An Autumn Journey

(mixed media collage of
pressed autumn leaves,
paper, tissue and gold ink)



Autumn is my favourite time of year. When I was a child I did all the usual autumnal things such as hiking to the next village to find the best horse chestnut trees, returning home with my pockets stuffed full of conkers and then, selecting the biggest and best conkers for my arsenal, sometimes bartering or swapping the finest specimens with friends. Holes were pierced through the conkers with Mam's darning needle and then threaded with string, securely knotted underneath. Only then could I wrap the loose end of string around my fist, find a suitable opponent, take aim and fire! I don't remember being such a good shot but I remember too well, wincing at the pain of having my knuckles crushed in conker battle - ouch!



Another pastime was harvesting hazel nuts. Our local pit wood teemed with an assortment of trees, each having its own seasonal fascination. We knew where the hazel trees were hidden and we would snatch the nuts from branches and crack the shells with our teeth to find the sweet little kernels inside. Spinning jennies were fun to watch and acorns were collected to make into beaded necklaces. Windswept piles of autumn leaves just begged to be jumped into, kicking up a whirlwind of crisp and crunchy motion.



Dark autumn evenings were always best for fun games of hide and seek. With military precision we kids would hide behind hedges or walls, up trees and in any dark recess we could find. The old gas street lamps gave little exposure to our daring escapes back to home base, racing against the seeker in an attempt to thwart his call of 'BLOCK 1 2 3'. Thrilling squeals of delight, bravado, hoops and calls of encouragement added to our enjoyment. Its a rare occasion these days that I hear children playing joyfully in the street after dark but when I do it brings back happy memories. I think there is little to compare to the sound of childrens' joyous laughter.


These days, I love a gentle walk in mellow autumn sunshine, soaking up the peaceful serenity of drowsy nature, bathe in its rustic colours and selectively dwell in positive acceptance on the changes that life and seasons bring.


(pressed autumn leaves. grasses
and late daisies)

Summer Passing

Some are saying it has been a poor summer but I think it has been pretty good, considering the awful winter we endured. But all good things come to an end and although I hate to see summer passing, it has to happen eventually and already I've noted those tell-tale signs!








Nature has grown in abundance until it can grow no more. It has reached its full potential and is looking for rest. The petunias in the hanging baskets are beginning to look tired and the Virginia Creeper, heavy now in leaf is showing signs of turning red. Its autumn colours gradually creeping in. I love to see the tumble of leafy tendril led vines reaching to the ground. It makes a lovely softening frame to what is otherwise quite a boring garage door.


Our back garden is so overgrown it could be termed 'wild'. We don't have the stamina anymore for heavy gardening so I'm hoping that a good fairy will come along and help us out before next summer. Nonetheless, 'him outdoors' has managed to grow salads, beans and tomatoes along with perennial strawberries, redcurrants, raspberries, plums, cherries and apples. This summer we treated ourselves to a blueberry shrub which should add to our fruit harvest next year.



Although varied, the harvest has not been more than we could eat except perhaps for the redcurrants. My sister managed to pick 5 lbs of them which she made into jelly for fundraising. I in turn added raspberries and blueberries to flapjack mixture for grand kids. Celery and shallots, peas and beans were mixed in small quantities as casserole or stir fry mixes and frozen. Tomatoes were cooked with onion and peppers to make sauce for pasta or as a coating sauce for chicken, pork etc. Glass jars with button lids are ideal containers for storing sauces. Sterilised jars are filled with hot sauce mix and sealed. A vacuum forms inside the jars and the button depresses with a pop. So far I have found this method very reliable.



We had a good crop of cucumbers, which were delicious! Some of the surplus were given away or pickled along with onions and peppers. I have kept a few jars of mixed pickles back for Christmas and will use them as Christmas presents.





Heavens above! I've used the word Christmas and its still summer...just! I have enjoyed being creative with garden produce this year. Still to come are plums and apples. I will let 'him out doors' make cider with the apples or leave them for our Fieldfare visitor if it comes back this year. Meanwhile, I need to look for a good recipe using plums...in abundance.

A few years ago I created a pressed flower picture and called it 'Summer Passing'. The original is in Southampton but I have kept a framed print, which is now hanging on my wall.
Here it is.

Barbara's Wedding

Here are some pages from my daughter's wedding scrapbook. It seemed to take for ever to complete but worth it in the end. She and her husband are well pleased with it.






The wedding took place at Gretna Green in March of this year and was attended by close
family who had travelled from Newcastle, Hartlepool and Southampton to share in this joyous occasion.











Parents, sisters, brothers and children were all booked into very nice accomodation for the eve and day of the wedding which took place in a little chapel in the the same hotel complex.

The groom recited his reception speech in verse and I used this as part of the scrapbook embellishment.

A disco followed on in the evening and Barbara donned a chinese style dress for partying.

The night was finished off by lighting a chinese lantern for good luck and the happy couple watched it float away across the night sky.


I hope they get to look at their wedding scrapbook for many years to come and relive those happy memories.

What a lovely day

What a difference a warm sunny day makes! After a good night with my sleep machine followed by sunshine all day I feel like I'm on top of the world. The best day I've had in ages and so productive... for a change.
I spent this morning sorting through a mountain of papers and documents that have been accumulating for too long. Its a job thats been on my 'to do' list and nagging away at the back of my brain like a toothache for what seems like forever. I'm amazed at how much I can shred and I'm so proud of myself for actually achieving this mammoth task after so long. I really think I developed an aversion to anything vaguely connected to paperwork after working in an archive for twenty years.
Morning over, I gladly succumbed to the glorious sunshine and enjoyed an exotic Solero ice lolly while catching a few rays in the garden...yummm! All that sunshine just begged to have some laundry to dry, so who am I to argue about that? Two loads of washing were soon swaying in the breeze. Realising I was on a roll, I filled my salad keeper with three types of home grown lettuce, washed the leaves and gave them a spin before putting them in the fridge to crisp. My OH is so pleased we are actually eating some of his produce!
I can't have a sunny day without enjoying a salad for dinner. I made a tuna and mushroom pizza on a garlic bread base and served it with new potatos and green salad. Very nice it was too.
I hope the weatherman gets it wrong tomorrow aswell and this glorious weather continues.

nb. I can't write a blog without showing a picture even if its got nothing to do with the story. I created this picture several years ago, entirely from pressed flowers on a chalk background. I have since tweaked it using photoshop and given it a craquelaire effect. Hope you like!

Is my mojo back

I think my mojo is back. Where has it been?? I can't believe its almost a year since my last blog entry,
I made this card for my daughter's birthday on Tuesday. It took me an unbelievably long time I am so out of practice. The lace background and flowers are from Joanna Sheen. The butterfly is a peel off mounted onto card, cut out and coloured with Sakura pens. I cut up an aperture blank card for the inner frame, message mount and butterfly mount and finished off with a touch of silver pen. I hope she likes it.

Colours of Anfi

We've had yet another trip, this time to Anfi, Gran Canaria. It was hastily arranged as we had decided not to go to Anfi this year but after discovering flight prices had dropped by two thirds...well, how could we refuse?
We were so glad to return to wonderful Anfi and meet up with old friends, bask in the sunshine and enjoy walks in the beautiful gardens that make Anfi so becoming.
Anfi del Mar boasts four resorts in one and I recorded one of our walks around Anfi with photographs, starting at the Monti/Puerto Anfi reception. (Click on photos)

Opposite the reception entrance is the start of a public footpath from where a breathtaking view of Anfi island and marina can be seen. The island is heart shaped and a romantic gesture by the original founder of Anfi, Bjorn Lyng (now deceased). In front of the island is Anfi Plaza and a stage surrounded by palm trees for night time entertainment.

Our path down to the beach area took us through dappled shade, exotic plants and bougainvillea. From here we could enjoy beautiful scenery and admire the colours and landscape of Anfi.




Natural stone features in Anfi gardens. Walls, paths and even seating areas are constructed from stone.
The apartments stand where rock cliffs used to be and are decorated with recycled stone. Norwegians seem to have a fascination for stone and the hills behind Anfi are dotted with numerous piles of stone, each precariously built as if part of some kind of ritual but I never found out the reasoning behind them. Maybe they are stopping places on a pilgrimage. There is a mound of stones at the base of a huge cross on a prominent ridge overlooking the fishing village of Patalavaca, Anfi and the Atlantic beyond. A visitors' book is buried in the stone mound and a few years ago, after a long and hot climb to the cross I was able to write in the book. I wonder if the book is still there...

Guanches, the original people of Gran Canaria used to live in caves and some of them still do, though modern caves are very tasteful with every mod con. I like to think of visitors to Anfi as being cave dwellers because thats basically what the apartments are, even though they are man made and beautifully inspired and well deserve their high rating status.

Our leisurely walk progressed into the mature gardens of Anfi Beach, where nature and stone combine and the pretty trailing geraniums on each apartment balcony adds a lovely accent of colour.



Anfi's team of gardeners keep the grounds perfectly groomed. Thanks to their efforts it is a joy to walk alongside graceful palm trees, water features and flowering shrubs. It is fun to watch out for native birds and lizards living comfortably at Anfi. Mosquitoes don't exist here...thank goodness!

The beach at Anfi was created from sand imported from the Caribbean. It doesn't get hot, so bare feet are protected on this beach whatever the temperature. It is a favourite haunt for Anfi visitors and locals alike and the silver sand and azure blue sea and sky create a serene contrast of colours.

We walked onward along the beach promenade heading for
Anfi Plaza and the island.
There are several restaurants to choose from at Anfi. This one is Mexican, where we enjoyed char-grilled chicken with Mexican sauce followed by ice cream desert. Other popular restaurants and bars surround the plaza area and entertainment stage.

There is a craft market at the plaza every evening and I was thrilled to see a new stall this year. Alma de Canarias creates unique perfume made by Artisans in the Canaries. The stall, decorated with Bougainvillea, (one of the perfume ingredients) is the prettiest at the market and I treated myself to some perfume, perfectly described as a fresh sea breeze blended with citrus and melon. It really is lovely.

At last we made it to Anfi Island and marina where trailing geranium are in profusion. The water is clear and I have seen Sting Rays in the marina channel, burying themselves in the sand, along with brightly coloured crabs and fish in abundance.

I love the colours of
the leaves shown in the centre photo here. A mix of reds, greens and earthy browns. I think they are my favourite of all shrubs
at Anfi. The seating just behind is so typical of stone sculptures at Anfi and one can imagine inspiration was drawn from a fairy-tale book.

Crossing back from the island we returned to Puerto Anfi and made our way through gates heavily decorated with climbing Bougainvillea. I love this adornment and its riot of pinks, reds and whites. My friends will be surprised to see who is beyond the gates at the centre of this photo.

We made our way up the entrance stairs to Puerto, flanked on each side with colourful shrubs and inviting pathways which led to pools, apartments and then on to Gran Anfi.

















Our holidays at Anfi wouldn't be complete without meeting up with old friends and dining out. We had plenty of opportunities to do just that. Whether it was for a nightcap after evening entertainment or hosting a get-together in our apartment or meeting for lunch.

Memorable dining includes an Indian meal at the Bahia where the onion bhajis deserve full marks for presentation.






TheTropicana hosted a grand Canarian Buffet with traditional singers and dancers to mark National Canarian Day and it was amazing. I'm only sorry I didn't have my camera with me at the time. What an event!


Ten of us gathered at our apartment one night and as is usually the case after dining, the men had their own round table on the balcony enjoying their comradeship while we women created our own circle in the lounge.
















On the last day of our holiday we all went out for lunch.
This time we walked a mile or so along the coast
to Arguineguin and had lunch al-fresco.
The staff at the Apollo restaurant gathered tables together
so that eleven of us could be together and a great time
was had by all as we tucked into delicious tapas, locally caught fish and mouth watering steak.



I'm not sure if we will be able to visit Anfi again... I'm sad at that but have wonderful memories that I will always treasure. With a wistful smile I can look back at the last twelve years as an Anfi Cave Dweller and remember the good times... Adios Anfi...

Just got back from Duquesa in Spain. John and I spent two wonderful weeks in this sunny Andalusian town staying with our son Drew. Drew's home in Sabanilla is situated near the golf course and only ten minutes walk to Port Duquesa and its marina and golden mile of sandy beach. We spent lots of time walking in the fresh air and eating out and it was lovely to spend quality time with Drew when his work commitments allowed.
This peaceful view is looking out from Drew's balcony. Viewing its perfect stillness around dusk was ideal for chilling out after a busy day. The occasional mozzie was an unwelcome visitor but small lizards were fine and fun to watch.

One of our favourite walks took us from the Marina surrounded by pavement cafes to the sandy beach and along to the main hub of the town, then back in a circular route to the golf course. This photo shows a speedboat super store. I thought it quite funny that speedboats were on shelves, wrapped and ready to go!




The beach is lovely. It was very quiet while we were there with few tourists about but that meant we had plenty of space to explore. A fresh water culvert running into the beach from the hills behind has become overgrown with reeds and grasses making the perfect habitat for water snakes, turtles, frogs and little fish. We enjoyed watching these wild creatures in their natural setting.


This photo of the golden mile was taken
pointing north towards Estepona and the Costas.
It was a beautiful hazy day and the mountains
beyond are just visible. A brisk wind made this day's walk quite invigourating. It certainly blew the cobwebs away!









Further along the beach we came across these
brightly painted fishing boats. I think they make a pretty picture







From here we walked through Sabanillas on
our way back to Drew's apartment. The lovely
little chapel dedicated to San Luis was inviting
but sadly was always closed. I neither speak nor
read Spanish so the notice on the chapel door
didn't make sense to me. It seemed to list
neighbouring villages but I couldn't decipher any
times of service.

The last stretch of our walk took us through some scrubland bordering half finished property developments laid waste because of the economic downturn.
However, nature had taken over and wild flowers flourished bringing a joyful interest to the last leg of our trek.









Wild flowers were in abundance on all our walks. Another walk we enjoyed was along the path skirting the golf course and approaching the hills behind Sabinilla.











The same culvert that flowed out into the beach was now virtually hidden by reeds and wild grasses. Flowers such as wild roses and morning glory competed for space.










Bird song and butterflies completed the idyllic scene as we
walked through sea lavendar, clover and other flowers we
couldn't name and I found myself singing bring flowers of the rarest and blossoms the fairest... and it was as if the shrill call of frogs, crickets and birds joined in with me. It was a truly wonderful walk with nature.






Eating out and visiting markets were very much part of our holiday. We tried various restaurants and pavement cafes. Pancakes with maple syrup and 'moosli' a concoction of granola, roasted almonds and oats finished off with a twist of apple made for an indulgent canadian style breakfast at the Straw Donkey. I'm not a lover of paella but have to admit that the one we tried at Restaurant Alphonso was the best we ever had. Tomato flavoured rice with peas, cram packed with king size prawns, pork, mussels and tiny clams with a huge wedge of lemon and freshly baked bread on the side made this dish a winner!




















We hung out at Gibraltar for a couple of days meeting up with Drew for lunch. The brand new Marina development was impressive and its iconic architecure a sharp contrast to the more traditional Victorian architecture of old Gibraltar.



































The Cathedral in Gibraltar can almost be missed. Its doors opening straight onto the street and sandwiched between the shops of Main Street. A curious notice on its door reads At the heart of every community are the intelectually disabled and their carers. It deserves a lot of deep thought.









We booked for a couple of days at Tangiers, staying overnight at a hotel with dinner and breakfast and tour guide. I must have been remembering my thirst for adventure in my teens and forgetting my discernment of later years because it wasn't too long before I had misgivings.

A fierce argument between a porter and passenger at the port of Algeciras brought Spanish police running but left me feeling vulnerable. The ferry crossing and approach to the African continent seemed surreal.











So many forms to fill in and passports scrutenised at every opportunity. A party of students from the US on an exchange visit were instructed by their tutor on what to do and what not to do and I was glad to eavesdrop. We were all made to walk through a contraption that recorded body temperature. A little American girl was identified as having a raised temperature and she was taken away in tears with her Mom while the rest of her family looked on in despair. An abrupt ending to their family holiday! This same measurement of body temperature wasn't used at Spanish or English customs.



The tour guide was more interested in selling us carpets than parting with the history of Tangiers. The poverty and squalour and stench in some parts of the old town and market was upsetting









for me and in contrast, I know how lucky I am. Our taxi was awful and stank of dried pee and dogs and we were glad to get out to see the camels. It was just another ploy to get us to part with money and we were even gladder to get back into the taxi and shut the doors in fear of being mobbed by hysterical camel owners and jewellery sellers...help! I did enjoy seeing Bedouin women in their native dress. The photo above shows them selling cheeses wrapped in plaited rush but the same women can only find small spaces to sell their wares and can be moved on by the police. It is also a familiar sight to see Arab women sitting in groups on pavements, hoping someone will come along and offer them work for the day.

We had lunch in a typical Morrocan restaurant complete with musicians before moving onto our hotel which proved to be first class, thank goodness! It had a lovely garden and lounge where we joined with locals to watch the Chelsea/Barcelona football match on TV. After the events of the day I had no wish to venture out again until our departure the next day. Yes, we bought a rug. It was our only means of escape and while I'm happy to help out the Bedouin economy and I love the design of the rug itself, made from colourfully died camel hair and lambs wool, I didn't like the pressure we had to endure to buy it.

Mustapha, our sales person, complete in Arab smock six inches too short showing his thin brown socks and lace up shoes and one blind eye insisted on showing us the view from the roof of the craft centre. We climbed three or four stories to see the view he was so proud of and he pointed out where the French, English and Moroccan quarters were. All I could see were sky dishes as far as the eye could see and I wanted to go home.


Thank God we survived it all and the ferry trip back to Algeciras couldn't come soon enough. It was late arriving in port and thankfully Drew had waited patiently to take us back to Duquesa. I managed to aquire a few bites in Tangiers that turned nasty. A parting gift I could have done without.

We had one more day in Spain before our journey home. We were going to relax by the pool but needed to visit the chemist, then the Doctor's surgery which was closed and then back to the chemist again. Drew was concerned and offered to take me to Gibraltar for treatment but I said no! He works long hours and the antisceptic I got from the chemist would probably stem the infection until I got back to England. Drew and his Dad went out for the evening and I stayed in to pack and have some quiet time to myself and made friends with a lizard on the balcony. Our flight home was good and while there was much to enjoy during our visit with Drew I was happy to be home again. The bites are healing, thank goodness and I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine... now where did I put those holiday brochures?