Heart Shaped

City Forefathers

2012-02-02T06:50:00.002Z

On my walk around Sheffield on Sunday morning, I tried to find things that I have not seen before, so first I looked up - and saw a plaque for John Brown. I had heard of John Brown and some of the companies he started but I never realised his fascinating history. The city has many of these plaques that I have never even noticed before, so I shall endeavour to learn more about the great people who made our city. This one was on the wall outside of Waterstones in Orchard Square.

Then I looked down - and discovered this in the pavement on the top of the main shopping street - Fargate. I must have walked over this loads of times. I had never heard of Percy Riley, so I tried to find something about him on the internet. I struggled, but I did find THIS PIECE that explains what Tenants Leaders did in South Yorkshire. If you have time to read the full document, its fascinating - and also seems to tie everything together that I have seen and done this week - from going to see The Iron Lady, to understanding what the Occupy Sheffield site is all about. As I get older, the more I realise that I am living "through" history and the history that has occurred over my life time, especially around where I live has started to fascinate me more and more.

Percy Riley sounds like he he was a good man with a fire in his belly. Does anybody know anything about him?

No more Mrs Nice Guy

2012-02-01T06:41:00.001Z

We in Sheffield have been horrified lately by the news that the Sheffield Museums have lost all of their Arts Council funding. This is on top of losing a fair bit of council funding also. The more I look into this, the more it makes my blood boil. When I clicked onto the website for the Arts Council Yorkshire region and clicked onto each board member, none of them represent South Yorkshire. Plenty from Leeds and others from West Yorkshire, some from East Yorkshire and some from North Yorkshire - so South Yorkshire does not seem to be fairly represented from the start!

We are used to being sold down the river in South Yorkshire. We get the rug pulled from under our feet on a regular basis, but we don't go down without a fight. A mass picnic is being organised around the millenium galleries by a certain faction of the South Yorkshire Popular Front so I'll let you have more details of this as and when I have more info. I hope to see you there if you are local, and if you can help in any way shape or form - please do. I love a Sunday morning at the museum and if we don't make a stand and use them, then I'm afraid we will lose them.

Occupy Sheffield

2012-01-31T08:20:00.000Z

I treated myself to a wander around Sheffield on a cold and frosty Sunday morning. I stepped off the tram at the Cathedral and decided to take a good look around the "Occupy Sheffield" camp site. I don't think that they are sleeping at night in the tents, I certainly hope not as it was well below 0 degrees. It is a peaceful protest with no drink or drugs allowed on the site. Its a very sad of affairs that because they are protesting peacefully that the impact of their message has not been as punchy as it ought to be.

Being a crafter, I admired their handy work,
and also the fabrics they used.
And I have to admit that I didn't disagree with any of their messages either.
especially this one!!!!!!

Recent Movies

2012-01-30T17:01:00.002Z

Hubby and I have had date night at the cinema recently. The first film we saw was Warhorse. I know that this gets rave reviews everywhere (except over on John - Going Gently's blog!), and I have to say that I really liked it. It is a bit "overblown" and there are some actors that don't get very good lines, but the film overall is very watchable - one part made me cry, but it was nothing to do with the horse! Its a long film, but time goes by quickly as there is always something happening. I would recommend it.

The second film we saw I really loved. The Iron Lady is the story of Margaret Thatcher - the woman. Love her or loathe her, the film is great with brilliant acting from Meryl Streep, who I forgot on occasion was not actually MT! She did have some really tough decisions to make and to give her her due, she never shied away from making them. She was without a doubt "driven" . Jim Broadbent plays a superb Dennis, but then Jim Broadbent always plays everything superbly.

What really struck me throughout the film about the 1970's and early 80's was how tough and pretty dire life was in Britain. Strikes, 3 day weeks, the power going off, the rubbish piling up in London, The IRA bombings on a regular basis - but I can't remember people moaning about things like they do these days, and I can't remember ever feeling badly done by either.

Spotted

2012-01-28T17:03:00.011Z

With a million and one household chores waiting to be done, I decided that because the weather looked fine, I should make the most of it, and also drag the teenager out as he is in danger of getting Vitamin D deficiency from never leaving his room! (only to attend college and parties!)

He only grunts at me when he is in the house, but when we walk together he talks my ears off! Ive learned all about environmental issues and polar ice melts today.

We spotted plenty of blue sky today,
And very early daffodils sprouting - unheard of in January round these parts. Get ready to jump in the car at a moments notice Rosie!!
We spotted this very unusual car,
with its terrifying passenger!
We spotted clumps of snowdrops,
and old blacksmiths forge
pretty little gatehouse,
parkland
and very pretty cottages.
I'd purposely stayed close to home as he is doing 2 parties today - the 1st one at 5pm - a murder mystery, and the 2nd one a bit later at someones house (some parents are barmy!). I was required for taxi duty, so I basically hung around all day - only to be told as he dashed out of the house at 4.30pm that he had got another lift!

But tomorrow is all mine! and I have a few options up my sleeve.

The light at the end of the tunnel

2012-01-28T07:51:00.008Z

I'm not a January person. I hate wishing my time away, but I'm glad its almost over. However one of the aspects about the month that I like is that the day light hours get measurably longer. After work, I now get about an hour and a half of daylight to play with.

So on my way home on Thursday I called for a walk around the grounds at the garden centre.
The fresh air, exercise and injection of colour perked me up no end.

And Mother Nature finished my stroll with a light show of her own.

It was the best one and a half hours of my day.

Vintage Tag Tuesday (on Thursday!)

2012-01-26T07:50:00.001Z

Here is my attempt at a vintage tag for TAG TUESDAY

Made with items from my Mama's (Grandma's) button box. I love the way nothing was ever thrown away (note the old hooks from a pink bra!) - this must be where I get it from!

Sunday Afternoon Windy Walk

2012-01-25T11:39:00.000Z

My, it was blustery on Sunday, and with only a short window of opportunity for a walk, we decided to stay local and walk down the park in Wentworth. I know you've been with me at least a hundred times before, but humour me.

We peeped through the gates of the very large stable block. The block is equally the size of the stables at Chatsworth and we always wish it had as good a tea room.

And then on past the big house - I like the way that this photo turned out as I shot it into the sun.

Onwards through the deer park - didn't spot any deer though.
And we ended up by the lakes - where it was really cold and very very breezy!

A walk that certainly blew the cobwebs away.

Spanish Romance

2012-01-24T07:14:00.000Z

I'm currently loving

Pub Scrawl part deux

2012-01-22T10:05:00.000Z

Nest, we made our way to the Bowery. We loved the work of Tado who are a Sheffield duo. Their installation was an animated depiction of Sheffield life.

A "still" of this work was in the window of the Bowery - can you make out one of Sheffield's own recording stars?
Well done if you recognised Jarvis Cocker!
There was great music in most of the pubs - we loved the panda DJ in here.

The best "experience " of the tour was in the Washington pub where Warp Films had taken over the joint and made the place their own - love what you did with the place lads. Warp are one of the leading independent film makers in the UK who refuse believe that London is the centre of the universe. I love the last 2 lines of this introduction.
They had turned the pub into one of their films - This is England and had actually got the actors from the film to appear in character! The actors were serving behind the bar, drinking in the pub - it was all very realistic and a bit scary especially when the skinheads kicked off at one point!

The DQ was a bit star struck and loved having her photo taken with the cast.

Warp made one of my favourite films - did you ever see Grow your own?

Our next drink was at the Forum. I loved the work of Sarah Abbott and would love to see some of her work in my own home. I'm going to visit her shop for a look around.

I knew that you would like these too.
Next, we were supposed to go to the Frog & Parrot, but it was packed and so our group did the Conga through the pub, then some of us went for chips!

For those concerned with our alcohol intake, we didn't manage a drink in each pub. I was driving, so I was on fizzy water, hubby had a few halves of Thornbridge ale, and the DQ is a bit of a light weight drinker and felt tiddly after an Archers and lemonade and a cider!

Next up was the artist GEO at the Great Gatsby pub
And then across to Bungalow and Bears where Fine and Dandy seemed to have filled the place with decorated cardboard boxes. This was nearing the end of the tour and all the blokes (and some of the ladies) decided to "play". They had loads of fun building huge towers and walls - then knocking them down again. As this was one of the last pubs on the tour, a long line of revellers could be seen walking out with a box tucked under their arms!
We did make it to the last pub, and the Everly Pregnant Brothers had promised to play their Ukulele's for us, but it was absolutely packed and the DQ said she was tired and had work the next day. (There is a striking similarity between Saffy and Edina and the DQ and I!!!) so we left the tour at this stage.

It was a great evening and I hope that they repeat it again. It was very popular and a great showcase for some of the marvellous home grown talent that we have in the city.

Pete McKee's Pub Scrawl

2012-01-21T10:04:00.017Z

Last night, hubby, the Dancing Queen and I took ourselves out on a pub crawl with a difference. Iconic Sheffield artist Pete McKee had organised for 10 talented Sheffield artists to showcase their work in 10 city centre pubs, all within comfortable walking distance of each other. I took loads of photos, so I'll have to do separate posts, and some photos are a bit poor as the pubs were darkish and packed! But I wanted to take you along as it was so great.

Pete himself gave us the introductory talk. The pubs were open for anybody to wander in and out of, but we chose to partake in the guided tour which was well worth it (all proceeds going to the city's children hospital).
We were highly delighted to find that Shaun - singer in the Everly Pregnant Brothers was our tour guide. And surprisingly he kept us all in order and I don't think we lost anyone along the way!
We started of in the University Arms which displayed this installation by Ian Anderson. You don't get the full effect of this as the words and colours changed. If you visit his website by clicking on his name, you get a better idea of his stunning graphic design work.
We got to visit some lovely, proper old pubs (as well as some very lovely new ones) along the way.
We loved the work of Lord Bunn.
As well as his poster style art,
he had used fruit and veg as art. This piece was as large as a market stall, and was really effective.
I also loved the humour in this too.
The artist at the Harley Hotel was Tom J Newell who's work was a bit macabre. This was a dummy, but it was scarily lifelike!

I loved this style though,
and I loved how you could watch the artists still producing work and get to have a chat with them.
Catch me later to see where we went next and see which place really put on a spectacular show.

Barber Woods Walk

2012-01-19T07:55:00.012Z

On Sunday, hubby and I decided that we would do a local walk - one that didn't require us to use the car. We feel lucky that we are surrounded by ancient woodlands and took ourselves off to Barber Woods which skirt Grange Park in Rotherham.

We walked from home to Thundercliffe Grange - once a home of one of the Earls of Effingham. The snowdrops are out really early around these parts this year. We are normally well into February before they usually appear, but I have noticed lots of clumps waving their cheery heads.

The hall is now privately owned. It is split into apartments, but does have some shared communal areas. They hold a Local History group here and I have been inside. Some of the communal areas are unchanged and very lovely.
The house was apparently built with stone quarried in Barber Wood.
There is a really useful information board where I could read some of the history of the are that I didn't know. I would love to step back in time and see this area as it was.

You may have seen Thundercliffe Grange as it stands by the side of the busy M1 motorway - across from the famous 2 Cranes hat light up at Christmas.
It was nice to walk through the woods and away from the noise of the busy motorway. It was a murky morning and we were both tired from a busy weekend, so we decided to cut the walk shorter than originally planned.
But then the skies started to clear and we didn't want to go back inside so we extended the walk again - over to Scholes Village via Keppels Column.

We enjoyed our doorstep walk.

White

2012-01-17T08:35:00.002Z

The theme over at Tag Tuesday this week is White. It's so inspirational to watch everyone's interpretation of the theme as the week progresses.

On a cold and frosty morning

2012-01-15T17:28:00.000Z

When we walked the Calder Canal on Saturday morning, Jack Frost had been decorating the countryside along the way.

It felt like being in Narnia.

Many thanks to Jan - occupant of Hebden Bridge who left me a comment. I love it when people who live places I visit comment. We did notice how truly beautiful the wooded valley is - it is beyond stunning! I want to see it in Autumn when the leaves turn. We drove up to Hardcastle Crags with the intent of having a little look around, but we left it a bit too late. We fully intend to return really soon to walk through the woods (and visit the NT cafe!!).

Hebden Bridge - the 4th Funkiest town in the world.

2012-01-14T20:20:00.000Z

With hubby on a weekend off and the sun shining in the clear, but very cold sky, hubby and I took ourselves off to discover Hebden Bridge - which according to THIS ARTICLE is the 4th Funkiest town in the world. Even though it is in my own county (albeit in West Yorkshire) it is somewhere I have never been and always wanted to explore.

It didn't disappoint. It is a really lovely and unique town. Built around the mills that sprung up on the river Calder, the town has many relics from its industrial past. I was fascinated by the unique houses in the valley (but forgot to photograph them!). Because they needed to build a lot of houses for the mill workers, and there was no where flat to build them, they built them into the hillsides, so they were several storeys high. 2 houses were built into 1. The first house (the over dwelling) would be accessed from the front, the other house (under dwelling) was accessed from the back.
The valley has exceptionally steep sides but manages to fit in a road, canal, river and railway running through it - as well as the town.
Old mills have been utilised as shops and residences. They have managed to keep a real atmosphere here by using the old buildings.

It is typical of many West Yorkshire towns that have homes clinging to the sides of very very steep hills - so pretty on this very frosty morning.

The town has a great selection of very individual and independently owned shops, fabulous charity shops and great eateries of all sizes and descriptions.

There are so many relics from when this would have been a very prosperous industrial town.

This little shop was like stepping back in time. The lady who owned it informed me that they were opening a wartime cafe at the end of November. She said it was going to be truly authentic - so I will be going back to see!

We found ourselves too short on time and would have loved to explore the area a bit more - so a return visit will be on the cards when we have more daylight hours.

Tag Tuesday - week 2

2012-01-10T19:36:00.002Z

Don't forget its Tag Tuesday over HERE. The standard of artwork is amazing - I feel way out of my depth, but I'm in it for the fun of it, and I'm picking up some great ideas from the wonderfully talented contributors.

The theme this week is "Snow sports" , and for my tag, I used a photo of my son that I took in the snow last year (where he had crashed and bruised his manhood!!) I loved the photo because (I am a cruel mum and it made me laugh) the photo was almost all black and white apart from the bright red sledge. I kept the theme of the tag Black, White and Red.
Pop over and take a look.

Red sky in the morning..

2012-01-09T16:53:00.003Z

This mornings sky lit everything inside and outside my home the most glorious colour pink.

I got a few odd looks from the neighbours when I dashed out in my jammies to photograph it.
You'd think they would be used to me by now!

Textures

2012-01-08T12:52:00.010Z

On my walk this morning, I decided to concentrate on "textures" (as the sun soon disappeared and any scenic shots would have looked dull!).

I stopped by the Farmers Market at the garden centre - I couldn't resist buying this little beauty.

Apparently its name is "January King".
A lot of the stonework in the wall around the garden centre is very weathered.
Windows/doorways/random holes around the wall that have had a use in previous times now have a gorgeous distressed look.
...with the "Estate Green" paint peeling.
...and the old oak lintels crumbling away.
Moss covers the walls around the farm yard.

And the Hydrangea flowers are as fragile as tissue paper.

You know you're getting old when....

2012-01-07T10:00:00.004Z

....you set up a little tea brewing station on your bedside table so that you can both have your first cuppa before you get out of bed......

...and you think its the best idea you have had in ages!

Edited to say: Some of you are concerned about "fresh milk" issues. If you look behind the mug on the left, you can see I hot footed it to Makro and bought a box of catering UHT milk cartons (the miniature ones for individual cups).

Vintage note: I love Apostle Spoons (can you see them in the mugs?) - I have a dozen of them from my grandparents. My mum used her set daily - like I do mine. My sister would only eat with these spoons. She used to call them "stick" spoons, as we discovered that they were the only ones that would stick to a magnet!

Tag Tuesday

2012-01-03T16:51:00.002Z

Ive joined Carolyn Saxby's Tag Tuesday blog - where we endeavour to make a themed tag every Tuesday. Nip over and have a look at some of the great tags that have been created so far this week. This weeks theme is "Snow" - here is my offering using a photo that I took when we had tons of the white stuff last winter. Ive embroidered it a little, and glittered it a little too. Excuse the poor photo but we have absolutely no light here today.

WI Birthday Cards

2012-01-01T10:00:00.000Z

You might remember that I make the birthday cards for the ladies of my WI - something I really enjoy doing. For this years "theme", I thought that I would make each months different, seasonal, and with flowers from my garden where possible. So for January I picked Helebore's - out earlier this year I think....

Christmas Box - my favourite thing in the garden at this time of year - the blossoms are so fragrant and the berry's so dark purple.....
I arranged them in an old ink bottle on my kitchen window ledge and photographed them......
and then embellished the image with vintage buttons, beads, glitter and ribbons.

Carousel

2011-12-30T15:21:00.004Z

Many thanks for all your good wishes. We had an excellent walk with the kids on our anniversary and we have plans for a romantic couple of days away in a couple of months time when the young man is on a field trip with school.

I spotted this carousel in Barkers Pool, Sheffield on Thursday when the dancing queen and I hit the sales - it was doing a great job in brightening things up as the weather is now dire! I think all towns and city's should have a carousel - like they do in France. There is something really cheery about them .

Well, if I don't see you before, have a great New Years Eve/day, and I'll be back in 2012. Love to all. xxxxxx

Love changes everything

2011-12-28T07:00:00.001Z

Hubby and I have been married for 20 years today. They say that time flies when you are having fun, and it doesn't seem 2 minutes since we said "I do", but when I look at the photos - he still had hair, and my cheekbones were still visible! Like most couples, we have had ups and downs, but we tackle everything head on and together. He is the love of my life.

The church choir was available to sing on the day that we wed and did us proud with their version of "Love Changes Everything" from "Aspects of Love". The song meant a lot to us as we had both been married before and I can vouch that the sentiments in the verses are very true.

Here's looking forward to the next 20. x

Christmas Walks

2011-12-27T17:29:00.012Z

The weather here has been more like Spring than Winter, so over the last 2 days, I have walked and walked.

I got my own back yesterday. My very excitable "baby" (16 year old ) got us up way too early on Christmas day (he who usually stays in bed till noon if we let him!). So I got him up nice and early for a Boxing Day walk!

It was a bit breezy, but the wide open spaces blew the cobwebs away.

Ive seen plenty of seasonal Holly...
...and Ivy.
We've discovered an ancient woodland with lots of exposed Limestone crags.
I've walked around 2 different lakes

And found some Rhododendron's out way too early!
Ive trampled around a forest and park.
Skirted around the churchyard
And of course incorporated a pub stop.
Fingers crossed that the weather stays fine so I can continue my wanderings. x

Happy Christmas

2011-12-24T10:42:00.001Z

So here it is, Merry Christmas everybody's having fun! Well we will be once we've sorted out the problematic car that we thought had been sorted before!

Lots of love to you all - Lets do it all again next year shall we?

xxxxxxxx

The things you do for love.

2011-12-22T18:21:00.019Z

I had made up enough overtime at work to take a couple of days off - so I thought that the last 2 days before the Christmas break would be great to get the house cleaned etc etc. That was the plan. However the dancing queen announced that she needed to do some " location" filming for a piece she was doing as part of her uni course. This would take her on a journey that I wasn't keen on her doing alone, so I volunteered to go along as production assistant/bag carrier. So on my day off, I found myself having to get up at 5.30am and buy 2 return tickets to our destination - and let me tell you, we could have flown to Spain for the same price! DQ will be ironing her way through 2012 to pay me back!!

Our first leg of the journey saw us catching a train across the Pennines to Manchester (where the railway station looked stunning all lit up), and then cross to platform 14 to await our train to.....

BLACKPOOL - IN DECEMBER!!!!!!
It had to be Blackpool as she is filming a documentary about a band that are from here (she says they are excellent and will be as big as the Arctic Monkeys - so watch for them - they are called The Colours). She filmed them the other week in Manchester, but she needed some Blackpool shots as she has been marked down for her "locations" in the past.
So at 9am, we alighted from the train, and found ourselves surprisingly in the sunshine! (although it was very bracing on the prom prom prom!).

They've done a lot of work on the promenade since we were last here, and we both loved this piece of work in front of the Tower.
It features hundreds of names of people who have performed in the many theatres in the town - I remember seeing Mike & Bernie Winters at the end of the pier once in the 1960's .
There were some funny jokes too that made me titter.
And lyrics to well known songs...
And this ones for you John.
The English Seaside can look very forlorn in winter, but the sunshine cheered things up a lot. The town still has its 3 Victorian piers intact. Blackpool isn't on my list of fave places, but it does have some endearing features.
The cloud patterns were amazing.
She got all of the filming done (hopefully) and we had a laugh walking from the Tower end down to the Pleasure Beach - hardly passing anyone else.
The famous illuminations have ended and are just being taken down until next year.
DQ made an interesting comment. We noticed that the south pier had a really interesting looking entrance - hidden behind a tacky later edition. She said that it would be a far nicer town if they ripped down all the "later editions" and stripped it back to the Edwardian/Victorian facades of the buildings - and I think she is right.
I love the way that Blackpool blatantly flaunts the "Trades Description Act". As Jim Royale would say - "Continental eating my a***"!
"Luxury Holiday Flats"?!
And can you spot the mistake? It got me wondering if it was me or them!
We managed to take a few photos just inside the Pleasure Beach. I remember the Noah's Ark from when I was a little girl. Its had a coat of paint and looks as good as new.
I hadn't appreciated the stunning Art Deco architecture of the park entrance before. It has some great features.
And being Blackpool, the Christmas tree was made of ballroom glitter balls - fab!
So on the train home, after a ridiculous early start, and extortionate train fares, I asked her how long her documentary piece had to last. The reply? 1 minute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-21T18:07:00.001Z

I'm almost ready - in fact, if it doesn't arrive soon the sherry will be all gone! The kids are as excitable as ever - even though they are 19 and 16 years old! I don't know if its my age, but a couple of Christmas cards have arrived bearing sad news from people we don't see from one year to the next. This has made me determined to make more effort keep in touch with friends that we have "let slip". It has also made me determined to focus much more on what we "have" and not hanker after things we "want" but really don't need. Other cards have made me laugh. The one that arrived "to" someone different on the inside to the address on the envelope, and the one that arrived yesterday with no writing at all on the inside - so its not just me then!!! We only ever have a simple Christmas - it suits us just fine.

I have a mission to complete tomorrow, then its all "eat, drink & be merry" hopefully. xx

Snow chasers

2011-12-19T10:00:00.000Z

From my village, we can look over the valley where Sheffield sits in the bottom, and over to the edge of the Peak District. We could see snow, so on Sunday, hubby and I decided to tog up and head out frolic in the white stuff and get that Christmassy feeling flowing.

You have to admit that the view from Foxhouse, just a few minutes drive out of Sheffield, over towards Mam Tor is pretty spectacular and one of the reasons why I love living around these parts.

We stopped off at the National Trust Cafe for homemade soup and a roll - a brilliant start to our walk. The house on the Longshaw Estate is not open to visitors. It is split into apartments. A pretty gorgeous place to live I think. It so reminds me of somewhere the Brontes would have written about.

So if you have no Christmas snow at the moment, come with me across the Grouse Moors, and wallow in the loveliness of this perfect winters day.

Sundays walk was a complete contrast to Saturdays - but I enjoyed them both equally. I love that this contrast is really only 15 minutes apart.

City Walk

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000Z

Hubby and I had been trying to attempt a walk for a couple of days, but "Mum & Dad's" taxi service had been in full use, so on Saturday we seized the opportunity and did one of my favourite city walks. We parked up at Meadowhall - as we had dropped the DQ at work - and walked down the footpath alongside the river Don into Sheffield. The footpath is well maintained as it is part of the Five Weirs Walk , but the marvellous steel walkways are often victim to metal theft these days. This scarey spider has survived though.

Many of the old industrial units by the river are now derelict, but a few were occupied and in full swing.

We spotted some fab graffiti painted on one building.

We reached the city and ended up on the " Wicker" - one of Sheffield's historical streets, full of fabulous grade II listed buildings but sadly now a more run down part of town.
The Wicker Arches used to carry the main railway line from Manchester, but this line and station are no longer used.
Can you see the patched up bit? A relic from the Sheffield Blitz.
At this stage, it started to pour with rain and sleet, so we popped into a gorgeous little pattiserie. Its years since I stepped into an eaterie on the Wicker and it was really lovely.
Once refreshed, we took time to explore some of the great buildings on the road.
The history of some of these buildings are amazing and should be preserved. I always love finding history and interest that I have not seen before - in places that I visit or pass through often. Its all about looking that bit closer.

There are some fascinating old buildings at the end of the Wicker. Until the floods in 2007, these housed a furniture shop, but they are empty now. I hope they don't get pulled down.

I wanted to photograph this area as it is where 2 rivers converge. The tunnel on the right brings the river Sheaf (where Sheffield takes its name from) from its culvert under the city, to join the river Don.
Whilst it was still raining, we thought we would pop into Castle Market - Sheffield indoor market who's days are apparently numbered. I've not been to Castle market since about 1980, and the area around it is very run down, but we were both gobsmacked to find how lovely it was inside. It was really clean and tidy. I'm planning a return trip for a better look.
Once back outside, the sun was shining, so we headed down to the canal basin for our return leg of the walk.

I think that there is a certain beauty in some of the derelict buildings along side the canal.
With the sun now shining brightly, the reflections in the canal where stunning.

The river and canal must have been a wonderful breath of fresh air through the industrial part of the city in the past - it still is. It draws the wildlife right into the heart of Sheffield. We saw a Kingfisher - as we have every time we have done this walk. And we finally got to take a walk! x

Di's Broadcast to the nation!

2011-12-16T13:26:00.005Z

My daughter had to produce a podcast for part of her Uni course - and I was roped in! I thought you might like a laugh!! Thank goodness my kitchen looks OK as I look a wreck - and I had made an effort at that!! (although trimming my own fringe minutes before filming might not have been the best idea!!). I only did it on the proviso that she photoshop me to look like Audrey Tatou. And "one of your fruits a day" has become another one of my sayings that gets repeated in mocking tones on a regular basis! We did film a complete meal, but the podcast had only to be 2 minutes, so you only see the pudding.

It was really hard to do - and as you will see, Delia and Nigella can rest easy - they certainly have no competition. x

PS My now almost completed wombled and credit crunched kitchen features many of the beautiful gifts that have been bestowed upon me by my equally beautiful "blends" (bloggy friends). Don't they look fab! xx

Mohair Distraction

2011-12-12T07:02:00.000Z

Just before I put the sewing machine away for Christmas, I turned this luscious vintage mohair scarf bought on my charity shop jaunt with Deb for 99p .....

...into this very designer looking cushion cover for the conservetory.
I did try to wear it Deb, but it was too itchy on my neck!

Family Photographs

2011-12-10T12:10:00.006Z

I'm supposed to be cleaning the house and finishing off the Christmas Preparations - but I keep getting sidetracked! This morning I stumbled across a box of old family photo's -allow me to share some.

This photograph reminds my sister of the day that mentally scarred her for life - as she STILL "mithers" on about it to this day. We were at our Grandma's house, sat on the wall of her Rose Garden. The dressing up box consisted of only 2 flouncy net underskirts. Playing at "weddings" and being the oldest, and the bride, I decided I needed BOTH underskirts - leaving her to be a bridesmaid in just her duffle coat.

This photograph was taken on a Sunday afternoon stroll through Millhouses Park in Sheffield. It features me - 18months old, my Mum and Dad, both about 21 years old! and my baby brother. I can honestly say that my hubby and I have NEVER been for a walk with the kids in a suit and pearls. Standards have obviously slipped!
I remember the day that this photograph was taken very clearly. I was 5 years old and sat with my brother and my lovely Mama's (mums mum) waiting for Mum to bring home our new baby sister. She had been in hospital for a week and was being brought home in an ambulance - no complication, its just the way the NHS did it in those days.
What a happy family photo! We are on holiday in Blackpool and I'm not happy at all am I!!!
And I often wonder what could have possibly been said in the few seconds that you get between shots in a photo booth to change our faces!
Little brother took no time at all to grow bigger than me! We often looked like twins when we were little - especially as we were dressed in matching homeknitted cardigans!

Another Time

2011-12-06T17:59:00.004Z

I'm at the stage with my preparations for Christmas where I panic. I do the same every year, I get SUPER organised, and then decide something major - that I know I don't have time for, but I go ahead and try and fit it in anyway! Yesterday, I was laying a new kitchen floor, and today I decided to have a huge sort out of a few drawers. However, I'm so glad I did. I found this.

My Grandad had once been an employee of the Fitzwilliam estate. When he died, we found this amongst some of his belongings. I'm glad I saved it.

As I crank up the heating to keep us cosy, and set about wrapping all the presents and stuff the freezer with food, I am reminded that times would have been very different when Grandiwad (my name for him) received his Christmas letter from his employer back in 1944.

My kitchen this week

2011-12-03T07:00:00.000Z

Just reporting back that "Herman" cake turned out delicious - so if you are lucky enough to be given a portion of "starter", then give it a go. I dutifuly gave some portions away, but kept one to make another cake in another 10 days time.

The young man has a Christmas job at a local supermarket. He's on fruit and veg, and at the end of his shift marks down the prices. He made me laugh when in his break, he sent me a text that simply said "Cucumbers 2p" - that's my boy!
So I popped in and bought a job lot before I picked him up, and the grandparents will have a home made jar of Cucumber Pickle in their hampers for Christmas.

The only thing that matters at Christmas

2011-12-01T16:22:00.003Z

Is there anybody out there who can get past the first 3 lines without blubbing with tears and snot and everything!!!! All these ladies have husbands out in Afghanistan.

I heard this for the first time this morning driving to work. My colleagues didn't know what to say when I walked in, and when I tried to explain that I had listened to a song that broke my heart - they looked at each other and still didn't know what to say to me!!

If you forget some ones card, if you buy Aldi mince pies instead of baking your own, if any minor point threatens to ruin your Christmas - just think on.xxxxx

Welbeck Stables

2011-11-29T15:51:00.000Z

On Saturday, we zipped to the craft and food fair at Welbeck. We didn't have enough time to do it justice, so next year we will definately make sure that we spend a full day here. We only managed to pop into Hope and Elvis (which was looking soooooo tidy!!) to book another course and say hi to Louise, Deb and Debs daughter. Hubby remarked that he could tell why I loved it there. We also managed to sample the finest steak and ale stew with duck fat roast potatoes and take home some gorgeous Stichelton cheese.

I had read that the owner of Welbeck was opening one of the very large Stable blocks, so we took the opportunity to have a nosey in.

The stable blocks are truly awesome buildings.
Stepping inside the stables was eerie. It feels like they were stopped being used a long time ago, and nothing has happened with them since.

The textures inside on the walls and floors were interesting.

The estate is riddled with tunnels built by one of the previous earls. I believe that this one was built so that guests could walk from the house to the stables without getting wet. They didn't even have to get wet riding either as the duke built an indoor riding school too.
We marvelled at the wealth that these Dukes and Earls must have had, and the fun they must have had showing off.

A Windy Walk

2011-11-28T15:46:00.000Z

On Sunday, Hubby and I took a very windy walk around the park and lake at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

After gales during the night, we noticed that not many trees had leaves left on them.
Ive taken you here before. The wide open parkland lends itself well to big sculptures, but today we had come for the walk and not the art.
We spotted some of natures art work....

They have now made a walk right way around the lake - we have earmarked this walk for Christmas week. Today, we were climbing the hills.
I thought I would produce my own art work - imaginative I think.
Once we reached the top of the hill, we could towards the old Woolley Colliery - one of the Barnsley Coal mines now no longer used. As you can see, Mother Nature is claiming this back. It used to have a huge winding wheel and massive coal washing sheds, but nothing now remains.
Ive seen this Andy Goldsworthy piece before, but never realised that there are three of these, side by side. Where have I been looking!!!

This chap had a lovely woolly coat on to protect him from the biting wind. He needed it.
This structure was new and quite effective in the large space. I love the rust on it.

We had a great walk - just what we needed to blow the cobwebs away.

Unfinished Business

2011-11-27T15:42:00.012Z

My Mum is the champion in starting some thing - knitting, sewing etc and never finishing the item. When I had my daughter, it spurred her on to finish the half knitted cardigans etc that she has started for me - 32 years previously.

I recently asked her to find me a small old suitcase that I knew she had kept - that used to be my Grandma's - that housed some of her unfinished embroidery projects.

I am planning to finish them off for her and make one of them into a cushion cover that she can use everyday. The only problem is that she embroidered as neatly as the ladies in Jane Austen times whilst my bits are scrappy. Any way, I think she will be surprised to see it finished - I hope I get it done in time for Christmas.
This stunning piece was started whilst she was at school (and she is now 72!!). It was going to be a tea cosy, but she didn't leave enough fabric to sew it together.
The embroidery and cut work is absolutely perfect. What can I turn this into?
There were lots of craft magazines etc in the suitcase, but this took my eye.
I reckon she must have hankered after one of these modern machines.

Well who wouldn't have!
She never got one - our washing machine didn't have as many gizzmo's on it - we did have a mangle though!
And these patterns had never been used either. How awful that Bust size 34 used to be a size 16!!!!

So it looks as if my date with George is off this week. To console myself - Ive booked to see Barry Manilow in Manchester next May. Now Bazza is 68 years old now, so I hope he's taking his vitamins a pro plus daily!!

Get Well Soon my lovely George

2011-11-25T15:38:00.002Z

We have a date next Friday night, so I hope you'll be better by then.

(photo from the tinter)

Meet Herman

2011-11-23T17:47:00.005Z

When a colleague brought in a deliciously moist fruit cake, of course I asked for the recipe. She said that it was a sour dough cake that she had been asked to care for by her sister - the cake's name was Herman. I realised that this was a modern take on a cake that my mum used to bake in the 1980's called friendship cake.

You need a portion of the "starter" for this cake - which my colleague brought me.

This sits in your kitchen bubbling away for 10 days, in which time you stir it, and feed it, and eventually bake it - but save some of the mixture to pass on to your friends.
I am carefully following the instructions and will show you the results in 10 days time.

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000Z

When my lovely Grandad died 14 years ago, I kept lots of things that had belonged to him and my Grandma when we emptied the house. I wish I had kept more because I use everything lots and it helps me to remember them very fondly every day - I still feel as if they are both around and I know it would make them smile and very happy to see me continuing to use their things.

I always loved the pattern and colour of my Grandads dressing gown. He bought it for his one and only hospital stay in the early 1950's. I had thought about making bags for my sister, mum and I and using the fabric to line them - but I can't cut it up.

Instead, I have decided to use it for myself - it's currently making my bathroom look like a page from the "Toast" brochure!
My daughter love it too and says if I had a nightcap and a candle, I would look like Scrooge!

I'm glad I didn't cut it up - its far too precious.

Bloggy Gifts

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000Z

I don't know why, but I think bloggy gifts are some of the best gifts ever. Perhaps its because we all have more than a little in common. When I met up with Two Bones and a Bagle on Saturday she presented me with the most beautiful gift.

I remember her making this earlier in the year at Hope and Elvis Studio,
from a table cloth featuring St Ives (blurry photo but you get the idea) - my spiritual home. I absolutely love it -its so special.
And all wrapped up in this beautiful vintage mat - now on my dressing table.
Many thanks Deb - you knew I would love it. xxxx

Debs and Di's Day Out

2011-11-20T07:53:00.008Z

You know how I love a bloggy blind date! Well this was not really a blind date as I had met the lovely Debs once before on a Hope and Elvis day, but we decided to have another get together with Debs showing me some of her favourite local haunts. We only live about 20 minutes from each other, but her end of town has places I didn't even know about.

I hardly took any photos as we spent so much time talking! But I did remember to take my camera out a few time!

After our first stop at the table top sale in Dinnington, Debs had arranged for us to pop in and meet Mary Jane Baxter who was taking a class at Louises workshop. The atmosphere in the class was delightful and I could have easily stayed and "made" with all the lovely ladies who were clearly having a lovely time. We discussed Kirsty Allsop in depth - neither of us being fans of her "Homemade" programme.

We then moved on to visit Heaths in Ollerton where the wool and fabrics were gorgeous, and a Sue Ryder charity shop where I bagged a bargain - although I have to say you have to be quick to beat Debs to the bargains - she certainly has "an eye" and is like a hawk to its prey when she spots something!

We then moved on to the gorgeous little town of Southwell . Ive only ever been to Southwell once before, but I saw things on this visit that I hadn't seen before - Like the home of Lord Byron!

We had a lovely walk round, and visited loads of charity shops, and other gorgeous shops. We bought loads of things, but spent very little.

Debs had been worried that we might run out of things to talk about - but we actually ran out of "day" - I think we could have gassed for a week! We didn't run out of topics to discuss and discovered that we have led parallel lives! Its amazing when you meet a virtual stranger and get on so very well.
We had planned to visit the Minster, but by this stage we were parched and starving, so Debs took us to Reg Taylors Garden Centre for a very reasonable priced and delish afternoon tea.
Thanks very much for my day out Deb - it was great to meet your lovely family and I enjoyed every bit of my day. Here's to our next day ou. xxt

Swishing at the WI

2011-11-18T16:57:00.001Z

Last night 2 friends and I visited the very young and trendy Seven Hills WI in Sheffield. They were holding a swishing party - you can read all about it HERE

My stall

2011-11-17T08:00:00.004Z

Well, I survived my first Vintage and Homemade stall! I didn't sell any bags or earrings, but to be honest, the customers didn't look as if they were into that sort of thing. I didn't do too badly though, they loved my cards and I sold enough to make it worthwhile, and hubby and I had a great evening out and met some lovely people. I would definitely do it again.

Many thanks to Helen who invited me along (albeit by accident) - I hope you made lots of money for your toddler group.

Lowering the tone

2011-11-15T19:05:00.002Z

Trust me to lower the tone in blogland, but in fairness it was "theatre" and all done in the best possible taste!

It wasn't for the very prudish, but it was incredibly funny. The women in the audience absolutely loved it, whilst the few blokes (of which Mr Heartshaped was one) squirmed and grimaced a lot!

The 3D screen was inspired and they do a book and DVD revealing how to make the "shapes" - an ideal gift for the man who has everything!
We were only aloud to take one photograph, but I refrained, but many jumped at the chance!.

Baking Day

2011-11-13T15:09:00.000Z

Ive baked cup cakes for my daughter to take back to celebrate her Uni house mates 21st Birthday. I love the pretty box from the Lakeland Store (where I had gone in for a browse and come out considerably poorer!)

I iced them using a nozzle from my vintage Tala icing set - purloined from my Mums house! My Mum has a treasure trove of vintage late 50's early 60's goods - most of them wedding presents that she never got round to using.
Even though she never uses them, she doesn't give them up without a fight, but I think she quite likes the fact that they finally do get used.

A breath of fresh air

2011-11-12T16:44:00.026Z

I was thrilled to see the sunshine this morning, and quickly made plans to head on out. We couldn't go far, so a walk around the nearby garden centre and the estate village of Wentworth fitted the bill perfectly.

My garden is very lacking in colour at the moment, I need to plan in some winter colour like these fabulous stems.

Wentworth village is made up of estate cottages and farms that were once used by workers from Wentworth Woodhouse - home of the Fitzwilliams.
The houses, farms and pubs still belong to the Fitzwilliam Estate, and are well kept. Come for a wander with me.

This Red Admiral was causing a stir - no one quite expected to see it on a November day, but it was really mild.

(Sorry about the duplicate, but blogger would not delete it!!)

Every tree bearing berries was laden - sign of a harsh winter to come!
The estate office has had renovation work on it and now looks lovely again. It would make a fabulous home with lovely gardens.

These were the old kennels where the hunting dogs were kept.
There are lots of unusual little homes dotted around.

Too soon it was time to head back home. I feel a bit caged at this time of year as I really am an outdoorsy type. At least the good weather was saved for the weekend for a change!

Pea Soupper

2011-11-11T16:03:00.002Z

No new photos this week as it has been so dark here. I feel as if I am on the set of a Sherlock Holmes movie in Victorian London in a thick "Pea Soup" fog! So I posted another Parisian one, and wished that I was sat soaking up the sunshine in the Tuilleries Garden instead.

Don't forget that if you are "local" that I can be found at Sprotborough Country Club, Doncaster on Wednesday 16th November at 7.30pm at the Sprotborough Toddler group Christmas Shopping Event. Its not a craft fair, but I will be selling craft items. I believe its free to get in. Hope to see you there.

Spontaneous

2011-11-08T08:12:00.004Z

Being married to a policeman has its fair share of drawbacks - one of them being the shifts that he works. As a result of being a shift worker, we generally have his time off "planned" to the nth degree, but this is no guarantee that the planned event will happen - as a last minute shift change, or having to stay on after a shift has thwarted many a night out.

So last weekend was one of his precious weekends off - and we didn't have a plan! The weather on Saturday dictated that walking would not be pleasurable, so I thought we could head into Sheffield for some impromptu culture. We could do the galleries, or museums or whatever!

We happened upon much excitement outside of this new cafe/restaurant. They have apparently got a loyal following and have just moved premises. We had never heard of Gusto before, so we gave them a try. I can see why they have fans. the food and especially the service was wonderful.

We wandered through Tudor square
and decided to chance the afternoon matinee at the Lyceum where we managed to get excellent seats for the performance of Journeys End. It was a powerful performance telling the tale of very young men in the trenches of World War 1 - especially since we had driven over the Somme region last week. I wasn't on my own in having a blub at the end!
Then we battled our way home on the tram, through the hoards of people who were going to the "After Dark" fireworks display, football fans, and Britney Spears fans (of which there can't have been that many surely)!!!

Maisons Lafitte

2011-11-06T06:35:00.000Z

Our "home" whilst in France was on the campsite at Maisons Lafitte - a very affluent little suburb of Paris and only 15-20 minutes by RER train (which seemed to be every 5 minutes) into the centre of Paris.

The campsite itself sits on an Island in the middle of the river Seine, and it was fascinating to watch the huge barges passing.

It has its own Chateau,
which sits in the middle of the town,
It has great little parks for strolling around and sitting people watching,
And is famous for being a centre for horse racing in France.
In Masons Lafitte, every Frenchmans maison appears to be a mini chateau. We had a good look in the estate agents windows and realised that here you could buy one of these for around 4 million euros, whereas in central Paris, you only got an apartment for that amount!
The main drag had some great shops and restaurants on it. We bought our baguettes filled with ham, cheese and salad every day before we got on the train in the morning - and found somewhere spectacular in central Paris to sit and eat these. We called back at a very reasonable priced restaurant before returning to our caravan each night. We sat out on the pavement and the atmosphere was brilliant. We watched the French men hop straight off the train and call into the Patisserie before heading off home. We watched everyone stop and speak to a French lady (who was obviously famous in France, but we didn't recognise her) and have their photograph taken with her. We watched how everyone chatted non stop and socialised over meals, coffee, wine. I love that part of French culture.
It feels very safe in Maisons Lafitte, and its such a handy and economical place to stay for a visit to Paris. Its the second time we have stayed here, and we would not hesitate to return.

Banned

2011-11-05T07:59:00.001Z

Hubby has banned me from buying any more books from our nearby charity shop. It seems that I have a "habit"! But when they are 60p for a paperback and £1 for hardback, and I can't leave them! I have a fair few piled up in the bedroom (as the bookshelves are all full). These should see me over the winter!

I totally love the one I am reading at the moment. I had seen this doing the rounds in blog land a while back, and so grabbed this when it appeared.
I am totally loving it - it is delightful, amusing and very well written. Ive also send for the DVD from Play.com as it was only £2.79. I always have the "Is the film as good as the book "dilemma, I'll let you know.

St Valery Sur Somme

2011-11-03T20:24:00.000Z

We travelled down through Picardy in Northern France on Monday morning. It is a vast area and beautiful, but a bit boring as there is not much to see from the motorway. We decided to stop off near the coast for a breath of sea air. I fancied the look of St Valery Sur Somme which is situated on the amazing Baie de Somme.

The whole area is a great place to view nature. It has great bird watching spots and also seal colony's.
St Valery definately looked "out of season" - very very quiet but still great to look around - and without the crowds.
It is a great little town with typical french houses.
It has a wonderful long promenade - I think you could walk for miles along here.
We saw people hiring Kayaks and Canoes to explore the Baie and the Somme river and canal.
Despite being bombed everytime someone mentioned "war", a lot of the old medeival town still exists.

It was a great place to stretch our legs and explore. I wouldn't mind spending a bit more time around this area in future. xxx

Canterbury Tales

2011-11-03T06:04:00.001Z

On our way down to Dover to catch the ferry, we decided to stop off and have a look at Canterbury in Kent. It was Sunday and busy with shoppers. The new bit looked OK, with normal high street shops, but the old bit was my favourite bit. There are lots of narrow cobbled streets to explore.

I took this photo to remind myself to recreate this at home for my kitchen. I thought the chilli plant looked great in an old olive oil can.
The older squares were very pretty and well used by the looks of things.
This is the gateway to the Cathedral.
It was pretty detailed and very spectacular.
The Cathedral looks as if it is having a lot of work done on the stonework and old oak doors.
It stands well against a perfect blue sky.

We spotted a recognisable figure amongst the statues.
I love a decent cloister and these did not disappoint!
You may need to double click to see this, but this window shows current members of our Royal Family - I loved this.
It was lovely to wander around and stretch our legs after a long journey.
My dad used to have an Uncle called Frank who had really bad eyes. When my mum see's something wonky, she still says "I bet Uncle Frank built that".
The river runs through the centre of the older part of town - you can have boat trips on here.
I'll have to plan a longer visit around Canterbury next time. There is certainly plenty to see and do.

Les Invalides

2011-11-02T07:37:00.000Z

On our last afternoon in Paris, we decided to wander around Les Invalides. We were too late to have a good look around the museum inside, but we had a lovely look around the outside. Once again, its on an enormous scale and has your jaw dropping at the detail.

We noticed that these tourists had found a novel way of getting around - I remember seeing the Segway tours last time. I bet their hips and knees and ankles didn't ache as much as ours did!
When I looked up, I noticed that the stone work around the windows were actually Knights in armour - that's what I mean about the detail!
Again, the statues were huge. I'd love to know how many statues there are in Paris.
The cobbled courtyard is beautiful. I wish we had left more time to explore inside - Ah well, we'll have to go back!
You can visit Napoleons tomb in Les Invalides, and also his taxidermy horse!
The dome on the chapel is stunning and the gold work really shines.
We had a lovely surprise in the Chapel - which is free to visit. Not only is it very beautiful......
but a choir was practising inside. They sounded incredible and they brought tears to our eyes. The dancing queen hadn't joined us on our trip as she was at Uni, but I rang her and let her listen to the choir as I knew she would love them. We sat and listened for a while. It was very moving.

A Kerfuffle on the Champs Elysee

2011-11-01T06:48:00.000Z

On Thursday morning, we decided to start our day by climbing to the top of the Arc de Triumphe - a lot of steps! Before I visited Paris, I never realised that the Arc de Triumphe was as HUGE as it is. Its enormous and the top bit is actually a huge room with a museum in it.

We had heard a fair few sirens whilst we were climbing the stairs, and once at the top noticed that a building appeared to be on fire on the Champs Elysee. I discovered that it was the wonderful emporium of Macaroons that is Lauderee. I think it looked worse than it actually was, but it got really smokey for a while, and we could have watched the chaotic traffic for hours as they closed, then opened, then closed again various roads around!

The young man commented that he liked the way that the Boulevards were tree lined, and I think they look their best at this time of year.

The stone work on the Arch is unbelievble.
Although built in Napoleonic times, there are many additions from more recent wars.

The carved statues on the side and inside the monument are massive and the detail on them is superb.
Like most things in Paris "spectacular" is not enough of a word.
It always makes me very sad when I see the everlasting flame of the unknown soldier. I believe that they hold a short service here every evening at around 6.30pm.

Halloween

2011-10-31T07:48:00.000Z

Many thanks to the Dancing Queen (AKA Hermione Granger!) for producing once again ...

such fabulously carved pumpkins for Halloween.
She did these on Friday for us, and managed to leave the kitchen totally wrecked for when I got back off holiday!!!
She had left for a party before we got home and explained by text that she had been too busy to clear up!
Also just had to share that we went to see the really funny Sarah Millican on Saturday night. I love the way she had a tea towel amongst her merchandise and echo her sentiments totally!

To Montmartre

2011-10-30T10:15:00.000Z

On our 2nd full day in Paris, I had planned a visit to Montmartre. Paris is lovely and flat mainly, but the climb to Montmartre is very steep.

I discovered that the train from Maisons Lafitte stopped at a station (Aumer) below the amazing shop that is Galleries Lafayette, so we decided to call in en route. No photograph can ever do justice to the magnificent domed ceiling in here. Its jaw dropping.

As are the beautiful galleries underneath it.
We remembered that you can get out onto the roof in this store, and so made our way there. They have put seats up here now, and on such a glorious day we could have spent hours up here.
The view over the city is beautiful.

And then we spied our destination.
Its not too far to walk from Galleries Lafayette up to Montmartre. The only way to see a place is to walk. I love Montmartre. It is a bit dirty, a lot touristy, crowded and you have to watch your bags/pockets, but it has something special.

Of course there is the Moulin Rouge,
and the Macaroons.
I would love to step back in time and see the famous artists rolling around drunk up here.

The Sacre Couer is a special place too. Its free to wander in - you have to pay if you want to go up into the dome or down into the crypt.

One of the best things about Montmartre is the view. Breathtaking.
And especially for my friend Rosie, I photographed the carousel featured in one of our favourite movie's Amelie,
and also the cafe where Amelie worked - the Cafe de 2 Moulins.

A tight wad's guide to Paris

2011-10-29T09:44:00.020+01:00

We visited Paris the same way as we did 2 years ago - on a shoestring. This means instead of staying in one of these...

Three of us stayed in one of these, just 15 minutes by train outside of Paris, but situated on an Island in the middle of the Seine. A snip at £165 Monday - Friday including the ferry crossing! Staying here means that we can make ourselves a decent breakfast before we go out, buy ham and cheese baguettes at the local Boulangerie for 3 euros each before we get on the train, and return to eat in the local town instead of paying Parisian prices. When 2 x coffee's, a coca cola and a very small bowl of ice cream cost 25 euro's in central Paris, you can see why it makes sense to do this!
The Eurocamp caravan was really comfy and they even greeted us with a free bottle of wine. Its not the quietest place on earth with a train line nearby,aeroplanes coming in to land and huge barges passing by, but this is a city break after all. We were very luck with the weather again and got to sit out on the deck on a couple of occasions.

The railway station is a 10 minute walk from the camp site, and the trains are every 5 minutes. They deposit you on the top of the Champs Elysee - right under the Arc de Triumphe.
The young man hates shopping, but would happily spend all his holiday in the spectacular shops on the Champs Elysee. We saw our first "celebrity " spot of the day in the Adiddas shop - Nigel Clough - son of Brian and current manager of Derby County.
We walked down towards the Place de la Concorde, the Tuilleries Gardens and the Louvre. This is one of my favourite bits of Paris.

I am blown away by the scale of everything here. The little black machine on the pyramid was cleaning the glass - so thats how they do it!

One thing I really love about Paris is that if you have enough stamina, things are close enough to see most of them in one day. We certainly charged around like loons on our first full day in the city.
I had read about the bridges where lovers leave padlocks - to signify that they will return again as lovers on Paris Daily Blog, and was delighted to come across these. Next time I am taking a padlock!! Most had their names and dates engraved on them, some had just written on them in felt tip pen. Its wonderful to know that there is so much love and hope in the world.
We hot footed it over to the left bank to find another haunt - which much to my disappointment was closed!! (just for the day!!). Its here we saw our 2nd celebrity spot - but I cannot think for the life of me what her name is. Can you help? She is a Black American lady who appears on TV - I thought she was a comedienne, but I'm sure Ive seen her on Andrew Marrs show recently. She used to be fairly large, but she has had weight loss surgery and is much slimmer now, and she has short hair. Any clues? Any way, she was as disappointed as I was to find the Shakespeare and Co closed.

Edited to say "many thanks" Rosie - it was indeed Jenni Trent Hughes.
At 6.30pm, we decided to take a trip on a Baton Mouche. Nicely timed as we were on the point of collapse! (especially the teenager!)

You get to see the fabulous detail on the amazing bridges. I introduced the phrase "Belle Epoque" (Beautiful Era) to the young man and pointed out features in the Belle Epoque style. I realised a few days later that he though I was saying "Belly Pork"!
As well as providing a nice sit down and a running commentary, we got to float through the city at dusk, and watched her change from her day time attire, into her sparkly evening gown.

A great way to end our first day.

Paris

2011-10-28T22:21:00.004+01:00

Ive been away.

But I'm back with millions of photo's and tales of my very poor school girl French that caused much hilarity!

Park Life

2011-10-22T19:36:00.019+01:00

One of our favourite city walks is through Endcliffe Park in Sheffield. You start out in the city and end up in the Peak District - if you walk far enough. Sheffield is famous for being a very green city and this place is very special and well used by the locals.

We spotted these yellow holly berries,
side by side with plenty of red ones - another harsh winter me thinks.
Before our walk, we partook in a few minutes in the outdoor gym. I think this is a brilliant idea. I wouldn't mind a few of these in my garden.

The park and woodlands are really picturesque now, but back in time, this was the area in Sheffield where the steel forges started. The Shepherd Wheel is being restored, and this weekend the woods were full of masters students from Sheffield Uni re creating some of the sights, sounds and skills from the steel making, forging and grinding industry.

I loved it. You can't beat a real fire in the middle of the woods on a crisp day. And all the kids love this kind of thing. Two little boys had me in hysterics trying to pump the massive bellows.

I think its great that people still do this kind of thing. Some of the workers explained the chemistry and science of what was happening, and other forged products.

Brilliant stuff.
And then it was on with the walk.

Seeing what nature has forged and placed along the paths for us to see.

A very favourite place.

The Help

2011-10-19T16:48:00.002+01:00

Last night my pal and I went to see a freebie preview of the film of the book - The Help. We loved it. It made us laugh and it made us cry. The movie is set in the town of Jackson in America in the 1960's and focuses on one girls ambition to tell the story - from the perspective of the maid - the help. The women who employ the maids are often not kind. It is a longish film - about 2 hours 15 mins, but it doesn't seem it. If you get chance to see it - do. I highly recommend it.

I believe it is out on general release on the 26th October.

Imperial Buildings Rotherham

2011-10-18T15:57:00.015+01:00

Ive mentioned before that my nearest town, Rotherham has suffered greatly over the last few years as new out of town Malls have spring up around it, and all the big name shops moved out leaving only mobile phone shops, betting shops and several Greggs! It has an OK market, but the town centre can often seem like "Chav Central" as there isn't much for the ordinary shopper. However, the council have spent money renovating the beautiful Edwardian Imperial Building which is right in the centre of town, and a few very individual shops have moved in.

I'd heard good reports about this shop and thought I might have an early Christmas shopping trip for stocking fillers.
A lot of the original features have been kept throughout the building.
And the interior of the Yella Brick Road is very funky.
They sell vintage and accessories and I could have spent ages looking at everything that was on offer.

Hubby thought that the sign outside was funny.
We also called into the Yorkshireman Deli for refreshments. The lovely gent who runs this had been made redundant and has taken a risk starting up a business - despite of the recession as he says it better than being on the dole. I wish him all the best.
We also called into the new sweet shop and bought a selection of our childhood favourite sweets. The lady in here told us that they had recently had a visit from Mary Portas who was impressed by the friendliness and service she had received.

If you are local and what to pop round for Halloween, she is having a toffee apple making session on the 31st October.
There are still plenty of empty units in the Imperial Buildings, but I hope it does really well.

We just had enough time for a quick zip around the minster (as we had never been in before!) and discovered that a few local history groups were having a get together and showing off some of their findings which was very interesting.

Nights out

2011-10-16T18:03:00.000+01:00

Ive had a few great nights out recently. On Saturday night, we went to see Sheffields own "Everly Pregnant Brothers". These are a great Ukelele band with a great lead singer that sing tunes you all know, but amend the words to make them very significant to Sheffield - and hilarious at the same time. They were playing their first BIG gig at the Lyceum Theatre and it went very very well for them. My favourite songs were about the "Hole in the Road" (or "Oil in ruard")a Sheffield landmark that we no longer have, and one about "Hendersons Relish" our local sauce!

If you are local, try and catch these at some point - If you're not, you probably wouldn't have a clue what they were singing about!

(Photo from their website)

Earlier in the week, we went with our WI group to a local small theatre to see the musical version of "The Full Monty". It was highly entertaining as you can imagine and we all had a great laugh. However, I did notice that one of the strippers was a guy who delivers stationery to us at work. I shan't know where to look when he calls next time!
You all know that I like a freebie night out, and so I signed up for "An Inspirational talk" to coincide with Fashion week in Sheffield - something organised by our local Business Link. In the past, these events have been accompanied by a great buffet and a couple of glasses of wine, but on this occasion it was disappointingly only nibbles and fruit juice. Business Link is being disbanded next month though, so I think they maybe saving the budget for a farewell party! Any way, the night out was great. It was held at the newish swanky St Pauls Hotel in the middle of the city.
The first speaker was Eric Musgrave who has been a fashion editor for some time. He talked about the decline of manufacturing fashion in the UK - something that hit hard in this area, and also how most of what is still manufactured is very high end fabrics and garments which are exported abroad.

Then we had a talk and fashion show by one of the directors of a company that manufactures clothing for many of the high street stores - Phase Eight, Hobbs, Laura Ashley etc. They have launched their own brand which can be currently bought at some John Lewis stores and also on line. The brand is called Damsel in a Dress. The brand is aimed at the professional woman who wants more than the high street, but can't afford designer. Way out of my price range - but I was impressed by the fabulous fabrics they used, and treated myself to something from their sale range (which I have to say I am highly delighted with!). The whole evening made me realise that slip into "Waynetta Slob" mode far too easily, and I need to rethink my entire wardrobe!

Heartshaped Inc Update

2011-10-15T09:27:00.013+01:00

Its been like a sweatshop in the heartshaped house lately as I try and build up stock for my forthcoming stall at the Christmas shopping event in Sprotbough (details at the end of the post).

I have made a fair few bags. I love this Clarke & Clarke Beach hut fabric which I have lined with denim and added a pin featuring a postcard charm.

I also lined this lovely autumnal cord bag with denim and added a Suffolk puff brooch with a shell button.
This is currently one of my favourites. A beautiful Italian suiting fabric, lines with Liberty fabric with a vintage brooch.
Stunning Flannel - made locally still in Huddersfield with a ribbon tie and a vintage bow brooch.
The addition of vintage brooches or hand made pins etc makes each one an individual piece.
A beautiful Huddersfield produces tweed lined with Italian silk and vintage brooch.
I have also made a few summer bags as I love this American glamour girl fabric and I have used the patchwork that I made earlier in the year too.
I have been searching for lovely beads to make earrings and working on my packaging.

And I have been beading the centres of my Rose Corsages.

I thought I might take along some of my patchwork cards to (featuring vintage Liberty, Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston prints)
A big dilemma I have is one that I know crops up time and time again with crafters - how much to charge. I am hoping to keep the bags well under £10 (possibly £6 for the smaller ones and £8 for the larger ones). £3 for the earrings and corsages and £1 for the cards. What do you think?

The shopping event will be held at Sprotborough Country Club on Wednesday 16th November at 7.30pm. I will let you have more details when I have them, but as usual, I hope you can come along and say "Hi".

Season of mists

2011-10-13T07:52:00.010+01:00

We have been stuck in a mizzley, murky and very grey week here in this part of Yorkshire, so I thought I would share a stroll that hubby and I took a week ago.

We didn't have much time as he was between night shifts, and the walk down through the park in Wentworth is always a favourite when time is short.

I know some of you saw the Dan Cruikshank programme this year which featured Wentworth Woodhouse - one of Englands secret stately homes. We locals are waiting with baited breath for renovations to start so that we can get a peak inside the house once more. I noticed on this walk how blackened the house is after standing in the Yorkshire coal fields for so many years.

The park was wearing her Autumnal colours and finery.

The skies were very grey, but it was the weekend that was also very warm.

There are a couple of big fishing lakes at the bottom of the park that are always very well utilised.

Hope you enjoyed the stroll.

The Hepworth Wakefield

2011-10-09T10:19:00.016+01:00

We had been waiting for a rainy day to visit the new Hepworth Gallery in nearby Wakefield, and Saturday was a perfect day for the visit. The greyness of the sky matched the colour of the building and both matched the colour of hubby's mood after he had gotten up early and made breakfast in bed for everyone, before settling down to watch the rugby with the young man. I had to shout out several times from the comfort of my boudoir, to tell him to mind his language, and I assessed correctly that the French might have put him in a grumpy mood for a while!

Love it or loathe it, I'm glad that they chose to build this new gallery here in the north. I was looking for colour all day and the barriers on the river Calder provided a good splash.
I think the building is stunning.
It is part of the regeneration of the riverside - I love projects like these.
The buildings here are full of character and history and deserve to be brought back to life and used again.
The boats were colourful too.

The gallery is in stark contrast to the Hepworth Gallery in St Ives that we visited in June.

but is the perfect space to display these masterpieces so that you can inspect them close up.

I thought the pink coat added a colour splash to this shot.
The gallery is fairly child friendly and was full of kids drawing the exhibits. They also had a free workshop running for making a sketch book which looked really popular. It also had an enormous play area outside for less wet days!
As well as Barbara Hepworth exhibits, they also had some other St Ives artists work. One of my favourite is Alfred Wallis and I was delighted to find one of his paintings on display.
I love his naive style, and also the way he captured the exact colour of the sand on Porthmeor beach.
The biggest disappointment of the visit was the Gallery Cafe. It looked fabulous and the food looked and smelled amazing, but it was chocca block full, so a revisit - just for food - is planned.

The gallery is free to visit, so if you are near, make sure you visit.

Continental Yorkshire

2011-10-08T08:56:00.021+01:00

Hubby and I had a day off work yesterday. We needed to go to Leeds to put a curtain rail and curtains up for the DQ as her student accommodation didn't have any. She decided to accompany us on our day out. She is much happier on her course in Leeds and with her new classmates, and new housemates - so fingers crossed that this continues. We feel like we have gotten the old DQ back. When she is upset or angry, she tends to take it out on us and treats us a bit like the enemy, but when she is happy, she is a delight to spend time with. We had originally devised a rainy day plan, but had to switch to Plan B when the skies appeared so blue!

We drove to Harrogate, a very pretty Yorkshire town and well worth a visit if you have never been. The DQ remarked how "Parisian" it felt - and she was right.

The houses in Harrogate are enormous, and often split into apartments selling for over £500,000 each. It is a very wealthy town and up until recently was noted for its "older" welathy citizens, but recently the population has become much younger and very trendy. It is full of "Yummy Mummy's" and "Ladies that Lunch".
It has a great selection of shops. You get the normal high street shops, department stores and also some exclusive (and out of my price range) boutiques and specialist shops. I wish I had dared take photographs in James Brindley's - If you need inspiration for Christmas decorating, head straight there!
It's wonderful to wander around the town - listening to the fantastic buskers and looking at the varied architecture.
It was once a Victorian Spa town and I believe that you can still visit the baths, but they are more like a modern day spa these days.
Agatha Christie once famously disappeared for 11 days and was found here in Harrogate. They claimed she was suffering depression and came here to get away from it all - wise choice I say.
We once had an opportunity to taste the famous waters in the pump house. If ever you get the chance - AVOID IT! Imagine bad eggs x 100 ! I can't imagine why the Victorians thought it would do them good!
We continued to wander around the town - the day was so perfect.

Harrogate has a skirt of lovely parks all the way around it. The flowers are still blooming here and everything is kept lovely.

There are many gorgeous places to eat or have refreshments.
The most famous (and possibly the most expensive) is the famous Betty's.

The window displays are always amazing - whatever the season.

Whenever we wander around towns and cities in France, we always take home a box of "patisserie", however here in Yorkshire, we brought home a lovely box of buns!!!
If you have never been to Harrogate - put it on your list.

Fascinating Aida

2011-10-07T08:27:00.002+01:00

Ive been waiting for ages for Fascinating Aida to visit Sheffield, and last night my friend and I were highly entertained at the Lyceum Theatre by this marvellous trio.

I didn't expect them to have such beautiful voices. They are the most witty, topical, clever and poshest totty around and we thoroughly enjoyed them. If you get a chance to catch them, don't miss out.

And for those of you (and there can't be many now as this has had over 7.5 million hits) who haven't seen this, here is a taster.

Heart Warming

2011-10-05T07:35:00.005+01:00

I have been continuing the declutter here at heartshaped towers - believe me - there is a long way to go yet! Whilst bags of it have gone to the charity shop, I have continued to sell some of it on ebay.

One of my recent sales had a great story attached to it. A lovely young man bought a vintage ring box from me. I was very loath to part with this as it did have some sentimental value, but its great to know that it has gone to a good home. He told me that he was planning to propose to his girlfriend with his great grandmothers ring and needed a suitable ring box. Apparently the ring looked perfect in it.

Yesterday morning, he messaged me to let me know that she had indeed said yes, and I could watch the whole thing on You Tube. I have to say that I sobbed into my Ready Brek as I watched it.

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The lovely young couple gave me permission to share this with you - so enjoy. I have to say its great to see romance alive and kicking, and I wish them all the luck, love and happiness in the world.

PS It makes Mr Heartshaped's proposal look a bit weak! I seem to remember he just told me that we were going to get married - he can be very forcefull!!

Morning has broken......

2011-09-30T16:35:00.007+01:00

Inspite of the bike riding and Zumba dancing, I have managed to put almost half a stone ON instead of losing half a stone!!!!????

In a morning, I have around an hour to myself (after the young man has left for college) which I usually use for blogging, ebaying etc, but this morning - with the weather being so gloriously hot, I decided to use this time for a brisk walk around the village - something I think I shall continue.

It was a perfect morning, all cobweby and misty.

The village was fairly noisy as there was a mass exodus of people going to work and school buses ferrying the kids to school. I was a good stone lighter when my kids were at the village school with all the walking too and fro.
I love the low lying mist on a morning.

Oh how I wish my legs were really this long - then I would be the right weight for my height!
How I wish this freaky heat would continue.

Squeezing the last drop

2011-09-29T08:00:00.001+01:00

Always the one to squeeze the last drop out of a great day out, after our lunch and bike ride, and being in no rush to get home, we popped to Ashford-in-the-Water. If you enlarge this photo you might get some idea of the number of bees and butterflies enjoy the sunshine on this plant.

I love Ashford in the water.

We parked up and went for a take away coffee from Mr Ibbotsons. I took some photos along the way to show you.
It has some great little cottages,
a couple of wonderful pubs,
and some very grand houses too.
They also have preserved many of the old wells around the village.

Then we dashed to the Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell to stock up on supplies of hubby's current favourite ale, and had a walk along the riverside there. I couldn't resist showing you the size of the fish swimming under the bridge. There are always a few trout here, but on this occasion there were absolutely loads of the most enormous ones I have ever seen.
At times like this, I wish I had a better camera!

Back in the saddle

2011-09-28T11:30:00.001+01:00

Hubby and I had a day off work yesterday - and what a grand day it was. We had fantastic weather and so decided we would take our bikes to the Monsal trail again (I love a flat trail!). I have also bought a gel saddle cover, and some very weird, but strangely comforting padded knickers which helped with the pain of cycling!One of the main reasons for doing this trail was a planned visit to Hassop station.
Until recently, the station was home to a very large bargain bookshop with a small cafe. Now it is a very large cafe - with a small bargain bookshop.
The switch seemed to have paid off as it was fairly busy. The food was really gorgeous.

I love the way that they have kept quite a few of the old stations along the trail.

Another reason for visiting the trail, when asked where I want to go for a day out locally, Monsal Dale generally wins. The scenery is spectacular whatever the season.
I love the mixture of history and nature.
I hanker after a stay in these lovely riverside cottages.
and marvel every time at the general geography of this wonderful spot.

Stained glass in Sheffield Cathedral

2011-09-27T16:46:00.001+01:00

I had never been inside Sheffield Cathedral until I started blogging. Now, I like to have at least half an hour looking around whilst waiting for my tram home - the tram stop is just outside the Cathedral and they are very frequent. Today I focussed on the stained glass windows.

We don't have many "touristy" type things to see in the city, so if you should find yourself here at any time, make an effort to wander in and have a look. Its really beautiful.

One of my favourite times in the city is early on Sunday mornings. Its very peaceful with not many people about, and all the city centre church's ring their bells.

These are only a small selection of the many that are here in the Cathedral.

I hope you liked them.

A wander around Sheffield

2011-09-26T18:07:00.001+01:00

I was meeting a friend in town on Saturday, so I thought I would take you along for a little look round too. I had to drop the DQ off at work first (She seems to be enjoying herself at Uni - fingers crossed!)

Meadowhall Shopping Centre was built on the site of a steel works, and to commemorate this, it has this wonderful respectful bronze monument called "The Steelmen"

Its the only bit of Meadowhall I like!
I parked up at the tram stop, and took the tram into town - no hassle and cheaper than parking in town. I was looking for things I had never seen before.
Sheffield was bombed heavily in the war, but luckily many of the old buildings remain.
They recently refurbished these buildings. They demolished everything - except the front of the row, which they held up with lots of scaffolding. I think its great that they made a workable modern building - but kept the old look and frontage.
Some buildings in the city look quite Parisien I think.

One bit of the city that has suffered greatly over the last 20 years is "The Moor". The Moor had its hey day in the 70's and I remember shops like Habitat and Hamleys opening up here, but now its all very run down. Controversially, they are moving the city market to here. Hopefully, it might help regenerate the area.
They have some old photos of the area - I thought this looked very grand.
The old department stores that were rebuilt after the war now look very shabby and dated. It will be interesting to see how it gets developed.
At the moment, this is where all the empty shops are. Hopefully this part of the city will become vibrant again - 0nce the doom and gloom of recession are over.
Tomorrow, I'll show you a truly beautiful bit of the city.

Heartshaped Inc.

2011-09-24T15:14:00.006+01:00

Out of the blue, I got an email from a lady who had been given my email adress (I assume from a blog reader)to see if I wanted to have a stall at a Christmas late night shopping event they were holding for a charity event in Sprotborough near Doncaster in November. Its something I have been thinking about dipping my toe into , so I said yes - then panicked! Then sat around the table and got cracking.

I've already made above 30 pairs of earrings - it really is quite addictive. And bead buying is now an obsession. I'm going to make a few cards too for my stall, and I've already started to make some corsages.

I'm making a few bags too as these don't take much time to make and I have a serious stash of fabrics.

I'll let you know nearer the time the venue and date of the event so if you are local you can pop in and say hello.

I had a great evening on Wednesday with my friend Nic, she came round for a crafting evening - she's new to all this, and she couldn't believe that I could cater for whatever craft she wanted to try! I realise that if I had never set foot in Hobbycraft or John Lewis, and never spent money on craft supplies, hubby and I would be able to afford a yacht in the South of France!

Uni - Part 2 another story

2011-09-19T08:06:00.002+01:00

Some of you know that the Dancing Queens first year at Uni did not quite go to plan. A series of unfortunate events left her feeling lonely and fairly depressed across in Salford, so she took matters into her own hands and orchestrated a move to another university to finish her course. She presented the move to us as a "fait accompli " with her accomodation sorted and everything in place to start the new year at a different university.

She has moved into her accomodation already this week and even though the other girls have not moved in yet, she has enjoyed herself. Her house is so much nicer that the halls of residence provided by Salford Uni last year.
She will still be able to keep her weekend job here at home by travelling home on the train at weekends, but this week we went to fetch her so that her brother could see where she will be and have a look around.
Fingers crossed that she will settle better this year. For all our sakes!!

Elsecar Parish Church

2011-09-17T19:33:00.005+01:00

Ive always considered Holy Trinity Church in neighbouring Elsecar to be a bit of a dark, uninspiring place. But today, whilst browsing around Elsecar Heritage Centre, I discovered that the church has some very important windows designed by William Morris, so we took ourselves off for a look. Sadly, the church was locked, so we only got to wander around the church yard. The church is dark - blackened by the soot from coal fires over the ages, but it is very majestic too.

The church yard is home to a host of heavenly angels

A few of the graves were for miners who had been killed in tragic accidents in the area in the past as we have no mines left around here now. I remember when my dad was a miner and pit accidents were all too frequent in those days - indeed he came home with many a stitch in his face on occasions, and refused to let me go down the mine in the cage on the centenary celebrations in the late 1970's as he knew just how dangerous it was. The recent events in Wales took me back to a time that I thought we would never see again in the UK. My heart goes out to the families of the men who lost their lives. It makes me feel unbearably sad.