Sunday, 28th April 2024 - Norway Chills

No, I am not in Norway. Explanation later.

We have the most adorable three guests to stay. They are long term returners from Holland and have become fond friends.

I have been ....yep....... lino cutting this afternoon. It is much more time consuming than I had anticipated. I love it.

Today's postcard is inspired by Wistling. An excellent Norwegian thriller. My only complaint is that it has subtitles and get very confusing when I don't read them as I am trying to paint my postcard. I am snacking Liquorice Allsorts - Bassetts are the only ones for me - another birthday present from Harriet. My birthday just keeps giving.

Norway Chills 

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Saturday, 27th April 2024 - Montana Broughton Star

Yesterday we had a wonderful day. The afternoon was spent in Wickhambreaux. Harriet and Brett have transformed an apartment they bought a few months ago. What an amazing team they make. Brett with his workmanship, Harriet with her artists eye and bargain hunting. They have worked their socks off scraping it back to the bare bones to start again. It looks stunning. So proud of them. Raffy and Herbie both got headteachers certificates this week.  Hetty's beetle linocuts were beautiful - so proud of all my grandchildren too. 

My late night was caused by having dinner at Ewan and Kath's. We haven't been to their home for ages or seen their daughters who have grown and changed. I managed to button my lip and not tell them. Always embarrassing to be told by your parents friends how much you've grown as a child. So good to relax with a delicious curry and charming friends. It's uplifting to be in the company of a good looking couple. Thank you for a great evening.

Today has been quiet. 

This climber was part of my many and very thoughtful birthday presents from The Evans family. I will find a delightful spot in the garden for it to clamber up to its full potential of 10 metres!!!

Montana broughton star 

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Friday 26th April 2024 - Abstract with Fern

I left home at 11am this morning. It is now 22 minutes past midnight. I will tell you about today tomorrow.

Abstract with Fern 

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Thursday, 25th April 2024 - View from Little Rock

It's Nick's birthday today. Happy Birthday. I love a birthday celebration. Tim and I battled through Folkestone's bracing wind and sea rain and met him with Alli, Si, Lesley, Lucy and Mick in The Ship Inn for a pre lunch drink. We missed having whelks and cockles at Chummys - not so keen myself. We had a table at Little Rock with a great view over the sea that was a threatening green colour with wild white horses. I want to go back and explore - when I have finished my lino cuts that are coming along slowly but surely. What a great place Folkestone is. I can see why it was voted the best place to live in the South East. 

View from Little Rock 

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Wednesday, 24th April 2024 - Six Months until Fruition

I am looking forward to an abundant crop of Bramley apples to make pies, crumbles and chutney. 

Six Months until Fruition 

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Tuesday, 23rd April 2024 - Rambling Up Hill

In between having a messy time cutting a lino print fish I had brunch bought for my by Gay as a lovely belated birthday present.... And her and Robert gave a beautiful pink rose. I have walked it around the garden to find a suitable spot. This afternoon Tim, Wendy and I started a short walk due to the incoming rain that never arrived so it ended in a very very long walk ending at The Bull. 

Our new woodburner is glorious throwing out heat to warm our chilly bones in the evenings. 

Rambling Up Hill 

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Monday, 22nd April 2024 - No 64316

Yesterday, Harriet's friend Katie Fox ran the London Marathon to raise money and awareness for Unique, the charity that supports her son's rare chromosome disorder. Not one blister. What an amazing achievement. She is an inspiration.

No 64316

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Sunday, 21st April 2024 - Wonky Berries

My guests didn't want fruit salad for breakfast. Tim and I ate it.

Wonky Berries 

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Saturday, 20th April 2024 - Trees and Bluebells

Hopefully Tim has done the last grass cut with the sit on mower before the robot is allowed out.

I have been gardening. Potting on my rampant seedlings, getting rid of exuberant weeds and planting out mysterious plants as the labels I wrote in the autumn are now blank. 

Tim added a prawn curry and homemade roti breads to the two curries I made last night. 

The bluebells are looking lovely in our hornbeam woods. I have been inspired by the Impressionist pointillism I saw at Musee D'Orsay for today's postcard.

Trees and Bluebells 

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Friday, 19th April 2024 - A Symbol of Long Life

 My thoughtful sister came for coffee with a box of Macarons just in case we were missing Paris.

I seem to have expanded. My jeans are just a bit tight around my wobbly waist. At least I know the reason and thoroughly enjoyed my almond croissant, Aperol spritz, baguette, roast pork in a cream sauce, wine, apple tart with caramel butter and more. 

I pruned my mint and put the cuttings in water. They have sprouted roots and a caterpillar. The caterpillar and it's mint has been put in a jar with compost. I am keeping it for Herbie to look after. He loves an insect. I have just had an internet explore to check they are insects as they have many legs but according to the Woodland Trust site they have six legs which class them as insects and up to five pairs of stumpy prolegs with useful hooks for hanging. 

We have come home to a garden with an abundance of fruit tree blossom. So pretty.

A Symbol of Long Life 

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Thursday, 18th April 2024 - Lunch at Mignon Cafe

We were still in Paris this morning. Alex and Julia met us for a walk around Sacre Coeur. There was a street that I had read about, Avenue Junot, that had beautiful houses and the sun was shining. I really hadn't thought of taking my sunglasses. We stopped for lunch in Mignon Cafe. Being vegetarian we filled ourselves with black radish, spelt and sourdough. 

Now back at hom. I have had the most wonderful time celebrating my birthday. Thank you Tim for organising the whole trip from our 6th floor apartment in Montmartre, trains - many trains, restaurants, a gallery trip - I love a Monet painting of turkeys, the sunshine, and the surprise dinner with Steve and Zoe. What a wonderful couple of days. I love a city visit. Always pleased to come home. I miss my friends and family.

Lunch at Mignon Cafe 

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Wednesday, 17th April 2024 - Pavilion de Flore

 I woke to my husband bringing me an almond croissant. Perfect with a mug of tea. I bring tea bags wherever I travel. Lindsey understands the importance of tea particularly in the morning. He was up and out while I slumbered and showered. We packed our backpacks and headed downtown. It was a beautiful morning for a Parisian walk. Just adore it here. We spent the afternoon in Musee d’Orsay amongst the Impressionists. So many paintings I had only seen in books and some I had never seen. There was a Monet of white turkeys I particularly liked. It chucked it down while we were immersed  in paintings. So lucky with the weather. A Metro took us back to Monmatre. A brief freshen up, a cold glass of rose then back out for an evening of food and exploration.

We went for an aperitif. I was confused by Tim ordering two grand beers!?! Steve and Zoe were there. What a lovely surprise. We had dinner at Ma Biche which was good apart from a toilet fiasco. A wander back to the bar below our apartment to finish the evening with a Cointreau. I have heaved myself up over 100 steps of a spiral staircase to bed. Good night lovely people. 

This is the kit I take away with me.

Pavilion de Flore

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Tuesday, 16th April 2024 - View from 19 rue Gerando

 Tim has taken me to Paris as an addendum to my birthday celebrations. What a treat. Springtime in Paris. The Eurostar took us to Gare du Nord. We had a picnic on the train. My cranberry and vodka Cosmopolitan went well with a tuna and gherkin roll. What a fine way to travel. We are staying in Monmatre in an apartment on the 6th floor. 

After unpacking our undies we had an explore. Loads of bars and restaurants. We took the advice of bnb host. Dinner in Les P’tits Gros -translates as The Little Fat One!!! Wine, bread - why can’t we have bread like the French make - delicious food. After our meal we clambered up the steps to Sacre-Coeur and watched the lights dim over Paris while the Eiffel Tower lit up. Just stunning. 

 View from 19 rue Gerando

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Monday, 15th April 2024 - Tom and John

We have had a new flue and woodburner fitted today. Tom and John battled through wind and hail. It was a rather dusty process. The end result looks great. We look forward to many nights of warm toes.

My lovely sister came for tea this morning. We chatted about our love for our grandchildren. The rest of afternoon I spent in my studio lino cutting a fish.

Tom and John 

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Sunday, 14th April 2024 - Clive and his Singer

We were five minutes late to the beer festival at The Bell & Jorrocks due to the broadcast change in time of The Archers. There were many many sides of Morris. Steampunk in black with leather, many bells and rainbows of ribbons. A lovely way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday.

Tim has printed a map and we are planning our few days in Paris. I keep forgetting we are going and then get excited when I remember. Paris in the Springtime - so romantic.

Clive and his Singer 

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Saturday, 13th April 2024 - Punch Club Finding Inspiration

The punch embroidery Harriet and I did yesterday was a course held at Water Lane in Hawkhurst. I chose something we had never tried before. What a wonderful way to spend a morning with my daughter. There wasn't even too much frustrated swearing. I can't really explain how you do it much more than it involves wool, canvas and a needle. Ian from Water Lane took us for a tour of the garden for inspiration. We were set up in once of the glass houses where Alice Liptrot - great name - led us through how to punch embroider. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

Today has been a catching up day. I haven't caught up yet.

Punch Embroidery

Punch Club Finding Inspiration 

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Friday, 12th April 2024 - Frittilaria

Tim looked after, fed, entertained, fed and entertained, Hetty, Raffy and Herbie while Harriet and I spent a morning together at Water Lane doing punch embroidery. It was a birthday gift to Harriet and myself. I will blog in more detail tomorrow. I have been for a walk with Tim, Tony and Wendy that ended up at a drinking session at The Ewe and Lamb and feel a little infused with white wine.

We have a path into our woods that is speckled with Fritillaria for a very short couple of weeks in Spring. 

Fritillaria 

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Thursday, 11th April 2024 - Woodland Partners

 The bluebells in our woods are coming out alongside the wood anemone. They look lovely together.

Tim and I have been planning our trip to Paris. We met with Alex and Julia (from Toronto, that's where we met them) at The Woodcock with Sarah (who is Julia's cousin, that's how we know them) and Nigel. They have been living in Paris and had some good tips and where to eat and what to see. We have added it to our two and a half day itinerary.

This evening I went to a WOKAS get together. The subject was to make a Picasso pot. My efforts were abysmal and ended back in the clay bag. I had a charming evening nevertheless.

Woodland Partners 

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Wednesday, 10th April 2024 - Book Recommendation

I have been following Anya the Garden Fairy on Instagram for years. She has great tips on gardening and plant propagation. I have many pots of hydrangeas made from one plant due to her expertise. Anya bought out a book a month or so ago. I have been wanting a copy since the moment it was published. And now I have a copy bought for me as a birthday present. Thank you - you know who. I thoroughly recommend any gardening enthusiasts to get one. 

Book Recommendation 

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Tuesday, 9th April 2024 - Jam Jar Posy

After Tom keeping me up late celebrating last night I managed to rouse myself ready for my second day of being 60. Elizabeth and Keith drove to us from a field in Frittenden in their individual camper vans. The wind in the night caused them to not have the best nights sleep due to wobble. They joined us for bacon sandwiches - some topped with fried eggs - yuk. I highly recommend pineapple chilli jam. It is an excellent pairing with bacon. 

Tom packed up his car and Fable. He is now back in Northampton beavering away with work after a couple of days abstinence. It has been good to have him home for a brief and charming visit. I will miss him, Fable and his playlist.

Tim and I dragged ourselves out for a walk. We felt so much better after being blown at with a cool wind and squelching about through the mud. I still haven't mended my damn wellies.

It is very quiet at home. I have started preparing for an art exhibition. All my ideas are in my head swimming about. I need to start getting them out and onto paper. I love doing my postcards but am looking forward to making something bigger.

Part of one of my birthday presents was a jam jar posy made by Astilbe and Sorrel. Sophie is an artist when it comes to flowers. They are beautiful thank you.

Jam Jar Posy 

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Monday, 8th April 2024 - Happy 60th Birthday to Me

 I am 60!!

I am typing drinking sparkling wine with my son listening to Dexys Midnight Runners - loved that band - what happened to them?!? Moving onto Rag and Bone Man - loving my birthday.

I have had the most glorious birthday. It started with a hot shower followed by croissant and coffee in the garden. It was the most sunny weather and a I had a walk with my son, husband and sister with dogs around Sissinghurst. 

I was opening presents outside when Elizabeth and Keith dropped by. We opened a bottle of bubbles - it's my birthday!!! I AM DOING TO PARIS The most beautiful present from my husband.

Harriet, Hetty, Raffy  and Herbie turned up with birthday cake. 

Thank you to all my glorious friends who came this evening to The Bell and Jorrocks to celebrate my birthday. I think I like being 60.

Happy Birthday to me 

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Sunday, 7th April 2024 - Auricula

I have started my birthday celebrations early. I have had a wonderful day with Harriet, Hetty, Raffy, Herbie, Tim and Tom at The Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch. I wanted to celebrate my 60th birthday with the grandchildren doing something that we would all enjoy. The greatest joy is watching them having fun, exploring and learning. Harriet made an amazing and thoughtful picnic. I felt very spoilt. Thank you my gorgeous family for sharing my 'big' birthday with me.

I planted auricula tiny plug plants back in the autumn. They are now looking big, healthy and flowering in my greenhouse waiting for a theatre. I love an auricula.

Auricula 

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Saturday, 6th April 2024 - Wild Purple Orchid for Happiness

I have prepared and cooked the same breakfast for guests for the past four mornings. I will probably be up frying eggs tomorrow as it has become embedded in my daily routine. I need to find some exercises to strengthen my back. Bending cleaning the rooms makes my back grouchy and spasm. 

Tom has arrived for my birthday celebrations that start tomorrow. Fable needed a walk after being sat in the car for over two hours. I wore wellies and strode happily through the mud and puddles until I remembered I had not fixed the hole in my right boot! We posted my latest postcards, spotted a coterie (new collective noun for me to learn) of purple orchids and walked past The Bull. We opened beer and wine back at home. I reduced our egg mountain by making cheese and mushrooms omelettes. Well done hens.

There are load of entries on the internet about purple orchids. A lot to do with the double tubors. You can look that up yourself as I can't bring myself to put it in print. I will stick with the more pleasant symbolism of purity, prosperity and happiness.

Wild purple Orchid for Happiness 

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Friday, 5th April 2024 - Wild Violets for Healing

A lovely friend bought me coffee at Water Lane this morning. Thank you lovely lady. I popped by my sister's but she wasn't home so I went to the supermarket and got breakfast provisions for guests. Tescos had pots made from recycled fishing line and nets which looked perfect for Harriet's flourishing plants. I messaged her and while waiting for a reply went back to Lindsey's who had returned home. We sat in her summer house which seems to be a nursery for queen wasps and drank tea and ate digestive biscuits watching the wind blowing Fritha's ears about. 

There was a message on Instagram saying that the florist at Hartley wasn't open today due to being unwell. Today's postcard is going to Sophie. Wild violets are good at healing sore throats, coughs, inflammation and yin deficiency. The leaves are full of vitamin A, C, rutin and quercetin. Not knowing what was wrong with Sophie I thought maybe she had one of the ailments.

Wild Violets for Healing 

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Thursday, 4th April 2024 - Chancing the Traffic

I have been catching up with 'stuff' today. It is very satisfying to get to the bottom of the laundry basket. Simple pleasures.

Tim and I called into Mike and Pippa's for tea. Mike suggested a walk up the road to The Print House. At 5pm I wondered if it seemed too early to be having a white wine spritzer. I had two and they were thoroughly enjoyable.

Chancing the Traffic 

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Wednesday, 3rd April 2024 - Driving Home

Happy 39th birthday to Harriet. Wow, where did those years go.

Tim and I drove to wish our amazing daughter a happy birthday. Tim donned his work clothes and painted doors and walls in Harriet and Brett's flat. Harriet served us all coffee and pastries. Herbie delivered Harriet's birthday presents. Tim and Brett were painting at such speed they ran out of paint. Harriet, Herbie and I took to the shops to find more paint and more food. Conversation in the car was varied from handbrakes and gears to emotions and adventures. I was very pleased with my purchase. I bought a whole salmon reduced from £35 to £3.50. It is now chopped up and in our freezer. Herbie helped me choose a plant for a friend who very sadly has recently lost their very much loved dog. It has been a good day.

Driving Home 

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Tuesday, 2nd April 2024 - Window Shopping in Cranbrook

On our last trip to Cranbrook Sarah and I vowed to try a different coffee venue after a grumpy greeting at Wendy's. We both forgot and ended up having very good coffee and a very needed half a bacon roll with chilli jam. We have become creatures of habit. It is comforting and means we can get to the nitty gritty of conversation about life in our happy space. Another regular haunt is the charity shop. There was nearly a bust-up with Sarah and the manager over the price of a stack of plates. I left them to it and pretended to be very interested in the clothing. I found books and a game for Hetty, Raffy and Herbie.

Once back home I had to reinstate my bnb rooms after the grandchildrens visit. Now all clean and pristine ready for today's guests. They have been before so I didn't get my usual guest arriving nerves.

The fridge is full of tasty bowls of bits of pieces left over from the weekend meals. I think I will have cold chicken followed by rice pudding and rhubarb. I made a triple sized rice pudding thinking it would be popular but none of the grandchildren liked it. Tim and I are making a valiant attempt at eating it.

Tony and Wendy picked us up for a drink at The Bell and Jorrocks, they were closing at 8pm so we went onto The Milkhouse, they were closing early too. We were extricated from two pubs in one evening!!!

Window Shopping in Cranbrook 

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Monday, 1st April 2024 - Coaltit Rescue

 Croissant at breakfast fuelled the grandchildren. Coffee fuelled the grandparents. It was a busy day again with Hetty, Raffy and Herbie. Raffy was out on her bike, Herbie helped move soil with his digger, Hetty pottered on her sprained ankle and rescued a coaltit that got trapped in the utility room. When it rained we took refuge at the kitchen table to play Happy Families which caused laughter and arguments and a bit of cheating as all the best card games do. The house is eerily quiet now the grandchildren have gone home.  We will miss them and their bouncy ways. 

Coaltit Rescue 

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