Victorian Easter Greetings

In the late 1800's the halfpenny postage stamp was introduced in England and the craze for sending greetings cards, especially at Christmas and Easter, began.

Favourite topics on Easter postcards were bunnies, eggs, kittens and children. 

Wealthy ladies enjoyed creating scrapbook albums as keepsakes for their families and friends.

It wasn't only in England that sending cards was a popular pastime,

 the craze travelled to the Continent too.

Over the years I've gathered a small collection of these pretty keepsakes.

My favourites are the ones that I discovered in French flea markets. 

They always make me smile

 displayed on the mantlepiece, a sweet addition to my Easter décor.

The stars of the show this week in my garden.

Grape hyacinth.

Daffodils

Deep red camellia.

Rhubarb,

" Every spring is the only spring,

a perpetual astonishment "

Ellis Peters

Leisurely Funchal, Madeira.

After cruising through the night and most of the next day we reached our first port of call, Funchal, Madeira late afternoon

We joined fellow passengers for our first excursion and were soon leaving Funchal behind as we climbed to our first stop Eira do Serrado one of the most beautiful locations in Madeira.

Eira do Serrado lies at the very centre of the island at an impressive elevation of 3,592 feet. However, thick low clouds enveloped the central massif and the incredible view down the valley was not to be.

Instead, at a local inn/store, we were treated to a tasting of a Portuguese liqueur "ginja", some of the party enjoyed the taste but I found it too sweet and cloying. As well as the typical souvenir samples for sale there was a very impressive display of bottles dating back many years . 

We didn't buy any but in typical tourist fashion we bought the T shirt!

Our next stop was lower down the mountain at the Pico dos Barcelos, 1100 feet above sea level, where we enjoyed the panoramic view over Funchal Bay, the city and a glimpse of the rocky Desertas Islands in the background before returning to the ship.

Cruising onboard Azamara Onward

We just got back a few days ago from a 7 day cruise around the Canary Islands onboard the Azamara Onward.

Azamara's usp is what they refer to as "Destination Immersion". 

Simply put this means that as their ships, they have 4, are smaller (only 700 passengers) they can stay longer in port.

This means that we had more time to experience the local life and culture from early until late.

We embarked in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Spain) and visited the islands of Madeira (Portugal); La Palma (Spain); La Gomera (Spain) and Tenerife (Spain) before returning to Gran Canaria.

We went on several guided excursions, more about those later, and also enjoyed some days just lounging on the ship reading, soaking up the sun (such a treat after all that recent snow) and enjoying delicious meals.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Snow days

 Never let it be said that we weren't warned.

If you saw my previous post you'll know that on Wednesday there was a severe weather warning issued by the UK Met office. 

I had hoped that we wouldn't be too affected by the snow but boy was I wrong.

What started as gentle snow flurries soon became blizzard like, by the time darkness fell trees and bushes were covered and the spring bulbs were hibernating once more.

It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that the sun began to shine in a beautiful blue sky and the thaw began.

Neighbours came together with snow shovels, a forgotten snow blower was uncovered in the back of someone's garage and the heaviest snowfall seen in these parts for 27 years began to be cleared from in front of homes, along driveways and public footpaths.

It was wonderful to see everyone working together, we haven't lived here very long but on Saturday we realised just how blessed we are to have found our forever home in this village and this community.

Spring might just be on hold this year

Cream and purple hellebores, a.k.a Christmas rose, have been nodding gently in the breeze and daffodils and crocuses have been happily announcing the arrival of spring in Yorkshire for some weeks now.

However, today the UK Met office has issued a yellow warning as severe weather conditions are set to sweep the country with temperatures possibly falling as low as -15c in some areas.

I'm hoping that the worst weather will pass by or at least treat us kindly.

How does your garden grow this week?

Staying safe and sane through lockdown

Like millions of other Brits over the past twelve months the Senior Partner and I have been following the strict lockdown rules/guidelines for staying safe. When we run errands we always wear a mask, sometimes more than one, always use the hand sanitisers provided and wash our hands when we get back home.

Since M'selle Fleur passed away in February our daily exercise routines have changed slightly but we still enjoy our walks in the local park, after all a change of scenery does you good, right.

We have also been enjoying visits to the Gardens of Chatsworth House, home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, as we live nearby travel restrictions don't apply.

Restrictions are now lifting, next month there'll be even fewer and we're planning on taking a tour of the House in May, so looking forward to that.

Joining Angie @ Letting Go of the Bay Leaf 

for Mosaic Monday, once again.

See, life is getting better all the time!

late autumn colour

My but the weather has been funny this week. 

High winds and rain one day, blue skies and sunshine the next.

The plants in the courtyard garden continue to surprise me as I watch and wait to see what it holds.

This climbing rose has been in bloom since early May and continues to bring forth fresh flowers daily, it is a delight and the fragrance divine.

I have no idea what it's name is but I call it Glory. 

I love the way it looks when waterlogued.

This sedum was a survivor when I recently cleared out a small bed which had become overgrown and crowded. I'm not sure if I like it but it can stay until Spring.

I added a photo of a bee enjoying a pretty white Cosmos "Pop Socks". 

I planted several Cosmos in containers this summer and they have been very popular with the bees and butterflies.

Walking up Back Lane yesterday I noticed that here too nature was bringing changes to the landscape.

Earlier in the year the Hawthorns had been brimming with white blossom, now bright red berries entice the birds, beneath the trees the ferns are slowly turning adding contrast to the ancient dry stone walls that enclose the fields.

Wishing you pleasant Autumn days with plenty of blue skies and sunshine and a calm and peaceful week ahead.

Joining Angie @Letting Go of the Bayleaf 

for Mosaic Monday # 98.

Cromford Mills, Matlock. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Since my last post I've been a bit under the weather, coping with a couple of minor health related issues.
Nothing serious so I won't bother you with the details, however it has meant that we've stayed close to home and not been out and about.
For my Mosaic Monday post this week I'm sharing some photographs and a little backstory about a trip we took last month to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sir Richard Arkwright's Cromford Mills, Matlock where the worlds first successful water powered cotton spinning mill was constructed in 1771.

During their history the factory buildings at Cromford Mills have had many uses.

In1840 when textile production became restricted, due to problems with the water supply, other businesses such as brewers, laundries and a cheese warehouse moved in.

These days there are many interesting shops to browse in and while away an hour or two.

Art Studios, Antiques, Artisan Cheesemakers, Souvenir gift, Yarn and Book shops and also a café,

In recent weeks the Arkwright Society who own and operate Cromford Mills have begun to offer guided tours of the buildings to small groups, I am worried though that as more and more local lockdown measures are put in place across the UK this may have been our first and also our last visit for quite a while.

Joining Angie for Mosaic Monday # 97, see you there.

seasonal changes

We recently discovered Channel 5's documentary series "Our Yorkshire Farm" and have been captivated by the Owen family and their home, 2000 acre Ravenseat Farm. high in the Yorkshire Dales.
Parents Amanda (The Yorkshire Shepherdess) and Clive are raising 9 children (ages 1 through 16), over 1000 Swaledale sheep, a herd of 40 cows as well as assorted horses, ponies and dogs.
With the changing of the seasons, over three series, we've seen the children grow and learn new skills around the farm. 

From lambing to shearing to mending ancient farm equipment, restoring drystone walls, raising chickens and catering to passing hikers with hearty cream teas.
I took these photos in 2013 when we rented a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales village of Low Row which as it turns out is only about 10 miles away from Ravenseat Farm as the crow flies.

Here in Derbyshire the seasons are changing too.
Our farmer neighbour has been out cutting the wild meadows behind our home, making haylage for horses. As he no longer needs it for his own animals he sells it to raise money for his favourite local charity.
The view from our bedroom window.

This is our first Autumn here and I've been looking forward to seeing the fall colours as the landscape is quite different to what we've been used to seeing in Normandy. 

We are due some hot weather in the coming days according to the weatherman and so far the trees are remaining decidedly green, maybe next month will see a colour change.

beef in ale

We've had the occasional grey rainy day and some mornings are quite chilly.

On days like these there's nothing better than a hearty homemade soup or casserole to warm this English girls heart.

Joining Angie for Mosaic Monday # 96

Saturday morning Park Life

Up with the lark this morning so we decided to walk Fleur in Whitworth Park whilst the weather was still fine.

After a shaky start, Fleur heard a loud noise so decided to turn tail, we set off down past the Crown Bowling green to the ponds.

There were quite a few early morning dog walkers about, they seemed a friendly bunch, so whilst I took photos of Mama Duck and her 7 babies the SP and Fleur strolled over to get acquainted.

The three of us really enjoyed being out in the fresh air especially Fleur who is now "in with the in crowd" and also found a large stick to carry back to the car.

Mosaic Monday