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

throwback thursday

Martha @Seaside Simplicity and I met through Mosaic Monday and I thought it would be fun to join her for Throwback Thursday with this collection of autographed black and white photographs of MGM Studios Hollywood stars which I found over 20 years ago at a flea market in Le Mans, France.

Jane Powell, Walter Pidgeon,
 Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner,
Red Skelton, Judy Garland

Throwback Thursday

Mosaic Monday