who are dear to me wishing them a great day ahead and then off to bed making sure the alarm is set for 6am and the start of a hectic day for me but a relaxing one for everyone else.</div>
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And so, as no doubt all of you are, it's time for the business and planning to be put into effect! I have no real trips planned until just before the big day when my birthday surprise to Miss Teen is to see a West End show in London with Miss B. While they are in the theatre, I will be no doubt walking down to Trafalgar Square to see the Christmas tree and take in this beautiful city on its last office working day. No doubt there will be much merriment and plenty of Christmas Jumpers and Santa's Hats!!</div>
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... and so it begins... time to start climbing that mountain!<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604873252635604126.post-36778834204041093842016-11-26T12:00:00.000+00:002016-11-26T12:00:08.344+00:00Autumn Splendor at Blenheim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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... And now to part two of our visit to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blenheim_Palace" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Blenheim Palace</span></a>, birthplace of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Winston Churchill</span></a>. The <a href="http://www.blenheimpalace.com/planyourvisit/map.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">gardens</span></a> that we had time to visit were in the last throws of Autumn, perfect for my last real chance to capture the beauty that I wait to see each year. The bright vibrant colours are nothing better to inspire my soul. Once again dear readers, a hot Darjeeling tea, a Bourbon and warm, fluffy slippers on... here's outside...<br />
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Exquisite sculptures peer out from the Palace, almost lost by the enormity of the columns. The sheer scale of this place is breathtaking.<br />
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But, let's just capture the incredible Autumn splendour that surrounded Blenheim on this day <i>(sorry, it was one of those dull grey sky days which my camera doesn't like!)</i>. The gardens are another masterpiece of Capability Brown who it is said, saved an area of woodland here where the trees date back to the 12th century and probably the oldest in Europe! I have put a link <a href="http://www.hhacapabilitybrown.co.uk/blenheim-palace" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span> </a>to the <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_Brown" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Capability Brown</span></a> </span>website that gives some beautiful shots of the masterpiece he created <i>(his real name was Lancelot Brown but was nicknamed Capability after he would say to clients that their land had capability for improvement)</i><br />
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The trees around us were desperately holding on to their copper leaves and at their feet a beautiful rusty carpet, just a bit too soggy for the obligatory crunchy walk.<br />
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Their bony limbs now peering through and ready for their winter slumber.<br />
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Amongst us the sheep, grazing before turning in for the evening.<br />
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This is what I love about Autumn. The dark mistiness, mixed in with a palette of warm, cosy rusty colours.<br />
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The sun was setting so our time was limited in the gardens, but come with me and we'll look at the front of the Palace with the lights just starting to flicker like the streets of a Victorian town.<br />
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Maybe we should have walked on the other side of the building earlier to see the other elements, but instead we had walked down the driveway (the white tents are the Christmas Fair - VERY crowded!)<br />
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To the top and a view seen from the centre section of the Palace, the <a href="http://www.blenheimpalace.com/attractions-and-events/palace/history/" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Column of Victory </span></a>which was built in 1727 and has John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough in Roman costume in celebration of the victory of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Blenheim" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">Battle of Blenheim</span></a>.<br />
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What impressed me about this monument was the script at its base (you can read it <a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Text_on_the_Column_of_Victory_in_the_grounds_of_Blenheim_Palace" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span></a> if you haven't got a long book to read!). It felt as though I was reading a legal document that was for all to see and to show that this land and the Palace were not going to be taking by anyone! There were little corrections that looked like a stonemason had tippexed over them and tapped over a thin piece of stone stuck over the error. I can quite understand that they didn't want to just say, "oh no, my mistake, get me another three tonnes of stone"... and start again!</div>
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They'd be banging their heads against the surrounding trees like this one!<br />
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And so, back to the house and time to go home.<br />
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Maybe if we hadn't stood in a queue for the Untold Story tour in the Palace we would have had more time to visit the remaining areas of the garden. But, it wasn't to be. <br />
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At least I got to see a small portion of another Capability Brown masterpiece and the last remaining warm and rustic colours of Autumn.<br />
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Ok, so my own personal opinion is that I wouldn't visit the inside of the Palace again, but instead I would like to explore the gardens in more depth during late autumn on another year and visit <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Martin's_Church,_Bladon" target="_blank">Churchill's grave</a>. </span><br />
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Have a great weekend everyone, I hope you didn't get crushed or mashed during the Black Friday sales!<br />
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sweetbriardreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036932595395191529noreply@blogger.com13Blenheim Palace, Woodstock OX20 1PP, UK51.841365 -1.36097199999994726.319330500000003 -42.669565999999946 77.3633995 39.947622000000052