Whistling Through London

I know, two posts in two days!  Well, I had to really to share with you my latest London trip.  It's been a while since I have taken you by the hand through the streets of London.  So, let me rectify this right now.  It's a a whistle stop tour so your feet won't hurt as much as they have done in the past, but same drill - a pot of tea and a slice of battenberg and let me show you around. But first, we need to go past this very recognisable fellow first..."Excuse me Mr Churchill".

The Houses of Parliament are currently having quite a bit of restoration taking place.  It's a shame for the tourists when taking the iconic photos and selfies, but to keep these historic buildings in good order does take so much work and sets the buildings up to still be functional for many years to come.

Go on then, one more of Elizabeth Tower for you without scaffolding or cranes!

Just next door is the beautiful Westminster Abbey with its striking white stone and exquisite architecture.

We were on a quick whistle stop tour so didn't have time to go inside (or the inclination to pay the extortionate fee!), but I had to take this cheeky shot through the doors and the warm and inviting lighting inside.

And of course, I always have the urge to take a shot of a Narnia lamp with a church building in the background don't I?  I couldn't pass this one by!

If you are ever this way and want a few quiet moments but still want to see beautiful buildings, just look to your left at the front of the Abbey and you will see Deans Yard.

Through this archway you enter an enclosed quandrangle which incorporates the Westminster Abbey Choir School.  This stunning area is full of gorgeous character and bordered by the heavy leaves of the surrounding trees.

Window boxes were set against ancient windows, what a beautiful contrast!

But this one was stunning in its simplicity.

Little passages are dotted around, some leading into other buildings.  All so beautiful.

This tiny little spot in the heart of the City holds mountains of beauty in the palm of its hand.  When you are next in London take a look, if only to have a couple of minutes away from the Westminster crowds.

I apologise for this not being longer but I was quickly walking through on this day.  I am planning a trip soon but not on a work day.  I like to take hundreds of pictures as you know and that takes time!

Have a wonderful weekend and week everyone.  I'm off to shop for some gifts for the 'golden one' (yesterday's post gives a little clue!),

One more thing, Kris over at Junk Chic Cottage has featured me on her Saturday Spotlight - Behind the Blogger.  The link is here.  Thanks so much Kris!

      

Five on Friday - What a Week!

Goodness me, what a week!  I knew it was going to be busy without the usual routine but looking back I don't know how I managed it!  So my Five on Friday that I am sharing with Amy and her amazing link up party on Love Made My Home (the link is here) is a snapshot from each day.

Monday - For those who follow me on other social media platforms, you would have seen this shot - Another Day at the Office - so lucky to work in such an old and inspiring building.

Tuesday - With sore feet it was time for a trip to Lambeth Palace followed by lunch in the House of Lords before returning to work (currently writing the post for you!).

Wednesday - A home check for a future rescue furry friend.  A very nerve racking morning but the lady was wonderful and she was very happy to send through our papers for the next stage.  After one extra question later that evening we were passed!  Arrangements were made and a meet and greet were confirmed for the following day.  Coco must have been watching us from Rainbow Bridge.

Thursday - A dreaded Glaucoma check but... I was discharged!  Could this be the start of a fantastic day?  Yes it could!  A quickly organised trip to Skegness for an emotional meet and greet with a very special furry lady and fish and chips on the beach!

Friday - Back to work and now I am home!  Relaxing and dreaming of this pot of furry gold at the end of Coco's rainbow.  Just a little teaser...

Just a little longer and all with be revealed!

So, that's my five on this incredibly busy week.  I don't know how I got through it but I can tell you, I'm going to thoroughly enjoy my weekend!!

Please go and check out Amy's Five on Friday here and enjoy your visits to everyone there and maybe join in!

(p.s. Sorry about the different sizes of photos - a couple of them were with my phone and they turned out bigger than I wanted).

      

This week I am sharing with:

Love Made My Home - Five on Friday

Hanging Out the June Bunting

So we are in June and fast approaching the longest day!  It's incredible how quickly this year is going, so today with the sun streaming through the racing clouds, I felt it was time to hang out my handmade bunting and take out my favourite rickety table and chairs.

I love sitting out here on a bright June evening and then again in the darker evenings of late August.  Unfortunately during July and early August the wheat sways in the surrounding fields which brings thrips (or thunder flies), and they LOVE me!  It makes it impossible for me to sit in the garden and all windows and doors have to be shut otherwise these pesky insects get behind laptop screens, paintings, you name it!  Do you have any nasty little biters that spoil your summer?

I have been feeling a lot brighter this week thankfully, so to put the parasol up and watch the dancing leaves on the branches casting shadows above my head made my heart sing once again.  There have been more smiles after the hard, sad times of the last seven weeks.

The bees have started to return and I can't wait for my lavender to make its welcome appearance once again.  For now, they were happy to dance around the chives!

The garden is beginning to show more and more colour and has provided us a with a beautiful oasis to enjoy!  It will be fourteen years this month that we first moved into the newly built house with mud for a garden and plain fences.  We've come a long way!

I can remember a tiny climbing rose that we put in the ground which has now very happily twisted and turned its way up through the pergola and provides a satisfying show of beautiful roses up and over the garage and to the delight of the neighbours.  A spectacular show with heavy petalled blooms.  This one I found had fallen from one of the branches and into the pond.  It's called A Yorkshire Lad - just like my hubby!

Another little plant we put in all those years ago was a grape vine.  Again this has danced its way through the pergola, around the jasmine and the roses and has provided us with grapes and succulent leaves that we use to make Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves).

Mine and Coco's favourite area was the daisy patch.  Still spreading (sorry Hubby!), and I absolutely love it!

And, at last, my wait is over for the Geoffrey Hamilton Rose!  I LOVE this rose and have two beautiful bushes of it.  The multilayered blooms makes my heart skip and sing.

So of course, they must come in the house too!

It's been hard over the last few weeks I can truly say, but I do feel more settled, and my routines are getting easier to cope with.  The bunting is out once again and its time to move on and carry on the search for a new bundle of fun.

The Cathedral is bathed in sunshine and blue skies again, so I will be taking you around here soon - it's been a while hasn't it!

And I am in London next week for work, but I will be taking some photos just for you, as again it has been a little while since I've shown you my beautiful home town.  But, let me just show you something gorgeous that Mumsy and Dadsy are going to have live with them...

B A R N E Y ♥

Say hello to Barney, a sable roan Cocker Spaniel!  He will be joining them in a couple of weeks, and as you can see I didn't want the cuddle to end!  Hopefully I will have my own fur baby soon - I just have to be patient.

Have a wonderful weekend and week everyone.

      

This week I am sharing with:

Home Sweet Home