Aldenham cottages

I've been wanting to bring you some cottages for a while but the weather just conspires against me. The endless weeks of rain here in the UK have meant that normal summer activity has to be snatched between showers. I popped over to my unit at Hertfordshire Craft Collective today which under changed ownership has new signage.

Looks fab doesn't it? On the way back I took a detour through the tiny village of Aldenham. Of course as soon as I hopped out of the car it started to rain but I did manage to snap a couple of pretty cottages before I took shelter.

It's a sleepy little place. Hard to believe it's just a mile of so from Watford town.

I also took a short pit stop at Bushey Rose Gardens. They were planted just a couple of years ago (see my previous blog Bushey Rose Gardens ) and boy are the flower beds maturing beautifully!

So there you go. Some prettiness between showers. Time to put the kettle on.

How are you coping in all this rain?

Angel of the North

I've been 'oop north' with my son to see Bruce Springsteen in concert - Manchester and Sunderland - and managed to squeeze in a little sight seeing. On a rare sunny day in Newcastle we took a close look at the Angel of the North. She's a beauty!

(yup, that's me down in front)

As for Bruce, well, I got pretty close to him too ;-)

Cute cat post

Meet George...

He's not my cat he belongs next door...

But he loves this chair and...well...I love him. 

Hope your weekend is purrfect too!

Under new management

Times are a changing at the Hertfordshire Craft Collective where I have my vintage and handmade unit. Just a few weeks ago the leaseholder advised us that she was giving up the business and that HCC would be closing. Horrors!! Thankfully, at the 11th hour one of the unit holders stepped in (hurrah!) and took over the lease. 

It's such a lovely place to have a business at Battlers Green Farm and the new owner, who's taste in vintage I've always admired, is already making exciting changes.

The craft workshop area is having a makeover and a new craft programme is planned.

There's a great mix of vintage and handmade goods on sale too.

My own unit is brimming over with goodies, like these vintages suitcases

And I"ve been working at my stencilling skills on these vintage crates

It's a great time to be part of such a creative hub - don't forget to check us out if you're in this neck of the woods!

First open garden of summer

The rain held off long enough today to go to my my first Red Cross open garden of the season. Behind an unassuming house just a mile from my home was this fabulous garden. I never tire of seeing the dedication and creativity that some people put into their gardens.

I hope the rain has held off where you are too!

xxx

What a Jubilee!

Wow! What a Jubilee weekend it's been! 

My weekend started off rather painfully as I had to have a back tooth taken out on Friday. Despite resembling Marlon Brando in the Godfather I managed to sing with Rock Choir at a Jubilee event on Saturday. We probably had the only sun of the weekend. We concluded the event with a rousing chorus of the National Anthem. Me and my soprano Rockies, below, really gave it some Katherine Jenkinson style welly at the end! Very uplifting!

In true British style we refused to let the weather rain on our parade and our Jubilee street party went ahead on Sunday.

Here are some of the entrants in the Jubilee hat competition!

Meanwhile in London the nation was treated to a truly wonderful Royal spectacle. I was a Coronation baby so the Queen has been there throughout my entire life. I'm not particularly a Royalist but I felt very reflective and emotional watching the spectacular events. Prince Charles speech (to his Mummy, ahhh) was so touching. 

Can I let you into a secret? I'm lucky enough to have been a guest at Buckingham Palace. A couple of years ago representing the charity I worked for at the time, I met Princess Anne (who is an absolute hoot!) in the Centre Room, that's the one with the famous balcony. It was as much as I could do to stop myself pulling back the net curtains (yes the Queen has nets...but they're to stop prying camera lens) and go yoohoo to the tourist crowds below! 

Proud to be British? I've always shied away from jingoism but this weekend was a celebration of the British people as well as the Queen whom I admire...so yes I did feel proud and happy to be British and all our achievements over the last 60 years.

As for the Royal events themselves what can I say but wow, wow, wow!!!

Rule Brittania xxx

ps: I'm linking up with the Jubilee After Party at Happyhomemakeruk